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By working across multiple policy areas at the same time, within a core framework of economic justice for women, mothers, and families, MomsRising has made major advances:
The membership of MomsRising, which is currently a million strong, is continuing to grow. A commissioned analysis revealed that the racial and ethnic composition of our membership reflects that of the U.S. Census.
MomsRising is making important policy gains for women and families in our nation. (Scroll down this page to see details.)
The readership of our blog and social media outlets now have a combined estimated reach of over 3 million readers, and the readership is continuing to rapidly expand. We now have over 3000 MomsRising bloggers, and Forbes named MomsRising a top website for women every year 2010-2013.
MomsRising now has a commercial radio program, Breaking Through with Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner (Powered by MomsRising), which is broadcast on stations across the nation, and is available via iTunes as well.
Moms are a powerful force!
Sometimes it's hard to see the many ways that small actions like signing a petition, sharing your personal experience, making a call, attending a local meeting, or playing a MomsVote debate game on social media add up over time and make a big difference.
They do. Because we are MomsRising together.
Your everyday actions (over a million in 2016!) added up to inspiring victories for moms and families this year. We didn't just win in 2016! We've had big wins every single one of the last 10 years together because the voices of moms, dads, and real people are powerful when we raise them together.
Learn more about our recent wins:
- Watch a video about MomsRising's 2017 impact.
- Learn about MomsRising's 2016 wins.
- Learn about MomsRising's 2015 wins.
- Learn about MomsRising's 2014 wins.
*Check out what leaders have to say about MomsRising's impact here.
Working with our over 200 aligned organizations to maximize the impact of the movement as a whole, the over a million multicultural grassroots members of MomsRising have played a key role in an impressive array of economic justice policy wins, as well as public education and voter engagement efforts at the city, state and federal levels.
Scroll down this page to find out more about the history of our wins:
State and Local Victories
New York City, NY
MomsRising just helped win paid sick days for all who work in New York City, giving an additional estimated 1 million people access to sick days (We were delighted that MomsRising was one of five organizations that the lead sponsor thanked in the floor speech just prior to the vote). We are continuing our work in New York City by currently pushing for minimum wage increases.
MomsRising recently helped repeal the death penalty, and won protections for pregnant workers. We are currently pushing for paid sick days in Maryland.
Rhode Island
This state recently became the third state to pass paid family leave.
MomsRising just helped pass paid sick days in Portland. We are ramping up to win paid sick days statewide.
Jersey City, NJ
The City Council recently voted 7-1 to pass earned paid sick days. Our campaign for earned sick days is headed to Newark next.
MomsRising helped get paid sick days passed through the Philadelphia City Council for the second time.
North Carolina
MomsRising has a successful and very active test chapter, and has many active members working on the state budget, early learning, toxics, and more.
Washington state
MomsRising helped pass sick days in Seattle, helped pass several early learning and child care bills, and is actively working on state paid leave and sick days policies.
Additional Paid Sick Days Cities and States
MomsRising is also currently actively engaged in efforts to advance earned sick days in Maryland and Washington, D.C. (with Vermont and Oregon likely coming soon).
Healthcare States
MomsRising is also hard at work advancing healthcare for children in the KidsWell states, including the following target areas: New Mexico, California, Texas, Mississippi, New York, Maryland, and Florida.
Paid Sick Days
MomsRising members continue to work hard at the local, state, and federal levels to make access to earned paid sick days a reality for all employees.
And it's working: In the past two years MomsRising members helped push paid sick days across the finish line in New York City, Connecticut, Seattle, and Jersey City, NJ. MomsRising members helped ensure that the Portland, Oregon City Commission voted unanimously to pass paid sick days. We pushed for paid sick days for years in New York City, which recently became the largest city in the U.S. to pass a paid sick days bill. We're closer than ever to victory in Philadelphia and we've gained impressive ground in Maryland, Massachusetts, and Oregon.
MomsRising members build the MOMentum for victory by sending letters and Tweets, making personal calls, sharing stories with policymakers and media, and educating their communities about the importance of earned paid sick days. MomsRising also helps raise the profile of this issue by covering it on our radio show and regularly pushing for the passage of the federal Healthy Families Act.
Further, we're working to educate our members, the media, and leaders about the importance of paid sick days in additional areas across the country in order to build momentum for federal paid sick days and paid family leave legislation.
MomsRising launched a major education and engagement campaign with the long term goal of educating parents about the components of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), building support for the full implementation of ACA, supporting full enrollment of CHIP and Medicaid, and supporting the creation of state exchanges that meet the needs of children and families.
Federal Budget
MomsRising launched a major campaign to educate our membership about the impact of the federal budget on their lives.
Through this effort MomsRising generated tens of thousands of member contacts via e-mail, phone, and in-person meetings with leaders to further educate them that moms are paying attention to the federal budget process, including to food and nutrition, child care, education, and Medicaid funding. As a result of this powerful campaign, many national media outlets covered MomsRising's work, tens of thousands of people were engaged, and our Executive Director/ CEO Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner was invited to not one, but two small group meetings with President Obama. She spoke passionately about the needs of children and families. Another result is that MomsRising played a major role in keeping Medicaid from being subjected to automatic cuts in the sequestration.
MomsRising collected tens of thousands of signatures from parents around the country supporting a budget agreement that supports children and families and calls on wealthy individuals and corporations to pay their fair share. In the lead up to the government shutdown we educated our members on the real world consequences of budget cuts, not raising the debt ceiling, and shutting down the government through social media memes, blog posts, and fact sheets.
Throughout the shutdown we collected over 500 stories, which were shared with Congressional and Budget leadership. We have also directly targeted the Budget Conference Committee with an action alert and by delivering stories from moms from their states on the positive impact of government funded programs.
Leading up to the House Farm Bill vote that cut $40 billion from SNAP, MomsRising delivered a petition with over 10,000 signatures to Members of Congress calling for no cuts to SNAP.
In partnership with the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), MomsRising created a meme highlighting a Top 5 list of reasons SNAP should not be cut. A personal story from MomsRising member Lorraine was read on the floor of the House of Representatives and submitted into the Congressional record. After the massive cut to SNAP passed, outrage from our members was felt across social media and a MomsRising blog post was picked up and featured on Ms. Magazine's blog. We also educated our membership on the November 1st SNAP cliff (automatic reduction in benefits), lending support to our policy partners on social media and our blog.
Early Learning/Child care
Since our campaign launch in 2009, the MomsRising Early Learning Campaign has been extremely successful, winning eight out of nine legislative priorities—and MomsRising helped get a significant boost for early learning funding and programs in the President's budget.
In Washington State, our members helped pass WaKIDS (a groundbreaking kindergarten transition program), protected Working Connections Child Care, protected the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP), and led the charge for a statewide citizen petition that helped Washington State receive the Early Learning Challenge Grant.
Nationally, MomsRising members helped to make the Early Learning Challenge Grants (federal grants to improve critical state early child care and education systems) possible, protected key programs like child care and Head Start, and helped update the federal nutrition standards for child care centers. We are working hard to make the President's commitment to universal pre-K education a reality for all families.
Paid Family Leave
For years MomsRising members have been advocating for more federal funding for state paid family leave programs.
This summer, for the first time ever, the United States Senate Appropriations Committee approved a budget bill that included $5 million to help states develop paid leave programs. Just hours before the Senate Appropriations Committee voted to include the State Paid Leave Fund in their budget, Rhode Island became the third state to pass a paid family leave law, joining California and New Jersey. MomsRising members sent many messages to legislators in Rhode Island ahead of this victory.
MomsRising members are now taking action to support the upcoming FAMILY Act, a federal paid family leave insurance program.
Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
MomsRising members were leaders in the successful effort to pass the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, including holding in district constituent meetings in 44 states as well as sent in tens of thousands of letters in support of equal pay and this legislation.
The passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was a huge victory, but is just one step forward in our campaign to close the wage gap for women and mothers.
Executive Orders on Pay Transparency
MomsRising successfully fought for the passage of two Executive Orders in 2014 alongside other organizations like the AAUW, one to prohibit federal contractors from retaliating against employees who choose to discuss their compensation; and the other making contractor pay practices more transparent.
These orders will help the more than 26 million people in America who work for federal contractors—over 20 percent of the entire U.S. workforce and were signed into law in 2014. (In an acknowledgement of MomsRising's work on these Executive Orders and on fair pay, we were invited to stand with the President as he signed these Executive Orders).
Extending Fair Labor Standard Act Protections
MomsRising successfully worked with the National Domestic Workers Alliance and others in 2013 to extend federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) protections--including minimum wage and overtime pay--to home care workers nationwide.
Our members were thrilled when the White House and the Department of Labor announced in September, 2013 that the U.S. Department of Labor's long-awaited regulations were finalized, extending federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) protections--including minimum wage and overtime pay--to home care workers nationwide.
Paycheck Fairness Act
MomsRising members have made tens of thousands of constituent contacts, held local meetings with leaders, delivered stories and messages directly to elected leaders, spoken out, and much more in favor of the Paycheck Fairness Act.
The Act has passed both the House and the Senate -- but not in the same Congressional session (yet!) as is needed for full passage. MomsRising will continue to fight for the passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act until it passes.
Credit Access for Full-Time Parents
MomsRising members reached out to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and are credited with helping to pass a new rule that removed an unanticipated roadblock for any full-time parent getting credit, which was a result of the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act (CARD Act).
The CARD Act required credit card companies to consider a person's "independent" ability to pay – based on his/her individual income or assets – when evaluating their application for a new account. This was meant to protect students and young adults from getting deep into debt. However, when the Federal Reserve wrote the rules to implement the law, it made independent ability to pay the standard for all credit card applications.
The CFPB's new rule revises the CARD Act and allows credit card companies to consider the household income for any applicant 21 years or older who can show they have "access" to that shared money. That "reasonable expectation of access" would be satisfied if the working partner's salary is deposited into a joint bank account or there are regular transfers to the non-working partner's account.
Healthy Food in Schools
After a social media backlash against new nutritional standards for school meals, there was substantial doubt about whether the USDA would take additional steps to improve nutritional standards for snack foods and beverages sold in schools.
MomsRising built a strong and diverse social media community to create public pressure for additional nutritional standards for food and beverages sold in school snack lines, vending machines, and school stores. We published more than 40 blogs posts that earned 8.6 million impressions, hosted a series of Twitter events that earned more than 5.3 million impressions, and launched a Facebook campaign that reached 60,250 accounts.
We worked with partner organizations to help collect 200,0000 comments in support of these proposed regulations, and shared stories about junk food in schools from moms on the ground with high level policymakers at the White House. We were thrilled when these strategies resulted in the USDA announcement of new nutritional standards for snack foods and beverages sold in schools.
Pink Slime
After consumer pressure, including strategic pressure from MomsRising members, major supermarkets stopped selling meat products containing "pink slime."
The USDA decided to allow school districts to reject pink slime as part of their meal programs.
Protecting Kids from Toxic Chemicals
MomsRising played a key role in the passage and implementation of the Consumer Product Safety Protection Act.
We again played an important role in the successful push to have the Consumer Product Safety Commission increase the safety standard for lead and phthalates in products intended for children aged 12 and under.
Since 2009, MomsRising has been part of a mom outcry against harmful yellow dyes in Kraft's instant macaroni and cheese. We've sent more than 30,000 messages to Kraft, and recently expressed our concerns to Kraft executives at the White House. In October 2013, Kraft announced that it would begin removing artificial dye from its macaroni and cheese products, starting in 2014 with their lines of SpongeBob Squarepants, Halloween, and winter-shaped macaroni.
In coalition with the Breast Cancer Fund and the Campaign for Safer Cosmetics, MomsRising members called on box retailer Target to begin removing toxic cosmetics and beauty products from its shelves. Shortly thereafter, Target announced its new sustainability standard and began instituting a new process for identifying toxic products in their stores. Target has invited MomsRising to provide feedback as they create nontoxic and sustainability standards for their products.
Gun Safety
MomsRising launched our gun safety campaign in the wake of the tragic shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut in December 2012 and the heartbreaking death of Hadiya Pendleton in Chicago, Illinois several months later.
We helped to bring the first meaningful gun policy reform vote in the Senate in almost 30 years. The vote on background checks for gun purchases failed to reach the necessary filibuster-proof 60 votes by only four votes.
Shining a spotlight on corporate promotion of irresponsible gun culture, MomsRising, in coalition with CREDO and the Gun Truth Project, protested LivingSocial's event offerings that combined alcohol with recreational shooting. LivingSocial subsequently said it is no longer offering such event packages.
Unemployment Insurance
MomsRising members worked on a successful campaign to extend the federal unemployment insurance program.
MomsRising mobilized tens of thousands of members to successfully pressure Congress to fully extend Unemployment Insurance for 2012, impacting over two million families.
Fair Treatment for Immigrant Women, Children and Communities
MomsRising's members sent more than 43,000 messages educating leaders about the importance of comprehensive immigration policy reform and also addressing the concerns of DREAMers.
Our team helped raise the voices of immigrant women by promoting press releases with their stories and by publishing blog posts. We provided over a dozen Senators and Representatives, as well as leaders of national immigrant advocacy organizations, with an opportunity to educate the "mom community" on immigration policy matters by writing for our blog.
Tony Award-winning playwright Eve Ensler headlined one of our online publications, "Strengthening Our Culture, Communities and Economy With the Contributions of Immigrant Women: A Blog Carnival on Women and Immigration Reform." MomsRising staff members placed op-eds and were interviewed in the traditional press; placements included ABC News-Univisión, Miami Herald, MetroLatino USA, San Francisco Examiner, and Huffington Post Live.
Our staff also organized our membership to participate in national days of action in Washington, D.C., which included meetings with leaders, attending media-generating rallies, and inviting our network of influential women bloggers (who, combined, have over 40 million social media followers) to these events.
Clean Air
MomsRising joined forces with the public health and environment communities to protect life-giving air from industrial pollutants.
In December 2011, moms across the country celebrated President Obama's historic signing of the Mercury and Air Toxics Rule, part of the 1970 Clean Air Act, which finally imposed standards on the amount of mercury and other toxins that coal–fired power plants can release into the air.
Additionally, in December 2012, President Obama finalized the Soot Rule, his first piece of major legislation after his re-election. Soot is one of our deadliest pollutants; it can provoke asthma attacks, stunt lung growth, and even cause cancer. The rule tightens the amount of soot diesel trucks, smoke stacks, and other sources are permitted to emit by 20%.
Advancing the Rights of Home Care Workers
MomsRising worked with the National Domestic Workers Alliance and others on this campaign, and our members were thrilled when the White House and the Department of Labor announced in September that the U.S. Department of Labor's long-awaited regulations were finalized, extending federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) protections--including minimum wage and overtime pay--to home care workers nationwide.
MomsRising members sent nearly 10,000 letters in support of this regulation.
Ending Housing Discrimination Against Mothers and Families
MomsRising launched a large-scale public education campaign to shed light on and to help end housing discrimination against mothers.
In collaboration with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, MomsRising created a first-ever resource on mother's housing rights and collected stories from mothers across the country who had been denied home loans or turned away from rental apartments. The campaign generated extensive media coverage, and information from this campaign was widely shared on blogs, Facebook, and Twitter. The scores of newspapers and online news sites that covered this campaign have a combined circulation of over 30 million people. They include the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, LatinaLista, and the Wall Street Journal Online, among others.
On the White House Blog, HUD's Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, John Trasviña, stated that: "With the help of MomsRising....we are uncovering [maternal housing discrimination] cases around the country." HUD began investigating multiple cases against mortgage companies and property owners and is achieving settlements for mothers who have been discriminated against. The Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity also wrote on the Huffington Post that HUD's effectiveness "would not have been possible without community leaders and organizations like MomsRising."
MomsRising's campaign helped put maternal housing discrimination into the national dialogue and helped pregnant women and mothers know their rights and how to seek redress if these rights are violated.
Making Breast Pumps Tax Deductible
MomsRising members played a key role in a successful campaign this year to pressure the IRS to make breast pumps a deductible medical expense, and reimbursable under flexible spending and health savings accounts.
Working for Justice
MomsRising members also took up a number of causes for individual moms.
Our members successfully demanded that the Governor of Ohio review a draconian sentence against a low-income mother of color who sent her child to an out-of-district public school.
Another example of a specific win is that, as a result of the partnership between MomsRising and the ACLU, the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) – the organization that administers the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) – recently announced a new lactation policy for nursing mothers. The new policy allows nursing mothers, for up to one year following childbirth, to request extended or additional breaks to pump during the LSAT. The LSAC reversed its previous policy after MomsRising member Ashley Foxx was told by the LSAC that she would not be eligible for additional breaks – telling her that she would have to "choose between taking the LSAT and nursing her daughter."
Ashley approached MomsRising for help, and together we partnered with the ACLU to raise the visibility of this harmful policy and begin legal action.
MomsRising was deeply engaged in voter education in the last election.
Our activities included: registering moms to vote; writing blog posts, op-eds, Tweets, and Facebook posts, and creating images that got the word out about the top issues for women and families; a "Pledge to Vote" program for our members; Candidate Bingo; asking our members to "Register 4 More" and having people share "Why I'm voting" stories to inspire others to vote; hosting a "text to find your polling location" program; running a calling program to get out the mom vote; working with leaders to share what messaging works with moms and educating reporters; creating radio programs that got the word out and generating other traditional media outreach and coverage. MomsRising was active in ensuring family and women's economic security issues were covered at the debates, and several articles and op-eds by Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, MomsRising's Executive Director and CEO, were published in news outlets about the matter.
In addition, MomsRising, along with our allies, pushed the debate commission to have a female moderator. When you put it all together, combined with our large membership and readers, it's safe to say that MomsRising was a big part of moving mountains and turning out educated voters in this cycle.
MomsRising now has a commercial radio program, Breaking Through with Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner (Powered by MomsRising) that is broadcast in the Washington, D.C. area, by additional stations around the country, and is also available via podcast on iTunes.
The show highlights the top political and public policy issues facing our country -- how they impact you, your pocketbook, your way of life. We cover these issues with a goal of raising the voices of those too seldom heard from in the mainstream media. Tune in to listen to lively conversation with inspiring experts, real moms, insightful women, and elected leaders as they share the inside scoop on the topics that everyone's talking about right now.
Stories - Bringing The Voices of Women Straight To Our Nation's Leaders
Using real stories from real constituents, MomsRising has been able to garner the attention of political leaders about the critical concerns of mothers and families.
While the din created by budget numbers, research, and political posturing can get overwhelming in our nation's Capitol, a real life story told by a mother with emotion and in her own words always rises above the cacophony and captures the attention and hearts of our nation's leaders and the media. MomsRising has collected thousands of stories from our members in many issue areas, including Healthcare, Paid Sick Days, Early Learning and Child Care, Pay Discrimination, Economic Security, Environmental Health, Flexible Work Options, Unemployment, Breastfeeding, Paid Family Leave, Housing Discrimination, National Budget Priorities, Medicaid, School Food, and Clean Air.
Diversity and Inclusion Campaign Initiatives
MomsRising has built a multicultural grassroots constituency for child and family economic security.
The racial and ethnic demographics of our MomsRising membership reflects that of the U.S. Census, and the majority of our staff and the board of the MomsRising Education Fund are women of color. Our campaign staff weave an analysis of social and racial injustice into all our programs and highlights data on how each of our issue areas impact low-income families and communities of color. MomsRising is now regularly invited to present at grassroots organizing and blogging conferences discussing issues of importance to marginalized communities. We have a significant following of mothers of color on Facebook and 40% of the participants in recent Twitter actions were African Americans and Latinas.
In the winter of 2013, MomsRising will be unveiling our Spanish-language website called "MamásConPoder," or, "Moms With Power." Requests for bilingual campaign actions have been increasing and we now regularly engage with our members in Spanish on our blog, Facebook, and Twitter. We've been asked to give interviews for Spanish language press and radio, and our team has placed op-eds in Spanish. In 2012, we developed and launched the MomsRising Fellowship Program, which is designed to provide young women of color with opportunities to learn cutting edge online and on-the-ground organizing strategies.
In short, we're delighted to share that moms are helping make real wins for real people happen. Moving forward, MomsRising fully expects to continue making real change for real people possible.


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How to choose a home theatre projector
Plus tips on projector setup
rojectors provide the ultimate home theater experience. Nothing else comes as close to truly re-creating the viewing experience of a movie theater. We often talk about how a bigger screen is the most impactful upgrade for TVs. Projectors make it possible to enjoy images that are much larger than even the biggest TVs offer.
Projector basics
A projector is really a two-piece system: the projector and the screen. Today's digital projectors are a snap to set up and use. Many models are compact and lightweight enough to be considered portable.
You can place a movie projector on a coffee table or out of view on a bookcase or shelf in the back of your room. Or you can ceiling-mount your projector (we have mounts for most of the models we carry).
Projector screens come in a variety of sizes, and can be fixed-frame or retractable (manual or motorized). If your budget is really tight you can skip the screen and project movies directly onto a wall. That generally looks OK, but a screen delivers a smoother, more consistent image, and helps any projector perform at its best.
This is especially true for the HD and 4K home theater projectors we carry, which provide picture quality that's far superior to that of typical business-oriented projectors.
A home theater projector is a practical, cost-effective way to enjoy cinema-like picture size and quality at home.
Projectors contain only the essentials for creating the most cinema-like picture possible. Typically, a high-resolution LCD or LCoS imaging chip (Sony calls their LCoS technology SXRD), an ultra-high-intensity lamp, superb video processing and scaling circuitry, top-grade lenses with versatile zoom capabilities, and several video inputs.
What you won't find is any type of built-in TV tuner or web streaming apps. Popular video sources include Blu-ray players, satellite receivers or cable boxes, video game consoles, and media streamers like Apple TV® and Roku.
Projector vs. TV
Aside from producing spectacular images, projectors are often a better value than enormous flat-panel TVs if you figure the cost per inch of screen. And because you're projecting the image onto a wall or separate screen, there's no glass involved. You'll see no reflection or glare from the screen.
Even large flat-screen TVs appear small compared to the huge images you can get with a projector system.
That said, most projector owners also have at least one TV. The projector experience is unbeatable for movies, sports, or any other viewing where you're really focused on what's happening on the screen. But if you just want to catch a few minutes of news before bedtime, firing up a projector rig can be a little inconvenient.
Is a projector for you?
There are a couple of key things to be aware of if you're considering a projector. First, your room lighting: for the best projector performance in a home theater, try to reduce or eliminate light in the room, whether it's daylight or room lights.
Rooms with few windows are good candidates, especially if your viewing is heavy on movies. If you plan to use a projector in a room that gets a lot of sunlight, you may decide to limit your viewing to after dark. Or consider installing blackout shades on the windows.
Thanks to today's brighter projectors, and special screens that reject ambient light, you can enjoy a crisp, colorful projected picture even in rooms with some lights on.
Many LCD projectors, like the Epson models we sell, can produce very bright images that look good even in rooms with some ambient light. And there are special projector screens designed for use with the lights on. These screens have optical coatings that reject ambient room light and only respond to the light produced by the projector. Screen Innovations' Slate® and Black Diamond® models are great examples of this technology.
Second, your viewing habits and the life of your projector's lamp: today's projectors have a typical lamp life of 2000-5000 hours. The hour rating actually represents the lamp's "half-life" — the point where its brightness has diminished by half. A lamp will still work past its half-life, but it will continue to gradually lose brightness.
When you replace the lamp (it's easily user-replaceable), picture quality returns to like-new brightness. But you won't be able to simply run to the hardware store for a lamp. These projectors use special high-pressure lamps that cost between $200 and $500.
Projector owners who mostly watch movies and special events run their projectors an average of about 8 hours a week. For a projector with a 2000-hour lamp, that translates to 4-5 years of use. But if you use a projector as your main TV, logging say, 4 hours per day, you'll be looking at lamp replacement in under a year and a half.
Projectors have the same video inputs you find on TVs, including HDMI for high-def video sources like a Blu-ray player.
How to choose the best projector for your room and viewing habits
These days, the projectors from major manufacturers all look impressive. But each has its own unique strengths and weaknesses, and no single model will be the best choice for all rooms and signal sources. You can get a general idea about how a projector will perform by comparing these three key specifications.
Resolution: The number of pixels on the imaging chip measured from side to side and top to bottom. Nearly all high-definition projectors made for home theater use are full HD 1080p — 1920 x 1080 pixels. We now carry some 4K Ultra HD projectors with 4096 x 2160-pixel resolution — over four times the detail of full HD.
As the resolution gets higher, the size of each pixel gets smaller, so that images look more seamless, with less noticeable "pixel structure." A projector's built-in scaler will upconvert or downconvert all incoming signals to precisely match its "native resolution."
A few manufacturers make "pixel-shifting" 1080p projectors that provide compatibility with 4K video sources. The picture doesn't have the same quality as a native 4K projector, but definitely looks sharper than 1080p.
The increased picture detail, clarity, and depth of 4K is easy to see on projector-sized images.
Picture contrast: Contrast is arguably the most important factor of picture quality. The contrast ratio spec measures the difference between the whitest whites and the blackest blacks a projector can show. A higher contrast ratio can result in a picture with deeper blacks and more subtle color detail.
Good contrast is critical for home theater projectors. Many models have several lamp settings that let you reduce brightness and boost contrast for the best viewing in a darkened room. Some 4K projectors include HDR (High Dynamic Range) capability. They can decode HDR-enhanced video sources like Ultra HD Blu-ray and provide exceptional picture contrast.
Light output (brightness): Home theater projectors typically have brightness ratings of 700-2500 lumens. All projectors have plenty of brightness for watching movies in a dimly-lit or darkened room. A higher brightness rating will come in handy for viewing when there's more ambient room light. Higher brightness also helps if you're projecting onto a wall (it's less reflective than a screen), or if you're displaying an extra-large image (110" or bigger).
3D: If you've seen a well-made 3D movie in a theater you know that 3D works well with projected images, and that's true for home theater projectors, too. Bright projectors improve 3D because the 3D glasses dim the picture noticeably. You don't need a special screen for 3D, although a more reflective surface — indicated by a higher "screen gain" spec — will help 3D images look bright and crisp.
A few of Epson's projectors include wireless HDMI technology so you can avoid long cable runs. You plug your video sources into the transmitter module, which sends the signal to the wireless receiver built into the projector.
Wireless HDMI: Some movie fans who want to upgrade from a TV to a projector may hesitate because of installation issues. Mainly, how to connect their components to the projector without running cables across the floor. Epson has the answer with their projectors with wireless HDMI.
Epson's wireless receiver is built into the projector chassis, while the small transmitter module is placed near your video sources. Just connect an HDMI cable between your component and the transmitter and you're done. The transmitter sends a flawless picture wirelessly between the transmitter and the projector. Both must be in the same room, and the range is about 32 feet.
Lens shift: Another feature that makes installing a projector easier is lens shift. It allows you to move the projected image up or down, left or right, while keeping the projector stationary. This opens up more placement options because you can position the projector off-center in relation to your screen and still get a perfectly true image.
Shop for projectors with lens shift.
Projector placement tips
Most folks use their projectors mainly for "event viewing" — movies at night, and the occasional sports broadcast. If that's your plan, the simplest option is to set up the projector on a table or other flat surface. You can keep it stowed away in a closet or cupboard when you're not using it.
Remember: most projectors have no sound capability. So, to watch a Blu-ray movie, you'll need to connect your player's video output to the projector, and run the audio to your A/V receiver. And speaking of sound, if the projector will be located near you, look for a model with a quiet cooling fan.
If you have more of a dedicated home theater in mind (or if you want to keep your projector out of the reach of small children), you can ceiling-mount it. This makes for a neat, uncluttered look, but it does call for some DIY skills.
We carry ceiling mounts for most of our projectors, so that part is straightforward. But, the projector also needs AC power, plus a video connection from any source you want to feed to it. It's not a problem for new construction, or if you're remodeling, but trickier in a finished room (especially if there's not an attic overhead).
Check out our guide to in-wall wiring for installation tips, or consider a projector with wireless HDMI.
A projector's image doesn't follow the lens precisely, like a flashlight. The image is offset a bit to allow placement on a table or ceiling mounting. The image is raised somewhat for table placement, and similarly lowered for ceiling mounting. Note that for ceiling mounting, you typically flip the projector upside-down.
A quick look at installation considerations
As you compare projector features and performance, it's also a good idea to keep a few installation issues in mind. First, try to have at least a rough idea of how large an image you want to project. That will affect the distance between the projector and your screen.
With any projector, the further you position it from your screen, the bigger the image will be. But different projectors have different "throw ratios." The throw ratio is the relationship between a projector's distance from the screen and the width of the image.
A projector with a "short-throw" lens projects a larger image for a given distance from the screen. That's a smart choice for smaller rooms where the projector will be relatively close to the screen. Long-throw projectors are best for ceiling-mount situations where the projector will be placed further back in the room, behind the viewing position.
If your projector will be ceiling-mounted, it's important to make sure the lens is parallel to the screen. That helps ensure that your image will be true, with straight edges on all sides. If the projector and screen aren't correctly aligned, the image will look like a trapezoid instead of a rectangle. The top of the image will be wider than the bottom, or the left side will be taller than the right side, for example.
Fortunately, there are two ways to fix picture shape: lens shift and keystone correction. Lens shift lets you tweak the position of the lens inside the projector, so you can compensate for your projector being slightly off-axis.
Keystone correction adjusts the image's shape using internal processing that can slightly degrade the quality of the image. Nearly all projectors offer keystone correction, but only some offer lens shift.
Finally, consider the fact that the high-output lamps in projectors generate a lot of heat. Wherever you end up placing your projector, be sure to leave plenty of space around it to ensure proper ventilation.
If you plan to ceiling-mount your projector, check out our selection of projector mounts.
Ultra Short Throw projectors like Epson's Home Cinema LS100 can be placed directly under the screen. There are no hassles with ceiling mounting or long cable runs between your components and the projector.
Ultra Short Throw projectors
Ultra Short Throw (UST) projectors can help you enjoy the big-screen projector experience in rooms where it might not otherwise be possible. The design of a UST projector simplifies installation because you can place it directly under the screen, on a low table or credenza.
A UST projector can actually sit on top of your A/V equipment cabinet, right next to your video sources. So you don't have to worry about long cable runs between your components and your projector. Plus, it's just about impossible for anyone to walk in front of the projector.
It's a good idea to use a screen with any projector, but it's absolutely essential for a UST projector. A UST's lens design and steep projection angle will magnify even minor surface imperfections, so projecting onto a wall is going to look pretty rough. A high-quality fixed-frame screen with white or gray fabric should work well in most rooms.
Don't forget the screen!
To get the best picture quality from any projector, you should get a screen that is a good match for your projector and room. Read our projector screen buying guide and then shop for a projector screen.
Personalized advice from our team of experts
Have questions about which projector would best fit your room and viewing preferences? Our expert Advisors know the gear inside and out. Call, email, or chat with us today
Free lifetime tech support is included with every Crutchfield purchase.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) April 27, 2013
As springtime is in full swing, bodyweight workouts are becoming more and more popular to lose weight and get in shape for summer. But with most popular bodyweight programs, the bodyweight exercises get rather boring. Mike Whitfield, a trainer in Atlanta, GA who created the popular Bodyweight Torch program, understood this and offers his online and offline clients advanced lower body bodyweight exercises as well as upper bodyweight exercises and of course, ab workouts that use bodyweight. He explained an intense lower body exercise called the Prisoner Jump Squat recently on his youtube channel to his Bodyweight Torch subscribers and the response was very positive.
"The prisoner jump squat is an amazing lower bodyweight exercise that uses the lower body muscles, as well as improves upper back mobility by keeping the hands behind the head and squeezing the shoulder blades together. This is very useful for people that sit behind a desk all day because the upper back muscles get weak and mobility is lost. Plus, this exercise replaces treadmills and other expensive equipment. Anyone can use these bodyweight cardio and bodyweight conditioning exercises like the prisoner jump squat instead of investing thousands of dollars into very expensive equipment. The prisoner jump squat, one of my favorite advanced lower body bodyweight exercises, is a great tool for anyone's bodyweight conditioning program and bodyweight workouts because it can be done anytime and anywhere. It's an awesome way to increase the heart rate and strengthen the lower body muscles including the glutes, hamstrings and hips", said Whitfield.
The prisoner jump squat is just one of the lower body bodyweight exercises that require no equipment and can be found inside the new and free program found at http://www.bodyweighttorch.com.


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The R&G Exhaust Hanger is made from 6mm aluminum and features a modern design, really giving the bike a more aggressive racing look, ditching those unsightly pillion pegs (especially if they are never used!)Finished & powder coat black for a strong durable finish this exhaust hanger really looks the part. Compatible with the OEM exhausts as well as most aftermarket systems. If you're using a pillion seat cover, ditch those unsightly pillion pegs and exchange them for our stylish looking exhausts hanger and footrest blanking plate. It is crafted to clean up the rear end of your bike for the racing look & dropping weight from the bike to help improving lap times on the track. This kit comes with replacement bolts and full fitting instructions.
2014-2019 BMW R nineT
|Manufacturer #
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text:
Defiant Development's Ski Safari is one of those annoying-as-hell games that doesn't have much to it other than an infuriating knack for making your finger hit the icon reflexively every time you even so much as glance at your iPhone.
I see Ski Safari being compared to iPhone classic Tiny Wings quite a bit, and to an extent it's an apt comparison. Both games are variations on runners, games in which the goal is to get as far as you can before some impending event halts your progress. In Tiny Wings it's the sunset. In Ski Safari it's an avalanche. One of those is more dangerous, so one of the games is a bit more intense, but it's fundamentally the same concept.
Apparently you've been taking a ski vacation on the side of the world's largest mountain, so when the avalanche comes you've got quite a downhill adventure ahead of you. Jumps, ramps, and obstacles litter your path, while penguins, yetis, hawks and the odd snowmobile provide temporary bursts of speed.
You'll never survive the avalanche; your death is inevitable. Completing tasks during what little time you have left grants new ranks and bonuses in the next life, but eventually you will fall.
The looming specter of death does nothing to quash Ski Safari's ridiculously addictive nature, and at only $.99 with no in-game purchases I see no reason why I can't recommend littering this reality-defying mountain with your corpses as well.
Ski Safari [iTunes - $.99]


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Photographer's Note
Good Morning Everyone,
This morning, I am going to post two very different photographs of the same place.
My main photograph may not be immediately recognised as the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. I remember being so surprised by the volume of people on the bridge.
You will be able to see people talking, people using iPhones, people drinking, people looking at the view and that is not to mention how many people were shopping for jewellery items! Beyond, you will be able to see the lovely buildings which edge the River Arno. It is a real human magnet!
My second photograph pictured here is a more traditional view which I am sure, some will prefer. I wanted to include it because it shows the arched sections of the bridge which are evident in my main post. You will also be able to get a view of the river and how well it reflects the buildings when the sun is shining!
Have a great day, Bev :-)
Critiques | Translate
Tue (76564) 2017-12-13 0:49
Hello Beverley,
It's is getting busier and busier at many of the most famous tourist destinations and there's almost no way of avoiding all the people while taking photos. But luckily they can make a very interesting photo too, like here. A good combination of the famous bridge in Florence and the many visitors. The façades are a fine background underneath the large arch too.
ikeharel (102161) 2017-12-13 0:53
Good morning Beverley,
Faces expressions are the main attraction in the main photo, and yes, this place always crowded. A fine vibrant photo, bravo. The WS pic. of the famous Ponto is also worth posting as main.
My best regards,
Fis2 (148576) 2017-12-13 1:03
Witaj Bev!
Curious scene from daily life.
Excellent reportage shot.
Good frame and colors.
Curious photo from your archive.
Warm regards.
lousat (125153) 2017-12-13 1:07
Hi Bev,i never been in Firenze,but i know how many tourists are there,especially in a sunny day of springtime like that. Not the best day for a trip,it's like of what happens in the last end of week everywhere in Italy and in Milano too. A perfect capture to show us the lot of people on the bridge and a lovely classic view in the WS. Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano
ChrisJ (156123) 2017-12-13 2:16
Hello Beverley,
I had very little interest in the shopping available upon the bridge so quickly moved to both sides of the bridge to get a nice wide angle shot, but this closer view does give an idea of the chaotic conditions of many tourists itching to part with some their hard earned cash. Tfs!
holmertz (87455) 2017-12-13 3:10
Hello Bev,
I can't honestly say that I like what I see here, but i prefer this as a main photo anyway. The WS is such a well known view. The crowd in this photo is a reason why I find travelling to popular places in Europe getting more and more annoying. It's just too crowded, and since half of the people don't seem to care about what they see anyway, they might as well have stayed home and left Florence to educated and serious persons like you and me ;-) ;-) ;-).
It's an excellent photo, showing daily life in a touristic hot-spot, and also something of what they've come to see. But I am glad I saw Florence in peace and quiet in 1969.
Kind regards,
snunney (130967) 2017-12-13 3:10
Hello Bev,
The more traditional view is nice to see, but I think I prefer the main posting and the sense of bring in amongst the crowd. Impossible to avoid crowds of people these days at popular destinations especially during 'the season'. You have succeeded in making a virtue of necessity. Excellent capture.
Wet and grey here today after a lovely bright day yesterday. Does not seem to be any real let-up in the rain until Sunday at least.
jhm (196657) 2017-12-13 4:26
Hello Bev,
Both pictures are nice, but I prefer your second picture with the nice bridge.
Your main picture with arch and many people makes everything busy.
You chose a nice angle with depth and perspective.
Sharpness and clarity are superb.
Very well done, TFS.
Best regards,
dkmurphys (77526) 2017-12-13 4:44
I remember this place very well, full of tourists then also. Florence is a lovely city, one of my favorites so I can accept everything from there.
Nicou (193790) 2017-12-13 6:04
quelle image et vue quel bel arche et compo fantastique captage et tous ces personnage quelle animation et captage splendide scène.
Belle journée
Hello dear Beverley and have a nice time
and a happy new day
you are a very good photographer
taking photos the right timing
and the title??it is the best
unforunately this is a usual
photo in our days people is
always busy and busy
never free please let your
imagination free to fly away
Sergiom (117241) 2017-12-13 6:33
Bonjour Bev,
Il y a foule sur le pont . Un peu comme lorsque j'y suis allé. Je me souviens que je surveillais mon porte feuille et tenait ma caméra très fermement de peur de me faire voler par les spécialistes de la chose .
alvaraalto (40236) 2017-12-13 7:09
Hello Bev,
Some good memories. The Ponte Vecchio was my 32th TE-picture. I posted it in February 2005. Now it is the first picture of my present TE-series. (I did removed a lot of pictures after a heavy discussion with the moderators then) About this picture there also was a lot of rumour for the framing didnt obey the rules, but for some reason I cant remember, they didnt remove it. Your splendid picture gave me the idea that all this people are discussing if my framing was allowed or not 😉
I love your two picture of the Ponte Vecchio.
Have a nice day. Groet Rob
danos (110395) 2017-12-13 7:23
Hello Bev,
beautiful the scene of this day in Florence with all these tourists to are on the bridge.The high arch permit us to see the beautiful backdrop with the impressive buildings.The WS completes perfect the scenery because of is the most well known part of the town.
PS really when i saw the place of my last uploaded photo i had taken a deep breath because of the beauty of this corner of the lake.
ktanska (37929) 2017-12-13 10:50
Hi Bev,
Ponte Vecchio was exactly the place that first came to my mind of this view! It's about 20 years since my visit to the place, and I can imagine the crowds have not gone away since then. Fun scene with so many different tourists, and a few grumpy looking faces.
Still I can imagine it can be quite wonderful at the right time. My quick group tour day trip from Riccione wasn't such.
GyurMaster (18548) 2017-12-13 10:55
Dear Beverley,
Excellent shot offering a lot of details to be observed!
Best Wishes,
PaulVDV (50370) 2017-12-13 12:43
Hello Beverley,
The picture in the workshop would certainly be very successful as main picture. The wonderful and famous bridge appeals to everyone's imagination and we also find beautiful reflections in the Arno.
With your choice as first photograph you chose to convince us of the crowds that prevails on the bridge. It was almost impossible not to get a head or arm right in front of your camera. And what a noise there must have been. It remains a fact of course that we are never the only ones who want to visit a certain place. We can not blame others, that they have an equally good taste as we do. :)
Two very well complementing pictures of the Ponte Vecchio.
Best regards, Paul
macjake (94867) 2017-12-13 19:07
Hi Bev
yes, I may 'prefer' the WS photo simply bc of its prettiness and postcard 'look', but this one here offers up something totally different.
Reminds me of how this is probably the way the Great Wall of China will be in real life. I also like how we can all relate to this scene as travellers. Fun shot, Is the woman in blue hiding from you? cheers
carlo62 (81157) 2017-12-14 0:18
Ciao Bev
si, riconosco perfettamente l'atmosfera di Firenze, sempre affollata di turisti,soprattutto in questo punto.
Attendo la tua foto di Lucca.
RobertLx (532) 2017-12-14 1:37
Hi Bev,
Yes, tourism is out of control, people travel like crazy (I am to blame too) and views like this are a common sight all over the world. This is a fine documentary photo, showing a different side of touristic places, the one that our cameras usually want to avoid. But those crowds are confined only to the lower half of the photo. Up there the columns of of that beautiful bridge are indifferent to the hustle and bustle down below. They have been there for centuries and will stay like this.
Silvio1953 (197786) 2017-12-14 9:08
Ciao cara Bev, lovely composition with a lot of people and well framed by arches, fine details, splendid light, excellent clarity and wonderful colors very well done,my friend,ciao Silvio
cornejo (61504) 2017-12-14 12:23
Hello Bev, two different photos you offer us today but the two great and interesting, very well captured with good sharpness, light, color and quality. Excellent and interesting work perfectly done, my congratulations my friend. Thanks for sharing the beautiful work.
Good night and happy weekend.
Best wishes from the south of Spain.
josepmarin (59385) 2017-12-16 9:21
Hello Beverley,
with this good shot you offers us the real atmosphere of the Ponte Vecchio crowded absolutely by tourists.
But I must put in value the splendid view of the beautiful city of Florence across the arches, in background, in an image very deep and very sharp.
It's a well done job.
Kind regards,
Cricri (176) 2017-12-17 6:13
Hi Beverley
C'est fou de voir tant de monde coller a l'autre, il est vrai que ce pont vaut le détour , sur l'image en effet des scènes différentes bien pris en dessous de l'arche, je ne suis pas aller sur le pont , mais pris de l'extérieur comme celle que tu présente en WS
Beau dimanche
LuisGustavoLima (5184) 2017-12-17 10:53
Oi, Bev!
É realmente interessante observar com um pouco mais de cuidado a foto e imaginar o que cada pessoa está fazendo. É possível contar inúmeras situações! As reflexões no workshop são o grande destaque da foto.
Fotos legais!
emka (145587) 2017-12-18 2:13
Hello Bev,
I was in Florence during the long May weekend with Carlo and Gigi with their families. We had a lot of fun of course but the crowd everywhere was for me horrible. After two hours going in the river of people everywhere I was happy to leave Florence. Just as in your picture. It is why I travel in low season - recently in France and now in Cyprus the weather was great and touristy places were empty.
Merry Christmas!
mkamionka (56114) 2017-12-18 8:01
Hi Bev,
I suppose crowds simply mean it is worth to go there. I still have to visit this beautiful town and it is quite high on my list but I sort of delay visiting cities because they are usually quite boring for little children...
This photo is from the series which is popular recently where one shows a photo illustrating what people hope to see and experience and another one where we can see a disappointing reality.
Very funny, very realistic.
Excellent reportage,
Hi Bev
I missed some picture during the Xmas holidays, fully absorbed by my grand sons! It's a nightmare to discover the foreign countries with such a crowd, the hotels and restaurants are happy. You don't see this kind of scene on the posters of Florence!
Happy new year
Photo Information
- Copyright: Beverley Robinson (Royaldevon) (68385)
- Genre: People
- Medium: Color
- Date Taken: 2011-05-31
- Categories: Daily Life, Architecture
- Camera: Nikon D200, NIKKOR AF-S 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED DX
- Exposure: f/0.8, 1/21 seconds
- Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
- Date Submitted: 2017-12-13 0:34
- To alvaraalto: busy! Busy! BUSY! (1)
by Royaldevon, last updated 2017-12-13 11:12
- To carlo62: busy! Busy! BUSY! (1)
by Royaldevon, last updated 2017-12-14 01:04


text:
Cortez II-Gold Series
Located At:
Ranch Style, 3134 total sq. ft., 1,567 finished sq. ft., 1,567 unfinished sq. ft. Basement, 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms Features Included In This House • 9ft main floor ceilings • Updated exteriors to included metal, rock and shutters • Upgraded window & door packages • Koch brand cabinets/ granite surface countertops • High End Tiled Baths and Kitchen Back Splash • Wood Floors • Standard Appliances include built in oven and electric top range • 6ft Cedar Fencing with front yard sod and sprinkler system • Central Air Available on a crawlspace for $305,700.All homes are designed and engineered for structural integrity and will include caissons at no additional cost to buyer, if applicable
- Style: Ranch Style
- Square Feet: 3134
- Bedrooms: 3
- Bathrooms: 2
- Garage: 2
- Base Price: $329,500
- Hotline Code: Call 1-800-235-0862 and Enter Code 519
- DATE PRINTED: June 02nd, 2020
Built By:
New Home Funding


text:
Welcome to gradplus.com
We aim to lead in interactive group learning solutions which enrich, enlighten and inspire the learning and understanding of users across the world. Our passion for education, innovation, quality and service is focused on helping our customers achieve leaps in their performance. Our exceptional service within the education sector to provide Interactive white boards has helped teachers and pupils around the world to accelerate in their development. Due to increased demand and success within this market we are looking to expand our dynamic sales team. This is an exciting opportunity to develop your sales skills in a fast moving new business and account management role. The ideal candidate will hold some telesales experience (2-4 months preferable) and exposure to a proactive customer service background. We are also interested in seeing people who have the right attitude and work ethic to be successful in sales. This role will involve cold calling new contacts, telemarketing, sales support and account management so we need to see demonstrable experience in being self motivated. Full driving license is preferable and transport is essential to get to our Blackburn location. Apply today to be considered; only suitable applications will be contacted for a telephone interview.
North West England
Type the code from the image


text:
The slithery. The scaly. The spectacularly showy. Discover incredible animals from land and sea in this special exhibition featuring creatures from the coastal habitats of Baja California. Life here thrives on the edge of sand and surf, where rugged desert coastline meets the sapphire waters of the Pacific.
In this Exhibit
Beautiful Baja
This 800-mile-long narrow peninsula in northwestern Mexico is separated from the mainland by the Gulf of California. With almost 2,000 miles of coastline, sun-scorched desert, lush mangrove forests and colorful coral reefs, Baja is a land of contrasts, where unique plants and animals survive and thrive.
The Beauty Below: Cabo Pulmo
The warm waters off Baja's southern tip support a tropical treasure—the reefs of Cabo Pulmo and their dazzling denizens. After decades of overfishing depleted its rich marine life, conservation groups worked with the Mexican government to protect the Cabo Pulmo reef—one of the oldest coral reefs in the northern Pacific Ocean. It's now a designated National Marine Park as well as a UNESCO World Heritage site.


text:
Supervalu / Jewel-Osco to Pay $3.2 Million under Consent Decree for Disability Bias
Supervalu / Jewel-Osco to Pay $3.2 Million under Consent Decree for Disability Bias
EEOC Charged Failure to Accommodate Scores of Discharged Workers in ADA Class Action
CHICAGO – A federal judge today signed a consent decree for $3,200,000 and extensive remedial relief resolving the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC) disability discrimination lawsuit against supermarket giants SUPERVALU INC., American Drug Stores LLC, and Jewel Food Stores, Inc. (collectively referred to as "Jewel-Osco").
According to the EEOC, Jewel-Osco had a policy and practice of terminating employees with disabilities at the end of medical leaves of absence rather than bringing them back to work with reasonable accommodations. Approximately 1,000 employees of the defendants' Jewel-Osco stores in the greater Chicago area were allegedly terminated under this policy since 2003, the EEOC said. Not all of these former employees wished to participate in the suit or were found eligible by the EEOC.
Such alleged conduct violates the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). The EEOC filed suit in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (Case No. 09-cv-5637) after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process.
The consent decree resolving the case, signed this morning by Federal District Chief Judge Ronald Guzman, provides for a fund in which 110 individuals will share, bringing the average award to approximately $29,000 per claimant. In addition to the monetary relief, Jewel-Osco is required to ensure that its employees involved in making accommodation decisions undergo training on the requirements of the ADA and on the types of accommodations that are available to return their employees to the workplace.
Jewel-Osco will also hire consultants to review and recommend changes to its current job descriptions, ensure that the descriptions of the physical requirements of the job are accurate and provide recommendations on possible accommodations to common work restrictions in various positions in the stores. The company will have to report regularly to the EEOC on its efforts to accommodate employees with disabilities who are attempting to return from medical leaves of absence. Furthermore, Jewel-Osco will revise its communications with such employees to assure them that they need not be 100% healed in order to be considered for a return to work, and to inform them of some of the types of accommodations that may be available to them if they are considering returning to work with medical restrictions.
"This very important settlement underscores the EEOC's commitment to vigorous enforcement of the Americans With Disabilities Act and to ensuring that all workers receive fair and equal treatment in the workplace," said EEOC Chair Jacqueline A. Berrien.
Regional Attorney John Hendrickson of the EEOC's Chicago District Office said, "It is vital that employers understand that the primary goal of the ADA is to allow people with disabilities to be active and productive members of the work force," "Sending them home, with reduced or no pay, and without the ability to advance, thwarts that purpose. I am concerned that some employers believe that keeping an employee who is able to work off the job and on a leave of absence is a reasonable accommodation relieving them of further obligations under the ADA. Such a belief could lead to costly mistakes."
EEOC Supervisory Trial Attorney Gregory Gochanour added, "We are very pleased with the resolution of this case. Not only have we obtained significant financial relief for a large number of former Jewel and Osco employees, the employment practices that these stores use will be greatly improved. This is a win for the employees and a win for the company as well–it will retain employees who would have been discharged in the past, and so will continue to receive their productive and valuable services."
In addition to Hendrickson and Gochanour, the EEOC was represented by Chicago Trial Attorneys Ethan Cohen, Gordon Waldron, Aaron DeCamp, Laurie Elkin, Deborah Hamilton, Richard Mrizek and Grayson Walker. EEOC attorneys from Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Detroit, Indianapolis and St. Louis also participated in the litigation. According to Hendrickson, the EEOC's utilization of attorneys from numerous offices was consistent with the agency's adoption of a "national law firm model" approach to important cases challenging systemic discrimination, and "it demonstrates once again that EEOC has the capability to successfully litigate large cases against major employers."
The EEOC Chicago District Office is responsible for processing charges of discrimination, administrative enforcement, and the conduct of agency litigation in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and North and South Dakota, with Area Offices in Milwaukee and Minneapolis.
The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Further information about the agency is available on its web site at www.eeoc.gov.


text: A whole heaping of classic Android/iPhone games will be dolloped into the Windows Phone 7 Marketplace come "spring", including Angry Birds (yawn), Sonic the Hedgehog (good for a few more spins), Plants vs Zombies (another yawn), Doodle Jump (fun!), and a few others I can't pass comment on, like geoDefense and Hydro Thuder Go. They've been suitably Xbox Live'd with achievements and leaderboards. [Xbox via TechRadar]


text:
Main Content
About the Talk
January 5, 2011 2:00 PM
Portland, OregonPortland, Oregon
Less than one year ago, most of Suzanne's clients were requesting iPhone app design. Today, they are still asking for iPhone app design, but many also ask, "Do you do Android, too?" Most plan to start with one platform, see how things go, then decide whether to invest in a second platform. This roll-out strategy is often tied to engineering costs. Since few developers possess the coding skills each platform requires—Objective C for iPhone and Java for Android—it's often necessary to hire two development teams. But what about design?
Suzanne wondered whether she would have to do twice the work when designing for the iPhone and Android? And what will happen if the Windows, Palm, and Blackberry app stores take off? Would she have to do five times the work? This dilemma reminds us of the browser wars back in 1996, when Netscape and Microsoft hired evangelists to teach design and coding for their respective browsers. Eventually, industry-wide standards replaced their proprietary standards, but it didn't happen overnight. Suzanne will discuss the current state of affairs for smartphone app design and ways app designers can cope with increasing fragmentation.


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Doe Run Donates to Mo. House Republicans Following Override
JEFFERSON CITY (AP) - A Missouri lead mining company has contributed $10,000 to House Republicans after legislators enacted a law shielding the company from large liability judgments in some lawsuits.
Online state records show that The Doe Run Co. made the contribution to the House Republican Campaign Committee on Oct. 3. That came about three weeks after the Republican-led House voted to override Gov. Jay Nixon's veto of a bill limiting punitive damage awards against Doe Run related to old lead mining sites. Some Democrats also supported the override vote.
Doe Run gave a similar $10,000 contribution in late July to the Missouri Senate Campaign Committee, which supports Republican candidates. Republicans also control the state Senate.
Doe Run mounted an aggressive lobbying effort in support of the legislation.


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Givat Shmuel, Israel – November 24, 2009 – Cimatron Limited (Nasdaq: CIMT), a leading provider of integrated CAD/CAM solutions for mold, tool and die makers as well as manufacturers of discrete parts, announced that it will exhibit its latest Die Design solution at the BLECHEXPO Die Making Tradeshow in Germany (Hall 4, Booth 4208-1), December 1-4, 2009.
New enhancements to the Die Design solution increase automation, improve analysis capabilities, and handle changes across the entire die design process including forming, strip and tool design.
Enhancements include:
- Ability to pre-define parameters related to tool design and material used in order to further automate the tool design process.
- Improvements to dedicated applicative tools: The time-saving unbending capabilities have been enhanced to work in more situations including "unfold" and "L-Unbend", for unbending sharp corners.
- New piercing design functionality allows users to easily plan the piercing sequence of array of holes and create the suitable faces.
- Easy implementation of geometry changes in each of the forming shapes and stations across the project.
- A new die forces analysis tool which calculates the forces applied on the strip during production, allowing for a quick estimate of the required press capacity.
Cimatron GmbH will also be showcasing CimatronE's new DieQuote Solution, a new breakthrough solution which helps die shop estimators reach a higher level of accuracy in record time.
CimatronE DieQuote is a "CAD to Cost" solution, which means it interprets CAD work to generate a cost estimate automatically. The die shop estimator can use CimatronE's advanced hybrid system, along with tools tailored to die making needs, to lay out the project quickly by only performing tasks necessary for creating a quote. All cost related factors established in the preliminary design are automatically interpreted into a cost estimate, which can then be fine-tuned by a die shop professional.
The solution includes a full range of quoting management features allowing users to re-use past quotes, track all job offers and easily store a wide range of cost-relevant information. Finalized price estimates are converted into ready-to-send, eye-catching, professional quotes.
"We look forward to showing visitors the competitive edge they can achieve by using CimatronE's dedicated 3D die making solution," said Dirk Dombert, General Manager of Cimatron GmbH. "Design features like accurate blanking capabilities and advanced analysis tools, as well as many tool design features, significantly increase accuracy and shorten delivery times."
About Cimatron
With over 25 years of experience and more than 40,000 installations worldwide, Cimatron is a leading provider of integrated, CAD/CAM solutions for mold, tool and die makers as well as manufacturers of discrete parts. Cimatron is committed to providing comprehensive, cost-effective solutions that streamline manufacturing cycles, enable collaboration with outside vendors, and ultimately shorten product delivery time.
The Cimatron product line includes the CimatronE and GibbsCAM brands with solutions for mold design, die design, electrodes design, 2.5 to 5 axes milling, wire EDM, turn, Mill-turn, rotary milling, multi-task machining, and tombstone machining. Cimatron's subsidiaries and extensive distribution network serve and support customers in the automotive, aerospace, medical, consumer plastics, electronics, and other industries in over 40 countries worldwide.
Cimatron is publicly traded on the NASDAQ exchange under the symbol CIMT. For more information, please visit the company web site at: http://www.cimatron.com/
This press release includes forward looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act Of 1995, which are subject to risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Such statements may relate to the company's plans, objectives and expected financial and operating results. The words "may," "could," "would," "will," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," and similar expressions or variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of the future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's ability to control. The risks and uncertainties that may affect forward looking statements include, but are not limited to: currency fluctuations, global economic and political conditions, marketing demand for Cimatron products and services, long sales cycle, new product development, assimilating future acquisitions, maintaining relationships with customers and partners, and increased competition. For more details about the risks and uncertainties of the business, refer to the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchanges Commission. The Company cannot assess the impact of or the extent to which any single factor or risk, or combination of them, may cause. Cimatron undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
For More Information Contact:
Idit Pass Lagziel
Marketing Manager
Cimatron Ltd.
Phone: +972 3 5312098
Email: [email protected]
Ilan Erez
Chief Financial Officer
Cimatron Ltd.
Phone: +972 3 531 2121
Email: [email protected]


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In the 1960's the musical group Thee Midniters recorded a song called "The Town I Live In." The song, as well as the group, became very popular in the Mexican-American communities in Southern California during the era. The title of the song was also used for a mural in the city of Fullerton, California that was painted in the late 1970's. For many of Fullerton's residents, the mural, which includes a Lowrider and the song title, depicted life in their neighborhoods when they were growing up. One of those residents is Michael Dominguez, who is a lifelong Fullerton resident. Michael thought the song title was also the perfect name for his recently completed 1948 Chevy Fleetline.
Michael was first introduced to Lowriding in the late 1970's by his older cousin, Ernie, who had a 1965 Chevy Impala and was the first president of Groupe Car Club, Orange County. Michael's older brothers started Lowriding and would take him to Irvine Lake, which was a cruising spot at the time. Eventually, when he was of driving age, he got his first Lowrider, a 1966 Chevy Impala. From that point on, in Michael's words; "He was hooked." Over the years, he has bought and sold many cars, including a '62 and a '64 Impala ragtop. He was a member of Brown Pride Car Club, but stepped away because of work and family responsibilities.
This is not even Michael's first '48 Fleetline; he had one before that he bought, restored, and sold. He really liked the Fleetline, so he set out to find another one. He found one in Lynwood, California that Ruben Cantoran of Ruben's Garage was selling. After Michael & Ruben made the deal for the Fleetline, it was time to start sourcing parts and shops to get the Fleetline back into pristine condition.
Michael's friend, Jason Bray, helped him get everything together for the restoration. The back bone of any restoration is the paint and body work. Placentia Auto Body took the body and frame and restored them back to factory condition. Mike, from Placentia Auto Body, then sprayed the custom green on the Fleetline. The factory 235 and three speed transmission were refurbished and cleaned up, and Michael made sure to finish off the mechanics by adding Fenton headers and straight pipes for the requisite exhaust note that every Fleetline has.
Once the exterior was in good hands, Martin, from Martin's Upholstery in Orange, California, covered the interior in Beige using a mixture of tweed and fabric to compliment the wood grain that was restored by Ruben Cantoran. Ruben also installed an Alpine audio system in the Fleetline that is powered by two amps and five 6×9 speakers.
Michael wanted to make sure the Fleetline layed nice and low, so Ruben, from Ruben's Garage, performed the airbag installation. The two switch system controls the front and rear airbags and lays the Fleetline low, while giving it a more comfortable ride on the streets of Fullerton.
Fullerton Chrome took care of all of the chrome work, and while the restoration was going on, Michael made a few trips to the Pomona Swap Meet for accessories. Michael added a Banjo Steering Wheel, a Northstar Compass, Red Head Flashlight, GM Tissue Dispenser, and a Traffic Finder to the interior. On the exterior, he added Wrap Arounds, Dual Spot lights, a Visor, Fog lights, Front & Rear Bumper Guards, and a GM Locking Gas Cap. He finished off the exterior with an AAA license plate topper and vintage license plate frames. The final task was to find a name appropriate for the car, which Michael did.
The restoration took exactly one year, as the Fleetline was purchased in November of 2009 and completed in November of 2010. We were able to shoot the car before it had even hit the streets or the shows. At press time, the Fleetline had taken first place at its first car show. We are sure it will take plenty more first place trophies. Michael wishes to give a special thanks to his wife, Jeanette, and his children, Angelique, Sierra, and Sunnie Girl. He also extends his thanks to Jason Bray and Ruben Cantoran for all of their help with the Fleetline restoration. n
Tech Specs
"The Town I live in"
Owner: Michael Dominguez
Vehicle: 1948 Chevy Fleetline
City/State: Fullerton California
Paint: Custom Green by Mike at Placentia Auto Body
Interior: Beige Tweed Fabric by Martin's Upholstery. Ruben Cantoran of Ruben's Garage added the wood grain restoration.
Suspension: Ruben Cantoran from Ruben's Garage installed an Airbag system.
Wheels: 15-inch Artilleries
Tires: Firestone 5.60's


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P2P (peer-to-peer) software vendor Grokster has closed down as part of a settlement in a three-year-old lawsuit brought against it by the US entertainment industry.
Grokster has stopped operations and agreed to a permanent injunction against directly or indirectly contributing to copyright infringement, the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) and the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of American) announced on Monday.
The settlement follows a decision by the US Supreme Court in June allowing the entertainment industry to sue Grokster and a sister P2P distributor for the copyright infringements committed by their users. The Supreme Court sent the case back to a lower court for further action. Courts in South Korea, Australia and Taiwan also ruled against P2P distributors this year.
Yesterday the Grokster.com website was stripped of links to the Grokster P2P software. In place of download links was this statement: "Copying copyrighted motion picture and music files using unauthorised peer-to-peer services is illegal and is prosecuted by copyright owners. There are legal services for downloading music and movies. This service is not one of them."
Grokster plans to offer a "safe and legal" service called Grokster3G soon, the statement added.
Representatives of the RIAA and MPAA praised the settlement, which must be approved in court. "This settlement brings to a close an incredibly significant chapter in the story of digital music," Mitch Bainwol, the RIAA's chairman and chief executive officer, said in a statement. "This is a chapter that ends on a high note for the recording industry, the tech community and music fans and consumers everywhere."
The settlement helps music companies invest in new music, Bainwol added. "An online marketplace populated by legitimate services allows us to do just that."
The RIAA noted a number of legal music download services, such as iTunes, Napster and Yahoo Music, are available, and a handful of legal P-to-P services, such as PassAlong and Wurld Music, are also cropping up. Legal movie downloads are available at a handful of sites, including Ruckus and CinemaNow, the MPAA said.
Those who supported Grokster in the Supreme Court argued the MGM vs Grokster case had broader implications, saying if copyright owners were able to sue inventors of new technologies for the sins of their users, few technology companies would be safe.
The case centered around the Supreme Court's 1984 Sony Betamax ruling, in which judges rejected claims of a movie studio brought against Sony, maker of the Betamax VCR. The court ruled against Universal City Studios, saying that makers of technologies with significant uses other than infringing copyrights were not liable for their users' copyright violations.
The entertainment industry had lost its previous attempts to sue Grokster. The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals, citing the 1984 Betamax decision, ruled in August 2004 that the P2P vendors were not liable for their users' copyright violations.
In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court in June left the landmark Sony decision untouched, but found that Grokster and another P2P distributor were at fault for promoting copyright infringement among users of their products. The Sony decision doesn't provide shelter for promoters of copyright infringement, the Supreme Court found.


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A holiday in Emilia Romagna has that something extra! It is the heartland of hospitality. Indeed, Emilia Romagna is a generous region, not just for its conviviality and the idea of good living that it has always maintained, but also because it offers its visitors all its riches, casting a spell with the limitless delights that so set it apart. Every year the tourism professionals set out with the same mission: to provide unforgettable holidays for those who have chosen to visit the region.
There are four main areas that make Emilia Romagna a tempting and attractive destination: the sea, the Adriatic Coast from Lidi di Comacchio to Cattolica - with its long, safe and fully equipped beaches; the Apennines, dotted with ancient villages, are heaven on earth for nature lovers; and the thermal bath zones where you can recharge with the most up-to-date therapies.
Its great cities, just as much as its tiny villages, are an assemblage of streets, squares, palaces, monuments, and enchanting landscapes that take your breath away. Art, history, traditions endlessly reveal themselves one after the other. A wealth of events, exhibitions, concerts bring new life and colour to places of timeless beauty. Art in these contexts is expressed in widely varying forms, even in gastronomy, an irresistible lure for connoisseurs from all over the world. How can you not surrender to the temptation of products like Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, traditional balsamic vinegar, or Prosciutto di Parma (Parma ham)?
Our journey in Emilia Romagna will take you through the 9 cities of Art, which are like precious jewels set in the land, beginning at the centre, from the very heart of the region.
Emilia Romagna is easily reached thanks to the Trenitalia, the Italian railway company, which allows express connections to Northern, Central and Southern Italy. The Alta Velocità high speed train connects Bologna to Milan (1h05 trip) as well as to Florence located in the heart of the country (40 min trip), Rome in central western Italy (2h20 trip) and Naples which is further down the south (3h30 trip).
Bologna > Modena
First destination is Bologna, a beautiful and noble city. Bologna is the city of porticoes, medieval landmarks, towers and music. It has the longest porticoes in the world. A huge, covered walkway fit for the Guinness Book of Records: over 40 kilometres of it! And at Via Zamboni 33, is the oldest university in the world, dating from 1088. Stop in Piazza Maggiore and just look for a moment at the majestic Basilica of San Petronio, the fountain of Nettuno by Giambologna, the Palazzo d'Accursio, now housing the City Council, and other medieval buildings towering over the piazza. Barely 300 metres away, stands two majestic towers – The Torre Asinelli and the Torre Garisenda. The medieval towers are the symbol of the city of Bologna. A short distance away is Piazza Santo Stefano, the Piazza of the Seven Churches. A singular charm is imparted by the ancient cobblestones and the Friars' Basilica, with its perspective lower than that of the piazza. As for the churches, the really impressive among them must surely be San Domenico and San Francesco.
In the evening take the train to Modena (25 min trip). Head to the town's piazza to see its splendid cathedral, regarded by the historian Le Goff to be the best example of Romanesque architecture in Europe, and which is listed as UNESCO world heritage. Here, memories of the Este traditions are upheld with palio events, banquets and parades. And while the traditional balsamic vinegar matures in the vats, in nearby Maranello the Ferrari engineers fine-tune the engines of the most famous red in the world. Take the bus from Modena (36 min trip) to reach the factory of the world famous Ferrari and afterwards return to Modena to spend the night.
Modena > Reggio Emilia > Parma
From Modena, take the train to Reggio Emilia (15 min trip), the city which at the dawn of the first millennium saw the birth of the great Matilde di Canossa, whose political astuteness influenced the destiny of Italy and of Europe. Shades and suggestions of that age survive in the citadels and the squares, with the help of delightful costume pageants. The prized treasures of Reggio Emilia are the inspired Piazza Sordello or the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Ghiara. So many little villages and so many regal courts!
To the west of Reggio Emilia is Parma (15 min trip) - a refined city, cultured, elegant, slightly Parisian and very much loved by Italians and by travellers in general. Its signature monument is the Duomo and its nearby Baptistry. But the shrine of music lovers is elsewhere: the Teatro Regio. Your journey in Parma must include an obligatory food and wine itinerary. The brightest gems here are indeed famous all over the world over - Culatello di Zibello, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, and Prosciutto di Parma.
Our tip: North west of Parma, you can continue to Piacenza namely to visit and its council chamber which is a Gothic masterpiece of Lombard architecture, towards the other end of Via Emilia (a Roman route built some 2000 years before the common era), there is another world to discover.
Parma > Ravenna > Faenza > Ferrara
A good place to start your southwest discovery of Emilia Romagna is Ravenna with its mosaics which are truly unique (2h15 trip from Parma or just 1h15 from Bologna). Ravenna is a hub between the Orient and the west, an important crossroad in the history of European culture. Evidence of this can be seen in its monuments, mausoleums, basilicas and baptisteries. Their beauty and uniqueness is such that they have been added to the UNESCO world heritage list. The town is also known for being a unique setting for arts and music events like the Ravenna Festival which brings the cream of international performers to the stage.
Still on the same day, head to Faenza (40 min trip), the capital of decorative ceramics. From there you can take a bus to reach Rimini, famous mainly for its fabulous beaches and the most famous sea in Europe.
On the next day, go to Ferrara (1h13 trip), a town worthy of a visit. You'll discover within its medieval core, the Castello Estense, a magnificient structure built in 1385. Down the road is the famous Palazzo dei Diamanti, often a venue for international exhibitions. The most striking fact about the building is its exterior facades which consists of some 8,500 white marble blocks carved to represent diamonds, hence the name Diamanti.
While you are in the town, ask the locals to help you out in discovering the treasured stories of the monsters and strange creatures on the cathedral or the zodiac signs and arcane symbols of Palazzo Schifanoia.
Amidst the riches of Emilia Romagna, its culinary delights shine bright. They are real works of art, capable of pleasing the most discerning palate. A quick run through the list of regional specialities is enough to make the mouth water - Homemade pasta with ragù, ham (from Parma and Modena), salami, culatello, cheeses (Parmigiano Reggiano, Fossa, Squacquerone) and the most exquisite fruit, then truffles and mushrooms, de luxe extra virgin olive oil like Brisighello, honey from the Apennine heights and the exclusive Traditional Balsamic Vinegar Dop (from Modena and Reggio).
People flock from outside the region to taste Emilia Romagna's products, dishes and specialities. As for the wines, from Gutturnio all' Albana (the first Italian white to receive a Docg tag) and Lambrusco to Sangiovese, they are synonym of quality.
Don't miss out on the Parmigiano Reggiano (the king of Italian cheese), which by the way has become part of the diet of astronauts!