text:
LAC 11 Chapter 1
July 28, 2010 Lesbian Adventure Club fiction, Lesbian Fiction New Releaselesbian adventure club book 11, sneak peekKate Sutter
Okay, I've been flirting with kleptomania again, but at the rate Roz is going, I didn't see much choice. May posting it is serve as a firecracker up the literary buttocks.
"Just get out!"
"You're just going to dump us here?"
"Get out before the light turns green!" From the passenger seat, she thrust a white bag at Susan and directed, "Give this bag to Dolores."
"Dolores who?"
"Dolores! Now get out! The light's going to turn!"
Stupefied, we did as instructed. Although it would have been simple not to do so, defying Ginny ranked right up there with playing in traffic. If you valued life, there were some things you just didn't do.
The window lowered, and her head craned out. "It's supposed to be a beautiful day. Enjoy it! But for Pete's sake, behave yourselves!"
And the blue van sped off. It didn't appear to be shaking with laughter, but still, I figured it was.
It was barely nine-thirty on a Saturday morning, a Lesbian Adventure Club day, and there we were: dumped at a stoplight under a highway overpass on the city's outskirts.
We gaped down the street until the van disappeared from sight.
Laura queried, "Did you ever notice how they always get rid of us?"
As custom dictated, we exchanged inquisitively pissy glances.
"Yeah, last time they had us running all over town."
"Backwards!"
"Yeah, and the time before that, they had us running all over the county."
"You're right, babe."
"They don't like us very much, do they?"
All eyes, all hanging jaws aimed again down the van-less street.
"All right, so what do we do?"
Claudia too eagerly pointed to the southwest. "We're by the mall. Maybe the activity is a shopping trip."
"And the challenge is how to get all our loot home."
Jesus!
Janice pointed south. "The airport. Maybe they really don't like us, and they have one-way tickets waiting for us."
"Somewhere warm, please."
Maggie jutted her arms upward as though a crescendoing orchestra conductor. "This is warm! It really is a beautiful day."
It was warm—okay, for March it was warm. Compared to the dead of winter, it was a heat wave, about to take us deliriously near sixty degrees. The sounds of melting snow hitting storm drains and purple irises rousing in sleep: one proved audible, the other proved hope. If you squinted through the sun's glare, you could see grass, limit-pushers on motorcycles, and total morons wearing shorts. Cabin fever broke, the stale air of hibernation freshened, and spring fever began to rise. We had quite a ways yet to go, but all told, signs seemed to indicate we had survived another Midwestern winter.
Our favorite yoga instructor elbowed our favorite schoolteacher. "What's in the bag, Susan?"
"And who the hell is Dolores?"
Susan took a peek and then gasped, "Oh my good God, donuts!"
"They trusted us with donuts?"
"Something's wrong."
"Holy crap!"
"Any chocolate ones?"
The cop—who you'd think would have had the biggest weakness for donuts—yelled, "Do not eat the f-ing donuts! We have to figure out who Dolores is so we can give her the donuts. Obviously, that's our first task."
"Maybe instead of scavenging for things, we'll be delivering things."
"An upside-down scavenger hunt!"
"That sounds like Ginny and Kris."
"Okay, but who the hell is Dolores?"
"Susan, hold the bag out in the direction of the traffic. Maybe Dolores will drive by and see it."
"And what? Pull over and say, 'I'm Dolores. Hand over the f-ing donuts.' I somehow doubt that."
"I hate Kris and Ginny as much as they hate us."
"I say we just eat the donuts and be done with it."
"For shit's sake, you guys!" Laura screeched. "We need the donuts to give to this Dolores character!"
"Well, who the hell is Dolores?"
"Where the hell is Dolores?"
"Dolores, where are you? Dolores?"
"Dolores, honey, come get your donuts!"
"If you dare."
All those who had never taken an oath to serve and protect fell into a fit of laughter and arm-swatting.
"You guys!" Laura boomed a hundred times to secure our attention. "Quit acting stupid. If you get your butts hauled in, I will swear up and down I don't know any of you."
"Even me, babe?"
"Of course not you, Hol."
"Well, we're going to get busted for soliciting prostitution if we don't get away from this stoplight."
There came a giggle. "Good point, Claudia. You would know."
There came a gasp. "Crawford, did you just call me a whore? Kate, do something!"
"She's not a whore," I instinctively defended. When I realized the utterly stupid needlessness in doing so to her best friend, I added, "Although, if you offer her cookies…"
There came another gasp, a spleen-rupturing wallop to my gut, and a laugh. "You're a shithead, honey, a cookie-hoarding shithead."
I was about to offer my rebuttal when Laura shouted, "You're all shitheads, donut-holding shitheads!"
"Me, too, babe?"
Oh, of frickin' course not!
"All right, everybody, listen up," Laura said as though giving orders at a crime scene. "There's obviously no one named Dolores under this overpass. I say we head to the next light where there are places and people." She motioned to the north, from whence we came.
Okay, the cop made sense, and we complied without any griping.
Except out here, there were no sidewalks, just a gunky, trashy, road-salty patch of earth. I seized the occasion to remind everyone that we'd need to see about cleaning our stretch of the DWD highway in the near future.
Soon, we made it to the next stoplight. The four corners did indeed offer more potential than under the overpass: Lucas Furniture, Granton Gas & Go, Granton Convention & Visitor Bureau, and Stanley's, a restaurant infamous for bad burgers and fries that tasted like last week's fish fry.
"I say Stanley's," Susan suggested.
"It's packed. We'll never get a table."
"We're not looking for breakfast. We're looking for Dolores."
"Plus, you get more gas at Stanley's than you do at the Gas & Go."
"I vote Gas & Go," I dared. "It's closest, and Dolores sounds like someone who works at a gas station."
Obviously perplexed, Claudia squinched up her face at me. Then, she whispered, "You need coffee, don't you?" When I nodded, she announced, "Kate's right. Let's start with the closest one."
God, I love her!
Not a minute later, we invaded the Gas & Go, scoping out those of the female gender and/or possible drag queens. It proved damn easy. Only one needed to either gas or go, and she sported an employee nametag: Steph.
Holly quickly deduced that all women out on a Saturday morning would be at the mall. I hoped to hell that was not next on our agenda. Although, a simple PA announcement from the mall office might get us what we needed: Dolores, you left your car lights on.
With mission completed, they all headed outside while I desperately zoomed to the coffee machine. If Hell served coffee—which I hoped to hell it did—it was gas station coffee.
I purchased a large one and a cup of hot water for Claudia, who seemed to have developed a fear of Prohibition, refusing to go anywhere without Earl in her pocket. At least he wasn't allowed in her bra anymore. I thanked my lucky stars for that as I made my way to the exit.
The door had barely closed behind me when Alison goggled me and gasped. "You spent money, Kate?"
"Well, yeah," I stated the obvious. "It's why I work."
"What if we need your ten dollars for something?"
I plumb forgot about the frickin' instructions we received from Ginny and Kris. Each person was allowed ten dollars, no more, no less, and we were forbidden to possess credit cards, debit cards, money orders, loose change, traveler's checks, and/or foreign currency. Ten bucks, and I had just dwindled almost a tenth of it for hellish coffee.
My eyes shot to Claudia for her reaction. Unconcerned, for the moment anyway, she shrugged and confiscated the hot water for the waiting Earl in her hand.
After a bit of deliberation, we decided to cross the street and work our way around the corner businesses. Knowing them, though, I suspected we were actually making sure we'd land at Stanley's last, where someone would most certainly swoon from exhaustion and hunger.
In short time, Janice held the door, and we piled into Granton Convention & Visitor Bureau. While my reporter self had called there many times regarding area goings-on, I had never been in the place, and I was surprised to find it sterilely unwelcoming. It made us all hush.
Finally, Laura cleared her throat and politely inquired, "Does a Dolores work here?"
"I'm Dolores," the woman cheerfully answered, and with great relief, we all sighed.
Laura furthered the inquiry, "And you're unfortunate enough to know Ginny and Kris?"
"I am," she answered with a hearty laugh. "I'm supposed to make a trade with you."
This time, Susan cleared her throat. She cautiously approached the big reception desk as though it resided in an organ donation clinic. "We have donuts," she informed, waving the white bag.
Dolores grabbed for something behind her desk and said, "And I have a map."
Alison elbowed me and whispered, "Donuts sound like a better deal."
The swap took place, and Susan scurried back to us.
Curious as hell, we all looked to the map she held, figuring that after all the trouble we endured to get it, it would sport an X on the location of a big-ass treasure. We were sorely mistaken.
"A map of Granton?"
"What the hell do we need a map of Granton for?"
"Don't we live in Granton?"
"I'm a Granton cop. I know where everything is. I don't need an f-ing map."
"Why the hell did we get a map of Granton?"
As if on cue, we all turned to Dolores. With a glazed look and glazed donut aimed at her mouth, she conversed on the phone. Uncharacteristically, we minded our own business until she was done. Then, we gawked again.
"Help yourselves to coffee," she offered, and I nearly spit mine across the room.
Holly dared, "Dolores, are you sure this is all you were supposed to give us?"
"That's it at the moment," she assured.
But we were about to receive more…
In near synchrony, eight cell phones sounded and/or vibrated. Hands flew into purses and/or pockets.
"It's Kris," someone yelled, and several of us aped the announcement.
"Text message."
"And me."
Silence ensued as we all navigated our text message screens.
The quickest navigator of us all, Janice, read, "'By a number of little green hedges.' What the hell does that mean?"
"That's not what mine says."
"Mine either."
"'There were a number of tiny little brooks.'"
"'And the ground between.'"
I bellowed with dispirited understanding, "Shit! Ginny's frickin' riddles again."
"Why do we let her in the group?"
"She started the group."
"Oh yeah."
Janice offered, "Well, if it's a riddle, we need all the pieces. Everybody read what you've got."
And we did.
"Okay, now, let's try it one at a time. What the hell is wrong with everybody today?" Janice bellowed and then shook her head. "I'll start," she said and read hers again, "'By a number of little green hedges.'"
"'Running straight across it from side to side.'"
"'And a most curious country it was.'"
"'Was divided up into squares.'"
"'That reached from brook to brook.'"
"'Looking out in all directions over the country.'"
We stared at each other, having arrived at the end of either a really bad poem or … something else.
"Lewis Carroll! It's Lewis Carroll!" Susan shouted. "At least I think it is. Hang on." She heaved her purse from her side to her front and started rummaging.
"You carry Lewis Carroll in your purse?"
Better than Earl Grey in your bra, I figured.
"Not just Lewis Carroll," she said as she retrieved and held something out in ta-da fashion. "A whole library. Maggie gave me an ebook reader for Christmas."
Needless to say, all eyes careened to the vegan.
"That's the true meaning of c-word, Maggie?"
"Maggie, I thought you were against that whole materialism thing."
She smiled quite broadly. "It's not really a thing," she claimed. "It's a symbol of Susan's love to read."
Groans overtook the Visitor Bureau.
Laura declared, "And pigs' feet are merely a mode of transportation. Go ahead and eat them."
"What the heck does that mean?"
"It means vegans can justify anything."
She gasped. "And exactly how many vegans do you know?"
"One, and she can justify anything."
"Shut up, Laura," she said and cracked her a good one. Then, she looked to Susan who was tap-tap-tappin' away on her enviable electronic gadget. "Go ahead, Susan."
"Ginny and I read books at the same time. Then, we go out to dinner and discuss them. Last month, we did Through the Looking-Glass," she explained.
"Setup!"
"F-ing setup!"
She distractedly nodded and continued her tapping. "I'm searching for 'brook to brook.'" A moment later, she said, "Found it! … Uh oh, this is not good."
I doubted any one of us really expected something good.
She read, "'For some minutes Alice stood without speaking, looking out in all directions over the country—and a most curious country it was. There were a number of tiny little brooks running straight across it from side to side, and the ground between was divided up into squares by a number of little green hedges, that reached from brook to brook.'"
For what seemed like some minutes, we all stood without speaking, at least until Claudia boomed, "What the hell does that mean?"
Susan cleared her throat. "Brace yourselves, girls. In the next paragraph, Alice says, 'I declare it's marked out just like a large chessboard! … It's a great huge game of chess that's being played—all over the world—if this IS the world at all, you know.'"
"F-ing chess?"
"Holy frickin' shit!"
"For Christ's sake!"
"Why exactly did we decide Ginny could stay in the group?"
"It's not just Ginny. The messages came from Kris."
"Because Ginny no doubt has a gun to Kris' head."
"Well, I still don't get it."
I figured no one did. I sure as hell didn't.
We consumed a few more non-speaking Alice minutes until it finally began to dawn on us.
"Granton is a chessboard, isn't it?"
"And we're flippin' pawns."
"And you can bet money Ginny is the queen."
"Wait a minute! Hold the phone! Does anyone even know how to play chess?"
A total of three seconds elapsed before all eyes turned to me.
"Sutter, were you … you know? Were you on the chess team?"
"Jesus! No!"
"Well, you said you were a nerd in school. I'm just asking."
"I was not on the chess team." I guiltily looked to Claudia and then confessed, "But Kris tried to teach me a long time ago. But I didn't like it! I swear!" Jesus, I defended myself as if chess were akin to a shameful sexual perversion. "I didn't like it. I really didn't. It felt more like work than play."
"But you can play."
"The basics," I emphasized. "I only know the basics."
"That's more than we know."
"So, Sutter, if Granton is a chessboard, how do we play?"
I laughed. Did I have a choice? "Don't you think that's a bit beyond the basics? I have no frickin' clue."
Alison proved sharper than the lot of us. "Why don't we just look at the map? Maybe it will be obvious."
The cop turned gumball red. "I was just getting to that."
Maggie plucked the map from Susan and started to unfold, just as Susan said, "You guys, right after that, Alice says, 'I wouldn't mind being a Pawn, if only I might join—though of course I should LIKE to be a Queen, best.' And then, the Queen says, 'That's easily managed. You can be the White Queen's Pawn… You're in the Second Square to begin with: when you get to the Eighth Square you'll be a Queen.' Do you think maybe that's our instruction?"
More Alice moments followed, and then, eyes returned to me.
Suddenly embarrassed for what I knew, I sheepishly said, "Pawns start in the second row. If a player gets one to the last row, it can be promoted to a better piece. It's usually best to promote it to queen."
"All right, how do we get to the last row?"
"Where is the last row?"
"Where's the second row?"
"Where the hell's the first?"
"Yeah, where the hell are we?"
"This is getting curiouser and curiouser."
"Look at the damn map!"
Maggie snapped it open the rest of the way, and we looked, finding absolutely nothing but an untouched city map. If it held a chessboard, not one of us recognized it.
"All right, now what?"
"I say we go to Stanley's for breakfast and try to figure it out."
"I've sure worked up an appetite."
"We should have just eaten the donuts and gone to the mall."
The reminder of donuts caused us once again to look in Dolores' direction. As if expecting our about-face, she apologetically smiled and waved a piece of paper at us, saying, "I've got one more thing for you. I was supposed to give it to you after you looked at the map."
Laura marched to receive it, read, and informed, "It's a sixty-dollar gift certificate for Stacked."
"Pancakes!"
Laura furthered, "There's 'e1' written on the back. Anybody know what that means?"
"A booth number, maybe."
"No, it's not," I said. "It's our first chessboard square: fifth square, first row. It's the starting position of the king."
"Well, whoop-de-do! King is better than queen."
"Unless you're a woman."
"Or Charles."
Suddenly motivated by the smell of pancakes and the sound of dripping butter, we offered our thanks to Dolores—yet another pawn in Ginny and Kris' demented game—as we all worked to help Maggie fold the map into a crumpled mess.
And we were off.
If you're interested in scoring points with our favorite English professor, you could read Through the Looking-Glass while Roz takes her sweet time finishing our book. You can nab the ebook for free over at Project Gutenberg. Reading it is not necessary to understanding LAC 11; although, it could have helped us to have done so.
← Musings LAC 11 Chapter 2 →


text:
package io.termd.core.readline;

import org.junit.Test;

import static org.junit.Assert.*;

/**
 * @author Julien Viet
 */
public class LineBufferUpdateTest {

  @Test
  public void testA() {
    TestTerminal screen = new TestTerminal();
    LineBuffer curr = new LineBuffer();
    curr.update(new LineBuffer().insert("abc"), screen, 20);
    screen.assertCodePoints("abc").assertEmpty();
    assertEquals("abc", curr.toString());
    assertEquals(3, curr.getCursor());
  }

  @Test
  public void testB() {
    TestTerminal screen = new TestTerminal();
    LineBuffer curr = new LineBuffer();
    curr.update(new LineBuffer().insert("abcdef"), screen, 4);
    screen.assertCodePoints("abcdef").assertEmpty();
    assertEquals("abcdef", curr.toString());
    assertEquals(6, curr.getCursor());
  }

  @Test
  public void testC() {
    TestTerminal screen = new TestTerminal();
    LineBuffer curr = new LineBuffer();
    curr.update(new LineBuffer().insert("abcd"), screen, 4);
    screen.assertCodePoints("abcd \r").assertEmpty();
    assertEquals("abcd", curr.toString());
    assertEquals(4, curr.getCursor());
  }

  @Test
  public void testD() {
    TestTerminal screen = new TestTerminal();
    LineBuffer curr = new LineBuffer().insert("abc");
    curr.update(new LineBuffer().insert("def"), screen, 20);
    screen.assertCodePoints("\rdef").assertEmpty();
    assertEquals("def", curr.toString());
    assertEquals(3, curr.getCursor());
  }

  @Test
  public void testE() {
    TestTerminal screen = new TestTerminal();
    LineBuffer curr = new LineBuffer().insert("abc");
    curr.update(new LineBuffer().insert("abdef"), screen, 20);
    screen.assertCodePoints("\bdef").assertEmpty();
    assertEquals("abdef", curr.toString());
    assertEquals(5, curr.getCursor());
  }

  @Test
  public void testF() {
    TestTerminal screen = new TestTerminal();
    LineBuffer curr = new LineBuffer().insert("a\nbc");
    curr.update(new LineBuffer().insert("abdef"), screen, 20);
    // TODO : improve that
    screen.assertCodePoints("\b\033[1Abdef\r\033[1B\033[K\033[1C\033[1C\033[1C\033[1C\033[1C\033[1A").assertEmpty();
  }

  @Test
  public void testG() {
    TestTerminal screen = new TestTerminal();
    LineBuffer curr = new LineBuffer().insert("abcde");
    curr.update(new LineBuffer().insert("aBcdEf"), screen, 20);
    screen.assertCodePoints("\b\b\b\bB\033[1C\033[1CEf").assertEmpty();
  }

  @Test
  public void testH() {
    TestTerminal screen = new TestTerminal();
    LineBuffer curr = new LineBuffer().insert("abcdefgh");
    curr.update(new LineBuffer().insert("aBcdefgHi"), screen, 4);
    screen.assertCodePoints("\033[1C\033[1A\033[1AB\033[1C\033[1BHi").assertEmpty();
  }

  @Test
  public void testI() {
    TestTerminal screen = new TestTerminal();
    LineBuffer curr = new LineBuffer().insert("abc");
    curr.update(new LineBuffer().insert(""), screen, 20);
    screen.assertCodePoints("\r\033[K").assertEmpty();
  }

  @Test
  public void testJ() {
    TestTerminal screen = new TestTerminal();
    LineBuffer curr = new LineBuffer().insert("abc");
    curr.update(new LineBuffer().insert("a\nbc"), screen, 20);
    screen.assertCodePoints("\b\b\033[K\nbc").assertEmpty();
  }

  @Test
  public void testL() {
    TestTerminal screen = new TestTerminal();
    LineBuffer curr = new LineBuffer().insert("ab\ncd");
    curr.update(new LineBuffer().insert("abcde"), screen, 4);
    screen.assertCodePoints("\033[1Acde\033[K").assertEmpty();
  }

  @Test
  public void testM() {
    TestTerminal screen = new TestTerminal();
    LineBuffer curr = new LineBuffer().insert("ab\ncd");
    curr.update(new LineBuffer().insert("abcd"), screen, 4);
    screen.assertCodePoints("\033[1Acd \r\033[K").assertEmpty();
  }

  @Test
  public void testN() {
    TestTerminal screen = new TestTerminal();
    LineBuffer curr = new LineBuffer().insert("ab\nef");
    curr.update(new LineBuffer().insert("abcdefg"), screen, 4);
    screen.assertCodePoints("\033[1Acd\033[1C\033[1Cg").assertEmpty();
  }

  @Test
  public void testO() {
    TestTerminal screen = new TestTerminal();
    LineBuffer curr = new LineBuffer().insert("a\nb");
    curr.update(new LineBuffer().insert("a\nbc"), screen, 20);
    screen.assertCodePoints("c").assertEmpty();
  }

  @Test
  public void testP() {
    TestTerminal screen = new TestTerminal();
    LineBuffer curr = new LineBuffer().insert("abc\nb");
    curr.update(new LineBuffer().insert("a\nbc"), screen, 20);
    screen.assertCodePoints("\033[1A\033[K\n\033[1Cc").assertEmpty();
  }

  @Test
  public void testQ() {
    TestTerminal screen = new TestTerminal();
    LineBuffer curr = new LineBuffer().insert("ab\ncd\nef\ngh");
    curr.update(new LineBuffer().insert("AbC"), screen, 20);
    screen.assertCodePoints("\r\033[1A\033[1A\033[1AA\033[1CC\r\033[1B\033[K"
            + "\033[1B\033[K\033[1B\033[K"
            + "\033[1C\033[1C"
            + "\033[1C\033[1A\033[1A\033[1A"
    ).assertEmpty();
  }

  @Test
  public void testR() {
    TestTerminal screen = new TestTerminal();
    LineBuffer curr = new LineBuffer().insert("");
    curr.update(new LineBuffer().insert("ab\n\ncd"), screen, 20);
    screen.assertCodePoints("ab\n\ncd");
  }

  @Test
  public void testS() {
    TestTerminal screen = new TestTerminal();
    LineBuffer curr = new LineBuffer().insert("abcdefg").setCursor(2);
    curr.update(new LineBuffer().insert("ab"), screen, 4);
    screen.assertCodePoints("\033[K\r\033[1B\033[K\033[1C\033[1C\033[1A").assertEmpty();
  }

  @Test
  public void testT() {
    TestTerminal screen = new TestTerminal();
    LineBuffer curr = new LineBuffer().insert("abcdefg").setCursor(3);
    curr.update(new LineBuffer().insert("abc"), screen, 4);
    screen.assertCodePoints("\033[K\r\033[1B\033[K\033[1C\033[1C\033[1C\033[1A").assertEmpty();
  }

  @Test
  public void testU() {
    TestTerminal screen = new TestTerminal();
    LineBuffer curr = new LineBuffer().insert("abcdefghijk").setCursor(2);
    curr.update(new LineBuffer().insert("ab"), screen, 4);
    // todo:
    // optimize \033[1C + \033[1C -> \033[2C
    // optimize \033[1A + \033[1A -> \033[2A
    screen.assertCodePoints("\033[K\r\033[1B\033[K\033[1B\033[K\033[1C\033[1C\033[1A\033[1A").assertEmpty();
  }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


We've often thought how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful part of the world, so were not surprised recently to learn that Kendal achieved number two spot in a recent Sunday Times article that outlined the 101 best towns to live in in the UK. In fact, it was the only town in the whole of the north of England to make the top 50!
Kendal was particularly praised for its vibrant community, transport links, friendliness and "superlative shopping, bags of community spirit and an enviable location".
"The scenic surrounds, low crime rate, vibrant community activities and wide-ranging programme at the Brewery Arts Centre all add to Kendal's appeal.
House prices are… relatively pricey, but there is no shortage of beautiful barn conversions, small farmhouses and period country homes in the surrounding villages ranging from £500,000 to about £1m.
Only Stamford in Lincolnshire topped Kendal in the list. A lovely place though I'm sure Stamford is too, I'd personally sooner have the hills and scenery of the Lakes and Dales than the relative flatness of the Wolds.


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text:
Uncategorized Mayo Clinic Health System reaches COVID-19 therapy milestone
ROCHESTER, Minn. — Increasing access to high-quality health care and providing innovative, evidence-based care solutions to the communities it serves is a priority for Mayo Clinic Health System, even in the midst of an enduring global pandemic encompassing two years. One innovative therapeutic advancement used to prevent severe disease and death due to COVID-19 is called monoclonal antibody therapy.
Mayo Clinic has one of the most robust monoclonal antibody programs in the country, and the program has strongly contributed to the state of Minnesota's public health and ability to confront the COVID-19 pandemic. This week marks a milestone, as Mayo Clinic Health System infused its 10,000th patient with monoclonal antibodies. To date, 20,000 infusions have been performed across all Mayo Clinic locations including Arizona and Florida.
"We are proud to be at the forefront of transforming care and providing monoclonal antibody treatments to our patients. Most of them reside in our more rural communities, some with populations as small as 3,500 residents," says Prathibha Varkey, M.B.B.S., president of Mayo Clinic Health System. "We know this lifesaving treatment has reduced the number of patients requiring hospitalization for severe disease and ultimately has helped improve patient outcomes. This is especially relevant, as Mayo Clinic hospitals have been operating at or near capacity for months. In recent weeks, we have seen increases in the number of patients with COVID-19 needing care, and that number is expected to remain elevated."
Monoclonal antibodies are drugs that consist of one (mono-) neutralizing antibody copied (cloned) in a lab that helps to decrease the amount of virus circulating in the body. Patients as young as 12 who meet criteria and are considered high-risk for developing severe disease are eligible to receive monoclonal antibody therapy. The therapy is administered by IV, which can be done on an outpatient basis.
Earlier this year, Mayo Clinic researchers concluded that, based on real-world data, monoclonal antibodies help patients avoid hospitalization when administered early on before the disease progresses. Additional Mayo Clinic research has shown up to 70% reduction in hospitalization.
Monoclonal antibody infusions are available at Mayo Clinic in Rochester and these Mayo Clinic Health System locations:
Albert Lea, Minnesota.
Austin, Minnesota.
Barron, Wisconsin.
Bloomer, Wisconsin.
Cannon Falls, Minnesota.
Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Fairmont, Minnesota.
La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Mankato, Minnesota.
New Prague, Minnesota.
"Our staff quickly mobilized to provide monoclonal antibody therapy for patients with COVID-19 in Northwest Wisconsin, and this has helped many people avoid serious illness and hospitalization," says Richard Helmers, M.D., regional vice president of Mayo Clinic Health System in Northwest Wisconsin. "We are proud of the innovative work our staff has done to provide lifesaving care throughout this pandemic."
Mayo Clinic Health System serves 600,000 patients in its geographic service areas. Approximately 66% of Mayo Clinic Health System patients live in rural communities in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Mayo Clinic Health System consists of clinics, hospitals and other facilities that serve the health care needs of people in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The community-based providers, paired with the resources and expertise of Mayo Clinic, enable patients in the region to receive highest-quality physical and virtual health care close to home.
For the safety of its patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was either recorded prior to COVID-19 or recorded in a nonpatient care area where social distancing and other safety protocols were followed.
Information in this post was accurate at the time of its posting. Due to the fluid nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, scientific understanding, along with guidelines and recommendations, may have changed since the original publication date.
For more information and all your COVID-19 coverage, go to the Mayo Clinic News Network and mayoclinic.org.
Learn more about tracking COVID-19 and COVID-19 trends.
The post Mayo Clinic Health System reaches COVID-19 therapy milestone appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Below, we have answered some of the questions we are asked most frequently. If you have a question that is not answered here, please contact us online or call (713) 766-0556.
I am planning to immigrate to the U.S. for a job – what can I expect from the process?
The process ahead depends heavily on the job you are taking, your industry, the country you are immigrating from, and several other factors. Nearly every immigration case will include an application, paperwork, and filing fees. That said, every case is different. At Fong Ilagan, LLP, we offer initial consultations so that we can understand the details of your situation before recommending the appropriate course of action.
What information do I need to start a case?
For most immigration cases, we need information about the company and employee, job title and description, location of the job site, and when you want the employment to start.
At the consultation or after discussing your case by telephone or Skype, we can quote you an exact, flat-rate legal fee for your case, including an estimate of the government filing fees and estimated expenses.


Trimco's 1660 Series Push/Pull Bars deliver outstanding durability in a classic tube style push bar. They are available in many configurations to accommodate different applications. Single bar, 2 bar with grip and 4 bar with grip styles are offered in most architectural finishes. Durable base materials include bronze and brass.
Classic style heavy duty push bar.
Manufactured in the United States from rugged 1" bronze or brass tube.
Multiple styles including single bar, 2 bar with grip and 4 bar.


We accept most major insurances including Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicare/Medicare Replacement plans, Tricare Prime and Standard, United Healthcare, United Healthcare AARP, and Medicaid (Prestige and Wellcare). However, there are some plans we do not accept (such as Blue Select), so please be sure to verify this information when you make an appointment.
If you have a responsibility for a portion of the payment associated with your plan, we'll be happy to collect applicableI copayments, coinsurances, and deductibles at the time of service. We currently accept payment in forms of Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, Cash, and personal checks.
If your insurance requires you to have a referral or authorization to be seen, please obtain prior to your appointment. Failure to do so could result in your appointment being cancelled.
CareCredit is a simple and convenient way to consolidate and manage certain out of pocket healthcare expenses, because it is a credit card that can be used repeatedly and for any family member. CareCredit offers two basic payment options to meet an individual's financial needs.
Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date if the promotional purchase is not paid in full within the promotional period. Not all promotional plans are available at all Participating Professionals. Minimum Monthly Payments Required and may pay off purchase before end of promotional period. Each month you only need to pay the required minimum monthly payment and pay off the remaining balance within the promotional period to avoid interest and pay only the amount financed. Future minimum payments will vary based on amount and timing of payments, interest rate and other charges added to the account.
Not all promotional plans are available at all Participating Professionals. Fixed monthly payment amount based on repayment over 24, 36, 48 or 60-month period. Purchases of $1000 or more are eligible for a 24, 36 or 48 month offer and purchases of $2500 or more are eligible for a 60 month offer.


text:
Green Pricing is an optional utility service for customers who want to help expand the production and distribution of renewable energy technologies. With green pricing, you do not have to change your electricity provider. Instead, customers choose to pay a premium on their electricity bill to cover the extra cost of purchasing clean, sustainable energy. As of March 2006, more than 600 utilities, electricity providers in 36 states offer a green pricing option.
Around the world many sub-national governments - regions, states and provinces - have aggressively pursued sustainable energy investments. In the United States, California's leadership in renewable energy was recognised by The Climate Group when it awarded former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger its inaugural award for international climate leadership in Copenhagen in 2009.[156] In Australia, the state of South Australia - under the leadership of former Premier Mike Rann - has led the way with wind power comprising 26% of its electricity generation by the end of 2011, edging out coal fired generation for the first time.[156] South Australia also has had the highest take-up per capita of household solar panels in Australia following the Rann Government's introduction of solar feed-in laws and educative campaign involving the installation of solar photovoltaic installations on the roofs of prominent public buildings, including the parliament, museum, airport and Adelaide Showgrounds pavilion and schools.[157] Rann, Australia's first climate change minister, passed legislation in 2006 setting targets for renewable energy and emissions cuts, the first legislation in Australia to do so.[158]
The Sunforce 44444 400 Watt Wind Generator uses wind to generate power and run your appliances and electronics. Constructed from lightweight, weatherproof cast aluminum, this generator is also a great choice for powering pumps or charging batteries for large power demands. With a maximum power up to 400 watts or 27 amps, this device features a fully integrated regulator that automatically shuts down when the batteries are completely charged. The 44444 is virtually maintenance free with only two moving parts, and the carbon fiber composite blades ensure low wind noise while the patented high wind over speed technology guarantees a smooth, clean charge. Assembly is required, but this generator installs easily and mounts to any sturdy pole, building, or the Sunforce 44455 Wind Generator 30-Foot Tower Kit. The 44444 uses a 12-volt battery (not included) and measures 27 x 44 x 44 inches (LxWxH)
As of 2012, the Alta Wind Energy Center (California, 1,020 MW) is the world's largest wind farm.[107] The London Array (630 MW) is the largest offshore wind farm in the world. The United Kingdom is the world's leading generator of offshore wind power, followed by Denmark.[108] There are several large offshore wind farms operational and under construction and these include Anholt (400 MW), BARD (400 MW), Clyde (548 MW), Fântânele-Cogealac (600 MW), Greater Gabbard (500 MW), Lincs (270 MW), London Array (630 MW), Lower Snake River (343 MW), Macarthur (420 MW), Shepherds Flat (845 MW), and the Sheringham Shoal (317 MW).
Renewable energy projects in many developing countries have demonstrated that renewable energy can directly contribute to poverty reduction by providing the energy needed for creating businesses and employment. Renewable energy technologies can also make indirect contributions to alleviating poverty by providing energy for cooking, space heating, and lighting. Renewable energy can also contribute to education, by providing electricity to schools.[140]
Marine energy (also sometimes referred to as ocean energy) refers to the energy carried by ocean waves, tides, salinity, and ocean temperature differences. The movement of water in the world's oceans creates a vast store of kinetic energy, or energy in motion. This energy can be harnessed to generate electricity to power homes, transport and industries. The term marine energy encompasses both wave power – power from surface waves, and tidal power – obtained from the kinetic energy of large bodies of moving water. Reverse electrodialysis (RED) is a technology for generating electricity by mixing fresh river water and salty sea water in large power cells designed for this purpose; as of 2016 it is being tested at a small scale (50 kW). Offshore wind power is not a form of marine energy, as wind power is derived from the wind, even if the wind turbines are placed over water. The oceans have a tremendous amount of energy and are close to many if not most concentrated populations. Ocean energy has the potential of providing a substantial amount of new renewable energy around the world.[165]
Green power is a subset of renewable energy and represents those renewable energy resources and technologies that provide the highest environmental benefit. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency defines green power as electricity produced from solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, biomass and low-impact small hydroelectric sources. Customers often buy green power for avoided environmental impacts and its greenhouse gas reduction benefits.[9]
You have read this far, and still want to install a wind turbine? Then it is time for a reality check: Most (some would say all) installed small wind turbines do abysmally poor in comparison with their energy production numbers as calculated above. That is the message from a number of studies, usually on behalf of governments that subsidize wind turbines. Do not just take our word for this, read it for yourself:
The energy it calculates is in kWh per year, the diameter of the wind turbine rotor is in meters, the wind speed is annual average for the turbine hub height in m/s. The equation uses a Weibull wind distribution with a factor of K=2, which is about right for inland sites. An overall efficiency of the turbine, from wind to electrical grid, of 30% is used. That is a reasonable, real-world efficiency number. Here is a table that shows how average annual wind speed, turbine size, and annual energy production relate:
Several groups in various sectors are conducting research on Jatropha curcas, a poisonous shrub-like tree that produces seeds considered by many to be a viable source of biofuels feedstock oil.[117] Much of this research focuses on improving the overall per acre oil yield of Jatropha through advancements in genetics, soil science, and horticultural practices. SG Biofuels, a San Diego-based Jatropha developer, has used molecular breeding and biotechnology to produce elite hybrid seeds of Jatropha that show significant yield improvements over first generation varieties.[118] The Center for Sustainable Energy Farming (CfSEF) is a Los Angeles-based non-profit research organization dedicated to Jatropha research in the areas of plant science, agronomy, and horticulture. Successful exploration of these disciplines is projected to increase Jatropha farm production yields by 200-300% in the next ten years.[119]
Most installers overrate the available wind resource. The majority of small wind turbine installations underperforms their predictions, often by a wide margin. Since wind speed is the most important parameter for turbine energy production, getting that wrong has large consequences (the power in the wind goes with the cube of the wind speed, so double the wind speed and the power in it is 2 * 2 * 2 = 8x as much). You have to be realistic about your annual average wind speed.
In the case of a "wind turbine generator", the wind pushes directly against the blades of the turbine, which converts the linear motion of the wind into the rotary motion necessary to spin the generators rotor and the harder the wind pushes, the more electrical energy can be generated. Then it is important to have a good wind turbine blade design to extract as much energy out of the wind as possible.
Wind-generated electricity met nearly 4% of global electricity demand in 2015, with nearly 63 GW of new wind power capacity installed. Wind energy was the leading source of new capacity in Europe, the US and Canada, and the second largest in China. In Denmark, wind energy met more than 40% of its electricity demand while Ireland, Portugal and Spain each met nearly 20%.
Also, the output voltage and power demand depends entirely upon the appliances you have and how you wish to use them. In addition, the location of the wind turbine generator, would the wind resource keep it constantly rotating for long periods of time or would the generator speed and therefore its output vary up and down with variations in the available wind.
Free electricity isnt all you get from a new home wind Generator, as soon as your system is up, you have improved your home value by atleast an equal amount of the investment. Your green energy home is more likely to sell compared to others with no home generation or emergency power system. Think about it. Look at homes for sale.. Can any of them generate their own free electricity, how many can compete with such a solid green energy capability like your home wind Generator delivers. Its also an attention getter and will bring people to see what its about if you ever need to sell, your home has a dramatic edge and a higher resale value.
Nuclear power. After coal, the next largest source of our electricity is nuclear power. While nuclear plants don't cause air pollution, they do create radioactive waste, which must be stored for thousands of years. As accidents at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl proved, nuclear plants also carry the risk of catastrophic failure. And nuclear power can be very expensive.
Among sources of renewable energy, hydroelectric plants have the advantages of being long-lived—many existing plants have operated for more than 100 years. Also, hydroelectric plants are clean and have few emissions. Criticisms directed at large-scale hydroelectric plants include: dislocation of people living where the reservoirs are planned, and release of significant amounts of carbon dioxide during construction and flooding of the reservoir.[16]
The market for renewable energy technologies has continued to grow. Climate change concerns and increasing in green jobs, coupled with high oil prices, peak oil, oil wars, oil spills, promotion of electric vehicles and renewable electricity, nuclear disasters and increasing government support, are driving increasing renewable energy legislation, incentives and commercialization.[10] New government spending, regulation and policies helped the industry weather the 2009 economic crisis better than many other sectors.[24][197]
The advantage of this approach in the United States is that many states offer incentives to offset the cost of installation of a renewable energy system. In California, Massachusetts and several other U.S. states, a new approach to community energy supply called Community Choice Aggregation has provided communities with the means to solicit a competitive electricity supplier and use municipal revenue bonds to finance development of local green energy resources. Individuals are usually assured that the electricity they are using is actually produced from a green energy source that they control. Once the system is paid for, the owner of a renewable energy system will be producing their own renewable electricity for essentially no cost and can sell the excess to the local utility at a profit.
Biomass is biological material derived from living, or recently living organisms. It most often refers to plants or plant-derived materials which are specifically called lignocellulosic biomass.[65] As an energy source, biomass can either be used directly via combustion to produce heat, or indirectly after converting it to various forms of biofuel. Conversion of biomass to biofuel can be achieved by different methods which are broadly classified into: thermal, chemical, and biochemical methods. Wood remains the largest biomass energy source today;[66] examples include forest residues – such as dead trees, branches and tree stumps –, yard clippings, wood chips and even municipal solid waste. In the second sense, biomass includes plant or animal matter that can be converted into fibers or other industrial chemicals, including biofuels. Industrial biomass can be grown from numerous types of plants, including miscanthus, switchgrass, hemp, corn, poplar, willow, sorghum, sugarcane, bamboo,[67] and a variety of tree species, ranging from eucalyptus to oil palm (palm oil).
A Darrieus type vertical axis wind turbine (the egg-beater type) can in theory work almost as good as a horizontal axis turbine. Actual measurement of one of the better designs out there, the UGE VisionAir5, does not bear that out though: It measures in at a pitiful 11% efficiency at 11 m/s wind speed, while a Bergey Excel-6 HAWT clocks in at 22% efficiency for that same wind speed, twice as much. You can read about it in Paul Gipe's article. Besides efficiency issues, a Darrieus VAWT unfortunately has a number of inherent issues that put them at a disadvantage: Since they are usually tall and relatively narrow structures the bending forces on their main bearing (at the bottom) are very large. There are similar issues with the forces on the blades. This means that to make a reliable vertical axis turbine takes more material, and more expensive materials, in comparison to a horizontal type turbine. For comparison, that same UGE VisionAir5 weighs 756 kg vs. the Bergey Excel-6 at 350 kg. Keep in mind that the UGE turbine only sweeps about half the area of the Bergey, the latter is a much larger turbine! This makes VAWTs inherently more expensive, or less reliable, or both.
The PV industry is beginning to adopt levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) as the unit of cost. The electrical energy generated is sold in units of kilowatt-hours (kWh). As a rule of thumb, and depending on the local insolation, 1 watt-peak of installed solar PV capacity generates about 1 to 2 kWh of electricity per year. This corresponds to a capacity factor of around 10–20%. The product of the local cost of electricity and the insolation determines the break even point for solar power. The International Conference on Solar Photovoltaic Investments, organized by EPIA, has estimated that PV systems will pay back their investors in 8 to 12 years.[73] As a result, since 2006 it has been economical for investors to install photovoltaics for free in return for a long term power purchase agreement. Fifty percent of commercial systems in the United States were installed in this manner in 2007 and over 90% by 2009.[74]


text:
Q: I can not save the value from EditText when closing of the fragment I have a fragment with EditText. I enter text into EditText. I press the button. I open next fragment . Current fragment  Replace.  How can I save the data entered in the EditText and get them again when I go back to the first fragment? It suggests itself
@Override
    public void onSaveInstanceState(Bundle outState) {
        super.onSaveInstanceState(outState);
        outState.putString("code", getTextField().getText().toString());
        textCode = getTextField().getText().toString();
    }

but he did not call. I read and learned that it is called if I wring such a program. I checked and so called. But as I call it when I call a new fragment , and they Replace old? Or maybe there are other options to preserve the value? Static variable global, SHARED preferens - not good.

A: You can Just save Your Data in onDestroyView
@Override
public void onDestroyView() {
    // TODO Auto-generated method stub
    super.onDestroyView();
textCode = getTextField().getText().toString();
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


In a story where ancient roots meets color mastery, brand development and modern chemistry, RIKOKO was born from true love, a passion for beauty and a desire to create, innovate and spread like wild fire.
RIKOKO is celebrating this month of love through honoring the architects in the beauty industry at the Hollywood Beauty Awards. The RIKOKO team is thrilled to be a part of such a memorable evening for the beauty industry and to support these incredibly talented artists is an honor.


text:
using System;
using System.Linq.Expressions;
using Catnap.Mapping;

namespace Catnap.Citeria.Conditions
{
    public abstract class PropertyValueCondition<T> : ValueCondition where T : class, new()
    {
        private readonly Expression<Func<T, object>> property;

        protected PropertyValueCondition(Expression<Func<T, object>> property, string format, object value) : base(format, value)
        {
            this.property = property;
        }

        public IDbCommandSpec ToCommandSpec(IEntityMap<T> entityMap, string parameterName)
        {
            var columnName = entityMap.GetColumnNameForProperty(property);
            return ToCommandSpec(columnName, parameterName);
        }
    }
}


The mind is a curious thing. Things long-forgotten manifest themselves when you least expect them.
The Sea grows turbulent (literally--"worries") once, the Sea grows turbulent twice, the Sea grows turbulent thrice. Sea Creature, freeze on the spot!
These lines are from a children's game--indeed, a very basic game for very small children of which I had no recollection.
And you know what? I stopped a couple of times when I hit the word, "Freeze!"


Perhaps not the most attractive or eye-catching design bestows the likes of the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback, yet it's a fun-to-drive, fairly worthy contender in this category of bring-it-back hatchbacks. Light and agile, the Sportback gets you around and with some zip and fun.
The Lancer is available in three distinct trim levels (including a FUSE design): ES, GTS and Ralliart. The ES was our daily driver for a week, with the very capable and peppy 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine. The only complaints out of our mouth were trying to get some speed going when the air conditioner was running: A tad draggy. The ES version of the Lancer Sportback starts at a competitive $17,095, while the GTS comes in at $19,895 (2.4-liter, 4-clyinder engine), and the top-of-the-line racy Ralliart at a stiff $28,095.
To increase the appeal of the Lancer sedan, Mitsubishi added the 5-door sportback version, giving it more versatility and practical application. Although we found the interior materials lacking, we found the Sportback to have competent handling, combined with strong performance. While the front legroom seemed like enough, without a telescoping steering wheel/column, we wondered how larger drivers would manage. A considerable supply of high-tech equipment gives the Lancer Sportback something to brag about, and the edgy styling helps too.
Offering mostly performance and affordability, the Lancer Sportback ES takes a drop in entry level pricing (nice move Mitsubishi) by $2,000. This effort makes the Lancer more competitive. Competing in this category are the Mazda3, Subaru's Impreza and the VW GTI. While the Lancer's performance is admirable, we found its "new" styling lacking; just so-so.
On the ES version one gets 16-inch steel wheels, rocker-sill bodywork extensions, Air conditioning, cruise, keyless entry, tilt-only steering wheel with audio controls, full power accessories, trip computer, 60/40 split rear seats, center armrest for the driver and four-speaker CD/MP3 stereo. Stepping up to the GTS, you can expect a more powerful engine (2.4-liter, 168-horsepower), 18-inch alloy wheels, sport-tuned suspension, aero-style bodywork pieces, chrome exhaust tips, keyless ignition entry, automatic climate control, sport front seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, Bluetooth, FUSE, and a six-speaker stereo with USB port.
And finally, the Ralliart performer with turbo, automated dual-clutch manual transmission, shift paddles, all-wheel-drive, Satellite radio and keyless entry ignition.
Unless your trying to impress, are under the age of 25 and don't need any extra storage space, the ES version fits most people's needs, offering good fuel economy, a comfortable, quiet cabin, and an engine with plenty of pep for most driving.
Fuel Tank Capacity: 15.5 gal.
Warranty: 10 yrs./100,000-mile powertrain; 7 yrs./100,000-mile anti perforation corrosion; 5 yrs./60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper; 5 yrs./unlimited miles roadside assistance.
As one of the several Optima models offered for 2011, the SX Turbo is the top-of-the-line entry. Equipped with just the right stuff, the SX Turbo sports a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine, with an MSRP of $25,995. The Optima is the stablemate of the Hyundai Sonata, yet one wouldn't necessarily know this tidbit by looking at them. Both have a European-look to them, probably the Optima more than the Sonata. You can't go wrong with either choice, and we're leaning more and more toward the Optima.
The Kia Optima offers five separate models, beginning with the LX version ($18,995), equipped with a 2.4-liter, 4-cylinder engine. Followed by the EX ($22,495) which also has the 2.4-liter, 4-cylinder engine; the EX Turbo, starting at $24,495 takes on the 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder, as does the SX (although the Turbo version, $25,995), and finally, the Optima Hybrid, equipped also with Kia's 2.4-liter, 4-cylinder engine and an MSRP of $26,500. The Optima can get pricey, but most drivers opting for the entry-level LX version will be plenty satisfied. The Optima generally comes well-equipped.
The EX Turbo and SX Turbo offers a powerful engine (2.0-liter), bigger brakes and a different grille design.Teamed with 274 horsepower and 269 lb.ft. of torque, this sedan moves fast and smooth. Fuel economy is a respectable 22/34 mpg.; the Hybrid version coming in at 35/40 mpg., with its 206 horsepower, 2.4-liter engine.
As expected, the redesigned Kia Optima comes equipped with all the necessary and available safety equipment, including anti-lock brakes, traction control, front seat mounted side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, front active headrests, Electronic Stability Control, Hill Assist Control, Tire Pressure Monitoring System and dual front advanced airbags. The dash is layed out well, with easy to read and reach controls. We especially liked the instrument panel with its dark background and white illuminated numbers/letters, and a picture of the Optima smack in the middle.
Power everything abounds: windows, doors, mirrors (also heated), 8-way adjustable power driver side seat with power lumbar, and auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink/Compass. Front door mood lighting is also a plus when driving at night and exiting or entering the car. Steering wheel paddle shifts add to the sportiness of the Turbo model, and if you're so inclined, you can drive it in manual. Metal pedals and door sill plates jazz up the look, and we are getting used to the push button start/stop with Smart Key. Active ECO System is part of the works, as with many new vehicles today, so that drivers can monitor their driving/fuel economy.
The Technology Package-an option on the SX Turbo ($2,000) includes the navigation system with back-up camera and Sirius Traffic radio, along with a powerful Infinity Audio system with eight speakers. Steering wheel controls make for eas of shifting between SAT radio and just about any other mode you can think of, although it's not one of our favorite features as we're always hitting it by mistake.
The second option on our test Optima SX Turbo was the SX Premium Package which includes a Panoramic Sunroof, Driver seat memory, heated and cooled front seats and heated outboard rear seats and power front passenger seat, at $2,150. So you can see, the price ascends quickly when adding all the goodies on this styling 4-door sedan.
With availabilty scarce on any new Japanese models, Kia, Hyundai and the European vehicles are picking up steam. How fortunate for them. Not that the Kia's and Hyundai models wouldn't sell themselves. It was just a matter of getting consumers into them. Honda, as well as other Japanese manufacturers ought to be a little nervous, wondering if they'll win those customers back that can't wait out the delay. By the same token, Ford and GM are also benefiting.
The leather woven seating in the Optima is classy and sits well. Seats are generous, as is legroom, making this sedan a good choice for drivers of all sizes and shapes. The steering wheel is leather-wrapped, along with the shift knob and the Leatherette wrapped center fascia. It's a great looking interior, well designed and executed. No cheap stuff here.
One place tall drivers will find a little tight is in the rear seats. Due to the Optima's slanting shape in the rear, head room is a tad compromised, especially with the double panoramic sunroof. We couldn't quite get that sunroof to tilt, but did enjoy the full open position which simulates a convertible.The trunk in the Optima is 15.4 cu. ft. and plenty wide to carry just about anything, from bikes to luggage.
The ride in the Optima is generally smoother and less harsh than in the Hyundai Sonata, but at times, it does bottom out. A very solid car, the Optima is quiet, smooth and more pleasing in every way than the Sonata. Kia's 4-cylinder engines have best-in-class power.
Still a favorite on our list, the Optima is a desirable sedan.
Engine: 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder Turo, 274 hp.
EPA estimated fuel economy: 22/34 mpg.
Warranty: 10 yr./100,000-mile overall; 5 yrs./60,000-mile limited powertrain; roadside assistance.
For several years now, this writer has been singing the praises of the "new" Hyundai vehicles. Friends and family who dared ask for recommendations when in the market to purchase a vehicle were consistently hearing the "Hyundai" name. I was a walking commercial for the Hyundai brand, impressed with all they offer, from styling to features galore.
The all-new, redesigned small sedan, the Hyundai Elantra is no exception. Having driven two of its competitors back-to-back, it is clear how the recast Elantra tops the category. This is a superb automobile, equipped with all the features a driver could want, a comfortable ride, outstanding fuel economy and quiet, satisfying performance.
Our test Elantra was the Limited edition, fully equipped and coming in at a respectable $20,830. For 2011, Hyundai is offering two models (down from three): the Base GLS (starting at $14,830 with 15-inch steel wheels/P195/65TR15 tires), and the LImited. Both versions share the 1.8-liter engine (vs. the 2.0-liter of its predecessor), but with more power (148 hp. vs. 138 hp.). There is no manual transmission on the Limited trim, just the 6-speed automatic. The standard features offered on the LImited version are also available on the GLS model, with the exception of leather.
The only available package on the Limited edition is the Limited Preimium Package which adds all of the features found on the GLS Navigation Package, plus proximity key entry with electronic push-button start and immobilizer, and GLS Manual Transmission ($2,000 more).
Hyundai offers two separate optional packages on the Elantra: The GLS Preferred Package (16-inch alloy wheels, steering wheel audio, Bluetooth, cloth inserts for doors, sliding center console armrest, illuminated vanity mirrors, illuminated ignition, $550), and the Popular Equipment Package (cruise, A/C telescopic wheels, solar glass windshield band, 16-inch steel wheels, $1,250). The Navigation Package adds a 7-inch screen and Nav system, rearview camera, 360-watt stereo with external amplifier and automatic headlamps. In order to have the Nav package, one must also opt for the Preferred Package.
Standard safety equipment on the new Elantra is plentiful and includes front seatbelt pre-tensioners, tire pressure monitoring system, daytime running lights, 4-wheel disc brakes, ABS, front side impact and side curtain airbags, Electronic brake force distribution and brake assist, and Electronic stability control with traction control.
Other handy features in the new Elantra include a trip computer, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, 60/40-split folding rear seat, a sliding front armrest with handy storage box, a good size glove box, rear center armrest with cupholders and tilt and telescopic steering column. The seats are comfortable and offer enough support and room for most drivers. We took the new Elantra on the road so got a good feel for what it could do.
Cruising along I65 toward Indy, the Elantra-at 70 mph and up-managed to pull in a strong 40-41 mpg. Once the car kicked into gear and cruised for a while, the miles-per-gallon kept registering higher and higher. Suspect at first when it landed and stayed at 33-35 mpg., this writer was pleased when it really did climb up and remain at over 40 miles-per-gallon. Filling up upon our arrival in Indianapolis only yielded about 7 gallons of gas! Now that's something to crow about.
Power windows, door locks and mirrors are all standard equipment on the Elantra Limited, as are A/C (an easy to operate system), front fog lights, side mirror-mounted turn signal indicators, remote keyless entry, iPod with USB and auxiliary input jacks, and a great sounding XM Satellite radio with AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with six speakers.
All controls are easy to operate and within reach, while driving or at stand still. The drivers seat fit this writer's form. The ride is smooth, the 1.8-liter, 4-cylinder engine quiet and the idle almost imperceptible.
The only two options on our Limited Elantra were carpeted floor mats ($95) and iPod cable ($35). There wasn't anything this writer wanted for and found she could be more than happy adding the Elantra to her stable.
Redesigne for 2011, the Elantra much resembles its older brother the Sonata. However, we're inclined to feel the Elantra offers a much more comfortable, less harsh ride. A "top pick" in Consumer Reports small sedan segment, Elantra is a nimble, agile performer and we highly recommend it!
Aiming at a more for the money philosophy in a small sedan, the auto manufacturers are attempting to offer more car for the money, yet with high fuel economy and richer features. The Elantra accommodates all of the above, and more. It is clearly a favorite.
"Always the soul of a sports car," is Mazda's theme and it makes its way into all their vehicles, from the too-much-fun Mazda Miata (MX5) to the Mazda5 minivan/CUV. The MazdaSpeed 3 sportswagon is no exception and while a blast to drive with its 6-speed manual transmission, this driver is not sure she would choose it as a daily driver. Beginning at $23,700, the 2011 MazdaSpeed 3 hatchback is not inexpensive, although not expensive. Clocked at 180 mph, this little buggy can move.
Blessed with an energetic personality, the MazdaSpeed 3 provides good handling, quiet interior and comfortable seating. Except for tire noise out on the road, the MazdaSpeed 3's engine is very quiet at idle. The car is quick and agile and makes taking corners and moving in/out of traffic fun. This is indeed an enthusiast's car, with a strong turbo performance. Reminiscent of its sibling the MX5 (Miata), the MazdaSpeed 3 feels like a solid car with a premium interior and hatchback utility.
Visibility can be somewhat compromised by the headrests of the passenger seat, and if you're a lover of automatic transmissions, you're out of luck. The MazdaSpeed 3 is available only in manual, as well it should be. The hatchback is the only version also, no sedan.
The MazdaSpeed 3 was redone in 2010; its rough edges honed-restyled, with an upgraded interior, the MS3 also got a retuned suspension, wider tires (225/40R18 vs 215/45-18). The 2.3-liter direct-injected turbo 4-cylinder is a carryover.With a weight increase of about 100 lbs., the MS3 has a 0-60 mph time of 6.1 seconds.
The MS3 does provide precise handling, and a little easier ride for the driver/passenger. Bumps, although still perceptible, are a little more removed than in the previous MS3. The interior is sporty, yet functional, and the seats comfortable. The MS3 feels like a sports car in many respects, even if it is a hatchback!
Standard equipment is plentiful and includes tilt and telescoping steering column, steering wheel audio/cruise/Bluetooth controls, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, unique combo cloth/leather seats and carpeted floor mats, dual zone auto climate control, power windows/door locks. Of course, safety features include ABS, remote keyless entry, EBD brake assist, "crashable" brake pedal, and Electronic power assisted rack and pinion steering, dynamic stability control, traction control and dual front airbags, side-impact airbags and curtains.
Seating for 5-passengers, the MS3 has sport-type F&R bumpers, hood, grille insert/trim side sills, AM/FM/CD/MP3, 6-speaker audio, two 12-volt power outlets, plenty of cupholders and handy pockets for stuff. The center console slides to/fro.
This is a fun vehicle to drive for the enthusiast, yet, still is practical with its' hatchback utility. With all the amenities you'd need, the MS3 is a good value with a lot to offer.
EPA Fuel Ecnomy: 18/25 mpg.
Warranty: 24-hour roadside assistance, 36-month/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper, 60-month/60,000-mile powertrain.
It's been some time since I've had the pleasure of motoring a Toyota Corolla. The 2011 Corolla is not like any other previous models. So different in shape, style and comfort, this is a daily driver worth investing in.
Our test drive Corolla S came well-equipped with just a few options, including an upgraded sound system with AM/FM/CD-player with MP3/WMA Playback capability, six speakers, XM radio, auxiliary audio jack, USB port with iPod Connectivity, CD text Display Function, Auto sound leveling, Hands-free phone capability and Music streaming via Bluetooth wireless technology ($520); Power-tilt/slide moonroof w/sliding sunshade ($890); Cupholder ashtray ($26), and alarm ($359).
 A carryover from the 2010 update, the MS3 is available in three models: Base ($15,900), S ($17,700) and LE ($17,600). The SRS and LE trims have been dropped from the lineup.
Although options seemed excessive in price (cupholder ashtray $26??), most weren't excessive in need. Ever since a U.S. automotive manufacturer made the ashtray an option, it seems as though a few other manufacturers have picked up on the idea. Many new vehicles, however, do not come equipped with an ashtry as even as option; assuming many buyers no longer smoke.
This car is so quiet, it causes the driver to stop and think: "Is this a Hybrid?" The engine, at idle is almost imperceptible, yet you know it's there. The redesigned Corolla is wider, longer and much more accommodating to any driver shape, size. This writer really enjoyed driving the 2011 Corolla with its smooth feel and float over the bumps. Is it any wonder that there are so many on the road? Of course not.
Our test Corolla S model came equipped with such standard equipment as electric power steering, AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA player with six speakers and auxiliary USB posts. 4-way adjustable passenger seat, six-way adjustable driver seat and sport fabric (easy to care for), as well as tire pressure monitor and anti-theft system with engine immobilizer.
Safety features are plentiful and include VSC, trac, ABS, EBD, Brake assist and Smart Stop Technology, dr/front passenger front advanced airbag system, mounted side airbags, front and rear side curtain airbags, among others.
An excellent value among compact cars, the 2011 Toyota Corolla competes with the Ford Focus ($16,640), Mazda3 ($15,800), and the Hyundai Elantra ($14,495). It's easy to understand how the Corolla leads the pack among competitors, given its smooth ride, ease of handling and quiet interior. It is a reliable, comfortable and easy to drive car. The controls are straight-forward and the seating is comfortable.
With the 2011 restyle, the Corolla is a little more pleasing in looks. Just a plain, econobox in years past, the new Corolla benefits by a new tweak, here and there. For 2011, the styling is freshened, with a new grille. bumpers, taillamps and trunk lid. The interior features new fabrics (easier to care for and live with), updated metallic trim on some models, and an all-weather package that includes heavy-duty heater with rear vents, as well as additional standard equipment.
The Corolla S comes equipped with the 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic, and adds sport front seats, color-matched spoilers, sport side sills, fog lamps, sport tilt/telescoping steering wheel and 16-inch alloy wheels.
Although immediately, recognizable as "Toyota," the Corolla is one nice sedan. This writer could get used to driving it on a daily basis with its ease of parking, turning, and just all-around handling. It feels like a larger vehicle. The cabin is quiet which makes for a comfortable, non-interferring, long distance ride.
EPA fuel economy: 28/35 mpg.
The all-new 2011 Kia Optima, now redesigned and re-engineered, is one of the best looking vehicles on the road. Also one of the best bargains. Our test Optima EX trim version starting at $22,495 came equipped with a long list of starndard features, including several safety airbags: Dual front advanced airbags, front seat mounted side airbags, and full-length side curtain airbags. The driver and passengers are literally surrounded with airbags. A good thing? We're not sure. Nevertheless, added to the new Kia's safety features are active headrests, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control System and Downhill brake/hill start Assist Control, and a tire pressure monitoring system.
As with other midsized sedans in this category, headroom isn't especially plentiful, but the Optima has a tad more than its cousin, the Hyundai Sonata. If you're inclined to have your seat pumped up for better visibility, you'll notice yourself ducking when entering the vehicle.
The redesigned 2011 Kia Optima has a longer wheelbase with a more spacious cabin, and the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is more powerful. The car is wider and a little lower than its predecesor, and its styling a lot more bolder and attractive.
The 2011 Optima is available in several trim levels: LX ($18,995), EX ($22,495), EX Turbo ($24,495 with 2.0-liter), and SX ($25,995).
The Optima and Hyundai Sonata share some mechanics, as well as the same platform, but the Optima seems larger. Ride and handling in the new Optima are sound and the turning radius is wide, making for easier parking and turns. As with many four-cylinder engines, there is some noise upon acceleration, but the power seems to be adequate for most driving conditions. At first we weren't sure if the Optima was equipped with a turbocharged engine. And in fact, the uplevel engine is a turbocharged version of the 2.4–liter four-cylinder (at 274 hp.). Leaving lights and giving it just a little gas at times seemed as though we had punched the accelerator, causing the vehicle to react with a a start and very responsively. When first driving the Optima, the pedal felt a little sensitive.
Kia plans to later introduce a hybrid version of the Optima.
There is some road noise when traveling on city roads, but it takes the bumps fairly well. Highway driving is comfortable and smooth and power seems adequate. As expected, a sedan in this category comes equipped with plenty: Bluetooth wireless technology, cruise, USB and auxiliary input jacks, SIRIUS Satellite radio (complimentary 3-months of service), AM/FM/CD/MP3 Audio with 6 speakers, and dual-zone automatic temperature control with rear vents, heated seats and push-button start/stop.
The Kia Optima offers goodies you won't find (as standard) on others in this category, namely, GM products. I recently made the rounds of several dealerships-and-brands-with a friend who was in the process of buying a new car. And it must be mentioned here that all three KIA dealerships we visited, were teaming with customers, taking test drives, talking with salespeople and buying vehicles. The good old days of auto buying appeared to be back.
Optima's cabin is roomy, yet cozy. The features-radio, temperature controls are all easy to reach and operate. Eye-catching inside and out, the new Optima has very comfortable and supportive seating, and a fair amount of leg room in the rear seat area.
Although Gen-X and Gen-Y buyers are always in mind when designing and equipping today's vehicles, everyone benefits by all the thoughtful features, such as several cupholders (bottle holders) and extra storage space.
Our test Optima came equipped with just two options, although expensive ones: The Technology Package (navigation system with back-up camera and SIRIUS Traffic, Infinity audio system with 8 speakers, $2,000), and the EX Premium Package (Panoramic sunroof, power front passenger seat, driver seat memory, heated/cooled front seats, heated outboard rear seatsw, heated steering wheel, $2,250). Neither one was really necessary, although, of course, nice to have. It did bring the total vehicle price closer to $30,000 though.
EPA Fuel Ecnomy: 24/34 mpg.
Warranty: 10-years/100,000-mile Limited Powertrain; 5-year/60,000-mile Limited Basic; 5- year/60,000-mile Roadside Assistance; 5-year/100,000-mile rust.
The all-new Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan is a more than worthy replacement for the aging Cobalt, which replaced the ever-popular yet dated Cavalier. Based on the Delta 2 platform, the Cruze's primary engineering and development comes from GMDAT, GM's Korean partner. The Cruze, introduced in September 2010Â is night and day from what the Cavalier and Cobalt offered. It is a compact that can take on any car in its category. With good looks, a comfortable ride and quiet interior, the new Cruze is a serious contender. All one has to do is drive it back-to-back with others in its category. The Cruze will most likely leave an impression.
Our test vehicle was the top-of-the-line LTZ verison, equipped with the Rally Sport (R/S) package (also available on the 1LT, 2LT), which includes rocker mouldings, unique front/rear fascias, front fog lamps and rear spoiler. Not enough extra gingerbread to be noticeable, but enough to make the Cruze a little sportier. Although the new Cruze comes fairly well equipped, GM still can't match the standard equipment available on some of the competitors; namely, the Hyundai Elantra.
Compact and entry-level sedans aren't bare bones anymore. One can expect many standard features, as well as comfort, for the most part, and a decent vehicle for what is now a "reasonable" price: $20,000. WIth the average price of a vehicle hovering over $28,000 these days, coming in at $20,000 seems like a bargain.
Our test Cruze LTZ came equipped with just three options: The RS Package ($695), Pioneer premium audio system ($445), and a compact spare tire ($100). Yes, you read that right: GM vehicles are now equipped with tire sealant and inflator kit. No donut, no full-size spare; for that you have to pay. Rather, you need to brush up on how to use the inflator kit in the event you get a flat. It's all about saving weight and upping the fuel economy.
The Cruze LTZ came equipped with GM's 1.4-liter Ecotec engine, with 4-cylinder turbo. Not that it was all that noticeable. The 4-cylinder is enough power for most driving, but the turbocharger did not add a huge boost. In fact, it was a little slow in pickup. Two engines are available in the Cruze: the 1.4-liter Turbocharged 4-cylinder and a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder, both offered with a six-speed automatic and manual transmission.
The new Cruze offers a vastly improved interior, a lot less plastic, a simple but attractive IP and comfortable seats. Standard safety features on the Cruze include 10 airbags, Stabilitrak-stability control with traction control, 4-wheel ABS, daytime running lamps, theft alarm, tire pressure monitor and 6 months OnStar directions and connections with automatic crash response and turn-by-turn navigation.
Also available as standard on the Cruze LTZ compact is remote vehicle start, oil life monitor system, tinted solar ray light glass, power seat six-way adjuster, automatic climate control, auto-dimming rearview mirror, Bluetooth, and steering wheel controls, among other goodies.
The Cruze is available in several trim levels: LS, 1LT, 2LT, LTZ and Eco. The standard engine on these models is GM's 1.4-liter (1.8-liter 4-cylinder ECOTEC on the LS). The LS, 1LT and 2LT come equipped with sixteen-inch wheels, and the LTZ with 18-inch spoke alloy wheels. The Eco version sports a 17-inch tire with a 15-inch forged polished aluminum wheels. Starting price for the Cruze LS (manual)Â is $17,275, automatic $18,200; 1LT (AT), $19,175; Eco (manual), $19,175, Eco (AT), $20,625. The 2LT at $21,625 and LTZ, $22,975.
Were there a few not-so-great things about the Cruze? Sure, The seatbelts are difficult to clasp and sit low in the seat, and the locks are noisy. Nothing really annoying. On the other hand, the ride is very smooth and Cruze takes the bumps well.
Key competitors include Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus and Hyundai Elantra. A much more substantial and refined sedan, the Cruze gets a commendable 26 mpg.. Nicely finished and roomy, the new Cruze is a well-handling little sedan.
I hated to give it up!
EPAÂ Fuel Economy: 24/36 mpg.
Looking back several years at previous Sportage models, it's hard to believe the 2011 Sportage is the same car. Well, it isn't really. It's all-new. inside and out and in its evolving has become one of the greatest CUV's on the market. Debuted at this year's New York International Auto Show, the 2011 Sportage will most definately be flying out the dealership doors.
Our test 2011 Kia Sportage was the EX version, the top-of-the-line of three: Base, EX, LX. Wanting for little, our EX came well-equipped with a long list of standard features and two options, including the Navigation w/SIRIUS Traffic and camera display and Premium Audio with extra amp and subwoofer ($1,500), and the Premium Package with Leather (Leather seat trim, Heated front seats, Air-cooled drivers seat, Push button start with Smart key, Panoramic sunroof, Rear Sonar, Auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink, Heated outside mirrors and cargo cover, $3,000). Without these options, the EX's MSRP was $23,295.
If one opts for the EX version of the new 2011 Sportage you'll get an added few things: 18-inch alloy wheels, 235/55R18 Silica tires, roof rails, rear spoiler, Chrome bodytrim and door handles. If you step down one to the LX model, you'll add LED turn signal indicators and keyless entry, with tinted glass, 16-inch alloy wheels, 215/70R16 Silica low-rolling resistance tires, body-color door handles and side power mirrors. The Base Kia Sportage starts at $18,295; the LX at $24,795; and the EX at $23,295. While all within reason to begin with, the total vehicle price can easily rise, as in the case with our test vehicle, topping out at $28,490.
Standard features abound on the new 2011 Kia Sportage and include the latest in safety technology with dual front airbags, front seat mounted side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, ABS, Traction control system, Electronic Stability Control, downhill brake/hill-start assist control, rollover protection system, front active headrests, side-door impact beams and lower anchors/tethers for children.
Inside the 2011 Sportage is an attractive dash with all the goodies: dual-zone auto temp control, power locks, windows, electrically adjustable outside mirrors, keyless entry/panic alarm, AM/FM/CD/MP3Audio with 6 speakers, SIRIUS Satellite radio (first 3 months complimentary), USB and Auxillary audio inputs, multi-adjustable power front seats with lumbar, 60/40 split folding rear seats, cooling glove box, cruise control/trip computer, tilt steering wheel, steering audio controls, BlueTooth, 12-volt power outlet, intermittent windshield wipers (front/rear), front and second row cupholders, leather wrapped steering wheel and sunvisor extendor. This is a well-equipped compact SUV.
Chrome adorning the door handles and accents, along with fog lamps, rear spoiler and roof rails make this little cruiser appear ready to take on not only the urban streets, but the less-threatening backroads.
Other desirable features include the Halogen headlamps with projection beam lenses, low tire pressure indicator, front reading lights, Tach, and voice-activated system for the phone.
As with all vehicles that insist on having the audio controls (and now phone controls) on the steering wheel, it's a pet peeve of ours. Sorry, all you techies who must have all the modern conveniences at your fingertips, but it never fails that we hit those unwanted buttons time after time, either flipping the station or turning on/off the voice-activated device. Just one more annoying thing to deal with.
You can't help but love this little CUV and I suspect it will appeal greatly to the female driver. It's just so manageable, comfortable to drive and maneuver, those bigger SUV's will feel like driving a truck. Ladies, heads-u: This new 2011 Kia Sportage is the car that can aid in your driving skills.
There still isn't much more fun you can have than driving the Miata (or MX-5 as it is now referred to). It brings a smile to my face everytime I'm in one, manuevering corners with ease, pumping up the music and feeling spirted. The 2011 MX-5 is a noticeably more solid car for 2011: Operative word here is "Car." I just sold my 1999 Miata, the 10-year anniversary year model. While a great little roadster, as a daily driver it had a ways to go. Climbing in and out on a daily basis was a stretch. Not so with the 2011 MX-5. A lot more substantial, this redesigned roadster, with its retractable hardtop is a different car.
The PHRT (power hardtop retractable top) was first introduced in 2007, costing less than the separate hardtop. With the PHRT version is added security, improved cold-weather comfort, and reduced interior noise, among other improvements. The design adds only 79 pounds to the MX-5's weight and, does not reduce trunk space. Optioned up, the PHRT edition comes with a unique paint color, unique leather seating, and a different front fascia with a more muscular appearance. Oversized fender flares and sculpted hood also distinguish the PHRT edition, of which there were only 750 produced.
The MX-5 is equipped with Xenon headlights and heated glass rear window. We found that visibility was better than expected with the hardtop up. The view is a tad wider than with the cloth top, leaving us feeling less handicapped when in busy traffic and trying to change lanes.
The MX-5's retractable top integrates well with the car's liner. The interior, much upgraded, is roomier and pleasing. Appointed well, the interior is a big improvement from the Miata's of years past. Bottle/cup holders are mounted in the doors, as well as a versatile holder in the center console. The instrument panel is sporty and easier to read than in previous generation Miata's; the redline has been bumped up to 7,200 rpm's, from 6,700.
Climate control is automatic and there is more storage than one would expect, with behind the seat bins and an additional glove-type box at the back of the center console. The glove box is good size and can hold wallets, the manual and other goodies. Some reviewers weren't excited about the "new face" of the Mx-5: A "Happy Face." This new grille is wider and longer and does somewhat resemble a smile. Frankly, this writer didn't notice it at first.
The sound system in the MX-5 is certainly an improvement over older versions, although may not win any awards for the best in audio equipment. We found we needed to dial in the Bass and Treble to higher levels than usual. Optional equipment on our test PRHT included Sirius Satellite radio and pre-delivery inspection, both at no charge.
You cannot beat the fun factor that Miata MX-5 offers. No other roadster out there takes the twisy roads as well, or as assuredly. Everytime I drive an MX-5, I'm encouraged Mazda still makes them. I suspect I'll have to have another one someday.
Competition for the Mazda MX-5 Miata includes the Nissan 350Z and the Audi TT; both quite a bit pricier.
Fuel Tank Capacity: 12.7 gal.


On Legit Radio, Kevin Whitt and his co-hosts, Jonathan and Mandy, will discuss controversial topics and how to live with conviction in a post-modern society! Iron sharpens iron but many, in the name of love, neglect the discussion of controversial topics. We believe this can lead to a narrow, unloving view, as many reject what they don't understand. It's time to talk! We don't believe in foolish debates but, rather, an open, honest conversation about these less discussed topics, in order to tear down the walls that have divided us and have opened a door for hatred.


While Pakistan takes pride in being the world's largest host of refugees, with over 1.45 million refugees, the only way forward for the country is repatriation. The majority of refugees hail from Afghanistan, some of whom have their second generations growing up in the country.
But as the influx of Afghan refugees increased since the late 1970s, so did terrorism, drug trafficking and arms smuggling. Clearly, refugees are not to blame for the ills that plague the country today, but forced out of their own country under precarious circumstances, refugees have fallen prey to nefarious state actors. A safe and dignified repatriation process is not only beneficial for Pakistan but also for the hundreds of thousands of refugees, many of who live in makeshift camps.
However, while Pakistan can push for voluntary repatriation, peaceful conditions in Afghanistan are significant for an effective and meticulous repatriation process. The UNHCR has facilitated the returns of millions of registered Afghan refugees from Pakistan since 2002, but the effectiveness of it is directly linked with the situation in the war-torn country.
According to a UNHCR planning summary of the management and repatriation policy 2018, there was a decrease in the number of returning refugees between 2015 and 2016 – the same years when a relative resurgence of terrorist attacks was experienced in Afghanistan.
Even in 2018, the economic and political conditions in Afghanistan – poverty, unemployment and the worst drought experienced this year – are not ideal for Afghan refugees to return. But Pakistan being part of the 17 year long war in Afghanistan is in a position to push for talks with the government in Kabul to help achieve peace in the region. For the safety of the refugees and Pakistan itself, the government needs to consider a humanitarian approach that looks towards gradual repatriation keeping into consideration the situation in Afghanistan.


A correspondent writes to ask if he can say fairly much and still be grammatically correct? If we can have pretty much and very much, he says, can we have fairly much?
What we seem to have here is a lexical issue rather than a grammatical one: we're dealing with a collocational change. Fairly traditionally collocates with well but not much. Words like pretty and very collocate with both. What's probably happening is that the collocates of pretty and very are transferring to fairly.
It's not a usage that's part of my idiolect, but I've heard it occasionally, especially in the north of England. Fairly is one of those words which has quite a wide range of usage in regional dialects in Britain, e.g. She's fairly looking (meaning 'good-looking'). I seem to recall hearing it abroad too, for example in Australia. Can readers of this post add their impressions?
Long before I began this blog, correspondents were already writing asking how they could get hold of the three texts on clinical language profiling that were developed when I worked at the University of Reading in the 1970s. They had gone out of print, and it was proving difficult for new generations of students in speech therapy and language pathology to get hold of them. Those wanting to improve their proficiency in using the grammatical analysis known as LARSP (the 'Language Assessment Remediation and Screening Procedure') were particularly affected.
the PDF reader and the table of contents is linked to each chapter. The various profile forms in these works can be reproduced without charge.
As it's a busy university server, there may be the occasional delay in accessing the material. A download takes about a minute per text.
It's great to see these books readily available once more. And this is especially timely, as a new book illustrating the way LARSP has been used in thirteen languages is about to appear: Assessing Grammar: the Languages of LARSP, edited by Martin Ball, David Crystal and Paul Fletcher, published by Multilingual Matters.
Several correspondents have written recently asking about the latest developments in 'original pronunciation' (OP) - a recurrent theme of this blog. I've delayed a response until I had something to report - which I now have. This week sees the launch of an OP website. The idea behind the site is to provide a place where people can find out about OP, archive their events, announce plans, and share their experiences of working with it and listening to it.
Although Shakespeare was the stimulus for current interest in OP, the notion is much broader. Any period of English history can be approached in this way, and indeed there have been several projects where people have tried to reconstruct the pronunciation of earlier works in Old and Middle English, notably for Chaucer. The British Library exhibition, Evolving English, which ran from November 2010 to April 2011, had an audio dimension which included OP extracts from Beowulf, Caxton, Chaucer, and the Paston letters, as well as Shakespeare. The 2011 anniversary of the King James Bible also prompted readings in OP, some of which can now be found on the OP site. And there is an ongoing project on one of John Donne's sermons which has an OP dimension.
More than literature is involved. There are opportunities for people interested in the vocal dimension of early English music, as well as for those involved in heritage projects which present original practices, such as Plimoth Plantation in Massachusetts. Examples from these perspectives include an OP rendering of vocal music by William Byrd and of the songs that appear in Shakespeare's plays.
Interest in OP has been remarkable over the past couple of years, and the Future Events section of the website already has three events and will doubtless soon have more. I very much hope so. Each time a new text is explored from an OP point of view, something fresh and interesting emerges. Only half a dozen Shakespeare plays have been OP'd so far, and (as far as I know) none from other dramatists of the period - so there's plenty of scope.
A correspondent writes to ask if there are any linguistics apps. They are certainly beginning to appear, and coincidentally I received news this week of a grammar app from the Survey of English Usage at University College London. It's called iGE, the interactive Grammar of English, and it's available for iPhone 3 and 4, iPod Touch, and the iPad.
iGE comes in two versions. iGE Lite is free. It contains a glossary and three units of course material covering word classes, nouns, and determiners. It's only a taster. A grammar is a complete system. One can't dive into it without finding oneself pulled in all sorts of different directions. So I quickly found myself wanting to check out aspects of clause and phrase structure which are only available in the complete iGE. But a complete grammar for less than a fiver (in pounds) is good value by any standards.
The interactive bit relates to various exercises and puzzles, where you can score your success rate. Whether you get 100 percent or not will depend on the extent to which you have assimilated the particular grammatical model being presented. For example, asked to find all the nouns in a passage, you won't score 100 unless you accept that attributive items (such as garden in garden wall) are also classed as nouns. But the model presented is a well-established and influential one, and there are lots of real examples of usage, taken from the ICE-GB corpus.
I'm sure it won't be long before we see many more linguistic apps, especially in areas of language which are difficult to handle in traditional ways, such as phonetics and phonology. It used to be almost impossible using a textbook to obtain a good auditory experience of nonsegmental phonlogy, for example, but multimedia technology has changed all that. I would welcome reports from readers of this blog who have experience of using other apps in our field.