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Crestwood mall project won't proceed without aid, panel told
First of two parts: Extraordinary site costs pose need for aid, developer says
Bob Burk
By Mike Anthony
First of two parts
The proposed redevelopment of the former Crestwood Plaza is "risky" and will not proceed without economic assistance, according to the mall owner's revised proposal for the site.
Bob Burk, managing partner of Chicago-based UrbanStreet Group, presented the revised redevelopment proposal for the mall property last week during the first meeting of the Crestwood Tax-Increment Financing Commission.
UrbanStreet Group, which purchased the mall last year for $2.625 million, submitted the only response to the city's request for proposals to redevelop the 48-acre site at Watson and Sappington roads.
The mall owner originally requested nearly $28 million in economic assistance, including tax-increment financing, or TIF, for a roughly $99.5 million mixed-use project.
UrbanStreet now is requesting about $25 million in economic assistance for a $104.3 million mixed-use project, Burk told the TIF Commission Dec. 16.
UrbanStreet's proposed mixed-use development for the mall site, most recently called Crestwood Court, includes one large retail facility, a multi-screen movie theater, a fitness center, two dine-in restaurants, an office building, a 225-unit apartment complex currently envisioned as senior housing and 11 to 13 acres of open space and community gardens, including stormwater management.
During his presentation, Burk told the commission that the existing structures on the site will have to be demolished.
"… The buildings themselves are obsolete … We have a history of adaptive reuse," he said. "We look at everything we purchase from the idea is there any salvageability to it? These buildings are unfortunately mechanically obsolete. They're physically obsolete … Its current state is in rapid decline. There's extensive water damage. There's some environmental conditions there. Again, we have analyzed this fully.
"We feel that the buildings need to come down to best utilize the site moving forward …"
The site itself presents quite a challenge because it slopes extensively and has severe topographical issues, Burk said.
Another challenge is the lack of any water-management infrastructure.
"… That site, given its development from the '50s, it does not meet or even come close to meeting any sort of water-reclamation, water-detention, water-purification issues. The runoff off of this site, in its current condition, is not even close to those regulations …," Burk said. "Our goal here is conceptually to bring a mixed-used development, a walkable and a sustainable self-contained environment down there that can also — will re-invigorate this Watson Road corridor and bring it back into that central district right there …"
Of the $104.3 million budget, Burk said, "Close to $26 (million) or $27 million of that is infrastructure-related. Therein lies the crux of our issue. We are looking at a substantial and quantifiable expense to get this property … into a stage or into a phase or a condition where it is developable, for lack of a better word."
That brings into play UrbanStreet's request for $15 million in TIF, $5 million in Community Improvement District, or CID, funds, and $5 million in Transportation Development District, or TDD, funds.
"This goes to the heart of why we're here and why I'm standing up here and asking for participation," Burk said. "From day one, we were aware that the site had serious issues, and working with the consultants and working with our team, as well as mainly the city's consultants, this is, we feel … a textbook example of a TIF project. It's severely blighted. It has extraordinary infrastructure costs. We have what we feel are strong public-benefit amenities. It is at the core, we feel, of what can rejuvenate that corridor along Watson Road.
"… What we consider extraordinary infrastructure costs are demolition of these obsolete buildings. It's basically addressing the extraordinary site conditions of site slope and topographical issues, as well as the water management, which is an enormous issue. We view this as a linchpin to repositioning Watson Road …"
Burk acknowledged concerns raised by Lindbergh Schools officials over the proposed 225-unit apartment complex.
Superintendent Jim Simpson has said he believes UrbanStreet's plan to construct 225 apartments "is the worst scenario for Lindbergh Schools," as it would exacerbate the aggressive enrollment growth that already is challenging the district.
UrbanStreet's revised proposal states that if the apartments are not developed as senior housing, "The developer proposes that the Lindbergh School District and the other applicable taxing districts receive the real-estate tax revenues from the project's residential component …"
"There's been an enormous amount of discussion about the residential component of this project. We are steadfastly in support of the school district. Our position is very clear: If there are market-rate housing units going in there … those taxes will pass through (to Lindbergh Schools and other taxing entities) …," Burk said, noting both school district officials and the community were quite vocal in their opposition to sending more students to Crestwood Elementary School without additional tax dollars going to the district.
"… We listened to that and the idea of students being placed into a school district without funding has never been our intent. So I want to be very clear on that. If there is market-rate housing out there, we will not capture those taxes off the TIF …"
Burk also acknowledged questions have been raised about the lack of specifics regarding potential tenants, but noted the site's history has made it difficult to secure agreements with users.
"… What we have here is a situation where we're out in the marketplace right now actively with our brokers discussing and meeting with potential users. The users that we're engaged with fit into the parameters. We've been very consistent with that," he said.
"They're out there. We are very, very confident that we can secure them … Collectively we need to go out to that marketplace," Burk said, adding, "This site has a history in the marketplace. The potential users are aware of that history. They are looking for a signal from collectively, again, from the private sector and the public sector that this project has the capacity to move forward …"
But he said, "We are in a chicken-and-egg (situation), for lack of a better term. We need to demonstrate that we can get this done …"
Regarding the need for economic assistance, UrbanStreet's revised proposal states the project "is not feasible without the requested $25 million in TIF, CID and TDD financing for the project's extraordinary infrastructure costs and will not proceed without that TIF, CID and TDD financing."
The next TIF Commission meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20, at the Government Center, 1 Detjen Drive.
Next time: Burk fields questions from TIF Commission members about UrbanStreet's revised proposal.
Mike Anthony,
Crestwood aldermen may give final approval tonight on new zoning code
Green Park Aldi set to be expanded, updated
Mercy promotes chief nursing officer to senior vice president
Do your Christmas shopping at Sappington House
Helen Fitzgerald's, hotel sales tax plan is withdrawn in Sunset Hills
Freddy's opens new restaurant location in South County
Pushback on Page: Legislators want pandemic orders under state instead of county
County shuts down Bartolino's and three other restaurants that violated indoor dining ban


Technician Team Leader Wendy Colonello reviews an ear cytology under the microscope.
At Bradford Hills Veterinary Hospital, we focus on keeping your pet happy and healthy. Unfortunately, some pets occasionally experience illnesses or injuries that require a veterinarian's care and attention.
Bradford Hills Veterinary Hospital offers high-quality diagnostic and medical treatments for sick and injured pets. We provide a safe and comfortable atmosphere to diagnose and treat your pet.


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Chelsea Handler at Keller Auditorium
Chelsea Handler Tickets
Chelsea Handler comes to Keller Auditorium on Saturday 5th March 2022 as part of her upcoming Vaccinated and Horny Tour 2022. The American comedian, TV personality, actress, and podcast host will be going to 40 cities across the U.S. Fans have been highly anticipating this tour from one of the most celebrated voices in entertainment and pop culture. Chelsea talked about her upcoming tour with a lot of candor, saying that the best way to get her groove on is to continue touring. Chelsea aims to bring people together with her laughter after everyone has had a tough time due to the pandemic. If you want to be a part of a hilarious stand-up comedy night with the famous Chelsea Handler, make sure you get your tickets right now before they are gone!
Chelsea Handler has gained widespread recognition in recent years for her Netflix specials and then making an appearance on HBO Max. Handler's evolution has been immense, considering she has moved from E!'s show "Chelsea Lately", to selling out shows across the country and having her Netflix special becoming a massive hit. Moreover, she has infused her passion for social justice and activism into her comedy brand, which her fans have widely appreciated.
Not only are fans excited about the upcoming tour, but Handler also expressed her excitement about touring in 2022. She jokingly stated how she finally feels like a professional after 20 years of being in the industry. Chelsea Handler was the only woman who hosted a late-night show for seven years, from 2007-to 2016. Recently, she increased interaction with her fans through her advisory podcast on iHeart Radio, "Dear Chelsea." Currently, she is one of the leading female comedians in the industry, and she is also making an appearance at the Netflix is a Joke Festival that celebrates over 100 artists in an 11-day event. Make sure you get your tickets right now if you want to see Chelsea Handler at Keller Auditorium on 5th March!

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


From CBN Documentaries, To Life: How Israeli Volunteers Are Changing the World brings you an amazing look at five Israeli organizations changing people's lives across the globe. In keeping with the Jewish tradition of tikkun olam ("repairing the world"), Israel has been at the forefront of humanitarian and disaster relief work since the 1950s, less than a decade after becoming a nation. Since then, the Jewish state has provided humanitarian aid to millions of people in 140 countries around the world. Featuring stunning cinematography and moving interviews, To Life follows Israeli volunteers in Uganda, Nepal, Greece, Kurdistan, and the Palestinian territories. See the entire five-part short-film series beginning April 16. Visit http://tolifethemovie.com/?cpid=soccbn-yt-tolife-trailer-desc.


One of the great things about the social web is that it allows us to listen-in on the conversations people are having on topics that interest us. For organizations or enterprises with audiences that use the web, this means that they can monitor and respond to conversations about their products, services, and wider industry with a couple of clicks of the mouse.
This month's Net2 Think Tank asks you to share your best practices for effectively monitoring online feedback about your organization, cause, or enterprise. What are your favorite tools and tactics for listening, and how do you use your findings to inspire practical change from within? Share your ideas with the NetSquared Community!
Thanks to Mazarine Treyz of Wild Woman Fundraising for suggesting this month's Net2 Think Tank topic!
What are your best practices for monitoring online feedback about your organization, cause, or enterprise? Share your favorite tools, tactics, and case studies with the NetSquared Community!
Post your response online: Leave a comment below, write on your own blog or website, post on the NetSquared Community Blog, or share your feedback on Facebook or Linkedin.
Be sure to get your submission in by emailing Claire the link to your post by Saturday, June 25th.
The roundup of contributions will be posted on the NetSquared blog on Monday, June 27th.


Rumors, Lies and Printable Receipt Sample When the invoice had been paid, it's taken out of this file and listed as a cost. The bill is put within an accounts payable" file signifying that cash is owed and taken out of the file when the sum had been paid. Accounts payable invoices in the house are invoices like electrical company debts, phone accounts, television and online accounts, paper subscriptions and other monthly expenses. Be certain to confirm the receipt for completion and accuracy beforeyou leave the area! Waiting an excessive amount of time to trade the petition could be costly mistake. It needs to be delivered to the address listed on the newest billing statement. The petition has to be sent before any notice of sale was recorded.
Whilst people are typically pleased with a solution or service, at times the business is able to generate an exclusion or just leave you down completely. Showcasing your kid 's sample materials" can be carried out in a number of ways. When you publish on a standard piece of newspaper and fold the newspaper all the data will align with blank windows.
Make certain you place your account number at the summit of this letter. It's crucial not to replicate exactly the identical amount once 1 bill was issued since the buyer could refuse to generate payment even if the figures and other details on the bill are different. In the event you're selling virtually anything using a car identification number, it may be utilised to suit your individual needs.
Keep a copy of your letter at the contest you'll need proof. The final step is very important as you need to have evidence of their debt in question in writing. Although a specific requirement may be pictured as a small business set-aside, or just one booked for a particular socioeconomic classification, perhaps it does not occur. Fourth, you need to read each visa requirement quite carefully. A general guideline, for any type of business letter is to use exceptional superior stationery.
Checks are most often utilised in trade for a good or assistance. As a legally binding document, they may be used in court as a contract between the writer and its recipient. The info it's in a position to acquire is sudden. In the time of sale, you may quickly record the product data, quantity and cost along with the payment details.
Important papers should be retained together where you can lay your hands quickly. Each year, a letter has to be sent to every beneficiary giving them the right to withdraw money from the trust. Dispute letters are powerful. Your foreclosure hardship letter will be read by your personal loss mitigator. In the event you're mailing out a letter employing a double-window envelope it may be challenging to format the record all on your own. It's possible to write the letter yourself or you can apply a service to compose it upon your behalf. First it was be a cordial reminder letter.
In the event the shorted things are only overdue and will arrive in with your next order, you can see whether the customer would really like to pay for it and wait for it to come or you're ready to adjust their bill and permit them to cover it if the product arrives. Don't make the copies before you receive your very first buy. Virtually all of email order is ran in simple straightforward language.
Many people place the order because dates and site on the trunk of brochures, so you can choose what you'd like to perform together. Keeping up with everything on newspaper may use up a good deal of distance and be challenging to go through when it is time to check at the documents. The process is exhausting. To put it differently, it typically means they make the process for getting visas for US taxpayers as tough because it's for Brazilians for US visas. Possessing a method to file your invoices and receipts will help it become a great deal easier to comprehend what invoices are due and if they're due. The computer software will also allow you to know whether there's still some ink in your capsules or not. It's completely user-friendly.
You may need to compose a couple of letters, but the very initial letter is easily the most important. For the first effort you may need to incorporate things like a debut letter telling folks a little bit about yourself and how your business works and the services you provide. Often a letter will be answered using a different letter in the agency requesting more info about the product. There are several credit repair components for several circumstances. A Word file isn't difficult to use. To start out with, however, you'll have to acquire a replica of your report. A true, correct, and complete copy of this notice which has any alterations also need to be provided.
10 photos of the "7+ Employee Development Plan Template"
Related posts of "7+ Employee Development Plan Template"


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Steven H. Williams
Larchmont Avenue Church
60 Forest Park Ave.
Obituary of Steven H. Williams
Steven Harry Foster Williams died on May 14, 2022 after a short and difficult bout with pancreatic cancer. The eldest son of John H. and Joan F. Williams, he was born on April 26, 1958, at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City, where his mother was a nurse. The family settled in Larchmont, NY, where Steve grew up and lived much of his life.
Steven attended Chatsworth Ave Elementary, Hommocks Middle School and Mamaroneck High School, from which he graduated in 1976. He went on to earn a bachelor's in business from Ithaca College in 1980. He later took MBA courses at Pace University, and completed many Certified Financial Planner courses.
His first post college job was at Larchmont Federal Savings and Loan, a local institution that was acquired by other banks over the years and is now Wells Fargo in Larchmont. In 1987, he joined Citigroup where he held various positions for 30 years, in departments including mortgages, telemarketing, Private Bank; in the later part of his career he focused on risk assessment for credit cards. After leaving Citi as an employee, he continued as a consultant for 18 months. He then worked briefly at BNB on Long Island before retiring.
Steve met Louise Moore in 1983; they were married in 1984 and shared a very happy marriage, not long enough. Steve was a devoted father to his two children, Pete (35) and Joanna (31). He coached their soccer and basketball teams, served as a scout leader, happily attended all their orchestra concerts, viola recitals, Shakespeare and other performances, and taught their Sunday School classes.
The family lived in Tuckahoe (Eastchester) between 1988 and 2001, when they moved back to Larchmont; Steve and Louise moved to nearby New Rochelle in 2015.
A lifelong member of Larchmont Avenue Church, Steve devoted significant energy to living his faith by serving as a Trustee (two terms), Elder and Deacon, as well as long-time member of the Finance and Stewardship committees, a faith partner to several Confirmands, and he was in recent years a member of the chancel choir. He particularly enjoyed the Men's Bible Study group once he retired and could attend Thursday morning meetings.
Steve was known for his kindness, intelligence and his sense of humor. He was a thoughtful listener, able to make a clever quip because he truly heard and tried to understand what was being said. His love of all kinds of music is legendary among friends from every stage and aspect of his life. He valued his friends and their shared love of music, attending concerts together, planning for future times together.
Steven is survived by his wife Louise, son Peter, daughter Joanna, daughter-in-law Gala Flagello; his brothers Richard (Diane) and David (Kim) and Dave's daughter Devon (Jake) and son Seth; 11 nieces and nephews and four grandnephews on the Moore side, and their parents, spread among the Moore, Hanlon, Olsson and Johanson families.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in his honor made to Larchmont Avenue Church (www.lacny.org, option for this under Giving, Donate Now).
Steven's family will receive friends on Friday June 3, 2022 from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the John J. Fox Funeral Home, Inc. 2080 Boston Post Road Larchmont, NY 10538. Funeral service will be on Saturday June 4th at 2:00 PM at Larchmont Avenue Church 60 Forest Park Avenue Larchmont, NY 10538. Interment is Private.


SALT LAKE COUNTY -- A teacher fired from the Granite School District for refusing to grade a standardized test is speaking out against her former employer.
Ann Florence was terminated in March after expressing her disapproval of a formal assessment teachers are required to administer three times a year.
"A testing day doesn't teach kids anything. I need that time. They give more and more tests and I do less and less teaching, and then I'm held more and more accountable," Florence said.
The Acuity Test is a compilation of multiple choice questions and writing that is used to help teachers assess how their students are progressing.
"Half of our department, three teachers, agreed that it was unethical," Florence said.
But she felt that it was an inaccurate calculation, as part of the exam was graded by the teachers, not a computer, as is the case in other standardized tests.
"They want hard data, numbers, on a subjective evaluation by a student's own teacher," Florence said, "We don't think that that's appropriate."
The Granite School District, however, disagreed.
"This is something to give teachers data over the course of the year to know what their kids know and know what they don't know," said district spokesman Ben Horsley.
The tests were implemented to aid teachers in determining what their students should be learning.
While Florence's refusal to grade the assessments went against district policy, Horsley said it was a history of disciplinary problems that contributed to her termination.
According to a letter from the district to Florence, the testing was a major factor in their decision, but officials also cited two behavior-related incidents, where they said Florence used an inappropriate word in the classroom and pushed a student.
"This is the straw that broke the camel's back. We have so many wonderful teachers who have embraced this and recognize the valuable data that it provides," Horsley said. "I would be very concerned as a parent if I sent my child into a classroom and that teacher didn't care what my child already knew."
Despite her early departure from the classroom, Florence believes she's teaching her students as important a lesson as any.
"My students are proud of me. They hate the tests. They resent the tests. And I've heard from enough of them that that matters to me," Florence said. "That they would have an experience in their life where someone who cared about them would say, 'I'm not doing this. I can't compromise my integrity.' That is what is important."
Florence has the option to contest the termination. She has not decided if she will, yet.
Good for her. Those tests are a joke. Every teacher I have spoken to thinks they're nonsense. They spend all of their time testing and prepping for testing and grading tests, they can't teach the kids anything anymore. Kids aren't learning to learn they are regurgitating information on tests. Teachers know this and they are sick of it. The kids are sick of it, they are constantly stressed because all they do is take tests.
Mrs. Florence was one of my very favorite teachers! This makes me terribly sad. While in junior high I had many health issues. Mrs. Florence was one of the VERY few teachers that took the time and care to help me succeed! I KNOW that what ever she does is truely what she feels is best for her students. I pray that everything will go well for her and that she may continue to always be the happy, loving person and TEACHER I love!
You were always my favorite English teacher.
Thank you for standing up for what you believe in!
Subject Plus Opinion My Friend!
There is a report out, the OLRGC 2013 Education Policy Brief, that shows the number of tests taken per district. Most districts in Utah are pretty similar, but Granite School District has almost twice as many required tests as the average district. This needs more attention. Mrs. Florence is right when she says that we don't have time to teach because all we do is test. Our students dread the words "computer lab" because they know that means one more assessment. I've wondered what would happen if I took a stand and skipped some of the more meaningless tests. Now I know. Horsley said. "I would be very concerned as a parent if I sent my child into a classroom and that teacher didn't care what my child already knew." Questioning the validity of the district mandated test and caring about what the child knows are NOT the same thing! As a teacher, I do care. I assess students knowledge and abilities every time I correct an assignment, call on a student in class, or watch their faces while I'm teaching a lesson. To suggest that the only way to assess students is to give more standardized tests, shows how out of touch the administration is with what goes on in the classroom. Each year more demands are made on our time that take away from our instruction time while more requirements are made as to what our students need to know. MANY of us are looking at moving to other districts to escape the unreasonable demands placed on teachers in Granite.


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Dynamic documents containing complex business logic.


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Films & Schedules - ARGENTINA
at 10:30 PM (Hollywood Theatre)
DARKNESS BY DAY
DIRECTOR: MARTIN DE SALVO - ARGENTINA
"In an a old house in a tiny village, Virginia is left alone after her father leaves to check on his ill niece. That is, until her cousin Anabel, who also seems to be under the weather, is brought and left with her. Thankful for another person to talk to, Virginia makes every effort to keep Anabel comfortable and to bond with her. Anabel sleeps most of the day, and at night can be found wandering the woods alone. The radio reports a rabies outbreak in the remote region of Argentina where the women are holed up. In this...
"In an a old house in a tiny village, Virginia is left alone after her father leaves to check on his ill niece. That is, until her cousin Anabel, who also seems to be under the weather, is brought and left with her. Thankful for another person to talk to, Virginia makes every effort to keep Anabel comfortable and to bond with her. Anabel sleeps most of the day, and at night can be found wandering the woods alone. The radio reports a rabies outbreak in the remote region of Argentina where the women are holed up. In this perpetual shadow of impending doom, Virginia and her cousin are left to face the darkness of things to come."—Fantastic Fest. Winner, Best Director (horror feature) at Fantastic Fest.
Sponsored by Yelp!
HOLLYWOOD THEARE 76 Minutes
Interests: After Dark.
Thu, Feb 12, 2015
at 5:45 PM (Roseway Theater)
JAUJA
DIRECTOR: LISANDRO ALONSO - ARGENTINA
"A work of tremendous beauty and a source of continual surprise, Alonso's film is set during the Argentinian army's Conquest of the Desert in the 1870s and is his first with international stars (Viggo Mortensen), and with a co-writer—poet and novelist Fabián Casas. But the emphasis, as in all his work, is on bodies in landscapes. Danish military engineer Gunnar Dinesen (Mortensen, in a Technicolor-bright cavalry uniform) traverses a visually stunning variety of Patagonian shrub, rock, grass, and desert on horseback and on foot in search of his teenage daughter, who has eloped with a new love. Alonso's style...
"A work of tremendous beauty and a source of continual surprise, Alonso's film is set during the Argentinian army's Conquest of the Desert in the 1870s and is his first with international stars (Viggo Mortensen), and with a co-writer—poet and novelist Fabián Casas. But the emphasis, as in all his work, is on bodies in landscapes. Danish military engineer Gunnar Dinesen (Mortensen, in a Technicolor-bright cavalry uniform) traverses a visually stunning variety of Patagonian shrub, rock, grass, and desert on horseback and on foot in search of his teenage daughter, who has eloped with a new love. Alonso's style reaches new heights of sensory attentiveness and physicality, driving the action toward a thrilling conclusion that transcends the limits of cinematic time and space."—New York Film Festival.
at 6:45 PM (Whitsell Auditorium)
at 7:30 PM (Fox Tower)
THE THIRD SIDE OF THE RIVER
DIRECTOR: CELINA MURGA - ARGENTINA
Seventeen-year-old Nicholas's father is a respected doctor, but he lives a double life: one, seemingly harmonious, with Nico and his mother and siblings; and the other, mere blocks away, with his second family—with whom he spends most of his time and the bulk of his money. The titular third side of the river refers to a sort of purgatory or limbo, effective imagery for Nicholas, who, torn between protecting the family he loves and choosing his own future, becomes tormented by a tension so tightly wound it threatens to become explosive. Executive produced by Martin Scorsese and winner of the...
Seventeen-year-old Nicholas's father is a respected doctor, but he lives a double life: one, seemingly harmonious, with Nico and his mother and siblings; and the other, mere blocks away, with his second family—with whom he spends most of his time and the bulk of his money. The titular third side of the river refers to a sort of purgatory or limbo, effective imagery for Nicholas, who, torn between protecting the family he loves and choosing his own future, becomes tormented by a tension so tightly wound it threatens to become explosive. Executive produced by Martin Scorsese and winner of the Special Prize of the Jury at the Cartagena Film Festival, The Third Side of the River is a devastating drama of family duty and duplicity.
Director Celina Murga will be in attendance 2/20 and 2/21.
Thu, Feb 5, 2015
DIRECTOR: DAMIÁN SZIFRÓN - ARGENTINA
Living up to the expectations of the title, Damián Szifrón's outrageously entertaining anthology of six blackly-comic short stories packs a buzz-inducing wallop. Though each is unconnected from the other, they share thematic unity in their tales of frustration, bestial revenge, and the past coming back to haunt in escalating fashion. There is a betrayed bride, a road rage incident gone to hell, a meltdown with the Buenos Aires parking patrol, two passengers on a plane making a very uncomfortable discovery, and a waitress meeting someone from her past she would rather not see. Produced by Pedro AlmodÓvar and possessed with...
Living up to the expectations of the title, Damián Szifrón's outrageously entertaining anthology of six blackly-comic short stories packs a buzz-inducing wallop. Though each is unconnected from the other, they share thematic unity in their tales of frustration, bestial revenge, and the past coming back to haunt in escalating fashion. There is a betrayed bride, a road rage incident gone to hell, a meltdown with the Buenos Aires parking patrol, two passengers on a plane making a very uncomfortable discovery, and a waitress meeting someone from her past she would rather not see. Produced by Pedro AlmodÓvar and possessed with over-the-top flair, this portrait of Argentinians on the verge has the laughter of universal recognition. This year's Argentinian submission for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar.


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General Services plans test of State House 'deluge' system Friday morning
By Capital Gazette staff
| Capital Gazette |
MD.Dome18 -- Annapolis, MD -- April 17, 2008 -- The Maryland Department of General Services conducts its annual test of the State House deluge system, which pours up to 7,500 gallons of water over the dome at a rate of 1,500 gallons per minute. Photo by Sara Lewkowicz/Special to the Sun (BALTIMORE SUN)
While the weather forecast calls for a possible deluge Thursday, there will certainly be one Friday morning at the State House in Annapolis.
The Maryland Department of General Services plans to conduct a test of the State House "deluge" fire-suppression system Friday morning starting at 9 a.m., drenching the outside of the historic wooden dome with water.
The deluge system is a fixed fire protection system that releases pressurized water through a pipe system on the outside of the State House Dome. If the detectors or the deluge wiring, more specifically a device called the Pyrowire, detects excessive heat or smoke the system will automatically activate.
The system disperses a sort of mist, which DGS officials warned can be confused with smoke. The system was first installed in the early 1990s.
Two years ago, lightning struck the Pyrowire, which caused the system to activate. After the strike, DGS replaced the wiring and installed a new control panel.
"Our deluge system differs from conventional fire sprinkler systems," DGS spokesman Nick Cavey said in a statement released Thursday announcing the test. "In a conventional fire sprinkler system, when activated, all of the nozzles are opened and water flows from all of the nozzles. Our system is activated when heat is detected by the Pyrowire, which is strategically placed on the dome."


Vehicle Reversing cameras, a real safety improvement?
At the end of last month the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (USA) finalized long-delayed rules that will require automakers to install back-up cameras in all vehicles by May 2018. This was a long fought battle, the auto makers not wanting to be forced to adapt such measures.
And we must consider the costs, possibly between $500 and $900 million a year, to be borne by the purchaser, manufacturer and of course the state. The legislation is aimed at avoiding death or injury caused when drivers reverse over their own children or the elderly (the main victims in such accidents).
All well and good I say, maybe the rules will save some lives, and we should bear in mind that they did take 10 years to pass. But how many lives will they save?
We have to bear in mind that auto-mobile manufacturers estimate that upwards of 60% of all cars would have had the technology as standard by 2018, we are talking about the remaining 40%, so an incremental improvement on an already rolling ball. But how many people are killed each year in the USA in accidents of this type?
According to this article, fittingly enough from the Detroit News, 60 to 70 lives a year would be saved if all the fleet had rear view cameras, but of course as stated above 60% would have already had the cameras, so the legislation itself would save about 15 lives a year and save 1300 injuries. But how many injuries and deaths are there a year in the USA?
On average in recently in the USA there have been about 35 000 deaths and more than 2 million injured in motor accidents. According to the US Census Bureau most of those were caused by speeding and alcohol.
Now I would question the rationale of spending the amounts of money required to install cameras in all cars when the number of lives saved is going to be so small. We are talking about between 15 and 25 million dollars per life, when there may be better ways of spending this money and saving more lives.
If we look at the legislation in context, I think there are other questions that need to be asked too. The US government Distracted Driving website offers another bewildering array of statistics and related information, with mobile technology use once more taking the blame for accidents. But we might imagine that it is illegal to text and drive, but it is not in all states. Several states still allow you to send a text message while driving. Texas for example bans texting for bus drivers and novice drivers, and in school areas for everyone, but I can drive and text in Texas perfectly legally. Arizona only bans bus drivers from texting, and in south Carolina there are no rules about using mobile technology while driving.
Although road deaths have come down dramatically in the USA, those related to driver distraction have gone up. This could be related to changes in how the statistics are reported, or might be related to increased usage of mobile devices, I cannot tell that from the data provided in the census.
A table is available here that summarizes the current situation.
As a quick comparison in the UK you can be charged with reckless driving if you are involved in any accident, and texting and hand held telephone use is against the law. If you are eating or drinking however this can also be taken into account, and there is research that suggests that eating and drinking while driving can dramatically slow down reaction time. Check out this article in the Telegraph newspaper.
So I want to ask a serious question about this US legislation that we could ask about a lot of other legislation. Do these new rules really make driving safer, or do they make us feel that we are safer, or do they just make us feel that we are doing the right thing?
I don't honestly believe that this legislation will really make driving much safer for anyone, although this is of course my own opinion. I am not making light of accidents that involve reversing over children or old people, but there must be plenty of more efficient ways of cutting down road deaths than this (like taking action to deter mobile phone or texting use for example).


Rediscovering the forgotten culinary culture of Venice and how spices were used in the past is an adventure ... this is why we set up La Spezeria, Spice Atelier, to share our recipes and more insights into Venice! La Spezeria is set in a special garden, consisting of a rambling terracescape, fruit trees (pomegranates, figs, olives, and wines) and an edible garden, on the premises of the former monastery of San Zaccaria. Grandmother Lina, who has taken care of the ancient garden since 1968, and I have been working on reconstructing historical recipes for food, perfumes, natural remedies and beauty products, and are learning a lot from the forgotten books and documents from the San Zaccaria library.
We open La Spezeria virtually in late July 2018 and can't wait to show you around and share ancient recipes with you. In 2015, Lina and I started La Venessiana, our Venice lifestyle blog, and were welcomed so warmly into a growing community of Venetophiles, frequent travelers and people interested to learn more about the forgotten culinary heritage of the Republic of Venice, forgotten 200 years ago when the Venetian state ceased to exist.
La Spezeria is such a lush gardenscape, which you see when we open doors during our upcoming, seasonal virtual retreats. There are kumquat, oranges, lemons, tangerines, damascene roses, uva fragola grapes, red currants, usedfor cooking, baking and making syrups, mustards and preserves.


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Are Kacey Musgraves and Katy Perry going on tour together again?
By Ashley Anne-Helene
Well, soon might be a little presumptuous, however….they did acknowledge the fact that a tour together is a possibility. Katy Perry took to Twitter to have some fun at a tweet Kacey Musgraves pushed out of the two.
You can see that below:
I can't wait to recreate this on a tour we do together in the next 10 years pls thnx https://t.co/PQz0nCUNV6
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) December 7, 2016
Gotta give them both credit….they are genuinely fans of one another and anything they do with each other is because they both want to. That's kind of refreshing!
Kacey Musgraves, Katy Perry, tour
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I've been known to write a funny story every once in awhile. I can't dance, sing or play an instrument but I can work an iPod like nobody's business. So in a nutshell, I love country music, I love country music concerts, and if I am not doing something related to those things then I am most likely dancing my lil heart out to Taylor Swift.
Not so fast on the Friends In Low Places remake…
Who better to remake one of country's most recognizable songs other than Florida Georgia Line, Keith Urban, Jason Aldean and George Strait? Add the original
Carrie Underwood takes new Sunday Night Football opener to the big screen
Photo: NBC NBC Sports Group announced on Monday that the Friday, July 25 debut of a new cinema spot starring six-time Grammy Award-winner and multi-platinum
Jay DeMarcus of the Rascal Flatts set to produce Shenandoah's brand new record
I can't think of a more fitting match up than Shenandoah and Rascal Flatts. Two of country music's most epic bands combine in an uber
Check out Taylor Swift and Tim McGraw's Macy's 4th of July special performances
Tim McGraw and Taylor Swift both performed at last night's Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular on NBC. If you were out watching your own
Garth Brooks' daughter Allie releases first single
Allie Colleen, Garth Brooks' youngest daughter, is stretching her musical wings and has released her debut single called "Work in Progress," a song she co-wrote along with Marcus Hummon and Greg Beick.
Wanna spend a night with Hunter Hayes, Charles Kelley and Kings Of Leon, etc?
Kings Of Leon are the guys behind the Music City Wine and Music Festival. which is going to be taking place September 20-21 in Nashville.
Ahh so there IS a reason Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton don't tour together…
More dates added to Keith Urban's European tour
We are sure we love Kacey Musgraves and Willie Nelson's new music video!
Kacey Musgraves was not about to be Blake Shelton's french maid…
Is Shania Twain writing Caitlyn Jenner's theme song?


2) Buns. We butter and toast every single bun. Oh, and our buns are Hawaiian sweet bread buns from Punalu'u Bake Shop, located right here on the Big Island. We call them Hawaiian MSG, as they make ALL of our burgers and sandwiches taste better! On a side note, be sure to go there and get their lilikoi malasadas. And don't get us started on their chocolate eclairs... Call ahead as they sell out!
4) Seasonings. Different ones for each side of the burger.
5) Real hamburger dill pickles. There is a well known burger place here on the island that CHARGES extra for pickles, and they're not real hamburger dill pickles either. A few of our burgers don't come with pickles as we feel they' don't go well with the other ingredients, but if you want them, we'll put them on for you.
6) Meat. It's gotta be grain fed. Grass fed sounds so right, but just doesn't taste (or feel) right. Plus, grass fed is too lean to be cooked over flames. The burgers end up being tough and dry. Ours are so moist that we have to place them on the top bun so they don't soak the bottom bun too much! It's also why we give our customers at least two napkins per burger!
7) Interesting ingredients. A few of the things our burgers are available with include; locally sourced goat cheese infused with macadamia nut pesto, roasted poblano peppers, jalapeno cream cheese, Applewood smoked bacon, and all natural peanut butter.
We hope you come in and try one of our burgers. We think we have the best burgers in Kona (and maybe even the Big Island), but don't take our word for it. Search Yelp or TripAdvisor for Burgers in Kailua-Kona, and we're listed #1 on both!


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Home | Third Culture | Digerati | Reality Club
THE BIG BANG OF HUMAN EVOLUTION
The hominid brain grew at an accelerating pace until it reached its present size of 1500cc about 200,000 years ago. Yet uniquely human abilities such the invention of highly sophisticated "standardized" multi- part tools, tailored clothes, art, religious belief and perhaps even language are thought to have emerged quite rapidly around 40,000 years ago — a sudden explosion of human mental abilities and culture that is sometimes called the "big bang." If the brain reached its full human potential — or at least size — 200,000 years ago why did it remain idle for 150,000 years? Most scholars are convinced that the big bang occurred because of some unknown genetic change in brain structure. For instance, the archeologist Steve Mithen has just written a book in which he claims that before the big bang there were three different brain modules in the human brain that were specialized for "social or machiavellian intelligence", for "mechanical intelligence" or tool use, and for "natural history" (a propensity to classify). These three modules remained isolated from each other but around 50,000 years ago some genetic change in the brain suddenly allowed them to communicate with each other, resulting in the enormous flexibility and versatility of human consciousness.
I disagree with Mithen ingenious suggestion and offer a very different solution to the problem. (This is not incompatible with Mithen's view but its a different idea). I suggest that the so-called big bang occurred because certain critical environmental triggers acted on a brain that had already become big for some other reason and was therefore "pre-adapted" for those cultural innovations that make us uniquely human. (One of the key pre adaptations being mirror neurons.) Inventions like tool use, art, math and even aspects of language may have been invented "accidentally" in one place and then spread very quickly given the human brain's amazing capacity for imitation learning and mind reading using mirror neurons. Perhaps ANY major "innovation" happens because of a fortuitous coincidence of environmental circumstances — usually at a single place and time. But given our species' remarkable propensity for miming, such an invention would tend to spread very quickly through the population — once it emerged.
Mirror neurons obviously cannot be the only answer to all these riddles of evolution. After all rhesus monkeys and apes have them, yet they lack the cultural sophistication of humans (although it has recently been shown that chimps at least DO have the rudiments of culture, even in the wild). I would argue, though, that mirror neurons are Necessary but not sufficient: their emergence and further development in hominids was a decisive step. The reason is that once you have a certain minimum amount of "imitation learning" and "culture" in place, this culture can, in turn, exert the selection pressure for developing those additional mental traits that make us human . And once this starts happening you have set in motion the auto-catalytic process that culminated in modern human consciousness.
A second problem with my suggestion is that it doesn't explain why the many human innovations that constitute the big bang occurred during a relatively short period. If its simply a matter of chance discoveries spreading rapidly,why would all of them have occurred at the same time? There are three answers to this objection. First,the evidence that it all took place at the same time is tenuous. The invention of music, shelters,hafted tools, tailored clothing, writing, speech, etc. may have been spread out between 100K and 5k and the so-called great leap may be a sampling artifact of archeological excavation. Second, any given innovation (e.g. speech or writing or tools) may have served as a catalyst for the others and may have therefore accelerated the pace of culture as a whole. And third, there may indeed have been a genetic change,b ut it may not have been an increase in the ability to innovate ( nor a breakdown of barriers between modules as suggested by Mithen) but an increase in the sophistication of the mirror neuron system and therefore in "learnability." The resulting increase in ability to imitate and learn (and teach) would then explain the explosion of cultural change that we call the "great leap forward" or the "big bang" in human evolution. This argument implies that the whole "nature-nurture debate" is largely meaningless as far as human are concerned. Without the genetically specified learnability that characterizes the human brain Homo sapiens wouldn't deserve the title "sapiens" (wise) but without being immersed in a culture that can take advantage of this learnability, the title would be equally inappropriate. In this sense human culture and human brain have co-evolved into obligatory mutual parasites — without either the result would not be a human being. (No more than you can have a cell without its parasitic mitochondria).
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Tag: Arab Spring
Current Events and the Big Screen: 'Rosewater' and the Arab Spring
Amanda February 23, 2015
By Haley Houseman. Jon Stewart's The Daily Show encourages us to take our current events with both seriousness and levity, but the crux of his directorial debut is the cost and power that such glibness can have. Rosewater, adapted from the memoir And Then They Came For Me by Maziar Bahari, chronicles the Arab Spring from behind a camera and inside a prison cell. It seeks to remind audiences in the United States the costs of the revolutionary protests that we laud on Twitter and in major media. Starring Gael García Bernal as Maziar Bahari, a journalist visiting his native Iran to cover elections when a brief correspondence clip with The Daily Show intersects with his coverage of the protests. Bahari finds himself imprisoned, following in the footsteps of his late father and sister, both of whom were jailed activists who believed passionately in a more liberal Iran. The film begins with a flashback to a scene of religious devotion, where Bahari describes a memory of rosewater and sweat as the scent of the pious. A poem in Arabic, echoing both the rosewater and the rich poetic and cultural traditions of the region, is recited. Once captured, Bahari is tortured and interrogated for 118 days. We later find out that Bahari's torturer, or "specialist," was known to him by no name, but identified only by the scent of the rosewater he wore each time he appeared. This nameless man is given a screen presence that is unsettling human, through intimate conversations with a pining wife and pressure from his bosses to produce the confessions needed. His role in the bureaucracy is humanizing, and is there to remind the audience that there is no such thing as a simple, evil "Bad Guy." The quiet imagery of Iran seeks to highlight the ways in which the modern coexists with the conservative and fundamentalist. The characters on the side of the existing regime are often placid, calm and vaguely seductive in their conviction. The protests pierce a thick blanket of fear and conformity, which wears thin in visible patches as people work around the system. What startles most in Rosewater is the quiet arrest of Bahari and the relatively sedate moments of pain. Though the torture is often physically brutal, it is secondary to the deep psychological torment Bahari faces, and he is often confronted by the specters of his father and his sister, on whom he relies for guidance throughout his solitary ordeal. His father, who spent many years in prison and never confessed, personifies integrity, willfulness, survival instinct, and can be cruel at times. His specter extorts Bahari: "You can choose who you are… You are already in prison but you're still afraid." As director, Stewart handles this delicate material masterfully—unsentimental but emotional, portraying the deep physiological rends of torture, in addition to the physical. The intersection of the Arab Spring and social media hashtags are played out lovingly in a series of animations, as is the media coverage of Bahari's imprisonment. With historical footage of the Arab Spring protests, his suffering is made immediate and topical; the scenes are recognizable at home, as well as abroad. And when the journalist is arrested, taken in the back of a car, the office he finds himself in is familiar, like the set of a TV detective procedural. The content of the questions he is asked, about specific Facebook likes and the amount of time he spent in New Jersey, is personal and yet banal. Confess, confess, the specialist demands, even as Bahari struggles to figure out why he is there. And after Bahari is released, the prison remains -- the specialist continues to struggle with his work pressures, and the prisoners with their pain and fear. When the camera pans across the jail, the cells are not empty, and the work of revolution is not done. Bahari is only a small part of a complex narrative. Instead of being limited to this individual moment, Rosewater represents the humanity of both sides—of the events themselves—and asks us where we can go when revolutions do not produce their promised instantaneous change.


A man from Haverhill was charged with aggravated drunken driving after an accident that killed a passenger in his car.
Police say that David Aldrich, 28, drove off Route 302 at around 11 at night on Friday and hit a tree. A teenage male in the car was killed. Aldrich, as well as a female teenager, were also taken to the hospital.
Witnesses are being asked to contact state police about this incident. We will update this story if any more information becomes available.
If you've lost a loved one in a tragic car accident that was caused by the negligence of someone else, we can help you seek compensation and recovery during this difficult time. We are here for you. Please contact us for help.


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Trump's legacy isn't just political
Sabri Ben-Achour May 17, 2016
https://www.marketplace.org/2016/05/17/trumps-architectural-legacy/
"Glitz and ego" is how Blair Kamin, architecture critic at the Chicago Tribune, summed up Trump's architecture. Above, workers install the final letter for a giant sign on Trump Tower in Chicago. Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images
Donald Trump is leaving his mark on the political system regardless of what happens or who wins. He's also already left his mark architecturally.
Emblematic of his design sensibilities as a developer, Trump Tower at Park Avenue in Manhattan glitters.
"I see waterfalls, granite, a lot of his name everywhere," said Lauren Katz as she got her morning coffee at the Starbucks here. "Definitely a lot of gold — the escalators are gold, gold in the lobby, the bar has gold, gold all around."
The building itself is built with gold-hued glass.
Trump World Tower, center, is a sleek obsidian slab in New York that received high marks from the New York Times.
TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images
"Trump … believes in using expensive materials that convey prestige and wealth, and people buy into that," said Jerold Kayden, professor of urban planning and design at Harvard University. He said in some ways the legacy of Trump buildings is a matter of taste. "To some they are the height of ambition and the height of prestige and to others they are gaudy, but he has certainly pioneered with some others architecture as brand."
Brand it is — Trump's name is on at least nine buildings in New York alone, though he doesn't own all of them.
"Glitz and ego," is how Blair Kamin, the architecture critic at the Chicago Tribune, summed up Trump's architecture. "He doesn't do a lot of affordable housing."
Kamin became a target of Trump's after he criticized the decision to put a giant sign on one of the Trump's Chicago buildings.
"The sign consisted of his name in stainless steel letters glowing at night, half as long as a football field. The letters were 20-feet high and the sign was in a particularly annoying place," he said.
The city council there passed an ordinance to keep this sort of thing from happening in the future, but the original giant Trump letters are still hung right up there.
Trump's legacy, Kamin said, "ranges from buildings that have actually been praised to buildings that have been panned."
Trump's Chicago tower — aside from the sign — "is a pretty decent building," he said. Back in New York, Trump World Tower, a sleek obsidian slab near the United Nations, received
high marks from New York Times reviewer Herbert Muschamp. It had the first inertial damper in a residential building to control swaying.
On the other hand, Trump's launched a string of luxury buildings along the Upper West Side of Manhattan that many criticized, including Jon Stewart, for casting a pall on the city.
Other New Yorkers view Trump's investment in luxury buildings in undervalued locations in the '90s as a contribution to New York's renewal. To them, his construction represented investment at a time when New York was struggling with blight.
"One aspect that I think is generally unrecognized is his sensitivity to designing buildings from the inside out," said Jesse Keenan, research director at the Center for Urban Real Estate at Columbia. Trump builds for the rich, and the rich want personal urban spaces to feel luxurious. So balconies were placed for views, floor plans opened up, extra corners were added for more corner offices. The outside came second. Other than frequently having a giant Trump sign, of course.
"So in many ways you're designing the building for the end user, which is a very different proposition from a superficial form that is in the mind of the architect, and you squeeze units into," said Keenan.
So there are a lot of words you can use to describe Trump's architectural legacy. Modernist, ostentatious, branded and — like the man — complicated.
How will Merkel approach her meeting with Trump?
Senate blocks Trump Fed nominee Judy Shelton
Trump Fed nominee advances in Senate despite support for gold standard
The rise of Trump tourism in Kallstadt, Germany
Trump is actually trying to renegotiate NAFTA
Make Cyber Monday Great Again


MotoGP, Dall'Igna: "Ducati will be competitive on Phillip Island"
The Australian round is the final hurdle for the 'Red': "If we are strong, we'll tackle 2019 with a more concrete mentality"
The win got away by a hair, but Gigi Dall'Igna's expression betrays great satisfaction with Andrea Dovizioso's second place. In fact, at Buriram, the Italian gave Marc Márquez a run for his money. It was a race where the 'Red' once again confirmed its potential. Now there is only on hurdle left, namely the black beast of Phillip Island.
Obviously, mention was made of the 2017 race.
The engineer then went into detail.
The final comment, on the other hand, concerned the absence of Jorge Lorenzo.


When it involves relaxing in a dream-like setting with greater than just your better half, a hammock for 3 appears like a good selection. Initially spotted on Design Milk, these lovely designs combine hedonism with civic behavior in an inspiring way, as they were actually conceived to assist the Malbrii tribe of North-Thailand of their seek a brand new livelihood: "Making these quality hammocks has brought them financial independence in the home village and makes prior alternatives equivalent to tough field work or sweatshop labor unnecessary".
The Trinity Hammocks don't only rank high in aesthetics, but in quality in addition. Quilted or hand-woven and waterproof, they're bound to have a durable lifespan, despite how exotic their hanging spot will be. The hammocks will also be purchased separately, but this original trio version is what caught our undivided attention.


About Us — Johnson Insurance Group INC.
Our agency is committed to maintaining a high standard of excellence and establishing a strong relationship of mutual trust and personal service to each of our clients. We offer competitive pricing, a broad range of insurance products and an experienced staff of conscientious professionals.
Two Generations Proudly Serving You!
With over 60 years of combined insurance services, Johnson Insurance Group is an independently owned insurance agency representing some of the top insurance carriers in our industry. We specialize in providing solutions to cover your Auto, Home, Life, Motorcycle, Boat and Business insurance needs.
Founded by brothers Cliff & Eric Johnson, Johnson Insurance Group opened its doors October 01, 2000. The sons of Pastors, Cliff and Eric were born and raised in Gaston County and were taught the importance of living lives of integrity. They bring this same commitment to the business sector.
Eric's eldest son, Chris Johnson joined the team of Johnson Insurance Group in October 2007.
Cliff, Eric and Chris are all veterans of the US Air Force and have a combined service of 50 years. When not at the office, they can be found volunteering in their church or other community events, sitting in a deer stand or spending time with their growing families.
With an open door policy, the Johnson's and staff of Johnson Insurance Group welcome the opportunity to sit down with you and your family to discuss your insurance needs.


If you've been to the dining hall, you've probably noticed that Usdan (pronounced yooz-dan) University Center is divided into two wings: the "loud side" and the "quiet side." The loud side plays music over loudspeakers (anything from "Despacito" to "Gangnam Style") and tends to have longer, larger groups of tables. The convivial atmosphere and banquet-style tables make the West Wing ideal for sports teams, whereas the "quiet side" has smaller, singular tables and no background music which makes it ideal for people catching a quick bite while working.
There's no hard and fast rule about where to sit in Usdan, but these key, seemingly insignificant differences have bred an apparent cultural divide at the University. Humanities-focused, "artsier" kids tend to gravitate towards the quiet side, a home to music kids, film majors, studio art buffs, and everything adjacent. Ironically, the same students that religiously frequent concerts on the weekends have no interest in listening to music during their meal times. The loud side, on the other hand, has a hardened sporty reputation, more frequented by STEM majors and NARPs (Non-Athletic Regular Persons), who may not play sports but still enjoy the social and spectator scene. Some students swear by the distinction, actively avoiding either side even as free tables and chairs become scarce. Others, we'll call them "Troy Boltons," are happy to flip from one side to another. The physical divide between two major groups at the University may make you feel like you have to choose, but plenty of students find a home on both sides of the aisle.
Johnny Hayes '20 plays on the University's squash team while also an active participant in the student theater community. Logistically, it can be difficult (sometimes impossible) to fit in rehearsals and practices in the same schedule, but Hayes has juggled both of his quiet and loud side sensibilities.
Through perhaps an "out of sight, out of mind," mentality, the two sides of the cafeteria have created attitudes that extend to every aspect of campus: extracurriculars, areas of study, and social circles. Because many freshmen first experience social life at Wes in the dining hall, the habit can be hard to break. The University boasts significant alumni in both the performing arts and athletics (our gym's foyer is called Belichick Plaza, and one lucky freshman wins the Hamilton Award every year), but these aspects of the school's identity rarely overlap. It's true that with the time commitment that both sports and the arts demand, students simply don't have the time to explore multiple arenas.
Spending your time on one side doesn't mean that you can't make the switch later in your college career. Jewelia Ferguson '20 entered the University as a member of the basketball team before a shoulder injury rendered her unable to play. Her introduction to Wes came through the lens of the loud side, but increasingly she found more kinship with the music scene.
It's not apparent when freshmen clue in that they "should" be sitting on one side of the dining hall or another. Often during orientation, students sit indiscriminately, without any upperclassmen to tell or show them otherwise. Slowly, they take on a preference that solidifies into routine. Tribalism is hardly a novel concept in college life. Even in the absence of traditional Greek life, students are constantly searching for a group to belong to or a sense of identity, whether it be with the slam poetry club, the lacrosse team, or a specific corner of the cafeteria. Freshmen—no offense—are especially susceptible to the herd mentality, spending a majority of orientation finding security in numbers.
If one freshman class chose to ignore the cultural and social implications of Usdan's two sides, perhaps this divide would disappear in four years. Maybe the arts vs. sports rivalry exists intangibly, and the dining hall is only a reflection of what we already know and act upon.


I Am RallyGirl: African Head Wrap: How to Accessorize Your Head Wraps.
African Head Wrap: How to Accessorize Your Head Wraps.
Adding more fancy and making your head wrap even more regal is so easy to do.
RELATED: How to Head Wrap a Gele or Turban with an Infinity Scarf.
1) Tie your head in your favorite wrap style.
2) Artfully place the accessory of choice among the folds of your crown, and you're done!
RELATED: Learn to wrap! Check out my "Everything Head Wraps" playlist.


. (popmusiclife) Sony has confirmed that a 2011 attack by hackers has resulted in the theft of the entire Michael Jackson catalogue - including unreleased tracks.
The BBC reports Sony's PlayStation Network was hacked in April, 2011 and the company admitted that the personal details of more than 70 million people may have been taken.


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Facebook Offers Jobs to hackers
IndiatimesUpdated on Feb 08, 2012, 12:37 IST
NEW YORK: Late this January, some 75,000 people around the planet sat in front of their computers and pondered how to make anagrams from a bowl of alphabet soup. They were participants in the Hacker Cup, an international programming battle that Facebook organized to help it find the brightest young software engineers before competitors like Google do.
After three more rounds of brain teasers, Facebook will fly the top 25 coders to its head office in Menlo Park, for an adrenaline-soaked finale this March that will award the champion $5,000. In return, Facebook gets a shot at hiring the stars discovered along the way.
"I'm in an all-out land grab for talent," says Jocelyn Goldfein, Facebook's director of engineering and most senior woman on its technical staff. The social network builds almost all of its own software, and young, smart coders are the company's most critical asset as it manages the comments, photos, and "likes" of more than 800 million users.
"We are in uncharted waters every day," says Goldfein. "What's great about young people is that they don't know what's impossible, so they try crazy things and lead us to be the first to make them work."
Google and many other companies are chasing the same code slingers as Facebook, causing salaries to shoot up. Average salaries for technology professionals in Silicon Valley rose 5.2 percent in 2011 to break the $100,000 barrier, while pay rose just 2 percent nationally, according to a recent salary survey. One graduating college senior, posting anonymously on the Web, claimed that Facebook offered a $100,000 salary, a $50,000 signing bonus, and $120,000 in stock options. Facebook declined to comment.
According to the prospectus filed in connection with Facebook's planned initial public offering of stock, the company's headcount jumped from 2,127 to 3,200 full-time employees in 2011. Unlike some large companies, Facebook does not leave recruiting programmers to its human resources department. "The HR departments are in one building and engineering is in another," says Goldfein. "Recruitment sits with us."
In addition to the Hacker Cup and a series of similar "Camp Hackathon" contests that tour U.S. colleges, there's a set of fiendishly tricky online puzzles that Facebook maintains online. Solving them with sufficient style can net a phone call from a recruiter.
"This is a way to say that if you're brilliant we don't care where you worked and if you have a college degree," says Goldfein.
Although the coder competition looks like a fun and free-wheeling meritocracy, it also reflects problems in the US education system. Very few women participate, and most of the winners are from overseas. "Facebook [is] aggressively going to other countries because there aren't enough skilled people in the US," says Goldfein.
Of the 2011 Hacker Cup winners, all three were foreign men 26 or younger. Facebook hired the second-place finisher. The first-place winner was already employed by Google.


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18 Sep 2020 4:23 PM +00:00 UTC
Hogwarts Legacy: J.K. Rowling Has No Direct Involvement With New RPG
The controversial author's work serves as the game's foundation.
Hogwarts Legacy, the new action-RPG from Avalanche and WB Games, does not have any direct involvement from controversial author J.K. Rowling.
In a new statement, Warner Bros. Games noted the following:
"J.K. Rowling is not directly involved in the creation of the game, however, her extraordinary body of writing is the foundation of all projects in the Wizarding World".
Read More: How Hogwarts Legacy Can Improve Upon Past Harry Potter Games
J.K Rowling Has No Direct Involvement With Hogwarts Legacy
The author has cut a controversial figure in recent months following accusations of transphobic remarks on her Twitter account.
Her most recent book is also said to portray transgender people negatively and as villains of the piece.
In the weeks following, stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Eddie Redmayne have rallied to the support of the transgender community.
Since being confirmed at the PlayStation 5 event this week, many fans of the franchise have expressed unease at supporting the game despite her comments, while also wanting to support the developers that have worked on it.
While it was revealed at Sony's event, the game will also come to other platforms when it launches next year. Find out more here.
The game is set in the 1800s, long before both the main Harry Potter timeline and its pseudo-prequel series Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them.
The game will feature an open-world, with classes to attend, spells to learn, and creatures to meet.
It also allows for players to choose whether to use their powers for good or more nefarious means.
Sony's event was not only a chance to reveal the company's PS5 console's price and release date, but also show off some of the games coming to the platform between now and Holiday 2020.
Not only did we get confirmation that Final Fantasy 16 will be a PlayStation console exclusive, but we also got a first tease for God of War: Ragnarok.


Does Facebook matter to social enterprise?
Facebook is truly the granddaddy of social networks. With 'mobile first' platforms like Instagram, Vine and Snapchat capturing the all-important youth market, does Facebook still matter?
Dutch researcher Gergana Tyaneva looks at why Facebook is still important for social entrepreneurs and points to helpful resources and examples of success.
'The social enterprise sector in the UK is thriving. With start-up rates and growth confidence significantly higher than that of regular SME's it's an exciting place to operate. Yet as recent research shows gaining finance to sustain growth is still challenging. With tight marketing budgets but big opportunities, social media is an ever crucial component in getting a new social brand off the ground. Even though brands are not built overnight, the fairytale predictions of social media and its palpable effects on ROI is proving increasingly to be true. According to a 2012 report from the McKinsey Global Institute there still remains $1.3 trillion in untapped value lying in the correct adoption of social media and communication tools within the enterprise.
MIT Sloan recently published a useful how-to guide explaining basic tactics for building Facebook brand engagement. Success on Facebook is based on active conversation and strong content marketing strategies. One of the most relevant uses of Facebook for the social enterprise is to humanise the brand and more directly emphasise the impact of the business on its community.
So what does success on Facebook look like and how can you measure it?
Unfortunately, too much digital marketing still focuses on irrelevant metrics. Often overlooking the fact that social media success is not based on the same principles as the other marketing channels on the Web. Facebook is all about engagement, hence actions (defined by the business) and the cost of these per action are the main metrics for success.
Jamie's Oliver's "Fifteen" is a great example of a social enterprise that utilises it's Facebook page as a powerful marketing tool. Through daily photos the restaurant promotes its meals in order to attract regular customers. Furthermore, there are numerous contests giving away free meals, cross-selling to the existing user base. Finally, the social context and story is proudly accented by photos of the young apprentices that are part of the social teaching program in the restaurant.
Brand Response combines expert design, strategy & data services with the web's most powerful community organising tools to help social enterprises run more effective digital campaigns.


I heard from my Sgt earlier in the year that CF Medics are now being required to actually maintain a licence in a province. Is there anyone who can shed a little more light on this? Rumor? Or is there some source I can read?
I was talking to the Branch CWO about this a few weeks ago and then asked some questions to some of the HQ people in the know.
The question was being asked if Med Techs should be compelled to keep their PCP license current after it is earned and paid for as part of their QL3 program. It turns out when the Credentials Cell did an audit that only 17% of Med Techs had kept their license current after the initial licensing event in BC or QC during QL3. This came as a surprise to a whole bunch of senior officers.
1) Why are Med Techs not maintaining their license, even with the TB/CF offering to pay for it?
2) What would be the cost to get all of those that had expired back to full license if they make this a requirement of the MOS.
The answer to #1 was varied based on a bunch of factors. Some of them really good reasons, some of them piss poor reasons.
The answer to #2 was a crap load of $$$.
As such the Surgeon General decreed (I have seen the minutes) that Med Techs will only be required to gain a license once, as part of their initial QL3 program (although Quebec is a slightly different story right now, but the same concept exists). This meets the requirements of the last Auditor General Report and Chief of the Review Services reports to clinically professionalize the NCM MOSIDs within the CFHS using civilian standards.
After this initial licensing on the QL3 the Med Tech can choose to keep their license current if they wish and if service requirements allow. The TB/CF will pay for it and will support "on car" rotations via the Maintenance of Clinical Readiness Program (MCRP). If they do not maintain their license it is not the end of the world and core Med Tech competencies will be maintained via the non "on car" facets of the MCRP and at periodic mandatory visits to the 1 Canadian Field Hospital Simulation Centre in Valcartier. I am told that the program at the Sim Centre will become much more formalized with visits being tracked and various competency rated on a GO / NO GO metric.
I hope that helps. Let me know if you have more questions here or by PM.
There was an agreement posted on the CFHS website between the CF and the Ontario MOHLTC allowing QL5's to challenge the AEMCA exam.
Reference A is a confirmation letter by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Emergency Health Services Branch, recognizing the CF QL5 Med Tech as meeting the PCP requirements to challenge the AEMCA exam, all QL5 Med Techs are encouraged to prepare for and write this exam with approval through their Chain of Command. Upon successful completion of this exam, those Med Techs will have access to On-car opportunities to complete their MCSP in Ontario."
Interesting. I never realized that medics actually earned their licenses on their QL3s. Are medic protocols the same as a BC PCP?
Currently Med Techs more or less use the protocols that they have been trained in, be it BC or QC or the standardized sets learned at the Canadian Forces Health Services Training Centre or during the civilian contacted Advanced Emergency Care module of the QL5A qualification.
The existing Med Tech protocols are currently being reviewed and revised, but the PCP protocols will be a hybrid between the BC and QC protocols with the prime factor being that they meet the needs of the CF. In many cases they will be very close if not exact copies when said protocols meet the CF needs. After all that is how the Med Techs were trained initially and if they work in BC / QC they cannot be all that bad right . Surprisingly the protocols are pretty close in most cases.
However there will be a number of protocols that will not be BC or QC driven. This will be then the scope of practice exceeds the civilian PCP National Occupational Competency Profile or when there are clear operational / geographic reasons.
When Med Techs are working on-car with a civilian service as part of MCRP they will be expected to use the protocols of the service for which they are guests.
Thanks. I only ask because Sar Techs also do their program through the JIBC(same as Med Techs?) and are not required to earn a licence at any point. The protocols do change after course however, I believe they reflect the BC PCP protocols very closely (It's been awhile). There are some "advanced" skill/protocols added at the QL6A level that fall somewhere in between PCP and ACP as far as I can tell.
Anyways, point being that I am curious as to why Med Techs are required to earn a licence and Sar Techs are not required...especially since Sar Techs patients are 99.9% Canadian civilians.
So the fact remains that Med Techs are NOT actually required to maintain their license beyond earning it once at JIBC, and the French equivalent?
No they are not. Their occupational organization has different requirements, and their employment requires them to work outside the military to maintain competency.
What is a MCSP and what does it entail?
I heard from my Sgt earlier in the year that CF Medics are now being required to actually maintain a licence in a province. Is there anyone who can shed a little more light on this?
No, Med Techs are not required to have a provincial paramedic license.
It is called MCR AKA Maintenance of Clinical Readiness now. And if you do not know, it is either because you are not Reg F and/or have not been properly informed by your chain of command.
Correct. Earning it once during the QL3 is the only requirement. No requirement to continue on with holding a license currently exists.
I think Adam's comments are good. That is the reason the MCSP has just been considerably overhauled to the MCRP and that civilian on-car rotations are now and optional versus required (this is second hand info, truth be told I have not looked at the new MCRP in depth, but rather attended a meeting on it and then skimmed the documents).
The MCRP is much more attainable then the old MCSP is the premise.
The CF cannot reach universal agreement with all geographically co-located EHS's to allow Med Techs to meaningful on car ride along experience. This is the reality of a provincially regulated system that is municipally managed / administered. There have, in some cases, also been union issues I am told. The CFHS is working hard at securing other MCRP hospital based rotations in all locals through the use of MOUs established by the National CIMIC Cell. Hospitals seem to be little easier to work with for some reason.
Agreed, some of the biggest reasons why we only have a 17% maintenance of PCP license rate for Med Techs is operational / training tempo, geographic location of on-car opportunities, local ambulance service pre-requisites for on car rotations, and number of on-car billets available. In the vast majority of cases it is not lack of motivation.
When the reality hit all of the higher ups the conclusion was obvious that it is just not feasible to have all Med Techs maintain licenses even if they wanted them to do so. In the end there is no occupational specification requirement to do so and attaining a civilian provincial license once at the start of ones career meets the requirements of the CF, the Auditor General, and the Chief of the Review Service.
I do not know much about the SAR Tech situation / initial qualifications so I do not feel right at commenting. I can only suggest that SAR Techs may not have come under scrutiny of the Auditor General / CRS over the past decade and a half and are not now held to the Accreditation Canada standard for health care organizations.
Nursing Officers / Medical Officers / Pharmacy Officers / Social Work Officers / Physiotherapy Officers are much smaller in total numbers per MOS then Med Techs and are required by occupational specification, the Auditor General, agreements with various Provincial bodies, a few federal laws, and now importantly Accreditation Canada to maintain a civilian license (in at least one province), hence why it has occurred. It has been a challenge for some of these groups to maintain their civilian license especially when the deployment cycle was high. It has been easier (in most cases) to transfer one of these licenses from province to province and once you are licensed in the province getting you into a hospital / clinical placement that is in the geographical location of your posting is not all that difficult for the CIMIC folks and it can usually occur with a phone call. Many of these professionals are also moonlighting which has helped things.
MCSP is the Maintenance of Clinical Skills Programme. It is now defunct. It had been replaced by the MCRP, which is the Maintenance of Clinical Readiness Programme.
It is a formal, soon to be better tracked program that is used to ensure that health care professionals (including Med Techs) in the Canadian Forces Health Services keep their clinical skills sharp and ready to be used should they be required either within Canada or while deployed.
Edit: to clearly indicate MCSP is now defunct.
MCSP is the Maintenance of Clinical Skills Programme. It is not defunct. It had been replaced by the MCRP, which is the Maintenance of Clinical Readiness Programme.
Thanks again. I am assuming it is comparable to our MOCOMP. We spend a week a year in a clinical setting(ER and OR) practising our skills. This year we are also potentially throwing in two days on car. All skills and protocols practised are recorded and signed by a preceptor then sent to the JI for assessment and "storage".
Rider Pride. I am not a Medic and it seems there is a difference in the way our trades are run. I find this interesting as we have the same course, taught by the same institution at our base.
Med Techs are not required to have a provincial paramedic license once they have earned a provincial paramedic license during their initial QL3 PCP training.
If you do not manage to get your license during your QL3 PCP training, you will not become a Med Tech.
This conversation only applies to Reg F Med Techs.
If you are a Res F Med Tech you might in the very near future (or already) be required to maintain a PCP license. Failure to do so will result in a revision to the Med A (Medical Assistant) MOS from the Med Tech MOS and the requirement to maintain AMFR II (Advanced Medical First Responder Level II) certification .
When you compare, remember that Med Techs are trained initially as basic paramedics at the beginning of their careers with the goal of developing the medic to become a Physician Assistant at the WO level.
Really? That's very cool. What a qual to earn. I'm a little disappointed in myself for not knowing more about your trade given how closely we relate....well at the PCP level anyways.
I do not think there is a CANFORGEN on this. There WAS a Surg Gen AIG message on this indicating all Reg F Med Techs had to earn the PCP qualification at least once. We still have a number of older QL3's who never bothered to bridge to the new PCP qualification and this AIG was targeted at them.
The CF cannot reach universal agreement with all geographically co-located EHS's to allow Med Techs to meaningful on car ride along experience. This is the reality of a provincially regulated system that is municipally managed / administered. There have, in some cases, also been union issues I am told.
It could have something to do with the cost and availability of Field Training Officers ( FTO ).
29 things changed this year as the result of a Coroner's Inquest and $10-million civil suit against Toronto EMS.
Some of those changes will likely have a "ripple effect" across the province.
#25 was that probies Probationary Paramedics must now be accompanied by an FTO for at least 12 weeks.
That is in addition to precepting paramedic students from the two "farm teams", Humber and Centennial colleges.
Hospitals seem to be little easier to work with for some reason.
The department has a long list of SOP's for students.
sent home or re-assigned, where appropriate.
Med Techs are not required to maintain a provincial licence. Hence, the CF will not pay for a Med Tech to hold a provincial licence in the province they are posted to.
Med Techs are allowed to get and maintain a provincial licence, but that expense shall be incurred by the member themselves.


text:
LumiraDx Care Solutions wins the GOLD Healthy Workplace Award
Posted by LumiraDx Care Solutions in News
On 20 April 2017
LumiraDx Care Solutions, a dynamic health technology business leading digital health innovation, has been presented with the 2017 Gold Healthy Workplace Award. The award, which was given in recognition of its progressive approach towards the health and wellbeing of its employees, was presented at a ceremony at the Pavilion Centre, Royal Cornwall Showground on 27 February.
The Healthy Workplace Award was founded in Cornwall and encourages companies to promote healthy living at work.
Last year LumiraDx Care Solutions entered for the first time and achieved the Bronze award and have now been recognised further for a number of healthy initiatives, ideas and activities including:
Lower back pain workshops
Kudos cards
Taking part in the Get Active Challenge
Staff parties with beach and water sports
Following an employee idea they now also provide free lunch for all employees every day, helping ensure they take a good break away from their desks. LumiraDx Care Solutions have also made stress management a focal point over the past year, with stress management workshops and regular, fully supported access to a local life coach and plans for mindfulness training in 2017.
Clare Gardner, People Development Manager at LumiraDx Care Solutions says:
"We are delighted to receive our award! I think it's a real reflection of the hard work that we put in to look after our people and to ensure that LumiraDx is a fantastic place to work. We are lucky with the location of our office, as the beach is just five minutes away, and with an hour's lunch break, many staff head down to Portreath for a lunchtime walk and breath of fresh air.''
Rachel Faulkner, Workplace Health Coordinator at Health Promotion Service says:
"A great achievement! There are many more ideas and plans for the future too, which will continue to strengthen and support all the work focusing on health and wellbeing of staff. The health and wellbeing of staff feels embedded and part of the culture at this organisation: very impressive. Keep up the great work."
INRstar, part of LumiraDx Care Solutions, is the home of the UK's leading software for anticoagulation management. Used in over 2,700 locations across the UK, the company supports clinicians to manage patients on anticoagulation therapy and is now taking great strides towards enabling supported self-care for these patients.
Tags: gold award, health, healthy workplace, staff, wellbeing, workforce, workplace health
Posted by LumiraDx Care Solutions
LumiraDx Care Solutions is the home of INRstar, the UK's market-leading anticoagulation clinical decision support software (CDSS) and engage, the patient app, which offers a range of self-care programmes for long-term conditions. engage was 'Highly Commended' in the Best Healthcare App category of the Building Better Healthcare Awards, November 2017.
Winners of Best Digital Innovation in Healthcare
We are delighted to have won the "Best Digital Innovation in Healthcare" category at the 2018 Cornwall Live EDGE Awards. Winners were announced at a ceremony last night at the Lighthouse Cinema in Newquay.
World Thrombosis Day Campaign Appoints Professor Beverley Hunt
Thrombosis UK is delighted with today's announcement that Professor Beverley Hunt, Founder and Medical Lead of Thrombosis UK, has just been announced as the new incoming chair.


← Metro's Friday AM Commute: Expect possible service delays on NB I-5 approaching SR-516; Ride transit to tonight's Mariners game plus.
Metro's Friday AM Commute: Expect possible service delays on NB I-405 from Renton to Newcastle; on NB I-5 approaching SR-516; Ride transit to tonight's Mariners game plus.
Posted on April 12, 2019 by mclandon | Comments Off on Metro's Friday AM Commute: Expect possible service delays on NB I-405 from Renton to Newcastle; on NB I-5 approaching SR-516; Ride transit to tonight's Mariners game plus.


This week, Car News Cafe was invited to attend a design tour stop for the all-new 2015 Jeep Renegade. As Chrysler fades out the Compass and Patriot models, the new compact sport utility called the Renegade will take over for them as the brand's entry-level offering. The new crossover has a lot of unique style and marks a decidedly different direction for the Jeep brand, up to and including the fact that this new Jeep won't be made in America nor will the U.S. be its primary marketplace.
The 2015 Jeep Renegade will be made in Italy and will be sold in 100 markets globally and the company expects that, for the first time, a Jeep-branded vehicle will sell more units overseas than it will in the United States. Yet Jeep will do this by making sure that plenty of Americana appeal and Jeep legacy is embedded in the Renegade along with a mix of European styling to keep it global.
The result, on first glance, gives a mixed reaction but it doesn't take long for this new Jeep to grow on you. Most of the automotive journalists on hand at the showcase event held, appropriately, at Cherokee Mansion near Denver, Colorado, were grasping for comparison models from the market for the Renegade. Maybe the Nissan Juke or the Subaru Forester or the Kia Soul? Not quite. None are really comparable once you dig into the details of this new Jeep Renegade.
The underpinnings for the new Jeep Renegade are, surprisingly, from Fiat. The chassis is the new "small-wide 4×4 architecture" that Fiat-Chrysler plans to use on several international models going forward. This is a mixture of the Fiat 500L's four-door vehicle chassis and Jeep's legendary (and proprietary) four-by-four technical capability.
The 2015 Renegade is slightly shorter than the Fiat 500L (in length), making it smaller than the Compass and Patriot as well. It's roughly the same height as the 500L, but has a wider track and shorter wheelbase.
When it's all summed up, the 500L shows up in a few places, but most will not see it until they get inside the Renegade and begin to note the overall shape that creates a huge amount of space inside what appears to be a tiny box from the outside.
Individual design elements on the 2015 Jeep Renegade are, alone, sometimes horrifying and at other times hokey, but when they're added up into a whole, they become a satisfying totality. Many of the design cues and elements that make up the overall look of the Renegade were deliberately inspired by the Wrangler, which itself comes from the Willys of old.
Mark Allen, Head of Jeep Design, walked us through the cues given in the Renegade on this level. The obvious starts with the vertical grille "teeth" that mark most Jeep vehicles and the trapezoidal wheel arches that come directly from the Willys that started it all.
Yet other hints like multiple "X forms," most notably on the tail lamps and lightly marked in the headlamps, continue this Wrangler-esque homage. Unusually, the Renegade sports a low belt line for its class, allowing for a "taller" and more open look. Verticle lines, again straight from the Wrangler, also abound from the front fascia, through to the windscreen and over to the hatchback despite its spoiler.
The complete symmetry of the vertical lines and squared-off shape of the Jeep Renegade are somehow satisfying once you've taken it all in.
Another odd, but somehow fitting touch for the Renegade are the "My Sky" panels which can be removed to open up the interior. These are literally roof panels, akin to very large sunroof panels, that can be taken off and stored in the cargo area to make for an open top similar to that found on the Wrangler hard top.
Although a bit clunky for everyday use, there are sure to be after-market soft covers for fast installation when the weather suddenly turns. This will make up for the rather drawn out removal and installation process of the hard panels for this My Sky system.
Nevertheless, this is an unusual feature that is sure to endear the Renegade to many.
The Jeep Renegade will have four trim levels, including a Trailhawk offroad-centric option. The base trim will be called the Sport with the Latitude coming next (the model we saw), followed by the Limited. Base pricing has not been announced, but Jim Morrison, Head of the Jeep Brand in North America, says it will be under $20,000 to start.
All of the Renegade models will feature all-wheel drive and will utilize the unique Chrysler magnetic disconnection system to allow the vehicle to become front-wheel driven to improve fuel economy. This switch is done automatically, without user input, and the Renegade will go back to four-wheel drive as needed. The Trailhawk model will include four-wheel drive and offroad controls, of course, including differential locking and hill descent/ascent creep.
Although there are no EPA numbers for fuel economy, Jeep believes this new Renegade will achieve well over 30 on the highway.
Interestingly, two engine options will be available, including a Jeep first courtesy of Fiat.
The standard engine will be a 2.4-liter inline-four cylinder TigerShark paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission (another segment-first for the Renegade). Interestingly, a 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo will also be offered in some trims, mated to a six-speed manual transmission. This one will likely see popularity in Europe and South America, but the uptake in the U.S. may prove surprising.
Although our introduction was brief and our time with the new Renegade was short, it left a good impression. The small platform and unique styling the Renegade has are sure to make it a hit globally and a favorite entry-level Jeep domestically.
We'd like to thank Jeep for inviting us to come have dinner with them and spend some time with the new Renegade before it enters showrooms. Buyers interested in the Jeep Renegade will have to try to be patient as it doesn't launch in the U.S. until after January 1.
Note: complementary cocktails, dinner, and an overnight stay were provided by Chrysler for this event. Otherwise, no incentives were offered for our review.