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Colin Kaepernick settles NFL collusion grievance
February 19, 2019	12:58 PM CST By Al Neal
Colin Kaepernick | Logan Bowles/AP
Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid reached a settlement in their collusion grievance with the NFL.
The league and Kaepernick's attorneys released a statement Friday afternoon saying the grievance had been resolved confidentially. As part of the confidentiality, all parties signed a non-disclosure agreement not to discuss the terms or any details of the settlement.
"For the past several months, counsel for Mr. Kaepernick and Mr. Reid have engaged in an ongoing dialogue with representatives of the NFL. As a result of those discussions, the parties have decided to resolve the pending grievances. The resolution of this matter is subject to a confidentiality agreement so there will be no further comment by any party," read the statement.
The settlement was reached as the final arbitration hearing was set to begin this month before arbitrator Stephen Burbank.
The NFL Players Association also released a statement supporting the settlement between the league and players:
"Today, we were informed by the NFL of the settlement of the Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid collusion cases," the NFLPA said. "We are not privy to the details of the settlement but support the decision by the players and their counsel. We continuously supported Colin and Eric from the start of their protests, participated with their lawyers throughout their legal proceedings and were prepared to participate in the upcoming trial in pursuit of both truth and justice for what we believe the NFL and its clubs did to them. We are glad that Eric has earned a job and a new contract (Carolina Panthers), and we continue to hope that Colin gets his opportunity as well."
The NFLPA was not a party to the collusion grievance filed by Kaepernick and Reid.
Sources close to the matter say Kaepernick withdrew his collusion grievance against the league after reaching an acceptable financial settlement.
Kaepernick's grievance, filed last year, argues the owners violated the NFL-NFLPA collective bargaining agreement by conspiring to keep him off teams—blacklisted—for his on-field protest during the national anthem.
The CBA strictly prohibits the league and teams from colluding on decisions about whether a player should be signed.
Article 17 of the NFL CBA: "No club, its employees or agents shall enter into any agreement or implied, with the NFL or any other club, its employees or agents to restrict or limit individual club decision-making… In order to prove collusion, Kaepernick will need to show a pattern of communication between at least two NFL teams and the league, and that the communication led to his current unemployment. Collusion claims like this hinge on documentary evidence, so Kaepernick will have to produce documents, emails, text messages, or recordings, showing an explicit or implicit agreement among teams to keep him out of the NFL."
And while we may never know the exact reasons why the NFL chose to settle, we can point to a few possible ones.
The league having its request for a summary judgment of dismissal denied by the arbitrator, points to there being enough merit in Kaepernick's collusion argument, which could have resulted in the league losing the case—creating a PR nightmare. And, it would make public some, if not all, of the team owners depositions taken by Kaepernick's team in the arbitrators written ruling. Statements which would further show bias, racism, and racial insensitivity by team officials.
Such disclosures would also further destroy the NFL's current labor relations with the players and NFL Players Association, which could embolden the union in its upcoming contract fight in 2021.
It's difficult to say whether Kaepernick will ever again take the field as an NFL quarterback. With such a quiet end to the NFL collusion saga, teams may see signing Kaepernick as less of a risk. Eric Reid's new three-year deal with the Carolina Panthers shows it's a very real possibility.
But only time will tell.
Al Neal
Al Neal is the associate editor for labor and politics. He is also the chief photographer for People's World.
Column: Trump and golf were never a comfortable fit
Major league baseball integrated in 1947, now it'll integrate its record...
Soccer league players announce partnership with Communications Workers of America


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Electro House, Genres
Tiësto & Ummet Ozcan – What You're Waiting For
By Rehan Luthra
For long now, Ummet Ozcan, Tiesto's protege, has been making waves in the EDM scene. Gathering early support from the likes of Armin Van Buuren, Sander Van Doorn and Calvin Harris, his signature big-room sound soon stared grabbing the attention of many.
On this occasion, Ozcan has teamed up with his fellow Dutch producer and all time mentor. Joining forces with Tiesto for the new 'What You're Waiting For' that features a heavy and hard-hitting bassline, the duo have concocted what could be one of the meatiest synths and percussive plucks.
Just having played a brand new ID-laden set at Coachella, with this track, Tiesto continues his domination of all things dance music. Catch 'What You're Waiting For' on Musical Freedom.
Tags: Musical Freedom, Tiësto, Ummet Ozcan, What You're Waiting For
About the Author / Rehan Luthra
Get low when the whistle blow.
MDL Beast Festival receiv...
MDL Beast Festival has just received a Guinness World Record for the tallest temporary stage in its debut year, and that is only just a small morsel into the innovative accomplishments the festival has achieved in its first year. MDL Beast
Hakkasan Group name Marti...
To see in the new year, the Las Vegas-based Hakkasan Group have unveiled their 2020 artist roster as expected. This year they take on a dazzling collection of dance music and hip-hop names to see them through the party season. 2020
Events, Featured
SAGA Festival reveals pha...
The festival world has been shaken up ever since ALDA and Insomniac announced that they would would be joining forces to create a brand new festival in Bucharest, Romania. Everyone knows that the two event companies are leading forces around Europe and America and

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Top Ten #GivingTuesday Moments!
Blog Data and Technology Top Ten #GivingTuesday Moments!
By Aaron Sherinian on December 4, 2013
#GivingTuesday is still going strong — inspiring people across the globe to get out the give — but I wanted to take a step back for a minute, and share a few of the best moments so far.
Thanks to more than 10,000 partners worldwide, including in all 50 states and more than 43 countries, an unprecedented wave of charity was started — one we hope will continue to spread this concept of the "giving movement."
So read on for the top 10 highlights of today's 2nd annual #GivingTuesday, and stay tuned for more as exciting updates from our incredible partners continue to roll in.
1. #GivingTuesday goes GLOBAL
The #GivingTuesday movement didn't just trend #1 on Twitter in the U.S. – it truly went global, as individuals and organizations in countries around the world continue to show support of a huge range of local charities and champions for good. With the help of partners like the United Nations Development Programme, conversations about giving (like this Google+ Hangout on Philanthropy Around the World) are taking place in capitals; on social media streams; and in circles of influence on all continents; from Singapore to Zimbabwe.
2. #GivingTuesday Partners with Google +
If you happened to find yourself on www.google.com today, you would have noticed a very special #GivingTuesday shout-out. The exciting partnership with this digital powerhouse didn't stop there – Google also took over the #GivingTuesday Google+ page and together, we hosted the first-ever Google+ Hangout-a-thon.
3. Major Matching Announcements
Companies gave big for charities around the world this #GivingTuesday. The Case Foundation reached their $75,000 match for nonprofits in just 25 minutes, raising over $100,000! Good Ventures announced $5 million in matching funds for GiveDirectly. Supporting girls in developing countries, Caterpillar Foundation pledged $10,000 in matching funds for the Girl Up campaign.
4. #UNselfies Take Instagram by Storm
Of course, this year one can't bring up #GivingTuesday without discussing the #UNSelfie – the Instagram movement that transformed "selfie" (the 2013 word of the year) into an outlet for people around the world to share what giving means to them. Check out Mashable's 13 most inspiring #UNSelfies, a few of our favorites so far, and the UN Foundation staff in all their #UNSelfie action in this video.
5. #GivingTuesday Takes Over Times Square, New York City!
New Yorkers were greeted by more than a setting sun on their evening commute. #GivingTuesday took over the big screen in Times Square to keep up the momentum of 12 hours of giving.
6. Celebrities Get Out the Give
You know it's a big deal when Hollywood takes notice – and it did in a big way. Names like Ellen DeGeneres, Heidi Klum, Eminem, Jennifer Lopez, and Kourtney Kardashian (to name a few) all took to social media to promote their causes. Check out the #GivingTuesday storify of celebrities who are participating in #GivingTuesday.
7. The White House Encourages Americans to Join the Movement
From your house to the White House, everyone found a way to give back to the community this holiday season. The White House blog said, "#GivingTuesday provides a wonderful opportunity for a national conversation about the ability of all Americans to participate in positive action." Check out the full post here.
8. Global Giving Goes Local
#GivingTuesday continues to grow with local activities in the United States. Bmore Gives More, a new initiative launched by 15 nonprofits and businesses in Baltimore, pledged to raise $5 million on #GivingTuesday to benefit the more than 150 participating charitable organizations and programs.
Local #GivingTuesday activities also took place in Philadelphia through #GivingTuesdayPHL and in Bucks County, Pennsylvania with #GivingTuesdayBucks. The board members of First Book-DC, a nonprofit that provides new books to children in need, posted #UNselfies throughout the day.
9. Faith Leaders Give out the Give
#GivingTuesday encourages everyone to create positive change in their communities. The faith community showed their #GivingTuesday spirit by posting #UNselfies to raise funds for charity. Sylvania Franciscans-Sisters of St. Francis posted their first #UNselfie from Haiti! The United Methodist Church announced that the first-ever UMC #GivingTuesday generated a record $6.5 million for more than 880 projects and missionaries around the world.
10. UN Foundation Staff Gives Back, and Has Fun Doing It
During all the craziness today, the UN Foundation staff took time to donate to the causes they're most passionate about too — from Girl Up, Shot@Life and Nothing But Nets to Wikipedia Foundation, Planned Parenthood, National Geographic's Cause an Uproar, and the Washington Animal Rescue League. Take a minute to watch our team in action.
Tell us how YOU celebrated this #GivingTuesday by tweeting at @GivingTues.


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InterContinental Presidente Mexico City
Campos Eliseos 218 | Mexico City 11560 [SEE MAP]Mexico City [SEE ADDRESS]
#9 in Best Mexico City Hotels
Courtesy of InterContinental Presidente Mexico City
at the InterContinental Presidente Mexico City
Prime location next to Chapultepec Park
Fee for Wi-Fi access
Situated within the fashionable Polanco district, the InterContinental Presidente Mexico City is a prime hub for business travelers. Yet with its deluxe Hela Spa and close proximity to some of Mexico City's top restaurants and shops, tourists will find their needs met here, too. Past guests note that the guest rooms could benefit from a facelift, but thanks to ongoing renovations (upgrades began in 2014), many accommodations have been remodeled. Travelers especially recommed booking a corner room facing the park to mitigate disruptive outside noise and enjoy impressive Chapultepec Park vistas. Regardless of which room you choose, you can count on staple amenities like minibars, coffee makers, rainfall showers, flat-screen TVs and views of the city skyline or park. And while this InterContinental property boasts six eateries (including New York City-style The Palm Restaurant), lodgers recommend exploring around the neighborhood to sample authentic Mexican fare. If you're an IHG Rewards Club member, you can accrue or redeem points by choosing to bed down here.
See Mexico City Travel Guide »
City center, Neighborhood
Business travelers, Couples, Groups, Families
in Best Mexico City Hotels
in Best Mexico City & Central Mexico Hotels
in Best Mexico Hotels
in InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
in IHG Hotels
in Polanco
See all hotels in Mexico City »
Hyatt Regency Mexico City
JW Marriott Hotel Mexico City
W Mexico City
This 42-story luxury hotel has the distinction of having hosted President Barack Obama on both of his visits to Mexico City, in 2009 and 2012.
Frommer's Exceptional
The InterContinental Presidente has an exclusive address in upscale Polanco. There's plenty going on all around, and the hotel shares its safe surroundings with some great restaurants, bars, international companies, and other big-name, high-end properties like the W Mexico City.
A hotel's guest rating is calculated using data provided under license by TripAdvisor. A total of 1862 have reviewed the InterContinental Presidente Mexico City, giving it a rating of 4.5, on a scale of 1-5.
Classic rooms are sophisticated and fresh, with contemporary furnishings, earth-tone color schemes and graphic fabrics. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations, blackout blinds, minibars and coffee makers.
Executive rooms gain access to the club lounge and free Wi-Fi.
Nightly turndown service
This hotel is located in the Polanco district, a posh neighborhood of upscale shops and restaurants. The National Museum of Anthropology is less than a mile away, as is Chapultepec Park. The hotel is also adjacent to the National Auditorium.
Convenient to public transportation with the Auditorio Metro station less than a block away.
Mexico City International Airport is located about 10 miles east
24-hour self-parking ($10)
Dining options include Chapulin for Mexican fare, Au Pied de Cochon for French classics and seafood, The Palm Restaurant for fine American cuisine, Alfredo di Roma for Italian fare and Balmoral for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea.
Epicentro Mixology Bar specializes in gin and tonics and wood-fired pizzas
Cuisine Types: Buffet, Italian, American, Mexican, French
The hotel spa offers a variety of treatments, including hydrotherapy, massages, body wraps, body scrubs and facials. Beauty treatments include manicures, pedicures and waxing.
Steam baths available
Jacuzzis available
See more spa hotels in Mexico City »
The hotel offers the Chiqui Club for children on weekends and holidays from 1 to 6 p.m.
Babysitting is available for an additional fee
See more family-friendly hotels in Mexico City »
The fitness center has treadmills, elliptical machines and stationary bikes as well as weight-training equipment.
See more fitness hotels in Mexico City »
The 24-hour business center offers computers, a printer, copying and faxing services and a scanner. The hotel's events spaces can accommodate up to 1,000 people in 13 meeting rooms that total more than 19,000 square feet. The spaces feature audiovisual services such as digital projectors, teleconference services, microphones and interactive screens.
Tech support team available
See more business hotels in Mexico City »
Small pets weighing less than 10 pounds are allowed for an additional $30 fee.
See more pet-friendly hotels in Mexico City »
The hotel has wedding planners who can assist with all planning details, and packages are avaiable that include catering, room blocks and suites for the couple. The Castillo ballroom can accommodate up to 1,100 guests for a reception and up to 800 guests for a sit-down banquet.
Maximum wedding guest capacity: 1100
See more wedding hotels in Mexico City »


Jennie has been a facilitating KCR since 2011 and is a recognized Accredited Kinetic Chain Release Practitioner. She was one of the first KCR practitioners in the US.
Ordination though Universal Life Church Monastery.
She has an extension participation and coaching background in Competitive Swimming, Synchronized Swimming and Competitive Gymnastics (USA Gymnastics Level 4- Level 8). She is a former Junior Olympic and Empire State Games participant in Synchronized Swimming. As a Red Cross Certified Water Safety Instructor she taught swimming at a Summer camp for several years - she worked with the YMCA of the North Shore Aquatics department, the competitive gymnastics teams and the Special Needs Programs - customizing activities and aquatics programs.
Jennie lives in Maine and lectures, teaches and conducts one-on-one consultation for clients and businesses throughout the United States. She has been featured at several events and lecture panels throughout New England. Jennie has traveled on several Sacred Sites Tours specializing in Group energy work and Earth connections.
KCR can be done on virtually anyone - your own body dictates the session, I am merely facilitating.
My youngest client are my Great- Nephews Gavin and Duncan- they both began receiving KCR (modified) at 6 weeks.
My Oldest clients are a woman in her 80's who suffers from a variety of medical issues, and my 88 year old father. -KCR assisted in getting mobility back to his shoulders as part of rotatory cuff surgery post operative care.
DISCLAIMER: Kinetic Chain Release is not meant as a substitute for medical, or psychological, diagnosis and treatments. It can readily compliment other forms of therapy. I do not diagnose conditions, nor do I perform medical treatment, prescribe substances, or interfere with the treatment of a licensed medical professional. Discuss this information with your own doctor or healthcare provider to determine what is right for you.


Thank you for taking a moment to visit and/or follow my blog. I hope it will be both.
I've always been passionate about writing thank you notes. Well that's not quite true. As a child, I didn't enjoy writing them, not sure anyone enjoys writing to their grandparents thanking them for the gifts as a child. It was always a chore and only the threat of "no more gifts" would make it happen, and then they weren't the greatest letters. However, it was a practice I'm glad I was taught and wish more parents would teach today. As I grew older I came to appreciate how much the handwritten note meant, and the time and thought that went into writing one and sending it through the mail. For me a handwritten and/or thank you note shows respect and gratitude for anothers' time and consideration.
When I thought about starting a blog back in 2012, I knew that I wanted it to be meaningful, authentic, and about a topic that was near and dear to me. Thank you notes won out. However, I knew that it would be challenging to find bi-weekly, let alone monthly ways to talk about thank you notes, but found that I was equally passionate about appreciation and how we express and show it to others.
I did research, finding a name and phrase not used* and created this blog to discuss appreciation in its many forms, whether it be appreciation of the small things in life, appreciating others both on a personal level or those we work with, or simply how you can show your appreciation. I wanted to present my point of view on the subject. It's less important whether my readers agree with me or not (yes I'd love for you to like what I have to say), but I write/post more so to provide a point of view that you may not have considered, or assistance if someone comes looking for insight on appreciation, gratitude and/or and thank you notes.
I cover lots of topics on appreciation, from thank you notes and why we say thank you, to why it's important to show appreciation and kindness. Sometimes I'll even talk to inspiration – which while is a little different, I think is related in how I appreciate the things around me, because they inspire me. Whenever possible, I'll link to other relevant blogs and articles that either support or contrast my point of view.
Again, while you may not always agree with the point of view or topic I've presented, my hope is that you'll see it as simply another way to look at something.
I'll post as often as I can, especially when things grab my attention, but I always strive to have a meaningful post vs. posting for posting sake. Please feel free to suggest topics or share your questions about appreciation. So far my reader's suggestions have been amazing and several have sparked other new ideas as well!
I hope you like what you see, you'll share my posts with others, read topics from my archive, and that you'll consider following my blog. Better yet, you'll start writing thank you notes!
Please note: While I am open to inquiries, so far, I have not partnered, nor have I been compensated to share my thoughts on any products, sites or services I've talked about in posts. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* P.S. To clarify the URL. This blog is NOT associated with The Appreciation Factor.com (a Send Out Cards company) nor their companion Facebook page. Unfortunately I waited to secure the TheAppreciationFactor URL when I started this blog in 2012 and another firm later purchased it and created a business site and FB page with the same name as mine. I am looking into options for a permanent URL that won't take away from The Appreciation Factor's name or purpose.
It's nice to meet you,K! Your blog sounds wonderful!


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« GM is going 'all-electric,' but it doesn't expect to make money off battery-powered cars until early next decade
Tesla's newly acquired battery tech could result in more power, longer range, and more durability »
Tesla and Mercedes-Benz have been holding 'talks' about collaborating again, says Daimler CEO – Electrek
Tesla and Mercedes-Benz have been holding 'talks' about a possible new collaboration, according to comments made by Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche this week.
The idea first came up when Zetsche said last year that Mercedes-Benz is open to working with Tesla again.
A few weeks later, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said that he would reach out to Daimler to propose a possible collaboration on an electric version of the Sprinter van.
More electrek.co/2019/02/06/tesla-mercedes-benz-holding-talks-collaboration-daimler-ceo/amp/
February 6th, 2019 | Category: EVs and Plugins


Pegasus X005 has been certified by TENAA in China. It has a 5.5-inch full-HD (1080×1920 pixels) display, similar to the Pegasus 2 Plus, but this is powered by a 1.3GHz Octa-Core processor (MediaTek MT6753 likely).It has a 13-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera. It also has 4G LTE connectivity, but no details about the battery capacity yet. According to the image it has a metal frame and a unibody design.


§ 45-801. Act, how cited.
Sections 45-801 to 45-815 shall be known and may be cited as the Credit Services Organization Act.
(5) Person shall include individual, corporation, company, association, partnership, limited liability company, and other business entity.
(k) A person licensed to engage in the business of debt management pursuant to sections 69-1201 to 69-1217.
(2) The burden of proving an exemption under this section shall be on the person claiming the exemption.
(7) Advertise or cause to be advertised, in any manner whatsoever, the services of a credit services organization without filing a registration statement with the Secretary of State under section 45-806 unless otherwise provided by the Credit Services Organization Act.
§ 45-805. Surety bond or surety account; requirements; action on surety; depository; Secretary of State; powers and duties.
(1) A credit services organization conducting business in this state shall obtain a surety bond or establish a surety account which complies with this section. The bond or account shall be in the amount of one hundred thousand dollars.
(2) If a surety bond is obtained, the bond shall be issued by a surety company authorized to do business in this state and a copy of the bond shall be filed with the Secretary of State. If a surety account is established, the account shall be established and maintained at a federally insured bank or savings and loan association located in this state and notification of the depository, the trustee, and the account number shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
(3) The bond or account shall be in favor of the state for the benefit of any person who is damaged by any violation of the Credit Services Organization Act. The bond or account shall also be in favor of any person damaged by such a violation.
(4) Any person claiming against the bond or account for a violation of the act may maintain an action at law against the credit services organization and against the surety or trustee. The surety or trustee shall be liable only for damages awarded under section 45-810. The aggregate liability of the surety or trustee to all persons damaged by a credit services organization's violation of the act shall not exceed the amount of the bond or account.
(5) A depository holding money in a surety account under the act shall not convey money in the account to the credit services organization that established the account or a representative of the credit services organization unless the credit services organization or representative presents a statement issued by the Secretary of State indicating that subsection (6) of this section has been satisfied in relation to the account. The Secretary of State may conduct investigations and require submission of information as necessary to enforce this subsection.
(6) The bond or account shall be maintained until two years after the date that the credit services organization ceases operation in this state.
§ 45-806. Registration statement; contents; requirements; fee.
(b) The name and address of any person who directly or indirectly owns or controls ten percent or more of the outstanding shares of stock in the credit services organization.
(b) A notarized statement that there has been no litigation or unresolved complaint filed with a governmental authority of this state relating to the operation of the credit services organization.
(3) The credit services organization shall update the registration statement within ninety days after the date on which a change in the information required in the statement occurs.
(4) Each credit services organization registering under this section shall maintain a copy of the registration statement in the files of the credit services organization. The credit services organization shall allow a buyer to inspect the registration statement on request.
(5) The Secretary of State may charge each credit services organization that files a registration statement with the Secretary of State a reasonable fee not to exceed one hundred dollars to cover the cost of filing. The Secretary of State shall not require a credit services organization to provide information other than that provided in the registration statement.
§ 45-807. Written statement to buyer; contents; credit services organization; duties.
(i) A complete and accurate statement of the availability of nonprofit credit counseling services.
(2) The credit services organization shall maintain on file, for a period of two years after the date the statement is provided, an exact copy of the statement, signed by the buyer, acknowledging receipt of the statement.
§ 45-808. Contract; requirements; cancellation; procedure; notice; breach; effect.
(d) The address of the credit services organization's principal place of business and the name and address of its agent in the state authorized to receive service of process.
(2) The credit services organization shall return any payment made by a buyer under the contract if the buyer cancels the contract within three days after it is signed. The payment shall be returned within ten days after the date the organization receives the cancellation notice from the buyer.
To cancel this contract, mail or deliver a signed, dated copy of this cancellation notice or other written notice to: (name of seller) at (address of seller) (place of business) not later than midnight (date) I hereby cancel this transaction.
(4) The credit services organization shall give to the buyer a copy of the completed contract and all other documents the credit services organization requires the buyer to sign at the time they are signed.
(5) The breach by a credit services organization of a contract under the Credit Services Organization Act or of any obligation arising from a contract under the act shall be a violation of the act.
§ 45-809. Waiver of rights; void.
A credit services organization shall not attempt to cause a buyer to waive a right under the Credit Services Organization Act. A purported waiver by a buyer of any part of the act shall be void.
A buyer injured by a violation of the Credit Services Organization Act may bring an action for recovery of damages. The damages awarded shall not be less than the amount paid by the buyer to the credit services organization plus reasonable attorney's fees and court costs.
The Attorney General or a buyer may bring an action in district court to enjoin a violation of the Credit Services Organization Act.
§ 45-812. Violation; deceptive trade practice.
A violation of the Credit Services Organization Act shall be a deceptive trade practice under the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
§ 45-813. Statute of limitations.
An action may not be brought under section 45-810 or 45-812 after four years after the date of the execution of the contract for services to which the action relates.
A person who violates the Credit Services Organization Act shall be guilty of a Class II misdemeanor.
The remedies provided by the Credit Services Organization Act shall be in addition to other remedies provided by law.


text:
namespace Octokit.Reactive
{
    /// <summary>
    /// Used to maintain api structure therefore contains no methods
    /// </summary>
    public interface IObservableGitDatabaseClient
    {
        IObservableBlobsClient Blob { get; }
        IObservableTagsClient Tag { get; }
        IObservableTreesClient Tree { get; }
        IObservableCommitsClient Commit { get; }
        IObservableReferencesClient Reference { get; }
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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Simpler Times Art Show and Sale by Nathana Cox
38 North Chadbourne
rawstudio38@yahoo.com
Date: October 6, 2022 to October 29, 2022
Raw 1899, San Angelo, Texas' premier art lounge, presents Simpler Times Art Show and Sale, October 6 to 29, 2022, featuring the work of artist Nathana ("Thana") Cox.
Opening Champagne Reception will be Thursday, October 6, from 4 to 8 p.m., and the public is invited to meet the artist. There is no cost to attend.
The crazy fun of a tire swing. Wind-whipped laundry on a clothesline. A country chapel adorned with stained glass windows as colorful as creation itself. San Angelo artist and Raw 1899 Co-Owner, Cox captures those images and more in her beautiful tribute to days gone by.
She grew up on the family ranch in Brownwood, Texas, and much of her inspiration for this show comes from there and from the people and places of that small-town life. Also, ideas came from several of her friends who shared with Nathana photos of their simpler times.
Cox has painted for 13 years and has sold widely in West Texas and throughout the state. Boldness, panache, and confident use of color are hallmarks of her unique style. Her work in this show, with oils and mixed media, demonstrates her ability to tell a story and bring yesteryear to life.
See her body of work at www.ArtbyNathana.com and check out fresh-off-the-easel paintings on her socials.
Raw 1899, 38 North Chadbourne Street, historic downtown San Angelo, Texas
Hours: 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesday – Saturday
Website: www.raw1899.com
Follow Raw 1899 on its social media accounts.


Grille with support and padding of polyurethane for a better comfort and breathability.Palmilla of EVA for a better comfort. Vibram Exmoor. Sole of rubber and EVA bandeleta of 2densities. Thanks to its great fit, cushioning and lightness is advisable for mountain racing, cross, guidance and raids.


Quality is our priority. That's why we have a Quality Improvement (QI) Program. It works with our providers to help deliver better care and services to our members. Each year we strive to improve your health care.
It's important to take care of your health. Ask your primary care provider (PCP) about which tests and screenings are right for you.
The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) rates health plans each year. Ratings help you know how good of a job our plan is doing. You can use this rating to compare our plan's quality to other plans.


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By Jessica Lau
create - inspire - thrill
Category Archives: Make the world a better place
Archive by category "Make the world a better place"
Jessica Coffee Break & Story Time,Make the world a better place better world, blog, differences, enjoy the little things, feel, judge, laugh, life, live, love, news, objective, observe, perspective, social media, story, sympahty, Traveller, war, world
A world full of judges
"Empathy begins with understanding life from another person's perspective. Nobody has an objective experience of reality. It's all through our own individual prisms."
~ Sterling K. Brown
I took this photo last year in Croatia. I was walking through Diocletian's Palace when I saw this woman sitting on the doorsteps, quietly smoking her cigarette. Watching her sitting there, alone, with strangers passing by without paying her any attention, I find it quite poignant.
Of course, I dramatised it in my head. She's probably just having a break from work and is happy not to have to talk to any annoying tourists for a moment. But I can't help to think of a story to support the image that I see. I guess, that's the storyteller in me.
What we see and what we think that we see, are two totally different things. But very often we are oblivious of the thin line between these two statements. And sometimes it leads to big consequences. Especially nowadays with social media controlling our judgment.
I think that we tend to see what we want to see and we convince ourselves that our story to the image is true. When a story is attached to an image, we are not objective anymore. Even though we have nothing to do with the whole situation. There are not many of us who can jump out of the story and be objective without making a judgment. Seeing things from a different perspective.
Here's a recent example in the Dutch newspapers. Two guests were invited to a talkshow. One is a tv host who has been wrongfully accused of taking bribes and during the investigation she was treated like a criminal and nobody wants to have anything to do with her. The other guest was a father of a rape and murder victim. The tv host told her story, telling everyone how bad it was to be treated like a criminal and being wrongfully accused and how it affected her mentally. In her perspective, she suffered badly from it. Later, the host of the talkshow mentioned in an article how he was hoping that this tv host would've reflected her feelings on the feelings of the father of the murder victim. Implicating that what she has suffered is nothing compared to what the father of the raped and murdered girl has gone through.
A lot of people agreed with the talkshow host. They already formed a judgment after reading this article. They ventilated on social media how insensitive the tv host was, whining about her problems while the other person has suffered ten times worst. But, is this fair? Should she be the only guest that night or paired with a different guest who didn't suffer such tremendous trauma, wouldn't we have sympathy for her? Wouldn't people have different thoughts about her situation? But yet, she was paired to somebody who's lost a daughter on a very gruesome way and she has become the whiny, insensitive woman.
Is this a fair comparison? Both have suffered a trauma, but because in the eyes of the audience one is more severe than the other, does that mean that for the tv host it is not horrible what's she gone through? And thus, she has no right to complain about it? Don't get me wrong, I think it's horrible what happened to the father. And as a mother, I, too, think that what happened to the tv host pales in comparison to losing a child. But I am aware that something tragic happened to both of them. And that they both suffer from pain. But just because we, outsiders, grade the sorrow differently, does not mean that the person who suffered the, in our eyes, less severe trauma is hurt less and therefore suffers less pain. By thinking this way only shows how insensitive people themselves are. Something that these people should reflect on, but they don't see it, because in their eyes, they are right. Perspective.
However difficult it may seem, we all should learn to see things from different perspectives. How often do we hear that one opinion leads to disagreement and sometimes even causes unnecessary fights between two groups. Only because they see things differently. Let's try to understand each other and understand the situation before we judge. Or even better yet; try not to judge. If we all start with ourselves, this world may eventually become an even more beautiful place.
Coffee Break & Story Time
Words that count
Does real contact still exist?
Kindly request not to assume that your assumptions are true
The feeling that you're useless…FIGHT IT!
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Rushing waters is a beautiful song from You Are The Fire album by Dustin smith. Words & Music by Dustin Smith & Michael Farren. Dustin Smith has been positioned as a leader of today's worship revolution. Along with being in revival, traveling, songwriting, & leading worship. With five albums under his belt in collaboration with his church, this is Dustin's first live album as a solo effort. The project was produced by Michael Farren (Pocket Full of Rocks) and Kyle Lee (Michael W. Smith). Other collaborators include: Jennie Lee Riddle, Carl Albrecht, Stu G, and others.


UFO SIGHTINGS DAILY: UFO Fleet Over Glasgow, Scotland On Sept 26, 2015, UFO Sighting News.
UFO Fleet Over Glasgow, Scotland On Sept 26, 2015, UFO Sighting News.
I was on my phone and someone messaged saying that the moon looked beautiful tonight a it did. I the looked out the window to see 4 red lights in the sky. At first I thought it was glare coming from the window, then I opened my window to discover these orbs flying across the sky. I took a picture then called my mother. I habe never felt so nervous in my life. When I was speaking to her she could see the orbs flying where I was I could see exactly where they were coming from. I seen 4 orbs form a diamond shape then orb into one then shoot across the sky one at a time. All In there were 7-8 orbs flying in the same flight path.


Bear (Clinton Pennington) is still recovering from his heartbreak in season 3. He has finally met someone he is crazy about, but is acting very un-Bear-like and taking things very slowly. He knows he's fallen too hard too fast before and he's trying to protect his heart this time. I love how he is always there for his friends, which we've seen through this whole series.
Adam is in love with Cassie. He's also running his fraternity and doing a really good job at it. He seems to have trouble committing to Cassie despite his feelings. He thinks he's doing the right thing but messes up over and over again.
Cassie McBee seems to live her life surrounded by boy drama. This time the only guy in her life is Adam. She is crazy about him, but he keeps disappointing her. A lot. For some reason, though, she still can't let him go.
Skyler Thorne is a take no prisoners kind of girl. She's on the edge of breaking out as a serious poker player and is set to play in her most important tournament yet. She hits a lot of bumps in the road this season, though. She is really struggling with what she REALLY wants out of life. She's still devoted to her family, but she's letting a special someone into her heart.
Jess Vonnegut is recovering from a broken heart and trying to get her groove back. She used to be known as a heart killer on campus, but she's struggling to go back to that after being in a relationship.
Erin Xander is a HOT MESS, and understandably so. All those things in the past that she never dealt with are coming to haunt hurt. She's hurting herself (mentally) as well as friends who are important to her.
Ashlei is coming back to her internship full force. She is still crazy about her boss and has hopes to continue what they started. She also wants to make a name for herself in the event planning industry. She doesn't want to be the girl who slept her way to the top. She has a lot to balance right now.
While we see everyone's storyline again in this book, the most prominent are Skyler and Erin. It's a rollercoaster. These girls are pulled in so many different directions. I was rooting for them the entire time. I'm continuing to love Ashlei's storyline as well.
Staying strong to the steam in the previous books: College. Greek Life. This book seems to focus more on how each character is growing and dealing with life so not as hot as previous seasons.
I was sorry to see this groups' stories end. I did enjoy reading more about the characters. Some still made me roll my eyes. Some I was really rooting for. This book pairs with Kandi Steiner's Black Number Four and she lets you know what chapters to read to get a more complete story of the characters and other things going on in the story.
Written like your favorite drama television show, the Palm South University series has been called "a mix of Greek meets Gossip Girl with a dash of Friends." Follow seven college students as they maneuver unrequited love, teacher/student romance, the tangles of "no strings" relationships, love triangles and more. Each "season" has six "episodes," and just like when your favorite show hits Netflix, you can read just one episode at a time or binge the entire thing. With the perfect mix of angst, emotional romance, and romantic comedy, the Palm South University series is your next guilty addiction.


Tokyo Sushi Academy | What can you learn from Tokyo Sushi Academy? It is more than How to make Sushi !
What can you learn from Tokyo Sushi Academy?
It is more than How to make Sushi !
The courses provided by Tokyo Sushi Academy are very various and of course the students too.
Some students are retired from their job and trying to enjoy their second life as Sushi master.
Some students even come from halfway around the world to learn real Sushi making here in Japan.
with other students even outside of the school.
The other day, we planed a casual drinking party at Okinawa cuisine Izakaya restaurant in Tsukiji.
Okinawan unique dishes and drinking Sake .
Don't you think this is amazing!?
Also, those interractive events with students are very wonderful opportunity for us, school staffs.
We can hear the direct feedback about the curses from the students who are learning in the classes right now.
Hearing those feedbacks are actually helping us to make our school better.
We belive, even those small things lead the real Japanese food culture spread to all around the world.
Well, so if you have any interest in learning Sushi and having a wonderful time with us, don't hesitate and feel free to contact us!
There are various egg dishes such as… It's Anago Day!


Šis namelis – patogioje vietoje. Yra lauko baseinas. Calistoga karštieji šaltiniai netoliese.
We have stayed there several times and always enjoyed it.
Love the cute cottage with vintage style. Beds comfortable and one of the few places that advertise handicap accessible that is. We called to let them know we were checking in after hours and they made arrangements for late checkin and we went by office the next day to pay and check in officially. When we arrived some one had parked in our slot, we did have to knock on a few doors to get cars owner to move but property manager came out and helped work out situation. Within walking distance of store and downtown. Only complaint wish the pool spa area was open later.
Comfortable bed, nice size room. The price is right for the accommodations. Staff very friendly. Great location to walk around Calistoga!
A clean, comfortable room 4 blocks from downtown.


text:
Problems with experts, Brian Easton
Posted on June 1, 2012 by NZ Books
The New Zealand Tax System: New Zealand Taxes in Comparative Perspective
Rob Salmond
Institute of Policy Studies, $30.00,
The New Zealand Economy: An Introduction
Ralph Lattimore and Shamubeel Eaqub
Auckland University Press, $34.99,
To begin with the final paragraph of Rob Salmond's book:
The educational role of experts is important in a democracy because it is the public, via their elected representatives, who are charged with making the final decisions over the experts' suggestions. The principle of informed consent requires that experts actively inform laypeople before seeking their consent. The tax system ultimately belongs to the citizens, not to the experts. And in order to make that ownership real, experts have a continuing responsibility to make balanced, high quality information about the tax system not just publicly available knowledge; but rather public knowledge.
Alas, experts play a small role in the New Zealand economic debate, which is dominated by politicians – in and out of Parliament – with agendas, and journalists willing to uncritically pass them on. The result is nicely illustrated by a couple of Salmond's conclusions: "Some people have argued that New Zealand's consumption tax is smaller than average … that conclusion is misleading at best", and
Some have suggested that New Zealand's top income tax was unusually and punishingly high under the previous government. That is incorrect … . In fact, it is the new top tax rate that is unusual for OECD countries. It is unusually low. … [T]he data also reveal New Zealand is an unusually lighter taxer of both corporate dividends and capital gains.
These conclusions are derived from a chapter-by-chapter analysis of various taxes, mainly involving a comparison with other OECD-country rates. It is a tedious exercise, but the conclusion seems to be robust: our tax system does not redistribute spending power as much as most other OECD countries. That is not a complete story, because there are redistributional effects from social security and other government spending (especially on education and health). Probably, we don't redistribute well through them either. The implications are – I am stretching the book's findings, but consistently with other research – that New Zealand has long abandoned any pretence of using the government to create an egalitarian society.
How did the egalitarian objective slip away? Answering this is beyond the scope of the study, but the opening chapters provide insights by tracing the workings of the 2025 Taskforce (chaired by Don Brash) and the Tax Working Group (TWG) (chaired by Professor Bob Buckle).
Salmond is dismissive of the Brash Taskforce. Aside from the few who consulted its background papers, its process "added nothing to [the public's] understanding of how tax in New Zealand compares to tax elsewhere. Given the Taskforce's first major recommendation was to reform the tax system in dramatic ways, this absence was unhelpful."
He is more positive about the TWG, which "represents a big step in a good direction for policy making in New Zealand", because, despite being expert, it had a more open consultative approach. Even so, he thinks there is room for improvement: "The TWG drew its membership from a narrow class of people (mainly academic economists, tax lawyers and accountants, all of whom were men)." Polite company omits to mention that all had incomes in excess of $100,000 a year, which may be why they paid so little attention to the impact of their recommendations on those on lower incomes. Let me instead point out that there was an absence of rural specialists too, and blow-me-down, there wasn't much TWG sympathy for rural New Zealand's concerns, either.
That is the problem with experts. They may be more knowledgeable, but they (especially the ones the government consults) hold privileged positions in society. Growing inequality and social heterogeneity mean they are increasingly disconnected from the general masses; the result is divisive recommendations.
Salmond interestingly investigates the reportage of both groups in the New Zealand Herald, using its website (he is a New Zealander based at the University of Michigan). He seems to have missed that most appears on the business pages, which are not well read by even the majority of Herald readers. What the opening paragraph omits is the need for mediators connecting experts and public (although Salmond rightly draws attention to the excellence of Brian Fallows, economics editor of the Herald).
The New Zealand Economy: An Introduction is probably a book more for mediators (columnists and journalists) than the general public, even though the authors say it is "aimed at those who want a pocket guide to the New Zealand economy" – at 210mm by 150mm, one needs a large pocket. (They also say it is "designed as an introductory text … for school and university students".)
I happen to be writing this review on a day in which the economic headline is "NZ current account deficit worsens", so let's test how the book might be used to understand that story. The index tells me there are three pages starting at p27, and a further four pages starting at p79. The first section opens with:
The current account balance measures many of the transactions across New Zealand's borders. It captures the value of imports and exports, and also some money flows. Conceptually, the current account measures the difference between a nation's savings and its investments. If investment exceeds savings, then we have to borrow as a nation from overseas.
Totally meaningful to an economist (I promise not to get more complicated), but most readers of this review (only a selection of an educated elite who read NZB) will struggle with the paragraph – even had they read the book's previous pages, for not all the concepts used here are well-defined earlier, either. This is not a book for general readers.
But suppose you are a journalist who has been asked to write the story up (perhaps just after coming off the front-page story of a "mother jailed seven years for repeatedly abusing child"). You have done a course in economics some years ago – it's why the chief reporter gave you the story – but it was probably badly taught. Hopefully, this section would prompt some memories from the course, and alert you to snags in the notions the news item is using. A few pages on is a useful graph of the current account deficit as a proportion of GDP (ie aggregate market production) and you might observe that the level (4.3 per cent of GDP) is not too different from a typical level for the last third of a century (although it bobs around from year to year). At this point you will be prepared to go to an expert, although whether you can translate her or him right (or pick their agenda) is another matter.
Fortunately today's news story is not about the International Investment Position (for you, dear reader, let's call it how much we owe overseas), which has been preoccupying us in recent years (it influences our international credit rating, the ease with which we can borrow offshore, and interest rates in New Zealand). My hunt through the index proved fruitless. It turns out there is a paragraph and chart (p79) but it's too dense for non-specialists to make sense of.
So despite its claim, we have to think of the book as having a different – and less modest – objective. It sets out an account of the course and performance of the New Zealand economy since about 1980 written around the notion of New Zealand as a small, open (ie engaged with the international economy) and relatively rich economy.
Now, economists scrap like Kilkenny cats over the narrative and analysis of an economy – the profession is built around vigorous robust debate – and it is incumbent on me to disagree with authors Ralph Lattimore and Shamubeel Eaqub of the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research. But let's leave that to another venue. In truth, the core of the profession agrees on about 90 per cent of all things (no one takes the slightest interest when we agree) – my guess is we would mainly disagree about omissions. The account the two authors provide is certainly within that core, so the reader who persists – they would probably have had to have done some preliminary study of economics – will find the book a useful introduction, as promised.
There are two appendices: on technology by Gary Hawke, which will disappoint general readers, and on "City and Globalisation: Is Auckland Special?" by Philip McCann. The introduction describes the latter as the "new topic of economic geography". Oops, it is about 30 years old, so established that Paul Krugman was awarded the 2008 Nobel memorial prize in economics for his work on it. It may be new to New Zealand and to readers; McCann provides a useful non-technical introduction.
Brian Easton is an economic historian and New Zealand Listener columnist.
Tagged with: Auckland University Press, Brian Easton, Institute of Policy Studies, Issue 98, Ralph Lattimore, Rob Salmond, Shamubeel Eaqub, Winter 2012
Posted in Non-fiction, Review
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Hybrid Pickup Truck [4 Hybrid Trucks You Can Buy Today]
Oct 22, 2021 Sep 26, 2021 by Kwame Owusu
Thinking about buying a hybrid pickup truck? Learn why hybrid trucks are good vehicles and all the models you can buy today.
With the electric car craze taking over the pickup truck segment with extreme fervor, you might have missed the slew of new hybrid pickup trucks to hit the market lately. Despite all the hype surrounding pure-electric pickups, it is mass hybridization rather than full electrification that will define the segment in the near future.
Why? Well, hybridized trucks have several key advantages that make them better than the current batch of electric trucks.
This guide discusses what exactly a hybrid pickup truck is, all the hybrid truck models currently on the market, upcoming models, and the advantages of owning one over a gas-powered or electric truck.
Before we begin, here is a quick overview of all available hybrid pickup models:
2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid
2022 Ram 1500 eTorque Hybrid
2022 Ford Maverick Hybrid
Size Full-size Full-size Full-size Compact
Type Full hybrid Full hybrid Mild hybrid Full hybrid
Battery 1.5 kWh 1.87 kWh 0.43 kWh 1.1 kWh
Power 430 hp 437 hp 305 hp V6, 395 hp V8 191 hp
Torque 570 lb-ft. 583 lb-ft. 269 lb-ft. V6, 410 lb-ft. V8 155 lb-ft.
Fuel economy (city / hwy / combined) 25/26/25 mpg TBA 20/25/22, 17/23/19 mpg 42/33/37 mpg
Payload 2,120 lbs (962 kg) 1,940 lbs (880 kg) 1,850 to 2,320 lbs (2,849 – 3,715 kg) 1,500 lbs (680 kg)
Towing 12,700 lbs (5,761 kg) 12,000 lbs (5,443 kg) 7,740 lbs to 11,560 lbs (3,511-5,244 kg) Towing: 2,000 lbs (907 kg)
What Is A Hybrid Pickup Truck?
Types Of Hybrid Trucks
Full Hybrid
Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)
Available Hybrid Pickup Truck Models
Ford F-150 Hybrid
Toyota Tundra Hybrid
Ford Maverick Hybrid
RAM 1500 eTorque
Future Hybrid Truck Models
Toyota Tacoma Hybrid
Jeep Gladiator Hybrid
Honda Ridgeline Hybrid
Benefits Of Hybrid Trucks
Are Hybrid Trucks Worth It? Final Thoughts
A hybrid truck, like all other hybridized vehicles, is a pickup truck that uses an internal combustion engine and at least one electric motor for propulsion.
The electric motor sources its energy from a high-voltage battery pack that's typically charged by the combustion engine and/or through regenerative braking. This battery is separate from the conventional 12-volt battery used to power the vehicle's ancillary components (lights, wipers, etc.).
Sometimes, the gas or diesel engine does all the work, while other times, it's entirely the electric motor. The main purpose of a hybrid powertrain, however, is for both powerplants to work together to reduce fuel consumption, improve fuel economy, and, in some instances, provide a boost in power.
The first mainstream hybrid pickup trucks were the Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid and GMC Sierra Hybrid. Introduced in 2005, both models proved unsuccessful because they commanded a hefty price premium without providing much improvement over the non-hybrid Silverado and Sierra.
Hybrid technology was not advanced or feasible at the time, and General Motor's failure likely discouraged other automakers from investing in hybrid pickups until nearly two decades later.
While nearly everyone and their mother has heard of hybrid vehicles thanks to the success of the Toyota Prius, not many are aware of the various types that exist.
There are three main types of hybrid vehicles — full hybrids, mild hybrids, and plug-in hybrids — each designed to accomplish a different mission, ranging from maximizing fuel economy to minimizing the cost of the vehicle.
A full hybrid vehicle (FHEV) can run using just the gas/diesel engine, the electric drivetrain for a short distance, or both.
When pulling away or driving at low speeds, the system only uses the electric motor for power, resulting in little to no fuel consumption. The combustion engine takes over during rapid acceleration and remains in operation at high speeds.
With a full hybrid, the battery is exclusively charged through regenerative braking or by running the engine. There is no plugging into anything.
Mild hybrids are a simpler, "milder" version of full hybrids, boasting a smaller electric motor and battery. What really sets them apart, however, is that their electric motor and battery are too weak to work independently of the combustion engine.
That's to say mild hybrid trucks cannot travel on electric power alone, even over a short distance. Instead, the electric motor works mainly to provide a small boost of power to the gas/diesel engine when accelerating and help alleviate the burden of power-hungry systems (air conditioning, etc.) on the engine.
Pickup trucks are expensive vehicles that get lower gas mileage than other vehicle body styles. Mild hybrid systems are inexpensive way of improving efficiency, but their limited capabilities make them unable to improve fuel economy to the same degree as full hybrids can.
Whereas full and mild hybrid pickup trucks charge their batteries solely from engine power and regenerative braking, plug-in hybrids have a much larger battery pack that can be charged using external electricity sources, in addition to those internal means.
Like full hybrids, plug-in hybrids can operate using only the electric motor, combustion engine, or both; however, their larger battery capacities generally grant them a much greater electric-only range.
These hybrids are the most expensive type and represent a halfway point between hybrid and all-electric trucks.
"Do hybrid trucks exist?" is a question I often hear people ask. Not only do they exist, but there are more today than there have ever been, and they are better than ever.
Thanks to advances in battery tech and engineering, many of the top pickup truck makers now offer a capable hybrid-electric truck of some sort. Ford, Toyota, and RAM are key players, and Honda and Jeep may soon join the fray.
The Ford F-1500 Hybrid and Maverick Hybrid, Toyota Tundra Hybrid, and RAM 1500 eTorque Hybrid are prime examples of hybrid trucks you can buy today. Let's take a look at what each one has to offer.
2021 Ford F-150 PowerBoost Specs
Size: Full-size truck
Type: Full hybrid
Power: 430 horsepower
Torque: 570 lb-ft.
Fuel Economy: 25/26/25 mpg
Payload: 2,120 lbs (962 kg)
Towing: 12,700 lbs (5,761 kg)
Kicking things off is the hybrid version of the Ford F-150, the best-selling pickup truck of all time.
The so-called Ford F-150 PowerBoost is a full hybrid truck that combines a twin-turbo V6, an electric motor, and a 10-speed automatic transmission to produce 430 horsepower and 570 pound-feet of torque, quite a bit more power than the non-hybrid V6 F-150.
Power for the electric motor comes from a 1.5-kWh lithium-ion battery packaged under the truck bed so that it doesn't reduce passenger or storage room.
This setup allows the Ford F-150 hybrid to drive in electric-only mode at speeds of up 50 mph (80 km/h) before the gas engine kicks in to take over, a much higher speed than what other full-size hybrid pickup trucks can manage.
You can expect fuel economy of up to 25 mpg in combined city and highway driving (25 mpg city, 26 mpg highway) — a significant improvement over the non-hybrid V6 — and should be able to travel up to 750 miles (1,207 km) on a single tank.
The F-150 Hybrid can use its engine to spin the electric motor and turn it into a generator, allowing owners to power electrical components or even their entire house when the power goes out or there is no readily available power source, something none of its competitors can do.
2022 Toyota Tundra Hybrid Specs
Fuel Economy: TBA
Toyota is the leader in hybrid vehicles; however, it wasn't until the arrival of the third-generation Toyota Tundra that the company introduced its first-ever hybridized pickup truck, the 2022 Toyota Tundra Hybrid.
Similar to the F-150 Hybrid, the hybrid Tundra employs a new i-Force Max powertrain that pairs a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 gasoline engine with an electric motor supplied by a 288-volt, 1.87 kWh Nickel-Metal Hydride battery stored under the rear passenger seats.
It produces 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque, channeled to the wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission. That's a lot more power than the 389 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque produced by the nonhybrid V6 Tundra.
The electric motor powers the truck at low engine speeds. When speed rises above 18 mph (29 km/h), the gas engine takes over and stays in operation.
The Toyota Tundra Hybrid is expected to achieve a combined fuel economy rating of around 28 MPG on the EPA test cycle. As a full-size pickup truck, it's currently the only real competitor to the Ford F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid.
2022 Ford Maverick Hybrid Specs
Size: Compact (small truck)
Towing: 2,000 lbs (907 kg)
Ford offers another hybridized pickup truck beside the F-150 PowerBoost, and it's geared towards individuals who want a smaller, more affordable, and more maneuverable work vehicle.
The compact, car-based Ford Maverick Hybrid isn't a hardcore pickup like its larger sibling, nor is it a plug-in hybrid like many people seem to think. Rather, it is a full hybrid that mates a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle gas engine to a small electric motor and battery.
The system produces 191 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque, sent exclusively to the front wheels (there is no all-wheel-drive option at launch) via a conditionally variable transmission (CVT).
The Ford Maverick Hybrid can haul as much as 1,500 lbs and tow 2,000 lbs, enough for the needs of most people. It can achieve 40 mpg in city driving, making it the most fuel-efficient pickup truck with a combustion engine, hybrid or not.
Ford says the Hybrid Maverick can travel up to 500 miles (805 km) on a single tank of gas.
2022 RAM 1500 eTorque Specs
Type: Mild hybrid
Power: 305 hp V6, 395 hp V8
Torque: 269 lb-ft V6, 410 lb-ft V8
Fuel Economy: 20/25/22, 17/23/19 mpg
Payload: 1,850 to 2,320 lbs (2,849 – 3,715 kg)
Towing: 7,740 to 11,560 lbs (3,511-5,244 kg)
The RAM 1500 uses a mild hybrid system, making it the least sophisticated hybrid truck on the market.
Mild hybrid systems are smaller and less capable than full hybrids since the gas engine and electric motor must always work in conjunction, and the electric motor is too weak to power the vehicle on its own.
As a $995 option on high-trim models, RAM's affordable 'eTorque' 48-volt battery-alternator-starter mild-hybrid system adds about 90 pound-feet of torque when paired with the truck's Pentastar V6 engine and 130 lb.-ft. with its more powerful Hemi V8.
The eTorque V8 RAM 1500 is around 2 mpg more fuel-efficient than the non-eTorque V8 model, while the eTorque V6 gets the same mileage as the regular V6 model.
RAM's engineers estimate that you can save around 48 gallons (180 liters) of fuel if you stop at a stoplight 10 times every day for a year.
Despite being a full-size truck with hybrid-electric capabilities, the RAM 1500 Hybrid is not a serious competitor to the Ford F-150 Hybrid and Toyota Tundra Hybrid. Its eTorque hybrid system is simply too weak.
The Ford F-150 and Maverick hybrids, Toyota Tundra Hybrid, and RAM 1500 eTorque Hybrid will be joined by several other hybridized pickups in the coming years.
There will also be a Toyota Tacoma Hybrid, a Jeep Gladiator Plug-in Hybrid, and possibly a Honda Ridgeline Hybrid.
Toyota has announced that every gas-powered Toyota model will have an electrified option by 2025. That includes the Tacoma midsize pickup.
In fact, the Japanese automaker will use the same TNGA-F platform that underpins the new Tundra for the next-generation Tacoma, meaning the model will be designed from the ground up to be hybrid-ready.
As with the Tundra lineup, the Tacoma Hybrid will likely be more powerful than the gas-powered version.
Much like Toyota, Jeep will give all its models an electrified option in the next few years.
Considering that the Gladiator is essentially a pickup version of the Wrangler, and there is already a plug-in hybrid version of the Wrangler, it's more than likely that a Gladiator plug-in hybrid is on the way.
Pickup trucks are more lucrative than SUVs, so Jeep has a very good reason to give its mid-size pickup a hybrid powertrain.
Like the Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid, the Gladiator Hybrid will pair a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with two electric motors to produce approximately 375 combined horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. It should be able to drive 20 miles (32 km) on electricity alone.
The Ridgeline is the only pickup truck Honda offers, and it may be getting a hybrid version to increase its relevance in the marketplace.
According to reports, the Honda Ridgeline Hybrid will pair the V6 engine of the gas-powered model with an electric motor and a decently sized battery.
Not only will it be more fuel-efficient than the V6 Ridgeline, but it may also be more powerful.
The Ridgeline is a car-based compact pickup, so its main competitor is the Ford Maverick Hybrid.
There are several compelling reasons for buying a hybridized pickup over a gas-powered or all-electric truck.
Full and plug-in hybrids can be significantly more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly than their gas/diesel counterparts since they can operate on electric power alone. They also tend to have better resale value.
Also read: Pros And Cons Of Electric Cars
Compared to electric vehicles, these partially electrified trucks can be driven anywhere and are just as convenient to use as any regular truck.
Moreover, being that there are gas stations everywhere and their batteries are recharged internally by the combustion engine and/or through regenerative braking, you never have to worry about range anxiety or finding a charging station.
But the biggest advantage hybrid pickup trucks have over electric pickups is driving range when under load.
Towing or hauling heavy loads places considerable strain on an electrified vehicle's batteries and can reduce the range of an electric truck by as much as one-third or one-half.
Hybrid trucks simply switch to using their combustion engine in those situations and don't have to contend with such an issue.
The Ford F-150 Hybrid, for instance, can carry and tow more than the electric F-150 Lightning because it's not restricted by the capacity and capability of its battery.
So, despite all the hoopla about electric pickup trucks, hybrid trucks may actually be the better work vehicles for those few people who use their pickups for what they were designed for — work.
Hybridized pickup trucks are worth it if you need the capabilities of a pickup truck and want to save money on gas.
They are more fuel-efficient and typically more powerful than regular, gas/diesel-powered trucks and offer better hauling and towing capabilities than comparable electric trucks.
Does anyone make a hybrid pickup truck? You bet! Technological advances have made hybridized pickups very feasible, so there are a lot more hybrid trucks available today than there have ever been.
The Ford F-150 Hybrid, Ford Maverick Hybrid, and Toyota Tundra Hybrid are excellent full-size options that provide superior fuel economy and capabilities over their gas counterparts, while the Ford Maverick Hybrid is a solid alternative for those looking for a small truck that's incredibly fuel-efficient.
Many experts don't consider the RAM 1500 eTorque a real hybrid because of the simplicity of its mild hybrid system, but the system does enhance the truck's torque output.
While General Motors has no plans to release a Chevrolet Silverado hybrid or GMC Sierra hybrid, Jeep will introduce a plug-in Gladiator hybrid and Toyota is making a Tacoma Hybrid. Honda is reported to be working on a hybrid version of the Ridgeline.
Forget about electric trucks — with so many great choices on the market, there has never been a better time to buy a hybrid pickup truck.
Categories Car Buying


What exactly does it mean to be unapologetically human? Well, perhaps Dr. Steve Maraboli's description of the true essence of beauty in the quote below helps explain what it means to be unapologetically human. And to dwell on the topic further, we explore the thoughts and words of Aisha Thalia.
One truly phenomenal woman, who captures the meaning of the true essence of beauty and knows what it means to be unapologetic as a human, is the beautiful Aisha Thalia. As a model, mother, and a woman who inspires, creates, and speaks about what goes on around her, Thalia is viewed as an intellectual and holds a Masters in Education.
As someone who has had bouts with depression, Aisha Thalia is very comfortable in her perfect imperfection and has managed to overcome and move forward with a successful career. Her journey is an inspiration to many of her social media followers.
Be the first to comment on "Some Truths On Being Unapologetically Human with Aisha Thalia"
Is Ben Carson the Right Choice for Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development?


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Q: Custom python solver for pyomo I am responsible for a series of exercises for nonlinear optimization.
I thought it would be cool to start with some examples of optimization problems and solve them with pyomo + some black box solvers.
However, as the students learn more about optimization algorithms I wanted them to also implement some simple methods and test there implementation for the same examples. I hoped there would be an "easy" way to add a custom solver to pyomo however I cannot find any information about this.
Basically that would allow the students to check their implementation by just changing a single line in there code and compare to a well tested solver.
I would also try to implement a simple wrapper myself but I do not know anything about the pyomo internals.
Q: Can I add my own solvers written in python to pyomo? Solver could have an interface like the ones of scipy.optimize.
Ty for reading,
Franz

Related:

*

*Pyomo-Solver Communication

*Call scipy.optimize inside pyomo

A: The short answer is, "Yes: Pyomo is designed to be extensible and user-defined solvers are definitely supported."
The details are a bit more involved.  While Pyomo defines several "solver" class hierarchies, they are by no means required.  The core Pyomo relies on duck-typing and not inheritance when registering and working with solvers.  At the moment, the simplest solver interface needs only to implement the following methods:
class GenericSolverInterface(object):
    def solve(self,
              model: _BlockData,
              tee: bool = False,
              load_solutions: bool = True,
              logfile: Optional[str] = None,
              solnfile: Optional[str] = None,
              timelimit: Optional[float] = None,
              report_timing: bool = False,
              solver_io: Optional[str] = None,
              suffixes: Optional[Sequence] = None,
              options: Optional[Dict] = None,
              keepfiles: bool = False,
              symbolic_solver_labels: bool = False):
        pass

    def available(self, exception_flag=True) -> bool:
        pass

    def license_is_valid(self) -> bool:
        pass

    def version(self) -> Tuple:
        pass

    @property
    def options(self) -> ConfigDict:
        pass

    @options.setter
    def options(self, val):
        pass

Solvers are "registered" with the SolverFactory by either decorating the class:
from pyomo.opt import SolverFactory

@SolverFactory.register('demo', doc='DEMO Solver interface')
class DemoSolver(GenericSolverInterface):
    #...

or by explicitly calling the registration function
SolverFactory.register('demo', doc='DEMO Solver Interface')(DemoSolver)

The real trick is now how to implement the solve() method.  Pyomo will hand solve() the model (or Block) that the user wants to solve.  solve() then needs to convert the Pyomo model/Block into the format required by the solver.  This step is (obviously) very solver-specific, although there are somewhat standardized approaches for some common solver interface standards (e.g., LP files, MPS files, NL files, BAR files, etc.).  There are also other "in-development" interfaces that are more performant for specific use cases (direct in-memory solver interfaces, APPSI, PyNumero).
The simplest (and not very performant) approach could be to define a helper class that maps the Pyomo data structures to a simple set of lists:
from pyomo.core.base import Objective, Constraint
from pyomo.core.expr.visitor import identify_variables

class model_interface(object):
    def __init__(self, model):
        self.model = model
        self._obj = list(model.component_data_objects(Objective, active=True))
        self._con = list(model.component_data_objects(Constraint, active=True))
        self._var = {}
        for c in self._con:
            self._var.update({id(v): v for v in identify_variables(c.body)})
        self._var = list(self._var.values())

    @property
    def x(self):
        """Return the current list of variable values"""
        return [v.value for v in self._var]

    @x.setter
    def x(self, values):
        """Set the variables to new values"""
        for v, val in zip(self._var, values):
            v.set_value(val)

    @property
    def x_lb(self):
        """Return the list of variable lower bounds (may include None)"""
        return [v.lb for v in self._var]

    @property
    def x_ub(self):
        """Return the list of variable upper bounds (may include None)"""
        return [v.ub for v in self._var]

    @property
    def obj(self):
        """Return the list of objective values (computed using the current
        variable values)"""
        return [value(o) for o in self._obj]

    @property
    def con(self):
        """Return the list of constraint 'body' values (computed using the
        current variable values)
        """
        return [value(c) for c in self._con]

    @property
    def con_lb(self):
        """Return the list of constraint lower bounds (may include None)"""
        return [c.lb for c in self._con]

    @property
    def con_ub(self):
        """Return the list of constraint upper bounds (may include None)"""
        return [c.ub for c in self._con]

A: Yes, we have a number of ways to do this in Pyomo and lots of examples in various modules in pyomo.contrib. I think the easiest way for students would be to leverage a Pyomo extension module called PyNumero which was designed for writing nonlinear optimization algorithms in Python and can be found here: https://github.com/Pyomo/pyomo/tree/main/pyomo/contrib/pynumero
Here are a couple implementation examples using PyNumero:
SQP --> https://github.com/Pyomo/pyomo/blob/main/pyomo/contrib/pynumero/examples/sqp.py
Interior Point --> https://github.com/Pyomo/pyomo/tree/main/pyomo/contrib/interior_point
Interfacing to Scipy square solvers --> https://github.com/Pyomo/pyomo/blob/main/pyomo/contrib/pynumero/algorithms/solvers/scipy_solvers.py

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Yo ho, let's go! Set sail with Jake and his crew on a full-length, high-speed adventure on the high seas. According to the Never Land pirate code, Jake and his crew must race Bucky against the Jolly Roger and the sneaky Captain Hook. But if Bucky loses, he'll belong to Hook forever! Of course, Hook uses every trick in the book and wins the race! But, Jake and his crew might have a way to get Bucky back. With the help of Peter Pan, the young pirates embark on an adventure across Never Land that includes getting past a fire-breathing dragon! With your help, Jake's crew can save Bucky from the devious Captain Hook! Also, enjoy four more exciting Jake And The Never Land Pirates episodes! Overflowing with music, swashbuckling action, and seafaring fun, Jake Saves Bucky proves that being a hero comes from teamwork, determination, and friendship!


text:
Category: Legal Challenges
Category "Legal Challenges"
Jonathan H. Adler: Jim Blumstein on Why the Procedural Posture of King v. Burwell Might Matter
With only three decision days still scheduled for this Supreme Court Term (Thursday, Friday, and Monday), the waiting for the Court's decision in King v. Burwell will soon be over. Can there still be something new to say or think about at this point? Remarkably, the answer is yes.
Gov. Greg Abbott: Congress and Governors: Just Say No to Obamacare
The Supreme Court of the United States will soon decide the case of King v. Burwell. The legal question there is simple: Can the president wave his magic wand and rewrite Obamacare to mean whatever he wants it to mean? The correct answer is obviously no. The legal upshot is equally obvious: If King is correctly decided, the president will be barred from doling out Obamacare subsidies in Texas and the dozens of other states that refused to be lured into his eponymous welfare program.
Ilya Shapiro: Who Wins If The Supreme Court Disables Obamacare?
In the next few days, the Supreme Court will issue a decision in King v. Burwell, the most contentious case of the year. (I'm not counting same-sex marriage because everyone thinks it's a foregone conclusion.) For those still unfamiliar with what is probably the last existential legal challenge to Obamacare, King asks whether the text of the Affordable Care Act, which provides for subsidies for people who buy health insurance from exchanges "established by the state," also allows the IRS to give these tax credits to those buying from the federal healthcare.gov.
Brett Logiurato: The Fate of Obamacare Could Reside in the Hands of One of These 2 People
Sarah Ferris: Washington Whipped into Frenzy Ahead of ObamaCare Ruling
The wait is almost over for what could be the last big legal threat to ObamaCare.
Court watchers are working themselves into a frenzy awaiting a decision on King v. Burwell, one of the most anticipated cases of the year.
On opinion days, dozens of reporters are packing into the court or swarming the steps outside, while nearly 10,000 people tune into SCOTUSblog for live updates. False reports attempting to predict the timing of the decision have only further fueled the hype.
Across Capitol Hill, Republicans in the House and Senate briefed their members for the first time on Wednesday, trying to calm fears about what could happen to the 6.4 million people whose health insurance subsidies are at stake in the case.
Stephanie Armour: State GOP Leaders Press Congress to Revamp Health Care Law
State Republican leaders are ratcheting up the pressure on Congress to overhaul the Affordable Care Act if the Supreme Court this month rules that subsidies on the federal exchange are invalid.
Republicans from 33 states have written to Congress as part of a coordinated message urging federal legislators to develop a plan that would free states from the pressure of setting up their own exchanges to salvage subsidies, according to the Foundation for Government Accountability, a conservative think tank.
Reed Abelson: Health Insurers Brace for Supreme Court Ruling
Their industry already upended with the passage of the federal health care law, insurance companies are facing another upheaval if the Supreme Court rules that millions of Americans are not eligible for subsidies to help defray the cost of their coverage.
The court is expected to decide by the end of June or in early July whether it agrees with the plaintiffs in King v. Burwell that the language in the Affordable Care Act allows the government to offer subsidies only in those states that have established their own insurance marketplaces.
Gordon Gray and Conor Ryan: Three Lessons from CBO's Analysis of Obamacare Repeal
Today, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) issued an analysis of the budgetary and economic effects of repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the first such estimate to factor the law's impact on the economy into the price tag for repealing it, a type of analysis also known as dynamic scoring. Though much of the report is predictable and consistent with past analyses by the CBO of the ACA, it is novel in the comprehensiveness of its scope, and offers three important lessons for observers and policymakers.
Jenny Deam: ACA Case Before the Supreme Court Got Its Start in Surprising Way
The strange, twisted journey to the Supreme Court of a case that threatens to unravel President Barack Obama's namesake heath care legislation began five years ago in the quiet of a Greenville, S.C., law office.
It was summer 2010. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act had been signed into law a few months before on March 23. Tom Christina had been asked by his firm to study it and assess its implications for clients.
Stephanie Amour: MIT Economist Jonathan Gruber Had Bigger Role in Health Law, Emails Show
Jonathan Gruber, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology economist whose comments about the health-care law touched off a political furor, worked more closely than previously known with the White House and top federal officials to shape the law, previously unreleased emails show.
The emails, provided by the House Oversight Committee to The Wall Street Journal, cover messages Mr. Gruber sent from January 2009 through March 2010. Committee staffers said they worked with MIT to obtain the 20,000 pages of emails.


Elizabeth Powell Crowe has been writing for 30 years and pursuing genealogy since she learned it at her mother's knee. As a freelance writer, she has written for national magazines and websites, as well as many local organizations and publications. You can read several samples of her work at portfolio.epcrowe.com. Elizabeth, who is known as Libbi to her friends, lives and works in Navarre, Florida.