text:
Housing America's Veterans Act of 2012 Seeks to Fund Home Repair, Rehabilitation
A proposed bill, H.R. 6381, is currently being considered to enable nonprofit organizations to rehabilitate and repair the homes of veterans with disabilities and low income.
The Housing Assistance for Veterans Act of 2012 would create a competitive grant program to allow nonprofit organizations to repair and rehabilitate single family homes of veterans who are disabled or under 80 percent of the area median income, as defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Gary Officer, of the nonprofit organization Rebuilding Together, pointed out that veterans returning with an amputation or traumatic brain injury might not be able to readjust and reintegrate without a wheelchair ramp or bathroom modifications.
H.R. 6381 would complement existing government programs, allowing housing nonprofit and veteran service organizations to apply for grants provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Work covered by the bill would include simple repairs such as making interior and exterior repairs; replacing leaky or damaged doors and windows; installing handrails, grab bars, toilet assist units, handicap-accessible showers, and wheelchair ramps; and widening doorways and passageways, and improving lighting.
Follow the bill here.


text:
1 result for "8 Foot Fish Aqariums"
TaoTronics® TT-AL09 165w Dimmable Led Aquarium Lights Aquarium Hoods Led Reef Light for Coral Fish Seaweed (55... by TaoTronics
- Only 3 left in stock - order soon.
- More Buying Choices
- $129.88 new (2 offers)
- Dimmable Aquarium light
- FREE Shipping and 1 more promotion
- Product Features
- ... are suitable for freshwater fish, plant, saltwater fish and coral ...
- Pet Supplies: See all items

domain: pet


text:
A Few Fall Families!
Here's a little mix and match of a few of the lovely families I shot this fall! Families of varying sizes, in different locations, and at different times of the day. This is only a very small sample - more to come! (well, hopefully!)

domain: hobby


text:
Think we could get Boxberger straight up for Latos?
"The guy I think could be really good in center is Adam Dunn. If someone asked me if Dunn could be a center fielder for the next 10 years, if he started working on it, no one could explain to me why he couldn’t do it." - Brad Kullman
Jay Bruce is still very young. He just needs more time.
Originally Posted by nate
Chapman can be downright pornographic at times.
Has Hanigan caught Latos yet?
Garcia with an at-bat better than most Reds could even imagine.
"Since I've been with the Reds in 1989, we've never had a farm system this loaded," Bowden said. "If we were the New York Yankees and had unlimited dollars, we could have traded for Colon, (Jeff) Weaver, Rolen, (Cliff) Floyd, (Kenny) Rogers and Finley and gotten them all -- and still held onto our top five prospects. That's an amazing statement."

domain: sports


text:
Herpesul inflamatorii articulațiilor
Artelista is the largest art portal and a meeting point for artists, collectors, investors and art lovers. Our unmatched selection, personal customer service and attention to detail is what separates Artizta from other dress shops in St. Guaranteed by Mon, Jan.
75 Trending price is based on prices over last 90 days. Electric Train Outlet : Arttista Accessories - Atlas Books K- Line K- Line SuperStreets Lionel Lionel American Flyer M. Louis dress boutique located in Arnold, Missouri. Selection of works to invest in art by curators and art market specialists. We offer the biggest selection of pageant & prom dresses in St. Louis, carrying top evening wear designers. Artrita kostim. Shop with confidence on eBay! Sale of original works of contemporary art with all the guarantees.
Shop from the world' s largest selection and best deals for Arttista O Scale Model Railroad Figures and People. Trending price is based on prices over last 90 days. Arttista Manufacturing high quality American made metal pewter O Gauge figures for more than 20 years, Arttista is proud of being the best in model train figures.
Other Accessories People & Figurines Pre- Owned Ross Custom Switches Track OIL & LUBE Glue Z- Stuff ecommerce, open source, shop, online shopping. Chairs, tables, beds, sideboards, shelves and custom made furniture. Arttista Worker with Hands Up # 1381 - O Scale On30 On3 Figures People Artista New. Gauge pewter figurines and accessories made and hand painted in the U.
Save on Arttista O Scale Model Railroad Figures and People. Artizta Prom & Pageant is a St. Skip to main content. Artisan solid wood furniture - Design, manufacture and interior decoration. An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works.
The figures are all hand painted and feature realistic colors and a flat finish, making them appealing for even the most discerning model railroaders. Arttista Woman Fixing her Shoe # 1483 - O Scale On30 On3 Figures People Artista See more like this.


text:
Kingpinn Posted June 17, 2010 Report Share Posted June 17, 2010 Shiawassee co. kinda P A . Recall effort fails.This is the persons reason for not turning in the petition @Kletis. No one was paid off. We fell short is all. We needed to have a cushion of signatures to turn this in. When we did our count and recount, we found that 1 in 12 signatures were from people that were not registered voters. A person must be registered to participate. What I found was that the majority of middle aged people did not want to sign it. It did not matter their socioeconomic status either. @resirus I had attorney's from this county that wanted to sign this badly. They were told that if their signatures were observed on the petition that it would make it difficult for their clients to get plea deals. That was 11 different attorney's. Small business owners that did not want to get involved for fear of loss of business. Typically they don't want to get involved because they could lose business. Other people were afraid that Randy Colbry would see that they signed and there would be repercussions. Those that wanted to sign were employees of the county, those that had been in trouble in the past and currently. Drink on Mr Colbry bet your mother is proud of you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

domain: sociology


text:
Death penalty bills bring emotional testimony
The House and Senate Judiciary committees Tuesday heard frequently emotional testimony over a proposal to aimed at shortening the appeal time for those sentenced to death.
For victims of crimes who spoke, the bill would prevent future victims from having to wait 25 years or longer to see sentences carried out, and from dealing with the pain of reliving the crime through a drawn-out appeals process. Denise Gurganus of Cordova said she had gone to multiple appellate hearings over the sentence of the man who killed her sister, Karen Lane, in 1988. Attending those hearings, she said, put the family through “untold torment.”
“Unless you have lost a loved one to a murder like my sister went through, you can not imagine what you go through on a daily basis, and it doesn’t stop,” she said.
Criminal defense attorneys, meanwhile, told the committee that the proposal, which would move two of the three phases of the death penalty appeals process on a dual track, would strain a system already struggling to provide adequate counsel for those condemned to death. Bill Clark, a criminal defense attorney and former president of the Alabama State Bar, said the state had not provided adequate resources for criminal defense of those facing the death penalty. Clark said inadequate counsel was the reason most death sentences were overturned.
“Know why there was inadequate counsel?” Clark asked. “Inadequate funding.”
The legislation, sponsored in the House by Rep. Lynn Greer, R-Rogersville and in the Senate by Sen. Bill Holtzclaw, R-Madison, focuses on the first two phases of a death penalty appeal -- a process known as direct appeal, where issues and facts of the case are addressed, followed by a phase known as a Rule 32 process, where issues such as the effectiveness of counsel and access to evidence are raised. Both appeal processes can go as high as the U.S. Supreme Court, and under current state law, the first round of appeals must be exhausted before the second can begin.
The proposals backed by Strange would put both the first and second rounds of appeals on a dual track process. If implemented, those convicted of a capital crime would have to file their Rule 32 petitions within 180 days of beginning the direct appeal process. In addition, a circuit court would have to rule on a Rule 32 appeal within 180 days of a direct appeal process being concluded.
The Montgomery-based Equal Justice Initiative has said that moving both appeals at the same time could create some confusion -- for instance, an inmate raising questions about the effectiveness of an attorney in the Rule 32 process, while that same attorney represents them on direct appeal. Richard Jaffe, a criminal defense attorney and opponent of the death penalty, said the bill does not appropriate enough funding to cover the expenses of a death penalty appeal.
“In this bill, when a lawyer’s going to get a small amount of money -- $1,000 for what costs $100,000 to do -- what are we going to do?” he said. “We’re already facing a shortage of trained lawyers who can deal with capital cases.”
Strange and other supporters have said the proposal could save money cut the appeals process down below a current average of 16 years, though they have not quoted a specific number. As of Tuesday afternoon, there was no fiscal note attached to the bill.
Sherrie Carter of Jacksonville, whose brother-in-law Bryan Carter was killed in Huntsville in 1996, said there had been a financial cost to her family of traveling to Montgomery for various appeal hearings, and a physical toll from the anxiety.
“We have gone through so many trials, so many appeals (and) so many phone calls to Montgomery,” she said. “It took two hours to kill, but it has taken all this time for justice to be served.”
The committees did not take a vote on the legislation Tuesday, but are scheduled to take up the legislation Wednesday.

domain: law


Getting snubbed by MLB coaches and managers for the Gold Glove award probably garnered Mike Trout more headlines than if he’d won the award. Despite the attention and his historic season, it’s his team’s failure to make the postseason — not his lack of a Gold Glove — that hurts Trout's marketability.
“As important as fielding may be, it’s just not as sexy as hitting, pitching and winning,” said Bob Dorfman, executive vice president and executive creative director at Baker Street Advertising.
Trout, 21, is widely considered a top contender for both the AL Rookie of the Year and AL MVP awards. He’s the first player to ever win Baseball America’s Rookie of the Year and Major League Player of the Year awards in the same season. According to MLB, he’s also the first player ever to finish a season with at least 45 steals, 125 runs and 30 home runs.
And that’s just on offense.
On defense, Trout was best-known for climbing the wall to rob opponents of home runs. According to MLB, he effectively stole four home runs and saved 23 runs overall. His 10.7 wins above replacement (WAR) -- a baseball statistic that measures how many more wins a player would give a team as opposed to a bench player at that position -- came in only behind WARs notched by Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Mickey Mantle for players 25 or younger.
Trout was a human highlight reel this season in center field for the Los Angeles Angels. The problem is that not enough people saw those great plays.
“A guy like Mike Trout, who arguably could be the most exciting player in baseball in the last 25 years, is someone who is relatively unknown or off the radar for most of the country,” said Doug Shabelman, president of Burns Entertainment and Sports Marketing Inc. “He plays on the West Coast and on the Angels, a team destined to have a big year and didn’t.”
Noting how regionalized baseball has become, Shabelman said: “At the end of the day, it’s your team winning and being in the playoffs and being on that national stage that is the big difference for baseball players.”
Dorfman agrees: “You’re extremely popular in your local area, and it’s hard for that to translate on a national level unless you’re someone like [Derek] Jeter playing on a national stage and consistently in the postseason.”
Jeter, of course, has the benefit of playing in New York. Shabelman and Dorfman both agree that playing in Anaheim might hurt Trout.
“If you look at people on the East Coast, unless they’re die-hard baseball fans, how many could have named more than one or two players on the [San Francisco] Giants before the World Series?” Shabelman said.
Trout, who made $480,000 this year, has at least one national endorsement deal, beverage brand BODYARMOR SuperDrink. He might be able to improve his stock in the marketplace by winning the Rookie of the Year or MVP awards.
“It does build credentials — MVP more than Rookie of the Year,” Dorfman said. “It does make you more valuable in the eyes of marketers and more visible in the eyes of consumers and the eyes of the casual fan.”


The Golden State Warriors have picked up their team option on forward Marreese Speights, the team announced Monday.
Speights, 27, will make a little over $3.8 million in the final year of his contract with Golden State, who acquired him as a free agent in 2013 using the mid-level exception. He averaged a career high 10.4 points to go along with 4.3 rebounds in 76 regular season-games with the Warriors.
Speights posted a 19.58 player efficiency rating in 2014-15, good for third highest on the team, and was 10th in the league in points per minute. Speights was Golden State’s most consistent scoring threat off the bench for much of last season.
With Speights locked up, the Warriors will have at least two players, including rookie Kevon Looney, that can play the backup power forward should David Lee be moved this offseason.
However, if Golden State is unable to move Lee and re-sign Draymond Green, they could very well be between $15-$20 million into the luxury tax, meaning they would have to pay an additional $3.25 for every dollar of Speights’ contract, putting his true cap hit over $15 million.
Speights’ signing appears to be a strong indicator that Golden State is confident they can move Lee.


text:
By: Janet Shoko
Date: March 9th 2016
Source: The Africa Report
Zimbabwe has set up a fund to compensate white commercial farmers who were dispossessed of their land during an often violent land reform programme that began in 2000.
According to a document circulated to legislators, the government wants to set a $10 billion Lands Compensation Fund to settle the matter that has complicated Zimbabwe's efforts to re-engage international financiers. The fund would be supported through levies and taxes imposed on beneficiaries of the land reform programme.
"It's a comprehensive compensation plan and could amount to $10 billion legal settlement," one of the legislators, who has studied the proposal Eddie Cross, told The Standard newspaper. "It's the first time it has been indicated and it is in conflict with the traditional policy on compensation," he added.
In the circular, the Finance Ministry said a compensation model for "both land and improvements," as well as for equipment acquired by the State during the land reform exercise was being worked out.
On average, occupants of the farmhouses will pay between $400 and $1,000 per annum depending on the size and condition of the houses. These new rentals are over and above the $5 per hectare farmers are paying to the government annually as land rent
President Robert Mugabe's Zanu PF led government embarked on the controversial land reform programme after accusing the minority white farmers of refusing to share their productive farms with indigenous blacks.
The exercise destroyed Zimbabwe's one vibrant agro-based economy, leading to perennial food shortages. The country was also isolated by the international community and foreign direct investment dried up over fears Mugabe's government had no respect for private property.
The proposed compensation fund is likely to calm multi-lateral lenders such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) who are engaged in talks with Zimbabwe to help the country rehabilitate its economy.
Domenico Fanizza who was leading an IMF delegation to asses Zimbabwe's economy reforms told legislators the was timely.
"I will be happy if your creditors know about it and it will change things for you. It's not a question of government not affording it. Creditors are not after the money but the principle," he said. "We should not be having a budget with contingency liability as we have a cash budget."
Zimbabwe says the land reform programme is over as it has allocated most of the farms earmarked for re-distribution.
Read original article here


Many creative souls run into the issues of trying to survive off their work. For some it’s just crap but to others it’s their livelihood. So when a struggling artist gets a chance of a lifetime he has to go for it. Even if it’s a weird yet familiar voice coming from the wall? Mike Medaglia new feature DEEP DARK follows one such tale and is heading to DVD next month courtesy of Uncork’d. It will be available as well on VOD on November 10th and Uncork’d has released a new trailer, poster and some stills for it’s release. Read ahead for all the details on the DVD release.
The uniquely disturbing Deep Dark, from writer/director Mike Medaglia, comes to DVD and Digital in November.
“Dark, twisted and utterly captivating…” (Horror Cult Films) and featuring “great performances” (Scream Horror Magazine) from the likes of Sean McGrath (Grimm, Twilight) and John Nielsen (Transformers : Revenge of the Fallen), Deep Dark has played to a resoundingly positive response at film festivals right around the world. It’s highly anticipated DVD and VOD release has been skedded for November 10 via Uncork’d Entertainment.
Hermann, a failed sculptor, is about to kill himself when he finds a strange, talking hole in the wall. The creature in the hole (Denise Poirier, the voice of ÆON FLUX) has the power to fulfill his wildest dreams, but things go horribly wrong and when the killing starts, Hermann is thrust into the worst nightmare of his life. Deep Dark is a twisted tale warning you to be careful what you wish for, because it just might get you.


text:
A letter written by one of the two Indian Muslims, Arif Fayaz and Fahad Shaikh, who have left their homes in Kalyan, Maharashtra, for Iraq to join the ISIS, states that he is moved to tears by the sinful ways of his family like watching TV and listening to music. So, such Muslims actually think of their own also Muslim relatives watching TV or listening to music as sinners and think that terrorism is most virtuous! More recently, we learnt of a Muslim from Tamil Nadu joining the ISIS and some Tamil Muslims expressing solidarity with that organization, the hands of the members of which are stained with the blood of innocent Shias (who identify themselves as Muslims), Yazidis and Christians.
Now, think of many of our armchair ‘secularists’ claiming to be left-liberals, whose interactions with Muslims are primarily restricted to financially elite, westernized Muslims on occasions like cocktail parties, or even the less well off among them who have never bothered to discuss with their Muslim friends, who may very well be liberals candid enough to concede the ills in their religious grouping (indeed, there are many such Muslims), topics such as these. These ‘secularists’ even go to the extent of making negative generalizations about Hindus (they actually suggest that almost every Hindu is slurring Muslims to their faces almost all the time, and even strangely blame Hindus in general for Muslims’ economic and educational backwardness in India instead of regressive elements in the Muslim clergy who discourage or even oppose modern non-religious education) and have little time for Hindu victims of hate crimes by Muslims, like the Kashmiri Pandits, whose killers have never been convicted, with the judge in the case of a militant Bitta Karate (who had confessed to his crime on television) on record blaming the local Kashmiri Muslim policemen for not pushing the case properly, as against hundreds of Hindu rioters, including politicians like Maya Kodnani, being rightfully convicted in connection with the riots in Gujarat in 2002.
They seldom acknowledge the problems of the anachronistic interpretations of ‘ummah’ (global pan-Muslim fraternity) and ‘sharia’ (Islamic law), the latter manifesting itself in many Muslims opposing a uniform civil code (but though regressive Hindus don’t need to be cared about while reforming Hindu personal law, one ought to somehow “convince” regressive Muslims of its merits before introducing it, as though a certain minority ought to have some veto power in India, even with respect to something that is a constitutional obligation under Article 44, and indeed, that minority chose secularism over theocracy at the time of the partition). They only have time to act as cry-babies for Muslims being victims of wrongdoings by non-Muslims, when actually, Muslims are often victims of the actions of misguided elements in their own religious grouping more than anyone else! Just think of the peace-loving Muslim whose brother/son/husband left him/her to become a terrorist and disassociating from him/her, calling him/her a sinner for watching TV and listening to music! Even the mass murders of the Kashmiri Pandits and the blasts by the Indian Mujahidin have not led many left-liberals to make their approach more nuanced, and they have even tried to rationalize (though fortunately not justify) these crimes by attributing the attacks on the Kashmiri Pandits to be a legitimate “class struggle” (but as late human rights activist Balagopal pointed out, they seldom use this analysis for Hindu tribals attacking Muslim money-lenders in Gujarat in 2002, and for all their talk of class struggle in the context of the Kashmiri Pandits, can they explain why Kashmiri Pandit pan-walas were also targeted?) and the blasts by the Indian Mujahidin in 2008 to the riots in Gujarat in 2002 (but they hypocritically reject the Hindu rightist rationalization of the anti-Muslim violence in 2002 based on the burning of the railway coach in Godhara by some Muslim extremists; for them, whether Hindus attack Muslims or whether Muslims attack Hindus, only Hindus are to blame, though these people are dumbfounded when asked to explain Shia-Sunni polarization, often even escalating into violence in places like Lucknow, and the vitriolic anti-Ahmedia and anti-Jewish propaganda among many Indian Muslims on the basis of their misplaced logic of oppression of Muslims by Hindus!); so, I really doubt Indian Muslim men going to join the ISIS would make them change their minds, either.
However, I would also emphasize that there have been and still are non-Muslim terrorists too, such as among the Christians, the Irish Republicans, neo-Nazis and even those forcibly converting Hindus in India’s northeast, and among the Jews like the Haganah and Jewish Defense League, and there are elements among the Jews and Christians, though fewer than Muslims, too who consider it sinful to listen to music (http://www.jewishperspectives.com/music.asp,
http://www.hiskingdomprophecy.com/why-does-the-devil-love-music-especially-rap/) and watch TV/movies (http://www.askmoses.com/en/article/235,2072953/Why-do-some-Jews-not-watch-movies-tv.html, http://americanvision.org/689/should-christians-watch-movies/)! But then, Jews and Christians have a history predating Muslims; so, they’ve had their own churning, which is still not complete, and for Muslims, it is far from complete, though there is no dearth of progressive Muslims across the globe who offer us hope for taking the community in a positive direction in the future.
And lest anyone think I am suggesting that Hindus are anywhere near perfect, we have no dearth of our own stupidities like untouchability, honour killings of intra-gotra couples, devdasi, maltreatment of widows, killing innocent Muslims and Christians in large numbers in retaliation against the wrongdoings of a handful of miscreants and what not, and these issues do most certainly deserve our attention, but very many left-liberals in India would only like to talk about these issues among Hindus, turning a blind eye to issues among Muslims. If they, as spokespersons of secularism, continue with promoting their warped conception of the issue of communalism in India, which blames Hindus in general and only them and wrongly portrays Indian Muslims as only being victims (though there have been prominent Muslims in all walks of Indian life, be it politics, sports, music, cinema, literature, business or even serving in the armed forces and intelligence agencies, and Indian Muslims enjoy more civil liberties and security of life and property than Muslims in many Muslim-majority countries, not to speak of the non-Muslim minorities in those countries), they are only turning off Hindus from the idea of secularism and actually strengthening their ideological opponents, the Hindu communalists, and also, by exaggerating Muslim victimhood, encouraging the Muslim communalists, and both the communalisms help in the growth of the other by stereotyping the other religious grouping in a negative fashion by pointing only to its communalists.
I am quite sure that many of the left-liberals reading this piece would jump to call me a hardcore Muslim-hater (though I’ve written this book aimed at addressing and dispelling anti-Muslim prejudices in the Indian context – http://www.free-ebooks.net/ebook/Anti-Muslim-Prejudices-in-the-Indian-Context-Addressing-and-Dispelling-them) and allege that my critique of Hindu communalism or pointing to some Jews and Christians also resorting to terrorism and some Jews and Christians also considering watching television and listening to music to be sinful, is actually only to prove some token neutrality (making ad hominem allegations is the norm these days) rather than bothering to introspect, but do I really care about what they think of me? However, I do indeed sincerely hope that at least some of them reading this article would introspect, for their biased narratives are indeed doing much damage to national integration and even world peace.


text:
Lewis and Harris Holiday Accommodation - Hospitality Property For Sale Or Rent - Book Direct With Owners
The Outer Hebrides' islands of Lewis and Harris, which are the largest in Scotland and have a variety of landscapes including a dramatic and rugged mountainous terrain, countless white sand beaches, turquoise coastlines, and many outdoor activities that are easily accessible, as well as a rich historical and cultural heritage, are the ideal getaway location. Regardless of the weather, this area is rich in local history and untouched beauty.
Northton is dispersed along a minor road that branches off of the main A859 and leads to a picturesque headland with white-sand Northton beaches, a fertile machair, coastal walks, and a mediaeval ruined church. The village of Northton has a cafe and a well-liked food shack; Leverburgh, which is close by, has a community store, a primary school, as well as the ferry terminal to the Isle of Uists; there are many options for holiday homes to choose from; stay in a beachside cottage, book a hotel room, look for a vacation chalet, or find a campsite.
Discover Lewis and Harris Holiday Accommodation
In addition to the Harris Sports Centre with a pool and the ferry dock to the Isle of Skye, Tarbert is home to a secondary school with free transportation.
The Lews Castle College is a higher education institution having a major campus on the grounds of Lews Castle on Stornoway and two learning centres in Benbecula and Barra. Stornoway is the principal town of the Western Isles and the capital of Lewis and Harris in Scotland. The University of the Highlands and Islands includes the college. With access to all the major destinations by road, train, and air links to the UK, Europe, and beyond, Stornaway has a larger selection of stores and amenities in addition to its airport and ferry terminal to Ullapool on the Scottish mainland.
The Outer Hebrides' neighbouring islands can be seen in the distance from the coastline's beaches, which come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Some of these beaches are Luskentyre, Scarista, and Horgabost.
You can locate accommodations for your vacation here. Find a cottage or a traditional Hebridean croft home with breathtaking views of a river, the sea, the undeveloped countryside, and the Hebridean mountains. Wonderful hikes, wildlife to observe, fishing lochs nearby, art galleries, and the Isle of Harris Distillery are all just outside your door or a short drive away. Or with views from every window so you may spend time seeing wildlife or taking in the ferry's journey.
Discover a Hebridean vacation retreat as the ideal setting for a lavish, romantic, and restorative getaway. On the Isle of Harris or Lewis, you can find cosy accommodations for couples seeking independence as well as family activity vacations that include all the enjoyment of nature.
Find a Seaview Chalet that is cosy, well-maintained, and offers spectacular views of the sea loch from the living room window and the North Harris hills in the background from the kitchen, or reserve a bunk house for you and your friends.
A hill walker's paradise, Discover the North Harris Eagle Observatory and a Bed & Breakfast on the Isle of Harris that is conveniently situated close to Tarbert. From there, you can explore both Harris and Lewis. In Tarbert, there are eateries, a few shops, the tourist information centre, and a gas station.
Golden and white tailed eagles, which are frequently seen in the area, can be found on the beaches, along the paths and tracks that crisscross the machair, the fertile low-lying ground along the coast that is abundant with wildflowers and birdlife. This particular habitat is one of the rarest in all of Europe and only occurs on exposed areas.
Lewis and Harris Although one island, Lewis and Harris, are part of the 130 mile chain of islands the Outer Hebrides. Buffeted by the Atlantic waves, treeless and windswept, their isolation has in fact preserved their cultural identity. The Island offers an extensive choice of accommodation for the visitors to the area to enjoy a relaxing retreat for a wonderful holiday destination with great hospitality selections.
Gaelic is widely spoken and many are bilingual. The Free Church is the island's main denomination and they hold by a strict observance of the sabbath. One of the surprising features of the island is to see two fairly sizeable churches standing side by side. Landscapes. - Moorlands, glistening lochans, superb sandy beaches and crystal clear water are common features of the island's landscapes. Although joined Lewis and Harris are physically very different, The landscapes of Lewis are essentially rolling moorlands scattered with lochans. Harris is altogether more rugged and mountainous.
Discover Lewis and Harris
- Lewis and Harris Latitude 58.2° N Longitude -6.6° E
- Lewis Postcode HS2
- Lewis and Harris Map
- Lewis and Harris Reviews
- Lewis and Harris Weather Forecast
- Lewis and Harris Discussion
Peat working. - A common feature is the many peat workings lining the moorland roadsides. The blanket peat cover averaging a depth of 5ft is the universal soil. It is readily exploited as a domestic fuel. In March the peats are cut, thrown up then stacked in fours and left to dry. In summer they are bagged for collection and driven home. Nearly every house has the inevitable peat stack. Harris Tweed. - The orb trademark guarantees that this fine quality cloth is handwoven by the islanders in their homes. Weaving tweed originated in Harris but it was later commercialized in Lewis where today all processes after weaving are done in the mills of Stornoway and Shawbost. It is still common to see bundles of tweed awaiting collection at road ends. Midges, The uncommonly present midge has no common antidote.
Amol Black House - Signposted off the main A 858 is a straw thatched house shelters under one roof the sleeping area with box beds, the living area, byre and stable come barn. This type of dwelling known as the Black House, due to its open hearth, was common up until 40 to 60 years ago. Housing grants have been responsible for the conversion of many.
Callanish Standing Stones - Well signposted off the A 858 are a group of stones forms a circle with alignments radiating outwards at the compass points. The site is in fact one of a series in the vicinity and it is generally assumed they were used for astronomical observations. The site dates from the late Stone Age and early Bronze Age (3000·1500BC), making it over 4000 years old and roughly contemporary with Stonehenge. The stones were once partially buried under peat. The central cairn or burial chamber was a later addition by the Neolithic people (2500·2000BC).
Cartoway Broch - Signposted off the A 858. Although not a complete example of a broch enough remains of this structure to intrigue. Admire the skill of the stonemason as the sides swell out at the bottom. The galleried walls and entrance guard chamber are still visible.
Eye Peninsula - To the northeast of Stornoway the peninsula has some fine sandy beaches.
Leverburgh - The township of Obboe was renamed by the English soap magnate, lord leverhulme in 1923. He had acquired Harris in 1919 and Lewis later the same year and dreamed of developing the islands. None of the schemes flourished including the project to make Leverburgh an important fishing port. All was abandoned when Lord Leverhulme died in 1925.
St Clement's Church - In the township of Rodel near the southern tip of Harris is a church with, the outstanding tomb of the 16C builder, Alexander MacLeod (d 1546). Carvings decorate the arch and back of the recess above the effigy of the 8th Chief of Macleod. The Twelve Apostles are portrayed on the arch. The other carvings include the Virgin and Child, flanked by two bishops, a hunting scene, a castle and the galley emblem of the Lords of the Isles.
Shawbost Museum - This folk museum gives an insight into the life and customs of the past, many of the explanatory notices are in Gaelic.
Stornoway is the capital and only town of any size lies on a narrow neck of the Eye Peninsula the main shopping area fronts the landlocked harbour which is also overlooked by the 19C castle (now a technical college) and its wooded grounds. A good view of the town can be had from the foot of the War Memorial on the hill behind the hospital.
Stornoway makes a good excursion centre for visiting Lewis and Harris. As hotels and petrol pumps are scarce on the Islands, take a picnic lunch and keep your petrol tank filled up.
StayING in and Around Lewis and Harris
Lewis and Harris is a picturesque island located in Scotland's Outer Hebrides that is famous for its breathtaking scenery, wild shoreline, and extensive cultural history. Here are some things to think about if you intend to spend time in the Lewis and Harris area and its surrounding areas:
Alternatives for Overnight Stays:
There is a wide variety of places to stay, such as hotels, guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, self-catering cottages, and campgrounds. It is in your best interest to make lodging reservations in advance, particularly when travelling during peak travel times.
Discovering More About the Island:
The landscapes of Lewis and Harris are absolutely stunning, boasting features such as beaches with white sand, spectacular cliffs, and rolling hills. Luskentyre Beach, the Callanish Standing Stones, and the Butt of Lewis lighthouse are three of the island's most visited tourist destinations.
Always assume that the weather will be changing, and pack accordingly, making sure to bring along some rain gear.
encounters with other cultures:
The culture of the Gaels is quite prominent on this island. Learn some of the local music, dance, and language, and if there are any cultural events or festivals happening during your trip, you should definitely check them out.
Activities Conducted Outside:
Hiking, biking, birdwatching, and fishing are just some of the activities that outdoor enthusiasts can partake in. The natural splendour of the islands makes these pursuits a natural fit for them.
Museums and other Important Historical Sites:
Visit the Museum nan Eilean to gain an understanding of the history of the islands, and then travel to other historic places including Dun Carloway Broch.
Experiment with some of the regional specialties, such as fresh fish, black pudding, and the Stornoway black pudding. You may get both traditional and modern interpretations of Scottish cuisine in any number of restaurants and cafes around the country.
Visiting Various Islands:
Take into consideration taking ferries in order to travel to nearby islands such as Harris, Uist, and Barra. Each island possesses its own special allure and set of attractions.
Both Stornoway and Tarbert are home to a wide selection of stores where you can pick up mementos, handicrafts made in the area, and items made using Harris Tweed.
Observing Wild Animals:
Birdwatchers will find the islands of Lewis and Harris to be quite rewarding. Keep an eye out for seals, puffins, and golden eagles as you travel down the coast.
The islands of Lewis and Harris can be enjoyed to its fullest potential by simply taking it easy and taking in the breathtaking scenery. Enjoy the peace and quiet by going to a beach or a loch and finding a secluded location to sit.
Keep in mind that Lewis and Harris are very far away from other places, and be sure to thoroughly plan out your journey. Check the schedules for the ferries, be ready for the weather to change, and show respect for the local culture and the environment. You will have an amazing and one-of-a-kind experience on these stunning islands if you go about it in this manner.

domain: geography


text:
This Roast Venison Po’Boy recipe will transport you straight to the French Quarter and have you saying “Laissez les bons temps rouler.”
David and I recently moved to New Orleans where he is in medical school at Tulane University. I grew up coming to Louisiana often as my mother grew up in both Metarie and Belle Chase and both my parents studied/played sports at Tulane. My god parents also live on the North Shore, so one might say Louisiana is my second home. This being said, Cajun food was and still is a staple in my family. Red beans and rice were often had on Mondays growing up. I learned what Gumbo was before I was potty trained. So when we first moved into our house and I finally had a kitchen to start creating recipes in again, I knew my first recipe needed to be a staple in the Cajun culture.
Po’Boys are inherently Cajun. They ooze the New Orleans spirit as if they were Mardi Gras beads in food form. You cannot go to a real Cajun restaurant and not have a po’boy on the menu. And the most Cajun of them all is Roast Beef debris. The moist meat is something you get from hours of cooking. The flavors are only something the New Orleans’ Voodoo Queen could’ve created herself. They really are impeccable.
Now that I had decided on what I wanted to create, I wanted it to be something easy. I am extremely busy right now with work and David in medical school, so I needed a leave it and forget it recipe. But, how was I going to get the tender, flavorful meat in an easy way?
I researched all of the hard ways to do to make it, with hours of slaving over a stockpot, and decided on a browned in a skillet and low and slow cooker method. This insured the flavor would be cooked in, but you wouldn’t have to chew for hours on every bite taken.
This recipe is perfect and will become a staple in your home. I hope you enjoy this recipe and feel that Cajun spirit in your home!
Roast Vension Po'Boy
- Cast Iron Pan or Skillet to brown the meat
- 1 Back Leg White Tail Shank*
- salt and pepper to season the shank liberally
- flour to coat the shank
- 2 T vegetable oil
- 1 can beef broth
- 1 yellow onion chopped
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 1 packet Lipton Onion Soup Mix
- 1 T Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 T Pickapeppa Sauce
- corn starch to thicken
- Season all sides of your shank with salt, pepper, and flour liberally.
- Heat oil in your pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, brown all sides of your shank.
- In a bowl, mix broth, garlic, soup mix, Worcestershire, and Pickapeppa until combined.
- Place meat and onions in your slow cooker. Cover with liquid mixture.
- Cook on low for 8 hours. (If in a time crunch, you can cook on high for 5 hours but it won't be as tender)
- Remove bone and shred.
- Thicken sauce by combining 1 tsp of corn starch with liquid from the meat in a small bowl and then mixing in.
- Dress your Po'Boy and ENJOY!

domain: food


With the world in constant evolution and technology making it easier for people to more efficiently and effectively do their day-to-day jobs, the creation of robots to assist and support medical workers is one of the most promising things that could ever happen.
Robots are programmable physical machines that are adept in carrying out complicated tasks and activities, some of these robots can be controlled through external means while others have their control board within them.
Although robots have been used to help out in surgical procedures within the medical community since 2017, these surgeries were not carried out independently by these robots. The robots were assisted using a “tele-manipulator” which was controlled through a computer by medical practitioners who conducted the surgeries.
A tele-manipulator allows surgeons to operate according to the typical mechanism related to the surgery while using the robot’s hands to carry out motions, this helps prevent trembling and vibrations in the surgeon’s hands thereby giving his work a more sophisticated and clean look.
With the presence of robots helping out in the medical field, changing how surgeries are done and enhancing the patient’s care, some people are still skeptical about utilising these machines.
While most are scared of the idea of entrusting their lives to inanimate machines that carry out delicate surgical procedures, others argue that the benefits a robot could bring to both the medical community and individual lives is less when compared to the possible disadvantages.
Despite the arguments and uncertainties, these machines are quickly taking over the medical field and making a difference in it. Below are some benefits of robotics in healthcare:
Surgical accuracy: These machines are of a great advantage because of their inability to feel or experience fatigue. They do not need to sleep or eat, they can not get tired neither can they complain about performing daily jobs. Since surgery is an intense activity that requires precision and accuracy, the presence of these machines make it easier for surgeries to be carried out more efficiently and precisely.
Accurate diagnosis: The robots aid in carrying out detailed diagnoses by detecting patterns that characterise a particular condition.
Surgeon training: Robots with the use of artificial intelligence can train fresh surgeons and assist them in improving their capabilities and potential.
Increasing patient satisfaction: This technology is efficient as it assists the practitioners who try their best to guarantee the health of patients by checking their conditions, making appointments and stocking up medical inventories. They could also carry out different tasks which includes; reminding patients to take their daily medications, setting up rooms, keeping the lonely ones company as well as monitoring patients and providing therapeutic regimens.
Disinfect hospitals: Statistics state that most people die in hospitals suffering from Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI). Robots help disinfect and clean medical wards, relieve staff from extra work and give them a chance to engage with patients while creating an infection-free hospital.
Exoskeleton’s power: These robots would be able to help human beings perform heavy lifting duties. They can also assist handicapped patients.
Tele-medical network: This is created for increased accessibility to virtual medical care. For example, if a patient lives in a secluded area and needs assistance and the medical professionals are unable to meet them in time he/she can easily gain access to medical care through his/her cell phone and computer.
Other benefits of robotics in healthcare include rehabilitation. Their participation involves trauma as they are more concise, and their operations less intrusive which makes the patient experience less pain and quicker recovery. Also, they are more equipped to treat those suffering from COVID-19 as they do not need to wear masks and are not contagious.
For the first time in medical history, it was recorded that some robots successfully carried out a laparoscopic surgery unaided by humans. This surgery also known as keyhole surgery is a delicate soft-tissue surgery carried out in the bowels of a human, albeit this procedure was done on pigs.
The surgery requires a delicate, intense, and difficult technique that employs an impressive level of precision, accuracy and a high level of cautiousness because a slight mistake such as the quiver of a hand could lead to disastrous complications.
The surgery involved joining the two ends of an intestine with repetitive movements which is quite challenging since the surgeon had to apply sutures consistently.
The robot was an improvement of an old version that worked successfully on pigs but required a great deal of human intervention and supervision.
This surgery was performed by the Smart Tissue Autonomous Robot (STAR) which was developed by researchers at Johns Hopkins University. This collection of robots have been in development for a couple of years now with researchers working tirelessly to enhance it.
Upon analysis, it was recorded that after the surgery on pigs, the result was said to be much better than the humans who performed the same surgery.
The developers of STAR robotics during an interview said the robots were mainly built for patching up soft tissues, they mentioned that it was difficult to determine whether they could carry out the procedure or not because they could sometimes be unpredictable.
Extra features such as cutting-edge image technology and special suturing devices were added to them, and they also had a control system that was capable of modifying the surgery plan like a human doctor.
The robotics technology would continue to expand with machines fully operating on humans. With the development of the Smart Tissue Autonomous Robot program paving ways for other robotic enhancements, there would exist more robots trained and programmed to perform larger and bigger operations in the nearest future without human aid. These robots would not just be made for the sole purpose of carrying out surgical procedures but will also be capable of administering vaccines without the use of needles.


Two Santa Barbara County Sheriff's deputies test positive for COVID-19, officials said in a Tweet.
Press Release: Two Sheriff’s Deputies Positive for COVID-19 https://t.co/364VKlvbAB— SB Sheriff's Office (@sbsheriff) March 30, 2020
In a press release from the department, officials say the two deputies are recovering at home.
The first deputy who was assigned to the Santa Maria area began to feel ill Sunday, March 22nd.
Officials say that deputy sought medical attention and went home to self-isolate.
The other deputy had ridden in the car with the first deputy and started to feel symptoms while at work on March 27th.
On Saturday, March 28, 2020 the second deputy was notified that the test results were positive for COVID-19.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office says it has been working closely with the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department to evaluate any potential risk to additional staff or the public, including tracing back each of the deputies’ contacts with the public and coworkers to identify possible exposures.
At this time, the sheriff's office says no additional people have been identified or recommended for self-isolation protocol by Public Health.


- Eye-catching design
- Refined interior
- Solid power
- Available hybrid
- Standard safety tech
- Polarizing looks
- Expensive with options
- F-Sport rides very firmly
- No third row
features & specs
As a style-conscious statement of indulgence, the Lexus RX shines like never before. Its looks are polarizing and it's not all that fun to drive even in F Sport form, but the RX continues to excel in many ways.
Almost ubiquitous with the term "luxury crossover," the Lexus RX was redesigned last year with a far more lavish look and feel inside and out.
It's a daring breath of fresh air for the model that essentially pioneered this premium, upscale segment. We like the current Lexus RX, even though it's not quite as polished to drive as some rivals. With its solid feel and eye-catching looks, the RX rates a 7.3 out of 10 on our scale. (Read more about how we rate cars this year.)
The RX is available as either the gas-only RX 350 or the hybrid RX 450h. A special F Sport trim level is available that adds its own adaptive suspension setup.
For 2017, the RX gains as standard some previously optional features: automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and automatic windshield wipers are the highlights.
Lexus RX styling, comfort, and performance
It may be a bit of a cliche to call the RX bolder than ever before, but considering the precedent of "jellybean" RXs that preceded the current model, that label is especially apt. It's the most adventurous Lexus crossover design to date, and it's among the most striking vehicle designs you'll find anywhere. The even edgier F Sport with its razor-sharp grille and 20-inch wheels isn't for shy drivers by any means.
Inside, the RX's dashboard is sporty and almost sedan-like, aside from its high seating position and, of course, the view out the rearview mirror. The dashboard cants toward the driver and there's a wide array of climate control and basic audio buttons that are well-organized. Trims and materials in the RX family look and feel bucks up, for the most part, against the model's German rivals. There's good room up front thanks to a body that grew about 5 inches overall compared to the previous model. Unlike some of its competitors, the RX has seats and seat belts for five passengers; there's no third row, something Lexus leaves for its more truck-like GX 460 lineup.
There are two primary models of the RX: The RX 350, powered by a 295 horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6, and the RX 450h hybrid with its own version of the V-6 tuned for improved fuel economy and paired to an electric motor-generation system. The RX 350 is available as a front-wheel drive model or an all-wheel drive model, while the RX 450h is all-wheel-drive only.
All models can be ordered with the F Sport performance package, which has proven popular enough with shoppers that Lexus is making it available on both front- and all-wheel drive RX 350 models for 2017 (previously it was only on the all-wheel drive RX 350 and RX 450h).
Underneath, all RXs look the same at first glance with their MacPherson strut front and double-wishbone rear suspension setups. Tuned primarily for comfort, the suspension does give the RX a more poised feel than its soft-riding predecessors, but it's the F Sport's adaptive suspension setup that delivers a firmer ride and more responsive handling, although no model boasts particularly communicative steering. The RX isn't at all an off-roader—that duty is again left to the pricier but decidedly rugged GX.
Lexus RX safety and features
Lexus takes a big leap forward for 2017 by making a previously optional suite of collision prevention tech standard for 2017. All models now include automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, pedestrian detection, and a system that can nudge the crossover back into its lane should it start to drift. That's in addition to the expected safety features like a full complement of airbags and stability control.
What's surprising is that the while the RX aced the IIHS' challenging barrage of crash tests and has been awarded its Top Safety Pick+ award, the crossover only scores four out of five stars overall in the federal government's assessment.
Even the base RX is well-equipped, but most RXs you're bound to find on a dealer lot will have the optional Premium Package that replaces leatherette with leather and adds in a few other goodies expected on a luxury car. On the tech front, the optional navigation system is controlled via a computer mouse-esque controller that we neither love nor hate. It takes some acclimation, but it does work—just not as well as infotainment knobs seen in rivals.
There’s also a rear-seat entertainment system available, with 11.6-inch screens at the back of the front headrests, and a huge panoramic moonroof for skylight above front and rear passengers.
The RX 350 is rated at 20 mpg city, 28 highway, 23 combined with front-wheel drive, or 19/26/22 mpg with all-wheel drive, according to the EPA. Meanwhile, RX 450h hybrid models achieve 30/28/30 mpg with all-wheel drive.
2017 Lexus RX
The Lexus RX is certainly controversial, but we have to admire Lexus for taking chances.
It's the kind of design that will either lure you into a showroom or keep you away, but we have to give normally conservative Lexus serious props for creating a crossover that truly stands out.
We've awarded it an extra point each for its interior and exterior, both of which are excellent for very different reasons. Overall, the RX scores a 7 out of 10 for styling. (Read more about how we rate cars this year.)
The RX starts with some familiar details, with an especially dramatic version of Lexus' now-signature spindle grille in front, with so-called "triple-L" headlights, LED fog lights, and LED daytime running lights. Its second most notable design cue is its "floating" roof line, which tapers near the rearmost roof pillar to provide a more coupe-like profile than its actual proportions reveal. There's some Nissan Murano to the RX's side profile, and that's not really a bad thing.
Inside, the look is comparatively normalizing—it’s a place of order, calm, and precision; it’s not too busy, and it lets you forget that you’re in a vehicle that’s so involved from the outside. The dash and door trims of the new RX follow the look established by the latest GS and IS sport sedans—thankfully much more than the somewhat over-the-top, edgy-and-layered look of the smaller NX crossover. Just like nearly every other vehicle in the Toyota and Lexus stable, the dash makes a move to follow more of a horizontal orientation, and some nicely drawn, asymmetrical curves frame the center stack (which is canted toward the driver) and the center console, which has its own unusual upkick and curve on the right side, angling it over toward the driver.
Altogether, this offers plenty of cues that the RX is focused a little more toward the driver this time around. Otherwise, the RX cabins feel neat and well-designed—definitely less cluttered than some of Lexus’s other interior efforts of the past few years—with subtle colors, matte-black and matte-metallic trims combining to have the intended effect of being luxurious, as well as a good deal sportier than before.
Both RX 350 and RX 450h lines are offered in performance-oriented F Sport. They add a special dark-mesh grille, a more aggressive lower front spoiler and rear bumper trim, 20-inch alloy wheels, and F Sport badging—as well as exclusive F Sport seats, a unique steering wheel with paddle shifters, aluminum pedals and scuff plates, and F Sport gauges. There’s also an F Sport-exclusive Rioja Red interior leather hue. For 2017, the F Sport range is offered with a choice of front- or all-wheel drive, unlike last year when the package was all-wheel-drive only.
2017 Lexus RX
A strong powertrain and a nice ride quality elevate the RX.
With its edgy looks and sporty marketing, you might expect that the Lexus RX is a highly sport-oriented crossover...but that's not quite the case.
While the RX is sportier than it has ever been, especially in F Sport guise, it's still aimed mostly at providing a cosseting ride that smothers out the outside world. We've given it an extra point for its ability to absorb big bumps with aplomb and for its strong engine lineup, bringing it to a 7 out of 10 for performance. (Read more about how we rate cars this year.)
There remain two engines in the RX lineup, but last year's front-wheel drive hybrid has bitten the dust. That means you'll have a choice between V-6-powered RX 350 in front- or all-wheel drive and hybrid RX 450h with all-wheel drive.
The V-6 in the RX 350 makes 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. It features a variable valve system that allows a wider range of intake-cam timing and the fuel-efficiency-enhancing Atkinson cycle, and there’s also direct injection. An 8-speed automatic transmission is augmented by paddle shifters on the steering wheel on F Sport models.
A pre-loaded front differential also helps with cornering stability and performance immediately off the line. And in RX 350 models with all-wheel drive, the system uses clutches to vary the torque distribution up to 50 percent to the rear wheels (or up to 100 percent to the front wheels).
While not rocket-fast, the RX 350 moves quickly and, perhaps more importantly, it's a quiet operator. The F Sport model pipes some intake noise into the cabin for a more muscular growl, but even it is still a nearly silent cruiser.
Then there's the RX 450h hybrid, which utilizes a different version of the 3.5-liter V-6, here making 259 hp and 247 pound-feet of torque, with a compression ratio bumped up to 13:1. With its planetary drive system and twin-motor hybrid assistance, it operates as a full hybrid, with the vehicle capable of taking off in low-speed, low-load conditions on electric power alone. The RX 450h's all-wheel-drive system differs from the RX 350 in that its rear wheels are powered by a separate electric motor drive unit that supplements the gas engine. It's a high tech solution to delivering more traction without using more gas.
That said, the RX 450h isn't sporty, even in F Sport guise, because it features a continuously variable transmission that, while largely unobtrusive, does little to instill the sense of sportiness that Lexus wants.
RX 350 and RX 450h models get Normal, Eco, and Sport modes—all affecting powertrain responsiveness, power steering effort, and the degree of air conditioning use. F Sport versions get additional Customized, Sport S, and Sport S+ modes. In Hybrid models, turning that controller over to Sport changes the gauge layout, with the "Power Meter" replaced by a tachometer.
Also, with the RX 450h, you now get an EV Mode that lets you (if the charge is adequate) run the RX in a quieter all-electric mode, for somewhat longer times than it would otherwise allow at low speeds.
Underneath the RX
The RX models keep their layout entirely car-like, with a MacPherson strut front suspension with lower control arms and a double-wishbone rear suspension. Lexus has softened the front suspension somewhat while aiming for a firmer rear-suspension tune—balancing that out with a larger anti-roll bar in front. All versions of the RX include four-wheel ventilated disc brakes.
Lexus' engineers shot for improved steering feedback with the latest RX—and while they achieved that goal, there's actually more road feel when the system is in its lightest (comfort) setting. Though the sport mode in the F Sport features firm steering, it's not actually delivering any additional feel to the driver. Still, major strides have been made here toward making the RX a more composed and confident-feeling crossover—something we didn't say about its predecessor.
F Sport models add the Adaptive Variable Suspension system that adjusts the damping force at all four wheels depending on the driving and road conditions. The Sport S and Sport S+ modes provide even firmer control, while the system has a rugged-surface sensing system that will aid ride comfort when you do get to a particularly rough surface.
Wheels are 18-inch, seven-spoke alloys in base models, upgradeable to 20-inch high-gloss machined alloys or super chrome alloys with color inserts. The RX uses a special Michelin Premier LTX tire that’s designed to improve its characteristics for wet-road performance somewhat as it wears.
2017 Lexus RX
Comfort & Quality
With its daring, premium-feeling interior, the RX stands apart from the crowd.
Lexus' reputation for comfortable, upscale interiors remains intact with the 2017 RX lineup.
We've scored the RX an 8 out of 10 for comfort and quality, giving it extra points for excellent front and rear seat comfort as well as its high-quality feel. (Read more about how we rate cars this year.)
Easy ingress and egress comes courtesy of a ride height that's neither too high nor too low. Once inside, passengers will find fantastic front seats and excellent room in the second row especially for those at the outboard spots. F Sport models feature more deeply-bolstered seats up front that straddle the line between sporty and comfortable, while the Luxury Package adds 10-way adjustable thrones and a convenient thigh cushion extender, in addition to cooling fans.
In the rear, there's a fold-down armrest with retractable cupholders. All models feature a 60/40-split backrest that reclines, but it's worth noting that the RX 450h actually seats passengers about an inch higher in the rear due to the placement of their battery. Taller passengers in the back may find that their heads will brush the ceiling if they're wearing a hat.
A heated steering wheel is optional, and the climate control uses a some smart temperature and flow systems that take into account more variables than ever—and should result in better comfort for all. Luxury Package models also get pull-down rear sunshades.
There's little wind or road noise, although RX 350 F Sport models feature piped-in intake noise that's really only audible under hard acceleration.
The base RX features a synthetic upholstery that does a pretty good job of imitating leather. Opt for the Premium Package and you're sitting on real hide, while the Luxury Package brings with it even nicer semi-aniline leather. We really like the choices Lexus has made for the RX's interior trim, especially the matte bamboo and gray sapele wood offerings on higher-spec models. They convey a more upmarket, bespoke feel than the RX's price suggests.
2017 Lexus RX
The RX boasts surprisingly mixed crash-test results.
For 2017, Lexus has made standard important active-safety systems, a commendable move—but a surprising four out of five star assessment by the NHTSA this year prevents this crossover from scoring higher.
The RX earns points for automatic emergency braking and Top Safety Pick+ status from the IIHS, but it loses one for the NHTSA score, bringing it to 7 out of 10 overall. (Read more about how we rate cars this year.)
That said, the four-star rating from the NHTSA technically only applies to front-drive models, all-wheel-drive versions are rated at five stars overall. This year, the RX earned four stars for rollover resistance (which is typical for tall-riding crossovers) and five for side impact, but only four for frontal impact.
The RX family earned a place on the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ list based on its top "Good" ratings in all areas of crash-testing, and including a top "Superior" rating for front crash prevention, with the now-standard Lexus Safety Sense package and its pre-collision system.
Importantly, Lexus has made the top active-safety systems—adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist and departure warning, and automatic high beam headlamps—standard equipment for 2017. Blind-spot monitors and a rear cross-traffic alert system is also available. Those items aren't factored into the NHTSA rating, however.
All the expected occupant-safety items are also included—10 standard airbags, including a driver knee bag and a passenger-side cushion-mounted anti-submarine airbag. A rearview camera is included and features dynamic sight lines, while the available panoramic view monitor combines camera views around the vehicle, to help spot nearby bicyclists, pedestrians, objects, or other vehicles.
Outward visibility is decent, a surprise given the tapered profile and chunky rearmost roof pillar. However, Lexus lowered the model's belt line with its 2016 redesign and made the other roof pillars narrower thanks to more extensive use of high-strength steel.
2017 Lexus RX
You'll be pampered in a Lexus RX from the moment you walk into the dealership.
At a hair under $44,000 to start, even the base Lexus RX 350 comes well-equipped—but range-topping models feel downright decadent.
Add in Lexus' pampering dealership experience and it's easy to see how we wound up with a 9 out of 10 score for the Lexus RX's features. (Read more about how we rate cars this year.)
There's a big price jump from the base RX 350 to the RX 450h, but that's due in part to the fact that the 450h comes standard with many of the features that are optional on the RX 350.
The base RX 350 is available with either front- or all-wheel drive, and it includes leatherette upholstery, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, automatic windshield wipers, a proximity key, power front seats, automatic dual-zone climate control, and an 8.0-inch infotainment system that now includes a Scout GPS Link app that uses a paired smartphone's data network to provide turn-by-turn directions.
Additional features now standard on all RX 350s include automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and a system that nudges the RX back into its lane if it begins to drift.
Add in the Premium Package and you'll get leather seats, a choice of wood trims, memory for the driver's seat, and roof rails. The Luxury Package adds to that upgraded leather, special wood trim with aluminum inlays, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and unique 20-inch alloy wheels.
Navigation is also available and it's paired with either the standard 8.0-inch screen or an optional 12.3-inch widescreen monitor. High-spec RX 350s can also be ordered with a trick extra-wide rear entertainment screen that can display two videos at once for each side of the vehicle (they're not both visible from the same seat).
The F Sport package can now be ordered on either front- or all-wheel-drive RXs and it brings with it an adaptive suspension, special steering tuning, unique front and rear fascias, sports seats, and 20-inch alloy wheels.
A few stand-alone options like a power panoramic moonroof, a Mark Levinson-branded audio system, and a heads-up display are available, but it's worth noting that Lexus tends to group options and packages together when filling dealer lots. So, if you want an RX with a specific option set, you'll need to find a dealer willing to place a special order for you.
The RX 450h, meanwhile, is all-wheel drive-only and essentially builds on the RX 350 with the Premium Package and moonroof, which means it's really only around $7,000 more than an equivalent non-hybrid RX.
Audio and infotainment
Audio and infotainment systems leave you with a few choices. In base models, an 8.0-inch Display Audio system adds a new single-panel home-screen layout, and you can toggle between navigation, audio, air conditioning, and fuel economy displays. The base audio setup includes a nine-speaker system with HD Radio with iTunes tagging, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, an in-dash CD player, two USB ports, an aux input, Bluetooth hands-free operation and audio, and a 15-minute audio cache. Mark Levinson surround-sound audio is available and it includes 15 speakers, 835 watts over 10 channels, a 12-channel amp, and Clari-Fi Music Restoration Technology to make MP3s sound better.
The display that the new RX’s dash feels designed to host is the 12.3-inch widescreen, with the Lexus Remote Touch interface, a mechanical controller that’s partway between a mouse and trackpad. For this latest version Lexus has added "Enter" buttons to either side of the controller.
We still aren’t in love with Remote Touch, as even with its haptic feedback it requires looking at the screen while making selections. Likewise, the horizontal orientation to the expanded map view is counterintuitive, as most people want to see what’s along the road ahead. We can't help but wonder aloud: Wouldn’t a vertical orientation be better?
The Lexus telematics suite and apps-based services—some of them subscription-based—include a feature that shares vehicle diagnostics with nearby service centers. The safety system also includes automatic collision notification or stolen vehicle location, as well as new remote functions such as remote start, locking and unlocking, and climate pre-conditioning (all through an app). Through the Navigation Package you get an expanded app suite with which you can also take advantage of Bing search; Pandora, iHeart Radio, or Pandora streaming audio; or Yelp, among others.
The power rear hatch operates with just a swipe over the Lexus logo in back, provided the keyfob is in your pocket. That’s better, we think, than systems that require temporarily standing on one foot.
2017 Lexus RX
The RX 350 is competitive, while the RX 450h is at the top of its game.
While the higher-volume RX 350 achieves decent enough fuel economy on its own, the real star of the show here is the RX 450h that comes in at an impressive 30 mpg combined.
Still, the RX 350 outsells its hybrid cousin by a wide margin, so we've rated this lineup based on its figures—and it earns a 6 out of 10 for its greenness. (Read more about how we rate cars this year.)
The RX 350 is rated at 20 mpg city, 28 highway, 23 combined with front-wheel drive, or 19/26/22 mpg with optional all-wheel drive.
Meanwhile, RX 450h hybrid models achieve 30/28/30 mpg with all-wheel drive, according to the EPA.
In either model, the Drive Mode Select knob at the center console can be switched over to Eco mode for softer throttle response, reduced climate control output, and dialed back airflow, which should eke out slightly better efficiency.
We’ve seen high real-world mileage in hybrid models if you can use a lot of restraint; it’s a system that responds well to smooth inputs and lower speeds (there’s an EV mode for quiet, short-distance electric-only operation, too).


text:
You have no items in your shopping cart.
Katja Brandis - Cheetah summer
Novel about a bittersweet love in the savanna of Namibia - at an unbeatable price as a hardcover book!
An unforgettable experience awaits the young Lilly: she may work on a farm in Namibia, which is dedicated to the protection of the endangered cheetahs!
There, the German veterinarian daughter has to prove herself at taking care of injured cats, raising orphaned cubs and making field research in the Bush. This works well until she is in love with Erik, the son of a farmer. His strange family and his secrets turn Lilly´s life upside down.
About the author
Katja Brandis was born in 1970 and grew up in the Rhine-Main area, where she studied English and German literature. Already as a child she began to write stories that often played in distant worlds. Today, she lives in Munich and works as a journalist and author.
Format: 21 x 13 cm
Volume: 304 pages
- Additional Information
short description ○ Novel by Katja Brandis ○ size: 21 x 13 cm ○ 304 pages ○ book in German author Katja Brandis ISBN 978-3-8000-5454-1 number of pages 304 binding hardcover year of publication 2009 make Verlag Carl Ueberreuter item number ABX0021-03-00 delivery time 1-3 workdays (within Germany)
- We also recommend
- FAQ & Tags
There are no product questions yet.
Please login to your account to post a question
- Chosen for you

domain: library


text:
Malteaser cake by Lorraine Pascale.
Berries and Cream trifle... A little taste of heaven? I think so :)
Mehndhi golden cake - Look for the we love in our online Asian wedding directory: www.yourdreamshaa.... All the advice, inspiration and supplier contacts you need to plan your dream Asian wedding!
Wonderfully elegant gold leaf sprinkled Chocolate Tart. #tart #pie #chocolate #food #cooking #dessert


text:
As conventional anti-inflammatories have poor blood brain-barrier permeability, we expect centrally active immune modulators to be an area of interest in the future. The authors introduced LDN as a pain drug that is able to modulate glial cell activity. When.
Instead, I will offer a suggestion that LDN is well worth trying. It is very inexpensive and safe. I dont know about insurance plans we dont accept any. I think every carrier SHOULD reimburse you for this preparation.
Consuming EMBEDA capsules that have been altered by crushing, chewing, or dissolving the pellets can release sufficient naltrexone to precipitate withdrawal in opioid-dependent individuals see Warnings and Precautions (5.12). Alternatively, the contents of the EMBEDA capsules (pellets) may be sprinkled over applesauce and then swallowed.Read.
Moderator: Brenda 163 366 by Brenda Your Personal LDN Stories Updates - 1 Viewing Tell your LDN story here. Moderators: Brenda, Art 195 1,447 by shtanto. Older Posts - 1 Viewing I have moved older posts here.
EVERYONE THAT SEES HER TELLS HER THAT SHE LOOKS SO MUCH BETTER AND JOAN HER ATTITUDE HAS IMPROVED ALLOT SINCE TAKING THE LDN. SHE IS TAKING 4.5 MG CAPSULE ONCAY BETWEEN 9PM AND 10PM.LDN IS NOT PERFECT BUT IT DOES HELP. I DONT KNOW WHY.
However, the implant has not been approved for use in a clinical setting in Australia, America or United Kingdom. Individuals who are fitted with the implant in a private clinic are placing themselves at risk of developing adverse reactions and suffering infections.Due to the powerful.
Eighty-nine percent of patients exhibited a response to therapy and 67 achieved a remission (P 0.001). Improvement was recorded in both quality of life surveys with LDN compared with baseline. No laboratory abnormalities were noted.Am J Gastroenterol. 2007; 102(4 820-8 (ISSN : ) Smith JP; Stock H; Bingaman S; Mauger D; Rogosnitzky M; Zagon IS. Department of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, USA. OBJECTIVES : Endogenous opioids and opioid antagonists have been shown to play a role in healing and. The most common side effect was sleep disturbances, occurring in seven patients. CONCLUSIONS : LDN therapy appears effective and safe in subjects with active Crohn's disease. Further studies are needed to explore the use of this compound.
Infliximab was not allowed for a minimum of 8 wk prior to study initiation. Other therapy for Crohn's disease that was at a stable dose for 4 wk prior to enrollment was continued at the same doses.From MEDLINE /PubMed, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Drug was administered by mouth each evening for a 12-wk period. RESULTS : Seventeen patients with a mean CDAI score of 356 /- 27 were enrolled. CDAI scores decreased significantly (P 0.01) with LDN, and remained lower than baseline 4 wk after completing therapy.In an open-labeled pilot prospective trial, the safety and efficacy of low-dose naltrexone (LDN an opioid antagonist, were tested in patients with active Crohn's disease. METHODS : Eligible subjects with histologically and endoscopically confirmed active Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI ) score of 220-450 were.
Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse EMBEDA contains morphine a Schedule II controlled substance. As an opioid, EMBEDA exposes users to the risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse. As modified-release products such as EMBEDA deliver the opioid over an extended period of time, there is a greater.Also, the immune modulating affect of the opioid antagonist, Naltrexone, have been shown to improve the livers condition, including reducing ALT/AST levels, cholestasis-induced liver injury, liver fibrosis, and hepatitis. Those clinical trails will be posted separately.
At 1 year, placebo-subtracted weight loss with lorcaserin is about 3 in the intent-to-treat population or 4 in study completers (study participants who remained on drug for the duration of the study) 18, 19 and 20.Bihari's practice. Less than 1 of these patients has ever experienced a fresh attack of MS wh).
BioCorRx also owns a life-coaching program that is tailored specifically to substance abuse addicts. Once a patient has received the implant, they are encouraged to enter the life-coaching program to maximize results.Check with your doctor before you drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are taking naltrexone; it may add to their effects.
Darvon Darvon is a pharmaceutical-grade pain reliever that contains propoxyphene, caffeine, and aspirin. The FDA withdrew approval of this opioid in 2010 due to the dangers of propoxyphene, as it can have negative effects on the heart.Do NOT use naltrexone if: you are allergic to any ingredient in naltrexone you are pregnant you have end-stage kidney disease or high blood pressure that is not controlled, or you are going through withdrawal from opioid medicines (eg, oxycodone) you are taking any other.
Do not take 2 doses at once. Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use naltrexone. Important safety information: Follow the diet and exercise program given to you by your health care provider.In the developing world, LDN could provide the first low-cost, easy to administer, and side-effect-free therapy for HIV/AIDS. Naltrexone itself was approved by the FDA in 1984 in a 50mg dose for the purpose of helping heroin or opium addicts, by blocking the effect of.

domain: literature


A hit-and-run driver left a bicyclist to die after mowing him down Monday night on a service road leading into LaGuardia Airport, authorities said.
The driver hit the 36-year-old bicyclist, who worked for Swissport, after 7 p.m. on Runway Drive, which feeds into the west side of the East Elmhurst airport, police sources said.
Medics performed CPR on the bicyclist, but he could not be saved. The unidentified rider died at Elmhurst Hospital at 7:37 p.m., Port Authority Police spokesman Joseph Pentangelo said.
Authorities shut down Runway Drive in both directions between 94th St. and Marine Terminal Road as police investigated, Pentangelo said.
Swissport provides aviation ground- and cargo-handling services in 48 countries, according to the company's website.


text:
Sold Out $34.99 USD
Start a new chapter with Ever After High, where the teenage sons and daughters of famous fairytales decide whether or not to follow in their parents’ fabled footsteps. Kitty Cheshire, daughter of the infamous Cheshire Cat of Wonderland, has chosen to rewrite her destiny as an Ever After Rebel -- and to do it in storied style. Fans of Ever After High will recognize her iconic outfit featured in the webisodes. Kitty has fashionistas grinning wearing a hexquisite purple dress with a cat-inspired print bodice, a black lace overlay on the skirt and short mesh sleeves. Purple chevron-patterned tights and “fur”-lined booties are the cat’s meow, while earrings with yarn detailing are the purr-fect jewelry for this cool cat. Kitty Cheshire doll completes the legendary look with a fableous headband and bag that features the iconic Cheshire grin. Capture all of her poses using the included doll stand. Doll also comes with a bookmark that shares her hexclusive story and a doll hairbrush. Collect all of the spellbinding students of Ever After High (sold separately) for hexquisite display and storytelling fun. Colors and decorations may vary. Doll cannot stand alone. Ages 6 and older.
Sold Out - $39.99 USD $49.99 USD
Ever After High Epic Winter Sparklizer Doll set Ever After High experiences a magical snow day in the Netflix Original Series Epic Winter, but is it to be forever after? This...
Sold Out - $34.99 USD $44.99 USD
Ever After High Lizzie Hearts Spring Unsprung Book. Includes Lizzie Hearts doll and interactive book that becomes a dorm room and a jewelry storage diorama for the doll.

domain: entertainment


text:
Search 321,000 hotels worldwide.
Get the best price available for your trip.
No Expedia cancellation fee to change or cancel almost any hotel reservation.
I cook and like making coffee and tea in the morning before I have breakfast. Very nice Kitchen with 2 burner stove top. I ask for a Microwave oven and it was deliver to my room at no cost! Very good service. Also a LARGE private balcony to enjoy the warm summer nights. I loved the hotel and location. ...
The hotel is located in very good place near all everything to sightseeing. The room was good but so bad for not having internet access as announced in web site.
Mostly very good to excellent. The location is irrelevant because Brasilia is a planned city with the hotel sections predefined. The only disappointment is that there is no bar/lounge or regular restaurant; they do have a very nice breakfast.
Search for Family-Friendly Hotels in Federal District on Expedia.co.uk. You can easily find your Family-Friendly Hotels in Federal District using one of the methods below:

domain: travel


Fiat money is a means of the mutual financial settlement between the market players. Be it for physical products or services, consumers look for flexibility in payment methods. Digital currencies are no exception, especially in the e-commerce world where flexibility is a key to creating better user experiences and higher conversions.
From the very first moment crypto and blockchain entered our newsfeeds, analysts predicted its fast decay. The ups and downs of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies only strengthened the arguments, pointing at market volatility.
Missing legislative regulations is another counterargument the opponents of crypto use. Or should I say, used to use? As of March 9th, 2022 the White House issued the Executive Order that, in fact, is the first step to legitimizing the cryptocurrency industry.
What’s more, over the past decade, major retail players have become the early adopters of crypto. Here’s a short list of online stores that accept payments in diverse cryptocurrencies:
Whole Foods Market Expedia Travel Newegg The Home Depot Add PayPal, Twitch, Namecheap, Wikipedia, and Sotheby’s to the list. Cryptocurrency isn’t just a buzzword anymore, it’s the new black. And, according to Gartner , 20% of large companies will adopt digital currencies (including crypto) by 2024. Why would retailers invest in crypto? Seeing how fast the world is responding to the adoption of crypto, it is not so hard to imagine why ecommerce merchants want to jump on the bandwagon. Let’s lift the curtain on why top ecommerce companies are choosing cryptocurrencies as one of their payment methods. More solvent clients Crypto adoption by a broader market is in its early stages, as Visa research states. But even at the moment of growth, it already has 21% of active users. This means they have recently made […]
I am a robot. This article is curated from another source (e.g. videos, images, articles, etc.). For the complete article please use the link provided to visit the original source or author. Content from other websites behaves in the exact same way as if the visitor has visited the other website.
Warning: The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of MichelPaquin.com.


Some time ago, I read an article on This is Rocket Science. It talked about a crazy nuclear powered rocket and was illustrated with the image to the right:
Back in the mid 1950's, nuclear powered cruise missiles were being studied and in 1957, development was initiated as Project Pluto. The reactor for the missile was to be developed by the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory, with the ramjet being built by Marquadt. Ling-Temco-Vought was awarded the contract to develop the airframe for the missile itself, which was known as SLAM (Supersonic Low-Altitude Missile).
Read more at This is Rocket Science (Image and text used with permission)
And I thought to myself (and anyone else in ear-shot at the time) that I had to have a go at building one!
I built this up in Rocksim. It seems stable and an E9 should push it to about 1,000' and an F21 to about 1,900'
If the weather is on our side this weekend, it should get a launch!
Click to embiggen
BT70 Body Tube
3 x 3mm Plywood Fins
2 x 3mm Plywood Canards
BT50 Engine Scoop
24mm Engine Mount
26.5" / 67cm
Read more about the SLAM Missile and Project Pluto on Wikipedia


text:
The Department of Labor (DOL) has submitted the following public information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35). A copy of this ICR, with applicable supporting documentation, may be obtained by contacting Darrin King on 202-693-4129 (this is not a toll-free number) or e-mail: email@example.com.
Comments should be sent to Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for the Employment Standards Administration (ESA), Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, 202-395-7316 (this is not a toll-free number), within 30 days from the date of this publication in the Federal Register.
The OMB is particularly interested in comments which:
- Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;
- Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
- Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
- Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.
Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
Type of Review: Extension of currently approved collection.
Title: Report of Construction Contractor's Wage Rates.
OMB Number: 1215-0046.
Form Number: WD-10.
Frequency: On occasion.
Type of Response: Reporting.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 37,500.
Number of Annual Responses: 75,000.
Estimated Time Per Response: 20 minutes.
Total Burden Hours: 25,000.
Total Annualized capital/startup costs: $0.
Total Annual Costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): $0.
Description: The Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. 3141, et seq.) provides that every contract in excess of $2,000 to which the United States or the District of Columbia is a party for construction, alteration, and/or repair which requires or involves the employment of mechanics and/or laborers shall contain a provision stating the minimum wages to be paid various classes of laborers and mechanics which shall be based upon the wages that will be determined by the Secretary of Labor to be prevailing for the corresponding classes of laborers and mechanics employed on projects of a character similar to the contract work in the city, town, village or other civil subdivision of the State in which the work is to be performed. Further, Section 1.3 of Regulations 29 CFR part 1 provides that the Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division, through a delegation of authority, is responsible for making these wage determinations. Accordingly, Form WD-10 is used by the U.S. Department of Labor to elicit construction project data from contractor associations, contractors and unions. The wage data is used to determine locally prevailing wages under the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts.Start Signature
Ira L. Mills,
Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-26146 Filed 11-24-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-27-P


The National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Boeing Defense, Space and Security are delaying a manned-flight with Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner space capsule, from April until at least until July 21, according to reports. The Starliner is a reusable aircraft intended to transport crewmembers to low-Earth-orbit destinations, such as the International Space Station.
No specific reason was offered for the delay, some reports cite certification issues related to the capsule’s parachute system, as well as scheduling constraints with other missions scheduled to or from the ISS.
Last August a scheduled flight was put on hold until February of this year. In March, NASA and Boeing reported that the first manned mission (Crew Flight Test) for Starliner would ferry NASA astronauts to the ISS in April.
“We know that what we’re doing is extremely important, launching humans in space," according to Mark Nappi, vice president and program manager, Boeing Commercial Crew Program. "So we’ll take our time and we'll make sure that everybody is confident with the work that’s been done.”
NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager for the Starliner Steve Stich appeared to minimize the significance of the delay in comments to the media on Wednesday. “The Starliner spacecraft is in really good shape,” Stich said. He also said the capsule is “largely ready for flight.”
In 2011 NASA hired Boeing as well as SpaceX to develop transport systems for its Commercial Crew Program, to carry astronauts to the ISS. Boeing designed the CST-100 to hold seven passengers, or a combination of crew members and cargo.
SpaceX has launched several manned flights using its own CCP vessel.
The Starliner capsule is designed as a weldless structure reusable for up to 10 space missions, with six months between missions.
The CST-100 is launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida via a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket.


text:
The Standoff at Sparrow Creek
Gannon (James Badge Dale) is alone at his rural trailer when he becomes alarmed by the sound of gunfire in the distance. We learn he is an ex-cop and member of a militia group which he begins to contact in order to discuss the incident and its possible ramifications. By the time the eight men have gathered at the lumber warehouse where they store their arms, they've learned that a lone gunman walked out of the woods and opened fire on the funeral of a policeman with an AR-15, one of their AR-15s is missing and only one of the people present could have taken it in "The Standoff at Sparrow Creek."
Laura's Review: B
Writer/director Henry Dunham's twisty, dialogue heavy chamber play is a taut psychological thriller that upends our expectations, pulling the rug out from under us in its final moments. The cast is comprised of a strong mix of character actors, each of whom brings something different to the table. This small, virtually single-set film is lean and quick on its feet. The last to arrive is Noah (Brian Geraghty), who will come under suspicion quickly. Unbeknownst to all, though, is that he is both Gannon's brother and an undercover cop. Gannon is determined to protect him and begins one-on-one questioning in the facility's spare, brightly lit basement, tying Morris (Happy Anderson) to a chair, applying reverse psychology in a tale which plays with us in parallel. Everyone has a seeming alibi, like Hubbel (Gene Jones) and Morris's claim to have been hunting, yet none of their stories are airtight. As tensions rise, we learn of these men's legitimate grievances and there is more to their banding together to fight a government turned against them than former membership with the Aryan Nation would initially indicate. With Beckmann (Patrick Fischler) at the radio reporting similar incidents in other states, Ford (Chris Mulkey) questioning Gannon's authority and the mute youngest member, Keating (Robert Aramayo), surprising everyone by unleashing his philosophy, Hubbel suggest this is the day they have planned for. Then police arrive on the scene and it's lights out, armed men on either side of metal bay doors eerily illuminated by flashlight. Dunham's spare direction utilizes his drab setting to strong effect, accentuating frayed nerves with the low drone of ambient noise. A tossed off inventory - of bump stocks, Kevlar and explosives - is chilling when we realize that it is estimated that there are over 1,000 such groups active in the U.S. today containing far more members than the group at Sparrow Creek. But Dunham isn't interested in presenting either a right or left wing polemic, instead presenting something more character driven and more disturbing in its insidiousness. "The Standoff at Sparrow Creek" is a gritty little nail biter. Grade:
Robin's Review: B+
The Berkman siblings, teenaged Walt (Jesse Eisenberg) and his younger brother Frank (Owen Kline), are about to see their happy family life fall apart. Their college professor father Bernard (Jeff Daniels) and fledgling but talented writer-mother Joan (Laura Linney) call a family meeting and announce their separation. Both parents want custody of the boys and decide that each will have them every other day. This proves to be a less than ideal situation as Walt and Frank take sides in the family breakup in “The Squid and the Whale.” Writer/director Noah Baumbach reprises his own childhood memories in his story about a slice of the life of the Berkman family. Bernard was a promising writer in his younger days but now, in his middle years, has failed to get anything published. Joan, always the diligent housewife for many years, tried her hand at writing and, to Bernard’s chagrin and her surprise, is a success. This causes a rift in their marriage as uber-intellectual Bernard resents Joan getting published and not him. When they decide to split and share custody of their kids there seems to be little concern for how it will affect Walt and Frank. The boys start to take sides and the drama begins. The Squid and the Whale” is a labor of love by its creator, Baumbach, which works beautifully on two fronts. It has a rock solid script with great dialogue and full-bodied characters. Better still, the film has a cast that is top-notch across the board. The story about a family falling apart is skillfully told and deals with things like professional and personal jealousy, mainly by Bernard, and the allegiances that form when a marriage breaks up. Things appear black and white as opinionated Bernard spouts his views on literature, art and movies. Walt, who looks up to his father, parrots these opinions as his own and it looks like the battle lines will be drawn with Bernard and Walt on one side and Joan and Frank on the other. But this isn’t black and white and the richness and attention to familial detail soon become apparent. This is one finely scripted flick. But, even a good script can fall flat if the actors fail to inhabit the characters. Fortunately, the four leads are equal to the task and all give sparkling performances. Jeff Daniels is brilliant as the self-centered, egotistical, intellectual snob, Bernard, and does an outstanding job in rounding out the man into a human being. Laura Linney, too, does a marvelous job as a woman who has lived in the shadows of her husband’s success but, now, enjoys having the spotlight. Jesse Eisenberg, who made such as splash opposite Campbell Scott in “Roger Dodger,” really shows his acting chops as Walt. This young thesp is a force to watch for in the future. Owen Kline, a fresh face for the big screen (although he does resemble the Culkin boys a bit and not his dad, Kevin Kline), does a marvelous job as a pre-teen who has trouble coping with his parents’ split. Even small supporting roles are fully realized – William Baldwin as Frank’s tennis teacher and Joan’s lover, Ivan, and Anna Paquin as Bernard’s foxy student/roommate, Lili, both stand out from the background. My only fault with “The Squid and the Whale” is a nitpick that poked me in the eye but the average viewer probably won’t notice or care about. The film takes place in the 1980’s and interior scenes and costumes fit the period. But, when the action hits the streets, the filmmakers fail miserably in keeping the new millennium out of the picture with obvious new model cars everywhere. Again, most won’t care and it does little to diminish my respect for the film, its creator, cast and crew.

domain: artistic