Author: Serkadis

You may recall recently that the Florida Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee issued an opinion saying that judges shouldn’t use Facebook to connect with any lawyers. This made little sense since judges can, in fact, be friendly with lawyers in real life. There must be something in the water down there, as new rules from the Florida Bar are so broad that they could potentially ban lawyer blogs because of an attempt to more carefully limit how lawyers “advertise” (found via Michael Scott):

The substantive rules provide, among other things, that an attorney website can’t “describe or characterize the quality of legal services being offered.” Rule 4-7.2(c)(2) Thus, I can’t tell you in this post that I’m committed to using my legal skills to provide positive results for my clients (even though this is true). And I can’t give you information regarding my past results, so I probably shouldn’t tell you the true information that I lost a case I argued in a Florida court as cooperating counsel for the ACLU in a “John Doe” case. Rule 4-7.2(c)(1)(F). I also can’t include testimonials; therefore, I request any former students or clients not to post comments saying what a wonderful lawyer and/or professor I am. Dramatizations and many other creative marketing devices are also verboten. Of course, my personal concerns about the new bar rules are trivial when set beside those of all the Florida law firms who must now spend vast sums of money to revamp their websites to try to comply with the new rules, not to mention the concerns of non-Florida firms that hire Florida attorneys.

That same blog post, by Lyrissa Lidsky, reasonably points out that the First Amendment should protect legal advertising as long as it’s not inherently misleading. Of course, this issue has come up in the past as well. Five years ago, we wrote about concerns that laws in Kentucky required “filing fees” for lawyers to pay for “each advertisement” that would make legal blogging in the state prohibitively expensive.

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Opel acaba de presentar en Alemania una versión exclusiva del Corsa para conmemorar la época en la que dicha marca era un referente en la competición del motor. Esta versión especial recibirá el nombre de Opel Corsa Color Race.

Este modelo destaca por su exclusiva combinación de colores, negro y amarillo. Por otra parte, también está disponible en Blanco Casablanca y Rojo Magma. En el interior nos encontramos una tapicería que hace uso de los mismos colores que la carrocería, un techo panorámico y un volante revestido en cuero.

En cuanto a la motorización, podremos elegir entre un motor de 1.4 litros gasolina de 87 CV o 100 CV y un 1.7 CDTI de 130 CV y 300 Nm. Su precio apróximado es de 15.560€.

Related posts:

1. Opel Corsa 111 Years
2. Nuevas imágenes oficiales del Nuevo Opel Astra
3. El nuevo Opel Astra disponible en España apartir de Noviembre

This Sunday, January 17th, First Lady Michelle Obama will celebrate her 46th birthday. We here at Michelle Obama Watch would like to extend our warmest birthday wishes to the First Lady. As we look back and reflect on her first year as First Lady of the United States we say congratulations on a job well done and we look forward to more Michelle Obama Watching as the unique, never been told told story of First Lady Michelle Obama unfolds. Happy Birthday First Lady and may you be blessed with many more!!!

To celebrate the First Lady shared a cake with her White House staff.

On her special nigh,t according to Lynn  Sweet at the Chicago Sun-Times…

“… President Obama took her to dinner at Restaurant Nora, one of this city’s best known special occasion eateries with a gang of Chicago pals as guests.

Among the guests were Marian Robinson, Michelle’s mother; Chicago pal and senior adviser Valerie Jarrett; Chicago pals Eric and Cheryl Whitaker; and Attorney General Eric Holder and his wife, Sharon Malone.”

The Obamas lingered at Nora’s for four hours. My spy who happened by chance to be at Nora’s told me the presidential party was in the private upstairs room — and the other guests were frisked and wanded before being allowed in the restaurant near Dupont Circle.

Nora’s is well-known for serving locally produced organic food.”

Posted by Aminah Hanan

Chevrolet acaba de anunciar una nueva edición especial limitada de uno de sus modelos más importantes. No es otra que el Chevrolet Camaro Synergy Special Edition que recupera el verde de los primeros Camaros que salieron a la venta.

Junto al verde ”Synergy” le acompañan dos bandas de color gris “Cyber” que están presentes tanto en el capó como en el maletero. En el interior nos encontramos con una tapicería en un color negro “Jet“.

Otros elementos disponibles en esta edición limitada son las llantas de 19 pulgadas de plata “Sterling“, un spoiler trasero y el paquete de equipamiento “Comodidad y Conectividad” que cuenta con puerto USB, conexión Bluetooth y arranque a distancia en el caso de poseer caja de cambios automática. Este modelo sólo se fabricará entre febrero y mayo de este mismo año.

En el ambito de la motorización, nos encontramos con un motor 1LT 3.6 V6 con inyección directa y 304 cv. Podremos elegir entre una transmisión de seis velocidades manual o automática. Su precio apróximado será de 26.790$ .

Related posts:

1. Chevrolet Camaro estará disponible en Europa
2. General Motors confirma la producción de nuevos Chevrolet Camaro Cabrio
3. Chevrolet Aveo RS Concept

Last weekend, Saturday Night Live did another skit poking fun at embattled New York Governor David Paterson and his blindness, and once again, the politician was not amused.

Cast member Fred Armisen played the governor as a confused and clumsy New Jersey hater with a penchant for staring away from the camera as Charles Barkley hosted the first episode of SNL of the decade. Gov. Paterson says he “can take a joke” about his blindness, but contends SNL is going too far.

“By the way, I don’t bounce off walls and if anyone from ‘Saturday Night Live’ would like to have me on, maybe I can bounce a few left hands off of them,” Paterson told Don Imus during an interview on “Imus in the Morning” this week.

He noted that about 70 percent of blind people are unemployed, and that jokes like the one on SNL perpetuate a negative stereotype.

See Any Dentist – No Referrals Needed

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) is offering individual and family dental plans to its members with the BlueCare Dental PPO plan.

With the BlueCare Dental PPO, members have access to one of the largest networks of contracting dentists and are able to see any dentist without a referral.

“The BlueCare Dental PPO plan has one of the highest maximum benefit levels with no deductibles for checkups, cleanings and other preventive services,” says BCBSIL Divisional Vice President of Consumer Markets, Katherine Wright.

“This saves our members’ money.”

With the BlueCare Dental PPO plan, costs are reduced when members receive care from a network dentist. However, the plan allows members to see any dentist not in the network, but out-of-pocket costs may be higher.

There is also a 20% discount for orthodontic services at participating dentists.

Existing individual members can add BlueCare Dental PPO to their health insurance plan without having to answer any medical questions through January 29, 2010. It’s as simple as adding an amendment (called a Dental Rider) to their policy.

All family members currently on the BCBSIL health insurance plan must be added to the dental plan. Coverage begins after the first dental premium is received.

To enroll in the dental plan, members can log in to Blue Access for Members (BAM) at bcbsil.com, call 1-888-454-5594, or contact a BCBSIL authorized independent health insurance agent.

The deadline for existing members to enroll is Jan. 29, 2010.  New BCBSIL applicants can check the dental checkbox on the application for medical coverage.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois

With more than 7 million members, BCBSIL, a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, is the largest health insurance company in Illinois.

Started in 1936, BCBSIL is committed to promoting the health and wellness of its members and its communities through accessible, cost-effective, quality health care.

BCBSIL is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

Spam is unwanted electronic mail which is sent in bulk. E-mail spam involves unwanted bulk emails which are exactly the same being sent to the recipient. Email providers usually offer filters in order to help the recipient get rid of spam mail.

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There is also instant messaging spam, which is sometimes known as SPIM. Many instant messaging services such as Yahoo! And MSN give users the option of ticking a box which enables them to only receive messages from the people on their contact list in order to prevent spam. Spam can also be found in blogs, mobile phones, forums, search engines etc.

It was Monty Python’s sketch involving a restaurant with only spam to eat which caused the term ‘spam’ to come about. In the sketch, the only food on the menu is spam, which is a reference to spam being one of the few foods available during the second world war.

New York City is embracing California’s unwanted Chihuahuas. More than a dozen of the goggle-eyed poochies from San Francisco were flown to New York last week, where the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) will help them find new homes.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Chihuahuas, best known for inhabiting the handbags of Paris Hilton and other Hollywood simpletons, became New Yorkers this month after being rescued from the West Coast. The evacuation was in response to what ASPCA calls the “massive overpopulation of Chihuahuas in California.”

Diane Wilkerson, director of the ASPCA volunteer program, blames a change in Hollywood trends and the poor economy for the increase in homeless Chihuahuas.

“Small dogs are very, very popular here in New York, so there seemed to be a really nice way New York could work with this,” she said.

During the Wrooom – Press Ski Meeting held in the Dolomites by Ducati and Ferrari teams this week, Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta stated he has high hopes that the number of riders on the MotoGP grid will boost in 2012, following the decision to increase the maximum engine capacity to 1000cc.

Grid numbers dropped to as low as 17 by the end of the season, but Ezpeleta is confident that it will increase to 22 thanks the new regulations, even if he insists Dorna won’t specifically target any company… (read more)

As hinted earlier today, German carmaker Opel is now ready to take on the challenges of the future with a new management team, led by Nick Reilly as chief executive officer. Immediately below Reilly, Mark James, until now CFO for GM Daewoo, has become Opel’s CFO.

In additon Rita Forst, former Executive Director, Vehicle Systems & Integration in Rüsselsheim is the new responsible for Engineering while Hans Demant has been appointed GM Vice President, Global Intellectual Property Rights.

Th… (read more)

City of Chicago and University announce developer for Harper Court

The City of Chicago and the University of Chicago on Thursday announced that Vermilion Development has been selected to redevelop the Harper Court retail complex in Hyde Park.

Vermilion, which has extensive experience in mixed–use developments, was recommended by a joint committee comprised of Department of Community Development planning staff and staff at the University of Chicago.

Vermilion was selected from among 12 development firms who responded to a Request for Qualifications that described the development opportunity and requirements for submitting a proposal for the 128,000–square–foot site.

“This creates an exciting opportunity to redevelop this portion of 53rd Street by creating commercial and retail space that complements the surrounding community,” acting DCD Commissioner Chris Raguso said.

“The proposed development will complement and enhance other nearby revitalization efforts, helping to ensure Hyde Park’s future economic viability.”

“As a result of thoughtful and creative input from Hyde Park residents and business owners, we have an excellent development proposal that will serve both the neighborhood and the many visitors to Hyde Park from throughout the city and beyond,” said Ann Marie Lipinski, Vice President for Civic Engagement at the University.

“The commitment to Hyde Park’s vitality by both the city and the university is very strong, and this project is a powerful demonstration of that commitment.”

“I am grateful to my staff, DCD personnel and University of Chicago staff for their hard work over the last year on this project,” said 4th Ward Alderman Toni Preckwinkle.

“The development team which was chosen will transform commercial development in Hyde Park.”

The project is a partnership between the City, which owns an adjacent parking lot on South Lake Park Avenue just east of Harper, and the University, which owns the current retail properties.

Vermilion’s proposal calls for redeveloping the 40–year–old shopping center located at 5211 S. Harper Ave. by demolishing the existing center and replacing it with a mixed–use development.

The proposed $200 million development will be built in three phases that may include a mix of unique dining, entertainment, retail and office uses.

The City and the University will enter into negotiations with Vermilion and prepare a redevelopment agreement for approval by the City Council at a later date.

Filed under: Sedan, Infiniti, Rumormill, Luxury

When the team over at Inside Line reported on Tuesday that the 2011 Infiniti G Series sedan will be offered with a turbocharged 2.5-liter V6 borrowed from the JDM Skyline 250GT (sold as the Infiniti G on our shores), we were left scratching our heads. Understanding that the car was intended to be an entry-level (and fuel-efficient) competitor to the BMW 328i and Lexus IS250, arming it with a 280-horsepower turbocharged powerplant simply didn’t make sense.

With a genuine apology for an erroneous report, IL is now reporting that the turbocharger will be left back in Japan. Sans turbo, the Infiniti G25 will arrive with a normally-aspirated 2.5-liter V6 rated at 210 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. That’s more like it… maybe. According to our tipster, the engine will be rated at 235 hp and 187 lb-ft of torque. Don’t memorize those numbers either, because our sources say it’s 222 hp and 194 lb-ft of torque. Bottom line: There will be no turbocharged engine under the hood of the upcoming Infiniti G25. Thanks for the tip Dr. J!

[Source: Inside Line]

Inside Line: Infiniti G25 still coming, but forget that turbo thing… originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Remember those pink taxi cabs in Mexico City? Well a parking lot exclusively for women drivers will open early next year at a shopping center in China. The women’s parking lot will be located underneath the Wanxiang Tiancheng shopping center and will offer wider parking spaces especially designed for female drivers. Local Chinese insurance companies claim that  females tend to cause twice as many collisions in parking lots than in other places. There will be three lights in every parking space to improve visibility for female drivers. It will also be painted in pink and light purple to appeal to female tastes and cute cartoon pictures will decorate the parking lot. Additionally, female parking guides have been trained to direct the drivers when they park their vehicles. If any ladies out there actually stop by this mall, be sure to send us a twitpic when you are going to the parking garage!

So who else is offended by this story?

(Via BBC News)

Twitter dispuesto a entrar a fondo en la lucha por la identidad online de los usuarios, empujando una alternativa a Facebook Connect y Google Friend Connect. Si bien ya ofrecen la sistema de identididad digital basado en oAuth, la novedad es que quieren ponerlo más fácil tanto para integrar identificación Twitter desde sitios de terceros como para que la actividad de los usuarios en estos otros sitios sea visible en Twitter (TC).

Precisamente el tener un retorno en forma de enlaces y apariciones en el perfil del usuario es la mayor ventaja de Facebook Connect frente a Google y el motivo por el que tantas webs lo están integrando: facilita la identificación del usuario, que la hace con su identidad real y además comunica las acciones en dicha web a sus contactos en la red social. El último en caer parece ser MySpace en una sección de su web, FanVideo, no accesible fuera de Estados Unidos (Inside Facebook).

La apuesta de Twitter creo que tiene mucho recorrido, este movimiento sólo supone su facilitación para webs que no vayan a invertir en desarrollo. Tiene un retorno (algo de lo que carece Google Friend Connect) y además resulta a priori un retorno bastante más productivo: los usuarios de Twitter están abiertos a salir del servicio, son “clickeadores” de enlaces, en contraposición al patrón de uso de Facebook, en el que los usuarios tienden a quedarse durante mucho tiempo sin querer salir. Claro que su problema sigue siendo que para sitios técnicos te asegura una cobertura amplia por ser tener un público de usuarios avanzados, pero el lector de otras temáticas sea probablemente usuario de red social pero no de Twitter.

General Care
The Guardian reports on parents of disabled children to be recruited by councils to help other parents in similar situations under plans to improve access to childcare. (Dec 29)

The Times reports on a number of initiatives that are offering a lifeline to those elderly suffering loneliness. (Dec 31)

Department of Health urges the public to make a New Year’s resolution to look in on older neighbours. (Dec 31)

The Guardian reports on social workers suffering ‘epidemic of stress’ as average worker takes off 25 days of sick leave a year. (Jan 2)

The Times reports that under Tory proposals, thousands of children in care would be placed in state boarding schools. (Jan 2)

The Sunday Express reports that the NHS is using millions of pounds earmarked for carers to plug holes in healthcare budgets. (Jan 3)

The Sunday Mirror reports on new figures that reveal that almost 400 midwives have emigrated, despite massive NHS shortages. (Jan 3)

The Observer features Mulberry Bush school in Oxfordshire, which treats damaged and disturbed children. (Jan 3)

Dementia in the press
The Daily Telegraph has comments on sufferers of dementia in care homes at Christmas. (Jan 3)

General Care
The Daily Mail reports on the case of an 80 year old man suffering from progressive supranuclear palsy has been ruled not ill enough to qualify for free care. (21 Dec)

The Times reports that public spending cuts are putting the future of independent adoption agencies in doubt. (21 Dec)

The Independent writes that Macmillan Cancer Support has warned that 25 per cent of cancer patients in Britain cannot afford to switch on heating. (21 Dec)

Department of Health suggests looking in on your neighbours at Christmas as half a million people spend the day alone. (22 Dec)

The Guardian has several letters to the editor by elderly readers on recent articles in relation to social and climate change and an ageing population. (22 Dec)

The Times provides comment on The Place2Be, which intervenes early in children’s lives and counsels them back onto the right track. (23 Dec)

The Daily Telegraph reports that the number of people over 85 years old will increase by a third in the next decade, adding pressure on the NHS. (23 Dec)

The Guardian has comment by Jonathan Freedland on the extent of loneliness affecting the elderly and also those who are alone at Christmas. (23 Dec)

The Daily Mirror has tips on how to avoid loneliness at Christmas. (23 Dec)

Comment on Big Care Debate
The Daily Telegraph, Daily Mail, and The Daily Mirror all report on an analysis that reveals that the number of pensioners forced to sell their homes to pay for care is rising. (18 Dec)

General Care
The Daily Mail reports a new ‘urgent care’ number needs to be set up for those in need of treatment that is not urgent enough to warrant a 999 call. (17 Dec)

The Daily Telegraph reports that an elderly women in Bournemouth has been banned from giving her carers small Christmas gifts. (17 Dec)

The Financial Times reports that care home operator Care UK has received an improved bid from private equity firm Bridgepoint. (17 Dec)

The Daily Telegraph reports that Care UK was boosted by news of a counter-offer from private equity firm Advent International. (18 Dec)

Much like its parent Google, YouTube dominates its market and the site is orders of magnitude bigger than its competitors. Yet, since it acquired it in 2007, Google hasn’t been able to make a profit from the video outfit despite increasingly sophisticated monetizing schemes. Lately, Google has become more confident in the site and said it would become… (read more)