Author: Serkadis

We’ve seen this before, but it’s still really incredible. The Odeon movie theater chain is apparently refusing to show the new Alice in Wonderland film, directed by Tim Burton, in the UK, Ireland and Italy, because Disney is (smartly) trying to shorten the “window” between the cinema release and the DVD release. Basically, what Odeon is admitting here is that it knows the experience of going to its theaters is so bad that it simply can’t compete with watching the movie at home. This is a rather stunning admission by Odeon and probably should make you think twice before going to any Odeon theaters.

The reason that the box office had its best year ever last year was because people like going out to the movies, for the experience, even if they can watch the movie at home. Odeon’s admission that it can’t compete even with a 12-week head start is really incredible. Disney isn’t even really pushing the bar that much. Many of us believe that there shouldn’t be any window at all, but Disney is just trying to reduce the window on this movie from 17-weeks down to 12-weeks. And Odeon is giving up all the revenue from people wanting to see the movie because it’s afraid it might make slightly less in just 12 weeks? This makes no sense at all. Not only is Odeon guaranteeing no revenue at all from this movie, it’s publicizing the fact that it believes its theaters aren’t worth going to.

Permalink | Comments | Email This Story

Editor’s note: This is the first of a periodic guide series called “What You Need to Know.” These stories will give you a quick overview of key topics related to sustainable living.

By Bill Sullivan
Green Right Now

For most folks, the arrival of the electric bill is not among the month’s highlight moments. Even families who work on conserving energy by turning off lights, unplugging appliances and easing up on heating and cooling, can only do so much. Ultimately, it’s still pretty expensive to keep a household adequately powered up.

How can we avoid sending so much of our monthly income to the local utility company? There are plenty of options, each of which has its good and bad aspects.

Here’s a look at some ways you can take powering your home into your own hands:

Home Wind Generators

Home wind (Photo: Endurance Wind Power)

Having a tower with a whirling rotor in your back yard can take a bite out of your utility costs, but it isn’t for everyone.

For starters, you need a fair amount of space to build a foundation. You’ll also need adequate vertical and lateral clearance. If you don’t live in the country or have a decent-size lot, there very likely are zoning ordinances that would kill your project. Either way, nearby neighbors may not appreciate the addition to the landscape, not to mention the noise turbines make when the wind is up and the rotor is cranking away. (Most aren’t very loud, but “loud” obviously is subject to interpretation.)

And that doesn’t address a basic question: How windy is it where you live? If your breezes are mostly calm, save for the occasional storm, there isn’t much point in going this direction. Also, consider how big an impact the turbine is likely to have on your overall bill.

If, for instance, you live in the South or Southwest, spring storms and wind can keep your turbine humming. Once July and August roll around? Well, they don’t call it “dead of summer” for nothing, and almost nonexistent breezes won’t do much to cool your home on a 100-degree day.

Check this wind map to see where you stand:

This U.S. Wind Map shows that the highest winds, in purple and pink, cut across the nation's midesection (Image: U.S. Department of Energy.)

Assuming other conditions are good, you’ll still have to install a pretty big tower to make it all worthwhile. In Hunt County, Texas, Nancy Riddick went with a 33-footer with 12-foot rotors behind her country home in late 2007. The cost: A little under $12,000. By the following spring, she estimated savings of about 40 percent on her electric bill compared with the same month the previous year.

Last month, Anaba Winery of Sonoma, Calif., installed a 45-foot tower for about $20,000, a figure that should be cut in half by state and federal incentives. The winery anticipates a seven-year return on the investment.

Small wind options for homeowners are expanding quickly, with newer models that are smaller, quieter and in some cases, re-configured. Throughtout 2010, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory will be testing small wind turbines so that it can make recommendations about what will work best in the  “small wind” sector.

Mariah Power's Windspire

See this NREL web page for information on new small wind equipment, such as Mariah Power’s space-saving, vertical axis Windspire or Gaia-Wind’s mini tower designed for lower wind conditions.

You also can start your research by looking at the manufacturing companies that are working with the NREL to develop successful wind turbine prototypes for home use.

According to the American Wind Energy Association, “The wind turbine typically lowers your electricity bill by 50 to 90 percent. It is not uncommon for wind turbine owners with total-electric homes to have monthly utility bills of only $8 to $15 for nine months of the year. In northern parts of the country where less air conditioning is used, the bills can be very low year-round. The amount of money a small wind turbine saves you in the long run will depend upon its cost, the amount of electricity you use, the average wind speed at your site, and other factors.”

General Motors just announced that Chinese company Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machines Co., Ltd. (Tengzhong) was unable to complete the acquisition of Hummer. The Detroit automaker said that it will begin the orderly wind-down of the Hummer operations.

“One year ago, General Motors announced that we were going to divest HUMMER, as part of focusing our efforts on Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac going forward. We have since considered a number of possibilities for HUMMER along the way, and we are disappointed that the deal with Tengzhong could not be completed,” said John Smith GM vice president of corporate planning and alliances. “GM will now work closely with HUMMER employees, dealers and suppliers to wind down the business in an orderly and responsible manner.”

GM said that it will continue to honor Hummer warranties, while providing service support and spare parts to current Hummer owners.

– By: Omar Rana

Lotus Engineering announced today that it will unveil the Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid Concept a the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. The concept shows high-performance technology mated to a plug-in hybrid drive system and new technologies for enhanced driver involvement.

Power for the Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid Concept comes from a high-performance drivetrain system consisting of two motors providing 204-hp and 295 lb-ft of torque to each rear-wheel, single speed, reduction transmission integrated into a singe housing. That provides for a total of 407-hp and a torque of 590 lb-ft with a 0-62 mph time under 4 seconds. With the help the Lotus Range Extender engine, providing 47-hp, the Lotus 414E Hybrid concept returns a total range of over 300 miles.

The concept also introduces something new called HALOsonic Internal and External Electronic Sound Synthesis, which provide sound contouring within the cabin and improve pedestrian safety outside the vehicle. The technology also allows the Evora 414E Hybrid to showcase a brand new feature from Lotus Engineering, a sports mode that simulates a 7 speed, paddle shift transmission that combines exceptional driver involvement for a hybrid sports car.

Make the jump for the press release for more details.

Press Release:

Introducing the Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid

The 80th International Geneva Motor Show sees Lotus Engineering unveil the Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid concept, a high performance technology demonstrator with a plug-in series hybrid drive system and new technologies for enhanced driver involvement.

Ÿ – 0-60 mph/97 kph in under 4 seconds

Ÿ – Total hybrid range of over 300 miles/483 kilometres

Ÿ – Eco mode or Sports mode featuring realistic 7 speed paddle shift with energy recuperation

Ÿ – HALOsonic Internal and External Electronic Sound Synthesis

Ÿ – Torque vectoring for improved dynamic stability

Ÿ – Integrated glass roof and engine cover and interior concept from Lotus Design

The Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid, so-named because this latest environmentally-focused technology demonstrator from Lotus Engineering produces 414 PS (306 kW) of power, promises breathtaking performance from a highly efficient propulsion system. The concept showcases new developments in plug-in, range-extended electric propulsion, new electronic technologies to enhance driver involvement, the adaptability of the Lotus Versatile Vehicle Architecture (VVA) that underpins the Evora 414E Hybrid and a dramatic new roof system and interior concept from Lotus Design. Through all of these aspects it ultimately demonstrates the exceptional ability of Lotus Engineering to integrate and develop advanced technologies for exciting, efficient, high performance niche vehicles.

The range extended electric drive of the Evora 414E Hybrid consists of two electric motors driving each of the rear wheels independently via single speed geartrain, integrated into a common transmission housing, thus enabling torque vectoring for stability control of the vehicle. Electrical power is stored in a lithium polymer battery pack optimised for energy density, efficiency and high power demand, mounted in the centre of the vehicle for stability and safety. Additional range is provided by the Lotus Range Extender engine, an optimised 1.2 litre, three-cylinder engine, designed specifically for series hybrid vehicles. The drivetrain is designed to combine astonishing performance with efficient, low emissions driving.

Driver involvement is enhanced by the incorporation of HALOsonic Internal and External Electronic Sound Synthesis technologies from Lotus and Harman International, which provide sound contouring within the cabin and improve pedestrian safety outside the vehicle. Integrated with the HALOsonic technology, the Evora 414E Hybrid also showcases a brand new technology from Lotus Engineering, a sports mode that simulates a 7 speed, paddle shift transmission that combines exceptional driver involvement for a hybrid sports car and optimised energy recuperation.

The Evora 414E Hybrid has been designed to highlight Lotus’ innovative electric and hybrid vehicle technology without distracting from the pure sportscar character of the Evora. The solution is innovative, instantly recognizable, beautiful and sporty. It demonstrates Lotus DNA.

Dr Robert Hentschel, Director of Lotus Engineering said: “Innovation has always been at the heart of Lotus and is needed now more than ever. The Evora 414E Hybrid is the perfect demonstration of Lotus Engineering’s core competencies: lightweight architectures, efficient performance, electrical and electronics integration and driving dynamics. The technology demonstrator represents an encapsulation of the advanced technologies that Lotus Engineering continues to develop to overcome the current environmental challenges facing the automotive industry and showcases the future direction that the sector is taking and why Lotus Engineering is perfectly placed to lead the technological development in this area.”

The Drivetrain

For the Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid, Lotus Engineering has developed a highly efficient, high performance drivetrain system consisting of twin motors each limited to providing 152 kW (207 PS/204 hp) of power and 400 Nm (295 lbft) of torque to each wheel via independent, single speed, reduction transmissions integrated into a single housing, enabling torque vectoring dynamic control of the vehicle.

The vehicle energy storage system is made up of the latest Lithium Polymer battery chemistry providing 17 kWH energy storage capacity. The battery pack is optimised for energy density, efficiency and high power demand, with over 100 kW discharge capability.

The Lotus Range Extender engine provides 35 kW (48 PS/47 hp) of power at 3,500 rpm via the integrated electrical generator and features an innovative architecture comprising an aluminium monoblock construction, integrating the cylinder block, cylinder head and exhaust manifold in one casting. This results in reduced engine mass, assembly costs, package size and improved emissions and engine durability. The engine uses an optimised two-valve, port-fuel injection combustion system to reduce cost and mass and can be operated on alcohol-based fuels and/or gasoline. The generator converts mechanical energy to electrical energy to replenish the battery pack charge and provides additional vehicle range in a small light weight package. The generator is also used as a motor to start the range extender engine. The low mass of the range extender unit (85 kg) and compact package makes it ideal for the series hybrid drivetrain in the Evora 414E Hybird.

All the operation and management of the range extender engine, the power management of the batteries and motor control are controlled by Lotus’ electronic control units and software systems. Full energy management of all the operating systems is the key to maximising performance and operation while minimising energy consumption and CO2 emissions.

For everyday commuting journeys, up to 35 miles can be travelled using battery power. The battery can be charged overnight using a conventional domestic mains supply through a socket concealed by the rear number plate. This permits the vehicle to operate with zero tailpipe emissions. For longer journeys, exceeding the battery capacity, the highly efficient range extender engine is used as a generator to supply the motor with electrical power and top up the battery.

Lotus has used its own vehicle simulation tools to determine the size, capacity, power and performance of all the components in the drivetrain system to optimise the system operation. Overall this is far more energy efficient, weight efficient and cost effective than fitting the vehicle with a larger and more expensive battery, which for the majority of short journeys is a redundant weight, which increases energy requirements. With regard to the total lifetime CO2 emissions of the vehicle, including the energy required to manufacture and run it, the range extender solution has a lower overall CO2 footprint than a fully electric car of comparable performance and operating range running with a larger battery.

The Package

The Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid structure is the same award-winning, versatile vehicle architecture used on the Lotus Evora. The low volume architecture was designed with the upmost flexibility in mind. The Evora 414E Hybrid is a perfect example of how to integrate a compact packaged drivetrain, with excellent performance and range, while using this underpinning. The complete chassis has remained unchanged from the Evora which maintains the structural integrity and strength performance of the original car.

The structure progresses the Lotus ‘bonded and riveted’ technology with new and unique extrusions and folded panels, whilst providing production build modularity and lower cost repairs. The chassis has been designed for scalability so that it can be extended in width, length and height. The strength and stiffness of the low volume VVA chassis can be modified cost effectively by varying the wall thickness of the extrusions, without altering the exterior dimensions. The ability to lengthen or shorten extrusions with the option to tailor the chassis stiffness vastly increases the number of vehicles that can be developed from this vehicle architecture.

Driving Dynamics

The Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid offers exhilarating, all-round dynamic performance and takes advantage of Lotus developed torque vectoring dynamics. Torque vectoring, which is the capacity to generate different torques at each of the driving wheels, is particularly suited to electric vehicles and significantly reduces the conflict between stability and response.

A key benefit of separate motors to drive each rear wheel individually is that this facilitates a much higher level of vehicle dynamics control. Driving the wheels with different levels of torque can not only generate all the capabilities of a conventional ESP system using energy regeneration as opposed to brake application, but it can also actively drive each wheel forward at different rates, producing a turning moment at the rear of the vehicle in addition to the steering input.

This can be used to enhance low speed manoeuvrability and ease of parking but can also be used to produce a much greater level of straight line high speed stability. Incorporating lateral sensors the system also provides stability control capabilities and levels of steering response normally only associated with heavy and expensive rear steer systems. This can provide automatic correction of both understeer and oversteer characteristics. In addition, the standard method to provide high speed stability of designing the rear wheels to toe-in is not required as the torque vectoring system automatically provides this stability control, with toe-in increasing rolling resistance, lowering fuel economy and increasing tyre wear. Lotus‘ long history of active suspension control provides the core capability to develop this technology and provides extraordinary driving pleasure on the Evora 414E Hybrid.

Driver Interaction

The Evora 414E Hybrid provides less of a psychological step change for people familiar with high performance cars compared to other electric and hybrid sports cars. The car has a simulated paddle shift gear change offering ultra quick gear changes reminiscent of a dual clutch transmission, while actually single speed. This enhances the driver interaction with the vehicle and provides a driving experience similar to current internal combustion engine high performance sports cars. The Evora 414E Hybrid uses a column mounted paddle shift to simulate the gear change and a synthesised engine sound changes frequency with virtual gear selection. The drive torque is also modulated to simulate a physical feeling of a gearshift jolt.

The virtual gearshift simulation, like a conventional gearbox, is used to change the driving characteristics and response of the vehicle. The most significant aspect that this offers the driver is the ability to control the vehicle deceleration by simulating engine braking through a virtual downshift in gears. Unlike true engine braking, the Lotus system does not dissipate the energy of the moving vehicle through internal engine friction but uses the electric motors to regenerate the energy back into the battery. While many electric and hybrid vehicles provide engine braking, this is generally at a fixed rate or preselected rate. In some driving situations this can either be too aggressive, slowing the vehicle unnecessarily, or too light, requiring additional braking application. The Lotus system effectively allows the driver to select the appropriate level of regeneration by simulating stepping down by one, two or even three gears. The simulation of engine braking through both the gear noise change and the retardation of the vehicle is fully intuitive to a driver familiar with a conventional gearbox. The simulated gearchange capability can be selected for greater driving involvement or switched off for more relaxed driving.

The Evora 414E Hybrid uses the Lotus Engineering and Harman International developed HALOsonic suite of noise solutions. The first of which is Electronic Sound Synthesis. This generates engine sounds inside the vehicle through the audio system where it provides an exciting sports sound in line with the brand and nature of the vehicle together with a high level of driver feedback in an intuitive manner. In addition, it also generates sound on the outside of the vehicle through speakers mounted at the front and rear to provide a warning to increase pedestrian safety, which is especially important for electric and hybrid vehicles which can be difficult to hear at slower speeds.

There are four driver selectable engine sounds currently on the vehicle, two of which have been designed to have characteristics of a multi-cylinder conventional V6 and V12 engine. There is also a futuristic sound and a combination of a conventional engine and a futuristic sound, enhancing the brand identity of the vehicle as a step forward in electric vehicle design.

The addition of this Lotus patented simulated gearshift concept not only provides for an exciting and involving driving experience that customers would expect from a Lotus, but also enhances the driver’s control of the vehicle while providing the capability for more efficient operation through a greater use of energy regeneration.

The Design

The distinctive colour scheme and ‘floating’ roof have been carefully designed to accent the cars electric vehicle technology whilst complementing the iconic lines of the Evora.

Copper, a colour often associated with electrical systems, has been chosen for the car’s exterior and interior. A contemporary satin finish paint is complemented by electrical circuit inspired graphics that highlight the car’s key feature lines and the unique glazed roof panel. The newly extended glazed zone integrates seamlessly with the existing forms of the Evora whilst showcasing the key components behind the hybrid and electric vehicle technology.

The signature copper theme is consistently carried throughout the car from the dramatic seat stripes and instrument panel inserts to the copper callipers that nestle behind the carbon grey forged wheels. Inside the cabin a sense of quality and richness has been created by carefully juxtaposing the different tactile qualities intrinsic to leather, Alcantara and metal.

– By: Kap Shah

The gaffe made by Dutch speedskater Sven Kramer? Unbelievable.

Kramer went through the grueling 10,000-meter race in what would’ve been record time, but was disqualified for not switching lanes while coming out of a turn about two-thirds into the race.

Here’s the craziest part: Kramer actually made the switch but his coach missed it. Thinking his star was about to make an epic mistake, the coach animatedly motioned for Kramer to switch lanes. Kramer seemed to pause before deciding to follow orders.

Of all the kooky, costly mistakes made in popular North American sports, it’s hard to find anything that compares. Maybe if Vikings coach Bud Grant had been the one telling defensive end Jim Marshall what to do when he scooped up a fumble and ran to the wrong end zone — and if that had been in the Super Bowl.

That’s how off-the-charts this was.

Kramer certainly should’ve known better. This is a guy who’s won the last three world championships at 5,000 and 10,000 meters; holds the world record at both distances; and already won gold and set an Olympic record in the 5,000 at this Olympics.

“I’ve seen it once or twice in my career,” former speedskating champion Dan Jansen said on NBC, “but never with a top skater and certainly never in the Olympic Games.”

All Miller did was lose control and fail to finish his first run down the giant slalom course

He missed his chance for a record fourth Alpine medal at a single Winter Games. But he notched what could be called a Bode Slam: a gold, a silver, a bronze and a DNF (did not finish).

Elsewhere around the Vancouver Olympics on Tuesday, Canada’s hockey team bounced back with an 8-2 victory over Germany and Canadian figure skater Joannie Rochette earned the best score of her career under incredibly emotional circumstances — performing on home ice two days after her mother died of a heart attack shortly after arriving here. She’ll go into the final Thursday night in third place.

Americans won silver in the Nordic combined, making it 26 medals at these games, breaking their record a Winter Olympics not held in the United States. Germany is closing in on the lead, though, with 22 medals.

With a silver in the women’s skicross race, Norway became the first country to reach 300 Winter Olympics medals. Norway became the first country to reach 100 golds last week.

Nasty weather moved back into the area Tuesday, especially in the mountains, which could mess with the schedule Wednesday. There’s a good chance the women’s giant slalom will be delayed.

___

SPEEDSKATING

Kramer crossed the line with a big smile, believing he’d won. He obviously didn’t notice that he had skated the final eight laps in the same lane as the other skater in his pair.

The only hint was seeing his girlfriend in the stands, her head buried in her hands.

When coach Gerard Kemkers broke the news, Kramer flung his glasses, then stomped the heel of his blade into the ice. Just like that, Lee Seung-hoon of South Korea had the gold and Kramer moved into Olympic infamy, like the U.S. shooter who blew a sure gold medal by shooting at the wrong target during the 2004 Athens Olympics.

“I expected to be on the podium but not for the gold,” said Lee, who won silver in the 5,000.

Kramer sat alone on a bench while the three medalists celebrated.

“It is pretty hard now,” Kramer said.

Jonathan Kuck was the top American, finishing eighth.

___

GIANT SLALOM

Miller almost crashed during the top half of his run, straightened out, then couldn’t stay on line coming out of a gate in the second half.

“I’m taking more risk than everyone else,” Miller told The Associated Press. “That’s partly why I’m able to get medals. It looks easy when you make it. When you crash like today, it’s like, ‘Oh, huh?’”

It shouldn’t have been much of a surprise: he’s yet to finish a run this season in the giant slalom.

His final event is the slalom Saturday.

Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway got bronze, joining Miller with three Alpine medals. American Ted Ligety finished ninth.

The women’s event is scheduled for Wednesday, but rain and snow is forecast. That will be Julia Mancuso’s final event in Vancouver. Mancuso, who already has won two silver medals, said she won’t be competing in the slalom, her worst event.

___

HOCKEY

Jarome Iginla scored twice and new goalie Roberto Luongo was good enough to get the Canadians back on track and into a colossal quarterfinal game against Russia, a matchup many expected for the gold-medal game.

“Hopefully it’s not our biggest game this week,” Luongo said.

The U.S. men’s team will face Switzerland (again) in the quarterfinals. The Swiss advanced with a 3-2 shootout victory over Belarus. The Americans beat them 3-1 last Tuesday.

The two late games were marred by injuries: Slovakia forward Lubos Bartecko leaving on a stretcher after being leveled by a Norway defender, and Czech’s Jaromir Jagr going out in the second period against Latvia with an upper-body injury.

Slovakia put aside the worrisome injury and the anger resulting from the hit that caused it to beat Norway 4-3. The team now moves to the Olympic quarterfinals to play Sweden.

The Czech Republic will play Finland after beating Latvia 3-2 in overtime. Slovakia and Norway were playing later to see who would play Olympic champion Sweden.

All quarterfinals are Wednesday.

___

NORDIC COMBINED

Johnny Spillane became the first American to win a medal in this event, getting silver earlier in these games. Now he’s got another — and sharing it with his friends.

The team of Spillane, Todd Lodwick, Billy Demong and Brett Camerota was a narrow second in the team relay event, which combined jumping off the large hill, then a 4-by-5 kilometer relay.

___

FIGURE SKATING

South Korea’s Kim Yu-na came in a huge favorite to win the women’s gold medal, then exceeded expectations.

Kim set a world-best score in the short program, giving her a huge lead over her top rival, Japan’s Mao Asada. Rochette is next, with a decent edge over the rest of the pack.

“It was hard to handle, but I appreciate the support,” she said.

American Rachael Flatt and Mirai Nagasu are fifth and sixth. Nagasu was thrown out of whack when her nose started bleeding halfway through her routine.

___

BOBSLED

Midway through the women’s competition, the USA-2 sled of Erin Pac and Elana Myers is in second place. The Americans set a track record in their second run, only to have the Canada 1 crew lower it by four-hundredths of a second.

Two other U.S. tandems are tied for sixth.

___

BIATHLON

About the only thing that went wrong for the Russians was no one near the finish line offering up their flag. That was why Olga Zaitseva slowed to the finish and ended up giving high-fives and blowing kisses.

The Americans were 17th.

___

SKICROSS

What a way to break in a sport: Ashleigh McIvor, who grew up in nearby Whistler and is ranked second in the world, won the final going away.

“Skicross is the newest form of ski racing, but in its essence, it’s been around forever,” she said. “It’s racing your friends from the top of the mountain to the bottom. The IOC is really interested in keeping up with the next generation, and keeping the Olympics cool, and skicross is a great way to do that.”

___

CURLING

A day after the U.S. men were eliminated, the women were, too, following a loss to China. They lost their finale to Switzerland to finish 2-7, worst in the tournament.

Read the original article from Journal Star.

Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services

Two Tazewell County corrections officers who pleaded guilty to official misconduct in early February in connection with the alleged beating of an inmate are back at their posts.

Sgt. Michael Harper, 43, and corrections Officer Joel Brown, 27, pleaded guilty Thursday before the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Merit Commission to amended charges filed by Sheriff Robert Huston in July 2009 after they were indicted by a Tazewell county grand jury for felony official misconduct charges.

The amended charges presented to the merit commission say that both Brown and Harper nearly violated state statute by “failing to use the least force necesary under the circumstances.”

Harper, Brown and officers Eric Rasmussen and Schad Martin were indictedfor official misconduct, a Class 3 felony, for not providing appropriate medical care to inmate Charles Chandler, now 25, of Washington.

Chandler suffered a broken jaw, broken ribs and lost some of his teeth as the four officers tried to remove his handcuffs and his clothing in a segregation cell, where Chandler had been taken after threatening to kill himself.

In the agreement, the sheriff dropped other counts related to the beating that mirrored the grand jury indictments.

Harper and Brown can’t appeal the stipulated agreement, can’t receive pay for the 219-day suspension served after the grand jury indictments and can’t count the time on suspension toward seniority for job-bidding purposes.

Huston said Tuesday that the officers had to do a few days of training in use of force, firearms and changes to the records system.

The stipulated agreement, said Huston, is what he expected.

For more on this story, read tomorrow’s Journal Star or check pjstar.com later.

Read the original article from Journal Star.

Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services

After yesterday’s Bear mauling, the stock market propped itself back up again as equities soared. Here’s the breakdown:

Dow: Up 91 points to 10,373.

NASDAQ: Up 22 points to 2236.

S&P 500: Up 11 points to 1105.

Oil has had a great day, trading above the $80 a barrel level briefly but has since closed up $1.08 or 1.4% at $79.94 a barrel.

Gold, however, has fallen below the $1100 an ounce mark, currently down $7.50 to $1095.70 an ounce. Silver remains break even at $15.91 an ounce.

Join the conversation about this story »

See Also:

• Boy, Lumber Is Just Getting Spanked
• You Thought Gold Was Looking Ugly? Gold Miners Are Trading At Levels Not Seen In Years
• Lies, Damn Lies, And Government Oil Statistics

Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse for Toyota (TM).

The FBI today told Jalopnik that it served search warrants to three parts suppliers, including Denso International.

Not much reason is given for the FBI raids, but a Denso spokesperson says that the investigation is unrelated to the Toyota recalls.

Join the conversation about this story »

See Also:

• Toyota Shares Recover As Focus Shifts Towards Incompetent Safety Regulators
• Ford Shares Crush Toyota, As Jim Lentz Gets Crucified On National TV
• Maybe It’s Just Normal: 70% Of Toyota Acceleration Problems Happen With Vehicles Not Even Recalled Yet

Step-by-step instructions for new customers who want to submit an online calendar item:
1. Go to www.news-gazette.com, The News-Gazette’s home page.
2. Look at the very top of the page for the dark gray bar.
3. Click on the words “Create new account” if you do not have an existing account.
3a. Create your account with user name and password.
4. If you already have an account, click on “Log in” and enter your username and password.
5. Navigate back to the home page.
6. Find the mini-calendar next to the weather on the right side of the page.
7. Click on the words “Add an event.”
8. Fill in the required fields. If you have specific requests, include
them in the event description field.
9. Save.
We will edit the item and publish it to the calendar within a few days, and eventually it can become part of appropriate calendars in print.

Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services

According to the LA Times, “In written questions to Comcast and NBC Universal regarding their $30-billion proposed marriage, Sen. Franken — who has been one of the harshest critics of the deal — wants Comcast and NBC Universal to promise that it will put all its television shows online. He also wants assurances that shows that the companies put online be made available to every one and not just people who get their Internet service through Comcast.”

Also in the Times article: “As Franken notes in his questions to the two companies, “The Internet is the future of the media business.””

Lets start with the first request that all NBC Universal/Comcast shows should be delivered over the internet.  Someone needs to explain to Sen. Franken that TV shows delivered over the internet consume bandwidth. A lot of bandwidth.  There are  reasons why Youtube limits the size of files that users can upload to it. The first is that video is the ultimate bandwidth pig.  The 2nd  reason is that bandwidth is not unlimited or elastic.  The more bandwidth that is consumed, the more bandwidth that must be added to maintain existing levels of service. That costs a lot of money.   Think that might push up internet rates to consumers ?

I get that no one really cares if Comcast has to spend money on capital improvements to add bandwidth to the home.  They should. Its pretty damn stupid to push consumption in a direction that will raise internet rates  to receive the same content for which there is already a phenomenal digital network in place to deliver that content.

Think about it for a minute Senator Franken. Comcast, and every large TV Provider has a digital network in place that can and does deliver gigabits of tv content perfectly,  every second of every day, to any TV set in any  home that is connected to their network. It works. Well.  What you are asking Sen Franken, is that Comcast duplicate the delivery of theirs and NBCUniversals shows on a network, the internet,  that is not, and has never been designed to handle the delivery of huge volumes of video and tv shows.

What you are forcing them to do is not only going to impact Comcast, its going to push ANY internet provider  on which NBCUniversal/Comcast owned shows are delivered to deal with the increased bandwidth needs your request requires. Increased bandwidth needs to the home means more money spent on infrastructure needed to support that delivery, which in turn is going to mean  HIGHER INTERNET RATES and/or caps on internet bandwidth consumption for consumers .   Did you even think through what would happen if NBCUniversal/Comcast was required to simulcast  the Olympics over the internet ?

Even if shows are only required to be placed online after the fact and offered on demand, even if we put aside the cost issues, you then have to answer a bunch of expensive questions. Which video format?  Flash ? Great, except that it wont work on most mobile devices. Flash and Mpeg2 or the Google owned On2 format ? And should the ondemand tv shows be streamed or progressive download ? Streaming is more expensive, but progressive download leaves a copy on the destination device, which is going to create huge issues for copyright owners. Does this apply to shows that NBC licenses or just the shows it and Comcast produce and own ? Try explaining the difference to your voters. And what timing? Do they have to post the shows immediately after they air, or is ok to have them post the shows 1, 2 or 3 days or weeks after the show airs ?   Right now these are questions that the market defines. If you require delivery online in order to make your constituents happy, will you try to  make all of them happy ?

Let’ me try rephrasing all of this in a different manner.  Google can’t make money delivering video content that costs them NOTHING over the net for free, what do you think will happen to internet rates when you REQUIRE NBCUniversal/Comcast  to deliver content that costs millions of dollars per hour for free ?

I understand that you just want to make sure that people who are getting shows online now continue to get them.  What you don’t understand is that the vast majority of shows online are library shows that weren’t generating much, if any revenue for their producers, so any advertising revenue they could get by placing the shows online was found money.  Established shows  that are currently on air are either not online or are delayed. Now that producers are recognizing that the advertising dollars generated by current shows is of marginal value at best, you will see more and more shows put behind paywalls available only to subscribers. Try to regulate  these market driven decisions and you will certainly find the law of unintended consequences biting you in the ass.

But wait there’s more. The hardest and most expensive part of delivering all of this content to the home isn’t even what the TV Providers have to do. Its what has to happen in the home.  Senator Franken, did you install your own wireless router in your home ?  Ever try to put in a 2nd one to make sure you can get a signal that is strong enough to carry the video you want to watch into the other rooms ?  Ever experience a slowdown  in that wireless network at your place ? Ever get annoyed that video you were watching buffered and you couldnt figure out why ? Ever try connecting them to your TV ?  Who is going to solve these issues for people who think its their right to watch their TV over the internet ? Who is going to pay for it ?

Finally, lets get to your statement “The Internet is the future of the media business”. Dead Wrong. Not even close.

Let me explain to you the future of the internet.  We all are becoming more and more dependent on our handheld devices which  are becoming more and more powerful and an expanding part of our daily lives.  For many, the mobile device never leaves their side.  This increasing dependence on mobile  is slowly but surely weening us off our desktops and laptops.  As the capabilities of mobile devices and their apps increase, so will our transition away from traditional computers. Soon we will rely exclusively on our mobile devices or  be able to tether the mobile device to the screens and keyboards we use at home. Over the next few years we wont sit down and fire up the laptop or desktop. We will place our mobile device next to the screen and keyboard we have on our desk or pulled out of our briefcase.  For those of us who need always on internet for family members or business, we will consider replacing our land internet lines with  a 4G access device that is part of our mobile account. Combined with all the advances in cloud computing, it should be a simple and very compelling option.

At that point people will ask why they pay for both fixed internet and mobile internet .  Just as people are dumping land phone lines for mobile, they will dump fixed internet lines. Not everyone of course. Not even most. But like phonelines, enough will leave their fixed internet lines behind to change the economics of the internet.  How does that affect the future of media ? Mobile internet is different than  landline internet.  We wont look to replicate the experience we got from internet landlines, we will expect new and different experiences that play to the strengths  of the device and delivery platform. And we will still get our TV the old fashioned way on those new 60 inch big screens we just upgraded to  for $499 dollars. Moores law applied everywhere.

Let me translate all of this for you Senator Franken.  If you get what you ask for, by the time you are done answering the complaints of why didn’t you realize that your request would jack up everyone’s internet bill. put caps on usage and negatively impact the performance of your constituents home internet,  you just might be the former Senator from Minnesota.

How you view the Comcast/NBC merger is up to you. But before you go off on an internet rampage, please get a different side of the technology story

ShareThis

So, just after the news came out last night that Google execs were criminals for not taking down videos fast enough, suddenly people started noticing that the original infamous Rickroll video had been taken down, due to a “terms of service” violation. While some assumed that it was a copyright takedown, usually Google is pretty good about clarifying when it’s an actual copyright takedown. This was clearly something different. After a few hours of people screaming about missing Rick Astley, Google put the video back up, saying it was caused by too many people “flagging” the video as violating the terms of service, leading to yanking the video.

In the end, this demonstrates the difficult position that Google is put in. It’s getting sued by entertainment companies, threatened by politicians and now convicted of crimes for being “too slow” in taking down “bad” videos (with “bad” often being loosely defined). So it creates systems to try to speed up the process, and the end result is that those systems can be abused as well, leading to videos getting taken down without due process. What’s amazing is that people still think that Google can easily figure out which videos should be kept up and which should be taken down — but when you consider just how much content is on the site, and the difficulty of reviewing any complaints, and the likelihood of both false positives and false negatives in reviewing videos, it’s really incredible that anyone thinks it’s reasonable for Google to take responsibility for the content.

The “rickroll” incident is a pretty clear indicator of why trying to put secondary liability on a third party like Google will almost certainly lead to more incidents like this — where legitimate content is taken offline due to a legally mandated itchy trigger finger.

Permalink | Comments | Email This Story

Filed under: SUV, GM, Hummer, Earnings/Financials, Off-Road

Although it has been evident for some time that General Motors‘ sale of its Hummer brand to Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machines Co., Ltd., we didn’t expect for word to come down today that the negotiations are dead and the brand will be wound down. Unfortunately, judging by a press release just issued by GM, that’s exactly what will be happening. According to John Smith, GM’s vice president of corporate planning and alliances,

“One year ago, General Motors announced that we were going to divest Hummer, as part of focusing our efforts on Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac going forward. We have since considered a number of possibilities for Hummer along the way, and we are disappointed that the deal with Tengzhong could not be completed.”

As we learned from the Saab sale saga, GM announcing that the brand will be wound down does not completely extinguish hope for another buyer to slip in in the 11th hour, but it does seem highly improbable that a new party will pick up where the negotiations with China’s Tengzhong left off.

In the statement available after the jump, GM does not specify what killed the planned sale of the brand, but rumors in recent months suggested that the Chinese government was not keen to sign off on the deal. At the moment, it is unclear what will happen to Hummer’s H2 and H3/H3T models, but it is likely that the tooling and manufacturing rights will be sold off to other companies. It is also unclear how many employees will be out of work as a result of the closure.

As with the wind-down of its Saturn and Pontiac brands, GM has pledged to honor Hummer warranties and continue to supply service and parts.

[Source: General Motors | Image: Scott Olson/Getty]

Continue reading BREAKING: GM announces Hummer sale cannot be concluded, brand to be wound down

BREAKING: GM announces Hummer sale cannot be concluded, brand to be wound down originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPRINGFIELD — Legislation that would require a candidate for governor to run with a chosen candidate for lieutenant governor was approved by an Illinois House committee Thursday.

But the bill faces an uncertain future because the powerful speaker of the House, Chicago Democrat Michael Madigan, plans to offer a constitutional amendment to abolish the office of lieutenant governor in January 2015.

Madigan will formally introduce his measure on Wednesday.

The sudden interest in the oft-forgotten office of lieutenant governor is the result of the election earlier this month of little-known Chicago pawn broker Scott Lee Cohen as the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor.

No sooner had he been elected than Cohen’s past — including allegations of domestic violence and steroid use — prompted him to drop off the ticket.

Democratic Party officials will meet in March to choose a replacement lieutenant governor candidate to run with Gov. Pat Quinn.

Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services

SPRINGFIELD — The Jamaica school district in southern Vermilion County could save as much as $100,000 a year by moving to a four-day school week, Superintendent Mark Janesky said Wednesday.

Janesky and state Rep. Bill Black, R-Danville, appeared before the House Education Committee to promote Black’s bill that would allow school districts to lengthen their school day while shortening their school week.

The bill is being held in committee, Black said, while the State Board of Education reviews it.

He said, though, that several other states already allow school districts to operate just four days a week in order to save money.

“A lot of rural Illinois districts, especially, could use this,” Janesky added.

Although the committee did not act on the bill, one lawmaker expressed skepticism.

“Speaking as a parent and as a legislator,” said state Rep. David Reis, R-Olney, “how can we add 20 percent more hours to a school day? Our kids are exhausted by the time they get done with school and homework.”

Reis also said the legislation would create child care problems for parents and could mean that children would walk home from school in the
dark.

Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services

An Illinois House committee has approved a plan to allow voters to decide whether to abolish the state’s No. 2 post.

House Speaker Michael Madigan says the position of lieutenant governor is unnecessary.

His proposed constitutional amendment would go before voters in November.

The Chicago Democrat says he’d been considering the move before Scott Lee Cohen won the Democratic nomination in February.

Cohen resigned after questions about past allegations of domestic battery and steroids use.

The House Executive Committee voted 8-0 today to move the idea to the House floor.

Three Republicans voted “present.” They say the amendment should wait. The number of such questions is limited on ballots, and the GOP says a better idea for changing the charter might come along.

THE PROPOSAL IS HJRCA 50.

On the Net: ilga.gov

Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services

Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration launched a Web site Wednesday asking Illinois residents for their input on how the state should solve its fiscal woes.

“Today, we’re asking you to weigh in and help us solve the budget crisis,” David Vaught, director of the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget, tells residents in a video presentation. “After all, it’s your money and Governor Quinn believes that together we can get Illinois back on track.”

Illinois is facing a $13 billion shortfall. The governor is expected to offer his plan for the state’s spending blue print next month.

In the video, Vaught says the state is facing “tough decisions.” He says a solution would likely include a combination of spending cuts, borrowing, help from the federal government and more revenue.

The site, budget.illinois.gov, went live Wednesday afternoon.

Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services

The emerald ash borer beetle has made its way into trees in Bloomingdale, officials said this week.

“It was a matter of time,” said Michael Marchi, director of village services.

“They were southeast of the village in the unincorporated Swift Road area and in Carol Stream and other nearby towns, so we were somewhat surrounded.”

The pest – deadly to ask trees – was found last week in about 20 trees on village property along Springfield Drive, between Army Trail and Schick Road.

Marchi said it is unknown how many private trees may be affected and village workers are spending this week trying to discover the extent of the damage and finalize the Bloomingdale’s response plan.

Read the original article on DailyHerald.com.

Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services

John J. “Jack” Thelen was described as vibrant, funny, stern, fair, but above all else, a devoted husband, father, and friend, family members said Wednesday.

The co-owner of Thelen Sand and Gravel in Fox Lake and Spring Grove, died Sunday after a 30-month battle with glioblastoma, a stage-four cancerous brain tumor. He was 59.

“It’s very sad, and a tough journey,” said sister-in-law Cyndi Parazak, who spoke on behalf of the family. “You think you are prepared, but when the end hits, you really are not.”

Thelen worked at the family’s company since 1963. His father, Vern, founded the business in 1947.

Thelen was born in Woodstock and raised in Pistakee Highlands and Spring Grove before moving to Antioch. He was a member of St. Peter Church of Antioch.

Friends and relatives have been leaving well-wishes and favorite memories at caringbridge.org, a Web site devoted to connecting family and friends during serious health events.

In the pages on the guest book section, Thelen is described as a person with an incredible sense of humor, a zest for life, who was often stern to work for but gratuitous in praise.

“He was really a wonderful man who will be missed,” Parazak said.

Thelen described himself as a lucky man for all the friends and family who surrounded him.

He was a past president and board member of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce, an Antioch Rotary Club board member, and a member of the Northern Illinois Ready Mix & Materials Association and Illinois and Wisconsin Ready Mix Concrete Associations. He was an avid horseback rider and outdoorsman and was active in Boy Scouts of America, the Northern Illinois Shooters Association, the Big Foot Archers and a board member at the State Bank of the Lakes for 21 years.

Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Debbie; his children, John and Jessica Thelen, and Jennifer Barton; his mother, Mary Ann “Bunny” Thelen; three brothers, Tom, Pete and Steve; five sisters, Mary Beth Varak, Sue Schumacher, Ann Kroupa, Barb Miller and Peg Miles; and four grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Visitation is 2 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Strang Funeral Home of Antioch. A funeral Mass will is 11 a.m. Friday at St. Peter Church in Antioch. Burial will be in Hickory Union Cemetery, Newport Township.

Read the original article on DailyHerald.com.

Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services