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Practical Tips From the Press at the October Luncheon
November 10, 2014 2:37 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
Pat Milhizer is the editor of the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer magazine. Before becoming editor, his beat was the Daley Center, where he covered the Cook County Circuit Court and Illinois Appellate Court. Teddy Greenstein is a sportswriter for the Chicago Tribune, and his beat covers Chicago sports and Northwestern-Big Ten football and basketball. On October 30 at the Union League Club in Chicago, they discussed a common concern with all of us: writing under pressure.
Pat Milhizer described deadline pressure at its height--when Rahm Emanuel was thrown off the ballot for mayor. His article's first sentence read that the race for mayor had just gotten more interesting. He thought about his readers: lawyers, including those interested in municipal law. He thought not only about the key facts but also what the appellate court had decided. This was important because it was a 2-1 decision. He wanted to get the important content "high up," present the impact of the court's decision, and then transition to the rest of the article.
Teddy Greenstein similarly explained that our job is to make people wantto read what we write. He encouraged the audience to "go the extra mile" and do something different. He provided an example of an enterprise story in which he followed baseball's Frank Thomas to Las Vegas and turned it into a story. One of the best lessons he has learned is to "show, don't tell," that is, don't tell your reader that a person is generous, explain the conduct of the person so the reader will understand the person's generosity.
Past ALA president Mike Rathsack moderated the discussion and next asked them about overcoming the pressure of writing under time constraints. Pat Milhizer discussed some of the things we can do to put ourselves in a position to succeed, such as limiting distractions, clearing our mind, and prewriting arguments or issues. Next, he talked about "barstooling"--sitting down and telling the story as if we were in a bar talking to someone. Teddy Greenstein told the audience, with respect to word count, to write 1,000 words and revise that to a great 500 words. Keep revising; avoid adjectives, be concise, and use the most important facts. When you're finished writing, edit the work product by checking facts and trimming the unnecessary portions of quotations. Pat cautioned though, to ask for help when writing about unfamiliar topics or issues.
Mike Rathsack asked how to handle the one thing we all encounter: criticism. Pat Milhizer responded that he treats all criticism seriously. If there is an error, then it must be corrected. But when there is a misunderstanding or someone misreads the content, then
there is not much he can do other than to focus on the reality of the facts. Rather than being defensive, Teddy Greenstein offers an apology and says that he will try harder the following week. But both agree it was necessary to let the person have his or her say. Mike also asked how they dealt with difficult people, and Teddy encouraged the audience to do the research before talking to the personalities; show that you put in the work to learn about them or the issues. In working with lawyers who do not wish to discuss a particular ruling, Pat stressed the need for accuracy in reporting, so his goal is to better understand what the ruling means.
Discussing the division of labor between writing and editing, Pat explained that the Law Bulletin was based on a time schedule. He suggested staggering the deadlines to decrease the pressure. Teddy discussed the various formats, such as his blog, in which he can post something quick but then add more later, such as a video clip.
The Association thanks Pat Milhizer and Teddy Greenstein for sharing their experiences and providing a refreshing viewpoint of writing under various constraints. The Association also thanks Mike Rathsack and Karen DeGrand for their service in organizing the program.
Association Teams Up with SIU School of Law to Present Appellate Practice Seminar
November 06, 2014 12:11 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
The Association continued its tradition of sponsoring an Appellate Practice Seminar at the Southern Illinois University School of Law in Carbondale. As in years' past, the October 29, 2014, event coincided with the Illinois Appellate Court, Fifth District, sitting for oral argument at the law school. The seminar featured presentations from experienced appellate practitioners and law professors dealing with writing style and ethics, followed by a judicial panel discussion.
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd Karmeier, together with Justices Bruce Stewart and S. Gene Schwarm of the Illinois Appellate Court, Fifth District and Fifth District Appellate Court Clerk John Flood participated in a panel discussion moderated by past ALA president Bill Hardy. The panel covered a wide range of topics germane to appellate practice and procedure, and also entertained questions from attendees.
ALA President Steve Pflaum presented a discussion on ethics. The topics covered included the rules applicable to attorney communications concerning members of the judiciary, responsibility of candor to the tribunal, and duty regarding ethical practice of fellow lawyers. Consistent with the seminar taking place in a law school setting, President Pflaum 's presentation included challenging hypotheticals that sparked audience participation.
Professor Cheryl L. Anderson, of the SIU School of Law, presented a writing instruction lecture that encouraged attention to active voice and avoidance of noun nominalization. Titled "Zombie Nouns and Other Impediments to Persuasive Written Advocacy," Professor Anderson used references and clip art that hinted at a Halloween theme, which added fresh humor to her interactive discussion.
The Association thanks the SIU School of Law for graciously hosting the seminar and all participants for an instructive and engaging program.
ALA November Luncheon
November 04, 2014 2:00 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
The Association's November luncheon will feature Judge John Daniel Tinder of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Judge Tinder will present "The Language of Judges," which will focus on understanding comments from the bench that might help to guide litigation strategy. Judge Tinder will also entertain questions from the audience.
The luncheon will be held on Wednesday, November 19, 2014, at the Union League Club in Chicago. For more information and to register, please click here.
"Any Point, Ground, or Relief" - Posttrial Motions Require Careful Attention
Seasoned appellate practitioners know that an issue needs to be properly preserved in the trial court if a reviewing court is to address it. The basics are simple. Litigants usually cannot raise an issue for the first time on appeal or appeal from the admission of evidence not properly objected to at trial. Most know that a party must also obtain a ruling on the objection.
But sometimes attorneys need to know more than the basics.
To preserve an issue that arises in a jury trial, a timely and proper posttrial motion is mandatory. The precise content of the motion is specified by law. The requirements for that content are enforced strictly. Errors and omissions in posttrial motions after a jury trial can derail the strongest appeals–even appeals that would have been successful absent such an error or omission in the posttrial motion.
Section 12-1202(b) of the Code of Civil Procedure provides:
"Relief desired after trial in jury cases *** must be sought in a single posttrial motion. *** The posttrial motion must contain the points relied upon, particularly specifying the grounds in support thereof, and must state the relief desired, as for example, the entry of a judgment, the granting of a new trial or other appropriate relief." (Emphasis added.) 735 ILCS 5/12-1202(b) (West 2012).
Illinois Supreme Court Rule 366(b)(2)(iii) further provides:
"A party may not urge as error on review of the ruling on the party's post-trial motion any point, ground, or relief not specified in the motion." (Emphasis added.) Ill. S. Ct. R. 366(b)(2)(iii) (eff. Feb. 1, 1994).
"[A]ny point, ground, or relief." Each of those words is loaded with meaning. Most importantly, the use of the word "or" expands the requirements. All points, grounds, and forms of relief must be specified. Just specifying the points and grounds is not enough.
Hamilton v. Hastings, 2014 IL App (4th) 131021, involved a negligence action and is a recent example of the stringent requirements regarding posttrial motions. At the close of the evidence in a jury trial, the plaintiff unsuccessfully moved for a directed verdict on the issue of liability. The jury then rendered a verdict for the defendant.
The plaintiff's posttrial motion raised seven points, but asked for only one form of relief – a new trial. One of the seven points was that "the [c]ourt erred in failing to direct a verdict for the [p]laintiff at the close of evidence." The trial court denied the motion, noting "the verdict may have been different than I personally would have entered if I was the finder of fact ***."
The plaintiff appealed only "from the trial court's denial of his posttrial motion." The plaintiff sought "judgment of liability against the defendant *** and a remand for trial on damages only" on appeal. Consistent with the plaintiff appealing from the denial of his posttrial motion, the plaintiff's brief argued only for a new trial. Apparently, the plaintiff's brief on appeal did not expressly seek judgment in his favor on the issue of liability. Nonetheless, the reviewing court noted, the plaintiff was "essentially asking this court to enter a judgment" in his favor on the issue of liability, calling it "a judgment n.o.v."
The reviewing court explained that the plaintiff's failure to request a judgment n.o.v. was not a mere technical failure because the "supreme court has carefully preserved the distinction in the evidentiary standard courts apply to each." Specifically, on the one hand, a directed verdict (or judgment n.o.v.) is proper when all of the evidence, viewed in the aspect most favorable to the opponent, so overwhelming favors the movant that no contrary verdict based on the evidence could stand. On the other hand, a motion for a new trial is proper when the trial court, after weighing the evidence, concludes that the verdict is contrary to the manifest weight of the evidence. A motion for a new trial, the reviewing court noted, would not implicate the same evidentiary standard for a judgment n.o.v., and therefore, the trial court did not have the opportunity to reconsider its decision to deny the plaintiff's request for a directed verdict. The reviewing court concluded that, because the plaintiff did not request a judgment n.o.v. in his posttrial motion, the plaintiff was "precluded from asking this court to enter judgment on liability."
Important for both trial and appellate practitioners alike, the reviewing court conceded that the plaintiff wrote in his posttrial motion that the trial court erred in denying his motion for a directed verdict on the issue of liability. But that was not enough; it was a "mere allegation." The reviewing court concluded that the plaintiff also had to specifically ask for that directed verdict in his posttrial motion.
The plaintiff raised the issue of the judgment he sought in his posttrial motion as a "point" and probably a "ground," but fatally omitted to specifically request that judgment n.o.v. – the form of the "relief" he sought during the trial when he moved for a directed verdict. Two out of three may not be that bad in love songs, but it will not preserve an issue for appeal in a posttrial motion. See Meat Loaf, "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad," Bat Out of Hell (1977).
The reviewing court, however, did consider the plaintiff's appeal as framed by the notice of appeal, that is, the trial court's denial of his posttrial motion for a new trial. The court noted that, because the plaintiff did not sufficiently develop his argument regarding the trial court's denial of his posttrial motion in his brief, it would have been justified in declining to address that issue pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 341(h)(7) (eff. Feb. 6, 2013). Nonetheless, because the defendant decided to brief the issue as framed by the notice of appeal, he would not be prejudiced if the reviewing court decided that issue. The reviewing court concluded that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying the plaintiff's posttrial motion for a new trial.
Posttrial motions require careful attention. Including the points and grounds is the easy part. Specifically asking for all the particular forms of relief requested–by name–requires more thought. And is required.
Recommended Citation: Lawrence A. Stein, "Any Point, Ground, or Relief" - Posttrial Motions Require Careful Attention, The Brief, (November 2, 2014), http://applawyers-thebrief.blogspot.com/2014/11/any-point-ground-or-relief-posttrial.html#more.
Seventh Circuit Invokes Pendent Appellate Jurisdiction, the "Embattled Doctrine"
October 28, 2014 7:20 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
The Seventh Circuit had the opportunity to consider the contours of pendent appellate jurisdiction in Allman v. Smith, 764 F. 3d 682 (7th Cir. 2014). The matter involved a ruling from a motions panel reviewing the district court's denial of a motion to stay proceedings pending an interlocutory appeal. The case is important for appellate practitioners because it highlights that, although pendent appellate jurisdiction is "an embattled doctrine," it will be invoked when compelling reasons exist.
In Allman, the plaintiffs, former employees of a city in Indiana, sued both the mayor and the city claiming that they were fired because of their political affiliations. The mayor argued that he violated no constitutional rights; and alternatively, even if the firings violated the employees' constitutional rights, the doctrine of qualified immunity applied and absolved him from liability. The city, whose liability was derivative, claimed that the mayor's actions did not constitute a constitutional violation and also moved for summary judgment. The district court granted the mayor's motion for summary judgment based on qualified immunity as to some plaintiffs, but denied the mayor's motion for summary judgment as to two of the plaintiffs after finding that an issue of fact existed. The district court further denied the mayor's motion that the proceedings be stayed pending appeal. The district court denied the city's summary judgment motion as well as the city's motion to stay further proceedings against it.
The Seventh Circuit first noted that there was no question that the mayor was entitled to a stay because of the qualified immunity claim. However, the more interesting question for the court was whether the city, who could not rely on qualified immunity, was entitled to a stay under pendent appellate jurisdiction.
The reviewing court observed that pendent appellate jurisdiction is "an embattled doctrine" that is significantly narrow in scope. It requires a compelling practical reason to allow an appeal from a ruling where there is otherwise no independent jurisdictional basis. The court found that the posture of the city's case represented a compelling practical reason to stay further proceedings relative to the city pending resolution of the mayor's appeal. The court noted that claims against the city depended on the outcome of the mayor's appeal—if the merits panel agreed with the mayor's principle argument that there was no constitutional violation, then the city would also be relieved of liability. Absent a stay, any proceedings against the city would have been for naught. The court also commented that the plaintiffs' desire to proceed against the city pending the mayor's appeal could result in two trials involving the same facts and witnesses—an outcome that the court deemed unattractive. Also unattractive was the possibility that there would be conflicting findings on the nature of the mayor's conduct if the case against the city was to be tried while the mayor's appeal remained pending. The court then concluded that a stay of proceedings as to the city was warranted due to the city's claimed status as party " 'pendent' because of its interdependence with the mayor's appeal." But the court cautioned that the pendent jurisdiction of the city's claim was limited to asking for review of the denial of its motion to stay. It emphasized that it lacked jurisdiction over of the city's appeal from any district court rulings other than the district court's denial of the city's motion to stay.
The net result was that the proceedings against both the mayor and the city were stayed pending the mayor's appeal. The outcome of the mayor's appeal will then determine whether a trial against the city will be necessary, and if so, the scope of issues to be tried.
Recommended Citation: Rosa M. Tumialán, Seventh Circuit Invokes Pendent Appellate Jurisdiction, the "Embattled Doctrine", The Brief, (October 29, 2014), http://applawyers-thebrief.blogspot.com/2014/10/seventh-circuit-invokes-pendent.html#more.
Association Hosts Appellate Practice Seminar in Champaign
October 21, 2014 7:19 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
The ALA is committed to fostering and encouraging the highest professional and ethical standards within the appellate bar. Pursuant to that commitment, the Association sponsored an Appellate Practice Seminar at the University of Illinois College of Law in Champaign. Held on October 8, 2014, the event featured an interactive panel discussion, presentations by seasoned appellate attorneys, a luncheon, and an informal social gathering attended by ALA members, University of Illinois law school faculty, and law students.
Appellate Court Justice Robert Steigmann of the Fourth District, moderated the panel discussion. The panel also included Justices Mary K. O'Brien and Daniel Schmidt of the Third District Appellate Court; Justices Lisa Holder White and Thomas Harris of the Fourth District Appellate Court; and Justice S. Gene Schwarm of the Fifth District Appellate Court. The panel covered a wide range of topics germane to appellate practice and procedure, and answered questions from attendees.
The seminar also featured ALA President Steve Pflaum and ARDC Ethics Director Peter Rotskoff present a discussion on ethics. ALA Vice President Michael Scodro, drawing on his experience as the former Illinois Solicitor General, offered a discussion focusing on tips for presenting oral arguments. Seminar participants were also invited to join the College of Law for their annual luncheon, which followed the Fourth District Oral Argument also held at the law school that morning.
The ALA thanks the Appellate Court Justices and the other speakers for their participation, and also thanks the University of Illinois College of Law.
ALA President Steven F. Pflaum Honored in Magazine Profile
ALA President Steven F. Pflaum was recently named Lawyer of the Month by Attorney At Law Magazine, which highlights his career accomplishments and contributions to the legal profession. In addition to representing clients like municipalities, media entities, and hospitals at trial and on appeal, President Pflaum has dedicated his career to "raising the bar" for both practitioners and the bench. He "devotes a substantial amount of time to activities intended to improve the administration of justice and the regulation of the legal profession." Toward that end, President Pflaum has held various positions related to both judicial and legal ethics, including serving as the current chair of the Illinois Judicial Ethics Committee.
The article also shares insight into President Pflaum's activities outside of the law. An avid cyclist and tennis player, President Pflaum lives by the motto "Work hard, play hard, hardly sleep." Between zealously representing clients, giving back to the legal community, cycling, playing tennis, and spending time with his wife Karen and their family, including six children, President Pflaum's only complaint is that "there are rarely enough hours in the day."
President Pflaum's many friends at the Association congratulate him on this well-deserved accomplishment. To read the full article, please click here.
Supreme Court Amends Rules 12 and 373
October 16, 2014 10:09 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
Effective September 19, 2014, the Supreme Court has amended Rules 12 and 373. Rule 12 governs proof of service in the trial court and reviewing courts. The amendment pertains to subsection (4), which now provides that "in the case of service by mail by a pro se petitioner from a correctional institution," proof of service may be established by an affidavit or "by certification as provided in section 1-109 of the Code of Civil Procedure" of the person who deposited the document in the institutional mail. The certification should state the time and place of deposit, as well as the complete address to where the document was delivered.
Rule 373 governs filing papers in reviewing courts. The Rule specifies that proof of mailing or delivery to a third-party commercial carrier shall be as provided in Rule 12(b)(3). The amendment added language providing that the rule applies to "a motion directed against the judgment" as well as to the notice of appeal filed in the trial court.
Recommended Citation: Charlie Ingrassia, Supreme Court Amends Rules 12 and 373, (October 16, 2014), The Brief, http://applawyers-thebrief.blogspot.com/2014/10/supreme-court-amends-rules-12-and-373.html.
Association Supports 2014 Pro Bono Week
October 13, 2014 10:33 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
The Appellate Lawyers Association is pleased to support The Chicago Bar Association and The Chicago Bar Foundation's 10th Anniversary Celebration: 2014 Pro Bono Week "Lifting Lives, Strengthening Access," which will take place during the week of October 20, 2014 through October 24, 2014. For more information, please visit The Chicago Bar Association by clicking here.
Judge Easterbrook on Replacing Page Limits With Word Limits in Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure
Judge Frank H. Easterbrook of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit recently commented that replacing page limits with word limits in all Rules of Appellate Procedure was sensible. Nonetheless, the remaining question was what the limit should be. He recounts the process that led to the 14,000-word limit for principal briefs that currently exists. He further shares his opinion that a reduction of the word limit to 12,500 at the intermediate appellate level while, at the same time, the United States Supreme Court replaced the 50-page brief limit with a 15,000-word limit "would create an unjustified difference."
You can read his comments by clicking here. Via How Appealing.
DISCLAIMER: The Appellate Lawyers Association does not provide legal services or legal advice. Discussions of legal principles and authority, including, but not limited to, constitutional provisions, statutes, legislative enactments, court rules, case law, and common-law doctrines are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice.


A Liberal Dose
Posted Monday, January 9, 2023 3:33 am
Troy Smith
Tomorrow marks the second anniversary of one of the low points of American history. A lot of people who supported Donald Trump might not want to think so; they may wish people would stop talking about it. They may change the channel, especially when news programs show the actual (and shocking) footage of that day. They may say everyone is exaggerating the violence of that event - or that it should not count as an insurrection, because only a handful of people died.
But guess what? History teachers are still talking about Shays' Rebellion (1786) and the Whiskey Rebellion (1791). Only nine people died in the former and only four or five in the latter. We do not talk about them because of the magnitude of death and destruction that occurred but because of the magnitude of their historical significance. Shays' Rebellion led indirectly to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution. The Whiskey Rebellion demonstrated (to the country and to the world) that the government created by that Constitution had the authority, will, and power to suppress violent actions against the Constitution, the government, and the law - all three of which, by the way, perfectly describe the insurrection of Jan. 6, 2021.
Except, in the case of the January rebellion, it was the president himself who instigated, encouraged, and allowed the violence directed against both his own executive branch (in the person of his vice-president, who came within a hair's breadth of assassination) and the whole legislative branch. The House Select Committee investigating the attack, who have recently released their interview transcripts, uncovered a breathtaking array of evidence that our authoritarian ex-president intentionally stirred up his fervent followers to stop the Constitutionally mandated certification of the election - or at least delay it long enough for some of his other schemes with the same purpose to come to fruition. One of the most frightening disclosures of the transcripts is that the Pentagon refused to send troops in to quell the riot out of fear that, if they were that close to the action, the president would illegally order them to help the rioters overthrow the government chosen by a majority of the American people. Fittingly enough, Trump started his presidency with a warning of "American carnage" and ended it by delivering it.
On the day itself, my pro-Trump friends were uncharacteristically quiet. It was virtually impossible to defend the carnage while it was unspooling live on television. I believed at the time they were overcome by shame, and maybe (hopefully) they were. Within a few days, though - following the Trump doctrine of denying that the past happened - they were minimizing or excusing the whole thing.
But the truth is - and this is why Jan. 6 will be talked about by historians for centuries to come - that day (like the Whiskey Rebellion) was a major testing of constitutional democracy. It could have gone very differently - and if Trump had installed the type of hyper-loyal-constitutionally-averse-authoritarian staff he no doubt would install in a second administration, it would have.
For those of us paying attention, the months leading up to the 2022 midterms were almost as frightening. A whole slew of Trump-backed candidates were on the slate who, had they won, would have been situated to change the results of the next election in Trump's favor. Thankfully, almost all those candidates in swing states lost, demonstrating that Trump was losing some of his influence. This, in turn, led to the Republican establishment finally feeling emboldened to buck The Orange One, and the conventional wisdom now is that Trump will not be favored to win the nomination this time.
But he wasn't favored to win the nomination in 2016, either. Many thought it was impossible for him to do so or to win the general election. He has enough devoted followers to get the Republican spot. It's still an urgent necessity that we remember Jan. 6.
--Troy D. Smith, a White County native, is a novelist and a history professor at Tennessee Tech. His words do not necessarily represent TTU.


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Overcoming P-Glycoprotein–Mediated Drug Resistance with Noscapine Derivatives
Divya Muthiah, Georgia K. Henshaw, Aaron J. DeBono, Ben Capuano, Peter J. Scammells and Richard Callaghan
Drug Metabolism and Disposition February 2019, 47 (2) 164-172; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1124/dmd.118.083188
Divya Muthiah
Division of Biomedical Science and Biochemistry, Research School of Biology and Medical School, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory (D.M., G.K.H., R.C.), and Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria (A.J.D., B.C., P.J.S.), Australia
Georgia K. Henshaw
Aaron J. DeBono
Ben Capuano
Peter J. Scammells
ORCID record for Peter J. Scammells
Richard Callaghan
ORCID record for Richard Callaghan
PDF + SI
Chemical structures of noscapine derivatives. A series of derivatives were generated using noscapine as a template. Chemical substituents were generated at the positions marked R1, R6', R7, and R9'. The calculated permeability (cLogP) values were determined using the "molinspiration" property engine v2016.10.
Effects of vinblastine, noscapine, and its derivatives on cell proliferation. Drug- sensitive MCF7 (empty symbols) and the drug-resistant NCI/AdrRES cells (filled symbols) were incubated with drugs for a 6 days as described in the Materials and Methods. The percentage of live cells remaining after exposure to (A) vinblastine, (B) noscapine, (C) compound (7), or (D) compound (3) were determined using the MTT assay. Sigmoidal dose-response curves were fitted using nonlinear regression, and the values correspond to mean ± S.E.M. obtained from at least three independent observations.
Accumulation of calcein-AM in MCF7 and NCI/AdrRES cells. The transport of calcein-AM (1 μM) was measured using a fluorescence-based assay in 96-well microplates over a 10-minute period. Liberation of the fluorescent calcein in cells was detected using an excitation λ = 488 nm and an emission λ = 515 nm. (A) A representative fluorescence-intensity profile measured in MCF7 (●) and NCI/AdrRES (○) cells. (B) The fluorescence intensity was measured in NCI/AdrRES cells in the presence of 1 (○), 3 (●) or 10 μM (◻) nicardipine. The rate of calcein accumulation was determined from the slope between 5 and 10 minutes. (C) The rate of calcein accumulation was plotted as a function of nicardipine, and the data were fitted with a hyperbolic relationship using nonlinear regression. Values correspond to mean ± S.E.M. obtained from at least three independent observations
Drug stimulation of ATP hydrolysis by purified P-gp. The ATPase activity of P-gp was measured by the appearance phosphate using a colorimetric assay. Proteoliposomes (0.1–0.5 μg protein) were incubated with ATP and drug as indicated to follow. (A) ATP hydrolysis by purified P-gp was measured with a range of ATP concentrations (0–1.75 mM) in the absence (○) or presence (●) of nicardipine (10 μM) for 30 minutes. The Michaelis-Menten equation was fitted to the data using nonlinear regression. (B) The ATPase activity of P-gp was measured in the presence of ATP (2 mM) and a series of noscapine concentrations (10−7–10−3M) for 30 minutes. A sigmoidal dose-response curve was fitted to the data using nonlinear regression. The rate of ATP hydrolysis was normalized for both protein content and the assay time, and values represent mean ± S.E.M. obtained from five independent observations.
Effects of vinblastine and noscapine coadministration on cell proliferation. Cell proliferation was measured in MCF7 and NCI/AdrRES cells in the presence of vinblastine and a series of noscapine concentrations. Cell viability was measured using the MTT assay after a 6-day incubation with drugs. (A) The effects of vinblastine on the growth of MCF7 cells in the absence (●) or presence of 10 (●), 20 (●), or 30 μM (●) noscapine. A sigmoidal dose-response relationship was fitted to the data by nonlinear regression. (B) The effects of vinblastine on the growth of NCI/AdrRES cells in the absence (▪▪▪) or presence of 10 (▪▪▪), 20 (▪▪▪), or 30 μM (▪▪▪) noscapine. A sigmoidal dose-response relationship was fitted to the data by nonlinear regression. (C) Isobologram for the interaction between vinblastine and noscapine in NCI/AdrRES cells. Dose ratios are plotted for data obtained using 10, 20, and 30 μM noscapine, and the dotted line represents the isobole. (D) Isobologram for the interaction between vinblastine and noscapine in MCF7 cells. Dose ratios are plotted for data obtained using 10, 20, and 30 μM noscapine, and the dotted line represents the isobole
Potency of noscapine and several chemical derivatives to elicit cytotoxicity in drug-sensitive and -resistant breast cancer cell lines
The potencies of drugs to inhibit cell proliferation (IC50) were determined using the MTT assay described in the Materials and Methods. Values (mean ± S.E.M.) were obtained by nonlinear regression of the general dose-response relationship. The values in parentheses correspond to the number of independent observations.
Cytotoxic Potency IC50(μM)
MCF7
NCI/AdrRES
Noscapine 45.4 ± 6.5 (13) 32.1 ± 7.0 (12)
(2) NE (5) NE (4)
(3) N.E (6) NE (4)
(4) 5.3 ± 0.9* (6) 3.3 ± 0.41* (5)
(5) 1.6 ± 0.4* (11) 6.4 ± 2.4* (4)
(7) 14.6 ± 2.5* (8) 12.6 ± 2.8* (7)
(10) 4.3 ± 0.7* (7) 2.4 ± 0.2* (7)
(11) 21.5 ± 7.3* (6) 18.3 ± 2.8 (3)
MCF, human breast adenocarcinoma cell line; MTT, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-Yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide; NE, compound did not generate a cytotoxic response.
* Statistically significant difference (P < 0.01) compared with the value obtained for noscapine in the specific cell line.
Effects of nicardipine and several noscapine derivatives on calcein-AM accumulation in drug-sensitive and -resistant breast cancer cell lines
Accumulation of calcein in NCI/AdrRES cells was determined from the rate of fluorescence change and plotted as a function of added drug concentration. A secondary plot was used to determine the potency of drugs (MP50) to alter the accumulation of calcein and the maximal rate (AMAX) for this accumulation. Parameters (mean ± S.E.M.) were obtained by nonlinear regression of a hyperbolic equation.
μM rfu
Nicardipine (11) 2.5 ± 0.6 110 ± 19
Noscapine (9) 8.5 ± 2.1 24.6 ± 6.7
(2) — nd nd
(4) (4) 10.1 ± 2.7 145 ± 33*
(5) (4) NE NE
(6) (6) 0.37 ± 0.07* 35.1 ± 4.0
(8) (5) 1.2 ± 0.2* 137 ± 30*
(9) (8) 6.9 ± 2.0 67.6 ± 26.0
(10) (7) 3.8 ± 1.0 76.3 ± 28.7
(11) (4) 20.9 ± 5.3** 83.5 ± 21.7
(n), Number of independent observations. NE, the compound did not alter calcein-AM accumulation; and n.d., no values were determined; rfu, relative fluorescence units.
* Statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) compared with the value for noscapine.
** P < 0.01.
Effects of nicardipine and several noscapine derivatives on the rate of ATP hydrolysis by purified, reconstituted P-glycoprotein (P-gp)
The ATPase activity of purified P-gp was measured using a colorimetric assay and plotted as a function of added drug concentration. The general dose-response relationship was fitted to the data to determine the potency to stimulate hydrolysis (EC50) and the extent of stimulation. Values correspond to mean ± S.E.M.
EC50 (μM)
Fold basal
Nicardipine (6) 2.9 ± 0.5** 5.3 ± 0.5
Noscapine (6) 44.6 ± 9.1 3.4 ± 0.4
(2) (3) 4.1 ± 1.6** 2.5 ± 0.3
(3) (2) 65.3 ± 10.2 4.4 ± 1.3
(4) (3) 0.95 ± 0.28** 2.4 ± 0.4
(5) (6) 18.7 ± 4.5** 3.1 ± 0.3
(9) (3) 22.5 ± 5.8* 2.8 ± 0.6
(10) (4) NE NE
(n), Number of independent observations; NE, compound did not alter ATP hydrolysis by G-gp.
* Statistically significant difference compared with noscapine (P < 0.05).
Combination index (CI) analysis of the cytotoxicity of noscapine derivatives coadministered with vinblastine with in drug-sensitive and -resistant breast cancer cell lines
CI values were determined for the effects of coadministration of vinblastine and noscapine derivatives on cell proliferation. Complete dose-response relationships were determined for vinblastine in the absence or presence of the indicated concentrations of noscapine, (6) and (8). All values (mean ± S.E.M.) were obtained from three independent observations.
Conc
Combination Index
Noscapine 10 0.69 ± 0.02** 1.13 ± 0.362
20 0.26 ± 0.05** 0.11 ± 0.02*
(6) 0.1 1.64 ± 0.33 1.10 ± 0.35
0.3 1.04 ± 0.46 0.49 ± 0.25
1 1.11 ± 0.35 0.33 ± 0.15*
3 0.59 ± 0.02** 0.24 ± 0.04**
1 n.d. 0.52 ± 0.27*
3 n.d. n.d.
Conc., concentration; MCF, human breast adenocarcinoma cell line; n.d., no values were determined.
* P < 0.05; **P < 0.01 indicate a statistically significant difference from the isobole, which is defined with CI = 1.
Data Supplement
Supplemental Figure -
Expression of P-gp over a six day period
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Effects of Overexpression of FGF15/19 on Hepatic DMEs
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Swedes Reach Muslim Breaking Point
By Steve Harrigan
MALMO, Sweden  Swedish authorities in the southern city of Malmo have been busy with a sudden influx of Muslim immigrants  90 percent of whom are unemployed and many who are angry and taking it out on the country that took them in.
"If we park our car it will be damaged  so we have to go very often in two vehicles, one just to protect the other vehicle," said Rolf Landgren, a Malmo police officer.
Fear of violence has changed the way police, firemen and emergency workers do their jobs.
There are some neighborhoods Swedish ambulance drivers will not go to without a police escort. Angry crowds have threatened them, telling them which patient to take and which ones to leave behind.
Because Sweden has some of the most liberal asylum laws in Europe, one quarter of Malmo's 250,000 population is now Muslim, changing the face and the idea of what it means to be Swedish. Asylum seekers may bring spouses, brothers and grandparents with them. Civil servants say the city is swamped.
"You have 1,000 students in a Swedish school. How many are Swedes? Two," said Lars Birgersson, principal of the Rosengrad School.
Students arrive at age 10 or 12 from countries like Iraq, Iran and Lebanon with no knowledge of Swedish; some have never been to school at all and many classes require interpreters.
Still, more than half won't graduate.
"They are not a part of Swedish society, so to speak. It is difficult for them to get inside society," said Torsten Elofsson of the Malmo Police Department.
However, they are the most rapidly growing segment of Swedish society  outsiders who are already inside, posing a challenge to legendary Swedish tolerance that has now been stretched to the breaking point.
Malmo's main mosque was recently set ablaze by arsonists. When firefighters arrived on the scene, they were attacked by stone throwers.
see https://100777.com/myron#ww3
Paper money disappearing in Sweden
Galloway v The US Senate
Eli Lilly's Strattera Fails Miserably in Swedish Clinical Trials
Frimurare Företeckning, Finland 1937.
Death in the Baltic: the MI6 connection
Jewish Woman Charged In Swastika Graffiti Spree--20 of them
Disarming the Law-Abiding
Beslan School Siege
Is the U.N. Running Brothels in Bosnia?
Are You The Car Or The Driver?


Sexual assault prevention effort tailored to junior Marines
Matthew M. Burke
• October 13, 2014
Marine uniform victim advocates at Okinawa's Camp Foster review their materials during a recent Step Up sexual assault training session. The training is designed to teach the advocates how to reach junior Marines, who are the most at-risk group in the Corps. Implemented in July, the training drills junior Marines on how to act in real-life situations and intervene to stop sexual assaults. (Matthew M. Burke/Stars and Stripes)
CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — The lights dim and the training class settles in for a video that shows young men and women playing drinking games while music thumps in the background.
A woman is pressured into doing a keg stand. A man acts violently toward her when she spurns his advances. Their friends do nothing.
Later, the man corners the woman in an upstairs bedroom and rapes her. He adds to her shame by posting drunken photos on social media sites.
The lights flick back on. The class sits silently.
The chilling video would be well-suited to be shown on just about any college campus in America. Marine Corps officials are banking that it is equally suited for junior Marines to help curb sexual assaults in the ranks.
"Step Up to Stop Sexual Assault" is a new Defense Department initiative being rolled out at Marine Corps installations around the world. The program is designed to give the Corps' uniformed victim advocates the tools to get through to junior Marines about acceptable behavior and intervention techniques as bystanders.
The program supplements the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response pre-deployment training and is now required for lance corporals and lower-ranking enlisted Marines, according to a Marine Corps statement. It provides a multitude of activities and multimedia tools that focus on situations that a young Marine is likely to encounter — such as the gym locker room or alcohol-fueled parties.
"Before this, they had sort of a one-hour brief that was pretty much geared toward all members of the command, all ranks," said civilian instructor Sunny Street. "So this one is specifically geared towards their ranks and their age group."
Step Up was implemented on July 28 with the aim of tackling the Corps' most glaring statistic: Approximately 90 percent of the sexual assault victims in the Marine Corps are ranked corporal and below, according to the 2013 Marine Corps Sexual Assault and Prevention Response Campaign Plan.
The training was rolled out recently to the Corps' uniformed victim advocates on Camp Foster as the final part of their 40-hour training course, which also includes guest speakers and role-playing from actual assault cases, Street said. The advocates will then provide it to small groups of no more than 30 junior Marines. Most of the advocates are staff noncommissioned officers.
"They're that level of leadership that the junior Marines and [noncommissioned officers] look up to," Street said.
"We want them to model the appropriate attitude for this, because we have young people that come into the Marine Corps as well as other branches of service and they have been pretty much saturated with the entertainment industry the first 18 years before they came, and that entertainment industry objectifies women and infantilizes men. It portrays and projects consent in a way that is completely inconsistent with the law, and so they're having to re-educate based on what the law says and project a value system that's consistent with the law."
One scenario is set in a bowling alley where a male lance corporal starts to grope a female lance corporal while showing her proper form.
"LCpl Hart keeps shrugging him off," the training materials say. "At one point, Hart gets up abruptly and says she needs to go outside and get some air. Moments later, Barnes follows ... What do you (as a bystander) do or say?"
A gym locker room scenario focuses on a Marine putting his genitals on another Marine as a prank.
"What do you say and do?" the class is asked, as if they were bystanders. "Could you have done something sooner?"
While it is too early to assess the program's effectiveness, advocates said they expect it to be a success.
"It's targeting the behavior of the junior Marines, so I think it was well-scripted, well-directed, and the presentation was awesome because the young Marines can relate to those videos and scenarios that were in there," said advocate Master Sgt. Jeffery Hightower.
Street said expectations for Step Up are similar to those for the "Take a Stand" training for noncommissioned officers. Once that training was implemented, reporting of sexual assaults increased, which military officials say is an indication that people who might have kept quiet are now willing to come forward.
In the civilian sector, there is a direct correlation between increased reporting and the lowering of assaults because offenders know they will be caught.
"I think bystander intervention is a concept in and of itself that I wished all of us appreciated and took to heart — and not just with this topic but with everything," Street said. "This is a community issue and it's about members taking care of each other."
burke.matt@stripes.com
Matthew M. Burke has been reporting from Okinawa for Stars and Stripes since 2014. The Massachusetts native and UMass Amherst alumnus previously covered Sasebo Naval Base and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, for the newspaper. His work has also appeared in the Boston Globe, Cape Cod Times and other publications.


A College-Bound Intensive — Online Classes
Bringing Shakespeare to life
I learned a lot about how to properly analyze a play and make proper annotations. I was taught how to look through the different layers of the characters and the writings—a helpful skill to have when you read any piece of literature. What surprised me the most was that the class made Shakespeare's writings enjoyable, fun to learn, and easy to understand. I really enjoyed the student-to-teacher interaction. It really benefited me that in class I could ask a question right then and there—I didn't have to wait days for for my question to be answered by email. If I did ask questions through email, the teacher was prompt in responding and gave a clear, concise answer.
— A recent student
These online sessions provide an in-depth study of Romeo & Juliet as well as the historical, cultural, and literary background needed to bring the play to life. Students emerge with a clear sense of Shakespeare as a writer — his tastes, his interests, his concerns, and the astonishing abilities that distinguish him from other writers.
In this course, students fall in love with Shakespeare's language, are moved by his poetry, and roar with laughter at his jokes. By the end of the series, they will be able to read Shakespeare's works on their own and understand what they're reading.
Mr. Speed's teaching opens up the story and the characters so you understand exactly what is happening and why. It becomes easier to read Shakespeare's language and enjoy it, and also to look at the choices Shakespeare made as he wrote the play. Mr. Speed's class was my introduction to Shakespeare, and it opened up his world in a wonderful way.
Anna B., student
Space is limited; registration reserves your student's place. Prior to the class start date, your student will be contacted with guidelines and other essential information.
Instructor: Roy Speed. (Learn about Roy here.)
Who should attend: This is a high school-level course, but parents, please note:
The course is suitable as an introduction to Shakespeare.
It is appropriate for younger students who are mature and read at a minimum 8th-grade reading level.
Fee: $245. (roughly $16 per hour of instruction)
Required text: Students must purchase separately the edition of the play used throughout these sessions: Romeo & Juliet: Oxford School Shakespeare. This edition has been selected for its suitability for teenaged students and its tastefulness when explaining Elizabethan humor and vocabulary and classical allusions.
Recorded sessions. Sessions will be recorded and available to all registered students.
What your student gets
Included with enrollment in the College-Bound Intensives:
Live lessons. Secure access to live lessons that engage students through lecture, close examination of text, audio, video, graphics, and interactive queries.
Study skills. This course supports students with two vital skills needed for college-level work: 1) close reading; 2) annotating the text.
Access to recorded sessions. If students cannot attend one of the live sessions, they may view the lecture at a time convenient for them.
Materials. Downloadable materials that can be printed and used throughout the series.
Testing. Two tests — a midterm and final — will be available for the parent to administer, to support generating a grade.
Grade & course credit. Parents may 1) award their student a 0.33 English credit for honors-level coursework, and 2) generate a grade for his or her transcript. A detailed course description is provided for the student's records.
Q&A with parents
A homeschooling mom writes:
I have one concern regarding the Romeo & Juliet class: since it is a love story, will the content be appropriate for a 13/14 year old?
Excellent question. In reply, a number of points:
First, we have chosen the text carefully. Romeo & Juliet has a number of bawdy references and jokes, and the Oxford School edition is tasteful in its handling of such passages. Using this text, our son first studied Romeo & Juliet with Roy when he was age 10, our daughter when she was 12.
Second, yes, it's a play about love, and in particular, love at first sight — a theme that teens usually find interesting but one that Shakespeare seems to have mixed feelings about. He presents two different views of love: one represented in Romeo, who is impetuous and romantic — in love with being in love — and faintly ridiculous; the other represented in Juliet, who is more sober, careful, self-aware, and incredibly intelligent for her age. Roy deliberately examines each of these characters and themes in a thoughtful way.
One of the greatest benefits of studying this play as a young adult: Teens can examine these issues before they themselves are having to grapple with them in real life.
More comments from students & parents
My daughter would excitedly discuss this class with us, and Mr. Speed has obviously found a way to bring this play to life and impart to his students his own love of Shakespeare's works. In fact, my daughter and her friend, who also attended the class, went on to read additional plays on their own and met weekly to discuss them. I have to thank Mr. Speed for inspiring this appreciation of Shakespeare. Generating interest and curiosity in students to explore more about a subject is what the best teachers do, and Mr. Speed does just that.
— Karyn B., parent
Roy Speed is very knowledgeable of Shakespeare, and his appreciation for Shakespeare is contagious. When sharing the lines he finds meaningful, beautiful, or humorous, he invites his students to experience Shakespeare in a deeper way. He encourages active participation, first, by modeling thoughtful discussion of the characters, the plot, and Shakespeare's style, and then he expects insightful and thoughtful answers to the questions he poses to his students.
— Vicki B., parent
Roy Speed is an engaging and knowledgeable instructor. My boys rave about him and the classes and willlingly do their assigned homework!
Lani S., parent
My oldest daughter, homeschooled through 12th grade, is now a college sophomore majoring in engineering, and she has benefited tremendously from Mr. Speed's Shakespeare classes. He has not just enkindled a lifelong love of Shakespeare in her; the analytical skills continue to help her in her college studies. She not only excels in her English courses; she continues to use these skills in her engineering discipline as well — especially regarding technical writing, lab reports, and oral presentations.
— Karen T., parent
Registration now open!
Wednesdays, Sept 4 – Nov 13
No class on October 30
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. EST
Ten sessions of 90 minutes each.
To register a student, click here:
What students are saying about
I had absolutely no idea how fantastic an author Shakespeare actually is. I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did, and every week I looked forward to the next class.
I loved logging into the meeting and being able to interact with everyone! Every week I couldn't wait to discuss the text with the students. It's like a big book discussion as well as an academic class. I also really loved the readings... Mr. Speed is great at acting out the play!!
I enjoyed going through Romeo & Juliet line by line the most in this course. I felt like this technique gave me the best understanding of Shakespeare's writing and was very interesting...
This course was awesome! I really liked the movie assignment and the memorization, which both really added to the class. I will read the play and watch the movie again, and the things I learned in this course will help me appreciate it better.
I loved the way Mr. Speed taught us — he wasn't just lecturing us, as other teachers sometimes do, but he enjoyed every second, he was taken with the text, and he explained everything to us in a way we could understand and appreciate. It was a privilege to listen to him read and explain throughout the course.
Annotating is something I had heard about but never really did. It helped me so much because I could find certain parts quickly, and helped me remember the text as well as the meaning. I am kind of a slow reader in general, so I was very happy that your instruction to read slowly and really digest the material is a good way to read Shakespeare! I will be using annotations and careful reading in future studies.
I think annotations are really valuable, and I wish I had used them before. In the future, all my books will be scribbled on!
Thank you Mr. Speed!! — I loved the class!!!!
Also open for registration:
Shakespeare's Hamlet
This series solves a mystery at the heart of Hamlet, unveiling historical information that unlocks the play's secrets — the story, the characters, Hamlet's actions all suddenly make perfect sense. Parents, please note: Students in this course should already have considerable familiarity with Shakespeare. Our series on Romeo & Juliet is ideal preparation.
View details > >
Shakespeare's Macbeth
This new series comprises seven sessions on Shakespeare's shortest tragedy. Macbeth shows what happens when a man with a conscience commits murder. It is an astute portrait of psychological unraveling, and students in this course will study in great detail not
just the characters' psychology, but the play's remarkable imagery and verse.
Want to be contacted when we post new courses or course dates? — Join our mailing list:
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College-Bound Intensives
The instructors for our College-Bound Intensives are all subject-matter experts with a passion for their fields. They're selected for their ability to instill in their students real love and intellectual excitement for the subjects they teach.
Wrestling with difficult texts
A chasm separates middle school from high school or college-level work. Faced with advanced texts in science, history, and literature, students can no longer read passively; they must be active readers, digging into the content for nuance and understanding.
Our College-Bound Intensives are programs designed to build skills crucial for college-level work. Through intensive study of great authors, these courses take students to an advanced level of reading comprehension and analysis, enabling them to:
tackle sophisticated material across the spectrum of the college curriculum;
dissect difficult passages included in standardized tests.
In the process, students expand their vocabulary, strengthen their facility with complex ideas, and deepen their understanding of what makes great writing great.
Great works, important skills
We had a number of reasons for creating the College-Bound Intensives:
Few homeschooling parents feel equipped to teach the works of great authors — like Shakespeare — but may feel nonetheless that such works should figure prominently in their own curriculum.
Plenty of courses now target the student's performance on tests required for acceptance at college; fewer courses seem to target the student's performance in college — i.e., by providing knowledge and skills critical to a successful college career.


Dragon Forged -Prologue & Chapter 1
icefallstears March 18, 2017 March 13, 2018 MCU, Tony Stark/Loki, Dungeons & Dragons
Rough Draft
MCU, Dungeons & Dragons
Pre Tony Stark/Loki
Character Bashing
Discussion - Child Abuse
Discussion - Torture
No Beta
Violence - Canon-Level
Inspired by "Into the Dragon's Den" by Shi_Toyu on A03. Many thanks to Vexaris who helped me bounce the bunny, and Stat out Tony.
What if Tony Stark was True Dragon? What if that meant he was a Technomancer? What if he got to Loki first? What if?
There are more worlds than one might expect or imagine. There are the nine worlds of Yggdrasil, and from Midgard the Tree's connection the Physical plane, the rest of the galaxy and then the rest of the Universe. The Universe itself is part of a much larger complex that is woven in and out of multiple planes of existence and is ever growing and changing. One thing remains the same throughout the Universal complex. Dragons, dragons are most generally the first sentient species to inhabit a planet. Not to say that they originate independently on each world but that young dragons seeking unclaimed territories can and will travel vast unimaginable distances to carve out a place for themselves.
Another unique feature of dragons is their inherently magical nature. Some myths say that magic is only brought into a world when a dragon hatches and leaves the world with the death of each dragon. Thus the amount of magic each world has to claim and distribute among its wizards and sorcerers depends on the population of dragons. Midgard or Earth is one such story. Once upon a time, there were immense numbers of the creatures. The world was flush with magic and nature thrived. Other sapient species followed the dragons; dwarves, elves, halflings, sylphs, even dryads. All lived well together for eons. But then the humans arose.
At first, all was well but gradually humans started hunting the dragons. Dragon hunts were not unheard of in the time before humans but were usually restricted to dragons that were causing great havoc in their territories. This was almost always a chromatic dragon, one of the naturally evil species of dragons. But humans, humans, they hunted all dragons. Using weapons and magics created from the bones, blood, and scales of the first dragons that they killed humans set out to kill all dragons including the naturally good metallic dragons, who were the wisest of all the species on earth.
Faced with extinction those dragons that had lost relatives, and territories, to the humans, fled Midgard. Those that stayed behind did so because the believed that they were untouchable and that their ability to disguise themselves as humans wouldn't fail them. All were wrong. Eventually, only two were left. Ironically it was the member of the Gold species, the strongest and wisest of the Metallics, and a Red the strongest and most cunning of the Chromatics that survived. They knew of each other and in respect for their positions as last of their kind avoided direct confrontation between each other at all costs.
Meanwhile magic had faded from the earth almost completely that even the wildest places barely had a drop of magic. The species that depended on even the subtlest of magics had to leave Earth behind. Soon the only sentient species left on Earth was the humans… and the two dragons. It became a game, that while the dragons would never meet, that they would influence and shape events and people around themselves to amuse them much like a centuries-long chess match.
The 30 Year War was one such skirmish. As the ages wore on their manipulations became greater in scope and yet more subtle. It was the dragons that started the two wars that shook the world in fire and blood. During WWII they took the names Maria Belmonte and Howard Stark. While Howard was busy creating weapons and working on project rebirth, Maria was whispering in the ears of powerful men. History tells us which of the dragons won that match but no one knows the secret that happened afterward. While the world recovered from their game Maria approached Howard with an insidious proposition. Stark had built himself quite the name in the human would and needed an heir.
But as a dragon, any offspring with a human would only be a half dragon, and not only look utterly inhuman but be totally incapable of hiding the fact. But an heir sired on another dragon, even a chromatic, would inherit Howard's ability to pass for human from its time of hatching. While reds clutched often as young adults and adults none of her children had survived the hunts. The last viable red mate had been killed 600 years past. And the last viable female gold had fled 400 years hence. Ever wary, Howard considered the deal for decades looking for an ulterior motive. He found none. So he mated with Maria and they laid a clutch. Due to their advanced ages as a breeding pair only two eggs were laid. And only one hatched, Anthony "Tony" Edward Stark. Hatchlings can learn anything they are taught in the shell and both Maria and Howard spent days imparting the things that they thought Tony should know before hatching. Thus, Tony learned the science of math and physics and the arts of charm and manipulation well before he was born.
It wasn't until Tony was a year old and thriving that Maria unleashed the final part of her plan. It was simple really. All it was an introduction; to one Obidiah Stane. Tony's intellect grew by leaps and bounds in the tradition of his Gold forbearers and was soon an integral part of Stark Industries. Then came the fateful day; Howard and Maria died, for even Dragons can be killed, in a car accident. Little did anyone know that it wasn't an accident at all.
Tony was left with the reins of an empire and a millennia-old secret. One that could get him killed should he ever slip. As the years passed it was almost easier to forget his heritage. Until the day came he would need to use his secret to not only save his life. But save the world.
Tony Stark wanted to let out a genuinely inhuman snarl at the stubborn human in front of him. Let the infuriating, ha, Director Fury deal with the consequences of angering a Dragon. Still, Tony held himself back. He'd held on to his secret this long, through blood and pain. It would do him no good to let his secret slip because one insignificant human thought he knew better than Tony. Which, for the record, Fury didn't.
Fury was only slightly above average in intelligence for a human and had a very limited point of view. Never the less, it was the fact that Fury had kept the fact that SHIELD had discovered the Hydra plane that Captain America had gone down in that made Tony so angry at the moment. Steve Rogers had been a man that had impressed the ever hard to impress Howard Stark, and they had gone on to become friends. Probably the only friend that Howard had had during the war-torn years in the early twentieth century. Howard, as a founder of SHIELD, had written into its bylaws that Stark Industries would pay for the search and recovery of Steve Rogers until he was found. Which meant that as the owner of Stark Industries Tony should have been notified as soon as even the wreckage had been discovered.
Instead, it had been J.A.R.V.I.S. who had informed Tony, that not only had the wreckage been found but that Steve Rogers, had been found, alive. J.A.R.V.I.S. had found the information on one of his weekly deep dives into the SHIELD servers. Tony not being informed meant at the very least one of two things if not both. Option A: SHIELD didn't want Tony to know Steve Rogers was alive. Option B, SHIELD didn't want to lose the funding from Stark Industries. Either way it pissed Tony off and he badly wanted to show Fury that he wasn't the power that he thought he was.
Tony suppressed another snarl as he tuned back into Fury's diatribe.
"Stark, you had no right to send your hacking program into the SHIELD servers. Does the phrase "Top Secret," not mean anything to you? "
Tony shot back. "Of course it does, it means that someone is hiding something from me. You'll recall that the last time someone did that to me, more Stark weapons ended up in the hands of the enemy than in our soldier's hands".
"How about the term breach of contract, Fury? If I might remind you, that funding contract my father set up was airtight. You were supposed to inform any and all Starks or to the owner of Stark Industries, if there were none, that the wreckage site was found. Much less that you actually found Captain America. The fact that you found him alive makes the breach of contract even more severe. I could force you to pay back every cent that Stark Industries paid to both SSR and SHIELD for the search operation. Or, in lieu of payment, I could seize all SHIELD assets. And before you say that was a secret agency and that no one would know you owed us, I could have a headline put out to the media as soon as I say the word. I'd try to explain to you the public's reaction to being told that Captain America was found alive and no one was told because some Government agency wanted to control him, but I don't have the crayons or the patience to do so."
Tony watched unimpressed as Fury tried to glare him into submission.
"Stark have you ever heard the word 'blackmail'? It's a crime you know."
"Fury, stealing and embezzlement are crimes as well. Don't play those games against me. You won't win. I'm prepared to let all of this slide if you give me access to Steve Rogers as soon as he wakes. He's missed a great deal and will need at least a little familiarity when he wakes. I may not be the best person for the job but I'm literally the only one available. There are no living members of the SSR or early SHIELD, but I look and act astoundingly like my father at times and that should help."
Fury snorted indelicately, "More like send the man into a catatonic state. We already have a plan in place to give him some familiarity. Once we've thawed him back into normal temperatures we're going to set him up in a 1940s era hospital room. and supply him with nurses and doctors dressed in period appropriate attire. Once he's awake and settled into the idea of being back in the United States we'll disclose how long it's been,."
It was Tony's turn to snort. "Good luck with that. There's no way that that scenario is going to end well. I hope your agents have life insurance. Fine have it your way. If it works I'll wait to be introduced. If it blows up in your face like I know it will, I'll do it my own way.
Fury nodded. "Agreed. Now get out of my office."
Tony was in his limo, heading uptown on the way to lunch at the Saint Regis Hotel with the Stark Industries Board when his phone rang with the alert. He had programmed that specific tone for JARVIS so he could be kept updated on the Steve Rogers situation. He flicked through the passcode screen and brought the phone up to his ear.
"What do you have for me JARVIS?"
"Sir, the Captain's vitals showed that he awakened ten minutes ago. They were stable for a few minutes before spiking dramatically. Shortly thereafter a security alarm went off at SHIELD. According to the sensors still attached to Captain Rogers, he is outside the building and will hit Times Square in approximately ten minutes. If you leave your limo and head south five blocks and west four blocks, you should be able to intercept him."
"Thanks, J."
Tony reached forward and tapped on Happy's shoulder. "I need to hop out. Pull over to let me out and then meet me in Times Square as fast as you can get there. I'll take the briefcase suit with me."
"Sure thing boss."
Tony hopped out of the limo and grabbing the briefcase suit, he began to jog. A lifetime as a New Yorker had Tony reading the crowds clogging the sidewalks of the city and making the nine block trip in record time. It wasn't a moment too soon when he saw Steve Rogers barrel into the thankfully empty intersection and stop and stare. Tony touched the blue tooth headset he had put in on the run down.
"J.A.R.V.I.S., turn all the traffic lights in Times Square red until I give you the all clear."
"Of course, sir. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Traffic lights are now red."
"You are the best J."
Tony walked towards to the confused looking Captain America, who was staring at the Times Square Jumbotron. And then stopped dead his instincts that he kept tightly restrained screaming at him, two different sets giving him opposing thoughts and impulses. The Gold side that came from Tony's father, which Tony likened to the classic cartoon of an angel on his shoulder, was nearly purring. 'Silver-blooded. Just man, strong ally, make friends.' The Red side that came from his mother, which Tony always likened to the devil on his shoulder, was screaming in rage. 'Silver-blooded. Invader of territory, kin-slayer, kill it.' Tony was shocked to realize that Steve Rogers, the legendary Captain America, was descended from Silver Dragon.
Half-dragons were not uncommon during the height of the Dragon era but after the ages had passed most of the half dragons' descendants didn't have enough Dragon blood left in them to register to Tony's instincts. It did, however, make more sense about why Howard had befriended him. Silvers were the most righteous and powerful of the metallic dragons after the golds. It must have been relieving to Howard to know someone who helped appease the Dragon instinct for community. It just sucked for Tony that because Silvers and Reds shared the same preferences in territories and lairs for their hoards, that all Silvers and Reds were mortal enemies from birth.
However, Tony as he so often did, ignored both sets of instincts and went with his own plan. He wanted to remove Steve from SHIELD's sphere of influence because the poor bastard deserved so time to get on his feet before being recruited back to being Captain America. Tony firmly believed that no one should make a person's choices for them, so he was going to give Steve a chance to do just that.
Tony started walking again and angled his approach so that he did not come up behind the Steve. He stopped a good ten feet away and cleared his throat to catch Steve's attention. Steve whipped his head towards Tony and he blinked.
"Howard? No, you aren't Howard. You look like him, but you aren't him. Who are you? Are you here to take me back to that place where they were trying to pretend it was a day I that know has already passed?"
Steve's voice was filled with suspicion and as he spoke he strode towards Tony until he was towering over the shorter man. Tony held his ground, used to taller men trying to intimidate him. It was a favored business tactic in the business and weapon and defense worlds.
"No, I'm not Howard. And frankly, I told those idiots that you'd see right through their little sham. My name is Tony Stark. Welcome back to New York City, Steve."
Steve looked confused again. "Are you Howard's brother? I didn't think he had any siblings."
Tony smiled briefly. "He didn't. There is no easy way to say this. Howard was my father. Do you remember going down on the plane? Also, not to change the subject but we should really get out of the middle of the street. While I had J.A.R.V.I.S. turn all the lights red, someone is going to run the light soon if I don't start letting traffic through soon. The only reason the police haven't shown up yet is that they can't get to the intersection with traffic backed up like this."
Steve looked flabbergasted but started moving towards the sidewalk. "You can't be his son, he's barely 30. You look older than he is. And of course, I remember going down in Schmidt's plane. What does that have to do with anything?"
Tony herded Steve towards the sidewalk nearest to where he knew Happy would be pulling up. He held up his hand motioning for Steve to wait and turned his head so Steve could see the headset in his ear, knowing it would only make the slightest bit of difference.
"J.A.R.V.I.S., Buddy I need you to reset the traffic lights, and arrange it so the limo gets here quickly, please."
"Of course, sir."
"To answer both of your questions. First, the current theory is that between how quickly you froze in the waters of the Atlantic after being submerged and the serum's effect on your body that it put you in a kind of stasis. You were essentially frozen alive and stayed frozen until the plane was found earlier this week and they started to thaw you out in order to process you for burial. From what I hear you gave the mortician a hell of a shock. Which you will be in for in just a moment. Second, you weren't down at the bottom of the ocean for hours or even days. You were down there for decades. The year is 2012 and I am forty two years old, and my father, Howard Stark, died when I was eighteen."
Steve went white and wavered on his feet before stiffening and standing up straight.
"That can't be true. It can't be."
Tony felt sympathy stir for Steve. "Unfortunately it is. The good news is that World War Two is over and the Allies won in 1945. Also that there hasn't been another World War since. The bad news is that things have changed dramatically since then, and the world you knew is gone. But because my father considered you a friend, so I'm going to take you home and help you learn about the twenty-first century."
Just then Tony's limo pulled up and Happy got out and opened the door for Tony and Steve.
"Come on, Captain, let's get you off your feet and back to my place so you can get cleaned up and fed. You need some time to think about what I've said. I can provide you all the proof you want and then tomorrow I can start catching you up on all the history you've missed."
Steve paused and looked around once more. "What about the people I escaped from? Won't they be looking for me? Are they dangerous? What did they want?"
Tony smiled, "Don't worry about them. That was SHIELD. They are what they SSR turned into after the war. They are the ones that found the wreck and thawed you out. Their boss, Director Fury, concocted that idiotic plan as a way of breaking the news to you gently. Not their best idea, and I told them you'd see through it but they had decent intentions. But now you know, and I'm going to put you up somewhere far more comfortable than either the medical wing or the barracks. Come on, get in the car. The sooner we get home, the sooner we can eat. I'm sure you are starving."
Tony tossed the briefcase suit onto the padded bench and then slid into the car, hoping that Steve would follow his lead and get in. Steve did and Tony let out a tiny sigh of relief. Happy shut the door behind them and got back into the driver's seat. "The mansion or the tower, Mr. Stark?"
"The Tower, Happy." Tony turned towards Steve. "The Tower is 93 stories tall and almost complete. The penthouse level should give you a good enough view to be able to see most of the city. You'll be able to see a mix of old and new buildings that way. You can also meet Pepper my CEO when we get there. She's a lifesaver and she and Happy, my driver/bodyguard, who is also her fiance should be able to help me answer the majority of your first questions before we have to crack open the history books. I really only know history mostly from a science perspective. But make yourself comfortable here in the limo for now. It should take us about 30 minutes to get there if traffic is decent."
Steve looked confused again. "You are giving me the Penthouse?"
Tony laughed. "No, I live in the Penthouse, but it has guest bedrooms and the rest of the floors, except Pepper and Happy's haven't been furnished yet. So you'll get one of the guest bedrooms and a great view."
Steve turned pensive. "I don't understand why you are doing this for me. Howard might have known me but you don't."
Tony smiled sharply. "You'll find out quickly that I don't do a damn thing that I don't want to. However, you were a friend of my father's. He helped found SHIELD and in doing so set up the search for you and the plane. Stark Industries has spent billions of dollars looking for what was assumed to be your corpse so it could be buried properly. The fact that you are alive is utterly astonishing and my father would be so mad he missed this. What's more is that you are about to become the rope in one hell of a game of tug of war, between the being a figurehead for the military or being sent back to active duty in the military. I firmly believe everyone should have a chance to pick their own destiny. So while you are under my roof, for a while at least, you are removed from the game. That way you'll have time to get your head on straight and decide which side you like or if you want to remove yourself from the game entirely. It's your choice do what you will with it."
Steve looked utterly surprised. "Thank you."
It had been twelve days since Steve had woken up in the future and met Tony Stark and quite frankly he was having a harder time comprehending Stark, than the fact that he was seventy years in the future. Steve stood on the penthouse balcony thinking about the things Stark had said and done since picking Steve up in Times Square. That first day had been baffling.
As Stark had said, it had taken around thirty minutes to reach the massive building with the name Stark on it. Stark had left him alone during the ride to think about the fact that he'd crashed in 1945 and now it was more than a decade into a whole new century. After the car ride, Tony had taken him to an elevator and simply said, "Penthouse, J" and the elevator had gone up. That was surprising but what had been even more surprising was the petite redheaded woman waiting to pounce on Stark the moment he stepped out of the elevator.
She had rushed up to Stark not even letting him all the way out of the elevator before she started scolding.
"Tony! What could have possessed you to ditch this meeting the board members? You know the board that we both need to agree to the proposal on the solar powered water filtration systems? The project that 's third to Iron Man, and then the Arc reactor tech installation in the Tower? You know the board that is still holding a grudge over the Vaanko thing. What on Earth could have been so important that you'd bail on this lunch meeting?"
Stark had turned his head back towards Steve, smirked and then stepped aside showing Steve to the red head.
"Steve, this is Pepper Potts CEO of Stark Industries, lifesaver, and fiance of Happy Hogan, the gentleman who drove us here. Pepper, this is Steve Rogers, better known as Captain America. "
Steve watched as Ms. Potts' eyes widened and her jaw dropped, and she stared and stared. When she finally regained her composure and clicked her jaw shut, she glared at Tony.
"Fine, you have a valid excuse for once. Bringing Captain America back from the dead is something even the board can't argue with. We will still have to grovel at the rescheduled meeting and you will be there, Tony Stark. I don't care if aliens come down from the sky. You will be there and play nice with the board or so help me I'll get JARVIS to switch you to decaf."
Steve watched in moderate fascination as Stark laughed and said to thin air, "JARVIS would never do that to me. Would you, J?"
Steve looked around for this JARVIS only to jolt and reach for the shield that was not there when a voice seemingly from thin air. replied.
"Of course not sir. I'd switch you to water. It would do wonders for your blood pressure."
Stark laughed again. Then he noticed Steve looking for the origin of the voice.
"Oh yeah, Steve meet JARVIS. Steve, JARVIS. JARVIS, meet Steve. "
The voice called JARVIS rang out again, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Captain Rogers. I'm quite sure that Sir has neglected to inform you of my existence. Until the history of computers can be explained to you it would be best to think of me as Sir's virtual management system. I run his houses, his personal laboratories, the security for all of his main properties, and his Suits of course. Sir calls Ms. Potts, Mr. Hogan and Myself the Triumvirate. I'm sure Sir will explain further once you have been caught up on recent and less than recent history. In any event, it is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Rogers."
Steve thought for a good minute about the context of virtual in this case and the voice coming from the air meant together. "Does that mean JARVIS that you –"
Steve paused before he could say the phrase 'Aren't a person' as both Stark and Ms. Potts talked to JARVIS as if he was a person and JARVIS certainly sounded like a person. Steve finished his sentence,
"Don't have a body?"
JARVISot have a body. I exist inside of what are called computer servers and I act through ordering things for or ordering things removed for Sir. To achieve this I don't need a body, partially because of the advancement of technology, and partially because of the advanced methods Sir employed when he created me. "
Steve looked at Stark who looked very pleased with himself. "So you are a Stark invention?"
Stark jumped in. "JARVIS is one of a kind and decades ahead of the rest of the world in Artificial Intelligences. He, Pepper, and Happy are my lifesavers. Pepper runs the company, Happy gets me where I need to go and when I need to go, and JARVIS keeps me from actually drinking fuzzy coffee if I've been in the lab too long."
Steve just nodded starting to feel overwhelmed. "I see." He really didn't. Stark was Howard's son and had to be smart, but he needed three people to run his life for him? Granted, Steve had seen Howard pull some terrible all nighters trying to outfit the Howling Commandos with weapons that might give them a decent chance against Hydra but this seemed a bit over the top. And how the heck could a virtual person run a suit? Steve was starting to get a headache.
A siren blared below and Steve shook himself out of his memories. They had had a group lunch and then Stark had shown him to his guestroom. He'd been told that he was free to move about the Penthouse and that Stark would be in the lab if Steve needed anything. Steve had eaten dinner alone that night as JARVIS had informed him that Stark had been working on a project in one of the labs and Steve hadn't wanted to interrupt. He hadn't been able to sleep that night. His mind had kept going over the fact that after seventy years everyone he knew was probably dead.
The next morning Pepper had gotten him for breakfast and handed him a folder. Inside of the folder had been a list of the Howling Commandos, Peggy and the rest of SSR including Colonel Phillips. It had had pictures, marriage and birth records, lists of achievements, and dates and causes of deaths.
Steve had needed to excuse himself for more than a few hours. After that Stark had shown up and he and Pepper had given him an overview of how the war had ended. They left him with what Stark called one of the most unbiased history books on the time after the War. He'd spent the next few days reading it and making lists of questions. One time he'd read a question out loud and JARVIS had answered it. After that Steve started asking more and more questions of JARVIS. It quickly became natural to converse with JARVIS as if he were actually in the room. Steve had gotten used to seeing Stark rarely, he was working in the labs more often than not for what seemed to be an obscene number of hours. Sometimes Stark only grunted in passing as he headed into his rooms.
The first time Steve had seen the blue glow coming from Stark's chest he'd been baffled. He'd wanted to ask, but when Stark had noticed him looking at it, he had left the room immediately. So Steve had asked JARVIS, and JARVIS had responded by pointing Steve to the very last chapter of the history book Stark had given him. Steve had been horrified that his host had been through such an ordeal. But it explained easily why Stark hated Steve looking at it. While Steve couldn't scar anymore he'd spent a long enough time with the Howling Commandos to realize that some men didn't like to acknowledge their battle scars.
After he'd gotten most of his basic facts straight, Tony had sat him down and finally explained the history behind the efforts in trying to remake the super soldier serum. He'd included videos of the Hulk and the Abomination in his explanation. Stark had said that it was one reason why he had wanted to meet Steve as soon as possible to warn Steve about the fact that if it became public that he was alive there would be a good faction of the military that would want to use him to recreate the serum.
The next day Stark took him to the Smithsonian exhibit about Captain America. Stark had bought out the whole museum for the day so that Steve wouldn't be seen or recognized. While they toured it Stark explained that there were other factions of the military that would want to use him as a figurehead of the perfect soldier and yet another faction that would want him sent overseas to the nearest battlefield. That Stark had an alternate identity ready and waiting for Steve if he didn't want to deal with the fall ut of being declared alive. It was a kindness from a man whom the history book had painted as selfish and self-centered.
So Steve was confused. Stark was abrupt, sarcastic, and crude. He barely gave Steve the time of day most days and seemed to prefer to speaking to JARVIS than to even Ms. Potts or Mr. Hogan. He'd killed millions of people through his weapons manufacturing and Stane's double dealing. Yet the man had created the Iron Man suit and done his damnedest to prevent it from becoming an easily replicated weapon of mass destruction, and boy did Steve regret learning about those. Now he was offering Steve an escape from being used by the government. It just didn't make any coherent sense yet.
Steve looked up as he heard the sound of the Iron Man suit approaching the balcony coming back from another test flight. Steve made a resolution. He'd only been awake for twelve days but he was going to spend the next twelve days figuring out if Stark was a good guy or a bad one. Only then would he ask Stark's advice on whether or not to officially come back from the dead or take the new identity and get a new life.
Little did Steve know that he wouldn't get even one day.
Dragon Forged – Chapter 2
About icefallstears
I have awesome cats, a pretty decent job, and a PS4. I also like to write when I'm not stressing out, or during RTs. Seems contradictory I know. ?
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Dragon Forged. Bookmark.
Uncorked – Part One
Lineage: Episode 1 – One Hell of a Surprise
Lisagrace
chrisking2005
Off to a roaring start, and now I'm well and truly hooked.
Very good start.


Full List of Australian Car Makers
AUSTRALIA'S WIDELY KNOWN MANUFACTURERS
In Australia, having an Australian accent is sexy, but having an Australian ride is even more desirable. Mainly because Australian vehicles got that sporty look most millennials are so into nowadays.
Australian cars particularly Holden, Toyota, and EPV are Australia's best rides, which contributed a lot to the country's prosperous wealth.
Top Car Manufacturers in Australia
Holden (1908)
Holden is the first car manufacturer that originated in Melbourne Australia. Ever since its establishment, it became one of Australia's primer successes, and became internationally renowned for its affordability.
Related Other Vehicle Brands Manufactured in Austria
Holden has been in the business for about 100 years, and it has already mastered the production of different car models from mini cars to sports cars to SUVs.
Its known models include the Holden Barina Spark (mini car), Colorado (sports car), and Captiva 5 (SUV).
Toyota is another of Australia's pride. Its production became widely known in parts of Japan as well. With over its 20 finest models, there is no doubt Toyota provides a big contribution in the car market today.
Its known models include the Toyota Corolla (passenger car), FJ Cruiser (SUV), and Hiace (commercial car).
FPV (2002)
Completing Australia's finest manufacturers is Ford Performance Vehicle or known today as FPV. FPV is the third largest car production in the country, and it only produces some of the best today. It has an impressive collection of medium to large vehicles, which are ideally made for domestic and export market.
Its known models include the Ford Kuga Suva, Fiesta, and Mondeo.
With Australia's pride and success in the car market, there is no doubt Holden, Toyota, FPV are the top car manufacturers of the country.
Each car company produces variety of models from small to large to sporty to commercial cars. It's like you're getting an all in one deal with Australian cars.
Here is the Full List of Australian Car Makers:
Bentley Car Models List
Bentley car has been around for a long time now. F Read More
SEAT Car Models List
SEAT is an automobile manufacturer from Spain with Read More
Bristol Car Models List
Bristol Cars Limited is a luxury car manufacturer Read More
GAZ Car Models List
GAZ, an abbreviation for Gorkovsky Avtomobilny Zav Read More


Home › Accessibility Statement
San Francisco Harley-Davidson Accessibility Statement
San Francisco Harley-Davidson is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people with disabilities. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone, and applying the relevant accessibility standards.
Measures to Support Accessibility
San Francisco Harley-Davidson takes the following measures to ensure accessibility of www.sanfranciscohd.com:
Assign clear accessibility targets and responsibilities.
Employ formal accessibility quality assurance methods.
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) defines requirements for designers and developers to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. It defines three levels of conformance: Level A, Level AA, and Level AAA. San Francisco Harley-Davidson is partially conformant with WCAG 2.0 level AA. Partially conformant means that some parts of the content do not fully conform to the accessibility standards.
Additional Accessibility Considerations
Although our goal is to adhere to WCAG 2.0 level AA conformance, content often changes which can have unknown effects on conformance. When identified, San Francisco Harley-Davidson corrects those instances immediately. Webpages and site content are dynamic and as such, full conformance, while our goal, sometimes gets temporarily affected.
We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of San Francisco Harley-Davidson. Please let us know if you encounter accessibility barriers on San Francisco Harley-Davidson:
E-mail: chris@sanfranciscohd.com
Our Address: 3146 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94110
Limitations and Alternatives
Despite our best efforts to ensure accessibility of San Francisco Harley-Davidson, there may be some limitations. Below is a description of known limitations, and potential solutions. Please contact us if you observe an issue not listed below.
Known limitations for San Francisco Harley-Davidson
Integrated 3rd Party Services: Often when integrating with 3rd party web services or products, there are accessibility compliance issues related to those integrations or products because we cannot ensure the efficacy of products or services that other businesses provide. When identified, we contact the 3rd party to make them aware and also document that communication.
San Francisco Harley-Davidson assessed the accessibility of by the following approaches:
If you have any questions, please contact us at chris@sanfranciscohd.com.


Little Tikes' Cozy Coupe Outsells Britain's Best-Selling Car
There's a new king in town.
By James Gilboy May 22, 2020
James Gilboy View James Gilboy's Articles
_JamesGilboy jamesgilboy
About 10 weeks ago, parents of the western world collectively realized they needed something to keep their children occupied while under quarantine. Some committed to rigorous home-schooling programs, others shut their kids up with electronics, and a huge number bought Little Tikes Cozy Coupes—so many, in fact, that the iconic, foot-powered toy car became Britain's bestselling car for the month of March.
The Sun reports that during the third month of 2020, Little Tikes sold approximately 85,000 of its Flintstonian toddler-mobiles or one about every 31 seconds for the entirety of March. That's more than the country's six bestselling vehicles' combined sales as of the end of April according to Auto Express, and more than five times the year-long sales of the country's top-selling car, the Ford Fiesta, which moved 15,987 units in the first trimester.
littletikes.com
Countrywide, Britain's car market accounted for 254,684 new vehicle sales in March according to This is Money. Had the Cozy Coupe had been included in those charts, it would have accounted for almost exactly a quarter of the United Kingdom's car sales.
"We're thrilled to see the Cozy Coupe is still the car of choice for families throughout the UK," commented Andrew Turner, head of marketing for Little Tikes. "As kids spend an increasing amount of time at home, we're seeing many families inject creativity and personality into play."
It just takes a quick visit to Little Tikes' website to realize that there are over 15 different varieties of the Cozy Coupe, including monster trucks, fire trucks, and even a cozy gas pump!
Everyone but adults, that is, because grownups definitely don't fit inside a Cozy Coupe. That's why the Smart ForTwo exists, of course, though it's hard to stomach being seen in one that doesn't wear a Brabus badge.
Got a tip? Send us a note: tips@thedrive.com
RC Cozy Coupe Capable of Highway Speeds Is the Best Quarantine Project Yet
Buckle up, kids.
Finally, a Ford Fiesta Built Specifically for Deer Hunting
We know you've wanted one for years.
You Can Find Some Serious New Car Discounts at Dealerships This Memorial Day
After a bleak March and April, car dealers are slashing prices in a big way.
Make Niki Lauda Proud and Buy This Half-Scale Ferrari F1 Replica Go Kart
Like any Ferrari, however, it won't come cheap.
Poetic Ford Mustang Ad Banned in Great Britain For Promoting 'Unsafe Driving'
Rage against the dying of the light...but at a sensible speed, please.


the Major Evolution & Ecology (EvolEcol)
Why studying topics such as Evolution and Ecology?
"The scientific discipline of Ecology is dynamic, steeped in historical tradition, but adapting to its changing environment and building its own ecological network of interactions with other disciplines. What is ecology, what have some of its high points been, and, most important, where is it going? All of us on planet earth today, not just scientists, need to know the answers. Society has become increasingly aware that we are losing crucial parts of our ecosystem, and that the activities of human beings are threatening the sustainability of the biosphere as a life-support system for humanity" (Simon A. Levin, ecologist).
In a similar way, the scientific discipline of Evolution lays the foundation of our understanding of the world. "Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution!" (Theodosius Dobzhansky; famous evolutionary biologist, 1900-1975) Of course, we have to know details on "how something is functioning", but finally we have to address the question how and why biological systems are changing over time. Nowadays, also Evolutionary biology is a bridging discipline integrating various disciplines ranging from natural to social sciences. And, as a logical consequence of the major impact of both disciplines, the intersection between them emerged as a new discipline quite recently – Evolutionary Ecology. It approaches the study of ecology in a way that explicitly considers the evolutionary histories of species and the interactions between them. Conversely, it can be seen as an approach to the study of evolution that incorporates an understanding of the interactions between the species under consideration. In fact, the intimate relationship between evolution and ecology is mirrored by the fact that the United Nations declared the period from 2011 to 2020 the "UN Decade of Biodiversity".
Heidelberg is most famous for its concentration of world-class biomedical research laboratories, but it is also home to a very active and growing community of researchers with a strong focus on organismal biology mostly based at the Centre for Organismal Studies (COS). All researchers involved in teaching of the Evolution & Ecology Major employ state-of-the-art methods in various fields of evolutionary and ecological research as well as related disciplines. Your MSc with a Major in Evolution & Ecology will qualify you not only for a career in various fields, but intends to broaden your perspectives and help you to see biology in a multidimensional way.
However, the major focus is on "biodiversity, systematics and evolution" with a strong link to the environment and "aquatic ecotoxicology".
Have fun and learn how nature is creating and shaping biodiversity!
Application and information:
Detailed information for admission procedure and required skills are available from the faculties homepage (http://www.uni-heidelberg.de/fakultaeten/biowissenschaften/studium/studiengang/mbiomsc/).
For entering the Evolution & Ecology study program not only respective English language skills are needed and mandatory, but we also have to require substantial skills with the German language (speaking and listening; writing is less important). Please do not forget to demonstrate these skills with your submitted documents, since this will be an important aspect for ranking your application.
For questions concerning the Major Evolution & Ecology contact:
Prof. Dr. Marcus Koch
EvolEcol Major Director (Evolution)
Centre for Organismal Studies Heidelberg (COS)
D-69120 Heidelberg
Phone: (49) 6221-544655
Fax: (49) 6221-545508
apl. Prof. Dr. Thomas Braunbeck
EvolEcol Major Director (Ecology)
Claudia Hauber
EvolEcol Major Administrative Office
Address general questions related to the MSc/PhD program Molecular Biosciences to:
Phone: (49) 6221 54 5640
Fax: (49) 6221 54 4953
/mastermbs/Evolution_and_Ecology mastermbs _e Evolution_and_Ecology 15412 0 4