From the New York Times ~ California Today -
Online Upstarts Seek to Disrupt Used-Car Buying
By MARY M. CHAPMAN
Emily Hurwitz, an advertising supervisor who lives in San Francisco, doesn’t like buying cars from traditional dealerships. In fact, she recently bought a 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan through Shift, a start-up that arranges online sales of used cars. She is happy with her car, which the company brought directly to her apartment to try out. Shift financed the $18,000 vehicle.
Speaking of conventional car dealerships, Ms. Hurwitz, 28, said: “I always think they’re going to swindle you. You’re talking to a guy who’s sizing you up. It’s a very overwhelming situation, and you feel like you have to be on top of things and on guard.”
A handful of nascent online used-car companies, including Shift, are capitalizing on sentiments like these. Although most online sites merely refer consumers to dealers, these companies are aiming to disrupt the industry by skirting dealer markups and promoting what they see as a better buying and selling experience.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/13/automobiles/wheels/online-used-car-sales.html?emc=edit_ca_20170414&nl=california-today&nlid=38867499&te=1&_r=0
Side note - I purchased my car using Roadster, an online broker. It was a great experience.
Friday, April 14, 2017
History Lesson - A Renaissance Man
From Atlas Obscura -
The ‘Black Mozart’ Was So Much More
Between composing concertos, Joseph Bologne fenced and fought in the army.
By Andrea Valentino
The 40 years between the American Revolution and the defeat of Napoleon gifted the world some wonderful music. From Haydn’s string quartets, through Mozart’s symphonies, to Beethoven’s dazzling works for piano—a music lover could paddle around the period forever. But one great figure of the age is often ignored: Joseph Bologne, also known by his noble title the Chevalier de Saint-Georges. This is a pity. A person of Bologne’s talents—musical and military—is impressive whatever the era. That Bologne was black, and thrived in a racist society, is remarkable.
Bologne was born in Guadalupe, a French colony in the Caribbean, in 1745. His father was a wealthy plantation owner, his mother a black slave. As a mixed-race child, Bologne enjoyed considerable freedom and eventually went to study in France, where he quickly settled into the life of a rich enlightened Parisian. “Bologne had access to everything money could buy as a young man,” explains Chi-chi Nwanoku, founder of the Chineke! Orchestra, for ethnic minority musicians. It helped that his father was from an “aristocratic family,” adds Nwanoku.
http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/joseph-bologne-black-mozart
The ‘Black Mozart’ Was So Much More
Between composing concertos, Joseph Bologne fenced and fought in the army.
By Andrea Valentino
The 40 years between the American Revolution and the defeat of Napoleon gifted the world some wonderful music. From Haydn’s string quartets, through Mozart’s symphonies, to Beethoven’s dazzling works for piano—a music lover could paddle around the period forever. But one great figure of the age is often ignored: Joseph Bologne, also known by his noble title the Chevalier de Saint-Georges. This is a pity. A person of Bologne’s talents—musical and military—is impressive whatever the era. That Bologne was black, and thrived in a racist society, is remarkable.
Bologne was born in Guadalupe, a French colony in the Caribbean, in 1745. His father was a wealthy plantation owner, his mother a black slave. As a mixed-race child, Bologne enjoyed considerable freedom and eventually went to study in France, where he quickly settled into the life of a rich enlightened Parisian. “Bologne had access to everything money could buy as a young man,” explains Chi-chi Nwanoku, founder of the Chineke! Orchestra, for ethnic minority musicians. It helped that his father was from an “aristocratic family,” adds Nwanoku.
http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/joseph-bologne-black-mozart
More Marches
From Salon -
Grab your signs: There are 3 big anti-Trump marches coming up this month
The administration's April cowards bring protesters empowered
By ILANA NOVICK, ALTERNET
http://www.salon.com/2017/04/14/grab-your-signs-there-are-3-big-anti-trump-marches-come-up-this-month_partner/
Grab your signs: There are 3 big anti-Trump marches coming up this month
The administration's April cowards bring protesters empowered
By ILANA NOVICK, ALTERNET
http://www.salon.com/2017/04/14/grab-your-signs-there-are-3-big-anti-trump-marches-come-up-this-month_partner/
My Hero
An excerpt from Slate -
Bless Dianne Bentley, Who Undid Her Cheating Governor Husband With His Exceedingly Boring Sexts
By Christina Cauterucci
There are several losers in the extramarital affair that brought down Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, starting with the man himself, who ended up resigning on Monday and pleading guilty to two misdemeanor crimes. There’s also his paramour, Rebekah Mason, who resigned from her job when news of the affair first broke last year. The entire state of Alabama lost its governor and took another hit to its already-tattered reputation in the same month a hit podcast named one of its municipalities “Shit Town.” Poor Robert, poor Rebekah, poor Alabama.
But, to the extent that sex scandals that lead to ethics violations and campaign-finance missteps can have winners, the Alabama fiasco has a big one: Dianne Bentley, Robert’s ex-wife. This hero was instrumental to the state legislature’s investigation and Robert’s eventual downfall, giving her the upper hand in a familiar scenario that usually relegates politicians’ scorned spouses to the role of the “Good Wife” or hurt victim.
http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2017/04/13/bless_dianne_bentley_who_took_down_alabama_s_governor_her_cheating_boring.html
Bless Dianne Bentley, Who Undid Her Cheating Governor Husband With His Exceedingly Boring Sexts
By Christina Cauterucci
There are several losers in the extramarital affair that brought down Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, starting with the man himself, who ended up resigning on Monday and pleading guilty to two misdemeanor crimes. There’s also his paramour, Rebekah Mason, who resigned from her job when news of the affair first broke last year. The entire state of Alabama lost its governor and took another hit to its already-tattered reputation in the same month a hit podcast named one of its municipalities “Shit Town.” Poor Robert, poor Rebekah, poor Alabama.
But, to the extent that sex scandals that lead to ethics violations and campaign-finance missteps can have winners, the Alabama fiasco has a big one: Dianne Bentley, Robert’s ex-wife. This hero was instrumental to the state legislature’s investigation and Robert’s eventual downfall, giving her the upper hand in a familiar scenario that usually relegates politicians’ scorned spouses to the role of the “Good Wife” or hurt victim.
http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2017/04/13/bless_dianne_bentley_who_took_down_alabama_s_governor_her_cheating_boring.html
Thursday, April 13, 2017
Black Twitter is on the Case
From the Huffington Post -
United Passenger David Dao Was Compared To Rosa Parks. Twitter Isn’t Having It.
“I need folks to stop comparing people to civil rights activists.”
By Lilly Workneh
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/united-passenger-david-dao-was-compared-to-rosa-parks-twitter-isnt-having-it_us_58efc28ce4b0da2ff85f1976?tgkir24vmdie8kt9&ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009
United Passenger David Dao Was Compared To Rosa Parks. Twitter Isn’t Having It.
“I need folks to stop comparing people to civil rights activists.”
By Lilly Workneh
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/united-passenger-david-dao-was-compared-to-rosa-parks-twitter-isnt-having-it_us_58efc28ce4b0da2ff85f1976?tgkir24vmdie8kt9&ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009
The Best Airlines in the World
From TripAdvisor -
https://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Airlines-a_Mode.expanded
https://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Airlines-a_Mode.expanded
History Lesson - The First Black Umpire
From the Undefeated -
Emmett Ashford, first black umpire in the majors, makes his debut
‘He overwhelmed people with his endurance and his charm’
BY RHIANNON WALKER
Was it a bird? Maybe a plane? No, with catlike quickness and a knack for theatrics, it was none other than Emmett Ashford running down the third-base line.
The third-base umpire could turn his hips to chase down a ball with better precision than a cornerback. He had eyes like a hawk to make the calls and the ability to entertain everyone in the stadium.
Almost 20 years after Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, Ashford did the same when he became the first black umpire in the majors.
https://theundefeated.com/features/emmett-ashford-first-black-umpire-in-the-majors-makes-his-debut/
Emmett Ashford, first black umpire in the majors, makes his debut
‘He overwhelmed people with his endurance and his charm’
BY RHIANNON WALKER
Was it a bird? Maybe a plane? No, with catlike quickness and a knack for theatrics, it was none other than Emmett Ashford running down the third-base line.
The third-base umpire could turn his hips to chase down a ball with better precision than a cornerback. He had eyes like a hawk to make the calls and the ability to entertain everyone in the stadium.
Almost 20 years after Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, Ashford did the same when he became the first black umpire in the majors.
https://theundefeated.com/features/emmett-ashford-first-black-umpire-in-the-majors-makes-his-debut/
Sorry
An excerpt from the New York Times -
Why ‘Sorry’ Is Still the Hardest Word
By MICHAEL M. GRYNBAUM
The fine art of repentance is a skill taught in business schools and promoted by high-priced consultants. But all kinds of offenders in public life still seem to struggle with the execution. Corporations like BP and Wells Fargo have faced criticism for dawdling responses to cascading crises, while politicians from Bill Clinton to Anthony Weiner have had difficulty admitting to peccadilloes.
The key to contrition, according to public-relations experts, is projecting sincerity, humanity, and a plain-spoken demeanor — the better to convince a cynical public. And in this age of whipsawing social media, you had better do it fast.
“The head of United should never have been allowed to take three swings at correcting and apologizing for an incident that was on more social media than Kim and Kanye’s wedding,” said Mortimer Matz, a New York consultant who has guided decades’ worth of clients through crises small and large.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/12/business/media/apology-sean-spicer-holocaust-oscar-munoz-united.html?emc=edit_nn_20170413&nl=morning-briefing&nlid=38867499&te=1
Why ‘Sorry’ Is Still the Hardest Word
By MICHAEL M. GRYNBAUM
The fine art of repentance is a skill taught in business schools and promoted by high-priced consultants. But all kinds of offenders in public life still seem to struggle with the execution. Corporations like BP and Wells Fargo have faced criticism for dawdling responses to cascading crises, while politicians from Bill Clinton to Anthony Weiner have had difficulty admitting to peccadilloes.
The key to contrition, according to public-relations experts, is projecting sincerity, humanity, and a plain-spoken demeanor — the better to convince a cynical public. And in this age of whipsawing social media, you had better do it fast.
“The head of United should never have been allowed to take three swings at correcting and apologizing for an incident that was on more social media than Kim and Kanye’s wedding,” said Mortimer Matz, a New York consultant who has guided decades’ worth of clients through crises small and large.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/12/business/media/apology-sean-spicer-holocaust-oscar-munoz-united.html?emc=edit_nn_20170413&nl=morning-briefing&nlid=38867499&te=1
Targeted Giving for Girls of Color
From the AP -
Buffett foundation unveils $90M plan to help girls of color
By DEEPTI HAJELA
In the 15-year existence of her girls' empowerment organization, Joanne Smith has dealt with funders and donors but never quite like this: a foundation putting $90 million toward helping girls of color by letting them determine their needs instead of being told what the funds have to be used for.
The NoVo Foundation, founded in 2006 by Jennifer and Peter Buffett, the youngest son and daughter-in-law of billionaire investor Warren Buffett, officially announced on Thursday how its $90 million commitment over seven years will be carried out.
http://bigstory.ap.org/23dfb87a8ece47ce81ba3e1445606615
Buffett foundation unveils $90M plan to help girls of color
By DEEPTI HAJELA
In the 15-year existence of her girls' empowerment organization, Joanne Smith has dealt with funders and donors but never quite like this: a foundation putting $90 million toward helping girls of color by letting them determine their needs instead of being told what the funds have to be used for.
The NoVo Foundation, founded in 2006 by Jennifer and Peter Buffett, the youngest son and daughter-in-law of billionaire investor Warren Buffett, officially announced on Thursday how its $90 million commitment over seven years will be carried out.
http://bigstory.ap.org/23dfb87a8ece47ce81ba3e1445606615
Teachers Cashing In
Excerpts from the AP -
Million-dollar teachers: Cashing in by selling their lessons
By CAROLYN THOMPSON
Miss Kindergarten is in the million-dollar club. So are Lovin Lit, the Moffatt Girls and about a dozen other teacher-entrepreneurs who are spinning reading, math, science and social studies into gold by selling their lesson plans online to fellow teachers around the world.
Despite worries from some educators, such online marketplaces are booming, driven by rising standards and the willingness of teachers to pay out of their own pockets for classroom-tested materials.
~~~~~~~~~~
Teachers Pay Teachers contends that it hit a milestone last year, when its 80,000 contributors earned more than $100 million, and that at least a dozen have become millionaires since the site launched a decade ago. Other major sites including Teachwise and Teacher's Notebook, and recently such corporate players as Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Amazon, have launched sites of their own.
https://apnews.com/3c2537fcbb2b470c8e652bf5481e4dc1
Million-dollar teachers: Cashing in by selling their lessons
By CAROLYN THOMPSON
Miss Kindergarten is in the million-dollar club. So are Lovin Lit, the Moffatt Girls and about a dozen other teacher-entrepreneurs who are spinning reading, math, science and social studies into gold by selling their lesson plans online to fellow teachers around the world.
Despite worries from some educators, such online marketplaces are booming, driven by rising standards and the willingness of teachers to pay out of their own pockets for classroom-tested materials.
~~~~~~~~~~
Teachers Pay Teachers contends that it hit a milestone last year, when its 80,000 contributors earned more than $100 million, and that at least a dozen have become millionaires since the site launched a decade ago. Other major sites including Teachwise and Teacher's Notebook, and recently such corporate players as Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Amazon, have launched sites of their own.
https://apnews.com/3c2537fcbb2b470c8e652bf5481e4dc1
Women Rocking in the OR
From CNN -
Why female surgeons are posing like this New Yorker cover
By Christina Zdanowicz
(CNN)Malika Favre has designed several covers for the New Yorker. But she's never seen any take off like her latest one.
It shows four women in blue doctors' scrubs over an operating table. And it has struck a chord.
Female surgeons around the world are now posting photos of themselves online, recreating the pose.
"It shows the power of an image and how you can touch a lot of people," Favre told CNN.
http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/12/health/female-surgeons-new-yorker-cover-trnd/index.html
Why female surgeons are posing like this New Yorker cover
By Christina Zdanowicz
 |
| Who runs the world? Female surgeons do. |
(CNN)Malika Favre has designed several covers for the New Yorker. But she's never seen any take off like her latest one.
It shows four women in blue doctors' scrubs over an operating table. And it has struck a chord.
Female surgeons around the world are now posting photos of themselves online, recreating the pose.
"It shows the power of an image and how you can touch a lot of people," Favre told CNN.
http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/12/health/female-surgeons-new-yorker-cover-trnd/index.html
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