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Retail Mannequins Skewer Body Types

A University of Liverpool study finds that the average female mannequin used to display clothing at British fast fashion stores closely mirrors the body type of a severely underweight woman, which can have serious implications on public perceptions of “ideal” body types.

Researchers looked at 17 fashion retailers across two British cities and assessed the body size of male and female mannequins, rating each figure on two scales: one based on body mass index (BMI), and the other on visual perception. (Because brands didn’t let them inspect the figures directly, the team had to rely on solely visuals to carry out their research, BBC reported.)

Their findings, published in the Journal Of Eating Disorders, indicated that a higher proportion of the female-bodied mannequins reviewed were “underweight,” according to these standards. The male-bodied mannequins were significantly larger than the average counterparts. Every one of the 32 female-bodied mannequins assessed throughout the data collection was underweight, compared to only 8% of the 26 male-bodied ones that researchers looked at.

Not only was there a lack of diversity of body size among the female-bodied mannequins, but researchers concluded that the figures’ frames would be considered “medically unhealthy” on a real person. “Our survey of these two high streets in the UK produced consistent result: The body size of female mannequins represented that of extremely underweight human women,” Dr. Eric Robinson, who led the study by the University of Liverpool’s Institute of Psychology, Health, and Society, told Science Daily.

Changing the size of the mannequins wouldn’t “solve young people’s body image problems, he admitted, but underweight-seeming figures likely perpetuate society’s existing body ideals – and should therefore be curbed.”Because ultra-thin ideals encourage the development of body image problems in young people, we need to change the environment to reduce emphasis on the value of extreme thinness,” Robinson told Science Daily.

The “presentation of ultra-thin female bodies” in the form of mannequins, the researcher added, “is likely to reinforce inappropriate and unobtainable body ideals, so as a society we should be taking measures to stop this type of reinforcement.”

The study’s findings are agreeable with a string of complaints that have come out of the U.K. in regards to the ultra-thin look of mannequins used in stores: Various British retailers have received criticism, especially on social media, in recent years for the unrealistic body types put forth with their displays.

Make Someone’s Day

Kindness benefits everyone
Stepping in for a stranger, a friend or a coworker in their time of need may be a no-brainer for you, but it doesn’t only benefit them; it can do wonders for you and for the universe. “It feels good to do something nice for someone. It boosts your self-esteem, it makes you feel like a better person and it can help you overcome any negative feelings you are experiencing in the moment,” says licensed clinical psychologist, Sarah Schewitz, PsyD. “If you’re feeling down, a surefire way to feel better immediately is to go do something nice and unexpected for someone else.” Psychologist, author, and relationship expert, Dawn Michael, PhD, adds: “When you are kind, that energy goes a long way, as the person you were kind to will feel better about themselves and perhaps do something kind for another person. I see kindness as a positive energy that, when passed on down the line, creates more positive energy in the world.”

Here are some random acts of kindness to make you a force of good in the world today.

For your significant other
While you might be the first to send a funny meme or listen patiently when your significant other needs to vent, or you’re always on call for a coworker working on a stressful project, you might not think of your significant other as someone who needs a random act of kindness. Dr. Michael says that simply acknowledging the benefit your partner adds to your life is an easy way to bring thoughtfulness into your relationship. “It can be a simple thank you to I really appreciate you when you do…,” she explains. “Letting the person you love know that you notice them is a positive act of kindness.” Psychologist Nikki Martinez, PsyD, LCPC, advises, “Do a chore that your partner hates without being asked to do so, and without the thought of being thanked for doing so. Do it simply because you know your partner hates it, and that doing it will be a welcome surprise.”

For your circle of friends
Friendship is always a give and take – the trick is to know when to give. While you might be raking in extra cash one month, your treasured friend might be struggling to make ends meet. Or, while you’re in a stable relationship, your friend may have been dumped – again. Martinez says stepping up when it’s your turn to help out a pal is an act of kindness they’ll likely never forget. “Send someone going through a tough time flowers,” she suggests. “Drop them a note and let them know you are thinking of them and what you appreciate about them. While small, these meaningful gestures will surely be appreciated by the recipient.”

For your coworkers
For better or for worse, you probably spend more time with your coworkers than you do with anyone else in your life. These communities often become your place to vent, your source of mentorship and encouragement and, at times, your pool of lifelong friends. Putting in the extra effort to make their day or help them up the ladder as you climb it too can go a long way. “In your weekly meeting, take time to acknowledge something that a coworker did that may have flown under the radar, or that others might not have known this person had done for the group,” Martinez says. “They will appreciate it, and perhaps others will start to notice ways in which they should appreciate this person on a regular basis.”

At the grocery store
Letting someone who has fewer grocery items jump ahead of you in line, or extending the same courtesy to senior citizens or people who are physically limited can show that you are cognizant of and sensitive to the world around you. Such gestures can be very impactful because people often are tunnel-visioned and in such a hurry in their own lives that they don’t see the whole picture in the moment and miss these opportunities to act kindly with little, if any, cost. If you’re able to fork over some cash, and can do it in a way that won’t make someone feel bad about themselves or uncomfortable, consider giving the cashier an extra $5, $10 or $20 for the person’s groceries behind you, especially if you see them pulling out food stamps.

While driving
We’ve all been there – you’ve got less than 20 minutes to get to work and you’re stuck in the slow lane watching someone take their sweet time getting off at your exit. Wouldn’t it be great if that person pulled over so you could zoom past? Martinez says you can perform that service to others, getting out of the way when you notice someone driving frantically. Let someone cross in front of you, or wait to turn and let them cross the street.

For a public servant
From policemen and firemen to postal office carriers, and that guy who picks up your trash from the curb, there are many people whose hard work often goes unnoticed. We’re so used to having them always present that we forget just how important it is to express our thanks for everything they do to keep us safe, informed and happy. Telling public servants something real and positive about how they directly helped you or our country can be very impactful. If you’re feeling extra generous, consider picking up a dozen doughnuts and bringing it to your local fire department. Any token of gratitude goes a long way.

For your neighbor
Whether you live somewhere like New York City or Los Angeles, where knowing your neighbors isn’t always the norm, or on a cul de sac where everyone knows your name, having good neighbors is a blessing in itself. Showing you care and that you’re paying attention can not only keep your home safe when you’re away, but it can also make the energy in your community that much more vibrant and happy. Do you have a neighbor who perhaps does not get around well? Shovel their walk, rake their leaves drop a simple gift and gesture on their steps, thanking them for being a wonderful neighbor. The gesture will be greatly appreciated, and it costs you virtually nothing to make them feel special and appreciated.

For your fitness instructor or trainer
Your fitness trainer might not be your therapist or confidante, but they’ve witnessed you in some very compromising and difficult situations and inspired you to push through your own boundaries. Thanking your personal trainer or the fitness instructor at your favorite workout class will not only make their day, but help them remember why they signed up to encourage others to sweat it out. It is very impactful to be acknowledged for the positive changes they are responsible for in your physical health and fitness.

For your family
Of all the people you probably forget to give a little nudge of love to, your parents, your siblings and your extended family fall close to the end of your list. It’s not that you don’t care about them, but since they’re a steadfast, dependable part of your life, you might not go the extra mile to make their life easier. It’s the little gestures for your family that make an impact. Random acts of kindness for your family can include taking your young niece or nephew out so your sibling who just had a baby can sleep; babysitting family members’ kids so your relatives can have a ‘grown-up’ date night out; visiting with an elderly relative in person if possible (or Skype/FaceTime) to talk about what his or her life was like and share memories and stories; giving a photo album or a CD of family photos or of a recent family event to the relatives who are involved or are being celebrated.

Why Grooms Carry Brides Across the Threshold

Carrying a bride across a threshold into a home after the wedding ceremony is a tradition that’s going out of style, but it’s been seen in dozens of romantic comedies and dates back thousands of years.

Business Insider reports that the tradition, according to the academic encyclopedia “Marriage Customs of the World,” dates back to the The Rape of the Sabine Women, an event in Roman mythology where Roman soldiers abducted and raped the women in the surrounding regions. The women were carried off against their will.

Bizarrely, the event turned into a common Roman wedding practice. The bride, according to the encyclopedia, would run off to her mother while the bridegroom and his friends would intercept her and pull her away. And a group of people, not just the groom, would carry the bride into the house.

The most direct interpretation of the tradition is that it’s a benign recollection of “marriage by capture.” But the encyclopedia also offers a more charitable interpretation: that the wife wants to make a show about how she isn’t eager to leave her parents’ home and start a family of her own.

At some point, the threshold itself acquired its own meaning. In Britain, at least, it was feared that the threshold might contain “sorcerous drugs” or other malevolent powers that could destroy a marriage or the wife’s child-bearing ability. For that reason, the groom tried to make sure that the bride didn’t touch the ground.

The renowned poet Ben Johnson immortalized this interpretation in his 1606 work “The Masque of Hymen,” where the speaker asks the bride to “lift your golden feet/Above the threshold high,/With prosperous augury.”

Doorjambs and thresholds also have significance in a few non-Western marriage traditions. In Zorastrianism – an ancient religion that dates to pre-Islamic Iran – the doorjambs are smeared in turmeric after a wedding. The groom has to pass through without touching the threshold, and his new mother-in-law marks his forehead with red pigment and throws rice at him, according to the encyclopedia.

Today, people don’t necessarily believe that the act of carrying the bride across the threshold has any significant meaning. For most, it’s just a fun thing to do.

Ten Things That May Disappear In Our Lifetime

Change is inevitable. Sometimes it is welcome. Sometimes not. In November 2011, scioto.com published a list of 10 things likely to disappear from our lives. The list has been making the rounds on the internet ever since.

The article may be correct on some or all points, but there is good reason to doubt some of the predictions. Our take on why some of the allegations are questionable appears in brackets after the original item’s explanation.

1. The U.S. Post Office
Get ready to imagine a world without the post office. They are so deeply in financial trouble that there is probably no way to sustain it long term. Email, Fed Ex and UPS have just about wiped out the minimum revenue needed to keep the post office alive. Most of your mail every day is junk mail and bills.

[It remains entirely possible that the Congress may wake up some day and allow the postal service to operate like a business, rather than like a child with an allowance from Congress. There remain many folks who for reasons of location, disability, age or other things, can’t rely on electronic media to deliver to them what they currently receive in the mail. While the demise of the post office remains possible, it’s just as likely it will undergo changes that will allow operations to continue.]

2. The Check
Britain is already laying the groundwork to do away with check by 2018. It costs the financial system billions of dollars a year to process checks. Plastic cards and online transactions will lead to the eventual demise of the check. This plays right into the death of the post office. If you never paid your bills by mail and never received them by mail, the post office would absolutely go out of business.

[Once again, the article flails at the post office. Checks may well disappear, but for those who must use mail to make payments, money orders can replace the check.]

3. The Newspaper
The younger generation simply doesn’t read the newspaper. They certainly don’t subscribe to a daily delivered print edition. That may go the way of the milkman and the laundry man. As for reading the paper online, get ready to pay for it. The rise in mobile Internet devices and e-readers has caused all the newspaper and magazine publishers to form an alliance. They have met with Apple, Amazon, and the major cell phone companies to develop a model for paid subscription services.

[It’s a bit of an exaggeration to say the younger generation doesn’t read the newspaper, though they may be less faithful at doing so than their elders. And even this article notes that the newspaper may disappear in printed form, but not electronically. The “Oracle of Omaha,” Warren Buffett, has sunk many millions into purchasing newspapers in recent years. One of the world’s richest people, Buffett doesn’t normally make huge mistakes when it comes to money. His faith in the newspaper business surely does not indicate that the death of newspapers is imminent.]

4. The Book
You say you will never give up the physical book that you hold in your hand and turn the literal pages. I said the same thing about downloading music from iTunes. I wanted my hard copy CD. But I quickly changed my mind when I discovered that I could get albums for half the price without ever leaving home to get the latest music. The same thing will happen with books. You can browse a bookstore online and even read a preview chapter before you buy. And the price is less than half that of a real book. And think of the convenience! Once you start flicking your fingers on the screen instead of the book, you find that you are lost in the story, can’t wait to see what happens next, and you forget that you’re holding a gadget instead of a book.

[Maybe, but a good many readers have shut off their Kindles and gone back to flipping printed pages to get the true satisfaction of reading a book. “Fahrenheit 451″ didn’t get rid of all the books, and neither did the dark ages in Europe, when Irish monks took it upon themselves to save and make copies of every written thing they could get their hands on.]

5. The Land Line Telephone
Unless you have a large family and make a lot of local calls, you don’t need it anymore. Most people keep it simply because they’ve always had it. But you are paying double charges for that extra service. All the cell phone companies will let you call customers using the same cell provider for no charge against your minutes.

[Land lines certainly are on the decline and may cease to exist. But they are vastly less expensive than cell phone services and there are certain situations when only a land line will do. For example, inmates on furlough from the Nebraska corrections system must stay only at a home with a land line so that the corrections department can phone them via that land line to ensure that they are where they are supposed to be.]

6. Music
This is one of the saddest parts of the change story. The music industry is dying a slow death. Not just because of illegal downloading. It’s the lack of innovative new music being given a chance to get to the people who would like to hear it. Greed and corruption is the problem. The record labels and the radio conglomerates are simply self-destructing. Over 40% of the music purchased today is “catalogue items,” meaning traditional music that the public is familiar with. Older established artists. This is also true on the live concert circuit. To explore this fascinating and disturbing topic further, check out the book, “Appetite for Self-Destruction” by Steve Knopper, and the video documentary, “Before the Music Dies.”

[We don’t have enough knowledge of this industry to dispute the article. But new and innovative music remains available for purchase on-line and new groups continue to pop up and thrive.]

7. Television Revenues
The networks are down dramatically. Not just because of the economy. People are watching TV and movies streamed from their computers. And they’re playing games and doing lots of other things that take up the time that used to be spent watching TV. Prime time shows have degenerated down to lower than the lowest common denominator. Cable rates are skyrocketing and commercials run about every 4 minutes and 30 seconds. I say good riddance to most of it. It’s time for the cable companies to be put out of our misery. Let the people choose what they want to watch online and through Netflix.

[Cable and network TV may be the big losers here. Netflix, Hulu, Amazon and the like are thriving and seem destined to dominate what’s watched on TV.]

8. The “Things” That You Own
Many of the very possessions that we used to own are still in our lives, but we may not actually own them in the future. They may simply reside in “the cloud.” Today your computer has a hard drive and you store your pictures, music, movies and documents. Your software is on a CD or DVD, and you can always re-install it if need be. But all of that is changing. Apple, Microsoft and Google are all finishing up their latest “cloud services.” That means that when you turn on a computer, the Internet will be built into the operating system. So, Windows, Google and the Mac OS will be tied straight into the Internet. If you click an icon, it will open something in the Internet cloud. If you save something, it will be saved to the cloud. And you may pay a monthly subscription fee to the cloud provider. In this virtual world, you can access your music or your books, or your whatever from any laptop or handheld device. That’s the good news. But, will you actually own any of this “stuff” or will it all be able to disappear at any moment in a big “Poof?” Will most of the things in our lives be disposable and whimsical? It makes you want to run to the closet and pull out that photo album, grab a book from the shelf or open up a CD case and pull out the insert.

[It’s a bit of a stretch to label electronic files as the “things” we all own. Today, six years after publication of this article, there is indeed a great deal of our data etc. in the cloud. But computers with huge memories are popular and likely to remain so.]

9. Joined Handwriting (Cursive Writing)
Already gone in some schools who no longer teach “joined handwriting” because nearly everything is done now on computers or keyboards of some type (pun not intended).

[And already many of those schools are bringing cursive back. The invention of the printing press did not kill handwriting and it seems unlikely that today’s electronics are about to deliver the fatal blow. We still want to be able to read those old family Bibles and tales and the letters grandfather sent home from the battlefield.]

10. Privacy
If there ever was a concept that we can look back on nostalgically, it would be privacy. That’s gone. It’s been gone for a long time anyway. There are cameras on the street, in most of the buildings and even built into your computer and cell phone. But you can be sure that 24/7, “They” know who you are and where you are, right down to the GPS coordinates, and the Google Street View. If you buy something, your habit is put into a zillion profiles, and your ads will change to reflect those habits. “They” will try to get you to buy something else. Again and again.

[This one seems spot on. And it grows ever worse in the interests of “national security” or just plain “security” as with the new rules mandating that anything going into Memorial Stadium in Lincoln must be contained in clear plastic so it can be seen on entry.]

B.C. Women Can Kick Off High Heels

Great news for the women of British Columbia. The province has passed a law banning mandatory high heels in the workplace. British Columbia’s government announced that it has deemed the requirement of high heels unsafe based on the risk of injuries, as well as the damage that comes from prolonged wear.

“This change will let employers know that the most critical part of an employee’s footwear is that it is safe,” Shirley Bond, minister of jobs, tourism and skills training and minister responsible for labour, said in a release. The regulation “ensures that workplace footwear is of a design, construction and material that allows the worker to safely perform their work and ensures that employers cannot require footwear contrary to this standard.”

Under the new regulation, employers must consider specific safety factors when choosing mandatory footwear codes – factors such as uneven terrain, ankle protection and foot support, and tripping hazards. The release notes that British Columbia’s Human Rights Code already protects against gender-based discrimination, which can include enforcing a dress code based on gender.

The news comes nearly a year after a photo of a Canadian woman’s bloody feet and accompanying story went viral. The woman was allegedly “berated” for changing into flats at her restaurant job, despite the fact that the heels she had been required to wear were making her feet bleed and causing one of her toenails to fall off. At the time, the restaurant in question said its dress code policy had recently changed, making flats an acceptable option and nixing its requirement that heels be over 2.5 inches.

Dress code regulation has come under scrutiny in other places. In May 2016, a U.K.-based woman who was working as a receptionist was sent home for not wearing heels. The experience prompted her to start a petition that garnered over 150,000 signatures and was brought to Parliament. The government concluded that “dress codes which require women to wear high heels for extended periods of time are damaging to their health and well-being in both the short and the long term in the U.K.,” but that there were “not currently enough disincentives to prevent employers breaching the law.”

In short, while the government acknowledged the issues with enforcing dress code, the repercussions are not yet harsh enough to make companies stop using them.

In the United States, there is some disparity on federal and local levels. The federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission states that “an employer may establish a dress code which applies to all employees or employees within certain job categories,” with exceptions made for a person’s religion or disability.

The New York City Commission on Human Rights, on the other hand, announced guidelines in December 2015, which say dress code enforcement based on gender “may be a violation of the law.”

Be a Better Friend

An expert on aging offers some tips on things you can do to be a better friend and attract more friends. Anthny Cirillo, a consultant and professional speaker who lives in North Carolina, offers these suggestions:

Be a good listener. Friendship is less about you and more about the other person.

Be interested in other people. Focus on finding out about them by asking thoughtful questions.

Be positive. Positive friends add emotional and health benefits to your life. People who can put it all in perspective and move on are often the ones that have an easier time making friends.

Be proactive about helping friends. Be ready to help friends through a difficult time. Friendships sometimes end when one person experiences a rough patch and feels that the other person just wasn’t there for them. When a friend is hurting, reach out before your friend needs to ask you for help.

Engage with the people you meet. Make an effort to talk to five people per day. The conversations don’t have to be long or involved, but by actively engaging others you will be more aware when a new friendship opportunity arises.

Be genuinely happy for your friends. Don’t get competitive with your friends. Life isn’t a race. Celebrate your friend’s accomplishments as if they were your own.

Cirillo, president of The Aging Experience, says isolation and loneliness can lead to negative health consequences. He says everyone needs to do their part in staying connected to family and friends.

Today’s Collectibles, Tomorrow’s Classics

Buying a car as an investment might pay off big time or leave you wondering what happened to your initial capital. Making an informed decision might improve your odds. The folks at Hagerty Insurance offer their annual “Hot List” of future collectible vehicles to aid your planning. The list includes vehicles carrying suggested retail prices (in U.S. dollars) from $25,255 to $70,000.

“All ten have that ‘it’ factor that makes them stand out from the crowd,” said McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty. “In some cases it’s power, in some cases it’s innovation or drivability, but all of them have the qualities that define a future classic.” Hagerty Insurance is one of the world’s leading insurance providers for classic vehicles, giving them a unique perspective for predicting which vehicles will be desirable in the future. Here’s Hagerty’s take on the cars of today that are likely to be classics in 25 years. To be included on the Hot List, a car must be produced in the 2017 model year and be priced below $100,000.

Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio: MSRP: $72,000
This sexy Italian is not simply another high-performance sedan. The Quadrifoglio stands out from the crowd with Bi-Xenon headlights, dual-mode quad exhaust, high-performance Brembo brakes with red calipers, a carbon fiber active-aero front splitter and 19-inch bright Technica aluminum wheels. Inside are sport seats trimmed in leather and Alcantara, a useful rear seat and a nicely-integrated display screen.

The principal reason Giulia Quadrifoglio makes this list of future classics is its performance capabilities. Under the hood sits a 2.9-liter bi-turbo V6 engine rated at 505 horsepower with 443 lb-ft of torque as low as 2500 rpm, making this the most powerful production car ever from Alfa Romeo. The sprint to 60 mph takes a mere 3.8 seconds on the way to a top speed of 191 mph. With Brembo 6-piston front and 4-piston rear brakes, stopping power is equally impressive – taking just 102 feet to stop from 60 mph. If that isn’t good enough, the Giulia Quadrifoglio lapped the famed Nurburgring race circuit in Germany in 7 minutes 32 seconds – the fastest time ever recorded by a 4-door production sedan.

Audi TT RS: MSRP: $60,000 (est.)
The Audi TT has always offered high performance wrapped in a very attractive package, but the TT RS takes everything up a notch. With its muscular front end, large air inlets and fixed rear spoiler, this TT looks like it means business. And it does. Audi fitted this RS variant with a newly-developed 5-cylinder engine putting out 400 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. With power being directed to all four wheels via Audi’s latest quattro all-wheel-drive system, this little sports car can reach 62 mph in 3.7 seconds. The convertible takes slightly longer – 3.9 seconds.

Very low and wide, the TT RS features a stiff chassis that delivers up to 1.2 Gs, making this special TT more than capable of handling twisty roads with ease. Four different driving modes – selectable by the driver – alter the character of the TT RS from a comfortable ride to ultimate performance. The RS will be available as a coupe or convertible, arriving in the U.S. later this year.

Chevrolet Camaro ZL1: MSRP: $61,140
Chevrolet takes the Camaro to an all-new level with the introduction of the powerful ZL1. This Camaro variant sports a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine that puts out an incredible 640 horsepower and 640 lb-ft of torque. The big engine gets teamed with either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a new 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. Performance stats are impressive – a sprint to 60 mph takes a mere 3.5 seconds.

The new ZL1 gets differentiated from the rest of the Camaro lineup via a lower grille opening, a new hood, a larger front splitter, wider fenders, a wing-style rear spoiler and 20-inch forged aluminum wheels fitted with Goodyear Eagle F1 high-performance tires. As Hagerty states, “The legend continues to inspire today just as it did 50 years ago, as the Camaro reaches a whole new audience with this instant collector’s item.”

Chevrolet Colorado ZR2: MSRP: $40,995
Designed for high performance after the pavement ends, the Colorado ZR2 is a brand-new model from Chevrolet for 2017. This go-anywhere truck features purpose-built off-road suspension, Multimatic shocks, raised ground clearance, front and rear electronic differentials, skidplates and a wider track for increased stability. Large 31-inch Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac off-road tires provide maximum traction.

Power for the new Colorado ZR2 comes from either a 3.6-liter 308-horsepower V6 or a class-exclusive 2.8-liter Duramax diesel engine putting out 186 horsepower and an impressive 369 lb-ft of torque. All ZR2 Colorados are 4WD and can be set up with a crew cab or extended cab. “ZR2 is truly a segment of one and does everything well – from traversing heavy two-track trails to high-speed desert running and full-on rock crawling,” said Sandor Piszar, marketing director for Chevrolet trucks.

Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport: MSRP: $65,450
The original Corvette Grand Sports were purpose-built racing prototypes that looked like production models – only five were ever built. There have been a few other Grand Sport Corvettes through the years, and the latest version is the C7 Grand Sport. “The racing DNA of the original Grand Sport race cars is in the 2017 model, adding greater dimensions of capability and driver involvement to the Corvette’s award-winning architecture, for a purer driving experience,” said Harlan Charles, Corvette product marketing manager.

This special Vette features Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires, Brembo brakes, a 7-speed manual transmission, an electronic limited-slip differential and unique springs. An optional Z07 package adds ceramic brakes and Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, making the Grand Sport the ultimate track toy. Performance stats are impressive – the Grand Sport can corner at 1.2 Gs and reaches 60 mph in 3.6 seconds.

Fiat 124 Spider Abarth: MSRP: $28,195
It’s been several decades since Fiat sold a 2-seat roadster in America. The last one was the Fiat 124 Spider. Designed to honor its namesake, the new 124 Spider carries on the traditional long hood, short overhangs and, of course, rear-wheel drive of the original 124. The 124 shares basic architecture with one of the most popular 2-seat roadsters in the world, the Mazda MX-5 Miata.

Abarth is the sportiest variant of the 124 lineup, featuring a sport instrument cluster, matte gray trim, leather-trimmed sport seats, a sport steering wheel, performance-tuned suspension, a limited-slip differential, body-color sport fascias, a gunmetal roll bar, quad exhaust outlets and 17-inch gunmetal aluminum wheels. Power comes from an Italian-built 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine making 164 horsepower.

Ford F-150 Raptor: MSRP: $48,860
Ford introduced this off-road performance truck in 2010 and it continues to be a unique offering in the U.S. truck market. An all-new version of the Raptor is now available with bold styling, enhanced suspension, an improved power-to-weight ratio and even better off-road agility than the previous version. Weighing 500 pounds less than its predecessor, the new Raptor boasts a 3.5-liter high-output EcoBoost engine that produces 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, teamed with an advanced 10-speed automatic transmission.

To better utilize all that power, the Raptor features a Terrain Management System that optimizes performance for nearly any driving condition. “F-150 Raptor means superior off-road capability, from rock crawling to sand running,” said Dave Pericak, Ford Performance global director. “With the addition of SuperCrew, F-150 Raptor customers can leave the pavement behind – without sacrificing comfort and space,” Pericak stated.

Mazda Miata RF: MSRP: $31,555
Mazda introduced an all-new MX-5 Miata last year, and the fun-to-drive roadster immediately made Hagerty’s Hot List. This year the Miata is back, but now with an innovative retractable fastback (RF). With the top in place the sports car looks like a hardtop coupe, but with the flip of a switch the rear section lifts while the roof folds with the window, ultimately hidden with only the rear section in place. With just the roof panel and rear window removed, the MX-5 looks more like a targa than a convertible. The top can be operated at speeds up to 6 mph and takes only 12 seconds to operate.

Aside from being slightly taller, the RF retains the same dimensions and proportions of the soft-top MX-5. Engineers were able to use the same real estate that stores the soft-top, so trunk space remains unchanged in the new RF. With a more rigid structure and quieter ride, the RF is likely to expose new customers to the “Zoom-Zoom” joy of driving a Miata.

Porsche 718 Cayman / Boxster: MSRP: $53,900 / $56,000
This German automaker has a rich history of sports cars – in 1950s and ‘60s, the company raced the legendary 718 lightweight mid-engine sports car. In the spirit of that original, Porsche brings us the 718 Boxster / Cayman. This updated sports car – Boxster is the roadster, Cayman is the hardtop – with the new naming designation is available with a newly-developed 2.0-liter turbocharged engine producing 300 horsepower, while the S upgrades to a 2.5-liter turbo producing 350 horsepower.

The new models offer fresh styling as well as updated chassis tuning and stronger brakes, which should make for great fun on the road or track. Performance numbers corroborate this claim – the Boxster S / Cayman S can reach 60 mph in just 4 seconds with a top speed of 177 mph. As Hagerty puts it, “Those who have a love for cars have a love for driving and few things are better to drive than the 2017 Porsche 718 lineup.”

Toyota 86: MSRP: $26,255
Called the Scion FR-S Coupe until last year when Toyota eliminated the Scion brand, the 86 is a lightweight, rear-wheel-drive sports car. Developed with Subaru (the 86 shares a platform with Subaru’s BRZ), the Toyota 86 is powered by a 2.0-liter flat 4-cylinder engine putting out 205 horsepower, teamed with either a 6-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission.

Last year the 86 received a few updates to go with the new name – the front end got new LED headlights, a revised bumper and a larger center air intake, giving the sport coupe a more aggressive stance. The rear of the car also received LED treatment as well as a new bumper design. With a low starting price and the fun-to-drive traits one looks for in a sports car, the Toyota 86 should be entertaining for the next 25 years.

Nightmares Translated

Most of us nod off as our sleeping brain uses this time to make sense of our day-to-day experiences. We continue to fall deeper and deeper into a slumber as our dream world unfolds, putting us face-to-face with our unconscious fears and desires. This could manifest into a cycle of bad dreams from seeing zombies to being cheated on.

So, what is the meaning behind these nightmares?

In the video, “The 10 Most Common Nightmares and Their Meanings!,” Matthew Santoro explains bad dreams can reveal a lot about our life. Nightmares affect as many as 80 to 90 percent of people at some point in their lives, making them extremely common. The American Sleep Association explains some of these cases can be caused by medication use; extreme levels of anxiety in everyday life; or if someone in our family has a similar problem with nightmares, which can increase the likelihood of a sleeping disorder.

Santoro notes a common nightmare we all get is being naked in front of people. This dream is often accompanied by an audience of fully clothed people. Dreaming of being naked in front of people can represent a fear of revealing something to others; a secret we’re worried people have or soon will discover; a loss of identity; or feeling ashamed or misjudged about something we took or said.

Other dreams take us to a more supernatural world where ghosts, zombies and the undead surface. For example, seeing a ghost in our dream doesn’t mean impending doom. The dead can symbolize regret, thoughts we find upsetting or a repressed memory trying to break through. A ghost can also signify a task or goal we’re having trouble achieving.

Being lost trapped or buried in a dream may mean we are faced with real life insecurities. Indecisiveness can be met with dreams. If you also are trapped, this can indicate you are stuck, perhaps in a relationship, job or a school program you regret taking.

Dreams of falling are among the most common. But how or where you are falling can drastically change the dream’s meaning. For example, if you are falling from the sky this can indicate fear of losing control of some elements of your life or an insecurity that things are not going to stay the way you like them. Falling into a bottomless pit can indicate something that is overwhelming in your life such as a major work project, or concern about an exam or waiting for major health news.

Some of us, whether we’re in a relationship or not, will dream about being cheated on. This doesn’t necessarily mean our partner did so in real life, or even that we’re worried they will. Often, this means we’re worried about the stability of our relationship, or maybe even our career. We dream a person closest to us betrayed us emotionally, because of a lack of trust in ourselves or our decisions.

Understanding the symbolism behind our nightmares can help us better cope with fears and desires in real life.

The Face of Business Is Changing

Big name retailers – Sears, Macy’s, J.C. Penney, for example – are struggling as the rise of e-commerce propels Amazon and even Wal-Mart to consume ever larger shares of the retail pie. But are traditional brick-and-mortar businesses en route to the graveyard?

The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) says 1-in-11 jobs are related to shopping centers and retail is the largest employer in more than half the states in the U.S. “Retail is very healthy,” says Tom McGee, President and CEO of ICSC. Despite all of the upheaval, McGee notes that “more than 90% of sales still happen in a store.”

Some commercial real estate experts echo McGee’s optimistic outlook.

“E-commerce can’t paint your nails, cut your hair or serve you a burrito,” says Travis Carter. “Consumers still need to see, touch, and feel those tangible goods.” Carter says the biggest change in retail he’s seen in his Greensboro, NC, market is visible in the dynamic of the shopping center tenant mix, which continues to shift towards businesses that provide services.

“I can see the pendulum swinging back away from everything happening online,” says John Propp of Denver where the market is in the midst of a commercial real estate boom unlike anything he can remember. He feels the last real impediment is the issue of sales tax. Purchases made online don’t typically include a state sales tax, a decision stemming back to a 1992 Supreme Court decision. “Once this is settled there will be even less conflict between the two.”

Transwestern recently highlighted three commercial trends in its first quarter Insights report covering the retail, industrial and multifamily sectors.

1. Retail: The Rise of Mobile Data
Retailers are getting more sophisticated in how they’re collecting mobile data about their customers. Many businesses are using mobile apps coupled with monitoring devices in their stores to track and interact with customers. If a consumer has that business’s app on their phone, it allows the retailers to engage with them by offering coupons or product suggestions.

2. Industrial: New Demands for E-Commerce Distribution Centers
Demands for faster shipments in online sales and massive increases in e-commerce business are causing companies that have large fulfillment centers to rethink location. Previously, these online retailers chose industrial warehouses in lower cost areas outside of population centers. Today, there is a new demand for large commercial space closer to metro areas in order to more quickly and efficiently store and ship commodities to customers, according to Transwestern.

3. Multifamily: Micro-Unit Apartments in Urban Markets
As renters flock to urban centers for the live-work-play lifestyle, entry-level lease rates are becoming unaffordable for many recent college graduates, service workers and young professionals. One way of providing more affordable living space is through micro-unit apartments.

Reports on the death of traditional retail may be greatly exaggerated. Anchor stores continue to change, pivoting from big-box retailers to smaller service providers, medical facilities, restaurants and multi-unit residential. National chains are downsizing and refocusing on personalization, catering to more specific clientele rather than trying to be everything to everyone.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Both the United States and Canada have substantial populations of folks with Irish ancestry and both nations have parades and celebrations across the land to observe St. Patrick’s Day, though many of the parades are not on March 17, but rather on the Saturday before or after. In Winnipeg, for example, this year’s parade is set for March 18, while in Omaha the parade was held on March 11 and in Des Moines the parade is scheduled for March 17.

In Canada, St. Patrick’s Day is a public holiday in Newfoundland and Labrador on the nearest Monday to March 17 each year. In the states it is a legal holiday only in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, and in Savannah, Georgia

The observance remembers St. Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint. He was a missionary who converted many of Ireland’s inhabitants to Christianity in the 5th century.

In Canada there are annual parades celebrating Irish culture in Edmonton, Halifax, Hudson, Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec, Richmond, Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg. The Chicago River is dyed green for Saint Patrick’s Day every year. The holiday is widely recognized throughout the United States. In addition to parades, celebrations include prominent displays of the color green, eating and drinking, religious observances and numerous parades. The holiday has been celebrated on the North American continent since the late 18th century.

Irish Canadians are Canadian citizens who have full or partial Irish heritage including descendants who trace their ancestry to immigrants who originated in Ireland. From 1825 to 1970 1.2 million Irish immigrants arrived in Canada , and at least half of those in the period from 1831–1850. By 1867, they were the second largest ethnic group, after the French, and comprised 24% of Canada’s population.

The 2006 census by Statistics Canada, Canada’s Official Statistical office, revealed that the Irish were the 4th largest ethnic group, with 4,354,000 Canadians with full or partial Irish descent or 15% of the country’s total population. This was a large and significant increase of 531,495 since the 2001 census, which counted 3,823,000 respondents quoting Irish ethnicity. According to the National Household Survey 2011, the population of Irish ancestry has increased since 2006 to 4,544,870.[5]

About 33.3 million United States citizens – 10.5% of the total population – reported Irish ancestry in the 2013 American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. This compares with a population of 6.4 million on the island of Ireland. Three million people separately identified as Scots-Irish, whose ancestors were Ulster Scots who emigrated from Ireland to the United States.