title: One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge

text: Since the challenge was first created by Randi in 1964, about a thousand people applied, but no one was successful. Randi has said that few unsuccessful applicants ever seriously considered that their failure to perform might be due to the nonexistence of the power they believe they possess.


title: One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge

text: In January 2015, James Randi announced that he was officially retiring and stepping down from his position with the JREF. In September 2015, JREF announced that their board had decided that it would convert the foundation into a grant-making foundation, and they will no longer accept applications directly from people claiming to have a paranormal power. In 2015 the James Randi paranormal challenge was officially terminated.


title: One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge

text: The official challenge rules stipulated that the participant must agree, in writing, to the conditions and criteria of their test. Claims that cannot be tested experimentally are not eligible for the Challenge. Claimants were able to influence all aspects of the testing procedure and participants during the initial negotiation phase of the challenge. Applications for any challenges that might cause serious injury or death were not accepted.


title: One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge

text: To ensure that the experimental conditions themselves did not negatively affect a claimant's ability to perform, non-blinded preliminary control tests are often performed. For example, the JREF had dowsers perform a control test, in which the dowser attempts to locate the target substance or object using their dowsing ability, even though the target's location has been revealed to the applicant. Failure to display a 100% success rate in the open test would cause their immediate disqualification. However, claimants were usually able to perform successfully during the open test, confirming that experimental conditions are adequate.


title: One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge

text: Claimants agreed to readily observable success criteria prior to the test, results were unambiguous and clearly indicated whether or not the criteria have been met. Randi had said that he need not participate in any way with the actual execution of the test, and he has been willing to travel far from the test location to avoid the perception that his anti-paranormal bias could influence the test results.


title: One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge

text: The discussions between the JREF and applicants were at one time posted on a public discussion board. After the resignation of Randi's assistant Mark Kramer and subsequent changes to challenge rules—requiring applicants to have demonstrated considerable notability—new applications were no longer logged.


title: One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge

text: In 1979, Randi tested four people in Italy for dowsing ability. The prize at the time was $10,000. The conditions were that a test area would be used. There would be a water supply and a reservoir just outside the test area. There would be three plastic pipes running underground from the source to the reservoir along different concealed paths. Each pipe would pass through the test area by entering at some point on an edge and exiting at some point on an edge. A pipe would not cross itself but it might cross others. The pipes were in diameter and were buried below ground. Valves would select which of the pipes water was running through, and only one would be selected at a time. At least of water would flow through the selected pipe. The dowser must first check the area to see if there is any natural water or anything else that would interfere with the test, and that would be marked. Additionally, the dowser must demonstrate that the dowsing reaction works on an exposed pipe with the water running. Then one of the three pipes would be selected randomly for each trial. The dowser would place ten to one hundred pegs in the ground along the path he or she traces as the path of the active pipe. Two-thirds of the pegs placed by the dowser must be within of the center of the pipe being traced for the trial to be a success. Three trials would be done for the test of each dowser and the dowser must pass two of the three trials to pass the test. A lawyer was present, in possession of Randi's $10,000 check. If a claimant were successful, the lawyer would give him the check. If none were successful, the check would be returned to Randi.


title: One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge

text: All of the dowsers agreed with the conditions of the test and stated that they felt able to perform the test that day and that the water flow was sufficient. Before the test they were asked how sure they were that they would succeed. All said either "99 percent" or "100 percent" certain. They were asked what they would conclude if the water flow was 90 degrees from what they thought it was and all said that it was impossible. After the test they were asked how confident they were that they had passed the test. Three answered "100 percent" and one answered that he had not completed the test.


title: One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge

text: When all of the tests were over and the location of the pipes was revealed, none of the dowsers had passed the test. Dr. Borga had placed his markers carefully, but the nearest was a full from the water pipe. Borga said, "We are lost", but within two minutes he started blaming his failure on many things such as sunspots and geomagnetic variables. Two of the dowsers thought they had found natural water before the test started, but disagreed with each other about where it was, as well as with the ones who found no natural water.


title: One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge

text: Astronomer Dennis Rawlins described the challenge as insincere, saying that Randi would ensure he never had to pay out. In the October 1981 issue of "Fate", Rawlins quoted him as saying "I always have an out". Randi stated that Rawlins did not give the entire quotation, and actually said "Concerning the challenge, I always have an 'out': I'm right!"


title: One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge

text: Psychic Rosemary Altea suggested the one million dollars prize fund did not exist, or was in the form of pledges or promissory notes. The JREF stated that the million dollars was in the form of negotiable bonds within a "James Randi Educational Foundation Prize Account" and that validation of the account and the prize amount could be supplied on demand. The money was held in an Evercore Wealth Management account.


title: One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge

text: On "Larry King Live", March 6, 2001, Larry King asked psychic Sylvia Browne if she would take the challenge and she agreed. Randi appeared with Browne again on "Larry King Live" on September 3, 2001, and she again accepted the challenge. However, she refused to be tested and Randi kept a clock on his website recording the number of weeks that had passed since Browne accepted the challenge without following through. Eventually the clock was replaced with text stating that "over 5 years" had passed. Browne died in 2013.


title: One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge

text: In an appearance on "Larry King Live" on January 26, 2007, Randi challenged psychic Rosemary Altea to take the one-million-dollar challenge. During Altea and Randi's June 5, 2001 meeting on the same show, Altea refused to take the challenge, calling it "a trick". Instead Altea, in part, replied "I agree with what he says, that there are many, many people who claim to be spiritual mediums, they claim to talk to the dead. There are many, people, we all know this. There are cheats and charlatans everywhere." Randi's response was to suggest that Altea was also one of the "cheats and charlatans".


title: One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge

text: In an appearance on ITV's "This Morning", on September 27, 2011, magician Paul Zenon challenged Welsh psychic Leigh Catherine (aka Leigh-Catherine Salway) to take the one million dollar challenge and she accepted. Phillip Schofield, a "This Morning" host, stated that the program would pay for her flights to the US to be tested. Salway subsequently backed out of the challenge, claiming it was "dodgy" and "set up to make it impossible to pass".


title: One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge

text: Randi rejected an application from Rico Kolodzey, a breatharian who claimed to have survived without food since 1998. In 2006, Randi agreed to test Kolodzey's claims, but the two parties were unable to agree on the venue and method of the test.


title: One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge

text: Members of a group from Bali, referring to themselves as Yellow Bamboo, claimed one of their number, Pak Nyoman Serengen, could knock down an attacker at a distance, using only a piece of yellow bamboo. Video clips on their website showed a crowd of students running at Serengen, and falling to the ground when (or, in some cases, slightly before) Serengen extended his hand and shouted. The JREF arranged volunteers to carry out a preliminary investigation, but after the Yellow Bamboo group "threw every sort of obstacle in the way of that plan", Randi announced that he was terminating further involvement with them. A local volunteer contacted Randi offering to investigate the group unofficially. A low-resolution video showed the investigator being knocked to the ground during a preliminary test. The JREF pointed out that the test was not conducted according to the proposed protocol, with multiple flaws in the execution including being carried out at night. Upon viewing a set of still shots from the incident, several people experienced with stun-guns suggested that an electroshock weapon could have been used.


title: One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge

text: In July 2009, Danish psychic/dowser Connie Sonne was given the chance to prove her dowsing ability. She was asked to dowse some randomly selected cards hidden in envelopes and lost the challenge by selecting other incorrect ones. In an interview with Mark Edward afterward, she insisted that she lost merely because, "…it wasn't time yet for my powers to be revealed."


title: One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge

text: In July 2014, Chinese salesman Fei Wang was tested in front of an audience of 600 at the conclusion of The Amazing Meeting in Las Vegas. Wang said that from his right hand, he could transmit a mysterious force a distance of , unhindered by wood, metal, plastic or cardboard. The energy, he said, could be felt by others as heat, pressure, magnetism, or simply "an indescribable change." A total of nine people were selected by Wang as subjects who would be able to determine whether they were receiving the force from his hand. On stage, Wang and a control person were behind a curtain, and the subjects were in front of the curtain with eyes and ears covered so as not to be able to deduce who was behind the curtain. A colored ball was chosen randomly to determine whether Wang or the control person would go first, and in that order they tried to transmit the energy onto the subject's hand (hidden from their view inside a cardboard box). The subject then stated whether she had felt any energy and whether it came from the first or second person. Wang needed to be the person selected by at least 8 of the 9 subjects in order to win the million dollars. After both of the first two subjects failed to choose Wang, the challenge was over. Wang stated that he would try again the next year, saying, "This energy is mysterious".


title: One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge

text: Tech journalist Lee Hutchinson approached the JREF after writing an article for "Ars Technica" about directional Ethernet cables that claim to "keep your audio signal completely free of electromagnetic interference". At the 2015 Amazing Meeting, the MDC set up a controlled double-blind demonstration with volunteers listening to two identical recordings with a randomly selected Ethernet cable, a normal one or the cable claiming to improve the listening experience. After seven volunteers (1 hit, 1 miss and 5 hearing no difference), the demonstration was ended as they were unable to select the "enhanced" cable over the common cable enough times to satisfy the testing protocols.


title: Toyota Belta

text: The , referred to in North American and Australian markets as the Yaris and in Asian markets as the Vios, is a subcompact sedan manufactured by Toyota.


title: Toyota Belta

text: The successor to the Platz sedan, the Belta has increased in size over the previous generation such that its interior volume is comparable to the E120 series Corolla. The Belta went on sale in Japan on 28 November 2005 equipped with 1.0 to 1.3 L engines and was available at "Toyopet Store" dealerships. Export sales began in 2006, with most markets receiving a 1.5 L "1NZ-FE" engine as standard fitment. The smaller 1.3 L "2NZ-FE" engine was also offered in selected markets.


title: Toyota Belta

text: The Belta was sold as the second generation Vios in China, Taiwan and selected Southeast Asian countries. In the Americas, Middle East, South Africa and Australia, it was marketed as the Yaris sedan, replacing the Echo sedan.


title: Toyota Belta

text: In June 2012, the Japanese-market Belta was discontinued and replaced by the E160 series Corolla, and it was dropped in the US and Canada to be replaced by the Mazda2 sedan-based Yaris sedan/Scion iA in 2016. However, the Belta was still produced in Japan for export to Mexico and Australia until it was discontinued in both countries in 2016. For the Asian market, the XP150 series Vios replaced the XP90 model in 2013 as the sedan counterpart to the XP150 Yaris hatchback.


title: Toyota Belta

text: The "Belta" nameplate was revived in November 2021 for the rebadged Suzuki Ciaz sold in the Middle East and Africa.


title: Toyota Belta

text: The XP90 Vitz and Belta share underpinnings with each other including the drivetrain and platform. However, while the Vitz was designed at Toyota's French design studios, the Belta was designed at Toyota's Japanese design studios—design projects for similar cars marketed toward different demographics. While the outgoing Vitz and Platz models look and feel very much alike, the newer Vitz hatchback and Belta sedans are more subtly related. No sheetmetal is shared between the two, and although both have a similar centralized dashboard design (Toyota's efforts to standardize the design for all markets, left or right hand drive) there are some cosmetic differences. The Belta is the only subcompact sedan which was designed, built and sold in Japan, and has no direct competitors in the Japanese domestic market, as the Vitz's competitors did not offer sedan versions at the time.


title: Toyota Belta

text: For most Asian markets (except Japan, Hong Kong and Macau), the Belta was sold as the second generation Vios which was built and assembled in China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. It was launched first in April 2007. For the Japanese and rest of the world, the Belta/Yaris sedan were manufactured in Japan.


title: Toyota Belta

text: As was the first generation Vios, the second generation Vios was continued to assembled at Thailand's Toyota Gateway Plant, the Philippines Santa Rosa, Laguna Plant and also by FAW Toyota in China.


title: Toyota Belta

text: The Japanese market Belta had three engine variants available, namely the 1.0 L "1KR-FE" straight-three engine (KSP92) and two variants of the 1.3 L engines, "2NZ-FE" (NCP92/96) or "2SZ-FE" (SCP92), both rated at . The "1KR-FE" and "2SZ-FE" engines comes with Super CVT-i transmission (the former is also available with 5-speed manual) while the "2NZ-FE" engine has a 4-speed Super ECT transmission and only available as AWD. The car was offered with two trim levels; X and G, the latter was not available with 1.0 L engine and both could be optioned with AWD option. Optional S (sporty), L (luxury) or Business (commercial/fleet) packages were also available for the cheaper X trim.


title: Toyota Belta

text: The second generation Vios was introduced to China in 2008. Engine choices for Chinese variants consist of the 1.3 litre "2NZ-FE" and the 1.6 litre "4ZR-FE" only available in China. 5 speed manual and 4 speed automatic are available as standard. Sunroof option is also available exclusively for this market.


title: Toyota Belta

text: Lifan made a copy of Vios with different front and rear facia, the car is called 530. It was also rebadged and sold in Ghana as Kantanka Amoanimaa.


title: Toyota Belta

text: The second generation Vios was officially launched to the Indonesian market on 11 April 2007 and the taxi fleet exclusive Limo was launched few months later. The Indonesian Vios can be distinguished from other countries' and Limo models with its V-shaped grille ornament. Like the outgoing NCP42, the NCP93 Vios was offered in E/Limo (with manual transmission only) and G (with either manual or automatic transmission) trim levels.


title: Toyota Belta

text: All trim levels except Limo come equipped with ABS, analog instrument panel and side mirrors with electric adjuster and retract. For the interior, the Limo and E trim has full black interior color, while G has two tone black and beige colors combination and 60:40 split back seat. The Limo and E trim has rear drum brakes and the G trim comes with all discs. The higher-grade G trim has standard dual SRS airbags (single for E trim), front and rear fog lamps, audio control on the steering wheel, auto-leveling HID headlamps, multi-information display and back sonar. Start/Stop push button was only available on the G trim with automatic transmission. For the exterior, the Limo can be distinguished by the use of steel rims, without side moldings and chrome garnish on the trunk (same as E trim) and blinkers on the front fender, while E and G trims are equipped with alloy wheels (14 inch for E trim and 15 inch for G trim), blinkers on side mirrors and chrome garnish on the trunk for G trim.


title: Toyota Belta

text: For the facelifted model, the Indonesian Vios following the same appearance as other countries' models. The interior is also slightly changed with new flat-bottom style steering wheel and back seat with armrest. In addition to the regular trim levels, there was also a TRD Sportivo model based on the G trim which adds an all-round body kit to the exterior and comes fitted with an AV DVD player and navigational capabilities. The Limo did not received any improvement.


title: Toyota Belta

text: The second generation Vios was unveiled in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 5 October 2007, two weeks ahead of its official launch on 19 October 2007. The Vios is powered exclusively by the "1NZ-FE" 1.5 L four-cylinder engine with VVT-i, which included a redesigned air intake and exhaust system to improve low to mid-range torque. It was also fitted with the Super ECT four-speed automatic with the same gear ratios as its predecessor, but with improved programming for the transmission control unit. Electric power steering was offered in place of the hydraulic system in its predecessor.


title: Toyota Belta

text: The second generation Vios was made available in four trim levels for the Malaysian market: J, E, G and S.


title: Toyota Belta

text: The "J" is the base version. It was initially unavailable at the Malaysian Vios launch in October 2007, but was introduced on 1 July 2008, offering a choice of either 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmissions.


title: Toyota Belta

text: The "E" and "G" differ mostly in terms of equipment levels and are mechanically identical, both sharing the 4-speed Super ECT transmission.


title: Toyota Belta

text: The "S" is an addition featuring cosmetic enhancements, including a front bumper spoiler, side skirts, rear skirt and a bootlid spoiler. The interior received a dark grey/black trim treatment and an "Optitron" meter with a multi-information display, as opposed to the "E" and "G" trims' conventional backlit display. The "S" trim was the most expensive Vios variant. On 17 June 2009, UMW Toyota launched the Vios 1.5 TRD Sportivo which effectively replaced the "S" trim. It featured a body kit, Enkei wheels, various interior trim improvements and an optional sports suspension kit.


title: Toyota Belta

text: On 15 April 2010, the Vios received a facelift in Malaysia, offering mostly cosmetic improvements. The Vios TRD Sportivo was updated on 29 June 2011, featuring a redesigned grille, unique alloy wheels and leather seats. Another new grade positioned between G and TRD Sportivo called the "G Limited" was also introduced offering a body kit, 15-inch alloy wheels and leather seats. The Vios was updated on 21 June 2012 in response to Honda Malaysia's facelift of the City, with appearance changes without significant mechanical improvements.


title: Toyota Belta

text: All model grades included ABS with EBD and BA at the October 2007 launch, but the "E" trim was only offered with a single driver's airbag, whereas the "G" and "S" trims had an additional passenger airbag. The "J" trim had no airbags at all upon its July 2008 launch, but was nonetheless offered with ABS + EBD and BA. The "J" trim later received a driver's airbag in its 2010 facelift and a front passenger airbag in its 2012 update.


title: Toyota Belta

text: The Malaysian Vios was assembled locally by ASSB, a subsidiary of UMW Toyota, in Shah Alam, Selangor. The Vios has since become the best selling non-national badged vehicle in Malaysia, achieving record sales in 2012.


title: Toyota Belta

text: In the Philippines, the second generation Vios was launched in August 2007 in 3 trim levels: 1.3 J, 1.3 E and 1.5 G. All trim levels were available with a 5-speed manual transmission, the G trim also with a 4-speed automatic transmission.


title: Toyota Belta

text: The 1.5 G Limited XX Edition was released in July 2008. This is the same as the G trim, but came with HID headlights, 17-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels and a small rubber spoiler. The 1.5 S also got this spoiler and different 17-inch Rota Bolognia Mags with 205/45 tires. The G XX Limited and S trims were released in different colour schemes.


title: Toyota Belta

text: A facelifted model was launched on April 6, 2010, with a redesigned front grille, redesigned headlamp and tail lamp assemblies, and redesigned 15-inch alloy wheels (for the G trim). It was available in three trim levels: the base 1.3 J mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, the 1.3 E, with the choice of a 5-speed manual or the now available 4-speed automatic transmission, and the 1.5 G, with the choice of a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.


title: Toyota Belta

text: For 2012, a 1.3-liter engine for the G trim was released, and it was mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission, then later a 5-speed manual transmission equipped with fog lights and 15-inch alloy wheels. Two new trims were also available from 2012, a trim lower than G trim called the J Limited which added fog lights, 15-inch alloy wheels, front passenger airbag and more colors option from higher trim and a trim lower than the J trim called the 1.3 Base, which came only in a 5-speed manual transmission. In 2013, the 1.5 TRD Sportivo trim was released.


title: Toyota Belta

text: During its entire period on the market, the second generation Vios was the best selling car in the Philippines helping Toyota to maintain its status as the best selling brand in the country.


title: Toyota Belta

text: In Singapore, the Vios was sold in the base model J, the mid-level E and the top-of-the-line G trim levels, and later the TRD Sportivo model.


title: Toyota Belta

text: The J trim is the lowest version and comes standard with a CD/MP3/WMA player with 4 speakers, keyless entry, ABS/EBD/BA (on front disc brakes only), driver-only SRS airbag and interior fabric with dark grey colour seats.


title: Toyota Belta

text: The E trim is the only manual variant after the local dealer discontinued the manual J variant in Singapore. The E Classic includes an additional SRS airbag for the front passenger and side moulding. There is another variant of the E trim known as the Elegance that includes leather seats and fog lights.


title: Toyota Belta

text: The G trim is the top-of-the-line version available in Singapore and comes with an automatic transmission. The G trim adds optitron meters with multi-information display, four-wheel disc brakes, and 60:40 split foldable rear seats.


title: Toyota Belta

text: Optional "Sport" and “Racing” bodykit were offered in late 2008 featuring aftermarket alloy wheels, red stitching on the leather seats and floor mats, gear knob, brushed studded pedals and badging to denote these models in its special run. These were available as optional extras by the Toyota dealership in Singapore (Borneo Motors). With the facelift in 2011, three colours were added – Grey Metallic (1G3), Attitude Black Mica (211) and Blackish Red Mica (3R0) – to make 7 colours in total. In December 2012, Borneo Motors (Singapore) introduced a ""Sportivo"" variant based on the E grade, consisting of a TRD sports kit and 15” TRD multi-spoke alloy rims. Trims were also split into LX Classic and LX Elegance for the J and E variants. These were offered as a cost effective measure for customers who wanted the variant in base form or with extras such as leather seats, piano black interior trims and solar film. In 2013, only the E grade remained in the lineup for the Vios.


title: Toyota Belta

text: Thailand, which currently manufactures the Vios, was offered in three trim levels (J, E and G), as well as two limited edition trim levels (G Limited and S Limited). Thailand was currently the only country that offers all existing grades of the Vios, while export markets are only given a fraction of the Thai range in varying combinations. In addition, certainly the range of equipment in Thai Vios' differs from those in export versions.


title: Toyota Belta

text: The J is the basic trim level of the second generation Vios, offering a CD/MP3/WMA player with four speakers, an optional keyless entry with TVSS, ABS/EBD/BA, 15-inch steel wheels with hubcaps, rear fog lamps and interior fabric with dark grey colour seat.


title: Toyota Belta

text: The E is a mid-level trim featuring a keyless entry with TDS, an option between dark grey or ivory-coloured seat fabrics, optional driver and front passenger SRS airbags, front and rear fog lamps, 15-inch sports alloy wheels and side moulding.


title: Toyota Belta

text: The G trim features an unchangeable 6 speaker CD/MP3/WMA player, leather seating in either dark grey or ivory, driver and front passenger SRS airbags, a multi-functional steering wheel, 15-inch sports alloy wheels front and rear fog lamps, side moulding, a blue "Optitron" panel with a multi-information display and 60:40 fold-down rear seats.


title: Toyota Belta

text: The G Limited trim includes a keyless and smart entry with TDS, a Start/Stop push button, an immobilizer key and a body kit to the exterior.


title: Toyota Belta

text: The limited edition S Limited trim features a "Wrap-Around Aeropart" body kit, an orange "Optitron" panel with a multi-information display, high intensity discharge headlamps with automatic height adjustment and all-wheel disc brakes.


title: Toyota Belta

text: Audio systems in all second generation Vios trim levels are equipped with ASL (Auto-Speed Sound Levelizer), which detects and compensates for changes in external noise levels, adjusting volume and tone controls automatically based on the car's speed.


title: Toyota Belta

text: Toyota Thailand has also exported the Vios to the Middle East, Australia and South Africa, where it was sold as the Yaris.


title: Toyota Belta

text: The Belta is sold alongside the XP90 Vitz in the United States and Canada. The Belta went on sale in April 2006 for the 2007 model year, being badged as the Yaris sedan, since these markets use the Yaris nameplate for the 3-door (last model year of availability there was 2008) and 5-door Vitz hatchbacks, also known as the Yaris 3-door and Yaris 5-door, respectively.


title: Toyota Belta

text: In the United States, the Yaris sedan is available with modular convenience, power, and all-weather guard packages, contrasting with the global Belta's conventional trim levels. However, the Yaris sedan was also available as the Yaris S, which has standard convenience and appearance packages fitted as standard. The power package on the Yaris sedan offers alloy wheels as an option. Side airbags were optional. The Canadian version is being based on the US-market Yaris S with power and all-weather guard packages, but with standard wheels. The regular CE, LE and RS trims used in the Canadian Yaris hatchback are replaced in the Yaris sedan by option packages of "B", "C", "D" or "Aero" types. The "B" adds all-season tires, chrome trim on the decklid, front and rear splash guards, colour-keyed door handles, blacked-out side window frames, keyless entry and power door locks; the "C" adds ABS, air conditioning, power windows, colour-keyed mirrors and power mirrors; the "D" adds both side and side-curtain airbags; the Aero adds alloy wheels, wheel locks, a rear spoiler and a body kit. The Aero, however, has neither air conditioning nor side airbags. The Canadian model lacks the two-tone interior, pseudo-metallic trim on the door panels and the new audio system controls (instead it uses an old design) found on the Japanese and American models.


title: Toyota Belta

text: The 2007 Yaris sedan received EPA fuel economy ratings of on the highway and in the city, with a fuel capacity of . However, because the EPA changed the way they calculate fuel economy, ratings were revised for the 2008 model year and the Yaris was rated at city/ mpg highway for the manual transmission, and mpg city/ mpg highway for the automatic version.


title: Toyota Belta

text: For the 2009 model year which was a facelift, all Yaris sedans received updated styling with a new grille, alloy designs, interior fabric, standard side curtain airbags and anti-lock brakes. There are also options such as a leather-wrapped steering wheel/shift knob and satellite radio.


title: Toyota Belta

text: In Australia, it is known as the Yaris sedan and was sold alongside the Vitz-based Yaris hatchback. The Yaris sedan was available only in a 1.5 L "1NZ-FE" petrol engine. There were two variants of the model, namely the YRS and YRX, with the former being the model with the basic necessities. The YRX model features an all-round body kit and was available in an automatic transmission or 5-speed manual transmission.


title: Toyota Belta

text: The Australian version of the Yaris sedan uses orange blinker bulbs with clear lenses instead of orange blinker lenses.


title: Toyota Belta

text: At the end of 2016, the Australian version Yaris sedan was discontinued due to poor sales with over 27 percent drop. It was then phased out with no direct replacement for the Australian market.


title: Toyota Belta

text: Standard safety features include airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, and head restraints for all seating positions. Side-impact airbags, side curtain airbags and ABS are optional on 2007–2008 models. Beginning in 2009, front and rear row side curtain airbags along with front seat-mounted torso side airbags and anti-lock brakes became standard. Stability control was unavailable on all models until the 2010 model year when it became standard.


title: Toyota Belta

text: According to the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) the Yaris sedan received a "Good" overall score in the frontal crash test and a "Good" overall score in the side impact test on models equipped with side airbags but a "Poor" overall score on models without side airbags. In their roof strength evaluation the Yaris is rated "Acceptable" with a strength-to-weight ratio of 3.78.


title: Ruff (clothing)

text: A ruff is an item of clothing worn in Western, Central, and Northern Europe and Spanish America from the mid-16th century to the mid-17th century. The round and flat variation is often called a millstone collar after its resemblance to millstones for grinding grain.


title: Ruff (clothing)

text: The ruff, which was worn by men, women and children, evolved from the small fabric ruffle at the neck of the shirt or chemise. Ruffs served as changeable pieces of cloth that could themselves be laundered separately while keeping the wearer's doublet or gown from becoming soiled at the neckline. The stiffness of the garment forced upright posture, and their impracticality led them to become a symbol of wealth and status.


title: Ruff (clothing)

text: Ruffs were primarily made from linen cambric, stiffened with starch imported from the Low Countries. Later ruffs were sometimes made entirely from lace, an expensive embellishment developed in the early sixteenth century.


title: Ruff (clothing)

text: The size of the ruff increased as the century went on. "Ten yards is enough for the ruffs of the neck and hand" for a New Year's gift made by her ladies for Elizabeth I of England in 1565, but the adoption of starch allowed ruffs to be made wider without losing their shape. Later ruffs were separate garments that could be washed, starched, and set into elaborate figure-of-eight folds by the use of heated, cone-shaped goffering irons. At their most extreme, "cartwheel ruffs" were a foot or more wide; these "cartwheel ruffs" required a wire frame called a "supportasse" or "underpropper" to hold them at the fashionable angle.


title: Ruff (clothing)

text: By the start of the seventeenth century, ruffs were falling out of fashion in Western Europe, in favour of wing collars and falling bands. The fashion lingered longer in the Dutch Republic, where ruffs can be seen in portraits well into the seventeenth century, and farther east. The ruff remained part of the ceremonial dress of city councillors ("Senatoren") in the cities of the Hanseatic league and of Lutheran clergy in Denmark, Norway, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, and Greenland.


title: Ruff (clothing)

text: Ruffs remain part of the formal attire of bishops and ministers in the Church of Denmark and the Church of the Faroe Islands and are generally worn for services. The Church of Norway removed the ruff from its clergy uniform in 1980, although some conservative ministers, such as Børre Knudsen, continued to wear them. Ruffs are optional for boy sopranos in Anglican church choirs.


title: Ruff (clothing)

text: The most popular and basic colour for ruffs was white, but sometimes the starch used to stiffen the ruff was enhanced with dyes, giving ruffs a range of pastel shades that washed away along with the starch. Dyes of vegetable origin made ruffs pink, light purple, yellow, or green. Light purple could also be achieved using cochineal. Yellow could come from saffron, and pale blue from smalt.


title: Ruff (clothing)

text: The bluish tint of a ruff was supposed to make the wearer's complexion appear paler, thus more attractive to contemporaries. Elizabeth I took against this colour and issued a royal prerogative: "Her Majesty's pleasure is that no blue starch shall be used or worn by any of her Majesty's subjects, since blue was the colour of the flag of Scotland ...".


title: Ruff (clothing)

text: Of the dyed ruffs, those in yellow were the most popular throughout Europe. In England, yellow went out of fashion after the trial and execution of convicted murderer Anna Turner, who was considered the inventor of yellow starch. During her trial the yellow-dyed ruffs started to be seen as a symbol of declining morality. According to some of Anne's contemporaries, she wore a yellow ruff to her trial, after which the executioner ironically decided to wear the same colour to carry out her sentence. However, this may only be a rumour of the time, as there are other primary sources that do not mention this detail.


title: Ruff (clothing)

text: Coloured ruffs are rarely seen in portraits not only because they were overall less popular than the white ones, but also because later restorers repainted them, believing white to be the "correct" colour for ruffs.


title: South of the Border (attraction)

text: South of the Border is an attraction on Interstate 95 (I-95), US Highway 301 (US 301) and US 501 in Hamer, South Carolina, just south of Rowland, North Carolina. It is so named because it is just south of the border between North Carolina and South Carolina, and was the half way point to Florida from New York in the early days of motor travel. The area is themed in faux-Mexican style. The rest area contains restaurants, gas stations, a video arcade, motel, truck stop, a small amusement park, a mini golf course, shopping, fireworks stores, and a motocross training complex. Its mascot is Pedro, a caricature of a Mexican bandido. South of the Border is known for its roadside billboard advertisements, which begin many miles away from and incorporate a mileage countdown to the attraction itself. The stop has since fallen on hard times as more modern hotel areas have grown along I-95.


title: South of the Border (attraction)

text: The entire motif of South of the Border can be described as intentionally campy. South of the Border is located at the intersection of I-95 and US 301/US 501 just south of the border between North Carolina and South Carolina. The site is a compound that contains a miniature golf course, truck stop, 300-room motel, multiple souvenir shops, a campground, multiple restaurants, amusement rides, and a observation tower with a sombrero shaped observation deck. It is also home to "Reptile Lagoon", the largest indoor reptile exhibit in the U.S.


title: South of the Border (attraction)

text: Architectural features include "a Jetsons-esque starburst chandelier" in the lobby and Mimetic. Pedro's Pleasure Dome is a swimming pool inside "a junkyard version" of a geodesic dome. A "Washington Post" review says, "[F]lashing signs ... throw technicolor pink and green and blue onto every surface. No destination or sentiment is too small to be blared out in bright orange." Numerous large statues of animals such as dolphins, horses, dogs, gorillas and dinosaurs can be found. The Peddler Steakhouse, the nicest of the restaurants, is shaped like a sombrero, while the Mexican-themed Sombrero restaurant is not, though its décor includes sombreros, cactus and terra cotta, with lots of lime green. There are areas that bring to mind the photography of William Eggleston, the cinematography of David Lynch, and the gas station art of Ed Ruscha.


title: South of the Border (attraction)

text: The motocross training center, known as South of the Border Motocross (SOBMX), is used for riders in training and a competitive race course. The AMA regional championship motocross is held at South of the Border, and in the spring, the Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship organises a regional qualifier at South of the Border. There are four circuits—a motocross track, a Supercross training facility, an Arenacross training facility, and a second motocross track. By insurance regulations, only licensed AMA or FIM professional riders are permitted on the Supercross or Arenacross circuits.


title: South of the Border (attraction)

text: South of the Border was developed by Alan Schafer in 1950. He had founded South of the Border Depot, a beer stand, at the location in 1949 adjacent to Robeson County which was, at one time, one of many dry North Carolina counties. Business was steadily expanded with Mexican trinkets and numerous kitsch items imported from Mexico. The site itself also began to expand to include a cocktail lounge, gas station and souvenir shop and, in 1954, a motel. In 1962, South of the Border expanded into fireworks sales, potentially capitalizing on the fact fireworks were illegal in North Carolina. In 1964 it was announced that the route for I-95 would pass right by South of the Border, and the facility would be next to two exits and within view of the highway. By the mid-1960s, South of the Border had expanded to include a barber shop, drug store, a variety store, a post office, an outdoor go-kart track complete with other outdoor recreational facilities and the tall image of the mascot, Pedro.


title: South of the Border (attraction)

text: Over the years, the billboards with messages some considered racist and offensive changed to become tamer while still retaining the same tongue-in-cheek tone. Schafer continued to deny his attraction was racist, citing the fact that he was known for hiring African Americans, and even helping them to vote, and standing up to the Ku Klux Klan.


title: South of the Border (attraction)

text: About 300 people, mostly local employees, work at South of the Border. At one time, with 700 working there, it was the largest employer in Dillon County, South Carolina.


title: South of the Border (attraction)

text: Initially, Schafer only used sombreros and serapes in advertisements for South of the Border. However, after Schafer hired two men he had met on a business trip to Mexico as bellboys, people began calling them Pedro and Pancho, leading to the development of the Pedro mascot. Schafer eventually created Pedro, an exaggerated, cartoon-like representation of a Mexican bandit, to add to the exotic element and theme of the attraction. Pedro wears a sombrero, a poncho and a large mustache. Minstrel shows were still popular in Dillon County in the 1940s and 1950s, at about the time Pedro was created and P. Nicole King argues that Pedro embodies the way in which people exoticized Mexico or Mexicans at the time while working within the themes of camp


title: South of the Border (attraction)

text: Pedro has likewise been referred to as culturally offensive, politically incorrect or racist. P. Nicole King described Pedro's likeness as a "southern Jewish guy in brown face" that was perhaps made, partially, in Schafer's image. Schafer himself had previously dismissed criticism that Pedro is an unfair characterization of Mexicans and argued that Pedro's design is a light-hearted joke. Today, all South of the Border employees, regardless of race, are referred to as "Pedro".


title: South of the Border (attraction)

text: American storyteller, radio and TV personality, Jean Shepherd began his TV movie, "The Great American Fourth of July and Other Disasters", with a trip to South of the Border. He stops at a fireworks market called Fort Pedro, which leads him into the story of the most memorable Fourth of July during his childhood in the fictional town of Hohman, Indiana.


title: South of the Border (attraction)

text: The opening scene of Season 3, Episode 5 of "Eastbound & Down" shows characters Eduardo Sanchez Powers and Casper robbing a Mexican store leading the viewers to believe they were still in Mexico. The scene later reveals they were actually robbing the gift shop at South of the Border and are now traveling in the United States.


title: South of the Border (attraction)

text: In "", the Jokers leave Q at a motel, to have him ride on horseback to South of the Border, where the rest of the Jokers await him.


title: South of the Border (attraction)

text: In the movie "Forces of Nature" (1999), starring Sandra Bullock and Ben Affleck, the main characters stop at South of the Border as passengers on a tour bus.


title: Grandfather clock

text: A grandfather clock (also a longcase clock, tall-case clock, grandfather's clock, or floor clock) is a tall, freestanding, weight-driven pendulum clock with the pendulum held inside the tower or waist of the case. Clocks of this style are commonly 1.8–2.4 metres (6–8 feet) tall with an enclosed pendulum and weights suspended by either cables or chains which have to be calibrated occasionally to keep the proper time. The case often features elaborately carved ornamentation on the hood (or bonnet), which surrounds and frames the dial, or clock face. The English clockmaker William Clement is credited with the development of this form in 1670. Until the early 20th century, pendulum clocks were the world's most accurate timekeeping technology, and longcase clocks, due to their superior accuracy, served as time standards for households and businesses. Today they are kept mainly for their decorative and antique value, having been widely replaced by both analog and digital timekeeping.


title: Grandfather clock

text: The advent of the longcase clock is due to the invention of the anchor escapement mechanism by Robert Hooke around 1658. Prior to the adoption of the anchor mechanism, pendulum clock movements used an older verge escapement mechanism, which required very wide pendulum swings of about 80–100°. Long pendulums with such wide swings could not be fitted within a case, so most freestanding clocks had short pendulums.


title: Grandfather clock

text: The anchor mechanism reduced the pendulum's swing to around 4° to 6°, allowing clockmakers to use longer pendulums, which had slower "beats". These consumed less power allowing clocks to run longer between windings, caused less friction and wear in the movement, and were more accurate. Almost all longcase clocks use a "seconds pendulum" (also called a "Royal" pendulum) meaning that each swing (or half-period) takes one second. These are about a metre (39 inches) long (to the centre of the bob), requiring a long narrow case. The long narrow case actually predated the anchor clock by a few decades, appearing in clocks in 1660 to allow a long drop for the powering weights. However, once the seconds pendulum began to be used, this long weight case proved perfect to house it as well.


title: Grandfather clock

text: British clockmaker William Clement, who disputed credit for the anchor escapement with Robert Hooke, made the first longcase clocks by 1680. Later the same year, Thomas Tompion, the most prominent British clockmaker, was making them too. Longcase clocks spread rapidly from England to other European countries and Asia.


title: Grandfather clock

text: The first longcase clocks, like all clocks prior to the anchor escapement, had only one hand; an hour hand. The increased accuracy made possible by the anchor motivated the addition of the minute hand to clock faces in the next few decades.


title: Grandfather clock

text: Between 1680 and 1800, the average price of a grandfather clock in England remained steady at £1 10s. In 1680, this was the amount paid by an average working family for a year's rent, so the purchase of clocks was confined to the relatively well-off. But by 1800 wages had increased enough so that many lower middle class households owned grandfather clocks.


title: Grandfather clock

text: Modern longcase clocks use a more accurate variation of the anchor escapement called the deadbeat escapement.


title: Grandfather clock

text: Traditionally, longcase clocks were made with two types of movement: eight-day and one-day (30-hour) movements. A clock with an eight-day movement required winding only once a week, while generally less-expensive 30-hour clocks had to be wound every day. Eight-day clocks are often driven by two weights – one driving the pendulum and the other the striking mechanism, which usually consisted of a bell or chimes. Such movements usually have two keyholes, one on each side of the dial to wind each one. By contrast, 30-hour clocks often had a single weight to drive both the timekeeping and striking mechanisms. Some 30-hour clocks were made with false keyholes, for customers who wished that guests to their home would think that the household was able to afford the more expensive eight-day clock. All modern striking longcase clocks have eight-day mechanical quarter chiming and full hour striking movements. Most longcase clocks are cable-driven, meaning that the weights are suspended by cables. If the cable were attached directly to the weight, the load would cause rotation and untwist the cable strands, so the cable wraps around a pulley mounted to the top of each weight. The mechanical advantage of this arrangement also doubles the running time allowed by a given weight drop.


title: Grandfather clock

text: Cable clocks are wound by inserting a special crank (called a "key") into holes in the clock's face and turning it. Others, however, are chain-driven, meaning that the weights are suspended by chains that wrap around gears in the clock's mechanism, with the other end of the chain hanging down next to the weight. To wind a chain-driven longcase clock, one pulls on the end of each chain, lifting the weights until the weights come up to just under the clock's face.


title: Grandfather clock

text: In the early 20th century, quarter-hour chime sequences were added to longcase clocks. At the top of each hour, the full chime sequence sounds, immediately followed by the hour strike. At 15 minutes after each hour, 1/4 of the chime sequence plays, at the bottom of each hour, 1/2 of the chime sequence plays, and at 15 minutes before each hour, 3/4 of the chime sequence plays. The chime tune used in almost all longcase clocks is Westminster Quarters. Many also offer the option of Whittington chimes or St. Michael's chimes, selectable by a switch mounted on the right side of the dial, which also allows one to silence the chimes if desired. As a result of adding chime sequences, all modern mechanical longcase clocks have three weights instead of just two. The left weight provides power for the hour strike, the middle weight provides power for the clock's pendulum and general timekeeping functions, while the right weight provides power for the quarter-hour chime sequences.


title: Grandfather clock

text: The "Oxford English Dictionary" states that the popular 1876 song "My Grandfather's Clock" is responsible for the common name "grandfather clock" being applied to the longcase clock.


title: Grandfather clock

text: The song was composed by an American songwriter by the name of Henry Clay Work who discovered a longcase clock in The George Hotel in Piercebridge, in County Durham in England. When he asked about the clock, he was informed that it had two owners. After the first owner died the clock became inaccurate and when the second owner died, the clock stopped working altogether. The story inspired Henry to create the song.


title: Grandfather clock

text: Grandfather clocks are of a certain height, usually at least 1.9 metres (6 feet - 3 inches). There are also "grandmother" and "granddaughter" clocks, which are slightly shorter in height.


title: Grandfather clock

text: Comtoise clocks, also known as Morbier clocks or Morez clocks, are a style of longcase clock made in the French region Franche-Comté (hence their name). Features distinguishing this style are a curving "potbellied" case and a greater use of curved lines. Often a heavy, elongated, highly ornamented pendulum bob extends up the case (see photo).


title: Grandfather clock

text: Production of these clocks began in 1680 and continued for a period of about 230 years. During the peak production years (1850–1890) over 60,000 clocks were made each year. These clocks were very popular across the generations; they kept the time on farms throughout France. Many Comtoise clocks can be found in France but they are also frequently found in Spain, Germany, and other parts of Europe, less in the United States. Many Comtoise clocks were also exported to other countries in Europe and even farther, to the Ottoman Empire and as far as Thailand. The metal mechanism was usually protected by a wooden sheath.


title: Grandfather clock

text: Bornholm clocks are Danish longcase clocks and were made on Bornholm from 1745 to 1900. In Sweden a special variety of longcase clocks was made in Mora, called Mora clocks.


title: Grandfather clock

text: Bornholm clock-making began in the 1740s when an English ship, which had longcase clocks in its hold, was stranded. They were sent for repair to a turner named Poul Ottesen Arboe in Rønne and as a result of his repair of them he learned enough about clocks to begin to make his own.


title: Peyton Hillis

text: Peyton Derek Hillis (born January 21, 1986) is a former American football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL). Hillis attended Conway High School in Conway, Arkansas and was a highly touted recruit. Hillis attended the University of Arkansas where he was primarily used as a fullback. After being drafted in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft, Hillis rose to the top of the depth chart as the starting fullback for the Denver Broncos. Due to injuries to the running back corps, he became the starting running back. After spending two years in Denver, Hillis was traded to the Cleveland Browns in 2010. In 2011, Hillis won a nationwide vote which put him on the cover of EA Sports' "Madden NFL 12" video game.


title: Peyton Hillis

text: After a stellar high school career that saw him ranked as the #119 player in the country for the 2004 recruiting class, Peyton chose to attend college at the University of Arkansas from 2004 to 2007, majoring in Sociology. He chose Arkansas over a number of other offers from schools such as Oklahoma, Nebraska, Alabama, Florida, Oklahoma State, Tennessee, and LSU.


title: Peyton Hillis

text: As a true freshman, Hillis gained 240 yards rushing, 97 yards receiving, and scored eight touchdowns, ranking fourth in the SEC in total touchdowns and tying Georgia's Thomas Brown for most touchdowns scored by a SEC freshman that year.


title: Peyton Hillis

text: During his sophomore year, Hillis accounted for 947 all-purpose yards (including more than 200 in kick-off and punt returns) and seven touchdowns while also serving as a blocker for up-and-coming star running backs Darren McFadden and Felix Jones.


title: Peyton Hillis

text: In his junior season, Hillis only appeared in ten games due to a nagging injury, although he did return late in the season to help Arkansas win the 2006 SEC Western Division Championship. That team finished 10-4 after losing to Wisconsin in the 2007 Capital One Bowl. The biggest victory of the season came on November 11 with ESPN College GameDay in attendance, Arkansas defeated #13 Tennessee in Fayetteville, 31-14.


title: Peyton Hillis

text: His senior season in 2007 saw Hillis finish with over 800 yards of total offense and score 7 total touchdowns. Although this team did not meet pre-season expectations, finishing 8-5 after losing to Missouri in the 2008 Cotton Bowl, Hillis did help Arkansas upset #1 LSU in Baton Rouge in triple overtime, 50-48. Hillis had 11 carries for 89 yards rushing and 2 TDs, as well as 5 receptions for 62 receiving yards and 2 more TDs. It was Arkansas' first victory over a #1 team since defeating Texas in 1981.


title: Peyton Hillis

text: Over his four seasons as a fullback at Arkansas, Hillis helped paved the way for Darren McFadden to become the Razorbacks all-time rushing leader with three straight 1,000 yard seasons from 2005 to 2007, as well as two straight for fellow running back Felix Jones in 2006 and 2007. Arkansas was one of the most prolific running teams in the nation over those three seasons, owed in no small part to Hillis' blocking and receiving prowess.


title: Peyton Hillis

text: Hillis was selected by the Denver Broncos with the 20th pick in the seventh round (227th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft. He was also assigned his college number, 22.


title: Peyton Hillis

text: At the start of the 2008 season, Hillis was listed as the Broncos' starting fullback. He played in his first NFL regular season game on September 8, 2008, gaining 14 yards on three rushing attempts and four yards on one reception as part of a 41–14 Broncos road victory over the Oakland Raiders. Later in the season, he recorded his first career 100-yard receiving game with seven catches for 116 yards and a touchdown in a 26–17 Broncos home loss to the Miami Dolphins on November 2, 2008.


title: Peyton Hillis

text: Following an injury to Ryan Torain in the Broncos 34–30 comeback road victory over the Cleveland Browns, Hillis was named Denver's starting running back. His first start at the position netted him 44 yards and two touchdowns on only 10 carries as part of a 24–20 road victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Two weeks later, he recorded his first 100-yard rushing game with 129 yards and a touchdown on 22 attempts in a 34–17 road victory over the New York Jets. The performance earned Hillis multiple honors including being named Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week as well as FedEx Ground Player of the Week alongside Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler, who was named NFL Air Player of the Week. The string of victories and accolades built up anticipation among Broncos faithful for Hillis to continue as running back for the rest of the season. However, the season already plagued with running back injuries continued, with Hillis suffering a season-ending injury in a 24–17 home win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Coming down from an acrobatic catch of a Cutler pass with his right foot planted, Hillis was hit from both sides by Chiefs' free safety Jarrad Page and cornerback Brandon Carr. The hit doubled Hillis over, causing a 2–3 inch tear in his right hamstring behind the knee, which forced him to miss the rest of the season. Despite his limited playing time, Hillis ended the 2008 season as the Broncos' leading rusher with 343 yards and 5 touchdowns and was expected to return as a significant offensive presence for the 2009 season.


title: Peyton Hillis

text: With the loss of Hillis, depth at the running back position was practically nil and the Broncos fell to 8–8 on the season and failed to make the playoffs. Due to a lack of postseason berths in recent years, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan was fired during the offseason and replaced with Josh McDaniels. McDaniels' first order of business was to recruit new talent to fit his playing scheme, which involved adding depth to the running back position with first round draft pick Knowshon Moreno and free agent Correll Buckhalter.


title: Peyton Hillis

text: Despite rising to the starting fullback position and becoming the leading rusher the previous year, Hillis had only 54 yards on 13 carries in the 2009 season. As the Broncos offense collapsed late-season and Hillis still saw no significant playtime, fans began speculating about a disagreement between Hillis and McDaniels as had been the case with other Shanahan carry-overs. In a postseason interview, Hillis expressed disappointment over his playing time on the season, but remained tight-lipped about the controversy, maintaining that conversations between him and McDaniels were "friendly". In the same interview, Hillis was quoted as saying his future in Denver was "up in the air". On March 14, 2010, the Broncos traded Hillis to the Cleveland Browns along with a sixth-round pick in the 2011 Draft and a conditional pick in the 2012 Draft in exchange for quarterback Brady Quinn.


title: Peyton Hillis

text: Hillis's arrival in Cleveland was met with anticipation after the results of his active stint in Denver during the 2008 season. During the 2010 preseason, the Browns distributed snaps evenly between Hillis, Jerome Harrison, James Davis, Chris Jennings, and Montario Hardesty (upon returning from injury). Hillis' best pre-season rushing game came in Week 2 against the St. Louis Rams when, getting the majority of the snaps, Hillis ran for 51 yards on 12 carries (4.3 ypc).


title: Peyton Hillis

text: As the regular season began, Hillis' start in Cleveland began much the same way as it did in Denver, listed down the depth chart at both tight end and fullback. Also like his start in Denver, early season injuries to Harrison and Davis thrust Hillis into the starting spot for the Week 3 game versus the Baltimore Ravens. The result was a 144-yard (6.5 ypc) romp against the Ravens' staunch rushing defense, which allowed just 3.4 yards per carry in the 2009 season. Hillis also added 36 yards on 7 receptions for a total of 180 all-purpose yards. The next week, Hillis again ran for over 100 yards at home against the Cincinnati Bengals, leading the Browns to their first victory in the 2010 regular season. A thigh injury in practice limited Hillis in Week 5 against the Atlanta Falcons, though Hillis did add a 19-yard reception for a touchdown, making him the first Browns player since Greg Pruitt to record touchdowns in five consecutive games, though Pruitt's came all through rushing. Coming off a bye week in Week 8, Hillis set career marks in both rushing and all-purpose yards against the New England Patriots in Week 9, finishing the game with 184 rushing yards (6.5 ypc) and 220 yards of total offense. Following this game, Hillis was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for Week 9, the first Cleveland Browns running back to win that honor since Eric Metcalf in 1992. In week 12, Hillis joined Marshall Faulk as the only players to have achieved more than 130 yards rushing, 3 rushing touchdowns, and 60 yards receiving in a single game. On December 12, 2010, Hillis went over the 1,000 yard mark on an 8-yard rush, that was preceded by a 25-yard rush.


title: Peyton Hillis

text: Due to his breakout season, Hillis was the Browns finalist in the "Madden NFL 12" cover vote. After upsetting Ray Rice, Matt Ryan, and Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers, he advanced to the finals where he faced off against Michael Vick. On April 27, 2011, Hillis was announced as the cover athlete for the game, beating out Vick with 66 percent of the vote.


title: Peyton Hillis

text: Hillis had a difficult 2011–12 season that led him to be associated with the Madden Curse, a history of poor performance by athletes after appearing on the "Madden" cover. The season began with unsuccessful negotiations to extend his contract.


title: Peyton Hillis

text: He had a good game in a Week 2 match-up with the Indianapolis Colts, running for 94 yards and 2 touchdowns, but he then sat out a game the next week against the Miami Dolphins with strep throat on the advice of his agent. Hillis then injured his hamstring 2 times, once in a game and once in practice, limiting his performance and frustrating teammates. He rebounded towards the end of the season, rushing for 99 yards in Arizona and 112 in Baltimore to finish with 587 and 3 touchdowns. At the end of the year, Hillis stated he wanted to re-sign with the Browns, even willing to offer a hometown discount, but the Browns never made him an offer and allowed him to leave as a free agent to Kansas City.


title: Peyton Hillis

text: On March 14, 2012, Hillis signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. He finished the 2012 season with 309 yards on 85 carries as a backup to Jamaal Charles.


title: Peyton Hillis

text: On July 23, 2013, Hillis signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On September 21, 2013, Hillis was released by the Buccaneers without appearing in a game.


title: Peyton Hillis

text: On October 16, 2013, the New York Giants announced they had signed Hillis for the 2013–14 season. On March 11, 2014, the Giants gave Hillis a $1.8 million contract extension for two more years. Before the start of the 2014 season, Hillis agreed to change his number from #44 to #33, so that rookie Andre Williams could wear the number he wore in college. Hillis had also worn number 33 while in training camp with the Buccaneers.


title: Peyton Hillis

text: Hillis retired in 2015, at his doctor's behest due to his history of concussions and the potential of future injury. Hillis also claimed in an interview, "as far as NFL football goes, my heart's just not in it anymore."


title: Peyton Hillis

text: In 2021, Hillis made his acting debut in the horror movie "The Hunting", directed by Mark Andrew Hamer. Hillis received top-billing in the film for his role. Set photos indicated he portrayed a werewolf.


title: Honda Accord (North America eighth generation)

text: The North American eighth generation Honda Accord is a mid-size car introduced for the 2008 model year. It is also marketed in parts of Asia and Australasia, and as the Honda Inspire in Japan.


text: The size of the 2008 Accord has been increased by in length and in width. As a result, the interior space is also enlarged: an Accord sedan is considered a nearly executive car by EPA standards, having a combined interior space of . The Accord coupe is classified as a mid-size car, as it has a combined interior space of .


text: The Honda Accord Coupe concept car was unveiled at the 2007 North American International Auto Show. It previewed the production 2-door model with i-VTEC VCM V6 engine and Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure.


text: A hybrid version would no longer be offered, as Honda felt their "hybrid system works better on smaller cars".


text: The production sedan and coupe were unveiled on August 21, 2007. Sales of US models began on September 12, 2007 for the sedan, and on September 20, 2007 for the coupe.


text: At the 2007 SEMA Show, Honda unveiled a concept Accord coupe showcasing Honda Factory Performance products.


text: The North American Honda Accord is sold alongside its platform-mates that are under the Acura luxury marque, the smaller Japanese/European Accord which is badge engineered as the second-generation Acura TSX, and the fourth-generation Acura TL.


text: A crossover fastback variant of the North American Honda Accord was sold as the Accord Crosstour for the 2010-11 model years, and then spun off into its own separate line as the Crosstour for the 2012-15 model years.


text: In Canada, for the 2008-10 model years, the sedan trims consist of the LX, EX, EX-L, EX-L with Navigation, EX-V6, EX-L V6, and EX-L V6 with Navigation, while coupes have the EX, EX-L, EX-L with Navigation, and EX-L V6 with Navigation. The LX is powered by a 2.4L DOHC i-VTEC inline-4 engine making 177 hp mated to either a five-speed manual transmission or five-speed automatic transmission, and is equipped with anti-lock brakes with brake assist and electronic brake force distribution, electronic stability control, front and rear disc brakes, air conditioning, keyless entry, power windows, power locks, and cruise control as standard features, while also having body-colored door handles and mirrors. The EX includes a more powerful version of the inline-4 engine with 190 hp, power moonroof, 17-inch alloy wheels, 8-way power adjustable driver's seat, security system, and a 6-disc CD changer. EX-L denotes Accords with leather upholstery, XM satellite radio, and an optional navigation system and hands-free Bluetooth interface. V6 models have a 3.5 liter 268 hp i-VTEC V6 engine with VCM mated to a five-speed automatic transmission, chrome handles, dual exhaust pipes, and fog lamps. V6 coupes have 18-inch alloy rims and a rear lip spoiler. V6 coupes with the optional six-speed close ratio manual transmission used the non-VCM VTEC variant of the J35 engine.


text: The United States include all the trims found in Canada, while also offering the LX-P (Premium) sedan, which adds illuminated power window switches, an 8-way driver's seat, security alarm, and 16-inch alloy wheels, and the LX-S (Sport) coupe, which replaces the 177 hp engine with a 190 hp, 17-inch alloy wheels, and a 6-disc CD changer.


text: In the United States, PZEV (Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle) configurations are available, for all 4-cylinder engines, and V6 i-VTEC VCM engines with 5-speed automatic transmissions. PZEV engines include 2 modes of exhaust valve operation. At Below 2,500 rpm, only 1 exhaust valve operates, creating a strong rotational flow in the exhaust gases that creates a "thermal reactor" effect to reduce hydrocarbon emissions. Above 2,500 rpm where exhaust flow increases, a hydraulically actuated pin locks the rockers for both exhaust valves together so they operate in unison, following a single cam profile. Due to a smaller profit margin on a PZEV for the manufacturer, Honda does not offer PZEV versions of the Accord outside California, Florida, Vermont, Connecticut, Arizona, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York, Oregon, Maine, New Jersey, Rhode Island, New Mexico and Washington.


text: Both the Accord sedan and coupe received a facelift for the 2011 model year. Both cars feature new front fascias and updated tail lamps. The sedan features the reflective strips seen on the Japanese Honda Inspire. Inside, Honda has added steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters to the EX-L V6 Coupe, and USB connectivity for all coupe models and EX/EX-L sedans. A rearview camera is now standard with the available navigation system on the sedan. EX-L V6 models gain memory seats and all models get new cloth seats and some minor instrument panel and control modifications. In Canada a SE trim replaced the LX as the entry-level trim but was largely similar save for 16-inch alloy wheels. In the United States, a SE trim was slotted between the LX-P and EX, with the SE being largely similar to the LX-P but adding leather upholstery. New improved aerodynamics and a reworked five-speed automatic transmission help the Accord achieve 23 mpg (city) and 34 mpg (hwy).


text: The North American 4-cylinder and V6 Accords were first assembled in Honda's Marysville, Ohio, plant. With the eighth generation this plant is now the sole global source of the Accord coupe. Beginning in mid-2009, the majority of the V6 Accord sedan production was moved to the Honda auto plant in Lincoln, Alabama. Honda's Anna, Ohio, Engine Plant produces the 4-cylinder engines. The US plants supply the majority of Accords to both North and South America.


text: A right-hand-drive variant of the North American Accord model is sold as the fifth-generation Honda Inspire in Japan. In South Korea, the success of the North American Accord pushed Honda ahead of BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus, to become the number one import brand as sales of Honda vehicles surged 95% in the first seven months in that year.


text: Variants of the North American Accord models are manufactured for the domestic markets in China and Taiwan, with Guangzhou Honda (renamed Guangqi Honda in 2009) producing it since 2007.


text: The North American Accord model is also assembled in Thailand for sale in Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Since the North American Accord is sold alongside the Japanese-built Accord (European-spec) in the Australian and New Zealand markets under the same marque (as opposed to in Canada and the United States where the Euro-spec Accord is sold as the Acura TSX), the smaller of the two cars is badged as the Accord Euro, while in New Zealand only the V6-powered version of the North American Accord was available so it got badged as the Accord V6.


text: Honda entered a strategic collaboration with Proton of Malaysia in October 2012 as part of Japan's Abenomics plan. The result of the collaboration was the Proton Perdana, a rebadged eighth generation Honda Accord which launched on 11 December 2013, for exclusive sale to the Malaysian government and civil servants. It serves as the replacement to the ageing Mitsubishi Galant-based Proton Perdana V6 fleet in use since the 1990s.


text: The V6 i-VTEC VCM engines feature improved fuel efficiency due to the Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system, which shuts off two or three of the cylinders depending on the type of driving (i.e. city driving, uphill/downhill driving, highway driving) Engines lacking VCM results in a decrease of 4 MPG in highway fuel economy.


text: The North American Accord uses the CP2 chassis code for the 2.4-litre 4-cylinder sedan and CS1 for the 4-cylinder coupe. CP3 is for the V6 sedan and CS2 is for the V6 coupe. CP1 is for the 2.0-litre 4-cylinder saloon in Chinese and Brazilian market.


text: The Accord comes standard with a wide range of safety features carried over from earlier model years including dual stage, dual threshold front airbags, side impact airbags, side curtain airbags, and seat belts with front pretensioners and load limiters.


text: The Accord standard safety updates for the 2008 model year include vehicle stability assist (VSA) and traction control, anti-lock brakes with brake assist and electronic brake force distribution, tire pressure monitoring system, active front head restraints, new dual chamber side impact airbags, and the ACE Body Structure for all models.


text: The Accord is the first mid-size car in its class to include stability and traction control as standard equipment across the lineup.


text: In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests the Accord sedan received the top "Good" rating in 13 of 14 measured categories, while receiving an "Acceptable" rating in the structure/safety cage category of the side impact test, earning it a "Top Safety Pick" designation from the IIHS, an honor not bestowed upon most of the Accord's competitors. The Accord lost this award due to its "Acceptable" score in roof strength evaluations. 2012 models have been given the Top Safety Pick award back with its "Good" rating in the roof strength test.


text: In an IIHS study of vehicle fatalities, the Accord was found to have the lowest vehicle fatality rate in the non-luxury midsize sedan class. Among luxury midsize sedan class models only the Saab 9-3 had a lower fatality rate.


text: In September 2009, a class action was filed alleging that "the braking system on 2008, 2009, and certain 2010 Honda Accord vehicles as well as 2009 and certain 2010 Acura TSX vehicles ... suffers from a defect that causes excessive force to be applied to the vehicles' rear wheels. One consequence of this defect is that the vehicles' rear brake pads wear out and require replacement about every 15,000 to 20,000 miles, far more frequently than in a properly functioning braking system." On April 6, 2010, a preliminary settlement to the class action was announced where Honda would reimburse owners for a portion of their prior brake repair expenses, and Honda would also pay up to $150 for owners to have redesigned brake pads installed. Final court approval of the settlement was granted on July 29, 2010.


text: Some 2008-2009 Honda Accords - both coupe and sedan - have been reported to have sudden airbag deployment problems, in which the side curtain airbags on the passenger side deploy unexpectedly either by closing the passenger side doors, or while the vehicle is in motion. Honda initially refused to cover the issue under warranty or issue any recalls, claiming to customers that there was no defect in the airbags, and that the system worked properly (despite customers' counterclaims), forcing customers to pay for the airbags themselves. At least 14 injuries were reported by such unexpected deployments. In January 2014, Honda agreed to cooperate with an engineering analysis launched by the NHTSA after receiving 300 complaints regarding the inadvertent deployments. On August 4, 2014, the NHTSA upgraded their analysis to a preliminary investigation of at least 335,195 2008 Accords to see if Honda should issue a recall. In October 2015, Honda agreed to recall 300,000 Accords after discovering that the unexpected deployments were caused by a software problem in the vehicle airbag control unit.


text: The eighth generation Accord has received mostly positive reviews, with some noting that its chiseled looks and Teutonic styling is reminiscent of the BMW 3 Series and 5 Series. In its March 2008 issue, "Car and Driver" placed the 2008 Honda Accord EX first in a comparison test of four-cylinder mid-size sedans against the then recently redesigned/updated Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Chevrolet Malibu, Hyundai Sonata, and Dodge Avenger, as well as the Ford Fusion. Edmunds.com "InsideLine" also placed the LX-P and EX-L V6 Navi sedans first in a comparison against the Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry, and Chevrolet Malibu, praising it for its all-around performance, high build quality, responsive handling, and excellent fuel economy. However, MotorTrend magazine criticized the Accord for being too heavy, feeling not so nimble as the previous model, its polarizing appearance, and for its less-than-stellar showing against the considerably improved Chevrolet Malibu in their 2008 Car of the Year competition. "Car and Driver" also ranked the Accord EX-L first in a comparison against the second-generation Mazda6 and 2010 Ford Fusion, and the 2011 Honda Accord EX-L V6 has fared well against the newer 2012 Volkswagen Passat 3.6 SEL and the 2012 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T Limited. In a March 2012 comparison test by Car and Driver, the Accord came in second place out of six cars behind the first place Volkswagen Passat.


text: Several reviewers have considered the Accord Coupe superior to its primary competition, the Nissan Altima Coupe, in all categories such as passenger space, dynamics, and overall refinement.


text: The Accord is the top pick mid-size vehicle in the Consumer Reports rankings, due to its standard stability control despite having a slightly lower score than the Nissan Altima, while Consumer Guide has named the Accord a "Best Buy". The Accord also won Car and Driver's 10Best trophy in 2008 and 2009, a total of 23 times in the nameplate's history, winning it more times than any other vehicle by far. US sales have been up 9.4%, as SUV buyers shift to the V6 Accord. The 2008 - 2011 Honda Accord was awarded a best-in-class rating of 4 1/2 stars by the JB car pages. The Accord was the most-searched vehicle on CarMax for the fourth consecutive year, due to its high marks in both reliability and comfort.


title: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

text: Kiernan Frank Dewsbury-Hall (born 6 September 1998) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for club Leicester City.


title: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

text: Dewsbury-Hall was born in Nottingham and grew up in Shepshed, Leicestershire. He joined the Leicester City Academy in 2006 aged eight from Shepshed Dynamo Warriors of the Leicester Mutual League, who he played for at under-8 and under-9 levels. He signed his first professional contract with the club in 2017 and in 2019 was named as the development squad player of the year. Dewsbury-Hall made his first-team debut in a 1–0 FA Cup victory over Brentford on 25 January 2020, coming on as a substitute for Kelechi Iheanacho. Two days later, he joined Blackpool on loan for the rest of the 2019–20 season. He scored a consolation goal on his debut the following day in a 2–1 away defeat to Wycombe Wanderers, after replacing Grant Ward at half time.


title: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

text: Dewsbury-Hall signed a new four-year contract with Leicester on 16 October 2020 and joined Luton Town on a season-long loan. At the end of the season, he won four awards at Luton's end of season awards ceremony, including Players' Player of the Season.


title: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

text: He made his Premier League debut on 28 August 2021, coming on as a substitute for James Maddison in a 2–1 away win at Norwich City. On 10 December, he scored his first goal for Leicester City, in a 3–2 defeat at Napoli in a Europa League group stage match. He scored his first Premier League goal on 10 April 2022, in a 2–1 home win against Crystal Palace.


title: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

text: On 24 June 2022, Dewsbury-Hall signed a new long term contract with Leicester City lasting until 2027.


title: Climate of South Africa

text: The climate of South Africa is determined by South Africa's situation between 22°S and 35°S, in the Southern Hemisphere's subtropical zone, and its location between two oceans, Atlantic and the Indian. South Africa has a hot, arid climate - except for areas at high altitude.


title: Climate of South Africa

text: It has a smaller variety of climates than most other countries in sub-Saharan Africa, and it has lower average temperatures than other countries within this range of latitude, like Australia, because much of the interior (central plateau or Highveld, including Johannesburg) of South Africa is at a higher elevation.


title: Climate of South Africa

text: Winter temperatures may reach the freezing point at high altitude, but are at their most mild in coastal regions, particularly KwaZulu Natal Province and perhaps the Eastern Cape. Cold and warm coastal currents running north-west and north-east respectively account for the difference in climates between west and east coasts. The weather is also influenced by the El Niño–Southern Oscillation.


title: Climate of South Africa

text: South Africa experiences a high degree of sunshine with rainfall about half of the global average, increasing from west to east, and with semi-desert regions in the north-west. While the Western Cape has a Mediterranean climate with winter rainfall, most of the country experiences summer rain.


title: Climate of South Africa

text: South Africa has typical weather for the Southern Hemisphere, with the coldest days in June–August. On the central plateau, which includes the Free State and Gauteng provinces, the altitude keeps the average temperatures below for example, lies at . In winter, temperatures at night can drop below freezing (and they do on average in cities such as Bethlehem and Frankfurt), also due to altitude, despite winter highs being similar to areas in Southern California, creating a rare high diurnal temperature variation in winter. During winter it is warmest in the coastal regions, especially on the eastern Indian Ocean coast.


title: Climate of South Africa

text: Warm season weather is influenced by the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO).a experiences hotter and drier weather during the El Niño phase, while La Niña brings cooler and wetter conditions.


title: Climate of South Africa

text: South Africa is a sunny country, averaging 8–10 daily sunshine hours in most regions. The average annual rainfall for South Africa is about 464 mm (compared to a global average of 786 mm) but large and unpredictable variations are common. Overall, rainfall is greatest in the east and gradually decreases westward, with some semi-desert areas along the western edge of South Africa. For most of the country, rain falls mainly in the summer months with brief afternoon thunderstorms. The exception is the Western Cape and its capital city Cape Town where the climate is Mediterranean and it rains more in the wintertime. In the winter months, snow collects on the high mountains of the Cape and the Drakensberg.


title: Climate of South Africa

text: South Africa's coasts are major tourist attractions and trade locations. This makes the ocean important to South Africa and its citizens. The Indian and Atlantic oceans meet at the southwestern tip of South Africa. The warm Agulhas Current runs south along the east coast and the cold Benguela Current flows north along the western shore. As a result, there is at least a 6 °C difference in the annual temperatures of Durban (on the east) and Port Nolloth (on the west) despite being located at roughly the same latitude.


title: Climate of South Africa

text: With several other parts on the interior not receiving an adequate amount of rainfall and thus prone to droughts.


title: Climate of South Africa

text: Climatic zones are often referred to by the seasonal pattern of rainfall. The winter rainfall region is confined to a relatively small area in the south-west, the Western Cape area, where gentle rain falls from May to August but the summers are dry. The summer rainfall region is the largest, being most of the country north of the coastal areas and the north west arid desert. Rain falls from October to February and is often heavy, with the amount of precipitation increasing from west to east. The summer and winter rainfall region is the Eastern Cape. The arid regions are in the north-west, with the driest areas being the north-west coast. Vegetation tends to vary by climatic zone and these also correspond to the horticultural zones.


title: Climate of South Africa

text: The Highveld is the eastern plateau area of South Africa. It is typified by Johannesburg, at an elevation of . The former central business district is found on the south side of the prominent ridge called the Witwatersrand and the terrain falls to the north and south. By and large the Witwatersrand marks the watershed between the Limpopo and Vaal Rivers. The north and west of the city has undulating hills while the eastern parts are flatter.


title: Climate of South Africa

text: Johannesburg enjoys a dry, sunny climate, with the exception of occasional late afternoon downpours in the summer months of October to April. Temperatures in the city are usually fairly mild due to the city's high altitude, with the average maximum daytime temperature in January of , dropping to an average maximum of around in June. Winter is the sunniest time of the year, with cool days and cold nights. The temperature occasionally drops to below freezing at night, causing frost. Snow is a rare occurrence, with snowfall having been experienced in May 1956, August 1962, June 1964, September 1981, August 2006 (light), on 27 June 2007, accumulating up to in the southern suburbs, and most recently on 7 August 2012. Regular cold fronts pass over in winter bringing very cold southerly winds but usually clear skies. The annual average rainfall is , which is mostly concentrated in the summer months. Infrequent showers occur through the course of the winter months.


title: Climate of South Africa

text: The Western Cape province has a Mediterranean climate with warm to hot, dry, sunny summer weather and mild, rainy conditions in winter.


title: Flynn Rider

text: Eugene Fitzherbert (born Horace, later renamed Eugene and then known by his alias Flynn Rider) is a fictional character who appears in Walt Disney Animation Studios' 50th animated feature film "Tangled" (2010), its short 2012 film "Tangled Ever After", and the 2017 television series "". The character is voiced by American actor Zachary Levi, who decided to audition for the role upon learning that he would also be providing the character's singing voice. Levi's duet with singer and co-star Mandy Moore, "I See the Light", would go on to become the actor's first professionally recorded song and musical debut.


title: Flynn Rider

text: Loosely based on the prince in the Brothers Grimm fairy tale "Rapunzel", Flynn is a wanted thief who seeks refuge in Rapunzel's tower after stealing a crown. Blackmailed by Rapunzel into taking her to see the kingdom's floating lanterns in time for her eighteenth birthday, Flynn undergoes a change of heart as he gradually begins to fall in love with Rapunzel. Eugene (as Flynn) was created by directors Nathan Greno and Byron Howard because they felt that the incarcerated Rapunzel needed someone to escort her out of the tower. He was conceived as a thief as opposed to a traditional prince in favor of making him a funnier and edgier character. Originally written as a British farmer, Flynn was ultimately developed into a swashbuckling thief inspired by fictional characters Han Solo and Indiana Jones, and actors Gene Kelly and Errol Flynn; Eugene Fitzherbert's alias Flynn Rider was named after the latter.


title: Flynn Rider

text: Flynn has divided film critics. While some reviewers enjoyed the character's refreshing humor, rebelliousness and sarcasm in comparison to traditional Disney princes, others found his personality to be annoying and obnoxious, while panning his narration. Additionally, Flynn has also been strongly accused of being a marketing tool exploited by Disney to attract a larger male audience to "Tangled". However, both the character's romantic comedy-esque relationship with Rapunzel and Levi's vocal performance have received widespread acclaim.


title: Flynn Rider

text: Filmmaker Walt Disney himself had first attempted to adapt the Brothers Grimm fairy tale "Rapunzel" into a feature-length animated film during the 1930s and 1940s. However, the project was eventually abandoned because the original fairy tale was considered too "small". When they were first approached to direct "Tangled "in 2008, directors Nathan Greno and Byron Howard decided that it would be best "to blow up the scale of the film" and transform it into a "big event", while updating and modernizing the story for a new audience. Flynn was conceived because the directors felt that "Rapunzel needed to get out [of the tower] ... So she needed to meet a guy to take her to where she's going." In the original fairy tale, Rapunzel's love interest is a prince. However, Greno and Howard decided to make him a thief – dubbed "a subtle yet startling twist for Disney" by "The New York Times" – to avoid creating a character who is too "safe", opting for a funnier and "edgier" antihero instead. Greno elaborated, "When you look back at some of the past Disney princes ... a lot of them are kind of soft and they're not like people we think are that cool," continuing, "They're good guys, so I guess we sort of took that to the other extreme." However, some of the filmmakers themselves were concerned that Flynn was becoming too edgy. Greno revealed that "There were people ... who were a little worried because they were hearing these rumors, 'Well, it's not a prince it's a thief. He's kind of a ladies' man, and he's very arrogant.'" Greno summarized Flynn's conception and development to Orange:


title: Flynn Rider

text: Originally, Flynn was conceived as a British farmer named Bastian until his voice actor was finally cast. The directors cited actors Errol Flynn and Gene Kelly, and "Star Wars "character Han Solo, among several individuals by whom Flynn was inspired. Greno explained that "Having Flynn as a thief seemed like a fresh spin, especially in contrast to Rapunzel, who is a really smart girl but is just locked away in this tower. So she has a very limited world view and Flynn could complement that as this worldly guy." The film's change in title from "Rapunzel" to the more gender-neutral "Tangled" is due in part to Flynn's role and involvement. First observing that the Disney tradition is "to name the movie after the Princess", the directors had initially thought that the film "would be structured like Cinderella where there's Cinderella and then a Prince that pops into the movie once in a while". This changed, however, as Flynn was gradually developed into a much more prominent character. Howard explained that "When Nathan and I figured out that this film was really about two characters, Flynn and Rapunzel, we knew that changing the title would be a good idea." Meanwhile, the title "Tangled" summarizes the relationship between protagonists Flynn and Rapunzel, and antagonist Mother Gothel. Additionally, Flynn also narrates the film, providing it with "an ironic counterpoint", according to "Children's Literature and Learner Empowerment: Children and Teenagers in English Language Education "author Janice Bland. As "an example of first-person voice-over narration", Flynn's narration "compels the viewer to identify empathetically with" Flynn and Rapunzel.


title: Flynn Rider

text: Greno and Howard were not particularly interested in casting solely A-list actors as the voices of main characters Flynn and Rapunzel. Instead, the directors simply searched for actors who had "the right voice" for these characters. Writing for "ReelViews", film critic James Berardinelli felt that the directors' decision mirrored "Disney's approach during the late 1980s and early 1990s, when big name stars were often bypassed in favor of lesser known talents". Hundreds of actors and singers auditioned and were considered for the role of Rapunzel's love interest, among them comedian Dan Fogler and "American Idol "alum Clay Aiken. However, the role of Flynn Rider was ultimately won by American actor Zachary Levi because he, according to Greno, "nailed" his audition. Levi auditioned for the role after he first received a telephone call from his agent informing him about the film. Identifying himself as "a huge Disney nut", Levi was immediately "sold" on the project. His interest was further cemented by the fact that he would also be providing the character's singing voice. Additionally, Levi appears to have a history playing male "characters who are surrounded by tough, strong women". Required to audition a song in the style of a singer-songwriter, Levi decided to perform James Taylor's "Sweet Baby James" for the directors.


title: Flynn Rider

text: When Levi was first cast as the voice of Flynn, the character had been scripted as a British farmer at the time, requiring Levi to voice him with a British accent until Flynn was eventually developed into a bandit with an American accent. Although Flynn and Rapunzel share several scenes together during the film, Levi and singer Mandy Moore, his co-star who provides the voice of Rapunzel, recorded virtually none of their dialogue together due to scheduling conflicts, which Levi cited as one of the challenges he endured while working on the film, in addition to having to star in the television series "Chuck "simultaneously. Levi's starring role on "Chuck" required the actor to constantly "shed a character and take on another character and shed that character and then go back to something else". However, Levi and Moore did meet on one occasion to record their romantic duet "I See the Light", Levi was not intimidated by the thought of recording the song, describing the experience as "an added bonus". However, he admitted to having been nervous to sing with Moore, a professional singer, and working with composer Alan Menken. Although the actor identifies himself as "no stranger to singing" due to his background in musical theatre, Levi's performance of "I See the Light" is considered to be his "big singing debut" because it was his first time recording a song professionally.


title: Flynn Rider

text: It took Levi approximately one year to record all of his dialogue due in part to his busy schedule. Levi recorded once every six weeks for six hours at a time, recording each of his lines at least twice. The actor's voice ultimately helped shape and develop Flynn's character. Howard explained, "He's so smart and clever, and his adlibs are so great, and you like him straight away ... he brings that to Flynn." On Levi's own influence on his character, the actor explained that Flynn's "voice was really just a slight variation of [his] own". Wanting to sound "more appropriate" for the film's medieval setting, Levi "cleaned up [his] own diction and made things a little bit more polished", referring to Flynn's accent as Mid-Atlantic. Describing "Tangled "as" "a "very family friendly" version of "Romancing the Stone" (1984), Levi studied and channelled the film's star, American actor Michael Douglas, and English legend Robin Hood. However, when Levi heard his performance in its entirety for the first time after the film's release, the actor admitted that he was ultimately dissatisfied with his performance, explaining, "I felt like I sounded incredibly nasally and I was plugged up," likening the experience to hearing one's voice played back on an answering machine.


title: Flynn Rider

text: Greno and Howard wanted Flynn to be funny and sarcastic as opposed to snarky. One occasion in particular involved an animator having Flynn respond to Rapunzel's excitement by simply walking away from her in silence. The directors did not like this because, according to Greno, Flynn "did this reaction where [he] treated her like she's nuts". Although both directors agreed that Flynn's reaction was funny, Greno and Howard wanted the characters to "connect" emotionally during this scene. Screenwriter Dan Fogelman said that Flynn is "at his best ... when he's playing little mind games with other people and entertaining himself along with them", likening him to English actor Cary Grant. Fogelman concluded, "At his heart, he's really kind of a lost soul who doesn't quite know what he wants and who he is." Howard cited fictional characters Ferris Bueller and Indiana Jones as influences because these characters, like Flynn, "are skilled but have a human side to them". Flynn is considered an antihero because "He is quick-witted and agile, stealing to survive" and "he is also extremely narcissistic".


title: Flynn Rider

text: Originally, the character resembled a "burlier leading man", described by Greno as "a muscular commoner/farm boy". However, the directors had always envisioned Flynn as "a dashing thief". To assist with the development of Flynn's design, Howard and Greno held a large meeting with thirty of "Tangled"s female employees. Calling it the "Hot Man Meeting", the employees were encouraged to "bring in pictures of their favorite hunky men". The Hot Man Meeting was created because the directors, who found that they were very much impressed with Rapunzel's design, felt that "Flynn [needed] to be up to [Rapunzel's] level". Greno described the Hot Man Meeting as "crazy", elaborating, "Photos of all the hottest men in Hollywood [were] being thrown around a room. Photos being torn in half and pasted back together. Eyes were ripped from one picture and put on another. Heads were torn from photos," concluding, "I've never seen anything like it." Howard cited American actor Clark Gable and English footballer David Beckham among several celebrities by whom Flynn was influenced during the meeting, joking that the employees eventually "started using Nathan and me as examples of what "not" to do".