$(document).ready(function(){
	setTimeout( function() {
		var welcome_banner = $('#welcome_banner').val(); 
		$(function(){
			$('#slides').slides({
				effect: 'fade',
				crossfade: true,
				fadeSpeed: 1000,
	      preload: true,
        preloadImage: welcome_banner,
				generatePagination: false,
				prev: 'slide_prev',
				next: 'slide_next',
				play: 6000,
				pause: 2500,
				hoverPause: true
			});	
		});
	}, 4500 );
	setTimeout( function() {
		$('#carousel_preload').fadeOut();
	}, 5000 );
});