Regardless of how legitimate the global push towards green may or may not be, there’s no escaping the impact the rapid shift in consumer demand has had on the automotive industry. Ward’s 2010 10 Best Engines list reads like an Al Gore-scripted porno and in the 16 years they’ve been objectively evaluating engines, this year marks the first time only one V8 unit (from Hyundai, ironically enough) has made the cut. The rest of the selections are smaller, more fuel-efficient units including the frustratingly underpowered 1.8L DOHC I-4 Hybrid from the Toyota Prius.

Fortunately, the rest of Ward’s choices aren’t nearly as boring and include the 3.5L Ecoboost turbocharged V6 from the comeback kid himself (herself?), the Taurus SHO, and the snarling 3.0L supercharged V6 from the Audi S4. The 2.4L DOHC I-4 from the Chevy Equinox also made the list, purportedly thanks to its “groundbreaking” performance and segment-leading efficiency, though it’s reasonable to suspect that pity might have played a small role too.

Hit the jump for the full list of Ward’s 2010 picks.

2010 Ward’s Best Engines
* 2.0L TFSI Turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Audi A4)
* 3.0L TFSI Supercharged DOHC V-6 (Audi S4)
* 3.0L DOHC I-6 Turbodiesel (BMW 335d)
* 2.5L DOHC I-4 Hybrid (Ford Fusion Hybrid)
* 3.5L EcoBoost Turbocharged DOHC V-6 (Ford Taurus SHO)
* 2.4L Ecotec DOHC I-4 (Chevrolet Equinox)
* 4.6L Tau DOHC V-8 (Hyundai Genesis)
* 2.5L Turbocharged DOHC H-4 (Subaru Legacy 2.5GT)
* 1.8L DOHC I-4 Hybrid (Toyota Prius)
* 2.0L SOHC I-4 Turbodiesel (Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI)

Source: Ward’s

November’s retail sales were nothing to jump up and down about.  But, importantly, they increased for the first time in a year.

In other words, despite 10% unemployment, the housing collapse, and a credit crunch, U.S. consumer spending continues to recover.

Asha Bangalore of Northern Trust walks through the data:

Retail sales moved up 1.3% in November after a 1.1% gain in October.  Excluding autos, retail
sales have risen 1.2% in November.  Excluding the autos, gasoline, and building materials, retail
rose 1.0% in November.  The important signal is that weakness in retail sales is behind us.  On a
month-to-month basis, retail sales excluding autos, gasoline, and building materials have moved
up four straight months! 
 

 

Equally, noteworthy is the fact that retail sales have risen from a year ago (+1.8%, see chart 2) after an extended period of declines.

 

 

The improving picture of retail sales translated to steady retail inventories.  Overall business
inventories increased 0.2% in October, the first monthly gain since September 2008.  The positive
contributions were from the factory and wholesale sectors.  The increase in inventories is a
positive signal about demand conditions and the optimism of business about the future path of the
economy.  The inventory-sales ratio slipped to 1.30 in October from 1.31 in the prior month.

 

In related news, the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index advanced to 73.4 in the
early December survey from 67.4 in the prior month.  Both the Expectations and Current
Conditions indexes advanced in December.  The link between consumer outlook and spending is
tenuous when retail sales are considered on a month-to-month basis.  However, the
year-to-year change in inflation adjusted consumer spending is stronger.

 

Join the conversation about this story »

See Also:

• Ben Bernanke Is Completely Blowing It On Jobs
• Remember How We Bailed Out The Banks So They Could Keep Lending?

The lentil (Lens ensculenta) is a legume that grows in pods containing one or two lentil seeds.

They are believed to have originated in central Asia.

Lentils have been eaten by humans since Neolithic times and were one of the first domesticated crops.

In the Middle East, lentil seeds have been found dating back more than 8000 years.

In the Old Testament, Esau gives up his birthright to Jacob in exchange for a bowl of lentil soup.

In Judaism, lentils are considered to be a food for mourners because of their round shape symbolizing the circle of life.

The Greek playwright Aristophanes called lentil soup the “sweetest of delicacies.”

Lentils have been found in Egyptian tombs dating as far back as 2400 BC.

In India, the lentil is known as dal or daal.

For many centuries, lentils were considered to be “the poor man’s meat.” In Catholic countries, those who couldn’t afford fish would eat lentils during Lent instead.

In the 18th century, King Louis XV’s wife, Marie Leszczynska, made lentils fashionable among royalty and they were nicknamed “the queen’s lentils.”

There are many different varieties and colors of lentils, including brown, yellow, black, orange, red and green.

Beluga lentils are black and one of the smallest varieties of lentils, having an appearance similar to caviar.

French green lentils are small, delicate, and flavorful and hold their shape after cooking better than many other types of lentil.

The most common lentils used in the United States are green and brown, since these varieties are best at retaining their shape after cooking.

The optical lens is named after the Latin word for lentil, lens.

Unlike most other beans, lentils don’t need to be soaked before cooking.

Lentils and rice is a popular staple dish in many countries, with many variations depending on the region.

In Egypt, one of the national dishes is kushari, a dish made of rice, brown lentils, chickpeas, pasta, garlic, salsa, and vinegar. In fact, many restaurants in Egypt serve nothing but kushari.

In the 1980s British sitcom “The Young Ones,” the character named Neil is a stereotypical hippie who is always eating lentils.

There has been a ton of publicity about the young woman who was jailed and facing felony charges, because she caught snippets of the film New Moon while filming parts of her sister’s birthday party. The outrage over this has been loud and widespread — causing backlash against the movie theater and the movie studio that put out the movie. Even the director of the movie was complaining about the arrest and prosecution. Realizing that this was a bad situation all around, it looks like prosecutors have come to their senses and dropped the charges against the young woman, though we still have the same ridiculous law in place that made this situation possible. Shouldn’t we also be looking to change that right about now?

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Filed under: SUV, Acura, Luxury

With several improvements for the 2010 model year set to differentiate it from last year’s model, Acura has announced pricing on its 7-passenger MDX sport-utility vehicle. The 2010 MDX receives new cosmetic enhancements inside and out, a new 6-speed automatic transmission, chassis improvements and even more standard equipment.

On the outside, the MDX sports new front and rear bodywork including a new front grille, revised taillights and new 18-inch wheels. The cabin is fitted with a new sport steering wheel, new gauges and upgraded trim including even more Milano premium leather. Mated to the standard 300-hp 3.7-liter V6 is a new six-speed automatic promising improved performance and better fuel economy (the 2010 EPA rating is 16/21, an improvement of 1 mpg in both city and highway).

Acura will offer five trim levels of the MDX, the least expensive of which will start at $42,230 (*plus $810 destination and handling) while the flagship MDX with Advance & Entertainment Packages is $53,755 (plus D&H). Note that the base price for a 2009 model was $40,990 minus the destination fee, which means that you’ll be paying an extra $1,240 or 3 percent for all those updates. For full pricing information, check out the press release after the jump.

[Source: Acura]

Continue reading Acura prices refreshed-for-2010 MDX from $42,230*

Acura prices refreshed-for-2010 MDX from $42,230* originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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…My back of the envelope calculation says that we need to add around 18 million jobs over the next five years, or 300,000 jobs a month. This puts last week’s employment report, which showed job losses of “only” 11,000 in November, in perspective. It was basically a terrible report…

So if we’re going to have any real good news, someone has to take responsibility for creating a lot of additional jobs. And at this point, that someone almost has to be the Federal Reserve…

Read the whole thing at NYT >

Join the conversation about this story »

See Also:

• We’ve Still Got A LONG Way To Go On Jobs
• Here’s Why There Won’t Be A V-Shaped Recovery In Jobs
• Help! We Need You! Come Work At The Business Insider!

Bought for $14 million in 2000, put on the market several weeks ago for $27.5 million, and sold promptly for $24 million, this Palm Beach mansion was a great investment for Malcolm Glazer.

It’s about the only good thing to happen this season to the owner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-11 and possibly for sale) and Manchester United F.C. (second in the league but hugely in debt).

The $24 million sale is also uplifting for the Palm Beach market, which has suffered from foreclosures and falling prices in 2009. The sale is the region’s biggest of the year, according to Palm Beach Daily News.

Finally, the place is in pristine condition. Glazer never actually lived there, and the new owner, real estate investor Jeffrey Green, probably won’t either.

Gaze at Glazer’s $24 Million Mansion>>>

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San Francisco, California | Strange Science

In 1906, a massive earthquake hit San Francisco, and the “ham and egg” fires – named such because they were started by a family cooking breakfast with an earthquake damaged chimney – that followed nearly destroyed the city, burning most of the financial district, downtown, civic center, and SOMA areas to the ground.

Over the course of the next 6 years San Francisco rose from the ashes, building new land out of the rubble – now known as the Marina or Cow Hollow – and were ready to face the world victorious in 1915. On February 20, hosted on grounds created from earthquake rubble, the Panama Pacific Expedition opened to celebrate not only the rise of the city but the completion of the Panama Canal.

Today, where ladies performed synchronized swimming, nestled next to the last remaining building of expedition, the magnificent Neo-Roman Palace of Fine Arts, the Exploratorium allows its visitors to explore the physical sciences.

The Exploratorium, a hands-on science museum geared towards children, is home to hundreds of exhibits that help in the understanding of electricity, centrifugal motion, sound waves, optical illusion and superstitions among other things. There are a few “hidden” exhibits at the Exploratorium that are easy to miss, but very worth seeking out.

First among them is the Sound Column, easy to pass by as it is what looks like a maintenance door in one of the massive Neo-Roman columns that make up the remains of the Palace of Fine Arts. In fact, the column is hollow and contains a fantastic demonstration of how sound waves work. By hitting a xylophone in the column with a large mallet the different notes travel at different wavelengths illustrated on the wall. By just moving ones head up and down one can make the notes seem to go silent, at the smallest section of the wavelength, or resonate loudly as they do at the peak of the wavelength. If the door is locked, ask at the front desk and someone will let you in.

Another hidden delight is the Tactile Dome – not recommended for the claustrophobic or germophobic – is an experience in total darkness that challenges visitors to heighten their sense of touch to navigate through the winding paths on their hands and knees. The tactile dome must be reserved ahead of time, and is a three dollar additional cost to the museum.

On any given day the Exploratorium is overrun by kids on field trips or birthday parties. It can be hard to fully enjoy the exhibits while kids frantically careen from exhibit to exhibit, but once a month on the first Thursday the museum is open late for Exploratorium After Dark. The lights are turned down low, special exhibits, such as as chain saw ice sculpting or Dr Mega Volt, are brought in, and drinks are served. In this setting, the Exploratorium becomes a fantastic play land for adults, who still have enough wonder in them to delight in the wonderful exhibits of the Exploratorium.

With an incredibly strong magnetic field, the INOX SREX Permanent Magnetic Drum is the latest new product developed and launched by Eriez Magnetics Europe.

The new Drum was launched as an addition to the range of Eriez Permanent Magnetic Drum Separators. Understood to be the World’s strongest permanent Magnetic Drum, the INOX SREX utilizes specially designed rare earth high intensity permanent magnetic technology to recover fragmented stainless steel, small ferrous metals and weakly magnetic materials from non-magnetic materials.

Requiring minimum maintenance, the super strength INOX SREX is ideal for use prior to or post Eddy Current Separators and Metal Sorters. It is available either as an individual unit or part of a complete metal separation module, and is easily installed into new or existing plants. Its superior magnetic strength and robust design ensure high performance in the most arduous environments. The design originated in Japan resulting from a customer’s separation requirement. The rare earth magnets are made specially for Eriez to produce high magnetic fields.

With significantly enhanced separation capabilities compared to other equipment such as Magnetic Pulleys and standard Rare Earth Magnetic Drums, the INOX SREX brings lucrative benefits to recycling processors. Greater recovery of metallic waste results in reduced landfill charges and increased profit as the recovered metal can be sold on.

Paul Fears, Managing Director at Eriez Europe commented: “We [Eriez] continue to invest and develop new separation systems to meet the ever changing requirements of our customers. The INOX SREX is incredibly strong and offers our customers a very robust and low maintenance system that can separate very weakly magnetic materials. As the requirements of our customers change, so we [Eriez] are working with them and provide new and improved separation solutions.”

Eriez is recognized as the world leader in advanced technology for magnetic, vibratory and inspection applications, having developed many systems for the Recycling Industry including Eddy Current Separators, a specialist range of Metal Detectors and Suspended Overband Magnets. Eriez manufactures and markets these products through eleven international facilities located on six continents.

Further details of the new INOX SREX Drum can be found on the Eriez Europe website, en-gb.eriez.com or alternatively email [email protected].

Filed under: Truck, Videos, Chrysler, Dodge

The 2010 Dodge Ram Power Wagon is one very capable full-size pickup truck. Its 383-horsepower HEMI V8 engine is but a small part of a rock-traversing equation that includes a solid front axle, electronic sway bar disconnect and a pair of limited-slip differentials. And while the Power Wagon has its way with the desert rocks, it can also tow over 10,000 pounds and tote nearly 2,000 more in the bed.

The Power Wagon appears to be the heavy duty, no-nonsense off-roader that Ram fans have come to expect since the variant first came online in 2005. Our friend Mike Levine over at Pickuptrucks.com took Dodge’s freshly updated gravel king out for some fun at the Johnson Valley off-highway vehicle park in Southern California, and he brought cameras to properly document their adventure. Hit the jump to watch as the Power Wagon goes all Kama Sutra with a raft of contorted poses in the name of articulation and traction.

[Source: Pickuptrucks]

Continue reading VIDEO: 2010 Dodge Ram Power Wagon gets dirty with PickupTrucks.com

VIDEO: 2010 Dodge Ram Power Wagon gets dirty with PickupTrucks.com originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Ferrari, Specialty

We all remember the hoopla a few years ago when kajillionaire James Glickenhaus revealed he had been working with Ferrari on an updated version of the famous P3/4 race car from the sixties. What resulted was the Ferrari P4/5 one-off. Glickenhaus was $4 million lighter, but that seems like money well spent judging by all the attention he received, not to mention the fact he owns a 1-of-1 Ferrari.

That whole endeavor was part of the Ferrari Special Projects program (turns out that the P4/5 preceded the Ferrari Special Projects program, the first vehicle of which was the SP1), which is fancy Italian talk for “We will build anything you want for the right price.” Another kajillionaire was apparently waiting in line behind Glickenhaus, and after 14 months of development, his car is ready too. Called the P540 Superfast Aperta, this entirely unique Ferrari was commissioned and partly developed by Edward Walson, whose claim to fame is that his dad invented cable TV. The new money mogul had reportedly always dreamed of designing cars, and approached Ferrari in 2008 to develop a car based on the gold Ferrari in the 1968 short film Toby Dammit.

If you can’t tell, the donor car is a Ferrari 599 and much of the development work went into strengthening the car after the roof was removed. It’s pretty, it’s road legal and it’s the only in existence. Follow the jump for the official word from Ferrari.

Continue reading Ferrari P540 Superfast Aperta revealed, second from Special Projects program

Ferrari P540 Superfast Aperta revealed, second from Special Projects program originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NEWS RELEASE
December 11, 2009                                                  Contact: Erica Jesberger, 544-4916

Delta High School freshman will see how math concepts learned in the classroom apply to real-world situations with a hands-on lesson from Columbia Basin College’s Engineering Technology students on Tuesday, December 15.

CBC Associate Professor Paige Wyatt and her sophomore students will set up total stations and assist the Delta High students in learning how to use the surveying equipment to read angles. The Delta High freshmen will take the data back to their math class, taught by Linda Estes, to see if it adds up.

The activity will be done with all five math classes running between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., at or near the Delta campus in Richland. For more information, please call Delta High School at 544-8355.

The year 2009 is tracking to go down as the worst year for truck sales in nearly three decades. Based on year-to-date figures, we estimate that 2009 class-8 truck sales will come in below 95,000 units. Although the industry sold a mere 99,000 trucks during 1991, one must go back to the waning days of stagflation–1983–when sales were a mere 82,000, to eclipse today’s anemic levels. By all reasonable metrics, truck sales have been stuck in low gear, with substantial headwinds coming from the broader economic slowdown.

As the year–and the economic carnage–recede from view, our gaze turns forward. As grim as the scene in the rear-view mirror is, we think these depressed sales levels are not sustainable, and are spring-loaded for a rebound. Here, we’ll explore what the future should hold for truck sales, and highlight ways we think investors could ride the express lane to profits.

Because of its end markets, the truck industry is stubbornly prone to the vicissitudes of the economic cycle. More recently, the trucking industry bore witness to a massive expansion in both housing starts and auto sales. From 2001 through 2006, housing starts averaged 1.8 million, up nearly 20% from its historical average of 1.5 million from 1959 through 2000, according to the United States Census Bureau. In addition, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) reports that U.S. light vehicle sales averaged 16.8 million units annually from 2001-2006, up nearly 20% from the 14.1 million average annual units between 1976 and 2000.

We believe trucking plays a substantial role in shipping autos and housing goods. During 2002, trucks carried roughly 45% of all car-related products, and 70% of all housing-related products, according to U.S. Department of Transportation statistics. Little wonder, then, that the boom in these industries fueled significant opportunities in trucking.

Armed with these strong market signals, and concerned about the reduction in fuel economy from what were then newly-introduced 2007 engines, truckers over-purchased class-8 trucks during the middle part of the decade. Class-8 trucks have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 33,000 pounds. The industry purchased an average of 250,000 trucks per year between 2004 and 2006, significantly higher than the average of 167,000 units annually since 1990.

Shortly after this surge, housing starts started to turn south, and car sales began to falter. What resulted was a massive glut of industry overcapacity. Participant demand began to collapse. Over the following two years, truck sales fell to an average of 126,000 units and, as stated above, we project an anemic 95,000 units for 2009. Interestingly, the trend of truck sales acting as a leading indicator (with an 11-month lead time) going into a recession carries some merit, as trucking industry leadership noted back in 2006 that it was, at that time, already in a freight recession. In contrast, the official overall U.S. recession took hold in December 2007. Using the BEA’s data on heavy-duty truck sales–trucks with a GVWR of more than 14,000 pounds–we tracked the predictive power dating back to the data’s inception in 1967.

The above table shows that truck sales began to decline nearly 10 months on average before the economy entered a recession. What’s striking about the current recession is the sharpness of the decline in sales from the peak. The industry has never experienced such a drastic collapse, even if we count the double-dip recession of 1980 and 1981 as one massive downturn. Based on the magnitude of this decline, we ask what the future will hold for the trucking industry.

The Threat of Substitutes
Before delving into our truck forecasts and the implications they could have on our coverage list, we must first address the potential that the trucking industry is in a persistent state of diminishing economic importance.

The above chart depicts the value of goods transported by mode. Over the years, the railroad industry has increased its prominence in shipping goods, but trucks have remained the dominant choice. Although intermodal is the fastest-growing method–trains are roughly four times as efficient as trucks based on weight per ton-mile–the government estimates that trucks will still carry the majority of goods in the future. Part of the reason deals with the geographic limitations of rail. Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation reports that there are 95,000 miles of class 1 railroad track nationally, versus 4 million miles of highways. Since rails face numerous obstacles obtaining right-of-way and deal with significant capital outlays, we believe there will always be a demand for trucks. Furthermore, trucks are the more efficient method of transportation for short-haul routes, despite the operational improvements from the railroads.

Future Truck Forecast
Given our more sanguine outlook for the trucking industry, we project that class-8 truck sales could explode over the next few years. That said, the massive prebuy of trucks prior to 2007 likely created a substantial amount of excess inventory within the industry. In fact, we’ve heard stories of companies shrink-wrapping tractors to preserve them for future use, which corroborates our suspicion.

We’ve calculated the above excess inventory based on the 13-year median truck sales of roughly 179,000 units per year. Because 2004 was the first year the excessive purchasing began, we used this year as our starting point. As such, we estimate that we will finish 2009 with approximately 48,000 units of excess capacity. Since freight tonnage has been significantly depressed, we believe that most trucks are operationally younger due to underutilization, as measured by mileage rather than by physical age.

Still, assuming normal replacement demand occurs, we expect truck sales will explode over the next two years, increasing on average by approximately 40% per year. The 2010 models will carry price tags that are, on average, $8,000 (or approximately 10%) higher compared with last year. However, because these newer engines boast improved fuel efficiency, we think buyers will be inclined to pay the higher price up front if it means significant fuel cost savings later. In addition, we think trucks enjoy relatively inelastic long-run demand, so any reduction in demand should be short term. Overall, we believe current production levels in both autos and housing aren’t sustainable, which is the basis for our bullish forecast. For autos, 2009 will likely see production of about 8.6 million units, with sales of approximately 10 million units this year. However, normalized demand is likely to come in between 12.5 and 15 million units. Given the relatively advanced average age of the existing fleet, future years will likely witness a significant uptick in both sales and production. Similarly, housing will mark its third consecutive year of under-producing normalized demand (between 1.5 and 1.8 million sales), which should serve as another catalyst for improved trucking sales.

Read truck manufacturer stock picks at Morningstar.com.

Join the conversation about this story »

See Also:

• Here’s What Happened To The American Farmer
• US Manufacturing Employees More Productive Than Ever
• Boeing Workers Vote To Disband Union (BA)

We’ve been scratching our heads at the various claims from the movie industry that piracy is destroying the industry — especially as the trends over the past few years have been significantly more movies being made and significantly more money being made at the box office. And, once again, reports are coming out that 2009 will be another record year at the box office. And it’s even more impressive, considering that the country has been in a pretty bleak recession the whole year. You would think that such things, including greater than 10% unemployment would get people to hold back on increasingly expensive nights out at the movies, but people are still going and still paying. So, again, we have to ask where is this evidence that piracy is destroying Hollywood? Or is the same “evidence” like the study we recently saw that came with the headline that Redbox was going to take away revenue, while the actual study said the opposite?

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Lentil soup is a hearty, delicious staple that will keep you healthy and warm through the winter. Adding tomatoes makes it even more nutritious and hearty.

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups uncooked lentils
1 14 oz can diced tomatoes
2 yellow onions, diced
1 green pepper, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup chopped celery
3 cups vegetable broth
3 cups water
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
parsley, chopped (optional)
salt and pepper, to taste

Directions
In a large pot, heat the olive oil and add the garlic, onions, green pepper, and celery.

Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until garlic and onions begin to brown.

Add the vegetable broth, lentils, turmeric, and tomatoes.

Bring to a boil then turn down the heat to a simmer and cover.

Cook for about 40 minutes or until lentils are tender. Add some water or more vegetable broth if the soup is too thick.

Add salt and pepper to taste, cayenne pepper if you’d like a spicy soup, and sprinkle parsley over the top if desired.

Makes about 8 servings.

Dried lentils can be stored indefinitely but for best flavor they should be used within a year.

For best results, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry, dark place.

Cooked lentils will stay good for about a week in the refrigerator if kept in a covered container.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Unemployment Laughter

Laughter is the best medicine, and Harper College has a healthy dose ready to ease the unemployment blues. The College’s December edition of its popular “Career Stimulus” career-boosting support group will feature a Second City graduate as the keynote speaker – a comedic program aimed at putting a more lighthearted spin on the economic downturn and its ongoing side effects. Richard Oberbruner, a career coach for workNet DuPage who jokingly lists a B.S. in Sarcasm from Hard Knocks University among his credentials, titles his presentation “Lighten Up – It’s Only Unemployment,” with a guarantee of injecting a little laughter into a typically disheartening topic. The event also will include appetizers, dessert and musical entertainment. It runs from 9:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Friday, December 18 in the Wojcik Conference Center on Harper’s main campus, 1200 W. Algonquin Road in Palatine. All are welcome. “We’ve tackled a lot of tough topics in the course of this program so far, and we thought laughter would be the perfect approach to round out the year,” Adult Learning Special Assistant Nancy Wajler says. “Many of our participants have been pushing through the unemployment dilemma for months, and have been so focused on networking, interviewing and updating their resumes that they deserve a humor break.” The event still will include the usual Career Stimulus breakout discussions, focusing on an array of job hunt-related topics. Harper’s Career Stimulus program, launched this year to provide the post-layoff help that many workers needed, features a monthly menu of information on everything from acing interviews to managing stress amid hard times, as well as “NetWorthing” groups focused on actually making networking work in a career transition. The sessions have drawn hundreds, some of whom have reported back that it helped them find jobs. Career Stimulus is free for first-timers. Subsequent sessions are $10. Memberships also are available for $85; they include a year of meetings, free one-on-one sessions with Harper’s career coach, free workshops, and materials for and admission to an intensive NetWorthing session. For more information and other upcoming dates, visit www.harpercollege.edu. Or, call 847.925.6438.

Media Note: Some previous Career Stimulus attendees have successfully landed jobs. Others simply have left prepared to energize their job hunt in a rough-and-tumble economy. Previous participants are available for interviews. Nancy Wajler also is available for comment on the success rate of today’s job club programs and why they work – or don’t. To book interviews, contact Erin Brooks, Media Relations Specialist, 847.925.6159, [email protected].

Honored Student

Two years ago, Alaine Garcia was doing well at her job and earning a good living. But she knew she still needed something more. Garcia’s journey took her to Harper College, where she’s since earned a certificate in Electronic Maintenance, worked as editor in chief of the student newspaper and served the campus on the Student Senate and as the elected student representative to the College’s Board of Trustees. Her efforts have earned Garcia, 34, a 2009 Winning Women Award from Congresswoman Melissa Bean – an honor that lauds outstanding women for leadership, vision and commitment in the 8^th Congressional District, which serves Chicago’s northern suburbs. “It was a great honor to be nominated by Harper’s faculty and to be selected by the committee,” says Garcia, whose on-campus involvement also has included a stint on the Campus Activities Board and membership in Phi Theta Kappa and Latinos Unidos. “My entire Harper journey has been an amazing experience. I’ve learned to find my strengths and inspire others to act from their hearts.” Garcia, who earned money for college years earlier by serving inner-city Chicago Public Schools children through an AmeriCorps program, said she’d never found the time for higher education in the past, but knew that finishing college was crucial. She’s now working on earning a welding certification at Harper. Winning Bean’s award, she says, “tells me that I’m on the right path.” The Winning Women Awards Program was created by Bean to honor outstanding 8^th Congressional District women who tirelessly work to improve their community, better the lives of others or expand the scope and mission for an organization they serve. Numerous community services, professional organizations and local colleges are contacted annually to nominate an exceptional woman who should be considered for the recognition. A full list of Winning Women for 2009 can be found at www.melissabean.com.

Media Note: A picture of Alaine Garcia is available. Contact Erin Brooks, Media Relations Specialist, 847.925.6159 or [email protected].

Arts Celebration

Students and instructors from a variety of Harper College arts classes – from improv to fencing – will take the stage on Wednesday, December 16 for a free celebratory end-of-semester variety show. The performers, who include actors, jazz ensembles and a banjo instructor, all are part of Harper’s Continuing Education department, which offers an eclectic blend of non-credit courses for community members of all ages. The show, in its second year, also will feature a speech monologue, piano performances, comedy, an onstage fencing demonstration and a slideshow presentation of visual artwork produced during fall Continuing Education courses. Calligraphy students also will be available to create handmade bookmarks for audience members. “This event showcases a sampling of the kinds of learning opportunities that Harper Continuing Education offers,” Continuing Education Manager Scott Cashman says. “It also allows our hardworking students and instructors to show off the product of all their hard work, and, at the same time, offers the community a free evening of great entertainment.” The Continuing Education Celebration of the Arts runs from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 16 in the Building J Theatre on the main campus, 1200 W. Algonquin Road in Palatine. The free event is open to the public and no advance registration is necessary. Harper’s Continuing Education department provides a variety of classes in music, foreign language, computers, career training and more every semester. Certifications in a wide range of subjects, including event planning, sustainable living and office administration, also are available through the department and open to all. Visit www.harpercollege.edu or call 847.925.6300 for a course schedule or for more information or to enroll.

Press Contact: Erin Brooks, Media Relations Specialist, 847.925.6159, [email protected].

Small Business Help

Planning for a potential disaster that might not even happen isn’t typically at the top of a small business’ priority list – but “a disaster can put you out of business faster than any recession,” warns Bonnie Richter, Director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Harper College. With an eye on the potential risks facing businesses that are ill-prepared, Harper is hosting a series of free “Survive and Thrive” workshops aimed at teaching owners, managers and entrepreneurs how to assess the likelihood of disasters, determine the potential impact and lessen the negative effects. The next workshop is from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 20 in the Small Business Development Center Office at the Harper Professional Center, 650 E. Higgins Road in Schaumburg. The College also is offering one-on-one disaster preparedness advising for entrepreneurs seeking help through Harper’s Small Business Development Center. “Most small business owners don’t want to deal with this, and most small businesses don’t have a plan in place,” Richter says. “We really want them to have one – particularly as winter, and the threat of storms, again approaches – and we’re here to help them in that capacity.” Business owners need to know, she says, what they’ll do if they lose power, how they’ll get in touch with employees in the case of an emergency, and where they’ll operate from if their office is unavailable. Statistics show that one-quarter of businesses that close because of a disaster never reopen, and 80 percent of those that don’t recover within a month are likely to out of business. Harper’s disaster preparedness workshops and advising are being funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. To register for the workshop, call 847.925.6520 or send an email to [email protected]. Space is limited. For an advising appointment, call 847.925.6520.

Press Contact: Erin Brooks, Media Relations Specialist, 847.925.6159, [email protected].

Animal Food Drive

As part of her work to help the homeless this holiday season, Jennifer Pitek again is asking for donations of canned food –  and collars, leashes and chew toys. The beneficiaries of her annual Harper College-based effort, dubbed “Santa Claus for Paws,” are the four-legged residents of Illinois animal shelters, and gifts like those help keep them going. With many shelters strapped for cash amid the downturned economy, Pitek, an administrative secretary in Harper’s Center for New Students, says this year’s donations are even more important. “Because of the recession, shelters are finding themselves really in need of basic supplies,” Pitek says. Reports indicate increasing numbers of former homeowners are leaving animals behind as their homes go into foreclosure and money gets tight, putting added pressure on shelters. In addition, fewer families are adopting shelter pets. Pitek has been heading up Harper’s cats and dogs food drive for seven years, inspired after seeing donations from Harper faculty and staff pile up during routine campus drives for the homeless. “I’m an animal lover,” she says, “and I had an understanding of the needs the shelters face.” The effort has yielded good results in previous years, with Harper employees, students and community members stepping up to donate everything from grooming supplies and cat beds to monetary gifts in memory of a beloved pet. Donations will be accepted through Wednesday, December 23, and again after Harper’s campus reopens on Monday, January 4. Needed items include dry and canned foods for cats, kittens, dogs and puppies; dog and cat toys; towels and bedding; biscuits and treats; and leashes and collars. Pet supply store gift cards also are welcome. Donation drop boxes are at the Center for New Students, Room C104 in Building C; the Building A main entrance; the Liberal Arts Office in Building L; the first floor of the Library, Building L; the first floor of Building H; the Math Lab, Room D105 in Building D; and the first floor of Building X in the Avanté Center. All buildings are on Harper’s main campus, 1200 W. Algonquin Road in Palatine.

Press Contacts: Jennifer Pitek, Administrative Assistant, 847.925.6314, [email protected];  Erin Brooks, Media Relations Specialist, 847.925.6159, [email protected].

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Videos, Audi, Ferrari

When we saw Henry Rollins speak a few ten years ago, he told a story about a fan who wrote to him with a peculiar problem. Seems the guy is a paramedic and one night they come upon a car crash where a beautiful naked woman is lying on the ground unconscious. They spring into action, get her in the back of the ambulance and begin emergency resuscitation. Now, the guy is alone in the back of the ambulance with the woman, and he can’t get over how hauntingly beautiful she is.

And she’s not responding. All her vitals were failing and he knows she’s not going to make it. As she expires, the paramedic, who had suddenly and quickly developed feelings for her, kisses her on the lips. By the time they reach the hospital, the woman is dead. Trouble is, the paramedic is now completely in love with her. So much so he can’t sleep, he can’t eat and he’s having trouble working.

Rollins said his first reaction was to write back, “YOU SICK $@#!!! GO KILL YOURSELF!” But no, the paramedic’s obviously in pain and obviously needs his help. So he thinks about it for awhile and attempts to seek out helpful advice. That night at some awards ceremony he runs into none other than Tom Waits and figures if anyone has some words of wisdom for the poor, lovestruck — but slightly demented — paramedic it would be Waits.

Rollins tells him the story and Tom’s eyes light up. “You tell him she’s haunting him from the grave,” Waits says in his gravely trademark baritone. “Tell him she did the same thing to me!” Now a couple of you might be wondering what on earth this story has to do with anything, let alone cars. It doesn’t. But it’s a fitting accompaniment to the three minutes of randomness in the video after the jump. So if you’re into Furries, Ferraris, Audis, fat guys and sexy ladies, have we got a clip for you. Tip of the Panda head piece to Jesse Y!

[Source: Midway Car Rental]

Continue reading VIDEO: Ferrari California + Audi R8 + hot girls + bear suits = best rental car video ever

VIDEO: Ferrari California + Audi R8 + hot girls + bear suits = best rental car video ever originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you’re like most consumers in the market for a used car, your needs are probably best served by eBay, AutoTrader, or your local Craigslist. If you are like 99% of automotive enthusiasts, however, your pursuit for that perfect diamond in the rough exists in perpetuity. You can easily squander 5+ hours at work tirelessly refreshing your browser in the vain hope that the pristine Volvo 850R you’ve spent the better part of your adult life pursuing will magically appear for thousands less than its Blue Book value. If such is the case, then the chances are good that you’ve also experienced significant frustration at the hands of Craigslist’s rather limiting search parameters. Although you probably could if you neglected your job, family, and personal hygiene for days on end, it’s realistically impossible to search every Craigslist in every state in every city in the continental U.S. (though you’ve certainly tried). Fortunately, I’ve found a way: searchtempest.com. Not only will SearchTempest.com allow you to expand your search radius to include any location within your current zip code, it also throws in all the relevant eBay listings as a bonus.

In the event that the skeptic in you is wondering: no, neither SearchTempest nor any marketing company related to it coerced me into or compensated me for the production of this post. I’m just an obsessive car collector that spends more time than I should virtually car shopping, trying to convince myself that an ‘86 L7 that’s probably riddled with electrical problems is a great investment.

(Hat tip to Caio Campos for exacerbating the illness)