HANG IN THERE CARROLL EDITION

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THE CAR COACH REPORTS: WEEK IN REVIEW 4-27-12
HANG IN THERE CARROLL EDITION

Carroll Shelby: Icon, pioneer, racing legend, automotive guru, uncompromising genius.  I cannot convey enough praise for the 89-year-old go-fast automotive designer—heck; I even named my daughter Shelby after him.
As long as I can remember, Carroll Shelby has been gracing us with his brilliance, from his early racing exploits to his mind-numbingly fast automotive creations.  The man is a rare living legend.
However, recent reports have been making their way around the internet regarding Carroll’s ailing health: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/26/ailing-carroll-shelby-addresses-health-on-facebook/
While this isn’t the first time Carroll has been in poor health—he’s had both a heart and a kidney transplant—his advancing years make it tougher to recover from something as serious as pneumonia.   
Since it appears he will be in the hospital for the foreseeable future, I say we all wish Mr. Shelby a speedy recovery and fill his Facebook page with some auto enthusiast love.  His public profile page can be found here:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carroll-Shelby/117534441604489
In the meantime, while Carroll is recovering, I urge you to check out his latest creation, The 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500:  http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/04/27/2013-ford-mustang-shelby-gt500-to-pump-out-662-hp/
If you’ll recall, this beast was supposed to put out 650 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque.  Well, sorry to disappoint, but it doesn’t.  It actually puts out 662 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque while still managing to achieve 24 MPG on the highway.  What an amazing feat of engineering!
I hope the 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500 isn’t Carroll’s last car.  I hope he goes on building and designing even better and faster vehicles for years to come.  Get well soon Carroll Shelby.  We all love you!

My Final Thought
Oh boy, it appears Fisker is in hot water again.  Not only have recent reviews of its Karma painted an ugly picture, but now it appears the DOE has reneged on the remainder of the $529 million loan it promised if Karma sales met a certain quota.  The company has already used $130 million of the loan.
This likely means that the Atlantic, the more affordable Fisker that was supposed to be built at a shuttered Delaware GM plant, will be put on hold as reports have stated that the plant is completely empty.
To add insult to injury, two U.S. senators are asking the Obama administration how it went about approving the DOE loan in the first place and what the $130 million has been used for.
Yikes!  Is this Solyndra on wheels?
Not if new CEO Tom LaSorda has anything to say about it.  As Chrysler’s former CEO, Mr. LaSorda knows a thing OR two about bringing a company back from the brink.  Stay tuned!
What are your thoughts?
Post your comments at  http://laurenfix.blogspot.com/

See you next week!  Love Your Car! --Lauren Fix

The Car Coach: Terrafugia - YNN, Your News Now

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The Car Coach: Terrafugia - YNN, Your News Now


05/01/2012 05:00 AM

The Car Coach: Terrafugia

By: Lauren Fix, The Car Coach The 2012 Transition Street-Legal Airplane is a practical answer to the futuristic concept of the flying car. Let’s take a closer look. Terrafugia is a growing aerospace company founded by pilots and engineers from MIT. The company’s name is Latin for “escape the earth.” Terrafugia’s mission is to design and deliver revolutionary, practical air and land vehicles that provide freedom, flexibility and fun to their customers. The Transition combines the unique convenience of being able to fold its wings with the ability to drive on any surface road in a modern personal airplane platform. Stowing the wings for road use and deploying them for flight at the airport is activated from inside the cockpit. Light Sport Aircraft (LSA)
• 35 mpg
• Gross Takeoff Weight: 1,430 lbs Convenience
• Rear-wheel drive on the ground?
• Automotive-style entry and exit?
• Two place, side by side
• Automated electromechanical folding wing ?
• No trailer or hangar needed?
• Cargo area holds golf clubs
Safety
• Drive on roads in case of inclement weather?
• Proven 100 hp Rotax 912ULS engine?
• Full vehicle parachute available?
• Modern glass avionics?
• Automotive crash safety features Training?
Become a Sport Pilot in as little as 20 hours of flight time in a Transition-specific course. For existing pilots, get comfortable quickly with the familiarization training included with every Transition delivery.
Pricing:
The anticipated base price is $279,000. The new 2012 Transition Street-Legal Airplane could be the future of travel.

For more information

www.terrafugia.com

CONGRESSIONAL CAR EDITION

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THE CAR COACH REPORTS: WEEK IN REVIEW 5-4-12
CONGRESSIONAL CAR EDITION

The economy is slowly recovering.  The key word here is “slowly.”  Unemployment is still too high, underemployment is even higher, and the housing market is still in the doldrums.  Fortunately, the auto industry has recovered quite well, especially for members of congress:
http://www.insideedition.com/news/8119/inside-edition-investigates-congressional-cars.aspx
Wait a minute.  Aren’t these the people we elect to represent us and shouldn’t they be a bit more fiscally responsible when it comes to the vehicles they choose to drive on our dime?
Look at NY Congressman Meeks’ Lexus that costs taxpayers $1,289 a month.  It’s not even an American car!!!  And why does he need a Lexus anyway?  What’s wrong with a Chevy Malibu Eco or a Ford Fusion Hybrid?
What sort of fantasy world do these people live in?  I’m sick and tired of hearing how the rich need to pay their fair share while our government won’t rein in spending.  The rich already pay more than 70 percent of the taxes in this country and now the government wants them to pay more?  For what? So they can drive luxury cars while we struggle to find work and pay the bills?
This is downright insanity.  Sure the cars these congressmen and women are driving are on some approved list, but who approved it?  How are there $1,200 a month foreign cars on this list?
Meanwhile, congress gave themselves a 5 percent raise last year!!!! Where is the fiscal responsibility here?!!! 
This isn’t a Democrat or Republican issue either.  Both parties are guilty in this case.  We as the American taxpayers need to rise up and let our government know that we aren’t going to stand for this kind of nonsense anymore.  Our elected so-called leaders need to be held accountable for this kind of waste.
What are your thoughts?
Post your comments at  http://laurenfix.blogspot.com/


My Final Thought
Check out this video:  http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/01/parking-lot-owners-joyride-in-customers-car-caught-on-film/
It makes you wonder just how safe your car really is when you hand the keys over to a valet or parking service.  Now I’m not saying that these companies are all dishonest and break the law, but as this video shows, there are some who have no compunction with abusing your car when you’re none the wiser.
It’s sad that we even need to research these companies before utilizing them.  As usual, few bad apples spoil the entire orchard.
What do you do when leaving your car with others?  How do you keep it safe?
Share your thoughts at: http://laurenfix.blogspot.com/

See you next week!  Love Your Car! --Lauren Fix

Feds Confront Gray Area On Distracted Driving Regulation

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Feds Confront Gray Area On Distracted Driving Regulation 


Federal officials’ crusade against distracted driving faces a major snag: U.S. regulators are unsure who can set rules on how cell phones are used behind the wheel. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is limited to regulating vehicle equipment, not mobile devices brought in by occupants.


The Federal Communications Commission has authority over mobile phones but doesn’t deal with the risks of their use in vehicles.  “There is actually a regulatory doughnut hole,” said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland, speaking last month in Detroit. 


The agency has some authority if the cell phone has a vehicle-specific app, such as one that controls door locks, he said. NHTSA also can regulate the software and hardware that connects vehicles and cell phones. “But we can’t regulate it as a phone,” Strickland said. It’s unclear which federal regulatory agency, if any, has the power to restrict cell phone use on the road, such as requiring a lock-out feature that disables certain functions while the vehicle is moving, Strickland said. But it’s a policy question Congress eventually will have to settle, he said. 


For now, the regulatory ambiguity means automakers and suppliers are free to use their best judgment to give customers what they want without interference from U.S. regulators. 


Until the next Czar is appointed by President Obama with his/her own agenda of controlling our freedom, try to set your phone aside while you're driving and police yourself - rather than the government making this a nanny state. What are your thoughts?

PRESSURE EDITION

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THE CAR COACH REPORTS: WEEK IN REVIEW 5-25-12
PRESSURE EDITION


While the government mandated tire pressure monitoring system on all newer cars is a good idea on paper, it pretty much fails miserably.  A single light on the dash leaving you to guess which tire is low on pressure is frustrating at best and TPMS systems erroneously warn drivers of low tire pressure all the time even though the tires are fully inflated.
Some higher-end cars will actually tell you which tire is low and by how much via a digital readout on the dash.  While this is an improvement over the single warning light, too few vehicles actually have such systems.
Inevitably, drivers end up ignoring their TPMS lights, especially when faulty, and drive around with underinflated tires.
I have always been a big proponent of checking your tire pressure on a monthly basis.  Not only do properly-inflated tires save fuel, they are also safer and will last longer.  Unfortunately, the vast majority of drivers rarely check their tire pressure unless their tires look low.
Step in Nissan: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/nissans-easy-fill-idiot-proofs-tire-inflation/
Nissan has invented a foolproof system whereby drivers can never over-inflate their tires and will always know which tire needs air and when.  The beauty of this system is that you never need a gauge, which most drivers don’t have anyway.  All you need to do is fill the tire and the car’s horn will honk when it’s full.
It’s so simple yet so effective.  Stop, fill honk.  Why didn’t I think of this?

In other news, Saab may not be dead after all!  We all thought the Swedish automaker took its last breath in 2011 but it appears there may be a new suitor who wants to swoop in and buy up the remaining assets: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/saab-to-be-saved-by-mystery-swedish-electric-car-company/
What they plan on doing with these assets is unknown but let’s hope they keep the brand alive and start producing some new cars.  I was always a big fan of Saab—they were quirky but really nice cars.
What are your thoughts?  Should Saab be saved?
Post your comments at  http://laurenfix.blogspot.com/



My Final Thought
Check out this story: http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/25/driving-an-ev-is-like-paying-a-buck-a-gallon-eternally/
Really?  What if the cost of electricity skyrockets?  It’s happened before.  And while $1 per gallon sounds nice, this report doesn’t take into account that when we were all paying this amount back in the ‘80s and ‘90s, none of our cars had only a 100 mile range!
EVs have a long way to go before becoming mainstream.   They need much better range, towing capacity, better performance and better looks.
I’ll stick to gasoline and diesel…for now.
What do you think?  Are EVs worth it?
Share your thoughts at: http://laurenfix.blogspot.com/

See you next week!  Love Your Car! --Lauren Fix

BIG BROTHER’S BLACK BOX EDITION

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THE CAR COACH REPORTS: WEEK IN REVIEW 5-18-12
BIG BROTHER’S BLACK BOX EDITION

George Orwell was a bit early with his predictions in 1984 but he was right on the mark just a few decades later.  Our government is taking away our liberties one step at a time and will likely know just about everything we do in no time at all, if it already doesn’t.
Case in point: http://www.autoblog.com/page/7/  It appears Congress is ready to pass a mandatory law requiring all vehicles manufactured in 2015 and later to carry the proverbial black box.  The black boxes will record all sorts of information such as speed, deployment of airbags, throttle position, and much more.
While the black box idea could certainly make it clear who is at fault in a crash and help insurance companies, it ultimately is a method for government to snoop into our daily lives should it chose to do so.
Imagine this: You’re on a road trip and get pulled over for speeding.  The cop checks your black box and determines that not only were you speeding when he caught you, but that you’ve been speeding for hours throughout several states.  He then informs the highway patrol in the other states and you end up with several tickets.
Sound farfetched?  I bet no one would have thought 20 years ago that there would be red light cameras everywhere and  mandatory stability control, backup cameras and ridiculous CAFE regulations either, but they’re coming!  In fact, while this doesn’t have to do with cars or driving, entire cities are outlawing walking while distracted: http://www.freep.com/article/20120516/NEWS09/120516014/texting-and-walking-fines
So how much government do we want in our lives?  How much do we want to be told what we can and cannot do by a wasteful, corrupt bureaucracy that is extremely out of touch with the average American?
How much do we want Uncle Sam to be a passenger in our cars?!


What are your thoughts?
Post your comments at  http://laurenfix.blogspot.com/

My Final Thought
This has to be one of the dumbest questions ever posed: http://www.salon.com/2012/05/14/is_it_ethical_to_drive_stick/
Come on, aren’t there bigger issues we need to address before worrying about the very small percentage of drivers who have a manual transmissions and whether or not their MPGs stack up against automatics? 
While the automatic transmission certainly has made great strides over the years, it will never be as engaging as a stick shift.  Besides, when driven properly, many stick shifts actually save on gas mileage!
I’m not knocking David Sirota here—he’s a very good writer and his stories are usually quite engaging.  But the manuals are already dying off.  Today’s generation of children will likely rarely even see a car with a stick shift. 
I’m with Car and Driver on this one: Save the Manuals!

Share your thoughts at: http://laurenfix.blogspot.com/

See you next week!  Love Your Car! --Lauren Fix

Sunday Morning Griddle Cakes

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Nothing like a brisk Sunday morning!   Sleeping in a bit... realizing you have a house full of folks who will awake soon and be "Starving"...
   Pull out the ol' Griddle Cake recipe that is sure to fill them up!


 Recipe makes 16 average sized cakes

1 Cup Flour
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Sugar
2 teaspoons Baking Powder
1 Egg (seperated)
2 Tablespoons Butter (melted)
1 Cup Milk

     Sift Flour, Sugar, Baking Powder and Salt in a large bowl.  Stir to mix.  Add the Egg Yolk, Melted Butter and Milk.   Beat until the batter is thoroughly combined.

    In a seperate bowl, whisk Egg White until it holds stiff peaks.  Gradually fold the whites into the batter.  Let the batter stand 10 minutes.  DO NOT STIR AGAIN.
 
   Place a griddle on Medium High heat, and butter lightly.  When the griddle is hot, ladle batter onto the griddle
(this is were you can add the blueberries, Corn or fruit of your choice... quickly after you have ladled on the batter)

  Cook until bottom is browned (about 2 min) and turn to brown the other side.

  Serve with Butter and Syrup (or fruit and whipped cream!)

These really make for light and thick griddle cakes, the outside is a little crispy too!

      Sit down with your family and ENJOY!

My Top Purchases from Etsy.com

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My Top Etsy Purchases...from most recent stretching all the way back to 2007!Some of the shops have changed names, some have closed for now... many are still alive and kicking!Enjoy.


Madgedishes.etsy.com  just love how colorful they are!




Sorrythankyou79.etsy.com so clever, she painted the books and the numbers on them!Andrea has so many wonderful book collections, she sells them by color! LOVE it!



Theinksociety.etsy.com has my FAV sign EVER! Move over "keep calm carry on" 'cause
 " The earth without art is just eh"
is taking over!




Scentsiblescents.etsy.com 's bookends!
There is a great story behind why i bought these, but that is for another day!
I love them as you can see from my blog header!



Niftic.etsy.com had this wonderful game in her shop and I had to snatch it up ! She has some wonderful finds You will love visiting her shop!




EtcandMore.etsy.com had this great Chautauqua Industrial Art Desk for sale...I snapped it up and it now sits on my bedside table.



Grayworksdesign.etsy.com creates these beautiful footed Plattes
I bought the black walnut as it reminds me of the beautiful trees just outside my window.
 I love it and brought it to a Thanksgiving gathering filled to the brim with cheese and fruit and sausage...
it was the hit of the party.   A Platte of bounty!



Jean from 3squares.etsy.com collaborated with me to create this great necklace. It holds your moo.com mini cards and is a work of art that people ask you about all the time.
 When someone stops me on the street, I pull out the card on the top that caught their eye to begin with...
and
 It is a great gateway into a discussion about my etsy shop!
( Hey those are my business cards in her photo... great cross marketing I say! )



Salted Carmel carmels... Haveitconfections.etsy.com has the BEST!
These melt in your mouth and are wonderful to share... if you don't eat it all by yourself first!




My daughters and their friends can not stop talking and swapping these pretty eye shadows from PureMineralsSource.etsy.com . They are a loose powder and you can't go wrong with any of the colors!



The letter M from paperdollwoodshop.etsy.com is a fav and sits on my husbands bedside table... just as you see it here... with magazines in it!




My Grandma and Grandpa lived on Chestnut Ave and those were some of my most fond memories... how delightful was it to find an old street sign that reminded me of being a child and visiting them in Narberth PA!
 from
  junkyardgarden.etsy.com



I just love this little wallet ... mine is a bit worn out now from using it daily! But, it is still cute as can be!
  Bought it from
  feralEmpire.etsy.com







Tonyabug.etsy.com 's sticker sits proudly on the back of my mellow yellow VW Bug!    It is a daily reminder of some of the awesome sellers on Etsy.




Moonshinervintage.etsy.com had these lovelies up for sale and a steal at 35.00.  I took a chance that they would fit.  I remember when they arrived, I tore them out of the box and put them on... they fit " like a glove" as if they were made just for me! LOVE them 



I use these almost every time I do a photo shoot.  One or more of them end up in my photos somewhere!  I have realized I love books... I don't tend to read them but I love the aesthetic.  I love the color and illustrations within.  So fun to see what people do with repurposed books.  from Lucky15.etsy.com .



Brainscan.etsy.com   this was wonderful coffee!
I am not sure if she is still selling it on Etsy as I purchased it back in 2008
 ... but I remember when it arrived in my mailbox. 
The scent of coffee was wafting from the mailbox.
  It surprised me that some postal carrier along the way didn't try a sample.

Many of these shops are currently closed... Many are still successfully plugging along.           I am happy with the purchase I made from them all and thought you might want to share!                    I hope you find some of your own favorites on Etsy too!
Martha
I have to add... a couple of honorable mentions... my Landfill lady from Lbdk.etsy.com
and my Camera strap from Eclecticwhatnot.etsy.com
( these are 2 things I enjoy and use daily as well!)
and where the heck did my belt and buckle from fosterweld.etsy.com go?
off to search my closet!

A Few Hours and Some Canvas

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Had Tuesday off...
thought I would take advantage of the color mixing tutorial I received from Tom Brown, plein air artist out of California.I found a photo I took last Summer on a trip up North.
A beautiful Red Barn in a sea of Summer color.  There was a special Barn Quilt Project going on when I shot the photo, that is what you see depicted on the front of the barn.
 
I finally Pulled out my Oil paints and Palette.
a little 5 x 7 canvas board...
(this photo was fresh off the easel... with some drying time, the colors will become more vibrant in a photo)Here is the result!

Opendoor Studio Gearing Up for Weekend Sales!

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flower in my garden...

  This Spring, ok so we are only one official day into it..., but I have been spending hours trying to get my things organized in my  Warrenville, IL Home and Studio

books and colorful finds

old school map, glove molds, ladders and more

Here are a few views of the "work in progress" ... I still have so much more to display and everything to price...         Remember, everything you see is also for RENT!

one globe from my vast collection and some cool trunks and boxes!

 Motivated by several shops in Barrington, the town of my youth,  where they fling the doors to the warehouse open wide... on a beautiful day, and send emails out to all...as a reminder!I have been filling my garage with vintage finds for some time now...I have had a little "studio" where I love to set up vignettes... my folly!( it also acts as storage for the many shows I will be on the road for this year!)I will be opening it on special weekend and week days, to friends, family and passers by.  

an example of the smallest sale sign...the others are huge and fun!

My Husband made a few special signs,I painted them to say "Vintage Sale Today" and I will try to keep up with an ever growing Email list of folks who might be interested in stopping by, in their travels.
   Please contact me atOpendoorstudio@yahoo.com if you would like further info about anything you see here!         oh...and send your email to the address above if you would like to be added to my list!       Thanks so much to customers and friends for their encouragement (oh and my Husband and kids too!)Can't wait to see you SOON!oh....Now I am able to accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express cards for your convenience!