Archive for March, 2010
Ford Explorer or Ranger
When it is time to get a new truck or SUV and you are a Ford fan than it may be time to compare a few of the options that Ford has to offer. There are some full sized trucks like the Ford F150 and the Mega Super Duty but maybe you don’t need that big of a vehicle. The Ford Ranger is a bit smaller and is great for a blend of city life and country life. The new ones have pretty good gas mileage just check the owners manual for the details of what this nice truck has to offer. Even the older Ford Ranger is a good buy if you are trying to keep the payments down.
What about the Ford Explorer ? This vehicle is more expensive but has some different options. It is great for taking the whole family where ever you want to go. With a good after market manual even the older used versions are a good investment. They may need a little more work done as things get older but if you do you homework you will be able to find one that has not been driven to much.
Either way, getting out in one of the Ford vehicles is always a good time. The company is doing well during these hard times in America and it is working hard to continue to follow the new trends in the automotive industry. The are working with new technologies to come up with the best way to get great fuel mileage and help reduce emissions. They have been working on combining turbocharging technology with direct injection technology to create the TwinForce engine. This is just one step in the direction of a more efficient line of vehicles.
Posted by admin on March 28th, 2010 filed in Automotive
Bridgestone and the Open Road
The importance of good tires on your vehicle can’t be understated. It’s a true testament to the owner when a car or truck has been well-maintained over the years, and one of the first signs of this is the tire. It demonstrates a commitment to the vehicle, and the rewards are numerous. A good tire provides excellent performance, reliability in tight spots, and above all else, safety. These are not only good arguments for smart driving, but also good arguments for why bridgestone tires are a perfect choice to fit your vehicle for an excellent ride.
Having tires that are built to perform, like these are, can really make the difference between utility and pleasure. Of course, with Bridgestone, you get both. And if there’s a choice that involves both, then it makes sense to take it. Utility in tires means that it performs like it’s supposed to, handling all the possible road conditions, in cold or hot climates , and being able to hold up under the extremes with finesse and grace. Pleasure is in the riding, and it’s something that has to be experienced to fully understand. There are some tires that will do the job well, but there are others that perform above the standard, offering an amazing smoothness, and ability to take the curves with confidence.
One of the most elementary pleasures in life is to be able to drive on an open road, feeling the sense of freedom and adventure that highways and back roads can offer. There is a kind of lift in the spirit when you’re out driving, enjoying the scenery and the fresh air, and there’s also a certain joy that comes from knowing you’ll get to your destination. And with different styles and sizes available, there’s plenty to choose from to make the ride you want on the roads you like to travel.
Posted by admin on March 25th, 2010 filed in Automotive
Off the Las Vegas Strip
Pick a hotel, any hotel in Las Vegas and there will be something amazing to see, do and eat. The hotels are the major playground of the city and most people go to Vegas to play in the mainly adult playground. The minute one gets off the plane they notice the bing, bing, bing of the slot machines going as the coins hit the catcher during the jack pot win. This sound continues on for the whole stay. Even if there is a quick trip into a grocery store for something that wasn’t packed. Vegas is not just a gambling mecca. Vegas is also the home to many people with families. When one takes a trip off the strip and out into the rest of the area they will find many other things to see and do.
Step away from the craps table and out on a short road trip to the Red Rock Canyon . This is a chance to see some beautiful rock formations in the sandy desert. There are hiking trails for those who want to get a little burn in their legs and lungs. There is a museum there that shows how the Red Rock area was formed some millions of year ago. If one is not wanting to hike than there is a great drive that loops through the park that is a nice way to relax the mind and get one ready for a big win.
When it is time to work ones way back into the gaming arena hit downtown Freemont Street . Freemont Street is really great at night. There is a large canopy that covers a block or two of the street where the have a music and light show for all who are walking along to enjoy. There are lots of shops, entertainment and restaurants as well as some fabulous hotels with lots of games to hopefully win. If the kids are along for the trip they will really enjoy this street. In the winter, there is even an ice skating ring set up in the middle of the street for the young to speed around on.
Posted by admin on March 22nd, 2010 filed in Travel
Performing Arts in Minneapolis
When I think of performers that came from Minneapolis the first entertainer that crosses my mind is the major pop star Prince, or what ever he is called now. The city is now booming with even more amazing artists and performances.
Prince did help create a buzz in some of the great music clubs in the city like the First Avenue night club and also the 7th Street Entry. They are located in the same building which of course fall on the street names shared with the clubs themselves. This would a must experience if you are staying in town and love music. The building itself is a historical place because it was once a Greyhound bus station built in 1937. In 1970, a young new business man bought the old station and turned it into the first incarnation of a club called The Depot. The first act to play there was Joe Cocker and his band the Mad Dogs. Not to far from then the club to on life with the disco scene where it took on another name for a while, Uncle Sam’s.
Rock music made its way back into the hot spot and the club name was changed again to First Avenue and it started off big with a New Years Eve bash in 1981. This is when Prince made his appearance. Not only did he perform there he also made the club his set for his popular movie Purple Rain. This night club is were many famous acts got their start such as The Replacements, Soul Asylum, and Husker Du and Lucinda Williams got married on the famous stage after she gave a great performance of her own.
So all one needs a luxurious room. Minneapolis has many great places to stay and many great places to play. For the rock and pop fans the First Avenue Club is a must see. If there are a few nights booked in town than check out some of the other great venues and performances at places like the Minnesota Shubert Performing Arts and Education Center or the Hennepin Center for the Arts
Posted by admin on March 18th, 2010 filed in Travel
University of California Los Angeles
It is well known that Los Angeles is the home of the American film industry, which just celebrated the 82nd Annual Academy Awards Ceremony . It is also well known that the Los Angeles area is home to some of the top professionals in the movie business. These two factors are one of the main reasons so many people visit Los Angeles every year. Of course another major factor is the fact that it is located right on the beach and it has some of the most intriguing beach social aspects in the country. There are many more reasons that Los Angeles is not only popular with tourists, you can click here to find information on the best places to stay, but is also the top choice for many people to live. And it’s not only actors, directors and other industry workers that are relocating to Los Angeles, people from all professional backgrounds gravitate to this western city.
One of the other main reasons people relocate to Los Angeles is its great educational institutions. It is home to the University of California Los Angeles as well as to the University of Southern California. In addition California State University Los Angeles and a number of other universities and educational facilities are in the city or surrounding area.
The University of California Los Angeles, UCLA, is one of the nation’s largest and most esteemed public research universities. The school’s mascot is the Bruins and the colors are blue and gold. They have a number of undergraduate and graduate programs and a variety of varsity sports teams. Their football team is part of the Pacific 10 and is generally considered to be a main rival of the University of California Berkeley Bears. The school’s academic organization is structured into five undergraduate colleges, seven professional schools and five professional health science schools. UCLA continually receives the largest number of applicants in the nation. The school is also one of the major cultural institutions of Los Angeles and has numerous events and performances by top professionals.
Posted by admin on March 15th, 2010 filed in Travel
Much Ado about Japanese Sake
To drink hot or cold sake? Hmmm, the age old question! In early years, sake was served hot, due to being stored in cedar tanks. The tanks resulted in sake that tasted woody, rougher, sweeter and fuller so serving it warm made the most sense. Sake is now stored in stainless steel, ceramic-lined tanks. Significant advances in brewing technology and the development of new rice and yeast strains have resulted in sake that is more delicate and fragile. Adding heat would only destroy the hard work the brew masters put in. As a general rule, less expensive sakes are served hot (i.e. sake bombers in restaurants ) while the premium sakes are served chilled. Just don’t drink too much –depending on the variety, sake contains between 10 to 20 percent alcohol.
Sake is made from a combination of short grain rice, water, lemon juice, kome-koji (also known as malt rice), and yeast. Approximately 65 varieties of rice are designated as “sake rice,” some more revered than others. Omachi rice, from Okayama, is one of the most popular. There are over 1400 established breweries of sake, called kura, in Japan so picking the best brands to try can be a daunting task. Popular ones include Hakkaisan, Juyondai, and Koro. Note that sake is commonly served filtered, though many prefer it unfiltered.
Interestingly, if you traveled to Japan and asked for sake, you would be requesting any number of alcoholic beverages. The proper term for sake in Japan is “nihonshu.” It is meant as a drink to represent family, friendship and reverence. Tradition dictates that a person should never pour his or her own sake. The Japanese began mass production of this beverage, though its origins can be traced back to 4000B.C. China.
One of the most elegant aspects to drinking sake is the presentation. Tiny cups for drinking and artful bottles for pouring, sake sets are usually beautifully decorated or engraved. Food friendly, it is best served with fish and light dishes.
Posted by admin on March 8th, 2010 filed in Food & Drink