| Toyota bumps Ford as No. 2 carmaker; GM, Chrysler sales also dip in ...
Toyota Motor Corp. overtook Ford Motor Co. to become the No. 2 automaker by U.S. sales in 2007, using new products and relentless strategy to break Ford's 75-year lock on the position. Ford sales were down 12 percent for the year; General Motors Corp. reported a 6 percent U.S. sales decline in 2007. Chrysler LLC posted a 3 percent decrease and American Honda Motor Co. Inc. said sales were up 2.5 percent for the year. .
Gunfire too common to raise alarm in Memphis, Tenn., neighborhood ...
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- Gunfire happens enough around Lester Street that neighbors often don't bother to call police. Now residents are wondering whether the shots they heard last weekend killed six people and critically wounded three other children. Police did not offer a motive in the slayings on Wednesday, two days after the grisly scene was found inside a small brick house in the community known as Binghampton, where low-income homes sit near cheap motels and junkyards. "I did hear shooting, but I didn't know where it was. Sometimes guys get crazy and just shoot up in the air,'' said Marie Mackey, 33, who was visiting her mother's house a couple of blocks away Saturday night. "If I had known, I would have called.'' Lt. Joe Scott, a top homicide detective, said the surviving children are witnesses and under police protection.
iPod touch 1.1.2 software jailbroken before official release
Other changes have also been made, including the iPhone's categorization of built-in and custom ringtones. Prior to its availability in iTunes, the iPhone software can be downloaded here, and the iPod touch version here, both in ZIP archives. Using the ZIP file rather than decompressing it, you can install the software by selecting your iPhone or iPod touch from the Devices menu in iTunes, holding down the Option key when hitting the Restore Software button in iTunes, and selecting the IPSW.ZIP file. [via TUAW] .
All-round safety in car
The impulse from the central computer releases a surge of electricity that heats a wire made of a shape memory alloy. This wire is the actual trigger.
We opted for this solution because it is faster than any conventional solenoid switch, says Seipel. The heat bends the wire, which then releases a spring. The spring slackens and pushes a steel bolt, which is integrated in the seat, towards the door. At the same time a stable metal body in the door is brought into position to support the steel bolt.
The system of the bolt and the metal box stabilizes the car door and absorbs energy on collision, explains Seipel. To prove that the new side-impact protection system actually works in a real crash situation, he will carry out a crash test in Spain on March 7. The passenger cell will be on display at the Hannover trade fair on April 21 through 25.
CHP program educates new, future drivers
BABY, YOU CAN DRIVE MY CAR: The California Highway Patrol is promoting the Start Smart program for new and future licensed teenage drivers ages 15 to 19. In a classroom setting, CHP officers discuss traffic collision avoidance techniques, collision-causing factors, driver/parent responsibilities and seatbelt usage. The course includes a few scare tactics, too, with testimonials from cops who have investigated fatal collisions involving teens, and by family members who have lost love ones in traffic collisions. For more info: www.chp.ca.gov/ community/startsmart.html. The Department of Motor Vehicles also has a site just for teens: www.dmv.ca.gov/teenweb. WONDERFUL WIPES: Can we all agree that baby wipes aren't just for babies anymore? And the wipes I love best are the Kirkland Signature brand sold at Costco.
Adventure playgrounds for Bolton
We have already consulted with residents as to what they want and plans to improve play facilities in the area are already underway. "This programme will benefit all communities in Bolton by creating safe areas in which children can play as well providing modern equipment." The Government wants to create 3,500 public play areas. It wants facilities to include staffed adventure playgrounds, with indoor and outdoor facilities. The council says it is hopeing to receive the larger sum of money, given the work they are already doing to improve play facilities in the area. Last year Town Hall chiefs were awarded £2.9 million to revamp existing play areas. Chiefs also pledged to spend £630,000 on the creation of eight new playgrounds in Brownlow Fold, Ulleswater Street, Thomasson Park, Musgrave Road and Darbishire Park in the Halliwell and Crompton areas, and in Fern Street, Farnworth Central Park, and Harper Green, in Farnworth.
The Joy of Commuting and Other Stuff
What's the big deal? I mean, vets have been calling her that for years... Controversial, of course. What did you think I meant? 2/13/08 'From the Mouths of Babes' Since it's so bleak and miserable outside today, I thought the following anecdote might make you laugh. Whether you have kids or not, I'm sure you've had one of these experiences. On a recent visit to Connecticut, I spent some time with my sister, her husband and my nephews. My sister had just given birth to my new niece, so my brother-in-law and the boys and I decided to take a trip to the hospital to pay them a visit. Everything was going well until it was time for dinner. Wanting to make the most of my time with my sister and niece, I suggested that we grab food in the hospital cafeteria (what a treat) and bring it back to the room.
K.J. gets overlooked, but shouldn't
And since Don's a big baseball fan and all, he's even offering a 20-percent spring-training/Braves-MIB discount on used CDs for one week starting today. Just mention the code DOB to the person behind the register. No kidding. See ya at the record store. Or in Orlando. Or on the blog. All good. Oh, and if you haven't heard the new North Mississippi All-Stars CD, it's quite greasy and rockin' — and very good. Some mighty fine releases the past few weeks, including albums by Bob Mould, Drive-By Truckers, Whigs, Selmanaires, Anna Kramer and the Lost Cause, and Sheryl Crow (yes, I'll admit I like it, and not just because she's, well, mighty fine). "OUT HERE IN THE MIDDLE" by James McMurtry They broke into your car last night, took the stereo Now you say you don't know why you even live there anymore The garage man didn't see a thing, so you guess it was an inside job You made a reservation, a table for three They said you'd have to wait, somebody must have bribed the maitre'd Boss got mad and he blamed it all on you Food was bad and the deal fell through Well out here in the middle you can park it on the street Step up to the counter, you nearly always get a seat Nobody steals.
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