plus 4, RV Dealers Say “Yes” to Online Sales - PRLog (free press release)

RV Dealers Say “Yes” to Online Sales - PRLog (free press release)
Harsh Winter May Leave Drivers in the Cold - The Auto Chanel
Missouri couple marks 18 years of being swept up in love - McAllen Monitor
Henkel Selected as 2010 PACE Award Finalist - Yahoo Finance
Text Size - Chicago Tribune

RV Dealers Say “Yes” to Online Sales - PRLog (free press release)

Posted: 30 Nov 2009 02:18 PM PST

Since launching Vision to the industry at RVDA in September, interest has peaked with dealers from around the country. According to Matt Christensen, Vice President of Sales for Vision Selling Systems, "In an effort to streamline and maximize opportunity, dealers are discovering that their websites can – and should, do more than just advertise their inventory. We ask dealers to view their website as another dealership then add the selling tools necessary to maximize opportunity."

With response time to internet inquiries being a major topic among speakers at both RV and Automotive dealer conferences this year, Vision's launch couldn't be more timely. While trainers are stressing the need for dealers to respond to internet inquiries within 'two hours,' Vision dealers are communicating and selling RVs right then and there with no wait time. Added Christensen, "You wouldn't let a buyer at your dealership wait two hours to talk with someone, let alone several days. Once you draw that comparison, it all makes sense."

This content has passed through fivefilters.org.

Harsh Winter May Leave Drivers in the Cold - The Auto Chanel

Posted: 30 Nov 2009 11:19 AM PST

Interstate Batteries offers winter battery tips to keep motorists on the road; launches ad campaign to reach younger demo

DALLAS, Nov. 30 -- Three-quarters of the nation will endure more days of cold weather this winter than in recent years and significant snowfall is predicted in every zone, according to the 2010 Farmers' Almanac. With harsh weather on the way, 58-year-old Interstate Batteries provides expert advice on ways to protect car batteries from the cold.

A vehicle's battery will lose 35 percent of its efficiency when the temperature dips below freezing and more than 50 percent of its power when the temperature falls below zero. Interstate Batteries recommends the following tips to ensure your battery is ready for inclement weather:

Check It: The cold weather can dramatically reduce a battery's available starting power, so have your car's starting and charging system tested every three months.

Charge It: Use a battery charger to maintain charge levels and keep the battery in good condition. A fully charged battery will not freeze until -76 degrees F; however, a fully discharged battery could start to freeze at just below 32 degrees F (0 degrees C).

Maintain It: Inspect your battery cables, posts, and fasteners. Make sure your cables are in good shape and are secured firmly to the battery, and promptly address issues before they leave you stranded.

"As the weather continues to steadily drop, a battery's efficiency will decrease and produce less current making it difficult to start your engine," said Gale Kimbrough, Interstate Batteries Technical Services Manager. The colder temperatures also affect the engine's need for additional power during starting. The starting power required at freezing could be 150% of that compared to 80F (26.7C) and approximately 250% at 0 degrees F (-18C). "At Interstate Batteries, we provide essential maintenance tips that will ensure your battery will last during holiday season travels."

Interstate Batteries will kick off its winter battery creative campaign this month with new TV commercials designed to reach an increasingly younger target demo. Videos can be found on YouTube and Interstate Batteries' Web site under winterizing batteries.

The trusted Interstate Batteries brand promises outrageous dependability and advises drivers to perform these tasks a month prior to road trips to eliminate any problems.

About Interstate Batteries

Founded in 1952 and based in Dallas, Texas, Interstate Batteries is comprised of a privately held group of companies who sell, market and distribute all types of batteries and related products. Its member companies operate retail All Battery Center stores, provide franchising opportunity and support, and distribution through a state-of-the-art distribution center in Des Moines, Iowa. Interstate Batteries also provides products and services for motive and critical power needs through PowerCare Service and Solutions, Inc. Interstate Batteries is "#1 in Batteries," best known for its system of nearly 300 distributors who service more than 200,000 locations selling automotive, marine/RV, commercial and other types of SLI products throughout the United States, Canada and select international locations.

Since Interstate's beginnings, recycling batteries has been a key part of the services the company offers. Last year alone, Interstate returned more than a billion pounds of lead-acid batteries to government-regulated smelters across the United States for recycling. Interstate Batteries also offers batteries and information online at www.InterstateBatteries.com.

This content has passed through fivefilters.org.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Missouri couple marks 18 years of being swept up in love - McAllen Monitor

Posted: 30 Nov 2009 10:14 AM PST

There is a beginning to every great love story. In the new Valley Life series "The Way We Met," Winter Texan couples in the Rio Grande Valley share the origins of their own tales of true love. Know a couple we should write about? E-mail Amy Nichol Smith at asmith@themonitor.com.

Sometimes the second time around is the best time. At least it is for the Guinns.

It's Jerry and Sarah Guinn's 18th wedding anniversary today, but they celebrate their love and marriage every day.

In 1986, Jerry and Sarah happened to be at the annual St. Charles Democratic Days event in St. Peters, MO. Sarah was surrounded by ladies in a hospitality room that doubled as a piano bar. They were singing along to a tune when Jerry walked in with a buddy.

Jerry cupped his hands around his mouth and cried out, "Are there any single ladies here?"

No one spoke up, but Sarah's eyes drifted from Jerry's baby blue eyes to his dimpled cheeks and finally to the name tag on his chest which revealed he was with the United Auto Workers union.

Later that night Sarah tracked down the UAW room –--- and Jerry. They talked a bit, and then agreed to have coffee and conversation. It didn't take long for the two to start dating – Jerry called her the next day for lunch.

Sarah had been a widow for some time, and Jerry was going through a rough divorce. So they took their time, dating for several years, but it wasn't easy for them to make time for each other. Jerry worked nights as an assembler for General Motors, and Sarah worked days as a nurse at St. Charles Clinic in Missouri.

The two would meet for an hour or so after she got off work and before he had to clock in.

Years of dinners, lunches and motorcycle rides together finally resulted in a proposal.

Jerry and Sarah wed in a country/western-themed wedding ceremony Nov. 30, 1991.

Since they both loved traveling, a Caribbean cruise was the perfect honeymoon.

The Guinns have had a lot of laughs and a lot of fun, and they continue to do so as permanent residents of the Rio Grande Valley.

They first started coming to the Square Dance Capital of the World (McAllen and surrounding towns) in 1995 to take lessons and enjoy a warmer climate than Missouri's. After a one-week taste of the Valley, the Guinns decided to set up camp at the RV park El Valle Del Sol in Mission for three months every winter thereafter.

Jerry and Sarah have so much to do every day from dancing to card games and traveling constantly that it's almost exhausting, but they love it.

"We kept such busy schedules; Sarah said she'd have to start scheduling sex," Jerry laughed.

The economy has since taken a toll on the Guinns' pocketbook, but after selling motorcycles and cutting expenses, they are able to maintain a life rich in joy and wealthy with love.

Amy Nichol Smith covers features and entertainment for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4420.

This content has passed through fivefilters.org.

Henkel Selected as 2010 PACE Award Finalist - Yahoo Finance

Posted: 30 Nov 2009 06:04 AM PST

MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich., Nov. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Henkel Corporation has been selected as an Automotive News PACE Award finalist for its environmentally responsible Aquence® Co-Cure process technology. The Co-Cure process simplifies conventional metal pretreatment by reducing it to a two-coat cure process, therefore reducing the production footprint up to 40 percent. In addition, by curing the Aquence® coating and topcoat together in a single oven, the process also reduces energy requirements.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090415/DE99335LOGO )

The Aquence® Co-Cure process is an efficient, leaner paint process which uses Henkel's Aquence® series of autodeposition coatings in combination with liquid or powder topcoats to coat miscellaneous components. This process provides total part coverage, improved inside-out corrosion, superior edge protection and contains no HAPs or heavy metals.

Henkel is recognized as a finalist in the Manufacturing Process category for its Aquence® Co-Cure process technology. Henkel was first to introduce the technology at Valley Towing Products (formerly Thule Towing Systems), which uses the new Aquence® 930(TM) autodeposition coating and a powder topcoat application to coat its towing systems, including hitches and fifth wheels for automotive OEM and aftermarket applications. The new Aquence® Co-Cure system utilized Valley's existing metal pretreatment and powder equipment at its Lodi, Calif. facility due to its capital utilization, process efficiency and performance.

"We are excited to be a part of this opportunity with Henkel," said George Caplea, president and CEO, Valley Towing Products. "The Aquence® Co-Cure process has provided superior quality performance and contributed to substantial savings and efficiencies in our manufacturing process."

"This game-changing technology will reinvent the total automotive paint shop," said Chuck Evans, executive vice president, automotive, Henkel. "As the industry's leanest and most sustainable paint shop solution, this revolutionary two-coat Aquence® Co-Cure process reduces energy requirements, eliminates stages and contains no heavy metals. We are proud to be considered for the prestigious PACE Award, the benchmark of automotive innovation. This is a true testament to Henkel's continued commitment to and investment in sustainable and innovative technologies for our customers."

Henkel won the 2009 Automotive News PACE Award in the Manufacturing Process category for TecTalis®, the automotive industries first phosphate-free pretreatment that completely eliminates phosphates along with heavy metals such as nickel and manganese from the process.

Winners will be announced in April 2010. For more information on Aquence®, please visit www.henkelna.com/aquence .

About Henkel

Henkel (www.henkelna.com) is the market leader in adhesives, sealants and surface treatments to the transportation industry. Backed by extensive design capabilities, a broad product range, specific application knowledge and technical expertise, the company delivers solutions to all segments of automotive development - automotive body, interior, chassis, electronics and powertrain production. Through powerful brands like Loctite®, Teroson®, Aquence®, Bonderite®, Frekote® and Multan®, Henkel provides significant economic and environmental advantages for today's vehicles, making them safer, more comfortable and extending vehicle value.

Henkel has been committed to making people's lives easier, better and more beautiful for more than

130 years. A Fortune Global 500 and Germany's most admired company according to a recent Fortune survey, Henkel offers strong brands and technologies in three areas of competence: Home Care, Personal Care and Adhesive Technologies. Each day, more than 52,000 employees in 125 countries are dedicated to fulfilling Henkel's claim "A Brand like a Friend." In fiscal 2008, Henkel generated sales of 14,131 million euros and adjusted operating profit of 1,460 million euros.

About Valley Towing Systems

Valley Towing Products has been a manufacturer of high-quality trailer hitches, towing accessories and electrical trailering products since 1947, covering a wide range of markets including automotive aftermarket, original equipment, RV, boating, agricultural and commercial. In 2009, the company was purchased by its management team, which is composed of industry leaders with decades of towing industry experience. Offering a continuously expanding product line, Valley designs, manufactures and tests its products in a state-of-the-art R&D facility. All products are tested to exceed federal towing standards.

For more information, contact Valley at 248.588.6900; fax 517.815.1014; write the company at 32501 Dequindre Road, Madison Heights, MI 48071; or visit www.vtowing.com.

This content has passed through fivefilters.org.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Text Size - Chicago Tribune

Posted: 30 Nov 2009 03:12 AM PST

MARINE RADIO SEMINAR The Waukegan Sail and Power Squadron is offering a VHF/DSC Marine Radio Seminar Dec. 1. The seminar, from 7 to 9 p.m., is at the Waukegan Yacht Club, 199 N Harbor Place. The seminar instructs on the use of VHF, the mainstay of coastal communication, and Digital Selective Calling, which is being phased in. Fee is $10 per person. Contact Lt. Cmdr. Mike Ludtke at 815-575-0809 or wspsxo@gmail.com.

POLAR EXPRESS The Polar Express pulls into the National Railroad Museum in Ashwaubenon, Wis., Dec. 4, 5 and 6. The annual trip to the North Pole will be made at 3, 5 and 7 p.m. each day and include a dramatic reading of the Christmas story about a boy who is not sure whether he believes in Santa Claus. Standard class fares are $12 for adults and $8 for kids 2 through 12. Fares in premium class--a restored 1950s streamline buffet-lounge-observation car, are $25 for lounge seating and $18 for table seating. Reservations are required. Call 920-437-7623, ext. 10, or visit www.nationalrrmuseum.org.

HAPPY HOLIDAY RAILWAY Take a train ride through holiday light displays and visit with Santa Claus and his elves at the Illinois Railway Museum Dec. 5 and 6, 12 and 13 and 19 and 20. Children on Santa's "good" list will recieve a gift. Trains run every two hours at the museum in Union. Visit www.irm.org or call 815-923-4000 or 800-BIG-RAIL (244-7245).

TOYS FOR TOTS The 32nd annual Chicagoland Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade begins at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 6 at Dan Ryan Woods, 85th Street and Western Avenue, Chicago. The parade will proceed up Western to the Marine Reserve Center at Foster Avenue and Troy Street. Participants can gather at 8 a.m. and should bring an unwrapped new toy or game -- but no plush toys. Visit www.chicagolandtft.org or call 773-866-TOYS (8697).

TOY SHOW The annual Tinley Park Holiday Toy Show is set for Dec. 6 at Tinley Park High School, 6111 W. 175th St. The show, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will feature diecast cars and models. Admission is $6. Call Jim at 262-246-7171.

LISLE POLAR EXPRESS Lisle is hosting two Polar Express trains Dec. 9. They leave the Metra Station at 9:45 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. Santa will be on hand along with clowns, activities and goodies. Fares are $14, and tickets are required in advance. They're on sale at The Nook on Main Street, 7-11 at Ogden and Main and Lisle Savings Bank. Call the Lisle Convention Bureau at 800-773-9811.

MOTORCYCLE SWAP The Walneck Motorcycle Swap Meet is set for Dec. 20 at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles. Admission to the meet, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., $6 with vendor booths $40. Visit www.walneckswap.com or call 630-985-2097.

BOAT SHOW The 80th annual Chicago Boat, RV and Outdoors Show sails into McCormick Place North Jan. 13 through 17. Hundreds of the latest product s and accessories will be featured along with the Huck Finn Trout Pond and green boating zone. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Jan 13, 14 and 15; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Jan 16 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan 17. Admission is $10 for adults, $4 for kids 13-15 and free for those 12 and younger. Seniors 65 and older will get $2 off Jan. 13. Visit www.ChicagoBoatShow.com .

STRICTLY SAIL Strictly Sail Chicago will be held Jan. 28 through 31 at Navy Pier. The event will include the latest sailboats and products, along with seminars and a kids activity center. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Jan 28 and 29, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Jan. 30 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 31. Adult admission is $12 Jan. 28 and 29 and $15 Jan. 30 and 31. A two-day adult pass is $24. Children 15 and younger are free when accompanied by an adult. Visit www.StrictlySailChicago.com.

AUTO SHOW BLACK TIE The Chicago Auto Show's First Look for Charity will be held from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Feb. 11 on the show floor at McCormick Place. Eighteen Chicago-area charities benefit from the black-tie event. Tickets cost $225 each. Visit www.chicagoautoshow.com.

CHICAGO AUTO SHOW The 102nd Chicago Auto Show hits McCormick Place North and South Feb. 12-21. Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Feb. 12-20 and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Feb. 21. Tickets cost $11 for adults, $7 for seniors 62 and older and children 7-12 and free for kids 6 and younger with a paid adult. Visit www.chicagoautoshow.com.

Having a public event? Rides would like to list it. Please send the information--event name, time, place, admission/fees and contact information--to What's up, Rides, 435 N. Michigan Ave., 4th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611 or e-mail to transportation@tribune.com at least two weeks before the event. Submissions will be accepted in writing only.

This content has passed through fivefilters.org.