plus 4, Cold grips valley; freezing rain next - News Register |
- Cold grips valley; freezing rain next - News Register
- Relay Service Phone Scam Targets Southern Arizona Businesses - Tucson Citizen
- Text Size - Chicago Tribune
- RVIA Chronicles RV Industry's Founding in 1910 - MotorHome
- The Daily Courier » Features Sections - Daily Courier
| Cold grips valley; freezing rain next - News Register Posted: 09 Dec 2009 03:04 PM PST Upon returning home from a chilly Saturday stint in the McMinnville Kiwanis Club's cheese wagon, downtown in the US Bank Plaza, former club president Eric Wright heard his aging furnace emit a loud noise and realized the fan had stopped spinning. So began a very cold weekend for Wright. A cold snap had descended on the western United States. It continued on through the weekend, and into the following work week, making Wright's furnace-free life very unpleasant. The prolonged freeze was caused by a cold air mass moving down from Alaska and Canada's Yukon Territory, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Rodger Nelson. The Arctic air holds virtually no moisture, ensuring clear skies above and largely frost- and ice-free ground below, Nelson said. As a consequence, the emergency room at Willamette Valley Medical Center hasn't seen any falls, slips or spills. However, Gormley Plumbing has had to treat plenty of frozen pipes. Eric Baughman, manager of McMinnville's Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse, said water trapped in pipes is prone to freezing anywhere those pipes are exposed. For that reason, problems are more likely in site-built and manufactured homes than apartment units. Water expands more when it freezes than pipe walls do, Baughman said, and pipe walls are prone to splitting under the pressure. When the weather warms, the ice thaws and water starts gushing out. Gormley got so many broken pipe calls that its crews fell seven hours behind on their non-emergency calls. Spokesman Steve Farley said they worked a lot of overtime, and still faced a backlog at the end of the day Tuesday. Baughman said there are several preventive steps a homeowner should take to prevent a plumbing emergency. He said pipes should be wrapped and faucets covered. He said heat strips can also be used, providing even more protection than insulation wraps. Car owners need to be planning ahead as well, and according to Dan Davison of Davison Auto Parts, many of them are doing just that. He said sales of antifreeze, radiators, air brake lines and RV systems and such have been up sharply this week. He said sales are also up for chains and windshield de-icer, even though ice and snow have not descended on the Yamhill Valley so far this winter. That's probably wise, according to Nelson, as the forecast calls for an infusion of warm, moisture-laden air from the Pacific Ocean this weekend. That is likely to produce some freezing rain, and possibly even some snow, by Saturday. In the meantime, he said, we should expect more of the same - dry, clear and cold conditions. At least one local resident is prepared to ride it out in comfort. Wright laid in an emergency load of wood over the weekend, courtesy of his sister, his brother and a friend. And by Monday evening, a repair crew had his furnace up and running again. "I'm all warm and toasty now," Wright said Tuesday - at least, until his next stint in the Kiwanis cheese wagon. This content has passed through fivefilters.org. |
| Relay Service Phone Scam Targets Southern Arizona Businesses - Tucson Citizen Posted: 09 Dec 2009 01:46 PM PST For the fourth time since March, a Tucson automotive repair facility has notified BBB that they were contacted by a scammer using a relay service intended to assist persons who are hearing impaired. The scam can take slightly different forms, but will almost always involve the use of a stolen credit card. Here is a rundown of the various forms the scam has taken in Southern Arizona this year: - On December 7, BBB received an email from Flash Automotive stating that they had been contacted by a scammer over the Telecommunication Relay System (TRS). The caller told Flash Automotive that he needed to have a car towed from Chicago to Tucson, and the towing company would not accept a credit card as payment for the $3,000 tow bill. The scammer's proposition for Flash Automotive: he would give Flash his credit card and they would in turn wire cash to the caller to pay the towing company, while keeping a smaller sum for themselves as payment. Fortunately Flash Automotive didn't fall for this trick and politely told the scammer to get lost. - In early September, BBB received a call from Jimmy's Broadway Automotive Service after they received a call via TRS from someone who said they wanted to have their car shipped to the shop for repairs. Using the relay service, the scammer offered to pay Jimmy's over the phone with a credit card. However, there was catch: Jimmy's was to forward the money from the credit card transaction to the shipping company to pay for transportation of the car. Jimmy's told BBB that although the scammer "tried diligently" to lure them in for about 15 minutes, ultimately the call raised too many red flags and they refused the offer. - On June 30, BBB received a call from Canyon RV Center, in Tucson, saying they had been contacted by someone using a relay service to inquire about buying $4,000 worth of parts. The caller used the name "Lisa Marie" and claimed a Yuma address. She emailed the business a credit card number and attempted to make arrangements for someone to pick the parts up when the order arrived. The business owner became suspicious when he noticed that a passport provided as identification by the scammer was tampered with, and refrained from ordering the parts. Several days later the bank notified him that the credit card the scammer provided was stolen. - In March, BBB reported a man had contacted a different Tucson auto repair facility via a relay service and told them he was going to have his car towed to their facility and he wanted to wire money directly into the business' account. When the business owner started asking questions the caller hung up. If you receive a similar call don't provide account information to the caller, don't order any supplies, and be wary of any of payment the caller offers. Do try to get as much information as possible and contact your BBB at 520-888-5353 or info@tucson.bbb.org. This content has passed through fivefilters.org. |
| Posted: 09 Dec 2009 10:18 AM PST 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. CHRISTMAS LIGHT TOUR The Wheels Rallye Team presents its Christmas Light Tour Dec. 12. Registration for the annual event, to benefit Toys for Tots, starts at 6 p.m. at the Woodfiled Mall parking lot, just west of the Firestone Tire Center. Cars are out at 7. Fee is $10 per car plus a new, unwrapped toy or $25 and the team will buy the toy. The rallye ends at Barnaby's in Schaumburg. Visit www.wheelsrallyeteam.com or call Dennis at 847-446-2904. 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. 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). 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. |
| RVIA Chronicles RV Industry's Founding in 1910 - MotorHome Posted: 09 Dec 2009 09:14 AM PST
Editor's Note: The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) released the following "white paper" last week during the 47th Annual National RV Trade Show in Louisville, Ky., to help kick off the industry's centennial celebration in 2010.
A century ago, the popularization of the automobile, improving roads and America's passion for exploration gave rise to mass-produced, manufactured recreation vehicles, and the RV industry was born. In 1910, William Howard Taft was president, Ty Cobb won the American League batting title, Jack Johnson was heavyweight boxing champion of the world and the Boy Scouts of America was founded. There were few gas stations, few paved roads and no highway system. But there were RVs. Through war and peace, booms and busts, fuel lines, fads and the cyber revolution, the RV lifestyle has endured and is still going strong, even in today's challenging economic times. "Think about how far we've come in the past 100 years in terms in technology, yet the reasons to RV remain the same," says Richard Coon, president of the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association. "RVing has been able to thrive and grow because people still enjoy the freedom that it provides." The industry will celebrate its centennial in 2010 with a series of events that highlight its proud past and bright future. "Recognizing and celebrating the 100th anniversary of the RV industry is a unique opportunity to tell our story to the media and public," says Coon. The industry's anniversary will showcase today's innovations and new products while emphasizing America's century-long love affair with RVs. The roots of RVing are as old as pioneers and covered wagons. But 1910 is the year that America's leading RV historians — David Woodworth, Al Hesselbart and Roger White — cite as the true beginning of this uniquely American industry. "The first motorized campers were built in 1910," says Woodworth. "Before then, people had private rail cars that were pulled to sidings along train routes. The year 1910 brought a new freedom to people who didn't want to be limited by the rail system. RVs allowed them to go where they wanted, when they wanted." Hesselbart, archivist for the RV/MH Heritage Museum in Elkhart, Ind., also pinpoints 1910 as the birth of the RV industry. "Camping has been around for centuries, but 1910 is when the first auto-related camping vehicles were built for commercial sale." Known as auto campers a century ago, these motorized vehicles were a forerunner of today's modern motorhomes. "There were one-offs [individual units] being built prior to 1910," says White, associate curator division of work and industry for the Smithsonian Institution. "But 1910 is a good benchmark for the industry." "The 1910 RVs offered minimal comforts compared to today's homes-on-wheels," says Woodworth. "But they did provide the freedom to travel anywhere, to be able to get a good night's sleep and enjoy home cooking. One notable exception to today's RV was the bathroom. In 1910, it was usually either yonder tree or yonder bush." Hesselbart points out that one brand of auto camper in those days was equipped with a bathroom onboard. "Pierce-Arrow's 'Touring Landau' had a potted toilet," he says. A version of today's Class B van camper, the Pierce-Arrow "Touring Landau," was unveiled at Madison Square Garden in 1910. In addition to Pierce-Arrow, there were several other companies or auto-body builders producing motorized RVs. These companies and innovative products were featured in a Popular Mechanics issue in 1911, but Woodworth says the motorhomes highlighted in the article were actually built in 1910. Camping trailers made by Los Angeles Trailer Works and Auto-Kamp Trailers also rolled off the assembly line beginning in 1910. Hesselbart says the earliest RV on display at the RV/MH Museum is a 1913 trailer, ancestor of the contemporary travel trailer. Photos of 1910 RV models appear in White's book on the history of RVing and exist in both Woodworth's and Hesselbart's libraries. RVing travel author Harry Basch lists 1910 as the beginning of the "first mass-produced RVs" in his Frommer's Guide: "Exploring America by RV," published in 2008. "Celebrating our centennial will create excitement and pride throughout our made-in-America industry and provide an opportunity for manufacturers, dealers, suppliers and campground owners to unite under one banner," says Coon. "For 100 years, we've been helping Americans explore their scenic treasures and heritage more comfortably, affordably and enjoyably. That's something to celebrate as a nation."
To read more articles like this, This content has passed through fivefilters.org.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| The Daily Courier » Features Sections - Daily Courier Posted: 09 Dec 2009 03:51 AM PST ACCESS DENIED
We are sorry to inform you that you have been temporarily blocked from this website. This content has passed through fivefilters.org. |
| You are subscribed to email updates from Add Images to any RSS Feed To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar