plus 3, 2009 Infiniti FX50S - Long-Term Road Test Update - CAR AND DRIVER |
- 2009 Infiniti FX50S - Long-Term Road Test Update - CAR AND DRIVER
- Ocala Occupational Licenses: Jan. 11-25, 2010, reports - Star-Banner
- Weekend focuses on opportunities to help - Star-Tribune
- Sprint Car Teams Arriving in Ocala - Who Won
| 2009 Infiniti FX50S - Long-Term Road Test Update - CAR AND DRIVER Posted: 30 Jan 2010 12:44 PM PST Date: December 2009 Our journey in the FX50S continues. Well, make that journeys. Since last we wrote of our quirky and quick crossover, the FX traveled to California and back and was then put into service as a decidedly less than capacious moving van for a friend temporarily relocating to Brooklyn, New York. There have been several other decently lengthy jaunts, as well, meaning we're now past the three-quarter mark of our 40,000-mile long-term test. Tripping Delight, Fantastic? The FX has proven an okay travel companion, with some editors more enamored of it than others. Complaints continue that the ride is too harsh, visibility is poor, shifts from the seven-speed auto are often lumpy, and the brakes squeal too much and aren't very linear. Oh, and we're still not used to the violent throttle tip-in. Comparisons to our now-departed BMW X6 long-termer abound in the FX's logbook, many of them saying that the BMW beats the Infiniti in just about every department (except maybe looks). We still love the navigation system and iPod integration, both of which have been getting regular workouts on our many trips. We've also seen several logbook entries lamenting the driver's cramped footwell. The transmission tunnel encroaches on foot- and legroom, which can result in knee and ankle pain on long drives because there is precisely one way legs can be positioned from seat to pedals. A problem for only the very tall? Not so—our least tall (or is that "most short"?) staffer, who is five feet three inches, complained of the same pains after driving the FX on that trip to New York and back. That trip illuminated another rather strange flaw in the FX. The packing list luckily included few enough items that they all fit in the cabin, delicately Tetris-ed around three occupants, although a bicycle required a hitch-mounted carrier. That's where the problems started. The hitch's positioning is low and inset from the rear bumper, necessitating a two-slot hitch adapter (originally intended for an RV) to move the mounting point up and rearward so the bike carrier wouldn't scrape the ground or the bumper fascia. The aforementioned California trek included a trip to the top of Pikes Peak in Colorado, some sustained cruising at super-extra-legal speeds across the Nevada desert, and the demise of two birds—all while managing an average of about 20 mpg. (The overall test average is holding steady at 17 mpg.) And lest you think we only drive this ute east and west, it has also done duty on a trip "up north" in Michigan and "down south" to Louisville, Kentucky, where it posed in front of the world's largest liquor bottle and the world's largest baseball bat. Luckily, the two are separated by several miles, preventing the world's largest fight from breaking out. Two More Dealer Visits to Get Our Fix(es) The 22,500-mile mark fell during the FX's big California vacation, so the service scheduled for that mileage was postponed until just after 26K. At that point, we paid $115 for some fresh 5W30 and a new oil filter. The airbag light came on again and was for the second time extinguished by the dealer, who told us all was well. We did learn that the power tilting-and-telescoping steering column is subject to a voluntary service campaign, but only in warm-weather states. It seems the power adjustment can stop working, but it poses no danger as the wheel itself still steers—the column just won't adjust. While we're in Michigan, our car's California registration may have confused things at the dealer, but they've tested it and see nothing wrong with the system. There won't be any warm weather here for a while anyway, so we're not too worried. Just in case, Infiniti has extended the warranty on the power steering column to 72 months/72,000 miles, which should allay the fears of anyone planning on buying a car from a warm state and bringing it to a cold one. The next service was a bit more costly. The 30,000-mile routine required an oil-and-filter job, a new engine air filter, new cabin air filters, and a tire rotation—$268 with parts and labor. Someone or something decided to crack one of the FX's fog lamps, so a new assembly was fitted at that time for just under $150; labor and supplies brought that part of the bill to $269. The total for this visit would have climbed even higher if the dealer had had the filters for the front-seat ventilation system in stock. We're told each chair is due for a new one—at a cost of $185 each. We'll save our pennies and get those replaced at the 37,500 mark. Other destruction: The fuel-filler door froze shut during a recent cold snap, and on finally prying it open, we found a small piece of plastic that looked suspiciously like the door's missing lock pin. That will have to be addressed on our next dealer visit; in the meantime, we hope no one siphons our gas. Its Sheetmetal Is as White as Snow Having picked up the FX last February, we didn't get much chance to exercise it in the snow during the last wintry season. Now that the white stuff has appeared again here in Michigan, we'll get a better idea of our Infiniti's plowing abilities. A snow mode dulls throttle response in the slippery stuff, which may make the FX better to live with. Previously, there were no 21-inch winter tires on the market, so we had to stick with the FX's all-season rubber. Dunlop and Bridgestone now offer suitable winter tires, but with so few miles remaining before the FX's departure, we'll make do with the shoes we have. The final 7000 miles will be completed in an SUV's natural habitat and with mixed emotions. Some of us will be sad to see the FX go. Others will feel actual physical relief. Hey, at least it looks pretty neat. Continued...Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction. |
| Ocala Occupational Licenses: Jan. 11-25, 2010, reports - Star-Banner Posted: 29 Jan 2010 11:22 PM PST Courtesy of the city of Ocala. License numbers are in parentheses. JAN. 25 REPORT The Kringle Jingle. (A39659) David V. Glorius, administrative office, 4301 S.E. Eighth St., 843-7200. Ocala Civic Theater Big Bang Costume Party (A39664) Marion Players Inc., 4337 E. Silver Springs Blvd. Woodforest Bank, (A39629) Robert E. Marling Jr. (CEO), 4980 E. Silver Springs Blvd., 236-2934. Make-A-Wish Equine Challenge (A39642) charitable events with alcohol, 21110 S.E. 55th St., 361-4723. The Kings Gallery (A39657) John Coldwell, merchants/dealers, 3100 S.W. College Road, 851-8700. Havasu Home Service (A39589) contractors, Nick J. Palmieri, 3437 N.E. 10th St., 509-0290. 420 S. Pine Fine Line Tattooing (A39597) Leonard Palmer, personal service, 420 S. Pine Ave., 390-7176. Extensions Dance Studio (A39604) Amy Alicea, general business, 1601 N.E. 25th Ave., 694-0601. Pro-Tech RV Repair Center LLC (A39661) Timothy G. Hample, administrative office, 3423 N.E. Silver Springs Blvd., administrative office, 390-8919. Treasure Hunters Road Show (A39662) Jeff Parsons (president), general business, 3712 S.W. 38th Ave., 217-726-7590. Hurricane Courier Services Inc. (A39663) Tom and Tracy Hall, administrative office, 3423 E. Silver Springs Blvd., 286-6422. Ocala Marathon 2010 (A39675) Chris Moling (organizer), Boyd Marketplace, 352-637-2475. Re-New-It (A39677) Jerry Davis, administrative office, 1601 S.W. 27th Ave., 386-334-6754. JAN. 19 REPORT Fresh Vintage Corp. (A39405) Clara Prue, general business, 122 S. Magnolia Ave., 620-8054. Cascades Family Dentistry (A39475) Connie Vu, professionals, 1515 E. Silver Springs Blvd., 368-9090. Richard Perry, PA (A39544) professionals, 820 E. Fort King St., 732-2299. Hyatt Automotive Services (A39586) Sheik Hyatt, general business, 1155 N.E. 17th Rd., 433-0233. Opiate Recovery Center Associates Inc. (A39631) Sally R. Nichols, general busines, 1701 E. Fort King St., 351-0867. Tara Surveying LLC (A39644) Tara J. Feeley, professionals, 926 E. Fort King St., 368-4033. GPI Southeast Inc. (A39645) Alan Garri, PE, professionals, 1414 S.W. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., 368-5055. Chick-Fil-A (A39535) Jeremy Williams, food service, 3558 S.W. College Road, 854-2866. Greene Office Building (A39607) James L. Greene, professionals, 2649 W. Silver Springs Blvd., 401-7632. Advanced Physical Therapy of Central Florida (A39633) Lester Hammond, professionals, 1610 S.E. 36th Ave., 629-0025. Greenfield Sam Andy LLC (A39640) Gary Dunn, general business, 2501 S.W. 57th Ave., 598-0057. Beacon Real Estate & Associates Inc. (A39649) Kendel Kemp, professionals, 521 S.W. 57th Ave., 351-4503. Willis Electric Inc. (A39651) Donald E. Willis, contractors, 1423 N.E. Eighth Ave., 351-0069. Goin Green Lawn Maintenance & Tree Trimming (A39652) James Duryea III, 1943 N.E. 26th St., 433-6226. Voilart! (A39155) Michael Bray, general business, 108 E. Fort King St., 671-7469. Gator Cafe II (A39638) Kamaljit K. Rai, general business, 624 S. Pine Ave., 682-2192. Greater AOH Church of God (A39653) church, 907 S.W. Third St., Bishop Brown, 622-4147. City Best Commercial Cleaners (A39656) Nathanael Rittscher, administrative office, 3163 E. Fort King St., 216-3086. JAN. 11 REPORT Franck's Lifestyles (A39501) Paul Franck, merchants/dealers, 106 S.W. 17th St, 622-2913. Shoe Time (A39616) Syed Fawad Ahmed Zaidi, general busines, 2461 S.W. 27th Ave. Instant Tax Service Ocala (A39624) Angie Boynton, administrative office, 1905 W. Silver Springs Blvd., 237-3829. Innovative Senior Care Home Health LLC (A39606) Julie McGlasson, administrative office, 1801 S.E. 24th Road, 361-9055. Leesburg Chiropractic Center (A38608) Alan D. Newman, administrative office, 2801 S.E. First Ave. #401, 352-787-4500. Cuvee Wine and Bistro LLC (A39185) Kevin Conway, alcohol on premises and outside, 2237 S.W. 19th Ave. Road, 351-1816. Trinity Financial Services Inc. (A39628) Tina R. Allbritton, professionals, 1543 N.E. 22nd Ave., 732-9711. Expert American Home Painting Service LLC (A39634) Scott Armstrong, administrative office, 2323 N.E. 36th Ave., 624-4357. Tires Unlimited (A39584) Stevie Rochelle, merchants/dealers, 334 N.E. 14th St., 867-0137. McClellan & Batsel (A39635) Robert W. Batsel, professionals, 2201 S.E. 30th Ave., 622-3252. McClellan & Batsel (A39636) Edward L. McClellan, professionals, 2201 S.E. 30th Ave., 622-3252. Artistic Blade (A39637) Terry L. Miller, administrative office, 3387 W. Silver Springs Blvd., 402-0427. Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Weekend focuses on opportunities to help - Star-Tribune Posted: 29 Jan 2010 10:03 PM PST Helping those in desperate need, whether in Evansville or Haiti, is the focus of many of this weekend's events. Greg and Melanie Mayo and their two daughters lost everything they own in a house fire in Evansville early Thursday morning. There are two benefits planned for them, one today and one on Sunday. Both are designed to provide ordinary household items and clothing. Today's is from 1 to 4 p.m., in the small gymnasium at the Casper Family YMCA, 315 E. 15th St. According to organizer Sarah Nicely, "If you use it daily, chances are, they need it." Clothing sizes include men's 31-32 pants, medium or large shirts and size 8-1/2 shoes; women's size 16 pants and XL tops, size 9 shoes and girls 5T and 3T. They also need regular household and kitchen items, from toilet paper to silverware, all kitchen pantry food items, blankets and furniture. The Mayos are long-time customers of Bresnan Communications and on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Bresnan staff members are holding an event on the parking lot of Eastridge Auto Plex, 111 SE Wyoming Blvd. Called "Fill The Truck," Bresnan employees will accept any gifts of household items to help the family rebuild what they lost, something as simple as a laundry basket. Cash and check donations will also be gratefully accepted. A benefit concert for a woman stabbed in downtown Casper two weeks ago will be held tonight at Downtown Grill and Venue. The East Second Street restaurant will begin serving dinner at 7 p.m., with several live bands scheduled to begin playing at 9 p.m. Proceeds from the concert will help 22-year-old Kaylee McClelland with her medical bills. On the night of Jan. 16, McClelland was stabbed six times after parking her car on South Wolcott Street and walking toward East Second Street, according to police. Authorities continue to investigate the attack. No arrests have been made. McClelland told authorities the man who attacked her had blondish hair and was wearing a blue hoody. For more information regarding the benefit concert, call (307) 235-5299. Vision Beyond Borders, headquartered in Bozeman, Mont., and run by Casper native Patrick Klein, is sending a shipping container of aid supplies to Haiti. Items needed include over-the-counter pain medication, topical antibiotics, first aid items, water purification tablets, hydrogen peroxide, socks and shoes for children and waterproof tarps. Monetary donations are also being accepted. Checks can be made out to Vision Beyond Borders. Donations can be dropped off at Restoration Church, 956 N. Poplar, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today. Receipts for donations are available. If you need someone to pick up donated items, contact Brian at 259-7583. Other questions can be directed to Vision Beyond Borders shipping contact, Carla at 310-977-6101. A family friendly benefit concert to raise money for relief efforts in Haiti will be held at 7 p.m. tonight at Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 2625 Casper Mountain Rd. Harmony for Haiti will feature a variety of talent from around the community. Performers will include Marcia Patton and the women of Alla Breve, Kristen Robinson, The Glory Road Band and many others. Concert admission is free; a donation will be taken during the event, with 100 percent of the proceeds going toward relief efforts in Haiti. For information, contact Erin Flanagan at 267-8984. The Pathfinder Boat and Fishing Club is hosting the 21st Annual "HAWG" Ice Fishing Derby today and Sunday at Pathfinder Reservoir in the Diabase Shelter. Entry fee is $30 per person. There are limited RV spaces with electric hook-ups available for $20 per night. Hot food and refreshments will be available by JC Catering. The River Bend District Cub Snow Day is today at Bear Trap Meadow on Casper Mountain. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The competition runs from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., with final judging announced at 1:30 p.m. River Bend District Klondike Derby continues today at the upper campground at Beartrap Meadow. This year's theme is Winter Survival & Scouting Skills. Events include Skills & Good Times, We Need to Get Out of the Weather, Let's Race and It's a Mystery. Enjoy a Valentine's Day Bazaar with home business products all under one roof from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the C'mon Inn, 301 E. Lathrop Road, in Evansville. Vendors expected include Tastefully Simple, Pampered Chef, Liah Sophia, Scentsy, Close to My Heart, How Marvelous Photography, Mary Kay, Tupperware, Premier Jewelry and chair massages. Raffles throughout the day will benefit Casper Humane Society and The Breast Cancer Foundation. For more information, call Anita at 247-2415. The American Legion Post No. 2 family is pleased to announce an open house to celebrate the opening of its new post home at 1650 English Ave. from noon to 6 p.m. The public and all members are invited to enjoy drinks, hors d'oeuvres, door prizes and tours of the new facility. For more information on the open house or the American Legion family, call 235-1203. Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Sprint Car Teams Arriving in Ocala - Who Won Posted: 28 Jan 2010 02:55 PM PST Ocala Speedway Thursday, January 28, 2010 Sprint Car Teams Arriving in Ocala by BJ Cavin OCALA, Fla. -- Many of the nation's top sprint car teams have begun arriving in Ocala to prepare for this weekend's running of the 2010 Ocala Speedway Winternationals. This year's event features the O'Reilly Auto Parts All Star Circuit of Champions, plus the popular Florida Mini Sprint Association, with racing on this coming Friday and Saturday night, and is attracting a virtual "who's who" of names to Florida's oldest speedway. Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
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