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Tenshi's NYC Adventure
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Joined: 18 Apr 2008
Posts: 2594
Location: Star Stuff
Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2012 8:59 am
Post subject: Tenshi's NYC Adventure
Here's the full picture album! Well, it's contained in the Winter 2012 album. Anyhow, here you go!
Code: GoSnowGo
Figured I would post up some notes about my trip! I'll add pictures once I can, but will probably have to wait until evenings or until I get home. So! Without further ado...
Day One
-Creeeeeepy airport greeter sign projection thing. Reverse projection, maybe? But how does it face the viewer....
-Met a friend from the interwebs! Very cool person, we'll plan to do more tomorrow.
-On my trip from the airport, I met and befriended this really nice older woman. She looked over my route and gave her approval, and also wished me an enjoyable time in her home town (though told me Queens was better than Manhattan, of course).
-I saw an under-subway road
like this one scene from GTA IV's Liberty City! (Picture to follow)
-I rode a subway! I didn't know this was on my route, not knowing what the subways were called, but it was. The subways were ridiculously congested, since only two lines are running right now (NYC just got through a huge flood after a hurricane slammed into it). The subway trains were going to all local stops, so it was very... stop-and-go. However, I started chatting up this one guy who was getting very frustrated about the situation. His name was Maurice, and we talked about kids, dreams, hard work, and that sort of thing. He introduced himself to me before leaving, and gave me one of the few smiles I'd seen him offer. Rough life he's protecting his grandson (I think) from, but his grandson is in good hands, I think.
-Gave up on the F train (fittingly named, I swear I'm not swearing). I walked the remaining 10 blocks to the PATH station to Jersey City... only to find that the PATH stations are not like the NYC subway. The PATH station is still underwater. Had to turn around, and ended up taking the N subway back up to Times Square, then the Port Authority bus to Jersey City and my hotel.
-Saw one of the "Free Charging Station" things being set up all over the city. People without power are invited to just plug right in, for free. It's really awesome to see even a major city come together in times of crisis.
-Most everyone in Manhattan (and the bus to Jersey) are super friendly. Probably because there are so many camera toting tourists, but this place is really starting to grow on me. I've heard about a dozen languages so far, and have identified the following: English (not predominantly), Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and (especially in some areas) Hebrew. I could guess at the rest, but I've probably heard Russian, Portuguese, and several languages I have no idea how to identify.
-Stopped for a super late lunch (4pm) at this little burger diner on the corner across from my hotel. The diner's tag line is "Last remaining diner from the World's Fair". I have no idea if it's true or not, but the place is awesome (and cheap!). I befriended the younger of the two proprietors, tipped well, and was invited back any time, day or night, if I needed anything at all. We also shared stories about how people come together in a crisis, and how it was good to see people put aside differences to overcome bigger things.
-Established Base Camp at my hotel! Finally...
-The rest of the evening was pretty bland. A four hour effort to get something to eat (delivery) ended in me being comped $10 for my trouble through the company I was using. After I ordered, I won another $10 in a "thank you for ordering" raffle. For ordering $27 of food, I received $20 back.. and have enough in my fridge to eat a meal a day here at the hotel. Doing rather well!
-Souvenir count: 2 out of ??
-Made amends (I think) with my mom. Maybe. I hope. So, that's good..
. Dubbed "Usagi" by AsA .
Keeper of the Siderean Swords
"If by chance some day you're not feeling well, and you should remember some silly thing I've said or done, and it brings back a smile to your face or a chuckle to your heart, then my purpose as your clown has been fulfilled."
Red Skelton
Last edited by Tenshi on Thu Nov 08, 2012 7:24 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Joined: 10 Apr 2008
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Location: Grammar Police HQ. Watch your language, I'm armed with the NYTimes Style Book AND Strunk and White!
Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2012 12:22 pm
Post subject:
Sounds like a great day overall! What are your plans for New York? Why'd you go?
Forum Grandmother
, because I hand out nicknames and hugs whether you want them or not. ^_^
Keeper of the Library and the Gateway to Haven
Nem: "It's the sort of face you just know is getting ready to poke you with something sharp."
BS: "...then insist you eat a brownie."
If we shadows have offended,
Think but this and all is mended...
Give me your hands if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends.
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Joined: 23 Mar 2008
Posts: 3690
Location: The land of dreams
Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2012 4:38 pm
Post subject:
Sounds like fun. ^___^
What's your itinerary like?
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Joined: 18 Apr 2008
Posts: 2594
Location: Star Stuff
Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2012 11:52 am
Post subject:
Asa wrote:
What are your plans for New York? Why'd you go?
Well, originally the plan was to head to NYC to support a friend who was going for a marathon thing. The marathon ended up being cancelled, and her group left today to go elsewhere. So, that's a bit unfortunate, but I'll still explore a bit more of the city today.
Tinu. wrote:
What's your itinerary like?
Combining the two answers. Day Three will likely be a bit more of the sketchy side of things. I didn't want to do those whilst traveling around with my friend, largely because burly red bearded men in navy blue pea coats are less likely to be messed with than dressed up blonde women in heels. I know she wants to look nice in the city, though, so we stuck to Times Square and bus tours yesterday. ^^;
Today: Chinatown, Ellis Island, and the WTC One tower. The new one. I think that's the name.
Day Two
-Note to self: Bus Schedules! I stood waiting for the bus for about an hour, so I definitely need to get some bus schedules.
-Met a fellow named Carlos while waiting for the bus. We got to talking about the city, then (by his lead) about politics. Talked for about half an hour, and eventually we wound up talking about natural disasters and crazy nature things such as snow in the desert. I'm beginning to find that most people here are at least aware of politics, and most of the locals want to talk about them. Not surprisingly, most are socially conservative (personal responsibility and effort) and economically liberal (federal assistance, etc).
-Eventually took a "big taxi" thing, and ended up next to Sophia, a med student in her third year rotations. She was heading to Bellevue to save serum, DNA, and RNA samples taken from fire fighters in the WTC collapse. She figured the DNA was denatured, but the RNA might be a bit more hardy. We chatted about psychiatry, neuropsych, general medical stuff, and then she recommended a professor at West Virginia Osteopathic. Very, very cool.
Felt nice to hear home mentioned!
-Decided to walk instead of taking a bus as I made my way to Macy's to meet my friend. I had a crosswalk conversation with a man who felt it was a shame that power wouldn't be restored in time for the markets to open on Monday. A great pity, he said. I believe I have found the high class area of Manhattan, unsurprisingly near The New York Times building.
(Attach NYT picture)
-I walked from the Port Authority Bus Terminal to Macy's on 34th Street, about 10 blocks. On my way, I was propositioned by a fellow dressed as a Buddhist monk. He offered me peace, a prayer, and a little tin badge for a "donation" as low as $50. When I explained I had no money, he quickly took back his badge. Good to know these things still happen in the Big Apple. XD
-After meeting up with my friend in Macy's, we got coffee and wandered around with her group. Ended up walking through Times Square (during the day), and did a bit of souveniring there. I got pictures with actors dressed as Batman and Iron Man, and got a picture of her with Elmo (I think it was). Groovy!
(Attach pictures)
-We headed from there to get some New York pizza, which was pretty tasty. Broccoli, grilled chicken, and then dried red peppers on top. Very tasty, very tasty. After pizza (and filling up my water bottle), we headed to an open top bus tour. There we took some pictures, chatted, and I persisted in pestering her until she smiled. It's an illness, I have to make people smile. She was rather tired though, had been out most nights so far.
-Hopped off the open top bus tour at the American Museum of Natural History (I always mess up its name, arrange that as necessary). There we flitted through the paleontological wing, through the birds and the spiders, and on to the Hayden Planetarium. Geek mode
. We found a few things that appealed to her, an Art geek, but largely it was a bit one sided. She fell asleep in the Planetarium. I feel bad that we didn't cross Central Park to go to the Guggenheim instead, because her group surprised her by leaving early today...
-After leaving the museum, we decided we'd walk back to her hotel (only about 2 miles). We took some pictures along the way, stopped for dinner at an Italian restaurant, and so on. Was generally a good time, and it was awesome to meet and hang out with her.
-The walk back to the Port Authority Bus Terminal was neat. There are a couple of sights (including Grand Central Station) which I'd like to go back and get better pictures of, as I was in a bit of a rush to get back by 10pm. I complimented a colorful girl's hair on the bus (the pink part, beneath the red bandana, beside the blonde and black patches). Brought a smile to her otherwise pensive face, so that felt good.
-Have developed a head cold...
Edit: Souvenir Count: 11 of ??
. Dubbed "Usagi" by AsA .
Keeper of the Siderean Swords
"If by chance some day you're not feeling well, and you should remember some silly thing I've said or done, and it brings back a smile to your face or a chuckle to your heart, then my purpose as your clown has been fulfilled."
Red Skelton
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Joined: 23 Mar 2008
Posts: 3690
Location: The land of dreams
Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2012 12:53 pm
Post subject:
Grand Central has some really neat architecture. If you're planning on going back to that area I strongly suggest you walk down to 5th avenue and visit the New York Public Library--it's gorgeous and it has lots of old things. If you take a right out of the library and walk for a ways you'll end up in K-town and can snag some truly delicious Korean food.
Also the Metropolitan Museum of Art is worth checking out. As is walking the Brooklyn Bridge (bring a camera).
Also: visit The Strand--it's a giant bookstore and you will not regret it if you're a book lover (bring some spending money with you).
Sounds like you're having fun! Keep us updated. ^___^
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Joined: 14 Apr 2008
Posts: 2141
Location: England
Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2012 8:25 am
Post subject:
Tenshi wrote:
-I walked from the Port Authority Bus Terminal to Macy's on 34th Street, about 10 blocks. On my way, I was propositioned by a fellow dressed as a Buddhist monk. He offered me peace, a prayer, and a little tin badge for a "donation" as low as $50. When I explained I had no money, he quickly took back his badge. Good to know these things still happen in the Big Apple. XD
I'm surprised you didn't remind him he was meant to be
Never forget,
We stroll along the roof of hell
Gazing at flowers.
- Issa
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Posts: 2594
Location: Star Stuff
Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2012 9:56 am
Post subject:
Nem wrote:
I'm surprised you didn't remind him he was meant to be
Somehow, I don't think he would have appreciated the irony of a tidbit of
Buddhist philosophy. -lopsided grin- Having studied Daoism, Buddhism, and several other Eastern religions, I know a bit more about them than your average American Tourist. That is to say, my exposure is greater than "Bullet Monk" and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."
Edit: To clarify for later, the friend I'd come to support in the marathon
leave yesterday. Their plans (a rental car) fell through, so they ended up shopping their way through the city. @__@ My friend, who is not materialistic but is very much an art nerd, does not seem to be enjoying this portion of their plan. XD
Day Three
-I got a terribly late start to the day, not leaving my hotel room until just after noon. Even so, today was meant to be the "riding around as a pure tourist and taking pictures" day, so I wasn't really pressed for time. Eight or nine hours is enough time to gather the general tourism route, whereas I've spent the other days delving down alleys and meeting people.
-Forgoing the 125 Bus, I took another "Big Taxi" into town. Much faster, a bit cheaper, and you can actually hear people converse. Such as today, where (as mentioned elsewhere), I overheard a man and woman talking politics and local sights. He spoke Italian and somewhat decent English (though not incredibly well), and she spoke English and Spanish. They would pause every so often to compare Spanish and Italian, which served pretty well, and was fascinating!
+She used Italian to explain that Romney was the New Reagan ("nuovo Reagan"), and explained her view on his policies regarding the rich and "WASPs". That is, "White Anglo-Saxon Protestants", a term I'd never heard before. According to her, all but a handful of US Presidents have been Protestants.
+They also compared costs of living and median income in their respective homes. In Manhattan, an apartment will run you $3,000/mo, and your salary will be about $800/wk (which is why most people live in Jersey, Brooklyn, etc). Apparently, wherever he was from, the cost of living was about $1,800/mo, but salary was only about $450/wk.
I have no idea why any of that is relevant or interesting, but I was fascinated enough.
-Once hitting town, I took off on foot toward Times Square (a good point of reference for the rest of the city). I stopped to ask a fellow who worked for the tour bus company (Grey Line) where the next stop was, and he gave me directions. Once I arrived, I was greeted by a man that I thought must've been either the same fellow, or his brother. Now, I
ashamed to admit that I'm not as good at identifying individual physical characteristics in non-whites as I am in whites. It's mostly exposure, and I
to learn the nuances (I do very well, I've not had this problem in many, many years), but I question myself. Such as in this case, where I decided it must've been a personal error on my part. I assumed this fellow I met at the bus stop was a different fellow, not wanting to be offensive.
It wasn't a different fellow. We had a good laugh at how confused I was, and how fast he was. ^^;
-On the tour bus, I met a fellow who introduced himself from the Dominican (Republic, I suppose? He didn't say that part). I forget his name now, unfortunately, but it started with a B. Bernard, maybe? I think so. We shared a pair of earphones on the tour bus, and chatted a bit as we swung through glass towers more tall than the eye could capture in one view. The sunlight and clear blue skies reflected off of the buildings like a diamond chandelier, and cast light like fireflies across the entire city. Everything
with sunlight. We both being from much smaller places, we were mutually awed.
-Bernard (We'll go with that) also wanted to know about jobs and income back in my home state. He was particularly interested in carpentry, though I explained that most of the jobs in WV are related to coal mining. The median income in WV isn't much, probably about $30,000/year ($60,000 for miners), but cost of living is also low (about $600/mo depending on where you live). It's not expensive. Either way, we agreed that any sort of mining is very dangerous, and that accidents happen every year. Tragic, but then, the US runs on 70% coal energy... Have to feed the need.
-I departed the tour after some brilliant photos, and exited near the Staten Island ferries. Now, here the power was still absolutely gone. Nothing was on, this far south, and for good reason. Here was where the Hurricane demolished the city. All of the major businesses with their two floors of tourist-ready attractions? They suffered the worst. The hurricane brought the water table up
eighteen feet
, and submerged the first two floors of everything for several blocks inland from the bay. Here, pump trucks and work crews wearing masks were working to clear the debris. I heard the estimate that by the end of next week, you'll never even know this happened. I am simultaneously awed and humbled by the level of determination that New Yorkers show, and the casual snark with which they laugh off such absurd situations.
I resemble that.
-I elected not to take the Staten Island Ferry to the Statue of Liberty, largely because I don't have anyone to take the pictures I want to take. I would prefer to have a picture taken of me with my arm around Lady Liberty, and then another of just the statue. Then I could crop the two, and make it look like my arm was literally around her shoulders. You know, those goofy tourist things.
I got decent pictures from Manhattan. >_> It's something I'd rather share with someone.
And that water is cold, mate.
-After picking up the Grey Line again, we swept through the most of the damaged areas. Here the crews were in full swing, with the Army Corps of Engineers uniformed folk bustling around trucks which were, essentially, huge water vacuums. This is where they are
sucking the water back out of the subways. They aren't offering estimates on when some of it will come back, as exposed electrical things and salt water are, as the tour guide put it, "mortal enemies". Business as normal for the towers in the area within a week, but some of the PATH and lower Manhattan subways are going to be out of commission for a while yet.
-We swept through tenements, Chinatown, and a bunch of other old landmarks. Our tour guide here was knowledgeable about finances (it was an oddly focused day for that), and explained that median income for people here was roughly $8-9,000
per year
. Most people in the impoverished area live with two or three families in a
one room
apartment. According to the tour guide, a lot of Manhattan's issue is that there is literally no Middle Class. All those who work middle-class jobs live off-island, where cost of living is low (Jersey City, Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, etc). The impoverished are packed in with the tightest population density in the world (beating out India, according to the guide), and conditions haven't changed since the early 1900's. Neither had the buildings. Fascinating, but... depressing.
-The Brooklyn Bridge separates the tenements and one-room communal living from the next area of the city, which has Trump Tower and a steakhouse with $90 steaks. Here we're a matter of blocks from the U.N. building (which didn't have their flags up, but was cool nonetheless!), from Rockefeller Center, and nearly back to Times Square. I disembarked at Rockefeller Center, got lost in the basement, watched a bit of NBC filming a live vote count (like, woah..), and then found my way up to "Top of the Rock" - the top of the Rockefeller building, nearly some 70 stories tall.
Oh. My. Word.
The View...
(Insert Pictures from Top of the Rock)
-After sunset, I moseyed my way back on down to Times Square. I watched some of the election coverage, then wandered through the Hersheys' and M&M's places. Got a few goodies in each, mostly for friends, and then hit up Hard Rock Cafe New York (a personal thing, I get a key fob from every Hard Rock Cafe I go to). Then I camped out in a Starbucks for a bit to charge my phone and play counselor for a girl back home. NYC, but still me, I suppose!
-At Starbucks, I was curiously surveying these odd machines which made coffee ground "cakes" on top of a filter after they were done. Seeing my interest, the guy behind the counter began to explain it to me a bit. It was like a French Press, so delivered a bit more flavorful coffee than usual. I was interested, so I bought myself a cup. When I came back to pick it up, he hadn't made it... because he wanted to bring me around the counter and walk me through it! I mean, it's not the coolest thing you can do in NYC, but I love coffee. I love coffee a lot, and this was pretty awesome technology. The machines are dialed in to every possible blend, and are updated directly from the main offices in Seattle (like, woah).
+Chris (the fellow manning the machines) himself has been a NYC resident for ten years. He comes from a small town in Indiana which has one (blinking) stop light. We chatted about that, since NYC is massively different than where either of us grew up, and he relayed that he loved the city. He made one example that stuck with me. In a small town, you know
. When something new happens, you know it just because new people show up, and so the talk of the town is pretty clearly going to explain this. In NYC... you'd never know. I mean, you'll see a flyer or two, but the city ebbs and flows much unaware of unique events, unique situations. Only, it never
them. The city here truly feels larger than the people in it - the forest greater than the trees. For a small town kid, that's a bit weird, but awesome.
I parted ways with Chris after thanking him, and grabbed a chair in the middle of Times Square at one of these little table-and-chair deals that are set up all over the place. Here I finished my counseling session (lol), and texted back and forth with the friend I'd met up with on Day Two. She was waffling on whether or not she'd make it out to meet up again, and ended up electing not to. No big. She doesn't seem to be having as much fun as I am, but largely because she's with a group that seems intent on shopping their way through NYC.
Baffles me. I have a Macy's at home, I needn't shop at one here... >_>
-Nearing 9PM, I decided it was time to head back to the bus. Last bus leaves at 10:30, and I definitely do not want to hoof it to Jersey City! I arrive about 9:10 (walking like a New Yorker at this point, I think) after taking a bunch of random pictures of the city, just missing the 9PM bus. I do meet a woman and her son who are from Pennsylvania (jokingly, I told her she was likely the only person who would know where West Virginia was. She didn't. ;_; ). They had just moved to Jersey, and so were working their way home. We managed to find the right terminal (it changes at 10, and there were no buses between 9PM and 10:30PM), and wound our way back to Jersey.
+I saw a girl I'd seen yesterday on the bus. Yesterday she had cherry red lipstick, bright pink, blonde, and black hair. Done up in a 50's style 'do, very classy-punk. I liked the style, so I complimented her. I saw her again today, her hair straight black and done in a slightly different, though similarly themed 'do. She took the 123, not the 125, so I didn't have the chance to chat with her. Ah, well. She didn't seem particularly amenable to conversing with a guy like me, anyway. I admit, I can be intimidating. ^^;
-Ordered dinner, took a few phone calls, and plotted out my paper that I'll write overnight on Monday. Then crashed, and woke up again... and here I am.
To Chinatown! Then the airport. I may meet a friend from WVU in Times Square just before I leave. He's coming in for the James Bond 007 premier, meeting Daniel Craig and everything. I may have enough time to have coffee and greet with him, which would be cool. ^_^
. Dubbed "Usagi" by AsA .
Keeper of the Siderean Swords
"If by chance some day you're not feeling well, and you should remember some silly thing I've said or done, and it brings back a smile to your face or a chuckle to your heart, then my purpose as your clown has been fulfilled."
Red Skelton
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Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2013 2:15 am
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What's your itinerary like?
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Bert's Hot Dogs: A roadside tradition for more than 60 years
Photos and Video
Karen Rush off Washington shows off her favorite lunch item, the foot-long with chili. Rush, a tri-axle truck driver for Tarr Concrete, said she's been eating at Bert's since she was a little girl.
Aaron Kendeall / Observer-Reporter
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Bert Bertolotti stirs the chili sauce that makes his hot dogs "rural famous." He said he has had customers from as far away as Japan.
Aaron Kendeall / Observer-Reporter
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Bert's Hot Dog Shop has been serving its cased-meat cuisine for more than 60 years. The location on Route 18 in Atlasburg has been a tradition for generations of customers.
Aaron Kendeall / Observer-Reporter
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On a stretch of Route 18 in Atlasburg, Bert's Hot Dog Shop has slowly made itself legendary by serving delicatessen-worthy cased meat meals for more than 60 years.
"It's very unique," said owner Bert Bertolotti. "Very excellent food. I personally, as the owner, eat here several times a week."
When it was founded in the early '60s by Bert's grandfather, Marino, the location also consisted of a dance hall and a gas station. While the other two busninesses are no more, the hot dogs they served have become part of the fabric of the community.
Bertolotti said that very much had to do with one special topping many of the dogs come served with.
"My grandfather started a chili sauce recipe here that consists of all meat," Bertolotti said. "It has a little bite to it, a little crushed pepper."
Rich Lounder of Hickory said he lives for hot dogs, and Bert's does chili best.
"I've gotta say, I'm pretty much of a connoisseur of the hot dog," Lounder said. "As my kids like to tell me, a pretty heavy connoisseur. I've had hot dogs from the Midwest all down the East Coast, Chicago, everywhere, and I can't find a chili to match his chili anywhere."
Over the years, the hot dogs have become so well known in the area that Bert took to calling his dogs "rural famous."
"At one time, people from Japan came over to visit Mt. Lebanon and they came down to taste the hot dogs," Bertolotti said. "They come back every year or so. We threw a little twist in there from saying it was world famous because we have people from all over that come."
The location of the hot dog shop means it is a prime lunchtime stop for many of the truck drivers who haul down this busy stretch. Karen Rush, 62, of Washington, stopped by during her lunch break while driving a truck for Tarr Concrete.
"I come here at least once a week," Rush said. "I've been eating them here for years."
Rush said she would often take rides to the local hot dog eatery with her parents when she was a little girl.
The building in which Bert's Hot Dogs resides is what could be classified, lovingly, as a hole-in-the-wall. But while many restaurateurs would shy away from that descriptor, Bert has embraced it wholeheartedly.
"When my mother passed away seven years ago, we had to reestablish codes for the health department," Bertolotti said. "I wanted to actually make the place really, really, really nice for the people to come in and sit, but several people stopped in and said, 'Please don't change this, if you change this I'm not coming back. Leave it the way it is.'"
With its Port-o-John restroom facility, gas-fired stove heating and mismatched furniture, Bert's indoor dining room is small and quaint, to say the least. But Bert said he has no plans to change it anytime soon.
"I think that's the uniqueness of Bert's Hot Dog Shop," Bertolotti said.
The bare-essential feel of the structure gives the diner a hominess factor, for sure. But Bert argues it's the at-home service that makes customers truly comfortable.
Pauline Wojcik, 75, of Avella, said her part-time gig at Bert's was more of a hobby than a living.
"None of us have to work," Wojcik said. "I do it just to get out of the house. I get to meet a lot of people, and it's great to see the generations coming back from out of state."
Bert's also gets help from a group of volunteers who spend mornings holding court in the dining area.
"It's like an Owl's Club," Bertolotti said about the group of elderly gentlemen who enjoy morning coffee. "They sit in there for hours and hours. It's been like that since way back in the day."
Bertolotti said both the service and the rapport with customers were carry-overs from the days his mother, Helen, ran the hot dog shop.
"My mother was everything to this shop," Bert said. "She would give you the shirt off her back, that's the type of woman my mom was. That's what I hope to carry on, and that's what I hope my kids try to carry on at this place because that's the most important thing, you know?"


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Infiniti M35/M45 vs BMW 5-Series
achonko Posts: 51
mmoreno1978 Posts: 106Interesting. When I told the BMW dealer I was looking at the M35, he took us directly to the 530xi. Did not even mention the 525 (now the 528). The similar equipped 530 was actually $10 less per month (lease) than the M35.
I havent seen any website or car magazine compare the M45 to a 535 anywhere.
Anytime i see the M45, you always see the E550, GS430, A6 4.2 and 550 in the same sentence.
Guess we are getting our information from different places.
I normally refer to Motor Trend, Car and Drive, Road and Track, etc....
Kudos to BMW for improving the engine. The 530 (I6) with 255 HP was WEEEEAAAAAAKKKKKKK. Im sure the new engine will hold its own next to the M35.
Either way, all great cars. -
dhanley Posts: 1,531"Kudos to BMW for improving the engine. The 530 (I6) with 255 HP was WEEEEAAAAAAKKKKKKK. Im sure the new engine will hold its own next to the M35. "
That's one perspective. I, persoanally, wouldn't consider the m35, one reason being the engine. It had a little more power(25hp) then the 3.0L BMW engine, but it's loud, thrashy, heavy, and very thirsty. That just doesn't seem worth it for a .3 second 1/4 mile gap... My buddy with a g35 says he's happy to get 21-22mph highways.
OTOH, the newer BMW engine has 300hp, 300lb-ft, and has the positive traits of the older motor. It's been dynoed at ~350hp--which would make it more of an m45 competitor.. -
mmoreno1978 Posts: 106
mmoreno1978 Posts: 106
achonko Posts: 51BMW 335(300 HP)i vs Au di S4 (340 HP)
BMW M3 (420HP)vs Audi RS4 (420 HP)
BMW 550i(360 HP) vs Audi S6(435 HP)
BMW M5 (507 HP) vs Audi RS6 (520+HP)
So the S6 is not a direct competitor to the M5, it is currently being compared to the M5 because of the absence of the RS6 for the time being. -
mmoreno1978 Posts: 106
kivi Posts: 12Hard for me to understand how the Beemer costs less than the M35, because that is the polar opposite experience that we just faced (in Canada). We compared, and test drove extensively the usual choices from BMW Lexus, Audi, and Infiniti. When we compared the loaded M35x to a similarly equiped BMW 530xi, the lease payment would be $1035montly for the M35x, vs over $1500/month for the BMW. We have driven 3 Bimmers in the past, but there was no way that we could justify paying so much more for the BMW. Our new M35x is due to arrive in 2 weeks. I hope we will be happy with our choice.
sixpaqs Posts: 21Pretty nice, I gotta tell you. Low 80's, sunny, not very humid. Overall, very pleasant!
I am sorry, but I drove the 5 series vs. the M when I went to get a new car in January. I was coming from a Mercedes and an Audi before that and was completely impartial to both BMW and Infiniti.
I liked the design of the 5 series over the rather bland (IMO) design of the M. And the driving experience of the 5 over the M is much better. Again, my opinion. You may have yours.
But I do think the 5 is a much better car than the Infiniti, thought the M is a huge step forward for them, and infinitely (oops!) better than the Lexus, which I didn't even fit it. I am over 6'4". -
mmoreno1978 Posts: 106
mmoreno1978 Posts: 106I wish I felt the same way. The BMW was a fun drive. The GS was WAY to tight for me too. (Im 6'2) The interior of the GS was very impressive though. The 5 Series interior was just so plain. (IMO) It didnt feel luxurious at all. The interior of the M (with the WOOD TRIM) was much nicer.
I aree the styling of the 5 series is pretty nice, especially with the Style 123 Sport Rims. The 18 inch rims give it a very good look. I wish they would have offered those rims on the Xi. I may have jumped on it. Especially to save a few bucks. (The 5 series lease was about $10 less per month) -
papsephus Posts: 15You will never truly appreciate the BMW until you get a chance to drive it at the BMW performance Center in Greenville, SC. You can sign up for one of the driving classes starting at $400 - $500 which lasts all day on saturday and they even provide you with lunch.
This is where you find the car's capabilities of braking, traction, steering, and no body roll.
My wife drives a 745Li that avg 26 mpg on the highway. I feel safer in this vehicle with my 1 year old son than in any other vehicle I have driven. Why? Because I know the handling capabilities of the vehicle.
I like the M45, but am partial to BMW because of what I had a chance to experience with it (plus the better gas mileage with a larger car). I have not had a chance to go through the same rigorous driving with the M, but I don't think I need to.
I advise anyone to take the BMW driving school at the BMW center. This is where they actually make the x5 and the 3 series. Besides learning driving skills, you will get a chance to see why you pay the extra money for the BMW. Trust me, you get what you pay for. -
papsephus Posts: 15Yes. That is doing about 75 mph on the highway. Remember that this is a 6 speed transmission and at 75 mph the engine hangs around 2000 to 2500 RPMs. It drops considerably when driving in stop and go traffic just like any other vehicle.
It still does not beat my 2000 Toyota Corrola in gas mileage, but my toyota is not a mile long and have 325 horses.
My point is that there is much more going on in the vehicle than meets the eye, which is why most people would say they are overpriced. I agree that they are expensive and may not ever be able to afford to get another one, but that does not discount the fact the it is a performer. Plus I think the maintenence is build into the price. 67k miles and not a single penny paid yet for maintence. New brakes, new torque converter, new worn parts, new trunk motor, etc. Not a penny paid. Tires are expensive, though (which I did have to pay for). -
hpia4v2 Posts: 62At least to me, what put Nissan (Datsun) in automobiles' map was the Z240/260 ("fair lady") back in seventies and the reason, inline 6 engine
What makes W124 Benz e-class as one of the longest selling model, Inline 6 engine.
The last inline 6 engine in luxury car, ahem BMW 530-535
I hope BMW keeps making them. -
topspin628 Posts: 373After reading great reviews and ratings on the M series, I decided to test it. I first drove the BMW 535. It was very quick and solid. I then took an M35x out from another dealer.
I found the electronics on the M to be superior but in driving dynamics it was a distant second. The steering feel was not there. The BMW was superior in terms of suspension and brakes. It also felt more solid- the doors were heavier etc.
I'm sure that the M is a great value and that has to be part of its attraction. It's quick, reliable and offers all the tech goodies of the more expensive cars but to me the BMW experience was a level above, one that you certainly pay for.
Just my 2 cents. -
mmoreno1978 Posts: 106I would like to see the M45 and 550i in a comparison test. I have seen the M35 beat out the 530i (both 6 cylinders), but haven't seen any tests with the 8 cylinder sport sedans. If anyone has a link, please post it. Would lke to know if Infiniti is also superiour with the more powerful engine.
bumps Posts: 4I drove both vehicles before finally purchasing the bmw. Altough I liked the "step on the peddle" performance of the Infinity a bit more than the BMW, there were things that just were simply better abouth the 530xi. It felt like a much more solid vehicle * the controls were more solid looking and feeling * the steering had a much better feel * the "sport" seats were superior * and I was able to get it with a 6-speed! As mentioned earlier, the only real 530xi drawback is it's lack of "kick in the rear" power. Anyone have any engine upgrade thoughts?
mmoreno1978 Posts: 106
bruceomega Posts: 250I MUST say, the 535xi is def on par with the M35x
The question I am curious about is how the 535Xi compares to the forthcoming M45x.
I have not followed the road tests in detail, but I thought I read somewhere (Edmonds?) where they posted a 0 - 60 time for the M45 of 6 seconds, while BMW claims the 0 - 60 time for the 535i/535Xi is less than 6 seconds.
0 - 60 is only one small aspect of of a car's performance, and I'm not trying to claim one accelerates faster than the other per se, but if this one example is correct then they have comparable acceleration. If so, then that would indicate the 535Xi is more of a competitor to the M45x than the M35x.
Bruce -
mmoreno1978 Posts: 106
mmoreno1978 Posts: 106
This discussion has been closed.


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The Twilight Zone - The Movie DVD
Price: $5.98
- Additional Details
- Rating: PG
- Number of Discs: 1
- Run Time: 101 Minutes
- Aspect Ratio: Widescreen
- Studio: Warner Home Video
- DVD Release Date: October 9, 2007
- Subtitles: English, Portuguese, Chinese
- Audio:
ENGLISH: Dolby Digital 5.1 [CC]
ENGLISH: Dolby Digital Stereo [CC]
SPANISH: Dolby Digital Mono
FRENCH: Dolby Digital Mono - Genre: TV Series
- Color: Color
- Includes:
Theatrical Trailer - Release Date: 1983
In The Twilight Zone The Movie DVD, a highly anticipated release for fantasy fans in the summer of 1983, there are three adaptations of classic episodes (and one original story) from Rod Serling's anthology series by a quartet of the biggest directors in Hollywood. With Stephen Spielberg (also the film's co-producer), John Landis, George Miller (The Road Warrior, Happy Feet), and Joe Dante behind the camera for this portmanteau feature, one might expect Serling's episodes to positively gleam with star power, but the truth is that Twilight Zone: The Movie is a hit-and-miss affair. In The Twilight Zone the Movie video, Landis opens with an amusing nod to the original series' pop-culture appeal with Dan Aykroyd and Albert Brooks riffing on their favorite episodes before a hair-raising shock finale; unfortunately, his second offering is a bland morality plan about racial tolerance that will forever be overshadowed by the accident that claimed the lives of star Vic Morrow and two child actors during shooting. In the Twilight Zone The Movie DVD, part of the collection of Syfy DVDs, Spielberg's take on George Clayton Johnson's "Kick the Can" looks lovely and is well performed by its cast (especially Scatman Crothers), but it struggles to bear up under the weight of treacly sentiment so common to the director's films at the time. Dante's version of Jerome Bixby's "It's A Good Life" (about a boy with monstrous powers) is rife with his trademark energy and black humor (and his cast of regular players, including Kevin McCarthy and William Schallert, strike the right balance of terror and comedy). But it's Miller's revamp of Richard Matheson's legendary "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" that delivers the biggest payoff, thanks to John Lithgow's super-charged turn as a nervous airline passenger who's convinced he's seen a monster tampering with the plane's wing. Burgess Meredith (himself a veteran of the original TZ) provides narration.
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Phocuswright Research
U.S. Online Travel Overview Fourteenth Edition
The 2008-2009 global financial crisis contributed to a conservative approach to spending for many Americans that has taken its toll on travel. However, those days are slipping further into the travel industry's rear view, and leisure travel incidence, frequency and spend all increased in 2013. At the same time, the battle for customers has intensified between travel suppliers and intermediaries, particularly as mobile gains strength as an important distribution channel. U.S. Online Travel Overview Fourteenth Edition provides sizing and analysis of the U.S. total and online travel markets by sector, segment and channel. The report highlights the key issues and trends driving the market, and features a comprehensive view of the U.S. travel landscape from 2012-2016.
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After back-to-back years at or near double-digit growth, the U.S. travel market hit a plateau in 2012 and is projected to climb, though slowly, in 2013. Economic uncertainty in the next few years will turn the travel market into a tug-of-war between travelers searching hard for bargains and companies keeping prices up to stay afloat amid intense competition. U.S. Online Travel Overview Thirteenth Edition provides sizing and analysis of the U.S. total and online travel markets by segment and channel, including mobile. The report also explores market context by highlighting the consumer and technology dynamics driving various trends and presenting a comprehensive five-year view of the U.S. travel landscape for 2011-2015.
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U.S. Consumer Travel Report Fifth Edition
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Presentation: Fright or Flight? Key U.S. Consumer Travel Trends
On June 13, Phocuswright presented a special live event that explores the subtle shifts that are impacting the U.S. leisure travel marketplace. Fright or Flight? Key U.S. Consumer Travel Trends examines U.S. traveler behavior and attitudes, and their impact on the leisure travel market.
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U.S. Consumer Travel Report Fourth Edition
While total travel gross bookings in 2011 made it back to pre-recession levels, not all consumers felt the glow. Phocuswright's U.S. Consumer Travel Report Fourth Edition features longitudinal analyses of a broad range of travel behaviors -- including general metrics such as trip frequency, components purchased and travel expenditure -- and examines the use of media supporting purchase decisions and bookings. The report also includes an analysis of traveler intentions for the upcoming year.
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Travel Innovation and Technology Trends: 2012 and Beyond
Heads up, travel companies: 2012's host of technology trends – including new developments in social e-commerce, business intelligence and content fragmentation – will have huge effects on the future of travel distribution.
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Presentation: Mobile Hits The Mainstream
March 22, 2012 Webinar Recording and Deck With smartphone usage among U.S. travelers surging past the 50% mark, the mobile platform has not only matured, but is now influencing every stage of the travel life cycle. From deciding where to go, to getting real-time directions after they've arrived, travelers are rarely without their mobile devices. The implications and opportunities for travel companies are enormous.
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Mobile Hits the Mainstream: Leisure and Business Traveler Trends
Smartphone adoption rates among leisure and business travelers have reached a tipping point, and consumers are tapping into the mobile Internet all the time, wherever they happen to be. From researching destinations to navigating the streets in a foreign country, travelers leverage the mobile Web before, during and after their trips. This report examines how travelers use the mobile Internet to plan, purchase and enhance their travel experiences, and outlines the key factors and trends that characterize this dynamic and increasingly influential channel.
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Traveler Technology Survey 2011
Social networks and the mobile Internet have begun to exert a strong influence on how consumers plan, purchase and experience their leisure travel. Phocuswright's Traveler Technology Survey 2011 delivers the insights needed to stay on top of these dynamic travel technology trends.
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Presentation - On the Edge of Optimism: Key U.S. Traveler Insights
This one-hour recorded Phocuswright Webinar explores the behavioral trends, motivations and intentions of U.S. travelers. The package includes the audio recording and presentation deck of the July 13 Webinar. Discover the status of consumer travel in the U.S. and insights into key indicators for the upcoming year.
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HOPKINS COUNTY, Ky. (3/28/13) – Hopkins County Schools has been recognized by the National Center for Educational Achievement, a department of ACT Inc., for having two schools on the 2012 NCEA Higher Performing Schools List for the state of Kentucky.
Hanson Elementary School and Southside Elementary School received the Higher Performing designation.
NCEA Higher Performing Schools are those that have met one or both of the following criteria over the most recent three years:
- students experienced above-predicted growth based on a value-added analysis, and/or
- the percentage of students meeting the state's Distinguished (for KCCT) or Proficient (for K-Prep) standards was above predicted based on the school's percent-age of low-income students.
Both Hanson and Southside were Higher Performing in Writing, based on growth measure.
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Poisoned lottery winner's ex-wife hasn't seen daughter in 13 years
BY STEFANO ESPOSITO Staff firstname.lastname@example.com January 10, 2013 6:30PM
Updated: February 12, 2013 2:45PM
When Maria Jones saw an image on her TV earlier this week of a smiling Urooj Khan holding a winning lottery ticket, his was a face she hadn't seen in almost 13 years.
Jones, who now lives in South Bend, Ind., was once married to Khan, the man whose death by cyanide poisoning has made international headlines.
"I was shocked," said Jones, who was divorced from Khan in the late 1990s.
But the story gets more complicated — and tragic. The couple had a daughter together — Jasmeen Khan, the teenager who was at her West Rogers Park home the night her father died last July.
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"I don't know if she knows I'm still alive," a sobbing Jones said in a telephone interview.
Jones, 43, said she met Khan in Chicago. They were co-workers. They got married in 1991 and divorced a few years later. Jones said she was young and too poor to afford an attorney in the divorce, so ended up losing primary custody of Jasmeen to Khan. But at some point after the divorce, Jones went to visit Jasmeen and said she was told by Khan's relatives that he had left America for India — with Jasmeen — and wasn't coming back.
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Khan's sister and her husband, Jasmeen's current guardians, couldn't be reached for comment Thursday evening. Jones is mentioned as the biological mother — but under her maiden name — in Cook County court documents in the dispute over Urooj Khan's estate.
Maria Jones was reluctant to talk about her relationship with Khan, saying it's "a really, really long story," but she said she has no idea why someone might want to poison her ex-husband.
Now, Jones hopes she can reconnect with the daughter she hasn't seen in so many years.
And so does Armando Jones, Maria Jones' son from a third relationship.
"All I want is to see my sister," said Armando Jones, who lives in California.
"I don't know what she knows," Maria Jones said. "She was so little. I don't want to hurt her."
The family left an especially poignant message on its telephone answering machine:
"If this is Jasmeen, please leave your number and I will call you. I've been waiting to hear from you. I love you."
Contributing: Jon Seidel


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Julianne Hough and Ryan Seacrest Vacation in St. Bart's
Julianne Hough shows off her stunning bikini body while going for a swim with boyfriend Ryan Seacrest in St. Barths. The 'Dancing with the Stars' pro went on a short hike with her 'American Idol' host boyfriend before stripped down to her bikini and jumping in the ocean with him.
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Dinara Safina to Miss Rest of Year Due to Injury
August 4, 2011 by TMO · Leave a Comment
By Parvez Fatteh, TMO, Founder of http://sportingummah.com, firstname.lastname@example.com
File: Safina bites her Rome 2009 victory trophy. |
Former world number one women's tennis player, Dinara Safina, will not play again this year due to unrelenting low back back pain, the Russian announced on her official website this week.
She stated the following on DinaraSafina.com, "Hey everybody. I'm sorry to report that my back is still acting up and I will not be able to play at least until the end of the year. Thanks for your support and I will update you on my status when I have more information."
The 25-year-old Russian sounded just as pessimistic about returning when she addressed the Russian media earlier this year. "I don't know how long my time out is going to last because I don't want to torture myself and my body anymore," she was quoted as saying. She had already missed much of last year due to injury as well as poor form. She finally made a comeback at the Australian Open in January of this year, but was blitzed in the first round in embarrassing fashion 6-0, 6-0 by Kim Clijsters in the very first round. Afterward, Safina, even at that time, expressed thoughts of quitting tennis.
Safina is the younger sister of former men's number one Marat Safin. And the two of them are the only brother and sister pair to have both reached the world number one spot in professional tennis. While her brother was a Grand Slam winner, however, Dinara reached the number one spot without ever winning a Grand Slam tournament. She reached three Grand Slam finals, the French Open in 2008 and 2009 and the Australian Open in 2009. But she came up short in all three of them.
Now she has another mountain to climb as she tries to regain her health, regain her confidence, and regain her spot in the rankings.


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For Consumer or Press Questions: Jeff Gearhart - 734-369-9276
Advisories and Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, March 8, 2012
Glenn Turner, 917-817-3396, firstname.lastname@example.com
Shayna Samuels, 718-541-4785, firstname.lastname@example.com
Britax and Orbit Baby Commit to Phase Out
Hazardous Flame Retardants & PVC from Children's Car Seats
HealthyStuff.org Applauds Companies' Commitment to Healthy Products
(Ann Arbor, MI) – Today the Ecology Center applauds Britax, the 4th largest manufacturer of children's car seats, and Orbit Baby, for their commitment to eliminate chemical hazards in their products. Orbit Baby was the first to market children's car seats free of hazardous flame retardants and PVC. Britax, just yesterday, reiterated their commitment to eliminate hazardous flame retardants that contain bromine or chlorine by the end of 2012. Copies of the Britax and Orbit Baby policies can be viewed at www.HealthyStuff.org.
"Orbit Baby and Britax prove that it is possible to comply with government fire-safety standards and make a product that does not cause harm to children's health," said Jeff Gearhart, the Ecology Center's Research Director and founder of HealthyStuff.org, which has tested hundreds of popular car seats for toxic chemicals. "We thank all of the parents who have expressed concern about toxic chemicals in children's car seats, and these two companies for leading the way to safer products."
Orbit Baby and Britax are phasing out brominated and chlorinated flame retardants (BFRs & CFRs), which are added to plastics for fire resistance, and have been associated with thyroid problems, learning and memory impairment, decreased fertility, and behavioral changes. Although fire retardants in foam are necessary to meet certain fire-safety standards, non-halogenated fire retardants are available, and many have a better safety profile.
Both companies are also phasing out chlorine, associated with the use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is widely used in plastics and is of concern to the environment and public health during all phases of its life cycle. PVC contains chemicals called phthalates, which have been associated with decreased fertility, pre-term deliveries, and damage to the liver, testes, thyroid, ovaries, kidneys, and blood.
Heat and UV-ray exposure in cars can accelerate the breakdown of these chemicals and possibly increase their toxicity. Babies are the most vulnerable population in terms of exposure, since their bodily systems are still developing and they spend many hours in their car seats.
Britax, which manufactured one of HealthyStuff.org's most toxic carseats in 2011, sent an email to the Ecology Center yesterday stating the following: "BRITAX stands by its commitment to expand its specifications to focus on reducing and/or eliminating the usage of all chemicals containing bromine or chlorine to all components, not just those that are in close or direct contact with children. This new specification has several challenges, but we fully expect that all suppliers will be compliant by the end of 2012."
Likewise, a statement by Orbit says: "All Orbit Baby products comply with the government's requirements for flame retardancy without the use of toxic brominated and chlorinated chemicals, like PBBs and PBDEs....We go above and beyond to certify that there are no dangerous flame retardant chemicals in our fabrics." Orbit Baby certifies all of their seat fabrics to stringent third-party standards established under the Oeko-Tex® 100 Standard.
"Orbit Baby is clearly the industry leader in terms of chemical safety, having had healthier products on the market for over a year," stated Gearhart. "However, Britax's new commitment takes this to whole new level, showing that safe and healthy seats can be produced on a large scale without hazardous flame retardants."
Overall, car seats are improving in terms of their toxicity levels. Since 2008, when the Ecology Center first started doing this research, average car seat rankings have improved by 64%.
"Car seats save lives. It's absolutely essential that parents put their children in them while driving, regardless of the rating a particular seat receives at HealthyStuff.org," said Gearhart. "However, we are thrilled that parents will now have more choices that protect children in more ways than one."
Click here to read the email statement from Britax representatives - March 2012
Click here to see the Official Britax Chemical Statement - October 2011
# # #
CONTACT: Glenn Turner, 917-817-3396, firstname.lastname@example.com; Shayna Samuels, 718-541-4785, email@example.com
New Guide to Toxic Chemicals in Cars Helps Consumers Avoid "New Car Smell" As Major Source of Indoor Air Pollution
Best Picks: Honda Civic, Toyota Prius, Honda CR-Z
Worst Picks: Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, Chrysler 200, Kia Soul
Honda Rated as Top Manufacturer; PVC Reduction Efforts Hailed
(Ann Arbor, MI) - Today the Ecology Center released its fourth consumer guide to toxic chemicals in cars at HealthyStuff.org, finding the Honda Civic at the top of this year's list, and the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport at the bottom. Over 200 of the most popular 2011- and 2012-model vehicles were tested for chemicals that off-gas from parts such as the steering wheel, dashboard, armrests and seats. These chemicals contribute to "new car smell" and a variety of acute and long-term health concerns. Since the average American spends more than 1.5 hours in a car every day, toxic chemical exposure inside vehicles can be a major source of indoor air pollution.
"Research shows that vehicle interiors contain a unique cocktail of hundreds of toxic chemicals that off-gas in small, confined spaces," said Jeff Gearhart, Research Director at the Ecology Center. "Since these chemicals are not regulated, consumers have no way of knowing the dangers they face. Our testing is intended to expose those dangers and encourage manufacturers to use safer alternatives."
Chemicals of primary concern include: bromine (associated with brominated flame retardants); chlorine (indicating the presence of polyvinyl chloride, or PVC and plasticizers); lead; and heavy metals. Such chemicals have been linked to a wide range of health problems such as allergies, birth defects, impaired learning, liver toxicity, and cancer. Automobiles are particularly harsh environments for plastics, as extreme air temperatures of 192 F and dash temperatures up to 248 F can increase the concentration of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's) and break other chemicals down into more toxic substances.
"Automobiles function as chemical reactors, creating one of the most hazardous environments we spend time in," added Gearhart.
The good news is overall vehicle ratings are improving. The best vehicles today have eliminated hazardous flame retardants and PVC. Today, 17% of new vehicles have PVC-free interiors and 60% are produced without BFRs.
Top ranking cars in this year's release are: 1) Honda Civic 2) Toyota Prius and 3) Honda CR-Z. Worst ranking: 1) Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2) Chrysler 200 SC and 3) Kia Soul. The Civic achieved its ranking by being free of bromine-based flame retardants in all interior components; utilizing PVC-free interior fabrics and interior trim; and having low levels of heavy metals and other metal allergens. The Mitsubishi Outlander contained bromine and antimony-based flame retardants in the seating and center console; chromium treated leather on several components; and over 400 ppm lead in seating materials. The full list of top 10 best and worst cars is found below:
"We're pleased to be recognized by HealthyStuff.org for our efforts. Over the past decade, Honda has taken a number of steps to reduce or remove chemicals of concern from our vehicles. We voluntarily report these efforts in our annual North American Environmental Report," stated Marcos Frommer, Manager of Corporate Affairs & Communications at American Honda.
Anyone looking to buy a new car can visit www.HealthyStuff.org and search by model, comparison shop between different models, and cross reference with fuel economy standards to find both a healthy and fuel-efficient vehicle. A widget and mobile phone application are also available. Visitors to the site are encouraged to contact car manufacturers and ask them to subscribe to voluntary third party eco labels, such as the TUV Toxproof and Oko-Tex Standard 100, and reduce their use of toxic chemicals in vehicles. A number of leading automakers, including Ford (TUV) and Volvo (Oko Tex), have already adopted these standards for some of their vehicles.
Other Findings:
Most improved automakers in terms of the average ratings for their vehicles are VW (+42%), Mitsubishi (+38%) and Ford (+30%). These represent improvement from the 2009/2010 models to the 2011/2012 models.
Two automaker had overall declining average scores from 2009/2010 to 2011/2012: Diamler AG (-29%) and Volvo (-13%).
On a fleet-wide basis PVC use is declining. Zero percent of pre-2006 vehicles had PVC-free interiors, versus 17% (34) of the 2011/2012 vehicle models which had PVC-free interiors. Flexible PVC often contains hazardous plasticizers, or "softeners," called phthalates, which off-gas during vehicle use and are deposited on dust particles and windshields, where they cause "fogging." In recent years, automakers have begun replacing PVC with polyurethanes and polyolefins, which contain fewer harmful additives and are easier to recycle.
40% of vehicle tested in 2012 contained Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs) in the vehicle interiors. BFR's refer to a wide range of chemicals added to materials to both inhibit their ignition and slow their rate of combustion. Alternatives which provide the degree of fire safety required under law without using organic compounds of bromine exist, as well as options in product redesign.
Note: HealthyStuff.org only tests for a limited set of chemical hazards. Vehicles may also contain other chemical hazards, including chlorinated flame retardants (CFR) which were NOT tested for in this study
# # #
EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE: 12:01 a.m. EST, Wed, Aug 3, 2011
CONTACT: Jeff Gearhart 734-761-3186 ext 9276
** ATTN JOURNALISTS: Graphics of Best/Worst Car Seats & Images Available **
Hazardous Flame Retardants and Chemical Additives Found in
Over Half of 2011 Child Car Seats Tested by HealthyStuff.org
Toxic Chemicals Linked to Allergies, Birth Defects,
Impaired Learning, Liver Toxicity, and Cancer
Best Overall Child Car Seat: Graco Turbo Booster (in Anders)
Worst Overall Child Car Seat: Recaro Pro Booster (in Blue Opal)
The latest research on toxic chemicals in children's car seats was released
today by the nonprofit Ecology Center at the consumer-friendly site, www.HealthyStuff.org.
While some seats were found to be virtually free of the most dangerous chemicals,
over half (60%) contained at least one of the chemicals tested for.
Over 150, 2011-model car seats were tested for bromine (associated with brominated flame retardants); chlorine (indicating the presence of polyvinyl chloride, or PVC and plasticizers); lead; other heavy metals, and allergens. These substances have been linked to allergies, birth defects, impaired learning, liver toxicity, and cancer. Heat and UV-ray exposure in cars can accelerate the breakdown of these chemicals and possibly increase their toxicity. Babies are the most vulnerable population in terms of exposure, since their bodily systems are still developing and they spend many hours in their car seats.
"Car seats save lives. It's absolutely essential that parents put their children in them while driving, regardless of the rating a particular seat received at HealthyStuff.org," said Jeff Gearhart, the Ecology Center's Research Director. "However, our research shows that some car seats contain more harmful chemicals than others. HealthyStuff.org makes it easier for parents to research the best car seat for their child."
The site, which also has comprehensive data on toxic chemicals in toys, cars, home improvement products and more, allows users to look up the best- and worst-scoring car seats with respect to toxic chemical content. Anyone looking to buy a new car seat, or wondering how their child's current car seat compares to others, can visit this site and search by model, or comparison shop between different models or years.
"This study is yet another example of how our country's major chemicals law -- the Toxic Substance Control Act of 1976 -- is flawed and fails to protect children from hazardous chemicals," said Andy Igrejas, Director of the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition. "Databases such as HealthyStuff.org can provide consumers with valuable information, but reforming our federal regulatory system so that harmful chemicals don't end up on the market in the first place is long overdue."
Most Toxic 2011 Car Seats:
- Infant Seat: Graco Snugride 35 in Edgemont Red/Black & Graco SnugRide 30 in Asprey
- Convertible Seat: Britax Marathon 70 in Jet Set & Britax Marathon in Platinum
- Booster Seat: Recaro Pro Booster in Blue Opal & Recaro ProSPORT Toddler in Mist
Least Toxic 2011 Car Seats:
- Infant Seat: Chicco KeyFit 30 in Limonata, Graco Snugride 35 in Laguna Bay & Combi Shuttle 33 in Cranberry Noche
- Convertible Carseat: Graco Comfort Sport in Caleo, Graco MyRide 65 in Chandler and Streamer, Safety 1st OnSide Air in Clearwater, and Graco Nautilus Elite 3-in-1 in Gabe
- Booster Seat: Graco Turbo Booster in Anders
Other brands tested in 2011 include: Alpha Sport, Baby Trend, Clek, Compass,
Dorel Juvenile Group (Cosco, Eddie Bauer, Maxi-Cosi, Safety First), Evenflo,
Fisher Price, Harmony Juvenile, Orbit Baby, Peg Perego, Sunshine Kids, Teutonia
and The First Years.
While there are numerous substances in car seats that can lead to health and
environmental problems, the Ecology Center selected those with known toxicity,
persistence, and tendency to build up in people and the environment. These
chemicals include:
Bromine: Associated with the use of brominated flame retardants (BFRs), which are added to plastics for fire resistance. Some BFRs have been associated with thyroid problems, learning and memory impairment, decreased fertility, and behavioral changes. A recent peer-reviewed study published in Environmental Science & Technology found a majority of baby products tested, including car seats, nursing pillows and baby carriers, contained chemical flame retardants either associated with adverse health effects or lacking adequate health information. Although fire retardants in foam are necessary to meet certain fire-safety standards, non-halogenated fire retardants are available, and many have a better safety profile. Brominated flame retardant chemicals that are either deemed toxic or that lack adequate health safety data were detected in 44% percent of the 2011 car seats tested. (NOTE: HealthyStuff.org did not test for all hazardous flame retardants, particularly chlorinated flame retardants (CFRs), and seats may contain other chemical hazards).
Chlorine: Associated with the use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is widely used in plastics and is of concern to the environment and public health during all phases of its life cycle. PVC contains chemicals called phthalates, some of which have been associated with decreased fertility, pre-term deliveries, and damage to the liver, testes, thyroid, ovaries, kidneys, and blood. There is also evidence that phthalates can pass from mothers to babies through the placenta and through breast milk.
Lead: Lead is sometimes used as an additive in plastics. Exposure can lead to a number of potential health effects, including brain damage, learning disabilities, and problems with the kidneys, blood, nerves, and reproductive system.
Other: Other chemicals tested as part of HealthyStuff.org include antimony, arsenic, chromium, cobalt, copper, mercury, nickel and tin. The substances in this category are allergens, carcinogens, or cause other adverse health impacts depending on the concentrations and exposure levels.
Since 1997, researchers at the Ecology Center have performed over 20,000 tests for toxic chemicals on 7,000 consumer products. The family of HealthyStuff.org sites have attracted 1.5 million unique visitors and over 20 million page views. To sample these products they use a portable X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) device, which identifies the elemental composition of materials in less than 60 seconds without destroying the product.
The Alliance for Toxic-Free Fire Safety and HealthyStuff.org are now asking the largest car seat retailers, Graco and Evenflo, to take leadership to disclose and phase out hazardous chemical flame retardant additives. Consumers are encouraged to sign our petition to Graco and Evenflo at HealthyStuff.org.
For a complete list of car seat rankings and chemical composition visit www.HealthyStuff.org.
# # #
* Hi-Res Photos and Detailed Test Data Analysis Available Upon Request *
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 12:01am, May 18, 2011
Toxic Chemicals Pervasive in Baby Products
New Study Finds Hazardous and Untested Flame Retardants in Products Made for Infants and Children
Health and Consumer Advocates Call on Product Makers to Reject Unnecessary Chemicals
(Washington, D.C.) – A study of products designed for newborns, babies, and toddlers – including car seats, breast feeding pillows, changing pads, crib wedges, bassinet mattresses and other items made with polyurethane foam – – found that 80% of products tested contained chemical flame retardants that are considered toxic, according to a peer-reviewed study published in Environmental Science & Technology Journal. Other retardants discovered had so little health and safety data on them it is not possible to know their effects at this time. The same flame retardants found in some of the products are also found in children's bodies and widely dispersed throughout the environment and in food.
The new study analyzed 102 products for the presence of halogenated flame retardants. Interior foam samples were tested from nursing pillows, baby carriers, car seats, changing table pads, high chairs, strollers, bassinets, portable cribs, walkers, changing pads, baby carriers, sleeping wedges, baby tub insert, bath slings, glider rockers, and other essential child care items. Samples were submitted from purchase locations around the United States.
Study results:
Consumer Advocates and Environmental Health Groups single out an antiquated California regulation, Technical Bulletin 117 (TB 117), as the reason for widespread use of flame retardants in baby products. Many product manufacturers make their products so that they can also be sold in California. Those that use polyurethane foam in their goods must meet TB 117. This results in population-wide exposure to dangerous, unnecessary flame retardants.
Baby products purchased outside California may still be treated with hazardous flame retardants. Because of California TB 117, Americans everywhere are subject to chronic exposure to toxic or untested chemicals. Findings from the new Baby Product testing study reveal that many products purchased outside California carry a TB 117-compliant label and many are treated with chemical flame retardants. Products that contain polyurethane foam and are sold in California almost certainly carry those chemicals.
The Alliance for Toxic-Free Fire Safety, a new national network of health, consumer, and environmental groups, is calling for a modernization of California TB 117 in light of new scientific, health, environmental, and fire toxicity information about chemical flame retardants. They are calling for urgent action on this public health issue.
"The sensible way to prevent fires is not to subject the entire population to an indoor air experiment with carcinogens and other toxics," said Kathy Curtis, campaign coordinator for the Alliance for Toxic-Free Fire Safety. "Companies should make products without flame retardants for all of the other states that haven't adopted California's costly and outdated TB 117 rule. Research shows the addition of flame retardants to meet this standard doesn't prevent fires. Moreover, when products with these chemicals do burn, they make the smoke far more toxic. Product makers should switch to inherently flame-resistant materials, make design changes or use less toxic chemical ingredients so fire fighters and victims of fire are better protected when these materials burn."
Mike Schade, from Center for Health Environment & Justice also with ATFFS, said, "Many retailers, including Wal-Mart, are not waiting for government regulations to make changes. The Washington Post has reported that Wal-Mart informed its suppliers and customers it will no longer carry products with certain harmful flame retardant chemicals."
"Toxic or untested flame retardants like the ones found in this study can migrate out of products and end up in our homes and our bodies. These chemicals are associated with adverse human health effects including reduced IQ, increased time to pregnancy, endocrine and thyroid disruption, and impaired child development," says Arlene Blum, PhD, a co-author of the study and executive director of the Green Science Policy Institute. Blum's early research contributed to the removal of Tris flame retardants from children's pajamas in the 1970's. Blum says, "I was surprised to find Tris back in high levels in the foam in baby products."
"Scientific research increasingly links some of today's growing health problems with exposure to the types of halogenated flame retardant chemicals found in these baby products," said Sarah Janssen, MD, PhD, MPH, assistant professor at University of California San Francisco School of Medicine and senior scientist at Natural Resources Defense Council. "Lowered IQ, reproductive problems --including the time it takes to get pregnant and sperm quality-- and abnormalities in male baby genitalia have all been linked to flame retardant chemical exposure. If this wasn't concerning enough, only a small number of flame retardants have undergone safety testing. We need federal reform of our chemical policy laws to ensure the chemicals we bring into our homes are safe."
According to Environmental Health News, researchers have found that U.S. adults have 20 times more of the flame retardant chemicals in their bodies than Europeans. Household dust tested in two areas of California had 200 times more brominated flame retardants than European homes. A recent study found that low income Mexican-American school children in California are apt to have 7 times more PBDE flame retardant chemicals in their bodies than Mexican children of the same age. The 7-year old Californians tested had more of the chemicals in their bodies than almost all people tested worldwide. Only Nicaraguan children living or working on hazardous waste sites have higher levels. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention report that over 90% of the U.S. population carries PBDE flame retardants in their bodies.
Three corporations produce halogenated flame retardant chemicals: Albemarle, Chemtura, and Israeli Chemicals, Ltd. Chemtura's product, Firemaster 550, exemplifies how new chemicals enter the American market. Chemtura Corporation first marketed Firemaster 550 in 2004 as an environmentally friendly replacement for pentaBDE, which was subject to a national phase-out that same year due to health concerns and, notably, which had been grandfathered in as 'safe' - without supporting data - when the Toxic Substances Control Act was passed in 1976. When the notice of manufacture was filed with the Environmental Protection Agency for Firemaster 550, EPA did not require pre-market testing of the chemical. Instead, EPA relied on the manufacturers own determination of safety. They also approved Chemtura's confidentiality request for the two main ingredients in Firemaster 550, even though company test data showed the ingredients were a "high hazard concern" for both short-term and long-term ecotoxicity, meaning they could cause damage to fish, invertebrates or algae if they got into the water. Since then, Firemaster 550 has been found in house dust in Boston and in sewage sludge and wastewater plants in California, as well as baby products sold across America.
Halogenated flame retardants added to fabric, to foam used in furniture and other products, to carpet padding, and to electronic equipment, also create more smoke and soot when these materials smolder or burn than do materials without these chemicals. And the smoke is deadly. First, inhalation can be deeply damaging to lungs. Fire fighters wear protective gear, but gear may not always function as intended. Second, intense smoke can be disorienting and disabling, making it impossible for fire fighters and building occupants to reach safety when surrounded by dense smoke and soot.
Smoke can also carry toxic chemicals, including carbon monoxide, a deadly gas, and dioxins and furans, produced when chlorinated or brominated flame retardants burn. Dioxins and furans are some of the most toxic substances known, and have been associated with certain cancers, including soft tissue sarcoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, adult-onset leukemia, multiple myeloma, breast cancer, bladder cancer and stomach cancer. These chemicals are also associated with chloracne, cardiovascular disease, diabetes II, thyroid dysfunction and immune suppression.
Firefighters have a higher incidence of heart disease, lung disease, and cancer compared to other workers. Getting chlorinated and brominated flame retardants out of their working environment could help reduce their chances of becoming ill.
The fire safety benefits of adding flame retardants to meet the TB117 flammability standard are questionable. According to Vyto Babrauskas, the author of Fire Behavior of Upholstered Furniture and Mattresses, (William Andrew Publishing, Norwich NY 2001), the only textbook ever written on furniture flammability, TB117 is "so weak that it does not achieve any useful fire safety purpose." TB117 tests bare foam's resistance to a small flame. But the foam in furniture lies beneath a layer of fabric. The fabric will ignite first and by the time the flame reaches the foam, it is too large for the chemicals that meet TB117 to have an effect.
Alternatives to organohalogen flame retardant chemicals include using less flammable materials, design changes, and safer chemicals. Stronger electrical codes and modernized building and fire codes, as well as increased use of smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, and self-extinguishing cigarettes, will all continue to help prevent fires without using toxic chemicals. These measures plus an overall decrease in cigarette smoking in the U.S. have helped reduce fire deaths by 60% since 1980, making increasing use of chemical flame retardants unwise and unnecessary.
Please sign up for HealthyStuff.org Updates!
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moleskin seattle shirt
by FILSON
In 1897, C.C. Filson opened Filson's Pioneer Alaska Clothing and Blanket Manufacturers, specializing in goods to outfit the stampeders of the Klondike Gold Rush. It was for inclement weather conditions that C.C. Filson designed his goods. The Gold Rush faded into history, but Filson kept listening to his customers, and outdoorsmen kept coming to Filson for rugged clothes. By the 1960s, Filson's reputation as the premier outfitter for outdoorsmen had spread around the globe. Over 100 years later, Filson's comfortable and durable goods are still in style. Back To Product View All From This Designer
Men's Size Chart
Product Details
Soft, thick moleskin button up shirt, featuring two gusseted flap pockets at the chest. Relaxed fit with elongated tail. Button closure at the front and at the cuffs.
• 100% cotton
• dry clean or machine wash cold inside out
• imported


text:
365-Day Returns... Hassle-Free!
Main Content
This item ships within one business day.
Order as many items as you like with our $4.99 flat rate shipping.
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Ladies, let your inner Phillies fanatic shine through on game day in this Spectrum tee. Featuring the team logo printed on a left side pocket on the chest, this comfy tee will give you just enough team spirit to make the rivals jealous when you radiate classic Philadelphia style!
- 55% Polyester/30% Cotton/15% Viscose
- Front left pocket
- Imported
- Officially licensed MLB product
- Reinforced taped collar seam
- Rib-knit v-neck collar
- Screen print graphics
- Soft, comfy ribbed ladies T-shirt
- Tagless collar
Shop early for holidays and birthdays with our 365 Day No-Hassle Return Policy! Because we stand behind the quality of our products, you can return any item in original condition for up to a full year from the purchase date. We want you and your gift recipients to love what you ordered, but if not, we make returns easy for you.
Special event items are produced by manufacturers only after the outcome of a game
or event. These are advanced sale items and will ship immediately after they are
received in our warehouse.
Manufacturer direct items are shipped directly from the manufacturer. These items
are not available for international or expedited shipping.
Customized items can be personalized with options such as your name, your favorite
number, and/or designs. Some options may be limited by league rules.


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I have had many of soup varieties that Pacific Foods offers, from their Creamy Tomato Light Sodium Soup to their Creamy Butternut Squash Soup. Both times, I was left thinking, "I wonder if all of their other soups are this good?" Well, I am back again; but this time Pacific Natural Foods Creamy Roasted Carrot Soup is gracing my bowl.
Have you ever had Spaghetti-O's ? That is what I was reminded of when I took my first bite, except the carrot flavor of this soup is extremely prevalent in a deliciously bold way. The wholesome carrot puree is blended with filtered water, organic soymilk, corn starch, cane sweetener, natural roasted carrot flavor, sea salt, yeast extract and a touch of spices. Because of the short and nutritious ingredient list, every flavor shines through: the light sweetness, rich carrot flavor, creamy soymilk and variety of flavor enhancing spices.
The nutrition facts is very impressive, except for the 33% of the RDA for sodium (780 mg) - why do packaged soups have so much sodium?! However, don't let that hold you back as this soup can be a healthy addition to any well balanced diet. Each 1 cup serving has 100 calories, 1 gram of fat (2% of the RDA), no saturated fat or cholesterol, 3 grams of protein and 18 grams of carbohydrates which includes 2 grams of fiber (9% of the RDA) and 5 grams of sugar. The ingredients list is full of things you would use if you were making this yourself.
I paid $2.35 for a 16 ounce re-closable carton at a local health food store and I will be back for more. To tell you the truth, this is my favorite Pacific Natural Foods Soup yet! I need to get the Pacific Natural Foods product developers because I know they could concoct a low sodium version without sacrificing taste, as they did with their Creamy Tomato flavor.