My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on July 19, 2007

The July 13, 2007 Businessweek offered a special report that showcased 10 diesel vehicles along with an article on The Coming of Clean Diesels. Not all models shown are available in the U.S. just yet, but these clean diesels might be something to look forward to. The luxury models from Cadillac, light trucks from Chrysler, GM and Ford, premium vehicles from Mercedes and Audi and the comfortable thrifty ones from Volkswagen should all eventually make it to our shores. (50 state VW spring 2008) The UK Honda models continue to stand out in my opinion; perhaps its the hope of economy, power and reliability that traditionally has come from Japanese designed vehicles?

Here are the Businessweek points. As a loyal VW owner, would you look at the Honda Civic, Accord, Pilot, Ridgeline, Odyssey, CR-V or Element if it were diesel powered? (need I ask?)

2007 Honda Civic Diesel CTDi
Fuel economy: 55 mpg in combined city and highway driving
Honda is expected to introduce its diesel technology into its U.S. cars in 2010. Look for a diesel Civic to start, and possibly a CRV SUV. The British Honda Civic Diesel 2.2 CTDi is a “green car” with a super-clean engine and very low carbon dioxide emissions. Honda has talked about how its engineers hated diesel technology until they figured out a clean system. An Accord diesel test car, though, recently set a record of 92 mpg.

2008 Volkswagen Jetta TDI (Spring of 2008)
Fuel economy: 36 mpg city/45 mpg highway (estimated)
Volkswagen skipped the 2007 model year for diesels because its new cleaner technology wasn’t ready. The company regularly sells more than 30,000 diesels a year. The new TDI is due in dealerships next spring. Horsepower in this new 2.0-liter, common-rail diesel engine is up 40% over the previous 1.9-liter, four-cylinder, with torque up 33%. Those figures mean an increase in drivability.

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Posted By RichC on July 18, 2007

Its one thing to find a frozen boa constrictor in Ohio, but another to catch a live 4 to 5 foot alligator! (cellphone photo | see WKYC) Sixth grader Robert Pendleton Jr. had a “cool fishing experience” as the 14 year old described it. The boy was fishing with his 10 year old brother at Summit Lake when he thought he saw the head of an alligator. He tossed his fishing line over and missed the first and second cast, then on the third cast he was able to set the lure in the gator’s mouth. Robert slowly reeled the alligator to shore although admits it was “hard to get him in.”

As young Pendleton worked the reptile to shore, his mom called the animal control department and Jim Farrance made his way quickly over to Summit Lake and helped pull the gator from the water. He caged him and took him to the Humane Society of Greater Akron in Cuyahoga Falls. According to the director, this alligator, or perhaps cayman, is the first to be brought to the local Humane Society; they suspect it may have been a pet and either escaped or was released into the lake or nearby Ohio Canal.

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Posted By RichC on July 18, 2007

Stopped to fill up at the Sunoco Renewable station off exit 151 on I-71 this week on my way to Cleveland. Noticed that the prices were up a bit from recent trips (B-20 @ $2.99) where my local West Chester, Ohio Meijer ULSD D-2 was $2.76. I’d like to see prices a little more competitive; perhaps I’m just spoiled? (my wife did just remind me that its still cheaper than gasoline and that I’m getting 45 mpg!)
🙂

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Posted By RichC on July 17, 2007

Glancing through my August 2007 issue of Cruising World magazine, I recognized the “Shoreline” photo as solo-circumnavigating sailor Donna Lange. Long time readers will recall the many posts made in my blog and might enjoy seeing one last photo celebrating as she heads into her home port of call, Bristol Rhode Island. (larger image) The link includes an online article written by Kitty Martin commenting on the final leg of the sailing, but why stop there …
😉

Here’s one more ‘leg’ of the journey; a creatively decorated “Inspired Insanity” during the 4th of July Parade in Bristol! It is also a great kick off of Donna’s plan to educate and advocate “through children” the impact, both positively and negatively, that humans have on the worlds oceans. “For the Love of Oceans” gets its start at the Youth4Oceans website.

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Posted By RichC on July 16, 2007

A friend of mine sent me this video clip … I can’t imagine doing this for a living?

Category: Misc, Video-TV | No Comments »
Tags: career, helicopter, highwire, mp4, powerline, work

Posted By RichC on July 15, 2007

There is positive news for advocates for Ohio biofuels; fuel retailers who sell E85 Ethanol and B20 Biodiesel will receive a 15 cents per gallon tax credit in 2008 and 13 cents in 2009. The credits go to the retailer of the biofuel. I’ll include a press release from the Ohio Soybean Growers Association signed by Governor Strickland in early this month. Thanks to David Brannon who posted it to our local CinciTDI website.

Governor Strickland Signs Budget with 4.5 Million Dollars for Alternative Fuel Programs

Columbus, OH– Governor Ted Strickland signed the biennium state budget on Saturday,with 4.5 milliondollars allotted to alternative fuel programs that will work to increase availability of soy biodiesel and E85 across the state. The Ohio Soybean Association (OSA) and the Ohio Corn Growers Association (OCGA), in cooperation with the Ohio Farm Bureau, have been working together to promote these programs, which resulted in the most attention biofuels have ever received in the state budget.

“The increased presence biofuels received in the state budget is a sure sign that alternative energy sources are a high priority for our state government, and it is exciting to know that soy biodiesel and E85 are leading the way,” said Mark Watkins, OSA president and Hardin County soybean farmer. “OSA’s work in solidifying these programs in the budget is just one example of the important role OSA plays in the legislative arena and how the organization is working on behalf of Ohio’s soybean industry.”

Included in the budget for the first time ever is a program that will allow fuel retailers who sell E85 Ethanol (85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline) or B20 soy biodiesel (20 percent soy biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum diesel) to take advantage of a tax credit of 15 cents per gallon in 2008 and 13 cents per gallon in 2009. These credits will be paid directly to the retailer.

A second program different from the tax credit will allow retailers who do not sell E85 or B20, but wish to start, obtain infrastructure grants to assist in the installation of the necessary equipment, such as pumps and tanks. Blenders that want to begin processing E85 or B20 will be able to take advantage of these grants to help with their specific infrastructure needs as well. The Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Grant Program was established in House Bill 245.

Also included in the budget is a grant program designed specifically for soy biodiesel and its use in school buses. School districts that choose to use soy biodiesel in their buses can receive grants that will offset the incremental cost of the fuel. Currently, one of the major reasons that more school districts are not using soy biodiesel in buses is because, on average, it costs more than petroleum diesel. This grant program will give school districts a chance to use a fuel that is better for the environment and the health of students without additional cost.

All of the grant programs will be administered by the Ohio Department of Development. Details regarding grant application and requirements are forthcoming.

The Ohio Soybean Association is governed by a 24-member volunteer farmer board dedicated to education and promotion, as well as to uniting producer interest through support of legislative activities beneficial to the Ohio soybean industry.

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Posted By RichC on July 14, 2007

A new friend, Konstantine Karvelas and his wife Maria opened their restaurant today. (article in the Pulse Journal) We were anxious to try the food and experience the service … my daughter is working there … and both were very good.
🙂

Although I’ve been hanging out with Konstantine over coffee several times a week admiring the new decor, equipment and sampling sandwiches, I was nervous for him as the opening day drew near. From the opening day line and the enjoyment most customers seemed to show, that was unnecessary. I think the Karvelas family have found a great niche for Liberty Township. If you are in the area and in the mood for an authentic Greek sandwich. Greek Isles, is located in the Yankee Shoppes retail center at 7037 Yankee Road, just west of Cincinnati-Dayton Road in Liberty Township.

Category: Human Interest, Local | 8 Comments »
Tags: greek, liberty, ohio, pulse journal, Restaurant, west chester

Posted By RichC on July 13, 2007

Can’t help but include a great surfing photo … click to enjoy the larger photo or Daily Mail article:

Many visitors to Australia have two particular things on their ‘to do’ list – go surfing and swim with dolphins. It seems the dolphins like to do exactly the same. As this astonishing picture shows, this group of at least 20 of the creatures couldn’t resist catching a giant wave when it came along. The friendly animals often come close to the shore at this spot some 300 miles north of Perth in Western Australia and rub their noses against swimmers and surfers in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
Continue reading here.

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Posted By RichC on July 13, 2007

I’ve written previously about a book I’ve just finished reading and wanted to include a more recent interview available on the Internet. His thoughts on the fatal decision that cost the lives of his SEAL team are shared as well as a few of his personal ‘opinions’ regarding the War on Terror. The book Lone Survivor is well written and an excellent read for anyone wanting to know the kind of Americans who service in our elite special forces. I highly recommend the book.

EDIT: Original video tag in this post was removed … so am replacing with this:

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Tags: book, lone survivor, luttrell, navy, seal team

Posted By RichC on July 12, 2007

What’s a WIG one might ask? Well it a “Wing-In-Ground” flying boat sort of aircraft that is being developed to skim a few feet above the surface of water in China. The aircraft mention in a MSNBC Technology and Science article is said to be as safe as ships yet five or six times as fast. In its current design, the WIG aircraft can hit speeds of 180 mph, carry 4 tons and travel from a few inches to several feet using ground effect (or sea effect) that is present as an airfoil (wing) passes above a level surface.

Advocates point out that a plane of this design will cost half as much as one designed for standard flying and also use only half as much fuel. The “wing-in-ground effect” design plane could see use in military and board control according to the article and the Tongji University has plans to develop a 50-seat version of the WIG by 2013 as well as prototypes capable of hauling cargo up to 400 tons by 2016 or 2017.

LINK

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