A Jeep Catches Up with the Times

Is it real? If Chrysler can stick around until 2010, the Grand Cherokee will be critical to its chances of success.

What they said:

“In trying to protect our brand’s off-road capability, we were slow in adapting to interior changes,” said Frank Klegon, executive vice president for product development at Chrysler. “Now we’ve gone the other way with the highest levels of interior quality.”

What they didn’t say: Whether the tough-truck look will make a comeback in a world dominated by softer, sweeter crossovers.

What makes it tick? A new 280-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6, or a mighty 360-horsepower Hemi V-8. More importantly, the Grand Cherokee adds a surprisingly deluxe wood-and-leather interior; a stout chassis and independent rear suspension, adjustable-height air suspension and settings to handle various types of terrain; and the roomier back seat that it’s always needed.

How much, how soon? The Jeep should closely match its current base prices of roughly $31,000-$46,000 when it goes on sale next spring as a 2011 model.

How’s it look? Taut and terrific, like the best Grand Cherokee since Jeep’s suburban salad days of the ’90s.

Zero Motorcycles sets electric motorcycle endurance record

While the biggest news coming from Zero Motorcycles' California offices this week is undoubtedly the introduction of the new street-legal Zero S electric supermoto bike, we didn't forget about the 24 Hours of Electricoss that took place last weekend. According to reports, the event was a complete success, setting two new Guinness World Records in the process: Furthest distance traveled in an electric off-road motorcycle (over 500 miles) and the largest electric motorcycle race (50 riders, 10 teams).

Besides setting records, this 24 hour race shows just how capable the 2009 Zero X electric motorcycle can be. All 10 bikes that took part managed to finish the race, though there were just a few blown shocks, a bunch of worn brake pads and one fried motor. The winning team managed to circle the track an amazing 1,015 laps, averaging over 27 miles per hour along the way. Click past the break for a video from Wired, which helped field one of the teams.

Buddha Board: The new blockbuster game

The hottest new game around is, well, Buddha Board. The Buddha Board is created on the Zen concept of being present and living in the moment. Zen is a principle of Buddhism that has been in practice since centuries in many countries, particularly in India, Japan, China, Vietnam, and Korea. It is the art of doing something with complete and absolute concentration.

The Buddha Board provides a space for drawing using a Japanese brush and ink but, as the board dries up, the image vanishes. A person starts off with a clean slate, a paintbrush, and water. As the water seeps in with each stroke of the brush, gradually the design comes to life. When the water starts to evaporate you are presented with a new, blank canvas—and a clear mind. Magical, isn’t it?

The charming game of Buddha Board is also known as Okami Buddha Board. Okami, meaning “wolf” in Japanese, puts the playing person in the role of Amaterasu (a sun god) in the body of a wolf, whose main duty is to restore color and life to a decaying world. The game takes place with a 3-D camera, offering 2 different set ups. While one camera is positioned close to Amaterasu’s (playing person’s) body, the other is similar to that of Metal Gear Solid’s traditional camera, and is placed out further back and “top down”.

Viral Video: Forget Twitter–How About Acquiring Nanoblogger Flutter?

On Friday, amid all the hoopla around acquisition rumors swirling around Twitter, Slate put out a very funny spoof on a fictional new service called Flutter.

The online magazine’s mockumentary about a nanoblogging service is definitely more amusing than contemplating the fate of the real-life microblogging service.

“I think a lot of people don’t have time to Twitter,” said one of its faux founders in a terrific video, in which he describes Flutter’s 26-character–the length of the alphabet–version, called “flaps,” versus 140 characters for Twitter.

It’s mascot, of course, is a hummingbird.

The Golf Buddy Pro GPS - Move Your Golf Game Up A Gear

There are now so many GPS golf range finders available on the market that it can be very tough to decide on which one is right for you. We have gone out and tested several of these over the last few months and have found one that is streets ahead of the rest. It’s the Golf Buddy Pro GPS. Here’s why.

- No Annual Fees To Pay

Unlike other GPS golf range finders, the Golf Buddy Pro GPS requires no annual fees to pay. As well as this, any additional courses that you may require can be downloaded from the manufacturers website free of charge.

- 20,000 Courses Capacity

One big issue that is worth mentioning, is the storage capacity of the GPS golf range finder. There are many systems out there that are good, but fail on this all important issue. The last thing you need to be doing is to always be deleting courses in the units memory to make room for new ones.

The Golf Buddy Pro GPS can hold up to 20,000 courses in total and the whole of North America’s database of courses is pre-loaded in to memory when you buy the system. Golf courses from all around the world can be added to this GPS system too making this a very impressive piece of equipment.

- Calculate Your Distance To The Whole Quickly

For years golfers have been using the more traditional method of using the sprinkler heads on the golf course to work out the yardage and thus judge the remaining distance to the hole. The Golf Buddy Pro GPS now removes the need for to do any of that. with a couple of pushes of a button, the Golf Buddy will work out your remaining distance to hole within an error range of 2 yards. Not bad.

So these are just some of the reasons that the Golf Buddy Pro GPS out ranks the competition by a mile. This is by far the best GPS golf range finder that we have tested in the last year. If you want value for money and a GPS that you can trust, then the Golf Buddy Pro GPS is the one to go for.

Points to consider before you buy a dog

With an average life range of 10 to 18 years, dogs needs a large commitment with relatively high annual costs. As spring is a popular season for new dog ownership, we look at the options available, and offer tips on how to curb spending on a new pooch.

Pet ownership can be a major drain on the pocketbook -- especially for families grappling with the recession or unemployment. But for those families still looking to add a four-legged friend to the clan, there are ways to ease that burden.

With an average life span of 10 to 18 years, dogs demand a large commitment with relatively high annual costs. As spring is a popular season for new dog ownership, we look at the options available, and offer tips on how to curb spending on a new pooch.

- Advantages of adopting

Aside from saving an adorable pup from an uncertain life in the pound, adopting is a cost-effective way to find a loving pet.
In Victoria, adopting from the SPCA costs between $315 (for adult dogs) and $400 for puppies. In Nanaimo, adopting costs are between $225 for an adult and $405 for pure-bred or toy-breed puppies.

When adopting from the Humane Society, there are additional services that are included with the adoption fee -- such as health checks, first vaccinations, an ID microchip/tattoo, a pet insurance plan for the first six to eight weeks and spaying/neutering.
Although adopting usually ensures a healthy and vaccinated pup, it doesn't offer a wide array of different breeds. Talking with breeders may be a necessary step to find the canine that suits you.

- Benefits of breeders

From a tiny teacup Yorkshire to a Bernese Mountain dog, every breed is different. Some dogs require constant attention and an extensive physical routine, whereas others prefer a childless environment with no other family pets around. Different breeders specialize in different types of dogs, and often the parents are on site for you to meet. Going to a breeder allows a buyer to be picky and find purebreds or specific mixes.
However, expect costs to be much higher when taking this route. A pup could cost $1,500 or more -- the rarer the breed, the higher the price -- and additional services are not included.

- Initial pet ownership costs

There are one-time startup costs families interested in owning a dog should consider, but the price varies by veterinary clinic. Spaying or neutering your dog can cost from $60 to $600 depending on where you go and the size of the dog. Smaller dogs require less anesthesia and therefore cost less.
Some cities require dogs to be licensed. In the CRD, it's $30 for an unaltered dog and $20 for a sterilized dog.
Other initial expenses include full vaccinations, microchipping, and buying a collar, leash, crate or carrier, and toys. The Humane Society estimates initial costs for dogs could be around $330 to $460.

- Ongoing costs

The cost of food, treats, regular checkups and grooming vary according to the size and need of each dog. Smaller breeds require less food and treats so the annual feeding costs are considerably lower. However, certain smaller breeds may be more susceptible to illnesses so medical costs need to be taken into consideration.
Aileen White from the Winnipeg Humane Society says many people don't realize just how much a large dog eats or the fact that some dogs may develop certain allergies and require more expensive, specialized foods.

Annual dog ownership costs estimated by Humane Society range from $1,200 and $1,500.

Mercury Dime: Fascist Coin?

During his daily TV broadcast, Fox personality Glenn Beck compared the United States to a fascist regime. He then explained that the Roman symbol for fascism (a bundle of sticks, wrapped in rope, with an ax attached) could be found on the mercury dime. Lookups for "mercury dime" quickly surged into the stratosphere.

The American coin is no longer in circulation, a fact that no doubt contributed to a huge uptick in searches. Folks were eager to learn more about the dime, when it went it was minted, and when it was discontinued.

According to the Beck broadcast, the dime was first used in 1916 under President Woodrow Wilson. Coinfacts.com explains that the dime ceased being produced in 1945. Also, according to the coin enthusiast site, the controversial symbol blends the Roman fasces with an olive branch. The point: to indicate "America's military readiness but also their desire for peace."

Some folks went beyond coin queries. Lookups for "what is fascism" and "fascism vs. socialism" soared after Beck's broadcast. This post from Ask Yahoo! explains the differences between fascism, communism, and socialism. Fascism "uses a central authority to maintain control, but 'terror and censorship' are common. Italian dictator Benito Mussolini was the most famous fascist, a fact "that ought to tell you it's not a very good way to run a country."

Salvia Plant in the Sun and the Drooping Cherry Tree

I'm planting some summer bulbs and one I found was a salvia bulb. I've never really used salvia before in my garden and frankly I didn't know it was a bulb, apparently after checking up on salvia there are a few species that have rhizomes or tubers. I'm pretty interested in bulbs so this was new to me. It surprised me to find this bulb so of course I had to have it. This purple salvia bulb is planted near the porch behind the heather bush, between the pink jasmine climbing up the porch railing and the pointy cypress like tree, one of two which are standing guard on either side of the gate. This is a barren area I've had trouble planting in and I am hoping the salvia plant will do the trick to fill the area with some extra color. Its a semi-shady area with a reasonable amount of sun tucked in the corner of the porch and this salvia can take partial shade. I'm eager to see if this salvia will grow well there and can't wait until it blooms in summer.

The drooping cherry tree is starting to bud now as spring is getting closer. This is still a young tree but from everything I've read about them they are a smaller tree of ten to twelve feet in height. I certainly hope so since having a larger tree won't work well for the front yard. I don't want to cover up too much of the Victorian facade as its so beautiful, the garden should compliment it rather than be the star of the property. I've had problems with the cherry tree having infestation of fly larvae, little black larvae that ruin the beautiful leaves on the tree every year. I've read that this is a common infestation for cherry trees. If you don't rid the tree of the first infestation then multiple infestations follow with the result being tattered looking leaves. I tried using Neem which is a natural oil that is supposed to kill them off, unfortunately it really didn't work to get rid of all of the fly larvae. This year we turn to pesticides. I rarely if ever use them in my garden preferring natural means but in this case its the only method that will work. Next garden nursery visit I'm finding something that will work to rid the tree of these pests.

Spring in Eureka is really more like fall weather, the blooming season seems to be delayed a good month or two for all my plants compared to the warmer climate in Petaluma in Sonoma County. Generally the warmer weather of 65 to 70 degrees doesn't kick in until May or June. I don't mind it a bit, I love the cooler coastal weather and my favorite plants do well here. As the weather starts to warm with the coming of spring the bulbs in the front yard are starting to bloom, among them yellow daffodils, peach colored tulips and purple dutch iris. They are forming a lovely pattern surrounding the flower beds and walkway leading up to the front porch. It will take a few more years to achieve the effect I'm working toward in the garden but eventually the colorful bulbs will cascade throughout the front yard with spring color.