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Weekly
Column Click
& Clack Talk Cars
By Tom and
Ray Magliozz
Dear Tom and
Ray:
Hi, guys! As youve
probably heard, Cuba is full of classic American
cars from the 1950s (imported before the
Castro revolution of 59) and they are still
being driven. A recent article in National
Geographic Traveler states: "In stages of
repair, some hidden in falling shacks, most
driven proudly around every town." This same
article mentions that the average Cuban
workers wage is $13 per month, and that the
articles photographer "brought spark
plugs from the U.S. and gave them as tips to my
drivers" I will be (legally) traveling to
Havana soon, to present at an international
education conference. I would love to bring along
some small automotive parts for gifts and tips,
but I know nothing about classic American cars
and the things that keep them running. What sorts
of spark plugs should I buy? Where can I get such
things inexpensively? What other small auto parts
might be appreciated? Thanks - Kathleen
TOM: Id toss a few
transmissions in your Samsonite, Kathleen. And
then stuff a differential or two into your
carry-on bag.
RAY: Actually, spark plugs are
cheap, desirable, and easy to carry. You want
plugs for, say, 1955-1959 GM, Ford and Chrysler
six-cylinder engines. Any local auto part store
ought to be able to get that stuff for about a
dollar a plug.
TOM: If you want to make some
people really happy, pick up some ignitions
points, condensers, distributor caps and rotors.
Those are still relatively cheap and cars
wont run with out them.
RAY: The U.S. government frowns
on taking anything into Cuba that augments its
economy. Youll want to check first, and
make sure your gifts would be legally allowed.
Natural Nutrition
By Mari An
Willis
Whats
new? Lots of people using essential oils. The
following is a list of commonly used oils.
Basil - Uplifting and
refreshing. used for poor memory, confusion,
indecision, depression, fear, paranoia, mental
stress, and fatigue.
Bergamot - Relaxing,
refreshing and uplifting. used for anxiety,
nervous tension, and depression.
Clary Sage - Warming,
relaxing, euphoric, aphrodisiac. Centers the
mind. Used for PMS, depression, anxiety,
hyperactivity, panic, fear, paranoia, and
hysteria.
Geranium - Stimulating,
uplifting, energizing. Special affinity to the
female body. Used for anxiety, depression,
tension, PMS.
Jasmine - Stimulating,
euphoric, aphrodisiac. Increases confidence. Used
for depression, lack of libido.
Juniper - Refreshing,
stimulating, detoxifying. Used for poor memory,
mental stress and fatigue, apathy, lack of
energy.
Lavender - Balancing,
relaxing. Used for nervous tension, depression,
headaches, insomnia, impatience and irritability.
Peppermint - Cooling,
refreshing, stimulating. Used for poor memory,
depression, melancholy, confusion, indecision,
nausea, congestion.
Racing
By Greg
Zyla
IROC
Gets Vote of Confidence
It wasnt long ago that
doomsayers were indicating that the International
Race of Champions was a series just waiting to go
away.
Well, you wont hear that
any longer. Late last month, officials of IROC,
which is sponsored by Crown Royal, announced that
the renowned series would again run a four-race
schedule in 2005 with the champion earning a $1
million prize. The series matches 12 of the best
drivers from different divisions of auto racing
in equally prepared cars to battle for supremacy.
The drivers who dont win the championship
receive $80,000 for their efforts.
The series kicks off for the
25th year at Daytona on Feb. 18, 2005, and will
re-visit the same tracks from 2004, namely Texas
Motor Speedway in April; Richmond International
in September; and the finale at Atlanta Motor
Speedway in October.
Jay Signore, president of the
IROC Series, says, "The IROC season-opener
at Daytona during Speedweeks is like a homecoming
every year, and itll be extra special
celebrating our 25th race at the Speedway."
Senior News Line
By Matilda
Charles
Senate
Drops the Ball
As I write this, it appears
that the Senate has once again failed, in the
face of strong drug-company lobbying, to permit
reimportation of prescription drugs from Canada,
as well as Australia, New Zealand, Japan and
Switzerland.
A bipartisan bill (S 2328) was
introduced by Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., and Sen.
Olympia Snow, R-Maine, earlier this year and
seemed to have support from most members. But
with Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn.,
leading the opposition under the specious claim
that the reimported drugs might not be safe, the
Senate let its chance to do something right for
seniors (and others who need affordable
life-saving drugs) pass.
The fact is were talking
about reimporting the same drugs our home-based
companies have sold to the other countries. To
insinuate they might be harmful is to imply that
the American companies that make them are
producing unsafe products.
As Ive said before, we
have to push the new Congress into acting on
behalf of the American public and not the
companies that can afford to pay high-priced
lobbyists to make sure their profit margins
remain high.
On that note, you might like to
know that while seniors and other vulnerable
members of the population continue to be denied
access to potentially life-saving flu
vaccinations because of the ongoing shortage,
Sen. Frist opened a clinic in his Senate office
where flu shots were provided to a number of
lawmakers as well as to their staffs, who were
described as generally young and fit.
artCentral
artCentral Holiday
Bazaar Offers Eclectic Artistic Gifts
If you have a family member
like my sister who seems to already have
everything, finding a unique AND affordable gift
can be a challenge. Fortunately, this years
Holiday Bazaar at artCentral, 1110 East 13th, is
a lifesaver for me....maybe for you, too!
From now until December 22,
youll find original art, one-of-a-kind
items, the beautiful and the bizarre, either
created, crafted or collected by our generous
members for artCentrals final fundraiser of
the year.
Among the items that caught my
eye were a chunky turquoise necklace and a really
neat choker made from fan-shaped vintage beads.
There are artists cards, bookmarks, Eskimo
soapstone engraving, ceramic vessels, and a
limited edition, signed poster of Mark Twain
School by Lowell Davis.
Last Friday night at John
Fitzgibbons opening reception, a lucky art
lover grabbed the lusciously soft, handwoven hood
scarf I wanted for a Chicago friend. Another
delighted shopper picked up the wild and crazy
"Flying Buffalo" sculpture that night.
For traditional tastes,
theres a like-new silver serving piece
engraved with "Merry Christmas",
modestly priced original artwork, and inexpensive
prints ready for framing. The animal lover or
favorite grandchild on your list might just love
the highly collectible mohair bears, yorkie, or
birdie on display.
My sisters going to be
unwrapping a lovely blown glass ornament, if I
can just decide which one shell like
best....
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