“See the wheels turning: Bikes for everyone - Peninsula Daily News” plus 4 more |
- See the wheels turning: Bikes for everyone - Peninsula Daily News
- Action Line: Get the best auto repairs possible - Bakersfield Californian
- Car Conservation: Driverside.com - Hartford Courant
- Soldier from Federal Way 'knew he was in harm's way' - Tacoma News Tribune
- Ask the Auto Doctor - Independent Record
| See the wheels turning: Bikes for everyone - Peninsula Daily News Posted: 29 Aug 2009 10:41 AM PDT PORT TOWNSEND -- Chauncey Tudhope-Locklear's dream comes on two wheels. It's a vision of putting at least half of Port Townsend's population on bicycles by 2020. The ReCyclery, a new nonprofit community bike collective that Tudhope-Locklear manages, rolled out with a grand opening Friday night at 612 Polk St., just east of Lawrence Street uptown. As part of a pedal party open to all, the public was invited to take a shirtless bike ride through Port Townsend. Shirtless? "Honestly, it's something we are kind of copying from the whole Seattle scene," the almost 22-year-old Tudhope-Locklear said Thursday, explaining that it's a not-quite-naked bike ride. "Just to keep it fun, festive and edgy," he said in quick, excited cadence with a wry smile. "The police called us and said women couldn't be topless or we couldn't be naked."
Tudhope-Locklear then pedaled into the collective's serious goal of providing a free bike to anyone who needs one. Getting needy people to work by bike, sparing the environment a few pounds less of auto pollution and salvaging old bicycles and tire inner tubes from the landfill are much of The Recyclery's cause celebre. "It's a community thing, and if the community drives it, then it will work," Tudhope-Locklear said. The ReCyclery is a full-service repair and retail bicycle shop with a mission to promote positive social change through bicycles. Its focus is on serving the commuter and utility cyclist as well as providing bicycles to those who can't afford them. "We don't think that money should be a barrier to getting a bike," he said. Money donated to the operation is given back to the community through free and affordable services. The group raised $4,000 during its capital campaign, and Tudhope-Locklear received a no-interest loan of $5,000 to get The Recyclery rolling. Property owner Malcolm Dorn, who met Tudhope-Locklear at a Port Townsend town hall meeting, said that, for a nominal fee, he is providing the use of his courtyard for The Recyclery's repair shed, space for bike art and storing cycles in disrepair until they can be mended. Dorn said that, in the past, he has supported artists using his property for small shed studios. "I support young people making their vision come true," said Dorn, a Port Townsend resident for 24 years. The group of Tudhope-Locklear and some 30 volunteer cyclists host free repair clinics, classes, apprenticeships and a free Adopt-a-Bike program. It is not a cooperative, but its 20-hour advanced mechanics course allows users to use Recyclery tools for free as well as volunteer at free bicycle clinics. Adopt-a-Bike program An Adopt-a-Bike program is run in partnership with the school district's alternative education program, Jefferson County Public Works and Port Townsend Police Department. "We recycle lost and thrown-away bicycles back into the community by teaching kids and adults how to repair bicycles," The Recyclery's Web site states at www.myspace.com/471546703. The organization has been providing bicycle repair clinics since July 2007 at The Boiler Room, a youth job-training program based downtown, and today also at the Food Co-op in Port Townsend. The organization is sponsored by the Food Co-op and the Port Townsend Bicycle Association, which has some 500 members. It also offers bicycle repair apprenticeships to students at local schools and has a contract with city of Port Townsend Public Works to salvage bicycles left at the landfill transfer station. "Our goal is to do everything on bikes," even pull loads on small trailers, Tudhope-Locklear said. For more information, phone Tudhope-Locklear at 360-643-1755 or see the nonprofit's Web site. ________ Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Action Line: Get the best auto repairs possible - Bakersfield Californian Posted: 28 Aug 2009 10:57 AM PDT
Action Line: Get the best auto repairs possible| Friday, Aug 28 2009 11:00 AMLast Updated Friday, Aug 28 2009 11:00 AM Editor's note: Action Line is a weekly column from the Better Business Bureau answering consumers' questions and concerns about money and business issues. Action Line has recently received letters from readers detailing bad experiences with auto repairs, some from private garages and some from chain stores. I appreciate the time that readers spent to contact Action Line, but space does not allow me to answer each one individually in this column. However, automobile repairs are extremely important to all of us. We depend on our vehicles and, in this continuing tight economy, cannot afford to distrust our mechanics and/or receive less than the full value for what repairs cost. Below is some general advice you should know about automotive repairs. • If you have a problem with your car while it is still under warranty, follow the manufacturer's instructions, which may require that repairs be made at an authorized dealership. • If you are looking for a qualified independent shop, ask friends for recommendations. Check with the BBB about the shop's reliability. Look for shops that display certification. For major work, such as brake, transmission or engine repairs, you need to find a shop employing a specialist. According to the Bureau of Automotive Repair, with complex auto designs and the use of computers in diagnosis, you need to make sure the repair facility has the equipment to detect problems and repair them. If you are in doubt about what the problem is, let the shop diagnose the problem. You may cost yourself money by requesting specific repairs that may not solve the problem. Be as specific and accurate as possible in describing the problem. Ask as many questions as you need. Do not be embarrassed to request simple, non-technical definitions. Don't rush the service writer or technician to make an on-the-spot diagnosis. Ask to be called and appraised of the problem(s), course of action and detailed costs before work begins. • If you want the old parts back, you must ask for them before any work is started. The shop is required by law to return the parts only if you have requested them before the work is done. Ensure notification about additional costs, by having the service manager write a request on the bottom of the repair order. Give phone numbers where you can be reached. Before you leave, be sure you understand all shop policies regarding labor rates, guarantees and acceptable methods of payment. • When you pick up your car, get an explanation of all work completed and get all guarantees in writing. Ask that any major new parts that have been installed be pointed out to you, if possible. Your repair bill should be itemized so if a problem occurs later, you can prove the item is covered by the guarantee. Don't hesitate to return the car to the shop if the work was not done satisfactorily. If you are still not satisfied with the work, you have options. You can contact the Kern County BAR at 335-7400 or go to the state Web site at dca.ca.gov. You can contact the head of the auto repair shop, whether that is a local owner or the CEO of a chain. You can file a complaint with the BBB at bbb.org or 322-2077. My best advice is to do all three. Vickie Sanders is assistant director of business services for the Better Business Bureau serving Central California. Send your consumer concerns, questions and problems to Action Line at the Better Business Bureau, 1601 H St., Suite 101, Bakersfield, CA 93301 or vickie@bbbcencal.org.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Car Conservation: Driverside.com - Hartford Courant Posted: 29 Aug 2009 11:32 AM PDT |
| Soldier from Federal Way 'knew he was in harm's way' - Tacoma News Tribune Posted: 29 Aug 2009 01:05 PM PDT Soldier from Federal Way 'knew he was in harm's way' Federal Way: Family travels to Delaware to meet casket STEVE MAYNARD; The News Tribune Originally published: August 29th, 2009 12:14 AM (PDT)  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Ask the Auto Doctor - Independent Record Posted: 28 Aug 2009 11:07 PM PDT Dear Doctor: I own a 2002 Nissan Xterra with the 3.3-liter V-6 engine. I have considered changing the spark plugs. I looked under the hood and could not believe there is no room to get to the spark plugs. How do the technicians get to them? James Dear James: Your Xterra is one of the easier vehicles for accessing and replacing the plugs. It takes time, patience - and the correct tools. You can go online to Alldata.com for the removal and replacement directions for the spark plugs. If you are uncomfortable with the replacement, you may want to take it to a professional. I recommend the factory spark plugs for the Xterra and in all Nissan vehicles. Dear Doctor: I own a 1998 Dodge Intrepid. Occasionally, when parked in the hot sun many electrical functions do not work properly as I try to start the car. All the dash lights stay on, power windows, turn signal, and climate control won't work initially, but then after awhile they will work again. Can you help? Joe Dear Joe: It is an electrical connection malfunction. I researched on my Identifix records and found another Intrepid with the exact problem (hotline archive #325963). The connection was at the C5 junction 12 gauge red and 12 gauge black/orange connections at the junction block. Dear Doctor: I bought a 2005 Chevrolet Impala from the dealership with only 9,000 miles on it. A small squeaking noise has developed when turning the steering wheel and the dealer said it could be the steering rack or steering column. The dealer did not give me a price yet. Do you consider this dangerous or unsafe? Elizabeth Dear Elizabeth: My suggestion is to take the car to an independent shop for a second opinion and repair estimate. A small sound coming from the steering wheel area can be a minor repair or a part replacement. A dried out rubber seal at the lower part of the steering shaft can also cause noise. A full inspection should pinpoint where the noise is coming from. As for whether it presents a hazard the answer would depend on the source of the noise. Dear Doctor: Our 2008 Chrysler minivan has a distinct knocking noise that happens sporadically when the left side door opens, and now just recently it started happening with the right side sliding door. It's driving us nutty. Can you advise? Bernie Dear Bernie: There is a long track and some vans with electric sliders also have a cable. The technician will have to clean the track properly, lube the moving parts, and then look to see any worn or binding parts or linkage. The lower section of the body is where a lot of dirt and rock salt can collect. Dear Doctor: I own a 2002 Acura MDX with 61.000 miles. Are there any brighter headlights - for both high and low beam - that I can put in without doing any damage to the electrical system? Mark Dear Mark: There are a few companies that sell legal bright white replacement headlights for low, high beam and fog lights. Make sure you do not put your fingers on the glass part of the bulb. The oil on you hands will shorten the bulb life. Another consideration is bulb life on the bright whiter bulbs. In some cases bulb life is about half of the factory bulbs. Dear Doctor: I purchased a 2007 certified Chrysler Pacifica 4.0 with 9,600 miles. Current mileage is 19,000. At 13,000 miles it developed a banging sound and vibration that seems to be coming from the firewall console area. The dealer has replaced all engine mounts, right front strut and sway bar links. Have you heard of this problem? Mike Dear Mike: On vehicles with your complaint, we usually put the car on a lift with the engine running and the noise or vibration present. The next step is to apply pressure with a large pry bar and move the engine slightly in different directions to see if the noise/vibration changes. If there were no difference then I would remove the fan belt - or belts if it has more than one. Restart the engine and see if there is any change. If there are no changes we listen for noise with either a chassis ear or a stethoscope. There could be an internal engine or transmission problem causing the problem. Junior Damato is an ASE-certified Master Technician. E-mail questions to info@motormatters.biz Mail questions to: Auto Doctor, 3 Court Circle, Lakeville, MA 02347 Listen to Junior online at www.1460wxbr.com Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. eastern time.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
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