Category Archives: General

Why do California drivers rarely give signal when changing lanes?

This question was posed to me, and the answer is pretty simple: People in California very often do use their turn signals.

In California, though, the turn signal is a challenge. It has nothing to do with being inconsiderate or laziness. It’s a peacock showing colors, or a baboon showing it’s big colorful butt. It’s an aggressive challenge to the person in the next lane: “go ahead, try to stop me.” The driver in the next lane can either submit to the dominance displayed by the signaling driver, or issue a formal challenge in the form of acceleration.

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Dodge #1, Ram Trucks #3 in J.D. Power Initial Quality Study

While you’ll find me over in the Jeep camp when it comes to FCA, I believe in credit where credit is due:

Dodge has become the first domestic automobile brand EVER to score a No. 1 ranking in the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study – up from No. 8 in last year’s IQS results. Having watched (and participated) in the recent growing pains as FCA has built up the brand, I can certainly say that I’ve seen significant improvement in the overall quality as well as the focus on the customer over the last few years.

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HMS Beagle library goes online

The Guardian newspaper reports that Charles Darwin’s library of books – all 404 of them – that he kept onboard the HMS Beagle are now online over at the Darwin Online Beagle Library project.

From the article:

The lost collection of books that kept Charles Darwin company aboard HMS Beagle and provided inspiration for his later works on evolution has been made publicly available for the first time today.

Hundreds of titles that filled the shelves of the ship’s library on Darwin’s five-year circumnavigation of the globe in the 1830s have been brought together and made freely available through the Darwin Online Beagle Library project.

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Big Bear Old Miners Association Chili Cook-Off

Saturday, July 12, 2014, Bartlett Parking Lot, Big Bear Lake!

The 2014 Big Bear Old Miners Association International Chili Society sanctioned Chili Cook Off will take place beginning at 10 AM and continuing until 8 PM on Saturday, July 12 at the Bartlett Street Parking Lot in the heart of Big Bear Lake Village

Admission to the chili cook off is free to all wishing to attend; however, for the chili enthusiast, there is a $5 fee for a tasting kit. The contestants will be preparing Red Chili; Chili Verde and Homemade Salsa for judging. The chili judging takes place in the afternoon. On site there will be numerous vendors offering a wide variety of gift items and souvenirs. The afternoon ends with the announcement of the chili contest winners.

Come and enjoy great family entertainment in the mountains.

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