FEMA Representative Rita Egan and
The TRIBUNE’s Steve Benson. Egan visited the TRIBUNE’s office to
disseminate instructional information for the public and contact information to
reach FEMA as Nashville and all of middle Tennessee recovers from the recent
destructive flooding on May 1st and 2nd. Photo by James Artis
TO REGISTER
FOR DISASTER
ASSISTANCE OR FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR APPLICATION,
HOUSING RESOURCES OR OTHER INFORMATION
call FEMA at 800-621-3362, TTY: 800-462-7585, (Hearing or Speech Impaired)
or visit the following websites: WWW.FEMA.GOV or
WWW.DISASTERASSISTANCE.GOV
Among the many hundreds of homes damaged as a result of last weekends floods in Nashville were dozens of homes in the Bordeaux area along West Hamilton Street. Pictured are some of the home furnishings West Hamilton residents lost because of the flood. Photo by Steve Benson
Palin
Beauty Contest Rival to Run for Seat in Georgia Legislature
Maryline Blackburn
Atlanta,
GA. Maryline Blackburn, an R&B singer and actress who
bested Sarah Palin in the Miss Alaska beauty contest in 1984, plans to run for
the state legislature in Georgia as a Democrat.
Blackburn, Alaska’s first African
American representative in the Miss America contest, has lived in Georgia for
24 years -- long enough to challenge Republican incumbent Rich Golick for the
Georgia House seat, according to Jim Galloway’s Political Insider column on the
Atlanta Journal Constitution website.
Blackburn, who resides in Smyrna, Ga.,
has said mostly positive things about Palin, who went on to become governor of
Alaska and the 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate.
Blackburn, an Army brat who was born in
Europe, raised in Fairbanks, Alaska, and lives in Atlanta, became the first
African-American to represent Alaska in the Miss America competition. Palin
settled for “Miss Congeniality.”
“Maryline, I do love you,” Palin wrote
on Blackburn’s pageant program. “You are more admired than you ever know.
Please keep God Number One, he’s got great things for you, baby.”
Blackburn went on to become an R&B
singer. Palin, 44, was elected governor of Alaska and has rocketed to
international fame since John McCain picked her as his running mate.
Blackburn, who lived in Fairbanks at
the time of the pageant, says she voted for Barack Obama in 2008 when her old
rival was John McCain’s running mate.
Review and photo by Steve Benson, The Tennessee TRIBUNE
In case you missed my review of the 2010 Camaro SS from last year, I love this car. But to make sure I provide another voice of perspective on the Camaro, I asked Mr. Marty Luplow, the New Car Sales Manager at Freeland Superstore in Nashville’s Hickory Hollow area, his view on this year’s Camaro. Luplow commented that the Camaro’s “interior appointments are quality and well designed. And as far as the exterior, one might look at the sleek style of the Camaro and think it is one of those rough and tumble sports cars, and although the 3.6 liter V6 generates the 2 LT Coupe’s sports car level of horsepower, the handling is impressively responsive and the ride is smooth and comfortable.” So there you have it, given an interior features list as long as any luxury auto, given a four star frontal crash rating and a five star side crash rating, given the 18 miles-per-gallon city and the 29 miles-per-gallon highway, and given a very reasonble options-loaded price tag of $ 30,400, there is a lot to love about the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro.
OK, we’re going to get straight to the point here. The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro rocks. After years of anticipation, Chevy’s new Camaro not only lives up to the hype but also redefines what a muscle car can be. The traditional stereotype goes something like this -- the affordable base model looks fast but goes slow due to a lumpy V6, while the V8-powered model will do apocalyptic burnouts in the high school parking lot but can’t corner to save its (or your) life. The latest Dodge Challenger comes uncomfortably close to this archetype, and the Ford Mustang is at least guilty on the V6 front. But this new Camaro, well, it’s an altogether different beast.
Impressively, the new Chevy Camaro is an excellent performance-car value whether it’s equipped with the base direct-injected V6 or the optional V8. The V6-powered base Camaro can sprint to 60 mph in 6.0 seconds, thanks to 300 horsepower, yet it costs the same as competitors like the considerably slower Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T. Heck, even the V6’s fuel economy is impressive compared to its competition. The V8-powered Camaro SS with the manual transmission dispenses with 60 mph in a blistering 5.0 seconds -- 426 hp will do that for you -- yet it’s considerably cheaper than cars like the BMW 135i and Challenger SRT8 and outperforms the slightly more affordable Mustang GT. The Camaro handles smartly, too, with even the base car surpassing the rarefied 68 mph mark on our slalom course.
Riding on a shortened and reworked version of GM’s Zeta platform, which it shares with the Pontiac G8 sport sedan, the Camaro boasts an independent rear suspension and refined handling characteristics. The base direct-injected 3.6-liter V6 is the same sophisticated engine that’s an extra-cost option on the Cadillac CTS luxury sedan, while the 6.2-liter V8 in the manual-transmission Camaro SS is essentially borrowed from the base Corvette (automatic SS models get a slightly less powerful V8 variant). This is some serious hardware, and as our tests have shown, it really delivers the performance goods.
This isn’t to say that Chevrolet has somehow spawned the perfect performance coupe. While appealingly styled, the car’s retro-themed exterior and high beltline leave little room for glass, and the resulting gun-slit-like windshield and windows compromise outward visibility to the point that it can be difficult to place the car in tight corners (and parking spots). Another knock against the Camaro is its lackluster interior materials -- they’re better than the old Camaro’s, for sure, but a couple competing models do it better. There’s also the comically small trunk opening (meaning it’s hard to load large items into the trunk) and the lack of a factory navigation system.
But will you care? Probably not. In the final analysis, the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro is a car that’s no-excuses good. Even the Camaro in V6 automatic trim is no longer something that enthusiasts will snicker at. And with the chest-pounding V8, the Camaro will have the muscle car gods gazing down and beaming. You also get capable handling abilities, retro-cool styling and impossible-to-ignore pricing. The wait is over; the Camaro is here. And yes, it rocks.
The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro performance coupe is available in five trim levels: base LS, 1LT, 2LT, 1SS and 2SS. The first three come with the V6, while the latter two get the V8. Standard equipment for the base LS includes 18-inch black “Heritage” steel wheels, keyless entry, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats with power-reclining seatbacks, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, air-conditioning, cruise control and a CD/MP3 audio system with satellite radio and an auxiliary audio jack. The 1LT adds foglamps, 18-inch alloy wheels and a six-way power driver seat. The 2LT adds 19-inch alloy wheels, heated side mirrors, auto-dimming functionality for the driver-side and interior mirrors, additional auxiliary gauges, remote engine start (automatic transmission only), leather upholstery, heated power front seats and a Boston Acoustics sound system with steering-wheel-mounted controls, a USB audio interface and Bluetooth.
The 1SS trades some of the 2LT’s luxuries for the power of the 6.2-liter V8. Upgrades include SS-specific exterior and interior styling cues, 20-inch aluminum wheels and Brembo brakes. The 2SS unites the 1SS’s sporty styling touches and performance hardware with the 2LT’s full list of standard equipment.
There are two optional packages. The Convenience and Connectivity package (1LT only) adds Bluetooth, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, a USB port, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a cargo net and remote start. The RS package (available on all V6 models except the LS) adds xenon headlights, exclusive 20-inch aluminum wheels and a spoiler, among other exterior enhancements. Other options, depending on trim level, include special exterior graphics and a sunroof (available on all but the LS).
The rear-wheel-drive 2010 Chevy Camaro is powered by either a 3.6-liter direct-injected V6 (LS, 1LT, 2LT) or a 6.2-liter V8 (1SS, 2SS). Both are offered with either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic with manual shift control. The V6 is rated at an even 300 hp and 273 pound-feet of torque. The V8 on manual transmission-equipped cars makes a honking 426 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. Camaro V8s with the automatic have slightly less power (400 hp, 410 lb-ft) but come with a cylinder-deactivation feature for enhanced fuel economy.
In our performance tests of manual-transmission Camaros, we’ve recorded 0-60-mph sprints of 6.0 seconds with the V6 and 5.0 seconds for the V8. EPA fuel economy estimates are an impressive 17 mpg city and 29 highway for the V6 (18 mpg city with the automatic), and 16 mpg city and 24 highway with the V8 (25 mpg highway with the automatic). These are very impressive fuel consumption figures, particularly given how powerful these engines are.
Standard safety features include antilock disc brakes, stability control, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. Basic OnStar is standard on the LS and 1SS, while the 1LT, 2LT and 2SS receive OnStar with turn-by-turn navigation featuring a graphical display in the gauge cluster.
Muscle cars have traditionally had bland interiors (a trend that continues with the Camaro’s Ford and Dodge competition), but the Camaro laudably mixes retro touches like square gauge hoods and the available four-pack of auxiliary gauges with common-sense modern ergonomics. On the downside, there are a few ergonomic annoyances. The steering wheel is overstyled and doesn’t fit human hands the way it should; the same goes for the bizarrely shaped manual shift knob. We also dislike the main gauges (they’re hard to read) and the dead pedal (it isn’t angled properly for comfortable cruising). Other issues include lackluster interior materials quality, the lack of an optional factory navigation system and the Camaro’s tiny trunk opening, making loading elongated objects an exercise in frustration (golfers be warned). Backseat comfort is marginal, as you’d expect -- there’s a shortage of headroom and legroom, so don’t expect to use the rear quarters for more than short trips. The rear seats don’t fold down, but there’s a trunk pass-through.
The 2010 Chevy Camaro is the no-brainer choice among muscle cars for those who enjoy spirited driving, thanks to its unbeatable combination of big power, ample grip and refined suspension tuning. It’s even got enough finesse to give luxury performance coupes like the BMW 135i and Infiniti G37 some competition. We just wish the experience were less like driving a really agile tank, but the Camaro’s dramatic exterior styling leaves no other option. The base V6 Camaro feels quick and sounds sophisticated -- a knockout bargain at $22,000 and change -- while the V8 model will deliver tire-evaporating torque along with that classic muscle car roar at full throttle. What’s more, for all its performance capabilities, the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro still manages to be quite civil around town and on the highway in terms of both ride quality and wind/road noise.
Edmunds.com.
Edit Like a Pro: Know Your Grammar
“Once you’re out of school, grammar matters even more.” --Claudia Sorsby
Recent findings by the National Commission on Writing in America’s Schools and Colleges showed that “more than 50 percent of first-year college students are unable to produce papers relatively free of language errors.” The report found that “proper grammar and usage” skills were lacking. This study and one conducted by ACT (American College Testing) indicated that one fifth of all high school English instructors are not teaching their students the basic mechanics of writing. Yet in order to write and edit effectively, one must know and understand the basic foundation of writing: grammar.
Not only is our educational system laden with poorly written assignments. Common language errors can also be seen in documents, letters, reports and emails produced in the workplace. As presented in my last column, there are numerous articles showing the need for and importance of effective writing skills, as well as the cost of poor writing.
Government
Earlier this year, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) put out an RFP (Request for Proposal) – OPM18-10-T-0004 seeking vendors to provide educational services for the agency. Within days of the RFP going out, OPM was flooded with numerous questions. Why? Because of poor writing and organization of the RFP. So the agency sent out a memo to more than 200 vendors stating, “Due to the volume of questions received from interested vendors, the proposal submission deadline for the Education Services Solicitation will be extended beyond January 29, 2010.”
On February 12, OPM issued another amendment and then on March 11, I received an email from the agency with the following amendment message:
Due to unforeseen delays, all vendor response and proposal due dates associated with the Adjunct Faculty and Educational Support Services Solicitation OPM18-10-T-0004 have been deferred until further notice.
It can be surmised that OPM’s confusing and unclear RFP was costly in a variety of ways – not only in time used by their staff, but also by the 200 plus vendors interested in submitting a proposal.
Business
Several years ago, a major television network group requested a written communications workshop for their IT managers. It seemed that internal emails and communication with affiliate stations were being engulfed in confusion and slowed down progress. Therefore I was flown to NY to conduct a half-day workshop. However within minutes of the training session, it was clear that these extremely intelligent high-tech executives had forgotten the basics of writing: grammar.
A Georgia Fortune 500 company was having such a challenge with customer communications that they required managers from across the state to attend a full-day course. In response to their need, Peter Bowerman and I designed “GRAMMAR Rammer: The BIG Game of Effective Writing Skills.” During this training, there were many writing myths that had to be dispelled and grammar rules that had to be reviewed.
Unlike OPM, these businesses tackled the communications problem by providing tailored training for their staff. They realized the cost and value of effective writing skills, as well as the need to eliminate common errors that bottleneck progress.
So after seeing the costly impact grammar can have on education, government and business – how does this information relate to you? What can you do to edit like a pro? Answer – increase your knowledge of grammar. And how can you do that? Answer – become grammar savvy.
Grammar Tips
1. Review the eight parts of speech
2. Understand how the same word can function in different ways based on how it is used in a sentence. For example: Effective Writing is an asset (writing is a noun). We are writing the report (writing is a verb). The team’s writing assignment will require much effort (writing is an adjective).
3. Eliminate the four grammar taboos from your writing.
A – You can start a sentence with a conjunction (i.e., and,
or, but)
B – It is not wrong to end a sentence with a preposition
C – It is acceptable to split an infinitive
D – Contractions can be used in business correspondence
to sound more conversational and friendly
4. Read “good” writing
5. Write in the active voice whenever possible
6. Avoid writing long sentences that bore or lose your reader
7. Understand proper use of the six major punctuation marks (i.e., apostrophe, colon, comma, period, quotations, semicolon)
While this is not an exhaustive list, it’s a start. Below are some website resources you can use to strengthen your grammar skills. And since March 4 was National Grammar Day, be sure to visit http://nationalgrammarday.com for more tips and resources.
• Audio,
http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=78&aid =103943
Provides a PODCAST to download 50 audio grammar and writing tools
• English Grammar Quizzes,
a4esl.org/q/h/grammar.html
Provides interactive self-study grammar quizzes from Osaka Jogakuin College in Japan. Levels 1 and 2, Levels 3 and 4, Levels 5 and 6
• Grammar Challenge
www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/radio/specials/1844_gramchallenge47/index.shtml
Gives grammar quizzes, explanation downloads and an audio file (mp3) for each grammatical topic presented.
• Grammar and Punctuation Rules
www.grammarbook.com/english_rules.asp
Offers free online usage rules among authorities (e.g., AP Stylebook, CMS).
Use these resources and discover the benefits of becoming a powerful writer as you increase your grammar skills and begin to “Edit Like a Pro!!
Dr. Marćia Riley
EA Incorporated/Atlanta, GA
www.ExecutiveWritingCoach.net
