HotKarz has created an entirely new page called FUNNIES. That is where you will find all the funny and corny pix with captions. Check it out - there are several new ones. I particularly like the one featuring Tom Penney... As a side note, feel free to submit your own pix and captions. As long as no one is nekked, I'll post 'em.
The Father's Day Meet at Shapleigh Corner Store went quite well, considering the weather kept a lot of folks home. Still had a great crowd, as you can see from the pix in the gallery.
Don't forget it's an important cruise at Two Trails Fabulous '50's Diner on Rt 25 in Standish this Wednesday (6/18). We will be holding balloting for the Super Cruise trophies, rain or shine (because we can all go inside if we need to). This cruise is important because it is a small cruise and there are several vehicles running neck 'n' neck in the quest to win, and those that do not show up cannot pull ahead. So far, having balloted in just 4 places to date, 117 ballots have been cast. If you want to be in the running for these beautiful trophies, be there tomorrow evening, 6-8.
For those of you unfamiliar with the area (Jim? Dick?), it's about 2-3 miles north of the rte 25 & 35 intersection in Standish, right on rte 25, on the right.
See ya there...
Bill
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
New Look
HotKarz is changing the look of the Daily Calendar, beginning July 17. Each day will now feature a different photo from our galleries, so keep a sharp eye out - you and/or your vehicle may be found lurking there. For example, Dick's gold Chevy is featured on July 1 and Jim's Ol Blue on July 31.
Just trying to add a little color, with a personal touch. Let me know if y'all like it or not.
Bill
Just trying to add a little color, with a personal touch. Let me know if y'all like it or not.
Bill
Sunday, June 15, 2008
South Mountain Showdown
We and a few other Mainiacs are planning to make a Friday cruise over to Lincoln NH on July 18th, for the South Mountain Showdown Car Show on July 19th, and all Maine HotKarz readers are welcome to join us - the more, the merrier.
We are thinking of having a Friday Morning Cruise over the Kancamagus Highway through the White Mountains, then perhaps take a ride on the Hobo Railroad or visit one of the other many attractions. The Hobo Railroad is $12.00/person ($9.00 for children).
There are several places close to the show that offer accommodations. The best seem to be Comfort Inn, Kancamagus Motor Lodge and Profiles Motel & Cabins. You must book early, as summer accommodations in Lincoln go fast.
If you plan on going with us as a cruise, please let me know not later than July 1 by emailing me. HotKarz will pick up the $10 admission cost to the car show for the first 20 vehicles signed up.
This cruise will not be a formal, over-organized affair. Those who want to participate would all meet at Call's Shopping Plaza in Cornish at 9:00 and we would leave from there. We will stay together as best we can, pulling over periodically to allow folks to catch up if they get separated. We would arrive in Lincoln before noon, for lunch. We would then sign in to our respective accommodations, then we could form groups to go to the attractions of choice (Hobo Railroad, The Flume, Lost River, Clark's Trading Post & Trained Bears). Afterward, everyone would make their own way, their own plans, or "group up" for things like dinner. I will make an effort to arrange a place for dinner that might offer us a group rate in exchange for having our cars draw customers for them.
The Car Show starts registration at 8:00am on Saturday.
If you want to participate, please email me not later than July 1. But accommodations go fast in Lincoln, so you may want to make arrangements as soon as possible.
Bill
We are thinking of having a Friday Morning Cruise over the Kancamagus Highway through the White Mountains, then perhaps take a ride on the Hobo Railroad or visit one of the other many attractions. The Hobo Railroad is $12.00/person ($9.00 for children).
There are several places close to the show that offer accommodations. The best seem to be Comfort Inn, Kancamagus Motor Lodge and Profiles Motel & Cabins. You must book early, as summer accommodations in Lincoln go fast.
If you plan on going with us as a cruise, please let me know not later than July 1 by emailing me. HotKarz will pick up the $10 admission cost to the car show for the first 20 vehicles signed up.
This cruise will not be a formal, over-organized affair. Those who want to participate would all meet at Call's Shopping Plaza in Cornish at 9:00 and we would leave from there. We will stay together as best we can, pulling over periodically to allow folks to catch up if they get separated. We would arrive in Lincoln before noon, for lunch. We would then sign in to our respective accommodations, then we could form groups to go to the attractions of choice (Hobo Railroad, The Flume, Lost River, Clark's Trading Post & Trained Bears). Afterward, everyone would make their own way, their own plans, or "group up" for things like dinner. I will make an effort to arrange a place for dinner that might offer us a group rate in exchange for having our cars draw customers for them.
The Car Show starts registration at 8:00am on Saturday.
If you want to participate, please email me not later than July 1. But accommodations go fast in Lincoln, so you may want to make arrangements as soon as possible.
Bill
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Bayley's
Went to the mini-show at Bayley's Campground in Scarborough today. What a great little place to spend a beautiful day! Everything was relaxed, the hosts were pleasant, and everything you could possibly want - a playground and in-ground pool for the kids, a restaurant, store...
I discovered why Bayley's does not really advertise this show - they only have room for about 50-60 cars, and they got about 40+, so they really don't have room for a big show. But I won't miss this one next year! It was really nice.
Certainly, there wasn't much in the way of trophies - 10 in all - but they more than make up for that in other ways. For example, the top 4 winners not only received a trophy, but cash, as well. First place got $200.
Tomorrow, if it is not raining when I get up, I'll head up to Hodgman's Frozen Custard in New Gloucester. I hear the Knucklebusters put on a good show. If it starts to rain later, we will then decide if we will stay. Later, after Hodgman's, we hope to make it over to Shapleigh Corner Store for the annual Father's Day Meet, which (technically) begins at 4:00 (though many start arriving by noon). They expect to be giving away (50) $100 bills this year.
Regardless of tomorrow's weather, today's outing at Bayley's made this weekend a winner!
I discovered why Bayley's does not really advertise this show - they only have room for about 50-60 cars, and they got about 40+, so they really don't have room for a big show. But I won't miss this one next year! It was really nice.
Certainly, there wasn't much in the way of trophies - 10 in all - but they more than make up for that in other ways. For example, the top 4 winners not only received a trophy, but cash, as well. First place got $200.
Tomorrow, if it is not raining when I get up, I'll head up to Hodgman's Frozen Custard in New Gloucester. I hear the Knucklebusters put on a good show. If it starts to rain later, we will then decide if we will stay. Later, after Hodgman's, we hope to make it over to Shapleigh Corner Store for the annual Father's Day Meet, which (technically) begins at 4:00 (though many start arriving by noon). They expect to be giving away (50) $100 bills this year.
Regardless of tomorrow's weather, today's outing at Bayley's made this weekend a winner!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
On a Serious Note
I prefer not to get political in this blog, but in this case, it concerns the cost of gas and oil, for which we all have a strong need.
Ever notice that for some politicians, their first and only "solution" to any problem is to increase taxes? And after 100 years of that, they still have not learned that higher taxes is never a good, permanent solution to anything. Government can never use our money as wisely as we can, and when they take it from us, we have less to invest in the future, in business, and in our families.
Take the bill in the Senate that would have put a Windfall Profits Tax on oil company profits. Sure, to the short-sighted, that sounds great - the oil companies can afford it, and they deserve it. But the thinking man first remembers that every Windfall Profits Tax of the past has failed miserably. We did it in the '70's, under Carter, and it resulted in shorter supplies and higher prices. Is that really a solution? Is that what we really want?
The reason WF Taxes don't work is simple economics. If you place more taxes on business, the business will simply increase the price to the consumer, to cover the tax. And they will not invest as much into research, or refining. The tobacco companies did that sort of thing when they got sued and had to pay out many millions. They simply passed the cost onto you and me (well, not me - I don't smoke).
It never ceases to amaze me that so many good folks simply cannot grasp this simple concept and truth: if you increase the cost of doing business, it must result in an increase in the cost of products and services. Even a child running a lemonade stand knows that - if the cost of lemons goes up, he has to charge more for his lemonade. If Dad takes 20 percent of every dollar, the kid must charge 20 percent more to make up those losses.
More taxes are not the solution. The solution is four-fold: first, the governments - state and federal - must be made to stop taxing fuel by the dollar, and tax it by the gallon, instead. As it is, every time the cost goes up, the amount we pay in tax also goes up. But if the tax was per gallon, it would not increase just because the price goes up. The ones who are earning a "profit windfall" are the governments.
Second, oil must be removed from the commodities market, and regulated as any other necessary utility. If day traders cannot keep bidding up the futures prices, the cost per barrel will drop like a rock.
Third, the government should pass legislation that would permit us to tap our own natural resources, as a temporary measure, until a new energy source can be found or created. Many people simply do not realize that in the last few years, China and India - both with populations that far exceed our own - have begun using oil in the same quantities (or greater) than America does. This has tripled demand - while supply has remained stagnant. The simple law of "supply and demand" dictates the price increases accordingly. If we cannot decrease demand, then we absolutely must increase supply.
Finally, the government should offer a $100 million dollar reward to any person or company that develops a viable, sustainable source of energy that can replace oil, and is either carbon neutral, or at least greener than fossil fuels. That reward is small compared to what it will cost us if such a source is not developed. The reward would spur ingenuity, and get companies investing in a renewable source. As an example, when a $10 million dollar prize was offered to the first person to put a man into space and land him safely, it spurred many into finding ways to do it, and it was accomplished within 2 years.
But the politicians who see taxation as the only solution are bad for us, bad for our economy, and do not offer any viable answers. It's time to replace them with people who can see beyond their noses. The republicans who shot down that dangerous "band-aid" solution did a fine and courageous thing. Courageous because many people will not see them as visionaries, but as obstructionists. But it's like the Bible says - the righteous will always be persecuted.
Not that those republican Senators are righteous. But in this case, they did manage to do the right thing, for the right reasons. And, since the bill would have forced all businesses to pay a total of an extra trillion a year to buy "carbon credits", they also prevented having businesses pull up stakes and move to China and India, where there are no such restrictions. If you owned a big business and were told to pay a huge amount for credits, and you realized you could save billions by moving to China, you'd be gone in a flash - and take all those American jobs with you. Not good! So, though it looks like obstructionism, in this case the Republicans did a very good and sane thing.
Now if only Congress will do the four things listed above, we could all rest a lot easier.
I really do not care if Republicans or Democrats hold Congress. I only care that whoever we elect, that they actually have some intelligence, and remember that they work for us, and not vice versa. They need to accomplish the tasks the people want them to deal with - immigration, health, jobs, national security etc. But in the 2 years the Democrats have held BOTH HOUSES of Congress, they have not accomplished anything at all. And the Republicans before them were not that much better (though they did get SOME things done).
It is time we sent politicians a message - do the job, or get replaced.
If you are interested in discovering actual solutions, so you can elect people who will pursue them, check out www.americansolutions.com and look over their platform, formulated by asking average Americans what they want our leaders to do. If you agree with more than half of the platform, consider "signing" their petition to have it presented at both national conventions this year.
It's a start.
Ever notice that for some politicians, their first and only "solution" to any problem is to increase taxes? And after 100 years of that, they still have not learned that higher taxes is never a good, permanent solution to anything. Government can never use our money as wisely as we can, and when they take it from us, we have less to invest in the future, in business, and in our families.
Take the bill in the Senate that would have put a Windfall Profits Tax on oil company profits. Sure, to the short-sighted, that sounds great - the oil companies can afford it, and they deserve it. But the thinking man first remembers that every Windfall Profits Tax of the past has failed miserably. We did it in the '70's, under Carter, and it resulted in shorter supplies and higher prices. Is that really a solution? Is that what we really want?
The reason WF Taxes don't work is simple economics. If you place more taxes on business, the business will simply increase the price to the consumer, to cover the tax. And they will not invest as much into research, or refining. The tobacco companies did that sort of thing when they got sued and had to pay out many millions. They simply passed the cost onto you and me (well, not me - I don't smoke).
It never ceases to amaze me that so many good folks simply cannot grasp this simple concept and truth: if you increase the cost of doing business, it must result in an increase in the cost of products and services. Even a child running a lemonade stand knows that - if the cost of lemons goes up, he has to charge more for his lemonade. If Dad takes 20 percent of every dollar, the kid must charge 20 percent more to make up those losses.
More taxes are not the solution. The solution is four-fold: first, the governments - state and federal - must be made to stop taxing fuel by the dollar, and tax it by the gallon, instead. As it is, every time the cost goes up, the amount we pay in tax also goes up. But if the tax was per gallon, it would not increase just because the price goes up. The ones who are earning a "profit windfall" are the governments.
Second, oil must be removed from the commodities market, and regulated as any other necessary utility. If day traders cannot keep bidding up the futures prices, the cost per barrel will drop like a rock.
Third, the government should pass legislation that would permit us to tap our own natural resources, as a temporary measure, until a new energy source can be found or created. Many people simply do not realize that in the last few years, China and India - both with populations that far exceed our own - have begun using oil in the same quantities (or greater) than America does. This has tripled demand - while supply has remained stagnant. The simple law of "supply and demand" dictates the price increases accordingly. If we cannot decrease demand, then we absolutely must increase supply.
Finally, the government should offer a $100 million dollar reward to any person or company that develops a viable, sustainable source of energy that can replace oil, and is either carbon neutral, or at least greener than fossil fuels. That reward is small compared to what it will cost us if such a source is not developed. The reward would spur ingenuity, and get companies investing in a renewable source. As an example, when a $10 million dollar prize was offered to the first person to put a man into space and land him safely, it spurred many into finding ways to do it, and it was accomplished within 2 years.
But the politicians who see taxation as the only solution are bad for us, bad for our economy, and do not offer any viable answers. It's time to replace them with people who can see beyond their noses. The republicans who shot down that dangerous "band-aid" solution did a fine and courageous thing. Courageous because many people will not see them as visionaries, but as obstructionists. But it's like the Bible says - the righteous will always be persecuted.
Not that those republican Senators are righteous. But in this case, they did manage to do the right thing, for the right reasons. And, since the bill would have forced all businesses to pay a total of an extra trillion a year to buy "carbon credits", they also prevented having businesses pull up stakes and move to China and India, where there are no such restrictions. If you owned a big business and were told to pay a huge amount for credits, and you realized you could save billions by moving to China, you'd be gone in a flash - and take all those American jobs with you. Not good! So, though it looks like obstructionism, in this case the Republicans did a very good and sane thing.
Now if only Congress will do the four things listed above, we could all rest a lot easier.
I really do not care if Republicans or Democrats hold Congress. I only care that whoever we elect, that they actually have some intelligence, and remember that they work for us, and not vice versa. They need to accomplish the tasks the people want them to deal with - immigration, health, jobs, national security etc. But in the 2 years the Democrats have held BOTH HOUSES of Congress, they have not accomplished anything at all. And the Republicans before them were not that much better (though they did get SOME things done).
It is time we sent politicians a message - do the job, or get replaced.
If you are interested in discovering actual solutions, so you can elect people who will pursue them, check out www.americansolutions.com and look over their platform, formulated by asking average Americans what they want our leaders to do. If you agree with more than half of the platform, consider "signing" their petition to have it presented at both national conventions this year.
It's a start.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Gambling
All day the news kept talking about severe thunderstorms with large hail. So I spent much of the day debating if I would drive the one hour to Roy's in Auburn for their cruise.
But I knew deep down I would go, because I can be an idiot.
All the way up, the sun shone bright. I hit the Auburn city line and everything grew dark and cold. Uh-oh!
I got to Roy's, and was surprised to see about a dozen cars there, in spite of the threatening weather. It's really nice to know I'm not the only idiot.
But as the sky grew darker, many left (not me, of course, because I'm a professional idiot).
Lo and behold, the dark clouds left, the sun returned and all was fine. But by that time, only a few of us remained, so I hit the road.
But we did manage to get the balloting done for the Super Cruise.
The weather tomorrow is supposed to be fine, so we'll probably pop over to Fabulous 50's Diner on Rte 25 in Standish. It's a small group, but lots of laughs. Thursday we hope to make an appearance at Ainsley's in Gardiner (a first for us).
So many cruises - so few days in a week! I think I'll have myself cloned so I can get on even more people's nerves :o) On second thought, that would not be good - two of me would burn twice as much gas...
Gotta go - take care, folks!
Bill
But I knew deep down I would go, because I can be an idiot.
All the way up, the sun shone bright. I hit the Auburn city line and everything grew dark and cold. Uh-oh!
I got to Roy's, and was surprised to see about a dozen cars there, in spite of the threatening weather. It's really nice to know I'm not the only idiot.
But as the sky grew darker, many left (not me, of course, because I'm a professional idiot).
Lo and behold, the dark clouds left, the sun returned and all was fine. But by that time, only a few of us remained, so I hit the road.
But we did manage to get the balloting done for the Super Cruise.
The weather tomorrow is supposed to be fine, so we'll probably pop over to Fabulous 50's Diner on Rte 25 in Standish. It's a small group, but lots of laughs. Thursday we hope to make an appearance at Ainsley's in Gardiner (a first for us).
So many cruises - so few days in a week! I think I'll have myself cloned so I can get on even more people's nerves :o) On second thought, that would not be good - two of me would burn twice as much gas...
Gotta go - take care, folks!
Bill
Monday, June 9, 2008
Ol Blue
Yeah, you have probably seen this truck, either at shows or cruises throughout Maine. That truck is everywhere!
Jim Peacock, the owner, is from Dresden Maine. Yet he makes it a point to be at cruises as far south as Shapleigh and Westbrook. Everywhere I go, I turn around and there is Big Jim.
I'm going to bet that I see him at Roy's tomorrow night, too. It's always a pleasure, because Jim and his little lady are really nice, affable folks. Don't come any finer. And he gives his vehicles the same dedication and care that he shows to those around him.
It's a pleasure to know ye!
HotKarz is going to be doing ballots for the Super Cruise at Roy's (Auburn) tomorrow night, weather permitting. If we get rained out, check HotKarz to find out if we will show up somewhere else for balloting later in the week.
Just received an email from George Giroux, who runs the South Mountain Showdown Car Show in Lincoln, NH on July 19th. He is inviting all of us Mainiacs to the show. He realizes it's a long drive from Maine (81 miles from my place in Limington), but wanted us to know the invitation is a personal invitation to us, and he would welcome us. While I will likely attend as a rep of HotKarz, I doubt if too many of us can make such a trip. But if you can, you will certainly be made welcome. I'm going to make a weekend of it - the Lincoln area has a lot of attractions, such as Clark's Trading Post & Trained Bears, the Flume, Lost River etc. For me, it will be a great mini-vacation, which makes it worth the trip.
If any of you think you would like to do the same, let me know. Perhaps we can set up a long, 85 mile cruise to Lincoln, then go to some of the attractions as a group.
I've never been to Ainsley's, in Gardiner for their Thursday cruise-in. If the weather holds, I think I'll cruise on up there this week, maybe see some sweet rides I haven't seen before.
Later!
Jim Peacock, the owner, is from Dresden Maine. Yet he makes it a point to be at cruises as far south as Shapleigh and Westbrook. Everywhere I go, I turn around and there is Big Jim.
I'm going to bet that I see him at Roy's tomorrow night, too. It's always a pleasure, because Jim and his little lady are really nice, affable folks. Don't come any finer. And he gives his vehicles the same dedication and care that he shows to those around him.
It's a pleasure to know ye!
HotKarz is going to be doing ballots for the Super Cruise at Roy's (Auburn) tomorrow night, weather permitting. If we get rained out, check HotKarz to find out if we will show up somewhere else for balloting later in the week.
Just received an email from George Giroux, who runs the South Mountain Showdown Car Show in Lincoln, NH on July 19th. He is inviting all of us Mainiacs to the show. He realizes it's a long drive from Maine (81 miles from my place in Limington), but wanted us to know the invitation is a personal invitation to us, and he would welcome us. While I will likely attend as a rep of HotKarz, I doubt if too many of us can make such a trip. But if you can, you will certainly be made welcome. I'm going to make a weekend of it - the Lincoln area has a lot of attractions, such as Clark's Trading Post & Trained Bears, the Flume, Lost River etc. For me, it will be a great mini-vacation, which makes it worth the trip.
If any of you think you would like to do the same, let me know. Perhaps we can set up a long, 85 mile cruise to Lincoln, then go to some of the attractions as a group.
I've never been to Ainsley's, in Gardiner for their Thursday cruise-in. If the weather holds, I think I'll cruise on up there this week, maybe see some sweet rides I haven't seen before.
Later!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)