Greetings,
This is a continuation from our Spring 2007 newsletter in which I wrote about my third go-cart building efforts and the Cleveland Heights police. Well, as it was, the police didn’t appreciate us operating our go-cart on the streets and had already warned us more than a few times not to drive on the streets but to drive only on the sidewalks. We gave the sidewalks our best effort but because of the unevenness, cracks, and holes, the cart was almost impossible to handle and would destruct after a short time. Plus, most importantly, we couldn’t go fast!
I don’t remember how I made the decision to drive our go-cart to Euclid, Ohio where I used to live, but I must have figured the police there didn’t know us, and we would be able to ride there without much interference. I planned to leave the cart parked at the house of my former neighbors, the Kings.
The trip was over ten miles, further than we had ever gone before, so we had to make special preparations. We carried extra parts and tools to be able to make repairs along the way, if needed. And needed they were. The first day, with a friend following on a bicycle, we made about six miles before breaking down completely. We asked a homeowner if we could store the cart there for the night and promised to return the next day. As I recall, I rode home on the handlebars of the bike.
The following day we were able to complete the trip to my friend’s and that is where our go-cart came to rest. I don’t recall what became of it after that trip; for all I know it is still behind the King’s garage.
A few years later I graduated from high school, joined the Navy and, as you might guess, ended up aboard the USS Ernest G. Small in the engine room as a mechanist mate. A mechanist mate is something like a car mechanic except we worked in the engine room on a ship. I served three years, 10 months and 18 days in the Navy, which included a tour in Vietnam. The engine room was a hot and dirty place that had a limited amount of fresh air, which had to be blown in through a few vents.
I decided I wanted to better myself, and after getting out of the Navy, I headed to Ohio University in Athens, Ohio to obtain a degree. During summers, I worked for a construction company and a building demolition company. But my true loves were the jobs I had at gas stations, Weisneski’s and Mike’s Gulf in Cleveland. At both places, I did repairs and pumped gas. Mike Frum taught me about business and marketing. Mike had two full time mechanics, Howard and Al. They taught me basic mechanics, and Mike taught me about customer service. “It was hard to gain a new customer but it was easy to lose an old one,” Mike often said. One mistake was all that it might take to lose a customer forever.
I entered Ohio University with the goal of getting a degree in photography. After completing two years I realized I was not cut out to be a photographer. I was more than a little depressed, as I had started college at the time when most of my friends had already graduated and were already starting their careers, and I still didn’t know what I wanted to do. I consulted a university guidance counselor who suggested I take an aptitude test to see where my interests lie. And, lo and behold, after computing the results, the conclusion was I had more than a strong aptitude for mechanics. Even at the tender age of 24 I still had not acquired a whole lot of common sense, so I decided to change my major to psychology. Go figure. So in 1971 I graduated with a degree in psychology and also a bride of one year Betty, who also had obtained a degree in psychology.
To be continued.
Lowell
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Courtesy Shuttle Service
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Which one do you really need? Over the years Clark Howard, the frugal economist, has repeatedly tried to convince people not to throw away money on premium gasoline when they really don’t need to buy it. Many people have been convinced by the propaganda of the oil companies, who say that even if your car calls for regular unleaded you’re treating your car better if you use premium. Howard was stunned when he read that almost no one driving today needs premium gas. According to a USA Today story, cars that call for premium gas in the owner’s manual do not even need to use premium gas. It’s all a marketing ploy, yet one in eight people are still doing it. Only three to five percent of cars call for premium gas, but the reality is that only a few cars out there need it. People will continue to buy because they like the elitist idea. But even a Porsche does not need premium gas. Their engineers admitted in the story that their cars must be able to drive anywhere in the world, so they have to be able to run on regular unleaded gas. So, unless you’ve got an exorbitantly-priced car with a super turbo engine, stick to regular gas. Speaking of fuel, we found a great Web site for gas-saving tips and other useful information. Go to fueleconomy.gov for more. Back to Contents |
Are you trying to decide what to get that special someone for a birthday or
other special occasion? How about a gift certificate for repair work at
Lowell's? We can print one (or more) out for you, good for any amount
you'd like. They make an ideal gift for a family member or co-worker who
drives a Toyota or Lexus. Just give us a call at (859) 233-1173 or email
us if you'd like to purchase one.
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A Toyota butler?... In a medium- and long-term business plan it unveiled recently, Toyota said it plans to commercialize the use of "partner robots", or humanoid-type robots, in nursing, housekeeping, and other fields. The company has already developed robot prototypes, including a two-legged humanoid. Toyota's profit up... Toyota's third quarter net profit rose 11% to $4 billion. Sales also increased 11% for the same period, to $57 billion. The company also recently raised its global annual sales forecast from 8.89 million to 8.93 million vehicles. To the rescue... Kentucky's Department of Transportation Safety has created a new program called SAFE Patrol, designed to aid stranded motorists and assist in "incident management". The program operates on Kentucky's interstates and parkways and, among other free services, provides, gas, oil, and jump starts. For more information, go to http://highwaysafety.ky.gov/safe_patrol.asp. |
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Share a
Recipe
A regular
feature in Lowell's Toyota Times
This edition's recipe was sent in by Debbie Waskow.
Debbie and Dan Waskow are long time friends who own a repair shop in College Station, Texas.
Visit their Web site at www.happycars.com.
Low-fat, Sugar-free Cinnamon Apples
Core and
slice a few apples evenly (1 apple per person). Spray a Pyrex dish with
Pam. Layer apples in pan and then sprinkle on cinnamon, Splenda brown sugar,
dried cranberries or raisins, and a handful of chopped nuts. Heat in
microwave until the apples are soft. (Stir halfway through the process to
coat the apples with the sugar mixture). Delicious!
If you have a recipe you'd like to share, send it to us at lowells@iglou.com.
Lowell
Don't
miss our "MONTHLY
SPECIAL" at www.chooselowells.com.
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Lowell's Toyota Times is published by Lowell's Bluegrass
Automotive. Opened in 1979, Lowell's is the the only independent repair
shop in the Bluegrass specializing in the maintenance and repair of Toyota,
Lexus, and Scion vehicles.
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