Due to the rising cost of fuel and the environmental damage it causes to our planet, many car owners or buyers are looking for an alternative way to save money. Let’s face it, fuel supply is finite and the prices of gas is only going to rise higher and higher. That is where a hybrid car has its advantages

Hybrid cars have been gaining in popularity in recent years. With lower cost of production and new hybrid car technology being developed, owning a hybrid car is becoming affordable to everyone.

Hybrid Cars Saves Gas

The obvious advantage of using hybrid cars is that it saves gas. Combining the cleaner energy of an electric motor with the long range capacity of a gasoline engine allows a hybrid car to save as much as 30 miles a gallon. One feature of hybrid cars is that the gasoline engine is shut off automatically when the car stops. This also helps in saving fuel. That is also the reason why hybrid cars are so quiet why it is stationary. The gasoline engine is automatically turned on when you step on the accelerator pedal.

Hybrid Cars Are Environment Friendly

Hybrid cars emit lower toxic emissions compared to conventional gasoline-powered cars due to less gasoline being burned. It is environmentally friendly, causes less pollution and releases less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. If you do not know, carbon dioxide is one of the primary reasons for rising global warming. For example, the Toyota Prius can reduce tailpipe emissions by up to ninety percent and the greenhouse gas emissions by as much as fifty percent.

Tax Incentives For Hybrid Cars

Due to world political pressures around the world to reduce greenhouse emissions, President Bush signed an agreement in 2005 to provide huge tax relief to hybrid car buyers. The tax incentive varies by model and are based on two factors

1. How fuel efficient the hybrid car is compared to a conventional car in 2002 with the same weight class.

2. How much gasoline the hybrid car can save in its lifetime compared with an equivalent conventional car

For example, a Honda Accord hybrid car have reduced tax credits of $600 while a Toyota Prius has a tax credit of $3150. Do note that the tax credits do expire after 2010 for most hybrid cars.

Hybrid car manufacturers are continually researching for more ways to reduce fuel consumption and better fuel efficiency. Also as more hybrid cars are being adopted, the cost of hybrid cars will reduce making it more affordable for everyone.

What’s the best Green Car in Australia? This question is often asked by people that want to ‘go green’ and help not only nature by reducing the use of gas but also their own wallet because they don’t have to spend as much money on gas.

The Australian government is making people aware of the fact that the kind of car you drive really does matter when you look at how we affect the nature around us. A car produces carbon which is set loose into the air and has a bad effect on the atmosphere. The amount of carbon that is released in the air varies per car. This is why some cars got the name ‘green car’.

The answer to question ‘What’s the best Green Car in Australia?’ is hard to answer but according to the Australian authorities and a lot of research themes and car producers the Smart, Fiat Punto, Fiat 500, Toyata Prius and Honda Jazz belong in the top five of ‘greenest cars’. These are all smaller cars as you know. Especially the newer models release less carbon in the air.

By driving a green car you do not only reduce the carbon that is released in the air but also spend less money on fuel in general than you would compared to others cars. Basically you can hit two birds with one stone like this.

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What makes you happy?

I know when I’m immersed in one of my hobbies, I’m happy. How about you? Do you have just one hobby? Or, like me, many?

I like to move around in my hobbies. And I’m not even sure I’d call them all hobbies. More like interests.

One of the things I love to do is go metal detecting.

My cousin, Larry, bought a metal detector many years ago when we went to a gem and mining show in Victorville, California. Our first attempt at this new adventure was in his back yard. He lives in the home he grew up in. When he was young, he and his friends buried a cache of pennies and that’s what we were after.

Well, we didn’t find them. Mostly all we found was metal flashing and nails but that did prove something to us—that the metal detector was, indeed, finding metal. And, in keeping with another interest of mine – writing - I wrote an article about the adventure of searching for those pennies. It was published in an issue of Lost Treasure magazine.

That made me way happy! Here I was doing something I loved, both metal detecting and writing, and I got paid to do it. Yes! Happy happy happy!

Larry has since moved on to his interest of Ancient Egypt. Reading and researching, keeping in touch with people also interested in Ancient Egypt, traveling to Egypt, that’s what makes him happy.

And so, yipeeeee!! he lets me keep the metal detector.

Just the other day I took it out to see what treasures I could find.

Not much, before I got rained out, but that was okay. I was happy. I was metal detecting.

My last find, after recovering a whole whopping 41 cents, was three little Hot Wheels cars all in one scoop. I was smiling, enjoying the rain, enjoying my finds, as I walked to my car.

Since it was raining, I thought it would be a great time to pursue another interest of mine-weird tourist attractions. I love strange and unusual attractions and folk art environments are right there at the top of my list.

I’d been meaning to get to the Desert View Tower in Jacumba, CA for a long time but somehow it was always sweltering hot summer when I thought about it. I’ll wait till winter, I would promise myself.

I couldn’t wait any longer, though. I wanted pictures for my weird tourist attractions site NOW!

So I hopped in my little MR2 - road trips are another favorite thing for me - and I headed out to the Desert View Tower. I took the long way from Temecula through Julian and down the winding mountain road into the desert. A real road trip, rather than the Google freeway route.

Besides, my car was yearning for some curves!

When I got to the Desert View Tower it was HOT. I’d thought it might be cooler since it was raining in Temecula, but the coolness didn’t reach that far. It was nice and cool up on the hurricane deck of the tower, with the wind blowing through it. It’s open all the way around with awesome views of - I’ll give you three guesses! - the desert.

Even though it was hot, I had a fun time climbing the tower, taking pictures and clamoring around Boulder Park trying to find all the carvings in the rocks.

I was happy.

On the way home, I took the freeway route and stopped at a casino for a meal. Oh MY!!! The prime rib was the best I have EVER tasted. Good food makes me happy happy happy. And I was HAPPY. I brought most of it home and had some great meals for two more days.

So what makes YOU happy? Are you doing things that make you happy? Do you have a hobby you haven’t touched in a while? An interest you’ve always wanted to pursue but just never gotten to?

There is no better time than now to renew an interest in an old hobby or start a new one. Immersing yourself in a hobby is a great way to happiness. And, after all, being happy is what it’s all about. Right?

Throughout the month of October, AirPlay Direct ran our FREE to enter “All Things Digital Alt. Rock / College / Indie Rock” artist contest. The winner a’tris will receive the Grand Prize package which includes:

* A fee waiver for the contest winner to carry their CD in Best Buy and one performance at a Best Buy branded event (value - priceless)
* A recording studio package fro a master quality EP (5 songs) from Slot-1 Studios (a $5,000 value)
* A full album mastering package from Skyline Sound (a $3,000 value)
* A professional microphone package from SHURE microphones (a $1,500 value)
* A 12 week national publicity / marketing package from Pres Pak Public Relations (a $9,000 value)
* A 6 week national radio promotion campaign to approx. 350 college stations from Powderfinger Promotions (a $1,400 value)
* A promotions and development package from iMergeAndSee Artists Promotions and Development (a $3,280 value)
* ‘The Banquet’ media promotion package from HyperDIY Media (a $2,400 value)
* A ‘Featured Artist’ advertising and PR campaign from Mi2N (a $750 value)
* 8 vocal lessons and a copy of Jeannie’s vocal enhancement materials ‘The Contemporary Vocalist’ Series from Jeannie Deva Studios (a $1,000 value)
* A ‘Featured Artist’ advertising / promotion package from AirPlay Direct (a $1,500 value)
The Grand Prize Package is valued at over $28,000…!

Based out of Boston, MA, this foursome keeps it real and down to earth, using music as an uncontrived conduit for self-expression. “Every musician wants to feel like they’re unique and doing something that’s never been done before,” say the members of a’tris. “But let’s face it: you need to use an agreed-upon vocabulary to describe your music to others. As a musician, you have to come to terms with this as a necessity to discuss your music.” Heavily influenced by the jazz, classical, and progressive rock genres, a’tris not only gives us music as a language, but also as a soundtrack to our lives. “Music and film are inherently intertwined,” says Taylor. “I frequently look to film for inspiration and hope that my music has a bit of cinematic flair.”

Listen to and download “broadcast-quality” tracks at http://www.airplaydirect.com/atris

With the rising gas prices and need to save the environment, you have decided you want to do your part, but you just don’t have the money for a new car. There are alternatives and one of them is converting your existing vehicle to run electricity. Electric cars get between 30 to 70 miles a gallon, depending on certain factors. One of the first things you will need is to create an electric car battery box. You cannot just put the batteries in any type of container because they need special care.

The box is going to be placed in the rear part of the car. You can either put it in the trunk or, if you have the tools and know how, you can weld it into the trunk floor to retain space. The electric car battery box is important because it serves several purposes. The first is that it prevents fumes from getting inside your vehicle while the batteries charge. The second is to prevent any accidents in case of an emergency. Both important reasons and why you have to be very careful.

You will need some electrical knowledge to do this. Here is what you need build and install your own electric car battery box: marine-grade plywood (which is made of Douglas fir or Western Larch), water-repellent paint, an explosion proof brushless fan, marine-grade ventilation bilge hose, metal bands, bolts and baking soda.

Measure the batteries to see how big of a box you are going to need. Once you have the proper box, paint the box with the water-repellent paint and sprinkle baking soda on the box floor. Usually, there will be about 10 batteries. Install the fan onto the side of the box. The fan should be wired so that it will turn on once the batteries begin charging and the fumes can be pulled out of the box. Next, place the hose onto the fan with the end pointing below the car for the fumes to escape. Once all of this is secure, place the metal bands around the box for extra protection. This is to ensure the box won’t be weighed down by the batteries and break, and that it won’t come apart in case of an accident.

Once you have finished the electric car battery box, bolt it to the car frame.

Converting your own vehicle to an electric one can be cost effective. Just prepare and make sure you have all the right equipment before starting to build an electric car battery box.

Since the inception of the hybrid automobile into the automobile market in 2000, each year has brought new models with improvements that have improved performance and interior features. This year, 2007, hybrid car offering will be no different. The year 2007 offers hybrid car manufacturers the chance to debut the best in their year 2007 hybrid car line in regards to performance abilities and environmental enhancements.

When considering the purchase of a new 2007 hybrid automobile, some of the features that should be considered are the size, price, gas mileage and appearance of each model that is featured at each manufacturer’s dealership.

These hybrid automobiles feature gas powered engines, and are equipped with electrical motors as well as a heavy-duty battery or battery pack. There are two varieties of hybrid automobiles. The mild hybrid features a gas-powered engine that supplies the main propulsion to move the car down the highway. An electrical motor provides an added assist in situations where an extra power thrust is needed. The electrical motor also serves to recharge the car battery while the car is on the highway. The full hybrid features a gas-powered engine, with an electric motor and battery as well, but in the full hybrid the electric motor can power the car on its own under certain circumstances. These features will give your new hybrid automobile the best in gas saving features.

The fuel economy on each of the 2007 line of hybrid cars is absolutely outstanding. The specific models of hybrid automobiles, and the fuel economy listings associated with each model are contained in the following list:

* 2007 Toyota Prius - 51 Hwy/60 City

* 2007 Toyota Camry - 38 Hwy/40 City

* 2007 Toyota Highland - 27 Hwy/31 City

* 2007 Ford Escape - 29 Hwy/33 City

* 2007 Honda Accord - 29 Hwy/20 City

* 2007 Honda Civic - 51 Hwy/49 City

* 2007 Lexus GS450H - 28 Hwy/25 City

* 2007 Lexus RX400h - 27 Hwy/32 City

* 2007 Mercury Mariner - 23 Hwy/18 City

These new car models for 2007 offer a comprehensive list of prices, and come with rebates and other incentives to make your new hybrid car purchase a most pleasant experience. With each new car in the 2007 line, you will receive all of the latest car specifications and relevant information on every model that is available to you today.

With this information you will have all you need to make an informed decision to purchase the right hybrid car that will fit the needs of your family. The safety data that is available at each car dealership, on every make and model of hybrid car, will give you the latest safety features that are built in to each of the above models.

The color and selection of each of these models in the 2007 hybrid automobile line can be customized to fit the tastes of the car owner. With the purchase of a new 2007 hybrid automobile, the new car buyer will reap the tax saving benefits offered with The Hybrid Car Tax Credit. This tax benefit will vary and is dependent on the make and model of hybrid car that is purchased, as well as the automakers sales in that hybrid model. The tax benefit savings are outlined by the Federal Government, specifically the Internal Revenue Service and could reach an amount of $3150 on some models.