Sending positive thoughts and well wishes to all of those in the path of Hurricane Sandy. Stay safe all.

For weather updates and hurricane safety tips, please visit http://wxch.nl/TsGLwv

 

Hurricane safety: When the lights go out

A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions are possible in the watch area, and are issued 48 hours before the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.

A tropical storm warning means tropical-storm-force winds are expected somewhere in the designated area within 36 hours. A tropical storm watch means such conditions are possible within 48 hours.

Here are recommendations on what to do before a storm approaches:

-- Download an application to your smartphone that can notify people where you are, and if you need help or are safe. The Red Cross has a Hurricane App available in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. A First Aid app is also available.

-- Use hurricane shutters or board up windows and doors with 5/8 inch plywood.

-- Bring outside items in if they could be picked up by the wind.

-- Clear gutters of debris.

-- Reinforce the garage door.

-- Turn the refrigerator to its coldest setting in case power goes off. Use a cooler to keep from opening the doors on the freezer or refrigerator.

-- Fill a bathtub with water.

-- Get full tank of gas in one car.

-- Go over the evacuation plan with the family, and learn alternate routes to safety.

-- Learn the location of the nearest shelter or nearest pet-friendly shelter.

-- Put an ax in your attic in case of severe flooding.

-- Evacuate if ordered and stick to marked evacuation routes, if possible.

-- Store important documents -- passports, Social Security cards, birth certificates, deeds -- in a watertight container.

-- Have a current inventory of household property.

-- Leave a note to say where you are going.

-- Unplug small appliances and electronics before you leave.

-- If possible, turn off the electricity, gas and water for residence.

Here is a list of supplies:

-- A three-day supply of water, one gallon per person per day.

-- Three days of food, with suggested items including: canned meats, canned or dried fruits, canned vegetables, canned juice, peanut butter, jelly, salt-free crackers, energy/protein bars, trail mix/nuts, dry cereal, cookies or other comfort food.

-- A can opener.

-- Flashlight(s).

-- A battery-powered radio, preferably a weather radio.

-- Extra batteries.

-- A first aid kit, including latex gloves; sterile dressings; soap/cleaning agent; antibiotic ointment; burn ointment; adhesive bandages in small, medium and large sizes; eye wash; a thermometer; aspirin/pain reliever; anti-diarrhea tablets; antacids; laxatives; small scissors; tweezers; petroleum jelly.

-- A small fire extinguisher.

-- Whistles for each person.

-- A seven-day supply of medications.

-- Vitamins.

-- A multipurpose tool, with pliers and a screwdriver.

-- Cell phones and chargers.

-- Contact information for the family.

-- A sleeping bag for each person.

-- Extra cash.

-- A silver foil emergency blanket.

-- A map of the area.

-- Baby supplies.

-- Pet supplies.

-- Wet wipes.

-- A camera (to document storm damage).

-- Insect repellent.

-- Rain gear.

-- Tools and supplies for securing your home.

-- Plastic sheeting.

-- Duct tape.

-- Dust masks.

-- An extra set of house keys.

-- An extra set of car keys.

-- An emergency ladder to evacuate the second floor.

-- Household bleach.

-- Paper cups, plates and paper towels.

-- Activities for children.

-- Charcoal and matches, if you have a portable grill. But only use it outside.

American Red Cross tips on what to do after the storm arrives:

-- Continue listening to a NOAA Weather Radio or the local news for the latest updates.

-- Stay alert for extended rainfall and subsequent flooding even after the hurricane or tropical storm has ended.

-- If you evacuated, return home only when officials say it is safe.

-- Drive only if necessary and avoid flooded roads and washed out bridges.

-- Keep away from loose or dangling power lines and report them immediately to the power company.

-- Stay out of any building that has water around it.

-- Inspect your home for damage. Take pictures of damage, both of the building and its contents, for insurance purposes.

-- Use flashlights in the dark. Do NOT use candles.

-- Avoid drinking or preparing food with tap water until you are sure it's not contaminated.

-- Check refrigerated food for spoilage. If in doubt, throw it out.

-- Wear protective clothing and be cautious when cleaning up to avoid injury.

-- Watch animals closely and keep them under your direct control.

-- Use the telephone only for emergency calls.

 

CNN

Would you be brave enough to introduce your wheels to one of the most dangerous roads in the world?

This is Stelvio Pass Road located in Italy and is the highest paved mountain pass in the Eastern Alps.

2013 Kia Soul Wins Active Lifestyle Vehicle Of The Year Award In Urban Category

The 2013 Kia Soul, Kia Motors America's (KMA's) wildly popular hip hatchback, has been named the Active Lifestyle Vehicle (ALV) of the Year in its category as part of the ninth annual ALV awards. The Soul's win in the ALV Urban Vehicle category follows other recent accolades, including "Top Tailgating Car for 2012" and "Top Back-To-School Car," both awarded by Kelley Blue Book.

Held on the campus of Local Motors in Chandler, Ariz., this year's ALV event included 28 finalist vehicles vying for recognition from the ALV awards jury, which consisted of more than two dozen members of the media and seventy athletes who participate in cycling, triathlon, kayaking, softball and running. In all, more than one hundred expert panelists carefully studied how each vehicle could fit into and facilitate an active lifestyle. Evaluations included dynamic vehicle testing on both on- and off-road courses.

"Being honored as ALV's Urban Vehicle of the Year speaks to the Soul's functionality and versatility, while underscoring its roomy interior and cargo space designed to meet the needs of both world-class athletes and weekend warriors," said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing & communications, Kia Motors America. "And with its lively performance, fully independent, sub-frame mounted front suspension system and IIHS 'Top Safety Pick' status, Soul drivers can be comfortable and secure no matter where their outdoor activities might take them."

ALV is the only car-of-the-year program in the United States which combines the input of automotive journalists and elite local athletes to determine which cars and trucks best meet the needs of buyers with active lifestyles.

Kia's Unprecedented Growth

Kia Motors is one of the world's fastest moving global automotive brands; from 2009-2011 Kia launched more new vehicles in the U.S. than any other automaker, and under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer earned a reputation as an industry leader in automotive styling. Kia Motors America's full line of fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive cars and CUVs has earned critical acclaim and dramatically increased consumer awareness, perception and consideration for the brand. In 2011, KMA recorded its 17th consecutive year of market share growth, thanks in part to the largest increase of any major brand in perceived quality(1) and the industry's highest brand loyalty ranking(2). Kia's U.S.-based manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia - KMMG - is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 plant and supplier jobs and builds two of the company's best-selling vehicles in the U.S. - the Sorento CUV and Optima midsize sedan*. Kia's value and technology-laden lineup also includes the Sportage compact CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Optima Hybrid, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and Sedona minivan.

About Kia Motors America

Kia Motors America is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 755 dealers throughout the United States and serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and LPGA. In 2011, KMA recorded its best-ever annual sales total and became one of the fastest growing car companies(3) in the U.S. Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, advanced safety features and new technologies.

Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its website - www.kia.com . For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com .

* The Sorento and Optima GDI (EX Trims and certain LX Trims only) and GDI Turbo are built in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.

(1) Source: Automotive Lease Guide Spring 2011 Perceived Quality Study.

(2) Source: Experian Automotive Q2 2011 market analysis.

(3) Based on 5-year cumulative growth between 12-month retail sales for periods ending September 2007 and September 2012 of all U.S. automotive brands.

SOURCE Kia Motors America, Inc.

2013 Kia Forte Koup Inspired by The Flash Set for 2012 SEMA Show

Kia Motors America is set to unveil four more of its new Justice League-inspired custom rides at the upcoming 2012 SEMA Show, including a 2013 Kia Forte Koup that honors The Flash.

Kia already unveiled its first superhero ride, a 2013 Optima SX Limited inspired by Batman.

The Flash superhero is said to be the "fastest man alive."

Aquaman, The Flash, Cyborg and Green Lantern will be the inspiration for this set of four customized vehicles that are being built thanks to Kia's partnership with DC Entertainment.

To hype up the unveiling, the automaker has released a teaser image of the custom 2013 Kia Forte Koup. All that is visible is the front of the car, which features a translucent Flash logo on the hood and custom paint job. Presumably the special Kia gets a lot of power in honor of its namesake. The car was put together with West Coast Customs and makes its public debut at the Kia booth on October 30.

A total of eight superhero Kias will be built as part of the automaker's 10-month membership with DC Entertainment. The cars raise awareness for the "We Can Be Heroes" famine relief campaign, and will eventually be auctioned off to benefit the charity.

The 2012 SEMA Show runs from October 30 to November 2 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Source: Edmunds

How To Share The Road With Truckers

Everybody has a horror story to tell about an encounter they've had with an 18-wheeler on the Interstate, and how they were nearly killed by the inattentiveness of the truck driver. News programs like Dateline NBC and 60 Minutes feed this fear with selectively edited stories regarding truck safety. But what nobody seems to consider is that they themselves may have caused the problem because of ignorance about what is involved in driving a truck, or by engaging in righteous driving behavior that did nothing but endanger their own lives and those of the people they care most about.

Personally, we've seen rude truckers hog the road, and we've seen dimwitted drivers set themselves up for what could be a very painful, if not deadly, lesson. Furthermore, not all trucks traveling the nation's highways are properly maintained, due to a lack of finances or pure laziness. But for most truck drivers, who are paid by the mile and are held responsible for damaged goods, their lives and livelihoods depend on driving a well-maintained truck carefully, and getting freight to its destination on time.

Tractor trailer trucks are responsible for carrying nearly 30 percent of all the cargo shipped in the United States. Technology and improved roadways have allowed the use of trucks for shipping to increase steadily since the 1920s, resulting in larger vehicles and heavier loads. Yet, traffic fatalities involving trucks have steadily declined during the past 50 years, except for a small spike upward in the early 1980s right after the trucking industry was deregulated. Fatalities due to accidents involving semi trucks total 5,000 annually on average, with the vast majority of those fatalities suffered by occupants of passenger vehicles that collided with a truck. As motorists who must share the road with semi trucks, we can do our part to help reduce this number even further if we simply take the time to follow a few simple driving rules and try to understand how difficult it is to maneuver a tractor-trailer in traffic.

We asked Michael Taylor, transportation special programs developer for the Tractor Trailer Training Program at Triton College in River Grove, Ill., what the top five pet peeves truckers had with fellow motorists were. Here is his list:

1) Riding in a trucker's blind spots. Trucks have large blind spots to the right and rear of the vehicle. Smaller blind spots exist on the right front corner and mid-left side of the truck. The worst thing a driver can do is chug along in the trucker's blind spot, where he cannot be seen. If you're going to pass a truck, do it and get it over with. Don't sit alongside with the cruise control set 1 mph faster than the truck is traveling.

2) Cut-offs. Don't try to sneak into a small gap in traffic ahead of a truck. Don't get in front of a truck and then brake to make a turn. Trucks take as much as three times the distance to stop as the average passenger car, and you're only risking your own life by cutting a truck off and then slowing down in front of it.

3) Impatience while reversing. Motorists need to understand that it takes time and concentration to back a 48-foot trailer up without hitting anything. Sometimes a truck driver needs to make several attempts to reverse into tight quarters. Keep your cool and let the trucker do her job.

4) Don't play policeman. Don't try to make a truck driver conform to a bureaucrat's idea of what is right and wrong on the highway. As an example, Taylor cited the way truck drivers handle hilly terrain on the highway. A fully loaded truck slows way down going up a hill. On the way down the other side of the hill, a fully loaded truck gathers speed quickly. Truckers like to use that speed to help the truck up the next hill. Do not sit in the passing lane going the speed limit. Let the truck driver pass, and let the Highway Patrol worry about citing the trucker for breaking the law.

5) No assistance in lane changes or merges. It's not easy to get a 22-foot tractor and 48-foot trailer into traffic easily. If a trucker has his turn signal blinking, leave room for the truck to merge or change lanes. Indicate your willingness to allow the truck in by flashing your lights.

According to "Sharing the Road," a booklet distributed by John Deere Transportation Insurance, the three most common types of accidents involving heavy trucks involve the following:

1) Crashes caused by the truck's inability to stop in time.2) Crashes caused by a motorist trying to pass a truck on the right while the truck is making a right-hand turn. Also known as the right turn squeeze.3) Crashes caused by a motorist riding in the trucker's blind spots. Use the following rule of thumb: If you cannot see the truck driver in his mirrors, he probably cannot see you.

By taking simple common-sense steps to protect yourself and your family when driving near large trucks, traffic fatalities will continue to drop. Over the years, the trucking industry has improved the quality of truck drivers by making it more difficult to qualify for and keep a Commercial Driver's License (CDL). Mandatory drug testing has also been instituted. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published the following data in 2008. The intoxication rate for drivers involved in fatal accidents was:

27% for motorcycle riders 23% for light truck drivers (pickups and SUVs, that is) 23% for passenger car drivers 1% for truck drivers

Still, more work must be done to combat tightly scheduled deliveries, overbearing stacks of paperwork and driver fatigue caused by federal regulations that work against the human body's natural circadian rhythm.

After meeting with truck driving instructors at Triton College, with representatives from the Illinois Transportation Association and learning what it takes to pilot a tractor-trailer by taking the wheel myself, we joined Taylor for a ride in a brand-new empty tanker truck.

We covered suburban roads during a half-hour loop just to the southeastern side of O'Hare airport. During our 30-minute ride, two motorists turned left across traffic directly in front of the truck. One young woman in a Toyota Celica crossed no more than 50 feet in front of us as she zoomed onto a side street. An older couple in a Dodge Grand Caravan turned in front of our International tractor, and incredibly, slowed so they wouldn't scrape the van on a steep driveway apron to a convenience store. A dude in a Camaro RS blasted by on the left, cut in front of the truck and stopped at a red light we were approaching. When the light turned green, he turned right.

These are the kinds of driving habits that we must break for truck-related accident rates to drop even lower. After a day at truck driving school, we left Chicago for Denver in a Subaru Outback. During that evening and the next day traveling I-80 and I-76, we were keenly aware of the needs of the truckers with whom we shared the road. We behaved more courteously toward truck drivers and fellow motorists than usual, and exercised more patience. We doubt very much that by driving more defensively and less aggressively we arrived in Denver any sooner than we would have had we not let that Kenworth into our lane back in Iowa or had we tried to beat that Freightliner to the construction zone near Lincoln, Neb. We do feel, however, that our trip was a safer one, that we had done our part to make highway travel better. Now it's time to do yours.

Source: Edmunds

Congratulations to the grand prize winner of the "In My Mind" Music video challenge from Kia Motors! Check it out!

Happy Hump Day friends! Halloween is almost here and we want you to share your costume and pumpkin carving ideas with us!

Batman-Themed 2013 Kia Optima SX Limited Unveiled

Kia has taken the wraps off of the Batman-themed 2013 Kia Optima SX Limited, the first of eight Justice League vehicles it is building with comic book publisher DC Entertainment and Rides magazine.

The Korean Batmobile gets a custom front grille shaped like a bat wing.

Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg will be matched to other Kias in the coming months.

Customization of the Kia Batmobile starts with the exterior of the turbo sedan being outfitted in a mix of matte and piano black paint, and continues with a coil-over kit, body kit, exhaust system and 20-inch blacked-out wheels with Batman center caps. Other details include yellow underbody lighting and a Bat signal etched into the HID headlights.

The interior gets black leather-and-suede upholstery with yellow accent stitching, a center console with "utility throwing stars" as well as a Bat suit for crime-fighting purposes in the trunk.

Kia, DC and Rides will release customization packages based on other Justice League members in the next few months. Some of the featured superheroes are Superman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg, and Kia says the Soul, Sorento, Sportage, Rio and Forte will be some of the models outfitted for the next projects.

The partnership is raising awareness of DC Entertainment's "We Can Be Heroes" giving campaign that fights hunger in the Horn of Africa. Each car will eventually be auctioned off to raise money for the cause.

You never know what you're going to get at just any old repair shop. Get your car serviced by people you can trust - US!

No explanation needed. Have a great weekend everyone!

Check out this submission for Kia's "In My Mind" Music Video Challenge!

I think we’ll take the scenic route home…

Kia Motors announced that its popular utility car-ute, the Soul, will be getting an all electric powertrain in the future!

After the new gas Kia Soul debuts in 2013, the integrated electric drive  model will come to market in 2014 according to the company. Who's excited? We know we are!

From Hamsters to Wizards, Weirdness That Succeeded

Michael Sprague, executive vice president for marketing and communications at Kia Motors America, discussed a successful campaign for the Kia Soul, created by the David & Goliath agency, using characters that are, improbably enough, hip, music-loving hamsters.

Kia was aiming the Soul at millennial consumers who "thought I was selling Swedish furniture, who thought I was Ikea," Mr. Sprague said. "What the hell do we have to lose?" The agencys ability to home in on those car buyers and understand their tastes in music, gaming and pop culture helped him sell the campaign, he added.

Still, Mr. Sprague offered a remark that drew some startled laughter from the audience. "Our agency does best when theyre put under an incredible deadline pressure," he said. "Great ideas bubble up under stress."

At a panel about the uses of so-called big data in advertising, Scott Howe, president and chief executive at Acxiom, a marketing technology and services company, predicted that in the next five years advertisers will have to "stop thinking about media procurement and start thinking about data procurement."

For Tim Cadogan, chief executive of OpenX, an ad technology company that uses data to serve digital ads, a potential area of concentration will be "improving the interaction of advertising and content," or what is known as native advertising.

Marketers that interrupt consumers before they complete a task like reading an article online are sending messages at the wrong time, Mr. Cadogan said. Once a user completes the task "is the perfect time" to deliver messages they will be receptive to, he added.

John Battelle, executive chairman at Federated Media, described some brands as struggling to shift from traditional ad forms like commercials to having conversations with consumers on social media platforms.

"Brands dont have confident voices in real time," Mr. Battelle said. "When you see campaigns that appear ham-handed, its probably because they were written by committee and cleared through legal."

Marketers are the target audience for a new initiative from Twitter, called sponsored surveys. Twitter executives briefed reporters on the introduction at an event on Wednesday. Sponsored surveys will enable marketers to ask Twitter users a handful of multiple-choice questions, like "Which brands do you associate with Fashion Week?" The surveys will appear as part of the promoted Twitter posts that users see in their newsfeeds, whether they are on computers or mobile devices.

Adam Bain, chief revenue officer at Twitter, said that survey marketing in the digital landscape, particularly on mobile devices, had "become a bigger pain point for marketing."

The surveys will seek to take the place of interruptive surveys like the ones seen in pop-up screens when visiting certain Web sites, an experience that Mr. Bain described as "really disjointed" for users.

 

Strategy One

Kia partnered with Her Highway in a drive to raise awareness for breast cancer!

Kia vehicles are lined-up to host breast cancer survivors, influential women journalists/bloggers and female motorsports drivers.

Winter Driving Tips: How to Drive in the Snow

In a perfect world, all roads would be dry and untrafficked. But in the real world, drivers face a wide variety of weather conditions, and when snow is added to the mix, the potential for automotive disaster can increase exponentially.

Whether you venture to the ski slopes once in a blue moon or spend six months of every year in snowy climes, we’ve assembled a few crucial points to remember while braving snow-covered roads. Follow these tips, and you might even look forward to cold weather driving!

Slow, Turn, Go!
Dynamically speaking, a car can only do three things: accelerate, turn and brake. While it’s possible to combine those commands from the behind the wheel, vehicles are far easier to control when those actions are performed separately. Let’s say you’re approaching a sharp bend on a snowy road: first, gently apply the brakes in advance of the turn. After taking your foot off the brake, coast through the corner while turning the wheel. Only after you’ve exited the turn and straightened the steering wheel, gently accelerate. “As easy as that sounds intellectually, it’s really hard for most people to put into practice,” says Mark Cox, Director of the Bridgestone Winter Driving School.

Limit Your Speed, and Think Ahead
Excessive speed is the single biggest reason people lose control in the snow, and slowing down will give you enough wiggle room to correct your course in case your vehicle loses control. “It takes 4 to 10 times longer to stop in ice and snow,” explains Cox. “Adjust your speed to the conditions,” he adds, “but also remember that going too slow can be just as problematic as going too fast.”

If You Start to Slide…
… don’t panic! A proper response will ensure that car control is regained. If the vehicle oversteers (i.e., the back end swings out), accelerate lightly in order to transfer weight to the rear and increase traction. It may feel counterintuitive to press the gas pedal while a car is sliding, but that action can straighten out the tail-happy yawing motion. Conversely, if the car understeers (i.e., slides forward without turning), straightening the steering and gently touching the brakes will shift more weight over the front wheels and enable the tires to “bite” again. As with all winter driving maneuvers, using a gentle hand and not stabbing the gas, brake or steering wheel is the most effective way to recover from a slide.

Humans tend to target fixate. Couple that with the natural reflex to go where you’re looking, and it’s no wonder so many out-of-control cars head straight into curbs and lampposts. By training yourself to look where you want to go, your hands will follow your eyes and steer away from danger.

Smooth and Easy Wins the Race
Race drivers swear by smoothness when it comes to driving technique, and that practice becomes even more important in wintry conditions. “Pretend you’ve got a cup of coffee on the dashboard,” advises Matt Edmonds, Vice President of TireRack.com. “If you make sudden or abrupt movements, you’ll go from grip to no grip very quickly.” On the other hand, “[smooth inputs] will help you sense the limits of your tire’s grip before your car starts to slide.”

Know Your Limits and Your Car’s Limits
Becoming familiar with your car’s handling dynamics will prepare you for the unexpected. When the going gets slippery, does your car understeer (plow forward), oversteer (fishtail) or drift sideways? Weight distribution, suspension and drivetrain setups (like front-, rear- or all-wheel drive) affects how your car reacts to adverse conditions. If you can’t attend a driving school and learn about vehicle dynamics from the pros, carefully explore your car’s limits in a safe area like an abandoned parking lot. Once your sense memory develops, you’ll be better prepared to handle a slide when it arrives unannounced.

Don’t Rely Too Much on Technology
Electronic aids like anti-lock brakes and traction control have done wonders for vehicle safety, but icy conditions can render those features useless. Once a tire loses its mechanical grip on a slick surface, all the high-tech gizmos in the world won’t stop that vehicle from spinning out of control. Avoid the inescapable laws of physics by keeping your speed reasonable and maintaining a safe distance from cars and objects around you.

Pick Your Tires Like You’d Pick Your Shoes
“Some shoes are good at everything, but not great at one thing,” says Edmonds. Following that logic, you wouldn’t wear flip-flops in the rain—and likewise, you shouldn’t drive through winter snow on summer tires. Edmonds advises looking for the international symbol for winter tires, which is a snowflake on a mountain. A number of winter tire varieties exist; snowbelt states call for dedicated winter rubber which is referred to as a “studless ice and snow tire,” featuring more aggressive tread and deeper blocks. In regions where snow falls more occasionally, you might opt for so-called performance winter tires, which offer better grip under dry conditions.

A Question of Chains
Unless the law demands it, avoid installing chains and choose instead to invest in a solid set of winter tires. As it stands, winter tires are so effective that several provinces in Canada actually make it a legal requirement to install them during certain months of the year. California is the last U.S. state that requires chains on mountain passes, and those regulations may someday be eliminated.

Keep Your Car Maintained
A reliably running car can help avoid a world of complications in inclement weather. Make sure your tire pressure hasn’t dipped with the drop in ambient temperature, and your vehicle will be easier to control as a result. Install winter wiper blades in order to maximize visibility, and test your battery to make sure it can handle the challenges of cold weather cranking. Take care of your car, and it will take care of you.

Car Care