Jim Mathers

With gas climbing and climbing, more people are turning to Ethanol.  Then you hear that the E-85 Ethanol damages your engine.  After doing some research I found:

An Alternative Fuel

Illinois leads the nation in the use of ethanol blended gasoline. Ethanol  became a popular additive to boost the octane level of gasoline when  environmental concerns resulted in the phase-out of leaded gasoline. Ethanol is an oxygenate, meaning it has a high oxygen content, burns more completely and pollutes less. Nearly half of the gasoline sold in Illinois contains 10 percent ethanol.

Illinois is taking the lead once again with the introduction and operation of  one of the nation’s largest variable fuel fleets. These vehicles are capable of operating on E-85 or a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent unleaded  gasoline. The 200 proof ethanol is made from Illinois corn. The small percentage of gasoline enhances starting in extremely cold weather.

The driving force for this blossoming automotive fuel technology is society’s  multiple concerns of increasing air pollution from fossil fuels like gasoline, our dependence on foreign suppliers for half our fuel needs, and the dim prospects for gasoline in the future as the world’s oil supply dwindles.

The Illinois Corn Marketing Board brought the first E-85 car to Illinois in  order to introduce the technology to the public. Governor Jim Edgar and the Illinois Department of Energy and Natural Resources introduced the state’s first  fleet shortly after. This fleet of 12 Chevrolet Luminas was introduced in 1992,  part of only 50 manufactured that year. E-85 cars are virtually identical to regular gasoline vehicles except for some variable fuel features. In 1996 Ford  will manufacture 6,000 E-85 Tauruses equipped with 3.0L Vulcan. More than 350 E-85 cars are being tested by government and private business in Illinois today  and they will enter mainstream commercial channels in 1996-97.

E-85 vehicles have been designed for versatility. They will operate with unleaded gasoline or any mixture of gasoline and ethanol up to an 85 percent  concentration. A key component in all ethanol vehicles to date is a sensor which  determines the percentage of ethanol in the fuel, optimizes performance and adjusts emission control devices.

This information came from http://www.ilcorn.org/Ethanol/85__Ethanol/85__ethanol.html if you want to learn more.

Tags: General Interest, Home, going green, government by Jim
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I know most every guy will say ‘My mother is the best mom ever’ and hopefully they were lucky enough to have a Mom like we have.  The bond between a mother and her son is very special.  I know because my mother has that bond with all of her sons, not just me. 

I have watched her work hard to see to it we had the things we needed and most of the things we wanted.  I have watched her create heaven out of hell.  I have watched her love us like there’s no tomorrow and still find the time to help others.  Yeah, I have the best Mom ever and am thankful every day for her.  I only wish more sons could honestly know what a ‘real Mom’ is.  I sure do so here’s to you Mom.  I love you more than any old card could ever say.

Tags: General Interest, Holidays, Home by Jim
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I have this neighbor that walks his dog every morning.  I think that’s wonderful because at least he’s making sure his little Fido gets his exercise but there’s one problem.  It seems that every time they get to my yard, the dog has to go.  I’m beginning to feel he just walks his dog to my yard to use as his private toilet instead of letting it do his thing in his own yard.  Most people now will pick up what the dog leaves behind but not him.  My yard may not be perfectly kept but it’s no toilet.

I’m thinking of installing a Doggie Dooley Pet Waste Disposal System out in my front yard close to the sidewalk so he can deposit what his dog leaves behind since he won’t pick it up.  I found some on the Pets-mart web site for under $40.  Then again, why should I spend money and do all the work to install one of those things for his dog to have a bathroom.  Maybe I just need to put up a sign that says “If your doggie poops, please scoop”.  Think that would work? 

Tags: Home, Outdoors by Jim
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