Inside Columbia
it’s february, and that means we’ll be hearing a lot about love. as we prepare for Valentine’s Day, we think about the ideal gifts and the right sentiments to share with the people we love most. This year, we also invite you to give yourself a valentine, and we start with one of my favorite things: chocolate. It was a tough job for our editorial and design teams to immerse themselves in the topic of chocolate, but we did it all for you, dear reader. We rounded up some local experts on the subject, put together a quiz so you can show off your chocolate chops, and, we confess, sampled some of the decadent delights from our photo shoots. We think you’ll enjoy this culinary journey into the world of chocolate, and, in case you’re concerned about the calories, we even found an expert to weigh in on the health benefits of an occasional indulgence. Passion takes many forms, and for one young Columbian, it’s all about music. Nick “NicDanger” rodriguez is turning obstacles into opportunities as he pursues his dream of a career in rap music. His focus on positivity is rare in an industry filled with messages of violence, greed and excess. Can this talented young man make a name for himself beyond this city? If passion, talent and drive are the ingredients for success, we think NicDanger is on the verge of becoming a phenomenon.
it’s february, and that means we’ll be hearing a lot about love. as we prepare for Valentine’s Day, we think about the ideal gifts and the right sentiments to share with the people we love most. This year, we also invite you to give yourself a valentine, and we start with one of my favorite things: chocolate. It was a tough job for our editorial and design teams to immerse themselves in the topic of chocolate, but we did it all for you, dear reader. We rounded up some local experts on the subject, put together a quiz so you can show off your chocolate chops, and, we confess, sampled some of the decadent delights from our photo shoots. We think you’ll enjoy this culinary journey into the world of chocolate, and, in case you’re concerned about the calories, we even found an expert to weigh in on the health benefits of an occasional indulgence.
Passion takes many forms, and for one young Columbian, it’s all about music. Nick “NicDanger” rodriguez is turning obstacles into opportunities as he pursues his dream of a career in rap music. His focus on positivity is rare in an industry filled with messages of violence, greed and excess. Can this talented young man make a name for himself beyond this city? If passion, talent and drive are the ingredients for success, we think NicDanger is on the verge of becoming a phenomenon.
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special advertising supplement<br />
Test Drive: 2014 Mazda3<br />
The People Pleaser<br />
The Updated Mazda3 Knows How To Wow ’Em<br />
T<br />
hey say you can’t please all of the people all of the<br />
time, but clearly, the person who uttered those<br />
words never drove a Mazda3. The 2014 version of<br />
the popular compact is roomier, more stylish, more<br />
powerful, more efficient and more likely than ever to attract the<br />
attention of car buyers.<br />
Mazda’s Skyactive® technology helped the 3 shed some<br />
weight — up to 100 pounds, depending on the trim level — but it<br />
gained a bit of width and about 2.4 inches on the wheelbase. Those<br />
little changes add up to a big improvement on both fuel economy<br />
and passenger room.<br />
The test model, the 155-horsepower, 2.0-liter Grand Touring,<br />
touts an impressive 30 miles per gallon in the city and 41 on the<br />
highway. The available 184-horsepower, 2.5-liter engine offers<br />
more power and shaves just a couple of miles per gallon off the<br />
fuel economy. True car enthusiasts may also pick up on one other<br />
perk of that 2.5-liter engine option: The instrument cluster is<br />
a convincing mimic of the instrument cluster in the $250,000<br />
McClaren 12C Spider.<br />
Mazda has a knack for building cars that handle well and that<br />
seem to outperform their engine size. The new 3 is no exception.<br />
On the road, it accelerates boldly and clings to curves perhaps even<br />
better than its highly praised predecessor. The test model performed<br />
superbly on tight turns and in braking tests.<br />
The interior continues to be a selling point for the Mazda3.<br />
With ample space for two adults or three kids in the backseat,<br />
it’s a practical vehicle for families that don’t want to sacrifice fuel<br />
economy to bulk up to an SUV. With its surprisingly roomy trunk<br />
and rear fold-down seats, it can be loaded down for a long haul.<br />
Gauges and knobs are thoughtfully designed and placed for<br />
easy access and minimal distraction. The navigation screen in the<br />
center can be controlled with either a multifunction knob or via<br />
touch, and the system is so intuitive, it requires only a minute of<br />
study to master.<br />
So, who will Mazda win over with the new Mazda3? Hip<br />
young drivers, busy families, empty nesters and active retirees will<br />
all find themselves thrilled by what this affordable people-pleaser<br />
has to offer.<br />
STICKER STATS: FUEL ECONOMY ON TEST MODEL 30 CITY/41 HIGHWAY | STICKER PRICE ON TEST MODEL:<br />
$25,560; STARTING MSRP: $16,945<br />
www.Machens.com<br />
Machens Advantage s M9
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