March - The North Star Monthly

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30 The north Star Monthly March 2006Click & Clack Talk Carsfuel Mix Powers Your car withless Harm to Your Wallet andenvironmentDear Tom and Ray:Last May, I graduated fromJohns Hopkins University with adegree in biophysics. As a poorstudent (and a cheapskate, toboot), I was wondering if there isany way to use my chemistryknowledge to increase my gasmileage? In college, a chemicalengineer and I created a super stillin the back room of his house. Iprovided genetically engineeredyeast that had its methanol-producinggene knocked out, and hedesigned the rig. I own a ‘95Camry. My question is this: Howmuch ethanol/methanol can I addto each tank of gas withoutdestroying the engine? Is there anysimple alteration I can make to mycar that would allow me toincrease the alcohol-to-gas ratio?Lastly and least importantly, is thislegal?- DavidraY: Well, I don’t know anythingabout the legality of backyardstills. That was all my brother’sidea - I swear!TOM: I actually don’t knowanything about the legality of yourhome biochemistry lab, but there’snothing illegal about using a mixof gasoline and ethanol in yourcar. It’s done all the time.raY: Ethanol has long beenseen as a potential replacementfor, or supplement to, gasoline.Since it’s produced from plants -like corn, which grow prolificallyin the United States, acquiring asteady supply of the stuff doesn’tRREYNOLDSrequire invading any MiddleEastern countries. Which is a definiteplus.TOM: For a couple ofdecades now, some gasolines havebeen successfully mixed withethanol. They’re normally foundin concentrations of 5 to 10 percentethanol. In the early days,there were problems with these“gasohol” fuels, because the alcoholdegraded rubber hoses andseals in fuel systems. But thatseems to be a thing of the past, atleast in these low concentrations.raY: So you’re probably safeadding 10 percent ethanol withouthaving any problems.TOM: Now, when you ignoreour advice and ruin your ’95Camry with a mixture that’s 50percent ethanol, you should makeyour next new car a “flexible-fuelvehicle.” Flexible-fuel vehicles aredesigned to run on almost anything;gasoline, ethanol, flat gingerale, hummus.raY: Actually, they run onethanol, gasoline or any blend ofthe two. But they’re reallydesigned to run on somethingcalled E85, which is 85 percentethanol and 15 percent gasoline.TOM: They could, theoretically,run on 100 percent ethanol.But by adding 15 percent gasolineto the mixture, you help the carstart reliably, since gasoline ismore volatile and easier to getstarted.raY: It appears that flex-fuelvehicles are about to get morepopular. Ford and GM are theleaders in making flex-fuel carsand trucks, and they’re gettingGreensboro: Farmhouse dates to 1870. A nice second homewith central location to lakes, brooks, hunting, skiing and snowmobiling.Eight rooms on .84 acres located on RT 16. House is aproject for the handyman. $69,000Sheffield: Nice cape with recent remodeling on 1.4 acres. Sixrooms, nice landscaping, small pond and a barn. Woodshed forwood storage. New Bryant furnace installed last year. New carpetsin bedrooms. Views. $158,500Real Estate, Inc.791 Broad Street n Lyndonville, VT 05851(802) 626-9357 n Fax (802) 626-6913www.reynoldsre.comEmail: reynolds@charterinternet.comready to push the technology.There are actually hundreds ofthousands of flex-fuel vehicles onthe roads. But most are running ongasoline only, because the ownerscan’t find enough gas stations thatsell E85 yet.TOM: Of course, that won’tbe a problem for you, David.While I suspect you’re going tohave to move your little still to abona fide laboratory in order tocomply with local zoning and firecodes, with a flex-fuel car you’llbe in fat city, man. And what youdon’t burn, you can use to makeafter-dinner drinks.What if Your car Blows SmokeOut its TailpipeDear Tom and Ray:I have a Saturn 2001 L-300with about 44,000 miles on it.Every morning when I start thecar, a huge puff of white smokecomes out of the tailpipe. It doesnot continue to do this throughoutthe day - just in the morning whenit has been sitting overnight. It hasbeen doing this for about sixmonths. I have not noticed achange in the way the enginesounds nor in my gas mileage. Iget oil changes every 3,000 milesor so. Any idea what it could be,and do I need to have it fixed?- LindaTOM: Gee, that’s unfortunate,Linda. I’m guessing that thesmoke has a light-bluish tinge.Look carefully, and I think you’llsee it. Because I’m guessing it’soil.raY: Yeah. Your car’s probablyburning a little oil every morning.But it may not be serious. Thefirst thing you should do is monitoryour fluids for a month. See ifyou’re losing either motor oil orcoolant (in case it’s coolant that’sbeing burned, which does makewhite smoke). If the losses arenegligible, that’s a good sign.TOM: And if the smokealways goes away within 30 secondsor so, that’s a good sign, too.In that case, it’s most likely just alittle bit of oil leaking down from#6399 WaldenA 3 bedroom,1 bath, cape withpanoramic, country views.This fixer-upper sits on 1 acrewith attached 2-car garage.Bring this home to the next leveland enjoy the country life.#6404 BurkeA great spot! 3 bedroom, 2bath home located in East Burkeclose to VAST and the KingdomTrail system. Only 5 minutesfrom Burke Mtn. ski area. Thishome has an extra large 3-baygarage which holds 6 vehicles,complete with a heated workshopand RV carport. All locatedon 15.9 acres in a prime location.Call for a showing.the valve guide seals overnight, orsomething like that. When youstart up the engine, that oil burnsand comes out the tailpipe as bluegraysmoke. It doesn’t take muchoil to produce a lot of smoke.raY: If that’s the case, it’skind of like some very slow-growingcancers. Sometimes men intheir 70’s will be diagnosed withprostate cancer, but it’s a strainthat develops so slowly the doctorwill say: “Don’t worry about it.Something else will get you beforethis ever does.” That’s probablythe case with your Saturn. I predictthis will have no bearing on theultimate demise of this car.TOM: So, if you’re not losingoil, and the smoke goes awayquickly rather than lingers all day,I wouldn’t spend money to takethe engine apart and fix this. I’dforget about it. Just stop lookingbehind you after you start the car.In fact, back into your garage atnight from now on, Linda.Speaking of Oil … even if itBurns Oil it Still needs an OilchangeDear Tom and Ray:I have a 1992 Nissan 240 SXcoupe. It’s bruised and batteredand yet pushing on, with 180,000miles on it. It burns about a quartof oil every 1,000 miles. My question:If I continually replace thelost oil and occasionally the filter,do I ever have to do an actual oilchange? Aren’t I already doingsomething of a running oil changeby letting the oil drain itself out alittle at a time and then refillingthe missing oil? The oil looksclean, the filter gets swappedevery 4,000 miles or so, andbesides, I’m running low on drainpluggaskets. Am I safe to continue“changing” the oil this way? -DavidraY: Well, normally, I’d sayno. But given how little is at stakehere - a 1992 240 SX - you havemy blessing, David.TOM: The real answer is, no,David. When you replace only theoil you burn, some of the oldest oilThis property is being offered at $86,900Being offered at $159,900470 Broad StreetLyndonville, VT(802) 626-4343Fax: (802) 626-3700email:allseaslyn@together.netwww.allseasonre.comnever gets removed from theengine. It’s not like you can decideto burn only the oldest, dirtiest oilevery 1,000 miles. The engineburns some of everything that’s inthere - including the new stuff.raY: So, if you had used this“method” from day one, for example,at least some small amount ofoil from the day you bought thecar would still be in the crankcase.As you can guess, that oil wouldn’tbe lubricating your engine verywell. In fact, it probably wouldhave turned to congealed crudsometime during Clinton’s secondterm and be hardened onto theengine walls or oil passages bynow.TOM: So, I know it seemedlike a great idea at the time, butit’s not. If you do the math, you’llsee that unless you can choosewhich oil to burn, you’ll always beburning some of the brand-new oilyou just put in your car andalways leaving some of the oldcrud behind. And it’s just not asgood as draining out all the oilevery 5,000 or 7,500 miles andfilling the engine with nice, clean,new stuff.raY: So buy some new gaskets,David. Unless you think the25 cents that they cost is morethan you want to put into the car atthis point.danvilleSenior MealSiteMarch Meal ScheduleMarch 2 - Spinach Pie, Creamof Broccoli and Cheddar Soupwith Saltines, Orange Juice,Gingerbread with WhippedCream. Library Day.March 7 - Town Meeting Day.March 9 - Open Faced TurkeySandwich with Gravy, SweetPotatoes, Apple Stuffing,Tomato Juice, BlueberryCobbler.March 14 - Chicken Parmesan,Pasta with Marinara,Homemade Bread, Coleslawwith Pineapple, Carrots andRaisins.March 16 - Corned Beef andCabbage, Carrots, Potatoes,Irish Soda Bread, Apple Crisp.Library Day.March 21 - Biscuits withSausage and Gravy, ScrambledEggs, French Toast, OrangeSlices, Tomato Juice.March 23 - Harrington’s SpiralHam, Macaroni and Cheese,Homemade Rolls, Peas andCarrots, Lemon Pudding withBlueberry Topping.March 28 - Beef Stew,Biscuits, Orange Juice, Carrots,Bread Pudding.March 30 - Shepherd’s Pie,California Vegetables,Blueberry Scones, PumpkinBread Pudding.Sing-a-Long with WinonaGadapee on Tuesdays at 11:30Meals at Danville MethodistChurch. All meals served witha beverage, homemade breadsand desserts. Reservations areappreciated by calling (802)684-3903 before 9:30 a.m. onday of the meal. A donation of$3.00 for guests 60+ (Others$4.00) is appreciated.
Register Your American Cancer SocietyRelay For Life Team on March 16The second annual CaledoniaCounty American CancerSociety Relay For Life will takeplace on June 10 and June 11.Organizers are planning a kickoffto register teams onWednesday March 16 from 6:00to 7:00 p.m. at the Black BearTavern in St. Johnsbury.This annual “celebration oflife” brings the CaledoniaCounty community together in aunified effort to fight cancer.Former and current cancerpatients, families, businesses,civic organizations and the publicare invited to take part in thisexciting team event. The RelayFor Life will take place at the St.Johnsbury Academy track.Relay For Life is theAmerican Cancer Society’s versionof an athletic relay but witha twist. The Relay For Life is afamily-oriented event in whichparticipants share the camaraderieof a team and raise valuablefunds to support theAmerican Cancer Society.Participants camp out at theRelay site, and when they are nottaking their turn walking, theytake part in planned activitiesand local entertainment.Teams from companies,churches, organizations, hospitalsand schools collect donationsand compete for individual andteam prizes for their efforts.“Relay For Life brings theprogress against cancer to theforefront,” says Fred Leferriere,event chair. “Many participantsare our family, friends and neighborsof those who have dealtwith cancer themselves. Theirinvolvement is proof of theprogress that has been made notonly in reducing death rates butin improving the quality of lifefollowing cancer treatment.”Laferriere says, “Last year,our first, was a big success. Thefunds raised enable us as a communityto continue the fightagainst cancer by means ofresearch, education, advocacyand patient services. Thanks tothe generosity of corporate sponsorslike NVRH, Union Bank,Passumpsic Savings Bank,Mayo’s Home Decorating andKix 105.5 the money raised byparticipants goes directly to theAmerican Cancer Society’s programs.”Information about forming ateam or becoming involved inthe June Relay For Life will allbe spelled out at the RelayKickoff on Wednesday, March16. For more information oncancer call the American CancerSociety at (800) ACS-2345, 24hours a day, seven days a weekor visit www.cancer.org.The north Star Monthly March 2006 31Photo Courtesy of Caledonia County Relay for LifeThe first annual Caledonia County relay for Life was a celebrationand a fundraising success for the benefit of the American CancerSociety. Led by Fred Laferriere, the 2005 relay for Life includedteams and individuals who have promised to participate again. JoinLaferriere and others on March 16 at the Black Bear Tavern in St.Johnsbury to register or learn more about the June 10 and 11 relay.BeGIN reAlTY AssoCIATesOpen Tuesday - Saturday9 a.m. - 5 p.m.Sunday 1 - 5 p.m.Open Mondays 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.mid-May through mid-OctoberPlanetarium shows:Saturday & Sunday at 1:30West BarnetSenior ActionCenterMarch 2006March 1 - Corn Chowder,Egg and Tuna Salad, CottageCheese with Fruit, GrapenutPudding.March 3 - Buffet.March 8 - Meat Loaf,Mashed Potatoes, FreshCarrots, Assorted Breads,Peaches with Cream.March 10 - Chicken withBiscuit, Mashed Potatoes,Cranberry Jelly, MixedVegetables, Vanilla Puddingwith Oranges.March 15 - Spaghetti withMeatballs, Tossed Salad,Italian Bread, Tropical FruitCup.March 17 - Corned Beef withCabbage, Potatoes, Carrotsand Turnips, HomemadeRolls, Lime Jell-O.March 22 - Chop Suey, ColeSlaw, String Beans, Biscuits,Cook’s Choice Dessert.March 24 - Sweet and SourPork, Rice, Asparagus,Muffin, Cake with Frosting.March 29 - Salisbury Steak,Mashed Potatoes, StewedTomatoes, Assorted Breads,Brownies.March 31 - Baked Fish,Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli,Dark Breads, Ice Cream.Meals served at West BarnetChurch. All meals served witha beverage. Reservations notrequired. Suggested donationof $3.00 per meal is appreciated.Phone (802) 633-4068.BeGIN reAlTY AssoCIATesWhatAre YouWaitingFor?More homes are sold in the springand summer than any other time ofthe year. If you are thinking of sellingyour home, mortgage rates arereasonable, and now is the time todo it. Call (802) 684-1127 today.Wendy, Barb and robin are readyto work for you.BeGIN reAlTY AssoCIATesML#213539 This spacious 2 ½ story Colonial is convenientlylocated within walking distance of a beautifulVermont village. The White Mountain views arespectacular and the landscaping is top shelf, withperennials galore, and stonewalls and patios. Insideyou’ll find three bedrooms, an eat-in kitchen, formaldining room and spacious living room with hardwoodfloors.All this on 3.77+/- acres for $329,90075 MT. PLEASANT ST.ST. JOHNSBURY, VT 05819802-748-8169 w 802-748-8855971 BROAD STREETLYNDONVILLE, VT 05851802-626-8333 w 802-626-9342www.parkwayrealtyassociates.comML#229263 Acreage in Peacham! This 16+ acre parcelhas a westerly view, is level with good access and has thebeginnings of a driveway. The power is on the lot as well.Purchase now so that you can be working on plans foryour primary residence, and be ready to start building inthe spring! Now is the time to get the jump on the springmarket! Call the office for a map, and drive by this propertytoday! Offered for $79,000Barb's Newest Listing: MLS #250225Experienced craftsmanship and quality materials combinedto create this spacious cape home on a hillside in Danville.The 19.8-acre wooded lot offers lots of privacy and opportunitiesfor hiking, hunting, snowmobiling and more. Thishome has a master bedroom suite, 2 other bedrooms with afull bath, a wonderful mudroom/entry with a laundry, 1/2bath and huge walk-in pantry. These are just a few of thegreat features this home has to offer. There is still somework to be done, so ask to see this home today while thereis time to make choices on the finishing touches.The completed home is offered at $325,000P.O. Box 68, Main St., Danville, VT 05828(802) 684-1127Wendy Fayen........................................................751-8216Barb Machell.........................................................748-5248Robin Jacobs.........................................................748-3815309 Portland St., St. Johnsbury, VT 05819(802) 748-2045Ernie Begin...........................................................748-4218Connie Sleath........................................................748-0016Rosemary Gingue.................................................748-8843Linda Colby..........................................................748-8451Sharon Slayton .....................................................748-8508Tristan Barrett .............................................. 748-2240infOrMaTiOn aBOUT THeSe HOMeS and OTHerliSTinGS can Be fOUnd On www.nneren.comProviding Professional and Courteous Servicewww.beginrealty.comBeGIN reAlTY AssoCIATes
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March - The North Star Monthly

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