Apparently Mission uses the best lithium-ion batteries the market and has with a proprietary cooling and management technology. Mission is currently raising funding and working on agreements with a Chinese OEM manufacturer in hopes of merging its battery technology with low-cost bikes. We’d like to see the whole deal be American made, but the Chinese do continue to dominated the electric bike and scooter market. As long as a peppy machine such as this gets more people interested in cleaner, greener vehicles… it should be good thing.

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PowerboatPro.com keeps fans informed and engaged throughout the season by allowing them to follow their favorite class of powerboat racing in one single location.  Powerboat racing classes that will be featured on PowerboatPro include U.I.M. Grand Prix of the Sea, F1H20, Class 1Zapcat, Powerboat P1 Superstock and Powerboat P1 U.S.A. News from the governing bodies of the sport including Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) and Offshore Super Series (OSS) will also be published.

As the world’s central hub for all powerboat related news, PowerboatPro.com will include the latest information on racing, gear, teams, sponsors, boat manufacturers and venues.  In addition, there will be current interviews with some of the leaders in the sport, product reviews, photo and video galleries, and spectator feedback. Everything powerboat related, including the parties, the controversies and the lifestyle.

As a longtime fan of powerboat racing, Peter VanGameren, CEO of Ambition Lifestyle has an excellent understanding of what spectators, participants, race promoters, teams and governing bodies want to know. “As a fan of powerboat racing, I had been walking around with an idea to one day make an outstanding powerboat news portal.  It is our firm belief that all parties involved will benefit by having all of their news and information from global powerboat racing together in one central hub, and our current partners see the value that PowerboatPro.com can bring them.”

I am very much looking forward to having a place where we can get the message out about what we’re trying to accomplish in the sport of offshore powerboat racing and the philanthropic organizations we are partnering with,” said Maisy Page, Founder and Program Director of OSS Cares. “As a fan of all things fast, I’m very excited to have a place to go for all of the latest news and events in marine motorsports.”

“The VSConnect™ platform is perfect for the sport of powerboating,” said VS Executive Producer Curtis Worthy. “I’m looking forward to great relationship with Ambition Lifestyle and applying the technology to powerboat spectators and partners worldwide.”

Virtual Spectator gained a reputation as an innovator of 3D tracking technology for the Volvo Ocean Race and America’s Cup.  The company has now applied the technology to VSConnect™ allowing fans to follow powerboating.

VS tracking technology will eventually allow users to track their favorite class or with VSConnect™ interactive maps, complete with geo tagged photos, schedules and video updates. Countdown timers to each event will allow fans to find out when the next race is, in any participating class- anywhere in the world.

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The network was formed after an analysis uncovered 800 West Michigan companies that had potential to manufacture wind energy components. The WMWMN will no doubt aim to network companies working the wind energy sector who might not otherwise know each other existed.

Because of the regions expansive manufacturing expertise and the thousands of parts in just one wind turbine, West Michigan can enter the market quickly; building off existing capabilities. The region also has another advantage, experience with integrated systems.  This gives the turbine OEMs the opportunity to consolidate their supply chain by purchasing from as few vendors as possible; a process the manufacturers are accustomed to from the automotive and office furniture industries.

Though the wind energy industry shows great promise, the current demand may not be as impressive as one may think. Policies, government actions and incentives have given the industry some wind behind its sail; but the potential for the industry is considerably lower then estimates so far. As demand in America increases it only makes sense that the components, with their shear size and shipping cost, come from local facilities.

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The next site takes it a step further by using solar imaging and existing satellite images to design solar panelling. Sungevity.com uses a similar process as described above, but after finding your location, using Bing instead, you request an iQuote taking care of the complete design and costs online. Meaning they can cut out visits to your home for measurements and such; which should speed up process, saving customers (and the company) time and money, and also reducing carbon emissions. Cool. They’re currently not servicing my area, but assure they’re quickly expanding.

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Nine Banded Armadillo

Texas is a land of cattle, horses and armadillos. The armadillo is a fascinating creature to visitors from the north. They first foraged into Texas across the Rio Grande from Mexico in the 1800’s. Armadillo is Spanish for “Little Armored One”. There are 20 species of armadillos which are distinguished by the number of bands on their armor. They range from the 5 foot Giant Armadillo to the Pink Fairy Armadillo of 5 inches. All species are native to the Americas. In the U.S. the sole resident is the Nine-banded Armadillo.

Armadillos are prolific diggers and build burrows near creeks and streams feeding on ants and grubs. The Nine-banded Armadillo tends to jump straight up in the air when frightened and consequently collides with the undercarriage or fenders of passing cars, unfortunately the reason you see so many fur-belly side up beside the road.

Southwestern Decor

They first came into Texas crossing the Rio Grande River from Mexico in the 1800’s. Interestingly enough they have the ability to remain underwater up to 6 minutes and inflate their stomach with air to float and swim. The Nine-banded Armadillo also serves science through its unusual mammal reproductive system in which genetically identical quadruplets are born in every liter. During the great depression the species was actually hunted for it’s meat in East Texas where it was known as “Hoovers Hog’.

Cowboy's Limo

There are interesting energy solutions across Texas including everything from old windmills pumping water to livestock in vast desolate acreages, to big oil wells drilling the liquid gold, to wind turbines converting the kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical energy which is then converted to electricity.

Turbines used in wind farms are usually a three bladed tapered airfoil shape and pointed into the wind by computer controlled motors. The blades rotate 10-22 rpms and range in length from 65-130 feet and the steel towers range from 200-300 feet tall – making for an awesome sight across the landscape. All turbines are equipped with shut down features to avoid damage at high wind speeds.

Wind Turbine Power in Texas

Saturday May 9th the Windpower 2009 conference was held at McCormick Place, Chicago. It was reported that the 2008 wind energy production was at 25,170MW installed, putting the U.S. as #1 in the world ahead of Germany. Texas with 7116MW accounts for ¼ of that and Iowa second with 2790MW. The wind industry employs 85,000 people in the U.S. The Obama administration wants the U.S. to be producing 20% of it’s electricity from wind by 2030. Amazingly we are on track to do it.

Closer to home, Mas Tech, a small factory in Manistee, is churning out wind turbines helping usher in a new greener era for Michigan manufacturing. According to Next Energy, a renewable energy group in Detroit, “Some 400 other Michigan manufacturers have the capabilities to craft gear boxes, brakes, generators and other parts for utility size wind turbines with the structures selling for two million dollars a piece.” One federal report identifies Michigan as one of the four states that could create up to 30,000 new jobs from wind energy.

Home of the 72oz

Back in Texas, the state is also known for its great steak houses. A popular spot on the trail is the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo. Their claim to fame is the Free 72 oz. steak dinner… if you can eat it all in 1 hour. They say many have tried and many have failed, but reports over 8,000 hearty diners have done it including a 68 year old woman. I think we’ll have to pass, but you never know… maybe next year.

View all Bio-Kleen’s Photos from Albuquerque to Dallas

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Thankfully technology has come a long way and as painful as it may sound, reading your favorite print on a digital device is just as enjoyable and dare I say it…much, much better.

The top of the line in digital reading devices is the Kindle 2: Amazon’s New Wireless Reading Device. It’s as thin as a magazine, lighter than a paperback and holds over 1,500 books. It reads just like a book with electronic paper technology and zero glare. Think you’ll run out of titles? Think again, there’s over 240,000 books plus U.S. and international newspapers, magazines and blogs available. Feel like just listening? Take a break and let the Kindle read out loud to you. Tired of settling for cheesy bookmarks that end up falling out and loosing your place? Kindle always remembers where you left off. It’s also great because you don’t need a computer or an internet connection to find new titles, kindle connects wirelessly from anywhere..and there’s no fees for accessing the internet. Hate shuffling around for a dictionary when you run across a word you’re not familiar with? Kindle is the dictionary and allows you to look up words on-demand. You can also sample books before a purchase, just like browsing at the bookstore. Most importantly, you’ll be saving some green…not only leaves on a tree but money in your wallet; titles are much cheaper.

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Grand Prize Winner: an Aqueduct Mobile Filtration Vehicle – a pedal powered vehicle that transports, filters and stores water for the developing world.

Other honorable mentions include:

Dual-Purpose Bicycle – a bike that upon arrival doubles as a rice thresher, peanut sheller, corn shucker, circular saw or woodworking lathe.

Velocytraptor Mobile Cinema – a mobile interactive theater that seats nine and uses moviegoers to power the show.

Pedal-Powered Snow Plow & Pedal-Powered Laptop

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Sunsation Powerboats is unleashing a secret weapon…sooner than planned. The Sunsation XRT, Extreme Race Technology, model will be released ahead of schedule. Originally slated for 2010, XRT will now be unveiled in Miami, February 12, 2009.

Development started over a year ago keeping ideas and concepts in the future model file.  The project has remained confidential within the factory and McLeod Design Group.

The purpose for the new model is to give customers more of what they want…2010 styling, technology and performance.

View More Sunsation XRT sneak peek Photos

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At this time in the day, there’s no way you’ll get a parking spot on top of the mountain. Other options…walk from the hotel or park at the fairgrounds and take a shuttle. Do I have to tell you which one we picked? The “shuttle” was actually a school bus in disguise;  and traveling up a twisty road to a ski lodge in a bumpy bus  loaded with kids in beanies and snow pants gave me a eerie feeling I was back in middle school ski club. It was fun. Did I mention it was my first time to Duluth?

After stepping off the bus we had to snag our pit passes and meet with Gary Querrel from Ski-Doo BOSS Racing, but not before taking a quick peek at the track and soaking in some of the “live” energy.
After getting acquainted with Gary and the BOSS trailer we headed to the stands to get a decent spot for the freestyle action.

After about a good half hour of “We’re ready to get this going in about 5 minutes. Make some noise. Just 5 more minutes. I wanna hear some noise. Just a few more minutes…” the sleds finally hit some air. Sam Rogers, Paul Thacker and X-Games gold medalist Chris Burandt pulled some sick moves off the double ramps and got the crowd pumped after nailing some side by side supermans and back flips. Near the end of the show Sam Rogers took a spill and dislocated his shoulder. Though they were confident he would be solid by their next event.

The night was wrapped up with some decent fireworks that marveled most 4th of July displays. There wasn’t quite as much snow as I was expecting being this far North, but they produced enough snow to get the track where it needed to be and the hills where steadily blowing snow all evening for the shredders. But this weekend was about the sleds. The atmosphere and evening events definitely got my blood pumped for a full weekend of racing and I was ready to get started for the next day. (BB)

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In a professional sport with only 8 races the stakes are extremely high at every event, and Spirit Mountain probably tops that list, setting the pace for the entire season. Not only is it the season opener but it’s also the place where the manufacturers get to debut their new race sleds and work out any kinks for the season (and for future production for that matter). For some racers, this could also be the first time they get some laps in on real snow. Any way you look at it, Duluth is the most anticipated race of the season and it could be a chance for either a lesser known racer to breakout from the pack or a seasoned veteran to solidify his dominance. Speaking of which, here’s some top racers to keep your eye on.

Ross Martin, Polaris, #837
If you want to talk about a safe bet, this guy should have consistency painted on his helmet; not to mention Polaris racing all together on the track. Martin’s team, Judnick Motorsports, was on the podium 10 times last year – four being first place wins. Martin held the Pro Open top spot last season and the previous; this season he really has his eyes set on holding both the Pro Open and Pro Stock championship titles. He nearly hit that mark last year coming only in second place for the Pro Stock title.  Last year in Duluth, Martin won Pro Stock and he was one of very few riders to earn a spot at the X Games without having to qualify. He was named “Pro racer of the Year” last season and probably won’t fall short this year.

Robbie Malinoski, Ski-Doo, #4
Last season was a tough one for Malinoski and although Ski-Doo ranks as the number one manufacturer for units sold, their race outfit has some bumpy ground to cover. Although Malinoski hit some bumps of his own, he was the only pro-level rider to take home a win for Ski-Doo. He is also the only rider in history to take home a win on a four-stroke. Malinoski won both the Pro Open and Pro Stock national titles in the 05-06 season and he’s looking to wow everyone again. Now his second year at BOSS Racing under a Ski-Doo, all the kinks should be silky smooth and he’s got the talent to make it happen.

Tucker Hibbert, Arctic Cat, #68
Hibbert was definitely on top of his game last season and is going to be a force to be reckoned with.  Last year at Duluth, he swept the Pro Open qualifiers and won the event. By the end of the season he secured the Pro Stock points race even while missing one event. He also had a most impressive Winter X Games gold medal win where he held the top spot for the entire race; that was also his third Winter X gold medal. Snocross is the sport that has made Hibbert a household name and I’m sure he’s not interested in just drifting in the wind.

Steve Taylor, Yamaha, #2
You can’t count Team Yamaha out. Now with plenty of time back on the race track, the leaders in 4-stroke technology have a good outfit going and Taylor is top dawg. With some impressive finishes, including two fourth places (one at West Yellowstone and one at the Winter X Games) Taylor may have a good run at it. And since it’s been two years since Yamaha pulled out a first place on the podium, they’re pushing real hard this season.

PS. If you’re planning on attending, keep an eye out for SledBrite snowmobile cleaners roaming the field; snapping shots and covering the events daily. (BB)

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