LinorStore.com July 3 Newsletter

July 4th - Independence Day History Tidbits

1774 - The 13 colonies sent delegates to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to form the First Continental Congress. While unrest was brewing, the colonies were not ready to declare war.

April 1775 - King George's troops advance on Concord, Massachusetts, prompting Paul Revere's midnight ride that sounded the alarm "The British are coming, the British are coming."
The subsequent battle of Concord, famous for being the "shot heard round the world," would mark the unofficial beginning of the American Revolution.

May 1776 - After nearly a year of trying to work our their differences with England, the colonies again sent delegates to the Second Continental Congress.

June 1776 - Admitting that their efforts were hopeless, a committee was formed to compose the formal Declaration of Independence. Headed by Thomas Jefferson, the committee also included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Philip Livingston and Roger Sherman.

June 28, 1776 - Jefferson presents the first draft of the declaration to congress.

July 4, 1776 - After various changes to Jefferson's original draft, a vote was taken late in the afternoon of July 4th. Of the 13 colonies, 9 voted in favor of the Declaration; 2, Pennsylvania and South Carolina voted No; Delaware was undecided and New York abstained.

John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence. It is said that he signed his name "with a great flourish" so "King George can read that without spectacles!"

July 6, 1776 - The Pennsylvania Evening Post is the first newspaper to print the Declaration of Independence.

July 8, 1776 - The first public reading of the declaration takes place in Philadelphia's Independence Square. The bell in Independence Hall, then known as the "Province Bell" would later be renamed the "Liberty Bell" after its inscription - "Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof."

August 1776 - The task begun on July 4, the signing of the Declaration of Independence, was not actually completed until August. Nonetheless, the 4th of July has been accepted as the official anniversary of United States independence from Britain.

July 4, 1777 - The first Independence Day celebration takes place. It's interesting to speculate what those first 4th festivities were like. By the early 1800s the traditions of parades, picnics, and fireworks were firmly established as part of American Independence Day culture. Source: http://www.101july4th.com/history.html

It’s one of my favorite holidays, a time to relax with friends and enjoy the fireworks. The Boston Pops is a terrific show and normally starts an hour before our city’s fireworks display, which we used to be able to see from our dining room. Now, we walk ? block down the street and watch the display and hear the “ooohs” and “ahhhs” of the people around us.

We used to be known for our July 4th BBQs when we lived in Chicago. The whole block would come. In Elgin, we’ve only had a few celebrations here. This year we’re invited to celebrate at a friend’s home. So, John has the time off from being the grillman, which he doesn’t like, anyway.

Gas Saving Tips
Today I calculated my gas mileage, and it is 25 mpg. I’ve been using the tips I’ve been reading about and posting, and they do work. My last mileage was 22-23. I’ve slowed down and rolled up my windows for aerodynamics, and put on the cool vent, instead of the air conditioning.
1. Get that "Check Engine" Light Checked Out: Possible Savings: Off the charts
A faulty oxygen sensor -- a fairly common cause of those unexplained "check engine" lights -- can actually cost you up to 40 percent of your engine's performance. If the light's on, make the appointment now. It could pay for itself very quickly.
2. Check Your Tire Pressure: Possible Savings 133.9 gallons/year ($542/yr)
3. Change Your Air Filter: Possible Savings 60.9 gallons/yr ($247/yr)
Gas is half of the combustion equation. Air is the other half. A clogged air filter can rob 10 percent of your engine's efficiency. A new air filter can get that 10 percent back -- usually for under $15.
4. Drive 60 on the Highway, Not 75: Possible Savings: 57.8 gallons/year ($234/yr)
On the highway, stay close to the speed limit, and keep your speed as constant as traffic allows. Most cars reach optimal gas mileage at about 60 miles per hour. Speeding up increases wind resistance against the car, making the engine work harder and burn more gas. According to the EPA, each 5 mph over 60 that you drive decreases fuel efficiency by up to seven percent.
5. Turn Off the A/C: Possible Savings 31.9 gallons/yr ($129/yr) Some air conditioners rob an engine up to five percent of its fuel economy. There is some controversy about this one -- many newer cars are able to compensate for the energy used by an air conditioner and don't suffer the same penalty for keeping cool.
6. Get Your Engine Tuned: Possible Savings 25.8 gallons/year ($104/yr)
Most of us can boost our mpg by four percent with a simple tune-up.
7. Drive Calmly in the City: Possible Savings: 17.9 gallons/yr ($73/yr)
There's a red light up ahead. You're going to stop when you get to it. Do you keep your foot on the gas until it's time to brake for the light? Most of us do, but that doesn't necessarily make sense. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that accelerating rapidly and braking hard can reduce your car's fuel efficiency by as much as five percent. And that may be a low estimate. Look at it this way -- are you willing to spend money to stop at that light sooner?
8. Lose Weight: Possible Savings 13.1 gallons/yr for each 100 pounds you remove ($104/yr)
Government estimates say that an extra 100 pounds in your car can reduce fuel efficiency by up to two percent. And that's an average -- the smaller the car, the more extra weight makes the engine work harder. So, empty the trunk. In winter, don't just scrape the windshield, scrape the entire car -- snow and ice add to the weight of your car.
9. Lose the Roof Rack: Possible Savings 13.1 gallons/year ($53/yr)
Wind resistance is the enemy of fuel efficiency. Do you have a roof rack? Every time you drive, it's making your car fight wind resistance, and burn fuel. Most of the time, that's money you're spending to carry an empty roof rack. Get a two percent boost by taking the thing off.
10. Change Your Oil on Time: Possible Savings 6.6 gallons/year ($27/yr)
After 3,000 miles, changing your oil (using the recommended grade) gives you back one percent of your car's mpg rating.
How Much Can You Save? If you follow the tips above, that's $1,514 less you could spend on gas in the next year. Though it's a rough estimate, it shows you what small changes in your habits -- most of which you can make for free - could do for your wallet.
Source: U.S.News & World Report.

Sponsor News: You can find originally designed jewelry items and Linda’s BookBeads at www.lindab142.etsy.com. Catch the Wave Sale now. Later in July, watch for my Christmas in July sale on both Etsy and at www.LinorStore.com. This month, I’m raising funds for ALS disease, on behalf of the Tom Hughes family. Spread the word to friends to donate to this worthy cause.

In June, a percentage of proceeds went to the Susan B. Komen Foundation in memory of my Aunt Lily and my mom, who died from cancer.

Business News:
KFC in Canada Goes Vegan
KFC Canada now offers a vegan version of in 500 of its 740 outlets, following talks with (PETA) People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Starbucks Closing U.S. Stores
Starbucks begins closing 600 U.S. stores this summer. The coffee company is cutting 5 percent of its U.S. locations as part of a wide-ranging effort to boost its bottom line and its stock price. The chain is accelerating international growth.

The company will try to find jobs for people within Starbucks, but that could be difficult with fewer than 350 new U.S. stores expected to open in the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1.

As much as 7 percent of Starbucks' work force could be slashed. The company had 172,000 employees worldwide last September. Starbucks officials said the closures are happening in "all major U.S. markets" between late July and March. Florida and California are among the largest states affected, spokeswoman Valerie O'Neil told Bloomberg News.

North Dakota’s Millionaires
North Dakota is becoming one the newest states for millionaires. Property owners have struck oil, just like Jed Clampett. Besides purchasing newer vehicles, for the most part, the new millionaires are not changing their lifestyles.

Also see my blog at http://linorstorecom.blogspot.com,
Website: www.LinorStore.com, etsy: www.lindab142.etsy.com. I’m also on Facebook and MySpace.

Happy and Safe 4th of July. Proclaim your independence.
Let Americans unite and pray for our soldiers.

Linda B.
:)