Posted: 18 Dec 2009 05:28 AM PST

3 comments

RSS

2009 Toyota RAV4 Limited 4-cyl. 4WD

Illustrations: All illustrations 2009 Toyota RAV4 Limited 4-cylinder 4WD. Photos by John Matras.

Subscribe to this examiner's latest articles. Click on "subscribe" below. It's free.

Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

Two west-end mega-stores opening soon - Edmonton Journal

Posted: 18 Dec 2009 12:27 AM PST

After some delays, two long-established Edmonton dealerships are set to open mega-stores, both with new locations in the west end.

Yellowhead Honda undergoes a name change and becomes Pointe West Honda when the doors open at 10220 184th St. on Dec. 22. Management says the new facility will be the largest Honda Powerhouse automobile store in Canada. Powerhouse is the designation given to Honda dealerships that sell the full line of Honda products -- cars, motorcycles, ATVs, watercraft, yard equipment, generators, etc.

The pre-opening information we've obtained is mind-boggling! Visitors to Pointe West Honda should be prepared to be blown away as the new dealership promises a dramatically new buying experience and offers -- get this -- a complete, in-store spa for women! Customers will be able to book manicures, pedicures, facials and wax treatments online. Other on-site amenities include a cafeteria, a motorcycle-themed cafe, a car rental outlet and two customer lounges.

The enormous facility also incorporates an eco-friendly design. General manager Phil Bracegirdle says petroleum-based fluids such as used engine oil will be carefully filtered and then used to heat the building.

Crosstown Motors is also scheduled to open its new facility. The new Chrysler mega-store looks to be one of the largest new dealership facilities (of any manufacturer) in Canada, and is located at the southeast corner of 156th Street and Yellowhead Trail. The opening date is Dec. 21.

The massive building encompasses some 85,000 square feet and houses 50-plus service bays. Over the past few years, the highest-volume Dodge dealers in Canada have often been right here in Edmonton, thanks to the huge popularity of Ram pickup trucks.

Crosstown's dealer principal Joe Medina says construction of the new mega-store, including land, cost more than $30 million. This new Chrysler Jeep Dodge outlet promises to further increase already strong MOPAR sales in northern Alberta in 2010.

Sherwood Park Toyota offers Camry for conservation

Stuck for a last-minute stocking stuffer? Sherwood Park Toyota and Alberta Conservation Association (with conservation partners Alberta Fish & Game Association and Nature Conservancy of Canada) have teamed up to raffle a 2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid with an estimated value of $33,907. Tickets are $25 each and may be purchased from Sherwood Park Toyota or the ACA. Visit www.ab-conservation.comor phone toll-free 1-877-969-9091.

ACA spokesman Ken Kranrod says funds raised are earmarked to purchase some 1,500 acres of conservation land on North Cooking Lake in Strathcona County.

The special conservation lands are comprised of upland forest, ponds and wetlands that are the habitat for a variety of wildlife, including numerous bird species such as peregrine falcons. Ticket sales end on Dec. 20; the draw will take place Jan. 5.

Edmonton Motors spreads holiday cheer

The folks at Edmonton Motors started a modest employee campaign to support the Christmas Bureau, Santas Anonymous and Edmonton's Food Bank, but their in-house project is now attracting support from residents living near the Jasper Avenue auto dealer.

"We were brainstorming ideas for our annual staff Christmas party. Somebody suggested we encourage employees to bring gifts, donate cash or food and put it in the bed of a pickup truck for the period leading up to our staff Christmas party," explains Richard Flannigan, the new vehicle sales manager.

Flannigan thought a splash of seasonal decoration on the side of the utility-white 2010 Chevrolet Silverado Crewcab 4x4 used to store the Christmas goodies would inject a healthy dose of festive spirit into the staff initiative, so he called Sherry and Curtis Orich at Firestorm Automotive Restyling Ltd. for a graphics package.

Sherry asked if she could exercise some artistic licence, and Flannigan gave the go-ahead. Not only did he get back a great-looking truck, but Firestorm donated the design work, printing and application of the graphics.

Flannigan says the dressed-up truck looks so good he decided to move it from the back of the showroom to a high-visibility position front and centre. Since moving the festive Silverado, the cargo box is steadily filling and attracting the attention of neighbouring residents who have started dropping into the showroom to leave donations.

A big thumbs up to these auto-related businesses for supporting charitable organizations in the Capital Region.

Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

Best games of the year: U.S. soldiers surpass games starring Tiger ... - Lafayette Journal and Courier

Posted: 16 Dec 2009 10:41 PM PST

(4 of 5)

1. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Activision) for Xbox 360; also available for PS 3; rated "M" (blood, drug reference, intense violence, language)

2. Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (Nintendo) for DS; rated "E 10+" (mild fantasy violence)

3. New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Nintendo) for Wii; rated "E" (comic mischief)

4. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 for PS 3

5. Assassin's Creed 2 (Ubisoft) for Xbox 360; also available for PS 3; rated "M" (blood, intense violence, sexual content, strong language)

6. Left 4 Dead 2 (Valve) for Xbox 360; also available for PC; rated "M" (blood, gore, intense violence, language)

7. Wii Sports Resort (Nintendo) for Wii; rated "E"

8. Guitar Hero World Tour (with guitar) (Activision) for Wii; also available for Xbox 360, PS 3; rated "T" (lyrics, mild suggestive themes)

9. Mario Kart Wii (with wheel) (Nintendo) for Wii; rated "E" (comic mischief)

10. God of War Collection (Sony) for PS 3; rated "M" (blood, gore, intense violence, nudity, sexual themes, strong language)

Top 10 rental games

Here are the Top 10 best-renting video games, according to Game Crazy/Hollywood Video. Games are listed by title, company, gaming system, and rating from the Entertainment Software Rating Board.

1. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Activision) for Xbox 360; also available for PS 3; rated "M" (blood, drug reference, intense violence, language)

2. Assassin's Creed 2 (Ubisoft) for Xbox 360; also available for PS 3; rated "M" (blood, intense violence, sexual content, strong language)

3. New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Nintendo) for Wii; rated "E" (comic mischief)

4. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 for PS 3

5. Borderlands (Take Two) for Xbox 360; also available for PS 3 and PC; rated "M" (blood, gore, intense violence, mature humor and strong language)

6. MX vs. ATV: Reflex (THQ) for Xbox 360; also available for PS 3, PSP, DS; rated "E" (mild suggestive themes, mild violence)

7. Assassin's Creed 2 for PS 3

8. Left 4 Dead 2 (Valve) for Xbox 360; also available for PC; rated "M" (blood, gore, intense violence, language)

Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.