I don’t watch the BBCLife or NatGeo all that regularly, I do appreciate their fantastic documentaries and brilliant filming. In the above video a Killer Whale passes her unique skills to her calf in hunting elephant seals. The “low volume” audio in this clip describes the danger and intelligence required by these animals to navigate the shallow pools in order to hunt the young elephant seals.

I’m at traditionalist when it comes to cars and am attracted to the rumble of an internal combustion engine and tactile sensation of shifting gears, preferably manual. But the world is changing and new cars have sophisticated automatics or are going gearless (CVTs) … and expect more and more cars with tiny engines to include electric motor assist and batteries. Change is coming and we at least have to recognize what we like about new designs. My point for including the Ford Focus EV photos is to complement the design aspect as the Focus is an attractive small car and in keeping with its traditional dino-powered counterpart (if they put a small diesel in this design I’m interested).

The Focus EV is the latest entry into the EV market and offers the “MyTouch” gadgetry that many consumers comfortable with computers, smartphones and tablets are embracing. While Ford may have an attractive design, their high $40,000 price point may make someone considering hybrid and electric vehicles opt for a Chevy Volt or a plug-in Toyota Prius  — for $2000 more you get unlimited range with an internal combustion engine along with an around town EV only mode.

2012 Ford Electric Priced at $39,200

Starting today, Ford will take orders for the 2012 Focus Electric, which has been priced at $39,200, excluding a $795 destination fee. A limited number of the electric compact cars will be available before the end of the year in California, New York and New Jersey, with 15 other markets getting the EV early next year.

In contrast, the Nissan Leaf starts at $35,200, and the Mitsubishi i starts at $29,125. Currently, that makes the Ford Focus the most expensive of the mainstream electric cars, but it comes better equipped than the rest. The 2012 Coda EV, which recently went on sale, costs $44,900. All of these electric cars are eligible for a $7,500 tax credit. If you’re eligible for the whole credit, that would translate to a $31,700 asking price for the Focus Electric.

The model comes nicely equipped with automatic headlights, a 10-speaker Sony stereo, dual-zone automatic climate control, MyFord Touch, navigation, 8-inch touch-screen display, backup camera, rear parking sensor, leather-wrapped steering wheel, passive entry system and push-button start. The upholstery is an earth-friendly cloth made of 100% post-industrial materials; materials that would otherwise end up in landfills, according to Ford. Leather seats are a $995 option.

The Focus Electric is powered by a 123-horespower, 100-kilowatt AC electric motor that makes 181 pounds-feet of torque, mated to a single-speed automatic transmission. The 23-kilowatt lithium-ion battery pack is a kilowatt less than the Leaf’s battery. The Focus EV has a top speed of 84 mph, much lower than the Leaf’s top governed speed of 90 mph. Unlike the Leaf, the Focus’ battery pack is liquid cooled and heated, which is supposed to better regulate battery temperatures in extreme weather. The car can get a full charge on a 240-volt outlet in three to four hours, Ford says, compared with the eight hours it takes to charge the Leaf at the same voltage. There’s no fast-DC-charging option in the Focus EV; the Leaf theoretically can be charged to 80% in 30 minutes with this added-cost option that we’ve tested on the Cars.com long-term Leaf.

Total range is pending, but earlier indications are the Focus EV will go about as far as the Leaf. Ford’s modular 240-volt charging station can be removed from your home if you move, and the automaker says it will save Focus EV buyers $500 to $700 compared with the 240-volt stations offered by Nissan and GM.

The Focus EV looks like a more aerodynamic version of the Focus, with 17-inch Michelin Energy Saver tires and a large trapezoidal grille that appears to be fashioned by Aston Martin, according to Cars.com Industry Analyst Kelsey Mays. A plug port sits above the driver-side front fender. Inside, twin LCD screens flank the speedometer, with battery charge in place of a fuel gauge.

Besides those nuanced differences, this pretty much looks like a regular Focus, which raises a potential problem: It’s hard to show off a near-$40,000 gasless car (and thus making your neighbors jealous) if it looks the same as its gas counterpart … one that has a sub-$17,000 starting price. Still, if vanity is your aim in the eco-conscious game, we haven’t experienced much envy for our Leaf, either; most people think it’s a cute compact car.

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Here were the other similar photos and video clips from past posts:

1. Orca and kayak
2. Great White Shark and kayak and follow up
3. Fishing from a kayak
4. Blue Whale and a kayak
5. Sailboat and a breaching whale

Sort of reminds me of the of the 1875 St. Nicholas tale with the Gingerbread Man which ends like this:

… He ran till he came to a river. And next to the river was a fox. The fox said, "Hello little gingerbread man."

The gingerbread man said, "HELLO! I ran away from the little old woman, I ran away from the little old man, and a pig, and some cows, and I can run away from you too!

Run, run, fast as you can!
Can’t catch me, I’m the gingerbread man!"

"But," said the fox, "I never run. And I don’t want to eat you!"
The gingerbread man said

Run, run, fast as you can!
Can’t catch me, I’m the gingerbread man!"

The fox said, "Run all you want, I’m not going to chase you. But– I would like to ask you a question."

The gingerbread man said, "What?"

The fox said, "How do figure you’re going to get across that stream without getting wet? I mean, if you get wet, you’ll get soggy, right?"

The gingerbread man didn’t say anything, but he looked very thoughtful.

The fox said, "I’ve got an idea."

The gingerbread man said, "What?"

The fox said, "I’m going to swim across, right now. If you want, you can hitch a ride on my tail."

The gingerbread man said, "OK," and grabbed the fox’s tail. The fox started to wade into the water.

After a few steps, the fox said, "Oh, little gingerbread man. The water is getting kind of deep. I’m afraid you might get wet. Why don’t you climb up onto my back?" The gingerbread man looked, and said, "Gee, the water is getting kind of deep, ok," and he climbed up onto the fox’s back.

After a few more steps, the fox said, "Oh, little gingerbread man, the water is getting even deeper, I’m afraid you might get wet. Why don’t you climb up onto my– neck?" The gingerbread man looked, and said, "Gee the water is getting kind of deep, ok," and he climbed up onto the fox’s neck.

After a few more steps, the fox said, "Oh, little gingerbread man, the water is getting even deeper, I’m afraid you might get wet. Why don’t you climb up onto my– head?" The gingerbread man looked, and said, "Gee the water is getting kind of deep, ok," and he climbed up onto the fox’s head.

After a few more steps, the fox said, "Oh, little gingerbread man, the water is getting even deeper, I’m afraid you might get wet. Why don’t you climb up onto my– nose?" The gingerbread man looked, and said, "Gee the water is getting kind of deep, ok," and he climbed up onto the fox’s nose.

And the fox went– SHLLLURP!– and that was the end of the gingerbread man.

The Gingerbread Man story

Although EV only vehicles are the best fit for many of us, some might be a bit more comfortable if they knew where they could get a 20 minute charge. Personally don’t think we’ll see wide acceptance until universal wireless charging system are adopted widely available AND re-charging is offered as an incentive (discount). Perhaps EVs would gain a bit more widespread traction? Unfortunately the 350Green/Walgreens plug-in stations (rumored to cost $3-$4/charge) are a pretty expensive way to zip to the corner drugstore … although cheaper than a tow home due to running the battery flat.

I think the best way to promote EVs will be through “green minded” private companies who encourage their employees to buy cars with incentives; perks such as closer parking and free daily charging … maybe even a company wide “group discounted purchase” option financed through the company or its credit union? Maybe Google, Apple or other deep pocketed corporations are already doing this – if not, it will probably be right around the corner.

Press release regarding 350Green and Walgreens:

350Green and Walgreens to Bring Electric Vehicle Charging Stations to the New York Metropolitan Area

The agreement will help accelerate development of charging station network in America’s biggest city that has high adoption rate of electric vehicles and great need for fuel-efficient vehicles Los Angeles (July 21, 2011) – 350Green, a developer of electric vehicle (EV) charging station networks, today announced an agreement with Walgreens (NYSE, NASDAQ: WAG), the nation’s largest drugstore chain, to offer convenient access to EV charging stations. 350Green will install chargers at a total of 425 Walgreen locations, starting with the New York City metropolitan area. With the first phase of installations scheduled for up to as many as 60 charging stations, including 10 DC Fast stations in the New York City region, which will provide an ideal platform for creating infrastructure needed to support EVs as they roll off the production line.

"As a part of our comprehensive sustainably program – PlaNYC – we have been working to arm New Yorkers with the facts about electric vehicles and to green City government’s own vehicle fleet by adding electric cars," said Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. "We have been working to increase the number of public charging stations in the City, but we need to see more locations for public recharging if we want to increase the number of electric vehicles on city streets. Walgreens and 350Green are making it easier for New Yorkers to choose electric cars over gas ones – an important step towards cleaning our air, fighting climate change, and reducing our dependence on oil."

Early focus on EV infrastructure has been on charging in home garages. However, the high number of residents in cities without access to a garage limits motorists’ participation in the EV revolution. By creating a network of public charging stations, widely and conveniently located near where residents live and work, EV ownership becomes a universal option.

"Now, as more Americans embrace environmentally sustainable technologies, our convenient locations make us uniquely positioned to help address the concern around accessibility or ‘range confidence’," said Walgreens President of Community Management and Operations Mark Wagner. "We look forward to becoming a destination for EV drivers looking to charge up." Depending on location and timing, 350Green will install either DC Fast Chargers, which can charge an EV in about 20 minutes, or Level 2 charging stations.

"To date the Department of Energy has invested $4.8 billion into the EV industry, laying the foundation for the free market to take over," said Mariana Gerzanych, CEO of 350Green. "We are excited to see private companies stepping in and investing as well. This project alone will create 54 jobs and will begin to generate jobs throughout the supply chain in other areas."

About 350Green
350Green is a project developer that designs, builds and operates a scalable, nationwide network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. The company partners with retailers, commercial property managers and developers, and municipalities to locate charging stations at places near where EV drivers live and work. Current projects are underway in Chicago, Pennsylvania and California. The company has signed partnerships with Walgreens and Simon Property Group, among others. For more information visit www.350green.com.

About Walgreens
Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is the nation’s largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2010 sales of $67 billion. The company operates 7,733 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Each day, Walgreens provides nearly 6 million customers the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice in communities across America. Walgreens scope of pharmacy services includes retail, specialty, infusion, medical facility and mail service, along with respiratory services. These services improve health outcomes and lower costs for payers including employers, managed care organizations, health systems, pharmacy benefit managers and the public sector. Take Care Health Systems is a Walgreens subsidiary that is the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health and wellness centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.

His “fix” is to take steps to control prices through and energy strategy that 1) increase domestic production, 2) getting rid of tax subsidies to oil companies, 3) and producing more technically advanced engines and vehicles from auto manufacturers. The new standards he announced today will target the third point by increasing the fuel efficiency for cars and trucks, doubling what we see today to “almost 55 mpg.” President Obama commented that the business leaders believe this is “good for business and good for the nation.” He states that “in the next 15 years we will reduce the amount of foreign oil by 1/3 while improving the impact on the environment.” He also highlighted that improved bio-fuels and battery technology will also contribute to our oil needs. (audio below)

President Obama Fuel Efficiency Standards – July 29, 2011

While I can appreciate the direction and target, I wonder just what impact this will make on the performance? Hopefully as I mentioned in my 2012 VW Passat TDI post, we’ll see diesels paired with an electric motor which should offer solid efficiency and decent off the line and passing performance.

Kids are putting Drain-o, tin foil, and a little water in soda bottles and capping it up – leaving it on lawns.  When you go to pick up the trash and the bottle is shaken just a little – in about 30 seconds or less it builds up a gas and explodes with enough force to remove some of your extremities.  The liquid that comes out is boiling hot as well.

Don’t pick up any plastic bottles that may be lying in your yards or in the gutter, etc. Pay attention to this.  A plastic bottle with a cap. A little Draino.  A little water.  A small piece of foil.  Disturb it by moving it; and BOOM!!  No fingers left and other serious effects to your face, eyes, etc.

People are finding these "bombs" in mail boxes and in their yards, just waiting for you to pick it up intending to put it in the trash.  But, you’ll never make it!!! It takes about 30 seconds to blow after you move the thing.

At first I thought, “oh, this sounds like an urban legend,” but upon checking Snopes.com there is more to it.(see video from Indiana below regarding this danger. It is not to be taken lightly, although thankfully is still a pretty rare occurrence.)

According to a blog post by writer, photographer and broadcast journalist Scott Wallace, “the overflights revealed three separate clearings and four large communal dwellings, known as malocas, clustered in the dense jungles of the Javari Valley Indigenous Reserve in far western Brazil. Specialists in matters pertaining to isolated Indians estimate the population of uncontacted tribes by examining the size and number of dwellings, as well as any gardens the inhabitants might have under cultivation. The recently discovered tribe is reported to have planted tracts of corn, banana, and low-to-the-ground bushes that might be peanuts or cassava.”

Into the Jungle
The Javari — a sprawling rain forest reserve half the size of Florida — is home to the largest concentration of uncontacted tribes in the entire world. There are at least eight uncontacted indigenous communities, and perhaps as many as fourteen, inhabiting the upland forests in the headwaters of the rivers that drain the Vale do Javari Indigenous Land. It’s an area with which I have more than a passing familiarity. In 2002, I accompanied a team from FUNAI’s elite unit, the Department of Isolated Indians, on a three-month expedition through the reserve’s primeval forest to track a mysterious indigenous tribe known as the flecheiros — the Arrow People.

If true, the news would amount to a strong vindication of Brazil’s policy to locate and protect its isolated tribes. Such groups are highly susceptible to communicable diseases and to cultural dislocation unleashed by contact with the outside world. The Javari reserve is especially well protected from intrusions. The territory is overseen by the Javari Valley Ethno-Environmental Protection Front — administratively part of the Department of Isolated Indians. The Front’s director Fabricio Amorim told the Estado de São Paulo newspaper that the settlement appears to have been built within the past year. The Front operates three control posts along major rivers leading into the depths of the reserve, and the Javari Valley remains a bastion of tribal vitality and a rich repository of biodiversity.

Not the Only Ones
FUNAI has now confirmed the existence of more than two dozen uncontacted tribes within Brazil’s national territory, more than any other country in the world. The Department of Isolated Indians has received reports of dozens of others, but they have yet to be confirmed. Peru comes second, with fourteen or fifteen such groups roaming its Amazonian regions. They are under mounting threat from loggers, gold prospectors, and energy companies exploring for oil in the deep jungle. Peru recently announced new measures to protect its isolated tribes.

http://scottwallace.com/uncontacted-tribe-discovered-in-brazilian-amazon/

The new Chattanooga, Tennessee Volkswagen plant opened this past week (May 24, 2011) and is an example of how VW incorporates its trademarked ThinkBlue initiative. Here’s hoping the trend continues to the cars they build in America … the new 2012 Volkswagen Passat and Passat TDI clean diesel.

Below is a chart from the ThinkBlue site.

They are a one of the leaders in making fuel from algae and have worked with the US Navy as well as a couple big corporations: Chevron, Dow Chemical and Unilever. With all the buzz in their attempt to raise the $100 million, management must be thrilled with their IPO generating almost twice that – $197 million. Now to see they and generate enough business and fast enough advancements with this new capital.

CNBC: Solazyme (SZYM) IPO interview

According to TheStreet.com, “the energy IPO market played out according to plan this week, with the buzz surrounding the Solazyme deal leading to the better-than-expected pricing. Solazyme was the energy IPO of the week.”

Biodiesel is now available on a regular basis at Jatrodiesel’s Miamisburg, OH plant. Pricing fluctuates on a regular basis. Today’s pricing is, $3.51/gal (4/18/2011)  for on-road B99. Call 937-847-8050 ext.201 for updated pricing or send email to biosales@jatrodiesel.com
www.jatrodiesel.com

Visa/MC accepted at 845 N.Main St, Miamisburg, OH. Phone numbers are below. Hours of operations: currently week days between 8:30 and 4:30. PH: 937-847-8050 ext. 201 (Off)

via cincitdi.com

Most hearing biofuel or biodiesel think I’m talking about corn based ethanol or food-based biodiesel coming from soybeans or recycled cooking oils … but what I’m talking about is fuel derived from fast growing algae. Although few companies are producing enough to create a business model that can compete with petroleum companies, some like Solazyme are well on their way. They are producing algae based fuels with industry leading refining partners. They currently tailor fuels for the U.S. Navy — SoladieselRD® renewable diesel, SoladieselHRF-76® renewable diesel for ships, and Solajet® renewable jet fuel.

In 2010, we delivered over 80,000 liters of algal-derived marine diesel and jet fuel to the U.S. Navy, constituting the world’s largest delivery of 100% microbial-derived, non-ethanol biofuel. Subsequently, we were awarded another contract with the U.S. Department of Defense for production of up to 550,000 additional liters of naval distillate (SoladieselHRF-76® marine fuel).

– LINK

Solazyme made the decision several years ago to grow heterotrophic algae in the dark and harvest renewable oils – and have become the unquestioned leader in the quest to make an integrated biorefinery commercially successful in the production of renewable oils for fuels, foods and other bio-based products,” noted Digest editor Jim Lane. “Along the ways they’ve racked up an impressive array of partners, and won contracts to supply biofuels to the US Department of Defense. More importantly, in every way, they have personified throughout their organization what it means to be an advanced bio-based company – in the ways that they have triumphed, and in the ways they have faced adversity.”

– Biofuel Digest Company of the year

As an investor, I’m unsure biofuel companies can compete head to head with “big oil” and the cartels who still control the up and down swings in the price of crude, but I do know I’d rather see and industry built around hiring Americans to grow and harvest carbon-neutral algae and turning the ‘grown’ oils into a fuel for cars, trucks, ships and planes. The current strategy of continuing to buy oil from cartels overseas and having our country’s economy held hostage over energy isn’t working.

Developing the algae-to-fuel industry is far better than processing food base oil crops and hold significant promise in that the by-product of ‘growing’ algae offsets the CO2 produced when using it. Solazyme and like companies are creating an entirely new industry which could employ thousands of Americans and help free our addiction to foreign oil. As the over used quote goes … it’s a “Win Win” business proposition.

Thanks for the forward, Buck.

Although this will probably show my age, today I’m highlighting one of my favorite TV programs and favorite actors — James Garner in The Rockford Files (imdb). I might have commented, "who doesn’t like the show," but since I live with that one person, I already know the answer.

About a year ago I added the 6 seasons to my streaming Netflix queue and because my better half refuses to watch ‘old’ TV programs, I haven’t found the time to re-watch any of the episodes.  BUT … because our Tivo has been upchucking on NetFlix content lately, it required a rebooting. Ah … the perfect test, the pilot episode of The Rockford Files. One down and 129 shows to go!

1: Mike Post and Pete Carpenter Rockford Files theme song

An impact of being a teenager and growing up with detective shows like the The Rockford Files, was that I use to imitate the driving style (a J-turn or a "Rockford") of James Garner (sorry Dad). I also may have picked up a few of the the more positive values that came out of the show; Garner’s character demostrated humility as well as respect for others … and in my opinion absorbing some of that outweighed the negatives — those values were certainly better than the popular detective/police shows on the air today (stated like an old-fogy).

For a while, there was news that NBC was planning to do a Rockford Files remake in 2011, fortunately or unfortunately the project is currently shelved according to entertainment news, but as they say, "stay tuned."

Click for live streaming site

I’m surprised I didn’t know about them, although suspect if I lived in southern California I would? (see Grunion.org)

What is a grunion?

California grunion are a species of marine fish found only along the coast of southern California and northern Baja California. They are justifiably famous for their unique spawning behavior. Grunion spawn completely out of the water and lay their eggs on many sandy beaches in California. Shortly after high tide, on specific nights, sections of these beaches sometimes are covered with thousands of grunion dancing about on the sand. The popularity of these grunion runs means that some nights there are more people lining the beaches than grunion in the run.

The eggs remain buried in the sand throughout incubation, fully out of water for approximately 2 weeks. The larvae hatch when the eggs wash out by high waves during tides before the new and full moons. Grunion spawn at the age of 1 year, and live for 2 to 4 years. Because of their vulnerability during the spawning season, they are protected by a closed season. No taking of grunion is permitted during April and May. During other months, no gear is permitted so collection may take place only with bare hands, and a fishing license is required. Here at Grunion.Org we encourage “catch and release” of the grunion. For more information visit California Department of Fish and Game, Marine Region

Read "Introduction to Grunion Biology" (PDF), by Dr. Karen Martin

For more information visit California Department of Fish and Game, Marine Region

 (National Geographic video clip below)

One of the interesting “sailing” related influences of a full moon is its effect on the ocean tides. When the moon is full the ocean tides are their largest and when the earth, moon and sun are aligned during a lunar perigee, the tidal force is even stronger; it is at this time that we experience more extreme high and low tides … although the percentage of increase is relatively small and rarely noticed.

The name SuperMoon was coined by astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979 and defined as: “…a new or full moon which occurs with the Moon at or near (within 90% of) its closest approach to Earth in a given orbit (perigee). In short, Earth, Moon and Sun are all in a line, with Moon in its nearest approach to Earth.”

What appears to be an enormous full moon begins to rise over Grand Rapids, Michigan
taken on March 19, 2011. — CREDIT: Susan Wagener

Tony Hoffman in New York City snapped this montage of photos as a plane crosses the
disk of the full moon on March 19, 2011 during"supermoon." — CREDIT: Tony Hoffman

The full moon is seen as it rises near the Lincoln Memorial, Saturday, March 19, 2011,
in Washington DC. — Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

Duke Energy, our electricity utility, was kind enough to ship me a nice size box of compact florescent lamps at no charge to replace our existing bulbs. I can’t say that I was surprised to see that they are made in China, but I sure would rather they be manufactured in the United States – I’m probably not alone? (I’ve heard that there aren’t any CFLs being made in the U.S. … correct?)

I’ve never seen that many sharks in one place and am surprised to see that many migrating in such tight schools along Florida’s east coast.

Pilot Steve Irwin has quite a fish tale, and he wasn’t even fishing. Irwin is a pilot with “Island Marine Services” based in Fort Pierce. He said he was flying about 100 yards off of Palm Beach, at 80 mph, when he spotted thousands of sharks.

He pulled out his iPhone 4 and began taking pictures. He recorded the spectacular sight and wanted to share it. This is the time of year when sharks migrate and head for warmer waters. They also typically swim close to the shore while chasing after bait fish.

WPTV.com