Wheels
by Rob Douthit
GMC’s Acadia crossover
gives adults third-row comfort
The GMC Acadia features
Ford Explorer, the vehicle that
kicked off the whole SUV craze
what may be one of the most
in the early 1990s.
revolutionary automotive inThe Acadia is powered by a
novations since the air bag — a
3.6-liter
V-6 rated at 275 horsethird-row seat with enough legpower
and
251 pounds-feet of
room to comfortably accommotorque. The
date adults.
engine is
Third-row
mated with
seats are
a new sixlargely for
speed autoemergencies
matic transonly — OK
mission.
for kids
Acadia is
when it’s
available in
your turn
front-wheel
to drive
General Motors drive and
the soccer
all-wheelpractice car The GMC Acadia is powered by
drive moda
V-6
rated
at
275
horsepower.
pool, but a
els.
knees-to-theThe rig’s gas mileage — 18
chin ride for grown-ups.
mpg city/26 mpg highway — is
But the rear seats of GMC’s
helped by its aerodynamics.
new crossover utility vehicle
The seven-passenger crossover
aren’t bad at all, assuming
has the same drag coefficient
those riding in the second-row
as the Corvette Z06, said GMC
captains chairs don’t have
product director Craig Bierly,
their seats set all the way back.
adding “that’s about as slippery
Getting in and out of the third
as an SUV gets.”
row is made easier by GM’s
While the Acadia has the
Smart Slide second-row seat,
same basic design as the
which can be operated with one Enclave and Outlook, it has
hand.
some features its cousins don’t.
The Acadia’s architecture
GMC exclusives include audio
is the same as that of its GM
controls located in the cargo
kin, the Buick Enclave and
area and a head-up display that
projects instrument readouts
the Saturn Outlook. The new
and other features onto the
crossovers, a more carlike verwindshield.
sion of the truck-based SUV,
The starting MSRP is $29,990.
are 8 inches longer than the
Puzzle Solutions
Tips To Live By: Defensive Driving
• When approaching a green light, be prepared for it to turn red.
It may have been green for a long time.
• When stopped at a red light and it turns green, proceed
slowly. Look left and right before you drive through the
intersection. Expect other drivers to make mistakes.
• Yellow lights mean proceed with caution, not speed up to get
through the intersection before the light turns red.
• Turning right at a red light is not permitted at all
intersections. Look for signs at each intersection.
• When driving on a highway, always be prepared for drivers
to changes lanes suddenly in order to exit.
• Do not drive when you are tired. If you feel tired, pull off the
road for some exercise and fresh air or a cup of coffee.
• Do not let your emotions dominate your driving.
• Drive a well-maintained vehicle.
Volume 3, Issue 5
Relax, We’ll Take It From Here™
The No.1 Collision Repair Group in North America
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® Made It Happen
One day in January
1997, Louie Santiago
and his wife Debbie, got
a call from the MakeA-Wish Foundation.
The Foundation notified
them that their daughter,
Sara, had been referred
to the Foundation to
have a wish granted. The
In the Bleachers
Info from orthoinfo.aaos.org
Ever Wonder?
Driving in a Wheelchair
Being in a wheelchair does
not need to limit your freedom
to do everyday activities such
as driving. These days, many
vehicles can be adapted to
fit the needs of a
wheelchair-bound
person, or specially
modified vehicles
can be purchased.
Modified vehicles must have
a suspension that
is heavy enough
to handle the
extra weight of
heavy-duty service
options and accessories, but light
enough to still offer a smooth
ride. In general, minivans or
full-size vans work best.
When driving from a wheel
chair, there are decisions to
make. The driver can choose
to lower the floor, raise the top
and doors for entry, and more
In recent years the low
floor minivan conversion has
become available to motorists
with disabilities. The lowered
floor allows a wheelchair user
access to both the driver and
front passenger
area. This vehicle
may employ a
system that lowers
it within inches
of the ground and
then unfolds a
ramp for easier
entry and exit.
One can also
install a lift on
the side, back or
underneath the
vehicle.
When getting a vehicle
modified, the driver should be
able to tell the modifier how
high they sit in their chair as
well as the width and length of
the chair. And they should ask
a lot of questions! Modified
vehicles are a big investment!
www.CARSTAR.com
Santiagos were surprised
by the call, because they
hadn’t thought to contact the Foundation to
inquire about a wish, but
they were thrilled at the
prospect.
Sara was born in 1990
with dysgenesis of the
corpus callosum. This
means that
the membrane
that acts as
the message
center between the two
lobes of her
brain never
fully developed. Sara
had no motor
skills and was
constantly
hooked up to
machines to
control her
breathing,
medication
and feeding.
In 1996,
Sara was re-
MORE FUN INSIDE!
covering from her fifth or
sixth major surgery. Her
family surrounded her,
urging her to get better so
they could go to the Walt
Disney World® resort .
“It was one of those
things that we wished for,
but knew it was impossible, both physically and
financially,” recalls Louie,
who has been working
for CARSTAR as an Area
Marketing Representative
in Chicagoland for around
10 months. “But as they
say, everything starts with
a dream.”
Little did they know
that Kim, a nurse who often cared for Sara at Christ
Hospital, had overheard
their dream and contacted
the Make-A-Wish Foundation to begin the wish
process for Sara.
Sara was well enough
to return home right
after Christmas that
year. Shortly after, the
family received that
Free Upgrade.
amazing call from the
Louie, and two full-time
Make-A-Wish Foundanurses to travel to Florida
tion. Sara’s wishgranters where Sara’s wish came
were thrilled to send the true. While in Orlando,
family to the Walt Disney the family stayed at Give
World® resort. Debbie
Kids the World Village, a
was concerned because
70-acre resort catering to
Sara’s treatment required children with life-threata large amount of medical ening medical conditions
equipment, which would and their families.
need to be available to the
“They arranged everyfamily in Florida, but the thing! It was like staying
Make-A-Wish Foundaat a 5-star hotel. Sara
tion assured the family
loved it, we were all so
that they would make the happy. Not only was it
trip happen. Both Debbie a great trip for Sara and
and Louie were overcome the other kids, but it was
with emotion.
Thanks
in part to
the generosity of
Disney, the
Foundation
arranged for
the entire
family,
including
Sara’s
brother,
➮ The Make-A-Wish Foundation continued on page 2
Enterprise Rent-A-Car is the
Preferred Provider of CARSTAR®.
Visit us at enterprise.com or call 1 800 rent-a-car and reference customer
number CST5F07 and receive a free upgrade on your next rental.
Offer valid on reservations made in advance for an Economy through Full size vehicle at standard daily or weekly rates at participating locations. The upgrade request will be sent to Enterprise along with your reservation of the lower class car.
The upgrade car class will not appear on your reservation but will be applied at no extra charge upon arrival at the rental counter if a car in the next higher class is available. Rental must be for 26 days or less and end on or before 6/30/07. Coupon may not
be used in conjunction with any other coupon, offer or discounted rate. Vehicles are subject to availability. Other restrictions, including holiday and blackout dates, may apply. Normal rental qualifications apply. Pick-up and drop-off service is subject to
geographic and other restrictions. Void where prohibited. Cash value: 1/100¢. ©2007 Enterprise Rent-A-Car Company. 076243 4/07 MF
http://www.ride-away.com/mobility/mobility.cfm
076243.indd 1
4/12/07 4:17:32 PM
The Make-A-Wish Foundation Made It Happen
a welcome break for the
parents too. Everyone got
to relax for a few days,”
Louie says.
During her wish trip,
Sara had the opportunity
to meet several Disney
characters. Sara had been
very tired during her
trip, and, in many of her
pictures, her eyes were
closed. Then Cinderella,
Sara’s favorite princess,
came over and said “Hello,
Sara.”
“Sara’s arm stretched
out, her eyes lit up, she
turned her head and
smiled at Cinderella. I
was barely able to hold
the video camera. Of
the whole trip, this is the
moment we always talk
about,” Louie fondly
remembers. “Sara could
not speak, but that day,
her eyes said a million
words.”
Sara passed away
nearly three years ago, but
the entire Santiago family
feels blessed to have had
her for over 13 years.
“To say that the MakeA-Wish Foundation goes
beyond the call of duty
would be an understatement. They are such a
great organization, it’s
unbelievable.” said Louie.
That’s why Louie was
elated when he learned
that CARSTAR has
established a national
alliance with the MakeA-Wish Foundation. He
understands, better than
anyone, its value to children afflicted with lifethreatening conditions.
Now, CARSTAR will
help make those wishes a
reality.
“I come to CARSTAR
and things are going great
and then this happens. It’s
like things happen for a
reason, and I am where
I’m supposed to be.”
The Make-A-Wish
Foundation grants the
wishes of children with
life-threatening medical conditions to enrich
the human experience
with hope, strength and
Ink Pen
The Duplex
Pooch Café
CARSTAR Comics
joy. The Foundation is
the largest wish-granting
charity in the world, with
69 chapters in the United
States and its territories.
With the help of generous
donors and nearly 25,000
volunteers, the Make-AWish Foundation grants
more than 12,600 wishes
a year and has granted
more than 148,000 wishes
in the United States since
its inception.
CARSTAR has teamed
up with the Foundation,
and will donate proceeds
from the Super’Stang
Muscle Tour. The program centers around the
restoration of a classic
Shelby Mustang which
will tour the country to
raise money and generate
buzz about CARSTAR, as
well as the Make-A-Wish
Foundation.
“In an era where many
of us are motivated by
monetary incentives,
CARSTAR should stand
proud of this partnership
with the Make-A-Wish
Foundation and the great
and positive influence
they will have on so many
children and their families. I know this…Sara is
smiling down on us all,”
Louie says.
Louie Santiago is an
Area Marketing Representative for CARSTAR stores
in Aurora, Bolingbrook,
Chicago Ridge, Lansing,
Naperville and Yorkville,
Illinois.
Teleword
CARSTAR of Rockford
260 Northland Dr.
Rockford, MI 49341
(616) 531-4100
Owner: Dan Williams
Special Services
• Towing Service: River Valley Towing
(616) 866-4578
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car
• Customer Pick Up and Vehicle Delivery
• Extended Hours By Appointment
• VIP Detailing Prior to Delivery
• CARSTAR 5 Year Nationwide Warranty
“Doing what is right, the customer always
comes first.”
-- Dan Williams
38 Impose, as a tax
39 Pester for
payment
40 Color in an Alice
Walker title
41 Obsolete
palindromic
preposition
42 Prepare to sail
44 When it’s saved,
it’s taken
45 Pangolin’s diet
46 Joust combatant
49 Sparkling wine
spot
50 A dinger is at
least one
53 It may be said
from the bridge
56 Start of a classic
literary title
57 Get to
58 ___ breve (music)
59 Did ranch work
60 Sinus, e.g.
61 Match makers
DOWN
1 Like a post-eruption landscape
2 Steady guy
3 Escapade
4 The past, in the
past
5 Bit of fried bread
6 Expedite
7 Word of division
8 Org. with moles
9 Auto part often
found along the
road
10 Play to the back
row
11 Yr.-end visitors?
12 Trillion prefix
13 They’re put on
some horses
18 Bicycle type
19 ___’ to go (eager)
23 Nervously
impatient
24 Chain with links?
25 More than enough
26 Auger or
destructive bug
27 Kicking partner?
28 Police leader
29 Change,
sci-fi style
30 Rounded molding
© 2006 Universal Press Syndicate www.upuzzles.com
“UNDER SAIL” by Alex Henry
Customer Service Rating: 98%
Equipment
• Kansas Jack Frame Equipment
• Nova Verta Paint Booth
• Pathways & ABS Computer Software
• Miller Welding Equipment
• BASF Paint
• Shark Measuring System
Edited by Timothy Parker
ACROSS
1 With the
wherewithal
5 Stylishly elegant
9 “Hundred’’ prefix
14 Close
hermetically
15 Sari-clad royal
16 Declared strikes?
17 What a captain
may command
20 Sound of a belly
laugh
21 What you may set
a camera on
22 Assumes the role
of
23 It can be upped
24 Hymn “Dies ___’’
25 Avoid that sinking
feeling?
29 Shoe with a puckered seam
32 Like magma
33 32,000 ounces
34 Astronomical
sighting
35 Light reflector
36 Small intake
37 Brave legend
Franchise Spotlight
Facility
• 6,700 Square Feet
• 15 Work Bays
• 8 Talented Staff Members
Universal Crossword
Sudoku Pacific
31 One administering
corporal
punishment
34 They look for bad
deals?
36 With sweat or wet
37 Mame, for one
39 Honeybun
40 American feline,
for one
42 Pulled dandelions
43 Inconvenience
44 Cliche-ridden
46 Pre-Soviet royalty
47 “Sock ___ me!’’
48 One way to tackle
a hurdle?
49 Words with
“happens’’ or
“seems’’
50 Play thing?
51 Asteroid area
52 “… your
goodness ___ a
morning cloud’’
(Hosea)
54 “Exodus’’
character
55 Energy source