3 Arts and Crafts Events in Hatfield
Located along the Delaware River, Hatfield Township is as quaint as it is historic. This charming town is also known for its art, crafts, and culture. So while the weather warms up for those dog days of summer, it’s the perfect time to explore the many festivals of Southeastern Pennsylvania. Below, we’ve compiled a list of these top events.
Sugarloaf Crafts Festival
During this festival located in the Oaks from March 18 through 20, more than 300 talented artisans will bring and display hand-selected and hand-crafted pieces of art work. Here you can stroll through the many booths, talk with the artists, see a craft demonstration, and sample delicious food from specialty purveyors.
Spring Art & Craft Fling
From candles and soaps to pottery to jewelry, the Spring Art & Craft Show truly offers a plethora of unique, handmade items. During this two-day event held on April 9 and 10, you can see more than 60 artists’ work. Also offering great food and baked goods, this art and craft show is the perfect venue to find that special gift while treating yourself.
90-Second Newbery Film Festival
Showcasing 90-second renditions of Newbery book winners from the vantage point of children, this unique and touring film festival is quickly becoming a favorite across America. From hilarious to ingenious, the movies shown at this April 26 event at Shallcross Hall at the Friends Central School will leave you inspired.
So tell your friends and family and plan to attend one of these entertaining and culture-filled events.
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Just Like New: How to Properly Wash Your Car
It’s been said before that it requires 10,000 hours at an activity to become an expert. Unfortunately, not everyone has that much time to spend washing their car. However, by following a few simple steps, you’ll find your car looking spick and span every time you wash it. Here’s how to do it.
Get the Right Gear
One mistake that amateurs make is using the wrong gear or borrowing items from the kitchen. Don’t do it. Instead, go out and buy a few buckets, auto detergent, a micro-fiber cloth, a detailing brush, an all-purpose cleaner, a shammy, and wax. Only after you have accumulated these should you begin.
Wash the Wheels First
The first step is washing the wheels. All too often, you’ll do them last as an afterthought, but it’s never a good idea. The reasoning is that the wheels have the most grime and dirt on them, so firing a hose at them washes this dirt back on to your clean car.
Washing Your Way Down
Don’t forget about gravity. Whether you’re doing a pre-rinse or you’re ready for soaping up your vehicle, start from the roof and work your way to the ground. Once again, you don’t want to have to redo spots.
Drying
This is the hardest part and where most people leave streaks. Make sure to use a shammy or micro-fiber towel to dry the vehicle. You can also use compressed air to reach cracks and crevices where water sits.
Voila! You now have a showroom ready car. The next thing to do is drive around and show your shiny new car to the rest of the world.
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A Quick Glance at the 2016 Toyota Mirai
Every so often, there’s a vehicle that redefines what the public considers the wave of the future. The Toyota Mirai is just that car. Going on sale in 2016, the Mirai becomes the first hydrogen fuel cell powered car of its kind. If you’re intrigued, here’s a little more about the car.
Hydrogen Fuel Cells
The Mirai runs solely on hydrogen, meaning that it expels no exhaust other than water. As a result, it’s the cleanest car on the market, plus it goes 300 miles on a single cell, which is more than triple the average electric car. Toyota backs the Mirai by offering the fuel for free for the first three years you own the car. The car even has a hydrogen fuel cell station locator, so you won’t stress too much about not finding a place to fill up.
Fuel-Efficient, Yet Peppy
For those that are quick to bash the Prius, they won’t have the same success with the Mirai. Despite its fuel source, the Mirai still pumps out 156 horsepower and goes from zero to 60 in 9.4 seconds. Sure, it’s not going to win a drag race, but it isn’t completely negligent either.
Pricing
At just over $58,000, the Mirai seems like an expensive choice, but then again, there aren’t many fuel cell cars out there. In addition, the free fuel for three years totals about a $6,000 value, and tax credits can total as high as $13,000.
If you want to become one of the first on your block to become a part of history, than you surely should consider the Mirai for your next vehicle.
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4 Things You Can Tow in a Toyota Tundra
It’s tough to compete with the established American brands in the truck business, but the Tundra effectively does just that. With up to 10,500 pounds of raw towing power, the Tundra puts Toyota on the map as a serious player in the truck game. If you’re on the ropes about purchasing one, just check out what the Tundra can pull.
Two Rhinos
Although it’s unlikely that you’d ever need to do it, the Tundra can easily handle the load of two rhinos. However, if you have aspirations of starting your own zoo or wildlife refuge, it’ll do the trick.
105 Toilets
For the plumbing contractor, toilet installation is just part of the daily grind. If you’re bidding on a huge apartment contract though, perhaps a mention that you can haul 105 toilets to the installation site will help win the deal.
136 Gold Bricks
At 77 pounds a piece, gold bricks are the epitome of the saying “worth their weight in gold.” If you’re a James Bond fan, you’ll remember how the villain Goldfinger tried to steal all the money from Fort Knox. Now, you have an effective way to become an accomplice. Not that you would, but the opportunity still stands.
420 Two-Year Olds
Have you ever dreamed of owning your own day care business? With the Tundra, you can take it to the next level. With the capacity for 420 toddlers, your mobile day care will quickly become a money-making phenomenon.
Regardless of what you decide to use your Tundra for, you’ll rest easy knowing it has some of the most power in its class. You’ll also revel in the fact it pulls 7,500 racks of ribs. Either way, you’re going to love it.
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3 of Toyota’s Fastest Cars Ever
Because Toyota’s emergence on the sports car scene is relatively late in comparison to American manufacturers, they are often overlooked. However, even a subtle glance at their fastest cars shows you that they outpace much of the competition. If you’re a car enthusiast obsessed with speed, check out some of Toyota’s fastest cars ever built.
Supra Twin Turbo
Despite a constant plea for Toyota to re-release the Supra, it still hasn’t happened yet. However, if you find yourself behind the wheel of one, you’ll get to feel the raw power. Featuring a 3.0 liter, twin turbo V-6 engine, this Supra tore up the roads with a top speed of 156 miles per hour and a zero to 60 time of 4.9 seconds.
Camry SE V-6
One of the most surprising speed demons from Toyota was the Camry SE V-6. Although the Camry is typically known for its fuel efficiency and reliability, this particular model demonstrated it was more than that. The 3.0 liter V-6 under the hood allowed you to push the pace to 128 miles per hour and jet from a standstill to 60 miles per hour in just 5.8 seconds.
Celica 1.8 T-Sport
The Celica name is definitely a classic among Toyota enthusiasts, especially those who had one in the 1990s. During this decade, Toyota made the Celica 1.8 T-Sport, which although it had a four-cylinder engine, still went zero to 60 in seven seconds and reached up to 140 miles per hour.
The saddest part about this list is that none of these cars are still being manufactured. However, it’s interesting to see how Toyota’s next sports car entry will perform.
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3 Must-See Roadside Attractions in Pennsylvania
Road trips are the quintessential American activity, not because the country is so massive, but because of the truly majestic scenery and attractions. While these can often border on the stereotypical, there are many hidden pit stops that lie in wait. The next time you’re in Pennsylvania, don’t miss out on these mesmerizing, bizarre gems.
Haines Shoe House – Hallam
Off US Highway 30, just south of Harrisburg, you’ll find the quaint little borough of Hallam. Follow the signs, and eventually you’ll find yourself at Haines Shoe House. The carefully preserved home, built in 1905, was the brainchild of Mahlon Haines, who ran several shoe stores throughout the state. Obviously, not many people have such a love of shoes, but this one’s worth the trip.
Magic Garden – Philadelphia
If you manage to fight through some of the traffic in Philadelphia, take a stop off at the Magic Garden. Over a span of forty years, one man has tirelessly crafted a three-story building with glass mosaics and random objects. Maybe it’s not a place where you’d want to live, but the efforts to create it are definitely magical.
The Shark Tombstone – Pittsburgh
Like the other two people on this list, obsessions go a long way to creating a legacy. One such man in Allegheny takes this to another level. In the Allegheny Cemetery in Pittsburgh, you’ll work your way through tombstones to one that stands out among the rest because it’s in the shape of the shark from the movie Jaws.
Pennsylvania is full of great sports sites, historical places, and other unique points, but nothing rivals these weird places. Without a doubt, a visit will leave a lasting impression.
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Although the beginning of 2016 ushered in some of the lowest gas prices in years, the price for a barrel of oil is still volatile. To err on the side of caution, it’s best to think of purchasing a car with exceptional fuel economy. Here are a few Toyotas to get your thoughts rolling.
Toyota Camry
The Camry has been such a reliable, fuel-efficient vehicle for so long, it seems to fly under the radar. However, with a 2.5 liter, four-cylinder engine, the Camry gets an EPA-estimated 35 miles per gallon highway and 25 miles per gallon city. It’s also available in a hybrid that gets 43 miles per gallon highway and 39 in the city.
Toyota Yaris
Don’t let the small stature of the Yaris confuse you; it’s a superb compact vehicle for the first-time driver or commuter that wants to save a few bucks off the price. In addition, you’ll get up to 37 miles per gallon highway and 30 miles per gallon in the city, further adding to its superb value.
Toyota Prius
The secret’s out about the Prius. This car, the hybrid that started the recent interest around the globe, is still the leader in the hybrid market. You’ll get up to 54 miles per gallon on the highway and 50 in the city, plus you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that your purchase is helping to save the environment.
With a fuel-efficient Toyota vehicle, you’ll never have to worry about rising gas prices. Even with them at a low, you’ll still save more than just about everyone else.
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The Fastest Toyotas of All Time
Throughout the years, the engineers at Toyota have produced some vehicles that are capable of reaching remarkable speeds. Check out a few of the fastest Toyota models ever built.
1998 GT-One Road Version
The Toyota GT-One was originally built as a racing car. To become a legal road car, the rear wing was lowered and the suspension ride height was raised. The road version car also has a smaller gas tank. Even so, the GT-One has a blistering fast top speed of 236 miles per hour and can go from zero to 60 miles per hour in just 3.2 seconds. Of course, all this power comes at a steep price. The GT-One Road Version costs $1,300,000.
1993 Supra Turbo
Another fast sports car from Toyota is the 1993 Supra Turbo. While the Supra Turbo was derived from the Toyota Celica, it was actually both wider and longer. The smooth lines and 320 horsepower of this sports car help it go from zero to 60 miles per hour in five seconds. The 1993 Supra Turbo has an MSRP of $39,500.
2007 TRD Aurion 3500S
When the TRD Aurion 3500S was released, Toyota claimed it was the world’s most powerful front-wheel drive car. With a top speed of 155 miles per hour and the ability to go from zero to 60 miles per hour in 6.1 seconds, that certainly seems to be the case. The TRD Aurion 3500S costs $50,000.
When you’re looking to fill your need for speed, check out one of these fastest Toyota models of all time.
Should I Get a Tacoma or Tundra?
If you’re looking for a new Toyota pickup truck, you might be choosing between the Tacoma or the Tundra. To help you decide which truck is best for you, consider the differences between the two.
Interior
The Tacoma is a traditional midsize truck with average interior space. The dashboard has a straightforward layout and the cabin has a simplistic design. When you climb inside the Tundra, you’ll notice it has a lot more room. Not only is the interior is wider, there’s also more headroom and the rear seats have plenty of legroom.
Towing and Hauling
In the Tacoma, you’ll be able to haul 1,500 pounds or tow up to 6,500 pounds. While that’s certainly a powerful truck for regular jobs, it’s small compared to the Tundra. With the Tundra, you can tow more than 10,000 pounds. This makes the Tundra ideal work vehicle for large jobs.
Budget
The Tundra is a full-size pickup truck while the Tacoma is a compact truck. As a result, these two trucks have different prices for each trim level. For the Tacoma, the SR is the starting trim level and it has a starting MSRP of $23,300. The top trim level of the Tacoma is the Limited, which has a starting MSRP of $34,745. The starting trim level for the Tundra is the SR. It has a starting MSRP of $29,450. You can also choose the top trim level, the Tundra Platinum, which has a starting MSRP of $46,030.
No matter which truck you choose, you’ll still enjoy Toyota’s excellent warranty and reliability.
3 Reasons to Visit the Pennsylvania Dutch Country
There is no place in the world like Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Out here you can find Amish communities keeping centuries-old traditions alive even as they share space with ultra-modern amusement parks and hotels. If you’re looking for a taste of the good old days that doesn’t leave your technology behind, here are three places to discover in Dutch Country.
The Amish Village
Located just east of Lancaster, the Amish Village provides a guided tour of the Amish lifestyle. Highlights include a real farm and schoolhouse, a petting zoo, a bus tour of Dutch Country back roads, and a shop with homemade food and goods. And even if you don’t visit the village, you’ll see plenty of horse-drawn Amish buggies and Amish-owned businesses as you explore Lancaster County.
Dutch Wonderland
Also east of Lancaster is Dutch Wonderland, an amusement park with plenty for young children to do that stays open even during the winter months. Attractions include roller coasters, the Dino Dig Site, and the Duke’s Lagoon water park.
The Drive In
Getting here is half the fun. No matter which direction you approach from, you’ll see plenty of rolling farmlands, winding rivers, and thickly forested mountains. You’ll see even more if you take the back roads, but in Lancaster County every route is scenic.
Whether you’re looking for living history or some of the most fun you’ll ever have, Lancaster County and the Pennsylvania Dutch Country have plenty of sights, sounds, and flavors you won’t find anywhere else in the world.
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