Points of Interest
Retire? What’s that?
Ray Jenkins’ schedule does not seem unusual. He rises at 4:00 a.m. and leaves for the Champlain Valley Exposition at 5:00 a.m. where he works full time as the maintenance coordinator. What amazes everyone is that Ray, America’s oldest worker, maintains this routine at 101. Cynthia Metzler of Experience Works, the nation’s largest provider of training and employment services for older workers, says, “Mr. Jenkins is a wonderful example of how seniors who stay active, both mentally and physically, can continue to make valuable contributions to the workplace and to their communities.”
Reindeer wonderland
Finnish reindeer farms are booming in Lapland, reports the National Geographic News. While reindeer husbandry has existed for centuries, a recent surge in tourism offers reindeer farmers an added source of income—rides through Finland’s winter wonderland in sleighs drawn by real reindeer. The tourists, who come by the tens of thousands during the November-through-April winter season, need not worry about missing out on the experience since 36 percent of the country is dedicated to reindeer farming.
A real mechanic
Repairing automotive problems provides Daniel Moncada a great sense of accomplishment—as well it should since he is blind! A former construction worker and Web designer who lost his sight to a rare retinal disease, Moncada owns and operates King Motors of South Florida, according to Sun-Sentinel.com. Relying on touch and smell, he diagnoses mechanical problems, and even does some of the repairs. Moncada also designs custom interiors for both cars and boats, which his crew then installs. “I’ve gotten used to letting my hands do the seeing for me,” says Moncada.
Conserving gas with a vengeance
Teams of excited engineers and mechanics are experimenting with new designs for automobiles. Automotive X Prize has offered a $10 million bonanza to the group that produces a car that can travel 100 miles on a gallon of gas. Innovators at Aptera Motors have already devised a small, three-wheeled vehicle that gets 340 miles per gallon at speeds over 55 miles per hour, according to Wired. Competitors have their work cut out for them!
|
© 2008 High Tide Press The Trinity Foundation 2008 |
Perdido Magazine 3650 W. 183rd Street Homewood, IL 60430 Phone: 708-206-2054 Fax: 708-206-2044 Contact Us |