The Last Word

June 1, 2008
Dog trotting Where do Americans want to travel? Well, according to a survey commissioned by national bus fleet operator Greyhound Lines, Florida is tops in terms of most popular states to visit (cited by 62% of respondents) while national treasures such as Mount Rushmore (visited by 19% of respondents), the Liberty Bell (27%), and even Niagara Falls (35%) don't fare as well. Even the Washington Monument
Dog trotting

Where do Americans want to travel? Well, according to a survey commissioned by national bus fleet operator Greyhound Lines, Florida is tops in terms of most popular states to visit (cited by 62% of respondents) while national treasures such as Mount Rushmore (visited by 19% of respondents), the Liberty Bell (27%), and even Niagara Falls (35%) don't fare as well. Even the Washington Monument was visited by only 42% of respondents, says Kim Plaskett, director-corporate communications for Greyhound. “We're surprised to find that more U.S. travelers aren't choosing to visit our nation's wonderful monuments.”

Snappy one-liner

Volvo Group CEO Leif Johansson escorted President George W. Bush around a display of trucks built by the OEM's subsidiaries that are capable of running on various carbon-neutral fuels at the recent Washington International Renewable Energy Conference in the nation's capital. Johansson explained that because the trucks can run on renewable fuels, they will not make any net contribution of carbon dioxide to the earth's atmosphere. Referring in particular to the hybrid Mack on display, four of which are being tested by the U.S. Air Force under a cooperative research and development agreement, Bush observed that, “Five years ago, those trucks would not have been available for people at this exhibit to look at. Today, they're on the road. Things are changing.”
John & Shelia Lovington, Acme Truck Lines, Bakersfield CA

Hog heaven

Knowing the kindred spirit that Harley-Davidson motorcycles represent to many truckers, we're thrilled to report a brand-spanking new 130,000-sq.-ft. museum dedicated to these American dream machines will be opening its doors next month in Milwaukee, where the iconic brand was born.

Built on 20 acres of riverfront property at the intersection of Sixth and Canal Streets in the city's Menomonee Valley district, the Harley-Davidson museum will be open 364 days a year and will boast a collection of 450 motorcycles along with thousands of other items gleaned from the company's 105-year history.

Go to www.h-dmuseum.com for more information on this slice of hog heaven.

Brown backs Brown

United Parcel Service has inked a marketing agreement with jockey Kent Desormeaux and IEAH Stables, the ownership group for Kentucky Derby Champion “Big Brown.” The deal was struck shortly after the running of the 134th Kentucky Derby and before Big Brown also won the Preakness, the second leg of the Triple Crown.

UPS began its Big Brown association during the 134th “Run for the Roses” by sponsoring Desormeaux in his quest to become a three-time winner of the Kentucky Derby. Desormeaux, IEAH Stables and Big Brown will fly the UPS colors during their bid to become just the 12th Triple Crown winner.

It's no accident this horse's name refers to UPS's signature nickname. Paul Pompa Jr., owner of Truck-Rite Corp. in Brooklyn, N.Y., is the original owner of the horse. After renewing a contract with UPS Freight in 2007, Pompa celebrated by naming his newly purchased thoroughbred Big Brown.

“The simple act of buckling up is the easiest, least expensive and most effective way to prevent traffic deaths and injuries. It also can keep you from getting a ticket.”
— Carlos Lopez, Texas DOT traffic operations director

Click, tug & snug

Those motions are all that's needed for a trucker to secure his seatbelt and comprise the title of a safety awareness campaign launched by IMMI's LifeGuard Technologies, which is making available free video kits on how to buckle up properly. To obtain a kit, go to www.lifeguardtechnologies.com and click on the “Click, Tug & Snug” icon.

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