Tonight is poker night. Every so often on thursdays we get a group of people together who are interested in playing poker. Some individuals in the area are against it because it is gambling. I do not seeit as this because it is a form of inexpensive entertainment the way we play. If you think about it a typical movie is about $8 now and that only lasts 2 hours. Our poker tournaments are $5 buy in Texas holdem tournament so we play to the end. We usually start at around 9 in the evening and often go past 1am. That is ofer 4 hours of entertainment. If you break that down that is about $1.25 an hour and you get the opportunity to sociaize, meet new people, and play a fun game together. There are few forms of entertainment that cheap that would get a group of 10 or more together week after week. If you look at it from the sense that you may win, you could make money. If the winner takes all and 10 people play every week, you would only need to win 1 time evert 10 weeks to break even. If you did it more than that you would be ahead. For a cheap form of entertainment I would reccommend a low entry tournament of texas holdem. With this in mind, I wish you all good luck and happy betting. Go make a new friend, have a poker tournament today!

Slope Style Competition at The Canyons

Skiers and snowboarders push it to the limit at The Canyons annual Slope Style Competition.

The event was held yesterday in the Upper Respect terrain park at The Canyons ski resort. The only qualification to compete was a $20 entry fee to be entered in to the competition and the will to try the best tricks one would dare do.

Local Rider Preston Weekes at The Canyons terrain park.

Riders of all ages were sorted in to age groups to compete in their sport. The day was a cloudy day, but it did not stop the show. As riders started to group at the top of the run to begin, other fellow riders speckled the sides of the course waiting to watch as the event kicked off.

The snowboarding groups went first starting with the younger age group of 15 and under. Many of the spectators were impressed at the determination and skill of these younger competitors.

“They are so crazy it amazes me,” said a proud parent and spectator, Al Heaton.

After the younger group was finished the 16 and up group followed raising the bar with new more technical tricks. Many of the spectators would show their respect and support through the cheers and whistles.

“This is a fun laid back competition that allows people to push it as big as they want. There is not a lot at stake so it is more fun,” said Josh Maza, a competitor in the 16 and older skiing group.

“Anyone can enter, but you need to throw a big trick to win,” said Maza.

The three top ranking people in each group were awarded prizes. First place won a cash prize of $500, second place won a free night stay in the Grand Summit Lodge, and third place won two free day ski passes.

The Canyons has hosted the annual Slope Style Competition for 5 years. Over the past 10 years there has been a push at ski resorts to expand terrain parks for riders to test their jumping and rail riding abilities in these designated areas.

The past few years Park City has been rated as the top terrain park in the world. With all this notoriety Park City has received, it has pushed some surrounding ski resorts to expand their terrain parks. The Canyons has a larger terrain park than ever before with 36 different features to test your skills on and 6 natural half pipes.

The competition to have the best ski resort is likely to continue benefiting the local skiers and snowboarders that like to test their ability in these areas or watch from the side as others perform difficult feats of skill.
(453 words)

Car companies seem to be in a race to create the best energy efficient, low emissions automobile.

Most of the major car companies in the world have become much more competitive in making “green” cars.

“Gas prices have created a lot of complaints from customers, but they keep buying gas because they need to drive,” said Clint Cristiansen from Crest Gas.

The cost of fuel over the past 10 years has had almost a 300% increase in retail costs. With the depletion of the ozone and global awareness on the rise, more means of alternative power are tested daily. There are several more reasonable solutions under testing such as E-85 Ethanol, Bio-Diesel, Electricity, and the possibility of Hydrogen powered cars.

The Saab 9-4X Bio-Power Concept has

a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder turbo Engine

created for E-85 fuel to give 300 hp.

Each of these sources of fuel has benefits and disadvantages. E-85 is described as an alcohol fuel mixture that typically contains a up to 85% denatured fuel, ethanol and gasoline. E-85 Ethanol produces far cleaner emissions than standard gasoline, but the amount of fuel the world consumes is greater than the current capability to reproduce this fuel and keep up with current demands. E-85 is basically a fuel produced from corn oil. This form of fuel is available in the United States and is very common in Sweden.

Bio-diesel is an incredibly efficient form of fuel. Biodiesel is a fuel similar to petroleum derived diesel fuel, but manufactured from vegetable or animal fats. This is a low emission fuel that is very economical because the efficiency that can be achieved in a vehicle. There are a few problems with this fuel that is under testing. The fuel can wear out rubber gasgets and hoses in older engines of vehicles in automobiles made 1992 and earlier. Newer diesel vehicles use a non corrosive rubber substitute.

Electricity has a no emission output used by itself. The benefit of electricity as a power source is that it is instant. It does not need to build up power like other engine fuels such as gasoline and diesel. As soon as you require it, it is there. This makes fast accelleration possible. The problems with electricity starts with distance capabilities, time recharging, and the heavy weight of batteries. The technology has been increasing, but is not where it needs to be.

Hydrogen is another potential form of alternative fuel. This is a benificial source because it is not carbon based so its emissions are very clean. Hydrogen has been deemed by some critics as the most expensive and least efficient means when compared with other tested alternatives.

Toyota Prius has sold more

than three times any other

hybrid in the U.S.

“The Prius has been the highest selling hybrid in the U.S. from when they were introduced through 2007.” said sales representative Mike Terry of Brent Brown Toyota.

Many manufacturers are conquering the issues of these alternate fuel sources and combining the options as they do in Hybrid cars. Companies have combined resources such as an electric powered car that has a small efficient gas generator that can constantly recharge the battery source while using minimal fuel.

Find more information at:
http://www.hybridcars.com/
http://www.autobloggreen.com/

(495 words)