:: Melissa's No-name Stories ::

:: Thursday, August 21, 2003 ::

330 electric cars donated to parks
August 21
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ Visitors to state parks will soon begin to see something new passing by _ electric cars.
The state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation received a donation of 330 electric vehicles Thursday from DaimlerChrysler.
These Global Electric Motorcars (GEMs) are two- and four-passenger vehicles that have low maintenance costs, no emissions and can operate on tight roads and inside buildings, according to parks officials.
"Our vehicles are ideal for traveling short distances and their quiet operation is perfect in camps and park settings," said Barry Carr, northeastern manager for GEMs. The company donated 130 of the machines to the State University of New York earlier this year.
Officials also said the visibility of these electric models will increase public awareness of alternative-fuel vehicles.
:: Melissa 12:50 PM [+] ::
...

"Everyone Deserves Music" _ Michael Franti and Spearhead
Again, Michael Franti uses his funky hip-hop to start a debate. While "Stay Human" explored race, drug and prison issues, "Everyone Deserves Music" begs the world to stop the cycle of violence.
From "We Don't Stop," with its lyrics, "A war on terror, a war on drugs, a war on kindness, a war on hugs," the danceable beat guides listeners through the current global circumstances. At times the situation looks bleak, with lyrics, "We can bomb the world to pieces but we can't bomb it into peace." The beats and Franti's charm ("If I were the rains, I'd wash away the whole world's pain") make the medicine go down.
Despite partial doom-and-gloom, you walk away with a tune in your head, and a sense that everyone can make a difference.
_ Melissa Mansfield, AP Writer


SUNY receives 130 electric cars
July 29, 2003
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ The State University of New York will receive 130 zero-emission electric cars for use on 26 campuses, officials said Tuesday.
SUNY Chancellor Robert King said the university system has accepted the donation by DaimlerChrysler and the New York Power Authority, noting the Global Electric Motorcars vehicles, or GEMs, will eliminate SUNY use of more than 15,000 gallons of gasoline annually.
The five-horsepower GEMs are smaller than most cars and can reach top speeds of about 25 mph. They meet federal and state safety standards for use on private property and public roads with speed limits up to 35 mph.
"These low-speed electric vehicles will replace an array of combustion powered vehicles now operating on SUNY campuses," said NYPA President Eugene Zeltmann.
State universities at Buffalo and Albany will each get 10, and smaller campuses will receive fewer cars. The NYPA-DaimlerChrysler program will put 300 electric cars into use around the state, with donations also to several cities and villages.
:: Melissa 10:33 AM [+] ::
...