Three Romantic Desserts for Valentine's Day!

We thought we would give you a few ideas for a tasty Valentine's Day dessert. Let us know if you enjoyed these ideas and if you have any of your own post them!

1. Chocolate Melting Cakes: Top off these warm, melt-in-your mouth cakes with a swirl of caramel sauce and a scoop of ice cream.

2.  Chocolate Pecan Tart: Crunchy toasted pecans sprinkled on top contrast nicely with the smooth, fudge-like filling.

3. Raspberry S'mores: A childhood favorite gets an unexpectedly adult twist with the addition of fresh raspberries.

Courtesy of Realsimple.com

The recipes to these treats and more can be seen by following this link: http://bit.ly/1nunAhg

5 Things to Keep in Mind After a Fender-Bender

Nobody ever wants or expects them, but car accidents happen every day.  If you suddenly find yourself involved in a fender-bender, the stress of the situation can jumble your thoughts, making you more likely to forget some important steps.  Here are a few things to keep in mind right after a car accident.

-Make sure everyone is okay before you exchange contact and insurance information with the other motorist involved.

-Report the incident to your insurance company, even if you are at fault.

-Take pictures.  Not only will this proof help when sorting things out with an insurance company, but it could serve as useful if there happens to be a dispute about the situation.  Taking notes is a good idea, too.

-Be careful who you talk to.  If you are contacted by the other motorist’s insurance company, it is best to direct them to your insurance company instead of speaking for yourself.  Sensitive situations like car accidents are best left to professionals!

-If there is a dispute with your insurance company, get an attorney.

5 Signs You Need Your Brakes Checked

Here are 5 ways to know that it is time to get your brakes checked or replaced!

1) Worn Pads: You'll have to estimate, but generally, your pads should be at least one-quarter of an inch thick. If they're any thinner than that, it's a good idea to get them changed.

2) Strange Sounds: One of the warning signs that your brakes need servicing can come from a small indicator in your braking system that emits a high-pitched squeal when your pads need replacing. And, while this sound is loud enough to be heard even when the windows are up, it might be tough to hear with Lady Gaga blaring from the stereo.

3) Pulling: Has your car ever felt like it has a mind of its own? As if it wants to make right- or left-hand turns while driving or braking? If so, this could indicate a problem with the braking system. Pulling, however, doesn't always indicate a problem with the brakes. The cause could also come from unevenly inflated or worn tires, poor alignment or a problem with your vehicle's suspension.

4) Vibrations: Generally, a vibrating brake pedal indicates warped rotors. Their uneven surfaces will thrum against the brake pads, and you'll feel the feedback through the brake pedal.

5) Temperamental Pedal: A mushy pedal, one that goes practically to the floor before engaging the brakes, could indicate worn pads or a problem with the hydraulic system, such as air in the line, an air leak or a brake fluid leak.

Courtesy of HowStuffWorks.com: http://bit.ly/1fEBTxd

Barrett-Jackson 2014: First production 2014 Chevy Camaro Z/28 earns $650k for charity!

Rick Hendrick buys the first 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28! $650,000 to charity.

No doubt about it: Z/28 is a legendary badge for Camaro enthusiasts. And we don't think we're stepping out of line by saying that Rick Hendrick is one of those enthusiasts. In fact, he just purchased the very first production 2014 Chevy Camaro Z/28 here at Barrett-Jackson for a cool $650,000.

Considering that Hendrick owns both a NASCAR team and a successful line of Chevy dealerships, we don't know how much time he'll be spending behind the wheel of this particular Camaro, but at least that time will be fun. With 505 horsepower and 481 pound-feet of torque from the 7.0-liter V8 engine and a comprehensive set of chassis and electronics upgrades over other less-capable Camaro models, this is one fast pony.

Courtesy of AutoBlog.com: http://aol.it/1eSXpNQ

3 Car Hacks to Maintain a Cleaner Vehicle!

Here are some simple tips and tricks to keep your car looking fresh for National "Get Organized Month!

1. Use a cereal box as a trash can.

2. A shower caddy is an excellent tool to keep toys, bottles, etc. nice and tidy!

3. If you want to go grab a hot meal and bring it home, use your seat warmers to keep food fresh. Also, you can put a water bottle under the box to keep it stable!

Top 5 Feel-Good Songs

Here are some great songs to start off the weekend right!

5. We Are the Champions - Queen

4. Let It Be - Beatles

3. Don't Stop Believin' - Journey

2. Good Life - OneRepublic

1. What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong

 

 

Kids Turn to OnStar for News on Santa’s Journey

Starting on Christmas Eve, families traveling in General Motors’ vehicles with OnStar services will be able to learn Santa’s whereabouts by simply pressing the blue OnStar button in the U.S., Canada and now in Mexico.  
 
For the fifth consecutive year, OnStar is providing the service through collaboration with the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, “Track Santa” program.
From 7 a.m. on December 24 until 5 a.m. on December 25, anyone with an active OnStar subscription can request a “Santa Update,” which an OnStar advisor will provide based on NORAD information.

“Our advisors really get into the holiday spirit when responding to these calls,” said Terry Inch, OnStar chief operating officer. “They put on their Santa hats and elf ears and wholeheartedly take advantage of the opportunity to spread such joy to the children.”
“The Santa Seeker Service added special magical feeling to our day,” said OnStar subscriber Jocelyn Farkas, who requested a Santa update last year. “I am not sure who was more excited to go out on errands in the car – my kids or my husband. We were all giddy to find out which country Santa was in while he made his way to our home.”

Other OnStar subscribers plan to take advantage of the service again this season:
“Since we are a military family, we never know where we will be for Christmas each year. But this is something that we can do together no matter where we are,” said OnStar subscriber Bethany Auth, who along with husband, Patrick, and 6-year-old Shane, 4-year-old Kayleigh and 2-year-old Brayden contacted OnStar for Santa updates five to six times last year.

“The advisors are nothing but amazing when we call,” she said. “The kids constantly want to push the button, so we call in a few times to give everyone in the family a chance to ask the advisor about Santa. When my oldest son hears the update from the advisor, he goes right away to find the location on a map.”

So how does OnStar keep up with the high volume of inquiries from these curious little callers?

“Our first priority is always the safety and security of our subscribers,” said Inch. “But we make adjustments in staff so that we are able to respond to the Santa calls as well as our day-to-day calls for assistance.”

“For nearly 60 years, NORAD has employed the same military technology used every day for Homeland Defense mission to also track Santa during his Yuletide journey," said Stacey Knott, NORAD Tracks Santa program manager. "We use our military satellites, radars, fighter jets and Santa Cams to tell the world Santa's location every Christmas Eve.”
Individuals without OnStar technology can also follow Santa’s progress via the NORAD Tracks Santa website, Facebook page Twitter hashtag #NoradSanta or by calling the hotline at 1-877-HI-NORAD.

Courtesy of: Chevrolet Newsroom