Miles College Homecoming Schedule

October 10, 2013

Oct. 13-19
Sunday
11 a.m .– Service at Miles Chapel (pass out Mardi Gras Beads and Mask)
3 p.m .– Mask Decoration
4 p.m. – Coronation
9 p.m. – Masquerade Ball
Monday
6 p.m. – Talent Show
8 p.m. – Bonfire (Burial of the Thorobred)
9:30 p.m. – Hot Wing Eating Contest
11 p.m. – Club Sub

Tuesday
11 a.m. – High School Visitation Day/fun fest
8 p.m. – STS Bus Skating 8-12

Wednesday
11 a.m. – Miles College Trivia
8 p.m. – Comedy Show

Thursday
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Dedication
5 p.m. – Community Service
6 p.m. – Fashion Show
7 p.m. – Bourbon Street/Block Party

Friday
11 a.m.– Stroll Off
9 p.m. – Concert

Saturday
9a.m. – Miles College Homecoming Parade
4 p.m. – Miles College Homecoming Game
8 p.m. – Step Show

A Quest to Know Jesus

Birmingham Times

October 10, 2013

OMNIPOTENT POWER OF GOD
Man’s power is more limited than he realized, for he has no power unless God gives it to him. Although man thinks he can climb the highest mountain, build the largest and highest buildings and skyscrapers, he really cannot do anything unless God gives him the knowledge and power within himself to believe he can, first, and only then can he start to climb the ladder of life. God holds all the power within Himself.
You may read in Genesis, the 11th chapter, where the people of the land decided they would build themselves a tower to heaven, just as man thinks he is going to do now with his spaceship or whatever he has chosen to name and design his work. God showed the men of the land in Genesis that all power and knowledge comes from Him, and only He decides what He wants to allow man to accomplish in the earth, which the knowledge of God created in the beginning of time on this earth for man. Man has been making his own choices since Adam and Eve in the Garden. They decided to make their own choices, and they were driven out of the beautiful Garden of Eden. Man is about to overstep his bounds now, if he has not already.
The Power of God is incomprehensible. God has built a progressive mind within man and, it was God that said in Genesis 1:26, “Let Us make man in Our Image and Likeness.” Therefore, God made man to have a will and desire to build, design, and make great things, but God will limit man, when he goes beyond God’s plan for him.
As you can see man has overstepped his limits now, but we believers in Jesus know that God is ready and about to close His chapter in the earth. Are you getting ready to go with Jesus when He comes?
www.thealmightyeyes.com

THE CITY VIEW

Birmingham Times

October 10, 2013

THE PRESIDENT’S CUP Photo Credit Gregory D. Jones

People, Places and Things

Birmingham Times

October 10, 2013

By Gwen DeRu

RACES AT TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY!! OBAMACARE!! MAGIC CITY CLASSIC!! BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH!! FOOTBALL!! ….WITH MORE TO SEE AND DO….ALL AROUND THE STATE!!

ENJOY THE COOL DAYS AND TAILGATING FUN!!

Birmingham is still commemorating the 50th Anniversary of 1963 – a pivotal year in the city’s history and the civil rights movement. The eyes of the world are ‘still’ on the city.

Visitors are here taking in the old, but more the new. And, people are still exploring the history of the city, the state and the world.

Here are a few more things going on…
SAVE THE DATE –
MAGIC CITY CLASSIC SCHOLARSHIP BREAKFAST – The Magic City Classic Scholarship Breakfast is October 26, 7:15 a.m. at the Harbert Center. WSK LLC (Waldrep, Stewart & Kendrick) is now hosting the Magic City Classic Breakfast that will take place at the Harbert Center on Friday, October 25th at 7:30 a.m. The African American Business Council has hosted this breakfast since its inception but cancelled it this year and deciding that they could no longer underwrite it in the years to come. Attorney Kelvin Howard took the iniatitive to converse with the firm to support the cause. Attorney Charlie Waldrep agreed. Now, the Magic City Classic Scholarship Breakfast has a new sponsor and WSK’s generosity is truly appreciated by all. Thanks WSK, LLC. Thanks Kelvin on your upfront support and good thinking on a worthy cause. On behalf of all of Birmingham, the two schools, the alums and our visitors, we do appreciate you and all of your efforts. Keep up the good work! See you there! Call (205) 327-8333 or 266-0304 for more.

IT IS RACING AT IT’S BEST – Racing fans don’t have to wait long now with the races just one week away. This is something that we all have been waiting on – CAMPING WORLD RV SALES 500 WEEKEND at Talladega Superspeedway. See you at the races.

TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY – Bowyer Ready for the Party at Talladega Superspeedway – NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase driver Clint Bowyer knows firsthand where “Party Capital” of NASCAR is located – the infamous Talladega Superspeedway and the world famous Talladega Blvd. in its infield. On Oct. 18-20, Clint will be ready when Dega’s “Party Central” starts rocking during the Camping World RV Sales 500 weekend. Bowyer knows the importance of having a good time, and there’s no place on the NASCAR circuit that hosts a party like Talladega and Talladega Blvd. – complete with thousands of fans, the Miller Lite Infield Track Bar, the Saturday Night Infield Concert, and a Mardi-Gras-like atmosphere. The most competitive racing in NASCAR combined with a mix of southern hospitality returns to Talladega Superspeedway October 18-20, 2013 for the Camping World RV Sales 500 Weekend. For tickets and information visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 1-877-Go2-DEGA. This is more than a race…This is Talladega!

NASCAR Drivers Denny Hamlin and Darrell Wallace, Jr. Launched NASCAR College Programs at University of Alabama and Auburn University – Talladega Superspeedway launched two NASCAR College Programs at the University of Alabama and Auburn University. Prizes were given out at the event, and both drivers gave students rides to class throughout the day. The first 100 students will win exclusive party passes to a hospitality area in the infield at Talladega for the Camping World RV Sales 500 and a seat on a charter bus to bring them to ‘Dega on race day! Also, one lucky student will challenge each driver in a game of “coke” pong to win a BIG prize. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Driver Denny Hamlin (a 22-time Sprint Cup race winner) will be at the University of Alabama. NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Darrell “Bubba” Wallace, Jr., a Mobile, Alabama native, who ranks ninth in the championship point standings will be at Auburn University. Both drivers compete for Joe Gibbs Racing.

MORE ABOUT TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY – Talladega Superspeedway had three of NASCAR’s “Young Guns” – Jeb Burton, Darrell Wallace Jr. and Timothy Peters from the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series – in Birmingham recently to visit with students at Avondale Elementary School. They, also, joined Birmingham Mayor William A. Bell and Talladega Superspeedway Chairman Grant Lynch across the street for a ceremonial tree planting at Avondale Park. The tree planting is in conjunction with NASCAR’s Green Initiative and the Arbor Day Foundation. The ceremony will anticipate the track’s plan to plant 90 trees across Birmingham’s parks following the Oct 18-20 Camping World RV Sales 500 weekend that will feature the fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race. (Keep up the good work Talladega Superspeedway. We do appreciate your efforts and bringing your support and the fans’ dollars into our city and surrounding area. I look forward to the races next week.)

OBAMACARE – OBAMACARE is RULED CONSTITUTIONAL – We’ve heard about it in bits and pieces over the past three years – the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and how it will benefit all Americans. But, the specific details can be confusing, even overwhelming. Beginning Jan. 1, 2014, the ACA will provide 6.8 million uninsured African Americans an opportunity to get affordable health insurance coverage. The bottom line is if you are not insured, low-cost or free plans will soon be available. If you already have insurance, you may be able to find an even more affordable plan.
Millions of uninsured Americans will be able to sign up for affordable health care. They can now start enrolling in affordable, quality health coverage. Since you are required to have health insurance, make sure that you get informed as much as you can over the next few months. Make sure that everyone is informed about Obamacare by sharing the information with them. Go to www.Healthcare.gov for more.

White Sox Set to Open 2014 Season Against Barons at Regions Field
White Sox return to the Magic City for exhibition game for first time since 2007- Birmingham Barons will open the 2014 season by hosting their parent club, the Chicago White Sox, in an exhibition game at Regions Field on Friday, March 28th. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. CDT. The contest will be the first exhibition to take place in Birmingham between the two clubs since 2007 and the seventh overall in the 28 seasons of their player development partnership. In its inaugural season, Regions Field was named the Ballpark of the Year by Baseballparks.com while hosting 410,186 fans, the 4th-highest total in franchise history and the 4th-highest attendance total in Southern League history since 1964. Following the season, the Barons were named Southern League Organization of the Year and have been nominated for Minor League Organization of the Year. The Barons and White Sox first played in Birmingham at Rickwood Field in 1986. The two teams would play five more times at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in 1991, 1998, 2000, 2003 and most recently in 2007. The Barons are the longest tenured of the White Sox six affiliates. “After I visited Mr. Reinsdorf and the Logans about an exhibition game in a new world class stadium, we delivered a stadium and a championship team,” said Birmingham Mayor William Bell. “We are grateful and I am excited about the White Sox coming to Birmingham and look forward to an exciting second season championship team.”

THIS WEEKEND…..
**Wells Fargo Boo at the Zoo – Boo at the Zoo – Wear your favorite family-friendly costume and watch as the Zoo transforms into a destination of spooky attractions, trick-or-treating, themed rides and games at Wells Fargo Boo at the Zoo. See your favorite ©Marvel characters like Spider-Man, Iron Man, Thor and Captain America* for a special meet and greet, autograph signing and personal photograph opportunity. The Zoo will also host a Creepy Carnival Tent with themed games, a hayride search for Sasquatch and a candy village, organized by local nonprofit organizations and child-centered businesses. The Zoo will close at 4 p.m. There will be: Scarousel, Eerie Express, Sasquatch Safari Hayride, Grusesom Golf, Cajun Sadie’s Fortune Telling Adventure, Creepy Carnival Tent, Monster Nash Dance Party, Themed Wildlife Show and more. DATES are October 11-13, 20, 23-24, 27 and 31 (5-9 p.m.) and October 18, 19, 25, and 26 (5 – 10 p.m.) Character appearances dates are 4 -5 Captain American, 11-12 Thor, 18-19 Iron Man and 25-26 5- 10 p.m. Go to www.birminghamzoo.com for more.

TODAY….
**MARTINI THURSDAY w/MOLLY BENNETT, 10 p.m. at Ona’s Music Room.
**TIT FOR TAT- BREAST CANCER AWARENESS – Check out Tit For Tat with the girls for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Isis Jones is hosting a jam session – Ladies edition with special performances by some of the best ladies in the business….. dani, Candy West, Sharron, De’Nina Parker, Aretta, Neta Young, Nadia Tellis, Jill Gray, Christinay, Marquita Anthony, Ashley Sankey, and Kibibi Jones PLUS DJ Willie in the Mix. NO COVER, but please donate. See you at the Jazz Underground. Call (205) 202-3640 for more. SUPPORT BREAST CANCER!!

FRIDAY…..
**FESTIVAL EXPRESSIONS, 10 p.m. at Ona’s Music Room.
**SOULED OUT LIVE, 8 p.m. at Jazz Underground.

SATURDAY…..
**CHILDREN’S LITERATURE AND THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT – The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (BCRI) will present a teacher workshop,” Children’s Literature and the Civil Rights Movement” 9 a.m. -1 p.m. in BCRI’s Woods Community Meeting Room. The workshop is free, open to the public, and will provide tools and resources to assist teachers in incorporating children’s literature in the teaching of the civil rights movement. Registration is required. Lunch will be provided. Space is limited. Contact Sam Pugh at 205-328-9696 x 246 to register.
**SASSY BROWN AND SASSY BROWN BAND w/TIM BOYKINS, 10 p.m. at Ona’s Music Room.
**THE REVIEW BAND LIVE, 8 p.m. – 2 p.m. at Jazz Underground.
**SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE with CHRIS COLEMAN and a LIVE BAND, 10 p.m. at Merienda Lounge.
**DANI AND SHARRON LIVE, 8 p.m. at Jazz Underground.
**SATURDAY NIGHTLIVE at Merienda Lounge. Call (204) 422-9849 for more or (205) 282-9057. See you there during Magic City Classic Weekend.

SUNDAY…..
**SALSA SUNDAYS, 8 p.m. at Jazz Underground.

COMING SOON….

**OCTOBER 16 – ESCONDIDO AT WORKPLAY THEATRE – Escondido is Nashville, TN-based artists Jessica Maros and Tyler James who met while James was recording their mutual friend at his home studio. The two spent a couple months together crafting song, bonding over a shared love of spaghetti westerns and ‘70s music and then made, “…a splendid gem of a debut album…” (The Huffington Post) titled The Ghost of Escondido. The10-song album was recorded live in a day and released earlier this year. Escondido toured with the Staves in May, and spent June and July on tour with Lord Huron. This fall, in-between headlining dates and Canadian support dates with Said the Whale, Escondido will head back into the studio to track their follow-up.

OCTOBER 24 – THE THREE KINGS AT CRESENDO – The Three Kings will kick off the classic concert at Crescendo. MIKE HAM, BERNARD BUGGS and MOSE STOVALL will be rocking the house with all kinds of good tunes. I have seen them and will be in the house. See you there!

OCTOBER 25 – CALVIN RICHARDSON at CRESCENDO – Calvin Richardson better known as the Prince of Soul, will perform at the Crescendo Classic Jam, 9 p.m. at Crescendo. Other performers include Dani and Sharron. Darryl Johnson will be hosting. Call (250) 337-6999 for more.

OCTOBER 25–27 – SHERYL UNDERWOOD at the STARDOME COMEDY CLUB – One of the funniest female comediennes that I have seen is Sheryl Underwood. Sheryl has appeared on ABC’s “The View”, “Politically Incorrect”… the “Late, Late Show” with Craig Kilborn…”Chelsea Lately” HBO’s Def Comedy Jam, host BET’s Comic View…was a regular on Comedy Central’s “Tough Crowd…popped up as a guest on the WB’s sitcom “Nikki.” … Film credits include Bulworth and Master P’s I Got the Hook Up. For more, call (205) 444-0008.

**AND….. DON’T MISS….
TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY RACES OCTOBER 18 – 20!! SEE YOU THERE!! (Tell you more next time!!)

NOW….a BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUT….TAMICA WASHINGTON, CHERYL FAYE ENGLISH, CHARLENA JACKSON, AMBER ENGLISH, RUBY GREENE, HENRIETTA GRAY, DAKARI AVERY, CHRISTINA HENDERSON, CRYSTAL BROOKS, ANITA D. WATKINS, DONNA BAILEY, DEDRICK ENGLISH, SR., TRACEY HOOPER, MOSES WILLIAMS, MARY GUNNERSON, BOBBY CALLENS, and CHERIE FIELDS!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL CELEBRATING!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU…MANY, MANY MORE HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!! ENJOY!!

Well, that’s it. Tell you more ‘next’ time.

(People, Places and Things by Gwen DeRu is a weekly column. Send comments to my emails: thelewisgroup@birminghamtimes.com or gwenderu@yahoo.com)

UAB’s Alys Stephens Center, ArtPlay present Ailey Revelations residency

Birmingham Times

October 10, 2013

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center and ArtPlay, the ASC’s home for arts education, will present their first season-long artist collaboration beginning this fall. A five-day residency with the Ailey organization’s Arts In Education program, Revelations: An Interdisciplinary Approach, will be held for Birmingham-area middle school students October 7-11, 2013 and will continue through the winter with study assignments from the company.
This innovative, curriculum-based initiative for public school students utilizes Alvin Ailey’s Revelations as the inspirational framework for an in-depth study of language arts, social studies and dance. The culmination of the program in March will be marked by a visit from Ailey II, the youthful and gifted second company of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, with a Meet the Artist school show on March 17, 2014, as well as a public performance on March 28.
Ailey Arts In Education Master Teacher Nasha Thomas Schmitt, a former company member, will conduct the Revelations Residency that is organized through Opus 3, the ASC and ArtPlay. The residency will feature Ailey Arts In Education Teaching Artist Noibis Licea and musician Matthew Hill. This is the first international touring company to be in residence at ArtPlay.
“I am thrilled for UAB’s Alys Stephens Center and ArtPlay to have this kind of collaborative relationship with the esteemed and world-renowned Ailey II Company,” said Theresa Harper Bruno, chair of the ASC Corporate Board. “This residency will be an invaluable experience for local students and educators, offering unparalleled opportunities for learning, growth and development. Providing programs like this for the community is one of the reasons ArtPlay exists, and it helps fulfill the ASC’s mission of making the arts available to everyone.”
At least 150 students from St. Barnabas Catholic School and William J. Christian K-8 School, plus teachers from both schools, will participate. Students will be in session with the Ailey artists for 90 minutes each day Tuesday through Friday. On the first day, ArtPlay teaching artists and teachers will participate in development workshops with the Ailey artists as part of the residency.
Created in 1999, the Revelations program engages students’ analytic and creative thinking skills while exploring the life story of Alvin Ailey and “Revelations,” Ailey’s beloved 1960 masterpiece. Students connect this story to their academic studies, life experiences and community, as well as to the broader world around them using customized lesson plans designed by the Ailey teaching artists. From November through March, local ArtPlay teaching artists and participating school teachers will continue to work with the student group monthly to prepare them for Ailey II’s arrival and their final presentation in the spring.
Ailey II dancers will visit the ASC for a Meet the Artist school show, free for area students, on March 17, 2014, at the ASC, 1200 10th Ave. South. ArtPlay residency students will hold their final presentation later that day for their teachers and peers. As part of the ASC’s 2014 winter/spring season, all 12 Ailey II company members will return to perform for the general public on March 28, 2014. Tickets will go on sale later this fall; call 205-975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org for more information.

Historic Museum Highlights Achievements at Black High School

Birmingham Times

October 10, 2013

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Ullman High School National Alumni Association has recently received approval from University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) to establish a museum in the Ullman Building at 1205 6th Avenue South in Birmingham, Alabama 35233. This museum will be unique since it will tell the story how one Black school in Birmingham overcame the obstacles that were prevalent in the era of segregated schools. Guests will see evidence of the high quality of education students received at Ullman. These artifacts, files, and memorabilia are a representative sampling of the contributions made by former students and staff who have continued to make great achievements throughout the United States, and indeed, throughout the world.
In the midst of our 50th Year Anniversary Civil Rights events, September 12, was the chosen date to open this extraordinary museum. Mr. Willie Scott, Chairman of Ullman’s History and Archives Committee and one of its oldest alumni, believes Ullman’s flaming torch still lights our path and guides us on our way. President Eugene Sharpe feels that Birmingham and UAB have benefited immensely from Ullman’s legacy of inspired teaching and mentoring of its high school graduates. It is the hope of the National Alumni Association of Ullman High School to inspire future generations and the community by using our rich history and success stories as examples.
The Birmingham community is encouraged to provide donations and help secure memorabilia for the museum. Please contact Mr. Sharpe (205) 836-0309, Mr. Scott (708) 805-0923, or Mr. Smith (205) 934-8188, for more details on how you can make the Ullman Museum a viable resource of our City

Media & Communications Strategies, Inc. Hires Danielle Blevins, Esq.

Birmingham Times

October 10, 2013

Expands their Media Relations, Crisis Management and Public Affairs Team

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The renowned, boutique communications firm, Media & Communications Strategies, Inc. announced the expansion of its Washington D.C. office with the addition of Account Associate, Danielle Blevins. Ms. Blevins, formerly a Junior Associate, will begin her new role immediately. She will gain more access to the work of the firm and be fully integrated in to the processes of MAC Strategies.
“We are delighted to have Danielle join our team and bring the imagination, insight and experience which has served her so well over the years. She has great intuition, is very knowledgeable, thoughtful, and a quick study,” said Scott Sobel, President of Media & Communications Strategies, Inc.
Prior to joining Media & Communication Strategies, Inc., Danielle graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law. She served as a Managing Board member and as Publicity and Website Editor for the Alabama Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Law Review. In addition, Danielle was a member of the school’s national trial advocacy competition team for two years. After receiving her law degree, Danielle immediately became a member of the Alabama State Bar in September 2012. Previously, Danielle worked five years with the number one FOX-affiliate in the country, FOX6 WBRC-TV in Birmingham, Alabama as a sponsored scholar of the Emma L. Bowen Foundation. Danielle covered the high-profile trials of Alabama Governor Don Siegelman and HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy.
Danielle has been working with MAC Strategies since February and is excited to be joining the team full-time. In that short period, Danielle worked closely with MAC Strategies’ clientele locally, nationally, and internationally. Her legal and media backgrounds make her an exceptional asset to the Media & Communications Strategies’ team and to its clientele.
A Birmingham, Alabama native, Danielle graduated with honors from the University of Alabama. She graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in Communications specializing in broadcast news with a double minor in Computer Science and Political Science. Danielle is a fellow of the Blackburn Institute, an organization dedicated to ethical leadership for its lifetime members.

Why Isn't Everyone a Christian?

Birmingham Times

October 10, 2013

Matthew 13:3
Jesus often explained the mysteries of God in little stories called parables. The parable in Matthew 13:1-9 explains why not everyone became a Christian after hearing the Word of God.
In this story, a farmer (God) goes out scattering seeds everywhere in order to grow his crop. If there was a problem, it was not the farmer or his seeds. The problem was in the ground receiving the seeds. Jesus speaks of four types of ground (people) in this parable.
The first type person is compared to the ground between rows. People walking on it pack it down. The seeds merely sit on top of it until the birds come and steal them away. He may have been referring to the closed minds of the Jewish leaders who had their belief system in place, which did not include a carpenter’s son named Jesus, or a gospel proclaiming love and grace. The idea that God was doing a new thing was unacceptable to them. A living God does new things, but sadly, if our minds are closed, we miss them.
Jesus compares some people to seed falling on rocky soil. It has no deep root system, so it springs up quickly and disappears the same way. They are bandwagon Christians who profess Christ because everyone else is doing it. Some have revival religion. They get hot for God during the revival, but when the revival disappears, they do too.
Jesus compares some who hear the Word of God to thorny ground. The ground cannot grow two crops at the same time, and neither can we serve two masters. One crop will crowd out the other. Sadly, “money” is the god of our world. It crowds out all else, including God.
We are thankful that this parable is not completely a sad one. Jesus compares some people to good ground. When the seed falls, they take it in, keep it, and care for it. Given time and cultivation, the crop will come, and multiply thirty times, sixty times, or even a hundred times. The abundant glorious harvest will make the losses insignificant.
Jesus speaks of four types of people. Which are you?

Dr. Robert Wilkerson is a minister, writer, and founder of People for the Christian Way, an organization whose mission is to encourage all people to practice Christian principles in business, politics, and every area of life. drbobwilkerson@bellsouth.net, www.peopleforthechristianway.com.

2013 Toyota Prius v Five

Birmingham Times

October 9, 2013

by Cheryl Eldridge

The Toyota Prius v Five is without a doubt a family-oriented car. Toyota introduces space savviness, family friendliness, and unbelievable fuel economy with it’s new Prius v Five.
My one-week test drive with barcelona red metallic exterior and dark green interior Prius V was great. For $37,411 the Hybrid delivered 44mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway, which left me without having to make my normal a gas stop. It’s true!
With the 2013 Toyota Prius V, Toyota proves that it’s got the business of catering to family-oriented car shoppers down to a science.
The Prius hybrid hatchback has been a huge hit for Toyota on the strength of its outstanding utility and exceptional fuel efficiency. The 2013 Toyota Prius V is built using the same basic formula as its omnipresent sibling, with the addition of greater passenger and cargo capacity.
With the Prius V, what you get is essentially a stretched, wider Prius. The V is an inch wider, 6 inches longer and 3 inches taller than the hatchback, with 60 percent more cargo capacity; peek behind the rear seats and you’ll find 34 cubic feet available for your cargo. The cabin is designed to handle most daily tasks. The rear seats slide, recline and fold down, for instance, and you can even squeeze in unusually long cargo thanks to its fold-flat front passenger seat.
Superb fuel economy is, of course, a central part of the Prius’ appeal, and the Prius V shares its powertrain with the hatchback: a 1.8-liter gas engine teamed with an electric motor and a nickel-metal hydride battery pack to generate a combined 134 horsepower. Though the V isn’t quite as frugal as its smaller sibling (EPA ratings are 44 mpg city/40 mpg highway and 42 mpg combined), its mileage is still high enough to make it a compelling pick relative to most choices in the compact wagon/crossover segment.
The 2013 Toyota Prius V is available in three trim levels: the Two, the Three and the Five.
Standard equipment on the base Two includes 16-inch alloy wheels, keyless ignition/entry, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, automatic climate control, cruise control, a height-adjustable driver seat, a fold-flat front passenger seat, a 60/40-split-folding rear seat that slides and reclines, and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player, an iPod/USB audio interface and Bluetooth connectivity/streaming audio.
The Three adds a navigation system with voice controls along with a rearview camera, satellite radio and HD radio. You also get Entune, Toyota’s multimedia interface with text-to-voice functionality and app integration. The Five adds 17-inch alloy wheels, foglights, automatic LED headlights, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, upgraded upholstery (Toyota’s new SofTex – an eco-friendly alternative to leather) and heated front seats.
An Advanced Technology package is offered with my tester, the Five, and includes a panoramic sunroof, adaptive cruise control, an automated parallel-parking system, an upgraded navigation system with a larger touchscreen, a premium eight-speaker sound system, a pre-collision safety system and Toyota’s Safety Connect system.
The 2013 Toyota Prius V is motivated by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine teamed with a pair of electric motors that yields a combined total output of 134 hp and 153 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent through a specialized continuously variable transmission (CVT).
In track testing, the Prius V went from zero to 60 mph in 10.3 seconds.
On the safety side, every 2013 Toyota Prius V comes standard with antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and a driver knee airbag. Optional equipment includes a pre-collision safety system and Toyota’s Safety Connect telematics system (which includes emergency assistance and a stolen-vehicle locator). In brake testing, the Prius V stopped from 60 mph in 129 feet, which is a bit longer than average.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Prius V its highest possible rating of “Good” in the frontal-offset, side and roof strength tests.
User-friendliness is the prevailing theme within the Prius V’s cabin. Controls are large and clearly labeled, and the shift lever is placed within easy reach, high on the center stack near the steering wheel. As such, this wagon is a good match for drivers with arthritis or other mobility challenges. Sadly, taller drivers still have to contend with a steering wheel that’s placed too far away. There’s a telescoping column, but it doesn’t extend nearly far enough.
On the plus side, storage opportunities abound within the cabin. For example, there’s a huge two-tiered glovebox that swallows more than just an owner’s manual, and there’s a large center console bin along with an open nook beneath the center stack.
There’s no shortage of tech amenities either. Toyota’s Entune – which offers Bing search engine functionality, Pandora Internet radio, MovieTickets.com and real-time traffic, weather and fuel price information – is standard on Three and Five models. All Prius V models come with Bluetooth connectivity and music streaming.
A reclining backseat slides fore and aft, allowing you to choose between limolike legroom and expansive cargo capacity. Luggage capacity logs in at a very generous 34.3 cubic feet. Total cargo capacity is also excellent. With 67.3 cubic feet available with the rear seats down, the Prius V rivals most small crossover SUVs.
Shifting gears for the Prius V Five was new. Toyota has a gear shift that’s blue where you can shift gears for drive, reverse and neutral; however, to place the vehicle in park, one must push the P button. That was new to me and I think that the engineers should be applauded on such a small, but great adjustment.
Until next week, drive safe, don’t text and drive and let’s put a stop to road rage.

2013 Mazda CX-9

Birmingham Times

October 9, 2013

AboutThatCar.com

By Frank S. Washington

DETROIT – After a week-long test drive of a 2013 Mazda CX-9, a seven passenger crossover utility, it is easy to understand why this three-rowed vehicle became so popular so quickly.
Launched in 2007, it is the largest Mazda in the lineup. For 2013, the CX-9 was more sophisticated. Its 3.7-liter V6 made 273 horsepower and 270 foot-pounds of torque. Mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift capability, the CX-9 was smooth and assertive.
On a quick turnaround trip to Chicago, it cruised effortlessly at almost 80 mph. It stayed centered, it crept up to 90 mph with just a nudge on the gas pedal and it still had some oomph at highway speeds when quick passing was required.
About the only thing that was lacking was a change lane signal. That is sorely needed on an excursion down any Interstate. Hitting the turn signal to change lanes and then turning it off once that’s done is irritating, if you’re used to lane change signals.
Still, it was a pleasant four-hour drive. Gas mileage wasn’t great but it wasn’t bad either for a 4,500 lb. utility vehicle. The CX-9 had an EPA rating of 18 mpg in the city and 22 on the highway.
After burning through almost three fourths of the 20.1 gallon capacity fuel tank, a fill-up cost $54.02 for 13.5 gallons of gasoline at $3.99.9 a gallon in Indiana. Petrol was thirty to seventy-cents less there than in Chicago. In other words, if you do a lot of driving keeping gasoline in the CX-9 could cost about 100 bucks per week, or more.
But Mazda’s CX-9 is not alone; escalating gasoline prices put a damper on the sales of most three-row utility vehicles as well as pickup trucks. Nonetheless, with each generation these vehicles get more sophisticated and more fuel efficient and the CX-9 is no exception.
For 2013, Mazda designers fine-tuned the CX-9’s headlights, grille, fog lights and bumper. In the rear, they redesigned the bumper, the taillights and they rounded the dual exhaust pipes.
The vehicle used for our test was the CX-9 Grand Touring All-Wheel-Drive, the top of the line model. It had tilt in reverse side mirrors, back up sensors, a rearview camera and Xenon headlights. It also had a tech optional equipment package that included a premium audio system, satellite radio, a touch-screen navigation system with a three-dimensional map and a moonroof.
It was easy to forget that the CX-9 was a utility vehicle. It was quiet, the MacPherson strut front suspension combined with the multi-link rear suspension made for a car-like ride, steering was feathery and there was not a lot of body sway.
However, it was a three-row utility vehicle and it is easy to get into trouble with quick lane changes. You can look right over the hood of a car when checking to see if anyone is alongside you before changing lanes. The CX-9’s blind spot alert system was used a lot and it was very much appreciated.
Like all three-rowed utility vehicles, getting in the third row was not a snap. But there was plenty of head and hip room. And legroom depended on where the second row passengers adjusted their 40-60 split seats.
The only other quibble was the Bluetooth system. It would not connect to Pandora on a smartphone that had been connected. That should have been intuitive but it wasn’t. But it did connect to the phone’s music box with no problem.
Mazda’s CX-9 is a viable entry in the seven-passenger utility vehicle segment. The base price of the test vehicle was $36,375; options and freight charges brought the total to $39,605.

Frank S. Washington is editor of AboutThatCar.com.

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