| Renting 'green'? Not so easy
We're not going to be able to save the world," says Andy Taylor, Enterprise's chief executive, "but we think we can have an effect on the space where we play every day as a business. And we think that's what our customers and especially our employees want us to do." But - and you knew there would be a "but" - Enterprise can only do so much. Its customers, and those of sister brands Alamo and National, aren't guaranteed a hybrid rental car because there aren't enough of them for the company to buy. Most of its flex-fuel cars never run on ethanol because E85 filling stations are scarce. And fewer than one in 10 customers so far are paying the extra $1.25 per rental to offset their carbon emissions. Green is a popular theme in the rental car business these days. Hertz, for instance, markets its "Green Collection" and offers hybrids at 50 U.S.
Travel Troubleshooter: What’s this mystery charge?
Question: Im trying to get a refund for my car rental insurance and I could use a hand. My wife rented a car online through Alamo for pickup in Madrid. The agreement clearly stated that the daily charges, taxes and collision damage waiver, were included. We returned the vehicle without a problem. But weeks later I discovered that we had been charged an extra $300 for something called a Super Collision Damage Waiver. We had never requested this Super CDW coverage and it wasnt reflected in the original rental agreement. In fact, I didnt think insurance of any kind was necessary, since my credit card offers coverage. After a lengthy argument to try to remove the regular CDW feature, the Madrid counter staff insisted that I retain it. And they never said I would be charged for another policy, which, strangely, was submitted as a separate unsigned credit card slip.
Enterprise teams with VeraSun for E85 rental car branch
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Enterprise Rent-A-Car and VeraSun Energy Corp. have announced that a Sioux Falls rental car branch will rent vehicles that run on a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. St. Louis-based Enterprise has launched similar branches in Washington, Cincinnati and other parts of the country. The Taylor family of companies, which includes Enterprise, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car, rents some 73,000 flexible fuel cars and trucks which can run on E85 or standard unleaded gasoline. Brookings-based VeraSun is one of the nation's top ethanol producers. The companies are holding an inaugural fueling of the new fleet on Monday. .
VeraSun, Enterprise team up on ethanol
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Enterprise Rent-A-Car and VeraSun Energy Corp. have announced that a Sioux Falls rental car branch will rent vehicles that run on a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. St. Louis-based Enterprise has launched similar branches in Washington, Cincinnati and other parts of the country. The Taylor family of companies, which includes Enterprise, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car, rents some 73,000 flexible fuel cars and trucks which can run on E85 or standard unleaded gasoline. Brookings-based VeraSun is one of the nation's top ethanol producers. The companies are holding an inaugural fueling of the new fleet on Monday. .
Rogers, Clay want changes to South Shore funding bill
Rogers suggested the RDA should vote on the rail project before lawmakers allocated $350 million in state money."My concern is that what will happen is the RDA will be put under some undue pressure" if the legislation comes first, Rogers said. .
Car Renters Beware: Credit Card Insurance May Not Have You Covered
BOSTON, Oct. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- SmarterTravel.com, a comprehensive online travel resource, has announced a three-part article series on car rental insurance that every traveler needs to read. In the past, SmarterTravel, along with other industry experts, advised travelers not to purchase collision/loss damage waivers (CDW) because it is generally overpriced and many credit cards offer identical coverage. The advice has always been: use a credit card with collision coverage and you'll be protected through its policies. Moreover, any card that covers collision damage repair also covers "loss of use" (LOU) charges. However, in taking a closer look at the no-cost collision coverage offered by several major credit cards, SmarterTravel found that some credit card companies require a vehicle log. Travelers are learning quickly that credit card coverage is not as fool proof as it sounds.
Spirit Settles into Winter Spot, Opportunity Descends Deeper into ...
One of the things we're trying to do is remove some of the systematic biases we've had by only taking data at certain times of day or during certain seasons. This way we'll be able to say there are or were no dust devils with more certainty." At Meridiani Planum on the other side of the planet, Opportunity finished up its investigation of the region dubbed Lyell, the third layer in the tri-layered rock ring that circles the interior of Victoria Crater by completing its close-up examination of Buckland, its fourth target in the area. From its position there, about 15 meters below the rim, the rover descended approximately 6 more meters (about 19.7 feet) further down the slope toward a layer the team dubbed Gilbert. Keeping with the theme of naming targets in this part of Victoria after famous geologists, Opportunity's destination was named for Grove Karl Gilbert (1843-1918), an American geomorphologist, stratigrapher, structural geologist, and cartographer extraordinaire.
For the Enterprise/PATRICIA SADDLER (click to enlarge)
Under sunny skies and with a cool morning breeze, more than 790 commuters left their cars at home and biked to work on Friday, May 18.
The event encourages people to find an alternate route to work, either on a bike or on the bus, said Debbie Anderson of Community Transit, one of the sponsors of Bike to Work Day in Snohomish County.
Community Transit had stations set up throughout the county providing snacks and information to area bicyclists. Anderson was working at the McCollum Park site Friday morning, passing out maps and other items to commuters.
Rep. Lovick wants to be sheriff
State Rep. John Lovick, D-Mill Creek, is running for Snohomish County Sheriff.
Lovick announced his bid Wednesday, May 2, for the position that is being vacated by Sheriff Rick Bart, who is unable to run again because of term limits.
Neither Clinton nor Obama claim clear lead
Yet he never has managed anything, not even a State, or a city, or a company, or a school, not even one small kindergarten. If running a country is so easy and simple, and it only takes in-born talent, eloquent oratory and a good law degree, then the White House would be over-crowded long ago. A movie critic, even a good one, not necessarily can produce good movies, A top book reviewer cannot surely write best-selling books. Top food critics can hardly be top chefs either. A leading US senator might and/or might not turn out to be good material for President either. Simple as that. US is now at a very crucial period as never before. National standing, world image, financial turmoil, energy threats, terrorists, military adventures overseas, gigantic burden of health-care, housing bubble, mounting cost of debts on all levels, just naming a few, all require a very insightful, outstanding leader with clear vision and skillful, steady, able hands to lead the country to sail through the storms coming from all directions.
Investigate the farm owners
Taxpayers' dollars are being used to subsidize farm owners who may be exploiting workers. We live in a country where our government represents the people. Did the people vote to have $2 million spent on workers that the farm owners exploit? It would seem if the people could have a say in their tax dollars that $2 million would go to our schools or to help the elderly in our communities, not subsidize greedy farm owners in their bid to exploit foreign national workers. Farm owners should pay and take care of farmworkers! .
Alamo Heights getting a little freaky with sandwich concept
Sandwich chain Jimmy John's is making inroads in San Antonio's restaurant market. A new Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shop has opened for business at 4700 Broadway, in the Alamo Heights-area of North Central San Antonio. Jimmy John's, which is known for making "freaky fast, freaky good" sandwiches, was started in 1983 by Jimmy John Liautaud, who was 19 years old when he founded the venture. To date, the company boasts more than 500 stores -- with another 160 more projected to open over the course of 2008. The Alamo Heights Jimmy John's marks the second store in the Alamo City. The inaugural store is located at 1455 Austin Highway -- also in North Central San Antonio. Both stores are owned and operated by Troy and Sid Miedena and Gary Long of SKG Ltd.
SPO Partners Withdraws From Australia Media Deal
The deal, if successful, would mark Lachlan Murdoch's return to the Australian media industry after he resigned his New York-based executive role at News Corp. in 2005. He remains on that company's board, although his move to acquire Consolidated Media is independent of News Corp., which owns Dow Jones & Co., publisher of The Wall Street Journal. Consolidated Media said in a statement that SPO's decision to withdraw related to changes in investment conditions and not to the bidding groups' assessment of the company's prospects and businesses. SPO wasn't available for comment. A person familiar with the situation said SPO pulled out Wednesday for reasons including the recent strength of the Australian dollar against the U.S. dollar and the global credit crunch. SPO's move surprised Messrs.
Taxes and the small business professional
Not all of them are reputable, accurate or reliable.
With hundreds of sites offering advice, whom should you trust? Go directly to the source. Most U.S. government agencies have comprehensive websites. Our country encourages entrepreneurship. In fact, the U.S. Small Business Administration was formed in 1953 to assist us. They have kept with the times and currently manage www.business.gov. Their site contains everything from information about licensing and permits to industry specific information. It even contains links to all state government websites. (www.business.gov/topics/taxes)
Keep up with changing tax laws. Join your industry’s professional associations and organizations. They keep their members informed about the most current issues affecting their businesses.
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