According to candy authorities at MentalFloss, trick or treaters of Washington State get the most excited when they get some salt water taffy dropped into their plastic pumpkin buckets.
So much so, that we consumer nearly 221,000 pounds of it.
We have to admit, we were a little surprised at this as a quick survey revealed almost no one could recall ever receiving salt water taffy as they tallied their Halloween booty as kids.
A not close second place, according to the article, was Tootsie Pops with 195,600 pounds being
consumed.
Third place belongs to Skittles at 72,000 pounds…although we think that amount was probably higher a few years ago when there was a certain rainbow eating runningback playing for the Seahawks.
What do you think? Did your favorite candy make the top 3 on this list?
4 Cool Things to Know About the 2020 Corvette
Image Via Chevrolet.com
The iconic Chevy Corvette. What’s there to say about the upcoming 2020 car? A lot is the answer. Find out about the hidden gems and conveniences that make the newest addition to the Chevy lineup stand out from the competition.
Convenience Features
With the design of the 2020 Corvette placing the engine behind the driver and passenger versus in the traditional location, Chevrolet got creative with the front storage space and refer to the area as the frunk (front trunk). An interesting thing about the frunk is the hidden button located on the front fascia. For security reasons, the button is located above the left air vent, which keeps it hidden.
Another convenience feature is available via the remote key used to unlock the car doors. When the unlock button key is pressed and held down, the car windows will lower automatically. This is a nice plus to allow fresh air into the car and cool it down before you get in. Read the rest of this entry »
2020 Stingray convertible offers the same storage as coupe, even with the top down
Open-air driving has always been a part of the Chevrolet Corvette’s heritage. In fact, when the Corvette debuted in 1953, it was available only as a convertible. The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray convertible builds off that heritage as the first hardtop and mid-engine convertible in Corvette history.
“We put the world on notice when we introduced the first mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette a few months ago, and now we’re raising the bar with the first-ever hardtop Corvette convertible,” said Brian Sweeney, Chevrolet U.S. vice president. “And the convertible will be priced only $7,500 more than entry 1LT Stingray coupe.”
First and foremost, a convertible
The mid-engine 2020 Corvette Stingray was engineered first and foremost as a convertible. The convertible maintains the tunnel-dominant structure and use of high-integrity die-cast parts found in the Stingray coupe.
The team engineered the hardtop to stow seamlessly into the body, maintaining the Stingray’s impressive ability to store two sets of golf clubs in the trunk even with the top down. The convertible also keeps the coupe’s front storage compartment, which can fit an airline-spec carry-on and a laptop bag.
The hardtop provides a quieter cabin, increased security and a cleaner look compared to the previous softtop designs.
“Our goal from the beginning was to make sure customers didn’t have to sacrifice any functionality, performance or comfort when choosing the hardtop convertible,” said Josh Holder, Corvette program engineering manager. “We managed to keep the same design theme as the coupe, as well as the exceptional storage capacity and track capability.”
Inspired by jets
Like the coupe, the Stingray convertible’s design was inspired by fighter jets. The tonneau cover features aerodynamically shaped nacelles influenced by the housing used for jet engines. The nacelles, which were also used as inspiration on the Chevrolet Engineering Research Vehicle (CERV) I and II, as well as the Corvette SS and SR2 concepts, help reduce air recirculation into the cabin and provide a remarkably exotic profile with the top up or down. The tonneau also provides a rear power-adjustable window and a vent for mid-engine cooling.
The two-piece top can be activated at speeds up to 30 mph and retract in as few as 16 seconds. It is powered by six electric motors — a Corvette first — and uses encoders for precise control. Switching to electric motors from hydraulic systems helps increase reliability. A body-colored roof is standard, while Carbon Flash metallic-painted nacelles and roof are optional.
Careful attention was paid to make sure the engine could breathe when stored underneath the tonneau cover. The sheet-molded composite top stows in a compartment made from lightweight composite panels and heat shields to manage heat from the engine.
A divider glass window in the middle of the vehicle can be power adjusted with the top up or down. The glass has been optimized to reduce air recirculation and wind noise in the cabin for improved quietness. The roof system design, combined with the same rear spoiler used on the Stingray coupe’s Z51 Performance Package, results in identical drag between the coupe and convertible with the top up.
Engineers tweaked the chassis for the convertible, with springs and dampers tuned specifically to provide nearly the same performance as the coupe.
No compromise performance
Like the Stingray coupe, the convertible is powered by the next-generation 6.2L Small Block V-8 LT2 engine, the only naturally aspirated V-8 in the segment. It will produce 495 horsepower (369 kW) and 470 lb-ft (637 Nm) of torque when equipped with performance exhaust — the most horsepower and torque for any entry Corvette.
The LT2 is paired with Chevrolet’s first eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, which provides lightning-fast shifts and excellent power transfer. This transmission is uniquely designed to provide the best of both worlds: the spirited, directly connected feeling of a manual and the premium driving comfort of an automatic. The double-paddle de-clutch feature even allows the driver to disconnect the clutch by holding both paddles for more manual control.
When combined, the advanced propulsion system, revised chassis tuning and retractable hardtop make the 2020 Stingray the most no-compromise Corvette convertible in history.
Build and price tool now available
Interested Stingray shoppers can now build and price their own Corvette coupe or convertible on the 2020 Corvette visualizer at Chevrolet.com.
A dedicated Chevrolet Corvette Concierge team will provide 2020 Corvette customers with answers about the vehicle discovery, buying and ownership process. The team can be reached by calling 866-424-3892. Customers can also live chat with a Corvette Concierge by visiting Chevrolet.com. The team is available from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EDT Mondays through Fridays.
The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray coupe goes into production at GM’s Bowling Green Assembly in late 2019, with the convertible following in late first-quarter 2020. A right-hand drive version of the convertible will be available in select international markets at a later date.
Local Haunts and Activities
If the explosion in the spider population or sudden appearance of Hocus Pocus t-shirts didn’t alert you, we can officially celebrate all things spooky now that it’s October!
Except spiders.
There is a lot going on to satisfy your spooky needs from kid fun to something for more mature audiences. For the family, you may want to check out the Haunted Hike hosted by Burien Boy Scout Troop 360 on October 13! The Macaroni website is a great way to find other festive family-friendly activities, too.
Before we get to our list of haunted places (not fake haunted houses, but actually haunted places in the area), do you know the local urban legend of the Drowned Girl of Miller Creek in Burien? The story has it that around 1915 a young girl was playing near Miller Creek when a log dam broke up stream and swept her away. Allegedly, she is a benign spirit who you can hear softly giggle on sunny days after big storms. Who’s going to go check that out this month?
Finally, here’s a link to a list of the most haunted places you can visit in the Burien area. The list includes places like Calamity Jane’s western saloon, the old train station in Kent, and the Seattle Underground Tunnels. Who’s ready for a spooky date night?!
Seattle, Washington, has many fabulous breakfast and brunch spots. When you’re looking for the best pancakes, French toast, waffles, and more, where should you go? Here are four of the best locations to satisfy your cravings.
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Portage Bay Cafe
Located on Roosevelt Way North East, the Portage Bay Cafe is a spacious restaurant with a casual atmosphere. During the spring and summer, outdoor seating is available on the covered patio. You can get breakfast, brunch, and lunch here seven days a week, and they specialize in organic and sustainable food.
Among the many breakfast and brunch items are a variety of pancakes and French toast options. You can choose from classic pancakes, Swedish, buckwheat, or vegan banana pancakes. French toast options include classic, oatmeal cobbler, gluten free, and Bananas Foster French Toast. When you get your food, you can take it to the breakfast bar to add your own seasonal fruit, nuts, and whipped cream.
- Customers can pre-order their 2020 Stingray starting today
- New experience includes a 3D Visualizer, cross-country tour, content library and dedicated Corvette Concierge
A new digital tool, the Corvette Visualizer , allows people to design and customize their Corvette in extreme 3D detail through Chevrolet.com.
The first-ever production mid-engine Corvette revolutionizes the iconic vehicle, and the customer experience will be equally transformative. Starting today, interested 2020 Corvette Stingray shoppers will have access to unprecedented levels of information, as well as the ability to customize, visualize and pre-order their vehicle on Chevrolet.com or through their preferred dealer.
“With the 2020 Corvette, the introduction of the new customer experience is just as important as the reveal of the actual car,” said Steve Majoros, director of Chevrolet passenger car and crossover marketing. “We will give customers unparalleled access to learn from and engage with Chevrolet, our dealers and enthusiasts on their terms, in a manner that’s convenient for them.”
Visualize it, configure it, pre-order it
A new digital tool, the Corvette Visualizer, allows people to design and customize their Corvette in extreme 3D detail through Chevrolet.com. The Visualizer is fully interactive, with available Corvette Stingray trims and custom combinations including exterior and interior colors, seats, wheels and even seat belt colors.
As customers build their Corvettes they can experience 360-degree, 3D exterior and interior renderings of their potential vehicle. They’ll be able to toggle the headlights and interior lights on and off, view the vehicle with the retractable roof on or off and change the exterior lighting so they can envision all angles of their new supercar. Users can save their build and share images of their personally designed Stingray on social media, facilitating more discussion and excitement among enthusiasts.
“We want to be able to show customers what their ideal Corvette will look like before they order it,” said Majoros. “They’ll be able to experiment with different wheels, brakes, fabrics, color samples and much more as they craft their dream Corvette. This is the most extreme level of detail we’ve ever offered at reveal and it will only improve over time.”
After building their personal Stingray on Chevrolet.com, customers can pre-order their vehicle through a certified dealership. The car that users create through the Visualizer can be sent directly to certified dealers who will work with the customer on final ordering information when vehicles go on sale.
Leading up to its on-sale date, the 2020 Corvette Stingray will be hitting the road for a cross-country consumer and dealership tour. Starting in late July, Corvette specialists, the vehicle and numerous parts and displays will make stops at more than 125 dealerships nationwide, as well as major consumer events such as the Concours d’Elegance of America, Woodward Dream Cruise, National Corvette Museum 25th Anniversary Celebration, Petit Le Mans and more.
Chevy experts will host customers to showcase the new supercar, display customizable Corvette parts (seats, wheels, accessories, etc.) and teach people how to use the new Visualizer. The immersive experience includes several displays that highlight vehicle features and technologies.
All certified Chevrolet Corvette dealers will have to participate in extensive training before they can put the 2020 Corvette Stingray on their showroom floors. The training includes on-track driving at Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch in Nevada, along with an intensive immersion on every detail of the 2020 Corvette. Corvette Signature dealers will also have special training on servicing the new supercar, reinforcing Chevrolet’s commitment to the complete ownership experience.
Corvette Concierge
A dedicated Corvette Concierge team will provide 2020 Corvette customers with answers to every question about the vehicle discovery, buying and ownership process. Specially trained Corvette Concierges also have access to the executives and engineers who helped develop the vehicle. When appropriate, the Concierge team can connect customers directly with their preferred dealership to facilitate vehicle ordering. While customers can call a Concierge at any time, they can also schedule special one-on-one appointments for ordering consultations and vehicle information assistance.
The Corvette Concierge team, which is based at General Motors headquarters in Detroit, can be reached by calling 866-424-3892. Customers can also live chat with a Corvette Concierge online by visiting Chevrolet.com. The team is available from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EDT Mondays through Fridays.
Content for all
Chevy’s most robust reveal website to date is highlighted by a new Corvette Academy video series. Twenty-three videos provide owners with entertaining and informative overviews of specific features and the 2020 Stingray’s background. The videos are hosted by the engineers and designers who developed the vehicle. Video topics include Quick Tips, Short Answers and longform Tech Talks on everything from the advantages of the mid-engine to Corvette history and concepts.
“This is the most thorough reveal site we’ve ever produced, with a variety of different videos, feature articles and photography all available,” said Majoros. “Whether you’re new to Corvette or have been driving one since 1953, we have content that will be appeal to you.”
Within the site, interested parties can sign up to receive email updates when new vehicle content and offers are made available.
Image Via Chevrolet.com
Compact crossover vehicles are on trend for the next few years and Chevy is prepared to introduce its own take with the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer. Set to fill the slot between the Chevy Equinox and the Chevy Trax, here’s what you need to know about the Trailblazer before it hits the showroom floor in 2020.
Evolution and Pricing
The 2021 Trailblazer evolved from being a trim level of the Chevy Blazer during the 1990s and early-2000s, becoming an SUV of its own sold from 2001 to 2008. This new crossover still has quite a few unknowns, including the price, which will be announced closer to launch. Read the rest of this entry »
VIDEO: All-New Chevy Silverado Makes Tech Rugged
When you think of heavy-duty performance trucks, you probably don’t think of them being high tech.
Well, the all-new Chevy Silverado is here to prove you wrong. In addition to impressive performance, it also has an impressive amount of technology to make your fun-mobile, office on wheels, or whatever it is to you, one of the most advanced vehicles on the road. For example, it has more cameras to help you drive and haul safely than any other truck, including one that allows you to see directly behind your trailer.
Check it out and stop by Burien Chevrolet today!
5 Best Places for Sweet Treats in Burien
Image via Flickr by urbanfoodie33
If you have as big a sweet tooth as we do, you’re in good company if you’re in the Burien, Washington, area. There are many fantastic sweets and pastry shops in our town to satisfy all your cravings, whether it be flaky baked goods or a creamy gelato. This is a dangerous town to live in if you’re trying to avoid delicious sweets.
Here are the five best places to get sweet treats in Burien:
Bakery Nouveau
This French-style pastry, dessert, and baked goods shop knows exactly what it’s doing. Bakery Nouveau is full of perfect macarons, hand-crafted chocolates, cookies, brownies, madeleines, bars — everything they sell is homemade, fresh, and just like grandmère used to make back in old Paris. Or, what we imagine she would have made if we had a French grandmother. Take home a bag of fresh croissants to enjoy with the family, or sneak away to their cafe for a coffee and pastry break. Read the rest of this entry »
The game-changing Chevrolet Bolt EV will now take customers even farther. Starting with model year 2020, the Bolt EV will offer a remarkable EPA-estimated 259 miles of range on a full charge1, a 21-mile increase over previous model years. The Chevrolet Bolt EV’s winning combination of long range and affordability continues to attract new customers to the electric vehicle segment, and the 2020 Bolt EV will appeal to even more customers by allowing them to travel farther between charging sessions.
“The Bolt EV set the benchmark for long-range, affordable electric vehicles, and we’re excited to raise the bar by offering nearly 10 percent more EPA-estimated range for the 2020 model year,” said Tim Grewe, director of Global Battery Cell Engineering and Strategy. “At Chevrolet we’re constantly listening to customer feedback and we heard the desire for more range. The team worked diligently to find ways to improve battery energy, giving customers the confidence to go more than the extra mile.”
To achieve this notable range increase, Chevrolet’s battery engineering team improved the energy of the cell electrodes by making small but impactful changes to the cell chemistry. This innovative thinking allowed the team to implement the range increase without needing to change the physical battery pack and the way it is integrated into the vehicle structure.
“The Chevrolet Bolt EV has been changing consumer perceptions of electric vehicles since its launch in 2016,” said Steve Majoros, director of Chevrolet Passenger Car and Crossover Marketing. “Great range — now even more — is the foundation of the Bolt EV’s success, and when paired with features like one-pedal driving, Regen on Demand and the instant torque of the EV motor, the vehicle delivers an exceptional driving experience. Chevrolet also is helping to encourage EV adoption by providing customers the necessary tools and services to make EV ownership more convenient.”
Currently original purchasers of new Bolt EVs have access to Chevrolet’s exclusive Energy Assist feature through the myChevrolet mobile app2. Energy Assist allows customers to view and search for charging stations, plan a trip with multiple waypoints and charging stops, monitor their route, and receive alerts if their destination becomes unreachable. Last year, the myChevrolet mobile app2 was updated to enable smartphone projection of the Energy Assist feature to the vehicle’s infotainment system via Apple CarPlay3 and Android Auto4 for drivers with model year 2017 or newer Bolt EVs.
Chevrolet recently announced a partnership with Qmerit that will enable EV owners a seamless way to find and obtain quotes from certified electricians to install at-home charging equipment. Chevrolet is the first non-luxury car brand to offer this service, and its partnership with Qmerit will provide customers with a more accessible at-home charging solution.
The 2020 Bolt EV will arrive in dealerships later this year with a starting MSRP of $37,495 (including destination and freight charges, excludes tax, title, license, dealer fees). Additional updates include two new exterior colors: Cayenne Orange Metallic (additional cost option) and Oasis Blue.
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