The second half of 2010 starts today but for Toyota, it wishes yesterday was the end of the year. 2010 has been the year of recalls for auto makers and Toyota is by far the biggest contributor. As if the gas pedal recall wasn't enough to keep the company's legal department busy, Toyota is preparing itself to issue another recall for faulty engines that affect 270,000 cars world wide.

Since the beginning of this year, 200 complaints about engine problems have been received which pushed the auto maker to start an investigation and found a problem with the valve spring of 4.6 liter V8 engines and 3.5 liter V6 engines installed in the Lexus LS460, Lexus LS600h, Lexus LS600hL, Lexus GS350, Lexus GS450h, Lexus GS460 and Lexus IS350 and the Toyota Crown.

"We need to take some form of measure...We will carry it out as soon as we decide on the measure to minimize inconvenience for our customers." Toyota's spokesperson reassured the press.

Recalls are generally bad news for everyone involved but it is good to know Toyota has learned its lesson, and addressing problems sooner rather than later.

P.S. Note to Volkswagen Group - it's about time for a recall on the cam follower problem people are having with the FSI 2.0T motors. Let's not make 2011 the year for VW's recall woes.

On Thursday May 20, 2010, Eastview High School in Apple Valley held a “demonstration” crash to show the dangers of drinking and driving. The staged crash is a real life enactment that shows the vehicles crashed with “real time” from the 911 call, police officers as the first responders, the Fire Department, the Ambulance team and the medical air lift from the scene.

The Eastview High School SADD chapter, the Apple Valley Police and Fire Departments, along with ALF ambulance service, and aaa Auto Salvage were all involved to make the “mock crash” be a real life portrayal of what can happen when drinking and driving mix. As summer time heats up and you enjoy your favorite drinks, please do not let anyone you know drive drunk! The risk to themselves and to all the other drivers and passengers on the road is not worth the risk.

AAA Auto Salvage will host the 3rd Annual Rods & Wrecks car show in conjunction with the city of Rosemount’s Leprechaun Days celebration, July 24, 2010, Noon – 4 PM.

Download Registration Form (PDF) or Register Online

Due to District 196 budget cuts, middle school football will now be offered by local athletic associations. All proceeds from this year’s Rods & Wrecks show will go to RAAA to help offset some of the costs involved in absorbing that program from Rosemount Middle School.

• Concessions will be available on site.

• Guided tours of AAA Auto Salvage, Better Bumper Company, & U-Pull-R-Parts.

• Learn all about what happens to a car when it gets recycled.

Come experience the awesome power of the car crusher!

Summer is a beautiful thing. Especially so when we get to start it off with an extra day off from work to enjoy barbecuing in the wonderful company of our loved ones. The good life, all but warranted to us by those who have served.

Today we remember and honor our service men and women who have given their lives so that we may live in freedom.

Happy Memorial Day!

When I was in high school, riding the school bus was an adventure through busy city streets inside a boombox. It made for an exceptionally painful experience especially when one just got out of bed and it's 20 below on a gloomy winter morning. I survived those bus rides by staying up way too late so that I could sleep through them on the way to school.

To relieve this pain, many school administrators now propose having Wi-Fi on the bus. So far, 25 counties have gotten on board with this Wi-Fi on the go program. Kids are saying they get more homework done on the way to school, they're now able to do more research right before a class discussion and all the good that technology upgrades should provide academically.

My thoughts? I'd say it's an interesting idea to occupy the kids, but I don't see how this would make the experience more pleasant. If anything, it opens up a possibility where one would hear loud rap from the back of the bus, Keith Urban in the front, foreign tunes the Asian kids are listening to, and Spanish songs blasting all at the same time - on top of whatever else is playing on the most popular radio station in town.

Thanks, but I'll take the short bus.