The Brilliant Bus

Courtesy of the Palm Beach Post

Well this is something different.  We have a bus.  What’s so special about a bus?  This bus is a unique creation by retired Estella Pyfrom.  So a retired woman purchased a bus; what’s the big deal?  Well, how are you reading this: your phone, your computer, or a tablet, right?  This is something many people, especially children, do not have access to.  A simple desktop computer is something that a lot of us take for granted.

Estella Pyfrom realized this and with her retirement money spent an initial $450,000 on “Miss Estella’s Brilliant Bus”.  The bus was fitted with 17 computers loaded with educational software.  The bus tours around the Palm Beach area in Florida, allowing children without access to a computer get their hands on one.

She does have certain rules like no gum and no going on Facebook.  She has the stations set up to follow state mandated curriculums.  Children are only allow to progress to the next level of education on her bus if they get a 90% or higher on each level.  Now those are some standards! 

She does not just cater toward children though.  She also aids the parents of the children with helping them with writing a resume, finding affordable housing, and searching for jobs.  If that’s not enough, Pyfrom has also partnered with a nonprofit organization in the community to help provide meals to 3,000 residents each month!

Estella Pvfrom Courtesy of the Palm Beach Post

The total running cost is reaching almost 1 million dollars to maintain and modify the bus.  However, Pyfrom is not looking for an easy retirement. 

"I'm not tired yet. And I don't think I'm going to get tired," she said.  "I'm constantly charged up.  I look at the faces of the children and I get energized."

Now that’s a pretty bold statement; one that I can personally respect.  So many people are in a rush to help the children in Africa and other less fortunate areas, and while I will say there is nothing wrong with that, charity and goodwill should start from home.  There are millions of families here in the United States that can use our help.  Estella Pyfrom is helping with this amazing idea.

If you would like to learn more, or if you would like to help Estella Pyfrom continue this dream, visit Miss Estella’s Brilliant Bus website here!

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @ATOZYcom!

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KISS autographed a signature line of MINI Clubman cars, and they were auctioned off to raise funds for a childrens charity.. very damn cool. One was just stolen from it's new owner, very damn uncool. Be on the look out for this one

photos from http://www.thecrimsoncrow.com/2011/06/kiss-mini-cooper-countryman-is-a-great-combination/ where there is a bigger gallery of  the rest of the cars

HARRISON NY — A $5,000 reward is being offered after a one-of-a-kind KISS car was stolen from a driveway in Harrison.

The Mini-Cooper hatchback, autographed by the 1970s shock rockers and designed with the band's logo and other blue/teal Kiss artwork, was originally purchased at an auction benefiting the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (or Unicef) . It was stolen Friday between midnight and 6 a.m.

The reward is for information leading to an arrest and conviction and/or recovery of the vehicle. Anyone with information is asked to call Harrison police at 914-967-5110 . All calls will remain confidential.
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/new-york-new-england/220452-kiss-mini-stolen.html

Via http://www.norcalminis.com/ 

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Metal Of Honor... duece made of donated new parts to assemble an homage to the US military that have been awarded the Congressional Medal Of Honor, and signed by 46 living recipients

If you look under the duece, you'll see that it's parked on grass. Indoors. I've never heard of any booth having turf brought in... it's awesome. Great idea, terrific execution, and appreciated by the people stopping by to admire the car. No dirt was getting carried onto the surrounding carpet either.

the military footlockers and field desk were very cool too

great display

 Awesome military interior pieces, the ammo can for an armrest, the canvas courier bags for door pockets, duffel bag in the passenger footwell, and the gauges are superior to any I've seen that try for the military look, but go too far and use aircraft gauges. These are perfect... they have the look, and function, that people have tried for, but failed to achieve

  Above, I was photographing the steering gear. I haven't seen an adapter like this before

if this car sounds familiar, it's because I posted a bit about this last year http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2010/12/best-cause-for-donating-parts-and-time.html

Thanks to Chuck Caswell, Emperor until he retires... he says after retirement he'll be a sultan (I could be mistaken, he may have said maharajah)

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Soldier Ride is happening on March 24 2012 here in San Diego, your chance to ride with wounded soldiers as they get the message out about their recovery from Iraq / Afghanistan damage

Soldier Ride is a WWP initiative that provides rehabilitative cycling opportunities across the country to help wounded warriors restore their physical and emotional well-­being. It’s also a wonderful opportunity for the public to participate in a cycling event that honors the men and women of our military who sacrificed so much. Soldier Ride offers the public a chance to ride alongside as our warriors promote their positive message of recovery. The event raises funds for WWP programs and initiatives that ensure this generation of wounded warriors is the most successful, well-­adjusted generation of wounded warriors in our nation’s history.

this is a fundraiser for the Wounded Warrior Project, registration is $50, then you have to raise $125

Registration Information for Riders:
Registration fee: $50
It is each rider's responsibility to raise $125 in donations by April 24.
Note: the credit card provided at registration will only be charged the balance due if we have not received $125 in donations by April 24.

Registration Includes:
Registration for Soldier Ride
Your own fundraising website
WWP's 2011 Soldier Ride National Tour T-shirt

For the rest of the info: http://www.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1000465

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Saddletramps MC blood drive at San Diego Harley, Kearney Mesa, to get blood donations for the Red Cross Blood Bank

SaddleTramps Blood Drive

11/19/2011 -
Come down to San Diego Harley-Davidson & give blood! Then enjoy our complimentary bbq and enjoy our live band, Ideas. Bring your friends & family! 5600 Kearny Mesa Rd. 92111. To make an appointment please visit: http://www.redcrossblood.org/make-donation-sponsor?field_sponsor_code_value=saddletramps

This isn't to get blood for the club, it's because when the club was in need last year, the Red Cross was there for them.

What happened?

Four bikers died in a brutal accident, five others were hospitalized. Those who lived have now lost their friends, and those who died left behind kids, brothers and sisters, parents and friends. They were members of the Saddle Tramps Motorcycle Club. It was the clubs 10th anniversary ride.


The club members were riding about 80 miles East of San Diego when a Gold Honda Accord came up from behind them and tried to pass them . Another car was in the oncoming lane, the driver tried to avoid the Honda by swerving off to his right, he lost control when overcorrecting when he hit the shoulder on his side of the road and crashed with the group of motorcycles. The driver of the Accord fled the scene, and were never found

http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2010/11/person-in-gold-colored-honda-fled-scene.html

http://www.sandiegoharley.com/event_detail.asp?event=503292

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If you recall Rocky Jones and the Silvercup Rocket from the 1950's space opera and tv show, you may want to donate to, or visit, the restoration of the rocket, at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo

It was raffled off int he 1960's, became a roadside attraction, was stripped and graffittied, then was bought by a salvage yard owner who let it rust and deteriorate farther, then finally was bought by the Kalamazoo Air Zoo (it is on it's way to becoming the largest air museum in the US) and is now in restoration by the museum specialists. http://www.mst3ktemple.com/silvercup_rocket.html and
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=283269640527

For more info http://www.duntemann.com/june2007.htm about halfway down the page

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