Steve Bailey Honda

• American's True Pastime
• Fifteen Common Camping Mistakes
• How to Know When to Replace Tires
• International Peace Day

American's True Pastime

Football season is back. For many Americans it's the start of the most enjoyable time of year; getting out to support their team, seeing old friends and spending the next few months following the high's and low's of their team's season. Over the next six months sports bars will fill with fans, televisions will be dominated by pro and college games and weekends will be dedicated to following "the team".

There is no doubt that football has become America's pastime. According to research from Plunkett Research, Ltd., the NFL is projected to bring in revenue of over $7.8 Billion this year, almost  $1 Billion more than the second place MLB ($6.8 Billion). No other professional sport comes remotely close. From ticket sales, to merchandise and memorabilia, football owns a significant portion of the American wallet. Fans are loyal to their teams and cities, so they are more than happy to show their pride.

While NFL teams boast throngs of loyal fans, the loyalty of these fans is nothing compared to that of fans of college teams. Collegiate fans and alumni return year after year to relive their college days cheering their team towards a championship. Some larger schools see ten's of thousands of fans descending on their respective campuses each Saturday during the season to tailgate and attend games. Countless blogs and chatrooms have sprung across the web where fans critique, analyze and argue their opinions and views on how their team will fare in the coming season. The loyalty of fans to their college team can often extend to every aspect of their lives. Newborn children often take their first photograph wearing their parent's team's colors, and many are buried with relics of their collegiate past.

From September through February football brings people together to share in the common goal of supporting their respective team and collectively willing them toward a title. Once the current season ends, the speculation for the next begins. Scouting and injury reports, analysis of draft picks and newly acquired players, and news about player conduct off the field dominate the headlines, attempting to quell our thirst for football until the next season begins.

Yes, Americans are truly obsessed with football, and that is just fine with us.

Fifteen Common Camping Mistakes

  To some, the idea of braving the elements and sleeping in a tent seems no more enjoyable than cleaning a litter box or collecting the trash. But for others, the thought of sleeping under the stars and cooking food over the fire seems like an alluring adventure.

If you are partial to the latter school of thought and plan on camping this summer, there are a few things you should know before you head off into the wilderness, especially if it's your first time. Below is a list of common mistakes that new campers make when embarking on their first trip.

1. They buy a tent that is too small.
The occupancy number stated by tent manufacturers often does not reflect the number of people who can fit in the tent comfortably. For a family camping trip, it is a good idea to get a tent with a capacity rated two higher than the number of campers that will use it. Unless you are backpacking, make space and comfort a priority. Most tents will fit in a car trunk, so size and weight will not be a major concern.

2. They don't use a checklist.
Many new campers arrive at the campsite and realize that they forgot an important item. Others bring way too many items and wear themselves out from unloading the car. By making a packing list of the essential items, you can avoid these mistakes. Also, pack a day or two before your trip, and take your time.

3. They don't plan simple meals.
New campers either don't plan ahead of time or plan meals that are too elaborate and time-consuming. Instead of stopping at a quick mart to buy food along the way, put together menu ideas beforehand. Figure out how many meals you will be making and for how many people. Then, buy groceries a day or two before departure.

4. They arrive near sunset.
If the trip requires hours of driving, new campers often end up arriving when the sun is setting. This presents a problem, especially if they are unfamiliar with the tent and campground amenities. If you arrive earlier in the day, you will have time to learn the layout of the campground, and you won't disturb other campers by setting up your site at night.

5. They speed through the campgrounds.
Experienced campers know that campgrounds are crawling with pets and youngsters. Families often walk and bike along campground roads, so observe the posted speed limit and stay on the lookout. Plus, it's your vacation. Take your time, and enjoy the scenery. 

6. They are unfamiliar with the gear.
New campers usually wait until they arrive at the campground to try out their gear. Then, they fumble around for hours trying to figure out how to set up the tent. Instead, practice setting up your tent in your backyard before you leave for the trip. Make sure you know how to operate lanterns and camp stoves, as well.

7. They don't observe campground rules.
Campgrounds usually designate quiet hours, but new campers might not realize that sound travels quickly at a campground. Even whispers are audible one site over. Furthermore, new campers might be tempted to take shortcuts through somebody else's campsite. It is important to respect other campers' space, however, and to stick to the designated footpaths.

8. They collect firewood at the campsite.
New campers might try to gather firewood at the site. However, downed timber is essential to the forest environment because it replenishes the nutrients in the ground for the other plants. If all campers stripped wood from the surrounding forest to make campfires, there would soon be no forest left. Instead, bring your own firewood or purchase it at the campground or a nearby store.

9. They eat, cook, or use a light in the tent.
The tent should be used for sleeping only. Eating, cooking, or lighting lanterns in the tent attracts unwelcome critters.

10. They don't keep track of children and pets.
Don't let pets or children roam around the campgrounds unsupervised. A strange dog might frighten other campers, and children might disturb your neighbors by running through their campsites. Also, it is easy for children to get lost or encounter a mishap in the forest, so make sure that you keep an eye on them at all times.

11. They wash dishes at the drinking fountain.
New campers might try to use drinking fountains or bathroom sinks to wash dishes. However, these are not meant to be dish-washing stations. Instead, come prepared with a plastic wash basin, some bio-degradable soap, and a 5-gallon water carrier. That way, you can wash dishes at your campsite rather than making it difficult for other campers to get water.

12. They clean fish at the campsite.
 If your campground is near a fishing location, don't bring your catch back to the campsite to clean. Most places have designated fish-cleaning stations away from the campsites to prevent the smell from bothering campers and the fish remains from attracting animals and insects.

13. They leave food or trash bags out over night.
Leaving food out will not only lead to mold and mildew, it will attract critters, such as bees, ants, mice, raccoons and bears. Store all your food in containers and coolers. When you are finished with it, place it in the trunk of your car. A tent is no match for hungry forest creatures.

14. They leave the campsite messy.
Leaving garbage at your campsite will aggravate the next campers. Instead, follow the "leave no trace" camping policy by collecting trash and disposing of it appropriately. A box of plastic garbage bags will come in handy. Don't burn trash in the campfire.

15. They forget to completely put out the campfire.
Leaving the campsite without properly extinguishing the fire is one of the most dangerous mistakes campers can make. In fact, every year, it leads to forest fires all over the world. Even if a fire looks like it is out, hot embers can flare up again once you leave. To prevent this from happening, use plenty of water and/or dirt to put the fire out. Extinguish the fire before you pack up your gear, and check it again before you leave to make sure it is out.

Camping is a fun, summertime activity and an inexpensive way to spend quality time with family and friends. However, in the wilderness, mistakes can happen, especially if you don't take the time to properly prepare for your excursion.

Mistakes are not necessarily a bad thing; they are something we can learn from. Years of experience (and likely a few humorous mishaps) will teach you how to be a good camper. You will learn which camping style suits your family and which campground meets your needs. But until then, master the basics and take advice from those who have made the blunders. After all, every camper was a new camper at some point.

How to Know When to Replace Tires

Buying a new set of tires is probably not too high on the list of things that you want to do. It always seems like a chore, and we'd all much rather spend the money on something more fun. However, regular tire maintenance and replacement is essential to staying safe on the road.

But when exactly is it time to get new tires? There are some easy ways to tell.


Check your tire pressure regularly, and make sure each tire is inflated properly.
 Consult your owner's manual to determine the specific pressure for each tire (front and back tires don't always match). If you find that you are frequently putting air in the same tire, you may have a slow leak and it's probably time for replacement.
 
 Check the sides, or "walls", of each tire for cracks and bulges.
 Over the course of  time, the rubber in your tires begins to break down and can warp or break. This type of problem should be addressed as soon as possible as there is a much higher probability of a blowout.

Check the tread depth.
 The easiest way to do this is the old "quarter method". Use a quarter and place it into the tread with George Washington's head upside down. If you can see George's entire face, then the tread is worn too thin, and it is time to replace. Perform the test near the outer edge, middle, and inner edge of the tire.
 
 Check the treadwear bars.
  These run horizontally across the tire, and act as an indicator of tire wear. If they are visible, it's time to get new tires.
 
 Check the spare too.
If you have full spare make sure that it is good shape as well using all the aforementioned methods. The last thing you want is to be broken down with a spare that you can't use.

By regularly inspecting the wear and tear of your vehicle's tires, you will be able to proactive against any potential problems and stay safer on the road. With fall upon us, and winter lurking not too far behind, now is a great time to inspect, and if necessary, replace.

International Peace Day

  International Peace Day, also known on as World Peace Day, falls every year on September 21st.

The day was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981 to create a shared date for the world to dedicate to acts of peace. The first International Peace Day was celebrated a year later in 1982. The holiday originally fell on 3rd Tuesday of September until 2002 when the General Assembly officially declared September 21st as the permanent date.

The purpose of the day is to give people, organizations and countries around the world a unified date to contribute to peaceful activities. During wartime a temporary ceasefire will usually occur if the nations involved recognize the holiday.

To kick off the day, UN leaders ring the "Peace Bell", located at UN Headquarters in New York. Renzo Sawada, the UN's Japanese observer, donated the bell on behalf of his country saying:

The bell embodies the aspiration for peace not only of the Japanese, but of the peoples of the entire world. Thus it symbolized the universality of the United Nations.

The bell itself was cast using the metal of coins donated from 60 nations around the world. Inscribed on one side are Japanese characters that translate to: Long live absolute world peace.

International Peace Day marks a day for the entire world to set aside time to make peace with their conflicts, be it on a personal basis or with the complex large scale conflicts involving entire nations. There is no formal way to celebrate, as peace may mean something different to each of us. According to the International Pace Day Organization, the thing that is important is the immense impact that millions of people coming together in peace for even one day can have.