Reba McEntire will Perform at the War Memorial March 14th

“An Evening With Reba” will bring the reigning queen of country to Johnstown at 7:30 p.m. March 14 at Cambria County War Memorial Arena, 326 Napoleon St.
War Memorial general manager Michael Silva said McEntire’s show is being made available through a partnership with a local business, McAneny Brothers Inc. of Ebensburg.
“Ticket sales are going really well,” Silva said. “There are a few left to sell, so now is the time.”
McEntire earned her 64th Top 10 hit and her 35th No. 1 song with the lead single, “Turn on the Radio,” from her current album, “All the Women I Am.”
McEntire has sold more than 56 million albums worldwide, taking the lead as the female artist with the most Recording Industry Association of America sales certifications in country music history and more No. 1 albums than any female in the genre. McEntire’s string of No. 1 hits spans four decades and Billboard, Country Aircheck and Mediabase have recognized her as the biggest female hitmaker in country music history.
The multi-platinum recording artist was recently inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and earned an Academy of Country Music Career Achievement honor.
She has won 15 American Music Awards, 13 Academy of Country Music Awards, nine People’s Choice Awards, six Country Music Association Awards and two Grammy Awards. McEntire began her musical career in 1974 when she sang the national anthem at the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma. She released her first album in 1977 and as other albums followed, McEntire got her first No. 1 single in 1983 for “Can’t Even Get the Blues.” McEntire’s first honors came in 1984 when she won a CMA Award for Female Vocalist of the Year and an ACM Award for Top Female Vocalist of the Year.

Read more: http://tribune-democrat.com/events/x290305077/Reigning-queen-of-country-to-play-arena

 

Ticket information:

Tickets: $57, $67, $77, plus facility fee.
Information: 536-5156, (800) 745-3000 , ticketmaster.com or warmemorialarena.com.

DealerConnection Vehicle Showroom (VSR) for Ford and Lincoln Debuts

FordDirect, a joint venture between Ford Motor Company and its franchise dealers,  launched a new web 2.0 platform, based on SiSTeR's Technologies' VSHOC and Publisher platform, DealerConnection Vehicle Showroom (VSR) for its Ford and Lincoln dealers. FordDirect VSR seamlessly integrates with a dealer's digital marketing or social media platform including blogs, Facebook and their YouTube pages so that consumers can search the most current new and used vehicle inventory without clicking out of their original destination.

The service will be available to all 3,500 Ford and Lincoln Dealers that have DealerConnection websites, and offered for no additional charge to dealers that currently have both DealerConnection Elite and DealerConnection Premier Advanced Inventory Service (DCPAIS) web services.

The VSR's unique interactive filtering and keyword search functions provide users with their desired selection in real time. Furthermore, unlike other video inventory tools, VSR switches automatically to an HTML 5.0 version for users who access it via a smart phone or tablet to maximize the users' experience and the dealer's ROI.

DealerConnection VSR maximizes the effectiveness of a dealer's digital marketing and social media platforms and enhances the user experience by offering consumers the ability to not only search for a new vehicle by make, model and price, but can also submit an inquiry directly to the dealer or refer a vehicle to others without ever leaving the digital or social platform. VSR also automatically displays the desired vehicle on the dealer's website for visitors who come from YouTube and, if such a vehicle is sold, lists of similar vehicles are displayed, saving the users from the annoying "search again" issue.

"We are finding that consumers are turning to social media and other digital platforms to initiate their research for a vehicle purchase, so it's important for Dealers to capture their attention with the most current information in an interactive way," said Valerie Fuller, COO of FordDirect. "DealerConnection Vehicle Showroom provides consumers with an enhanced online experience so that they can find the vehicle that they are looking for and be able to connect with a dealer without the hassle of having to visit numerous websites."

A recent study from Autoguide.com states that 2.4 million in-market shoppers used Facebook in some way to make a vehicle purchase decision. In addition, 58 percent of consumers are likely to mention their new car and/or buying experience via social media and 82 percent of mentions about car purchases on social media are positive.

For more information, visit www.forddirect.com/dealercenter .

Five Fords Among the Best for the Money for 2012

Congrats, Ford!

Ford was the best-selling auto brand in the country in 2011, and as a recent study by U.S. News & World Reports shows, there’s a good reason for that kind of performance: Ford also won the most categories in the publication’s recent rankings of the “Best Cars for the Money 2012.”

“The award-winning vehicles have the best combination of praise from car reviewers, lower upfront costs and lower long-term ownership costs than their competition,” according to U.S. News & World Reports. “The winners aren’t just good cars or good values. They’re both.”

And for Ford, those winners were:

Ford Fiesta—The top choice in the Subcompact segment, as well as the highest-rated Hatchback, the Fiesta combines clean good looks, available high-tech features like Ford’s SYNC AppLink, an MSRP that starts at just $13,200, and EPA ratings that finish at 40 mpg highway. The Fiesta is offered in a sedan body style, too.

Ford Fusion—The Fusion beat out 18 other entries to take honors in the Affordable Midsize Car category, which is likely no surprise to the record 248,067 customers who purchased one in 2011. Further, the car’s high value proposition is about to get even higher, with the stunning all-new 2013 Fusion set to debut later this year.

Ford Taurus—The No. 1 Affordable Large Car was the Taurus, recognized for “its good performance, stylish design and excellent cabin electronics”—including its available SYNC in-car connectivity and infotainment system. The Taurus also is a Top Safety Pick of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Ford Fusion Hybrid—The Best Hybrid Car for the Money was the Fusion Hybrid, which, like its traditionally powered sibling, will get a complete overhaul for the 2013 model year. Not only will this next-gen version boast significantly higher fuel efficiency than the hybrid versions of rivals like the Toyota Camry or Hyundai Sonata, but it also will debut with a second hybrid powertrain with plug-in capabilities—and a higher miles per gallon equivalency rating than the Toyota Prius Plug-in or the Chevy Volt.

Ford Edge—Now capable of an eye-opening 30 mpg highway, the Edge bested all competition to be named the best Affordable Midsize SUV with Two Rows. The difference-maker? The Ford’s new 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine, which also enables 21 mpg city and 24 mpg combined, while still mustering a robust 240 hp and 270 lb.-ft. of torque.

Read more: http://www.fordinthenews.com/five-fords-among-the-best-for-the-money-for-2012/

Ford takes top honors in Polk Automotive Loyalty Awards

Congratulations, Ford!

Polk has handed out its annual Automotive Loyalty Award for 2011, and Ford walked away with a total of six honors, including two of the highest. The Dearborn-based automaker took home the top nod in both the Overall Loyalty to Manufacturer award as well as the Overall Loyalty to Make award categories. The manufacturer received both awards in 2010 as well. Ford also received the African American Market Loyalty to Make, and the Ford F-Series and Ford Escape brought down wins in the Mid/Full-Size Pickup and Compact SUV categories, respectively. Additionally, the Lincoln MKZ drove away with the Luxury Car category.
Polk prides itself on organizing and distributing the industry's only fact-based owner loyalty award, and the organization analyzes over 4.5 million household records and consumer transactions each year to determine the winners. Polk also examines state registration and lease information.

Read more: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/13/ford-takes-top-honors-in-polk-automotive-loyalty-awards/

'Augmented-reality' windshields and the future of driving

Imagine a future in which icons flash on your car windshield, hologram style, as your car approaches restaurants, stores, historic landmarks or the homes of friends.

Simply point your hand at them, and the icons open to show real-time information: when that bridge over there was built, what band is playing at that nightclub on the left, whether that new café up the street has any tables available. Wave your hand again, and you've made a restaurant reservation.

Mercedes-Benz showed off this vision of the future of driving -- complete with augmented-reality and gesture-controlled features -- this week at the International Consumer Electronics Show.

CES is the world's biggest technology trade show, and carmakers are becoming a bigger presence here. Visitors climbed into a little cockpit at the Mercedes booth and took a brief, interactive and virtual ride through nighttime San Francisco -- with the high-tech windshield as a guide.

Cars are becoming platforms to participate in the digital world in a fully networked sense, just like your tablets can and your phones can," said Venkatesh Prasad, a senior technical leader with Ford Motor Co.'s innovation division. "It's our job to take those computing services people are used to at 0 mph and make them available at 70 mph."

"All of our technology is voice-powered," Ford product manager Julius Marchwicki told CNN's sister network HLN. "So instead of fumbling with your phone ... you keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road."

Ford this week introduced five new apps for its pioneering Sync hands-free entertainment system, including Roximity, a daily-deals application that provides real-time discounts relevant to a driver's location. Ford is so committed to morphing its vehicles into digital platforms that the company is recruiting developers to create apps for Sync and plans to open a research lab in Silicon Valley this year.

he boldest advancements in automotive tech, however, may be a few years away. All the major car companies are working on systems that would allow vehicles to talk to each other about road conditions, weather and traffic snarls. For example, a car swerving to avoid a tire in the road could send an instant message alerting surrounding vehicles to the hazard.

Ford also is developing technology that takes a more holistic approach to driver safety and welfare. Instead of focusing on preventing collisions, for example, a car could help diabetic drivers by employing wireless sensors to monitor their glucose levels, said Gary Strumolo, Ford manager of vehicle design and infotronics.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/13/tech/innovation/ces-future-driving/index.html?hpt=hp_bn6

How Detroit Stole the 2012 Detroit Auto Show

For the first time in a very long time, Detroit is the positive center of the Detroit show. And by Detroit I mean Ford, Chrysler and GM showed off the cars that people were talking about. In fact, I didn’t hear a whole lot of non-American cars being discussed at all. Some inside baseball for you: a typical greeting from one auto journalist to another on the show floor goes something like, “So, what do you like?” And a typical answer is listing off your top three favorite cars. During the 2012 North American International Auto Show I asked that question at least a dozen times, and I heard the same answers again and again and again. With one big exception, they were all domestic. Now, it wasn’t all rainbows and homeruns for the Big 3 – the 2013 Buick Encore being a particularly underwhelming effort. By and large however, the Detroit show belonged to Detroit.

2013 Ford Fusion
Like the Dart and the ATS, the new global Ford Fusion is a car that people couldn’t stop talking about. Everywhere I went it was Fusion this, looks tailored that, plug-in hybrid the other. Ford also seemed to have the most square footage of booth space at the show, and almost everywhere you turned or walked, there was a new-look Fusion. Of course, unlike the others, there was a little bit of negative scuttlebutt concerning the new Ford: it looks just like an Aston Martin. Specifically, I think, the little Cygnet. Ford design boss J Mays told us that the new Fusion would borrow heavily from the stunning Evos design concept. And while it does, it really looks British, in a quite specific Aston way.

In the super all important midsize family sedan segment, the Fusion is mondo-distinctive. That’s important because the new Camry looks like the old Camry and shockingly Honda’s new Accord Concept looks JUST LIKE the current Accord. I think new and different is going to be key, but we shall see, we shall see. In the meantime, I think Ford will be basking in the afterglow of the very positive Detroit show Fusion coverage for some time, even if I’m not fully sold.

Lincoln MKZ Concept
I like the MKZ better than I like the Fusion. I feel better now that I have that off my chest. And, at Motor Trend at least, I’m not alone. Executive editor Ron Kiino said the same thing to me as soon as we walked up to the car. It’s just lovely, stylish without being formal, elegant without being stuffy. As to all the naysayers out there crying in their Cheerios because the MKZ Concept isn’t RWD, I have one word for you: Audi. Remember, every car Audi makes save the R8 has front-wheel drive architecture. Doesn’t seem t hurt the four-ringed brand any. The biggest problem for Lincoln has been that the cars look like tarted up Fords. The MKZ doesn’t. More importantly, the whole show was buzzing about the concept, and I counted many more likes than the inevitable and frankly wrongheaded dislikes.

Also, and this will probably make the most sense to other auto journalists but I’m going to say it anyhow because I think it’s important, Lincoln’s booth was inspiring. I attend at least four car shows per year and I always come away most impressed by the booths the Germans build. Sleek, stunning and a little bit intimidating (there’s always a booth babe or two standing behind a podium, checking your credentials), the German carmakers always seem to do it right. But I think Lincoln has just done it better. The Lincoln booth was just as impressive looking as what Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Volkswagen had going on, but it was also warm and inviting. An egalitarian form of luxury, which — let’s face it — is exactly what Lincoln should and needs to be. The brand seems to be at a real crossroads, an actual turning point. Let’s hope I’m not reading the situation wrong.

Read more: http://blogs.motortrend.com/how-detroit-stole-the-2012-detroit-auto-show-20463.html#ixzz1jLbhTbEd

The History of Lincoln Cars

Lincoln and Cadillac had a common founder: the stern, patrician Henry Martyn Leland, "Master of Precision." Leland and his associates formed Cadillac in 1902 from the remains of the Henry Ford Company -- which is why his first Cadillac and the first production Ford, both named Model A, are so similar. William C. Durant bought Cadillac in 1909 for his burgeoning General Motors. Leland, meantime, went off to build Liberty aircraft engines during World War I. Then, with son Wilfred, he returned to the car business by forming Lincoln -- named for the U.S. president, one of his heroes. When this enterprise ran into financial trouble, Leland came full circle by selling out to Henry Ford in 1922.

At first, Ford Motor Company did little to alter or update the Lincoln Model L that Leland had designed around 1920. Powered by a 385-cid V-8 with 90 brake horsepower, it was beautifully built and handsomely furnished. But by 1930 it was an anachronism: unfashionably upright and sluggish next to contemporary Cadillacs, Packards, and Chrysler Imperials.

Then Henry and son Edsel brought forth the 1931 Model K (why they went backward in the alphabet remains a mystery). Its new 145-inch-wheelbase chassis carried a modernized, 120-bhp V-8 that retained "fork-and-blade" rods and three-piece cast-iron block/crankcase assembly, Leland engineering features that let ads dwell lovingly on "precision-built" quality.

The new chassis was massive, with nine-inch-deep side rails and six crossmembers with cruciform bracing. The transmission gained synchromesh on second and third gears. Like the L, the K employed torque-tube drive and a floating rear axle. Other features included worm-and-roller steering, hydraulic shock absorbers by Houdaille, and mechanical brakes by Bendix. Stylewise, a slightly peaked radiator led a far longer hood, punctuated by twin-trumpet horns and bowl-shaped headlamps. The K was also longer, lower, and sleeker than the L, and it offered an improved ride, greater stability and, with its extra power, faster acceleration and higher top speed.

The artistic Edsel Ford transformed Lincoln styling, updating the standard factory-built bodies, and secured a plethora of custom and semicustom styles from the cream of America's coachbuilders, including Brunn, Dietrich, Judkins, LeBaron, Murphy, and Willoughby. The result was some of the finest expressions of Classic-era design and an evolution of the Lincoln Model K. A cautious move toward streamlining began with the 1932 models and was more evident on the '33s, which wore a rakish Vee'd radiator with a chrome grille. Also new that year were hood louvers (replacing shutters), drawn-down "skirted" fenders, Vee'd front bumper, and redesigned trunk racks.

With sales slow in the Depression-ravaged market, Lincoln consolidated for 1934 around a single 414-cid V-12, a bored-out KA unit with the same 150 bhp as the old 448. Differences included aluminum cylinder heads and 6.3:1 compression. The latter was unheard of at the time, but made possible by the advent of 70-octane gasoline, which was nearly as potent as contemporary aviation fuel.

Most 1934 Lincolns could reach 95 mph, helped by the 414's broader rev range compared to the 448. Chassis specs were virtually unchanged, but Murray custom bodies were eliminated and radiators were now lacquered in body color. Smaller headlamps, parking lamps, and color-matched metal spare-tire covers helped clean up appearance. Sedans and limousines also received sloped tails, fairly radical for the day. Like Pierce, Packard, and Stutz, Lincoln was reluctant to abandon the graceful "oh gee" fenders so characteristic of the period -- but it would after 1935.

Read more: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/lincoln-cars.htm