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Kids of Kilimanjaro

09.27.10

Costa Mesa-based Kids of Kilimanjaro, founded by George Namkung, is a nonprofit providing a warm school lunch to 13,000 children in Tanzania. Its 5th annual gala fundraiser on Friday, Oct. 8 will be at The Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Coast. Incredible silent auction include items such as Jimmy Choo sunglasses, a John Varvatos tailored suit, week stay in Mammoth and jewelry from the Passionate Collector. The live auction includes a Lakers package, two-night stay in a four bedroom villa at Pelican Hill and a private dinner for 16 at AnQi. Tickets cost $250.

If you can’t make it to the gala, you can still purchase opportunity drawing tickets (winner need not be present for the drawing) for a chance to win a $1,000 shopping spree to South Coast Plaza and a valet parking pass for one year. Tickets cost just $20 for one, or six for $100. On sale through Thurs., Oct. 7. Tickets are available at the Kids of Kilimnajaro website or e-mail at info@kidsofkilimanjaro.org.

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New Gear

2011 FORD EDGE & MYFORD TOUCH ROAD TEST AND REVIEW

09.24.10

By Joanne Tucker

Ever wanted to tell your car where to go or what to do?

Now you can via direct voice commands with Ford’s revolutionary techno marvel, the MyFord Touch car infortainment system.

Powered by Microsoft’s Windows “embedded auto software” (otherwise known as SYNC), this remarkable advanced technology delivers a new way for you to interact with in-car technologies and your ever-more-important digital lifestyle.

I mean, it’s about time 21st century drivers stop pushing buttons, turning knobs or hunting for gauges. So how does Ford’s trailblazing technology work?
With your hands on the wheel and eyes focused on the road, you can simply say common things like: “Call Kathleen. Play Pink Friday. Increase temperature by one degree.” Or even “Find Disneyland.” Text messages coming from your Bluetooth-enable smart phone can be read aloud to you and you can reply via 12 “canned” or customizable text messages.

Isn’t this state-of-the-art technology one BIG reason to buy the 2011 Ford Edge? Absolutely!

After a quick demonstration of the 2011 Ford Edge with MyFord Touch infotainment by Microsoft, I was blown away by Ford’s latest technological advances and amazing safety features, which combine to make this full-sized crossover (CUV) super safe and easy to drive in city traffic or cruising down the freeway.

Basically, the MyFordTouch system is an infotainment system, where drivers can use five-way controls on the steering wheel, voice commands and color-coded crisp graphics to operate the climate, navigation, entertainment and phone.

Actually, there now are two vehicle-interface systems at Ford: the new MyFordTouch (under $2,000) and way more affordable, yet rather outdated SYNC (around $400). MyFord touch will be available in late fall only on the 2011 Ford Edge and 2011 Lincoln MKX (another CUV). The technology will go global with its introduction world-wide as optional equipment on the 2012 Ford Focus.

Why is MyFord Touch worth the price? This system is highly integrated into the car. For example, MyFord Touch uses two 4.2-inch LCD screen in the gauge cluster to display information such as trip-computer information, tachometer and traction control settings as well as a navigation, entertainment, phone and climate.

The super huge and crisp 8-inch LCD screen in the center stack mimicks the colors and four phone, entertainment, navigation and climate settings. Incredibly, the same information can be accessed by touch buttons on the steering wheel or by touching the screen.

Now for some really hip techo stuff! You can hold all incoming calls and text messages until the end of your route with a “do not disturb” system or you can look up directions on Google Maps or Mapquest and send them to your car. Oh yes, let’s talk about the tagging feature. You can save songs played on the radio for later purchase and also songs played on satellite radio can be replayed via HD radio. Wow!

2011 Ford Edge Has A Luxury Interior
Plus, the five-seat 2011 Ford Edge has plenty of room for mom, dad and the kids with five comfortable seats, lots of cargo room and fold-flat 60/40 split and reclining back seats.

In fact, I was so impressed with the ergonomic comfort and luxurious interior of the 2011 Ford Edge that I truly believe it can compete with similar CUVs from Mazda, Lexus and Buick.

Yes, the 2011 Ford Edge oozed luxury with quality textured materials of browns and blacks on the seats and doors. A faux walnut wood trim on the 2011 Ford Edge Limited trim level added to the elegant design on the dash, console and doors.

Of course, I always check out the driver’s seat for comfort, ergonomic design, temperature control and quality craftsmanship in little details such saddle-stitching. The Ford 2011 Edge certainly passed my test! But here’s something that’s long overdue: a space for a woman’s purse under the console. Yeah Ford!

Newly-Designed Exterior is More Euro Asian Than Ever
As for the Ford 2011 Edge’s exterior, this newly-redesigned CUV sports a bold grille and updated front fascia. Besides redesigning the Edge’s hood, front fenders and tail lamps, Ford also made advanced exterior improvements that significantly decrease both road and wind noise for a super quiet ride.

What About Performance?
What about performance? My automotive journalist and professional road test reviewer daughter Sheryll Alexander did the driving on our road test of the 2011 Ford Edge. In her Driving Smart review for Autotropolis.com/Autobytel.com, she says: “The 2011 Ford Edge is definitely a fun-to-drive CUV with overall excellent acceleration, handling, suspension, tire feel and braking. I did think the steering could be a bit more sporty as I prefer a more nimble steering experience.”

Coming from my picky auto journalist daughter, that’s a pretty damned good performance review. Bravo again, Ford!

The 2011 Ford Edge also has excellent fuel economy at 27 mpg highway and 19 mpg city for the powerful V6 and an estimated 30 mpg highway for the four-cylinder EcoBoost engine, which we did not road test.

2011 Ford Edge Comes with Tons of Advanced Safety
I’m big on safety features and the Ford 2011 Edge doesn’t disappoint.

The 2011 Ford Edge is loaded with tons of advanced safety technology such as electronic stability control (ESC), traction control, brake assist, hill start assist, blind spot monitoring, personalized keyless entry and ignition, back up camera, cross traffic alert, rain-sensing wipers and adaptive cruise control.

Plus, MyFord Touch (or even 2010-2011 models with cool second generation SYNC infotainment) comes with 911 Assist. Much like GM’s OnStar, Ford’s 911 Assist uses sensors to detect accidents and calls emergency services for you upon air bag deployment.

With the MyFord Touch infortainment system, a powerful V6 engine, economical EcoBoost engine, advanced safety features, sophisticated exterior design panorama view roof, quiet ride and luxurious interior, the Ford 2011 Edge is certainly a compelling and rather affordable choice in today’s CUV market.

Don’t believe me? Take a test drive at Theodore Robbins Ford on Harbor Blvd. in Costa Mesa and bring your smart phone with you for a MyFordTouch demonstration.

I believe you will find that your lifestyle is at your fingertips with MyFordTouch system, and your life is “in good hands”driving the Ford 2011 Edge with its amazing advanced safety systems.

Joanne Tucker is a lifestyles writer based in Costa Mesa.

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