Ford Mustang Day, In the News, and Enjoy

Ford Mustang Day - Today is Ford Mustang Day!

Today is the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the Ford Mustang.

Ford Motor Co.'s celebration of the Mustang's 50th anniversary comes today to Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, with some 40 members of the Mustang and Shelby Club of Long Island expected to be at the invitation-only event.
The park is where the first generation of the sporty car was unveiled on April 17, 1964, at the World's Fair.

Conceived originally as a car for baby boomers just beginning to reach driving age, the Mustang has been in continuous production since 1964, with more than 9.2 million sold so far.
Sources disagree over whether the car was named after the World War II fighter plane or the feral horse breed. "It really is a classic design, and it really gives the customer a lot for their money," said auto industry analyst George Magliano, based in Manhattan for the economic forecasting firm IHS Inc. Prices started at $2,368 in 1964. The 2014 model begins at $22,510.

John Olesuk, president of the Long Island Mustang club and a 59-year-old construction project manager from Farmingville, owns a 1965 Fastback, a 2006 model customized by Roush Performance of Livonia, Michigan, a 1989 GT being restored, and a 1964 convertible awaiting restoration.

He attributes the car's longevity to Ford's skill in retaining its original character over the decades, while steadily modernizing it. "There have always been changes," he said, "but there's always been a lineage you can follow between the first Mustang to the current one." A new Mustang due at dealerships in the fall as a 2015 model will be the sixth generation.

Mustang no longer is the high-volume seller it was in the 1960s, however. Last year, Ford sold 77,186 of them, or just 3 percent of the 2.5 million new cars and trucks the company sold in the United States, including Lincolns. In 1966, the car's best year, Ford sold 549,436 Mustangs.

The decline stems partly from the rise of competitors like the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger, and from the growing popularity of the sport sedan, a body style inherently more practical than a two-door model.

In the News - They walk among us!

Sales of Homes for More Than $10 Million Increase

38 Million Gallons of Water Dumped After Teen Caught Urinating in City Reservoir

Cockroaches "Rain From Ceiling" at Manhattan Sushi Restaurant

Postal Service Seeks to Mine and Sell Mail Data

Wu-Tang Clan-Affiliated Rapper Cuts Off Penis, Attempts Suicide

Enjoy - Relax and enjoy these images and videos!

Don't Eat It!, Foul, -and- Leaving on a Jet Plane

Don't Eat It! - seafood from China raised in untreated sewage
Foul - court rejects FCC broadcast decency limit
Leaving on a Jet Plane - road-rage suspect tries to fly out of U.S.

On this day in history: June 5, 1956 - Elvis Presley appears on Milton Berle TV show. His undulating hip movements during the song "Hound Dog" cause quite a controversy.

Born on this day in history: June 5, 1898 - Federico Garcia Lorca (1898 - 1936) poet, dramatist. He was noted for his poems of death and for his dramatic trilogy: "Blood Wedding,"1933; "Yerma," 1934; and "The House of Bernarda Alba," 1936.

Today's Video: 912-horsepower Mustang - submitted by Frank

VIDEOS: The videos are now available via the link "Amazing and Amusing Videos" in the Links section, below the visitor counter.

Ultimate List of Car Songs! View the list and submit your favorite car song(s)!

Great Scott! It is overcast, windy, and chilly. It appears as if it may rain! Yikes!

Fighting Back, Don't Call, -and- Hic!

Fighting Back - home invaders chased away by guest with gun
Don't Call - Nissan warns cell phones can disable car keys
Hic! - man arrested for DUI in McDonald's drive-through

On this day in history: May 25, 2006 - Enron CEO Kenneth Lay is found guilty on six counts of conspiracy.

Born on this day in history: May 25, 1927 - Robert Ludlum (1927 - ____) novelist. His thrillers include "The Bourne Identity."

Today's Video: Mustang Chase

VIDEOS: The videos are now available via the link "Amazing and Amusing Videos" in the Links section, below the visitor counter.

The wind appears to have ceased its howling! The morning is calm, the sun is shining brightly, the sky is blue and clear, and the birds are singing! The weather promises to be wonderful for Memorial Day weekend.

For those of you who intend to travel this weekend, please drive carefully! Despite high fuel prices, this is predicted to be a very busy holiday weekend on highways across the U.S. I shall restrain my wanderlust until next weekend.

Paris at Tent City?, Headache!, -and- How Ironic!

Paris at Tent City? - Sheriff Joe Arpaio offers lodging
Headache! - bullet in woman's head for 64 years
How Ironic! - guy named "Stoner" busted for growing pot

On this day in history: May 15, 1997 - Federal prosecutors in the Unabomber trial file the necessary paperwork requesting the death penalty for Ted Kaczynski.

Born on this day in history: May 15, 1894 - Katherine Anne Porter (1894 - 1980) novelist, short-story writer. She was a master stylist of texture and complexity of character delineation; won Pulitzer, 1966, for her only full length novel "Ship of Fools."

Today's Video: Gallop Around the Bay III - 150+ Mustangs! - submitted by Frank

VIDEOS: The videos are now available via the link "Amazing and Amusing Videos" in the Links section, below the visitor counter.

While on my way to the office this morning, I noticed this eye-catching plumber's truck. Click to enlarge.

Satan Slept Here, Lost!, -and- The Kids Are Alright

Satan Slept Here - hotel replaces Bible with Gore's global-warming book
Lost! - lawyer sues dry cleaners for $67 million for losing trousers
The Kids Are Alright - 4-year-old saves mother by calling 911

On this day in history: May 2, 1957 - Mob figure Frank Costello is shot in the head by Vincent "the Chin" Gigante. Instead of killing him, the bullet circumnavigates between his skin and cranium, exiting through the original wound. Costello retires from the Mafia soon after.

Born on this day in history: May 2, 1903 - Benjamin Spock (1903 - 1998) physician, author. He was a major influence on modern U.S. child-rearing practices; "Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care," 1946 has sold millions of copies.

Today's Video: Chase Scene from "Bullit"

VIDEOS: The videos are now available via the link "Amazing and Amusing Videos" in the Links section, below the visitor counter.

Today's video is the chase scene from "Bullit." In my opinion, this is the greatest movie chase scene ever filmed. A friend and I were in San Francisco while the movie was being filmed. We had no idea what was taking place until we inquired why the street was blocked off and why such a crowd of people had gathered. We did not get to see much, other than a very brief glimpse of the Mustang chasing the Charger. We were excited to have accidentally happened upon this event, however, and eagerly awaited the release of the movie. At that time, I was a Ford enthusiast and had a 1966 Ford Mustang GT. Understandably, I cheered Steve McQueen as he chased the 1968 Dodge Charger with his 1968 Ford Mustang. In 1980, I became a Dodge enthusiast and have purchased only Dodge products since then. Understandably, I now cheer for the Dodge Charger—even though I am fully aware of the outcome of the chase!