During the golden age of the muscle car, there were many questions asked by enthusiasts like Eugene Bernshtam and other potential buyers. Here are some of the most common questions answered.

1). How much horsepower does a muscle car produce?

About 425-440 hp, usually on high octane gas. Some of the big block cars could make upwards of 500 hp. With modern fuels and tuning, this could be increased.

2). How much torque does a muscle car produce?

It is about 535 ft/lbs, again using high octane gas and compression ratios to get the most out of it. Some big block cars made over 600 ft/lb of torque.

3). How fast do muscle cars go?

They’re called “Muscle Cars” for a reason! Some will go over 150 mph, and others up to 175-180 mph. If you could get them on a road course, they’d be able to keep up with European and Japanese sports cars of the same era. This was usually not done, however.

4). How much do muscle cars cost?

They’re expensive! Depending on the model and year, you can buy one in decent shape for $35,000 to $55,000. However, this is just for a base model. If you want special options available in that era, expect to pay a lot more.

5). How big is a muscle car?

They’re about the size of a mid-size family sedan. The idea was for a sporty appearance and enough room inside for 4 or 5 people, with no excess amenities that would add weight or cost. Most have large engines under the hood and weigh around 3,500 lbs.

6). Why are muscle cars so collectible?

As time passes, the price of these classics continues to climb. This is because fewer and fewer are left in decent condition. They were affordable back then, but today their value only goes up as they’re harder to find for daily driving.

7). What do car collectors look for when buying a muscle car?

The condition of the engine, transmission, and suspension are very important. Most people will buy a base model muscle car and restore it to factory specs…or even better. Custom interior, paint jobs, engines – these can add to the value of your vehicle.

8). Are custom muscle cars better than original?

Depends. Most people want a muscle car to look like it did back in the 1960s and 1970s, so they’ll look for factory originals if possible. On the other hand, some people want power and speed with good looks, so they might consider a well-done custom job if it’s done right.

9). What are the most collectible muscle cars?

The 1967-69 Camaro SS, 1968 Shelby GT500 (especially ones with four speed transmissions), 1970 Challenger R/T, 1971 Hemi Cuda Convertible, 1969 Chevelle SS396. Some other collectible muscle cars are the 1969 Charger R/T convertible, 1966 Nova SS, 1970 Chevelle SS454 LS6, and 1971 Boss 429 Mustang.

10). Can I race a muscle car?

Yes, in stock class racing series. Events are held all over the country throughout the year, so check with your local track to see when they have an event coming up or check out this schedule. You can also find a local car club in your area or via online forums.

Everyone loves a good birthday cake, whether it’s chocolate, vanilla, or Colin the Caterpillar, but if you’re a large family whose birthdays all seem to fall around the same time of year, birthday cake fatigue can quickly set in.

The humble birthday cake may be a long-established tradition, but every now and then it’s perfectly fine to break with tradition and opt for something that your family will actually be excited to gather around and tuck into.

Here are a few suggestions for tasty alternatives to the classic birthday cake.

Pie

Pie has more variety than cake, meaning its much harder to get bored of.

If the birthday haver has a favourite pie, you can bake and put your candles in that. It might be fruit, chocolate, banoffee, custard, pumpkin, or even savoury (not everyone has a sweet tooth after all). Either way, it’ll be more special for them than an old-fashioned cake with vanilla icing.

Cheesecake

This is another option that can easily be adapted to suit different tastes.

There’s the classic New York cheesecake, or you can top it with fruit coulis, or make the filling with lemon or chocolate, or bake it or make it burnt.

If you don’t want to make it yourself, you can always order a professionally made cheesecake online. Companies like Desserts Delivered Bakery deliver fresh cheesecake direct to your front door within 24 hours of ordering. It’ll be a delicious, impressive birthday treat.

Doughnuts

For an eye-catching, deep-fried alternative to the birthday cake, make doughnuts.

Doughnuts piled in pyramid and topped with a drizzle of colourful icing and sprinkles makes a centrepiece that’s just as impressive as any birthday cake. You can make a variety of fillings and cut them into quarters so that everyone present can sample every flavour. It’ll be a birthday to remember.

Sundaes

This is the perfect option for children (though it works for adults as well), as it’s easy to set up and gives them the freedom to choose what they want.

Set up a sundae bar in the corner of your kitchen, with the toppings in separate bowls, where guests can get creative by concocting their perfect ice cream.

For toppings you can have different sweets and candies, chocolate chips, chopped nuts, sprinkles and sauces. Just be prepared for the clean up afterwards.

Trifle

Trifle is filling, flavourful and easy to make look impressive.

For spring and summer birthdays, layer summer berries in jelly, sponge, fresh cream and custard on top of each other or, for autumn and winter birthdays, winter berries, ginger sponge, cream and chocolate custard.

Brownies

A plate piled high with chocolate brownies, decorate with edible flowers, sweets or fruit makes for a surprisingly attractive – not to mention easy to make – birthday cake alternative.

Cupcakes

Cupcakes are simple, light and come in a variety of flavours.

In fact, just like ice cream sundaes, you can let your guests create their own cupcakes, with a simple vanilla base, then different icings, candies, sprinkles, fruits, chocolate and nuts. It’ll keep you full, and keep you, your friends and family entertained.

Chocolate fondue

Will anyone complain when the find out the traditional birthday cake has been replaced with a chocolate fountain? We don’t think so.

Chocolate fountains will keep birthday guests occupied for hours as they dip marshmallow, fruit, and savoury bites like cheese into a curtain of melted chocolate. It’s a fabulous centrepiece that will ensure any birthday party will be one to remember.

There are many alternatives to the birthday cake, any one of which will satisfy your sweet cravings and possibly start a new and exciting birthday tradition.

 

Chef Javier Burillo has some classic Italian dishes so easy to make that even an amateur can pull it off.

Chicken Parmigiana

This Italian favorite reminds us of home-cooked meals from our mothers. It has tasty layers of eggplant, tomato, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese. Topped with a thick layer of bread crumbs makes it even better!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 kilogram chicken fillet, cut into strips 1-inch wide and 1 inch long
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• 3 medium-sized eggplants, cut into 1-inch slices

Sauce:

• 1 large tomato, cut in wedges with seeds and pulp removed. Reserve the inside part of the tomato as we will use it for stuffing. If only using the outside part of the tomato, dice it finely.
• 1 medium onion, chopped finely
• 4-5 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
• salt to taste
• freshly ground black pepper to taste 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (optional) 6 tablespoons olive oil

Mozzarella Cheese:

• 1 ball fresh mozzarella cheese or smoked mozzarella cheese (you can use cheddar or any other type of cheese you like)

Preparation:

1. Season the chicken with salt and set it aside.

2. Heat 4 tablespoons olive oil in a pan over medium heat until hot.

3. Dip the eggplants into boiled water to prevent them from getting brown, then fry in batches until golden brown.

4. In a separate pan, heat 4 tablespoons of oil and sauté onions until translucent, then add the garlic and tomatoes. Season with salt, pepper, and chili powder (optional). Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat. Strain off any excess liquids in the sauce to avoid it being too runny or oily.

5. Now, prepare the mozzarella by cutting it into 4 parts. Next, cut a thick slice off one of the pieces to create a lid for your cheese mound.

6. Take another part and cut it lengthwise into 2 halves, then cut each piece in half horizontally to get 4 thick slices–you are dividing each piece into 8 strips. Season the mozzarella with salt and pepper, then stuff each end of your eggplant shell using strips lengthwise, so it resembles lace, alternating one long strip with 2 short strips.

7. Dip the stuffed eggplants into beaten eggs to moisten all sides, then dredge in bread crumbs. If you use smoked mozzarella, you can skip this step.

8. Fry the stuffed eggplants in batches until golden brown on all sides, then set aside.

9. In a baking tray, place a thin layer of sauce at the bottom and place your fried eggplant shells over it (make sure to stuff the open end first before putting them together). Then spoon some sauce on top of each eggplant shell.

10. Take the chicken strips and layer it over the eggplants, then spoon more sauce over them. Add another layer of eggplants on top, followed by some more sauce if needed. Finally, sprinkle some more bread crumbs if you like your dish to be nice and crunchy or cheese if desired.

11. Bake at 180°C or 350°F for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with white rice and salad on the side. Makes 2 servings.

 

It’s estimated that vinyl record sales will reach $1 billion this year, about half of it sold in the United States. It may not be a coincidence that CD sales are at their lowest point since 2001. As for downloads? The downward trend is clear. Downloading music peaked in 2012 and has been declining ever since. Vinyl enthusiasts like Ronald Phillips New York will tell you the reason for this comeback.

This trend has been positively attributed to the high quality of sound that comes from vinyl records and the fact that it’s a tangible object. Digital songs are subject to damage or loss due to crashes or even technical issues with your computer. Expecting people to pay for songs that they can’t possibly access is not a safe bet. The thrill of digging through crates of albums is another reason people return to records, especially in New York, where it’s easy to find treasures with popular shops like Other Music and Academy Records.

6 Reasons People Prefer Vinyl

1. The feel of a record, the cover art, and sleeve notes

People enjoy collecting albums because it gives them a sense of ownership. They can hold and even smell the album, and they can read the liner notes and look at pictures of who made it. Watching DJs spin records is also an experience in itself – most people would agree that watching someone create a song on the fly is way more fun than scrolling through songs on your computer.

2. The crackle of a record

There’s an audible difference between listening to a vinyl record and digital songs online or with Bluetooth technology. Whenever you play a vinyl record, you get the crackle of old-fashioned sounds that remind us of concerts from the 60s. Many young adults have experienced listening to records. At the same time, their parents or grandparents play them – this is often a way of remembering their past and seeing what life was like before technology became so advanced.

3. The thrill of finding a rare vinyl record

You’ve probably heard people say that they prefer digital music because of the convenience of having every song they want on their phones. But what about the thrill of digging through crates full of records to find that one gem?

4. The feeling of nostalgia

More people are listening to vinyl because it allows them to go back in time and listen to an album as if they’re experiencing it for the first time – with all the excitement, anticipation, and wonder of a child.

5. Feeling closer to the artists you love when you buy their album on vinyl rather than digital

We’ve been conditioned to think that buying music only comes from having a credit card in our pockets or money in our accounts. However, vinyl records allow us to go back in time and support musicians through a method that is not as easy as simply clicking on a song.

6. The visual experience of owning an album

In the same way that you have to put more thought into what DVD to buy when there are two versions with different features, albums come in many shapes and sizes. You can choose a classic square record or a jazzy 3D album that you can open up. One of my favorites is the Moody Blues vinyl record with an impressive die-cut cover, allowing you to see different images on either side of the record.

Not all things are only American. Humans all over the world have been grilling and barbecuing for millions of years, regardless of the occasion (or even without). While they continue the tradition today, many Americans love to pair it with a pulled pork sandwich, mac and cheese, or creamy potato salad.

According to statistics, 75% of Americans own an outdoor grill or smoker, and about 61% said they use a gas grill. Unfortunately, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recorded an average of 10,600 home fires per year due to grills. According to their data, 84% were due to gas grills.

Avoid ruining your barbecue time with your loved ones by following these safety guidelines:

1. Clean the Drip Pan

A grease fire can occur when the drip pan under your cooling grids and burners becomes full, and heat reaches ignition temperature.

Depending on the design of your gas grill, the drip pan is located outside the firebox, which can help contain a grease fire. However, drip pans are removable and should be checked and cleaned regularly.

• Slide the drip pan out when the grill is not in use and cool.
• Scrape off all dried debris and grease.
• Soak and rinse the drip pan in warm water. You can use soap and a sponge for tough stains.
• Dry your drill pan with a dry cloth and place it back in the grill.
• Look for the removable drip tray at the back of your grill, and replace it when it’s full since they’re disposable.

2. Check Your Grill for Any Leaks

Though people now can grill during the colder months, most store their equipment in winter and bring it out when grilling season begins. Before grilling, check the gas lines for any leaks since this can cause propane or natural gas to build up inside the barbecue when the lid is closed. In addition, always open the lid of your grill before lighting.

3. Place Your Grill Away from Your Home

Some homeowners place their barbecue grills just outside their back door. Avoid doing this because grills too close to your house or wood structures can heat nearby materials, causing a fire. In general, place your grill at least 10 feet away from your home, trees, or other structures.

But if this is impossible to do, like when it’s raining, make sure that the area is well ventilated, and the grill has a safe distance from combustible materials. Remove accumulated leaves and other items in the grill area.

4. Always Supervise When Grilling

It is not wise to leave your barbecue unattended. If children or pets come into contact with the hot grill, it can cause injuries. Also, barbecues use high heat and open flames for cooking meat and other food, which can become dangerous when unsupervised. If you have to walk away for a while, ask another adult to watch it for you.

5. Keep the Lid Open

In addition to getting crispier meat, keeping your lid open when grilling fatty foods allows you to manage flare-ups that can cause serious injuries. Or better yet, trim any excess fat before cooking.

6. Keep a Spray Bottle Nearby

When fat drips from meat when cooking, your grill can flare up and continue until the piece of food burns away. If left unattended, this continues and can make excess smoke mass under the lid. Always keep a spray bottle on hand when grilling so you can quickly extinguish small flames before they spread.

7. If Possible, Have a Fire Extinguisher Close By

If you can, keep a fire extinguisher close by when having a barbecue. Since you’re doing it outside your house, there will be no fire alarm to warn you. If you don’t have a fire extinguisher, keep a bucket of water or sand nearby instead.

In case a fire occurs, follow these home fire safety checklists.

8. Consider Using Charcoal

Gas grills are a convenient and fast way to grill outdoors. But you may be safer with charcoal, especially if you can’t keep a safe distance from trees or structures.

 

If you are a veteran, you will have the chance to enjoy a few benefits in life. From unique pension programs to veteran-backed mortgage rates. This article will explain the basics to you.

Start Saving Early

You should aim to save as early as possible. For example, if you are reading this article, and haven’t yet made a savings plan, you should change that. It’s one of the reasons that people save for their retirement in their 20s. Saving early, especially after a career in the military, is a great way to protect your future interests.

Understand How Much You Need To Save

Understand how much you need to save to purchase your new home. It is always a good idea to have money aside in general, but when you know what you’re saving towards, you will be able to gain more control over your finances.

As a veteran, you can take advantage of unique loan programs and initiatives. They are provided by veteran-specific lenders who are approved by the Department of Veteran Affairs, which has led to the VA Loan program.

This type of mortgage loan requires $0 for a down payment; you will not need as much of an up-front cost compared to traditional mortgage arrangements. You still need to pay monthly payments towards your home, which is the main thing you need to prepare for.

You will not need to save the same way as civilians would; you will be thanked for your service with this benefit. Veterans will also be able to look into other financial benefits from federal sources, as well as educational tools to reskill into other means of work. New work will mean veterans can earn more money away from the military.

Use tools like as a mortgage calculator, such as this one provided by VA specialists Hero Loan. This will help you understand how much you need for your mortgage, or at least what you could afford to borrow. Speak to a specialist via consultation to learn more about your finances.

Make A Savings Goal

Once you know how much you need to save, make a savings goal. A savings goal could be a fixed amount you set aside each week or month without fail, that is affordable. Or it could be a time or date you’ve set to reach a certain amount, with you putting in various amounts when you can afford it.

Reduce Your Expenses

Aim to reduce your expenses where possible. Look at your statements to find where your money is going. It could be for a subscription that you don’t use much, or it could be you find money is going on takeaways or parties that you could cut down on. Cutting down expenses is a great saving technique in itself.

 

If the roof of your home is getting to the age or the stage when you’re thinking that you’ll need to be replacing it soon, you may want to consider if using a different material than the traditional shingles could be beneficial to you.

To help you in making this decision, here are three reasons why you might want to switch to a metal roof on your home or business.

Long-Term Savings

Although getting a metal roof put onto your structure will be more expensive upfront, the cost savings you can experience overtime may prove to be more beneficial to you than if you chose to replace your roof with shingles.

According to Lee Wallender, a contributor to The Spruce, metal roof can last between 40 and 70 years. Within that time frame, you may be having to replace a roof with asphalt shingles multiple times. So if you’re planning on staying in your current home for a long time into the future, or even if you’re wanting to sell in the future but are wanting to use this as a selling point for potential buyers, switching to a metal roof could be a great move.

Better Stand Up To The Elements

In many cases, metal roofs have also been proven to stand up better to the elements that they’ll be hit with as they protect your home.

Laura Mueller, a contributor to Moving.com, shares that asphalt shingles can be ripped off of a house in strong winds or can easily be damaged by heavy rain, hail, and other inclement weather. But with a metal roof, you won’t have to worry about losing parts of it to a storm. And while it can be dented if heavy hail or other materials fall onto it, it can offer itself and your home better protection against very wet weather, as it won’t have issues with mold or mildew. Additionally, metal roofs are much more fire resistant as well.

Great For Hot Climates

For those who live in a very hot area of the world, a metal roof can help to keep your home cooler than other types of roofs.

According to Donna Boyle Schwartz and Bob Vila of BobVila.com, this is because metal roofs will reflect the sun’s rays and keep your home from getting too hot from that direct sunlight. And, if you choose to put a more reflective coating on the metal roof, you can have even more energy efficient benefits, too.

If you’ve been wondering whether or not switching to a metal roof from your current roof with asphalt shingles would be a good idea for your home and your bank account, consider using the information presented above to help you in making the best choice for you.

When you’re thinking about how to keep yourself safe, you’re also probably going to want to learn a bit about crime trends. Without this knowledge, it’s likely that you’ll be more worried about safety than you need to. The best way you can prepare yourself is to learn about the real crime trends in America. Here’s what you need to know about the United States’ crime trends.

All Types of Crime Are Decreasing

First and foremost, don’t lean into the idea that the United States is becoming more and more dangerous. As a matter of fact, it’s declined over the years. Here’s the overall national crime rate per 100,000 since 2010:

• 2010: 3,350.4
• 2011: 3,292.5
• 2012: 3,255.8
• 2013: 3,112.4
• 2014: 2,971.8
• 2015: 2,859.6
• 2016: 2,837
• 2017: 2,745.1
• 2018: 2,568.4

As you can see, every year, crime overall has decreased rather than increased. Even when it comes to specifically violent crimes, the trend has been going down overall. This is specifically violent crime per 100,000 since 2010:

• 2010: 404.5
• 2011: 387.1
• 2012: 387.8
• 2013: 379.1
• 2014: 375.7
• 2015: 372.6
• 2016: 386.3
• 2017: 382.9
• 2018: 368.9

Even though this is a bit more up-and-down, it’s clear that violent crime is going down. The homicide rate in 2018, for example, was half of the rate in 1991. People are becoming safer in general from both general crime and violent crime.

The Most Dangerous and Least Dangerous Places in the United States

It’s also important to learn a bit about where you might want to go to stay safe. These, for example, are the five most dangerous cities in America in terms of violent crime rate per 100,000:

• Detroit, Michigan: 2,007.8
• Memphis, Tennessee: 1,943.2
• Birmingham, Alabama: 1,911.5
• Baltimore, Maryland: 1,833.4
• St Louis, Missouri: 1,800.4

Contrast this with the safest cities in America in terms of violent crime rate per 100,000. These have a truly miniscule crime rate overall:

• Hopkinton, Massachusetts: Nearly 0
• Bridgefield, Connecticut: Nearly 0
• Madison, Connecticut: Nearly 0
• Harrison Town, New York: 3.5
• Bernards Township, New Jersey: 3.7

The Impact of Socioeconomic Status

Even just in looking at the most dangerous and least dangerous cities in the United States, you’ll likely already see that socioeconomic status has an impact. The 10 most dangerous cities in the United States have a poverty rate over 20% and high unemployment, whereas the safest cities have a median area income over $100,000 yearly. As you can see, the ability to make more money makes you more likely to be safe.

Conclusion

If you only get your information from the news, it’s easy to worry that the world, and the United States in particular, is extremely dangerous. As a matter of fact, the United States is safer today than it was 30 years ago. This is one of the most important things to remember when you’re trying to keep yourself and your family safe. Keep yourself up to date on the people around you and the people you trust – don’t just assume everyone’s out to get you.

Child custody cases can become a very personal and bitter battle if you think your lawyer is not doing a good job. Regardless of whether or not you want to settle the case amicably, the important matter here is that the children’s situation gets better when their parents are going their separate ways. Without further ado, here’s how to increase your chances of winning custody.

 

Prove That You Are A Good Parent

 

Sometimes, parents don’t have any idea what are they are getting into. They believe they are really good parents and will get full custody of their children. Unfortunately, these people end up getting minimal visitations. Being an excellent parent is different from demonstrating and proving you are one in court. So, your evidence has to be very clear, and you need to understand the process and the particular situation of your case with the attorney.

 

Prove Stability

 

Divorce processes can sometimes be very stressful. Not to mention that if in the process of a divorce, you are having a crisis, changing careers, or moving to a different house or city, this could affect the ruling. However, remember that your child is the only priority here, and the person who must be protected. If your child feels threatened or insecure, this will be used against you in court. The attorneys from https://familyatty.com/child-custody/ state that if you have a job and frequently travel to other states or countries, make sure to mention in court that your child is used to it. However, if you have a new job and need to travel during the period of your divorce, it will not work in your favor because you need to prove that you can provide a stable life for your child. Judges don’t like the idea of giving custody to a parent who will have an unstable life for a couple of months or even years. It would be a good idea not to make big life changes in this period, even if it is better for you and your child. It is a very hard decision to make, but it will reflect you as a good parent in court.

Hire A Good Lawyer

 

Hiring an experienced attorney is crucial to winning your case. , You’re encouraged to ask them how many cases they’ve won and how they handled them. As a prospective client, you have the right to check the lawyer and the firm’s experience. If you trust your lawyer completely, you can assume he will do everything to win the case for you. Ask any question that comes to mind and open up to the lawyer if you have any doubts.

If you don’t have the money to hire a good lawyer, the government will assign you one. Despite their poor reputation, paralegals are capable and do not necessarily lack experience compared to private lawyers.

Remember that you have to work with your ex or current partner to get a better deal for the sake of your child. You have to make sure you are willing to work on being a good parent no matter what the result is. If you win, you have to show your children that you are capable of handling custody. People who show a lack of effort to work with their former partner and refuse to collaborate at all tend to see negative results in court.

 

 

If you have an air conditioner, then you should feel fortunate. Believe it or not, there are people all over the world who are sweltering in heat while you are comfortably sitting in a nice 72 degrees.

However, along with the privileges of this luxurious appliance also comes a certain amount of responsibility. It’s important that you take care of your air conditioner by having it regularly serviced.

After all, you wouldn’t drive your car without having it serviced every now and then, would you? Why should the device that controls the air circulating your home be any different? Take a look at some of the reasons that you should keep up with getting your air conditioner serviced.

 

It Works More Efficiently

 

It’s true—your appliance will do a much better job at what it’s supposed to do if you take care of it. Getting it regularly maintenanced means that it will do the best possible job of cooling your home. You’ll notice that people who fail to call their air conditioner service person regularly have an air conditioner that doesn’t work as well as it should or needs to be replaced regularly.

 

Save Money

 

When your appliance works more efficiently, then it has to work less strenuously to keep your house cool. Every time that you schedule your air conditioner to be serviced, you’re saving yourself money. If you notice that your electric bill is unusually high, then you may want to ask yourself whether it might have something to do with your air conditioner. You’ll see a direct reflection in your energy bill by how often you take care of your air conditioner.

 

It Will Last Longer

 

You have more to gain than just a cooler home by keeping up with routine maintenance. Your system will last significantly longer, so you don’t have to worry about purchasing a major appliance more than twice a decade.

Your air conditioning should last ten years or more. The key to extending its life is having regular service done. Neglecting your air conditioner will lead to it eventually breaking down and ultimately having to replace it. Anyone that’s ever replaced an air conditioner knows that it doesn’t come cheap.

 

Better Quality Air

 

If you are an allergy sufferer, or if you have small children, then it’s important that you look after the quality of the air that you breathe. One of the best ways to do that is to perform routine maintenance on your HVAC system.

A professional service person cleans out everything, removing dust and particles that can aggravate your lungs. What better motivation to service your air conditioner than improving your health? So, what are you waiting for? Call your local service person today and schedule a service today.