"Keys and Car Stolen as Mum and I Slept"

[Ed. note: I read stories like this one every day... For some reason I am compelled to post this one.]

By Gina Marden, echo-news.co.uk

"A YOUNG woman has been left devastated after burglars stole her car after breaking into her home.

Sherri Saunders, 20, saved up for three years for the 2002 Mini Cooper S which she only enjoyed for three weeks before it was taken.

The shop assistant and model had been saving since passing her driving test. Her dad, Paul, discovered the car was missing from their driveway when he returned from work.

Sherri, 20, of Pound Lane, Bowers Gifford, said: “I was in shock at first and then what happened started to kick in a couple of days later.”

Her dad Paul, 48, added: “I just feel destroyed for her. She’s been crying every day. It’s so unfair.”

Paul is offering £1,000 for information given to police which leads to the return of the car..."

[the part that makes me laugh, sort of]

"...Detectives are still looking for the Mini, which was grey with a black roof and black stripes on the bonnet which continue on to the bumper."

Gee- that narrows it down!

Read the complete article at echo-news.co.uk

MTTS-LA: Totally Unofficial Hotel Recommendations

[Updated, Monday, July 14, 2008, 01:59 PM]

Since a big group of friends from out of town are coming up for MINI TAKES THE STATES-LOS ANGELES, I tried to get some reliable information about hotel accomodations in the Pasadena area. And, since I'm writing it down, I figure I may as well post it for others who may be in a similar situation of not having a clue where to stay aside from the Hilton.

Please note these are not my personal suggestions, as I have not been to any of these establishments. Think of it more as a "starting point" for your own research. :)

I will update this post as more information becomes available. Feel free to use the comment feature to add your own recommendations or "warnings"!

"The List"-- along with comments from people I trust to give me decent info (in no particular order):

Holiday Inn Express
full breakfasts, nice amenties. good rates

The Hilton - 168 S. Los Robles Avenue

The Westin - 191 N. Los Robles Avenue
(closest hotel to Rose Bowl) (California Pizza Kitchen and McCormick and Schmicks on the Property)

Courtyard by Marriott - 180 N. Fair Oaks Ave.*
(close to Rose Bowl) (near old town Pasadena, lots of shopping, restaurants nearby, very freeway close - can hop right on the 210)

The Sheraton - 303 East Cordova
near Paseo Colorado (large shopping complex)

The Langham - 1401 South Oak Knoll Avenue
(formerly The Ritz Carlton) very expensive!!

Saga Motor Hotel - 1633 E Colorado Blvd
a good value.


*While I've attempted to keep my own opinion out of this post, I will mention that this particular location was recommended by three different sources.

MINImus Omnibus: News at a Glance

It's been kinda dead the last few days on Bushfinger MINI- certainly not due to a lack of MINI related news, but moreso a combination of 1) yours truly relocating to new abode (i forgot how much moving sucks), 2) a deluge of over-recycled news (mostly old news to MINIacs), and 3) quite frankly, all the other "big" MINI news, seems to be a tad bit over-covered lately.

photo found on motoringunderground.com

Here are a few recent bits I find somewhat interesting that may or may not already be posted on 100 other blogs:

LA Times writes: "American drivers should consider themselves lucky -- try $9.85 a gallon in Oslo."
[at latimes.com]

MINI among Mercedes-Benz E320 and Tesla Roadster in "Fuel-Efficient Cars You Actually Want to Drive"
"With the current economic downturn, increasingly high fuel prices and a growing concern for the environment, many of today's drivers are embracing fuel efficient or 'green vehicles. We want to educate consumers on the few vehicles that are not only Earth-friendly, but also stylish and exhilarating to drive."..."
[at emercedesbenz.com]

More Clubman Reviews?? nah- I'll skip it.
[If you must, here are about 1,150,000 at Google.com]

Truck overturns, Mini-Cooper stays on its wheels after collision
Santa Paula Police are investigating a two-vehicle collision that left a truck overturned - but a Mini-Cooper on its wheels - Friday evening, blocking a busy intersection..."
[at santapaulatimes.com]

Clubmans Make Moms Hot
"The mom-reviewers here at MotherProof.com have recommendations for (mostly) functional family cars that can make you look and feel as hot as the summer sun..."
[at motherproof.com]


"Clubmans Post Up!"
MotoringUnderground.com unwittingly collects the coolest Clubman photos on the web...
[at motoringunderground.com]

Gas prices in world cities (LA TIMES)

I don't often read, and even more rarely quote the L.A. Times. However in an article I read today, staff writer Marla Dickerson writes: "American drivers should consider themselves lucky -- try $9.85 a gallon in Oslo."

To which I say, I've been saying this all along! The totally intriguing list is shown below. The full story is available on LA TIMES.com at the link below:

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-worldgas10-2008jul10,1,1883309.story

Gas prices in world cities

City Reg. price in USD/gal.

Oslo 9.85
Paris 9.43
Copenhagen 9.24
Rome 9.03
London 8.96
Berlin 8.68
Hong Kong 8.05
Seoul 7.33
Sao Paulo 6.38
Tokyo 6.30
Singapore 6.13
Nairobi 5.94
Sydney 5.57
Montreal 5.57
Vancouver 5.50
Santiago 5.18
Toronto 4.98
Mumbai 4.94
Bangkok 4.78
Los Angeles 4.57
Johannesburg 4.41
Moscow 3.90
Havana 3.75
Buenos Aires 3.56
Beijing 3.40
Mexico City 2.62
Dubai City 1.70
Cairo 1.24
Kuwait City 0.92
Riyadh 0.47
Tehran 0.41
Caracas 0.12

Sources: AIRINC, Energy Information Administration