The ranks of top-rated booster seats continue to grow as manufacturers design models to earn high marks in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s annual booster seat evaluations, plus offer the style and convenience parents look for when it’s time to pick a safe seat for their booster-age children.
Among the 41 models new for 2014, there are 27 BEST BET seats — more than in any prior year — and three GOOD BETs. Eight boosters are in a category the Institute calls “Check Fit,” and there are three new models that the Institute doesn’t recommend using as boosters. Prices for BEST BET boosters start around $25 and go up to about $370, depending on features, and several models are LATCH compatible.
A group of four minivans recently tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for protection in small overlap front crashes shows some of the worst possible outcomes for this type of crash, with only one vehicle performing acceptably.
The Nissan Quest, the Chrysler Town & Country and its twin, the Dodge Grand Caravan, all earn poor ratings. The exception to the disappointing pattern is the 2015 Toyota Sienna, which earns an acceptable rating. It joins the Honda Odyssey, which last year earned a good rating in the test, in the ranks of TOP SAFETY PICK+ winners.
The holiday season is right around the corner and with it comes celebrating age old traditions with family, friends and loved ones. It’s also time to start planning how to pick out the perfect gift for everyone on your list. This year, the easiest way to WOW is to plug your loved ones in with all of the new tech options available on the market!
Nationally recognized consumer trends and technology expert Andrew Krasny has figured out the puzzle giving gifts that are a hit every time.
The number of vehicles earning either of two awards from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has jumped to 71 from 39 this time last year, giving consumers more choices for optimum protection in crashes. The number of winners in the top tier — TOP SAFETY PICK+ — has increased by 11 for 2015, despite a tougher standard for front crash prevention.
While the bar has been raised for TOP SAFETY PICK+, the criteria for TOP SAFETY PICK are unchanged from 2014: a good or acceptable rating in the challenging small overlap front test and a good rating in each of the Institute's four other crashworthiness evaluations — moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraints. The 2015 TOP SAFETY PICK+ designation is awarded to vehicles that meet those criteria and also have an available front crash prevention system that earns an advanced or superior rating.
The aluminum-body 2015 Ford F-150 crew cab swept the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s full slate of crashworthiness evaluations to qualify for a 2015 TOP SAFETY PICK award. The F-150 extended cab turned in a good performance in 4 of 5 assessments but stumbled in the small overlap front test. The results are the first ratings for large pickups in a group the Institute is evaluating this year.
The F-150 crew cab, which Ford calls the SuperCrew, earns good ratings for occupant protection in all five IIHS crashworthiness evaluations — small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint evaluations. The extended cab, or SuperCab, earns good ratings in the moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint evaluations but just a marginal rating for occupant protection in a small overlap front crash.
There are lots of questions on football game days. Are we going to win? Where are we watching the game? Will there be food and drinks? And how early can we start the party? Kristin Cavallari is a wife of an NFL player who knows the game day excitement all too well. When she isn’t watching her hubby from the stands at Soldier Field, she is often the one playing host to her family and friends. With a busy lifestyle of balancing her work as a designer, actress, TV host, mother, wife and, now, author, time is limited. The family of Hoover® Cordless vacuums helps Kristin stay in front of every mess and focus on what’s really important — family, work and football! To check out the Hoover Cordless Family, visit www.Hoover.com.
It seems that most football fans follow the same cycle throughout the season: clean, host, clean, repeat. Hoover Cordless vacuums are the perfect solution to the full-house cleanup before guests arrive and for the quick pick-ups throughout the party. By cutting the cord, the Hoover Cordless Family has cut the hassle of plugging and unplugging a vacuum from room to room or having to pull out a large vacuum for one simple spill.
“For me, time is at a minimum with so much going on,” Cavallari explains. “The Cordless line allows me to get through my quick blitz before guests arrive and get on with making my tasty-yet-healthy game day snacks!”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7589252-hoover-cordless-kristin-cavallari-game-day/
While encouraging homeowners not to take their chances when it comes to the risks of covered breakdowns around the home, American Home Shield, the nation’s largest provider of home warranties, is giving homeowners the chance to upgrade kitchen or laundry appliances through its “You Pick Three” sweepstakes.
Now through November 30, two lucky winners will be chosen to receive their choice of three GE appliances valued at up to $5,000 retail value, plus $200 towards installation.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7619451-american-home-shield-you-pick-three/
The holidays are quickly approaching and this time of year we are all looking for inspiration to make our dishes extra special. According to award-winning Chef Robert Del Grande of Houston’s highly-acclaimed RDG + Bar Annie Restaurant, California Dried Figs should be a pantry staple to create simple and delicious recipes to spice up the holidays and all year long.
“Great cooking is easy with the right ingredients on hand,” says Del Grande. “That’s why I always have California Dried Figs in my pantry to add a twist to holiday dishes and recipes year-round. Figs truly elevate simple dishes to extraordinary. So the next time you are in the market be sure to pick up California Dried Figs for your pantry. And, remember: When you think delicious, think figs. And, when you think figs, think California!”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7695851-california-figs-holiday-recipes/
Food Network kicks off the New Year with a new season of Worst Cooks in America, the hit competition series that transforms kitchen disasters into skilled cooks, and five-time winner Chef Anne Burrell returning for a rematch against Chef Tyler Florence. Premiering on Sunday, January 3rd at 9pm ET/PT, the seven episode series pits Anne against Tyler, each leading a team of disastrous cooks in an intense kitchen boot camp designed to vastly improve the food skills of their recruits. The contestant who makes the most impressive culinary transformation is awarded a $25,000 grand prize, in addition to delivering victory and bragging rights for their team leader.
“Worst Cooks is comical, competitive and ultimately, inspiring,” said Bob Tuschman, General Manager and Senior Vice President, Food Network. “Under Anne and Tyler's guidance, these cooking-challenged contenders transform their hilarious kitchen blunders to refined culinary techniques - and the journey is truly entertaining to watch.”
In the season premiere, Anne and Tyler are confronted with some of the worst cooks they've ever seen during an open casting call. They then chose fourteen recruits including a lunch lady, truck driver, Army veteran and special education teacher to send to boot camp, and each contestant whips up the “offending dish” that landed them in hot water. After a stomach-wrenching tasting, Anne and Tyler pick their teams and attempt to teach them to make a well-balanced meal. Two recruits are not up to the task, and are sent home. Upcoming episodes feature a game show - style battle called “Family Food,” internationally-flavored empanada and Asian street food challenges and a visit from the competitors’ loved ones. The season culminates in a finale on Sunday, February 14th at 9pm ET/PT where the most improved recruit is awarded $25,000 and bragging rights for their mentor.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7619231-food-network-worst-cooks-in-america/
Today at the AgVocacy Forum in New Orleans, Bayer recognized the 2016 Young Farmer Sustainability Award and Produce Innovation Award winners. The Young Farmer Sustainability Award was presented to Tyler Wegmeyer of Wegmeyer Farms, a commercial wholesale, u-pick and agritourism operation in northern Virginia. Amy Machamer and Hurd Orchards, a family-owned fruit farm in upstate New York, received the Produce Innovation Award.
“We are proud to recognize two farmers who are committed to modern, sustainable agriculture and focused on strengthening the public’s connection with agriculture,” said Jim Blome, president and CEO of Bayer CropScience LP. “It’s an honor to work alongside people who are so passionate about their profession and dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7452955-bayer-agvocacy-forum-awards/
Three out of seven large pickup trucks evaluated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in a new round of crash tests earn an acceptable or higher rating for occupant protection in a small overlap front crash.
IIHS evaluated two body styles of each 2016 model-year pickup — crew cab and extended cab. Crew cabs have four full doors and two full rows of seating. Extended cabs have two full front doors, two smaller rear doors and compact second-row seats.
IIHS last year decided it would test the two most popular variants of large pickups instead of just one after discovering that the Ford F-150 extended cab lacked structural countermeasures that helped the crew cab earn the top rating of good in the small overlap test. The test replicates what happens when a vehicle runs off the road and hits a tree or pole or clips another vehicle that has crossed the center line.
Ford improved the 2016 model F-150 SuperCab to clinch a good rating in the small overlap crash test, up from the 2015 model’s marginal rating. The F-150 is the only large pickup in the latest test group to earn the Institute’s top rating in the test. It joins the F-150 SuperCrew in earning a 2016 TOP SAFETY PICK award when equipped with Ford’s optional basic-rated forward collision warning system.
Vehicles that earn a basic rating for front crash prevention plus good ratings in the small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint evaluations qualify for TOP SAFETY PICK. To qualify for 2016 TOP SAFETY PICK+, a vehicle must earn good ratings in the five crashworthiness tests and an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention.
Think “muscle car” performance, and images of speed and power are more likely to come to mind than crash tests and safety ratings. Because no one buys a sports car to drive in the slow lane, the best all-¬ around occupant crash protection is crucial. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently put a trio of iconic sports coupes through their paces, and unlike more sedate sedans, none earns the scores needed to clinch a TOP SAFETY PICK award.
IIHS evaluated 2016 models of the Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang in the full battery of crashworthiness evaluations. The Mustang comes closest to earning TOP SAFETY PICK, while the Camaro falls shortin one category and lacks an available front crash prevention system. The Challenger is most in need of improvement.
To qualify for TOP SAFETY PICK, vehicles must earn good ratings in the small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint evaluations and have a basic-¬rated front crash prevention system. To qualify for the Institute’s highest award, TOP SAFETY PICK+, vehicles must earn good ratings in the five crashworthiness tests and an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention.
