Sign in  |  Register

Access Atlanta > Blog

What would you ask Ford to add?

Ford Motor Co. just answered your parental prayers.

Ford plans to roll out a new feature on many 2010 models that can limit teen drivers to 80 mph, using a computer chip in the key, according to AP

Parents will also have the option of programming the key to limit the audio system’s volume, and to sound continuous alerts if the driver doesn’t buckle up.

There are probably other parental-inspired features that Ford forgot to add. So what would you like to see? Perhaps, an alarm feature that sounds when there are more than four passengers. Or, what if the car ignition disengages if sensors detect the aroma of weed or alcohol? Teens drivers can weigh in as well. Some of this technology may not even exist yet, but it’s OK to get futuristic.

Permalink | Comments (13) | Post your comment |

Latest comments

Damn…….I’m going to miss the HSS.

... read the full comment by Nate ArchiBALL | Comment on Havana Sandwich Shop heavily damaged by fire Read Havana Sandwich Shop heavily damaged by fire

I love Havana Sandwich. #17 con maduros sin frijoles. I certainly hope they are able to re-open. I wish Debbie and the crew all the best.

... read the full comment by David | Comment on Havana Sandwich Shop heavily damaged by fire Read Havana Sandwich Shop heavily damaged by fire

ihorizon So sorry to hear about the fire!!!! I’m shocked. When we used to work at the BellSouth Lenox location, my coworker friends and I would drive over to the Havana Sandwich Shop and order up the yellow rice, black beans with ham sandwich. Unfortunately

... read the full comment by ihorizon | Comment on Havana Sandwich Shop heavily damaged by fire Read Havana Sandwich Shop heavily damaged by fire

My father introduced me to the Havana Sandwich shop 3 years ago when I first came out of surgery for a kidney transplant. Since then, it’s been our special “father-daughter” weekend lunch stop. About 2 months ago I moved to Texas to attend

... read the full comment by Jessica | Comment on Havana Sandwich Shop heavily damaged by fire Read Havana Sandwich Shop heavily damaged by fire

How real an Atlanta housewife are you?

Bravo, the channel that gave us “Project Runway,” has a new show debuting Tuesday: “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” a soapy “reality” (cough, cough) series about five very well-off women who live in the northern suburbs.

One lives in a country club and is married to an NFL player, one lives in a country club and is trying to launch a career as a singer … you get the idea.

These shows are all in fun, but we thought it would also be fun to gather a group of REAL real housewives of Atlanta for a viewing party to react to “The Real Housewives.”

We’re looking for housewives, stay-at-home moms, call ‘em what you will, from all income brackets, of all races, from all geographic points in the metro area.

We want to know: What makes you a real housewife?

Make sure you use a real email address! I will contact some submitters and arrange for the viewing party.

Permalink | Comments (54) | Post your comment |

Havana Sandwich Shop heavily damaged by fire

The Havana Sandwich Shop, which filled diners’ cravings for pressed sandwiches for more than three decades, was severely damaged by fire.

The small, bright yellow cinder block building on Buford Highway was strictly no frills dining with some of the best homestyle Cuban food around. Customers placed their orders at the counter, then waited at small tables for their numbers to be called.

Debbie Benedit, her late husband, Eddie, and his father and brothers opened the sandwich shop in 1976. The Benedits came to the United States from Cuba in the early 1960s, according to an article on ajc.com.

Are you a big Havana Sandwich Shop fan? Where will you get your Cuban food fix until it, hopefully, reopens?

Permalink | Comments (84) | Post your comment |

Bank changes continue to evolve

Wells Fargo & Co. and Wachovia became the latest financial players to strike a deal.

Wachovia said it agreed to be acquired by Wells Fargo in a $15.1 billion, all-stock deal, beating back rival Citigroup’s proposal to buy Wachovia’s banking operations, according to an AP article.

“The Wachovia-Wells deal, announced Friday, comes in a turbulent time for banks and financial firms as they grapple with the ongoing credit crisis, which led to the recent bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. and the failure of Washington Mutual Inc.,” the article stated. Earlier, JPMorgan Chase agreed to buy Washington Mutual.

In the near term, customers shouldn’t notice much difference, aside from getting new checks and ATM cards. Still, some consumer advocates worry about an eventual increase in fees, lower interest rates on deposits and the closing of unprofitable branches.

What are your concerns about the recent deals and the health your financial institutions?

Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment |

Bank changes continue to evolve

Wells Fargo & Co. and Wachovia became the latest financial players to strike a deal.

Wachovia said it agreed to be acquired by Wells Fargo in a $15.1 billion, all-stock deal, beating back rival Citigroup’s proposal to buy Wachovia’s banking operations, according to an AP article.

“The Wachovia-Wells deal, announced Friday, comes in a turbulent time for banks and financial firms as they grapple with the ongoing credit crisis, which led to the recent bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. and the failure of Washington Mutual Inc.,” the article stated. Earlier, JPMorgan Chase agreed to buy Washington Mutual.

In the near term, customers shouldn’t notice much difference, aside from getting new checks and ATM cards. Still, some consumer advocates worry about an eventual increase in fees, lower interest rates on deposits and the closing of unprofitable branches.

What are your concerns about the recent deals and the health your financial institutions?

Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment |