Space is limited. To reserve a place or to get more information, call BIYC at 329-9642, send e-mail to summer@bigislandyoga.com or visit www.bigislandyoga.com.
GM pushing for fuel-cell powered vehicles
General Motors will likely have vehicles powered by fuel cells in showrooms by 2012, an executive said, giving a target more aggressive than other automakers working on similar technology, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Larry Burns, GM’s vice president of research and development, said he was unsure of how many of the vehicles would be produced initially.
“I don’t know how many of them we’ll make at the time, but we should have them in showrooms by early next decade, around 2011 or 2012,” Burns said. “Post-2012, the goal is to ramp up production to about a million vehicles a year, worldwide.”
Burns spoke to reporters in Tarrytown, N.Y., after having driven the fuel-cell powered Chevrolet Sequel 300 miles on one tank of hydrogen.
The Chevrolet Sequel, a sport utility vehicle with a tank that can carry the equivalent of 16 gallons of gasoline, is powered with lithium-ion batteries.
Burns said the major challenges in bringing fuel-cell vehicles to mass production include further development of lithium-ion batteries, lowering the cost of the technology and building infrastructure for fueling the vehicles.
The automaker is also working on an electric vehicle, called the Chevrolet Volt, with a production target of 2009.
Waimea academy offers driver’s education course
Marlin Driving Academy is offering a driver education course in Waikoloa starting July 30. The course runs from July 30 through Aug. 31 at Waikoloa Elementary School. Classes are scheduled for 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
A mandatory parent meeting is slated for 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. July 26 in the Waikoloa Elementary School library conference room. Parents must attend the meeting prior to the start of the course, in order to complete registration forms and review course requirements.
The course is open to students ages 151/2 and older. The course includes 30 hours of classroom instruction plus six hours of behind-the-wheel driving time to be scheduled in September through November, after the completion of classroom instruction. The course covers rules of the road, driving safety and how to handle real-life driving situations. Students must have a valid Hawaii Learner’s Permit in order to drive.
All classes are taught by Marc Boucher, state Department of Transportation certified instructor. Boucher has been teaching driver education classes in the Waikoloa and Waimea communities for the past five years.
Phone 885-1255 or e-mail marlindriving@gmail.com for more information and to register.
Kona Stories lists visits by authors
Frances Oman speaks at 6 p.m. Friday at Kona Stories. Oman’s new book, “Coloring Outside the Box,” has just been released. She will be on this island only for a few days, and Kona Stories will host her for a free evening of inspirational speaking.
Kona Stories continues with its weekend author events at 1 p.m. Saturday. Jack Weber will be back reading poetry from his new book on “Holistic Healing.” Mia Hawkins, author of the new keiki book “The United Provinces of Twelve Months,” will be there for a book signing.
Francene Hart will be giving her third workshop on Sacred Geometry. This month, she will explore “Cosmic Volumes,” more often named the Platonic Solids. She will also discuss theories surrounding the “Earth Grid.” The class will construct and illuminate some of these building blocks of Sacred Geometry and “feel” how they affect people. No math or art experience is needed. Materials are included. Pre-register at Kona Stories by calling 324-0350. Space is limited. The cost is $35.
Keiki Storytime is at 10:30 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday at the book store.
Kona Stories is in Kainaliu in Mango Court next to Evie’s.
Mirra teaching workshop at yoga center
The Big Island Yoga Center invites the public to join Mirra as she leads a three-evening meditation workshop from 5 to 8 p.m. June 28 through 30 at the center’s studio in Kealakekua.
Founder of “Transformative Spirituality” — a heart-centered, active meditation — Mirra has taught meditation workshops here in Kona, at the studio she owns with her husband Aadil Palkhivala in Bellevue, Wash., and throughout the mainland U.S. and Europe.
Space is limited. To reserve a place or to get more information, call BIYC at 329-9642, send e-mail to summer@bigislandyoga.com or visit www.bigislandyoga.com.