Veterans Return to Class—Not Just Older Northeast Georgians Filling Classrooms at Athens Technical College veterans to transfer benefits to dependents. Military veterans also are returning to And when state benefits such as school, thanks in part to a newly expanded the HOPE Grant and HOPE ScholarGI Bill that may provide the best veterans' ship factor in, veterans can earn almost benefits in history. as much by going to school as working. As with older students, veterans, even young ones, may return to school with strong work habits that can compensate for academic deficiencies. “Because of the training they've received, they're very straightforward and highly motivated,” said Greg Thomas, an instructor Scott Reed, right, and Jordan Wooten, an Iraq war veteran and corin Athens Tech's auto colliporal in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, repair dents on a Mazda MXsion repair program. 6 during a recent auto collision repair class at Athens Technical Two tours of duty in College. Photo credit: Richard Hamm Iraq helped change Jordan About 150 veterans or their depend- Wooten, a corporal in the U.S. Marine ents are using the GI Bill to attend Athens Corps Reserve. In Iraq, he learned a new attitude Tech; another 300 are at the University of Georgia and 132 at Gainesville State Col- about responsibilities, he said. lege. “Everything you do is a big accomVeterans can get not only tuition plishment. You're in charge of people's and fees, but a housing allowance lives,” said Wooten, 22, who finds himunder the GI Bill. New rules also allow self nowadays making friends with peoby Lee Shearer@onlineathens.com
AkzoNobel is Exclusive Paint Sponsor for the Allure of the Automobile Exhibition in Atlanta AkzoNobel Car Refinishes Americas announces that they will be the exclusive automotive paint sponsor for “The Allure of the Automobile”. The exhibition will present 18 of the world’s rarest and most brilliantly conceived cars ranging from the 1930’s to the mid-1960s, including masterpieces by Bugatti, Duesenberg, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Ferrari. The exhibition will be held March 21–June 20, 2010 at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Georgia. This exhibition is the first to focus on the stylistic development of the automobile. It is also the first of its type to correlate auto design with major design period movements such as Art Modern and Postwar Modernity. “AkzoNobel is pleased to have this unique opportunity,” commented Tim Loden, Director of Marketing for AkzoNobel Car Refinishes Americas. “Each of the cars that will be exhibited is a one-of-a-kind custom built design. Collectively these vehicles document a history of extraordinary advances in automotive styling and engineering. Their flawless quality represents the best of both European and American design. This exhibit is a story that reflects a passion for perfection…a passion that AkzoNobel shares.”
In addition to AkzoNobel other key sponsors include Porsche Cars North America, Auto Trader Classics, Manheim, and NAPA. The exhibitions guest curator is Ken Gross, writer, automotive historian and former executive director of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. Ron Labaco, the High Museum’s curator of decorative arts and design, is the managing curator. The exhibition will be accompanied by a full-color catalog.
Kaizen Assembly Launches LEAN Auto Body Webinar Series
Kaizen Assembly has announced the LEAN Auto Body Webinar Series—a 4-course live online seminar training series specific for the auto collision repair industry. Conducted by Chris Ortiz, this series provides a hands on approach to lean auto body. “This webinar series will allow body shop owners and their staff to take advantage of our lean auto body seminars and eliminate the cost of travel,” says President Chris Ortiz. The webinar series can be an ongoing schedule or can be scheduled for one specific company. Contact patriciabrunhirl @kaizenassembly.com or 360-715-2129.
34 MARCH 2010 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
ple older than he. His military service has created a kind of gulf between Wooten and many people his age, who are more interested in partying than studying, said Wooten, who lives in Farmington. “I got that out of my system a long time ago,” he said. Kelley Smith of Athens, a classmate in the auto collision repair program, also learned new habits while serving in the U.S. Navy. “Everything you do has a purpose,” said Smith, 33. “Here, you might go home and turn on some crappy TV show.” College not only is the place to get training for a future career, but a good way to re-enter the nonmilitary world, Wooten said. “The civilian world is a different world. You have to adjust to it, and college is the best place to do it,” he said.
Reprinted with the kind permission of the Athens Banner-Herald. Originally published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Sunday, February 21, 2010.
www.autobodynews.com CHECK IT OUT!
EPA Sets New NO2 Standard
EPAhas tightened the one-hour standard for measuring emissions of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), but left the annual standard unchanged. The long-term exposure remains at a maximum of 53 parts per billion (ppb) while an acceptable short-term exposure limit is now 100 parts per billion. Short-term concentrations of NO2 were previously allowed to range from 100–200 ppb. The EPA believes NO2 exposure has been linked to respiratory problems. The primary manmade sources for NO2 are motor vehicles, coal-burning power plants and factories.According to the EPA, concentrations of nitrogen dioxide dropped 41% between 1980 and 2006. The agency will now, however, require more monitors along busy roads and in large urban areas by 2013. It will then collect data for several years to determine which areas are not in compliance with the new standard and whether additional steps are necessary.
Toyota Vulnerable to Conquests
Buyers who would have looked at Toyota vehicles are now considering other brands after the automaker's series of safety recalls. Analysts from Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds.com and J.D. Power say Ford, Honda, Hyundai and Chevrolet are grabbing Toyota customers, based on sales tracking data and surveys on their Web sites. Mazda, Subaru and Volkswagen are also getting upticks in buyer interest.