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Ideas to Help Make Our Entrance More Welcoming?
Good Questions
Q: Help! We have a plain entrance that needs love on a very limited budget. The outer door hopefully will be painted, but what do I do to the painted metal flashing around the door? (Up close it's rippling and old and quite unprofessional looking). We recently purchased this home and love it to pieces — it's our first house! I'm just so disheartened by the exterior.
The blue siding is NOT my first choice, and the windows are plain without shutters. I really want the front to pop and just scream "hey come over — really, we love everyone!" The steps need to be replaced and, we are toying with a bit of a porch before entering the sun porch. It just seems so thrown together without care or effort.
Editor: Leave your suggestions for Ainsley in the comments — thanks!
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54 Comments
I see many houses in my neighborhood like this. At some point the owner got sick of taking care of the wood molding and wood siding and decided to wrap the whole house in vinyl and sheet metal. I have a house from the same period and have been debating the vinyl wrap versus spending more money on repairing the woodwork and installing cement board siding. These houses have so much character under their plastic suits and I don't have the heart to cover mine.
If you are feeling brave, take the sheet metal down and you'll see turn of the century woodwork as part of the former front porch. If you do so you'll need to update the flashing at those porch windows.
I think you'll hear this again and again but I agree, a bright-coloured door! Red or yellow! A couple hanging planters with geraniums or other bright flowers, hanging from the roof? And yes, a window box under the big window on the left.
Cute house! 'After' pics please! :)
Ooo and maybe some funky house numbers?
Ohhh... it's such a cute house.
We had the same problem with our house (didn't like the colors, siding, etc..). Instead of investing in a totally redo, we repainted the trim, door, built shutters and did some minor replanting. It looks 500 times better (at least I think so), and it didn't cost too much.
Certainly down the line we may redo the whole front, but minor changes make a huge difference for us. So I would hold of on the major changes (porch, etc..) and focus on the small changes. They will make a huge difference, fit in with your budget, and you can see what you like.
On colors... I think a yellow door to play off of the foilage near your front door, and maybe some window boxes (looks like someone else thought the same).
And I love your house. It has great massing - I fantasize about replacing your siding and replacing that living room window with something more in charcter with the period of your house. But I definitely understand the budget issue and the patience you need to have with an old house.
Congratulations on your house and the super-cute doggie peaking through the window!
I would replace the steps and the mailbox and paint the front door a fun + contrasting color (a warm orange, or deep purple, or chestnut brown, or electric blue) for now. Get some cute curtains, spruce up the plantings (maybe some colorful planters?) and see how you feel. The trim looks ok in the pictures and from the road. Once you start replacing the trim around the door, you'll want to do it around the windows, and then the siding won't look right... With my house, I'd rather live with a not-so-perfect situation for a while and save the money to make it really nice rather than spending money I don't have on an ok fix.
Putting a roof over the door is an excellent idea. I think it would look a little awkward just over the door though, so I would suggest adding an open porch to the left of the existing one. It could be small and extend just to that big window, or it could span the whole front of the house. You would walk up the steps to the left of where the door is right now, and the door would be moved to the side wall (If that makes sense). That's a bigger project, I know, something to plan for in the future :-)
You can replace the painted metal for a little money, I think. It doesn't seem to be an issue of structure, more like casing for the door. I agree with Medusa; paint that door yellow! It'll really work with the blue.
I also suggest a good powerwashing because you can literally and figuratively wash away the previous owners' neglect.
I've been struggling with the same question. I already put a big pot on my stoop with flowers and a flower box along the window. Took a total of two hours, was inexpensive and it already makes me happier to come home. I agree, a red or yellow door would look nice. Also, change the lighting fixture. That can be done inexpensively as well. Good luck!
Depending on what year this house is from, a wall-mounted outdoor light from Schoolhouse Electric would be nice.
Looks like you don't have room for a pot on the stoop, so a hanging flower basket on the left hand side. If you paint the door red, maybe a matching red mailbox??
My advice is to enjoy the vinyl siding! Sounds weird, but after having vinyl for many years I came to appreciate how easy it is. Unlike aluminum, it is not recyclable, so you can pat yourself on the back for "saving the Earth" if you leave it in place -- plus enjoy never needing to paint! If it is really dirty you might need to pressure-wash, but after that rinsing with the hose will probably be sufficient.
On our plain-jane vinyl-clad Cape Cod, we spruced up by:
changing out the front door (painting yours would be good enough; our old one was a plain slab)
installing a new light
painting the porch railings
getting new house numbers
putting a flowerpot on the stoop
putting out a cute doormat (can be challenging to find something nice that can take an exposed spot like that; we used the black rubber type that imitates wrought iron)
For you, I'd suggest the above plus painting the steps and adding shutters to only the teeny upstairs window. The other windows are too close together (upstairs) and too large (downstairs) for shutters to look natural. You could also replace your doorbell with a decorative one if you want to get very detailed. Oh, and I'd just yank out that overgrown sculpted shrub.
This is what I would do: Paint the door yellow, paint the porch steps, put up window boxes with colorful blooms, add shutters to the windows, clean up the landscaping and add a nice outdoor light in place of the old one. It will make an enormous difference. Congratulations! It's a wonderful house.
I wouldn't power wash a frame house from that period. Power washing pushes the water where it really isn't supposed to go and with the wood as old as it is on your house, you don't know what kind of problems it might cause.
Hi -- your entry has so much potential! Lots of simple ideas, that should be reasonably affordable and done as you go.
Window boxes across the front -- flowing vines and pops of red or orange (mums for the fall?). Maybe a matching box on the window to the left of the door too. Leave the white trim around .
Paint the front door. I am leaning toward matte black - to accent black window boxes under the windows.
Paint the steps. White is very clean. Put a pot of flowers on the second step. A matte black pot.
Get a great welcome mat. Something fun with a pop of color.
Consider new a new railings with banisters.
Get a fabulous porch light. Something with character. I'd love to see something like: http://remodelista.com/img/sub/barnlightelectricsconce81.jpg
New house numbers. Stack them vertically to the right of the door. Larger than what you have now. Make a statement with them. Select the same metal finish as your new porch light. If you want to make an investment, consider a custom placque with your address on it. I'd hang it on the door. Something like this: http://www.signaturehardware.com/product5682
Add an iron bracket to the left of the door (pointing toward the left of the picture not out), close to the roof line. Get a great hanging basket of flowers, ones that really flow and hang. For the holidays, I add a grapevine ball and white lights to give my empty baskets some life.
I am sure someone will kick me on AT, but I think wreaths are very welcoming. Not something funky, something natural and simple - just below the window on the door.
I'd like to see you do more with your landscape too. Get rid of that giant bush to the left of the steps. It's just a mound of unfriendly green. It's hard to tell what kind of sunlight you have, but a perrenial English garden would soften your entrance. Soft informal plants, taller closer to the house, and smaller as you get closer to the path.
Hope this helps. I'd love to see your "after" pictures.
Since I live in a place (large properties set away from the road, often gated) where homes scream, "Hey, get away, we like our privacy and we don't love everyone", I found this post very sweet.
That is a very powdery pastel blue. I would suggest staying in the blue to green range for the door, and go for a saturated color...but not a primary. Benjamin Moore Nile Blue or Adriatic Sea (a rich midnight blue), or into the teal greens with BM Baltic Sea or Stained Glass. For a younger look, a slightly muted grape purple (BM Pinot Grigio Grape), but that depends on how color conservative your neighborhood is.
I suggest replacing your rickety stair railings, for safety.
Delving behind flashing and siding can be the start of a nightmare of expense and frustration. If your home is watertight and you see no signs of termite damage, rot, or other pressing problems, you might be wise to wait until you have enough money to cover the contingencies.
Your home is beautiful.
I vote for a yellow door! I think that would be so pretty with your blue siding (even though you didn't pick the blue)! I think it'd make your house look very happy and welcoming. Young House Love used a pretty color: http://www.younghouselove.com/2011/08/old-yeller/
They also spray painted their door hardware which is a simple, cheap fix, if you were interested in that. And this may look weird/not be possible, but are the window panes on your front door removeable? The porportions don't match the windows on your house and it might look better completely open.
I'd also try to move the light fixture to the side of the door and pick another fixture that is more unique and pretty. And move the house numbers to above the door. That's completely personal preference though. I agree with putting a flower box under the large window & trimming the boxwood. Very cute house!!
Cute house, even before you do anything. But since you need to replace the stairs, you could make them more welcoming by broadening them as they go down toward the yard. Then the banisters 'embrace' your guests. I'd also add a great hanging chime or sculpture to the left of the door, and put the house numbers vertically on the right side of the door.
Another vote for the yellow door! New numbers and a new light are also relatively cheap ways to spruce it up. I'd also change the curtains in the front windows. Something white might be nice.
Oh and for what it's worth - since you're considering a porch infront of the sun porch. I think it'd be worth considering a patio area (concrete or stone pavers) on the ground level infront of the sunporch with a couple of chairs and maybe a cafe table/stool right there. Seems like an easier/cheaper DIY effort. You could have a couple potted plants there or hang a planter from your porch roof.
A whimsical doorbell never hurt either....
Painting the front door, as you said, is a must. I like the idea of orange--it's said to increase enthusiasm and creativity. I love your idea of adding a "bit of a porch"--consider having the steps go all the way across. You could adorn them with potted flowers or stencil the kick plate with an inviting quote. Your instincts are right about the hodge-podge-iness of it. Your home's 'jewelry' --the light, the mailbox, the house numbers--should be more cohesive. Remember. Just because the numbers are where they are doesn't mean they have to stay there. Same goes for the mailbox.
misspoke there--I meant riser not kick plate
Adding to previous...on the porch-before-the-porch idea, you don't want to cover that wonderful flare at the bottom corners of your sun porch. I can see making the entry landing deeper, but I wouldn't widen it. If you can afford it, changing the stairs and landing to brick or stone would give weight to the entryway. Definitely chose a railing in proportion to the framing of the door -- i.e., two to three times the width of your current railings.
Add some thick trim around the windows and paint like this: http://i.imgur.com/Bppeb.jpg
420 is my birthday. your house is awesome for that alone.
Hey, hey! Ho, ho! That giant boxwood's got to go!
The sun porch is great! I think you are right - one of the biggest turn-offs are the front stairs. They are underproportioned. Widening them into a shallow porch might work but deepening them and giving them more substantial banisters seems to me the most important thing. It would be much more practical and inviting if you can actually put down shopping bags to get our the keys (a little bench might be nice for that if you widen the porch) and stand at the entrance with more than one person at the time. If they are deeper and wider, you can add a flower pot or ornament if you want.
If you extend the porch infront of the sun porch, the current planting bed would also move, which I think would be good. The plants are too close to wall right now and look almost scared :-).
When you paint the door (I am an orange fan, but a yellow would work too), consider painting a frame in a dark color around it. I assume that would be the metal parts you mentioned. I can't tell from the pics if it's possible, but it would look best if you could frame the windows then in the same colors.
Also, it would pull the front of the house together if you coordinate the curtains for the porch and other downstairs windows in a color that coordinates with your new door color.
Good luck!
I would remove that single light over the door, and opt for one or two on the side of the door. You could also add columns of some sort coming from the porch to the roof on either side.
Have you thought about narrow trellis on the side of the door with a plant growing up it? Plants would soften the look my making it more natural.
If you redo the stairs, I would elongate the tread length, so a person would feel they have more real-estate when standing on them. You may also get appliqué embellishments for the risers of the stairs (something filigree) to add a touch of artfulness. Depending on your budget I would have your steps taper out at the bottom (wider at the bottom than the top). It would give the illusion that it is longer leading up to your house, and help break up the 'boxy' look.
You also may consider getting a rounded wood plaque with your house number above your door. It would help add something in that empty space that softens the starkness.
I agree with HHRI - I would paint the front door bright red, reddish orange or deep purple. Personally, I dislike the 'true and tried' combos like blue and yellow but then I am not a fan of yellow in general.
Congrats on your house - it very charming, including the doggie in the enclosed front porch. That must be an awesome room for reading or having coffee.
You could spiff up the plain flashing around the door with some trim but it might be better to just glue it on with strong construction adhesive rather than putting nail holes in the flashing. I like the basic proportions, wouldn't get too out of control with an additional front porch but it's better to have more of a stoop at the top rather than just steps right to the door. You could also add a small slightly gingerbreadish detail in the peak above the two front windows.
I just love your question! I love how you are trying to make your house more welcoming. (You are already doing great with your beagle!)
You are almost there...
With respect to shutters on your windows: they would not be found on a house such as yours, so don't add them. You can do other things to make the facade more lively and fun.
With respect to the windows: the only window which is not appropriate to the style and vintage of your house is the vinyl picture windows with two side lights on the left. originally, you would have had either a plane large picture window, or two double-hung windows. The vinyl clad window really clashes with the rest of your house, and so if I were you, I would be thinking about how I could change it one day. At this point, the easiest option would be a simple picture window framed in wood to fit the space. It can wait, but it would make the world of difference.
Now... on to making your house more welcoming.
First off, the most welcoming thing you could add are big overstuffed window boxes under at least the windows by your front door; if you feel more ambitious, you could put window boxes under all accessible windows (i.e., the ones on the left side). You could change them with the seasons. You would need to relocate your mailbox.
Next, the front door. Basically, it is like the substitute picture window -- not an appropriate historic or stylistic fit. You could try painting it a strong color (a shade of red fore example), but the best thing would be to try to find a reclaimed wood door which fits the opening and has an attractive glass insert. Something along these lines:
The "before" door on the left in this example:
Nothing too ornate, but a nice bright or rich colour made of wood and glass.
I'd give the front steps and railings (perhaps beef up the railings) a fresh coat of paint, and cover the steps with an outdoor sisal runner, installed so as to not be slippery.
Good luck! You have a lovely home!
Instead of making that front porch bigger (which was tacked on at some point), consider turning the sunroom back into the front porch as the house was originally intended. That will take care of that door problem and give you a real functioning Victorian front porch.
Great potential! I agree on a new light, even home depot would have some good options for this style house. I would go for a muted, not bright door color. Maybe red. New more simple numbers, put them on vertically instead of diagonally. New paint on the steps and railing. Window boxes can be expensive and more maintenance, I would redo the foundation plantings- either go with a repeated single variety (like smaller boxwoods and or lavender) or go crazy with naturalistic gardening- prairie flowers and beautiful grasses. Just commit to a garden style and go hard in that direction.
First, decide whether or not you will ever want to commit to removing the vinyl siding and metal flashing. If removal is NEVER going to be an option then power wash and paint (do not bother power washing or painting if you plan on removing the vinyl.
If even power washing and painting is not currently in the budget then paint the door a nice colonial deep red. I think the yellow would give you more of a country feel so if that's your style then go with yellow.
After that consider removing the boxwood and wrapping the porch around so that extends past the large window. This will give that welcoming feel you were talking about.
Please, please whatever you do do not put those stock shutters that are nailed to the house and could never cover the window even if they were functional. Those are a curb appeal crime.
I'm sure everyone here has a lot more valuable/well thought/harder to implement advice, but my immediate reaction is that I would paint the door a, attention-grabbing sort of color, with panes in an accent color. It might be difficult to mesh this with the rest of the house, but I am looking at it and thinking dark navy blue with white or light teal pane, then adding some big brass hardware. That's just me, though.
paint the door and under part of the overhang a deep navy blue. get an inexpensive barnyard-style down light ($45ish at home depot) and hang a bright yellow wreath over the window.
ps—cute doggie!
here's a link for a quick and dirty photoshop mock of the navy door, overhang idea.
let us know what you decide!
We just bought a similar home and had some of the same issues. Most of our attention (and redecorating budget) went to the interior, so we had to be creative with the exterior until we can afford a more substantial re-do. I would suggest repainting the front door and/or the front steps, adding some bright flowering potted plants, and replacing the house numbers. You could also paint the mailbox in a color that matches whatever you paint the door. We found that making just a few inexpensive changes made a huge difference!
I love the red door idea and window box. I would brighten the stairs with a fresh coat of white paint, take that large shrub out and plant some nice flowering hedges, or non flowering if it's too much, along the left front instead. You could put a cool bird bath in place of the big shrub by the stair.
Something that may have been overlooked, add thin wood strips to the inside of the porch windows to give the illusion that each glass pane is smaller, similar to what is happening with the door window. This will provide more pattern and unify the look. Second purchase new house numbers, align them in a vertical format and install them on the other side of the door. Move the mailbox underneath of them but not too close. Of course, paint the door. I would choose a dark color to give contrast to the rest of the house. Those are simple fixes but if your budget allows it, replace that door with something less contractor grade.
Good luck!
Also, a new porch light is needed for sure. Don't be afraid to go big or bold. Buy a few styles, install them and take photos. Determine which one you like best and return the others.
While changing the color of the door will definitely add to the appeal, it will not get rid of your problem. It will only make it a more colorful problem. Go to the library and look at houses that you think have wonderful entrances. The one thing that you'll notice is that a good entrance functions as the focal point for the exterior of the house. That means it is the most important feature and that other features frame it, point to it, lead to it. bracket it and highlight it. Think of the door as the end of a runway. The details point the way in and it makes you feel welcome. The actual problem is that your door is not a focal point at all. It is no more important than the windows. In fact, the windows seem to have greater prominence, leaving the door as a poor afterthought hanging off the edge of the wall. Fixing it is easy. Fixing it on a budget is harder. I'm in favor of peeling off the cladding around the door to see what you have on the wood underneath. That may be the best way, but it is financially risky as you have no idea what is under it. Whatever you do, you need to highlight the door as a major part of the design. How? 1) frame or bracket it. Install either half columns or wide, and I do mean wide, trim to the wall beside the door but at least maybe six inches away from it and not touching it.. This can be as simple and cheap as buying 1 x 8's from the local box store and installing them flat beside the door Use trim to fancy up both the top and the bottom to give the look of a stylized flat column. Even better would be to spring for wide trim pieces in place of the 1 x 8 and still trim out the top and bottom. 2) You need to crown it somehow. Ever wonder why an awful lot of doors that are not on porches have a bump, arch, or peak in the roof right above it? They do that to crown the door. Bumping up the roof with a dormer type peak above the door would match your house roof line beautifully, but may be too expensive to contemplate. Leaving the roof alone, you can crown the door with applied molding forming a rectangle or an arch above the door. Paint the inside of the shape for instant pop. Not nearly as good as fooling with the roof, but not a bad compromise that will not affect the structure of the house and can be gotten rid of or redone when the mood hits. You can do it around the light. 3) Point the way in. I saved one of the biggest design sins for last. I'm sorry, but the stairs and especially the railings will have to go if you want a welcoming entrance. A straight run of stairs that is only a little wider than the door is a major no-no. Again, you don't have to pop for a grand sweeping entrance. Just making a graduated stair case with the bottom stair wide, the middle stair less wide and the top stair still smaller will be enough to add importance to the door and point the way in. Going up the scale in terms of expense, adding even a small, 3 foot deep landing in front of the door would make a big difference in how the door looks and functions. It will not only add importance, but give one or two guest a welcoming place to stand while they wait for you to open the door. Don't get me wrong, even length runs of stairs are ok as long as it is substantially wider than the door but you don't have room to go much wider. before you extend past the end of the porch. You can consider curved steps, decks and other embellishments that cost more, but the stairs have to go if you want a welcoming entrance. I wish that I had a cheap alternative to replacing the rails, but I don't know of any. Lumbar from the box store will not do it. Unless someone else can make a suggestion, you need to spring for premade rails. Anything else is going to look amaturish. Congratulations on the new house and good luck.
I like a black door because the door is your Mouth of Ch'i and on your house it's located in the center Career position. Black or dark charcoal. Then add black windowboxes as others have mentioned with some deep purple pansies or other dark blue flowers.
HGTV featured this door in their email the other day: http://hgtv.sndimg.com/HGTV/2010/04/15/HCRB102_yellow-front-door_s4x3_lg.jpg
It's a-door-able. (I couldn't resist.) I'm sort of over red doors, so I vote for a daffodil yellow or a burnished gold color. Just make sure you're not clashing with the tone of your house color - I would say mellow your yellow to keep from making your house color feel washed out and old. Good luck!
Paint the door a slightly metallic blue-green tinted black. Barring that, I'd go natural and get a reclaimed wooden door.
I've always wanted to get one of those old school red mailboxes that say "post."
Oh my gosh folks!
it was such a wonderful surprise to come home to all of your wonderful and well thought out ideas! we are over the hill that this post even made it onto the site. ok, ok, ok.
i have managed to finally explain the problem with the front steps to my partner and we are going to do a widened step at the door as well as have the steps taper out. they will be painted (white or grey- we have a saying in this house" if something is not right, paint it white)
there will be not one but two lights in the hanging bell shape type- i'm not sure the technical term.
the door will be painted some wonderful shade (I painted the interior door- to our actual house, a golden yellow a few weeks ago!)
ALSO... thank you for disliking that boxwood (we refer to it as 'george bush' there are a lot of jokes around the conservative neighbor loving it, and my utter disgust of that horrible shrub!) it's hideous and i only kept it because of the mass amounts of bees that inhabit it. if you can believe i cut it in half in the spring.
i just really wanted to thank everyone for the excellent suggestions. also for the time spent drawing and Photoshopping ideas!
and if you're ever in the neighborhood stop by to pet the pup. she's the sweetest thing.
moon not hill. being over the hill is something else entirely.
Citrus Blast BenjMoore paint for the door. Cloudy Sky or Kitty Gray for the steps. The rails should be white like the trim. Get a good light fixture - maybe the Vintage Barn Sconce from Restoration Hardware. New house numbers and a good mailbox that adds a little punch. Trim up the boxwood, put matching flower pots on either side of the steps. Very cute house.
Ok, I love the posting community here. You guys are awesome, thoughtful, creative, encouraging. Photoshop pictures, actual paint chip colors...so cool. Thank you.
I would put plantings along the front walk that give you the sense of being in a garden. Depending on the length of the wall and distance from that tree coming across the front, you could plant 2 small shaped topiary size trees on either side of the walk. Then fill in along the walk with looser plantings like grasses, sedum or other zone appropriate plants. The spiky foundation plants in the photos aren't what I would like. Ligularia desdemona (bigleaf goldenray, big dark green purple leaves provide excellent folliage and it has golden yellow flowers) or baptisia (false indigo; airy shrub with pretty blue flowers in early summer that develop into purplely seed pods that look nice in the winter) are two of my favorites.
That big window is going to look a little naked when the big shrub goes because the current plantings are so small. Any chance you want to put a seating area there? We snagged a beautiful picnic table from a neighbor and put it in our front yard. Having a place to sit is very inviting.
ok everyone, so far this is what i have gotten done on my one day off this week.
(also we are searching high and low for a barn style light in brushed nickel or pewter. And though we really really want/ need to redo the stairs it's not going to happen for a bit.)
painted the door, re-purposed existing flowers and moved plants around in the beds.
cut down that horrible bush!
removed a bit of the flashing to expose beautiful wood work that we are going to slowly restore once we find the perfect light fixture.
thanks again for all you advice. seriously the best feeling walking up the path to our house!
Very nice!
Doing things like painting the door and steps, adding light fixtures and numbers may help in the short run...but I would not spend the money to rebuild the steps just yet. (And you may not want to paint the steps white or a light color - hard to keep clean.) You may like the sunporch, but it looked to me, as someone noted above, like it used to be an open porch. I can't imagine this house was built this way, and that is why the front looks just wrong, and won't ever look right until restored to something like its original structural integrity, that is, with a porch instead of a sunporch. I'm not saying you need to commit to this expensive project now, but realize that as you live in this house for a few years, and see others around the area, you are going to begin to have an eye for what is the original style of these houses, and which ones thus look good (and are worth more) because they haven't been muddled with (or have been restored to something that looks like their original integral structure if they have been muddled with in the past.) When you start to get this, you may realize that your rebuilt wider tapering steps just don't look right, either, and want to tear them off when you redo the porch. I think you'd be better off looking at houses, figuring what looks better than what you have, and give up on ideas like putting a porch outside a porch that has been turned into a sunporch ... it just won't look right. Besides, eventually changing it back to an open porch in front would be not only better looking, it would be more welcoming and increase curb appeal, and give you a seasonal outdoor sitting room that is up, not at ground level like a patio would be. (If you need the sunroom type space for mudroom type purposes, think about adding on at the back.) Start thinking about how you would like to restore your home to look more like it did originally, as that will increase its value as well as its aesthetic. Figure out, perhaps by talking to local workers who have restored houses with porches you like, how you might design the porch, what sort of steps it originally had, and what looks appropriate. Then save for that, and don't spend a lot on rebuilding now.
Agree that the trim, all of it, would look better painted a darker color, a darker blue, a teal, or a purple. Perhaps with a second trim color for the door or some of the trim around the sunporch windows in the meantime. Think victorian color combinatioins when choosing - use darker colors, since your blue is light. You can look up specific color combinations appropriate to the era of the house. Don't think yellow or red is best with it. Also agree a long window box on the left, and perhaps one on the window above that. No shutters.
And, when you learn what the house originally looked like, I'm guessing that you will find that the steps to the porch where in the center of the porch, not on the side of the (now enclosed) porch where they are now. I think they look lopsided where they are, and that they were probably in the middle of the porch. I think that whatever you do, your house will look lopsided with that sunporch, and will not look right in front until you restore the structure to its original shape.
I love the painted door idea. I think it is a fun and super simple thing that you can do that makes things look young, fun and artsy. I just finished renovating my place last year and built a small business because of the need for address numbers. Not sure if you are into the mid century or modern look but have a look and let me know what you think, www.modernaddressdesign.com. Otherwise, highighting the railing might help. Another idea would be to build a brick planter or a small wooden planter with some bright flowers.
Choose some fragrant plants. Rosemary smells great thoughout the year. Alternatively a climber like jasmine smells great at night. What could be more welcoming...


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The State of Indiana, Department of Administration, Aviation Division is accepting sealed bids on the following two helicopters:
Lot 1 1979 Bell Helicopter 206B-3, serial# 2812; TSN: 11,046.7. Last flight 7/31/2012. Rolls Royce 250-C20B; MAC 1700 NavCom, Kt 76A transponder, Air Com Systems ACS 300 Audio Panel, Garmin 196 GPS. Minimum bid: $165,000.00.
Lot 2 1988 Bell helicopter 206B-3, serial# 4033; TSN: 3473.8. Last flight 7/11/2012. Rolls Royce 250-C20B; King KX 155 Nav/Com, Bendix/Kinig KMA 24H intercom, WX-950 Stormscope, King KT76A transponder, KY 196 Com, Garmin 396 GPS. Minimum bid: $285,000.00.
Both aircraft were utilized by State Police for law enforcement activities. Both aircraft and records will be viewed by appointment only between 8am-4:30pm Monday through Friday from August 11, 2014 to August 29, 2014.
They are located at 6700 Pierson Drive, Indianapolis, Indiana. Please contact David Ruegsegger at 317-694-3271 or email at email@example.com for info or scheduling an appointment.
Both aircraft will need to be removed from the location within fourteen days from the date of the successful bidder(s) award letter unless extension is granted by the Indiana Department of Administration.
Both aircraft are being sold "As Is", Where Is"; No demonstration flights.
Bidders must submit a payment for 10% of their bid with the bid packet. Bidders must submit payment in the form of a cashier's check(s), certified check(s) or money order(s) made payable to the State of Indiana.
The successful bidder(s) must pay the 90% balance due within seven days of the date of the award letter. The aircraft cannot be removed until balance is paid.
Bids must be submitted on a State Surplus Bid Form, along with a non-collusion statement (included on the bid form) and mailed in an envelope to State Surplus, 601 W. McCarty Street, Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46225. You must clearly print the sale number and bid due date on the outside of the envelope as bids are not able to be opened until after the bid due date and time. The bid sheet is attached at the bottom of this page. Award decisions will not be made on the bid opening date. The State of Indiana has ten (10) working days after the bid opening date to make those decisions. Once the award decisions have been made the results will be publicly posted in the lobby at 601 W. McCarty Street, Indianapolis. All bidders will be notified by mail.
Sealed bids must be received before 2:00PM on Thursday, September 4, 2014 at 601 W. McCarty Street, Suite 100, Indianapolis. Any bids received after the designated time for any reason will be returned to the bidder. Once a bid has been opened and read, it cannot be withdrawn.
The State of Indiana, by this invitation, does not hold itself out as a merchant in the ordinary course of selling such property, and expressly disclaims any warranties, expressed or implied, as to its merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Any and all such property shall be sold on an "as is" basis, with award to the best and highest bidder.
The State of Indiana reserves the right to reject any and all bids.
Please note: Please be sure to put the sale number (1-14/15DOA) and the bid due date (9/4/2014) on the outside of your envelope.

subset: commoncrawl


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Comics, Conventions, and Harassment: A Personal Promise
My name is Rachel Edidin. I'm a freelance editor and writer, and an almost-eight-year veteran of the comics industry. I write and speak a lot about feminist issues, especially as related to harassment in the comics community and geek culture.
As a result, over the years, an ever-increasing number of people have contacted me about harassment or abuse they've experienced at conventions or the larger comics community. And always, I wish there were more I could do. I can't keep everyone safe; I can't singlehandedly change the culture in the ways it needs to change. I'm trying to work out the legal and ethical ramifications of publishing anonymous reports on behalf of victims, but that's a long and tangled process. I'm working, with colleagues, on long-term investigative reporting related to this stuff, but that, again, is long-term.
So, here's what I can offer NOW:
I attend a lot of conventions; usually as a professional or press.
This is what I look like. The exact cut and color of my hair changes frequently, but it's always on the short side, and usually vaguely along these lines:
While I'm not currently doing any work in that capacity, I'm trained and spent four years as a volunteer advocate at a rape crisis center. I'm very persistent and very good at navigating bureaucracy.
If we are at a convention together, and you are harassed or assaulted or otherwise made to feel unsafe; and you can find me—in person or via Twitter—I will do my best to help you.
If you are being actively harassed or are in immediate danger, I will help you find a safe place.
If you want to report what happened to convention staff or law enforcement, I will help you find the right channels and, if you want, accompany you through that process.
If you need medical attention or crisis intervention, I will help you find that, and, if you want, accompany you.
I will listen.
I will believe you.
And I will help if I can.
If you're a fellow comics professional who is willing and able to offer something similar—to be a go-to person for folks who've been harassed or assaulted at conventions—please feel free to reblog this or contact me directly to add your name to the list.
NOTE: While I have nothing but respect and admiration for the intentions of the Backup Project, a friend recently made me aware of concerns regarding anonymity, accountability, lack of training, and potential for abuse that make me reluctant to affiliate with it directly. It's important to me that there be individual accountability in this: that we have names; that we be verifiable as more than someone who ordered a ribbon to attach to their badge. If you're interested in participating, please use your real name or professional alias, and I strongly encourage you to post a photo as well.
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thank you postcardsfromspace!
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Comics editor and writer Rachel Edidin has a personal promise for you. God bless and godspeed. We need more superheroes...
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What if he is the heir apparent? "@AP: Bobcats owner and NBA hall of famer Michael Jordan denies being father of woman's 16-year-old son"
Do you agree with Skip Bayless' stat line averages for Michael Jordan if he returned to the NBA at 50?
RT @ESPN_Numbers: In honor of Michael Jordan's 50th birthday... THIS is why he could STILL play in the NBA ->
Antawn Jamison thinks Michael Jordan could still average double-figures in the NBA. Jordan will be 50 on Sunday:
See what's Trending Now for @nba


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The End of the Honda VTEC Era
I gotta admit, I'm biased when it comes to DOHC VTEC Hondas, because I've owned two of the best. I got my first taste with a 1995 Acura Integra GS-R, and I still can't get the sound of that little 1.8-liter motor with the 8,100-rpm redline out of my head. Then I moved on to the "luxury coupe," a 2001 Honda Prelude, which redlined at a comparatively meek 7,400 rpm but had other stuff going for it that the Integra lacked. These were great, great cars — stylish, fun and relentlessly reliable.
And we'll never see the likes of them again, because Honda has turned its back on that whole scene. The Prelude was quietly put out to pasture in 2001, having become too refined and expensive for its own good. The Integra kept kicking for a while as the Acura RSX (it was still called "Integra" in other markets), but 2006 marked the end of the line. For a few more years, the Honda Civic Si carried the torch with its sweet 2.0-liter motor, a high-revving marvel that reminded me very much of the Integra GS-R's 1.8. But these days the Civic Si uses a warmed-over Accord engine. FAIL.
The Honda VTEC era is gone, and it's not coming back.
But we can still remember the good times, right?
Ride along with me as I reflect on what made my DOHC VTEC cars so special.
1994 Acura Integra GS-R
First of all, as soon as the second-generation GS-R came out in '94, I remember lusting after those shiny five-spoke wheels. Man, Honda knew how to do alloy wheels back in the day, didn't they? Admittedly, the rest of the car's looking a bit dated. It's got that bubbly 1990s look going on from some angles. But I actually dig the four round headlights, even though a lot of owners swapped them out for the JDM lenses. And from the back, the GS-R still looks pretty purposeful with its standard spoiler and wide taillights.
Inside, my GS-R had flawless leather buckets, but let's face it: this car wasn't about creature comforts. The road noise at speed was literally deafening, at least temporarily — I'd be a little hard of hearing when I got out after a long trip. As for the ride quality, a friend of mine once called it "skateboard-like." Really, the best thing about the interior was the hatchback trunk; you could fold those rear seatbacks down and fit your whole life in there if you had to.
Bottom line, the Integra GS-R was all about what was under the hood. The dual-overhead cam ("DOHC") 1.8-liter inline-4 was rated at 170 horsepower, falling just short of the magical 100 hp/L threshold. Torque was a paltry 127 pound-feet, and that was always the knock against the DOHC VTEC motors, but let me tell you, it didn't matter in this car. The power ramped up steadily all the way to 8,100 rpm, with the VTEC crossover at 4,400 rpm producing a growl that gave way to a motorcycle-like scream toward to the end. Known to fans by the internal code "B18C1," the GS-R's engine was only offered with an incredibly precise five-speed manual transmission, and they were a perfect pairing — the short gears helped keep the revs high, and the pedals were ideally placed for heel-toe downshifts.
Nowadays, turbocharged fours are all the rage because of their supposed fuel-economy benefits, but did I mention that I got 37 mpg on the highway in my GS-R?
Throw in legendary reliability and low maintenance costs, and you've got an all-time great. There'll never be another car like it.
2001 Honda Prelude
The angular, understated Prelude was a different beast — a gentleman's sport compact. With its long nose and short deck, the 2001 'Lude could almost pass for rear-wheel-drive, its extended front overhang being the only real giveaway. It was a classy car, especially with the beautiful alloy wheels shown here. With the Integra, you expected a kid to be driving it, and it was normal to see an enormous spoiler tacked on the back. But the 'Lude appealed to everyone. I've seen a handful of white-haired old guys driving bone-stock models, and that doesn't surprise me one bit.
Inside, the fifth-gen Prelude served up an inviting mix of quality materials and subtle, ergonomic design. You had all the controls you needed, and no more. People used to say Honda was the Japanese BMW (hard to believe today, right?), and this dashboard is a case in point. Everything was right where it needed to be, and the simple layout aged really well — I never felt like I was driving an old car, even when it was an old car.
On the road, the Prelude was significantly quieter than the GS-R, though I wouldn't exactly call it quiet per se. The general comfort level was a lot higher. Really good stereo, too — so much better than the Integra's clock-radio-quality sound. But it still handled great, albeit with slightly slower reflexes. I wish I'd been able to find a suitable Type SH with its torque-transfer system, because my base car understeered a lot if I entered a corner too hot. But I always had a blast on twisty roads nonetheless.
The fifth-gen Prelude's engine was a torque monster by DOHC VTEC standards, cranking out 156 lb-ft along with a healthy 200 hp. To be honest, I liked the GS-R's engine better. The 'Lude's 2.2-liter four-cylinder, a.k.a. "H22A4," had a Jekyll and Hyde character, coming on real strong all of a sudden at 5,200 rpm. I preferred the way the GS-R's motor smoothed the VTEC transition out. But the H22 made a great snarl, and the five-speed shifter was lighter than the GS-R's, gliding friction-free from gate to gate.
If you wanted genuine Honda performance without the boy-racer looks, the fifth-gen Prelude was the ultimate solution.
Honda VTECs used to rule the street, and for good reason. It's sad to me that those days are never coming back. Did you ever have a DOHC VTEC car? I know we'd all love to hear your story in the comments.
Editor's note: If you've got a street import in your driveway, hit up Advance Auto Parts for the best values and selection. Buy online, pick up in-store in 30 minutes.
Make Your FR-S or BRZ As Fast As It Should Be
If you're like me, you probably went crazy a few years ago when you heard the Toyota 86 was about to drop. Known as the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ in the States, the hachi-roku (that's "8-6″ in Japanese, kids) promised a return to the good old days when you could get a cool rear-drive sport coupe for a reasonable price. Of course, hachiroku itself is a reference to the iconic RWD Corolla coupes from the '80s. With bloodlines like these, Toyota and Subaru couldn't miss.
But they did. Hard. Because the modern-day hachiroku just doesn't have enough muscle. The 2.0-liter boxer four under the hood is rated at 200 horsepower (I've seen 165 hp at the wheels) and a measly 151 lb-ft of torque. It makes some sporty noises when you wind it out, but there's no force behind it. The FR-S and BRZ are not fast cars — and the target demographic loves fast cars.
So what's a power-hungry FR-S or BRZ owner to do? Slap a turbo on it, brah! Here are two great kits that'll turn your 86 into a monster right quick.
Turbocharging the Scion FR-S or Subaru BRZ
If you're one of those peeps who want mega aftermarket power, a turbo kit is obviously the way to go. The peak output you get with some of these kits is just explosive. Of course, you're gonna use more oil, and in general you should be even more vigilant than usual about maintenance with a modified car. But a lot of folks have been running turbo setups on 86s for thousands of miles with no issues. It's a robust foundation for your build. As a point of entry, check these two kits out.
FA20Club Stage 1 ($3,499)
FA20Club is one of the big names you see on the hachiroku boards, and for good reason: they pack a lot of value into their kits. This one here is their entry-level setup, which they say is "capable of up to 280whp without fuel mods." That's a cool 115-hp gain over stock power at the wheels, and if you think about the power-to-weight ratio that gives you, we're talking Porsche Cayman territory. Not bad for a few grand.
Dynosty Turbo Build ($17,914)
Ready to roll up your sleeves? Let's get serious and quintuple the price of the FA20Club kit with this well-regarded Dynosty setup. If you're up for it, an easy 400+ whp can be yours, and that puts your hachiroku in rarefied territory indeed. See, these cars in stock form weigh in at about 2,800 pounds, maybe a little less. Now consider the new C7 Corvette, making 460 hp for 3,300 pounds. If you do the math, the 86 actually has a better power-to-weight ratio than the Vette. Maybe spending $45 grand or so on a Japanese sport coupe isn't so silly after all.
Let's Hit The Street
Are you sold on turbocharging as the answer? Anyone want to speak up for superchargers? Let me know in the comments you guys.
Editor's note: Count on Advance Auto Parts for a wide selection of performance parts and accessories. Get back to the garage fast—buy online, pick up in-store in 30 minutes.
Brushing up on Hellaflush
Our Street Talker gets down and dirty with one of today's hottest car trends.
While I'm a fan of modified imports, drifting, and car culture in general, I have to admit, that I didn't know much about this thing called "Hellaflush" when I got my first tweet on it a while back. But I've been a quick study, and one of the best places to check it out is on the buzz-worthy site Fatlace.
Ask anyone what Hellaflush means and you're bound to get different answers. What's it mean to you? In general, it entails the tire and wheel being flush against the fender. Flush being something that's even with or level with something else – sharing the same plane – or having direct contact with.
While one online description of Hellaflush says the tire has to be flush with the fender, another goes further and states that that the top part of the tire also has to be up inside the wheel well so that the tire sidewall actually contacts the fender when a bump is encountered, making for a very unique and noticeable car display, not to mention driving experience.
I've seen the term's origination credited to both Fatlace, where it's now one of their brands, and also to a San Francisco neighborhood where it was used as local slang to describe something that was "very" or "crazy," in terms of an amount. Loosely translated, Hellaflush just means your tires are very flush with your fenders. For a great visual example, check out this BMW 328i with wheels that are a mere millimeter from the fenders!
Hellaflush is also a form of stance – how a vehicle sits – and this type of car display is achieved, generally, with rims that are wider than seven inches, stretched tires, and an aggressive amount of negative camber. It's common to see Hellaflush associated and discussed along with JJDM Car Culture and VIP styled. JDM refers to Japan Domestic Market while VIP Style refers to the practice of taking large, usually Japanese, luxury vehicles and altering their stance through modifications.
But let's be honest, even though Hellaflush is popular right now, it's neither practical nor inexpensive to pull off…but since when does that matter? Being that low to the ground and having tires so close to the fender doesn't make for easy driving—especially where potholes or inclined driveways are concerned. And it also holds the potential for a lot of wear and damage to the vehicle. But, it does look killer.
Taking Hellaflush to another level is the practice of making everything on the vehicle flush, not just the tires. In these instances, it's as low as it can go, and anything that keeps the body from being completely flush, such as door handles, key holes, etc., are shaved down until they are flush with the rest of the body. That's commitment. (And one that I personally don't see making anytime soon.)
Do you know any Hellaflushers? Or, are you planning on going there yourself? If so, share some pics that show just how Hellaflush you are, and let us know how you got there, and more importantly, how it's working out!
Editor's note: Visit Advance Auto Parts for the best in parts and tools for any ride. Buy online, pick up in store.—in 30 minutes.
Graphics courtesy of Fatlace.
Top 5 Tuner Car Shows for 2014!
After what's been a particularly long, hard winter for many parts of the country, there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel, and it's not a train or another car. It's the sun!
I've felt an increasingly strong urge these past several weeks to see the sun's rays bouncing off gleaming metal, to feel the heat rise into my bones from the pavement below, and to spend the weekend at a car show, salivating over the latest creations and concoctions.
Here are the top five contenders on my tuner car show list.
Hot Import Nights – The show organizers describe it as "the largest consumer car show in the world with the hottest cars, models, music, gaming, technology and live entertainment." What's not to love about that? HIN is entering its 17th season, so they must be doing it right. There are still 18 U.S. East and West Coast and international show locations left on their schedule through the end of the year, including Orlando, Las Vegas and Santa Clara, Calif.
Import Face-off – They bill themselves as being "the most innovative import series in the U.S. with event activities that follow current market trends." There are more than 30 U.S. show locations through the end of the year with stereo crank-it-up contests, drag racing, live concerts, dance battles, drift exhibitions, and plenty of cash prizes and trophies. Be sure to check out the Import Face-off gallery!
Tuner Evolution – The City of Brotherly Love hosts this big automotive lifestyle event – dubbed an "East Coast Takeover" August 2, 2014, at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center. Celebrities, bikinis, vendors, skating and BMX demos, and of course, hot customized cars will all be on tap.
DUB Show Tour – DUB magazine is all about car culture so you know the remaining four dates in their 2014 show tour are going to be popping. These shows are big on show cars, wheel and accessory exhibitors, video games, celebrities signing autographs, and big-name entertainment, including Ludacris, Ice Cube, and Wacka Flacka Fame performing at their previous auto shows.
WEKFEST – What started in San Francisco is now entering its fourth season of being a national, premiere automotive lifestyle event. There are two California auto shows – May 31 in Long Beach and August 10 in San Jose – and one each in Houston this fall and another in New Jersey on August 17, as well as in Japan May 11. WEKFEST's focus is "to provide an upscale, organized event for the automotive community, a place where all enthusiasts can visit and share their common interest."
I feel better already just thinking about car shows – that and the fact that it's sunny and 75 today.
Stay tuned to the Advance Auto Parts blog for on-going event coverage throughout the spring and summer show season. For past coverage, be sure to check out our 2013 Nurotag Orlando and 2013 SoWo posts right here on the Advance Auto Parts blog.
Editor's note: Is there an import car show that you think is particularly hot this year? Let us know below!
Graphic courtesy of Import Tuner Magazine.
Unlock Your Engine's Hidden Horsepower
I'm sure you can all relate. You buy this performance car and do your custom bits, but there's still something missing. In my case, it all came down to actual performance when I punched the gas. For a while, it just frustrated me until I decided to look further…what I found was that I was only using a portion of my engine's power!
If you've been frustrated knowing that your engine has unused power and did something to unlock that power, this is the place to share your success and tips with your fellow tuners, and make yourself look like a genius while you're at it.
Many vehicle manufacturers are ultra conservative when it comes to programming engine control units (ECU), also known as the control module or the engine control computer at the factory. They're not going to program the control module so that the vehicle runs at its maximum power capabilities, in part because they're concerned with things like the vehicle warranty, emissions, and fuel economy. Their conservative settings, however, leave you with a vehicle that isn't producing as much power as it could. How frustrating is that? The solution? Well, there are quite a few.
A lot of you are probably thinking, "ECU chip tuner" or "reflash" right about now. That seems to be the common wisdom when it comes to increasing horsepower by modifying the control module. For the uninitiated, an ECU basically controls how the engine goes about its business of producing and delivering power, including air/fuel ratio, ignition timing, idle speed, valve timing, and RPMs.
Back in the day, if you wanted to do some car tuning and change the ECU's parameters, you had to actually change computer chips, physically swapping them out with newer chips that had software featuring the performance parameters you wanted. Today, one can install new software that changes the ECU's operating parameters simply by plugging into the OBDII port. Boom. A few keystrokes later and you just raised the rev limit, governed top speed, and tuned the air-to-fuel ratio.
What about switching out the engine control computer entirely with a new one instead of just reprogramming it? Is a new control module an option?
A couple people, including Ethan Campbell, a Roanoke, Virginia-based tuner toying with a '96 Miata, have mentioned the MegaSquirt PNP ECU (MSPNP2) as one possibility for completely replacing the stock engine control computer. Campbell's winter project is taking an engine with a VVT head from a '99 Miata and installing it into his '96 and adding a MegaSquirt ECU. MegaSquirt describes the product as taking "over the functions the stock ECU provides – fuel control, ignition control, and various other outputs – and lets you adjust these yourself by connecting a laptop to the MSPNP2."
Another car-tuning option to increase engine performance is Accesstuner from Cobb. The manufacturer describes the software as allowing "the user to get into the heart of the OEM ECU and create custom calibrations for vehicles equipped with virtually any performance modification. The end result is a tune that is custom tailored to the vehicle's unique modifications, producing maximum power gains while maintaining the drive-ability and sophistication inherent in the OEM ECU." Anyone tried it?
What about turbocharging as the car-tuning option? I know that turbocharging a non-turbo car is a viable option for increasing horsepower, but it's also one that's accompanied by a whole host of other considerations, including boost level, compression ratios and avoiding knock, that have to be planned for to avoid engine damage when turbocharging.
And finally, before you inundate me with comments for not mentioning it, there's the ever-popular option of adding a Nitrous Oxide System (NOS) – a topic I'll explore more in depth in an upcoming post.
If you've modified your engine control computer or have what you think is the perfect solution for unlocking horsepower, let us know how you did it, and what you did it to.
Editor's note: Harness your hidden horsepower at Advance Auto Parts. Buy online, pick up in store.
Graphic courtesy of Toycarcollector.com.
Drive Your Performance Car Through Winter
No doubt, summer will always serve as high season for our high-performance rides and all the gnarly things we do with them. Close your eyes and remember just how good last summer's heat felt as you hit the drift.
Now, snap out of it!
If that harsh blast of cold air hasn't slapped you back to reality, maybe this will—it's over. The summer is over. And with it went any chance you have of driving your high-performance machine anywhere – particularly if it's rear-wheel drive – except perhaps right into a ditch now that snow and ice season has arrived. Unless of course, you're one of those lucky souls fortunate to live in a climate where it's always a comfortable 72 degrees, or you've given some thought to winter tires. Back in the day, they used to be called "snow tires" but not so much now since they're designed to perform in a variety of winter conditions, including snow, ice, slush and low temperatures.
Notice also that we're not talking about "all-season" tires here, which is what most vehicles on the road today are equipped with. There's a difference, and it's a big one. Some vehicle enthusiasts, particularly those who engage their street-legal vehicle in on-track racing and driving competitions, refer to all-season tires as "no-season tires." They use that moniker because even though all-season tires do the job admirably for a majority of drivers, they can't perform as well as dedicated winter tires or summer tires. Road & Track has an interesting take on that issue.
That's because tire makers optimize their tire and tread compounds based on what type of tire they're building. If it's a winter tire, for example, the tire's rubber and chemical compounds are designed for maximum performance in freezing temperatures, much the same way that race tires are designed to deliver at high temperatures. Tire industry trade groups continually work to educate drivers about the difference winter or snow tires offer.
According to a recent article in Tire Business magazine, "The idea that winter tires are only needed for snow-covered or icy roadways is outmoded and belies the superior cold-weather performance made possible by advances in winter tire technology," said Glenn Maidment, president of the Rubber Association of Canada. "Today's sophisticated winter tires feature specialized rubber compounds that retain elasticity at temperatures well below -30°C (-22°F)."
Outfitting vehicles with winter tires is routine in Europe, particularly on high-performance vehicles, and required by law in Quebec, Canada, where traffic accident injuries in winter declined five percent following the implementation of a 2008 law requiring snow tires, according to research from the Quebec Transportation Industry and reported in that same article .
In addition to rubber compounds that are designed for winter performance, these tires also feature tread designs that maximize stopping and steering ability on snow, slush and ice. And the good news is that most every major tire company makes their own version of it.
"Rather than keeping their fun-to-drive cars in the garage during the cold season, drivers have the opportunity to enjoy them, even in the middle of the winter," said Brandy Gadd, Goodyear brand manager.
For areas where ice-covered roads or packed-snow conditions dominate the winter driving season, drivers might want to consider using snow tire studs. The studs are metal pins that protrude from the tire surface and "bite" into ice and packed snow. Snow tire studs are noisy on dry roads, however, and performance and handling can suffer too.
Another alternative for added winter traction are tire chains. Sized to fit your vehicle's tires, tire chains can be installed without having to lift the vehicle or even move it, making them an excellent resource to keep in the vehicle and install when bad weather strikes.
And finally, it's important to remember that winter tires shouldn't just be fitted to the vehicle's drive wheels, but rather all wheel positions in order to maintain control.
Often the biggest obstacle to drivers using snow tires is the cost of having an extra set of tires. What has to be figured into that equation, however, is the cost of missing a day of work, being involved in an accident, or having to park your vehicle for the winter if you're not using the right tires for the season.
Editor's note: Slide on over to Advance Auto Parts for a wide selection of tire chains, accessories, roadside safety kits and more.
Graphic courtesy of cars.desktopnexus.com.
Advance exclusive – interview with Driven's Tommy Kendall
Our Street Talker gets the inside track on racetracks, winning and free cars from 4-time Trans Am Champion racer Tommy Kendall.
The first, and only, time I met famed SCCA racer Tommy Kendall, I thought my life was over.
He was the special guest at a new tire introduction for one of the major tire manufacturers and I was working at the event. The day's activities at the Arizona racetrack were drawing to a close and Tommy was about to take a few hot laps around the track in one of several Ford Mustangs being used for the event. I asked if I might join him.
Having never ridden with a professional driver or on a racetrack, everything was fine – for about the first second as we sped away from the starting line. We quickly approached turn one, Tommy showed no signs of slowing down, and I stared in horror at the wall directly in front of us, growing larger and closer while my remaining lifespan grew shorter.
I was convinced there was no way this Ford Mustang could make the turn and avoid slamming into the wall, even with an SCCA champion at the wheel. Doing so would have defied the law of physics. Instead, we sailed through the turn easily, as though the car was glued to the track, and that's the only thing I remember about the ride. We probably weren't even going top speed. Tommy Kendall was just doing what he does—drive well.
I was reminded recently of that ride in the Ford Mustang with Tommy when I saw FOX Sports' new TV show, Driven: A Race Without Boundaries, starring him along with professional racer and Red Bull Drift Champion Rhys Millen – a familiar name and face to many fans of drifting.
For the show, the two racers compete at several of the world's most famous racing venues, including Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats, Nevada's Mint 400 Desert Course just outside Las Vegas, Colorado's Pikes Peak Hill Climb and the high banks of Daytona International Speedway. They're driving identically equipped 2014 Range Rover Sports, featuring a 510-horsepower, supercharged V8 and a lightweight aluminum body.
"When you get two competitors together like Rhys and I, it can get pretty intense," says Kendall, a four-time SCCA Trans-Am Series champion. "There is a reason why these race courses are so iconic. They are tough to conquer in any format or race machine, let alone a factory SUV without any modification. A win at these courses means something."
Kendall says that the Pikes Peak course was probably his favorite of the four courses. "I've always watched races there and thought, 'I don't know if I'd do that if they asked me to,'" Kendall explains. Specifically, he points out the steep drop-offs and lack of guardrails in spots, and the fact that he saw a Rally class car with two occupants, both of whom survived, go off a cliff on the same stretch of road on which he and Rhys would be racing. "Then again, my favorite tracks to race on were also the hairiest, and that's what draws you to the sport," Kendall explains. "They cause you to execute at the highest level when the stakes are high."
The filming, Tommy Kendall says, was surprisingly challenging, more so than the racing because the driving took up a very small part of the production. "In the middle of it, the days were pretty tough because there was so much to do. Our first wake-up call in Bonneville was 3:45 a.m. and you go until there is no more light. In the summer, that's a long time." The long days were accompanied by challenging weather conditions that delivered triple-digit temperatures in both Bonneville and Las Vegas, and hail in Pike's Peak. "Tough might not be the right word though, because Reese and I were the lucky ones, spending time in our cars with air-conditioned seats."
The long days and challenging weather suddenly became worth it, however, when Tommy said he learned that for the last race, he and Rhys would be racing for a 2014 Range Rover Sport. They were tied at two wins each, and it would be winner take all. "When I texted my wife and told her I'd be racing for the car, she texted me back the line from the Toby Keith song." The words of encouragement she texted were a variation on the lyrics from As Good As I Once Was – 'You're not as good as you once were, but you're as good once as you ever were.' Her encouragement must have worked because Tommy is now anxiously awaiting delivery of his 2014 Range Rover.
When asked if there's going to be a sequel, Tommy said that's one of the questions he asked most frequently. "If they keep giving away cars, I sure hope so!"
Editor's note: Whether you're hitting the track or that dreaded commute, make sure your vehicle is a top performer by stopping by Advance Auto Parts—for all the best in quality auto parts, accessories and more. Buy online, pick up in store.
Wheels and Tire Stretching
Many people take this old saying to mean something to the effect of, "Don't judge a person by how they look, but rather by how they behave." I'd like to apply that thought to the trend of tire stretching, and then to vehicle wheels.
Looks matter, and that's probably the only reason there is for stretching tires. Some might argue what better reason could one possibly need? If you're not familiar with tire stretching, it's essentially installing a tire on a wheel size that's larger than what's specified for the tire, causing the tire to have to stretch to fit the wheels. A lot of online forums give credit to the VW-crowd for starting the trend, but whether or not you agree with that, it seems to be growing in popularity, and polarizing car aficionados who either love or hate the look.
I'm going to remain neutral and not jump on either side, but rather encourage you to do your homework and get the facts before you decide to go for this look.
Here are some considerations that fall on the "minus" side of the equation. Tire stretching probably isn't good for your tires' longevity. The stretching places undue stress on the tire sidewall and bead and can cause premature and irregular tire tread wear, particularly if you have an aggressive camber setup. Plus, the tire companies don't like it.
"We follow the RMA (Rubber Manufacturers Association) guideline, beginning on page 42, under Tire Rim/Wheel Selection," explains Jim Davis, PR Manager – North America, for The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. "If it doesn't fit in the rim width range that is published in the tire data books, then we don't approve."
Food for thought. They are, after all, the tire experts.
Now the pluses. Ok, there's probably just one. Stretched tires just look cool — to some people — and draw added attention to the wheels.
Wheels are undoubtedly an important part of the appearance equation, but also play an important role in performance, specifically when it comes to weight. Here are some thoughts on wheels from someone who knows a thing or two about competition and performance parts – Kevin Wells, Technical Manager for FORMULA DRIFT.
"Wheel weights matter to our drivers," Wells explains. "Less rotating weight is preferred, especially in drifting. The wheel speed changes very rapidly – 100 mph to 0 mph (ebrake) to 100 mph. Excessive rotational weight places additional stress on the drivetrain and the slower this reaction takes place, not to mention suspension setups from excessive wheel weight.
"Other considerations when it comes to wheels are sizing, fitment, and sponsors," he adds. "You will see drivers use spacers, front and rear, to get available sizes with the incorrect offset to suit their needs. And as for sponsors – free wheels are good wheels unless you can afford to buy something better!"
So what's it going to be – looks, performance, or both?
Editor's note: When you need to pretty-up your tires and wheels, make Advance Auto Parts your first stop. Buy online, pick up in store.
Plan Your Summer Stance
Summer's here. For many of us that means loading up the family car with siblings (and sometimes parents) that don't along, pets with gas, and way too much stuff for another epic adventure most commonly known as "The Annual Family Summer Vacation."
Or not.
This summer, If you're lucky enough to be doing what you want, where you want, when you want and with whom you want to be doing it, then I've got some road trip suggestions for you – particularly if you're into import tuners and "bagged, stanced and stretched" are part of your vocabulary.
Aggressive fitment will be front and center when Stance:Nation brings its Stancenation & Showoff – Nisei Edition to Los Angeles Saturday August 17 where some of the West Coast's top cars and import tuners to compete for trophies and prizes.
West Coasters would do right to also check out the annual WEKFEST San Francisco on their fifth anniversary, July 27 at the San Jose Convention Center. Billing itself as "featuring 300-plus of the West Coast's best euro and import builds. WEKFEST is your destination to see some of the best on display."
If the mere thought of 300 import tuner beauties on display in one spot has you salivating but you live on the East Coast and don't have the time or rich relatives to finance a cross-country trip, don't despair. Check out WEKEAST on Sunday, August 25 at the N.J. Expo & Convention Center in Edison, N.J., with 300 of the best builds the East Coast has to offer.
Summer's also heating up thanks to the continuation of the epic Hot Import Nights shows. With four shows remaining this summer in Seattle, Loudon, N.H., Seoul, Korea, and Houston, and another five shows scheduled to close out the year. HIN says it features "the hottest cars, models, and music," and at the New Hampshire event – drifters.
Speaking of drifting, Streetwise Drift has a bunch of amateur and ProAm events scheduled through the summer in the Southeast while the big boys over at Formula D have three more drifting events remaining in Washington, Texas and California before they crown the 2013 Formula D champion.
Now, if you do decide to road trip it to any of these events, here's how to avoid turning it into a repeat of that stressful family vacation from your childhood, or at the very least, having a significant other giving you the death stare from the right seat. Pop the hood and check your vehicle's vital signs. You know the drill – fluid levels, battery age, belt and hose condition, tire pressure, lights, wipers, a/c temperature. Do it in the driveway now, so you don't have to hear about it on the side of the road later.
Got any favorite import tuner shows or memorable photos from a recent road trip or drifting event? Share 'em here, and enjoy summer!
Editor's note: If you've got a road trip in the works, download this handy infographic for helpful tips — no matter what kind of ride you're taking.
Photos courtesy of Formula Drift and Stancenation.
Fast & Furious 6 boils over with bigger, badder action!
We review the hottest car film of the year!
Can you smell what The Rock is cooking? You can if you're Vin Diesel and you wake up one morning to find Dwayne Johnson, uninvited and in your oceanfront paradise. It's a big, simmering pot of homemade trouble, and Vin Diesel and his crew are the missing ingredients.
And so it begins, again. The latest installment in the Fast and Furious franchise – Fast & Furious 6.
You don't have to love hot, fast cars or The Rock and his bulging biceps to like Fast & Furious 6, but it sure helps if you do. Even if you're not a car aficionado going into this movie, you just might be by the time you come out. I think a more appropriate name for this non-stop action fest might be "Fast & Furious 6 – Over The Top" or "Fast & Furious – More of Everything" simply because it is, and there is.
More cars. More women. More chases. More fights. More stunts. And a whole lot of mayhem mixed in.
A wide-ranging vehicle selection is the Fast & Furious franchise's calling card. Don't like the BMW M5 that's screaming through the streets of London? Wait a few minutes, because the cars change as fast as they drive. There's old school, new school, a plane, a tank, and something I'm just going to refer to here as an Indy car wedge. If you've already seen FF6, you know exactly what I'm talking about.
We love modern cars and all their computer power controlling various vehicle systems, right? Perhaps, unless you're a diehard "Prepper" who thinks this is going to be a major problem when the you-know-what hits the fan and life-as-we-know-it goes south. One of the first chase scenes through the streets of London in FF6 clearly shows why all this computer horsepower might not be such a great idea, and serves as a great excuse for Vin Diesel and crew to attend an upscale, classic car auction for some serious retro horsepower, not to mention good looks. For car fans, it's a great sequence.
Want to impress your friends with both your attention to detail and automotive knowledge? Throw out this little nugget at the next backyard beer and barbecue – Hobbs says the BMW M5 he's procured has a twin turbo V8. That'd be true if he were driving the current F10 M5 version instead of the older E60 that's pictured. That one has a normally aspirated V10.
And what about the same double decker #4 bus they keep passing no matter where the chase takes them in London? While the devil may be in the details, The Rock and director Justin Lin have still cooked up something special for this high-octane feast.
Editor's note: Want to get something cooking with your vehicle this summer? Power slide on over to Advance Auto Parts. And, be sure to check out Fast and Furious 6 now.


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Arlene's Apparels & More-A 1st & 2nd Hand Store — Virtual
Will be asked to: Critically analyze advertisements to ensure the promotional value Manage and update the numerous social media networks Confer with team members about what needs to be done and the fe…
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Content Creator
C&M Group — Virtual
C&M Group is a global strategy consulting firm, founded by entrepreneurs, that is headquartered in Boston, MA. C&M Group does consulting for companies ranging from startups to fortune 500 companies. C…
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DeafandHoH.com — Virtual
DeafandHoH.com is hiring a person for an ongoing internship position. This is a rewarding position for anyone seeking to learn more about the deaf and hard of hearing community and culture. DeafandHoH…
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Published: August 28, 2008 2008 NCAA Football Preview
State colleges capsules
BETHUNE-COOKMANCoach: Alvin Wyatt (77-44 at Bethune-Cookman).
2007 record: 5-6 (3-6 MEAC).
Players to watch: DE Dexter Jackson; OL Reubin Mordecai, DB Antwane Cox, RB Corey Council, QB McKinson Souverain.
Overview: Like its rival at Florida A&M, Bethune-Cookman is going into a rebuilding season. The Wildcats were picked to finish seventh in the MEAC.
Key games: Sept. 13 at South Carolina State; Oct. 11 vs. Delaware State; Nov. 22 at FAMU.
CENTRAL FLORIDACoach: George O'Leary (22-28 at UCF).
2007 record: 10-4 (7-1 Conference USA).
Players to watch: QB Mike Greco, WR Rocky Ross, WR A.J. Guyton, DB Joe Burnett, DB Darin Baldwin.
Overview: The Conference USA champions will try to repeat, but a new quarterback will have to lead them. Former Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons QB Greco is expected to start for the Knights.
Key games: Sept. 6 vs. USF; Oct. 11 at Miami; Oct. 26 at Tulsa.
FLORIDA A&MCoach: Joe Taylor (first season).
2007 record: 3-8 (2-7 MEAC).
Players to watch: LB Vernon Wilder, TE Taj Jenkines, RB Philip Sylvester, OL Anthony Collins, DB Curtis Holcomb.
Overview: Not much is expected from the Rattlers after they were picked to finish sixth in the MEAC. New coach Joe Taylor led Hampton to three MEAC titles in a row (2004-06).
Key games: Sept. 4 at Delaware State; Oct. 4 vs. South Carolina State; Nov. 22 vs. Bethune-Cookman.
FLORIDA ATLANTICCoach: Howard Schnellenberger (41-42 at FAU).
2007 record: 8-5 (6-1 Sun Belt).
Players to watch: QB Rusty Smith, RB Charles Pierre, WR Cortez Gent, LB Frantz Joseph, DB Corey Small.
Overview: The defending Sun Belt champs are heavy favorites to repeat and go back to the New Orleans Bowl. Smith and Joseph are preseason Sun Belt Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, respectively.
Key games: Aug. 30 at Texas; Oct. 7 vs. Troy; Nov. 29 vs. FIU.
JACKSONVILLECoach: Kerwin Bell (3-8 at Jacksonville).
2007 record: 3-8 (2-5 Pioneer Football League).
Players to watch: WR Geavon Tribble, OL Chris Tessitore, OL Michael Aguilar, RB Rudell Small, DB Robson Noel, LB Allen Fennell.
Overview: Coach Bell's second season could be as tough as his inaugural one was. The Dolphins lost their all-time passing leader in Chris Horton (4,868 yards) after graduation.
Key games: Sept. 6 at Appalachian State; Oct. 25 vs. San Diego; Nov. 22 vs. Dayton.
SOUTH FLORIDACoach: Jim Leavitt (79-47 at USF).
2007 record: 9-4 (4-3 Big East).
Players to watch: QB Matt Grothe, RB Mike Ford, WR Carlton Mitchell, WR Jessie Hester, DL George Selvie.
Overview: After peaking at No. 2 last season, the Bulls look to continue that momentum this season. USF will be tested early with a Sept. 13 home game against Orange Bowl champion Kansas.
Key games: Sept. 5 at Central Florida; Sept. 13 vs. Kansas; Dec. 6 at West Virginia.
Web design by David Lopez / Miami Herald


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A site specific installation set in the house and coconut plantation of Lung Bao, a popular Yao Noi resident famous for his sweet young coconuts.
Pratchaya Phinthong takes viewers on a journey beckoning them to reconsider the own points of view. By composing together different elements from everyday life, the often overlooked and taken for granted become imbued with personal, social and cultural connotations far beyond its simplistic appearance. "Friends of Petch" is a site specific installation that brings together the outtakes of a student-made film about a new student making friends in a new school. The relationship between the foreign and the local is played out on a television screen, which was selected by Lung Bao, a local coconut plantation owner who before this, had no notion of what a television was although he has often been the subject of many television interviews. With his work the artist has not only broken the barrier between subject and content but has also broken away many preconceived notions of how one can choose to see things.
Pratchaya Phinthong is an artist, he resides in Bangkok but is originally from the Northeast of Thailand. His work is currently being exhibited as part of the The Ungovernables show in at the New Museum in New York City. Phinthong studied at Bangkok's Silpakorn University and later Frankfurt's Stadelschule he is one of the next generation of Thailand's contemporary artists. His site specific installation at last year's Jim Thompson Art on Farm and his community piece with motorcycles at the BACC in Bangkok are 2 notable works.
Alice in Wonderland
(with music by John Coltrane)
Cecil Hepworth
8 mins
Percy Stow
Titanic Footage
(with soundtrack by Christelle Lheureux and Apichatpong W)
6.36 mins
Peter Pan
(with LIVE music by Simon Fisher Turner)
Herbert Brennon
105 mins
It started with the journey through an uncleared path of leaves through the jungle led by Rirkrit Tiravanija and Arto Lindsay. A moving ceremony initiated by Rirkrit Tiravanija where permission was sought from the ancient tree to perform, a candle and incense were lit. Next to the Big Tree was a blank screen set to one side lit by the afternoon light that broke through the branches of the trees.
Rirkrit Tiravanija proceeded to set up the 16 mm projector with a reel of film, Andy Warhol's Empire (on loan from MoMa, one of the 10 reels present) as Arto Lindsay proceeded to prepare his electric guitar, to remove it from its cover and place it by the Tree. Everything was ready for a performance, a screening of Empire and an Arto Lindsay set in the jungle.
The pair then walked to the blank screen, there is a ladder, they continue with spray cans in their hands, to spray in black a round shape reminiscent of what one sees before a film begins, the numbers, the countdown, 10 to 1. In a normal circumstance, something would switch on, there would be an image, there would be sound. The image here was of 2 men spray painting a screen and finally, as one watches, listening to the sounds of crickets, the wind rustling the leaves of the trees, the faint buzzing sound when black ink is released from the nozzle and the occasional shaking of the spray can bottle, there is "no fire, no ash" written in black on the white screen.
Rirkrit Tiravanija is an artist of Thai origin; he resides between New York City and Chiang Mai.
Arto Lindsay is a musician and artist; he resides in Rio de Janeiro.
Short Films From Yao Noi Workshops
Local children
Lucrecia and Maria's Residency Film
Lucrecia Martel
Powers of Ten
Charles and Ray Eames
9 mins
Shadow is Not the Absence of Light
Vimukthi Jayasundara
1 min
Mae Nak Phrakanong
Rangsee Tasanapayak
104 mins
You Should be the Next Astronaut
Charles de Meaux
1 min
Free Radicals
Len Lye
5 mins
Portrait of GA (DVD)
Margaret Tait
4 mins
Private Property (Public Domain)
Shellie Fleming
12.05 mins
The Unchanging Sea
DW Griffith
14 mins
No Form*
Tsai Ming Liang
20 mins
Lucrecia Martel
4 mins
Valentin de las Sierras
Bruce Baillie
10 mins
In the Street
Helen Levitt
16 mins
Film Achive Showpiece
7 mins
Dajang Soembi, the Woman Who Was Married by a Dog
7 mins
The House is Black
Forough Farrokhzad
20 mins
Noman McLaren
8 mins
Music Video: The Micronauts-The Jag
Gregg Araki
3.30 mins
*world premiere.
Message in a Bottle" is a concept created by Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Tilda Swinton. The Film Programme was curated from these Messages, thus the participants will build the first edition of Film on the Rocks Yao Noi.
Our Curators asked their friends who attended Festival to bring a Message in a Bottle, which can be anything; a film, a book, a painting etc. that floats in their minds perpetually. It can be old, new, short or long. The book and film will be preserved in the "Message in a Bottle Library".
Some Messages were also included in the Film Programme of the 3 nights. This created a diverse mix of personal, experimental and narrative film selections.


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How old was the oldest woman you've banged? Late-thirties? Early-forties? If that has been your limit in the past, why not bag yourself a superbly experienced fifty-something? 50 Plus MILFs is an attempt on the part of Score Group to prove that women who've lived half a century need not be ashamed of their still-effervescent sexualities; they should embrace them and preferably do it on camera so 50 Plus MILFs' members can endlessly study their moves, their bodies, their erogenous zones, and every damn pixel of the HD videos 50 Plus MILFs provides. It's not the most excellent attempt, no, but it's fun to watch these soon-to-be or recently-turned grannies get off in true hardcore Score fashion, that's for sure.
Filled with the sluttiest 40-something, 50-something, and 60-something women you've ever seen spreading their thighs on camera, Mature Mega Pass and its plethora of networked websites offer a huge exclusive collection of original hardcore porn ranging from vanilla hetero sex to the wildest bisexual orgies you can imagine, and every woman (save for those on one teen site) is a wrinkled, grey-haired, veteran who has more experience with cocks and cunts both than the top five pornstars under 30 combined. If you're into cougars, MILFs, GILFs, and GGILFs and can afford the decidedly princely membership fee, Mature Mega Pass has exactly what you need, and plenty of it!
When you're an aging lesbian, you don't always cut your hair short, listen to Patti Smith records, and hold hands with your similarly aged "partner". Sometimes, as Old and Young Lesbians proves, you grab the nearest, prettiest young rug-muncher and fuck her brains out! Filled with hardcore twosomes, threesomes, foursomes, and more, Old and Young Lesbians is one of the more intriguing all-female sites this reviewer has ever encountered. Does it deliver on its lofty promises? Can these old broads keep up? Do we really want to see wrinkled labia and grey-hair snatches dusted off for one last tongue lashing? All these questions and more will be answered right here in Mr. Pink's inaugural investigation of Old and Young Lesbians.
Visit Old & Young Lesbians | Read Old & Young Lesbians review
An adult website can be strictly devoted to its professed niche, add content on a frequent basis, present videos and photos in high resolution formats, and feature some extremely potent explicit sexual content, but that doesn't always mean it's a winner! Mature NL, a hardcore MILF and GILF site from The Netherlands, unfortunately suffers from a number of setbacks that, although considerably minor, are made unavoidably disappointing by a lofty membership fee. While Mr. Pink can't quite tell what the future holds for Mature NL, the present seems pretty damn dim.
Whether or not you often find yourself ogling women substantially older than yourself or keep your relationships, however fleeting, in your own age group, Old Spunkers would like a world with you, horny lil' whippersnapper. Making a bold claim for aged adult performers, some of whom are old hands at this fucking-on-film thing, some of whom are newcomers to porn, Old Spunkers at the very least shows that a woman should never be sexually discounted because of advanced age. Call it experience if you like, but however you slice it, these Old Spunkers are great lays.
Think Europe is all 19-year-old hookers in the windows, Michelangelo's David, and flamenco music? Think again, pilgrim! The Continent is loaded with women for whom sex is no big deal; in fact, it's kinda like wine and cheese: tasty! Included in this throng of eager European females are the older generations, the 40-somethings, 50-somethings, and 60-somethings (god bless 'em) who feel no shame in getting what they want, physically speaking, before they shuffle off this mortal coil. Mature EU, found on the Mature Mega Pass network, pays dutiful homage to these lascivious lasses, these madly fornicating fair maidens of advanced bodily annuity by way of hardcore fuck movies so explicit you'll never look the same way at grandma again. That, good sirs, verily I promise you.
If you've ever been afraid of seeing your girlfriend, sister, or soon-to-be-spouse on an adult website, prepare to open a whole new can of anxiety. USA Mature focuses entirely on women old enough to be a mother to most of you, dear readers, and probably a grandmother to some. That'd be fine if it was a site about arts and crafts - "Ooh, scrapbooking!" - but USA Mature is all about sex; hardcore, ribald, voraciously devoured sexy sex. These most mature of wannabe pornstars don't just fuck themselves with aplomb, they fuck each other and they fuck men, too! Talk about a bucket list, the lusty old broads of USA Mature has the most scandalous one in town!
It's one thing to declare yourself an admirer of 40-something women, even 50-somethings aren't completely out of most guys' age ranges - well, not if they're superhot - but tell your friends you're fucking a 63-year-old grandmother of three and you're likely to be relegated to sub-dude status for a while. There's no such judgment at 60 Plus MILFs. In fact, this is a site that actually encourages stretching your boundaries, a site that actively tries to lure you into a vicarious congress with a genuine 60-something woman. Well, they don't call 'em sexagenarians for nothing.