Final Fans

Archive for September, 2009

Archeological Resource Guide for Europe (ARGE) comprises more than 1,500 categorized links served from 42 countries. Begun in early 1995 by Sara Champion and Martijn van Leusen as a service within the European Archaeological Heritage Web, Archeological Resource Guide for Europe presents an ordered collection of hypertext links pointing to current archaeological communication and information resources across Europe. Search the links by country, by subject, or by period. Archeological Resource Guide for Europe is different from other guides to archaeological resources on the Web because new links are actively sought out, visited, and evaluated before being posted in our new links section. Archeological Resource Guide for Europe always aims to present information in its original language, and is currently working on the implementation of multilingual access and searching. Search topics ranging from ancient land management to urban archeology, from environmental archeology to statues and stelae. Here you will also find links to extensive pages introducing the Valetta treaty (including links to the official text and an overview of available fact sheets), details on the history and excavations in the Roman city of Neuss (Germany), and the fascinating story of an amazing archaeozoological find: an extinct antelope (Myotragus Balearicus) found associated with mesolithic human occupation remains in two rock shelters on the island of Mallorca.

As you drive along at 65 mph, bass boat in tow, the Lyons Avenue exit on California’s Interstate 5 looks like any other freeway interchange. It’s home to the usual cookie-cutter cluster of service stations, fast-food restaurants, and convenience stores. You stop, refuel, grab a cup of coffee and maybe a pack or two of Nabs or Devil Dogs. Just like you would any place else.
But Lyons Avenue is different, for just off the freeway you’ll find The King of the Grapevine. This monarch doesn’t stroll around in a royal purple robe.You’ll find him in more common fare, which suits him just fine. This “king” is George Mayer, owner of Mayer’s Freeway Shell.
Mayer’s kingdom is just down the road from The Grapevine, an infamous stretch of highway that leads to a pair of popular fishing destinations: Castaic and Pyramid lakes. The Grapevine is a torture test supreme for vehicles—36 miles of steep, twisting, mountain grades. Vehicle and towing component manufacturers have learned the hard way that it’s a route of no mercy; the notorious gauntlet quickly reveals any flaws in a product’s design or execution.
For the past 30 years, tow vehicles stressed to the breaking point by The Grapevine have landed in one of Mayer’s service bays, and this hands-on experience has made him a leading expert on towing. During a recent towing test, I stopped at Mayer’s station to refuel.While the dual tanks on my diesel tow vehicle drank their fill, Mayer and I talked. His observations are worth noting by anyone who uses a truck or sport utility to tow or haul heavy loads.