BY ADAM FISHMAN
Valencia student Vince Minko, 25, has always had a knack for re-inventing himself. The same goes for his three rides. Minko owns a 2000 Acura Integra GS-R, 2004 BMW M3, and 2004 Subaru Impreza STI. All three of his “babies” would never fit his personality if they weren’t modified, and your average import modifications are certainly what these cars are not. Minko has created three beautiful machines that not only re-invented him, but re-invented the import car scene as a whole. Any import enthusiast might give their pinky finger for one of these cars, possibly give up sex, and that goes for girls or guys. They might even kill to own one of these engineering/modified geniuses. If Minko did ever decide to get rid of one of his cars, you can acquire one for a large sum of money; keep your pinky finger.
Minko began his expedition as an import enthusiast at the ripe age of 15. “I had always been into cars since I was young, my parents weren’t going to help me get no V8 Mustang, and so I had to go with an import.” His first car was a 2000 Toyota Celica GT. He was the first enthusiast in the U.S. to modify the new body style Celica with performance exhaust and cold-air intake. Minko wasn’t satisfied with the quickness of his first car; he decided to trade in the Celica for what would become his first lengthy project, a 2000 Acura Integra GS-R. He acquired the Integra, also known as the “Teg,” in August 2000. “I’ve been through so much with that car.” Minko has transformed the Integra numerous times until he molded it into what you see today. The first thing that catches your “try not to stare too hard” eye is the custom design wide body kit. The “teg” also features custom offset Volkray rims, 18 inch x 8 inch in the front and 18 inch x 9 inch in the rear. The frontend of the vehicle has been JDM converted, along with JDM headlights. That’s Japanese conversions for those of you that don’t speak import. The interior has a full roll cage, four point harness racing seats, and DVD/Navigation system. The most important part of the vehicle, the engine, has been custom built along with an intercooled turbo system that boosts the car to a compelling 500 HP. All the hard work, debt, and sleepless nights that went into making the Integra have reaped its benefits. Minko’s “teg” was used as an extra vehicle in a street racing scene during the filming of “2Fast 2Furious.” His car also had a six-page feature in the popular import magazine, “import Tuner.” The Integra won hottest Acura at Hot Import Nights in Orlando in 2008 and in Miami in 2006.
Owning a vehicle like Minko’s Integra GS-R would satisfy most, but Minko always strives for more. His “daily driven” vehicle is a 2004 BMW M3. “The bimmer is my favorite out of all my cars as far as looks, style, and overall appeal.” Minko acquired the M3 in February 2007. The most striking aesthetic component of the vehicle is the color. The M3 features a Laguna Seca blue; 1 of 12,000 in America. The upgrades Minko has on the M3 are all done by the European tuner Hamann. The rims on the car are Hamann limited edition chrome 19 inch x 9 inch in the front, and 19 inch x 10 inch in the rear. Minko’s M3 has all Hamann cosmetics such as a front lip and eyelids over the headlights. He also threw on a titanium exhaust to amp the “bimmer” to a modest 350 HP. If you stop into Fields BMW on south O.B.T you will see Minko’s M3 prominently displayed on one of their Televisions. Not bad for a daily driver, huh?
Minko pushed the import game to another level in March 2009 when he acquired his third vehicle. He added a Subaru Impreza STI to his stable of pedigrees. “My STI is just ridiculous.” Minko’s M3 and GS-R are enough to make head turns, the STI completes the trio of beauties causing people to break necks. Minko’s STI has a Chargespeed wide body kit straight from Japan. The STI has custom 20 inch x 10 inch Mayas rims in the front and rear. The interior features all black suede, four point harness racing seats, DVD/Navigation, detachable race steering wheel, and built in scrambler, so the cops can’t actually prove you were going 105 MPH in a 65. Minko’s STI also comes equipped with a Greddy T67 turbocharger. Oh yeah, not to mention he has four 20 gallon Nitrous tanks tucked conveniently under the passenger seat. All in all, his STI pumps out around 600 HP. His work on the STI has also paid off, Minko claimed hottest Subaru at Hot Import Nights in Orlando in 2007.
“The whole import scene and subculture has had such a positive impact on my life, I’ve been in a movie, magazine, and I got to travel to other countries. People come up to me that I don’t even know, they ask me questions about my cars, it’s like I’m a celeb in the import world.” Throughout Minko’s success as an import enthusiast, he always remains humble and doesn’t have the typical ego most car enthusiasts possess. He continually strives for more, “one day I want to own a R34 Skyline or a Ferrari F430.” “It would also be nice to own a house that can hold more cars then what I have now.” If you’re lucky enough to catch Minko out in one of his rides, it wouldn’t be advisable to try and compete with him. His cars are all show and all go, don’t hate.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Americans United for Separation of Church and State
By: Adam Fishman
Thomas Jefferson wrote a letter to Danbury, Connecticut Baptists on Jan. 1, 1802. The letter contained the famous “wall of separation between church and state” metaphor. The Bill of Rights was ratified on Dec. 15, 1791; the first amendment contained in the document vehemently states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” Conflicts have always been present in U.S. society in regards to the separation of church and state. What exactly does the separation of church and state mean?
According to Americans United for Separation of Church and State, it is a concept in law whereby the structures of state or national government are kept separate from those of religious institutions. The concept has long been a topic of political debate. What exactly is Americans United, that they can make such an interpretation? Americans United is a non-profit educational organization founded in 1947 by a broad coalition of religious, educational, and civic leaders. Americans United aim is to protect the idea of separation between church and state. They believe that all Americans have the constitutional right to practice the religion of their choice, or to refrain from practice as their conscience dictates. The government must remain neutral on religious practices. This has been a guiding principle of Americans United since the organization was founded.
The organization is located on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., with a staff of more than 40 employees. Americans of all religious and philosophical backgrounds have joined forces under the Americans United banner to defend the separation of church and state. The separation between church and state must be upheld in America today and throughout the rest of our years as a nation. Americans United is at the forefront of defending the concept, tackling real life issues such as “faith-based initiatives,” church politicking, government-sponsored religion, and religion in public schools.
Faith-based initiatives are a euphemism for taxpayer-supported religion. The initiative funnels taxpayer dollars to religious social service providers without adequate safeguards to prevent proselytism. In addition, these groups seek to discriminate in hiring based on religion even though their programs are publicly funded. Church politicking is when houses of worship attempt to intervene in partisan politics by endorsing or opposing candidates. Pulpit-based electioneering not only violates federal law, many believe it corrupts the true mission of our faith communities.
The Constitution bars government from meddling in religion. Government should be neutral on theological matters and not seek to sponsor, promote or further faith, therefore, government-sponsored religion is illegal. In addition, religion in public schools is inappropriate. Public schools serve children from a variety of religious and philosophical backgrounds. The classroom is not the place for school-sponsored worship. School officials should not prescribe prayers, or teach religious doctrines such as creationism in the classroom.
More information can be found about Americans United for Separation of Church and State at www.au.org.
Thomas Jefferson wrote a letter to Danbury, Connecticut Baptists on Jan. 1, 1802. The letter contained the famous “wall of separation between church and state” metaphor. The Bill of Rights was ratified on Dec. 15, 1791; the first amendment contained in the document vehemently states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” Conflicts have always been present in U.S. society in regards to the separation of church and state. What exactly does the separation of church and state mean?
According to Americans United for Separation of Church and State, it is a concept in law whereby the structures of state or national government are kept separate from those of religious institutions. The concept has long been a topic of political debate. What exactly is Americans United, that they can make such an interpretation? Americans United is a non-profit educational organization founded in 1947 by a broad coalition of religious, educational, and civic leaders. Americans United aim is to protect the idea of separation between church and state. They believe that all Americans have the constitutional right to practice the religion of their choice, or to refrain from practice as their conscience dictates. The government must remain neutral on religious practices. This has been a guiding principle of Americans United since the organization was founded.
The organization is located on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., with a staff of more than 40 employees. Americans of all religious and philosophical backgrounds have joined forces under the Americans United banner to defend the separation of church and state. The separation between church and state must be upheld in America today and throughout the rest of our years as a nation. Americans United is at the forefront of defending the concept, tackling real life issues such as “faith-based initiatives,” church politicking, government-sponsored religion, and religion in public schools.
Faith-based initiatives are a euphemism for taxpayer-supported religion. The initiative funnels taxpayer dollars to religious social service providers without adequate safeguards to prevent proselytism. In addition, these groups seek to discriminate in hiring based on religion even though their programs are publicly funded. Church politicking is when houses of worship attempt to intervene in partisan politics by endorsing or opposing candidates. Pulpit-based electioneering not only violates federal law, many believe it corrupts the true mission of our faith communities.
The Constitution bars government from meddling in religion. Government should be neutral on theological matters and not seek to sponsor, promote or further faith, therefore, government-sponsored religion is illegal. In addition, religion in public schools is inappropriate. Public schools serve children from a variety of religious and philosophical backgrounds. The classroom is not the place for school-sponsored worship. School officials should not prescribe prayers, or teach religious doctrines such as creationism in the classroom.
More information can be found about Americans United for Separation of Church and State at www.au.org.
Monday, February 9, 2009
I LOST MY JOB, NOW WHAT?
I LOST MY JOB, NOW WHAT?
BY: ADAM FISHMAN
If you’re one of the lucky citizens of America who is still employed, you should be thanking whatever higher power you believe in. Seriously, thank them every waking hour of your day. As of January 2009, the United States unemployment rate was 7.2%. The highest level since 1992, and job loss totals are now at 3.57 million since the recession started in December 2007.
If you’re boss hasn’t called you in his office yet to utter those dreadful words “sorry, we have to let you go,” or “we just need to cut costs, and you cost too much,” don’t worry that day is probably coming if the state of our economy doesn’t turn around. Try not to stress too much; there are options out there if you lose your job.
For those of you that still thrive off of mom and dad, live at home, have minimal bills, and are only working part-time, well, you can still thrive off of mom and dad right? If you’re a full-time or part-time student who only works part-time, finding part-time work shouldn’t be too difficult. For example, restaurants, bars, and clubs are always looking for people to work.
If you’re living on your own, or let’s just say mommy and daddy aren’t helping you, and you’re working full-time, then a job loss to you can have more of an impact. How will you pay bills such as rent, electric, cable, water, or phone? Furthermore, part-time work will not be enough to pay for all of that. It’s even more difficult to find a full-time job that will work around a full-time or part-time school schedule.
Ok, don’t have a nervous breakdown yet. If you have the luxury of borrowing a large amount of money from a parent or relative, or you can move back home until you find another job, then don’t hesitate. For those of you who don’t have those options, you’re screwed. Ok, just kidding, while you’re hopefully looking for other full-time work you will need some sort of income in the mean time right? Yes, unless you plan on joining the bums underneath the I-4 bridges.
Here is some good news, if you were laid-off or discharged from your employer for reasons outside of misconduct, you can join the millions of other Americans who file for unemployment compensation. In other words, if you’re out of work at no fault of your own, you can receive temporary wage replacement benefits for up to six months while you try to find other work. www.fluidnow.com is the website you visit to fill out an application.
There are a few catches; the wage replacement will only be about 60-70% of what you normally were paid in one week. For example, if you made $350 per week your compensation will be about $225-$250. In addition, you have to maintain an accurate job search and every week you have to report any wages or income you might’ve earned elsewhere.
Unemployment compensation would certainly not be a permanent solution, but it can suffice in the meantime until you find other work. You could always try the lotto too.
BY: ADAM FISHMAN
If you’re one of the lucky citizens of America who is still employed, you should be thanking whatever higher power you believe in. Seriously, thank them every waking hour of your day. As of January 2009, the United States unemployment rate was 7.2%. The highest level since 1992, and job loss totals are now at 3.57 million since the recession started in December 2007.
If you’re boss hasn’t called you in his office yet to utter those dreadful words “sorry, we have to let you go,” or “we just need to cut costs, and you cost too much,” don’t worry that day is probably coming if the state of our economy doesn’t turn around. Try not to stress too much; there are options out there if you lose your job.
For those of you that still thrive off of mom and dad, live at home, have minimal bills, and are only working part-time, well, you can still thrive off of mom and dad right? If you’re a full-time or part-time student who only works part-time, finding part-time work shouldn’t be too difficult. For example, restaurants, bars, and clubs are always looking for people to work.
If you’re living on your own, or let’s just say mommy and daddy aren’t helping you, and you’re working full-time, then a job loss to you can have more of an impact. How will you pay bills such as rent, electric, cable, water, or phone? Furthermore, part-time work will not be enough to pay for all of that. It’s even more difficult to find a full-time job that will work around a full-time or part-time school schedule.
Ok, don’t have a nervous breakdown yet. If you have the luxury of borrowing a large amount of money from a parent or relative, or you can move back home until you find another job, then don’t hesitate. For those of you who don’t have those options, you’re screwed. Ok, just kidding, while you’re hopefully looking for other full-time work you will need some sort of income in the mean time right? Yes, unless you plan on joining the bums underneath the I-4 bridges.
Here is some good news, if you were laid-off or discharged from your employer for reasons outside of misconduct, you can join the millions of other Americans who file for unemployment compensation. In other words, if you’re out of work at no fault of your own, you can receive temporary wage replacement benefits for up to six months while you try to find other work. www.fluidnow.com is the website you visit to fill out an application.
There are a few catches; the wage replacement will only be about 60-70% of what you normally were paid in one week. For example, if you made $350 per week your compensation will be about $225-$250. In addition, you have to maintain an accurate job search and every week you have to report any wages or income you might’ve earned elsewhere.
Unemployment compensation would certainly not be a permanent solution, but it can suffice in the meantime until you find other work. You could always try the lotto too.
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