Tis the season to give...

This Friday is the last day to donate your Gently Used Sporting Equipment to the Children in need this Holiday season.

Some of you have already made a donation, some of you are looking for items to donate around your house, and for those minutes invested in finding those items I, and MINI Deeds, Thank You!

Remember that for every item that you donate, your name gets entered into a Draw to win a $1,000 Shopping Spree at CrossIron Mills Mall! These items will help make the lives of young Calgarians in need that much brighter this holiday season!

This Friday, we'll be at SportChek in the Crowfoot Shopping Centre in the NW between 1 and 4 pm collecting your donations.



MINI Deeds, an All4 All-Wheel Drive MINI Countryman Perfect for the Calgary Winter Weather, can hold a lot of items and is our goal to Stuff it to the point that I have to put items on my co-pilot's seat!

Safe without a Safety Net: MINI Driver Training

There’s a lot to be grateful for if you’re driving a modern MINI. Thanks to the electronic assistance systems, driving really is safer and more relaxed nowadays. For example, when a big rock suddenly tumbles into your way, right in the middle of the curve, do you brake? Of course, instinctively. But what if the distance is much too short to fully stop in time? No need to worry — the antilock brake system maintains unflappable control and applies maximum braking in the MINI. In the process you only feel a slight vibration under the sole of your right foot. Evasive maneuver? You might be more likely to tear out the steering wheel from fear. After all, everything happens within the fraction of a second. Out of the corner of your eye you might still see the DSC lamp in the display briefly flicker, but by that time, the dangerous situation has already passed and the MINI has rolled on to safety. The short activity of the stability control system has prevented worse things from happening. After an experience like that, you can roll along unharmed to the next parking lot and tend to some important needs — like breathing deeply.

© MINI

Some say the old days were better. But after the initial moment of shock, this statement has to be rethought considering the life-saving technology of your car. How would the whole thing have been run through in a less modern vehicle? Differently. While in today's cars the electronic assistants quietly do their job, on classic cars without electronics it depends a lot more on the abilities of the guy or gal behind the wheel. Situations have to be assessed in the blink of an eye and the appropriate action taken. Otherwise, there lies threat of disaster. Does this mean that driving a Classic Mini is dangerous? Of course not. You should just carefully test your own abilities behind the wheel and then practice, practice, practice. Carefree driving fun comes with good experience.

© MINI

Where to practice carefree exploration of the limits of the driver and the vehicle without a net? Where in the world can you get an opportunity to make a controlled error without having to pay the consequences with your own MINI… or worse — your health?

© MINI

At MINI! Following the success of the first Classic Mini driver training courses last year, the MINI Clubs International Office has done it again by adding a course for advanced drivers. Here participants are playfully introduced to these kinds of situations at high speed with their own classic Mini. And that looks like this:



And since no one can expect to get it right the first time, the participants are not kept on a short leash during the spectacular exercises, but instead are provided with excellent advice by experienced instructors on how to stay on track even without modern assistance systems.

© MINI

Interested? Then why not send an email right away with the subject "Classic Mini Driver Training" to miniclubs-international-office@minispace.com. You'll automatically receive information right away on the MCIO driver training courses. However, there is one restriction. These training courses are currently only being offered in Germany.

*Source: MINI Source

How much load can a MINI Countryman Hold?

Take a look at this picture...



Here's what you should see:

1) 1 Table
2) 2 Station Pull-Ups
3) 1 Mountain Bike
4) 2 Skis
5) 2 Ski poles
6) 2 Ski Boots
7) 1 Chair (the second one was a loaner chair from the Calgary Farmers' Market)
8) 2 Station Flags (set-up outside of the Calgary Farmers' Market)
9) 2 Station Flag Stands
10) 2 45 lbs weights to hold down the Station Flags
11) 1 Boom Box to play the KooL Tunes
12) 1 Draw Box for Prince Concert Tickets
13) 4 pairs of Ice Skates

and it all fits without a problem in MINI Deeds... And I still had room for more!



We still need your help! Go to www.minicalgary.ca and MINI Deeds & I will come over to your house or work to pick up all your genlty used sporting equipment for kids in need!

To all my friends & neighbors...

By now, you've probably heard on the radio or seen on my facebook page that we're trying to stuff MINI Deeds, an All4 All-Wheel Drive MINI Countryman, with as many gently used sporting goods as possible for young Calgarians in need of a brighter and more fun holiday season.

Some of you have already made a donation, some of you are looking for items to donate around your house, and for those minutes invested in finding those items I, and MINI Deeds, Thank You!

But, we're not done yet! Start sorting out thru all your things and get ready. MINI Deeds and I will be at the Calgary Farmers' Market this Friday from 8am to 1pm taking all the Gently Used Sporting Equipment that you wish to donate. And if you're amongst the first 50 people to stop by to drop off your donations, The Main Dish will supply a small meal of Chilli or Medium Salad!




Take a look around your house, in the garage, or that closet that everyone is afraid to open and look for any gently used sporting equipment that is lying around not being used. We'll be more than happy to pick those up from you at home, or at work!

All you have to do is fill this form and we'll be more than happy to pick those up from you! Or, if you want to stop by MINI Crowfoot and drop them off in person you can do that too! But I highly encourage you let the Winter Driving to us...



Don't forget about the best part! For each donation that you make, we'll have your name entered into a draw for a $1,000 shopping spree at CrossIron Mills Mall! How's that for a Holiday financial relief!?

Everyone loves a good video...

This one is kinda funny & mean at the same time.



This one shows how I feel about Winter Driving in the MINI Countryman... Winter, Bring it on!



This one... Well, this one is just too good not to share if you ask me.

Winter Clean-up!

You've probably heard that we're trying to stuff MINI Deeds, a MINI Countryman with a heart-of-gold, with as many gently used sporting goods as possible for young Calgarians in need of a brighter & more fun holiday season.

Take a look around your house, in the garage, or that closet that everyone is afraid to open and look for any gently used sporting equipment that is lying around not being used. We'll be more than happy to pick those up from you at home, or at work!



All you have to do is fill this form and we'll be more than happy to pick those up from you! Or, if you want to stop by MINI Crowfoot and drop them off in person you can do that too!


View Larger Map

And the best part is, that for each donation that you make, we'll have your name entered into a draw for a $1,000 shopping spree at CrossIron Mills Mall! How's that for a Holiday financial relief!?

Start sorting out thru all your things and get ready. MINI Deeds & I will be at the Calgary Farmers' Market on Friday December 2nd from 8am - 1pm taking all your donations. If you stop by during your lunch hour to drop off your donations, The Main Dish will supply a small meal (lasagna) for the first 50 people that stop by and make a donation!!!

Every MINI has a story to tell...

The Story of a MINI Cooper S Called Mile-Eater

It's always the same, isn't it? At the start things can't go quickly enough. You nervously shift your weight from one foot to the other, waiting impatiently until the bothersome formalities have been taken care of just so the dealer can finally do it - give you that coveted and long-awaited key. Then you only hear "drive carefully" way in the back of your head, because it's finally time. There it is, our MINI. Now it's time to unlock the car, open the door, get in, adjust the seat position, briefly pause, experience joy, buckle up, check briefly the mirrors you've just adjusted, insert the key in the ignition, start the engine, engage the gear and roll off. The "mile-eating" can begin, because regardless of whether it's a new or a used MINI, for the first time it's all your own, and now the identity of your very mobile self. It's part of your life—part of a car life.


But wait. How long does a car life actually last? 30,000 miles, 60,000 miles or even 120,000 miles? And in what amount of time can these distances be covered? In three, seven, or even 10 or more years? These are questions that some MINI owners might not have ask themselves when buying their Hatch, Clubman, Convertible, Countryman, Coupé or Roadster. And why would they? After all, it's ultimately a matter of collecting as many miles of entertainment as possible in order to experience as much as possible with your MINI.


And that's also how our friend Michi saw it. When he picked up his brand new MINI Cooper S at the dealer in the summer of 2002, the young man from Switzerland would have hardly believed it possible that it would be just under 10 years and no less than 162,263 miles before he would pass on his dream car to a new MINI enthusiast. Of course, the MINI fan from Winterthur experienced a lot in this time with his Electric Blue Cooper S—far too much in fact to describe all the details here. But fortunately, our Michi is a true Swiss citizen and they are, of course, said to possess a certain degree of meticulousness. It therefore came as no surprise that our Michi was able to present very special statistics on his mile-eater, which both amazed us and on more than one occasion elicited a grin. But read for yourself.


- Countries traveled: Switzerland, Italy, France, Austria, Germany and the Netherlands.
- Pit stops for fuel: 469
- Tire wear: 12 sets
- Changed to winter tires: 8x
- Changed to summer tires: 7x
- Trips to the bakery for weekend breakfasts: 632
- Parking in front of the supermarket: 567
- Police inspections: 4
- Speed limit exceeded unpunished: countless
- Speed limit exceeded punished: 3
- Killed insects: 6,201,557
- Times slept in the MINI: 3
- Scraped ice from the windows: 125 frosty mornings
- Waved to another MINI: 5,641
- Moved with the MINI: twice


Of course, it was painful for Michi when he sold his MINI to another pair of good hands at the beginning of 2010, but he remained true to his favorite brand and has already clocked over 50,000 miles on the odometer of his new companion. However, what's left of his beloved mile-eater are the many memories he collected together with the miles in the MINI. Whether they are good or bad memories, only Michi knows. But one thing is clear: For most of us, a MINI is not just a car, but much, much more. And that's why you should tell us your story. We're looking forward to hearing it. What kind of miles have you eaten with your MINI?

*Source: MINI Space

Let's get 'stuffing'!

We're trying to help make the lives of young Calgarians in need brighter & more fun this holiday season. It's for that reason that we're taking all your gently used sporting equipment that is lying around your house, not being used.

MINI Deeds and I will are accepting donations throughout Calgary. You don't have to come to us! We'll come & pick them up from your home or office!

We spent a few hours at Talisman Centre this last Friday, November 4th & we had a good response from both Talisman Centre and people that we talked to in regards to this event! If you live in the North West of Calgary, you can also drop your donations off directly at MINI Crowfoot!



If you wish to schedule a pick-up of donations, contact MINI Deeds and I by filling out this form and we'll be more than happy to pick them up!





And the KooL thing about this is that for very item you donate, your name gets entered into a draw to win a $1,000 Shopping Spree at CrossIron Mills Mall!

On behalf of MINI Deeds, myself, KooL 101.5, & MINI Crowfoot thank you for helping make Calgary a better place to live.

How smart is your Car?

Any MINI equipped with MINI Connected allows the driver to simply tuck an iPhone into the built-in USB port making it one with the MINI hi-res cockpit display. That's just the half of it -search for places nearby using Google Local SearchTM, monitor your driving efficiency and even update your Facebook and Twitter status on the move. See MINI Connected in the new film and get an overview of all the current and up coming functionalities.



Our new film shows just how intuitively and safely this game-changing feature works. A powerful tool for communications and social networking, MINI Connected unites trailblazing in-car technology with a groundbreaking app that can be downloaded to the driver's iPhone, turning the MINI into a thoroughly wired telecommunications and infotainment control center. The technology takes car-smartphone integration to an unprecedented level, and promises to deliver an ever-growing list of features in the form of app upgrades and extensions as available technologies and social networking capabilities develop.



Because the new technology required a film quite unlike any other that MINI has done before, the MINI Connected Team searched out a crew that could bring the groundbreaking technology's intuitive, powerful and polished feel to the screen. What they found was a crew of passionate pros at Red Gate Films who live for bringing cutting-edge gear like this to life. We had a chat with David Bousquet, director and cinematographer on the project to get a feel for what went into the project.



The work of his team really brings the world of MINI Connected into the cockpit. Carefully crafting 3D models and introducing them seamlessly both into and outside the cabin of the MINI Countryman required a great deal of patience, time - and a full film crew tiptoeing around in their socks (apparently 3D models and pitch black studios are pretty sensitive environments).
Ok, so what can it do? Eight features are currently available today with more exciting features to come this summer!



Connectivity: MINI Connected lets you stay synched to local news sources via customizable RSS feeds and your social network 24/7 by receiving Facebook and Twitter status updates as text on the dash display. Post your destinations, estimated arrival times and more to Twitter with preset tweets. You can even watch video podcasts uploaded to your iPhone right in-dash.



Navigation: Need to find the nearest gas station? Laundromat? Mexican restaurant? Just use Google Local SearchTM as simply as you normally would when using your iPhone to get around, or use the Google Send-to-CarTM function, allowing Google MapsTM to link up with the in-car navigation system of your MINI to give you detailed driving directions to wherever you need to go. Friends can even send you directions - right to the car.

Driving Efficiency: The MINIMALISM Analyzer records driving data that will personally help you environmentally streamline your driving style in a way that's as fun to use as it is earth-friendly. This function will record a range of data from your drive - like acceleration, gear changes and braking - displaying it in real time, ranking your stats with a star system. You can then assess the efficiency of your road technique from journey to journey, comparing online and competing with other users in your quest to become the world's greenest MINI driver.



Vehicle Interaction: Coming this summer the Mission Control** module will give you the ability to interact directly with your car. Your MINI will let you know outside air temperatures, or give you a friendly reminder to fasten your seatbelt and other situation-dependent messages. You can finally give your MINI the character and personality you always knew it had with options like, a choice of language versions and driving modes.



Music: MINI Connected can also use your iPhone to stream webradio stations from anywhere in the world - utilizing the familiar controls of the MINI audio system - giving you a prime opportunity to get acquainted with the four pre-programmed MINI Sounds Webradio stations. You can download the app and use it for webradio even if you don't have a MINI. US drivers will be able to customize their favorite Pandora* stations by directly controling the Pandora iPhone app. This summer you'll be able to rock out with an innovative new feature called Dynamic Music**. Taking the audio interactivity of MINI Connected one step further: specialized songs will allow the music coming out of your car stereo to respond directly to your driving style, so you can mix your own soundtrack as you drive. Step on it to kick up the BPM, or relax your driving style to hear more chilled-out beats.

*Source MINI Space

Want some cake... Better yet, Want a REALLY GOOD CAKE?

This weekend I made a "Pastel de Tres Leches" or "Tres Leches Cake" for a friend's birthday party & it was all gone by the end of the night, I guess that's a good review. It's named for the three milks in the soaking liquid (Leche means milk in Spanish.) The three milks in the soaking sauce for Tres Leches are sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk and heavy cream. The heavy cream is also whipped up to use as the topping. Due to the rich ingredients and that it is soaked in a creamy syrup, Tres Leches Cake is extremely dense and moist, almost like a custard.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 5 minutes

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups cake flour
1 pinch salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/3 cup oil
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 large eggs
1/2 cup whole milk

Preparation:
Combine flour and baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl, combine the oil, sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Add the eggs to the sugar mixture one at a time until well combined. Stir in the 1/2 cup of milk, then gently fold in the flour mixture a little at a time.
Pour batter into a lightly greased cake pan or baking dish and bake at 325 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until it feels firm and an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Let the cake cool until it feels room temperature. Turn it over onto a platter with raised edges. Pierce cake throughout with a fork or chop-stick about 20-30 times. Let it cool in the refrigerator for an additional 30 minutes.



Cream Syrup

12 oz. evaporated milk
14 oz. sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon rum or brandy (optional, but I like to use rum)
Whisk together the three milks and the rum or brandy if you are using it. Slowly pour the liquid over the cooled cake. Refrigerate for 1 hour. Occasionally, spoon the milk runoff back onto the cake.



Whipped Topping

3/4 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon sugar
In a chilled mixing bowl add heavy cream, vanilla and sugar. Beat on high speed until peaks form. Spread a thin layer over the cak & add toppings. In this case I used Peacans & Cajeta (almost like dulce de leche but better)





Enjoy.

We want your, gently used, Sporting Equipment!

We need your help. We, MINI Deeds & I, want to help make the lives of young Calgarians in need that much brighter this holiday season. It's for that reason that we need you to donate any/all gently used sporting gear lying around your house, not being used.

MINI Deeds and I will are accepting donations throughout Calgary & we'll even come, to either your home or office, and pick them up!

We'll be at the Talisman Centre on Friday, November 4th. If you have the time, please stop by and drop off your items. You can also drop them off directly at MINI Crowfoot in the North West or contact MINI Deeds and I by filling out this form and we'll be more than happy to pick them up!

On behalf of MINI Deeds, myself, KooL 101.5, & MINI Crowfoot thank you for helping make Calgary a better place to live.

Remember! See you at the Talisman Centre on Friday, November 4!

Take all your friends out for Halloween...

Of all the members of the holiday family, we all know Halloween is the artist of the bunch. Once a year it casts a spell of mischief on us all, and as we dole out fistfuls of confectionary delights, it doles out liberal doses of creative license in the departments of evening garb and household décor. Everyday things like hairspray, forgotten old clothes, and even the white sheets off your bed have their routine function usurped as they are tossed together in creative ensembles to become the trappings of disguise and entertainment. We don masks and adopt aliases, and we give ourselves up wholeheartedly to the command of our wayward creative spirits.



Being the imaginative community that you are, we suspect you’ve got some clever ideas up your sleeve for this Halloween. What are you dressing up for? But most importantly, how are you getting there? Let your drive down to your friends’ house for Halloween be a fun drive. Get there in a MINI, but don't go alone. Now, you can take all your friends with you.

MINI Reef for the Turtles!!!

Look at this picture... I'll explain shortly "How did we get here?"



Koh Tao is an island off the coast of Thailand whose name literally translates to "Turtle Island." The aptly named tropical paradise of white sandy beaches shaded by towering palm trees is surrounded by waters positively teeming with some of the world's most fascinating marine life. Hawksbill turtles, barracudas, sting rays, clownfish and whale sharks are just a few examples of the colorful fauna great and small that drift happily through the beautiful coral reefs that characterize Koh Tao's surrounding sapphire seascape.



Not surprisingly, the idyllic spot has become known as a hot destination for expert and amateur divers alike. But the influx of tourism to the area poses a real threat to the equilibrium of Koh Tao's delicate ecosystem, and local conservationists face the perpetual challenge of giving visitors the chance to interact with this island's thrilling array of subaquatic treasures without destroying them in the process.



The cement MINI prepares to leave dry land and begin its aquatic journey.. Enter MINI Thailand and their unique MINI Artificial Coral Reef Project. On August 26th, together with a team of about 30 professional divers, they sank a playful, MINI-themed landscape below the waves at the diver training site of Suan Olan. The project, which was carried out in cooperation with Koh Tao Marine Conservation Group and the local Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, will have the double benefit of providing a habitat for the island's wildlife while giving novice divers a place to practice without interfering with the natural reefs that lie clustered just beyond the coastline.



Just about to launch.. With the help of highly specialized equipment like crane ships and air balloons, the carefully engineered structure was built using cement, a material chosen for its suitability as a base for coral to grow securely. Experts estimate it will remain in place for about 10 years, serving as an unusual attraction for visiting divers and a message for posterity about the importance of protecting the natural beauty we too often take for granted.



Nothing but the great blue above, and many colorful years ahead.. On the following day, their hard work done, everyone who lent a hand in this innovative and special project celebrated into the night with an after party featuring live music and fire dancing. The theme was simple: "Thank You For Loving Koh Tao." Simple, but right on the mark, since in the end what MINI Thailand and all who participated on that day had proven was that when it comes to building a brighter future for sea turtles and other marine life, a little love can go a long way.



*Article taken from the MINI Source

Let's Stuff MINI Deeds!

We're calling out to all of the Community Heroes out there to donate any gently used sporting goods lying around your house, taking up space and simply not being used. These items will help make the lives of young Calgarians in need that much brighter this holiday season.

There's plenty of schools, charities and other organizations that will most definately give these items a good use. We want to make sure that kids in need live fun, healthy, active lives. Until the holiday season ends, MINI Deeds and I will be accepting donations throughout Calgary.

Find our next location here on our blog and drop off your items wherever you find us on location. You can also drop them off directly at MINI Crowfoot or contact MINI Deeds and Carlos by filling out this form and we'll be more than happy come to your office or home to pick them up!

On behalf of MINI Deeds, myself, KooL 101.5, & MINI Crowfoot thank you for helping make Calgary a better place to live.

Find us at the Talisman Centre on Friday, November 4!

What do I do for a living?

When I came to Calgary as an exchange student from the Universidad Autonoma de Baja California. I left home as Carlos A. Cuevas C. My first day of College at Mount Royal College my soon to be best bud gave me the name that I was known for throughout my college years. Carlos From Mexico.
Things happened and time took it's course. I started working for CKCE FM and 9 months after I started working for them I became an on-air personality amongst other things. I take care of remote broadcast, social media, some of the image content for our website, public relations & what ever other little thing that needs to get taken care of.
Soon after I became a full time employee as the Goodwill Ambassador for CKCE FM I had to get a new on-air name that tied in to my tittle, Goodwill Carlos came to light... I know, genius!
When I go home back to Mexico, my friends & family ask me what do I do for a living?! It's kinda complex. I go to events that we plan at the radio station, I meet lots of people. Sometimes I change a tire for compete estrangers, buy random people coffee at the drive thru lines, give away random items depending on the time of the year or just give away hugs & I talk about it on the radio... I guess that the easiest way to explain it, is... I make people happy or at the very least, try to brighten up their day....
I'm very lucky that I get to do this for a living. I'm very lucky to call myself, Goodwill Carlos and to work at KooL 101.5

My Dog?

People asked me a few times, what would my Dog be when I get a Dog... Akita is the Dog I want.

Here is why.

In the early 1900's two events occurred that focused positive attention on the breed. One of them was the story of Hachi-Ko, one of the most revered Japanese Akitas of all time. Hachi-Ko was owned by Professor Eizaburo Ueno of Tokyo. Everyday the Professor would commute to work on the the train from Shibuya Station. Hachi-Ko would accompany his master to the station each morning and meet him and accompany him home each night.

On May 25, 1925, when the dog was 18 months old, he waited for his master's arrival on the four o'clock train. But he waited in vain; Professor Ueno had suffered a fatal stroke at work. Hachi-Ko continued to wait for his master's return. He traveled to and from the station each day for the next nine years. He allowed the professor's relatives to care for him, but he never gave up his vigil at the station for his master. His vigil became world renowned, and shortly after his death, a bronze statue was erected at the train station in his honor.

Thanks to Mike Shannon for passing on this story after our little chat about dogs early this AM