AUTOMOTIVES How to choose a mechanic Learn public speaking HERE ARE useful tips for deal- ing with a mechanic: @ Call around. It doesn’t make sense to choose a shop simply because it’s nearby. Calling a few shops may turn tp estimates cheaper by half. @ Don't necessarily go for the lowest price. A good rule is to eliminate the highest and lowest estimates; the mechanic with the highest estimates is probably charging too much and the lowest may be cutting too many corners. @ Check the shor’s reputation. Cail your iocal consumer affairs agency and the Better Business Bureau. But don’t take their word as gospel. There are a iot of shops they’ve never heard of and others on which they don’t have suffi- cient records. But if their reports on a shop aren't lavorable, you can im- mediately disqualify it. @ Develop a ‘‘sider.”” If you get to know a mechanic employed by a repair shop, don’t be afraid Current B.C. Ferries AS A tribute to the many B.C. senior citizens who have served this province, B.C. Ferry Corp. will offer them free passenger passage on Remembrance Day, Nov. 11, THE FOLLOWING are the current schedules for B.C. Ferry Corp. routes between the mainland, Vancouver Isiand and Langdale: @ WHorseshce Bay to Nanaimo and Nanaimo to Horseshoe Bay: In effect until further notice: Leave Horseshoe Bay at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., !lam., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p-m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Leave Nanaimo at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., Il am., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 to ask if he is available to work on the side evenings or weekends. The labor will be cheaper. @ Take a look around. A well-kept shop is a sign of pride in workmanship. This has nothing to do with whether the waiting room is carpeted or air conditioned or offers free coffee, but rather whether the mechanics’ work space is reasonably neat and well organized. A skilled and efficient mechanic would probably not be working in a messy shop. @ Don" sign a blank work ap- proval form. Make sure that the service order you sign has rela- tively specific instructions, or at least a few words descriting your car’s problems. Signing a vague work order could make you liable to pay for work you didn't want. Be sure you are called for approval before the shop does work you have not ordered. p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. @ Horseshoe Bay to Langdale and Langdale to Horsesise Bay: In effect untit further notice: Leave Horseshoe Bay at 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., i:t5 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7:25 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. Leave Langdale at 6:20 a.m., 8:30 s.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:25 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8:20 p.in, © Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay and Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen: In ef- fect from Nov. 13 to Dec. 19: Leave Tsawwassen at 7 a.m., 9 am., {Qa.m., {lam., ! p.im., 2 pm., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m. (Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays @ Show interest. Ask jor an explanation of what’s wrong with your car. You'll be surprised at how helpful a mechanic becomes just knowing that you're interest- ed. Don’t act like an expert. If you don’t really understand what’s wrong with your car, don’t pre- tend that you do. It may only demonstrate your ignorance, set- ting you up to be taken by a dishonest mechanic. @ Express your satisfaction. If you’re happy with the work, conipliment the mechanic and ask for him or her the next time you come in. You'll get to know each other, and the mechanic will get to know your car. @ Get a written estimate. This is a must for repairs of any size. — From The Used Car Book, 1991 Edition, by Jack Gillis. By permission of Harper Collins Publishers. Distributed by the Los Angeles Times Syndicate. schedule only), 7 p.m., 9 p.m. and on Fri- days and Sundays only at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. Leave Swartz Bay at 7 a.m., 8 a.m. (except Sundays), 9 a.m., 1! am., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. 4 p.m. (Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays cnly), 5 p.m., 7 p.m., 9 p.m. and on Fridays and Sundays only at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. @ Tsawwassen to Nanaimo and Nanaimo to Tsawwassen: Leave Tsawwassen at 5:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m., | p.m., 3:30 p.m., 6 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. Leave Nanaimo at 5:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 6 p.m., 8:30 and 11 p.m. (3 YEAR) / 60,000 Km BUMPER TO BUMPER PROTECTION (7 YEAR) / 115,000 Km PROTECTION Call now for details. 1 INTERNATIONAL TRAINING in’ Communication (ITIC), a non-profit educational «organiza- tion geared towards helping peo- ple overcome their fear of public speaking, will hold an informa- tional meeting at Cheers Restau- rant, 125 East 2nd St. in North Vancouver, on Nov. 12 starting at 7pm. The cost of attending meeting will be $3. {TIC members will learn how to develop leadership skills, improve communication abilities such as the speaking and listening, build self- confidence, gain greater recogni- tion in the job and community fields and learn efficient organiza- tional techniques. . The Council Six Extension Committee of ITIC is working towards forming a new club on the North Shore which is open to both men and women. Meetings are held twice a month with an option of a_ breakfast, lunch, dinner or coffee formats. For more information, contact Joyce Marr at 985-2599. Cars may have solar panels From page 38 obtained through electrolysis, a process which requires as much energy to accomplish as the energy obtained from the hydrogen pro- duced. The process of burning coal or other fuels to produce electricity to make hydrogen may create more industrial air pollution than is saved by running cars on hydrogen, although this is far from conclusive. Hydrogen can be produced using clean hydro-elec- tric power, but few countries have access to this kind of power source. in addition, the infrastructure (pipelines, storage tanks, gas sta- tions) needed to supply hydrogen is not in place, and would require a major commitment in time and money from governments and URETHANE SUPRE private industry. The long-term outlook for hydrogen. though, is good. Hydrogen is one of onty two sources of energy that emit no emissions whatsoever. (The other is electricity.) Gasoline, methanol, natural gas, ethanol and other fossil based fuels all emit nitrogen oxides, hydrocarhons, carbon monoxide, and carbon-dioxide, the ‘‘greenhouse’’ gas. A combination of fucis is the most likely scenario for future automobiles, in order to achieve a practical compromise between fuel economy, performance and low emissions. The HR-X, for exam- ple, uses both hydrogen-rotary power and electric power. Electric cars may have solar panels on the roof to recharge the batteries, and small gasoline or hydrogen engines, ME PAINT SERVICE Ye OFF SPECIAL Provides the finest preparation and materials. Polyurethane Enamel - the ultimate in durability, gloss retention and chemical resistance. {2 Chemica! Cieaning C] Thorough Surface Sanding 1) Machine Sand Most Chips and Scratches C] Prime and Block Sand Feathered Areas C) Full Coat of Primer Sealer [ Refinish with Polyurethane Enamel - Unequaied for Gloss Retention and Durability [1] Oven Baked Finish. Bb) Reg. $799.95 vow 399.95 945 WEST isi Sireet NORTH VANCOUVER 984-4711 {next to Beaver Lumber)