September 2002

CHEESEBURGER SOUP, HAY STACKS AND OTHER TRUCK STOP DELIGHTS

Capturing the richness of truck stop culture, along with collecting recipes, was why authors Ken Beck, Jim Clark and Les Kerr created The All-American Truck Stop Cookbook: Good Eats from the Road (Rutledge Hill Press; $14.99).

“I think it was simply a combination of nostalgia for the good old days when American families went on vacations on the open road, before there were interstates and fast-food restaurants – thus, every town and every little store or filling station was as unique as the people who ran it,” Beck says. “And then, it was also the idea of tracking the history of truck stops and finding some of the most interesting.”

Entire chapters are devoted to chili (Hot Rods in a Bowl) and meat loaf (The Mother Load). Regional delights include Boise Strawberry Pretzel Salad, Dakota Cheeseburger Soup and West Virginia Hay Stacks.


GETTING THERE IS HALF THE FUN

Clarion Corp.’s Joyride is a multi-media entertainment and navigation system that combines radio, CD, DVD, MP3 and GPS mapping with a surround sound system. What the company calls a “convenient dual-zone atmosphere” allows the driver to use navigation in addition to any of the audio functions, while passengers can enjoy DVDs. Joyride’s functions are all easily controlled by voice commands or infrared remote control. Joyride, in turn, gives verbal responses. Call (800) 462-5274 or visit www.clarion.com.


ANY NO-DOZE IN THAT BLACK BAG?

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education announced residents will be held to 80-hour weeks – a big change from the 100- to 120-hour weeks common now. The rules also impose a maximum shift length of 24 hours and mandatory rest periods of 10 hours. Hospitals have until July 2003 to comply.

“The health care industry has wisely begun to police itself, recognizing that fatigue translates to serious liability problems, which increase medical malpractice suits and drive up insurance costs,” says Dr. Acacia Aguirre of Circadian Technologies, which specializes in workplace scheduling.

Partner Insights
Information to advance your business from industry suppliers

It’s good to see at least one profession waking up to the fact that you don’t have to be driving a truck to be dangerous when you’re fatigued on the job.


FIND THIS GIRL A SHOWER COUPON

“Courteney may be pretty, but if she’s not on top of it, she smells like a truck driver,” Arquette reportedly told the U.K. Mirror, “and I like it.”

– Actor David Arquette, on the online magazine salon.com, referring to the occasionally ripe underarms of his wife, actress Courteney Cox-Arquette.


HIGH ALTITUDE, LONG DISTANCE

A line of prepaid phone cards features the race truck owned by five-time Pikes Peak Hill Climb champion, Mike Ryan. The race truck is the focus of the new series of collector phone cards offered through Trucker Buddy International.

Proceeds benefit the organization, which links truckers with elementary classes. Call (800) MY-BUDDY.

Showcase your workhorse
Add a photo of your rig to our Reader Rigs collection to share it with your peers and the world. Tell us the story behind the truck and your business to help build its story.
Submit Your Rig
Reader Rig Submission