To begin: this is a rave, not a rant.

I've got to believe, however, that the ranting I did last winter (Turn off your $#@! vehicle! Please. and there ought to be a law against idling vehicles) had something to do with the bowl of "idle free" cards I noticed as I left Pearl Street Bagels this morning.

Indeed, Les and Maggie Gibson have made it easy for their patrons to "tag" idling vehicles on Pearl Street. And they've done it more tactfully and informatively than I ever would. Their two-sided business card features a simple idle free message and logo on the front, with the following on the reverse side:

Fact:

Idling for over 10 seconds uses more fuel than restarting your engine.

Idling reduces engine life (by up to 20%).

With today's engines the best way to warm it up is to drive it.

Communities around the world are adopting Idle Free By Laws.

Idling is harmless?

Think again

Given the fact that my very unscientific survey last winter outed Pearl Street as the most likely place to find an idling vehicle in Jackson, it's good to know that at least one local business has joined my crusade to shut the idlers down.

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