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Electric Avenue

Some of the topics we looked into while you were reading last month’s issue

Don’t be surprised when you start seeing—but not hearing—more electric motorcycles on the road. And we hope you’ll celebrate National Dictionary Day with us October 16 by cracking open the good book and learning a new word.

Going Hog Mild

In 1894, two steam engineers and an inventor in Germany released the first production motorcycle, eponymously called the Hildebrand & Wolfmüller.

In 2018, more than 350,000 two-wheeled machines were registered with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, but their mystique may be slipping. Eighteen percent more bikes were on Texas roads in 2013.

So manufacturers are going electric to broaden their appeal.

Harley-Davidson started taking preorders this year for its first all-electric motorcycle, called the LiveWire. The 2020 model boasts 146 miles of city range.

European manufacturers aren’t far behind. Triumph and Ducati have plans to develop their own all-electric bikes.

But Zero Motorcycles, a California company, beat them all to market in 2006. Their latest model, the Zero S, packs a 223-mile city range.

Century of Advocacy

The League of Women Voters of Texas turns 100 this month. The nonpartisan political organization, formed October 19, 1919, focused its efforts in the early years on educating the newly enfranchised women voters of the state.

Today, the league promotes voter education and participation, and advocates solutions in the public interest on key policy issues.

Meaningful Day

To commemorate National Dictionary Day, October 16, the writers and editors at Texas Co-op Power share words that recently sent them to a dictionary.

Chris Burrows
Stevedore: A dockworker responsible for loading or unloading ships in port.

Travis Hill
Prolix: So wordy as to be tiresome.

Charles Lohrmann
Magisterial: Having or showing great authority.

Jessica Ridge
Frontispiece: An illustration preceding and usually facing the title page of a book.

Tom Widlowski
S’more: Looked up not for its meaning but for its spelling.

Houston Over Huntsville

For 25 years, Sam Houston, in the form of a 67-foot statue, has stood over traffic on Interstate 45 in Huntsville. A Tribute to Courage, designed and constructed by Houston artist David Adickes, was dedicated October 22, 1994.

It is said to be the world’s tallest statue of an American hero. The 30-ton concrete and steel likeness stands on a 10-foot-tall granite base.

Houston is buried in Huntsville’s Oakwood Cemetery, about 6 miles north of the monument.

The Amateur BBQ Cook-Off and Music Fest, October 11–12 in Frisco, is a fundraiser for Camp Craig Allen.

Wavebreakmedia | Shutterstock.com

Camp Craig Allen Fundraiser

Camp Craig Allen, a nonprofit dedicated to physically disabled adults, children and veterans of North Texas, holds its annual fundraiser, the Amateur BBQ Cook-Off and Music FesT, October 11–12 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco. The stadium is powered by CoServ, an electric cooperative based in Corinth.

Camp Craig Allen promotes advocacy and independence through educational, recreational and therapeutic programs. Its goal is to build a completely barrier-free facility where people with physical disabilities can participate in a variety of activities. Call (940) 395-0226, or visit campcraigallen.orgfor details.

Lauding LEDs

You already know residential LEDs use at least 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs—especially if they’re Energy Star certified.

But did you know the first patented LEDs were developed in 1962 by Texas Instruments? They were used with IBM computers to control punch card readers.

Something to think about October 7, National LED Light Day.