Appletree Honda Google Review

https://maps.app.goo.gl/vD6vhf2BAaojgcVA9?g_st=im

Pete 🤓 and Zeke 🐶

Lease - keep your down payment low because your lease amount is the Same

 If you have great credit and plenty of cash, it is generally better to keep your down payment low when leasing a car rather than making a large down payment like $10,000. Here’s why:

• Lowering your monthly payment with a large down payment does not reduce the total cost of the lease.Whether you put $0 or $10,000 down, the total amount paid over the lease term is about the same—the down payment just shifts when you pay, not how much you pay overall24.

• Leasing does not build equity. Unlike buying, you do not own the car at the end of the lease, so a large down payment is not recouped56.

• Risk of loss if the car is totaled or stolen. If the vehicle is wrecked or stolen early in the lease, your down payment may not be fully reimbursed, even if you have GAP insurance6.

• Most experts recommend putting as little down as possible on a lease, only enough to meet the required upfront costs and keep monthly payments manageable567.

Bottom line: With strong credit and sufficient cash, you should generally keep your lease down payment to the minimum required. This approach protects your cash and reduces risk without increasing your total lease cost24567.

Citations:

1. https://www.toyotaplace.com/finance/buying-vs-leasing/
2. https://www.reddit.com/r/askcarsales/comments/1dft3w1/why_no_down_payment_for_a_car_lease/
3. https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/car-loans-and-leasing/car-lease-calculator
4. https://www.edmunds.com/car-leasing/should-you-make-a-down-payment-when-you-lease.html
5. https://www.autotrader.com/car-shopping/whats-right-down-payment-car-loan-or-lease-212702
6. https://www.lithia.com/research/car-leasing/should-you-make-a-down-payment-when-you-lease-a-car.htm
7. https://www.dmautoleasing.com/blog/pros-and-cons-of-a-down-payment-on-a-car-lease/
8. https://www.victorysanbruno.com/buying-vs-leasing/

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Answer from Perplexity: pplx.ai/share

 

Does Capsaicin Affect Birds?

Birds are largely unaffected by capsaicin, the compound responsible for the "heat" in chili peppers that causes burning sensations in mammals.

Biological Basis

• Birds lack the specific capsaicin-sensitive TRPV1 pain receptors found in mammals. While both birds and mammals have heat-sensitive TRPV1 channels, only the mammalian version responds to capsaicin, making birds immune to its burning effects136.

• As a result, birds cannot taste or feel the irritation from capsaicin, and it does not cause them discomfort or pain23489.

Practical Implications

en.wikipedia

Wrinkled Bhut Jolokia chili peppers in varying stages of ripeness, including red and orange, growing on a plant

• Capsaicin is often added to birdseed to deter mammals like squirrels and raccoons, as they find it unpleasant, while birds eat the treated seed without issue3578.

• Studies and anecdotal evidence indicate that capsaicin does not harm birds or damage their mouth, eyes, or digestive tract37.

• Birds can consume even the hottest peppers, such as the Carolina Reaper or Bhut Jolokia, without adverse effects2.

Evolutionary Perspective

• The insensitivity of birds to capsaicin is thought to be an evolutionary adaptation. Chili plants benefit when birds eat their fruit and disperse the seeds, as birds do not destroy the seeds during digestion, unlike mammals1356.

• This mutual relationship helps chili plants propagate while deterring seed-destroying mammals.

Safety Considerations

• There is no evidence that capsaicin causes direct physical harm to birds. Commercial capsaicin-treated bird foods have been used for years without reports of negative impacts on bird populations37.

• Some sources note that while birds are immune to the pain of capsaicin, the possibility of other, subtle health effects has not been entirely ruled out, though no empirical data suggests harm310.

Summary Table

Effect of Capsaicin on Birds	Description
Sensation	No burning, pain, or irritation
Taste	Cannot taste capsaicin
Digestive Impact	No evidence of harm or discomfort
Use in Bird Feed	Safe and effective for deterring mammals, not birds
Evolutionary Role	Promotes seed dispersal by birds, deters mammals

Conclusion

Capsaicin does not affect birds in the same way it affects mammals. Birds are immune to its burning and irritating effects, making it safe for them to consume spicy peppers and capsaicin-treated foods. This unique insensitivity is both a biological and ecological adaptation that benefits both birds and certain plants12368.

Citations:

1. https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1bvliuj/are_birds_completely_immune_to_capsaicin/
2. https://www.perkypet.com/articles/why-birds-are-immune-to-the-burn-of-hot-peppers
3. https://winnipeg.wbu.com/hot-pepper
4. https://eugene.wbu.com/birds-and-hot-pepper
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capsaicin
6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11853675/
7. https://www.reddit.com/r/spicy/comments/iv6yw6/birds_cant_taste_capsaicin_but_is_it_still_bad/
8. https://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/capgen.html
9. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Pw3gFL-YcCI
10. https://www.birdwatchersgeneralstore.com/hot-pepper-bird-seed-is-not-worth-the-risk/

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Answer from Perplexity: pplx.ai/share

First They Came by Pastor Martin Niemöller

 First They Came by Pastor Martin Niemöller

First they came for the Communists

And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist

Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist

Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist

Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew

Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me

 The piece of poetry you are referring to is First They Came by Pastor Martin Niemöller. This poem is a powerful reflection on the consequences of remaining silent in the face of injustice and persecution. It was written after World War II by Niemöller, a German Lutheran pastor who initially supported the Nazis but later became an outspoken critic and was imprisoned in a concentration camp.

The poem is famous for its repetitive structure, describing how Niemöller did not speak out as various groups were targeted by the Nazis-Communists, Socialists, trade unionists, and Jews-because he was not a member of those groups. The poem concludes with the haunting realization that when they finally came for him, there was no one left to speak out for him123456.

A commonly cited version of the poem reads:

First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist

Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist

Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist

Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew

Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me145.

This poem is widely recognized as a warning against the dangers of apathy and the moral imperative to stand up against oppression, even when it does not directly affect oneself.

Citations:

1. https://hmd.org.uk/resource/first-they-came-by-pastor-martin-niemoller/
2. https://poemanalysis.com/pastor-martin-niemoller/first-they-came/
3. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/martin-niemoeller-first-they-came-for-the-socialists
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_They_Came
5. https://www.amnesty.org.uk/files/2019-01/First%20They%20Came%20by%20Martin%20Niem%C3%B6ller_0.pdf?l6HOtWW1N8umC_ELxnQI6NpaAYbxRCJj=
6. https://www.reddit.com/r/history/comments/ezhh9x/first_they_came/
7. https://yasminnair.com/first-they-came-for-the-criminals/
8. https://www.reddit.com/r/Poetry/comments/n2bgfc/poem_first_they_came_by_martin_niem%C3%B6ller/
9. https://www.paih.org/first-they-came-the-poem-of-protest
10. https://truah.org/resources/first-they-came/

---

Answer from Perplexity: pplx.ai/share

Fwd: Epic Cycles Hendersonville replied to your review on Google

Pete 🤓 and Zeke 🐶

Begin forwarded message:

From: Google Maps <google-maps-noreply@google.com>
Date: May 13, 2025 at 11:20:42 AM EDT
To: peteandtess@gmail.com
Subject: Epic Cycles Hendersonville replied to your review on Google
Reply-To: Google Maps <google-maps-noreply@google.com>



A business you reviewed has responded to your post

Epic Cycles Hendersonville replied to your review Thank you for posting a review on Google. Mr. Pete Ricky was interested and helpful right from the start. I explained that I had. Recumbent Trike with a jammed derailleur. He advised me to bring it into their shop. He assessed the situation immediatel... Response from the owner Thank you so much for the kind words and for trusting us with your needs. Ricky's love for bicycles shows through his work daily. We are so lucky to have him. Thank you! See reply Keep exploring, The Google Maps Team This email was sent to you because a business has replied to your review. If you don't want to receive such emails in the future, please unsubscribe here. © 2025 Google LLC 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043

Is Hendersonville a better place to live than Asheville NC?

 

 

We chose Hendersonville over Asheville and Greenville 15 years ago and very pleased with our choice. Your tour pretty much illustrates this advantage in that Everything you want or need is basically on one Main Street from coffee shops to great restaurants, antique and curiosity shops. I had no idea, until I saw Mike’s observation, that Hendersonville’s Main Street was gaining empty store fronts. To the contrary I dine in different restaurants every week from the two New Mexican restaurants near 1st ave as well as West First oven Pizza to Mezzaluna, my favorite and Black Rose, now the Social Club and Black Bear Coffee in the morning and Kilwinns Ice cream for dessert.  Aroma Indian is now an instant favorite. For great camping equipment and clothing you have Mast General between 5th and 6th. Back to the 1st Avenue end you have Mountain Trading Co. for a great selection of “Billy Strings” instruments right across from the historic courthouse and the frozen yogurt shop. I’m not a big traveler but I come from NYC and I’ve been to New Orleans to Atlanta to San Diego and other big cities. Hendersonville is the greatest place to actually live and enjoy life. Now with the Oklawaha trail being joined with the new Ecusta Trail,  Pisgah Forest right up the road in Brevard with DuPont Forest in between and Carl Sandburg Home in Flatrock… this place, this town, this region, is heaven and oh yeah Asheville is right up I-26. There are 1000 Reasons to Love Hendersonville! https://1thousandreasons2lovehendersonvillenc.blogspot.com

'Defend Democracy. Guard the Earth' rally in Brevard sees strong turnout April 19

Check out this article from Times-News:

'Defend Democracy. Guard the Earth' rally in Brevard sees strong turnout April 19

https://www.blueridgenow.com/story/news/local/2025/04/19/brevard-protesters-rallied-for-democracy-and-the-environment/83176752007/

Pete

STAT: RFK Jr. calls rising autism rates a crisis. Researchers call it a “good sign.”

RFK Jr. calls rising autism rates a crisis. Researchers call it a "good sign."
A new federal report suggests that U.S. autism rates are rising modestly, an increase that health researchers said reflected expanded diagnostic tools and access to care, among other factors. But health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. instead has pointed to the data as evidence of a growing crisis.

Read in STAT: https://apple.news/ASOwSgUVQTl-ta3xeHW1RVg

Shared from Apple News

Pete

Fwd: Russia fires on Ukrainian city in deadliest attack of the year

Pete

Begin forwarded message:

From: CNN's 5 Things AM <5things@newsletters.cnn.com>
Date: April 14, 2025 at 7:40:50 AM EDT
To: peteandtess@gmail.com
Subject: Russia fires on Ukrainian city in deadliest attack of the year
Reply-To: CNN's 5 Things AM <5things@newsletters.cnn.com>



Ukraine … Pennsylvania arson … Deportations … Social Security … Helicopter crash …

Monday, April 14, 2025 View in browser By Jade Walker A new study out of Germany offers additional insight into universal basic income programs. Researchers gave 122 people a check for $1,365 every month for three years. Participants were allowed to spend the money in any way they wanted. Did access to this no-strings-attached cash make them lazier? On the contrary, they all continued to work 40 hours a week. In addition, more participants had the financial security to change jobs or obtain an education, which gave them greater satisfaction in their work.   Here's what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and on With Your Day. Firefighters work at the site of a Russian missile strike in Sumy, Ukraine, on Sunday. State Emergency Service of Ukraine/Reuters 1 Ukraine A Russian airstrike on a city in northeastern Ukraine was the deadliest attack of the conflict this year. At least 34 people, including two children, died on Palm Sunday when ballistic missiles ripped through the busy center of Sumy as residents were attending church services. At least 117 others were wounded and 20 buildings were damaged during the assault. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for a "strong response from the world" to the attack, which came just two days after a Trump administration official met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. Keith Kellogg, the US special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, said the attack "crosses any line of decency." Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the airstrikes as "horrifying." And President Donald Trump said he was told Russia "made a mistake." 2 Pennsylvania arson Police have arrested a suspect in connection with an arson attack on the Pennsylvania governor's mansion in Harrisburg. Over the weekend, someone jumped the iron fence surrounding the property, "forcibly entered" the building and set it on fire before fleeing. As Pennsylvania State Police were searching for the arsonist, troopers woke Gov. Josh Shapiro around 2 a.m. so that he, his wife, their four children, two dogs and another family could be evacuated. Although no one was injured, parts of the building were devastated by the blaze. A motive for the attack is not yet known. Police arrested Cody Balmer, 38, of Harrisburg, about 12 hours later. Dauphin County's district attorney said he plans to charge Balmer with attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson and aggravated assault against an enumerated person. On Saturday night, the first night of Passover, Shapiro posted a photo on social media of the family's Seder dinner. The fire was set in the same room where the dinner was held, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.  3 Deportations A federal judge last week ordered US officials to "take all available steps to facilitate" the return of a Maryland man who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador. But in court filings Sunday, the Trump administration insisted it is not required to work with officials in El Salvador to secure the release of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, who was deported on March 15 and is being held in the notorious Cecot mega-prison even though an immigration judge barred his deportation years ago over concerns about his safety in his native country. "The federal courts have no authority to direct the Executive Branch to conduct foreign relations in a particular way, or engage with a foreign sovereign in a given manner," the DOJ attorneys wrote. The Trump administration has previously conceded in court that the father of three was deported due to "an administrative error." 4 Social Security The Department of Homeland Security reportedly requested that the Social Security Administration add the names of more than 6,000 living immigrants to its database of dead Americans. The move, which was first reported in The New York Times, aims to cut off their ability to legally work in the US, receive benefits or access credit and bank accounts that require an active Social Security number. A DHS official told CNN the Trump administration hopes that by adding these names to the Social Security Death Master file — which DOGE leaders have since renamed the "Ineligible file" — the immigrants will decide to self-deport. When Greg Pearce, who oversaw the IT staff at the SSA, pushed back on the move, he was escorted out of the building, The Washington Post reported. "If they can, contrary to the law and every regulation and without any due process, mark people inside SSA's database dead who legally entered the country and were legally required to be issued a work SSA number, then they can do that to anybody," former Social Security commissioner Martin O'Malley said.  Sponsor Content by Motley Fool Money One card to rule them all This leading card now offers 0% interest on balance transfers and purchases until 2026. That's almost two years to pay off your balance, sans interest. There's way more to this card, so learn more and apply today. 5 Helicopter crash The tour company whose sightseeing helicopter crashed into the Hudson River off the New Jersey shoreline last week has shut down its operations, the FAA said on Sunday. Siemens executive Agustín Escobar, his wife and their three children were just 16 minutes into the tour above Manhattan last Thursday afternoon when the aircraft suddenly dropped from the sky and slammed into the river upside down. The pilot, former Navy SEAL Seankese Johnson, also perished. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation. The FAA plans to launch a review of New York Helicopter Tours' license and safety record as well. breakfast browse People are talking about these. Read up. Join in. Oh no, he didn't! Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout had it. On Saturday night, he leaped into the air to catch Houston Astros Yainer Díaz's fly ball to right field — when a fan ripped the ball right out of his glove. Although the Angels still won, Trout kindly met with the Astros fan after the game. "They were really apologetic," Trout said.   Mook, Bernie and a goth Gaga If you couldn't make it to Indio, California, for the first weekend of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, here's what you missed.   Translating the magic of games to the big screen Superhero movies have been all the rage at the box office for the past few decades. But with the success of "Super Mario Bros. Movie" and "A Minecraft Movie," there's new competition in the form of video game adaptations. Here are seven adaptations Hollywood currently has in the works.   Fishing net captures a mystery A fossilized jaw bone caught by fishermen off the coast of Taiwan in 2010 has mystified scientists for over a decade. But after analyzing protein fragments contained in teeth still attached to the jaw, they've identified its ancestry.   Eggs-press yourself in a new way this Easter Easter is nearly here and folks may be having trouble finding — or affording — eggs to decorate. How about decorating marshmallows instead? Forless than $2, Jet-Puffed is offering a decorating kit that contains a bag of marshmallows, six colors of dye, miniature tongs for dipping and decorating pens. Sponsor Content by Motley Fool Money POV: you just found the perfect card Our experts have reviewed hundreds of credit cards over the years. This one blew our team away so much, some of them are personally swiping this card. Why? Pay 0% interest into 2026, earn up to 5% cash back, and more - all somehow for $0 annual fee! in memoriam Mario Vargas Llosa, the Peruvian-Spanish writer whose work focused on the evils of totalitarianism and who once ran for president, has died at age 89, according to his family. The Nobel Prize-winning author was best known for the novels "Conversation in the Cathedral" and "The War of the End of the World."  11 That's how many years it took Rory McIlroy to complete his career grand slam of winning each of golf's four majors.  quotable "Anyone with expertise in health could have seen this coming. We know that disinformation about the importance of vaccines — especially for things like measles — have been growing for some time. And, it's only going to get worse." —Pulitzer Prize-winning science journalist Ed Yong, issuing a warning about the Trump administration's response to the deadly measles outbreak and the US's preparedness for the next pandemic. pick of the day Brought to you by CNN Underscored Here are our favorite Amazon Haul items under $10 Late last year, Amazon unveiled Amazon Haul, a curated collection of products under $20. Underscored staff was curious to see if any of the affordable products were worth it, and eight items impressed us. We're talking a $2 wall-mounted phone holder perfect for your bedside and $5 AirTag keychain holders. and finally... Why no two people see the same exact rainbow It's all about perspective. What do you think of today's newsletter? We want to hear from you. Questions, ideas, or feedback? Let us know CNN 5 Things podcast We bring you 5 stories that will get you up to speed and on with your day. Listen now   You are receiving this newsletter because you signed up for Five Things. To stop receiving this newsletter, unsubscribe or sign up to manage your CNN account   Get CNN web alerts  |  Sign up for a free CNN account   Privacy Policy | Terms of Use   ® © 2025 Cable News Network. A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved. 1050 Techwood Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30318