The Mazda6 is more than an ordinary mid-size family sedan, but then Mazda is more than the “usual” Japanese auto manufacturer. Founded in 1920 as Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Mazda was renamed in 1984. Known for development of and using the Wankel engine, they are best known for the iconic sportster, the MX-5, Miata.

It would appear that Mazda is deliberate about the vehicles they create and sell; not going overboard like some auto manufacturers who feel they have to represent each category of automobile. Instead, Mazda introduces new models here and there, and with great thought.
Our week in the new 2020 Mazda6 Signature sedan was nice, for many reasons. One, there wasn’t much traffic on the roads so we could drive it, as intended. This is a fun-to-drive sedan. With its attractive body and classy interior, one gets a lot for his/her money.

As someone who still prefers a sedan to the SUV ad nauseum, the Mazda6 sits high on our list. My daily driver is a 2016 Nissan Maxima with a sporty vibe and 300 horsepower which is hard to beat. Not every family with kids needs a minivan or SUV. Something like the new Mazda6 accommodates well and offers plenty of backseat room.
Based somewhat on Mazda’s 2010 Concept car, the Shinari, the Mazda6 is a stunner. Especially if you choose just the right color. In our case, Soul Red Crystal Metallic really stands out. The blue they chose for the concept Shinari was a beautiful blue. Both make this sedan stand out. Our test vehicle came with ivory/white nappa leather trimmed sport seats.

Their selling model differs a little from the ordinary by allowing buyers to select a higher trim level and add the features they desire. Maybe the Mazda6 won’t compete with sedans that offer the latest up-do-date features, but it satisfies on most levels. After all, most drivers out there are not auto freaks. Customers are enticed by the reasonable starting price but may wince when they discover adding some must-have extras. The Grand Touring Reserve model probably offers the best value, including the turbo engine. Also included are the 11-speaker Bose premium audio, SiriusXM satellite radio, paddle shifters and larger vented discs for front brakes.

Changes to the 2020 Mazda6 are few, including a trunk lid badge and new key fob for the Signature model. Redesigned three times in the past 6 years, the Signature trim level also gets special badging. Our Signature features leather interior, real wood trim and several exclusive to this model, standard features. The engine carries over from 2018, adding a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder. While we appreciate the turbo boost, it still sounds like a 4-banger and doesn’t have the growl we might wish for. There are five models, including the Sport ($24,920), Touring ($27,520), Grand Touring ($30,620), Grand Touring Reserve ($33,120 and the Signature ($36,220).

Our test Signature model came with special badg

ing for 2020, a 360-degree camera with front/rear parking sensors, nav with traffic sign recognition and nappa leather with Japanese sen wood accents. It’s a beauty.

No shortage of space in the Mazda6. The trunk is ample, accommodating lots of bags, luggage. One feels as though she is driving a substantial car. In need of more space? Release the handles and lay down the back seats for carrying long objects; even a bicycle.

Ranking near the top of the midsize car class, the Mazda6 offers spirited performance, great looks and a luxury feel. For those so-inclined, there is no hybrid or plug-in available at this time. Two engine choices are available and include the 2.5-liter four-cylinder, 187 hp., and the optional turbocharged engine that generates up to 250 hp. Six-speed automatic transmission is standard. Mazda revealed an AWD version and 2.2-liter turbo-diesel will be coming to the U.S. market.

The 2020 Mazda6 is a beauty and fun to drive. All six models come with driver assistance features, including blind-spot monitoring, low-speed forward collision warning, automated emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. We did not try out the paddle shifters. Mazda Connect touchscreen infotainment, although nice takes some time getting used to. It took me a bit more time to get command of the GPS system.

Mazda’s infotainment system is competitive, yet the buttons are a pain to operate. The screen is nicely positioned on the dash, tucked right in as not to be in the way. The center console is ample and actually holds any number of goodies.
Safety and driver-assistance features include standard forward-collision warning with automated emergency braking, standard blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and available lane departure warning with lane-keep assist. Earning a five-star crash rating from the NHTSA speaks well for the Mazda6, as well as being named a Top Safety Pick.

If you’re still into sedans-like this writer-the Mazda6 should be a definite choice on your list. We think you’ll agree when you drive it, it hits a lot of the buttons.

SPECS

Pricing: $35,300 MSRP, Total vehicle price $36,915
Engine: 2.5-liter inline 4, turbocharged, hp 227, 310 lb-ft. torque
Transmission: 6-speed, automatic, sky-active drive, front-wheel-drive,
Wheels: 19-inch alloy, gun metallic finish
Fuel economy: 26/35 mpg.
Weight: 3,437 lbs.
Brakes: 4-wheel disc
Wheelbase: 111.4 in.
Length: 192.7 in.
Width: 72.4 in.
Height: 57.1 in.
Fuel tank capacity: 16.4 gal.
Tires: 19-inch P225/45 R19 all-season
Pricing: $24,100-$35,400
Warranty: Limited, covers 3 yrs/36,000-miles; powertrain5 yrs/60,000-miles; no complimentary scheduled maintenance.

“…the only thing we have to fear is fear itself…” — President Franklin D. Roosevelt first inaugural address, 1933.

Yeah, sure, Frankie. The Great Depression has ruined America. The Stock Market Crash, bank runs, bread lines, soup kitchens, the Dust Bowl, 20 percent unemployment, fortunes destroyed and lives lost.

And yet you speak of an unreal dream, filling Americans with false hope. You’re disgusting.

Just like President Donald Trump. At least that’s what the media are saying.

“Is it possible that your impulse to put a positive spin on things may be giving Americans a false sense of hope?” NBC News’ Peter Alexander White House correspondent asked Trump.

Trump properly replied, “No, I don’t think so. It may work, it may not work. I feel good about. That’s all it is, it’s a feeling.”

That was a good enough answer to the question about whether certain untested drug therapies might help. Maybe, maybe not. Next question.

Except Alexander wasn’t satisfied with this common sense answer. His second barrel still loaded, he came back with another question, aggressively asked, about Trump’s “positive spin” giving Americans false hope.

The aggressive question and the way it was posed had the desired effect. It goaded the defensive Trump to go emotional, calling Alexander a terrible reporter. And so, NBC and the media had another story about Trump, the jerk. Mission accomplished.

This wasn’t just a single goading by the media. A Google search of “Trump false hope” turned up 50 million hits. It’s turned into a sport.

Yes, we know that President Blowhard exaggerates and gets his facts wrong. To satisfy his own driving need to defend himself any suggestion that he is not perfect produces the expected result: Another clip showing Trump off his rocker.

But there’s this. Roosevelt could have been accused of the same thing. The Great Depression was so devastating that it lasted for an entire decade. Looking back on his fear-not promise, one could say that he was full of crap.

But part of his job was to inspire faith, optimism and, yes, hope. Hope is strong incentive. Same with Trump, whether you agree with his policies or not.

And there’s this: If Trump had not tried to bring some hope to these tragic times, the media would have nailed him for his negativism. If he had focused on seemingly unsolvable problems he would have been ripped for being the bearer of doom.

When it comes to the media, Trump always loses.

[email protected]

www.dennisbyrne.net 

My historical novel: Madness: The War of 1812

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Enemy of social prosperity, COVID-19.
You deprive businesses and savings, you sly, mean virus that inspires a deep clean.
Coronavirus squashes extended family gatherings.
Meanwhile, nuclear families bond and read narratives.

No logic or reason protects us this allergy season, but may evoke a rut.

We mat struggle to still exercise in a lock-down.
Who imagined home school without a frown?
Still, you inspire anticipation.
Parents wonder at their children’s fascination.
We cling to school’s morning routine of pledge and prayer.
We hope to triumph over this scare!

We must protect the vulnerable and search for the undiscoverable.
Our boys miss school choir and mass.
We shall do well by doing good with class.

We practice social distance, yet work from home as family in coexistence.
We look forward to meetings, faith gatherings, family swim, soccer games, play dates and parties clammering.

Big thanks to our boys’ school, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, for daily Facebook prayer and pledge posts, teacher schedules and administration support!

It’s not that the small things don’t matter. Oh, they do. It’s just that sometimes the siren is screaming so loudly that you can’t enjoy the sound of the thumping paws of cats on the floor above you chasing each other.

On some days the small things are the only thing. Like chilled half-n-half swirling in hot coffee. Or a crisp Jazz Apple. Or the satisfying task of splitting open the toilet paper package and delivering all the fresh rolls to the bathroom cupboards.

As I moved cautiously through the grocery store today, trying hard to keep six feet between me and the next person without seeming to brand them a threat, I found no half-n-half, no Jazz Apples, and no toilet paper. I’m no hoarder. But I am usually a week ahead of running out of things.

We’ll make do without these things. They are, after all, small things. We have canned milk, honey crisp apples and enough toilet paper at home to get by.

In a time of crisis, sometimes the very best you can do is to survive, and survival is a blunt thing. It is staying indoors and making do without milk or apples.

I remember being in the grocery store the October after I was diagnosed with cancer the previous August. Two young women were fussing over the snacks they were going to buy for their Friday movie night. I remember looking at them blankly, not being able to fathom caring about snacks or Fridays or movies. I remember the anxiety that I felt in that moment, the gnawing need to be able to care about such small things.

When survival is called into question, my view becomes narrowed to tunnel vision. My tight, telephoto focus is on me and mine. It’s amazing what you can shuffle to the back of the deck when you need to.

But it’s also amazing how quickly your quality of life diminishes when you keep shuffling and shuffling.

Time gets distorted during a crisis. People tell you to live in the moment, and I’m here to tell you that sometimes the only place you can live is the moment. And the moment is hell. It is filled with a loud voice on repeat, “Danger, Danger, Danger, Danger.”

But sometimes time stretches out like the hallway in a terror flick. You’re running, running, and the monster is chasing you and the hall gets longer and longer. Time has no end. Like in the waiting room at the hospital or the doctor’s office. You keep thinking, “If only I can get to the CT machine, I’ll make it.”

In times like these just waking up feels dangerous. And that feeling steels away the joy of a first cup of coffee.

So we’re going without small things. No working in coffee shops, no meeting and hugging friends at a restaurant, no surfing the web during a boring meeting and buying new shoes while two colleagues fuss over a policy.

Human beings aren’t a distant kind. We need each other. And when we feel threatened, we need each other to be close.

But here we are, living in the midst of global crisis and in the midst of our own personal crises. You may be in treatment and wondering if you’ll be able to continue with it. You may not know when your next paycheck is coming. You may live alone and need the physical embrace of a friend.

I wish that you are able to find some joy in small things, that you can turn down the screaming siren, and that you stay safe and well.

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Ryen has been leading the charge in Chicago’s Latin music scene for awhile now. Utilizing a melodic blend of Latin trap and atmospheric R&B, he has found his niche as a versatile, multi-faceted voice in Chicago’s diverse musical landscape. His new single, “De Mi,” is a smooth, nocturnal cut which puts Ryen’s brooding introspection on full display.

Produced by Ryen himself, the instrumental is minimalistic and beautiful. The synths provide an ethereal ambience while the percussion carries the song forward. The pianos that pop in during the middle of the track add an extra element of spice that is quite colorful.

Ryen confronts loneliness and fear in his lyrics. The stripped back production allows the pain in his voice to take center stage, as he searches for something — anything — that might lift his spirits for a few seconds. There is something haunting about the passion he exudes which serves as a testament to how well he translates his vulnerability into song.

Ryen has been a fixture around the local scene for a little while now, and that shouldn’t change anytime soon. Though he is one of Chicago’s brightest young voices, “De Mi” shows the artistic maturity of someone well beyond his years. This track is a prime example of Ryen’s talent both with the pen and behind the boards, and being able to do everything will serve him well as he continues his ascent up Chicago’s musical ladder.

“De Mi” is now available on all platforms. Stream it here: https://www.looptheoryinc.com/demi

Follow Ryen on Instagram @thisisryen

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Morrissey has returned this week with his finest work in 20 years. Some of the songs, on I Am Not A Dog On A Chain, harken back to The Smiths, and early Moz, pre-Viva Hate. It’s an album chock-full of great songs, with barely a weak one in the bunch. His California Son album was fantastic, and though it felt original at times, it was an album full of covers. Here Moz takes on all the rumors, and racist rants, in original epitaphs. He gets crafty, and personal, never more aware than now, of the death at one’s elbows.

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This week we get a surprise return from Alkaline Trio in the form of ep.

“With the tour postponed and the current state of the world, we feel and hope that some new music will help people transcend the uncertainty and possible fear they might be feeling, if even for a few minutes,” Matt Skiba told Loudwire.com

I was shocked when I saw they had new music out, since Matt has been off galavanting with Blink-182 for the last couple of years. Not much has changed, both Matt and Dan take turns singing, and rumor has it, Derek is back.

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Mt. Joy released an EP this week as well, and I couldn’t be more excited. These guys put out one of my favorite albums a couple of years back and I wore that one out. So, I’ve been so excited to hear new material. They haven’t strayed from the path that brought them success, I’m happy to report.

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Seawolf’s full-length Through A Dark Wood materializes, and his third single, “Two Of Us,” sounds great.  The Avalanches did a song, “Running Red Lights,” with Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo? This should be interesting. After all, what would a Release Radar be without some Avalanches or Weezer in the mix?

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Mac Miller has been on my radar, and is, once again, this week. Also, Blake Mills is back. He has been either hit or miss for me, so I’m not sure what to expect?

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Felly’s new album, Mariposa is up for streaming now, and this might be his best, most complete work? I’ve dug all three of his singles from it thus far and can’t wait to pick this apart.

Snoop is back on a rap track, but it’s not significant enough to return to that often. The Radio Dept share more fuzz-pop from their latest record, and Saint Motel release a rocker called “A Good Song Never Dies.”

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The Weekend is really taking to this MJ Thriller thing, with his latest album and wardrobe. More importantly, the music sounds inspired by Michael Jackson, which is good, I think? “Blinding Lights” goes beyond Michael, and deep into the ’80s!

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This Westerns song, “Can’t Get You,” caught me by surprise, so I thought I would share. It’s worth a playlist spot.

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Your slice of smoothness this week comes from Rock Chalk Suite and their Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. This jazz meets basketball album is worth your time.

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