KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) A blaze in a utility building at the University of Tennessee produced a lot of smoke but no danger to students or other structures on the Knoxville campus, officials said Wednesday.

The fire was isolated to a 30-by-30-foot, stand-alone chiller unit that provides heat, air-conditioning and ventilation to education, health sciences and computer sciences programs in the Claxton Complex.

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No-compromise mild hybrid car engine has a promising future

Several alternative technologies have been proposed to replace the car's internal combustion engine; some companies are already marketing hybrid gasoline/electric hybrids, though these have their shortcomings. Jon Severn reports on a mild hybrid that makes no compromises, yet it drastically cuts fuel consumption and emissions.

Most of us, as consumers of the automotive industry's products, would like to see the next generation of cars have improved performance, driveability that is better or no worse than what we have now, more gadgets, lower fuel consumption, and a price that is lower. Largely on our behalf, the industry and legislators would also like future vehicles to generate reduced emissions, though there is an ongoing argument over where the balance should be between CO2, NOx and, for diesel-engined cars, particulates; Europe and Japan agree rather more closely with each other than with the USA.

Taking down The Dean

The Daily Howler, who's long chronicled the Bush team's co-option of Washington pundits, is on a roll today. It's a brutal takedown of the sanctimonious David Broder, often lionized as the dean of Washington pundits. Point-by-point, the Howler's Bob Somerby shows how Broder pandered to and misjudged Bush even as he was unfairly trashing Al Gore. Broder at last saw the light this week, though he suggests nobody could have known how lawless and reckless Bush would turn out to be back in 2000. Right. And still, The Dean, who thought Bill Clinton should resign for evading the truth about a sex act, does not call on a self-described unconstitutionally acting, lawless and reckless president to do the same. No right-wing conspiracy is necessary with tools like Broder around. I hope someone sends him this piece.

LE extends C70 & C30

Volvo has introduced LE specification cars to its C70 and C30 model ranges.

“The C70 LE brings a more affordable coupe/convertible into our model range, while the C30 LE provides a third model of our small hatch,” said Mark Patterson, the General Manager of Volvo Cars.

The C70 LE retains the electronic retractable hardtop roof of the C70 T5, which continues at $99,990 and is the only convertible – coupe to be awarded a “top safety pick” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in North America for 2008. .

Stylish 1919 townhouse

Just like scoping out the perfect shot, professional photographers Joseph and Anne Sachs allowed themselves time to find exactly what they wanted in a home. Having rented for many years in Baltimore's Roland Park neighborhood, they were seeking something with similar ambience.

"We wanted something with character," said Anne Sachs, co-owner, along with her husband, of Artful Weddings by Sachs Photography. "A classic-style house, with hardwood floors, high ceilings and a fireplace."

What they eventually found was a three-story red brick Georgian-style townhouse on Newland Road in the southeast corner of the city's Guilford neighborhood. Built in 1919, the home features slate roofing, white wood trim, a screened front patio porch and a third floor with dormers.

Johnson Controls Acquires Skymark International

MILWAUKEE, Nov. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson Controls, Inc. (NYSE: JCI) , the global, multi-industrial leader in creating smart environments, today announced that it has acquired Skymark International, Inc. an indoor packaged HVAC products manufacturer headquartered in Ontario Canada. Specific terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"Skymark brings an enhanced and expanded HVAC/R product line to Johnson Controls, allowing us to better serve our customers' needs," said Allen Martin, Johnson Controls vice president and general manager for Systems business in North America, Latin America, & the Middle East.