Cigar chomping country-blues singer cum novelist Kinky Friedman, who is running for Governor of Texas as an independent in the 2006 election, said Sunday that he is a champion of bio-diesel energy and plans, if elected, to name friend and fellow performer Willie Nelson as Texas energy czar.

Friedman says he is tired of Saudi Arabia calling the energy tune to which Americans must dance. Nelson, a champion of biodiesel, has, said Friedman, been teaching him about the possibilities of the alternative fuel and has thus earned himself a spot in the Texas cabinet.

Friedman was interviewed for ABC's This Week, the Sunday morning public affairs program. He quipped that with so many music performers destined for his cabinet, not too much legislation is going to be passed in the morning hours.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn are running on the Republican side in the Texas election, and former U.S. Rep. Chris Bell and Felix Alvarado are running for the Democratic nomination.—Jim Burt

You can hype the Woodward Dream Cruise into a million-man (and woman) froth, but you can't (*&#$ with Mother Nature.

Drivers are rattled by the increase in gas prices and the tension in the Middle East. Not so rattled that they're actually listening to Arianna Huffington or anything crazy, mind you.

Keeping kids buckled into the back seat makes them much safer. The corollary to this axiom: they're even safer when you leave them at home with Grandma (see item above).

Japanese automakers are recalculating horsepower numbers downward in light of new SAE standards. Detroit is only testing new or improved models, but some have seen staggering jumps in power, like the newly minted 469-hp Cadillac STS-V. Again, see item #2 for unintended irony.

Eckhard Cordes has left the building, ladies and gentlemen. Applicants for the top slot at Mercedes-Benz should realize Zetsche's in his early fifties and won't be going anywhere soon unless his mustache starts sending him secret messages.

Toyota's presence in the U.S. has brought $14 billion into the economy, a new study says. Never Happy Enthusiast Guy says, "so don't they have enough for a new Supra, already?"

Pontiac's having trouble getting the G6 convertible top to operate properly. Probably, they shouldn't ask Courtney Love for advice on this one.

After a beautiful clear cool evening Friday, dawn broke Saturday in Royal Oak, epicenter of the Dream Cruise, with overcast skies. But two blocks off Woodward at 7 a.m., you could hear the straight pipes of the Cruisers already making the rounds and the whop-whop of a TV chopper overhead.

By 8:20, it began to drizzle. At 8:30 a tremendous thunder clap overhead the 12 Mile/Woodward area rattled the windows and agitated the dogs. By 9:20 there was a steady downpour and more cannon fire in the clouds.

Those who had "dinner" flies over their lawn chairs and tops for their roadsters would be okay. The rest -- well, it was get drenched or sit in your sedan with the windows up or call it a day and head back to Canada or Illinois or Pennsylvania or wherever.

Stay tuned as TCC brings you more from the Cruise - wet or dry - today and tomorrow.--Mike Davis

This year, the 9th Shanghai International Automobile & Manufacturing Technology Exhibition was held during the week of June 17th, and it was an experience and sight to see. There was little in the way of new product launches, which is surprising given the size and importance of China, but there were plenty of models to look at.

There were so many models from so many different companies that if you didn’t take a camera, or a recording device, or took lots of notes, not to mention a full bottle of Tylenol, keeping up with so many vehicles would be almost an impossible task.

Co-organized by Shanghai International Exhibition Company and Adsale Exhibition Service Ltd., the exhibition has always been backed up by the government, chamber of commerce, manufacturers and users since it was launched in 1985. It is considered to be an automobile carnival of great influence to go along with the one held in June every other even year in Beijing.

A vehicle that caught my eyes and had my attention for some time was the First Automotive Works' concept car Hong Qi, [Qi means Red Flag in Chinese] a Rolls Royce Phantom look-a-like limousine. In contrast to the real McCoy – the Phantom – this grandiose contraption on wheels is without a doubt ostentatious, primarily targeting the 'top managers of state', according to Chang Bing, Senior Designer of the 15-strong design team at First Auto's design studio in Changchun, north of Beijing.

If you thought those vehicles that made it to “Pimp my Ride” got lots of chrome, I got news for you. This flamboyant vehicle is festooned with more chrome and VIP trimming than P. Diddy and Snoop Dog could ever dream of having in their cars.

One important note about the Hong Qi though is its grille, which could very well indicate how the future of design may look for China in the next few years. Amongst the immense amount of chrome used for this design element, the trellis is shaped like a building with the typical metaphorical roof tops in China, and it also sports a red flag graphic that flows into the hood of the car.

Even as Dream Cruise vehicles, many worth thousands, were warming up for the annual rolling parking lot called Woodward Avenue, the U.S. Postal Service was officially unveiling special postage stamps and postal cards for 37 cents each.

“The five collectible cars. the ‘53 Chevrolet Corvette, ‘54 Kaiser Darrin, ‘52 Nash Healey, ‘53 Studebaker Starliner, and the ‘55 Ford Thunderbird were selected,” said David Failor, executive director of stamp services for the USPS in a phone interview, “because they represent the sporty look that was introduced following World War II. "

These vehicles today, recognized as America’s first sports cars, were unique when introduced and are now highly valued collectible automobiles. The series of five called “America on the Move: '50s Sporty Cars” are available in a booklet of 20 stamps (five designs) for $7.40 and as a booklet of 20 stamped postal cards (five designs) for $9.75. Carl Herman of Carlsbad, Calif., was the stamp designer. Art Fitzpatrick, a long-time advertising designer and illustrator, was the stamp artist.

Patrick Donahoe, deputy postmaster general and COO , U.S. Postal Service, in dedicated the stamps in a special ceremony at the Michigan State Fair in Detroit, said, “These cars are a perfect reminder of the 1950s and America’s optimism that the nation’s future was looking.”

Stamps and postal cards are available at Post Offices and Philatelic Centers starting August 21, 2005. Additionally first-day covers (set of 5) are $3.75; stamped postal cards (Booklet of 20) are $9.75; and other philatelic items will be available while supplies last online at www.usps.com, or by telephone at 800 STAMP-24. Beautifully framed prints of original stamp art for delivery straight to the home or office are available at www.postalartgallery.com.--Marty Bernstein

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark: Customers have 30 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, by telephone at 800-STAMP-24, and at the Postal Store Web site at www.usps.com/shop. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to: POSTMASTER AMERICA ON THE MOVE: 50s SPORTY CARS 1401 W FORT ST DETROIT, MI 48233-9998 After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark. All orders must be postmarked by September 19, 2005.

How to Order First-Day Covers: Stamp Fulfillment Services also offers first-day covers for new stamp issues and Postal Service stationery items postmarked with the official first-day-of-issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the quarterly USA Philatelic catalog. Customers may request a free catalog by calling 800-STAMP-24 or writing to: INFORMATION FULFILLMENT DEPT 6270 US POSTAL SERVICE PO BOX 219014 KANSAS CITY MO 64121-9014