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One of the best ways to keep the value of your car and to prevent costly repairs is with regular maintenance. Make sure you are keeping up with these important preventative maintenance tasks recommended by Ford. Change Your Fluids Most car owners know their car needs regular oil changes. However, that is not the only important fluid that needs to be regularly checked in your Ford. You should also have your radiator fluid, transmission fluid, and brake fluids checked often. Additionally, your air conditioning coolant can affect your car's ability to reach a comfortable interior temperature. Low windshield wiper fluid can reduce visibility and result in a dangerous driving situation. Make sure that your vehicle inspection includes each of these important fluid checks. more Maintain Your Tires Your vehicle's tires may be more important than you realize. Not only are they responsible for getting you where you need to go, but they can also affect your fuel efficiency, wear and tear on the mechanical components of your car, and the overall safety of your car. You should have your tires rotated as often as you have your oil changed. It is also important to regularly check your tires' treads and to replace them when they are low. In many cases, choosing the cheapest tires is not usually the safest choice. Regular Car Washes Car washes serve more purpose than having a clean car: they also protect your car's exterior paint. Large amounts of dust or debris that is not removed can scratch the paint over time. Additionally, if your windshields and windows are covered in dirt, it can present a dangerous situation, reducing your visibility. Regular car washes are just as important during the winter months as they are in the summer. When ice from the road's sticks to your car's paint, it can eventually lead to rust. Inspect Your Battery Without a battery, your car will not work. Avoid the inconvenience of a dead battery by checking your battery's charge often. There are tools that you can use at home to test the charge of your battery. Some car inspections also check the battery during the multi-point inspection. The technician can usually identify when a battery's charge is low and notify you when it's time to replace the battery. Choosing a Ford Dealer Many Ford owners consider the differences between maintenance tasks at a local mechanic or with a Ford dealer. Ford mechanics are the most knowledgeable technicians when it comes to the maintenance of your Ford. Choosing a Ford dealership for these services can ensure that your car maintains its value, maximizes its fuel efficiency, and ensures that it is reliable and safe. In fact, most Ford warranties will require that you receive services through an approved Ford dealer. Ford dealers offer the most important services including oil and filter changes, wheel alignment, and a full multi-point inspection. Come by the Ford Store Morgan Hill today to schedule your Ford inspection. You can easily schedule an appointment online. Photo by Robert Couse-Baker | Licensed under cc BY 2.0

Santa Clara County may be known for its high-tech Silicon Valley, but this California county also offers 28 pristine regional parks and recreation areas. If you are into bird-watching, these parks and preserves represent a veritable birder's paradise, as they host not only huge residential populations but also migratory birds. Here are some places where you can go birding to your heart's content. Baylands Nature Preserve This 1,940-acre preserve is one of the largest tracks of undisturbed marshland in the San Francisco Bay area. Over 15 miles of trails give you access to a large variety of wildlife and a unique mixture of tidal and freshwater habitats. Baylands is regarded as one of the best bird-watching areas on the West Coast and is not only home to a substantial residential population, but also an important stopover during the Pacific Flyway migration. more Birds that you can view here include the endangered California clapper rail, wintering ducks such as mallards and pintails, migratory shorebird species, cliff and barn swallows, nesting black-necked stilts, American avocets, black-crowned night herons, and snowy egrets. Baylands Nature Reserve is located at 2500 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto, and is open from 8 a.m. to sunset. Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park This park, nestled in the hills east of Gilroy, is a 6,695-acre recreation area, offering 33 miles of trails that wind along breezy mountain ridges, clear streams, and through oak forests. This park is home to all kinds of species, such as reptiles, amphibians, insects, and mammals. If you are lucky, you can spot the rare western pond turtle or the California tiger salamander. It is also a great place for birding. Over 219 bird species have been noticed in this area, including the national bird, the bald eagle. Common species that you might spot are the American wigeon, mallard, bufflehead, ruddy duck, California quail, wild turkey, acorn woodpecker, and the California scrub-jay. Notable species that have been seen include the bald eagle, golden eagle, cackling goose, Clark's grebe, American pipit, Rufous-crowned sparrow, and the rock wren. This park is located at 10840 Coyote Reservoir Road, Gilroy, and is open from 8 a.m. to sunset. Ed R. Levin County Park This 1,500-acre park is one of Santa Clara County's most unique regional parks and recreations areas, as it offers a combination of constructed parklands, natural bush, and hillsides. Expansive lawn areas are ideal picnic spots for the family, whereas the rolling grasslands and oak woodlands offer lovely trails that are great for bird-watching. Over 64 bird species have been spotted here, including migratory birds, shorebirds, raptors, flycatchers, and corvids. Common species that you can see here are the great blue heron, acorn woodpecker, mallard, turkey vulture, red-tailed hawk, and the white-tailed kite. If you are lucky, though, you might also spot a ring-necked duck, American wigeon, bald eagle, golden eagle, yellow-billed magpie, belted kingfisher, or a rufous-crowned sparrow. Ed R. Levin County Park is located at 3100 Calaveras Road, Milpitas, and they are open from 8 a.m. until sunset. If you love bird-watching, then you will be spoiled for places to go to in Santa Clara County. So, grab your binoculars and head out to the beautiful parks and preserves of this county. Photo by roseannadana cc BY-ND 2.0 | Licensed under

Ice cream in the United States is almost as old as the country itself. The first ad for the sweet treat was published in the New York Gazette in 1777 and first President George Washington reportedly spent $200 in ice cream on the summer of 1790. History lessons aside, whether you're a classic vanilla or chocolate fan or into more far-fetched flavors, it's not hard to find a place in San Jose with your very favorite. Take a look at our suggestions of where to find the best ice cream in San Jose. Treat Ice Cream Company If you don't feel like spending too much time deciding what flavor to get, you know you've come to the right place when you enter the Treat Ice Cream Company. Sometimes, less is more. more For chocolate ice cream fans, there are at least five different variations on the menu, but the Brownie a la Mode and the Cookie Mint Krunch are the house's favorites raking in the highest praises from customers. Address: Downtown at 11 South 19th Street Hours: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cre'Me Paris To say that Durian fruit is an acquired taste is an understatement. Unless you've lived in Southeast Asia all your life and are used to it, Durian's smell and flavor are hard to overcome (and forget). However, at Cre'Me Paris they've turned what's probably the world's least favorite fruit into an ice cream flavor. If you're brave enough to try it, dig in. If not, there are plenty of other creamy options to choose from. Address: East San Jose at 2200 Eastridge Loop Hours: Monday through Wednesday and Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Willow Glen Creamery Sometimes you don't want complicated flavors. All you want is a giant dose of ice-creamed sweetness. Well, that's exactly what you get at Willow Glen Creamery. This locally owned business blends its own frozen yogurts in the store every day, with locally sourced ingredients. What's customers' favorite frozen yogurt flavor? Surprisingly, vanilla. If you think this is the blandest ice cream flavor of all times, pay a visit to this place and it will change your mind. Address: Willow Glen at 1100 Lincoln Avenue Hours: Sunday through Thursday, noon to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, noon to 10:30 p.m. Sweet Rendezvous Slightly hidden in a little corner, this is the kind of ice cream you'll only find by chance or if you're really looking for it. That's part of the Sweet Rendezvous' charm. Don't overthink what to order, just follow the employee's suggestions. They never get it wrong.  And forget popular flavors. Everyone's favorite thing about this place? The free teaser scoop of any other flavor you want to try beyond the ones you just ordered. Address: Blossom Valley at 668 Blossom Hill Road Hours: Every day from noon to 9 p.m. Ice cream at these spots in San Jose is so delicious that it'll be hard to choose just one spot...or just one flavor! Photo by Maria Eklind | Licensed under cc BY-SA 2.0

About 25 years ago, antiquing was all the rage. Flea markets, hole-in-the-wall antique stores, and estate sales filled with young adults looking to fill their home with rare items were quite the norm. Then came the mass-production phase ushered in by Target, IKEA, and other brands. Affordable furniture became the new trend, but ultimately the short lifespan of cheaper materials brought about a newfangled interest in antiques. Fortunately, San Jose has one of the best antiquing scenes in the country thanks to the famed Antiques Row and other stores. Here are a few places in which you can find a one-of-a-kind item. Briarwood Antiques & Collectibles Located on Antiques Row at 1885 W. San Carlos St., Briarwood Antiques & Collectibles is one of the oldest antique stores in San Jose. An old bakery houses this antique store, adding to its charm and providing an excellent backdrop for your shopping excursion. more Over 30 dealers exhibit an array of items such as apparel, jewelry, furniture, antique signs, and more at Briarwood. The large variety of dealers ensures that you will be provided with different and new merchandise every time you visit the store. There's a reason this antique mall was voted as one of the 10 best places to shop in San Jose. Briarwood Antiques & Collectibles is open from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Colony Antiques Located two doors down from Briarwood at 1881 W. San Carlos St., Colony Antiq ues is the largest antique store in San Jose, offering an assortment of furniture, art, clothes, and vintage toys. The store has 50 dealers and covers over 9,000 square feet — you could easily take days to peruse its contents. What makes Colony Antiques even more impressive, is the range of styles you can find in its stores. Boasting everything from European furniture to Asian pottery to ephemera from yesteryear, there's something for everyone's style. Colony Antiques is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Whatnots & Doodads Not sure what you're looking for? Head on over to the aptly named Whatnots & Doodads. Voted the best antique store in San Jose in 2012, this collective of 23 dealers is always stocking that unique piece for your home or an excellent gift for a loved one. What separates them from the pack is the dealer wish list. If you can't find an item here, their dealers will put it on their watch list. When they find it, they'll contact you and arrange a purchase and pickup. There's no easier way to find something you've wanted for your home. Whatnots & Doodads is located at 1330 Lincoln Ave. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. The store is closed on Mondays. From fancy chandeliers to beautiful oak armoires, San Jose's antique markets have everything you could ever want. All you need to do is exercise a bit of perseverance in your search, and you'll end up with decor that's the envy of all your friends. Photo by docoverachiever | Licensed under cc BY 2.0

Since the introduction of the Explorer in 1991, Ford has been the undisputed heavyweight champion of the SUV world. In 2018, it adds another member to its distinguished lineup with the Ford EcoSport. The smallest of the Ford SUV lineup, this crossover aims to corner the economical, compact market while still delivering space, pep, and unrivaled sportiness. If you're in the market for a versatile new vehicle this year, hop on the inaugural journey of the 2018 Ford EcoSport. Two Engine Options The 2018 Ford EcoSport comes with two engine options that provide some oomph and efficiency. An ambitious 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder is the stock engine. Despite its small size, this engine still delivers 123 horsepower and up to 125 pound-feet of torque. The fully loaded SES trim upgrades to a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that churns out 166 horsepower and 149 pound-feet of torque. Both pair with a six-speed automatic transmission that shifts smoothly and quickly for spectacular acceleration. more Awesome Fuel Economy In the world of hybrids and high-efficiency compact vehicles, the EcoSport is a breath of fresh air. While most crossovers don't come near the 30 mpg mark, the EcoSport gets close regardless of which engine you choose. Thanks to an automatic start-stop feature and a displacement that's about the size of a large soda, the 1.0-liter version gets an excellent 29 mpg on the highway and 27 mpg in the city. The SES trim's 2.0-liter four-cylinder provides 29 mpg on the highway and 23 mpg in the city. Entertainment Features Entertainment features come standard on the 2018 Ford EcoSport, a rarity in the entry-level crossover segment. Regardless of which of the four trims you choose, you'll get a 4-inch touch-screen display to navigate the head unit. Ford's Sync infotainment system comes standard, allowing hands-free calling and texting via Bluetooth. Both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are available on upper trims, and you can seamlessly sync your smartphone to the EcoSport's touchscreen, allowing you to sift through navigation, podcasts, music, and more with ease. If the standard entertainment features aren't enough to satisfy your appetite, the EcoSport has numerous upgrade options. The touch-screen display also comes in 6-inch and 8-inch versions with the updated Sync 3 system to boot. Other nice features include two fast-charging USB ports, a 10-speaker premium audio system, two 12-volt outlets, and an available 110-volt outlet. Extra Space The EcoSport is a compact, but that doesn't mean it lacks on the space you need for passengers and cargo. Both the front and rear seats provide ample space for your knees, legs, shoulders, and head, even with a full capacity of five passengers. The rear seats fold flat to give you even more room for cargo, and although the EcoSport lacks a spare, it more than makes up for it with added capacity. If you favor the roominess of an SUV without all the bulk of a full-size option, the 2018 Ford EcoSport is your perfect match. Schedule a test drive to see what makes it the new king of the compact crossover segment. Photo by RL GNZLZ | Licenced with permission under CC by 2.0