Green High School Ensemble at Park Auto Group December 19th and 20th

The Green High School Ensemble will be performing all of your favorite traditional holiday songs at Park Auto Group December 19th and 20th, 2011 from 11am to 2pm.  You won't want to miss this !!!

 

 

Photos from the Ohio Greyhound Gathering event at Park Subaru

Thank you to OGGA members, hounds and everyone else who stopped by to meet all of the wonderful greyhounds.

Ohio Greyhound Gathering - Saturday December 10, 2011 11am-2pm

Ohio Greyhound Gathering and Adoption Inc. Will be at Park Subaru.
Ohio Greyhound Gathering and Adoption is a 501c (3)(C) not-for-profit corporation based in Canton and made up entirely of volunteers.  Since 2000 they have been rescuing greyhounds from racetracks when their racing careers are over so they won't be euthanized.  They take them to groomers, make sure their veterinary needs are met, and, place them in foster homes until their forever home is found.

Please join us for a fun day and help a greyhound find his/her forever home for Christmas.

Cash donations will also be greatly appreciated and go towards the costs of care of the rescued greyhounds.

Visit http://www.myogga.org   for more information on this wonderful rescue group.

Park Acura 1st annual holiday food drive November 1st to December 26th. Drop off anytime during regular business hours.
Monday: 9am - 8pm
Tuesday: 9am - 6pm
Wednesday: 9am - 6pm
Thursday: 9am - 8pm
Friday: 9am - 6pm
Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday: Closed
Park Acura will donate $1 per every food item we collect.* We will be accepting all non -perishable food items and also cash donations. 
*Up to 2,000 items total.

Every $1 donation can provide $7 worth of groceries for the hungry!

Click here to go to The Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank Website

The Super Six most needed items:
boxed cereal
peanut butter
canned tuna
canned vegetables
canned beef stew
canned soup

Other greatly needed items:
Canned Vegetables
beans, green beans, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, tomato products
Canned Meats
tuna, salmon, Spam, ham, chicken
Canned Meals
stew, chili
Canned Fruit
applesauce, peaches, pears, pineapple

Condiments and Dressings:
Dried Pasta, Rice and Beans
Canned Soups

Cleaning Supplies:
laundry supplies, household cleaners
Paper Products
paper towels, facial tissue, bathroom tissue
Personal Care Items
deodorant, shampoo, bath soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, hair care products

Thank You Figaro Farms Fresh Market

a BIG thank you to the folks at Figaro Farms Fresh Market for their donation of the awesome mums, pumpkins and gourds. We have them all on display in the Subaru showroom. Check out Figaro Farms Market on the corner of S. Main and 619...lot's of fall goodies !!!

 

Park Subaru Technical Specialists

Park Subaru's automotive expertise is a product of our sustained interest in industry trends and characteristics. We are privileged to share the latest news, promotions and events with you and hope the information will enhance your shopping experience. As you know, there are many new cars from which to choose, and we believe an informed customer is the best customer.




Subaru Technical Specialists

Congratulations to Scott Pickering and Ken Williams JR. for their training achievements as Subaru Technical Specialists.

Pictured left to right


Scott Pickering - Technician

Dave Underwood - Subaru Of America DPSM

Dave Fischer - Park Subaru Fixed Operations Director

Ken Williams Jr. - Technician

Some Fathers Day Facts...

Father's Day in the United States is on the third Sunday of June. It celebrates the contribution that fathers and father figures make for their children's lives. Its origins may lie in a memorial service held for a large group of men, many of them fathers, who were killed in a mining accident in Monongah, West Virginia in 1907.




Father's Day is a day for fathers and father-like figures. ©iStockphoto.com/jkullander

What do people do?

Father's Day is an occasion to mark and celebrate the contribution that your own father has made to your life. Many people send or give cards or gifts to their fathers. Common Father's Day gifts include sports items or clothing, electronic gadgets, outdoor cooking supplies and tools for household maintenance. Father's Day is a relatively modern holiday so different families have a range of traditions. These can range from a simple phone call or greetings card to large parties honoring all of the 'father' figures in a particular extended family. Father figures can include fathers, step-fathers, fathers-in-law, grandfathers and great-grandfathers and even other male relatives. In the days and weeks before Father's Day, many schools and Sunday schools help their pupils to prepare a handmade card or small gift for their fathers.

Public life

Father's Day is not a federal holiday. Organizations, businesses and stores are open or closed, just as they are on any other Sunday in the year. Public transit systems run to their normal Sunday schedules. Restaurants may be busier than usual, as some people take their fathers out for a treat.

Background and symbols

There are a range of events, which may have inspired the idea of Father's Day. One of these was the start of the Mother's Day tradition in the first decade of the 20th century. Another was a memorial service held in 1908 for a large group of men, many of them fathers, who were killed in a mining accident in Monongah, West Virginia in December 1907. A woman called Sonora Smart Dodd was an influential figure in the establishment of Father's Day. Her father raised six children by himself after the death of their mother. This was uncommon at that time, as many widowers placed their children in the care of others or quickly married again.

Sonora was inspired by the work of Anna Jarvis, who had pushed for Mother's Day celebrations. Sonora felt that her father deserved recognition for what he had done. The first time Father's Day was held in June was in 1910. Father's Day was officially recognized as a holiday in 1972 by President Nixon.

Flag Day...What is it?

When : Always June 14th

Flag Day, is a day for all Americans to celebrate and show respect for our flag, its designers and makers. Our flag is representative of our independence and our unity as a nation.....one nation, under God, indivisible. Our flag has a proud and glorious history. It was at the lead of every battle fought by Americans. Many people have died protecting it. It even stands proudly on the surface of the moon.



As Americans, we have every right to be proud of our culture, our nation, and our flag. So raise the flag today and every day with pride!



Properly Display Our Flag



There is a right way and a wrong way to display the flag. The American flag should be held in the highest of regards. It represents our nation and the many people who gave their lives for our country and our flag. Here are the basics on displaying the American flag:





The flag is normally flown from sunrise to sunset.

In the morning, raise the flag briskly. At sunset, lower it slowly. Always, raise and lower it ceremoniously.

The flag should not be flown at night without a light on it.

The flag should not be flown in the rain or inclement weather.

After a tragedy or death, the flag is flown at half staff for 30 days. It's called "half staff" on land ,and "half mast" on a ship.

When flown vertically on a pole, the stars and blue field , or "union", is at the top and at the end of the pole (away from your house).

The American flag is always flown at the top of the pole. Your state flag and other flags fly below it.

The union is always on top. When displayed in print, the stars and blue field are always on the left.

Never let your flag touch the ground, never...period.

Fold your flag when storing. Don't just stuff it in a drawer or box.

When your flag is old and has seen better days, it is time to retire it. Old flags should be burned or buried. Please do not throw it in the trash.

Did you Know? There is a very special ceremony for retiring the flag by burning it. It is a ceremony everyone should see.Your local Boy Scout group knows the proper ceremony and performs it on a regular basis. If you have an old flag, give it to them. And, attend the ceremony

Park is going Green!!

Park is going Green!!

We now have recycling bins for plastic bottles and cans near the waiting areas as well as in service.
We NEED your help to make Park’s recycling program successful.
You can help the environment with minimal effort. Just put your empty bottles and cans in the recycling containers. If you consume a beverage while at Park, just ask an employee where the recycling containers are.
Enough energy is saved by recycling one aluminum can to run a TV set for three hours or to light one 100 watt bulb for 20 hours.

-Recycling a soda can saves 96% of energy used to make a can from ore and produces 95% less air pollution and 97% less water pollution.
-Five recycled soft drink bottles make enough fiberfill for a man’s ski jacket. Thirty-six recycled bottles can make one square yard of carpet.
-Recycling generates jobs and revenue.
“ You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”- Mahatma Gandhi

Visit Park Auto Group online at www.parkautogroup.com

Kids and Bicycle Safety

Bicycle riding is fun, healthy, and a great way to be independent.


But it is important to remember that a bicycle is not a toy; it’s a vehicle!

Be cool – follow some basic safety tips when you ride.



Safe Riding Tips

Before using your bicycle, make sure it is ready to ride. You should always

inspect your bike to make sure all parts are secure and working properly.

Remember to:



Wear a Properly Fitted Bicycle Helmet. Protect your brain, save your life. For more information see the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration publication

“Easy Steps to Properly Fit a Bicycle Helmet.”





Adjust Your Bicycle to Fit. Stand over your bicycle. There should be 1 to 2 inches between you and the top tube (bar) if using a road bike and 3 to 4 inches if a mountain bicycle. The seat should be level front to back. The seat height should be adjusted to allow a slight bend at the knee when the leg is fully extended. The handlebar height should be at the same level with the seat.





Check Your Equipment. Before riding, inflate tires properly and check that your brakes work.





See and Be Seen. Whether daytime, dawn, dusk, foul weather, or at night, you need to be seen by others. Wearing white has not been shown to make you more visible. Rather, always wear neon, fluorescent, or other bright colors when riding day or night. Also wear something that reflects light, such as reflective tape or markings, or flashing lights. Remember, just because you can see a driver doesn’t mean the driver can see you.





Control Your Bicycle. Always ride with at least one hand on the handlebars. Carry books and other items in a bicycle carrier or backpack.





Watch for and Avoid Road Hazards. Be on the lookout for hazards such as potholes, broken glass, gravel, puddles, leaves, and dogs. All these hazards can cause a crash. If you are riding with friends and you are in the lead, yell out and point to the hazard to alert the riders behind you.





Avoid Riding at Night. It is far more dangerous to ride at night than during the day because you are harder for others to see. If you have to ride at night, wear something that makes you more easily seen by others. Make sure you have reflectors on the front and rear of your bicycle (white lights on the front and red rear reflectors are required by law in many States), in addition to reflectors on your tires, so others can see you.

Many bicycle-related crashes resulting in injury or death are associated with the bicyclist’s behavior, including such things as not wearing a bicycle helmet, riding into a street without stopping, turning left or swerving into traffic that is coming from behind, running a stop sign, and riding the wrong way in traffic. To maximize your safety, always wear a helmet AND follow the rules of the road.



Rules of the Road – Bicycling on the Road



Bicycles in many States are considered vehicles, and cyclists have the same rights and the same responsibilities to follow the rules of the road as motorists. When riding, always:



Go With the Traffic Flow. Ride on the right in the same direction as other vehicles. Go with the flow – not against it.





Obey All Traffic Laws. A bicycle is a vehicle and you’re a driver. When you ride in the street, obey all traffic signs, signals, and lane markings.





Yield to Traffic When Appropriate. Almost always, drivers on a smaller road must yield (wait) for traffic on a major or larger road. If there is no stop sign or traffic signal and you are coming from a smaller roadway (out of a driveway, from a sidewalk, a bike path, etc.), you must slow down and look to see if the way is clear before proceeding. This also means yielding to pedestrians who have already entered a crosswalk.





Be Predictable. Ride in a straight line, not in and out of cars. Signal your moves to others.





Stay Alert at All Times. Use your eyes AND ears. Watch out for potholes, cracks, wet leaves, storm grates, railroad tracks, or anything that could make you lose control of your bike. You need your ears to hear traffic and avoid dangerous situations; don’t wear a headset when you ride.





Look Before Turning. When turning left or right, always look behind you for a break in traffic, then signal before making the turn. Watch for left- or right-turning traffic.





Watch for Parked Cars. Ride far enough out from the curb to avoid the unexpected from parked cars (like doors opening, or cars pulling out).

Sidewalk versus Street Riding



The safest place for bicycle riding is on the street, where bicycles are expected to follow the same rules of the road as motorists and ride in the same direction.



Children less than 10 years old, however, are not mature enough to make the decisions necessary to safely ride in the street.





Children less than 10 years old are better off riding on the sidewalk.





For anyone riding on a sidewalk:





Check the law in your State or jurisdiction to make sure sidewalk riding is allowed.





Watch for vehicles coming out of or turning into driveways.





Stop at corners of sidewalks and streets to look for cars and to make sure the drivers see you before crossing.





Enter a street at a corner and not between parked cars. Alert pedestrians that you are near by saying, “Excuse me,” or, “Passing on your left,” or use a bell or horn.

For more information on bicycle safety, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Web site at: www.nhtsa.dot.gov

And then there's an ACURA Oil Change

All things considered, getting your oil changed at an Acura dealership makes a lot of sense. OK, go ahead and ask the tough questions: "Aren't all oil changes the same?" & "Don't Acura dealers charge too much money & take too much time?" Consider these facts:

• Acura Dealers Use ACURA PRECISION CRAFTED OIL FILTERS
  • Superior materials and advanced technology combine to make the ultimate oil filter for your Acura. For example, take apart an Acura oil filter and you'll find 60% more paper, based on surface area, than the leading competitive oil filters. This variable density filter paper is responsible for trapping contaminants and keeping your oil clean. Clean Oil = Happy Engine!
  • P-RING SEAL DESIGN A round seal, not flat, provides solid contact between the filter and engine. This is what keeps your oil inside the filter and prevents it from leaking all over your garage!
  • ANTI-DRAINBACK VALVE This prevents dirty oil from draining out of the filter and back into your engine after the engine is shut-off. Acura uses Silicone material for optimum performance.
  • Unlike many other oil filters, Acura Genuine Oil Filters are designed specifically for Acura vehicles, to provide maximum protection and improved engine life.
    
    
• Acura Dealers Replace the CRUSH WASHER. What is a Crush Washer and why is it SO important to your Acura?
  • The crush washer is a gasket that fits between your oil pan and the drain plug. It is only supposed to be used one time, and should be discarded during each oil change and replaced with a new one.
  • When a new washer is installed and the drain plug is tightened, this washer "crushes" to form a very tight seal, this prevents motor oil leaks without overstressing the oil pan threads.
  • Oil changers who are not aware of its importance may think it's OK to re-use this washer. Since it has already been crushed, it will not collapse any further. As a result, the installer may over-tighten the drain plug to get a tight fit. This can eventually lead to stripped threads in the oil pan--a VERY expensive repair.

  Acura uses an aluminum crush washer. Some oil changers might mistakenly use a plastic one, which is not as effective
  

• An Acura-Trained Technician makes a big difference! Why?
  • --Acura dealers know your vehicle inside and out, and can provide competent, efficient service.
  • --Acura technicians check the engine block to make sure the O-ring from the old filter is not stuck to it. If it is, the technician scrapes it off thoroughly and wipes the surface clean. If a new oil filter is installed over the old O-ring, the filter could come loose over time. When installing a new Acura Oil Filter, Acura technicians torque it to the proper specifications. To keep the new O-ring from shearing when torquing the filter, they apply a lubricant, such as engine oil, to it. Before returning your Acura, many Acura technicians spray a cleaner onto the oil pan near the drain plug to remove any excess oil so you don't have oil on your driveway or garage. They also know to clean the crevices in the undercarriage where oil can pool while draining, only to drip later on.
  • --Most Acura dealers complete a thorough Multi-Point Inspection with every service. Click on the image (right) to see everything they inspect!

Why Use ACURA OIL?

• Acura recommends using Genuine Acura Oil for your vehicle. It meets the Starburst performance requirements (This symbol indicates that the oil meets the latest performance requirements set by the automotive and oil industries. Oil bearing the Starburst will provide superior performance in the areas of deposit and sludge protection, wear protection, and oil life), and is also subjected to a series of Acura-specific tests to guarantee optimum performance and compatibility with your Acura vehicle. It has just the right amounts of detergent and lubricants prescribed by our engineers. To learn more, click on the picture above.
• Most Acura dealers check your tires, batteries and fluid levels.
  • Batteries never die when it's convenient! Your Acura dealer can do a complimentary battery test with a special diagnostic tool that detects when a battery is approaching the end of its life, so you can avoid ever getting in a no-start situation. With this simple test you'll know whether your battery is good, bad or better off replaced. Acura batteries carry a 100 month limited warranty & 3 years free replacement.

  
  

   

  • Re-Tire at Acura! High performance vehicles are equipped with high performance tires. Most Acura Dealers will check your tires and keep you informed about when you need new ones. Maintain your Acura's Precision Crafted Performance with the name, reputation and quality of original equipment factory spec tires. Acura dealers know exactly which tires your Acura needs--if the wrong tires are installed, noise and vibration could result.

  
  Visit Park Acura online at www.parkacura.com

Our Employees sound off...What does Memorial Day mean to you...

Lisa Downey- " Remebering those who have died. Family tradition of going to cemetaries and putting flowers on the graves of family members."




Chris Gless- "America, Baseball and Cookouts"



Jason Kuhns- "Being a OIF Veteran, Memorial Day means to me that is a day to take a moment to remember all Service men and women who have paid the ultimate price for freedom. Also, to enjoy all the freedoms that we do have in this Nation. Always remember Capt. Mark Stubenhoffer I-41 Inf. Fort Riley KS Dec 7, 2004"



Moez Hedri- "To Honor the Heros that sacrificed their life for our freedom"



John Gardiner-" A day to remember all of those who made the ulitmate sacrifice so we can choose to live the way we want-Semper Fi!"



Jessica Sanders- "To me it means remembering the troops who served and fought for our country and being grateful to those who are serving now. They are the ones that help us sleep at night."



Randi Myers- " Memorial Day is a day to remember all those that have given their lives while in our Nation's Service. These men and women fought for their loved ones and complete stangers while putting themselves in harm's way and unfortunately did not return to reek the benefits of what they did for our nation. I am thankful and will be in internal debt to all those honored on this day, for I have and never will be able to give them anything close to what they have given to me."

What is Memorial Day and why do we Celebrate it

Memorial Day in the 21st century has come to mean a day off from work, but the holiday is deserving of this nation's respect in ways more important than simply grilling hot dogs and watching sports.








Why do Americans celebrate Memorial Day? To honor Americans who have died in the wars that have been fought to preserve their beliefs.







Many confuse Memorial Day and Veterans Day. While Veterans Day does honor the memory of those who have died in service to their country, it is also a day set aside to honor those still alive who have fought in U.S. wars. Memorial Day is specifically set aside to honor the memory of those who paid the ultimate price.







It originally began as a day to recognize those who died in the single bloodiest war in American history: the Civil War. The holiday was originally known as Decoration Day. According to usmemorialday.org, it is nearly impossible to pinpoint the exact day that Decoration Day came into existence; several dozen cities have staked a claim to being the first to officially celebrate it. Decoration Day got its name from the efforts of southern women to decorate the graves of Confederate soldiers not long after the end of the Civil War.







The Encyclopedia Britannica states that Columbus, Mo., was one of the first southern cities to formally observe the day as a remembrance for both Confederate and Union soldiers. Nevertheless, a congressional proclamation in 1966 officially sanctioned Waterloo, N.Y., as the birthplace of Memorial Day.







Decoration Day had been officially changed to Memorial Day almost exactly a century earlier. The day of remembrance remained a day specifically set aside for those who had died during the Civil War until after World War I. At that point, it was made to include all American soldiers who died in conflicts.







According to History.com, it was not until 1971 that the last Monday in May was set aside as Memorial Day and declared a national holiday.







Despite this, some southern towns still set aside a separate day of observance just for Confederate soldiers who died during the Civil War. The actual manner of observance has gone with the wind over the last few decades. The impetus for the holiday, the decoration of graves, is mostly done with small American flags if at all.







Many cities, especially those in the south, used to hold extravagant parades, but even that most traditional manner of celebration is rarely seen today. Instead, Memorial Day is now observed with picnics and baseball games.







For the average American, Memorial Day has become a day to observe as the kickoff to the summer holiday season rather than a day to celebrate the lives and deaths of the soldiers whose sacrifices have made it possible for the Indy 500 and beach picnics to exist.

Park Acura commercial for May 2011

We just finished editing the new Park Acura television commercial that will start running this week.  The style and design works in conjunction with a mailer that we came up that went out to local owners of other luxury class vehicles.  We hope you enjoy it this new commercial.  Give us a shout if you see it run on tv.

The NEW 2012 ACURA TL at the movie premier of Thor!

This is a quick clip and some photos of the NEW 2012 Acura TL that we at Park Acura rigged up with cool lights and had on display at the The Regal Cinema last night. What a great turnout and killer movie. Thanks everyone for coming out !!!

 

History of the Easter Bunny and Traditions from Around the World

History of the EASTER BUNNY: Who is he?

The idea of the Easter Bunny comes from early pagan (these are worldly or secular, no religious association with any particular one deity like Christianity has) traditions. The Easter traditions of the Easter Bunny and Easter Eggs do not have any real ties to the Christian celebration of Easter but rather these Easter traditions, that are practiced today, are evolved from pagan symbols. The timing of the Christian celebration of Easter (to Christians this word represents the time frame and the events revolving around Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection) is around the time of the vernal equinox, which is linked historically with a pagan celebration that coincides with the arrival of spring. This pagan celebration also symbolizes the arrival of light and the awakening of the life around us, the idea of spring bringing new life, etc. Even the name “Easter” itself has its basis in pagan traditions. The name is spawned from the Saxon goddess of Eastre (or Oestre or Ostara) who was the goddess of the dawn and the spring. Eastre, was of course, a fertility goddess who brought an end to winter making days longer and brighter with a passion for “new life”. Eastre’s presence could be felt by all in the spring as the newly flowering plants, and the new births of babies both human and animal were happening all around. This is where we start to see the formation of the “EASTER BUNNY” because the animal associated with this goddess as her sacred animal was the RABIT because of this animal’s well known rapid production and fertility prosperity. Easter eggs and “Easter Bunnies” were both featured in the festivals of Ostara or “Eastre” which were initially held during the pagan feasts of the goddess Ishtar. The pagans used eggs in the celebration because these are an obvious symbol of fertility with new born chicks also being a great representation of new life. During these feasts and festivals the pagan’s worshiping would use brightly coloured eggs, chicks, and “bunnies” to express their appreciation of the abundance “Eastre” had provided for them.



When it comes to the actual character that we know as the “Eastre bunny” or “EASTER BUNNY” and the idea of him bringing us chocolate eggs on Easter, there is a very interesting pagan story behind the legend. The legend claims that the goddess “Eastre”, or Ostara as she is also known, felt very bad for arriving late one spring (the season of spring must have actually been late in its coming the year this legend was born) and in order to help make a mends for this she decided to save the life of a poor bird whose wings had frozen in the snow. Eastre made this bird her pet and some versions of the legend even say it made the bird her lover. Feeling compassion for this bird of hers because he no longer had the ability to fly Eastre decided to turn him into a snow hare named “Lepus”. She also gave him the ability to run very fast so he could avoid hunters and she also gave him one more special gift. In remembrance of his life as a bird Eastre gave Lepus the ability to lay “eggs”. Not only could Lepus lay eggs but these eggs would also come out in all the different colours of the rainbow. There was only one downfall to this great ability Lepus had, he could only lay these eggs on one day each year, on the day that the festivial of Eastre was celebrated. From this simple and earliest known pagan legend we get the first stories of the birth of the idea of the “EASTER BUNNY” and also Easter Eggs and where they get their multiple bright colours from.



History of the EASTER BUNNY: Traditions around the World



In terms of more recent traditions the character that we in the West would call the “Easter Bunny”, in our minds, is often a big, almost lifelike, character. A giant loveable and friendly white bunny who is as real as Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy. And who also delivers chocolate eggs to the homes of kids by hiding them in their houses or their yards but providing them with baskets to go and hunt the eggs with during the spring celebration of Easter. When you read it like that it sounds kind of silly don’t you think? I mean at least Santa Claus is based on a human being. Anyways when it comes to the Easter Bunny and other Easter traditions it is important to realize that the customs surrounding this season and Holiday are different around the world.



Believe it or not the first actually documented use of the “Bunny” as a symbol of “Easter” occurs in the late 1500’s in Germany of all places. Although if you read the previous article you would know that pagan traditions and legends point the hare or rabbit as often being strongly associated with the time of “Eastre” or “Easter”. Following along with their firsts in terms of the “Easter Bunny” it was the Germans in the 1800’s who were the first ones to also create edible “Easter Bunnies”. However, it was actually the Pennsylvania Dutch who brought the “Easter Bunny” from Europe to the United States in the 1700s. Every spring their children would be spinning with excitement in their wait for the arrival of “Oschter Haws” (their Easter Bunny character) and the gifts that accompanied him; this was a joy for these Dutch children that could only be rivaled by the winter visit of “Sinterklaas” (their name for Saint Nick – the mispronunciation of this name is where Santa Claus comes from).



The character of the rabbit or bunny is revered around the world in different cultures. Many Asian cultures hail the rabbit as a sacred messenger to the divine. Even for Buddhists and Egyptians the rabbit has special meaning. And of course Western Europe has their strong beliefs in the rabbit as a symbol of fertility and new life. It is thought that the knowledge of the Eastern traditions to do with the rabbit must have spread to Europe as communication between these two groups increased. Also the fact that the two groups beliefs about the rabbit blended so well together must have helped keep these traditions alive. Even Native American peoples and the ancient Mayans had their beliefs about the mysticism of rabbits a.k.a. bunnies.



Over time these many different traditions/legends about rabbits/bunnies has moulded this animal from an symbolic ancient bringer of life, etc. into the “Easter Bunny” a symbol of the Holiday which celebrates resurrection. In truth, part of the message remains the same as the Rabbit is still symbolic of a season and time when all things are possible and everything can again be new.



When it comes to the modern day tradition of the Easter Bunny, in North America, we follow the idea that on Easter Sunday children wake up to discover either that the “Easter Bunny” has left them a basket full of candy or that he has hidden eggs (maybe decorated ones or simply chocolate ones) for them to find. There are only a few other countries who follow this same tradition. For example, in Austria, the “Easter Bunny” who is known to them as “Osterhase” hides decorated eggs, for children to find the next day, on the night before Easter Sunday. In New Zealand the stores all carry Hot Cross Buns (with the crosses being symbolic of Christ’s cross) and chocolate eggs that the Easter Bunny fills his basket with and delivers to all the children during his delivery rounds on Easter Sunday morning; usually hiding these treats just like the American “Easter Bunny” so that children have to search for them. In New Zealand’s neighbouring country of Australia, they also believe in the “Easter Bunny”. However, rabbits are considered pests and so there has been a long running campaign to replace the “Easter Bunny” with the Easter Bilby (a native marsupial – there are “Easter Bilbies” made of chocolate and are sold to fund raise for this endangered marsupial) but the “Easter Bunny is still more popular.



Not all countries celebrate the Easter Bunny or have even heard of him. Other countries have their own strange Easter traditions including Sweden, where in its western provinces there are competitions to see who can create the biggest bonfire and fireworks are shot off. In Norway, Easter time brings out the more modern tradition of “Easter-crime” shows which are aired including televising detective novels and crime stories. No one knows where this tradition came from. On the other hand, just as in the West almost all countries that celebrate this Holiday do have some form of “Easter eggs”.



Well, I hope you have enjoyed this little look into the history and traditions of the “Easter Bunny”. Perhaps it has sparked your interest and maybe you will include in your life some of these other well-known traditions from other cultures or maybe it will inspire you to twist the “Easter Bunny” idea into some form of new tradition that your family can carry on with from generation to generation and who knows maybe 200 years from know somebody just like myself might be writing about it.

Akron Childrens Hospital

Park Auto Group delivered 20 Easter baskets today to Akron Childrens Hospital.  Each basket contained a kit to make your own windchime, crayons, coloring book, a special coloring page, puzzles and a stuffed animal. 

Park Mazda is #1!!

Check out our reviews!!

http://www.dealerrater.com/dealer/Park-Mazda-review-18839/

Visit Park Mazda online at www.parkmazdaakron.com 

Fun Facts about Peeps!

For the last 10 years Peeps have been the #1 Non chocolate Easter Candy.




The Second most popular color for peeps is pink.



Over 70 million Peep Chicks are need to line the US Coast to Coast.



In 1950 it took 27 hours to make one Peep. Now it takes about 6 minutes!



Peeps have 28 calories and 0 grams of fat!



Peeps rule the world wide web, there are more than 200 Unofficial Peep Websites!



Peeps have become gourmet favorites in many recipes including fondues, creme brulle ingredients and as cappuccino toppings!

Mazda 100 Club

Fixed Right the First Time…100% of the Time!!

Award Presented to Park Mazda
February 2011

This distinction is reserved for select dealers that have met AND surpassed high standards of quality AND a commitment that never ceases to demonstrate their dedication to customer service in support!

Honda President's Award Winner - Park Auto Group

We are proud to announce that Park Honda has been selected as a winner of the prestigious Honda President's Award for 2010. This award reflects our outstanding dedication to customer service and satisfaction, exceptional vehicle sales and strong business practices. Park Honda is the only eight time winner in Northeast Ohio. We are also the highest volume Honda Dealer in Summit, Medina, Wayne and Stark County

Valentines Day on a Budget

Valentine's Day can be one of the most expensive holidays. It is the holiday that you are supposed to say "I love you" to your significant other. To many people this means spending big bucks. Because the more you spend the more you love them, right? Wrong! Showing someone you care on Valentine's Day does not have to cost a lot of money.




The first thing to do is to think about what this person really likes. Personally I like chocolate. And flowers. Notice I didn't say fancy, expensive chocolate or red roses. Any kind of dark chocolate (about $2) and a small bunch of flowers from the grocery store ($8) and I will be pretty happy. So basically my husband can make my day for about $10. I bet you can do the same! Here are some ideas.



1. Put together a box of this person's favorite things. It could be anything. You more than anyone will know their favorite things, so surprise them by getting them all together. The small things, that is. You can't purchase diamonds on a budget. People feel very loved when they know that other people pay attention to the small things about them.



2. Bubble bath and candles make a great gift. This will be relaxing and romantic all at the same time.



3. Take the day off of work to spend with them. This would work especially well if this person doesn't work. If they do, you might need to do some arranging with their employers, which could be hard to do and might not go over very well. But how wonderful for someone to know that you took a day off of work just to spend it with them.



4. Cook them their favorite meal.



5. Leave them love notes - all over. On the bathroom mirror, in their car, in their lunch, on the newspaper, etc. Anywhere they will be leave a little note.



6. Fill their car with balloons.



7. Do something that they want to do. If your wife loves sappy romantic movies, but you hate them and won't go - go anyway, it will make their day.



8. Do something that they don't want to do. Do they despise cleaning bathrooms, grocery shopping, vacuuming out the car, bathing the kids, etc? Do it for them.



9. Make your own card detailing everything you love about this person.



10. Give them a back rub.



11. If you must take them out to eat for Valentine's Day you have a couple of options. You could take them out to lunch, or you could take them out to dinner another night instead. Of course you will still spend Valentine's Day with them doing frugal things right? But you will be saving a good bit of money and hassle by going out to eat a different night.



12. Don't buy roses. There are lots of wonderful flowers out there and just because the marketers try to tell us that everyone needs roses on Valentine's Day does mean that everyone needs roses on Valentine's Day. Pick a different flower or perhaps a potted plant. Potted plants live a lot longer than cut flowers do, so they would be reminded of your love for years to come, not just a week.



13. Here is a cheesy one from my husband - give real kisses instead of Hershey's kisses.



If you really want to take your significant other out to dinner on the most expensive night of the year and buy them a dozen red roses, go for it. But be prepared to spend a lot of cash, at least $100. Pick some or all of these ideas for a much less expensive and memorable way to say "I love you".

How to Reduce Ice Build up on Car Windows

Nothing is more frustrating than waiting for your car to defrost or standing out in the cold scraping ice off your car windshield, but you can cut down on the amount of ice that builds up by cleaning the glass in your car with a simple vinegar solution.




Difficulty: Easy







Instructions



Things You'll Need:



Vinegar

Water

Spray bottle

Clean paper towels

Mix a half a cup of vinegar with one and a half cups of water in a spray bottle.



Saturate all glass surfaces with the mixture. You may notice some solution dripping onto your car's paint. This will not harm your car's paint finish the way commercial de-icers can.



Wipe excess solution from all windows and the windshield, but leave the windows slightly damp and allow it to air dry. The water will evaporate, but the vinegar compounds will remain to help fight ice.



Reapply the solution twice a week. You will find yourself spending less time scraping ice. Not only will this reduce ice build up, it will also keep your windows from fogging over.







Read more: How to Reduce Ice Build Up on Car Windows and Windshields
eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2113483_build-up-car-windows

Have a Heart, Do Your Part 2011 Radiothon

Park Honda is participating in WKDD's annual Have a Heart, Do Your Part 2011 Radiothon.  Park Honda is an official change bandit for this great cause.  Park Honda will also match all donations by associates and our customers up to $250!  So stop in and help us make a difference in our community.

http://www.facebook.com/parkautogroup

MAKE SURE TO PASS THIS ON AND SHARE ON YOUR FACEBOOK WALL....WE WANT TO SEE AS MANY "LIKES" AS POSSIBLE TO THE PARK AUTO GROUP FACEBOOK PAGE FROM THIS GREAT EVENT !!!

Customer Testimonials.....

"I have always been treated like family..."



"Dave always treats me and my wife with the utmost respect and professionalism. He is knowledgeable and extremely helpful" -Michael P

" I recommend Park"

"Moez was very informed and straight forward" -Wava B







"Excellent Refferal from my brother in law"

" Really Good salesperson...took care of my needs better than any salesperson I have dealt with" - Justin J







"This is a great dealership"
" I am very happy with all the sales staff and the great effort that they put forth. Very courteous, Casey has been extremely helpful, all sales people should have her qualities" -Linda M







"Recommended by Edmunds.com"
" Very knowledgeable about the car and very prepared when I came in and it was an internet sale...A very good car buying experience" -Susan L

Review for the 2011 Odyssey

The following article was posted Jan. 18, 2011 on AutoBlog.com.  It has been edited slightly for length, but this one is so good, I left much more in than our normal readers are used to.

Start of article: After driving the new Odyssey for a week, I have serious van envy. Honda has crafted the ultimate, state-of-the-art people mover, even if it's not much more than some flashy design and incremental improvements in areas like powertrain, fuel efficiency and equipment.The biggest changes in the redesigned Odyssey are obvious at first glance, as it no longer looks so much like a conventional minivan. Honda's ideas on styling have been polarizing as of late, so it's smart that the company chose the Civic as the donor of the new minivan's face. The venerable compact is still the most complete and fluid execution of modern Honda design language, and what it lends to the Odyssey works to make Honda's largest vehicle appear smaller and sleeker. It helps that the Odyssey has a lower and much wider stance, having been stretched over two inches across. While its front and back sections don't exactly mate up well in profile, each works on its own. The flying buttress D-pillar helps the rear end achieve a more contemporary look, like that of many crossovers. Honda is calling the quirky jog in the beltline at the Odyssey's C-pillar a "lightning bolt," and it's more than just a clever device to give the vehicle a dynamic, moving-forward look. That little dip makes the third-row windows bigger and increases the feeling of roominess for passengers in the way back.Honda clearly wants to make the back of the bus a more desirable place to ride, and it's come up with some enticing new features to serve the rear-seaters' needs. The first is that the third row now has two sets of LATCH anchors, while the second row can be had with three. These carseat attachments mean more than horsepower to breeder parents, and the Odyssey has more of them than the competition. The second row is interesting in that Honda has decided not to follow Chrysler into its folly of designing seats to fold into the floor like those in the third row. Understanding that it's the rare day when you want to use your minivan like a pickup truck, Honda instead designed a system that allows the second-row seats to be moved laterally to make more room for passengers or car seats, while improving third-row access through the center in the process. The optional second-row-center seat can even be moved forward to place an infant carseat closer to mom and pop in the front. This is smart engineering trumping gimmicky marketing. Up front, the cockpit is functional and the controls are similar to any number of other Honda or Acura vehicles (save for a dash-mounted shift lever). Behind the wheel, the Odyssey is a nice driver, though it no longer feels as much like an Accord. It's not that this new version of what used to be the best driving minivan on the market can't corner, but that the steering doesn't provides as much feel as its predecessor.If the Odyssey drives more like a minivan than a station wagon now, it certainly doesn't accelerate like one. Honda's 3.5-liter V6 makes 248 horsepower in the 2011 Odyssey, along with 250 pound-feet of torque. It revs quickly and has great throttle response, and Honda has done a masterful job of matching the gear ratios of the new, optional six-speed automatic transmission to make the Odyssey move. This is a minivan than can go quicker than it should, at least with babies onboard. Honda has also included its Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system as standard equipment. This shuts down two or three of the V6's cylinders when they're not needed, improving fuel economy. This and some other measures, including a 50-to-100 pound weight reduction, have helped the Odyssey boast some impressive EPA numbers for a roughly 4,400-pound vehicle. With the standard five-speed automatic, the van is rated at 18 mpg city, 21 combined and 27 on the highway. The six-speed automatic improves each of those numbers by a single mile-per-gallon, and that's tops among any vehicle that can carry eight passengers. No minivan these days would be complete without some sort of video screen for the kids, and Honda has gone big in this department with an optional 16.2-inch widescreen that folds down from the headliner in the second row. (A more conventional nine-inch screen is also available.) Before you get too excited about having a display larger than a MacBook Pro in the Odyssey, however, understand this is really just two normal-sized displays mated into a single, wide LCD panel. While it's possible to stretch out a single video source to cover the entire screen in a grotesquely distorted aspect ratio, the more useful application is to allow each side of the vehicle to select a separate input source for their half of the screen, choosing from the DVD player, composite auxiliary inputs and an HDMI port. While this HDMI port is bound to get video game geeks excited, it's more of a way for Honda to future-proof its van than anything else. The screen in the Odyssey is still pretty small, making most modern video games designed for widescreen, high-definition displays difficult. Your World of Warcraft addiction will have to be a lot more severe than mine to want to play in the back of an Odyssey.As fantastic as the Odyssey is, there's a bigger question at hand: Can it (or Toyota's "Swagger Wagon," or a nicely revamped Grand Caravan from Dodge, or the all-new Nissan Quest) convince the masses that minivans aren't the automotive equivalent of wearing sweatpants? Surely there are a sizable amount of people who wouldn't drive a minivan even if it came with a personal invitation from Rob Halford himself. But Honda thinks that this market is primed for growth, and that's reasonable speculation. With plenty of consumers making the SUV-to-crossover jump in the interest of cutting their fuel bills while maintaining a capacious interior, giving minivans another look is the smart thing to do.End of article.

Visit Park Honda online at www.parkhonda.com

TOP LEVEL SALES FOR MAZDA

Paul Burke, Dave Sommerville and Brad Neikirk from our Mazda Sales Team just made MASTER CERTIFICATION TOP LEVEL SALES FOR MAZDA! Way to Go Team!!

Way to go Ric and Mark

The Park Auto Group would like to congratulate Ric Witherspoon and Mark Hamilton from our Acura store for achieving Silver Level with Acura. This award is based on customer satisfaction, before, during and most important after the sale. It is graded by customer’s who purchased an Acura and also recognizes Ric and Mar...k’s product knowledge.

Way to go Ric and Mark

CONGRATULATIONS DAVE

  Park Associate Stephanie Muntean pictured with Dave Herron, iPod winner for the month of December 2010. Dave has actually purchased 11 vehicles from Park over the years. CONGRATULATIONS DAVE !!!

Nothing like Comfort Food...Roast Beef!

Ingredients


1 (3-pound) beef roast, trimmed of excess fat

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

4 tablespoons olive oil, divided

8 ounces button mushrooms

2 small onions, quartered

Gravy:

1 cup red wine

1 cup low-sodium beef stock

2 tablespoons gravy flour (recommended: Wondra)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.



Season the beef with salt and pepper, to taste.



Heat 2 tablespoons the oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until very hot but not smoking. Add the meat and sear on all sides.



Add the mushrooms and onions to a bowl and stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and toss. Add to the skillet around the roast.



Put the skillet in the oven and roast until an instant-read thermometer registers 130 degrees F, about 40 minutes. Remove the roast from the oven to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes. Remove the onions and mushrooms from the skillet.



While the beef is resting, prepare the gravy.



Put the skillet on low heat. Add the wine and stock, while scraping up the browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Whisk in the flour until the sauce is thickened and smooth.



Slice the beef into very thin slices. Transfer to a platter and serve with the mushrooms, onions and gravy.