Welcome to the Park Subaru Family!

Check out this Offer

Limited time offer !!!








Honda all season protection packages specially priced on Accord, Civic and CR-V at $199.00



$249.00 on Pilot and Odyssey

Black Ice...What you should do

Winter driving conditions can be tricky for even the most experienced drivers. While a snow-covered road can be an obvious driving hazard, a road that just looks wet can also be deceivingly slippery.




Black ice is a dangerous wintertime hazard because the icy road may not always be visible to the driver. Indeed, melted snow or ice that refreezes may still look deceivingly like a dry road. And temperatures don't have to be below freezing for black ice to develop. Black ice can occur if temperatures are near the freezing mark--or even a few degrees above it.



While a shiny road surface indicates an obviously wet or icy road, a road covered with black ice will look a little different. Keep an eye out for pavement that is slightly darker and a little duller looking than the rest of the road surface-- this may indicate that black ice is present. Because black ice is so tricky to detect, a driver may not realize there is an icy road surface until his car begins to slide. Here are some winter driving safety tips on how to drive on black ice:

As soon as your car begins to slide on black ice, take your foot off the gas pedal. In fact, the last thing you want to do is give your car more gas. It is very important to slow down when you are driving on black ice or in any other winter road conditions.

Don't slam the brakes. While it may be a natural instinct to slam on your brakes, this will only cause your car to lose control and slide even more. Tap the brake pedal lightly instead of pushing down hard on it.

Look for trouble spots ahead. If you have an idea that there may be black ice ahead (if you see cars ahead of you sliding, for example), downshift to a lower gear before you come onto the black ice. The lower gear will force you to drive more slowly and it will give you better control of your car.

If your car does begin to skid on the ice, turn the wheel in the direction of the skid. This should help to steer your car back on the right track.

When and Where was the first Thanksgiving?  




The first Thanksgiving was held in 1621. The location was somewhere in the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts. The first Thanksgiving was held sometime between September and November. The exact date is unknown. It was a harvest celebration. It was not repeated every year, and there were other thanksgiving feasts in some parts of other colonies. But the one by the Plymouth Colony is the one we think of. Some British settlers near Virginia are said to have given thanks for a successful voyage in 1619. Another one in 1623 was also celebrated after some hard times. They did not just last one afternoon. They normally lasted about three days!







Food at the First Thanksgiving



What did the Pilgrims eat?



For meat, poultry and fish, they may have had eel, clams, turkey, duck, goose, and partridge. Nobody really knows exactly what they served. Some even think they had lobster and swan! For fruits and vegetables, probably on the tables were corn, acorns, carrots, pumpkins, beans, peas, and grapes. The first Thanksgiving may have also had a few walnuts and chestnuts. Perhaps an onion tossed in for flavor. Again, we are only guessing.







Who was at the First Thanksgiving?



William Bradford, the governor, proclaimed a day of thanksgiving. The Plymouth colonists shared an autumn celebration with the local Wampanoag Indians. It was traditional for the settlers to have celebrated some sort of harvest each autumn. Because it is generally believed that the local Indians helped the Pilgrims out, they were naturally involved and invited to such a feast. That and the native Americans probably contributed quite a bit to the menu. Or at least the success of the Pilgrims harvest.







How to eat like the First Thanksgiving



The following are foods you can choose from that the Pilgrims ate.



The foods listed below are pretty much known due to writings that have survived about the first settlers that came on the Mayflower. Corn to them probably was what we would call Indian corn. There is also a debate as to whether they had goats on the Mayflower. This would have made cheese and milk products a possibility. But since this is unsure, it is not listed.







LeeksLettuceCarrotsPumpkinCornSquashBeansWalnutsChestnutsAcornsStrawberriesRaspberriesCranberriesFishLobsterEelsClamsMusselsCornbreadWild turkeyDuckGooseDeer





They did not use forks and probably ate mostly with their hands. They did not dress up in those campy black and white outfits. Their clothes were probably in earth tones like brown and beige.Forget the fancy hats, belt buckles, and shoe buckles.







Thanksgiving Food Tid Bits



There were no pies of any kind. Even pumpkin. The Pilgrims did not have everything needed to bake pies. The meats may have been dried, as that was the way of keeping meat. There was no big, fat turkey served. Wild turkeys, duck, and other fowl would have been scrawny to todays standards. In fact, meat made up most of their meals. Fruits and vegetables were not that common and plentiful. No big plates of steaming mashed potatoes and buttered sweet potatoes. Thay had no potatoes. As for sweets, if they had sweets it was sweetened and spiced meat, not pies.







Minnesota produces more turkeys than any other state.





Cranberries are only native to North America.











Why do we celebrate Thanksgiving in November?



The history of the holiday in the United States.



Many times during the Revolutionary War, there were suggestions of a day of thanksgiving. General George Washington had even observed it. When George Washington became president, he declared that November 26, 1789 was to a day of thanksgiving and prayer.







New York in 1821 was the first state to adopt such a custom as thanksgiving. Many other states followed. Abraham Lincoln in 1863 designated the last Thursday of November as a day of thanksgiving. It is now tradition for every president every November to make an official proclamation of thanksgiving.





It was President Franklin Roosevelt who officially offered it as the 4th Thursday in November. This measure was approved by Congress in 1941. The rest, as they say, is history.

Subaru Share The Love Event

The Subaru Share The Love Event-going on now through January 3rd, 2011




Get the best deal of the year on any

new Subaru and $250 gets donated

to your choice of five charities.

November 20th through January 3rd, 2011.



It’s Habitat Humanity day at Park Subaru – December 11th (11am-2pm)



You can drop off donations at Park Subaru

on December 11th between 11am and 2pm

Congratulations Dan D.

Monthly winner for November

Finger Print Turkey Craft- Fun for all ages

Fingerprint Turkey Craft


A finger and a bit of paint are all you need to make this super-cute turkey.

Its fun for children to make for namecards on the Thanksgiving supper table (we don't normally use name-cards... we aren't that formal, but sometimes the kids like to help out with the decorating and hostessing... they always seem to arrange a spot right beside Grandma *grin*)







Materials:

brown finger paint

red, yellow and/or orange finger paint

scrap of cardboard or old margarine container lid (something to act as a pallet)



black marker



paper or card stock



Directions:

Squeeze a bit of brown finger paint onto a margarine container lid



Squeeze a bit of red and/or orange finger paint onto the lid, spaced away from the brown paint (or use a second lid)



stamp the pad of your index finger into the orange or red paint



Use your finger to make an arch of fingerprints as the turkey's tail



Optional: Make a second arch around the first one using your index finger or your pinkie again... you can use the same color or another autumn color for the second arch (it's actually better to make the outside arch first if you're planning to do two)



Use your thumb finger to stamp a brown thumbprint in the center of the arch as the turkey's body



Use a marker to add feet, a beak and eyes.

Park Gets An Impact Award!!!

By Tammy Proctor


The Suburbanite

Posted Oct 25, 2010 @ 08:09 AM





Green, Ohio — Innovative Autocare, FirstMerit Bank, Kovatch Castings and Blake's Café and Cupcakery were presented awards Oct. 20 by the Green Chamber of Commerce.



The Vision Award, which recognizes businesses for putting vision into action, was presented to Innovative Autocare.A full-service automotive repair and preventative maintenance center, Innovative Autocare is owned by Jeff Goodwin. His business philosophy is highest quality service at an intermediate price. Goodwin recently remodeled and expanded the business at 4901 South Main St. For more information about the business call 330-245-0865.



Honorable mentions for the Vision Award included Gerri's Closet and Shields-Blice & Co., CPAs, Inc.



The Community Award, recognizing businesses which enrich the community with the completion of short-term projects or long range initiatives, was presented to FirstMerit Bank. The Green branch, located at the corner of Massillon and Boettler Roads, focuses on being a community bank with local decision-making boards. The staff is very active in Green Relay For Life, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, United Way and the American Heart Association. They are active in the Rotary Club of Lake-Green and Green Good Neighbors Back to School Program.



Park Auto Group and Gallery 143 were honorable mentions for the Community Award.

The Environmental Award recognizes businesses bettering the environment either with the completion of short-term project or long-term initiatives. This award was presented by Kovatch Casting. Founded in 1976, Kovatch Castings employs 190 people and recently received the largest Ohio Targeting Energy Efficiency Grant of $1 million, which they will match.



City Cleaners was named an honorable mention for the Environmental Award.

The Impact Award is the pinnacle award that recognizes outstanding achievements which impact the community and business community. Blake's Café and Cupcakery, located at Town Park Plaza, was presented the Impact Award. The company specializes in healthy selections of the highest quality.



The honorable mentions for the Impact Award were the Akron-Canton Airport, Park Auto Group, The Karcher Group and the Area Agency on Aging.



City Cleaners Dry Cleaning and Laundry sponsored the Oct. 20 Green Chamber Impact Awards at Raintree Country Club. Greg Byrer of 30daygifts.com, Paul Doerr of Quick Clean Car and Pet Wash, Matry Ruegg of Community Care Givers of Green, Lee Lewis of AkroSteam Carpet Cleaning, Dave Manderine of Window Genie, Margie Toombs of Maid Brigade, Susan and Skip Summerville of the Office Place, Luke Messner of TKM Printing and Dallas Wallace of Paramount Photo contributed to the success of the event.



The 2010 Impact Awards committee was chaired by Jim Corra of Park Auto Group and assisted by Shon Christy of City Cleaners and Denise Dennewitz of Copeco, Inc.



Copyright 2010 The Suburbanite. Some rights reserved

CHECK OUT THE NEW 2011 HONDA ODYSSEY

The all-new 2011 Honda Odyssey is the ultimate minivan reinvented, re-energized and




evolved. With its modern styling, spacious interior, and high-tech features, the new Odyssey



almost demands a new category. Although it's available with seating for up to eight



passengers, there's nothing “minivan” about the Odyssey's efficient-yet-sporty performance,



available 10-way power adjustable heated leather-trimmed front seating, authoritative V-6



acceleration and all the thoughtful engineering you'd expect from a Honda.



Of course, the new Odyssey pushes the tech envelope further with available features like a



16.2-inch Ultrawide DVD Rear Entertainment System with HDMI® Technology and split



screen viewing capability for those times when passengers just can't agree on what to watch.



And the available navigation system now includes FM Traffic, which alerts you to traffic



conditions and can suggest alternate routes. The Odyssey's sophisticated technology is



thoughtfully integrated for user-friendliness and simplicity—just load it with family and friends,



gear up, and go.

Get to know James Paumier

NAME: James Paumier

How long have you been with Park Auto Group: 3 months

Your Title: Sales Consultant at Park Mazda

Describe yourself in 3 words: Creative, sensitive and Caring

If we would look in your refrigerator right now what would we find: Milk, Butter, Juice, Quesadillas and Water

What was the last book that you read: 2010 Fantasy Football Draft Guide

If you could trade places with another person, famous or not, living or dead, who would it be: Jude Law

Favorite Color: Yellow

What actor/actress would play the lead role in a movie about your life: Kyle Edwards...aka DJ Qualls

What is the best part of your job: Being my own motivator

Summer Car Saftey for Kids

Moving or parked, cars pose a constant threat to children. During the summer months, the interior temperature of a car can reach fatal levels within a few minutes. Keep your kids safe with these must-know tips.
The Grim Statistics

In 2003 alone, 42 children died of heat stroke because they had been left inside a vehicle. In July and August 2003, 22 children tragically died after being trapped in car trunks. Leaving children unattended in or around vehicles is a serious problem. More than one thousand cases involving injury or death have been documented so far. Those injuries and deaths were caused by heat stroke, a vehicle being put in motion by a child, children being hit by vehicles backing up, children choking while alone in a car, being kidnapped, toxic fumes, activation of automatic power controls, or being trapped in car trunks. Children should never be left unattended in or around vehicles.
(Source: Kids ‘N Cars, 2004.)
When it’s hot outside the temperature in a car interior can reach dangerous and sometimes fatal levels in a matter of minutes. Young children – especially infants – are more sensitive to variations in temperature than adults and are the most vulnerable to quick temperature changes.

Heating up
In addition to the children who die from motor vehicle crashes, many children die every summer from heat exposure when left in cars. From 1996 to 2000, more than 120 children– most three and younger–died from heat stroke after being trapped in cars. Even children who survive serious heat exposure often have severe disabilities as a result of irreversible brain damage from lack of oxygen.
Studies show that regardless of the color of the car, its seats, or if the windows are cracked, interior temperatures can rise from 96 degrees to 150 degrees in a matter of 20 minutes, with a sharp rise in the first 10 minutes. With such hot temperatures, a few moments can have drastic consequences.
Infants and young children in hot cars can experience heat stroke within only a matter of minutes. Heat stroke causes children's skin to become red and dry. They become unable to produce the sweat needed to reduce their core body temperature; the heart rate quickens and they eventually become confused and lose consciousness before the organ systems fail. When there is not enough oxygen in the car for a long enough period of time, children die of asphyxiation, as well as heat exposure.
Leaving Children Unattended in Hot Vehicles

Small children and infants are more sensitive to extreme heat. According to Dr. Martin Eichelberger, director of trauma surgery at Children’s National Medical Center and president of the National SAFE KIDS Campaign, "Heat rapidly overwhelms the body’s ability to regulate temperature. In a closed environment, the body can go into shock and circulation to vital organs will begin to fail."

Heat exhaustion can occur at temperatures above 90 degrees and heat stroke can occur when temperatures rise above 105 degrees. When a child is enclosed in a hot car, the child loses body fluids and salts through sweat-ing, causing heat exhaustion. If not treated immediately, heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke. In heat stroke, a child can no longer sweat. The body temperature rises to deadly levels leading to severe damage to the brain, liver and kidneys, or even death.

Keep in mind that a car is basically a metal box. The hot sun can turn this metal box into an oven. Nobody would ever consider leaving a child in an oven. When the outside temperature is 93 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperatures inside a car can reach 125 degrees in just 20 minutes and 140 degrees in 40 minutes even if a window is cracked open. A car parked in direct sunlight can reach 131- 172 degrees Fahrenheit, even after only fifteen minutes. At that temperature it only takes a matter of minutes for children to die or suffer permanent disability.
(North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, 1999)
Of the reported deaths, more than a third involved children who had crawled into unlocked cars during play and then perished in the sweltering heat. With children that are naturally curious and often lacking in fear, unlocked cars can pose serious risks. Once a child gets into a vehicle, they often do not have the developmental skills to get themselves out again.
(University of Michigan Health System)

General Motors and SAFEKIDS have teamed up to launch the “Never Leave Your Child Alone” campaign to inform parents and caregivers about the dangers of leaving children alone in a car. They want to teach parents that because a child’s core body temperature increases three to five times faster than an adult’s, even a quick errand could be fatal.

To make sure your child is safe in your vehicle this summer:

Never leave a child unattended in a motor vehicle, even with the window slightly open. On a sunny day, the temperatures inside a vehicle can reach potentially deadly levels in minutes.

• Lock car doors and trunks – even at home – and keep keys out of children’s reach.
• Watch kids closely around cars, particularly when loading and unloading.
• Make sure all children leave the vehicle when you reach your destination. If you’re afraid you might forget a sleeping infant in the car, leave the diaper bag by your purse or briefcase on the front seat.
  
• If the car has been parked in the heat, make sure the carseat and seat buckles aren’t too hot before sitting and securing your child in a seat.
  
  

Attention Woman Car Buyers

Buying a car always raises concerns, especially for woman.
You wonder, will I be taken seriously, do I need to bring a man with me?!
Statistics show that woman dread car shopping for these reasons and many more.

Here at Park Auto Group we make car buying comfortable for woman.
We treat all our customers with respect and kindness.

We understand that the largest growing demographic of car buyers are woman.
We do our best to provide woman a comfortable, relaxed and worry free experience.
Everything is open and upfront from the start.

Feel free to browse our website, call our dealership and set up a time to come in and visit our sales and service departments.

We will help you find the perfect vehicle, give you a fair deal and find a fit for your budget.

We want to make this a experience that you will not forget. We would be happy to have you not only as a customer but as part of our Park Family!

To speak to a friendly consultant call us at 1-866-939-6696.

Ask for Nicole- I look forward to hearing from you.

Car Seat, Booster and Seat Belt Safety

Car Seats, Booster and Seat Belt Safety Fact Sheet

Key Facts

• Child safety seats and safety belts, when installed and used properly, can prevent injuries and save lives. Each year, an estimated 975 child occupants under 14 years of age die as a result of a motor vehicle incident.

• Young children restrained in child safety seats have an 80 percent lower risk of fatal injury than those who are unrestrained.

• In 2005, more than 1,400 child occupants died in motor vehicle crashes and nearly half were unrestrained.

• More than 203,000 occupants under 14 years of age were injured in motor vehicle crashes in 2005.

• From 1993 to 2002, there were 159 reported fatal injuries to children less than 12 years of age associated with airbag deployment. Of the total child fatalities 69.2 percent were unrestrained and 29.6 percent were improperly restrained.

• For children ages 0 to 8, restraint use has increased from 15 percent in 1999 to 73 percent in 2005.

• Children are more likely to be properly restrained when the driver is properly restrained.

• In a study observing the misuse of 3,442 child restraint systems (CRS) in six states, approximately 73 percent of CRSs showed at least one critical misuse.
  
  
  
  • 84 percent of CRSs showed critical misuses. Booster seat misuse was 41 percent.
    
• The most common form of misuses for all CRSs included loose vehicle seat belt attachment to the CRS and loose harness straps securing the child to the CRSs.

Who is at Risk

• African American children ages 4-7 have the lowest restraint use among children ages 4 to 7, an estimated 26 percent are not restrained while riding in a motor vehicle. Asian children have the highest restraint use, followed by white and Hispanic children.

• Children 2 to 5 years of age using safety belts prematurely are four times more likely to suffer a serious head injury in a crash than those restrained in child safety seats or booster seats.

Child Restraint System Effectiveness

• Child safety seats reduce fatal injury in passenger cars by 71 percent for infants less than 1 year old and by 54 percent for toddlers 1 to 4 years of age. For children 4 to 7 years of age, booster seats have shown to reduce injury risk by 59 percent compared to safety belts alone.

• Among children under 5 years of age, 451 lives were saved in 2004 due to child restraint use. Of these 451 lives saved, the use of child safety seats was responsible for 413 saved lives and the use of safety belts saved 38 lives.

• An estimated 1,700 children’s lives were saved between 1996 and 2002 solely because they were seated in a back seat.

Safety Interventions

• Ensure that every occupant is properly restrained for every ride.

• Always follow manufacturer’s instructions. Infants should ride in rear-facing child safety seats as long as possible (a minimum of 12 months old and 20 pounds).

• Correctly secure children who have outgrown their rear-facing car seats in a forward facing child safety seat. Always use the safety seat tether for optimal protection.

• Correctly secure children over 40 pounds in a booster seat or other appropriate child restraint until the adult lap and shoulder safety belts fit correctly (approximately 4’9” and 80-100 pounds, usually between 8 and 12 years).

• Return the product registration card provided for all new child safety seats to the manufacturer to ensure you will be notified of any recalls.

• Check www.recalls.gov to inquire about any recalls or safety notices on child safety seats. Avoid purchasing safety seats from yard sales, flea markets and second hand stores or when there is no known history of the seat.

Laws and Regulations

• All 50 states and the District of Columbia have child restraint laws. In 38 states and the District of Columbia all children younger than 16 are covered by either safety belt laws or child restraint laws.

• As of November 2006, 38 states and the district of Columbia had upgraded their child restraint laws to require the use of booster seats or other appropriate child restraint device by children up to as old as 9.

• Belt use laws in 25 states and the District of Columbia are standard, or primary, meaning police may stop vehicles solely for belt law violations.

15 Ways to Beat the Heat!

Keeping cool when temperatures reach record highs isn't just about comfort. Dangerously high temperatures can result in heat-related illnesses ranging from heat cramps to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The following tips can help you keep cool all summer long.

1. Alter your pattern of outdoor exercise to take advantage of cooler times (early morning or late evening). If you can't change the time of your workout, scale it down by doing fewer minutes, walking instead or running, or decreasing your level of exertion.

2. Wear loose-fitting clothing, preferably of a light color.

3. Cotton clothing will keep you cooler than many synthetics.

4. Fill a spray bottle with water and keep it in the refrigerator for a quick refreshing spray to your face after being outdoors.

5. Fans can help circulate air and make you feel cooler even in an air-conditioned house.

6. Try storing lotions or cosmetic toners in the refrigerator to use on hot, overtired feet.

7. Keep plastic bottles of water in the freezer; grab one when you're ready to go outside. As the ice melts, you'll have a supply of cold water with you.

8. Take frequent baths or showers with cool or tepid water.

9. Combat dehydration by drinking plenty of water along with sports drinks or other sources of electrolytes.

10. Some people swear by small, portable, battery-powered fans. At an outdoor event I even saw a version that attaches to a water bottle that sprays a cooling mist.

11. I learned this trick from a tennis pro: if you're wearing a cap or hat, remove it and pour a bit of ice cold water into the hat, then quickly invert it and place on your head.

12. Avoid caffeine and alcohol as these will promote dehydration.

13. Instead of hot foods, try lighter summer fare including frequent small meals or snacks containing cold fruit or low fat dairy products. As an added benefit, you won't have to cook next to a hot stove.

14. If you don't have air-conditioning, arrange to spend at least parts of the day in a shopping mall, public library, movie theater, or other public space that is cool. Many cities have cooling centers that are open to the public on sweltering days.

15. Finally, use common sense. If the heat is intolerable, stay indoors when you can and avoid activities in direct sunlight or on hot asphalt surfaces. Pay special attention to the elderly, infants, and anyone with a chronic illness, as they may dehydrate easily and be more susceptible to heat-related illnesses. Don't forget that pets also need protection from dehydration and heat-related illnesses too.

8 Top Traffic Ticket Myths

 

 

8 top traffic-ticket myths

Much of what you've heard isn't true. But this is: If an officer asks if you know why you were pulled over, the answer is a very polite 'no.'

By Bankrate.comDrivers of red cars get more tickets. If you don't sign a ticket, the case will be dropped.
If the officer gets your hair color wrong on the ticket, you'll win.
Such stories relating to traffic tickets abound, but drivers and defendants will find that few of them are true.
The best advice is to simply to obey the law, know that rules and procedures vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, and not count on urban myths when you hope to escape a ticket -- or its consequences.

Myth No. 1

If the officer makes a single mistake on your ticket, the case will be dropped.A ticket should be seen as an accusatory instrument and a basis for prosecution that must be factually valid, says Matisyahu Wolfberg, an attorney and former police officer from Spring Valley, N.Y., who represents defendants in traffic cases.

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Clerical mistakes, such as a wrong number or wrong order of a person's name, are usually overlooked. Material mistakes, like the identity of the driver, the direction of travel, the street where the citation occurred or the description of the vehicle, can usually help a driver win the case.

• Talk back: Have you ever considered fighting a traffic ticket?

"Any mistakes that involve who, where and how usually can be used to beat the case in a trial. If the description of the vehicle is inaccurate, the officer will usually lose," says Wolfberg.
He recalls one recent case in which the officer cited a white Mercedes when the defendant was actually driving a black Porsche.

Myth No. 2

If the officer doesn't show up in court, you automatically win.Though this may happen in many cases, there's nothing automatic about it. Most judges will drop a case if the officer does not appear in court because defendants have a constitutional right to question their accusers.
However, in some jurisdictions, a case is scheduled at a time to help ensure the officer is present, or a judge will reschedule the case altogether. Wolfberg says that in most cases an officer not showing up will result in a dismissal, but there is no guarantee."It all depends on the jurisdiction, the court, the judge, the law," says Wolfberg. "Most judges feel the pain of people taking time off work and out of their lives to come to court and will dismiss if the officer doesn't show."

Myth No. 3

Red cars get more tickets.Forum posters on Color Matters, a Web site that focuses on color theory and everything that color affects, claim drivers of red cars get more tickets.
There are no official studies to confirm that red cars do get more tickets, but some suggest the bold color tends to attract more attention from everyone, including police officers. There is also a theory that red cars can create an optical illusion that makes them appear to be going faster than they really are.
One myth says that insurance companies charge higher premiums for red cars. Allstate and Progressive say that a car's color has no bearing on the premiums they charge.

Myth No. 4

You need a lawyer to beat a ticket.You might expect most traffic-ticket attorneys to say you can't beat your own ticket. With a little time and homework, however, many people successfully fight their own traffic tickets. At the very least, first-time offenders for minor offenses can usually strike a plea bargain in most jurisdictions.
An attorney's fee will often outweigh the fines and impact of a first violation, but in states such as Texas and Florida, some law firms have entire practices dedicated to fighting tickets and can often do so at reasonable rates.

Myth No. 5

If you get a ticket in another state, your home state won't find out about it.The interstate Driver License Compact is an agreement between participating states that share information regarding certain types of traffic convictions. Reports on traffic violations and suspensions are forwarded to the home state of the nonresident.
There are only a handful of states that are not members of the compact.
There is also the National Driver Register, a database of information about drivers who have had their licenses revoked or suspended due to serious traffic violations. States provide the register with information about these serious offenses, and those in the database can be denied licenses in other states.

Myth No. 6

You can make up an excuse to get out of the ticket.Most police officers aren't interested in excuses. When an officer pulls you over, he already suspects you of an infraction. You'll have your day in court and many ways to fight the ticket.
Remember: Any explanation you give about why you were speeding is an admission that you were speeding. If an officer logs those explanations in his notes, the statements could later be used against you in court. That's why, whenever an officer asks if you know why you've been pulled over, always answer "no" and just take the ticket.
"Never admit to speeding in the process of talking," says Aaron Quinn, the communications director for the National Motorists Association. "I would say just to be polite with the officer. Reasoning with the officer is something that might help you out if you actually are on your way to the hospital. You can try talking; just don't admit guilt."

Myth No. 7

A radar detector will ensure that you never get pulled over."Radar detectors give drivers a false sense of security that they can speed as much as they want without facing the consequences of breaking the law," says Ken Underwood, the president of the National Safety Commission, an organization that promotes safe driving.
But speeding drivers are also more likely to commit other infractions, and a radar detector can't tell you when a cop is watching you run that red light or make an illegal turn. Virginia and Washington, D.C., both ban the use of radar detectors. This year, a Florida bill making the devices illegal died in the Legislature.
Radar-detector users often find themselves chasing new technology as law enforcement upgrades its speed-detection devices. Many officers now routinely use lasers, and many states have banned the use of jammers designed to foil them.

Myth No. 8

If you don't sign the ticket, it will be dismissed.Signing a ticket is not an admission of guilt. The signature is merely an acknowledgement you received the ticket and a promise to appear in court.

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Refusing to sign the ticket -- and there are drivers who think that if they don't sign, they can lie in court and say they weren't there -- will do nothing but agitate the officer and invite more scrutiny.In some states, such as Texas, refusal to sign a ticket can mean a trip to jail. Houston attorney Robert Eutsler says that if you don't sign the ticket, the officer has the choice to either take you to jail or write on the ticket "refused to sign."
"It's a promise to appear in court on a certain day -- that's all it is,'' says Eutsler. "It's certainly a myth that if you don't sign it, it's going to get dismissed. You're more likely to get arrested, and the officer is going to get very upset."
This article was reported and written by Craig Guillot for Bankrate.com

Come and support this wonderful Cause!

Local Firework Schedual for NE Ohio

City	Date	Location	Time
Akron	July 4th	Fireworks finale after Akron Symphony Concert in Lock 3	8:45 p.m.
Ashland	July 4th	At stadium	9:30 p.m.
Alliance	July 4th	Silver Park on Route 183	9:45 p.m.
Amherst	NONE
Ashtabula	NONE
Aurora	July 4th	Sunny Lake Park	9:45 p.m.
Avon	July 4th	All Pro Freight Stadium	After the game
Avon Lake	July 4th	Miller Road Park	At dusk
Bay Village	July 5th	Cahoon Park	9:45 p.m.
Barberton	NONE
Bedford Heights	July 3rd	St. Peter Chanel High School	At dusk
Beachwood	NONE
Bedford	July 3rd	St. Peter Chanel High School	At dusk
Berea	July 4th	Coe Lake	At dusk
Bratenahl	July 3rd	Village Park	At dusk
Brecksville	NO 4th FIREWORKS	Home Days, Square in Brecksville, June 26th & 27th	10 p.m.
Brook Park	NO 4th FIREWORKS	Home Days,Rec. Center and City Hall, July 11th	10 p.m.
Brunswick	July 3rd	Brunswick Community Recreation Center	9:45 p.m.
Canton	June 30th	Downtown Canton	10 p.m.
Chagrin Falls	NONE
Cedar Point	July 4th	Cedar Point	10 p.m.
Chesterland	NONE
Cleveland	July 4th	Dock 20	10 p.m.
Cleveland Heights	NONE
Conneaut	July 4th	Conneaut Township Park	10:15 p.m.
Cuyahoga Falls	NONE
Cuyahoga Heights	NONE
Dover	NONE
East Cleveland	NONE
Eastlake	July 4th	Classic Park Stadium	10 p.m.
Elyria	NONE
Euclid	NONE
Fairlawn	NONE
Garfield Heights	NONE
Geneva-on-the-Lake	July 4th	Geneva-on-the-Lake Municipal Golf Course	10 p.m.
Grafton	NONE
Hudson	July 2nd	Barlow Farm Park	At dusk
Huron	NONE
Independence	July 2nd	Elm Wood Park	At dusk
Kent	July 3rd	Downtown Kent	At dusk
Lakewood	July 4th	Lakewood Park	9:30 p.m.
Lyndhurst	NONE
Lorain	July 4th	Lakeside Landing and Black River Landing	10 p.m.
Macedonia	NONE
Mantua	NONE
Maple Heights	July 2nd	Stafford Park	At dusk
Massillon	July 4th	Massillon Stadium Park	10 p.m.
Mayfield Heights	NO 4th FIREWORKS	Community Unity Days, end of August
Mayfield Village	July 3rd	Displayed at Center Elementary School	At dusk
Medina	July 3rd	Medina Recreation Center	At dusk
Mentor	July 4th	Civic Center Park	9:50 p.m.
Mentor on the Lake	NONE
Middleburg Heights	NO 4th FIREWORKS	Summer in the City Festival, Smith Road, June 26th	10 p.m.
New Philadelphia	July 3rd	Tuscora Park	10 p.m.
Newburgh Heights	NONE
North Canton	July 5th	On 7th Street around Memorial Stadium	At dusk (likely 10 p.m.)
North Olmsted	NONE
North Randall	NONE
North Ridgeville	July 3rd	South Central Park	Midnight
North Royalton	NO 4TH FIREWORKS	Fireworks as part of Home Days August 22nd	At dusk
Oakwood	NONE
Oberlin	July 4th	Oberlin Recreation Complex	At dusk
Olmsted Falls	NONE
Orrville	July 4th	Orr Park	10:15 p.m.
Painesville	NONE
Parma	NONE
Parma Heights	NONE
Pepper Pike	NONE
Ravenna	NONE
Richmond Heights	NONE
Rocky River	NONE
Sagamore Hills	NONE
Sandusky	NONE	See Cedar Point
Seven Hills	NO 4th FIREWORKS
Shaker Heights	July 4th	Shaker Middle School	At dusk
Sheffield Village	NONE
Solon	July 4th	Community Park	At dusk
South Euclid	NONE
Stow	NO 4th FIREWORKS
Streetsboro	NO 4th FIREWORKS	Family Days, July 31st, Streetsboro City Park	After Bo Bice performs (likely 9:45 p.m.)
Strongsville	July 4th	Foltz Parkway	At dusk
Valley View	NONE
Vermilion	NONE
Wadsworth	July 3rd	Memorial Park	At dusk
Walton Hills	NO 4th FIREWORKS	Community Day, Thomas G. Young Park, August 8th	At dusk
Warrensville Heights	NONE
Westlake	July 4th	Clague Park	At dusk
Wickliffe	July 4th	Coulby Park	At dusk
Willoughby	July 4th	Willoughby South High School	9:45 p.m.
Willoughby Hills	NONE
Willowick	NONE
Wooster	July 4th	Kinney Property/Oldman Road and Burbank Road	10 p.m

Stop Throwing Your Money Away

 

There's no question that disposable items can be incredibly convenient sometimes. But if you stop and think about it, they're not all they're cracked up to be.

While it might be quicker to throw something in the trash when you're done using it than washing it and putting it away, you do have to have to spend time going to the store and buying the same products all over again. The costs for buying products again and again can really add up.

Plus you're not only throwing away your hard earned money. You're also disposing of the resources used to make the throwaway products and unnecessarily sending things to the landfill.

No one is suggesting that you stop using disposables altogether, just that you give it a little more thought. Some disposables are hard to live without (such as diapers), but the items on the list below will be barely noticeable once you change a few habits. You'll need to spend a little money up front to save down the line.

A family of four can save $3,164 a year by cutting back or eliminating the items listed below. Of course, the final savings ultimately depends on what you use now, how much you cut back, and local prices. No matter the exact total, wouldn't you rather spend money on a family vacation instead of disposable junk?

 

Paper napkins

Use cloth napkins instead. Worried about the laundry piling up? Assign a different color napkin to each family member (or try this fun DIY napkin project). The idea is that if the same person uses the same napkin at every meal, you can wash napkins less often.

Potential savings: Count on saving around $57 a year if everyone in your family uses one napkin at every meal. You'll also save 4,368 paper napkins from being tossed in the landfill each year.

 

Paper towels

Wipe up spills with cloth towels. Use rags for cleaning. You can make your own by cutting up old sheets, T-shirts, towels, etc., or buy microfiber towels. For windows try crumpling up old newspapers.

Potential savings: If your household uses one roll of paper towels each week, you can save around $83 a year.

 

Resealable, plastic storage bags

Reuse them by washing them out and letting air dry. (It's not a good idea to reuse bags that were used to store raw meat.) There are now several kinds of reusable sandwich and snack bags that are widely available. Store leftovers in plastic or glass reusable containers.

Potential savings: You'll save around $78 a year if you stop using throwaway plastic bags for weekday lunches and storing leftovers.

 

Paper coffee filters

Try a reusable coffee filter or make coffee in a French press, which doesn't require a filter. 

Potential savings: About $15 a year if you make one pot of coffee every day.

 

Single-serve bottled drinks

Carry a reusable stainless-steel bottle to transport water and other drinks when you're on the go.

Potential savings: About $2,187 if each member of your family consumers one bottled beverage a day. 

 

Aluminum foil

Save leftovers in reusable plastic or glass containers. Avoid using foil to line baking sheets.

Potential savings: Around $64 a year if you use six rolls of foil (200 square feet each).

 

Single-use batteries

It's much easier to use rechargeable batteries than you think. Rechargeable AA batteries and chargers, ubiquitous for TV and gaming remotes and kids' toys, are widely available. An added bonus: You don't have to run to the store when your remote runs out of juice. Just recharge the batteries and you're good to go.

Potential savings: If you use around 25 AA batteries a year, you'll save around $28 a year. You can also feel good about not unnecessarily sending batteries to the landfill.

 

Disposable razors blades

Use an electric razor instead. 

Potential savings: About $122 a year if your household uses 54 razor blades a year.

 

Paper publications

Read your favorite newspapers and magazines online instead of letting the paper pile up at home. You'll find a lot of interesting content for free online, but even if you have to pay to read articles you'll still come out ahead.

For example, subscribing to the electronic edition of the New York Times costs $29.95 a month. Compare that to the $769.60 price tag for seven-day home delivery (It's $608.40 if you live in the Tri-State area.)

Potential savings: Depending on where you live, you'll either save $530 or $369 a year.

 

 

 

Stop throwing money away

There's no question that disposable items can be incredibly convenient sometimes. But if you stop and think about it, they're not all they're cracked up to be.
While it might be quicker to throw something in the trash when you're done using it than washing it and putting it away, you do have to have to spend time going to the store and buying the same products all over again. The costs for buying products again and again can really add up.

Plus you're not only throwing away your hard earned money. You're also disposing of the resources used to make the throwaway products and unnecessarily sending things to the landfill.
No one is suggesting that you stop using disposables altogether, just that you give it a little more thought. Some disposables are hard to live without (such as diapers), but the items on the list below will be barely noticeable once you change a few habits. You'll need to spend a little money up front to save down the line.
A family of four can save $3,164 a year by cutting back or eliminating the items listed below. Of course, the final savings ultimately depends on what you use now, how much you cut back, and local prices. No matter the exact total, wouldn't you rather spend money on a family vacation instead of disposable junk?

Paper napkins
Use cloth napkins instead. Worried about the laundry piling up? Assign a different color napkin to each family member (or try this fun DIY napkin project). The idea is that if the same person uses the same napkin at every meal, you can wash napkins less often.
Potential savings: Count on saving around $57 a year if everyone in your family uses one napkin at every meal. You'll also save 4,368 paper napkins from being tossed in the landfill each year.

Paper towels
Wipe up spills with cloth towels. Use rags for cleaning. You can make your own by cutting up old sheets, T-shirts, towels, etc., or buy microfiber towels. For windows try crumpling up old newspapers.
Potential savings: If your household uses one roll of paper towels each week, you can save around $83 a year.

Resealable, plastic storage bags
Reuse them by washing them out and letting air dry. (It's not a good idea to reuse bags that were used to store raw meat.) There are now several kinds of reusable sandwich and snack bags that are widely available. Store leftovers in plastic or glass reusable containers.
Potential savings: You'll save around $78 a year if you stop using throwaway plastic bags for weekday lunches and storing leftovers.

Paper coffee filters
Try a reusable coffee filter or make coffee in a French press, which doesn't require a filter. 
Potential savings: About $15 a year if you make one pot of coffee every day.

Single-serve bottled drinks
Carry a reusable stainless-steel bottle to transport water and other drinks when you're on the go.
Potential savings: About $2,187 if each member of your family consumers one bottled beverage a day. 

Aluminum foil
Save leftovers in reusable plastic or glass containers. Avoid using foil to line baking sheets.
Potential savings: Around $64 a year if you use six rolls of foil (200 square feet each).

Single-use batteries
It's much easier to use rechargeable batteries than you think. Rechargeable AA batteries and chargers, ubiquitous for TV and gaming remotes and kids' toys, are widely available. An added bonus: You don't have to run to the store when your remote runs out of juice. Just recharge the batteries and you're good to go.
Potential savings: If you use around 25 AA batteries a year, you'll save around $28 a year. You can also feel good about not unnecessarily sending batteries to the landfill.

Disposable razors blades
Use an electric razor instead. 
Potential savings: About $122 a year if your household uses 54 razor blades a year.

Paper publications
Read your favorite newspapers and magazines online instead of letting the paper pile up at home. You'll find a lot of interesting content for free online, but even if you have to pay to read articles you'll still come out ahead.
For example, subscribing to the electronic edition of the New York Times costs $29.95 a month. Compare that to the $769.60 price tag for seven-day home delivery (It's $608.40 if you live in the Tri-State area.)
Potential savings: Depending on where you live, you'll either save $530 or $369 a year.

25 Things I learned from my Dad!

1. Never waste water.

2. Listen to good music, especially jazz.

3. Ella Fitzgerald was a great artist and a nice lady. Duke Ellington was a great artist and an elegant, articulate man. Miles Davis was a great artist but kind of a cuckoo clock. Stan Getz played a sweet sax, Illinois Jacquet played a driving sax, Coleman Hawkins played a rich, warm sax, Flip Phillips played an energetic sax, Lester Young played a delicate sax, and Charlie Parker played the saxophone like God.

4. Admire people who are not only good at what they do, but who love doing it.

5. Respect your roots.

6. Never waste food.

7. Mechanical things are as much art as science. They express beauty as well as order. Therefore, regularly check the fluid levels in your car.

8. Your body is a beautiful machine. Eat right and exercise.

9. Never waste money.

10. Be kind to children and animals.

11. Be a good friend.

12. Never waste anything.

13. When you’re watching a nature show on television, don’t feel too bad when the lion kills the gazelle because the lion has to eat, too.

14. How to make good Pasta Fazul.

15. How to change a flat tire.

16. There’s always something.

17. Everything’s fate.

18. Don’t scuff your shoes.

19. Anticipate what could go wrong—something always goes wrong—and try to prevent it from happening. If it happens anyway, learn from it.

20. Act a little cocky.

21. There’s only one way to do things: the right way. Corollary: If you need a stone wall, hire an Italian mason.

22. When you’re screwing something in, make sure it’s on good and tight, but don’t overdo it, or you’ll strip the screw.

23. Don’t take the little sticker off the peach until you’re ready to eat it because the sticker will rip the skin and make it go bad faster.

24. Listen to people. Listen to their stories. Listen deeply. That’s how you learn things.

25. Love your family. They’re for always.

Used car dealers carry the stigma of the balding salesman with the obvious comb over wearing a plaid sports coat from the 1970s doing everything they can to look cool and talk smoothly to their customers. The stereotype of these sleazy salesman that mislead their customers with their fast talking misinformation could not further away form the used car sales people that earn their living by selling quality used vehicles and practice honest and ethical sales tactics to close their customers. The stigma of a dishonest car dealer is so strong that many people dread buying a car and avoid shopping for a vehicle for as long as they can that would make their lives better.
Regulated by a state run agency that licenses each sales person and monitors the business practices of each new and used car dealership customers can have peace of mind in knowing that when they buy a used vehicle they are getting the best car at the best price and making a great deal when they purchase from a used car dealer.
Many sales people are honest, hard working individuals that are eager to make a sale, but know that word of mouth is still the best form of advertising and that repeat customers and referrals are the only way to conduct business. If you look around at the people that work for the dealerships you will notice that the majority of sales people are clean cut and professional. They are knowledgeable about their inventories and approachable with questions about the vehicles that they are selling. With an open and honest approach to greeting their customers and dealing fairly with them, the used car sales people are changing the old stigma of the sleazy salesman and replacing that image with one that is friendly and honest in their dealings.

The History of Fathers Day

The idea for creating a day for children to honor their fathers began in Spokane, Washington. A woman by the name of Sonora Smart Dodd thought of the idea for Father's Day while listening to a Mother's Day sermon in 1909.         Having been raised by her father, William Jackson Smart, after her mother died, Sonora wanted her father to know how special he was to her. It was her father that made all the parental sacrifices and was, in the eyes of his daughter, a courageous, selfless, and loving man. Sonora's father was born in June, so she chose to hold the first Father's Day celebration in Spokane, Washington on the 19th of June, 1910.
        In 1926, a National Father's Day Committee was formed in New York City. Father's Day was recognized by a Joint Resolution of Congress in 1956. In 1972, President Richard Nixon established a permanent national observance of Father's Day to be held on the third Sunday of June. So Father's Day was born in memory and gratitude by a daughter who thought that her father and all good fathers should be honored with a special day just like we honor our mothers on Mother's Day.

Family Road Trip Must-Haves

 

 

Family Road Trip Must-Haves

Planning Ahead Can Make or Break Your Trip
When you're on the road, there are two types of things you'll need: the grown-up stuff, and the kids' stuff. We'll cover both here.

1. Cell phone. We're not suggesting talking while you drive, but if you get lost, blow a tire, overheat an engine or need medical assistance, a cell phone is indispensable. If your adult partner (or teenage child) has a different carrier, have him or her bring a phone as well, because you never know which carrier will have a working signal at any given moment. Don't forget the car charger and wall charger. If you have (or are planning to buy) a Bluetooth-enabled phone, bear in mind that an increasing number of cars are available with hands-free Bluetooth technology and will allow you to call someone using only your voice.
2. Detailed maps. OK, sounds obvious, but how many times have you had to stop to ask directions during your lifetime? If you're on a road trip and lose your way, vehicle navigation systems are a gift from heaven. If your car doesn't have a nav system and you have the cash, consider getting an aftermarket unit. At worst, bring detailed maps, not just driving directions. Some maps or guides will also highlight features along the route and the all-important rest stops. Rand McNally, Thomas Brothers and especially AAA are good places to start. Getting directions from strangers you meet while traveling is dicey, at best. So don't rely on the guy at that gas station, or you could end up driving in circles.
3. Entertainment for the kids. We could spend all day on this one. Klutz Press publishes several books/activity packs for kids that will have you singing the company's praises, including Glove Compartment Games and Kids Travel — A Backseat Survival Guide, which has lots of puzzles, connect-the-dots and so on. Bring stories on CD — often you can get these at the library. For older kids, satellite radio such as Sirius or XM is a good bet. Finally, on long trips there's nothing better to keep kids busy than a DVD player or handheld electronic games. Some vehicles even offer gaming system connections so your kids can bring their favorite video games along with them. Naturally, there's always the entertainment fallback, traditional (and free) car games such as "I Spy" and "20 Questions" or "Geography."
4. Munchies. This cannot be overstated. You need lots of snacks and lots of variety. Water bottles, juice boxes, individual bags of chips or crackers, grapes (cut in half for little ones to avoid choking), fresh veggies (OK, that's for you), Cheerios, granola bars or yogurt sticks that have been frozen (kids love this!). Most young kids calm down a bit when they drink milk, so bring along milk boxes that are vacuum-packed and don't need refrigeration. (They can be hard to find; check the powdered milk area of the grocery store.) Use disposable plastic containers and resealable plastic bags so the car doesn't resemble a Tupperware party. Remember, kids can't shout while they're busy drinking and eating. Don't forget a couple of bags to hold all the trash, too.
5. Travel-sized goods. It isn't just shampoo and deodorant that come in travel sizes today. First aid kits, baby wipes, toys (classics like Mastermind and Connect Four, Etch-a-Sketch), hair brushes, disposable plastic placemats and bibs, sunscreen, bug repellent, just about everything comes in a mini version today, saving you a lot of weight in the suitcase and the need to rummage around looking for things. Pack all these things in one bag that is easy to get to, and you'll save not only time but energy as well.
6. Prescription medicines. If you forget them, you'll be waking your doctor and scrambling for the number of the nearest pharmacy. Also ask your pediatrician about over-the-counter motion sickness medication if you will be traveling on winding roads.
7. Change of clothing — for everyone. Nevermind the kids: If little Susie upchucks on your lap instead of her own, you'll be glad you brought along an extra pair of sweats. Don't overlook the obvious: extra diapers, undies, jackets.
8. Legal documents/Legal tender. Bring driver licenses (for all drivers) or IDs, vehicle registration, current insurance card, AAA card (or other roadside assistance information), ATM/debit card, credit card and cash. This neat little package will save your trip if you are pulled over by police, towed, or break down. Keep them in one place, preferably in a front pants pocket, because they're harder to pick. You also won't risk that moment of panic if you realize your purse is hanging on the back of a chair in the restaurant, 10 miles back.
9. Favorite blankie or stuffed animal. Torn or ratty, nothing, but nothing, becomes more valuable on a road trip than your child's "lovey." It connects him to home and makes him more comfortable in a strange place. It also helps him sleep. Don't leave home without it.
10. Shades. If your vehicle's rear windows aren't heavily tinted (and even if they are), you might need a sunshade to keep the sun out of your little ones' eyes. Built-in sunshades are featured on many luxury sedans, and you can also get them on the Toyota Sienna and the Honda Odyssey. Several add-on sunshade accessories are available on the Web or in baby stores. Even then, it's a good idea to bring sunglasses for the whole family for those times you step out of the car and into a bright, sunny day.

Finally, you may already have a child safety seat, but is it a comfortable one? The rule of thumb is, the less expensive it is, the less padding there is between Junior and a hard piece of plastic. Check it out: Press down on the fabric...is there a lot of cushion, or will it feel like a rock after an hour? Remember: Keep 'em comfortable, and you'll keep everybody happy.

Flip Flops...

To beat the summer heat, nothing seems more comfortable than the flips-flops.  However of late, lots of health experts and beauty therapists are talking about the damaging effects of wearing flip-flops, all the time.
When we talk about comfortable casual clothing for summers, flip-flops are a standard for all vacation and beach activities. But unfortunately, we need to look at other options for a cool casual summer look, as this kickback style can cause damage to your legs and feet.
Since, they don’t offer much of a cushion, have nearly no arch support and the grip is poor, your feet become highly susceptible to injuries and external damage. When you wear flip-flops, your muscles have to work harder and your joints are more stressed which can lead to problems later on. Also, since most of your foot remains exposed, you can suffer damage if something falls accidentally onto your feet or if your toes bump into any hard object.
Moderation is one solution
For the diehard flip-flops fans, who just cannot give up wearing their flip-flops completely, it’s better if they can at least avoid wearing them all the time. Wearing them once in a way really doesn’t pose much of a threat to your feet.  Use them only for your regular leveled walks or when you are sitting and relaxing in the sun or by the pool. For all other activities avoid wearing them.
Buy the best quality
When buying flip flops, avoid the temptation to save money, and stick to buying quality stuff only. The high end flip flops, which are definitely costlier, have an in built arch support and good cushioning to reduce the stress on your muscles and joints, while walking. Also pay attention to the shape and the material used, to safeguard your feet from accidental damage.
Consider alternatives
Some of the footwear brands have come up with newer flips-flops upgrades which offer more support and comfort, such as the currently popular strapped gladiator style.