Bernardi Honda of Brockton to Host “Business After Hours” Networking Event

Brockton, MA – June 6^th, 2012 5:30 PM – Bernardi Honda of Brockton, a successful automotive dealership in Massachusetts, is hosting a Business After Hours Networking Event for professionals in the Brockton area.  Joined by the Metro South Chamber of Commerce, on June 6, 2012, from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm at Bernardi Honda of Brockton, professionals are invited to participate in networking opportunities with Brockton’s top business professionals, for refreshments, food and prizes.

The event will feature a business center with desks where consumers are invited to connect their laptops as well as indulge in refreshments and food at the classic 1950’s restaurant, Jimbo’s Diner.  The event is also complimentary for members.  For more information or to RSVP in advance, register by clicking here or contact Kimberly Prosper at 508.586.0500 x 231 or kprosper@metrosouthchamber.com.  Those in attendance are encouraged to bring their business cards.

Bernardi Honda of Brockton has one of the largest inventories of certified Honda cars, trucks and SUVs in the Central Massachusetts area.  Bernardi Honda of Brockton is conveniently located just off Exit 17 of RT-24 at 300 Manley Street in Brockton, MA - just minutes from Raynham, and Norwood and a short drive from Seekonk, Roxbury, Quincy, Weymouth, Plymouth, and Attleboro.  For more information contact 888.836.0943

The Most Scenic Routes in America: Summer Edition

Sometimes, you need to get away.  Work is exhausting, your favorite TV sitcoms have gone off the air, and it’s time to break the mold.  Imagine breathing in the cool breeze of an ocean, or the soothing heat of a morning sun while taking a trip down the countryside.  Road trips are a great way to embrace the open road to view what our beautiful country has to offer.  So, you have the keys, a bag of snacks, and a couple days to check out your surroundings, but where do you go?  In today’s blog, we’re discussing some great scenic places to visit while you travel. 

Overseas Highway – Florida Keys

A highway that spans 113 miles, composed of roads and bridges from the Florida mainland to the country’s most southern point, the Overseas Highway is a beautiful place to drive.  There’s blue ocean, ships, boats, fisherman and tourists at every turn.  As an added fact, the Florida East Coast Railway was converted into this awesome highway.

Finger Lakes Region – New York

The Finger Lakes are a chain of lakes in central New York State shaped like…well, uh…fingers with the lakes formed by glaciers.  The lake extends 75 miles from Syracuse to Rochester.  There’s farmland, quaint towns and hundreds of wineries.  An Autumn trip adds an accentuating foliage to a beautiful drive year around. 

Pacific Coast Highway – California

This is known as one of the most scenic views in the world.  Hugging cliffs, and coastlines line a 123 mile stretch in a blissful five hour dream of beauty and saltwater scents.  However, this is not for the faint at heart.  The PCH offers some hairpin turns, narrow shoulders and steep drop-offs so BE ALERT. Honestly, take some time to pull over in safe places to really enjoy the vista. 

San Juan Skyway – Colorado

This scenic 233-mile drive through San Juan National Forest, Grand Mesa, is known as the “road to the sky” because of its mountains, quaint towns and ancient Native American pueblo ruins.  The drive features steep cliffs, alpine forests, campgrounds and plenty of outdoor activities.  

Bernardi Honda and Hyundai of Brockton Host Booth at Busy Girls Night Out Event

June 7^th, 2012 - Milford, MA The Double Tree Hotel, Regency Ballroom - Busy Girls Night Out, an event that brings exposure to local businesses by providing a huge event for women city-wide, is hosting a shopping event with over 40 vendors, including the Honda and Hyundai Bernardi stores.  Vendors are free to invite customers, friends, and family to participate by enjoying shopping, free raffles, and bingo with over $2000 in product and services given away before the night’s end. 

Also, guests are asked to donate their unwanted bras to the Athena’s Cup charity at the event.  The Athena’s Cup is a fundraiser aimed at raising awareness and money for breast cancer research.  The goal is to break the world record for most bras hooked together!

        

Vendors include Bernardi Honda Brockton, Bernardi Hyundai Brockton, Vault Denim, Pampered, Chef, Mary Kay, Paul Mitchell, PatyLite and many more.  The event is only $10 at the door and available for women 18 years of age and older. 

All raffle funds collected will be donated to the Milford School System and the Athena’s Cup breast cancer charity.  For more information about the event, email BusyGirlsNightOut@yahoo.com or call Erica Wollenhaupt for details. 

How on Earth Does Car Tire Tread Work?

You’re a driver.  You spend countless hours on the road to and from work, soccer practice, weekend events and everything in between.  You want to know for a FACT that your vehicle is safe to drive and chauffer in accordingly.  At our dealership, we’re adamant about safety, taking into account all of the features that give you piece of mind when you’re on the open, or in some cases, crowded road.  In today’s blog, we explain the importance of good tires and what tire tread actually does to protect you during your daily routine.  So, buckle up (pun intended) as we provide a quick guide to understanding tire tread. 

Tread patterns, the grooves and contours on a tire that give the wheel its grip and traction, allow performance capabilities. Lugs are the elevated portions of the tire that make contact with the road, while voids explain the space between the lugs that channels water through the tire to avoid slippage.  Common types are:

Symmetric Tread – this is the most common.  There are continuous tread blocks where inboard and outboard sides match

Asymmetric Tread – these are effective in dry and slick driving because the groove pattern varies to accommodate turns, deflecting water and gripping snow.  Common in all-season tires.

Directional Tread – have lateral grooves that form a v shape across a tire’s center.  It reduces hydroplaning potential.  The deeper the grooves, the more efficient a tire is at handling wetter conditions.

Tread works by maintaining grip and decreasing rolling resistance.  Rolling resistance is the physical force that taxes a vehicle to produce more energy.  The tire friction that occurs between the tire and surface also affects fuel consumption, so optimal tire tread patterns can maintain safety and performance while limiting the resistance. 

So, you might be asking: Why do I need to replace my tires?  Two main reasons are safety and mileage. Turning on wet surfaces is safer with the right type of tread and can shorten the braking distance you need for coming to a complete stop.  All vehicles offer different types of tread based on your style.  Visit our dealership by clicking here: http://brockton.bernardihonda.com/ 

How to Maintain Great Driving Posture

Millions of Americans suffer from muscle pain and tension from stress, work, and long distance driving.  Watching a coworker roll their neck is common in the workplace. The simple issue of not moving causes muscles to shorten and tighten over time, causing pain.  Another reason for bad posture is that most individuals’ drive with the right leg and hip externally rotated with the knee slightly bent. In this position, mild nerve root irritation in the lower back can cause pain to follow in the hip, knee and foot.  How do you remedy the situation?  There are a couple of ways:

·      Rotate the hip slightly inwards, causing your leg to be more in line with your body.  Try this strategy on a long trip and you should get some relief.

·      Change positions slightly during the trip.  Variations in your seating position can help blood flow.

·      Adjust seat accordingly because damage to the spine can occur when you fail to adjust the seat correctly.  Slouching behind the wheel on frequent trips or for long periods of time can cause back and spinal pain.  Long term stress to the joints and muscles in the lower area of the spine, stretching your legs to reach the pedals or muscle fatigue can all be factors.

So, what IS the right position?  Follow these steps to practicing GREAT driving posture:

·      Firm Car Seat – adjusts to your body shape with firm contact

·      130% Knee Angle – should be maintained.  You shouldn’t have to overstretch your legs to operate the pedals.

·      Upright or Slightly Reclining Position – is ideal.  It causes less stress on the back and reduces the effects of vibration.

·      Automatic Vehicles – If you already have existing back problems, an automatic car would cause less stress on the spine than a manual vehicle.

·      Adjusted Steering Wheel – Choose the correct height and reach that provides optimum flexibility.

·      Headrest Properly Positioned – the top of the head restraint should be level with the top of the driver’s head or at least no lower than eye level to prevent whiplash injuries.

Have any to add? Feel free in the comment section below! 

Smartphone App of the Week: Driver’s Ed

We understand that it might seem peculiar that we would talk about a smartphone app called Driver’s Ed, as we want new driver’s (and experienced alike) to drive safely with their eyes focused on the road and not on the screen of a smartphone, but this app is strictly for NON-DRIVING USE.  And quite frankly, it’s an awesome way to learn the ways of the road…off-road, of course.

As parents, friends, and colleagues we instill the fundamentals of driving: look back when you reverse, buckle your seatbelt, etc…this smartphone app is a study guide for individuals preparing to take the permit test for their license.  The app is currently FREE and brought to you by a leader in online drivers education with full-featured study companions and quizzes from a database of more than 350 questions. 

The app records your results so that you can track your progress and review incorrect answers.  Get to know the material by taking tests and perfecting your driving skills before you take the real thing. 

Flash cards are also an added feature that allows test takers to study the material fairly quickly.  Driver’s Ed even lets you download your state’s specific Driver Manual so you can study on the go.  Driver’s Ed is a great app for studying for the permit exam because there’s nothing like having another safe driver on the road. 

Download it here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/drivers-ed/id297942237?mt=8