Virginia Beach Dealers

Virginia Beach Store Sells Lottery Ticket Worth $250,000

Hopefully, one of our Checkered Flag fans picked up this winning ticket.  Although none of the Mega Millions top winning tickets originated in Virginia, someone did purchase a ticket worth $250,000 in Virginia Beach. 

Here’s the details:

Source:[pilotonline.com]

Va. Beach ticket wins $250K in Mega Millions drawing

By Jennifer Jiggetts
The Virginian-Pilot
© March 31, 2012

A ticket sold at a Virginia Beach 7-Eleven store was one of five winners statewide that matched the first five numbers of the March 30 Mega Millions drawing.

The ticket was sold at the 7-Eleven on 2292 Upton Drive, according to a news release from the Virginia Lottery.

The four other tickets were sold at convenience stores in Fredericksburg, North Tazewell, Richmond and Vinton.

Each ticket winner gets $250,000.

The soonest anyone can come forward is Monday morning, Virginia Lottery spokesman John Hagerty said.

The winner has 180 days from the drawing date to claim the prize, he said.

Ticket-holders in Kansas, Illinois and Maryland will split the Mega Millions $640 million jackpot, believed to be the world's largest such prize.

The winning numbers were 2-4-23-38-46 and the Mega Ball was 23.

Seven Mega Million jackpots have been won in Virginia since the game began in 2002, according to the news release.

The odds of winning the jackpot are about 1 in 176 million, and the odds of winning any of the Mega Millions prizes are about 1 in 40.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Keep tuned in to Checkered Flag for more local Hampton Roads news and events. 


image source:[pluckmagazine.com]

Detours All Over Hampton Roads: Bridge Closures

If you left the house today, there's a good chance you got stuck in a bit of unexpected Hampton Roads traffic.  Well, you’re not alone.  There were both a Monitor-Merrimac Bridge closure and a High-Rise Bridge closure.  Before you head out tomorrow, check out the following and make sure you’re taking the best route or you could be late for a very important date!

Source:[pilotonline.com]

Weekend closures set for High-Rise Bridge, I-664 tunnel

The Virginia Department of Transportation will have closures at the High-Rise Bridge and Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel this weekend.

Tonight at 7 p.m., the lanes of the High-Rise Bridge that carry traffic toward Suffolk will be closed along with one lane that carries traffic toward Virginia Beach, according to VDOT. The lanes are scheduled to reopen at 5 a.m. Monday. Crews will be milling and paving the road.

At 8 p.m. tonight, crews will close the northbound lanes of the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel and are scheduled to reopen them at 6 a.m. Monday. Crews will be repairing tunnel joints.

Stay tuned to your favorite Hampton Roads new and used car website for more up-to-date Hampton Roads traffic alerts.

Batman Pulled Over in Maryland

Batman gets busted breaking the rules in Maryland earlier this week. 

Apparently, this Bruce Wayne enthusiast didn’t think a license plate went with the Batmobile look of his black Lamborghini.  While many jumped to the conclusion that this guy was some kind of weirdo, it turns out he was really out doing a lot of good. 

Article source: [autoblog.com]

The real story behind the speeding Batman

By now you've probably heard about "Batman" getting pulled over by the cops in his Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder. The story has been all over the Internet this week, thanks to the in-car video from the local Maryland police department that stopped the caped crusader. But now we've got the real scoop on this would-be Bruce Wayne, thanks to the Washington Post.

His name is Lenny B. Robinson, and being Batman is only a part-time gig for the wealthy philanthropist. Robinson visits sick children in hospitals around the Baltimore area, decked out in a $5,000 neoprene-and-leather Batman suit, according to the report. He hands out Batman toys, signs autographs and gives the kids some much-needed fun, while boosting the morale of the parents, as well.

The Lamborghini is just part of the fun, though Robinson told the Post that he's having a "real" Batmobile built. (Which of the various movie cars he's having replicated was not specified.) While this episode marked Robinson's first time in a national spotlight, it wasn't his first encounter with the police while in costume. Patch reported on a distress call made by "Batman" back in November 2011, when Robinson's Gallardo had a flat.

End of article. 

If you’ve seen anything crazy while driving around Hampton Roads, tell us about it in the comments section below.  I know some of our Checkered Flag fans will have some very interesting stories. 

Tips for Cutting Your Fuel Costs From Checkered Flag

The kids are out for spring break and you're ready to hit the road.  As in the past few years, unfortunately, that means Hampton Roads gas prices are headed toward $4.00 per gallon for regular unleaded.   Now, you could start canceling your out-of-town reservations now, or, you can take the advice of Checkered Flag, along with Real Simple Magazine, that could help you better deal with the unwelcome increase.

One obvious solution is to decrease your gasoline dependency by trading in your current vehicle for a hybrid model.  I find that many Checkered Flag fans are not even aware of all of the hybrid models each of our nine stores has to offer.  Sure, the original hybrids had standout design and styling that might have been less attractive to some, but now, most hybrid models are identical to their more gas dependent siblings.  Oh, and that slightly increased price tag, well, with gas prices at or near the current mark, the difference would be made up in no time.  Checkered Flag currently offers hybrid vehicles from Honda, Hyundai, Toyota, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, and others including pre-owned models.  Call (757)490-1111 for details.
 
Now, if you are like me, and have a pretty serious attachment to your current non-hybrid vehicle, you still have some options to optimize your pennies.  A great way to immediately increase engine efficiency, and increase gas mileage in turn, is to have your vehicle serviced regularly.  This is one of the simplest but possibly most underutilized methods of gasoline savings.  Call Checkered Flag to schedule oil changes, tune-ups, or even important tire rotations that will keep your car or truck at peak performance.  Click here for more Virginia Beach Service Center information:  Checkered Flag Maintenance.

Here are a few additional gas saving tips from Real Simple Magazine:

  Best route: Changing the way you drive can raise your fuel economy by as much as 50 percent, says mechanical engineer Ron Graves, the director of the Fuels, Engines and Emissions Center at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, in Knoxville, Tennessee. Here's how to increase fuel economy.

    Take it easy. Aggressive driving, like jackrabbit acceleration when lights turn green and hard braking at reds, burns a lot of gas. Just smoothing out your starts and stops can save you up to 30 percent in gas mileage.
      
    Watch your speed. "Most passenger cars get their best fuel economy between 45 and 55 miles per hour," Graves says. And each five miles per hour that you drive above 60 mph costs you the equivalent of about 15 cents a gallon (based on a price of $2.25 a gallon).
      
    Keep the engine tuned, the air filter clean, and the tires filled to the proper pressure.
      
    Reduce air conditioning use, unless you're on the highway, where the drag of open windows sometimes consumes more power than running the A/C.

      For more fuel-savings tips, visit the U.S. Department of Energy website at fueleconomy.gov.
End of article.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a hybrid vehicle test drive or service appointment for your current vehicle, call any of our Checkered Flag Norfolk or Virginia Beach new and used car locations at (757)490-1111. 

Jetta Hybrid Soon Headed to Checkered Flag Volkswagen

Checkered Flag Volkswagen is looking forward to the future.  This fall, the all-new 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid is headed to our Virginia Beach VW showroom. 

First Drive: 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid
February 02, 2012 / By Eric Tingwall

Volkswagen owns the affordable diesel market in the United States. With TDI engines available in the Jetta, Passat, Golf, and Touareg, one out of every five Volkswagens sold in 2011 was powered by a diesel engine. A fifth VW diesel, the Beetle TDI, joins the lineup for 2012, but Volkswagen isn’t content to rest on its compression-ignition laurels. Hybrids make up a far larger share of the United States market and the German automaker is keen on capturing some of those buyers. Since the $62,865 Touareg Hybrid struggles with that task, Volkswagen will target a more practical segment and a more reasonable price this fall with the Jetta Hybrid.

The gas-electric Jetta’s hardware consists of a 27-hp electric motor sandwiched between a turbocharged, 1.4-liter four-cylinder and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and it should all be good for a combined city/highway fuel-economy rating of 45 mpg. That makes the hybrid significantly more frugal than the 34-mpg diesel Jetta and a touch less efficient than the 50-mpg Toyota Prius.

Put the Jetta Hybrid in “D,” and Volkswagen says the car can reach 37 mph on electricity alone, but only masochists will tolerate such pokey acceleration. Pulling into traffic, the Jetta scoots off on electric power until a dampened shudder and muted roar butt in at 20 mph as the gasoline engine fires and spins up to speed. The initial interruption is louder and more abrupt than we’d like, but it isn’t any more intrusive than the standard set by the Toyota Prius. For a silent and smooth experience, tap the E-mode button just ahead of the shifter. Doing so recalibrates the accelerator so that the gas engine rarely comes on below a raised electric-only threshold of 44 mph. It works, but you’ll be lucky to cover a mile in E-mode before the car reverts to its typical behavior to refresh the battery.

Wafting along in traffic in the standard mode, the gas engine stops and starts frequently and fluidly as you coast and accelerate. In this less aggressive driving, restarts are so smooth that they’d be imperceptible to any driver who wasn’t looking for them. When you push the accelerator pedal through the detent at the bottom of its travel, boost mode delivers maximum power — up to 170 hp — from both the turbocharged engine and the electric motor. Selecting sport mode from the gear selector makes boost mode available earlier, before the pedal passes through the kickdown switch. Volkswagen believes the Jetta will be the quickest compact hybrid you can buy when it goes on sale later this year. That’s not to say it’s quick. Owning that claim merely means the VW can beat loafers like the Honda Civic Hybrid and the Honda CR-Z.

Acceleration on the low end is as strained as in any compact car, hybrid or otherwise, but we were impressed by the strong top-end pull from the gas engine. The driving experience also benefits from a transmission with seven distinct gears rather than the rubbery uncertainty of a continuously variable transmission.

The steering wheel is weighty and although the electric power assistance isn’t as linear or convincing as Volkswagen’s best efforts, it’s far more direct feeling than what you get from the hybrid establishment. Braking, on the other hand, is marred by the same unpredictable behavior that’s typical for gas-electric cars. On our short drive, initial response was different every time we touched the pedal and braking force showed absolutely no correlation with how far or how firmly you pushed the pedal. The only redeeming qualities are the long travel of the pedal and that the binders never bite too sharply. With an active foot, you can massage the pedal for a smooth stop, but it takes far more focus than it should.

Data geeks can feast on powertrain information from three different displays. The tachometer has been replaced by a power meter reading from 0 to 100 percent, with cushions on either end for “charging” and “boost” zones. Just next to that dial, the digital instrument cluster display shows power flow between the engine, motor and wheels. The navigation system also has three hybrid screens including redundant power flow information and long-term fuel economy. The rest of the Jetta Hybrid will be familiar to anyone who has driven the gas or diesel variants. Volkswagen says the subtle exterior tweaks lead to a meaningful reduction in aerodynamic drag, but they weren’t noticeable enough to catch our eye as we hurried to the car to escape the winter cold.

The Jetta Hybrid doesn’t quite inject sportiness into the hybrid field, but neither is it a fuel-sipping, soul-sucking penalty box. It won’t knock its diesel-powered sibling off the pedestal when it comes to efficient driving fun, it won’t top the Toyota Prius in fuel economy, and it won’t be as cheap as a Honda Insight. But with an expected price around $25,000, the Jetta Hybrid is a worthwhile alternative to less inspired gas-electric cars like the Prius, the Civic Hybrid, and the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.

2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid
On sale: Fall 2012
Base price:$25,000 (est.)
Engine: 1.4L turbo I-4, 150 hp, 184 lb-ft
Motor: 27 hp
Total output: 170 hp
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch automatic
Drive: Front-wheel
Fuel economy: 45 mpg (combined)

Image source:[motortrend.com]

Surely, Checkered Flag VW will have the first batch of new VW Jetta hybrids in Hampton Roads and, as with other new hybrid releases, the reservation list is sure to quickly fill up.  For more information on the 2012 Jetta hybrid or any other Volkswagen vehicle, call Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Chesapeake Volkswagen, Checkered Flag Volkswagen, at (757)490-1111.

Spring Cleaning Your Car

Spring has sprung in Hampton Roads.  People are cutting their grass, planting gardens, painting shutters, and shining up their rides. 

As simple as a car wash should be, it seems that everyone has their preferred tools and methods.  If you're new to the chore, perhaps starting to do-it-yourself detail to save a few bucks, below is a guide for you. 

Now, if this hands-on approach just isn't your style, you could always bring your vehicle in to any Checkered Flag maintenance location for a Hampton Roads car wash, wax, detailing, or all of the above!  And, no, you didn't have to purchase your vehicle from Checkered Flag to take advantage of these outstanding services.  Prices are some of the most competitive in the area.  Call (757)490-1111 for more information.

Article courtesy of [Real Simple]:

Real Simple Essential Car Cleaning Guide

Think of it as a wise investment: Keeping your auto filth-free can boost its resale value and eradicate those nasty end-of-lease excess-wear-and-tear charges. And if you focus on the task at hand, it shouldn't take more than an hour every two weeks.

The Interior

A shiny exterior polishes your automotive image with the world, but keeping the inside clean makes life more pleasant for you and your family. Dragging the cord of a vacuum cleaner through puddles is an especially bad idea, so clean the interior before the exterior.

Dash and doors

    * Using an electrostatic dust cloth, sweep the dash, knobs, vinyl surfaces, and plastic trim.
    * Wipe them down with an all-purpose cleaner using an old towel.

Pesky gearshift

    * Gently pull the leather or plastic away from the sides to vacuum it and wipe it down with a cleanser-dampened towel.

Floor and seats

    * Start by taking out the floor mats and shaking them. If you don't have floor mats, get them?they protect the carpeting and can be replaced if stained beyond repair. If your region gets a lot of snow or rain, you might want to buy a rubber mat with deep channels to collect mud, sand, and salt (two front mats for inclement weather that each hold more than a quart of liquid, $70, griotsgarage.com).
    * Vacuum the mats, the seats, and the floor carpeting, in that order. Slide the front seats all the way back and make sure to get the debris (spare change and fossilized French fries) from under the front seats. Then move the seats all the way forward and vacuum underneath from the backseat.
    * Tilt the seats back so you can get the nose of the vacuum down in the cracks.

Windows and windshield

    * A microfiber cloth and a spritz of water clean well and won't cause streaks.
    * Roll down the windows a few inches to get the grime on the top edges.
    * For the rear window, use the back of your hand so you don't strain your wrist.

The Exterior

A warm, sunny spot might seem like the perfect place to wash and dry your car, but it guarantees streaks. Wash in the early morning or evening, or in a shady area.

Rinse it

    * Hose off loose dirt.
    * Life the windshield wipers and spray the cracks below both windshields.
    * Blast the undersides of the wheel wells and the hubcaps.

Wash it

    * Make sure your wash mitt is clean. "We've seen people ruin their finish because they didn't rinse off the grime on the mitt before washing it," says Robert Traicoff, supervisor of paint materials for the Ford Motor Company.
    * One-eighth of a cup of mild dishwashing liquid, like Dove, in a bucket of water is fine for unwaxed finishes. Starting with the roof, soap an arm's-length-size section with your wash mitt and rinse it immediately. Then tackle the hood, the sides, and the trunk, in that order, using the same method, so you go from most to least clean for the sake of the soapy water.
    * To prevent streaking, don't suds up the windows (you'll wash them separately).
    * Use a separate sponge to scrub only the especially grimy areas: the windshield wipers and the tires. Save the right front wheel for last because it gets the dirtiest ? it hits the puddles and loose gravel on the side of the road.
    * To remove tar, saturate a cloth with a mixture of 1/4 cup vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon linseed oil; rub into the tar and remove.

Rinse again

    * Sluice off your car, making sure to power the soap out of nooks such as the rim of the gas-cap cover, under the door handles, and the innards of the side-view mirrors. Soap seeps out and streaks the car ? usually moments after you've finished drying the car and put everything away.

Dry it

    * Before water spots have a chance to mar the finish, use a towel to mop up the surface. Fold the towel as it gets damp.
    * If you have a chamois, use it to mop up any remaining dampness.
    * Remember to dry spots like the roof line just above the windows, which could spill excess water later when you move the car.

Do windows

    * Bugs, grease, and grime make auto glass harder to clean than the windows in your house. A detailer's favorite for cleaning windows and bug-spattered headlights is a solution of one part white vinegar to two parts water.
    * To avoid streaking, give the window weather stripping a few hours to dry before you roll down the windows.

In Between

You won't need to do the full cleanup every time. But quick touch-ups between biweekly washes can make them easier.

    * If you live in a dusty area or frequently pass road construction, hose off the car between washes.
    * If your kids have a penchant for car sickness, use an ice scraper, which you might already carry in your car, to scoop up the offending liquid, and an all-purpose cleaner to spray and blot on the area.
    * Treat your rig like a national park?take out what you bring in. Get in the habit of removing your coffee cups and gum wrappers each time you leave the car. While driving, toss your trash in the Puff'n Stuff litter bag, $12.50, stacksandstacks.com).
    * Tree sap doesn't become a problem until it dries. Wipe it off before it sets or it may stain your car.

What Strange Tax Deductions Are You Claiming This Year?

Each spring I obsess over finding any and every available tax deduction to include in my federal tax return.  And, nearly every year, I make a new and unusual discovery in my research.  But, the people in the following stories have taken strange tax deductions to the next level. 

Stories Collected from Strange but Legit Tax Deductions, More Strange Tax Deductions, and Still More Strange Tax Deductions by Robert Wood.  Edited for length.  Source:[forbes.com]

Payments to Your Significant Other.  Bruce needed someone to manage his rental properties so he hired his live-in girlfriend. Her duties included finding furniture, overseeing repairs and also running his personal household. The IRS thought any pay he gave her was not a legitimate deduction.

But he went to Tax Court and won. The Tax Court said $2,500 of the $9,000 he paid her was deductible as a business expense. It disallowed the cost of her housekeeping chores as nondeductible personal services.

Private Plane Anyone? Whether you can justify a private plane and treat the cost as a business expense depends on your circumstances, how much you use it, and more. But many taxpayers can and do justify it, and you don’t have to be Warren Buffett.

Take French v. Commissioner. Rather than driving five to seven hours to check on their rental condo or be tied to one daily commercial flight, the Frenches bought their own plane.  The IRS didn’t think any part of it could be written off.  But the Tax Court allowed them to deduct their condo-related trips in the plane.

That included fuel and depreciation for the portion of time they used the plane for business.  What’s more, the Tax Court allowed this even though the aviation costs increased their overall rental loss on the condo.

Pet Food. The big cat case last year was the Oakland California Cat Lady who got national press for beating the IRS in a cat fight. Her tax decision supported claiming the cost of vet bills and cat food as charitable contribution deductions. See Cat Lady Goes To Tax Court. Sadly, she later faced animal cruelty charges. 

But even with that ending, hers isn’t the only successful cat person case in the tax literature. In Seawright v. Commissioner, a married couple owned a junkyard. They put out cat food to attract wild cats. Why, you might ask? The feral cats they were trying to attract dealt with snakes and rats on the property. That made for a safer junkyard for customers.

And that made cat food a business expense. The IRS thought this was ridiculous but the Tax Court didn’t think so. In fact, by the time the case reach the Tax Court the IRS agreed!

Drunk Driving Expenses. Mr. Rohrs drank too much at a party but had the good sense to arrange a ride home. Rather than sleeping it off, a few hours later he thought he was okay to drive. Unfortunately, he drove off the road and was arrested for driving under the influence.

His car was damaged and his insurance company refused to cover it since alcohol and the police were involved. As a result, Mr. Rohrs paid for the repairs and deducted them. It was a casualty loss, he claimed. The IRS said no and Mr. Rohrs went to Tax Court.

The court commented that it wouldn’t have allowed his casualty loss argument had he driven straight home from the party and crashed the car. But his reasonable actions gave rise to his reasonable deduction.

Babysitting Fees. Babysitters are personal expenses, but occasionally can be something else. Take charitable contributions. The IRS says “you cannot deduct payments for child care expenses as a charitable contribution, even if they are necessary so you can do volunteer work for a qualified organization.” See IRS Publication 526, Charitable Contributions, Table 2.

However, Mrs. Kingsley paid her sitter so she could be out of the house doing volunteer work for charity. Clearly, the money for the sitter didn’t go to the charity, and the IRS said there was no deduction. But in Kingsley v. Commissioner, T.C. Summ. Op. 1978-74, the Tax Court held the sitter’s fees qualified as charitable contributions since they enabled Mrs. Kingsley’s work. The court expressly rejected a contrary IRS Revenue Ruling 73-597.

Free Beer. In a promotional scheme that probably wouldn’t be attempted today, the owner of a gas station decided that patrons would rather have beer than trading stamps. He deducted the beer as a business expense. The IRS denied the deductions and he went to Tax Court where the court ruled the deductions were proper.

Home Landscaping Costs. Home office deductions are notoriously scrutinized so it might surprise you to find that someone deducted the costs of landscaping. See Is Your Bathroom Your Home Office? But if you meet the special hurdles to claiming home office expenses, you can too. In Langer v. Commissioner, a sole proprietor regularly met clients in his home office.

He kept up the place in part to make it suitable for that use. It wasn’t all deductible, but when the IRS denied his deductions he prevailed in Tax Court. The court said he could deduct part of the costs of landscaping the property coinciding with the part of the home he used for business. The court even allowed a deduction for a portion of the costs of lawn care and driveway repairs.

Pet Moving Expenses. If you are changing jobs and meet several tests, you can deduct your moving expenses.  See IRS Tax Topic 455. Compared to your own moving expenses, pet moving is likely inexpensive. Still, even the IRS says you can sometimes deduct the costs of moving your pet. See IRS Publication 521, Moving Expenses.

What’s more, this is an above-the-line deduction, meaning that it isn’t subject to alternative minimum tax.

Oil Yourself Up. Corey L. Wheir, a professional bodybuilder, went through a lot of body oil to make his muscles glisten in the lights during competitions. When he deducted the oil on his taxes, the IRS said no. The Tax Court, however, let it slip by.

After all, this was a for-profit endeavor and the oil greased the way for more wins. How about Mr. Wheir’s deductions for buffalo meat and special vitamins? Here, the Tax Court said no. They may have enhanced his strength and muscle development, but they were not deductible.

Swimming Pool. The rules for medical expenses are amazingly liberal. See Tax Breaks For Alcoholics, But Not Weight Watchers. There’s a high percentage threshold for deducting them, but with big expenses it can pay.  One of the more often cited examples is a swimming pool.

In Cherry v. Commissioner, the taxpayer had emphysema and installed a swimming pool after his doctor ordered an exercise regimen. He swam twice a day and improved his breathing capacity. The Tax Court allowed him to deduct the cost of the pool (to the extent the cost exceeded the amount it added to the value of the property) as a medical expense.

After all, the primary purpose of the pool was medical care. Even the cost of heating the pool, pool chemicals and a proportionate part of insuring the pool area were deductible.

Breast Augmentation. Medical expenses can come in all shapes and sizes, as the swimming pool cases make clear. Most people know that cosmetic surgery costs are usually non-deductible. However, an exotic dancer whose stage name was “Chesty Love” tested this rule.

If you want bigger tips, you go bigger, she reasoned. So she decided to go way bigger, shelling out for breast implants that would bloat her bra size to 56-FF. When she wrote off the bill, the IRS said it was nondeductible cosmetic surgery.

But the Tax Court thought her business justification was real. See Hess v. Commissioner. It allowed tax benefits but required her to claim the implants as depreciable assets. The court considered them a type of stage prop.

Restitution in a Fraud Case. To be deductible, restitution usually must be something you were ordered to pay by a court. In one notable case, a dentist paid restitution that helped his wife. See Cavaretta v. Commissioner. She kept the dentist’s books and billed insurers for work he never performed. She went to jail and the dentist husband repaid all amounts.

When he deducted them as a business expense the IRS said no. But the Tax Court allowed the deductions, ruling that while neither she nor the dentist were legally required to pay the restitution, he was doing it to resolve civil claims on his practice. That made the payments deductible as business expenses.
End of article.

Of course, our Checkered Flag stores are hopping during tax season as Hampton Roads taxpayers receive refund checks or head in to pick up new tax-deductible business vehicles.  If you’re ready to visit for a test drive, call any Checkered Flag Virginia Beach and Norfolk new and used vehicle location at (757)490-1111. 

Wounded Warrior Family Mobile Unveiled by Checkered Flag Toyota and USO

 The all-new Wounded Warrior Family Mobile is finally unveiled!

The new customized Toyota Sienna van, donated by Checkered Flag through a partnership with the USO of Hampton Roads, was unveiled in a ceremony yesterday at the Portsmouth Naval Medical Center.
 
Article source:[wavy.com]

Wheels for wounded warriors

Family mobile unveiled at Portsmouth Naval Medical

PORTSMOUTH, Va (WAVY) - Right now, Portsmouth Naval Medical Center is caring for 50 wounded warrior Marines and countless other military members with one thing in common.

They could all use a break from the hospital.

Wednesday, a couple of local organizations rode to the rescue.

"I couldn't even walk when I first got here. I was in a back brace and everything," said Josh Williams of the IED explosion that sent him to Portsmouth Naval Medical Center. The Marine has been at the hospital for five months.

Sailor Michael Casillas arrived two weeks ago with a back twitch and debilitating pain. Casillas said doesn't know when he'll go home, "Months up to a year, depending on if they can't fix it."

But, Williams said they can only sit around so long, "because no one likes hospital."

It's tough to get out without a car, especially when family visits.

That's where USO Hampton Roads and Checkered Flag Toyota comes in, along with the Wounded Warrior Family Mobile.

The van has a special seat for those using wheelchairs or walkers, and it's now available for warriors at no cost.

"It's really nice having family come down here, and a van like this will help out a lot...We can ride in luxury," said Williams.

And the Casillas family can possibly get rid of their $900 a month rental car.

"Actually, [it] saves us a lot of money and helps out a lot," Michael said.

A simple car ride can take their minds off the treatments and pain, making the road to recovery a whole lot easier.  End of article.

Last year, Checkered Flag donated a similar customized Sienna, dubbed “The Wounded Warrior Mobile,” as part of their partnership with the Hampton Roads USO. 

For more information regarding Checkered Flag Hampton Roads community outreach projects, stay tuned to Checkeredflag.com. 

Contact Checkered Flag for information on new car military discount programs and Checkered Flag "We Salute You" military incentive program at (757)490-1111. 

Real Life Hamburglar Strikes Maine McDonald's

Quick!  Get Officer Big Mac!  There's been a hamburger theft! 

Sometimes, when you’ve got to have a burger, you’ve got to break a few rules. 

Then, get arrested.

Article source: [cbsnews.com]

Hunger Games: "Hamburglar" hits Maine McDonald's by stealing order at drive-thru window
By Barry Leibowitz

(CBS/AP) AUGUSTA, Maine - With a "Hamburglar" on the loose, maybe Officer Big Mac needs to get back on the case.

Police say a young man, seemingly inspired by the pattie-pilfering character once featured in McDonald's advertising campaigns, ran between a car and the takeout window at an Augusta restaurant Sunday night as an employee tried to hand a bag of food to a driver.

A witness flagged down an officer who was leaving a nearby convenience store.

Lt. Christopher Massey, acting on a description of the hungry thief, found him in the parking lot of a rival fast food restaurant diving into a McDonald's bag.

Massey tells the Kennebec Journal the suspect swore and ran into the woods. He was never caught.

Massey says the three young men who had their food stolen didn't know the "hamburglar."

McDonald's replaced the stolen food, worth about $20.
End of article.

Image source: [youtube.com]

For more hard-hitting news like this, stay tuned to your favorite Norfolk and Virginia Beach new and used car family, Checkered Flag, right here on Checkeredflag.com. 

Looking for your own getaway car?  Reach any Checkered Flag location including Checkered Flag Honda, Toyota, or Checkered Flag Volkswagen at (757)490-1111.

Toyota Steals Top Brand Loyalty Spot from Hyundai

For the first time in over a year,Toyota has taken the top brand loyalty spot from Hyundai, by a nose. 

Because Checkered Flag carries such popular automotive brands including Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, and Volkswagen, there's often a good deal of sibling rivalry between our Norfolk and Virginia Beach new and used car locations.  This week, Checkered Flag Toyota stole bragging rights from Hyundai for the first time in a long time.

Article source: [autotrader.com]

Toyota Redeems No. 1 Spot for Brand Loyalty on Kbb.com for First Time Since Q3 2010

IRVINE, Calif. - Kelley Blue Book's www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new car and used car information, this week reports that Toyota redeemed its No. 1 spot for brand loyalty on kbb.com for Q4 2011. Toyota last appeared in the top position in Q3 2010.

For Q4 2011, Toyota's brand shopping loyalty was at 50.6 percent, a 2.7 percentage point jump from Q3 2011, with Hyundai close behind at 50.2 percent. Ford, which moved to the third position from No. 5 for Q4 2011, is at 47.1 percent brand loyalty. In addition, Kia continues to hold the fourth spot from the previous quarter at 46.5 percent, while Honda takes the fifth position at 46.4 percent.

"Hyundai was No. 1 in loyalty for the past two quarters thanks to its strong redesigns, attractive value and the struggles of the Japanese brands with safety perception and supply issues," said Akshay Anand, market intelligence Web analyst for Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. "However, Toyota has done a laudable job overcoming these issues, introducing programs such as 'Toyota Care,' while getting its supply back online. The redesign of its flagship, the 2012 Toyota Camry, also helped drive interest to the brand and retain owners."

After a brief dip, Honda jumped back into the top five with Subaru falling to No. 6 in Q4 2011 from No. 3 in the previous quarter. Honda's reappearance among the top five can be attributed to the pushed-up Civic refresh, the new CR-V redesign and resolved supply problems.

Piggybacking on Toyota's success, Lexus is represented as the top luxury brand on the brand loyalty list at position eight, with Audi at No. 9, followed by Mercedes-Benz in the eleventh position.

"All in all, there are positive trends for automakers," said Anand. "Traditional leaders like Toyota are leaving the problems in the past and looking toward bright futures, while new players such as Hyundai, Kia and Audi remain forces to be reckoned with in the American automotive industry."

Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence examines brand loyalty while consumers are still in the shopping phase.  For this analysis, loyalty is defined as owners of the brand who are currently shopping the same brand for their next vehicle.  This includes data from consumers who view a trade-in page or private party page in addition to a new-car page on Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com.

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