Checkered Blog by Checkered Flag is the automotive play place in Hampton Roads Virginia

Hollywood Drives into Virginia Beach

If you were anywhere near the Virginia Beach Convention Center yesterday afternoon, I'm sure you caught whiff of burning rubber and heard the echoes of screeching brakes. The IFPDI (International Film & Precision Driving Instructors) team held live demonstrations there to kick off the official launch of their International Stunt Driver Training Program.

You've seen many of these professional stunt drivers before in movies such as Mission Impossible II, Bad Boys II, X-Men, Independence Day, Die Hard, and 2 Fast 2 Furious, just to name a few. Stunt driving is no joke and these guys really know what they're doing. They have more than 270 years of combined experience as stunt performers, coordinators, and directors!

Yours truly got the opportunity to sit shotgun with Shane Cardwell, the founder of IFPDI and experienced stunt professional, while he demonstrated some precision tricks. I jumped in not really knowing what to expect, but it proved to be such an adrenaline rush. Thanks, Shane! Even Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera Oberndorf came out to enjoy the exciting stunts. See the pictures below.

You too can get behind the wheel with members of the IFPDI team. Visit their website for more information on the stunt driving training program, or contact Tania Cardwell at (757) 333-2600. Also, be sure to check out the compilation of video clips below from yesterday's demonstrations.

Online Videos by Veoh.com

Hampton Roads Salutes Memorial Day

Memorial Day weekend has come full swing and it appears that a good number of Hampton Roads residents have opted to spend the holiday near home. I spent a few hours at the 25th Annual Strawberry Festival in Pungo today, and if you get a chance to head over there, the strawberry shortcakes are a must have!

Aside from the festival, there are a number of Memorial Day observances scheduled throughout the Tidewater /Hampton Roads area. There is a strong military presence here, so we at Checkered Blog would like to extend a very Happy Memorial Day weekend to all military personnel.

As promised here is a list of events occurring this weekend.

Virginia Beach

May 23-25 -Remember the Music-Remember the Heroes: Commemorate the memories of the men and women who spent their lives protecting our country through live music and entertainment. Dont miss the  Heroes Walk on the boardwalk.

May 26- The 2008 Memorial Day Ceremony & 20th Anniversary of the Tidewater Veterans Memorial: A fly-over featuring military and WWII aircrafts will follow the ceremony.

Norfolk

May 24-26 -The 25th Annual AFRAM Fest- AFRAM Fest is held every year by the Southeastern Virginia Arts Association (SEVAA) and is the largest African-American event held in the state.

Newport News

May-26- Memorial Day Remembrance: Following the ceremony, all are invited to learn about American military history at the Virginia War Museum.

Williamsburg

May 26- Memorial Day Program at Colonial Williamsburg: Observe Memorial Day and remember those who have given their lives in the service of our country.

Yorktown

May 24-25- Yorktown Civil War Weekend: Special activities include encampments, military and surgical demonstrations, campfire program, and walking tours. Wreath laying ceremonies occur on Sunday at the Yorktown National Cemetery and Confederate Cemetery.

The National Moment of Remembrance occurs on Monday, where Americans around the country will pause at 3pm for reflection.

The forecast for this weekend calls for sunshine and dry conditions, so take advantage of the amazing weather, while remembering the holiday. For more information on these events and others visit the Virginia is for Lovers website.

How to Help Your Neighbors

The Checkered Blog sends our thoughts and prayers to those affected by yesterday's tornadoes.  For anyone looking to help out, The Virginian-Pilot recently published the following list of relief organizations that are accepting donations to assist Virginia tornado victims.

United Way of Central Virginia www.unitedwaycv.org

United Way of the Virginia Peninsula www.uwvp.org

American Red Cross www.redcross.org – Suffolk, Southeast, Petersburg and Greater Richmond Chapters

Salvation Army www.salvationarmy.org

Federation of Virginia Food Banks www.foodbankonline.org

Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia www.cceva.org

Lutheran Disaster Response & Lutheran Family Services of Virginia www.ldr.org

Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia www.sbcv.org

Virginia Baptist Mission Board www.vbmb.org

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance www.pcusa.org

Virginia United Methodist Church Conference Disaster Response www.vaumc.org

Adventist Community Services www.communityservices.org

Virginia Beach Society for the Preventions of Cruelty to Animals www.vbspca.com

The Humane Society of the United States www.hsus.org/disaster

Suffolk Foundation. Contributions should be made payable to “Suffolk Foundation" and marked “Tornado Relief Fund.” Mail or deliver to 1426 Holland Road, Suffolk, VA 23434. These gifts will be dispersed by the Suffolk Foundation to 501(c)(3) charities and government agencies qualified to meet the specific needs of individuals requiring financial support. For more information, call (757)923-9090.

Virginia International Tattoo This Weekend at Scope

It's Friday.  The weather is cooperating nicely.  Good weekend to go out and see what is happening in Hampton Roads.  The Virginia International Tattoo  roars into town this weekend at Scope Arena in Norfolk and more than 850 performances will take place. Click here for information on schedules, ticket prices and more!

Keeping Your Vehicle Secure

A recent press conference held by Norfolk Police Chief Bruce P. Marquis and covered by The Virginian-Pilot   touched on some trends in auto theft and vandalism in Hampton Roads. Of course, we know that having a vehicle broken into or stolen is a really lousy thing, just an emotionally and financially draining experience. I thought it was worth passing on a few tips on theft prevention from the police department.

• Never leave keys unattended.
• Store valuables in the trunk. Keep high value items like GPS units, iPods and laptops out of sight. The NPD also recommends storing docking stations because they can indicate that a device is in the glove compartment or console.
• Document serial numbers of portable devices.
• Secure your license plate with theft deterrent screws which you can buy at auto parts stores.
• Lock your doors. Roll up windows and close sunroofs, even if you’re just running inside for a moment (this is one I need help with...I always, always forget the sunroof!).
• If possible, park in well lit areas.

Meet Checkered Flag VP and Director of Fixed Operations, Jim Huber

The Checkered Blog wants to introduce Checkered Flag’s new Vice President and Director of Fixed Operations, Jim Huber! Since the beginning of March, Jim has been in charge of all aspects of Checkered Flag’s service operation, including parts and body shop operations. Given that nearly half of Checkered Flag’s workforce of 700-plus are in fixed operations, it’s clearly a major responsibility. Jim took the helm following the retirement of long-time fixed operations chief Ray Carlile.

Jim isn’t new to Checkered Flag, though. He’s been with the company for 17 years. Jim came to Checkered Flag in 1991 and worked as the Service Director of Hyundai/Isuzu/Suzuki/Mitsubishi for about 4 years before he was promoted to Vice President of Service Operations. He’s also held positions as Vice President of the Checkered Flag Body Shop and as the head of the reconditioning center at what is now Driver’s World. Additionally, he served as Service Director at Checkered Flag Jaguar/Porsche/Audi/Saab/BMW, back when the brands were all in one location. When BMW moved into its own new digs, he took over the reins there as Service Director so, to put it mildly...Jim knows Checkered Flag inside and out!

Jim has spent his entire professional career in the retail automotive industry. He told us that he was drawn to Checkered Flag by the good reputation of the company and especially by its philosophy of putting customers and employees first. "It’s just the right way to do things," he said.

When asked about what he sees on the horizon, he explains that Checkered Flag really wants to focus on finding ways to make things even more convenient for customers. He mentioned the success of the extended hours Express Service lane at Checkered Flag Toyota. "We want to conduct a thorough review of our operations to see if there are more services that we can offer on an express basis, without appointment. We also want to look at our hours to make sure that they are fully meeting customer needs. Those are just a couple of things that we’d like to look at."

Jim and his wife Mary have been married 29 years. They moved here from Pittsburgh nearly three decades ago after they came to Virginia Beach on vacation and decided they liked it so much, they wanted to make it their home. In his spare time, Jim "tries to play" golf, and also bowls and shoots pool.

Congratulations and good luck, Jim!

smart center Virginia Beach is OPEN!

"Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds."

This is actually not the official motto of the U.S. Postal Service (they don't have one), but a lot of people think it is. I think that it should become the official motto of The Checkered Blog because I went out in torrential downpours this morning to get you the scoop on the opening of smart center Virginia Beach. I was not the only one who braved the rain, however. Here is smart center Virginia Beach’s awesome staff hard at work this morning.  (Gary Gullickson, smart brand manager; Paige Bias, smart brand executive assistant; Mike Sullivan, C.D. Morris, and Kate Heidbrick, all smart brand specialists.)

 

These first photos show that the dealership really turned out great. It’s SO clean yet modern and showcases the smart cars beautifully. And, of course, no Checkered Flag dealership would be considered complete without a gorgeous cappuccino machine (LOL).  There definitely isn’t another building like it that I’ve seen. Hours today are 10am-7pm and test drives are being offered on a first-come, first-served basis. It was crowded this morning, but people seemed really into checking out the static display on the showroom floor, watching the different videos and reading all the literature on options, safety, etc.

Please, come back and visit us often as we will be posting all sorts of information about the new smart center.  If you have questions or want more information, stop by 5193 Virginia Beach Blvd. or call 757-687-3447.

Reminder: smart center Virginia Beach Opens Tomorrow!

I feel like I need some Star Wars like theme music for the opening of smart center Virginia Beach which, as FlagRaiser reported earlier this week, WILL BE HAPPENING tomorrow, March 8 at 10am.  Instead of "be there or be square" I should say "be there or be stupid".  Hahaha.  Ok, that wasn't really funny at all.  I am hoping (as I'm sure you are, too) that the great satisfaction that I get from making smart puns diminishes in the coming weeks. 

Anyway, stop by smart center Virginia Beach tomorrow to have a look at the dealership and the car and even take a test drive (remember to bring your license though!)  If you can't make it down, check back here soon as I'll be posting pictures and info on the new facility.

California Dreamin'

As I hail from the Golden State, I was relatively psyched when we moved to Virginia Beach. Comparable latitude coupled with miles of lovely coast placated my inner beach girl. I was surprised on my first trip to the local beach however by the lack of groovy surf mobiles, namely, the lack of old VW buses with surfers, skimmers, etc. piling out of them. Where have all the VDubs gone, I wondered?

It turns out, according to VW technician Dave Morill at Checkered Flag, that they are still around, but that the moist air makes keeping them up especially difficult in Hampton Roads and The Outer Banks. Dave’s worked at Checkered Flag for about 9 years and has a ‘56 VW Bug that he tinkers on. He says that there are probably 4 or 5 tech’s at Checkered Flag that work on the older models. "Everyone else is too young to remember the old air-cooled engines," he laughs. While they see more models from the 70's and 80's, Dave maintains that the folks at Checkered Flag are more than happy to take a look at your vintage Volkswagen. They also have the skinny on where to get parts, both locally and nationally. Supply channels for those models ‘70 and newer are more active than those for earlier models. Dave told me that a lot of parts do come from the West Coast but that there are a couple of good local sources as well.

I did some poking around, too, and found that www.oldbug.com is a good resource as is this ebay "neighborhood" and locals seem to swear by The Bug House in Virginia Beach.

Penny Pinch With Me!

Super news about gas prices, no? Ugh. Since my commute is not terribly long, my car gets decent MPG and I don’t do a ton of traveling, I’ve never really worried too much about rising prices. Sure, I complain with everyone else when making small talk around the water cooler, but I’ve been fortunate enough to never feel I need to change my plans due to rising gas prices. Having said that I feel kind of feeble minded because a friend recently alerted me to this really great website where you can search by zip code in order to find the least expensive filling stations near you. It takes about 3 seconds and I found several convenient locations cheaper than the place where I normally fill up. To give an example, I paid $3.09 a gallon yesterday for 10 gallons. That’s $30.90 (duh). If I would have gone to the cheaper station equi-distant from my house, I would have only paid $28.70.  That’s a savings of $2.20 a week, $8.80 a month, or over $100 a year!!! It doesn’t seem like a lot, but it’s a couple of Starbucks or a ticket to the movies every month.