Did you know…? 4th of July

One of our favorite holidays is coming up! 4^th of July!  We can celebrate our country and our freedom with family and friends. Most of us remember as a kid how excited we were for sparklers and bottle rockets. Watching fireworks is so much fun with all the noise and the ooh’s and ah’s. There will be people grilling out and parades to go see. What a perfect way to get together and celebrate the summer. Just like any important holiday, it is imperative to know the history. If you are a little rusty here are some QA’s we dug up. See how good your 4^th of July knowledge is!

 Q: When was the actual vote on the resolution for independence?
A: The actual vote on the resolution for independence was made on July 2nd, and John Adams was certain that this date would be celebrated forever as the date of the nation’s birth. But when the Declaration was read after its adoption, and people celebrated with fireworks and church bells ringing, the 4th of July became fixed as the nation’s birthday.

Q: Who wrote the original Declaration of Independence?
A committee of five was assigned to draft a Declaration explaining the resolution: Ben Franklin, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, Robert Livingston of New York, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. The committee turned the job over to Jefferson, who was 33 years old at the time he wrote the Declaration of Independence. The Continental Congress made more than eighty changes to Jefferson’s draft, which had been slightly amended by Adams and all of which Jefferson hated.

Q: Why didn’t George Washington sign the Declaration of Independence?
He was already in New York commanding troops when the Declaration was adopted. George Washington, who had limited and mostly disastrous military experience, was popular with his officers. But he had to battle Congress and jealous fellow officers throughout the war. Washington also did not chop down a cherry tree and have wooden teeth — his dentures were made of ivory, hippo’s teeth and even human teeth.

Q: Who was the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence?
John Hancock was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence. And it wasn’t until August when the 55 other signers got the chance. The document had to be formally prepared on the nice parchment we have today. Hancock was a very ambitious politician so he signed his name very large on the center of the document, that way everyone else would have to sign around his name in very small print.

Q: What country helped America win the Revolution?
France provided a navy, troops and 90 percent of the gunpowder the Patriots used. Without French help there would be no America. That’s why there is a Lafayette Square across the street from the White House.

QA’s from
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/03/earlyshow/main5131780.shtml#ixzz1Qb1RtMhF

Pelotonia 2011 here we come!

If someone asked you to ride your bike for more then 10 miles would you be up to it?  What about 23, 43 or even 180 miles? I would say that you are out of your mind! Though, I find myself waking up at 5:15 in the morning to work out and train for a bike ride in August that is 43 miles long. Why? Pelotonia! A word that seems to be rolling off so many people’s tongue these days! This is an amazing event where people come together for one purpose, to raise money for cancer research. 100% of the funds raised goes to the cause! There are so many of us that have felt the wrath of cancer. It could be a family member, friend or co-worker that has had or currently has cancer. No matter who it affects, cancer looks the same on everyone; a difficult story of someone who is loved by many people and struggling. In the big monstrosity of the disease there is a ray of hope. Hope is a big word that should always stay in our minds and hearts. Pelotonia makes hope feel bigger than the disease. This year they are planning on raising 12 million dollars forOhioStateUniversityComprehensiveCancerCenterandJamesCancerHospital, better known locally as The James.

 After having a Pelotonia representative come out and explain to us what Pelotonia is and how we can raise funds to get involved, Jack Maxton Chevrolet decided to form a Peloton team. In full support of Pelotonia, and our Peloton,  the owner of Jack Maxton Chevrolet was gracious enough to pay the entry fee of any employee that wanted to participate. Each Jack Maxton rider has their own reason for wanting to join. Here are a few…

 My name is Tomorrow and I want to ride for cancer.
In the beginning it was just the idea of riding for me, that is to say, for my health, but as I learn about Pelotonia I am developing a new understanding. Pelotonia is people coming together, in a way that is so rarely seen, to attack a problem that affects us all, in some way or another. 100% of the donation raised, 100% people, goes to cancer research! This is when I started to realize, Pelotonia is something BIG! Oh sure, I hear that little voice in my head saying “This is fruitless, what can ONE person do that’s really going to effect change?”, and to that I say “I can be one MORE!” One more helping another on a bicycle, one more raising funds to save lives, one more working for the greater good of humankind! I WANT TO BE ONE MORE RIDING TO END CANCER! For myself, for my children, for my neighbor and the friends I haven’t met yet! If we can do this, what other great things can our collaborations accomplish?! Please be one MORE! My goal is $1200, that’s 120 people giving $10. 100% of which goes to cancer research.100%!!! Donate and help me ride to end cancer!

 My name is Liz and I love cycling and I love making a difference. I feel very fortunate to lead the life I have, and I believe in giving back. My previous experience with cycling for a cause was also for a cancer-related group. It was a life-changing experience for me. I am so excited to do Pelotonia 11 with my coworkers!

I am riding Pelotonia 11 for my cousin, Holly Archer, who was diagnosed more than 7 years ago and continues to fight the battle. She is a beautiful, intelligent and funny woman who inspires others. I am honored to ride for Holly, and I’m proud to ride for others.

I ride for survivors. I ride for fighters. I ride for those who lost the battle. I ride for Holly.

This is my first year doing Pelotonia, and I believe it will be the first of many. Cancer is a horrible disease, and I love the idea that I can help fund the cure just by riding my bike, one of my favorite things. Thanks for supporting me in this endeavor. Together, we will save lives and change the world.

 My name is Heather and there are so many reasons why I want to collect funds for Pelotonia but, we will make this long story short. It seems everyone you ask knows someone who has had cancer or an incurable disease. You think that it will never happen to you or your family and then it comes out of no where. I lost my Dad to lung disease and sister to liver disease. All though there are treatments for these things, survival rate is low. So, when I hear about the leaps and bounds that are being made to cure cancer, I support them in a heart beat. There is the emotional factor and the physical factor. My sister Julie got liver disease from weight loss surgery. She always wanted to be fit and healthy and went to every extreme to be that way. When she was at the end of her rope she decided to have the surgery. Although, she looked great for a couple years, major complications came up. Her weight dropped from 300lbs to 70lbs. The liver disease developed and her dreams of being healthy went out the window. She fought the sickness for 5 years and passed in 2007. Now I want to be the athlete that she couldn’t be. I want to be an example of inspiration to people who think that they can not lose the weight. I have lost 69lbs and want to lose 30lbs more. Riding in this race will defiantly get me going in the right direction. I know that so many people feel discouraged with weight loss, but helping an amazing cause and exercising makes me feel close to the sister I lost.

 Everyone who rides will have a story that is waiting to be told. There are many ways to help with Pelotonia from riding to being a volunteer to making a donation. This is the 3^rd year for the event and we are so excited to join in! If you would like to help the Jack Maxton Chevrolet team make it to their $5,000 goal for cancer research please see link below. Please remember 100% of the funds go to cancer research.

 http://www.mypelotonia.org/team_profile.jsp?MemberID=124714

Are you thinking Chevy Cruze?

I have a car that is almost 12 years old and this year may be the year to trade it in. The car runs great but the body makes me look like I am still in college. There is a scratch here and a ding there. Getting out the car in a business suit does not do the car, or me, any justice. Then the question pops up “What car would fit my busy lifestyle?” I travel a lot and I always have a car full of stuff. I need something that is spacious and fuel efficient, this is truly a real case scenario. I recently helped a salesperson with a walk around video for the Chevy Cruze and it opened my eyes to how much thought and style went into this car.

This is a compact car that looks sporty and fun to drive. The trunk is amazingly big and the low stance makes it easy to load and unload. I never thought of the low stance but, now that it is offered, without doubt I want it! I can’t say enough about the fuel efficiency… 42mpg highway! When driving over 300 miles most weekends this is so important to me. Looking at the Cruze compared to other compact cars it defiantly stacks up.

Below are pictures that I took of the Cruze in the showroom to show off the stylish look.

Here is the walk around that made me consider the Chevy Cruze as my next car.