It’s amazing. I’m looking at the calendar and can’t believe it is already 2009.

When a year goes by this fast, it means we all had a lot of fun. And I wanted to thank our loyal customer base for that. The retail car business is tough work with long hours – great customers, like you, make all the hours worth it.

We’ve got a lot to look forward in 2009. It’s a whole new year, with a whole new set of possibilities. I look forward to earning your business again every time you stop by our dealership and I look forward to earning the business of your family and friends by putting the same type of hard work and friendly service behind everything we do.

I’d like to wish you and your family a prosperous New Year, from everyone here at Honda of Wesley Chapel.

Sincerely,

George Ernst
President

We have embarked upon a new year, and looking forward to 2009 is exciting! The beginning of each year brings the promise of hope and change; it’s the commencement to self-transformation.

So, what are your New Year’s Resolutions? If you’ve made a list, you’re not alone. People around the world have been making lists of resolutions for over two thousand years. The tradition began when the mythical Roman King Janus—for which the first month of our calendar year is named—declared the onset of each year as a time to forgive neighbors and to start anew with fellow citizens. Today, we still regard this time-honored tradition as an opportunity for positive alteration.

Here are some tips for keeping your resolutions on track:

Choose Goals that are Realistic: If a resolution is reasonable it is easier to remain committed. And, once you begin to notice the beneficial effects, you will most likely be inspired to keep it going!

Break Down Your Goals: Once you’ve set your goals, write down steps on how you will make them successful. Take a goal that is broad and narrow it down to a few sensible solutions. With each step you accomplish, you’ll feel one step closer to achieving your goal.

Be Kind to Yourself: Don’t worry if you encounter a setback. In fact, it may be a bumpy road on your path to your success. This is to be expected. Put temporary setbacks behind you as you continually move forward.

Don’t Do It Alone: It is more likely that you will attain your goals, especially the difficult ones—quitting smoking, losing weight, reduce financial debt—if you are not doing it alone. Positive feedback and support will help keep you motivated.

The Payment Erasers are coming to Honda of Wesley Chapel.
A national automobile marketing firm and a group of local dealers,
frustrated with the number of customers they encountered who were
upside-down in their trade, formed the original PAYMENT ERASER team.
The marketing firm and the group of dealers have been working together
for nearly a decade.

The PAYMENT ERASERS found that by partnering with hand-picked
dealers and lenders and by using unique and proprietary financing
methods, that the PAYMENT ERASERS could virtually ERASE up to 24
remaining payments from ANY LOAN OR LEASE – that’s TWO YEARS
WORTH OF PAYMENTS.

The next step for the team was to determine how to allow customers
to purchase a newer, better car for the same monthly payment. By
shopping at wholesale auctions from across the country, the team buys
only the best values on the market. This way, the PAYMENT ERASERS can
virtually guarantee that your new vehicle will have the same OR EVEN A
LOWER PAYMENT than you are currently making.

The final part of the puzzle was down payment. While many dealers
work to obtain a large down payment, the PAYMENT ERASERS knew this
isn’t what most consumers want. The PAYMENT ERASERS brought in only
the best NATIONAL LENDERS who require little or NO DOWN PAYMENT.
Now, the PAYMENT ERASERS are conducting a national tour, helping
customers from state to state. However, the PAYMENT ERASERS have just
one weekend in each market. If you miss this event now, you will have to
continue making payments for up to the next two years!

This New Year is particularly important to our nation as we welcome a new leader. Barack Obama will be the 44^th president of the United States. At noon on January 20^th, President-elect Obama will take an oath and then be sworn into office by Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. The event takes place on the west front of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington D.C. Inauguration ceremonies are filled with pomp and circumstance and include the symbolic changing of guards, salutes to the new Commander-In-Chief, celebratory parades, and a festive grand ball.

One of the most significant aspects of the ceremony will be the new president’s declaration of his administration’s intent. John F. Kennedy’s legendary inauguration speech made a distinct impression when he stated, “Ask not what your country can country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” As the ceremony closes, and with tradition, our new president will accept an invitation to lunch, extended by United States Congress. And then, finally, he will head to his new home—the White House.

Wind-Up MP3 Player: The MP3 player has just become one step more popular: a wind-up addition. Although this manually wind-up device is not as sleek as its electronic cousin, you never have to worry about plugging it in to recharge. Throw this earth-friendly gadget in your bag, and your set.

Amazon’s Kindle: This e-book reader was launched by the popular online bookseller. The reader downloads content through Amazon.com and makes the material readable on an electronic paper display. The first day that Kindle was on the market, it sold out in five and a half hours. See a picture of Kindle

Bluetooth Wireless Speaker: This wireless speaker frees us of messy cords by using Bluetooth technology. With an extremely compact design, this speaker fits into any space and allows you to enjoy wireless music from an iPod, MP3 player, personal computer, or cell phone.

Did you know that 99% of Americans own a television? And, the majority of those households own multiple sets. That’s more than 300 million televisions in the United States! The bad news for our environment: TV’s are notorious for consuming loads of energy and older TV’s are made with mercury and lead, which make them difficult to recycle. With the advancement of technology and the transition to digital broadcasting in February, you may want to consider purchasing a television that is clearer, sleeker, and more eco-friendly. The top choice for 2009’s “green TV”? The Liquid Crystal Display, more commonly known as LCD. These televisions have considerably lower energy consumption than other types of sets and the lowest amount of mercury. Couple these environmental benefits with the savings on your monthly electricity bill, and it’s easy to see which TV is right for 2009.

Is heating your house putting the heat on your budget? If spending 6% – 12% of your annual income on utilities doesn’t seem like a bright idea, follow these easy and inexpensive tips to save money on your electricity, water, and heating expenses.

Change Light Bulbs: CFL bulbs last ten times longer than regular bulbs. That means that over the light’s lifetime, it can save you up to $60 in electricity.

Pull the Plug on Appliances: 40% of your household electronics’ energy is consumed when the appliances are turned off! To stop wasting energy and money, pull the plug on appliances if you are rarely using them, going away for vacation, or whenever not is use. Another alternative is to use a Smart Power Strip. This device stops the energy flow when appliances are turned off.

Cold Water in the Washer: Washing your clothes in cold-water saves 50% of the energy you would use by washing in hot water. And you’ll keep your colors bright, too!

Minimize Drafts: Save about $30 a year on your energy bill by adding weather-strip around the frames of your front and back doors.

Water Your Greens in the Morning: Save water by starting your sprinkler before the hot afternoon sun has the chance to dry the moisture. Also, remember that the average lawn only needs to be watered one hour a week.

It’s no secret that we’ve hit some difficult financial times. But remaining positive will help us recover quicker and with less stress. So when you are feeling down, follow these pick-me-ups to provide a more positive work environment. And, remember: positivism produces productivity!

Relax: Stress is the opposite of relaxation. Too much stress can lead to health problems such as high blood pressure and heart disease. When you feel overly stressed at work, slow down and breath deeply for a few minutes. This will relax your body, clear your mind, and allow you tackle complicated issues as they come.

Good Work Skills: Focus on your work skills. When tasks seem minimal or repetitive, be aware of this, and continue to work hard. When doing something skillful—no matter how small the task—you’ll find pride in yourself and in the work you do.

Be Open to Change: As your company faces new challenges, be open to trying new and different ways of doing things in order to achieve new goals and targets. Being flexible and willing to accept new responsibilities for tasks outside your normal scope of work will enable you to learn new skills and result in job enrichment and personal satisfaction.

Change Your Attitude: We’ve all heard of the term, “Fake it till you make it!”. This is true for your attitude as well. Forcing yourself to “act” positively will eventually be contagious. The mood of your co-workers will improve and you may just pick up some of your own enthusiasm!

In January of 1968, one of today’s most utilized technological tools was born—the computer mouse! When it was first introduced at the Stanford Research Institute, the public wasn’t so sure about the square shape, handcrafted wood case, and giant wheel contraption. In fact, it hardly looked like our modern mouse—except for the “tail” or cord connecting it to the computer. (Ironically, contemporary mice are wireless and don’t have “tails” at all!) But, once this handy device did catch on, using a personal computer has never been the same.

Check out some great pictures of early computer mice

How clean is your food? Of course you wash your fresh fruit and veggies. But, do you wash them well enough? What about the packaged foods you expect to be uncontaminated? You may be surprised how many common groceries need a good scrubbing.

The first on the list of sullied foods is eggs! About 2 million bad eggs are shipped each year to your grocery stores. That results in making up to 660,000 people sick. To buy eggs that are untainted, make sure your eggs are pasteurized and are free of cracks or leaks.

If you are a fruit lover, you may want to think twice about how healthy your peaches really are. Because peach skin is soft, it absorbs more pesticides than other fruit. An average peach may have as many as nine various pesticides. If you want to eat nothing but fruit, consider buying organic.

It may be easy to open a pre-packaged salad mix, throw in your favorite goodies, and have a ready-to-eat salad. But, even though the packaging may flaunt that the greens have been washed thoroughly, they may still contain unhealthy germs. Next time, be sure to wash your pre-packaged lettuce for safer eating.

No matter how sweet your melons may be, the germs they carry may still turn your stomach sour. 3.5% of melons carry stomach-turning bacteria. That percentage doubles in cantaloupes. Don’t shy away from the fruit, just scrub with mild dish soap before slicing.

The bacteria in scallions has been blamed on the way they grow (in the dirt). They have been known to carry parasites and even Hepatitis A. However, with a proper washing, your scallions will be squeaky clean and free of germs.

As we reflect upon the past year, it is important to note the dynamic events that have taken our nation into an opportunistic era. One particular element that has set this shift in motion is the strong presence of pioneering woman in our current affairs. The following include some of the most influential women of 2008.

Hillary Clinton: The former first lady campaigned for the United States Presidency. She did not win her party’s nomination, but fought an impressive race and was considered the first possible woman candidate for the Oval Office.

Sarah Palin: Alaska’s first female and youngest governor was appointed as the Republican vice presidential nominee. With a polarizing popularity, Sarah Palin is assured a place in history books.

Tina Fey: The comedienne, and “Saturday Night’s Live’s” former first female head writer, returned to her stomping grounds to sing the praises of Clinton’s strengths and to impersonate a dead-ringer for Sarah Palin. Her political satires did not go on unnoticed by the country, making some laugh and causing controversy with others.

Katie Couric: The CBS evening news anchorwoman was recognized to be a razor sharp political reporter during the election. With impressive interviews with both Hilary Clinton and Sarah Palin—in a civil and insistent manner—she has proved herself deserved of the anchor desk’s only chair.

Dara Torres: The oldest female swimmer medalist made an encore performance this summer in China. Torres is the first and oldest swimmer to participate in five Olympics.

If you are looking to add more antioxidants to your diet, an instant de-stressor, or even looking to lose weight, believe it or not, you may want to turn to one of the most popular sweet treats in the world: chocolate! Dark chocolate contains many ingredients that have proved to be beneficial for your health.

It has been proven that cacao, the source of chocolate, is surprisingly loaded with antibacterial benefits that fight tooth decay: a mono-saturated fat that raises good cholesterol and fluorides may increase blood vessel’s elasticity.

If you don’t like the taste of chocolate, try smelling it. When inhaling the scent of chocolate, a positive chemical releases in the brain waves and promotes relaxation. How about drinking chocolate? Just a cup of chocolate before a meal will decrease your appetite. In some cultures, chocolate is even used to treat insect bites! If these aren’t reasons enough to love chocolate, the decadent food raises serotonin levels in the brain. As a result, the feeling is similar to that of being in love!