Read Across America Day on March 6th

The Willard IB Elementary Magnet School celebrated Read Across America Day. This day was set aside to commemorate Dr. Seuss’ 104rd Birthday and to participate in a nationwide celebration of reading promoting literacy and honoring an author of timeless children’s books.  Dr. Seuss’ books are important to students because they break down literary elements – such as sentences and rhyming in easily understandable ways.  This year, as in the past couple of years, Liz Rusnak Arizmendi was asked to read to students in kindergarten on Thursday, March 6th.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week 2008 at Smashbox Studios

Mercedes-Benz USA continued in its longstanding association with fashion by entering into a multi-year title sponsorship of all of IMG’s Fashion Week. Their Los Angeles event took place on March 9-13th at SMASHBOX Studios in Culver City. Mercedes Benz Fashion Week revved up on Sunday the 9th, with nearly 40 designers commanding a turn on the catwalk to show Spring ‘08 collections. Hundreds of editors, stylists, retailers, celebrities and top clients were in attendance. Rusnak Mercedes-Benz guests included Shirley Schumacher, Susan Mohr, Lora and Lisa Hoshek, Alison Lockwood, Judy Van Wyck and Janna Gosselin.

New Jaguar XF Sports Sedan Went On Sale

On Monday, March 10th, 2008 Rusnak Pasadena introduced the Jaguar’s new 2009 XF sports sedan. The 2009 XF sedan embodies Jaguar's bold new design language. Visually striking, technologically advanced and driver-oriented, the XF has been praised by the world’s media as one of the most significant new Jaguar models ever produced. With more than 10,000 XF pre-orders already taken worldwide, customers are eager to get behind the wheel of the XF. “The launch of any new Jaguar is special, but the new XF promises to be truly exceptional,” says Haitham Fakhoury, General Manager of Rusnak Jaguar Pasadena. “It has certainly caught the attention of the media and our customers as well as people new to the Jaguar brand.” The 2009 XF will be priced starting at $49,975 MSRP for the V8 Luxury model. The V8 Premium Luxury model will feature a base MSRP of $55,975 while the 420 horsepower Supercharged XF will start at $62,975 MSRP. All prices include a $775 destination and delivery charge. Tax, title and registration fees not included. For more information on the all-new 2009 Jaguar XF, contact Rusnak Jaguar located at 337 West Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, 91105 or call our Experienced Sales Associate at (626) 449-0770.

Rusnak Arcadia Recognized As Mercedes-Benz
Best Of The Best Dealer

On March 11, 2008, Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) announced that Rusnak Mercedes-Benz of Arcadia, California has received the prestigious Mercedes-Benz Best of the Best Dealer Recognition Award based on its outstanding performance in 2007. Rusnak Mercedes-Benz was presented the award as a tribute to its success as an independent entrepreneur who routinely exceeds the expectations of Mercedes-Benz owners. This year, MBUSA is recognizing the top 15 percent of its retail network (51 out of 345 dealerships) with the Best of the Best recognition. The award, which is presented annually, goes to top performing Mercedes-Benz dealerships for demonstrating superior performance in various areas of their business, including customer satisfaction, new vehicle sales, certified pre-owned sales, leadership and management, parts operations, and market penetration. “These dealers represent the essence of the Mercedes-Benz brand: an enduring commitment to excellence combined with an entrepreneurial spirit and the absolute dedication to customer satisfaction,” said Ernst Lieb, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA. “These are dealers who believe, as we do, that the ultimate measure of success is not only business acumen but also meeting the expectations of each and every customer every time – no exceptions.” MBUSA, headquartered in Montvale, N.J., is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the United States. In 2007, MBUSA achieved an all-time sales record of 253,433 new vehicles, setting the highest sales volume ever in its history and achieving 14 consecutive years of sales growth. For more information, contact Rusnak Mercedes-Benz located at 55 West Huntington Drive, Arcadia or call our Experienced Sales Associate at (626) 447-1117.

Distinguished Speaker Series

On Wednesday, March 19th, 2008 Distinguished Speakers Series of Southern California presented Lisa Ling. Lisa Ling has risked her life reporting compelling stories from hot-spots around the globe - North Korea’s secret society, AIDS orphans in Uganda, bride burning in India, drug wars in Colombia, China’s one-child policy and 1,600 feet below the sea all this as  a special correspondent for National Geographic’s Ultimate Explorer and the Oprah Winfrey Show. In these roles, Ling has been working in television for over 17 years. Her career took off at Channel One, where she became the network’s youngest war correspondent at 25. She went on to serve as co-host on The View from 1999-2000. She also hosts specials for The Oxygen Network, writes for USA Weekend, and is the co-author of Mother, Daughter, Sister, Bride. Rusnak Mercedes-Benz has been a proud sponsor of the Distinguished Speakers Series for the past 8 years. To purchase your season tickets, please visit them online at www.speakersla.com or call Kathy Winterhalder at (310) 546-6222.

Join The Fun... Flintridge Prep's 2008
Fathers Club Golf Tournament

On Monday, April 28, the Flintridge Prep's Annual Golf Tournament will be held at La Canada Flintridge Country Club, sponsored by the Fathers Club. This popular Prep tradition helps benefit the John Plumb '64 Endowment Fund which supports faculty enrichment and development programs. This year's Hole-in-One Prize is a 2009 Jaguar XF provided by Rusnak Jaguar Pasadena. As always, a reception and dinner will follow the golf with more prizes to be awarded. If you are interested in participating, contact Barbara Ealy, Prep's Director of Special Events at (818) 949-5522.

Experience the 11th Annual Big Night Out

On Saturday, May 10, AIDS Service Center (ASC) will host the 11th Anniversary of Big Night Out. This unique affair explores the charm and elegance of Pasadena and surrounding area by hosting approximately twenty exclusive dinner parties in some of the region’s most distinguished and historic settings.
Big Night Out has become one of the region’s most enthusiastically anticipated events and ASC’s premiere fund raising event. The concept is simple: guests gather at a central location for a gala reception, which precedes the evening’s activities. The gala includes auctions, hors-d'oeuvres, and a hosted bar. The auctions include a range of must-have items from the travel and entertainment industries to personal services and luxury goods. Following the gala reception you will make your way to one of the privately themes dinner parties.
Tickets for BIG NIGHT OUT are $200. Reception only are $75. For more information, including how to purchase tickets or to become involved with BIG NIGHT OUT, please contact Anthony Guthmiller, Director of Marketing at (626) 441-8495 ext. 241 or email amg@aidssc.org.
Rusnak Automotive Group has been a proud sponsor of Big Night Out for the past 5 years and we welcome you to this event.
AIDS Service Center (ASC) provides HIV-related services to individuals and families in Los Angeles County. ASC takes pride in providing a continuum of services to those affected by HIV/AIDS. With a staff of 65 and a volunteer base of over 600, ASC provides food, housing services, transportation, comprehensive case management, child care, mental health services and advocacy to over 1,500 clients and their families each year. In addition, ASC reaches 4,000 community members annually with HIV prevention and education services, which include The Positive Workplace, a corporate focused training program and SHARE, a sexual health and relationships educational program targeting youth from grades six and up. ASC also offers free and anonymous HIV testing. Information on AIDS Service Center can be found at www.aidsservicecenter.org.

From The Rusnak Mailbox

Numerous letters of gratitude were received this month. Here is one we would like to share with you.

We start off this month’s mail with a wonderful letter to Paul Rusnak:

Dear Mr. Rusnak,

I took delivery of my new Audi A4 last week. I am thrilled with the car, as I am sure most owners are. I was assisted throughout the purchase process by Michael Phelan. He responded to my on-line inquiry, he did the entire transaction by phone (I was turning in a 2005 A4, so there was no question that 1 knew what I wanted). Michael found the car for me in San Jose and transported it to Pasadena. He brought the contracts to my office for signatures, and he delivered the car to my door on his day off. It could not have been easier for me. As we speak, he, along with Johnnie Borja, is assisting me with the lease return, helping to minimize my out-of-pocket penalties.
My kudos to Michael for his excellent and professional service. And Johnnie is the best service rep I have ever had, and I am glad he is back to work after his surgery. He still climbed under my car even while he was in pain and awaiting surgery! He doesn't appear to know he is a grandpa! He gets dirty with the best of them.
Your entire operation has shown itself to be top notch over and over again, including the last boy who drove me back to work after I dropped the car for service. Everyone is professional. You should be very proud. I whole-heartedly refer all my friends to Rusnak. Please make this letter a part of the personnel files of Michael and Johnnie.

Sincerely,
Cindy Callas

Dear Rusnak Auto Group,

Thank you so much for your involvement in out tournament and for coming on board with the Lakers Youth Foundation. I hope we have a long and very productive relationship and do lots of good things in the community.

Regards,
Linda Rambis
Manager of Special Events
Los Angeles Lakers

Hi Liz,

This is fantastic- thanks for all you do to promote Hillsides to the community and your generous support!!!

Take care,
Carrie Espinoza
Hillsides

Liz,

You are really a role model in terms of high end promotions and philanthropy!

Thanks again!

Best,
Ava Yu
Publisher/Editor in Chief
ViViD Magazine

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