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I am a big fan of American Idol, so this season watch our blog for weekly thoughts and news!

“Pants on the Ground”

Only two episodes of American Idol’s ninth season have aired, and there is already a new song sweeping the nation. General Larry Platt, a 62 year old veteran, shared his original song, along with some dancing and calisthenics, with Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi, and guest judge Mary J. Blige in Atlanta. The song, entitled “Pants on the Ground,” not only shares a message (buy a belt, kids!), but it has a catchy beat too. After General Larry’s energetic performance, Simon said, “I have a horrible feeling that song could be a hit.” Mary J. Blige laughed until she cried, and Randy and Kara joined in with Larry on the chorus. In fact, by the end of the day the entire waiting room was getting down to “Pants on the Ground.”

Its not often that you find a company where several employees have worked there for long periods of time. Here at Dick Hannah, that is actually the norm rather than the abnormal. The service department at Honda is one example of employees who have chosen to make Dick Hannah Honda their home. I would like to acknowledge 3 technicians who are all celebrating a long employment anniversary of 20 years with the Hannah family. John Parthenay, Jim Hicks, and Ray Henderson.

This month celebrates 20 years of employment for John Parthenay as a technician at Dick Hannah Honda in Vancouver, WA. John has been a technician for over 25 years starting out at a Buick dealer in Portland, OR after he finished his associates degree, in Automotive, at Clark College.
John and his wife Cris, who have been married for 17 years, are raising their 3 boys in Vancouver, WA. When asked what keeps him working for the same company for so long John said ” It’s a great atmosphere, I’m treated well and I feel free to be myself. It’s a very family environment.”
Jim Hicks, who surprisingly met John while at Clark College together, and Ray also celebrated their 20th year with us in 2009. Jim and Ray both live with their families in Vancouver, WA.
I have definitely enjoyed working with them over the years and wanted to say thank you for your service and the positive attitude you bring to work here it makes for a fun work day.

I found this video and really enjoyed it! Happy Friday!

This last year Dick Hannah Dealerships shared it’s 60th birthday with the community here in the Vancouver/Portlandarea. What an achievement! This got me thinking about how things have changed since 1949 and 2010!

In 1949;

The cost of a first-class stamp: $0.03

The first Emmy Awards were handed out

The cost of gas: $0.17/Gal.

Average cost of a new car: $1,420

Average wages per year: $2,950

Cost of Milk: $0.84/Gal

Cost of Bread: $0.14/Loaf

The first Polaroid camera sold for $89.95

It is astounding to see how much has changed since then! It is also amazing to think that through all of this time Dick Hannah Dealerships has been here for all of these changes!

Wanting to escape the rain and feel like you’re having some summer fun with your kids! 3 words, Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound, WA!! What a wonderful family oriented, super fun place. I took my family there right before Christmas, My husband and I rode all the slides with the kids but of course we wore out way before them, they went until the pool closed. After that, the fun doesn’t end then they have so many activities for kids of all ages..teen dances, arcades, treasure hunts, story time and on and on. As my husband and I sat by the fireplace in the grand lobby the kids ran all over having a blast until almost midnight! Thank goodness for the Starbucks in the lobby. Everything you need is right in the lodge, 2 different restaurants, shopping, workout area and lots of places to grab a book and relax or watch the pool fun through the gigantic window..oh did I mention Starbucks …. The pool area is full of activities for small children to us big children including an indoor/outdoor hot tub!. The temperature is wonderful inside the pool in fact wear shorts if you plan to just watch the kids it is warm. We had so much fun and forgot about the grey rainy days outside the doors. Highly Recommended!

The 2011 Honda CR-Z Sport Hybrid Coupe is coming soon! This fantastic lookng, all-new Honda is making its official debut at the North American International Auto Show. The design is sleek and stylish while still keeping our enviroment, safety and fuel economy in mind! The CR-Z is said to go on sale in the United States in the late summer. Before then, take a look at this article below, released just yesterday, and view photos of the futuristic  CR-Z for yourself.

Production Version of 2011 Honda CR-Z Sport Hybrid Coupe Makes Official Debut

2010 Portland Boat Show
January 13th – 17th
Portland Expo Center
2600 North Marine Drive, Portland OR 97217

Bill Cosby
January 16th 4:30pm & 8:00pm
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
1037 SW Broadway, Portland OR 97205

FX Gravity Slashers
January 16th 7:30pm
Rose Garden
One Center Court, Portland OR 97227

2010 Portland Bridal Show
January 16th – 17th
Oregon Convention Center
777 NE Martin Luther King Blvd, Portland OR 97232

America’s Largest Antique & Collectible Show
January 16th – 17th
Clark County Event Center at the Clark County Fairgrounds Ridgefield, WA
I-5 North or South, Exit 9 (179th st.) West on 179th Street. Follow signs to parking.

For more great ideas for what to do around town, check out our Local Event Guide at the top of this page.

We are doing something VERY exciting here at Dick Hannah Honda! We are throwing a challenge out there to the Clark County School District’s students!

The program is simple, Clark County High School students that improve their GPA and Join our Fans Page http://www.facebook.com/DickHannahHonda win be entered into a drawing to win a 2010 Civic or $15,000 in cash.

Click Here to Read the Official Rules and Regulations

Women are buying new cars in record numbers. They are learning the steps in order to find great deals and Women friendly dealershipsby using the Internet. The Internet can be your best friend when purchasing a new car. There is no reason a women can not get a great deal when buying a new car; ladies, negotiate, negotiate, and negotiate!
Do some research first before going to any dealership. Decide what car you really want. Figure out how much you can afford. Know the actual invoice price before heading to the dealership. Locate the dealership that has the vehicle in stock. Call with any questions you may want before going to the dealership. It is also a good idea to set an appointment with a salesperson so that they are ready to show you what you want when you get there. Make sure you really pay attention to everything about the car when test-driving like the comfort of it and/or maybe the blind spots of it, road noise if any, things like that. Inspect the vehicle for any problems and get it in writing for the dealership to take care of it.
Drive it! You may have done all of your research but driving the vehicle is just as important. You may sit in the vehicle and decide it is not for you, not comfortable or you don’t like the way it feels.

Women are born shoppers and are thrifty ones as well. Take your time and don’t rush into anything.
Remember, the women of LiveLoveAndDrive, are just that….Women. We understand what you are going through in the car buying process and what most needs are. Never hesitate to use us for answers to any questions or to assistance in your search. Keep this in mind, before, during and even after the purchase. We would love to help!

Build, Remodel & Landscape Show

January 8th – 10th

Oregon Convention Center

777 NE MLK, Jr. Blvd.

Portland OR 97232

Tyler Perry in “Madea’s Big Happy Family”

Sunday January 10th @ 3:00pm

Memorial Coliseum

One Center Court
Portland, OR 97227

Switchfoot in concert

Monday January 11th @ 8:00pm

The Crystal Ballroom

1332 W Burnside St., Portland OR

Trail Blazers vs. Milwaukee Bucks

Wednesday January 13th @ 7:00pm

Rose Garden

One Center Court
Portland, OR 97227

Shelbyville Orchestra

Thursday January 14th @ 9:30pm

Laurelthirst Public House

2958 NE Glisan, Portland OR 97232

For more great ideas for what to do around town, check out our Local Event Guide at the top of this page.