Serra Cares

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

How to Travel With Pets

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., – Going on a vacation soon with your furry friend? If you're planning on taking a long drive to get you and your pet to your destination, traveling with them involves more than just monitoring them while you drive. Knowing how to travel with pets will make the road trip process easier for everyone in the vehicle, yourself included. Follow these tips to make sure your pet obtains an enjoyable experience in your vehicle, regardless of the drive time!

Before the Trip

Before you leave, you'll want to make sure your pet can get used to longer drives. Take them on short drives a few weeks prior, making each drive slightly longer than the last. This way, they'll be able to get used to spending increased time in the vehicle, making them feel less anxious for longer journeys. You can ensure the safety and security of your pets by purchasing a large and comfortable carrier for them. It should be large enough so that they can sit, stand, lie down, and turn around in. Also having them get used to it before you leave on your trip is a good idea.

What to Pack

Depending on where you travel, you may or may not need your pet's rabies vaccination records. Some states require proof of this at interstate crossings. While this isn't usually an issue, it's better to be safe than sorry. You should also make sure you pack these items to ensure your pet enjoys a safe and fun ride:

Food and water with bowls
Leash
Waste scoop
Plastic bags
Any medication needed
Bed for sleeping
Collar w/tag imprinted with your address/phone number
Favorite toy/pillow
Paper towels/stain and odor remover (just in case!)

During the Trip

While your pets are bound to enjoy the fun ride, it's up to you as the owner to remain attentive and make sure that your pet has everything it may need for an enjoyable experience. About three to four hours before you leave, you should feed your pet a light meal. From there, you should feed them every time you stop to use the bathroom or if they have to use the bathroom. Don't feed them in a moving vehicle! Other tips that can help make or break your drive may include:

Bring bottled or tap water so your pet doesn't get an upset stomach with unfamiliar water.
Make sure your pet's crate is well secured and ventilated to maximize safety and comfortability.
Don't leave your animal alone in your vehicle on a hot or cold day! Your vehicle works like a furnace or freezer and can severely harm a dog if left unchecked, even with the windows down.
If you drive a pickup, do not let your pet sit in the truck bed for extended periods of time. They can fall out or potentially be harmed by road debris.
Stop frequently (at least 2-3 hours in between drives) so you and your pet can stretch and use the bathroom if needed.
Make sure to call ahead to your hotel or wherever you're staying to ensure that your room is pet friendly.

After the Trip

Now that you're home, it's time to relax and get everything taken out of your vehicle. Once you're unpacked, you'll want to get your vehicle back up to speed as soon as possible. If your pet sheds frequently and your backseat is now coated in hair, use the "rubber glove" trick to get as much fur as you can. Moisten a rubber glove and use it to collect loose pet hair for easy removal, then finish off the job with your vacuum cleaner. A great way to manage fur is to invest in a seat cover or keep your pets in your crate. If you sprinkle baking soda on your floor and cloth seats and vacuum it after leaving it overnight, your vehicle will smell good as new!

Hitting the road with your pet is one of the most enjoyable experiences you and your furry friend can share together. Making sure that you both are safe is the number one way to enjoy your ride without any hassle. Now that you know how to travel with pets, you can get started on your vacation with ease! Use our organizational car hacks to tidy up your vehicle for any journey you undertake, and use our road trip tips to make the most of your drive, no matter how long or short. Before you leave, make sure you have your vehicle inspected to make sure you'll be able to drive without any difficulties or inconveniences.

At Serra of Traverse City, we’re happy to offer you the best dealership experience in the Cherry Capital area. You can find the latest selection of Audi, Nissan, Toyota, VW, and Volvo vehicles at our North Campus location at 1301 S Garfield Ave, Traverse City, MI. If you’re looking for the newest Cadillac and Subaru inventory, or our Collision Center, our South Campus is located at 1747 S Garfield Ave, Traverse City, MI 49686. Our used vehicles and certified pre-owned headquarters is just across the street.

Website: http://www.serratraversecity.com

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Monday, August 28, 2017

How Serra Gives Back to the Community

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., – At Serra Traverse City, we value our community first and foremost - they're the reason we've been proud to serve the Cherry Capital for as long as we have! We have made it our goal in the past few years to give back to the amazing and wonderful community that's provided so much for us. Find out how Serra gives back to the community today by reading about some of our past efforts to make the Grand Traverse Area the welcoming and incredible community we know it is!

Subaru Share the Love

This past January, Serra Traverse City worked together with Subaru on its ninth annual Share the Love event to give back to nonprofits in the area! For every vehicle purchased in the month of January, Serra donated $250 to a nonprofit organization of the buyer's choice. From ASPCA to Meals on Wheels, organizations in the area and nationally, received no cap on donations from Serra Traverse City. We hope to bring back this incredible event next January as well. Follow our social media for further updates on Subaru Share the Love in the future!

Blanket Donation - Cowell Family Cancer Center

Recently, we partnered with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and donated over eight large boxes of blankets, handwritten messages, and Crayola art kits to patients with leukemia and lymphoma at the Cowell Family Cancer Center. We worked directly with Subaru Loves to Care to fulfill their community promise: "to do right by the communities in which we live and work". We at Serra Traverse City took it one step further with additional blanket and art kit donations, giving back to the incredible community that's given us so much!

Iceman Cometh Bike Race

Last November, we sponsored the one-of-a-kind Iceman Cometh Challenge! Bikers travel through the unpredictable November weather conditions from Kalkaska to Traverse City every year in Michigan's most competitive bike race. Luckily, bikers this year were able to enjoy their competition in warm and welcoming November weather, but who knows what this year's weather will provide them? We were proud to join Subaru in sponsorship of this amazing event, and hope to provide further support for the Iceman Cometh race in the future!

Subaru Loves Pets

We partnered with Subaru once more last October in the Subaru Loves Pets event, benefitting the H.A.N.D.D.S. to the Rescue, a nonprofit that provides medication and housing to animals that have been treated poorly in the past. We held an Adopt-A-Thon in our Subaru Showroom to help pets find new homes, collecting pet supplies all month to donate to new pet owners as well. Keep an eye out this upcoming October for a chance to adopt another lovely dog from H.A.N.D.D.S. to the Rescue!

Help Us Give Back to the Community

Know a nonprofit or local organization that we could help to support in the Traverse City area? Let us know! We'll gladly reach out to them to help support the local causes in our community. Keep up with us on our Twitter and Facebook pages to find out what we'll be supporting in the future and how you can give back or participate in any of our events! We're proud to support our community in any we can and we thank you for any support you provide us along the way!

At Serra Traverse City, we value our community and all they've done for us. Now that you know how Serra gives back to the community, you can help us make a difference in the Grand Traverse area! Contact us if you know of any causes, local businesses, or nonprofits that we can support to help improve the world around us. Find out about our recent community involvements through August and beyond, and take a look at our Community Involvement page to find out how Serra Traverse City has impacted the Cherry Capital in the past few years!

Friday, August 25, 2017

High School Back to School Checklist

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., – School is almost back in session and the summer is coming to an end. Back to school deals have taken over stores, with children from elementary to high school looking for their supplies to start their new year. We've put together a high school back to school checklist so you and your high schooler can beat the crowds and find everything you need in a quick and efficient manner. From 9th to 12th grade, we've got each year covered with any of the necessities they may require!

9th Grade

For 9th graders, high school is just beginning! While the transition from middle school to high school may be a big leap, shopping for high schoolers is virtually stress-free. Years of schooling and purchasing supplies will give your high schooler a better idea of what they want and need with supplies. Refer to this list to make sure you get everything you need:

Flash Drive
Binder with dividers per-subject
(2) 3-subject notebooks
Mechanical pencils, No. 2 pencils
Geometry set
Graph paper
Calculator (scientific or graphing)
Post-it Notes
Mini Stapler
Erasers
Whiteout
Lined Paper

10th Grade

At this point, your high schooler will have a much better idea of what they'll need in order to succeed in high school. Their class schedule will be more personalized, which means they'll be taking classes in tune with their interests. You may already have most of these supplies at home, but just in case you don't, make sure you check everything off this list!

Package of notecards
(2-3) Binders
Mini Stapler/Staple Remover
Whiteout
Pens and Pencils (red, blue, black, and No. 2)
Highlighters
(1) 3-subject notebook
Agenda
Graphing Calculator
USB drive
College ruled paper
Graph paper

11th Grade

11th grade is test-prep year! ACT and SAT tests take place at this time, and college application season begins at the end of the year. Stay ahead of the curve and make sure your high schooler is prepared and competitive for college scholarships with these important items:

ACT/SAT Prep Book
Pencil Sharpener
Package of No. 2 pencils
White/Pink erasers
5-tab dividers
Ream of white/color copy paper
USB drive
3-ring binders
Notecards
Stapler w/staple removers
Planner
Accordion-style folder for homework

12th Grade

The last time you go shopping for school supplies before college begins can be a bittersweet experience. Help your high schooler kick off their final year in high school in style with these must-have supplies:

2 GB or higher flash drive (this can last through college)
Poster board for presentation
Calculator or phone with calculator (depends on teacher)
Pocket folders w/3-hole punches
Backpack (this can last through college too)
Loose-leaf notebook paper
Ballpoint pens (red, blue, black, green)
No. 2 pencils w/sharpeners
Mechanical pencils w/extra lead
College prep guide
Index cards, ruled and unruled
Mini stapler
3-hole punch

Not only will these supplies help to keep your high schooler organized and ready to take on their next big chapter, but they'll also help to create future organization skills when they're older. Make sure your high schooler is ready for the new year with our high school back to school checklist. From graphing calculators to test-prep guides, your high schooler will develop important study, organization, and preparation skills with these items. Before the summer ends, make sure you check everything off our end of the summer bucket list, and utilize our road trip tips to make your next vacation the best one yet! Enjoy the rest of the summer and beat the crowds with our easy-to-follow list!

At Serra of Traverse City, we’re happy to offer you the best dealership experience in the Cherry Capital area. You can find the latest selection of Audi, Nissan, Toyota, VW, and Volvo vehicles at our North Campus location at 1301 S Garfield Ave, Traverse City, MI. If you’re looking for the newest Cadillac and Subaru inventory, or our Collision Center, our South Campus is located at 1747 S Garfield Ave, Traverse City, MI 49686. Our used vehicles and certified pre-owned headquarters is just across the street.

Website: http://www.serratraversecity.comFollow us on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Serra Cadillac Subaru Google+, Serra Nissan Volvo Google+, Serra Audi Toyota VW Google+, Serra Toyota Google+, Collision Center Google+, and YouTube

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Nissan Previewing New LEAF Model in Detroit

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., – The first-ever Technology in Motion conference held in Detroit will feature presentations from startup companies, mobile technology leaders, and previews of what the future has in store for vehicle drivers. This year, Nissan will be previewing the new LEAF model in Detroit, providing conference-goers with a firsthand look at the future of the world's current bestselling electric vehicle. On Wednesday, September 6th at 9:00 AM, Chris Reed, the Vice President of Research and Development at Nissan will give attendees a closer look at what the new Nissan LEAF has to offer.

Attendees of Technology in Motion will also get the opportunity to preview Nissan's newest ProPILOT Assist and ePedal technology. These features seek to create and market accessible and integrated advanced technology systems to mainstream vehicles. ProPILOT Assist automatically adjusts acceleration and braking speeds in traffic, keeping drivers perfectly positioned in their lanes. The ePedal technology simplifies braking, speeding up, and adjusting by relocating all of these features into one adjustable pedal. Watch the video below to learn about ProPILOT Assist and ePedal technology today!

TIM Detroit attendees will have the opportunity to hear about the 2018 Nissan LEAF from Chris Reed, vice president, research & development, Nissan Technical Center North America. Reed will participate in a fireside chat on Wednesday, Sept. 6, at 9 a.m. from the Main Stage inside Cobo Center.

"The launch of the Nissan LEAF is the perfect kickoff for TIM Detroit," said KC Crain, president and chief operating officer, Crain Communications – a co-producer of TIM Detroit. "It clearly demonstrates the innovative spirit that TIM Detroit is designed to showcase."

With over 280,000 vehicles already sold, the Nissan LEAF is currently the best selling electric vehicle in the United States. Before Nissan previews the new LEAF model in Detroit, get your hands on a brand new Nissan LEAF at Serra Traverse City today! Take a look at our LEAF inventory to view pricing, reviews, vehicle details, and more. If you're interested in preordering a brand new 2018 Nissan LEAF, give us a call and we can place your order right away. Whether you're buying or leasing a vehicle, we have something for everyone at Northern Michigan's largest car dealership!

Friday, August 18, 2017

Serra Cares for the Community of Traverse City

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., – At Serra Traverse City, we value our involvement with our community first and foremost. We make it our goal to give back to the community that's given so much to us! Whether we're partnering with local businesses or donating valuable supplies to community foundations, Serra cares for the community of Traverse City! We appreciate every member of the community and try to show it in any way we can!

Subaru Blanket Donation - Cowell Family Cancer Center

Serra Cares for the Community of Traverse City

This August, Serra Traverse City partnered with Subaru Loves to Care to donate blankets to the Cowell Family Cancer Center on the campus of Munson Healthcare of Traverse City. We teamed up with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society during June and fulfilled Subaru's Love Promise: "to do right by the communities in which we live and work". We donated over eight large boxes full of blankets and Crayola art kits with handwritten messages of hope. These supplies were distributed to patients with Leukemia and Lymphoma. We took Subaru's Love Promise one step further by going above and beyond for the Cowell Family Cancer Center!

Customer Appreciation - Traverse City Golf & Country Club

Our customers are the only reason we're in business. Thanks to them, we've been proud to serve the Grand Traverse area for years! We wanted to show them how much we care, so we put together a Customer Appreciation event at the Traverse City Golf & Country Club. We provided food, refreshments, and entertainment to community members while introducing them and their guests to Serra's latest and greatest Cadillac, Audi, and Volvo vehicles. We're proud to serve the Grand Traverse area by providing them with a fun and relaxing banquet!

If you're interested in seeing how Serra has impacted the community, take a look at our Community Involvement to see what we've done for the Cherry Capital. Make sure to let us know if you know of any local organizations that could use our help! If you're interested in getting a closer look at the vehicles we featured in our Customer Appreciation event, view our new vehicle inventory to see detailed images and descriptions of our Volvo, Audi, and Cadillac vehicles! Serra cares for the community of Traverse City, and we have made it our goal to impact the community in a positive and helpful way, whether it's through charitable donations, community involvement, or customer appreciation!

Thursday, August 17, 2017

Subaru Donates 50 Vehicles to Meals on Wheels

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., – In honor of its 50th anniversary doing business in the United States, Subaru donated 50 vehicles to Meals on Wheels America, to help improve the health and well-being of thousands of senior citizens across the country. Subaru has proudly partnered with Meals on Wheels for the past 9 years, providing over $12 million in donations and over 1.7 million healthy meals, visits, and check-ins for and with community members. This generous donation will provide Meals on Wheels with 50 fuel efficient vehicles, helping the organization save money on fuel while transporting meals across the United States.

The donation of 50 2018 Subaru Outback vehicles is part of the Subaru Loves to Help campaign, a community effort dedicated to providing a positive impact on a local and national level. The donated Outback vehicles will be co-branded with Subaru Loves to Help and Meals on Wheels designs to stand out on the road as meals are delivered to local communities. Locally, the Benzie County on Aging, Inc. located in Honor, MI, will receive one of these Outbacks, which will help provide Meals on Wheels to Northern Michigan in a fuel efficient style.

“We were pleased to break this announcement to our retailers as they do so much to help their local communities and showing them the first of 50 vehicles in the metal really brings the program to life,” said Thomas J. Doll, president and chief operating officer, Subaru of America, Inc. “We wanted to celebrate our 50th anniversary in America in a way that is appropriate for our brand and are delighted to donate vehicles that will support local communities by combatting threats of isolation and hunger affecting seniors across the country. At Subaru, we believe in providing safe and reliable vehicles for all of life’s journeys and are honored to partner with Meals on Wheels to help people live more nourished lives.”

Subaru Loves to Help dedicates its efforts towards improving local communities around the country. With Subaru's donation of 50 vehicles to Meals on Wheels, the automotive brand reaffirms its commitment to helping small towns by providing senior citizens easy access to meals. We at Serra Traverse City share Subaru's values of making the world a better place, and we do so through our own community involvement! If you are interested in purchasing a 2018 Subaru Outback similar to the vehicle the Meals on Wheels drivers will be using, take a look at our Outback inventory to find the perfect 2018 Subaru Outback for your needs!

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Organizations That Make Traverse City Great

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., – The Cherry Capital is considered one of the best beach towns in America, and it's no wonder: with fun in the sun, year-round activities, and an exciting night life, it's practically the perfect town! However, Traverse City wouldn't be where it is without the incredible people that live in it and the amazing organizations they support. From restoration projects to soup kitchens, these organizations that make Traverse City great prove why Traverse City is one of the best towns in the United States!

Pandora Org

Pandora Org, a medical nonprofit located in Traverse City, focuses its efforts towards finding a cure for neuro-endocrine-immune diseases like fibromyalgia, chronic Lyme disease, and other ailments. They've raised funds for research grants, patient care programs, community education, and physician education programs to better improve the knowledge of these diseases and how they affect the world. So far, they've successfully provided aid and treatment to hundreds affected by the disease with their Compassionate Care programs and transportation to important appointments.

Fox Island Lighthouse Association (FILA)

What started as a group project to repair a lighthouse quickly became the Fox Island Lighthouse Association, a group dedicated to uplifting and renovating the historical landmarks of Fox Island. Boat houses, workshops, and the iconic lighthouse have been restored to their historical glory, preserving over 150 years of history in this Cherry Capital landmark. Their goal is to educate tourists and locals on the importance of historical preservation and respect to important landmarks.

Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy (GTRLC)

The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, or GTRLC for short, has made its goal the preservation and protection of land to benefit the community. Access to shorelines, hiking areas, biking paths, canoeing, fishing, and other activities are prioritized to improve the well being of Traverse City's citizens. Currently, they have protected over 39,000 acres and over 121 miles of shoreline along the lakes, rivers, and streams of the Grand Traverse region.

Habitat for Humanity, Grand Traverse Region

Habitat for Humanity is a national organization dedicated to eliminating homelessness and creating affordable homes for people of any income. Nationally, they invite people of all walks, faiths, and lifestyles to help bring their communities together to eliminate homelessness. The Grand Traverse headquarters has helped over 110 families, and nationally has helped to build hundreds of thousands of homes since 1976. Every 21 minutes, a new Habitat for Humanity home is built somewhere in the world.

Traverse City Junior Golf Association

The Traverse City Junior Golf Association's goal is "to teach life skills through golf", and they've been doing so since 1984! The Junior Golf Association provides education to younger students by allowing them to build and develop their golfing skills, teaching them patience, respect, and confidence in their abilities. They currently have over 350 youths from ages 5-22 registered, with over 56 tournaments and multiple golf courses to choose from.

These are just a few of the incredible organizations that make Traverse City great, but it wouldn't be where it is today without its wonderful citizens that make it so special! We at Serra Traverse City pride ourselves in our community involvement, from sponsorships to volunteering to give back to the amazing community that's given so much to us. Our pledge to you is to provide the Cherry Capital with unparalleled experience from start to finish. We want to make Traverse City just as great as the organizations that represent it, and we'll stop at nothing till the Cherry Capital is the number one beach town in the United States!