What an incredible treat in Angus King’s leadership class last week. Guest speaker Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, the granddaughter of Eleanor Roosevelt shares her stories and inspirations. Anna’s observation about her grandmother was that Eleanor felt that she could be an effective force for change by blending impact and effectiveness. Anna explained that Eleanor had to master diplomacy in order to bring about change without being dismissed or marginalized. In Eleanor’s era, it required great skill to work at the UN with Golda Meir and Indira Ghandhi in a male dominated world. Anna’s feeling was that her grandmother led from her weaknesses and not from her strengths and thus developed an incredible sensitivity to those who were less fortunate.

A truly amazing story from a remarkable person.

Sometimes, it’s hard for us here at Autoworks to understand why people feel some kindred connection with their dealers that makes it imperative they seek out their help when servicing their vehicle. Here’s a recent case in point.

A Portsmouth, NH VW owner had been told by his dealership that his Jetta needed the turbocharger replaced. When the owner wondered about the diagnosis, the Service Advisor suggested the owner get a second opinion from us. (By the way, thanks for the referral.)

One of our certified ASE Master Technicians determined the turbocharger was fine but was not being called into service because a vacuum hose had worn through. Bad hose, not a bad turbocharger. The vehicle had over 160,000 miles, but had been regularly maintained. The owner was understandably relieved our diagnosis and repair was dramatically less than the cost his dealership felt was necessary. My question is, why he didn’t come to us long ago? Do most owners know that recent laws make it possible for you to take your car anywhere for service with no voiding of warranties? Perhaps not. But it is something to think about, look into, and consider. We know one VW owner who ‘s glad he did.

Every year at Bowdoin College in Brunswick Maine, former two-term Maine Governor Angus King, teaches a class called Leaders and Leadership, where students learn valuable life lessons while studying great global leaders. This has continually been one of the most popular and most difficult classes to get into at Bowdoin, as there was dozens of people lined up outside the classroom the first day hoping that someone would decide to drop out.

Students learn important leadership qualities and skills through examples of the lives of presidents, football coaches, Martin Luther King Jr., and much more. The former governor will share his own public-speaking tips and teach students new life lessons everyday that they can incorporate to day-to-day life.

Stephen Kosacz (owner of Autoworks) has been given the privilege and opportunity to be chosen as one of only five non-students to audit Governor King’s class throughout the semester. Over the next few months, Stephen will share some wonderful experiences he has in the class. With some amazing guest speakers and valuable leadership lessons, Stephen should have some fantastic stories to share.

Everyday friends and customers inquire of Autoworks owner, Stephen Kosacz, about the new updates on the Memorial Bridge. Since his early involvement with the group, “Save the Bridges,” he has direct contact with the NHDOT Chief and organizers of the bridge project. This morning, January 27, 2012 he received another new update that the dates for the bridge center span have been moved again.

According to Bob Landry, Chief of Consultant Section, Bureau of Bridge Design New Hampshire Department of Transportation, the float out of the center span is now scheduled for: February 6th starting at 7 am to February 9th at 9 am.

A huge barge will be coming into the port to remove the bridge and take it down to Chelsea shipyard in Boston where it will be cut into pieces by a huge shear. It will be a sight that you will not want to miss.

Read the details carefully or better have an automotive service professional view the details. At the time of vehicle purchase, the sales person will tell you it covers everything (how soothing you think – what a relief against the anxiety of the unknown costs to repair your car after the factory warranty expires!). Then the day of doom comes – your car has 135,000 miles, it needs some work and NOTHING is covered and the salesperson has long forgotten about you with their commission in hand and the insurance company is laughing all the way to the bank…

Winter is finally here and it is very important that you keep your wiper blades up off the windshield if you know that it is going to be a real cold night or if you know there is going to be a snowstorm. The rubber blades can easily break when trying to be forced off. It also makes it a lot easier to scrape off the ice and clean the snow if the blades are not in the way. If you have to start your car, make sure the wiper blades are not frozen to the windshield. Starting your blades will put excessive pressure on them, which may cause them to break.

Save yourself the struggle and keep them up!

Happy New Year! What’s your New Year’s resolution? Mine is to get outside more and enjoy all of what New England has to offer: skiing, skating, fishing, and getting out on my bike. Although, it seems that I will not be able to ride my bike across Memorial Bridge until summer 2013!

On Monday, January 9, 2012 the Memorial Bridge will be permanently closed to pedestrian traffic. Since last July when the bridge was closed to vehicles, pedestrians have been allowed to walk or ride their bikes across. It has been a great spot for family photos and an easy commute for workers to get back and forth without all the traffic. Now what are all the commuters from Kittery to Portsmouth or Portsmouth to Kittery suppose to do? Walk around? Swim? Skate? Ski?! (Implying that we do ever get snow).

Well the answer right now is a shuttle service that takes effect also on the 9th. The shuttle capacity is for 12 passengers and 7 bicycles, so make sure you are first in line. It will run from 5am to 1am, on the hour in Kittery and on the half hour in Portsmouth. In Kittery, the location for the shuttle will be just North of Warren’s restaurant on Water Street. In Portsmouth, the location for the shuttle will be at the corner of Daniel Street and Bow Street.

Will this shuttle be a success for the next year and a half? I am thinking that two shuttles might make the most sense with pick up and drop off at each location every half hour. This would make it easier for workers to get to work or to get home on time instead of waiting around for an hour for the next shuttle. Twelve passengers just does not seem like enough capacity. We’ll see what happens though, but I think I can speak for everyone in saying; I am very much looking forward to the new bridge!