Gresham Ford helps to raise food for Snow Cap in Gresham Oregon

Congratulations to all of you!!! Together we reached what none of us could have done alone, over 100,000 pounds of food for SnowCap! There are so many people to thank. Starting with the newspaper you are reading right now, The Outlook.  Mark Garber and his team stepped up right from the beginning by offering to insert the donation bags in the newspaper. Then you the readers brought them in to the drop off locations.  Those locations need to be thanked: Riverview Community Bank, Gresham Outlook, Silk Espresso, Advanced Care Chiropractic, Pacific Scientific OECO, Metro East, Gresham Ford and there were others. Thank you.  There were so many great stories as a result of this project
.• The employees at 7-Eleven in Rockwood passed on having a Christmas Party and instead donated $500 to SnowCap.

• Two elementary school children that gave their “toy money” to SnowCap.

• Representatives Greg Matthews and

Matt Wand both made a pledge to donate.

• Harrison at Barlow High School that

mobilized a school for the cause.

• Western Family Foods that donated

literally tons of food.

• Gresham Rotary Club, Gresham

Breakfast Lion’s Club, West Columbia

Gorge Rotary Club, Gresham Area

Chamber of Commerce, West Columbia

Gorge Chamber of Commerce, East

Portland Chamber of Commerce and so

many businesses in East County.

None of this would not have been possible without the spark from Casey Ryan of Riverview Community Bank who gathered the Sponsors (Riverview Community Bank, The Gresham Outlook, Boeing Corporation & Gresham Ford)  and kept the flame burning until it was an out of control success. Just when you think nothing you do makes a difference – ask the 9,000 people who SnowCap fed in November……

Happy New Year!
 
~Bess Wills, Gresham Ford

Crushing the myths about the all new Ford Eco-Boost engine

The all new F150 boasts an all-new powertrain lineup for 2011. These new engines offer more choices for the customer, including an all-new, premium, class-exclusive(1) EcoBoost™ 3.5L V6 with the best overall balance of power and capability. Yes, you read that correctly — a twin turbo charged 3.5L V6 engine with those credentials.  Skeptical? Some customers might be too. This blog post is armed with the facts, and competitive information to answer questions and erase any doubts some drivers could have.  Let’s take a closer look at how the all-new EcoBoost 3.5L V6 engine crushes any power and durability myths. 

EcoBoost™ V6 Engine Myth: Turbocharged engines run very hot. EcoBoost Reality: The all-new EcoBoost turbochargers are protected from the heat with water-cooled center bearings. In the past, “coking” was a problem for many turbos since they couldn’t shed heat without the engine running. The water-cooled center bearings with convection cooling (or siphoning) keep the EcoBoost engine coolant circulating after the engine is shut down helping to cool the turbos. 
Myth: The EcoBoost 3.5L V6 is a car engine.  EcoBoost Reality: Customers might think the F-150 EcoBoost 3.5L V6 engine is the same engine as the Taurus SHO and Flex since it shares the same displacement and the EcoBoost name. Truth is, they share basic architecture, but the EcoBoost engine under the hood of F-150 is the first rear-wheel drive application and is specifically engineered and tested to be Built Ford Tough®  Key Ford F-150 Truck-specific Features include an optimized intake and exhaust camshaft designs for a balance of optimum horsepower, torque and fuel efficiency as well as specific tuning of the Ti-VCT (Twin independent Variable Cam Timing).  The specific cylinder heads with intake port “turbulence shelf” of the 3.5L V6 EcoBoost Engine on the all new Ford F150 also boasts a cCast exhaust manifolds for heavy-duty operation and durability.  Maximizing the cooling system to effectively manage engine heat also adds to the new Ford engine efficiency and effectiveness.  The polymer-coating on the lower main bearing ensures durability.  The F-150-specific turbochargers with water-cooled center bearings cap off the new Ford engine that was built by Ford by the ground up. 

Diesel Engine Technologies have also gone thru and complete overhaul as well.  The new Ford engine offers turbocharging with intercooler and direct injection fuel delivery while the steel piston upper ring carriers help maximize piston durability.  Accompaned with the integrated engine oil cooler is definately a truck engine. 

You may have heard the myth that turbocharged engines run very hot. The EcoBoost realityis that the all-new EcoBoost turbochargers are protected from the heat with water-cooled center bearings. In the past, “coking” was a problem for many turbos since they couldn’t shed heat without the engine running. The water-cooled center bearings with convection cooling (or siphoning) keep the EcoBoost engine coolant circulating after the engine is shut down helping to cool the turbos.

You may have also heard people say that they can't believe that the EcoBoost 3.5L V6 engine isn’t powerful enough for a full-size pickup.  Again the EcoBoost Reality: The all-new EcoBoost 3.5L V6 has more torque than any competitive engine and 50 more horsepower than the GM 5.3L V8 engine. Yes, you read that correctly: more power than competitive V8 engines. And we’re talking a diesel engine-like broad, flat torque curve. Worth noting: EcoBoost power figures are based on regular unleaded gasoline.  Extra-cost premium fuel is NOT required for EcoBoost to deliver the power.

Myth: Serious towing and hauling isn’t something the EcoBoost 3.5L V6 engine can do.  EcoBoost Reality: A 2011 F-150 properly equipped with the all-new EcoBoost 3.5L V6 can tow a best-in-class(2) 11,300 lbs. That’s what having 90 percent of the 420 lb.-ft. of torque on tap between 1700 and 5000 rpm does for towing and hauling capability. No competitor — even with a V8 — matches the towing capability of EcoBoost.

Myth: The EcoBoost 3.5L V6 engine isn’t durable enough for serious full-size truck use.  EcoBoost Reality: The all-new EcoBoost 3.5L V6 engine passed all of the higher stress level testing and torture testing required of any engine with the Built Ford Tough badge. Ford powertrain engineers set the testing baseline at the harshest-level use of an F-150 customer — then pushed EcoBoost well beyond those levels.  EcoBoost Testing Highlights include more than 1.5 million total hours of computer analytical time, more than 13,000 total hours of laboratory dynamometer testing, dynamometer tests help ensure 150,000-mile durability, including: more than 5000 hours at full load (full-boost) conditions as well as more than 2500 hours of testing at or above 5000 engine rpm and 1,000-hour tests to ensure dependability for even the toughest truck customer – that’s almost 42 days of continuous operation.  The extreme thermal cycling replicates conditions from the Arctic Circle to Death Valley to simulate 10 years of use in the harshest environments.  More than 100,000 hours of in-vehicle testing that replicates extensive real-world customer
operating conditions. 
 
Visit the showroom of your Oregon Ford dealership or your Washington Ford dealership and ask to test drive a new F150 with the new engine.  The Gresham Ford Fleet Department is also here to help.  If you are a business owners wanting to reduce your automotive expenses contact Annette Wetzel, Steve Renner or Larry Bishop for a no-obligation quote.  Ford Motor Credit Company has a multitude of new products to better serve commercial and fleet owners.  Gresham Ford wants to be your Oregon Ford dealership just minutes from Portland.  See  more about the Gresham Ford Fleet Department and click here. 

A Thanksgiving Note from Bess at Gresham Ford

Dear Neighbors:


Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday – not so much for the celebration itself, but for what it stands for. It is unique to the United States of America. It so speaks to our history, our gifts and our ability to work hard and celebrate our freedoms.  As the 2010 Thanksgiving Holiday passes, I have so many things to celebrate. To you my East County Neighbors – thank you all for making this community special. I encourage each of you to take the time to make a list of Thanks and send them to someone special, like your neighbor….

Thanks to all the military folks that serve so we can live our dreams.  Thanks to all our customers that make our company grow.  Thanks to Ford Motor Company for their ability to weather the financial storm.

Thanks to all who are making the “Fill the Bag” program stop hunger.  Thanks to all who shopped local this year.  You do make a difference.  Thanks to all the church communities that give to those in need.  Thanks to Brian for calling United Grocers and for their donations.

Thanks to Lions and Rotary and Dino Rochan for a special donation!  Thanks to our employees and their families who make sacrifices on our behalf.  Thanks to Riverview Community Bank for bringing the “Fill the Bag” program to Oregon.  Thanks to the Outlook for being the distributor of the bags. Look for yours in your paper next Saturday!  Thanks to Bob for just being there to support all our projects and making my life a wonderful journey!!!

I am so thankful you are my neighbor!

Thanksgiving to all,

Bess Wills

Gresham Ford

P.S. “Fill the Bag” is at 1,744 lbs. Only 98,256 lbs. to go. Remember to enter the $1,000 Shopping Spree at http://www.trylocalfirst.org/.

Example Pricing Estimate of a Ford Escape Hybrid Four Wheel Drive

As of November 23rd 2010 this is an estimate of pricing for a Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD. 

For more information please contact Gresham Ford at 503-665-0101.  To view the Gresham Ford online Inventory ClickHere. 

IRS Section 179 and your bottom line

Let Gresham Ford help your bottom line with the IRS section 179.  Section 179 of the IRS tax code allows many business to deduct up to the FULL PURCHASE PRICE of qualifying equipment purchased or financed in the 2010 tax year.  That means that if you buy a piece of qualifying equipment you can deduct up to the FULL PURCHASE PRICE from your gross taxable income in 2010.  Please note the information in this information is provided by Ford Motor Company as a public service to its customers.  It should not be construed as tax advice or as a promise of potential tax savings or reduced tax liability.  For more information about the Small Businss Jobs and Credit Act of 2010 or Section 179 expense write-off, contact your tax professional or visit the Internal Revenue Service. 

Which vehicles qualify for the greatest IRS tax Savings?
Trucks with a GVWR greater than 6,000lbs and a bed length over six feet qualify for a maximum FIRST YEAR depreciation deduction of up to $25,000 of the full purchase price plus up to 60% depreciation on any remaining balance.  (e.g. Ford F-150 SuperCrew with 5 1/2ft bed/Explorer/Expedition).  Trucks/Vans/SUVS less than 6,000 lbs GVWR such as the Ford Ranger and the all new 2010 Ford Transit Connect still qualify under noraml depreciation for up to $11,060 per vehicle in the FIRST_YEAR. 

NOTE: TO RECEIVE THE DEDUCTION FOR TAX YEAR 2010 YOU MUST ACT BY 12/31/2010. 
If you are also looking at the all new Ford Fiesta or Ford Focus as a delivery vehicle for your Oregon small business you can also receive deductions.  Please see your tax professional for more information regarding section 179 and your specific tax strategy. 

To search for your Ford Comercial Incentives visit http://www.fordtoughtruck.com/ and enter your specific business information.


You can also Register to Win a New Ford F-150 XLT! It's the Ford Tough Truck Challenge.  Ford Commercial Trucks and Vans are ideal for hardworking businesses. These powerful, durable and versatile vehicles help get the job done and offer the level of interior luxury you deserve when using your vehicle as an office. Now, you can also win a chance at great prizes when you enter the Ford Tough Truck Challenge:

•GRAND PRIZE: A New 2011 Ford F-150 XLT

•FIRST PRIZE: $500 Mastercard® Gift Card (1 of 5)

•INSTANT WIN: $100 Home Depot® Gift Card (1 of 100)

Just submit your email address. By supplying your email address and completing the form on the next page you will be entered in the Tough Truck Sweepstakes and registered to receive information on Ford Commercial Trucks.

Small Business Saturday Event Locally in Gresham

This November 27th will be the first Small Business Saturday event sponsored by American Express.  This is a day to honor the businesses that give our neighborhoods character and boost our local economy.  Try Local First is also based on the simple concept of recirculating money locally to better the community at large.  In support of the day, American Express is helping to drive customers to small local businesses with a member incentive.  When card members will receive a $25 statement credit when they register and spend $25 or more at small businesses that accept American Express Cards. 

Try Local First is also collecting receipts for their holiday drawing.  Bring your holiday receipts to the Historic Downtown Gresham Tree Lighting and find the Try Local First booth in the Jazzy Bagels parking lot. 

Small businesses are the corner stone of the Oregon economy.  Without the small businesses unemployment will increase even more.  For instance making the decision to purchase a new Ford F-150 in Portland or Vancouver is very detrimental to East County.  When you frequent and do business with Gresham Ford you are supporting over 60 families that depend upon the dealership for support.  And when you spend money outside East County and in Portland that money doesn't return to our community is goes away forever.  When you choose to get your vehicle maintenance at Gresham Ford that helps support the 60+ employees as well as the small business that supplies the free coffee in the Gresham Service waiting room for all makes and all models.  Your purchase also helps to support Smiddy's carpet cleaning because a busy Gresham Service Center means a lot of dirt.  Since Gresham Ford provides maintenance on All Makes and All Models anyone can help to support the community via their tithe program.  10% of your parts or service incIf you are a small business you can get involved in three ways.  Display one of the down loadable fliers as point of purchase materials.  Or you can take advantage of free Facebook advertising.  Get $100 of customizable Facebook advertising while supplies last.  Just visit www.SmallBusinessSaturday.com/merchant   And yet another way to support the Small Business Saturday and Tr Local First is to visit American Express website again and download the available digital promotional tools and utilize them in your website and social networking environment. 

If you choose to purchase locally you are also recirculating dollars within Gresham, Fairview, Troutdale, Boring and Sandy Oregon.  Gresham Ford chooses to utilize local vendors who pay taxes that support the community that we live.  This support helps our schools, police and fire forces.  So remember when you spend your money locally you are also supporting the people and the services you depend on.  Please join the movement and help to make this Small Business Saturday the first of many to come. 

SnowCap Community Charities: Food relief and more

At Leonard and Shirley Storm's apartment in east Multnomah County, Leonard comes to the door to greet visitors but is soon upstaged by Penelope, the couple's fluffy-haired cat.




"We got her for the nice sum of five dollars," Leonard says, as Penelope rubs against his leg.



The Storms are used to looking for bargains. So the monthly delivery of a food box from SnowCap Community Charities is a ritual they welcome.



"They bring staples," Shirley says. "Canned foods and cereal." She cooks from scratch and has plenty of experience stretching supplies. "I make mock ground beef from beans and oats and rice."



"I happen to be married to an awfully good cook," Leonard says.



The food box is an example of SnowCap at work. The agency, which has served east Multnomah County for 43 years, delivers food boxes to more than 500 seniors each month.



SnowCap also stocks a food pantry and provides other services to low-income people who live east of 82nd Avenue within Multnomah County. At its location in Gresham's Rockwood neighborhood, SnowCap is surrounded by some of the metro area's lowest-income residents.



"We're having over 6,000 people come through the pantry in a month," says Judy Alley, SnowCap executive director. "I can tell you that in 20 years we have never seen this many people needing food assistance. Our floors are wearing down."  Alley says that about two years ago, the agency saw about 4,000 people a month.




SnowCap was created in the 1960s through a joint effort by area churches. "We don't get government money," says Alley, who was made director in 1991. The agency relies on donations from churches, businesses and service clubs, and grants for its $583,000 budget. It has five full-time and five part-time staffers and about 600 volunteers each year it could use more volunteer drivers and food-pantry shelf stockers.



The Storms, Alley says, are the kind of people who need help from SnowCap. Leonard worked for 23 years at Franz Bakery until he suffered a brain aneurysm, which forced him to retire early at age 51.



Now Leonard, 71, and Shirley, 78, survive on his pension and their Social Security benefits. They have no car, and shop at discount groceries and a nearby bakery thrift store.



Costs from health problems have added to the financial strain. If the Storms didn't get the SnowCap food box, Shirley says, "it would be a hardship."



"Toward the end of the month, it sure comes in handy," Leonard says.



-- Kristi Turnquist

Leonard and Shirley Storm say that playing rummy is one of the exercises they do for their brains, plus its fun, says Shirley. Leonard worked for Franz Bakery for 23 years before a brain aneurysm made him unable to work. His wife Shirley was a stay-at-home mom and not well equipped to enter the work force. They're retired and try to live on his small pension and Social Security. They have no car, live in a modest apartment and rely on a monthly food box delivery from SnowCap Community Charities. Jamie Francis/The Oregonian



Gresham Ford Boeing and Riverview Community Bank have partnered together in hopes of raising 100,000 lbs of food this holiday season.  You can help by visiting Gresham Ford and receiving a grocery bag especially for the drive and return it with canned goods, vegetables, baby food, etc.  The wish list items are canned fruits and vegetables.