Giammalvo's' to Perform Free Multi-Point Vehicle Inspections to Benefit Muscular Dystrophy.

And You Think You've Heard Everything
Questions of Life
In Passing

Our E-mail Address: samgauto@samscars.com

Our Phone Number Is 508-999-3213

This is a special addition of Giammalvo Quarterly in order to make consumers aware of our participation in a special program to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association. On Saturday, June 29, 1996, between 9:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M., we will be participating in the automotive industry's first national fund-raising effort to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association, (MDA). We will be offering local motorists, a no-cost, multi-point vehicle inspection, with all donations to go to MDA. We will be donating, our facility, equipment, and technicians during the program. The participation of our shop is part of an industry-wide mobilization focused on MDA and "Jerry's Kids." Depending on what date in June shops pick, motorists from across the country will be able to go to participating shops to receive free inspections of fluid levels; belts; hoses; tire wear, pressure and condition; horn operation and other items. Although there will be no fee for the service, customers can make a donation at that time to MDA, for whatever amount they consider appropriate. Later on in the year, during the Labor Day weekend annual "Stars Across America" Telethon, Mitch Schneider will present Jerry Lewis with a check which will total the amount of all the donations collected during all the inspections in June. Mitch Schneider is co-owner of Schneider's Automotive in Southern California and senior editor of the well known national automotive trade publication, Motor Service Magazine. Mitch came up with the original idea for the program. Please mark June 29 on your calendar! Stop in on that day to have your vehicle inspected and at the same time help donate to a great cause! 

One of the reasons problems don't get solved is that too often we misunderstand the true nature of the problem. Take the following true story-a favorite at General Motors about a complaint received by Pontiac. The customer's letter to the president of Pontiac is as follows:  "This is the second time I have written you, and I don't blame you for not answering me; because what I have to say sounds kind of crazy. But its a fact that we have a tradition in our family of ice cream for desert after dinner each night. But the kind of ice cream varies. So, every night after we've eaten, the whole family votes on which kind of ice cream we should have and I drive down to the store to get it. It's also a fact that I recently purchased a new Pontiac and since then, my trips to the store have created a problem. You see, every time I buy vanilla ice cream, when I start back from the store my car won't start. If I get any other kind of ice cream, the car starts fine. I want you to know I'm serious about this question, no matter how silly it sounds. What is there about a Pontiac that makes it not start when I get vanilla ice cream, and easy to start whenever I get any other kind?" The Pontiac president was understandably skeptical about the letter, but sent an engineer to check it out anyway. The latter were surprised to be greeted by a successful, obviously well-educated man in a fine neighborhood. The engineer had arranged to meet the man just after dinner time, so the two hopped into the car and drove to the ice cream store. It was vanilla ice cream that night, and sure enough, after they came back to the car it wouldn't start. The engineer returned for three more nights. The first night the man got chocolate. The second night he got strawberry. The car started. The third night he ordered vanilla. Again the car failed to start. Now the engineer, being a logical man, refused to believe that this man's car was allergic to ice cream. He arranged to continue his visits for as long as it took to solve the problem and toward this end he began to take notes: he jotted down all sorts of data; time of day, type of gas used, time to drive back and fourth, etc. In a short time he had a clue; the man took more time to buy any other flavor than vanilla. Why? The answer was in the layout of the store. Vanilla, being the most popular flavor, was in a separate case at the front of the store for quick pickup. All the other flavors were kept in the back of the store at a different counter where it took somewhat longer to find the flavor and get checked out.  Now the question for the engineer was why the car wouldn't start when it took less time. Once TIME became the problem-not the ice cream-he quickly came up with the answer: vapor lock. Vapor lock is a rare problem that occurs when very hot Under-hood engine temperatures cause the gasoline in the fuel lines to vaporize into a gaseous state. A car's engine cannot start on gaseous vapor, only liquid fuel will burn. Once the Under-hood temperatures cool down, the gas turns back into it's liquid form. It was happening every night, but the extra time required to get to the other flavors, allowed the engine to cool down in time for the gas to turn back into a liquid. However, when choosing vanilla, the engine, was still too hot for the vapor lock to dissipate. 

1. Why do you need a drivers license to buy liquor when you can't drink and drive? 
2. Why are there interstates in Hawaii? 
3. Why are cigarettes sold at gas stations where smoking is prohibited? 
4. If a 7-11 store is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, why are there locks on the doors? 
5. If nothing ever sticks to Teflon, how do they make Teflon stick to the pan? 
6. Why do we drive on parkways and park on driveways? 
7. Why is it that when you transport something by car it's called shipment, but when you transport something by ship it's called cargo? 
8. Why don't sheep shrink when it rains but a wool sweater does? 
9. If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress? 

As many of you may already know, we were shocked by the recent loss of our beloved friend and co-worker, Lenny Sylvia. Lenny had been with us for more than fifteen years and was admired by so many of us and our customers. Lenny is best remembered by everyone as always giving his best to solve any problem that came his way. Whether it was a customer stranded with a broken car or one of the technicians needing assistance during a repair operation, Lenny was always there to correct the situation. The entire staff paid their last respects to Lenny at his wake and funeral procession. Each of us will grieve over his loss for much time to come. 

We are deeply saddened by the loss of our customer, Joe Cataldo. Joe and his family are long time customers  here at Giammalvo's. He will be missed. 

We are also saddened by the passing of another long time customer, Gabe Holmes Jr. Gabe, better known as "Skipper," was an instructor for the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Gabe was Mark Giammalvo's instructor at the Coast Guard's Seamanship Skills Classes. Mark recalls Gabe in class as: "One of the most thorough and knowledgeable instructors I've ever had." He will be missed.