Spring 2008

Michigan Meetings + Events’ Best of 2008 Poll

Checker Sedan Wins Top Honors from Event Planning Professionals

Accolades continue to accumulate for Checker Sedan. Event planning professionals recently voted the Dearborn Heights-based car service as the state’s finest. In its Best of 2008 poll, readers of Michigan Meetings & Events magazine named the Soave company as tops in the transportation category.

“Receiving recognition from the meetings and events industry is truly gratifying. I’m delighted to learn that travel industry professionals recognize and are pleased with our commitment to unparalleled service,” said Timothy J. McCarthy, president of Checker Sedan. “Thank you to everyone who voted.”

The magazine’s award quickly follows being honored in WDIV’s “Best of Detroit” contest for “Best Limousine Service in Detroit.” Since debuting in 2000, Checker Sedan has also earned the exclusive contract as the official luxury sedan service of Detroit Metro Airport.

Winners in the Michigan Meetings + Events’ contest were determined by readers who nominated their favorites in 24 separate categories, including caterer, entertainment, and venue. According to the magazine, a record number of voters weighed in with their opinions. On March 5, those receiving top marks were honored at the magazine’s 3rd Annual Best of Awards.

Checker Sedan features luxury vehicles and signature services, including free bottled water, wheelchair-accessible vans, and child/infant car seats among others. The company has a fleet of more than 100 Cadillac DES, Lincoln Town Car and Chrysler 300 sedans, plus a fleet of motor coaches and mini-buses, which are available for group travel, corporate events and shuttle programs. Checker Sedan also offers bridal packages catering to the specific needs of the couple for wedding day or honeymoon travel.

Michigan Meetings + Events magazine provides corporate and independent meeting and event planners with a regional resource to help them plan more productive, interesting and creative meetings and events in Michigan. Published four times a year, Michigan Meetings + Events magazine reaches more than 18,000 readers.

Brambleton Residents Give Back

Charity Begins at Home

“For years, our tag line for Brambleton has been ‘Connect with Life’ and time and time again, our residents prove that this isn’t an advertising line but a statement of fact,” comments Kim Adams, the development’s Director of Sales and Marketing.

Putting weight behind Adam’s proud endorsement, several of Brambleton’s families are turning out this spring to participate in two major fundraisers – the Arthritis Walk held within the community itself, and the 2008 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer marathon-and-a-half in Washington, D.C.

Sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation, the May 31st Arthritis Walk was open to the public. Walkers selected a one or three mile route, leaving from Brambleton Town Center and winding through the community. “Our goal for the Brambleton Walk was 200 walkers,” notes local volunteer chairman Indra Books. This annual nationwide event, scheduled during National Arthritis Month, raising funds and awareness to fight arthritis, one of the nation’s leading causes of disability.

The Step Sisters traveled a bit farther from home for their charitable event. Comprised of 36 women, mostly from Brambleton, the team went to the nation’s capital to participate in the 2008 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. The group is currently the two-day event’s second highest- fundraising team in the country with a donation total of $64,000.

Inspired by close friend and neighbor Karina Twomey, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 37, the Step Sisters joined together to help promote awareness of the disease. Since the diagnosis, Twomey’s neighbors in Brambleton have also provided her family with help for everyday essentials like meals and taking care of her young children.

“Our admiration goes out to all Brambleton residents who make our modern development an old-fashioned community,” says Adams.

Special achievements deserve special recognition. Hats off to the following for a job well done!

  • Mark Doescher, Parts Director for Soave Automotive Group, has been recognized by the Mercedes-Benz “Best of the Best” program. In acknowledgement of his outstanding results for 2007, Mark and a guest will attend a May 2008 celebratory event at the Grand Cayman’s Ritz Carlton.
  • When flood waters endangered homes in Watseka, Illinois, CITY Beverage-Markham drivers Matt Bisaillon and Jim Frary, quickly began helping their neighbors. The duo’s efforts did not go unnoticed by area residents or CITY managers. An elderly recipient of their assistance wrote, “Words cannot fully express my gratitude, the Wall family is quite impressed, as were many others in our neighborhood.” In thanks for their good deeds, CITY Beverage-Markham Operations Manager Joe Bury gave each man a $100 gift card of his choice.
  • Graduation season is in full swing at Ferrous Processing & Trading. Quality Assistant Stephanie Philips recently earned a bachelors degree in Film and Communications from Eastern Michigan University, and Wayne State University conferred a Doctor of Medicine on Iyantta Howell, technical writer for the scrap metal recycler. Congratulations to both Stephanie and Iyantta!
  • Harvard University has come calling for Gerald “Mikey” Miller III, son of Checker Cab accounting clerk Valerie Collins. Although just 16 years old, Mikey will graduate from Detroit’s West Side Academy in June and the Ivy League college is making plans for him to begin fall classes. Because of his age, Harvard is making special living arrangements for Mikey until he becomes an adult.
  • Coach Bill Fox and his Grosse Pointe South Girls’ Hockey Team once again swept the Michigan High School Girls’ State Championship. Fox, who also serves as Brambleton’s Chief Operating Officer, led the teens to their March victory over Ann Arbor’s Pioneer High with a 4-2 win. “The talent and teamwork of this group of young women was a sight to behold, but their cohesiveness and success in the long run is strongly due to their excellent coaching staff,” notes Sam Pulis of City Sports Center. “Kudos to Bill Fox and all the coaches.”
  • Kennedy Middle School in St. Clair Shores, Michigan has named Pamela Vermiglio as its new principal. Vermiglio is the daughter of Premier Steel’s Inventory Control Manager Betty Michalski.