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I willingly admit that I am one of those individuals who has to change the channel when a Humane Society commercial comes on.  A voice in my head argues every time I do it, that I should endure the heartbreak of watching these poor, innocent animals stare at me through my tv screen, begging me to take them home.  And if my home (and fiance) could handle it, every last one of those little furballs would be scampering about, leaving chaos in their wake. Alas, neither my wallet, nor my tiny home could withstand such a feat of adopting every pup and feline in need.  Luckily, there are opportunities like this one - the 2nd Annual Charity Golf Tournament and Helicopter Golf Ball Drop hosted at Houndslake Country Club in Aiken, SC, which benefits F.O.T.A.S. (ie: Friends of the Animal Shelter). An excuse to play golf on a weekday AND support a rescue for adoptable furbabies? We pretty much fell all over ourselves scampering to the table and signing on the dotted line.  When we found out how many other things will be happening at this event, it was impossible to have second thoughts. FOOD There will definitely be no rumbly tumblys at this shindig, with breakfast by Ridgecrest Coffee Bar, lunch by Longhorn Steakhouse, and Par 3 apps by Travinia's Italian Kitchen and Ruby Tuesday. PRIZES Southern Bank & Trust and Hibbitts Drug Company will be providing golfer goody bags, and there will be awards to the winners, as well as a raffle or two! HELICOPTER BALL DROP After the awards ceremony, these guys have managed to partner up with PRIME Steakhouse, Chesterfield Interiors, Chesterfield Salon, First Communities, and Lathan C. Burns Memorial to organize a Helicopter Golf Ball Drop! Golf balls are $10/ticket to match a corresponding ball, then the whole load of them will be dropped from a helicopter, and the first ball to drop into a hole wins it's "owner" a cool grand! And of course, GOLF (AND A HOLE IN ONE CAR) With four-player teams, the players will get to enjoy the beautiful greens of Houndslake Country Club on a gorgeous late summer Monday! All this hoopla appealed to our competitive nature, and we had to join the fun, so we added a little swing to our play with a Hole In One Car! On a PAR 3 hole, if a player gets a hole-in-one, we will give them a car.  Simply put, because we just can't complicate a cause as good as this one!   For more information on this event, which occurs on September 14, 2015, visit the events page at fotas.com For more information on F.O.T.A.S. and how you can get involved with their organization, visit their website here. We hope to see you guys at this awesome cause, having a great time, and saving some puppies all at the same time! Meet Boomer, who was adopted earlier this month with the help of F.O.T.A.S.

Everyone does it while they're sitting in traffic in front of a school their kids don't even attend - carry the four, subtract from the two, divide by the equal coefficient of the previous exponent.  (Math isn't my strong suit.) Wait, THAT is how much I'm spending on gas to get to work every morning?! That can't be right... Let's start over. It's been a battle we've all been fighting for about fifteen to twenty years now, watching the yo-yo of fuel tease us with a road trip across the country in a double wide RV, then sky rocket to becoming a shut-in. The reality of the scary high gas prices is something we can't help you bring down. But we can help you save the gas that's in your tank, and stretch it a bit further.  Here are a few tips to keep you out of line at the pump: How to Save Gas and other tips to save money at the gas pump. Milton Ruben Superstore, Augusta, GA Travel Tips. 1. Stop Driving Like A Jerk. We're not in Atlanta here guys. (No offense, ATL.) There is absolutely no need to weave through traffic, cutting off your neighbors, and challenging the blood pressure medications of your elders.  Studies have shown that slowing gradually to a stop, and slowly accelerating to speed can increase the life of your gas tank by as much as 35%.  That may be worth retiring your Road Raging ways. 2. Think Twice Before Topping Off. Yes, I know, that gas station's price tag is two cents lower than the last time you filled up.  But fuel is weight, weight is resistance, and resistance is a lower MPG.  Capiche?  Depending on how far out of the way that perfect gas station is (if it's far from home/work, consider the gas you're using to get there as lost every time you wander to the hills for a fill up), it's actually more efficient to fill to half or three-fourths to save on weight, then fill most of the way up again once you hit a quarter tank. Another Plus: Not riding your tank on gas fumes could help elongate the life of your fuel pump. 3. Keep Up On Proper Maintenance. There are a lot of things we go over in our multi-point inspections that have a huge impact on the overall health of your vehicle - that's why we want to check them each and every time you visit. Air filters are commonly overlooked, and can be seen as an unnecessary commodity, but a dirty air filter can lower your miles to the gallon by as much as 10%.  Additionally, a poor alignment can make your engine work harder to effectively turn the wheels, which you'll pay for at the pump. 4. Keep An Eye on Tire Pressure. Have you ever noticed how flat tires don't roll so well? Although you may not notice it, if your tire's air pressure is low, it's wrecking all kinds of damage - on both your tire, and your mileage.  The lack of pressure means the wheel has to work harder to get it to turn, which means more work from the engine, and so on, until your gas pump becomes the end result. (Be aware that weather can affect your TPMS.) 5. Consider Investing in a Diesel or a Hybrid. Although Diesel can often be a good deal pricier than conventional fuel, it would have to be a solid 25-30% more expensive to outweigh the benefits in efficiency.  Because Diesel uses heat from compression to ignite the engine, rather than sparks, they need less energy to start - and keep going. Not only do Hybrids save at the pump by using a variety of energy sources to keep those wheels a turnin', there are also a lot of rebate offers and tax breaks on alternative energy investments - including the Hybrid. 6. Drive Smarter. Idling for more than a minute wastes more gas than just starting up your car again. Cruise Control is a blessing on flat lands, but if you're taking a visit to the foothills, do without.  When the light ahead of you is red, take your foot off the gas.  If you reach the light by the time it turns green, you just saved yourself a few mpg for the tank by not coming to a full stop before accelerating again. 7. Use Technology. Using contraptions like GPS can help plan out your trip on shorter distances (fewer miles, less gas), or more highways (consistent speed saves on gas).  There are also a lot of apps out now that will show you the cheapest gas in your general area. ( check out CNN's best here) It's an imperfect world, and there may not be much we can do at this precise juncture to help keep you from forking over all of your hard-earned dough at the fuel pump, but we can decrease the frequency that you have to make that depressing little visit. Do you have any tips or tricks to increase your mpg?   To learn more about keeping your tires in tip-top shape, make sure you're buying the right kind. For more helpful tips to keep your vehicle in shape, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Instagram, Pinterest, and Google!

You accidentally hit "off" instead of "snooze" on the alarm.  The shower water took forever to warm up, the shirt you planned to wear is actually still crumpled at the bottom of the dirty clothes pile, you're out of coffee, and the kids are still in their pajamas when you need to be walking out of the door.  As if all of this isn't enough, it's also winter, and the South finally decided to express it with a nice layer of frost over your car. Hopefully you read this post, and you have plenty of options in your arsenal to ensure that ice doesn't slow you down on your already-late-for-everything day.  No matter what your budget, location, or car knowledge, it is possible for your vehicle to be completely defrosted and safe to drive by the time the toddler is hooked into her car seat and the teenager is bugging you for driving lessons.  In fact, you can put that kid to work by demonstrating these tips, they're so easy! COVER IT UP On an otherwise dry evening, frost and ice forms from the dew that settles and freezes as temperatures plummet overnight.  You can have that dew settle on something else rather than your windows by simply inserting a barrier. You can purchase a commercial tarp or cover for $15-$50 at most vehicle maintenance shops, but they don't tend to stay stocked down here, so you can try your own as well.  Blankets, towels, folded sheets, even newspapers can help keep your windshields free of Frozen! (We can't say the same about the DVD player in the back.) WATER Be careful with this one, folks.  If you decide to pour a bucket of water over your windshield to help melt the ice, make sure you're in the right conditions to do so.  For one, don't use cold water - that might just freeze over the frost and give you a thicker layer of ice to chip through.  Don't use boiling or hot water either - the extreme temperature changes could have a significantly negative impact on the glass.  As in, a shattering experience.  IF you decide to use water (since it's easily accessible to everyone), use lukewarm water and very quickly wipe down the windshield after dispensing a bucket over it.  And if it's less than 25F out, just toss this idea altogether and watch the icicles form as the water hits the frigid air. CONCOCTIONS Some brilliant people who probably grew up in Minnesota or Michigan invented this spectacular stuff that squirts out of a bottle and literally MELTS ice!  You can sometimes buy this inexpensive commercial concoction where you get the rest of your maintenance materials, but you might have better lucky ordering online or having your cousin in Minnesota sending you a bottle.  Or you could just make your own by filling a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol and adding a few squirts of dish soap (mix well, don't shake).  Also known as hand sanitizer. SURROUND THE ICE If you're anything like me, you're number one concern when you leave the house is to get to the car as quickly as possible, climb inside, crank the heat, and try not to think to hard about going back in for a pair of gloves.  Lucky for you, there is an option to help that defroster move along a little.  Turn the heat all the way up, the defroster all the way on (don't forget the rear defroster if you have it), and place your hand on the top of the window.  This could leave a hand print on the glass (which can be cleaned up later with some window cleaner), but the warmth of your hand will act as a second defroster, sending heat through the glass and melting the ice at the top, while the car helps melt from the bottom, doubling the speed and keeping you inside the car. REMOTE START If you've ever wondered "Why would I ever need to start the car before I'm in it?" this is the answer to that question.  If the weatherman is calling for frost, turn the temperature gauges to heat and defrost before you go in for the night.  The next morning, you can turn the engine on while you're still zipping up the kid's coats and distributing lunch boxes.  By the time you get everyone buckled in and ready to go, so is the vehicle. HOW NOT TO DE-ICE YOUR WINDSHIELD With Cold or Boiling Water Cold water could freeze over the top of your windshield, especially if it's particularly cold out.  Boiling water could shatter your windshield from the excessive temperature difference. With Salt Water Up North, they use Road Salt to melt ice and snow and make the roads easier to navigate, right? So it would only make sense to use that, right? Wrong.  Salt is bad for your car.  There's really no getting around that.  It causes corrosion, rust, and creates damage that can only be replaced - not undone.  This is why people from the frigid areas of the country tend to keep their nice vehicles cooped up in the garage during their Great White Winters. With a Credit Card Often used as an ice scraper for those that can't find theirs, Credit Cards offer a stiff, flat edge to get under the ice and chip away at it. Not only is this time-consuming, but you could scratch the glass by wearing down the curved edges of the card into a sharper, knife-like blade and cutting into the windshield.  Dropping it in drifts of slush and ice is also pretty easy, and would mean you have a long morning of calling to cancel said card and re-order another. You're going to need that Credit Card to buy a cup of hot cocoa once you're done freezing your hands off chipping away at ice. Not Do It Frost and ice are significant visual blocks.  Don't put yourself and your passengers in danger because you're in a hurry.  Be safe, be responsible, and use one of these easy tips to de-ice your car. OTHER HELPFUL TIPS Clear the grill of any ice or snow to make sure ventilation to the engine prevents overheating Vinegar could prevent frost from forming When you frost is coming, lift your windshield wipers off of the windshield and cover them with socks to prevent ice from damaging the rubber Ask your Service Advisor for advice   For more helpful tips on car safety, maintenance, and news, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Instagram, and Google. This post was written by Milton Ruben Superstore Social Media Specialist Heather Cortright.

It's that time of the year! Can you smell it? Time for gas prices to escalate, drivers to get aggressive and impatient, roads to get hazardous, and the kids to get impossibly rowdy! The holiday season is upon us! Now before you jump on the bah hum bug bandwagon too quickly, you should know there are a lot of ways you can prepare for the impending road trip to grandmother's house and avoid events that are going to raise your blood pressure higher than mistletoe.  To prevent any mishaps that could extend your trip or cause delays, we've put together a list of ways you can prepare your vehicle for the road trip ahead. Keep It Clean Get a complete detail done on you vehicle - particularly the interior.  Nobody likes to be in a vehicle for long periods of time to begin with, much less one with funky smells, mystery stains, and the Krystal wrapper from lunch one day last week.  And once the car is clean, keep it that way.  You can refashion a plastic re-usable cereal container with a small trash bag for a portable (and close-able) trash can.  You can also stuff old grocery bags into an empty kleenex box to fill with fast food wrappers and toss each time you stop for fuel up.  Both are a convenient size to stick on a floor board, in a console, or under a seat. Check Your Tires This may be one of the most important safety tips you'll ever get.  Particularly if you're traveling North, where snow and ice may challenge your tread, it is vital for your tires to be in good shape.  Use a Tire Pressure Monitor or Gauge to check the air in your tires.  You can fill up your tires for a dollar at most gas stations, or ask your service advisor about Nitrogen.  (Nitrogen filled tires keep pressure longer, helping you maintain optimal gas mileage and overall health of the tire.)  You can use the coin test to check tread.  If they're low, you're going to need to get them replaced before the trip.  Bad tread and low tire pressure can not only affect the efficiency of fuel, but it can also decrease stopping speed of your vehicle and endanger your family.  Don't forget to check the spare! Inspect Engine/ Top Off Fluids Pop the hood and carefully inspect all of the wires and hoses on the engine of your vehicle.  If any are frayed or damaged, you may want to get them replaced before head out.  And while you're under there, check your fluids: brake, transmission, coollant, windshield wiper, etc.  Top off any that are low, and consider whether or not your windshield will need wiper fluid that is made for lower temperatures. Depending on how far you plan on driving, it may be reasonable to go ahead and get your oil changed and a new oil filter installed. Check Your Lights Get a friend, spouse, neighbor, stranger, or kid to help you check your headlights and brake lights to ensure they are bright and clear on each side.  If you can't get help, carefully park near a wall at night and check the reflections on the wall.  You can keep your lights bright by cleaning off the lamps with toothpaste! Of course, all of the above tips can be done here at Milton Ruben Superstore by your Certified Technicians.  In fact, let your Service Advisor know that you're traveling, and they'll make sure your vehicle gets a thorough inspection to ensure the safety and comfort of your family on the road. Make your appointment here! Make sure you check for any specials or deals! Map It Out Preplan your route with your GPS, Navigation System, or map.  If you're as obsessed with the Food Network as I am, you can plan out pit stops for food through TVFoodMaps.com, which will show you restaurants and diners featured on the Food Network along your desired route.  There are also plenty of websites such as FuelMyRoute.com that help you identify the most affordable fuel options.  Make a list of destination addresses and keep them handy for reference.  Many navigation systems will now allow you to plan your route with "via points," so you can let technology do the work for you once you hit "go!" Traffic Happens Program local traffic stations of cities you'll be driving through so you can be aware of any possible delays before you get there.  Of course, if you're not willing to compromise your presets on satellite radio, many modern navigation systems will forewarn you and even offer alternate routes in the case of construction or other delays! Don't Text And Drive Of course, it's tempting to read the incoming stream of plans from your family members as they ask you to report every leg of your trip on the half hour.  We know.  But it's not worth the danger you put yourself, your family, and others on the road to take your eyes away from the prize and get distracted.  Luckily, modern technology in most of our Application Suite Centers will allow you to connect your phone to bluetooth and have your vehicle read the text messages to you!  Thank goodness for manufacturers who understand reality!     There you have it!  Be sure to check out our post on traveling safely with your pets, and stay tuned for more posts on preparing for holiday road trips by following us on Facebook and Twitter! This post was written by Milton Ruben Media Specialist Heather Cortright.

Growing up in the South and being mostly surrounded by military, you get used to a joke or five thousand about the Texas Ranger himself.  Karate-blessed and born of testosterone's greatest fury, Chuck Norris lines (according to many) never get old. But here at Milton Ruben Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM, we think Chuck Norris, along with Bruce Lee, and Bear Grylls may be close to meeting their match.  In fact, we've been doing some experiments, and we believe these rough-around-the-edges TV hero one-liners may have become interchangeable with the ultimate feat of epic power - The 2015 SRT Hellcat. Allow us to demonstrate: With 707 horsepower forcing its way out of a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine, the 2015 SRT Hellcat is the most powerful muscle car ever. Topping out at a 10.4 second quarter-mile, the 2015 SRT Hellcat is the fastest muscle car ever. And with the SRT driving modes, and a number of other driver-selectable settings, the 2015 Dodge Challenger Hellcat offers more than 125 customizable configurations. But you already know all of this and more about this phenomenon of a vehicle.  If you're anything like us, you dream about this fantastic roar of an engine every night. We don't really need to make a case with you do we?  No, we didn't think so.  The SRT Hellcat makes the case all by itself.   What we will tell you is that Dodge / SRT is only making a few of these beautiful, entrancing, symbols of American power. We will tell you that we expect our first 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat in the Dec '14 - Jan'15 time range.  We will tell you that another will follow shortly thereafter.  And we will tell you the days aren't going by fast enough for us either - we can't wait to lay our eyes on this beast of American muscle! Do you have an idea for a SRT Hellcat meme? Send it to us! You may win some Mopar gear for sharing!   To stay updated on the status of our SRT Hellcat, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google, and LinkedIn! Photos provided by Drive SRT. Post and memes created by Milton Ruben Social Media Specialist Heather Cortright.

When I was in college, I drove that stereotypical " first car."  It was a hand-me-down from my sister, who had gotten it after my dad upgraded to a new model.  The headliner was torn so badly it was wrapped in a re-fashioned fabric book sock so the foam wouldn't rain down into the eyes of the driver at random.  The A/C only worked between 35 and 60 mph, and even then it was 78 degrees or bust.  The radio dial took up residence in a cup holder since no variety of glue could hold it in place anymore.  It took fourteen years of faithful service to my family before it finally died on me in my junior year of college. In the middle of the night.  While I was driving it.  Through the backwoods of West Columbia, SC.  Twenty years old, female, unaccompanied and clueless about cars at the time, I found myself being told by a private shop technician that it would cost nearly a grand to fix my car.  I learned 48 hours later in the parking lot of Walmart trying to coax "Big Red" to start that I had been swindled quite badly.  It was that moment that it dawned on me - I needed to learn more about cars.  Particularly their regular maintenance and mechanics.  After all, $1000 was a lot of Easy Mac. Here at Milton Ruben, our service departments do their best to keep our customers updated and informed, answering any questions you may have about repairs to avoid the above situation from happening.  But it has occurred to us that some questions could be easily answered at any hour of the day with a nice, informative video.  And you guys have always been the best source for what we should focus on - so we turn to you to learn what you want to know about basic maintenance and mechanics of your car. Who knows - if it's a good suggestion on how we can teach you to keep up the upkeep of your vehicle, we might even throw out a gift or two. So, tell us, what question do you have about vehicle maintenance that we could focus on in our upcoming videos? Feel free to comment, private message, or e-mail socialmedia@miltonruben.com with your feedback! Check up on if we've answered your question by following us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google, and Pinterest! This post and graphics were created by Milton Ruben Social Media Specialist Heather Cortright.

Our very own John Nash introduced us to the 2014 Corvette Stingray:     And Bryant Couch gave us the privilege of a peek at the 2014 Camaro RS Convertible: To stay up to date on overview and walk around videos, follow us on Facebook and Twitter! Videos and post by Milton Ruben Superstore Social Media Specialist Heather Cortright.

Flipping through the ads that dominate the Sunday paper last weekend was a myriad of brightly colored keds, flip flops, and heels for back to school shoe sales (since when do kids wear heels to school??).  The fashionistas of late don't seem to put much thought into things like arch support or tread traction for the longevity of your kid's knees. But we do. Well, for your car baby anyway.  If you've been considering a purchase of new tires for your vehicle, there are a number of elements to consider.  Tire manufacturers say there are 19-25 varying components that measure in to what frequently seems to simply be circles of rubber.  When it really comes down to it, according to our tire experts, there are four key components you really need to consider: ride quality, tread life, weather conditions, and speed rating.  We address the basics of sizes and a brief overview of those four key components in a past blog, Feet First: The Basics of Buying Tires.  But now we would like to dive a little deeper into ride quality and discuss how you can decrease the richter scale you may be experiencing on your commute. 1. Ride Quality is how minimized the road irregularities are to the vehicle's passengers. “Ride Quality is usually the number one concern for our customers,” says Lisa Randall, one of our Toyota Parts tire experts. Owners of family vehicles tend to prefer a smoother ride to not jostle the little ones, so they would require a larger, thicker tire to absorb any bumps in the road.  Those who drive performance vehicles, however, may like a tire with a lower profile.  The latter have thicker sidewalls and improved handling, but are more susceptible to taking the hit each time they roll over road damage.  Unfortunately, this component relates to that old children's song: "The toe bone is connected to the foot bone," ankle bone, leg bone, etc.  If the comfort of the ride feels like an old wooden roller coaster with questionable safety inspection certifications, the under belly of your beloved carriage might be taking a beating.  Each vehicle has tire size suggestions based on the needs of the alignment and suspension of the car.  Wandering outside of that suggestion could result in harm to your car - and could void your warranty. A small sedan wouldn't need low-profile performance tires or high-series off-road tires. With 55 series rating, this tire is more mid-series than high or low. In this infographic of size markings on the sidewall of a tire, you can see where I've marked the ratio between sidewall thickness (or height) and width in green.  It's a percentage of the relationship (ie: the sidewall height is 55 percent of the tire's width), and is called the tire's "series" or "profile." A sporty tire with shorter sidewalls would be considered a lower-series tire. Off-road tires tend to be higher-series tires, designed to absorb the impact of a rough road or track. (Read about how different tires perform in inclement weather here.) If you're hoping to get the best ride quality possible, there are other parts of the car that can help. Read about those relationships here. Since a lot of these factors are difficult to measure, consulting an expert is really the best bet here. To stay updated as more portions of our Feet First series is published, Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter! This post was written by Milton Ruben Social Media Specialist Heather Cortright.

Between the funnel cakes, great music, and awesome people we met at Fort Gordon's Springfest last April, we couldn't resist another opportunity to support our #LoveAugusta community - so when we heard that Fort Gordon hosts one of the biggest, brightest, and boldest Independence Day bashes in the SouthEast, we practically leapt out of our loafers to be a part of it. And THIS time, it is ALL about our customers, our troops, and the beautiful people of Augusta, GA, and Aiken, SC.  Here's a list of the top ten things we can't wait for this week: 1. Our first ever three-day Freedom Tent Sale on Barton Field: We have set up a huge tent on Barton Field next to the stage - and there's no way you'll miss the stretches of gorgeous vehicles we'll have available for test drives (yes, ALL of them will be available for test drives).  We are even bringing some of our best Pre-Owned stock! We also have top secret, insane, crazy, over-the-top deals and discounts happening out there.  So insane, we're scared to post it in a public venue. (Corporate sponsors, look away!) We have already given away one of our three Yeti Coolers - come to our Tent Sale and be the one to go home with the second! 2. Seeing the Swingin' Medallions: Hitting the stage on Thursday evening at 7pm, the Swingin' Medallions are known as the "Party Band of the South," mastering covers of our favorite classics, as well as bringing their own sound to classic rock originals.  Every performance is a party with the Swingin' Medallions!  (Does this mean we should bring our dancing shoes?) Check them out on Facebook! 3. Getting rid of all of this junk: We have boxes stacked up all over the back nooks and crannies of our offices - and we're ready to get rid of them! Who knows what's inside! Jeep hats, Ram hats, Dodge hats, Mopar blankets, cups, coozies, water bottles, thermoses, backpacks, duffel bags, a Yeti Cooler, and that's all the digging I could do before the paper cuts descended.  It's a little late for spring cleaning - but we're doing it anyway.  Stay up to date with what we're doing with all that junk by liking us on Facebook, following us on Instagram, and on Twitter. This basket stuffed with Ram merchandise is just one of the things we're giving away this week! 4. Seeing you having a blast: One little card up our sleeve for the Carnival on Thursday - an Instagram Scavenger Hunt!  I will be investigating the grounds bright and early Thursday morning to sniff out stuff hidden around the place - and I'll be posting hints to help you find and photograph something happening at the fair.  The contest goes from 3:30 - 5:00, and every correct answer gets a point.  I can't tell you what you'll win yet, but trust me, it's valued at over $150. I've had to hide it from people so it doesn't disappear! I can't show you what's up for whoever wins the Instagram Scavenger Hunt - but I can tell you it's worth a lot more than this. 5. Giving out coupons: It's hard not to be patriotic when so many of our employees are veterans, and so many of our amazing customers come to us from Fort Gordon.  So we've put together a special coupon for anyone with a military ID - and it's hundreds of dollars off.  See the folks at our Tent Sale for more details! 6. Telling everyone about our DriveBaby™ Contest: It's shocking to hear that there aren't more people talking about our DriveBaby™ scholarship! It's so easy to enter, and so simple to win - why wouldn't you want to enter your little one? We are so excited to tell more people about this exciting opportunity - and it's super exciting! (Can you tell we're excited about it?) 7. Funnel Cake: 'Nuff said. (Drools.) 8. Showing off our specialty wrapped and decaled vehicles: The Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram manager David Percival is a huge fan of community events, and he has not failed to bring us some very special products to show off at this one.  You'll have to come see us to find out what I'm talking about, but when we say glory and patriotism, we mean it! 9. Listening to the Signal Corps Band: Because who has more practice knocking the Star Spangled Banner out of the park than a military band?? 10. Fort Gordon's Famous Firework Spectacle: It's infamous.  It's resilient.  It's persistent.  And from what we hear, it's Army Strong.  We can't wait to be in awe of Fort Gordon's once-a-year everything-but-the-kitchen-sink blowout firework spectacular!   After a list of stuff like that, why in the world would you NOT be there?  Drop in, take something off our hands, and enjoy everything Fort Gordon Morale Wellness and Recreation has been hard at work to provide! Happy Birthday, America!! Read more about our Community Involvement here! This post was written by Milton Ruben Social Media Manager Heather Cortright.  Photos and graphics provided by the same.

It's not hard to put yourself in my flip-flops on that sticky, mid-summer afternoon in downtown Columbia, SC.  If I had been interested in this blind date, I might have worried about the sweat soaking each limb, but instead, I shot a text to this mystery guy that I was standing in front of Pawley's Front Porch as agreed, and tipped my head back to soak in a few angry rays of Vitamin D. I tried to recall what photos I had seen of this guy to my mind - tall-ish, buzz cut, goofy grin, giant trophy with a gilded muscle car on top.  Oh yea, and an obnoxiously bright orange, black striped hunk of metal behind him.  Or at least that's what I thought of Irene at the time. But I didn't know her yet. I didn't used to be much of a car person.  I didn't used to be a big fan of Army Officers either, until I met Matt.  I had no idea that evening in July of 2012 would change so much when a 2011 SRT8 header orange Challenger revved it's engine at the light in front of the restaurant.  I didn't know that purr of eight powerful cylinders would soon release butterflies into my stomach every time I heard it.  What I thought at the time, actually, was "Great. Two hours with a guy who is going to be way more into his car than me."  And a little bit "Man that engine sounds nice..." Matt, Irene, and myself at the Atlanta Motor Speedway for the Corvettes Against Breast Cancer benefit in October 2012. I know now that the hours that would follow was a lot of self-control on Matt's part - NOT talking about his car, belovedly dubbed "Irene" after a hurricane (a story for another time), or Michigan football (I'm still getting over that one), two of his favorite subjects.  But it was for the best.  Instead of forcing Irene on me, Matt allowed me to find her qualities all by myself. Self portrait on the Dragon's Tail in TN. August 2012.   My first ride in Irene was on our fourth date, barrelling down I-20 with a rainbow of other mopars - his car club.  They teasingly attempted to make the Dodge-loyal Michigander blush without running me off over the radio, then unleashed the 8-year-old on me to test out my own "cool factor." Matt showed off his control of the manual transmission, and I lost my phone charger to the deep dark depths beneath the passenger sport seat. (Irene's rite of passage for me, perhaps?) Just a few of the mopars in one of our car clubs after some detailing. Matt's pretty proud of this pic. July 2013. Over the months that passed, through hours testing the limits of motion sickness on the Dragon's Tail, experiencing the force of 120mph on Atlanta's Motor Speedway at the Corvettes Against Breast Cancer benefit, seeing the family-like affection the car clubs had for Matt, and witnessing his face light up behind the wheel after a 90-hour work week, I found myself becoming fond of both of them. Now, people ask me on occasion if it bothers me, how "into cars" Matt is, that he named his vehicle, how much time and money he spends on it.  You really want to know?  Not at all. Matt and I in front of the 2013 SRT TA Viper Matt got to drive at one of our SRT events. Irene has given us a lot of pretty amazing opportunities for stuff like this. March 2014.   Irene helped me understand the automotive industry a little better; she brought me to this job; she afforded us an opportunity to meet great people and make life-long friends; she gives Matt a sense of pride and a safe haven from the stresses of his job; and, selfishly, she gifts me with uninterrupted quality time on the road with my very busy military man.  I'm glad Irene is such a huge part of our lives - and that she always will be.  We wouldn't be where we are today without her. Do I think it's a little weird that I've adopted this affectionate obsession with calling a car by a feminine pronoun? Absolutely.  But that's growing on me too. Matt, Irene, and myself at the Fort Gordon Springfest BOSS Carshow, where we won two trophies - one for club participation, and one for Irene's sweet carpets I got for Matt on his 27th birthday. That's my #moparlove story - What's yours? Share it with us! Introducing, Heather Cortright, our new Social Media Specialist.  Heather graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2011 with a degree in Visual Communications.  After a few years working as a photojournalist with the US Army, and a period of time at a non-profit school in Columbia, Heather came to us a photographer, transitioning into our social media position last month. In her free time, Heather volunteers on Fort Gordon and enjoys photographing road trips she takes with her boyfriend and his SRT Challenger.  Welcome, Heather!

The following quotes were taken directly from the Milton Ruben Superstore in Augusta, GA's page on cars.com. See them here. "I felt that the service personnel, Danielle Furtado, actually listened to me and wanted to make my experience hassle free. She was able to make a connection with her customers and was knowledgeable about the cars." - by Kelli from Martinez, GA | June 8, 2014 "greeted promptly and courteously, found leaks in 2 tires, replaced them, and found that road hazard insurance covered the cost (which I wouldn't have known otherwise). Great folks." - by Shelby from Augusta GA | June 8, 2014 "Had great experience, are salesman Britain Hayes didn't treat us like we were commission but as people looking for information on cars." - by Augusta ga from augusta ga | June 7, 2014 "Mike Shrank did a great job setting up my appt and getting me through service in a very timely manner." - by Melanie from Auguta, gA | June 7, 2014 "I did not have an appointment - however I was welcomed - shown to a very comfortable waiting room - and never felt forgotten - a very pleasant experience." - by Melvin from Martinez, ga | June 5, 2014 "When I drove in, I was met by courteous people, car taken care of, and drove out very satisfied. Thank you!" - by Sheryl from Augusta, ga. | June 4, 2014 "The fact that I was stranded in Augusta and experiencing serious car issues upon arrival - Danielle Furtado took good care of me and my car!" - by Kimberly from Augusta, GA | June 3, 2014 "Loved that I called that morning and scheduled my oil change for that afternoon. In and out in under an hour!" - by Sonia from Augusta, GA | June 3, 2014 "Kim was very knowledgeable and made the experience the best I have ever had. This is my 3rd Toyota but first purchase at this dealership. Kim was outstanding and finance got me in and out quickly." - by Jonathon from Augusta, GA | June 3, 2014 "Went in to buy used car for 19 year old son, and needed a certain payment level. After working up the used car price, was informed we could actually get a brand new one for less, and be at our monthly payment price. Awesome." - by TJMIDS from Augusta, GA | June 3, 2014 A great big thank-you to all of our Milton Ruben Superstore customers - you guys are wonderful!  Thanks for taking the time to review us! To keep up to date on what's going on at Milton Ruben, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Instagram, and LinkedIn!