Lakers Players and Legends Team Up
at the Riviera Country Club

The Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation held their annual charity golf tournament at The Riviera Country Club last month. With strong support from corporate sponsors that included Rusnak Audi/Pasadena and Westlake and Rusnak Auto Group, Korbel Champagne, Anschutz Entertainment Group and the Hilton Family of Hotels, over $100,000 was raised for the Foundation. Golfers were treated to a sunny Southern California afternoon at the world renowned Riviera Country Club which was in terrific condition as it recently hosted the PGA Tour’s Northern Trust Open in February.

After an official greeting by the Laker Girls, sponsors had the opportunity to play golf alongside Lakers Legends James Worthy, Rick Fox and Norm Nixon, sports stars Rogie Vachon, Luc Robitaille and Bret Saberhagen, and Hollywood stars Don Cheadle and Jerry Ferrara. After golf, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the entire Lakers team attended the cocktail reception and gala dinner.
Hosted by Lakers broadcaster Joel Meyers, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant and Head Coach Phil Jackson addressed the audience and reminisced about some of their fondest Lakers memories to commemorate the team’s 60th anniversary. As a result of the live auction, which featured a custom made purple and gold Lakers golf cart, trips to Europe and Lakers’ floor seats; the silent auction which featured memorabilia, jewelry and vacation packages, over $100,000 was raised for the Lakers Youth Foundation. Janie Drexel, Executive Director of The Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation said, “The event was a great success. The corporate sponsors really enjoyed interacting with the Lakers players and we were thrilled the entire team came out to support the Foundation.” The Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation’s goal is to assist nonprofit community organizations based on need.

With the Foundation’s focus on the use of sports to promote education, teamwork and self-esteem among Los Angeles area youth, the fundraising directly supports these initiatives by providing financial assistance to children and local youth programs.

Hillsides Honors Rusnak for Giving Back to Community

During Child Abuse Prevention Month, Hillsides, a foster care children’s charity, honored Rusnak Auto Group at Hillsides Annual Angel Award Ceremony. For its commitment to giving back to the community in San Gabriel Valley, including Pasadena, Rusnak Auto Group was selected by the local charity to receive the Hillsides Community Angel Award. With support from the company’s leadership, Paul Rusnak, to generous time and commitment given by his daughter, Elizabeth Rusnak Arizmendi, Rusnak’s vice president of public relations, Rusnak Auto Group is truly devoted to many community organizations including Hillsides mission to create safe places for foster care children and children at risk, as well as their families. From donating soap box derby cars, to collecting holiday gifts and toys for the children, Rusnak Auto Group is a loyal friend to Hillsides. With over a decade on record as a generous donor, Rusnak Auto Group through Rusnak Arizmendi’s involvement has been represented on Hillsides Annual Benefit Board Committee, generated and distributed press releases, gained media exposure for Hillsides, donated toys, sponsored numerous annual benefits, and has remained a Rainbow Society member. “Bringing a bit of joy to others is very rewarding,” said Rusnak Arizmendi. “To be able to give and raise money to children at Hillsides for a free life of violence is a responsibility of the fortunate.” Rusnak Arizmendi added that to give to Hillsides is “simply quite easy.”

“Rusnak Auto Group brings so much joy to the lives of many individuals served through the numerous organizations it reaches out to in the community, including Hillsides,” said Hillsides Executive Director John Hitchcock. Other volunteers received awards for helping foster care children in Los Angeles. Jacob Maarse Floral Design, Jacob Maarse, and Hank Maarse were honored with the Hillsides Angel Award. Special Recognition Angel Awards were presented to: Pasadena resident Barbara Robison, Hillsides Board and Guild Member; Tokio Marine Management, Inc. in Pasadena; and Hillsides Volunteer Network members Stephen and Susan Wittmer, also members of Friends of Foster Children. “Volunteers bring a unique ability to contribute to Hillsides mission, and celebrating their volunteerism during Child Abuse Prevention Month in April helps to also address the issues that brought a majority of children to live at Hillsides,” said Hitchcock. Raising additional awareness of these issues was actress Alison Arngrim, who is best known to viewers for her portrayal of the incredibly unpleasant "Nellie Oleson" on the beloved television show, "Little House On The Prairie." Arngrim was the keynote speaker at the Annual Angel Awards Ceremony for the 95-year foster care children’s charity. After touring the charity’s campus, Arngrim expressed to the guests how much she wished to have lived at Hillsides, in a safe place, while growing up. She shared her personal experience having been a survivor of child abuse in her early childhood. Arngrim’s advocacy work includes being the spokesperson for the National Association to Protect Children, bringing awareness, education, and legislative changes to child abuse and molestation. “As a past candidate who could have lived at Hillsides, I thank you for not turning away from this human rights issue,” Arngrim said. To learn more about Hillsides and how you can support the foster care charity’s advocacy efforts, visit www.Hillsides.org.

BMW Awards Highest Honors to Rusnak BMW

Rusnak BMW has won the prestigious 2008 Center of Excellence Award, presented annually by BMW of North America to recognize sales leadership with the highest level of customer satisfaction. The award is presented to only 31 of the 338 BMW centers nationwide. The Center of Excellence Award recognizes the entire team at Rusnak BMW for providing extraordinary client care and for demonstrating a high level of excitement and enthusiasm for the BMW brand. BMW customers nationwide are given an opportunity to evaluate their sales and service experience at BMW dealerships via an independent survey. Survey results were used to select the 31 BMW centers nationwide for this outstanding honor. BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and the Rolls-Royce brand of Motor Cars; Designworks USA, an industrial design firm in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group’s global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all Z4 models and X5 Sports Activity Vehicles and the upcoming X6 Sport Activity Coupe. Visit Rusnak BMW, located at 3832 Thousand Oaks Blvd.,Thousand Oaks, CA or call one of our Experienced Sales Associates at (888) 495-1082.

Paul Rusnak Finalist for AIADA’S
2008 Dealer of the Year Award

The American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) announced this week that Paul Rusnak, owner of the Rusnak Auto Group in Pasadena, Arcadia, Westlake, and Loma Linda, California is among five finalists for the 2008 Dealer of the Year Award, presented by Newsweek. This important award is given annually to a dealer for his or her outstanding contributions to the community and the international automobile industry. AIADA presents its Dealer of the Year Award not only to recognize individual dealers, but to highlight the tremendous civic spirit and business acuity that characterizes all of America’s international auto dealers. “The Dealer of the Year award pays tribute to some of America’s hardest-working small business owners,” said AIADA President Cody Lusk. “Their dedication to the auto industry, their families, and their communities is truly remarkable, and is a powerful reminder of the vital role international nameplate dealers play in our economy.” Rusnak Auto Group has nine international dealerships serve all of Southern California, and include Audi, BMW, Bentley, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Maybach, Rolls-Royce, Porsche, and Volvo franchises. All of Rusnak’s dealerships are known for their deep commitment to customer service – and for good reason. They offer customers access to the finest facilities, automotive professionals, and technologies on the west coast. And it’s not just customers who are loyal to the Rusnak dealerships; of his 736 employees, 98 have been with Rusnak for more than 10 years, and three have worked for him for more than 30 years! They stay for the steady leadership, wellness programs, in-house training, and prevailing sense of community. Rusnak, who emigrated to the U.S. from the Slovak Republic in his early teens, is deeply invested in the vitality of the automotive industry and local economy. He has been an active member in associations important to the industry, such as: AIADA, the National Automobile Dealers Association, and the Southern California Automobile Dealer’s Association. He has been a 2008 Center of Excellence award winner from BMW, an Audi Magna Society Dealer Award winner, Best of the Best Award winner for seven continuous years from Mercedes, and Volvo President’s Club award winner in 2008. He is also active in state, local, national, and international political fundraising – serving as the president of the Slovak World Congress. Locally, Rusnak is know as much for his philanthropy as for his car sales. He supports a staggering number of charitable organizations, from The Make-A-Wish foundation of Greater Los Angeles to the AIDS Service Center Los Angeles. He spends both time and money sustaining programs critical to southern California, including the Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles, the Children’s Miracle Network, Hillsides, the National Kidney Foundation of Greater Los Angeles, and the Pasadena POPS Orchestra and Symphony. AIADA will recognize the five finalists and announce the winner of the Dealer of the Year Award during a dinner held Wednesday April 30, 2008 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, D.C. The award presentation kicks off AIADA’s 2nd Annual International Auto Industry Summit (April 30 – May 1). AIADA’s International Auto Industry Summit brings together dealers, their employees, industry executives, and some of the nation’s most prominent elected officials for a real and substantial dialogue.The Dealer of the Year award winner, along with the finalists, will be profiled in an upcoming issue of Newsweek magazine and various AIADA publications.

Distinguished Speaker Series

On Wednesday, April 16th, Distinguished Speakers Series of Southern California presented Bill Cosby. Bill Cosby, Best known for “The Cosby Show,” which aired from 1984-92, and his books, “Fatherhood” and “Time Flies,” Cosby is one of the most influential stars in America. He has been involved in nearly every entertainment medium - stand-up comedy, concert recordings, TV, film, print and more. His distinct style of humor often centers on the basic cornerstones of our lives - parenting, family and citizens in our communities. His lifelong contributions to our culture and commitment to education, earned him a Kennedy Center Honor in 1998 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America's highest civilian honor in 2002. Rusnak Mercedes-Benz has been a proud sponsor of the Distinguished Speakers Series for the past 8 years. To purchase your season tickets, please visit them online at www.speakersla.com or call Kathy Winterhalder at (310) 546-6222.

Bentley Pasadena Supports 2008 USA
Water Polo Men’s National Team

The 2008 USA Water Polo Men’s National Team held a private scrimmage on Tuesday, April 22 in partnership with Bentley Pasadena and The Children’s Miracle Network.  Members of the 2008 National Team including former Olympians Tony Azevedo, Genai Kerr and Brandon Brooks were on hand for the entertaining match where the players displayed their skills in preparation for the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing.  Special guests of Bentley Pasadena were thrilled to cheer on the athletes and now look forward to supporting their local heroes this August.
In conjunction with the event, Jon, a child from the Children’s Miracle Network will be granted his wish later in June, of swimming in the pool with the Men’s Olympic Water Polo Team.  “We are thrilled to be able to grant Jon’s wish. Our entire ream is looking forward to meeting such an inspirational child.  I’m sure Jon’s story will inspire the team to reach for their ultimate goal of being on the medal stand this summer,” Head Coach Terry Schroeder said.  “He has overcome so many obstacles at such an early age it reminds us of how lucky we are as healthy athletes.”

ViViD Magazine Presents- “Celebration of Luxury In Lifestyle II” Benefiting The Virgin Unite Foundation

On Friday, April 25th, ViViD Magazine hosted their second annual exclusive celebration of luxury in lifestyle this spring! The only and premier source of the most influential Chinese Americans will host the second annual luxury lifestyle event at the newly acquired Langham Huntington Hotel (formerly the Ritz Carlton) in Pasadena, California benefiting Sir Richard Brandson’s Virgin Unite Foundation. With major sponsors Harrah’s Entertainment, Pernod Ricard’s Martell Cognac, Morgan Stanley, Rusnak Auto Group and Le Bijou Luxury Jewelers, this event was truly an affair to remember. With an exclusive guest list of only 100 VIPS, the event gathered together some of today’s most prominent and successful members in the Asian and Chinese- American community. Not only did guests have the opportunity to see the latest goods in luxury, they also were able to make connections that may lead to a lifetime of friendships and viable business connections, all at the same time benefiting the noble causes of the Virgin Unite Foundation. Dressed in beautiful décor, the venue was transformed into a fragrant spring society party for the evening with a Bentley Continental Flying Spur, Rolls-Royce Phantom, Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe, and a Maybach 57 from Rusnak/Pasadena featuring their luxury vehicles, and L.A. Models were showcasing Le Bijou Luxury Jewelers’ fine collection throughout the night as they were seen walking about modeling the latest in high fashion, watches and jewelry. Drinks from the Pernod Ricard liquor brand with Martell cognac in particular was featured alongside swing/jazz music entertainment provided by Fresh Events Company, the evening was not only a lavish event but also a relaxing preamble to spring break for most of the VIP guests. Throughout the night, guests were treated to a gourmet food tasting with mouth-watering hors d'oeuvres and delectable dessert selections. Guests also had the opportunity to win raffle prizes that included a sumptuous spa weekend at the Langham Huntington Hotel and Spa, a Cartier watch with other prizes. And to end the night, guests were sent home with swag bags filled with the latest in luxury services and products valued at $1,000.00. The grand event had press coverage from Los Angeles Times, Chinese Daily News and ViViD Magazine. ViViD Magazine’s “Celebration of Luxury in Lifestyle II” was the second of the publication’s serial of luxury events to come in bringing together the best of branding, commerce and philanthropy all at one setting.

Rusnak on The Price Is Right

In 2008 Rusnak Jaguar, part of the Rusnak Auto Group, was on The Price is Right game show in prime time with host, Drew Carey at 8pm on CBS Channel 2. The 2008 Jaguar XK was in the first showcase in the program. The viewership for this nationally syndicated show is 10.33 million per CBS. Watch the Price Is Right and see a Porsche Cayman from Rusnak Porsche Pasadena on Wednesday May 14 and a Jaguar XF from Rusnak Jaguar Pasadena on May 21 at 8pm.

Rusnak Volvo Honored

Rusnak Volvo was announced as a Volvo “President’s Club” Award winner for 2007. Only 35 dealers in the entire North American market received this recognition, for sales and customer satisfaction. Visit Rusnak Volvo at 2025 East Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA or call one of our Experienced Sales Associates at (888) 298-0366.

Experience The 11th Annual Big Night Out
Benefiting AIDS Service Center

On Saturday, May 10, AIDS Service Center (ASC) will host the 11th Anniversary of Big Night Out. This unique affair explores the charm and elegance of Pasadena and surrounding area by hosting approximately twenty exclusive dinner parties in some of the region’s most distinguished and historic settings. Big Night Out has become one of the region’s most enthusiastically anticipated events and ASC’s premiere fund raising event. The concept is simple: guests gather at a central location for a gala reception, which precedes the evening’s activities. The gala includes auctions, hors-d'oeuvres, and a hosted bar. The auctions include a range of must-have items from the travel and entertainment industries to personal services and luxury goods including a Bentley luxury weekend package. Following the gala reception you will make your way to one of the privately themes dinner parties. Tickets for Big Night Out are $200. Reception only is $75. For more information, including how to purchase tickets or to become involved with Big Night Out, please contact Anthony Guthmiller, Director of Marketing at (626) 441-8495 ext. 241 or email amg@aidssc.org.

Distinguished Dads Father’s Day Brunch

On Sunday, June 15th, 2008 the Langham Huntington Hotel & Spa, Rusnak Auto Group, and Moet Hennessy will hold their second annual “Distinguished Dads” brunch on Father’s Day from 10:00am to 2:00pm. The spectacular “Distinguished Dads” brunch will feature Dom Perignon, caviar, and an extensive buffet in the lobby lounge surrounding terraces and the Horseshoe Garden. Rusnak Auto Group will showcase luxury automobiles throughout the grounds. The tented lounge area in the Horseshoe Garden will feature cigars by Chivas, the finest Hennessy XO cognac and plasma screen TVs showing the U.S. Open golf tournament. To reserve your tickets today, call the Langham Huntington Hotel & Spa at (626) 568-3900.

From The Rusnak Mailbox

Numerous letters of gratitude were received this month. Here are a couple we would like to share with you.

We start off this month’s mail with a wonderful letter to the Public Relations Department:

Hello Liz,

Well, it’s that time of the year when we put the big wheel in storage and return Vanna White to her cryogenic chamber, but I want to say thank you so much for all of your wonderful help this season! It’s been an absolute pleasure working with you and each of your excellent managers. I can’t tell you how relieved I was throughout the year whenever I saw that we were featuring a Rusnak vehicle – I knew that everything would be taken care of easily, efficiently, and with joy! I just wish that you could take over every dealership in town and make all cars Rusnak cars! It has been a pleasure working with you and your team this season and I look forward to starting it all over again when we return in July.


Thanks again and have a GREAT SUMMER!!

Adam Fox
Account Executive
Promotional Consideration, Inc.

Dear Mr. Rusnak:

I am privileged to extend my most heartfelt thanks to you for your support of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and the patients that we serve. We sincerely appreciate your partnership in Noche de Ninos 2006, as title sponsor for the inaugural Children’s Cup golf tournament in June 2007 and the many philanthropic opportunities you’ve hosted on behalf of the hospital: the Rusnak Ladies Day at the Races, Rusnak Breakfast at St. John-Beverly Hills, and the Rusnak Jaguar & Frockx Debute Shopping Event, to name just a few. Giving is at the heart of miracles that take place daily at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. The spirit of this hospital extends beyond our eight-acre campus into a broader community of individuals. You are an example of that spirit and for that we are grateful for your steadfast support and the support of the Rusnak Automotive Group. With your assistance, we can offer every child who enters our doors the chance for a brighter future. On behalf of the seriously ill and injured children and youth who find help and hope at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, we wish you all the best and thank you again.

Sincerely,
Phil Kong
Director
Special Events
Childrens Hospital Los Angeles

Liz,

You have a new posterboy for Jaguar on the streets today. After my buddy picked up the new XF on Tuesday for his wife I came in and leased a XKR coupe – it’s a rocket on wheels!
I hope all is well with you and look forward to seeing you soon.

Jonathan D. Jaffrey
Pasadena, CA

Good Morning Andrew and Ron,

Thanks for inviting Justin and me to the USA water polo scrimmage and Bentley Brooklands demonstration. We had a great time and came away even more enamored of Bentleys in general and the Brooklands in particular. I must say, however, the high point of the trip was meeting Liz. What a lady! I have no doubt boredom has no place in your lives. On the way home Justin was getting a little tired, so I said, “Liz” and he perked right up. She has that effect on people. We’re looking forward to our next meeting in June at the Rusnak Evening at the POPS, if not before.

Thanks again,
Barry Barisic
Fresno, CA

Hello Mr. Rusnak,

It was truly such a pleasure having the opportunity to meet you last night at the Bentley Pasadena Laker Experience at the Staples Center.  I wanted to sincerely thank you and the company for such an enjoyable evening.  I had a wonderful time and met so many lovely people last night including yourself. I hope that we will have the opportunity to work together in the near future.

With kind regards,
Mychael Chang
Fine Catering

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