Claire Danes at Harvard for Hasty Pudding

Article Courtesy of :  The Boston Herald

What a wonderful day.

It feels like just yesterday that I covered last year’s Woman of the Year event with Julianne Moore, but really it was a year ago.

But now I headed back across the river for the 2012 Hasty Pudding Theatricals event, with this year’s female honoree, Claire Danes.

You can read my article in today’s Inside Track about the event, but I could only get so much info into 6 inches of the paper.

So here’s all the other details I had to leave out…

Herb Chambers Bentley Boston - "Claire Danes - Hasty Pudding"

Getting Ready to Rumble: Upon arrival, I headed into the theater building and press room to case the joint. You know, check it out to see who else is in there, make sure I have access to free cookies, try to log onto a wireless network, the usual stuff. So I’m checking out all the other press people, and I see one of the chairs is marked for CBS Early Morning, which I thought was interesting. And then I see a man with the same green priority media tag as I have, and I realize…dundundun…it’s MO ROCCA. MO ROCCA is covering the event because he does segments on CBS Early Morning. Are you flippin’ kidding me? The man is a celebrity himself, and he’s covering the event! I mean, if you’re press, but you’re a celebrity in your own right, that’s BALLER. The man was a Daily Show correspondent, for pete’s sake. I DIE!

Pre-parade festivities: Claire and her husband, the adorable Hugh Dancy, (you’d know him as Ted, Elizabeth Olsen’s brother in law in Martha Marcy May Marlene!) landed in Cambridge and had a scrumptious lunch at UpStairs on the Square. The staff described her as “a doll,” and said in her honor that they cooked up a vegetarian meal.

Here’s the menu of what they had:

“Butter Lettuce

Ruby Red Grapefruit & Avocado

Half of a Cider-Glazed Acorn Squash

Warn Warro, Tuscan Kale & Quince

Vanilla White Chocolate Cake

Passionfruit Caramel & Creme Legere”

AHHHH. Nothing like some “Butter Lettuce” to get me in the mood.

Herb Chambers Bentley Boston - "Claire Danes - Hasty Pudding"

I love a parade: While Claire is paraded around the streets of Cambridge in a blue Bentley (courtesy of Herb Chambers of course…that security for the blue Bentley was 90 times tighter than it was for Claire herself!) a brass band played “When the Saints Go Marchin’ In,” and everyone’s feeling all festive. She mugs for the crowd and climbs the steps to the theater. Then everyone heads inside.

Herb Chambers Bentley Boston - "Claire Danes - Hasty Pudding"

Pudding Pot Presentation: A lot of LOLZ were made  at the fact that Claire dropped out of Yale after 2 years. The Hasty Pudding dudes LOVED ranking on the Yalies:

“Claire made waves after leaving Yale after 2 years….2 years is a normal amount of time to spend at a community college.”

So in her acceptance speech, they handed her the pudding pot, and she said “This is as empty as a Yale degree! You know you are outside the boundaries of Hollywood when a woman receives an award from which she can eat.” She then proceeded to drop it on the ground. oops!  “I do like to eat. I do like to eat me some pudding. I do like the taste of it. This is awesome. This is really awesome.”

Then everyone moves upstairs for the press conference, where we each get to ask her one question. I had been chatting with Janet Wu Tang Clan from Channel 7, but she needed to get out of there in time for the 6pm news, so she asked if she could ask her question ahead of me. Of course, I’m like, sure, Janet Wu Tang Clan, no problem. But then she asks the exact same question I was going to say. DOH! Here question was about the Superbowl.

On the Superbowl: “I’m going!” Claire said. “I keep being like, that’s kind of wasted on me. I’m there for the nachos and the alcohol. I don’t know anything about football. I have no excuse. I have gotten a number of tutorials from people who do know about it. I’ll go for halftime. I’m going to the game, I think. And I will enjoy the dancing and the cheerleaders and those little talk phones.” (note: I think she means…MEGAPHONES.)

On whether she feels incomplete for dropping out of college halfway through: ” I do…I had a great experience at Yale. When I was there, I was fully committed and loved it and I’m forever indebted to that experience. I had spent my entire adolescence on a film set, and I was very drained by that. I was craving a different adventure. That really satisfied my urge. I got the fundamentals of college. I drank too much watered down beer. I made my best friends. I felt fulfilled personally. I didn’t need 2 more years, I think…I was very shaped by that time and that institution.”

Herb Chambers Bentley Boston - "Claire Danes - Hasty Pudding"

Finally, it was my turn…luckily, I had my backup questions prepared:

On Season 2 of Homeland: “I don’t know anything. I really don’t. It may not be a direct time cut. Time will have elapsed. Some episodes will have been shot overseas. Maybe you see Carrie in Iraq again. I hope she’s in better shape than we last found her. I want her to wash her hair and put on some lipstick and come back swinging. She suffered some hard knocks.”

On which is harder- playing someone with Bipolar Disorder on Homeland, or someone who is Autistic, in Temple Grandin: “They were both rather challenging and fascinating. I think I’ve learned that bipolar condition is actually more challenging than autism, in that it is defined by its erraticism. With autism you can develop skills and coping mechanisms that will improve your quality of life that develop over time, and things get better. With bipolar, it’s harder to tame, because it is so scattered. It’s very exhausting to play somebody in a full blown manic episode. I am fascinated by psychology and acting. I’m so fortunate to have experiences like this.”

Herb Chambers Bentley Boston - "Claire Danes - Hasty Pudding"

On the experience as a whole: I’ve had a great day and it’s just been a blast and utterly trippy.

That parade will remain forever emblazoned on my mind as a wonderful thing.”

VIDEO VIA HARVARD MAGAZINE

Article Courtesy of :  The Boston Herald

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Visit Herb Chambers Official Website: CLICK HERE!

HERB CHAMBERS HYUNDAI OF WESTBOROUGH and HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA Award a Brand-New 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA to the LUCKY WINNER OF Boston Marathon JIMMY FUND WALK CONTEST

Herb Chambers HYUNDAI of WESTBOROUGH

On Friday, January 13, 2012, Herb Chambers Hyundai of Westborough will host a ceremony during which Hyundai Motor America will award Julie Sullivan of Reading, MA, with a 2012 Hyundai Elantra.

Julie Sullivan, who participated in the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk on September 18, 2011, entered an online contest for Jimmy Fund Walk participants and was selected as the lucky winner.

Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk

WHERE:

Herb Chambers Hyundai of Westborough

75 Otis Street, Westborough (just off Route 9)

WHO:

Herb Chambers, Founder and CEO, Herb Chambers Companies

John Murray, General Manager, Herb Chambers Hyundai of Westborough

Pete DiPersia, General Manager/Eastern Region, Hyundai Motor America

Dave O’Brien, Merchandising Manager, Hyundai Motor America

Tony Antoska, District Manager, Hyundai Motor America

Kevin Jeans, Associate Director of Corporate Partnerships, The Jimmy Fund

Julie Sullivan – the Lucky Winner

Herb Chambers Hyundai Elantra

About Herb Chambers Companies

Herb Chambers purchased his first car dealership in 1985 and has grown his company into the largest automobile dealership group in New England.

Today, the Herb Chambers Companies are comprised of 50 automotive dealerships throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island, including Audi, Bentley, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Hummer, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jeep, Land Rover, Lexus, Maybach, Mercedes Benz, Mini, Pontiac, Porsche, Rolls Royce, Saab, Saturn, Scion, Smart, Toyota, Vespa and pre-owned vehicles. For a list of dealership locations, visit www.herbchambers.com.

Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk

About the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk:

The Boston Marathon^® Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai is a one-day event that unites thousands of walkers, sponsors, and volunteers for one mission: raising funds to help Dana-Farber Cancer Institute conquer all forms of cancer.

Since its inauguration in 1989, the Walk has raised more than $73 million to support patient care and groundbreaking discoveries at Dana-Farber.

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Visit Herb Chambers Official Website: CLICK HERE!

Driving toward change
Two Route 114 dealerships to get makeovers

By Ethan Forman Staff writer

Article Courtesy of:  Salem News

Architect's rendering shows what the new exterior of the Herb Chambers Chrysler/Jeep dealership will look like after renovations are completed at 107 Andover St. The project is one of two Herb Chambers is proposing for dealerships along Route 114, including a new Cadillac dealership at 90 Andover St. (not shown).

DANVERS — Amid an apparent uptick in the car business, the Herb Chambers Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram dealership on Route 114 could soon be getting a whole new look and a new showroom thanks to a proposed 4,000-square-foot addition.

And at Chambers’ Chevrolet and Cadillac dealerships down the road at 90 Andover St., there are plans for a new, standalone 8,500-square-foot Cadillac dealership.

“We are in the early stages” of this second project, said Wakefield attorney Ted Regnante, general counsel for Herb Chambers.

Last week, the Danvers Planning Board continued a public hearing on the Chrysler Jeep dealership project at 107 Andover St. until Jan. 10 as project proponents tweak engineering issues to meet technical requirements.

“We are completely modernizing the building,” Regnante said.

The addition would fill in a jog in the front corner of the dealership and give the facility a showroom, Senior Planner Kate Day said.

“We presently do not have a showroom on the inside of the building,” Regnante said. The addition would also expand the service area and improve stormwater drainage on the site. Both the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Conservation Commission have approved the plans, which will also include extensive landscaping along Route 114.

No plans have been filed for the new Herb Chambers Cadillac dealership building. Both Chambers’ Cadillac and Chevrolet dealerships share the same building.

“We are going to sit down with all the various boards that have jurisdiction to get their input,” Regnante said of this project.

The work at the two Herb Chambers locations may signal the car business could be in for better days, Regnante said.

Despite a lull at the start of the year, “Our sales are up substantially at both locations within the last quarter,” Regnante said.

Chambers operates about 50 dealerships in New England, and they, too, are selling more cars.

“We are seeing that throughout our whole organization,” Regnante said.

According to the website TrueCar.com, sales of new cars in the United States in 2011 could reach 12.8 million units, the highest level since 2008.

The website forecast that Chrysler would see a 33.8 percent increase in December 2011 sales, compared with sales during the same month one year ago.

Regnante praised Danvers officials, and Day in particular, for accommodating the project and taking a pro-development attitude.

“We found the town to be extremely helpful and accommodating to us,” Regnante said.

Staff writer Ethan Forman can be reached at 978-338-2673, by email at eforman@salemnews.com or on Twitter @DanverSalemNews.

Article Courtesy of:  Salem News

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Visit Herb Chambers Official Website: CLICK HERE!

Article Courtesy of:  Boston.com

Herb Chambers helps the toy drive!

Herb Chambers & Mayor Thomas Menino - Annual Toy Drive Donation

Mayor Tom Menino has a laugh with Herb Chambers after the car czar dropped off a $50,000 check to support the mayor’s toy drive.

It’s been another good year for car king Herb Chambers, who today presented Hizzoner Tom Menino with a $50,000 check – and pick-up truck full of toys — for the mayor’s annual toy drive.

Menino remarked that Chambers, who grew up in Dorchester, has never forgotten where came from.

Herb Chambers & Mayor Thomas Menino - Annual Toy Drive Donation

Herb Chambers & Mayor Thomas Menino - Annual Toy Drive Donation

Herb Chambers & Mayor Thomas Menino - Annual Toy Drive Donation

Herb Chambers & Mayor Thomas Menino - Annual Toy Drive Donation

Herb Chambers & Mayor Thomas Menino - Annual Toy Drive Donation

Herb Chambers & Mayor Thomas Menino - Annual Toy Drive Donation

Herb Chambers & Mayor Thomas Menino - Annual Toy Drive Donation

Visit Herb Chambers Official Website: CLICK HERE!

The technology is available on 2012 Ford Edge and goes global with availability on 2012 Ford Focus.

Ford introduced a smart, safe, simple system to connect drivers with in-car technologies and their digital lives today at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES^®).

Herb Chambers Ford of Braintree Employee Eric Digirolamo

Photo by Christopher Evans

He was 33 and not looking forward to Thanksgiving dinner with his family.

“I didn’t want to go, not having a job, or any idea of what I wanted to do, and not even having a car,” Eric Digirolamo recalls. “I was living with my brother. At a time in my life when I should have been climbing some ladder of success, I couldn’t even find a bottom rung. I felt like such a loser.”

But that was nine years ago.

Today, he manages pre-owned sales for Herb Chambers Ford of Braintree and if he looks like a picture of success it’s because that’s exactly how he sees himself, thanks in large part to an unknown lady from LoJack.

At his request, this one’s for her.

“I began thinking about my grandfather,” Digirolamo went on, referring to the late Harry Carlson, a legendary member of the Bosox Club who made his living selling tires and cars. “To him, it wasn’t about what he sold; what mattered most to him were the relationships he had with his customers.

“I wondered if I could be like him. So I got up one morning, put on a suit and walked two miles to a dealership, asking to speak to the manager. We talked for 20 minutes and he agreed to give me a try.

“At first, the other guys all welcomed me with open arms: ‘Nice to meet you! How’s it going?’ The second day they were much cooler. By the fourth day I was pretty down; I hadn’t sold one car.

“That’s when she walked in. ‘She said, ‘Eric, I saw you when I was here the other day, and you don’t look as happy now as you did then. I can see it on your face. Let me guess; most of these guys aren’t talking to you now, right? I’ve been in this game a long time and have seen lots of people come and go, yet, after all this, you’re still here.’

“I said, ‘Wow, you really do know the business.’

“She smiled and said, ‘Here’s what’s going to happen. You’re going to make a sale real soon and, I promise, it’s going to change everything.’

“Ten minutes after she left I sold a brand new truck. I was so pumped! She gave me hope when I needed it, and I’ve loved what I do ever since.”

So this will be a terrific Thanksgiving for Eric.

“But I am embarrassed to say I can’t remember her name, so I can only hope she’ll read this because I’d like her to know that one of the things I’m most thankful for is her.”

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/columnists/view.bg?articleid=1383186

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Visit Herb Chambers Official Website: CLICK HERE!

Herb Chambers Toyota of Boston would like to invite you to a very special event on Thursday, November 17 at 6 PM!

We will be unveiling the all new 2102 Toyota Camry, the 2102 Prius V and the 2102 Yaris and showcasing the innovative technologies that these incredible vehicles are bringing to the market.

Please come join us for food, catered by GOURMET CATERERS, drinks sand the chance to win and iPad 2, all for a good cause.

Bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Great Boston Food Bank, and you’ll be automatically entered for a chance to win and iPad 2.

You must be present to win, so mark your calendars and prepare to be blown away by the next generation of Toyota vehicles.

CLICK HERE TO RSVP!

Official Press Release:

Herb Chambers Toyota of Boston Hosts the “2012 Toyota Launch Event” in Benefit of the Greater Boston Food Bank

Boston’s leading Toyota dealership invites the community to join them for an evening of surprises as they unveil all-new 2012 models.

Boston, MA – November 11, 2011: Herb Chambers Toyota of Boston (www.herbchamberstoyotaofboston.com) is proud to unveil its impressive lineup of 2012 models in a celebration that will treat guests to gourmet hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, and the chance to win an iPad 2.

The event will take place on Thursday, November 17^th, at 6 p.m., featuring the all new 2012 Toyota Camry, 2012 Prius V and 2012 Yaris. Vehicle specialists will also showcase the innovative technologies that these incredible vehicles are bringing to the market, including 44 MPG Hybrid Synergy Drive, the JBL Synthesis Premium Sound System, Smart Key Technology, and the all-new Entune Infotainment System, which gives drivers access to Bing’s advanced search engine technology, Pandora radio, and real time info that includes traffic, weather, fuel prices, sports and stocks.

In their continued efforts to end hunger in the community, Herb Chambers Toyota of Boston invites guests to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Greater Boston Food Bank (www.gbfb.org), and with this simple donation, guests will be entered in the iPad 2 giveaway.

In addition to introducing the 2012 Camry, Prius V and Yaris to Boston drivers, Herb Chambers Toyota of Boston is making it easy to take one home. The dealership is offering deep discounts, like $149 per month lease on Yaris, and $199 per month lease on Camry, to approved customers.

The “By Invitation Only” event requires guests to RSVP at www.HerbChambersToyotaLaunch.com.

About Herb Chambers Toyota of Boston: Located at 32 Brighton Avenue in Boston, Herb Chambers Toyota of Boston offers New England drivers an impressive selection of new and pre-owned Toyota vehicles, along with the world-class buying experience that is guaranteed from all Herb Chambers stores. For more information, please visit www.HerbChambersToyotaofBoston.com, or call 877-906-1652.

RSVP TODAY!: www.HerbChambersToyotaLaunch.com

Providence woman wins grand prize of helicopter ride in Herb Chambers Companies social media contest

(Boston, MA) – The Herb Chambers Companies announced that Rhonda Araujo-Smith, a resident of Providence, RI, is the lucky grand-prize winner of the “Experience the Difference” social media contest sponsored by the Herb Chambers Companies. The number 13 proved to be lucky for Araujo-Smith, a member of the Providence Police Department and the personal driver for Providence Mayor Angel Taveras.  Her name was randomly selected as the grand prize winner during week 13 of the summer-long contest.

Rhonda found out about the contest when visiting the Herb Chambers Honda dealership in Seekonk while shopping for a vehicle for her daughter.

She signed up on Facebook when she returned home, and ultimately was the very lucky winner of the grand prize – a private helicopter tour of Boston and the coastline hosted by Herb Chambers himself in his private helicopter – PLUS a dinner at Davio’s in Boston, taken there and back in a chauffeur-driven Mercedes.

When the big day arrived, Rhonda and her husband, Anthony, arrived at the Herb Chambers Companies headquarters in Somerville, met with Herb and took off on their sunset helicopter tour from the rooftop helipad. Upon their return, they called their aerial tour of Boston with Herb “absolutely amazing.”

Launched in early July, the 13-week social media marketing campaign focused on generating a new channel for customer feedback and increasing the social media presence of Herb Chambers Companies – specifically building the number of “likes” for Herb Chambers dealerships on Facebook. When a customer clicked “Like” on either the Herb Chambers corporate Facebook page, or any of their individual dealership Facebook pages, they were directed to an exclusive page to enter to win weekly prizes. Winners were selected at random and won a variety of prizes including tickets to Boston-area concerts and Red Sox games, restaurant and retail gift certificates and more.

The Grand Prize drawing was held the final week of the contest.

The “Experience the Difference” social media marketing campaign was a huge success, more than tripling the company’s social media fans.

The Herb Chambers Companies will be announcing a new online contest later this month.

About Herb Chambers Companies

Herb Chambers purchased his first car dealership in 1985 and has grown his company into the largest automobile dealership group in New England. Today, the Herb Chambers Companies are comprised of 50 automotive dealerships throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island. For a list of dealership locations, visit www.herbchambers.com.

Visit Herb Chambers Official Website: CLICK HERE!

There’s A New Cat in Town!

We are excited to announce the all new Jaguar Sudbury, our 50th dealership.

Also did you know that this magnificent automobile is marking its 75th year anniversary?

These cars represent the very best of technical innovation, design leadership and sporting success and we are proud to offer and represent yet another luxury brand with a storied past and tradition. The new dealership is located at our Land Rover Sudbury location.

Now that Jaguar is under new leadership, the timing was right to acquire this franchise as the parent company’s renewed focus will be to make large investments in Jaguar to make it stand-out as a niche luxury and performance car unlike any other. This will be a pure-bred machine going back to its roots of elegant design, unfailing performance and uncommon luxury.

What’s even better is that there’s a lot to look forward to in the new 2013 line-up. Including an all-new cross-over vehicle with all-wheel drive – a significant addition for all of us New England drivers who have always loved this brand and want to safe AND be styling in any weather…stay tuned!

Just last Thursday we celebrated the official grand opening of our newest Hyundai dealership in Westborough with an over the top party (I hope you were there!). A brand new state-of-the art showroom and service facility for no less than 9 models of Hyundai vehicles: Accent, Elantra, Veloster, Sonata, Tucson, Santa Fe, Veracruz, Genesis and Equus! This is the absolute right time for Hyundai, as customers realize the amazing value this brand represents — from really capable and enjoyable entry level and sporty models to the absolute pinnacle of luxury with unmatched value– offered in the new Hyundai flagship, Equus.

If you like cars and want to make sure that your money buys the most ….drive any one of these vehicles and you’ll see why.

I also want to make sure that you are aware of our amazing and all new MV-1 SUV. Whether you care for someone with a disability or you have a disability yourself, the MV-1 was created with your specific needs in mind. It is the first true mobility vehicle. Your vital input has helped The Vehicle Production Group LLC design this vehicle solely around you.

Every part of the design element and every piece of the engineering, points towards taking you from place to place with comfort, ease and dignity. Herb Chambers would like you to get to know the one and only mobility transportation solution that comes right off the assembly line and is wheelchair accessible. In addition to this, it meets the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines.

Please visit www.vpgautos.com for more information on this amazing vehicle.

Before signing off for this month if you want low-cost, well-engineered, green and uniquely portable transportation (no license required) – I want you to meet the Ultra Motor Electric Bike…it’s is just about the coolest thing going. These very durable, dependable electric motor assisted bikes will take you just about anywhere you want to go- in either the city or the country. They bring a new level of design and technology to the two-wheeler industry, delivering an exciting new choice in urban transportation. To take a look at this transport-phenom…click here.

No matter where you go this month in any car, truck, van, bike or scooter… remember Herb Chambers… It’s Different Here!

‘Til Next Month,

Herb Chambers

Visit Herb Chambers Official Website: CLICK HERE!