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When the weather grows colder and the days get shorter, you may notice a sudden and jarring decline in energy, concentration and mood. If you find yourself changing in an undesired way when winter weather arrives, you may be one of the 4 – 6 percent of Americans who the American Academy of Family Physicians associate with suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). According to MayoClinic.org, SAD is brought about by reduced exposure to sunlight, which can disrupt the body’s circadian rhythm and lead to imbalances of serotonin and melatonin. These factors can lead to issues with the sleep cycle, which creates fatigue, and can create chemical imbalances that can lead to irritability, anxiety and depression. Fortunately, there are steps that one can take to aid in the fight against Seasonal Affective Disorder. If your mood tends to change in the winter, then consider the following remedies. Dietary A great means to getting your mood back on track is to be more meticulous about the foods you eat during the winter. According to Prevention.com, SAD may trigger cravings for sweet and simple carbohydrates, but giving into those cravings can create energy spikes that ultimately only worsen energy and mood issues. To combat this, it is recommended that those affected by SAD eat balanced meals that include proteins and colorful vegetables. Specifically, foods with omega-3 and vitamin D are surefire ways to battle off seasonal depression. WebMD.com also recommends checking your coffee intake. While caffeine provides a necessary boost to get through the day, it is also a natural serotonin suppressant. To ensure that you feel refreshed all day long, save coffee for after meals and drink plenty of water throughout the day. Dawn simulators Time.com lists dawn simulators as one of the top methods for combatting SAD. Operating in the place of a traditional alarm clock, a dawn simulator or wake-up light gradually increases its light’s intensity in the morning in a manner that simulates the sunrise. Rather than jarring you awake, this method allows your body to prepare itself to wake up more steadily, which helps to provide an internal balance and ensure that you wake up feeling rested. Exercise Working hand-in-hand with the idea of treating your body better is the concept of exercise. RealSimple.com cites a 2005 Harvard University study that revealed the effectiveness of exercising consistently in fighting symptoms of depression. Whether you enjoy walking, jogging, yoga, martial arts or lifting weights, exercising for a cumulative three hours a week is a great way to get in better shape and boost your brain’s production of mood-boosting neurotransmitters. Take a break If you have vacation days to use, there is no better time to get away than in the dreary winter months. Time.com recommends planning a trip to a warmer climate in order to boost your vitamin D levels and improve mood with the natural excitement of being in a new place. Doing so will not only help motivate you in the days prior to leaving, but it will also create a hangover effect that can stick with you long after you have returned to your routine. Seasonal Affective Disorder is a real issue that plagues many people, but it does not have to control your mood. If you believe that you suffer from SAD, consider taking the aforementioned steps and other appropriate measures to fight back and reclaim your happiness.

Would you try to walk a few miles in the rain wearing just flip flops? How about loafers in the snow? Those are examples of using the wrong equipment for the conditions. If you don't want to walk to work this winter, it's time to make sure your car has the right footwear. Even in regions that don't see significant snowfall or freezing temperatures, road conditions can turn from clear and dry to dark and treacherous in the span of just an hour - even less in some cases. Nobody wants the stress of getting caught unprepared, and it can put you and your loved ones in danger. What kind of shape are your tires in? If your car has all-season tires, it's important that those tires have enough tread depth and proper wear. Get a few years and tens of thousands of miles on your tires, and they may not have what it takes to grip when you need it most. Your dealer's service department knows what to look for and will be able to suggest the best course of action. In other parts of the country, many drivers opt for a full set of winter tires. Winter tires can make all the difference in regions where temperatures drop below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. That's the approximate temperature below which the rubber in regular tires begins to get stiff and lose its ability to grip the road surface. Winter tires are made from special rubber formulations designed to provide maximum traction in even the worst conditions. They stay flexible in colder temperatures for better grip, and the tread design cuts through snow, instead of clogging up and letting you down. When you consider the difficulty, expense and potential danger of an accident, a set of winter tires seems like an easy choice. Many dealerships make it simple, too. They know exactly what will fit your car and how to install it right. Your dealer can easily change over your tires and wheels for you, and many offer seasonal specials. This winter, make sure you can stop, steer, and get moving. Get the right equipment for the job. If you live where temps dip below 45 degrees, winter tires are the right equipment for maximum performance. Even if you don't live where it freezes or snows, make sure your tires are ready for whatever you might encounter. They are, after all, the only thing connecting you to the road.

My Chevrolet Rewards is the owner loyalty program designed to show appreciation to our customers for their business. Members in the program earn points for purchasing eligible Chevrolet products and services, such as qualifying vehicles, connected service and OnStar plans, customer-paid repairs, parts, accessories and more at our facility. You also earn points for simply signing up for the program and completing your profile. If you are not already signed up, you may sign up at mychevroletrewards.com. My Rewards is free for our customers to join and enrolling in the program takes less than five minutes. Members in My Rewards redeem their points for offers on paid dealer service, accessories, vehicle allowances, connected service and OnStar plans and more. Don't forget to use your rewards points on your next service or vehicle purchase at our dealership! To learn more or take advantage of the My Rewards program at Maritime Chevrolet, click here.

For small gatherings of family and friends, the CDC recommends celebrating virtually or with members of your own household to pose the lowest risk for spreading the virus. For larger events and gatherings, organizers and attendees should consider the risk of virus spread based on event size, and take steps to reduce the possibility of infection, such as staying 6 feet apart and wearing a mask at all times. Although it is not the main way the virus is spread, it is still possible to get infected by touching a surface or object, including food, drink, or utensils and then touching their own face. Remember to always practice important food safety to reduce the risk of illness from common food-borne germs. If you must travel or stay overnight for the holidays, it is important to follow safety measures such as wearing a mask in public settings, and washing your hands thoroughly often. As always, staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others. To read the full CDC article and learn more about guidelines and best practices to stay safe during the holiday season this year, click here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html

This holiday season, Maritime Chevrolet is proud to be a sponsored drop site for their local Toys for Tots campaign located in and around the Norwalk, CT area. Please help out the cause by bringing in your new, unwrapped toys for children ages 0-17, now until December 6th to the donation boxes located at our dealership. For dealership information or to find the best deal on a new Chevrolet, please click here. What is the overall goal of Norwalk, CT Toys for Tots? The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens. The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community in which the campaign is conducted. For more information about the Norwalk Toys for Tots campaign and to learn more about ways you can help donate, check out their site, here: https://norwalk-ct.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/Default.aspx

From spread out sales to fewer in-store deals, this article from MoneyTalksNews covers everything you need to know and what to expect this holiday shopping season. 1. Deals will be longer-lived; with typical Black Friday deals lasting between 1-5 days most years, many retailers are planning to extend the Black Friday season this year 2. Fewer in-store-only offers will be available; every season, we see a handful of in-store-only offers that are usually very good deals, this year we expect to see fewer and vastly different kinds of in-store-only offers 3. Wait times will be longer; with retailers being forced to adhere to health rules, such as limiting customer capacity in some stores, this year’s wait times might be even lengthier than usual 4. In-store crowds will be smaller; as mentioned above, limiting customer capacity will at least translate to smaller in-store crowds, as well as most retailers have also been encouraging consumers to shop early and online 5. Major shipping delays could occur; shoppers have already seen shipping delays occur due to COVID-19, but retail experts are expecting a significant increase for the holiday season 6. Physical gifts will win out over experiences; retail experts are expecting more physical gifts to be purchased over experiences, due to so much uncertainty surrounding live events and travel due to COVID-19 Best of luck with your Black Friday shopping this holiday season, stay safe out there, and be kind to others! To read the full article and learn more, click here.

For small gatherings of family and friends, the CDC recommends celebrating virtually or with members of your own household to pose the lowest risk for spreading the virus. For larger events and gatherings, organizers and attendees should consider the risk of virus spread based on event size, and take steps to reduce the possibility of infection, such as staying 6 feet apart and wearing a mask at all times. Although it is not the main way the virus is spread, it is still possible to get infected by touching a surface or object, including food, drink, or utensils and then touching their own face. Remember to always practice important food safety to reduce the risk of illness from common food-borne germs. If you must travel or stay overnight for the holidays, it is important to follow safety measures such as wearing a mask in public settings, and washing your hands thoroughly often. As always, staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others. To read the full CDC article and learn more about guidelines and best practices to stay safe during the holiday season this year, click here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html

The 2020 Chevy Bolt is General Motors first pure EV since the GM EV1 back in 1996. It features a dynamic, robust design, as well as quick, quiet, and efficient handling to get you wherever you need for your daily routine, plus a few extra stops along the way. Let’s start with the design of the Chevy Bolt. While other EV’s sometimes look fragile, the Bolt delivers a dynamic, athletic, and robust new style. Utilizing the familiar Chevy face, ribbed body sides, and a sloping rear roofline, it truly is optimized for aerodynamics. Although some may say the interior consists of hard plastic, the technology and space makes up for it with heated front/rear seats and steering wheel, automatic climate control, a Bose audio system, as well as many other unique tech features. The battery pack under the car allows the passengers to enjoy extra wide floors, and with rear seats folded down, the Bolt holds a top tier 56.6 cubic feet of cargo. As far as drive performance goes, the Bolt is extremely quick with 200 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. This gives it a 0-60 in just 6.5 seconds, far from slow for today’s EVs. On a full charge, the Bolt delivers 259 miles of range and 118 MPGe. For charging, owners can add 240-volt chargers for 25 miles per hour to their homes, which allows for a full charge overnight, as well as DC fast chargers when you are out on the go, which charge 100 miles in just 30 minutes. Finally, safety was definitely on Chevy’s mind when designing this vehicle. Features such as Low Speed Forward Automatic Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Side Blind Zone Alert, And Rear Cross Traffic Alert all help minimize collisions with vehicles or pedestrians. Many other familiar safety tech features such as a surround vision camera system, rear parking sensors, and a rearview camera mirror helps the driver remain focused behind the wheel. With a base price of $36,620, the 2020 Chevy Bolt EV is a fierce competitor in the EV marketplace. To read the full article, click here. Make the switch to an all electric vehicle with the 2020 Chevy Bolt EV, and purchase one now at Maritime Chevy, where our name means a great deal! https://www.maritimechevy.com/VehicleSearchResults?search=new&model=Bolt%20EV

A new solar energy agreement between GM and First Solar, Inc. brings renewable power to the Midwest and will push GM to reach groundbreaking milestones of renewable electricity use. General Motors announced on September 30th, 2020, a new power purchase agreement for a massive 180-megawatt solar project. That is equivalent to about 47,882 U.S. homes' electricity for one year. This new energy will come from a solar field in Arkansas developed by First Solar Inc. With this agreement, GM has the option to store energy for future use which is a first for them. This deal marks a major milestone for GM, as they will be surpassing 1 gigawatt of renewable energy use, which equates to about 110 million LEDs. GM is currently the 11th largest offtaker of renewable energy in the U.S. This new agreement will fully supply three GM sites in the Midwest with renewable energy. “As GM continues its transition to an all-electric, zero-emissions future, it is imperative that we also invest in a cleaner grid that can support everything – from our factories to our vehicles,” said GM Chief Sustainability Officer Dane Parker. “Investments like these have increased access to renewable power, and with this deal we are exploring the next frontier of renewable energy, which integrate the principles of circularity and energy storage, among others.” As the corporation works to meet its 100% renewable energy goal in the U.S., it continues to build on its strategy to focus on market solutions to help reduce emissions near the communities where GM operates. For more information about General Motors commitments to sustainability and progress towards its all electric, zero-emissions goal, read the full article here: https://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2020/sep/0930-sustainability.html

Let’s face it, 2020 has been one of the scariest and most unique years for everyone. With that, Halloween this year will also be much different than past years. Fortunately, the CDC has given us some guidelines to follow this year to help minimize the risk of spreading or contracting COVID-19 this year. As you may have guessed, many of the traditional ways of celebrating this holiday are now considered a risk, as they now bring with them the possibility of spreading the coronavirus. The Center for Disease Control has released a new set of safety guidelines for those who still wish to go out and celebrate Halloween this year. This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone: classic door-to-door trick-or-treating and crowded costume parties are not recommended. The CDC grouped Halloween activities into 3 categories of risk: low, moderate, and high-risk. The high-risk category includes door-to-door trick-or-treating, as well as events where kids get candy from the trunks of cars in big parking lots. Also in this category are indoor haunted houses, going on hayrides with people who aren’t in your household, or other fall festivals in rural areas. The moderate-risk category includes a different take on trick-or-treating. Kids could pick up individually wrapped gift bags at the end of a driveway or yard. Other activities include a small outdoor costume parade where everyone is 6 feet apart and wear masks, a haunted outdoor forest attraction, as well as apple and pumpkin picking, as long as people use hand sanitizer and wear masks. Lastly, the low-risk category includes activities such as carving pumpkins with your household, or outdoors with friends socially distanced. They also suggest a Halloween scavenger hunt for treats in your own home or backyard. As far as masks go, a costume mask is not a good substitute for a cloth mask, unless it’s like a cloth mask, with two or more layers of breathable fabric covering the nose and mouth, without gaps around the face. Instead, opt for a Halloween-themed cloth mask. To learn more about how to stay safe this Halloween, read the full article here: https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/09/22/915689646/cdcs-halloween-guidelines-warn-against-typical-trick-or-treating-boo

Dear Friends of Maritime Chevrolet, I hope this message finds you and your loved ones well, Here at Maritime Chevrolet, we are doing everything we can to add a little more certainty to our business during these uncertain times. A big part of that effort has been our new Concierge Delivery service. If you have had the opportunity to try out this program, I would love to hear your thoughts and feedback on it. Along with these programs, we have also introduced PermaSafe Detailing and strict CDC social distancing guidelines in order to make your experience more convenient, safe, and enjoyable! It’s paramount to us that you continue to receive the same level of support you are accustomed to, and we’re confident that with the measures we’ve put in place, we can mitigate this risk together without business disruption. We are committed to going the extra mile to maximize your ownership experience with us. As we progress into Fall and the leaves begin to change colors and the kids go back to school (whatever that looks like for your children), we remain optimistic for our community, our businesses, and our collective health. Please remember to shop local and leave big tips if you have a chance to keep our restaurants alive and strong! By working together, I believe we can all come out of this stronger. On behalf of our entire team and extended family here at Maritime Chevrolet, thank you for your continued business, thank you for your loyalty, and we look forward to the road ahead. We will continue to be here and serve your business needs in the most efficient, convenient, and safest way possible. Warm regards, Eric Sandstrom and the entire team at Maritime Chevrolet How can we serve you better? Please click here to leave feedback or suggestions!

The Chevrolet Bolt took the crown in MotorTrends 2017 Car of the Year competition, and at the time, it certainly deserved it, but does the new 2020 model still stand strong among the vast electric vehicle landscape that has grown since then? New EV models from brands such as Tesla, Hyundai, Kia, and Nissan are all notable arrivals that have become fierce competitors to the Bolt. So the question stands, has the groundbreaking Bolt stood the test of time, or has it lost its luster? MotorTrend set out to answer that question in their recent article, 2020 Chevrolet Bolt Review: Checking in With Our Former Car of the Year. For the 2020 model year, MotorTrend points out that Chevy improved the Bolt’s battery to squeeze an extra 21 miles of range, making its new estimated range 259 miles and highly competitive against its new rivals. The Bolt also recharges at a rate of 4 mph with a 120V plug, and about 10 hours with a 240V home charger, as well as about 100 miles in 30 minutes using a DC fast charging station. The 2020 models provide a healthy 200 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque, similar to earlier versions of the Bolt. However, at the track, a 2020 Bolt ran from 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds, which came in third place out of its other competitors highlighted in the article, after the Tesla Model 3 and Kia Niro EV. As far as the Bolt interior, MotorTrend was able to find plenty of things they liked about it. The low placement of the windshield and side windows allow the cabin to feel more open than a small hatchback should, while also providing excellent visibility. The best part, however, is the technology. With two digital screens and intuitive controls, the Bolt has an advantage over rivals when it comes to interior technology. The trunk of the Bolt is smaller than that of rivals, but fold down the rear seats and cargo space expands to 56.6 cubic feet, more space than all rivals listed in the article. It also has plenty of room for passengers, with 36.5 inches of rear legroom, it offers more room than most competitors. So, is it worth it? It has a reasonable entry price of $37,495, zippy performance, and practical range make a strong case for the Bolt EV. One judge from MotorTrend summed up the Bolt with, “It is not just a great electric vehicle but also a great commuter vehicle in every respect. … Well done, GM. You are now the leader.” Check out the full article here at MotorTrend: https://www.motortrend.com/cars/chevrolet/bolt-ev/2020/2020-chevrolet-bolt-first-test-review/