Today is World Photography Day, and where would we be without our amazing photographers! At Easterns, our facility puts out 30 to 40 cars a day, and our photographers take 80 photos per car for every car we get. That’s almost 3,200 photos a day! Our photographers Roy and Oscar make sure our customers can view complete and transparent pictures of every single vehicle.
Meet Roy
Roy has been a part of the Easterns team for almost six years, but he wasn’t a stranger to the automotive industry before joining the Easterns family. He once ran an automotive photography blog, so he has always been in love with taking photos of cars. He loves that at Easterns, he can do what he loves for a living and stay in the creative mindset.
Meet Oscar
Oscar has been snapping photos with Easterns for almost a year now. Not only is he a great photographer, but he is also an artistic painter. His favorite part about being a photographer at Easterns is the constant surprises and change of pace. “One minute a honda civic, and the next a Ferrari.”
World photography day allows us to celebrate the art, craft, and science of photography. We are incredibly grateful for our photographers for their creative vision and dedication.
Having amazing photographers and the work they do is very much appreciated.
The pandemic has drastically changed lives leaving some searching for assistance, and a nonprofit in upper Marlboro, Maryland, has been supporting thousands since the beginning.
The Fountain Community Enrichment has been doing fantastic work to provide food for those in need for the past 16 weeks. As they continue to help within the community, they found a need for more than food. Their food pantry has a unique approach to support other areas of need, such as counseling to help deal with everyday life situations such as debt, job loss, divorce, and substance abuse. They also host a community health fair,
Jose Gonzalez had a special surprise for Pastor John. Jose pulled out a large check from Easterns for $2,000 just for the Fountain Enrichment Community. Joel Bassam even joined to share how amazed he and the Eastern team were by their hard work.
Honda is a big company, and they sell a lot more than just cars. Honda is responsible for the design and manufacture of motorcycles, recreational watercraft, power equipment, ATVs and much more. While the corporation is based in Japan, it has made a name for itself worldwide. They even have many manufacturing plants here in the United States, which means when you buy Honda you are still supporting American workers.
Honda and Acura cars, trucks and SUVs are some of the best-selling products in the Honda brand. If you are looking to purchase one of these vehicles, you chose a great brand. While both technically come from the same parent company, they are known for and purchased for different characteristics.
What is the difference between the two?
Pros and Cons of Hondas
Honda is the second most reliable car brand based on the reliability index with a score of 42. Whether it is a pickup truck, crossover hybrid or minivan, you can count on the efficiency and dependability of a Honda vehicle.
Hondas are known for their reliability and practicality. Many people have their Honda for ten years or more. They’re vehicles people purchase when they’re looking for a car, truck or SUV for the long haul.
Hondas also don’t compromise on performance. They tend to break down infrequently and rarely need repairs. When repairs are required, they’re generally inexpensive in comparison to other brands.
Most models are also affordably priced, making them a reasonable purchase for almost any budget. Honda’s cheapest model, the Honda Fit, starts as low as $16,000. Honda is one of the few brands where you can get a great car for under $20,000.
Hondas are great for any stage of life. Hondas offer optimal trunk space for carrying luggage, groceries, strollers or anything else you may be hauling. They have spacious seating in comparison to many luxury vehicles, which frequently offer very little trunk space and might only designed to comfortably seat two people at a time.
Honda is also notable for its safety features. Advances in technology and safety standards have generally made most vehicles safer. Newer Hondas feature backup cameras, sensors and airbags. While Hondas may not boast all the bells and whistles of luxury cars like Acura, they are still safe.
The only cons are the absence of standard luxury features, like heated seats. Hondas are lower powered than their luxury car cousins and don’t offer sports car performance. With a Honda you are getting a practical, reliable and functional vehicle – not a flashy one.
Pros and Cons of Acuras
Acuras have a reputation for being more durable than their more affordable Honda counterparts, but they cost more to repair when things go wrong. The quality of Acuras is a testament to the lasting standard of the brand, but only with proper maintenance and care. Some Acura models, such as the Acura MDX, have been reported to clock over 300,000 miles.
The most obvious difference between Acuras and Hondas are the luxury features. Where Honda vehicles tend to have more “analog” features, Acuras generally have more electronic and computerized bells and whistles. They also boast elegant interiors that most Hondas lack. You will also get a sportier and higher-class exterior aesthetic with an Acura vehicle.
With luxury also comes a more powerful engine. Some Acuras are fast. Models like the MDX boast a nine-speed transmission and 290 horsepower. They manage all that extra power without sacrificing fuel efficiency. These higher-end vehicles are also more likely to have front wheel and four-wheel drive options.
As far as safety goes, Acuras come with Acurawatch, a system that helps guide the driver directionally and helps to prevent accidents. Although both brands tend to rank high in safety, Acuras frequently have a slight edge on Hondas based on the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHSTA)’s safety ratings.
The only cons when it comes to Acuras are higher overall purchase prices and repair costs. For a brand new 2021 TLX Acura you could be paying as much as $37,000 or more.
Luxury car parts are more expensive than the basics, making Acura maintenance pricier than Honda maintenance and repairs. Maintenance is crucial for Acura longevity, so you may need to put in more time and money to maximize the mileage on an Acura compared with the maintenance investment required for a Honda.
Should I Buy a Honda or Should I Buy an Acura?
From a quality and safety perspective either option is essentially the same. The main difference comes down to luxury, power and price. If you are looking for something more affordable, the Honda is the better choice. If you are looking for something luxurious and fast, the Acura is a better choice. Either is a great choice if you want to buy an exceptional pre-owned vehicle.
If you’re looking for Acura and Honda models, check out our inventory. We have a great selection of used cars suitable for any budget. We work with people with all types of credit, from less than perfect to great credit.
The community has been overwhelmed with the work of a woman in the Manassas community. Helen Zurita has been a lifesaver for the East End mobile Home Trailer Park.
The trailer park would close four years ago, but Zurita assembled a team to make sure that did not happen. If the Manassas-based nonprofit, Catholics for Housing, had not rescued the property with 58 homes, many people would have been homeless.
Zurita shared that she has experienced homelessness and had to go without food before, and she did not want to see them go through what she once went through. Her work in the community goes far beyond saving homes. She also feeds, clothes, and prepares children for school. She also hosts back-to-school and toy drives for children in the community. On most Fridays, she gives away almost 300 to 400 boxes of food to those in need.
Inspired by the selfless acts of Helen, we had something special for her.
“Hey, I am Joel Bassam from Easterns Automotive,” Bassam explained to Zurita. “We were touched by the story 7News shared about you saving this community and feeding others without any consideration for yourself but only for others. We want to donate $2,000, so you can continue to help others.”
In shock, Zurita expressed how honored she was for this contribution. Zurita said the money would help her buy gas cards, provide backpacks for children, and start her free pantry.
Glen Mourning is paying it forward by creating literary diversity for children all over. Glen Mourning, a former teacher, created the Crunchy Life book series so that kids could see themselves in stories and want to read more.
Glen can remember being bullied as a child for not being the best reader, and he is now a 5th-grade language teacher whose goal is to make literacy and reading fun for kids that are reluctant to read.
His book series is called Crunchy Life. The name was created as a way to encourage kids to keep going even when life gets hard or, as he likes to describe it, “crunchy.”
Lamont Geddis, the director of the Freedom School, expressed that having the books like Glen Mourning’s Crunchy Life helps the students to see an African American teacher and author with relatable books and brings the school alive. Students find it empowering to see other children in books that look like them.
Glen was completely shocked when Joel Bassam joined virtually to surprise him with a check for $1,500. Glen was so excited he announced, “Pizza for EVERYBODY!” as the Freedom School students jumped for joy.
Jan Monroe, the President of Step VA, joined to share more about the organization and what it does for the community. Monroe explained, “Step VA is a nonprofit that was founded back in 2013. And it supports people with varying levels of disability. We focus on Theatre Arts because we understand how empowering they are for all people, particularly those with varying disabilities and or particular challenges in day-to-day life.”
Their mission is to empower people with special needs through artistic expression and sensory exploration. Monroe shared that this program allows for freedom of expression, so they can meet people where they are, and they are easily able to adapt so that others feel comfortable.
Partnered with WUSA9, we were inspired by Step Va and its commitment to helping others in the community. We wanted to donate $1,000 to help towards their initiative.
Easterns Automotive Group and WUSA 9 are always here to help. If you know someone in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area worthy of being helped or recognized, please contact Allison Seymour on social media. #GetUpDC #GetUpGiveBack
After mother, Michelle Davila, saw an excellent idea on social media, she wanted to try it with her children and friends in her town of Vienna, and it has now blossomed into a way to improve the lives of their neighbors in need. Her children Lucas, Lia, and Ava, and a myriad of other friends started building small yard signs embellished with the outline of a heart. Their project is called Rustic Love Vienna, and they use proceeds to help others in need.
They started with only 12 and didn’t think people would want them, but it has grown to cause them and their mother to make more. People usually put the small signs in their front yard so everyone can see them throughout Vienna.
They give their proceeds to Lydia Russo, who runs a Facebook page called Vienna VA Foodies. When COVID-19 hit, she turned her once restaurant review site into a way to help struggling businesses, first responders, and food-insecure families. Vienna VA Foodies donates the money to eateries that then turned around to make and deliver meals to food-insecure families.
It has gotten so popular; they are now selling other heart-shaped items like shirts. They’ve even collaborated with Vienna Vinter owner, Victor Mendes, to create Rustic Love Vienna wine. For every bottle sold, he donates $10 to their cause.
In a year, they have raised more than $100,000 and have more than 2,500 signs throughout the Vienna community. In awe of the fantastic work, they are doing Joel Bassam stopped by with a special surprise. “We were touched by your story and the amazing thing you’ve been able to do with your kids, so we actually wanted to purchase a sign from you for $1,500 to continue what you are doing to support your community,” Bassam said.
Davila was stunned by Easterns’ surprise. “I’ve never gotten a big check before,” Davila said as she received the giant check to signify the donation from the Helping Hands program.
“It’s people helping people for no reason other than they saw a need and they are serving it and doing it in a creative way, and they are helping the community support each other. It’s really beautiful what you all have been able to do,” Bassam said to Davila and “Rustic Love Vienna.”
The average youth soccer player’s yearly cost ranges between $1,500 and $5,000, and due to the lack of financial resources, many kids are left out of leagues and unable to play. The nonprofit Open Goal Project provides opportunities for underprivileged children in Washington, D.C., to play competitive soccer.
The program gives kids the chance to showcase their skills in a family-oriented environment. Gio Ceron, a member of the Open Goal Project, expressed, “If I didn’t have it, I wouldn’t have all these friends, and I wouldn’t know all of these skills the coaches taught me,”
Easterns Automotive Group was inspired by what they do for our community and wanted to give back. Joel Bassam from Easterns joined in surprising Amir Lowery, co-founder and Executive Director of Open Goal Project.
“We were blown away by what you’re doing to support your community and support the dreams of those who are trying to play soccer at the next level,” said Joel Bassam. “We want to support you guys by donating $2,000 to continue to spread the love and share these stories with other kids doing what they love most. Continue to do the amazing things you’re doing.”
Lowery and the Open Goal Project were grateful for this donation. They expressed, “It really means a lot. I really appreciate you guys. This will go a long way toward our mission and further leveling the playing field.”
Last year, the Marchand family from Northern Virginia started the Be the Good Project to feed people during the pandemic. In the process, they inspired a caring community, from friends and neighbors to church groups, sports teams, and girls scouts, to donate over 40,000 pounds of food and prepare over 63,000 sandwiches for the homeless.
Recently, they began building little food pantries in underserved communities, with nine already created and five more on the way. Amber Marchand and her family joined ABC 7 News for what they thought was an interview to update others on the Be Good Project, but there was really a surprise in store!
Finally able to return in person, Joel Bassam from Easterns joined in surprising the Marchand family, “We’ve been blown away by what you’ve been able to achieve and the way that you’ve been able to support these communities. We wanted to donate $2000 to you all so you can keep spreading the good and keep feeding these families.”
Completely shocked by this donation, Amber Marchand was fighting back the tears as she expressed her gratitude.
Click here for details on how you can support Be the Good Project.
Helping Hands, powered by ABC 7, is always looking to help people or organizations in need worthy of assistance. If you know someone that fits this description, please click here to nominate them.
Throughout the last 11 years, a woman in Fairfax County has built a non-profit that helps children in need in the community, and she is now taking it to Annadale, VA. Sherry Noud, founder of “Nurturing Families,” collects things like baby shoes, socks, underwear, and outfits for children in the area, and more than 230 children received brand new clothes as part of her May summer clothing drive. All items donated to the children in need are brand new and have specifically been requested by them. After families tell us what they need for their children, complete strangers pitch in to help buy them.
Joel Bassam joined to surprised Sherry with $2,000 towards her mission to clothe and feed others in need. The donation will help cover her shopping list for other children in need.
