The first retail production 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 convertible raised $1 million for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund at the Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction on April 9. This auction and the sale of the first retail production 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 70th Anniversary Edition in January bring the total amount of money raised for charity by the 2023 Corvette Z06 to $4.6 million in 2022.
The 2023 Corvette Z06, which offers the highest-horsepower naturally aspirated V-8 of any production car, drove onto the world-famous auction block in support of the TMCF’s Teacher Quality & Retention Program. Representatives from TMCF, the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Predominantly Black Institutions, were at the auction to experience this exciting moment in the organization’s history.
One hundred percent of the winning bid from Rick Hendrick, chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group and owner of 14-time NASCAR Cup Series champions Hendrick Motorsports, benefits the organization’s TQRP, a training initiative that helps aspiring K-12 educators develop their skills for success in challenging teaching environments. Hendrick will also have the opportunity to customize the first retail production Corvette Z06 convertible. This includes the selection of everything, from the body color to the shade of the brake calipers.
“The 2022 Palm Beach Auction is a community event that we are very proud to be associated with,” said Dr. Harry L. Williams, president & CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. “Through the generous support of GM, Chevrolet and Barrett-Jackson, we raised a significant amount of funds and awareness of our TQRP initiative, which provides opportunities for students of color in the K-12 educational environment and beyond.”
“General Motors and Chevrolet are honored to support the Thurgood Marshall College Fund on its mission to empower students and educators for success,” said Scott Bell, Chevrolet global vice president. “The proceeds from this sale of the first retail production Corvette Z06 convertible will support high-caliber training for future educators studying at HBCUs and PBIs across the nation.”
Built on 25 years of success with the Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicle, Chevrolet debuted its first pursuit-rated Silverado. The 2023 Silverado Police Pursuit Vehicle is a crew-cab, short-bed, four-wheel drive truck designed for high speeds and dynamic capability with the added comfort and ample storage capacity needed for an everyday patrol vehicle.
“We are constantly having conversations with customers and evaluating how we can better meet their needs,” said Ed Peper, U.S. vice president of GM Fleet. “Our 25 years of engineering Tahoe police pursuit vehicles coupled with Chevrolet’s 100 years of truck success, puts us in a great position to deliver a truly capable Silverado PPV for our customers.”
Extending Chevrolet’s PPV Performance Success
The Silverado PPV shares many of the most desirable Tahoe PPV performance underpinnings. Highlights include a 355-horsepower 5.3L V-8 engine, standard 10-speed automatic transmission and six-piston Brembo brake front calipers with 16-inch rotors for increased brake durability. Performance is optimized with a standard heavy-duty engine air filter.
Ensuring confidence on the road while at top speeds, the Silverado PPV features a certified speedometer, 20-inch black steel wheels borrowed from the Tahoe PPV and 20-inch Goodyear all-terrain speed-rated tires. The turning radius is an impressive 46.9 feet.
To fill the non-pursuit needs of transporting trailers for marine and mounted divisions, the Silverado PPV comes standard with a 9,300-pound max towing capacity.
When duties take the Silverado PPV off road, the truck comes standard with:
- Rancho shocks, included with the Silverado’s proven Z71 off-road package
- Locking rear differential
- Skid plate
An available 2-inch lifted suspension further bolsters the Silverado PPV’s off-road credentials and sets it apart from the competition. It enables the available best-in-class 11.35-inch ground clearance and increases approach angle to an impressive 25.9 degrees.
Made to be Upfitted
A long-standing supplier to law enforcement agencies, Chevrolet knows the importance of offering a variety of available specialty equipment options that enable easy upfitting2, which include:
- Auxiliary wiring circuits for easy installation of wiring to connect the truck’s horn and siren.
- Surveillance Mode circuit that allows an upfitter to easily install lighting control. Once a third party installs the wiring, the circuit enables control over the truck’s exterior and interior lighting, allowing for discretion while on patrol.
- Five upfitter switches for simple linking to the controls used most frequently.
- Optional deletion of front center seat so departments can customize the cockpit of their vehicle to meet their needs.
- LED or halogen spot lamps.
To help reduce customer costs and upfit time, the truck is equipped with standard head and taillamp flashers.
Interior Comforts and Competitive Storage Options
To help officers get in the vehicle and on the road quickly, the truck features remote keyless entry, standard push to start and a standard column shifter. With available power cloth seats, the driver can adjust the seat for their needs easily as well. The interior is easily cleaned thanks to available heavy-duty vinyl flooring and rear seats.
Officers carry numerous important digital devices to stay connected to their team. The Silverado PPV includes a 220-amp alternator and two 120-volt outlets to help devices stay powered while away from the base. An optional upfitter switch bank is also available with three 30-amp and two 20-amp circuits for emergency equipment.
With configurable storage options, the Silverado PPV allows customers to make the most of the 129.8 cubic feet of combined interior volume.
The 5-foot 8-inch truck bed with the available hard tri-fold tonneau cover enables weatherproof storage for cargo that should be stored separate from the interior cab for officer safety. Twelve standard welded tie-downs help officers secure items in the bed. Paired with the standard corner-step rear bumper and an optional multi-flex tailgate, officers can access cargo more easily.
Safety First
A standard suite of safety features work to help law enforcement stay in control and avoid collisions. The Chevrolet Safety Assist package features Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning3, Forward Collision Alert3, Following Distance Indicator3, Automatic Emergency Braking and Front Pedestrian Braking3. If desired, IntelliBeam headlamps3 automatically operate high beams at speeds above 12 mph until the system detects an approaching vehicle’s headlamps or a preceding vehicle’s taillamps.
Other available safety features include:
- Protected idle
- Adaptive cruise control3
- Rear Park Assist3
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Rear Cross Traffic Braking3
- Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert3
Here to Serve
Chevrolet first introduced the Tahoe PPV in 1997. Over the years, Chevrolet has continued to listen to officers and expanded the PPV portfolio to meet the needs of the modern-day police force. General Motors organized an official Law Enforcement Product Council over two decades ago to learn directly from officers how they can effectively perform their duties behind the wheel. Ranking law enforcement officers and civilian fleet managers make up the council, and all have been instrumental in Chevrolet’s police vehicle programs over the years.
The 2023 Silverado Police Pursuit Vehicle and the Special Service Vehicle will be available beginning late summer 2022 in the United States and Canada.
Make Meatloaf Cupcakes for April Fool’s Day Dinner!
The tradition of April Fool’s Day makes most people wary of the things they see, read, and eat on April 1. The double check their reflections before leaving the house, inspect their seats before they sit down, and often walk with their arms outstretched so they aren’t surprised by “spider webs” or falling water.
But April Fool’s Day can also be fun and innocent. Sure, you may have to be careful with food and treats from SOME people, but you can also make a delicious and cute dinner that will make everyone laugh…without screaming first.
Check out this fun dinner idea for Meatloaf Cupcakes and Apple Fries. Sure, it looks like regular cupcakes, but it’s really just your favorite meatloaf recipe (without “trick” ingredients) and mashed potatoes on top. With a side of apple fries, this dinner is sure to make people smile and is plenty “April Fool’s.”
What are some of your favorite April Fool’s Day tricks or surprises?
Upcoming Spring Events in Puget Sound Area!
Spring has officially arrived and many of the community events/activities that took a break for the Covid-19 pandemic are starting to come back. Like many of you, we are excited about the blossoms, blooms, sun (theoretically), and events that come with spring.
Here are some of our favorite spring events and activities that are coming up in our area for you to check out!
- Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is back in full “spring” this year the whole month of April. Formal gardens are opened back up to the public, the Downtown Mount Vernon Street Fair is back on (the weekend of April 16), and many of the favorite art, craft, and dining options are open.
- The Burien Farmers Market is a great place to be in the spring! With locally grown fresh produce, handmade processed foods, and creative wares, you’ll never exactly what you’ll find when you visit. Stop by the Farmers Market at Burien Town Square on Thursdays, 10am-4pm through April and then 10am-6pm starting in May.
- The Burien Uncorked wine walk and Burien Art Walk is Friday, April 1! If you love wine and art, you’ll love this community event that let’s you taste wines from wide variety of wineries and enjoy the local art scene! Find out more and get your tickets today.
- The Puyallup Vintage Market (also known as The Great Junk Hunt) is April 29-30 at the Washington State Fairgrounds. Plan on spending at least a day to hunt around for your newest treasure!
These are just a few of the fun and exciting things happening in our area this spring. What are you looking forward to doing most?
VIDEO: Chevrolet Previews the All-Electric Blazer SS
Chevrolet provided a glimpse of the all-electric Chevrolet Blazer SS, which will be the first Chevy EV to feature a performance SS model. The all-electric Blazer SS will make its debut later this year and will be available in spring 2023.
ABOUT CHEVROLET
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, available in 80 countries with more than 3.2 million cars and trucks sold in 2020. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.
St. Patrick’s Day Recipes for the Family
Your St. Patrick’s Day meals don’t have to be all corned beef, cabbage, and soda bread! Here are a couple Irish-inspired recipes to celebrate the popular holiday (whether you’re Irish or not).
Check out these delicious looking Shepherd’s Pie Potato Bowls. What’s more Irish than potatoes? And what’s more comforting than shepherd’s pie? Combine the two into an edible potato skin bowl and you’ve got yourself a winner!
After you’ve had your fill of shepherd’s pie, it’s time for Guinness Brownies. With notes of caramel and coffee, Guinness stout is the perfect complement to chocolate. Fudgy and flavorful, these brownies are sure to please.
There are lots of recipes for creative alcoholic drinks, so we thought we’d share a non-alcoholic drink that families can enjoy throughout the day! This St. Patrick’s Day Punch with lemon-lime KOOL-AID, pineapple juice, and sprite fits the bill and is one that kids of all ages can enjoy!
What are some of your family’s St. Patrick’s Day traditions?
Rock Solid: 2022 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2
We know we have a lot of adventurers in the Pacific Northwest, so we thought our readers would appreciate this article from The New Roads Magazine, Chevrolet’s online magazine. It discusses the how the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 is the perfect truck to get you to your adventures, especially if you’re a rock climber!
With help from the first-ever Silverado ZR2, coming in spring 2022, you can take your passion to new heights.
In the early 1990s, rock climbing was a fringe activity filled mostly with men, affectionately known as “dirtbags,” who spent months at a time sleeping under dank mossy boulders and living on ramen noodles and packets of ketchup. Fewer than 50 climbing gyms existed in the United States, and most of them were little more than janky plywood walls with river rocks bolted into them.
Today, the sport looks very different. More than 500 climbing gyms exist in cities across the United States, through which an estimated 10 million people each year are exposed to the physical challenge and joy of trying to scale vertical walls. Also, more than 50 percent of today’s sport-climbing participants are female. And thanks to the work of organizations such as Brown Girls Climb and Memphis Rox — a nonprofit climbing gym and community center in Tennessee that is open to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay — representation and participation rates among minority groups are also on the rise.
These welcome changes and increases in participation also bring the challenge of educating people on how best to take their passion for indoor climbing outside. Outdoors, you — and you alone — are responsible for your own safety, which means knowing how to use equipment properly, build anchors, safely navigate the edges of cliffs, and identify and climb around any loose blocks of rock so you don’t pull them off onto your partner. The climbing industry has created “Gym to Crag” initiatives that seek to educate people on how to climb outside safely and ethically, including leave-no-trace practices.
Along with the technical skills, you need to know where to go and how to get there. A lot of climbing areas are in the wilderness, which can mean taking unmarked, unpaved roads to trailheads marked by cairns and then hiking to the rock. Websites such as mountainproject.com offer crowd-sourced information about climbing destinations around the world.
Luckily, the first-ever Silverado ZR2, available in spring 2022, can help get you there — wherever “there” is. The ZR2 is the newest addition to the Silverado lineup, with scores of features to take on the rough terrain out there — whether you’re driving backwoods trails or crawling over boulders. That includes an off-road cut front bumper and large underbody aluminum skid plates to help you maneuver through rougher terrain, as well as Multimatic DSSV™ dampers that smooth out the ride — whether off-road or on pavement.
Go Bouldering
Bouldering outdoors is primarily about doing difficult movements on short rocks, between 10 and 20 feet high, and it’s the easiest way for anyone to experience what it’s like to climb outdoors. The only gear you need is your climbing shoes, a chalk bag, and a crash pad, which is a foam mat you can carry like a backpack on the approach, then lay flat beneath a boulder problem so you have a soft spot to land when you fall.
Spotting boulder climbers is different from belaying someone climbing with a rope. Hold your arms up as they climb, watching them closely; if they fall, try to “bump” them on their hips with the palms of your hands. You’re not trying to catch them, but merely soften their fall and guide them so they land on the crash pads. Similarly, learn how to fall: You don’t want to land on stiff legs; rather, try to tuck and crumple onto the crash pads. Placing crash pads over rocks and tree roots is a smart idea that will help you avoid a sprained ankle, the most common injury in bouldering.
Go bouldering at established areas, follow established trails, and feel free to ask the super-friendly climbers that you will invariably meet questions about where to go and what to try. Bouldering is a social, fun, and accessible way to learn climbing techniques and meet new friends.
Learn to Set Up Top Ropes
Top roping is the best way to gain confidence in your climbing technique. A top rope — which is a rope strung through an anchor at the top of the route — is a safe way to let you focus on practicing the moves, which will feel very different from what you may be used to in the gym. Generally, real rock can be sharp, painful, and slippery — sometimes all at once. It can also be harder to “read the rock” — to see handholds and footholds, and decipher the climbing sequence.
With just a handful of relatively inexpensive items of gear such as 20 feet of 1-inch tubular webbing, a cordelette, some slings, and a few locking carabiners, you can build a top-rope anchor almost anywhere, even as a beginner.
The best way to (literally) learn the ropes and understand how to construct safe anchors is to hire an AMGA-certified rock climbing instructor. Look for courses specifically designed to teach you how to establish top-rope anchors, and you’ll come away with a skill set that will let you feel confident in safely going outside to climb with your friends.
Chevrolet donates millions to charity that helps military families overcome financial hardships.
Operation Homefront will receive $3.6 million from today’s sale of the first retail 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 70th Anniversary Edition at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction. This is a record sale for a charity vehicle donated by a manufacturer at Barrett-Jackson, surpassing the previous record, held by the first retail 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, by $600,000.
The 2023 Corvette Z06, offering the highest horsepower naturally-aspirated V-8 to hit the market in any production car, was driven onto the block at the annual auction by retired Corvette Racing legend Oliver Gavin. Representatives from Operation Homefront, a national nonprofit focused on building strong, stable and secure military families, were at the auction to experience this exciting moment firsthand. 100 percent of the winning bid from Rick Hendrick, chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group and owner of 14-time NASCAR Cup Series champions Hendrick Motorsports, benefits Operation Homefront.
“We are deeply grateful to our friends at Chevrolet and Barrett-Jackson for choosing Operation Homefront as the beneficiary of this incredible auction,” said Brig. Gen. (ret.) John I. Pray Jr., president and CEO of Operation Homefront. “The proceeds from the sale of this sensational Corvette Z06 will go a long way to helping us help our military families overcome their financial hardships and have the opportunity to thrive in the communities – our communities – they’ve worked so hard to protect.”
Since 2017, Chevrolet has been a proud supporter of Operation Homefront. Chevrolet has provided seven Silverado full-size trucks to the organization’s headquarters and six regional offices, and donated funding for services. Today’s Barrett-Jackson auction significantly increases the funding support Chevrolet has been able to provide to Operation Homefront.
“It’s truly a privilege to support our military members and their families through Operation Homefront,” said Steve Hill, Chevrolet vice president. “Proceeds from the first retail 2023 Corvette Z06 will benefit many U.S. military families across the country who have done so much to serve our country.”
Reimagined title sequence of “The Sopranos” features Silverado EV in starring role
The first-ever Chevy Silverado EV made its commercial debut during the big game in “New Generation,” a modernized version of the opening sequence from the classic show “The Sopranos.”
The HBO series, which aired from 1999 to 2007, has experienced a resurgence in popularity over the last two years, as original fans rediscover the hit series and a new generation of viewers dive into the drama. In the original title sequence, Tony Soprano drove a 1999 Chevy Suburban from Manhattan to New Jersey. Chevy updated the widely recognized opener with modern interpretations. Notably, these include Tony’s daughter, Meadow, driving the 2024 Silverado EV.
“This spot is about taking a nontraditional approach for a nontraditional electric truck,” said Steve Majoros, vice president of Chevrolet Marketing. “The Silverado EV redefines our best-selling nameplate, while the spot envisions what the next generation of ‘The Sopranos’ might look like today. The spot cements the Silverado EV’s position within American culture.”
“New Generation” features updated and optimistic interpretations from the original driving scene, including Jamie-Lynn Sigler who played Meadow with a lollipop instead of Tony smoking a cigar, a happy reunion between Meadow and Robert Iler who played her brother A.J., and Meadow using the Silverado EV’s Four-Wheel Steer technology, which helps make parking maneuvers much easier.https://www.youtube.com/embed/2bZYqFsU72Y
The spot was created by Chevy’s creative agency of record Commonwealth // McCann and features leading creatives from “The Sopranos”:
- David Chase, show creator and director
- Phil Abraham, director of photography for original title sequence
- Jamie-Lynn Sigler, who portrayed Meadow Soprano (Tony Soprano’s daughter)
- Robert Iler, who portrayed A.J. Soprano (Tony Soprano’s son)
The spot highlights several key features of the first-ever Silverado EV, which is expected to offer a GM-estimated 400 miles of all-electric range1 on a full charge, four-wheel steering, available 17-inch diagonal LCD freeform infotainment screen, available 11-inch diagonal reconfigurable driver instrument display, available fixed-glass roof and available 24-inch wheels.
In spring 2023, the Silverado EV will debut a WT model. In fall 2023, the fully loaded RST First Edition model will debut. Reservations for the Chevrolet Silverado EV are available now at Chevrolet.com2.
Follow Chevrolet on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or TikTok to watch the “New Generation” commercial, find exclusive behind-the-scenes content and use #SilveradoEV to join the conversation on Twitter.
The State of Washington is sending five of its best athletes to the 2022 Bejing Winter Olympics that start February 2 (the opening ceremony is February 4).
Here’s a list of local athletes to look out and cheer for at the Winter Olympics starting next week:
- Novie McCabe of Winthrop in Women’s Cross-Country Skiing
- Jean-Luc Baker of Edmonds in Ice Dance
- Eunice Lee of Bellevue in Women’s Short Track Speed Skating
- Corinne Stoddard of Tacoma in Women’s Short Track Speed Skating
- Katie Hensien of Redmond in Women’s Alpine Skiing
Join us as we cheer on these hometown heroes as they compete on the world’s biggest stage! Good luck!
Connect with us
Recent Blog Entries
- “See the USA in Your Chevrolet” and Other Heritage Campaigns to Celebrate America 250
- GM leads the charge in vehicle-to-home EVs: inside the home energy ecosystem
- Corvette has strength in numbers at Le Mans
- Charge Into the Future — 36 Electric Vehicles In Stock at Burien Chevrolet!
- 1-of-1 2026 Corvette ZR1X raises $2.6 million for America’s heroes