Orinda Motors Shares its Auto Know-how with Local Boy Scouts
By John Vanek
Pictured L-R: John Vanek, Kelly McGonigle, Vince Poehnelt, John Palmer, Serge Balian, Jason Lammert and Charlie Wiser.
Not pictured is Matt Duncan. These high school boys are all Life Scouts with Troop 237 Photo submitted
Recently several scouts from local Orinda Troop 237 spent time at Orinda Motors working on the Automotive Maintenance Merit Badge. Service Manager John Vanek and ASE Master Technician Vince Poehnelt from Orinda Motors served as merit badge counselors for these soon-to-be driving scouts. In a classroom environment the scouts learned about the basics of all automotive systems including engine, drive train, ignition system, cooling system and brakes. They were able to inspect engines and vehicles in different stages of repair to help understand how cars work. The importance of automotive maintenance and careers in the automotive field were also discussed. The scouts also did some hands-on work, including changing the oil, a spark plug and a tire.