California is now the third state in the nation to ban smoking in the car with minors. The new law imposes a fine of up to $100 for smoking a pipe, cigar or cigarette in a motor vehicle with another person 17 or younger. The infraction is a secondary offense, meaning you can be fined for it only if you're stopped on suspicion of another, more serious offense. And the fine applies regardless of whether the car is moving.

The "Smoke-free Cars with Minors" law covers parked cars and cars in motion, and the police can pull you over just to see if you are smoking with a child in the car. California joins three other states in banning smoking in a car with a child and the crime is punishable by a fine of up to $100. A 2006 Surgeon General's Report says there is no safe level for exposure to second hand smoke and children can't exactly defend themselves, why not make it one of your New Year's Resolutions and JUST QUIT?

AskPatty as certainly gotten the wind under her wings in 2007 and will continue to fly high in 2008 providing automotive advice from her 50+  expert women with tips and tools to empower women on automotive related topics and ongoing training for automotive retailers.

We just launched our new Web Solution 3.0 for automotive retailers and upgraded our Certified Female Friendly Training  program at www.certifiedfemalefriendly.com , featuring Patty Streeter, Peter Martin and I in video and Second Life  Machinima segments to provide continuing online education to automotive retailers on how to communicate effectively with women  and improve how they attract, sell, retain and increase loyalty with women car buyers.

As I look back and review all the many exciting happenings, events , new partnerships and announcements on the very Happy New Years Eve during 2007 , I am filled with so much gratitude to our  readers, supporters, partners and our certified female friendly dealer network. I am filled with joy and amazement about the positive impact  AskPatty.com is having on the automotive industry at large in regards to paying closer attention to the voice of women car buyers and how thousands and thousands of women we have helped to educate and empower on automotive related topics. 

I thought I would put together Patty’s Top 10 Highlights of 2007 to share:

10. Entrance into Second Life on Pontiac's Motorati Island with our female friendly car culture builds and the tremendous support  of this virtual community, Campfire Media, Pontiac and the Motorati Island Sim owners and residents of Second Life. We were  featured by American Express and Metaversed's Metanomics, for the work we are doing to empower women on automotive related topics and for  providing a platform to reach out to the disabled community in Second Life with our charity UnitedSpinal.org.

Metaversed's Metanomics series is a flagship business event. Run in partnership with Cornell University Johnson School Professor Robert Bloomfield, Metanomics is the premiere virtual economics event series. You can find out more more on the Metanomics website.

9. Launch of our Auto Loan Finance Center and partnerships with MyAutoLoan, Dealer Centric and with AWARE, (Americans  Well-informed on Automobile Retailing Economics) to educate women’s about the auto financing process and offer tips and  resources to help women make financing choices that match their needs and circumstances.

8. Advertising and marketing partnership with SheKnows.com, one of the top 10 women's networks with over 24 million pages  views per month and over 4 million unique visitors. Starting with exclusive articles and content on pregnancy, parenting, health,  hobbies, home décor, money management, dating, weddings, beauty and celebrities -- and right through to serving as the hub for a  family of other female-centric web properties -- SheKnows knows what women are looking for. Updated throughout each day,  SheKnows is always looking for ways to help women improve and enjoy their lives by providing information, enlightenment,  inspiration, community and entertainment.

7. AskPatty.com was named a Finalist in 2007 for the Marketing Campaign of the Year category in The 4th annual Stevie Awards  for Women in Business, presented by Infiniti.

6. Our team of talented contributing writers  Breanne Boyle, Brandy Shaffels, Marn-Yee Lee, Becky Scott, Linda Przygodski , myself and many other expert automotive women who have written over 1400 articles to help educate and empower women car buyers! We have  been featured in well over 1000 media articles and reprints and AskPatty.com has received an enormous amount of coverage by the press, media and blogosphere including  featured stories in the New York Times twice this year.

5. Launch of CarBlabber, our social network for women car buyers including car reviews for women by women, car clubs and  ratings, powered by AskPatty.com.

4. Attendance and media coverage of the LA Auto Show, New York Auto Show, Detroit Auto Show, National Automobile Dealer's  Association Convention, The Car Care Council Women's Board Winter meeting, SEMA 2007, The Greater New York Dealer  Association Career Day and my personal favorite my trip and coverage of the Dubai Motor Show from a woman's point of view as the guest of General Motors, (thank you for this awesome opportunity GM and for your interest and support  reaching out to women car buyers!).

3. Our launch and content partnerships with Voxant, www.thenewsroom.com for automotive video news and MyCarPage, a place  to get automatic service appointment reminders, local gas prices, used car values powered by NADAGuides and so much more to help women get organized take really good care of their cars with all the great tools provided.

2. The launch of our FAQ section where women can search for car questions and answers from women answered by our automotive  expert women and the many expert women who contributed to our automotive education podcasts. I am so proud of the growth of our panel of automotive expert women to over 50 in 2007 and have so much of  gratitude for their ongoing commitment to volunteer their time and energy to help women get advice on car buying, selling, car  care, maintenance, repair and other automotive related topics. Special thanks to  Deborah Renshaw who heads up the panel, Amy Mattinat who is one of our best contributors both in articles and questions answered on used cars and Lori Johnson our awesome moderator!

1. The invitation to become a contributing editor and the launch of a car channel on BlogHer.com. BlogHer Inc. reaches more than  7.6 million unique women each month and more than 31 million page views. Blogher is now a top-ten women's online community!  AskPatty.com sponsored the first BlogHer 2007 Conference in Second Life and had such a great time in Chicago meeting so many 
awesome blogging women there and am looking forward with great anticipation to BlogHer 2008!

Gratitude, joy and excitement fills my heart as I review 2007 and look forward to the launch of all the new and exciting  features we have planned for AskPatty.com to enhance the automotive experience for women and provide automotive retailers education, training and support in 2008.

Happy New Year!

Jody Devere aka Patty Streeter in Second Life
President
www.askpatty.com
www.carblabber.com
www.certifiedfemalefriendly.com



The Ask Patty.com, Inc. website, blog and Second Life venue is a safe place for women to get advice on car purchases, maintenance  and other automotive related topics. Women can shop for vehicles at our network of certified female friendly dealerships across the 
U.S.

AskPatty.com is a member and 2007 corporate sponsor of the Women's Automotive Association International based in Detroit, MI,  Chair of the UnitedSpinal.org Motorsports program, Member of the California SkillsUSA.org board, on the Women's Board of the  Car Care Council, a SEMA member and a member of the SEMA Business Women's Networking Group.

AskPatty.com is partnered with AutoTrader.com, AutoExtra.com, Arkona, Chrome Systems, Inc., MyCarPage.com, MyAutoLoan,  Aware, DivineCaroline.com and SheKnows, LLC.

AskPatty.com is a 2007 sponsor of the No. 112 AskPatty.com Chevrolet driven by the highest ranked professional female race car  driver Deborah Renshaw, who heads up the panel of automotive expert women.

Ask Patty Certified Dealer Program:
Properly armed with the right tools and training your dealerships can increase its share of the largest and fastest growing demographic of new vehicle buyers in the US -- Women Consumers. The Ask Patty Certified Dealer program was designed specifically for car dealerships to attract, sell, retain and keep loyal women consumers.

What Is An Ask Patty Certified Dealer?
An Ask Patty certified dealer is a dealer that creates a safe and comfortable environment where women feel welcome and a dealer  that makes the experience of purchasing and maintaining her vehicle a pleasant one.

Ask Patty trained and certified dealers are held to a high level of customer satisfaction for women consumers.

To find out how to become an Ask Patty.com, Inc. certified dealer click here.

Sometimes life just follows a dominoes effect of mishaps that can cause a situation to go from bad to worse. Sometimes it's just dumb luck. Sometimes it's just dumb choices.

Take, for instance, the recent incident involving a 22-year-old Minnesota woman who plays the starring role in this season's best example of why it's just not a good idea to drive if you've been drinking. Oh, and why it's also a bad idea to go drunk driving with passengers in the car.

Nor is it such a good idea to take those passengers out on a freezing cold December night, when driving safely is already a challenge for the sober motorists.

Every holiday season my husband and I drive to my parents’ house, from California to Missouri. We usually drive straight through, only stopping for quick breaks, food, and gas. But this year, our son (born on Thanksgiving) came with us. The logistics of traveling with an infant make the trip a lot more complicated than normal, especially since this is an extended trip. The following tips can make your trip a little smoother.

Make sure you have the basics on hand inside your vehicle. Keep diapers, wipes, burp cloths, blankets, and extra clothes close at hand. When the baby’s crying you don’t want to search through suitcases or a packed trunk to find the essentials. We frequently stopped for gas and changed diapers right in the cab. A fully-stocked diaper bag (including a changing pad) helped tremendously.

If you’re going on a longer trip (more than a week), don’t forget your bigger essentials: a crib or travel crib, even more clothes and blankets, and a stroller. Other items you may need include a baby swing or bouncy, bottles, and even baby’s personal care items. Fortunately, any smaller items can just be bought locally, so we concentrated more on remembering the big items.

AAA estimates that 65.2 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Christmas-New Year's holiday period, which is less than a one-percent increase from last year's 64.7-million travelers. However, those planning to travel during the last holiday season of the year should expect gasoline prices and airfares well above last year's levels.

"Whether driving or flying, Americans face steep increases in their travel budgets during this Christmas-New Year's holiday," says Robert L. Darbelnet, president and CEO of AAA. "Gasoline prices remain at unprecedented levels for this time of year with prices of $3 a gallon or more a common sight across much of the country. Airfares averaging 16 percent more than last Christmas means that bargains may be hard to find for those looking to fly to their destinations."

The majority of holiday travelers (43.2 percent) will travel with two to three people from their household. Nearly 37 percent plan to travel alone or with one other person from their household. About 20 percent of travelers will travel with four or more people from their household.

Not surprisingly, more than 70 percent of households with children under the age of 18 plan to take their children with them during their holiday trips, while the remaining 29 percent of households with children will travel without them. (Interestingly, the survey does not explain what the travelers will do with their childred while traveling without them... I have images of "Home Alone" running through my head.) The region with the greatest percentage of family travelers is the Great Lakes at 81.2 percent; followed by the Midwest at 75.1 percent; the West at 73.1 percent; the Northeast at 66.9 percent; and the Southeast at 63.6 percent.

Here is an entertaining New Year resolution that we women could adopt to help fight climate change.  What’s more, it seems like it will makes for a lively conversation topic with girlfriends!      

The stars will be out. Some of the most influential executives in the automobile industry will be present. And the man tapped to entertain this exclusive crowd--Musiq Soulchild! Known for his unique R&B/soul styling this Grammy nominated Neo Soul balladeer will perform at the 12th Annual Urban Wheel Awards Show (UWA), which will take place at the Fox Theatre in Detroit on January 15, 2008. Rest assured, as soon as Musiq Soulchild hits the stage, it will be an evening to remember.

"We are delighted that Musiq Soulchild will sing at this year's UWA ceremony," says UWA creator Randi Payton, CEO/Founder of On Wheels Inc. "His music has a universal appeal. It is a perfect fit for the UWA, which is the only event to celebrate diversity in the auto industry."

"I was elated to be asked to participate in this awards ceremony because it celebrates diversity. And for me, an event that recognizes achievements by such a multicultural group is great, not only for the auto industry but for consumers so they can become aware of the strides being made by Asians, Latinos, and African-Americans in the business," says Musiq Soulchild.

With 2007 drawing to a close, AskPatty.com looks back at the season that was, to identify the best moments for women in motorsports.

Among the best moments this year, was the story of NHRA racer Peggy Lwellyan. After a six year hiatus from the NHRA, Peggy came back this season and qualified for every race, won her first NHRA Wally, and was the only female to make the final four in the NHRA’s Countdown to the Championship.   Sadly, she is without a racing team next season to continue her leaps in the sport.   

“The 2007 NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle season was an incredible year for me and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the great fans of NHRA for their support,” Llellyan says. “From the sidelines to the staging lanes to the finish line you have been loyal in supporting me.  Your phone calls, emails and comments have been a tremendous source of encouragement to me.  I wish I could thank each and everyone of you.  I am humbled that so many of you have taken the time to express your support and have offered your best wishes as I advance my career forward.

“Stayed tuned, because my fans will be one of the first to know about my plans.”

In September of 2007, Ashley Force was voted the winner of the first annual "Hottest Athlete" poll on AOL Sports. Ashley beat out quarterback hunk Tom Brady, and fellow female driver Danica Patrick for the honor. To cap off her year, Force became engaged to longtime boyfriend, Danny Hood.

Force continued her tradition of remaking holiday classics for the Force Racing Christmas party this year, among her productions was "The Bi-Polar Express," a takeoff on Dickens'; "A Christmas Carol" in which her father was cast as Ebenezer Scrooge.


Danica Patrick celebrated one of her best seasons in the IRL. For the 2007 season as a whole, Patrick scored her first three career podium finishes to finish with 4 top 5's and 11 top 10's while leading 17 laps on the season. She also scored her career best championship points finish of 7th with 424 points.

Deborah Renshaw shedded her pit suit to help inspire tweens in 2007. Decked out in her racing gear Wednesday, Deborah Renshaw encouraged Bowling Green Christian Academy students to be anything they want to be.

“You want to be a nurse, you can be a nurse. You want to be a firefighter, you can be a firefighter,” she said. “The reason I’m here is to let you know you can be anything you want to be.”

Renshaw’s racing career has taken her across the country, and she’s appeared on TV shows like “Live! with Regis and Kelly” and CNN Live.

AskPatty.com is a 2007 proud sponsor of the NASCAR No. 112 AskPatty.com Chevrolet driven by the highest ranked professional female race car driver Deborah Renshaw.

 

K&N Racing signed a sponsorship deal to assure that Sarah Whitmore and Tarah Geiger would have money and places to race in 2008. Geiger and Whitmore made headlines during the 2004 season, competing in the Women's Motocross Association (WMA). Geiger won the 2004 Loretta Lynn National Championship, taking the title from Whitmore who was 1999, 2000 and 2003 Champion.

Racing is an important part of K&N's product development program. Consumers benefit from the ability to purchase filters that use the same proven technology trusted by race teams.

"Not only are these two young ladies very talented racers, they each have a proven track record and are both great ambassadors for our sport," commented K&N's Powersports Brand Manager, John Jump. "K&N is very excited to have our New MX Stream High Flow air filters and race proven K&N Performance Gold Oil Filters in their bikes and we are definitely looking forward to building a successful partnership with the BluestarrMX.com Team."

Kudos to the NHRA for being the only professional motorsports organization to make real inroads for women. Over 192 women have competed in NHRA sanctioned events over the last two years. There active diversity program is one of the few that work in the motorsports community. For 2008, only one women has a full time ride in the IRL, and no women will compete in NASCAR’s platinum series, the Sprint Cup for 2008, or in its sister program, the Busch Series.

by Linda Przygodski
Contributing Editor
AskPatty.com

So Christmas is over, the holiday shopping, wrapping , cooking , travel ,caroling, charity events , Church services, cards sent, gifts mailed, calls made to loved ones, gifts given and unwrapped (whew) .  BUT OH, those Grinch types who tried to steal Christmas from my family along the way this year! They always provide a challenge each year to an already stressful and busy time.

Car Dealer Grinch: My daughter and son-in-law bought a new car for Christmas, with their expanding family they needed a larger car and bought a 2008 Dodge Caravan. The dealership was wonderful until they did not keep their promises about the financing so on Christmas eve of all days they are battling to get this solved. More on this later, AskPatty.com to the rescue, dun dun dun!

Health and Loss Grinch: My Mother had a mild heart attack in December , my uncle passed away just after Thanksgiving which tried to put a damper on the holiday spirit , her heart attack was the day of his memorial service! Mom is fine now but we are all missing our deal Uncle Loyde so much this Christmas, he was so much fun and full of Christmas cheer! So he will be remembered and many fun stories shared this year to fend off those sad Grinch-Mess feelings!

Family Grinch: Have a one of those family members who always seems to rear their ugly drama just in time for Christmas. Our #1 family Grinch canceled Christmas altogether with us this year , poor old grumpy Grinch, hope he enjoys himself all alone today!  He needs a good does of Love, Forgiveness and Gratitude to cure his Grinch-Mess blues.

Parking and Traffic Grinch: Something happens to Grinch people out when the shopping mall parking lots get full the traffic gets snarled up during the holidays. Someone needs to invent Un-Grinch Pills for the screaming, parking spot aggressive stealing and honkers to help us all enjoy the holidays more each year.

Sure you have your own Grinch-Mess stories to share! Please do leave your comments on them below.