Welcome to the AskPatty Blog Carnival, where we provide a refreshing assortment of female friendly news and interesting automotive tidbits from around the blogosphere. Whether it's informative stories about eco-friendly people and cars, exciting reports about women in the automotive industry, or female friendly car care tips, we've got something here for everyone. Have you got something to share? Email Ask Patty at info@askpatty.com or use the form at the end to include your own blog bits in next week's carnival!

Cars for Girls was created to educate and empower women. The site's goal is to eliminate the mystery and fears that women may have regarding all aspects of the automobile industry. They've recently posted an article on how to change an air filter, saying changing an air filter is one of the easiest things you can do yourself and save a few bucks in the process, too.

As ordinary consumers, we really have little say on the matter beyond griping to ourselves and shaking our fists in pointless defiance at the almighty gas pump. After searching and carefully scrutinizing all of the best gas credit cards available, MyCreditCardBlog has assembled some of the top gasoline rebate deals worthy of mention.

The Green Motorist is your guide to eco-friendly vehicles. Their goal is to help you achieve and maintain a green lifestyle by providing articles and information about hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles. A recent article on electric vehicles says "It seems that 2010 is the forecast year for several of the big name car companies to have electric vehicles for sale to the public." Read their article to find out more about which electric vehicles are projected to be released in 2010.

SWWAN--the Single Working Women's Affiliate Network--has been working to find ways to help women celebrate their choices and enhance their single lifestyle. It started one Easter Sunday morning when three single working women were sitting around the table sharing a champagne-and-strawberries brunch to celebrate the day. It has evolved into an organization where women celebrate their strength, courage and joy every day. SWWAN's mission is to enhance the quality of life and promote the good health of all single working women, including single mothers, by providing a place to stand together, by finding and sharing worthwhile resources, by negotiating discounts and deals on necessary products and services, and by supporting research and policy to ensure that single women have equal opportunities to receive education, fair compensation, a voice in the workplace, and appropriate standing in the global community. Find out more at swwan.org

In traveling the world to warn against the threat of climate change, Al Gore, 60, routinely draws packed crowds and has earned rock-star status among young supporters. Gore, long mocked as an exaggerating bore, seems certain to land a lead role at the Democratic National Convention as an internationally recognized defender of the Earth. Read more about this Nobel Peace Prize-winning crusader against global warming at reuters.com.

Big news for women in the automotive industry: For only the fourth time in its 51-year history, Enterprise Rent-A-Car has a new president, and it's a woman! Pamela Nicholson was named president of the St. Louis-based rental car company after more than 26 years of employment. She succeeds Donald Ross, who continues as vice chairman. Ross was the first person outside of the Taylor family to serve as president, following founder Jack Taylor and his son, Andy. Enterprise is a privately held company owned by the Taylor family. It has nearly 75,000 employees and annual revenue of more than $12 billion. Here's one lady who has definitely broken through her glass ceiling!

JerseyGirlinTexas has   found a solution to her valet parking problem: Her Vespa! She says: "Valet guys don't expect to be allowed to just zip off on my Vespa, so my approach now is to just hover around the valet stand until they notice me and point me to some prime sidewalk space. Close parking, no payment necessary, and a Vespa monitoring service all-in-one!"

Oil prices are falling, and that's good news, but not nearly as good as you might think. According to CNNMoney, "falling oil prices also suggest that the recession the U.S. has so far avoided is well on its way, as consumers pull back from the spending spree that drove economic growth earlier this decade. A weakening economy will mean more layoffs, further pressuring already reduced spending." Read more oil price/economy analysis at CNNMoney.com

We all know the cliche: Men don't like to ask for directions. Many new cars offer navigation systems to help guide the lost on their way, but regardless of whether you are male or female, some of us are simply looking for an aftermarket solution we can use in the car we already own. Check out this detailed review of the voice-activated Garmin Nuvi 880 at Consumer Reports, complete with video review.

It's the dawning of a new day for diesels! According to Mac DeMere at AutoMedia.com,   the 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTEC will make you forget everything you thought you knew about diesels. It's quiet, quick, clean and odorless. With none of the familiar diesel soot or stink from its tailpipe, Mercedes says it is "the world's cleanest diesel."