Jody DeVere, CEO
of AskPatty.com,
is a mom with two adult children fighting Multiple Sclerosis. Her interest in
opposing this disease is personal, and she partnering with the Multiple
Sclerosis Society to raise awareness
of
Multiple Sclerosis during the month of May with AskPatty’s month-long MOMS
social media campaign. Read
the rest of Jody's story here.
On Thursday May 23, Jody DeVere shared her story live on BlogTalkRadio with special
guests Marni Deckter,
Vice President of Communications of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society,
Southern California & Nevada Chapter; and Nancy L. Sicotte, MD, Director of
the Multiple Sclerosis Program and Director of the Neurology Residency Training
Program at Cedars-Sinai. Please listen to the recording of the BoomerandBabe
channel of BlogTalk Radio
broadcast to learn more about this illness, its symptoms, and its treatments.
Watching American Idol has
been a family activity around my home for years. Each week, my son Ben and I
would sit on the couch to watch (and sing along with) the weekly competition,
and he often told me “Mom, YOU should try
out for American Idol!” We watched pretty much every season -- including
all the sponsored Ford music videos and commercials -- and always voted for our
favorites.
The 6th Annual Worldwide Go
Topless Day for Jeep Owners is this weekend, on Saturday May
18th, 2013, and everybody is invited! No, ladies, we’re not suggesting you
drive without a shirt! Jeep Go Topless Day is the day Jeep owners take the top
off their Jeeps to show the world their love for their Jeep, their Jeep spirit,
and the sense of fun and adventure that comes with owning a Jeep.
Yep, I sure do! Ever get so busy you don't know what day of
the week it is? Yep, I sure do! So here's the weekly American Idol post that
was supposed to go up on Thursday, but didn't actually get onto AskPatty until
today. Mea Culpa!
As part of each episode, the final American Idol finalists
are competing in weekly ‘Missions’ to
complete some sort of fun competition that emphasizes their own personalities –
so, things like singing, philanthropy, fashion, etc. This week's American Idol
mission, "Music Design Mashup" divided the four finalists into two
teams and gave each pair carte blanche to custom design their own 2014 Ford
Fiesta.
It was a bad sign recently when Henrik Fisker, co-founder
and executive chairman of Fisker Automotive, stepped down from the
company that bears his name. Reported to be the result of "disagreements
with management," Fisker's resignation was “not expected to impact the
company’s pursuit of strategic partnerships and financing to support Fisker
Automotive’s continued progress.”
The Nation's longest running auto show in Chicago opened it's doors for a media preview of this year's latest and upcoming redesigned and brand new models. Here is a sneak peek at what we saw at this years show:
Jaguar introduced their latest XJ and XF models which will feature AWD 3.0 Liter V6 engines. The XF will also be available in RWD and XFR-S. The XFR-S is 550 hp and, "is one serious motorcar," said Jaguar and Land Rover President, Andy Goss. Meanwhile the manufacturer also introduced their fourth generation Range Rover which will feature an all aluminum body. "Everything about this Range Rover is new except the engine," Goss added. They will also be releasing a two seater F-type sports car, "which is our most important new car we have released in many years."
Also in the new car mix is Kia who introduced a very svelte concept crossover and their new Superhero, DC Comics inspired line. Michael Sprague Executive VP of Kia's Marketing and Communications gave a glimpse of models with superhero paint, logos, and trims. The Optima Hybrid and Sorento will be available in this line and Kia's 'hero' theme ties in with their Builtforjustice.com program which helps those located in the Horn of Africa. Kia will also have, "seven all new significantly redesigned vehicles to go on
sale this year," Sprague said. The Kia Forte is one of those redesigns which will be available in March. The Forte will offer two trims and
will be a turbo charged compact which features 201 hp.
Nissan's VP Joe Castelli introduced the manufacturer's expansion of their Nismo option which now includes a Juke Nismo and 370 Z Nismo. There will also be a Nissan GTR track edition which will sell 150 units. This highly anticipated GTR track edition will feature an even greater level of high performance components.
Sunday night at the MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit the 17th
annual Urban Wheel Awards were held to celebrate and award prizes to people of
color within the automotive industry. This year all of the recipients of this
prestigious award were women.
They included Crystal Windham who won Designer of the Year, Company of the
Year Progress in Human Resources, Georgette Borrego-Dulworth, Chrysler's talent
acquisition and global diversity director, and Pioneer of the Year Jenell Ross,
president of the Bob Ross Auto Group and 2013 chair of the American
International Automobile Dealers Association.
"If it weren't for women, the American auto industry wouldn't exist.
Who do you think told Henry Ford to go outside and build a car in the first
place? Mrs. Ford," said actor Edward James Olmos, who co-hosted the awards
with Niecy Nash.
This was to honor "wonderful women who are helping to make those wheels
roll," U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., told the audience of 500.
Established in 1970, the American International Automobile Dealers Association, (AIADA) is the only
association whose sole purpose is to represent America’s 10,000
international nameplate automobile franchises that sell and service: Acura, Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Ferrari,
Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Kia, Land Rover, Lexus, Maserati,
Maybach, Mazda, Mercedes, MINI, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, Rolls
Royce, Saab, Scion, Smart, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota, Volkswagen, and
Volvo. These retailers
have a positive economic impact both nationally and in the local
communities they serve, providing more than 500,000 American jobs.
Currently AIADA is partnered with Federated Insurance to bring
attention to the growing and serious problem of distracted driving. Through
the partnership, Federated Insurance is offering a free copy of its
video, “In the Blink of an Eye,” to AIADA members. The video reveals the
devastating, real-life consequences of distracted driving. Dealers can
also request accompanying materials to increase awareness of the problem
among their employees and within their local communities.
Federated Insurance provides members with products for risk management resources, customer service,
financial strength, mutual structure, and association relationships.
Visit AIADA.org/federated-insurance to learn more. To view a
clip of the video, "In the Blink of an Eye", click here.
What do rising stars Kat Graham (Vampire Diaries), Diego Boneta (Rock of Ages) and Joe Jonas have in common?
They were among the young celebrities helping Ford demonstrate the dangers of distracted driving at the recent Variety Power of Youth event, held at Paramount Studios, Hollywood.
Ford is one of several automakers that sponsor teen driver education programs, and came on board as a sponsor of the event.
"We are excited to take part in an event that recognizes the commitment of young people to making a positive difference,” said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. “This is also a great opportunity for Ford to help elevate the conversation around teen driving safety."
