Phoenix Automotive Press Association - Barrett Jackson, RM, Russo Steele

Please RSVP regarding your attendance (and any guests you plan to bring) to the Arizona Auction Week Preview event Wednesday, January 18, at the Phoenix Art Museum. Please note that you will either need to have paid your 2012 dues or purchased a $20 ticket. Also note there is no pre-event dinner for all members, but there is a dessert buffet afterward.

We plan to begin the program at 7 p.m. with presentations from the auction houses, with the panel discussion starting at 7:30.

So far we've sold 37 tickets (through www.papa-eventbrite.com), which means we have 73 remaining. Please do what you can to encourage sales of those remaining tickets. We've (through Dawn Sullivan) sent or are sending a press release to various local news outlets. Here, for example, is what Bob Golfen published on speed.com:

http://automotive.speedtv.com/article/autos-arizona-insider-auction-forum

We have 100 "goodie" bags for ticket buyers and also are collecting door prizes for a drawing to be held that night. So far the drawing includes two AAA memberships, two car-care kits, and four books from Motorbooks. We're still looking for goodie bag items -- we need 100 of whatever -- and door prize drawing items for that evening as well.

Speaking of that evening, we also need a couple of people to man the admission table to verify tickets and memberships and to hand out the goodie bags. Also, if you're able to be at the museum around 4:45 to help stuff the goodie bags, please let me know when you send back your RSVP.

The museum will set up the room for 150 people. Last year we had more than 40 PAPA members and guests, so we're hoping to duplicate that, plus sell all 100 tickets. $5 from each ticket sold will be donated to the classic car restoration education program at McPherson College (we hope to have someone from McPherson at our event), and the remainder goes into the PAPA treasury.

Two more items for your calendars: Our annual motorsports preview lunch is scheduled for Tuesday, February 21, and our presentation from the auto designers group will be a dinner meeting on Tuesday, April 17, and is shaping up to be perhaps the best meeting we've ever had.



Larry Edsall
ledsall@cox.net
(602) 300-4518

Merry Christmas from Grandparents on the Go !

Just a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from both Cathy and Cathy.

I am sharing my six grandchildren with you as they truly are my gift, not just at Christmas but all year long.  Drive safe this Holiday Season...we need to be in our grandchildren's lives for a very long time.  Cathy Droz

RED MEANS STOP..... REALLY !!!!!!!

Two for the Road USA are supporters of Driving MBA who works so hard to bring awareness to Red Means Stop.  They have a fantastic school for teens and adults to "learn" how to drive and stay alive.....

Red Means Stop By Frank Hinds, Executive Director This will be our fifteenth Christmas without Jennifer. It's really hard to believe nearly fifteen years have gone by since that awful day in March when our safe, normal family experienced the worst fate imaginable - the death of a child. I remember that day like it was yesterday. Even though the events happened a long time ago, I replay them over and over again in my mind on a fairly regular basis, with the same clarity. The people, the conversations, the disbelief. No amount of time will repair the hole in my heart or ease the sadness I feel when I remember the child she was or think of the adult she could have been. I know our family doesn't have a corner on the market for grief due to tragic red light running crashes; hundreds of families face a similar fate every year throughout our country. The real tragedy is that these deaths are preventable and families shouldn't have to suffer. Responsible driving behavior continues to be ignored and innocent people are dying on our roadways because of it. We all need to focus our attention in the coming year to reducing the causes of red light running - reminding drivers of the serious and deadly consequences of their actions. Get involved; help the victims and volunteers of Red Means Stop achieve our goals. Contact us at (480)305-7900 or on the web at www.redmeansstop.org

Ask "Doc" Some Pet Hazards for the Holiday Season

Top 10 Holiday Pet Hazards

From table scraps to tinsel on the tree, certain items around your house may be perilous to your pet during the holidays.

By Kathleen Doheny for WebVet

Reviewed by Amy I. Attas, VMD

Winter holidays are a busy time for the nation's vets. That's because holiday pet hazards overlooked by busy owners can spell disaster for your dog, cat, or other pets.

Even if you're the ultra-careful type, keep the contact number for your vet handy, suggested Jim Cook, DVM, the president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), and a practicing veterinarian in Lebanon, Ky.
Next, check how savvy you are about the top 10 holiday pet hazards – and how to reduce the risks.
Holiday Hazard #1: Chocolate
Any chocolate is off-limits for pets. "Baker's chocolate is the most [toxic]," Cook said. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is to pets. Theobromine and caffeine are the toxic ingredients.
Holiday Hazard # 2: The Tree
Curious dogs may sniff and paw and pull the tree over on themselves; cats like to get up and try out this strange indoor tree.
Anchor it, Cook said. You can use wire to secure the top of the tree; then run the wire up to the ceiling or the wall and secure it.
Watch out, too, for the tree preservative often put in the water around the tree trunk, so your dog or cat doesn't lap it up. It can cause gastrointestinal problems.
Holiday Hazard #3: Seasonal Plants
Poinsettias get the bad rap as the most poisonous, when actually they are fairly low on the toxic scale. But eating them may still cause some gastrointestinal upset, according to the journal Veterinary Technician.
Other problematic holiday plants to keep out of reach: Christmas cactus, mistletoe, holly, cedar, balsam, and pine.
Holiday Hazard #4: Table Scraps
Rich, fatty foods are often holiday favorites, but they can result in life-threatening pancreatitis, Cook said. Anything salty, spicy or greasy qualifies. Bones from chicken or turkey can splinter in the stomach. Keep table scraps out of reach, and be sure the garbage isn't accessible to your pet.
Holiday Hazard #5: Ornaments
Tinsel can be too fascinating for a cat to pass up as a snack. Small decorations hanging low on the tree can be gobbled by both dogs and cats, and intestinal blockage can result.
Holiday Hazard #6: Holiday Cheer
Slipping a dog, cat or other pet alcoholic beverages to see how they act when inebriated isn't funny, and could be very dangerous, Cook said. "It can make them very sick, with vomiting and diarrhea."
Holiday Hazard #7: Dangerous Foods
Certain foods on the dangerous list all year may be more plentiful around the holidays – or your guard may be down. Be sure your pet has no access to coffee grounds, grapes, raisins, onions, chewing gum or mints with Xylitol. This sweetener, also used in baked goods and candy, is associated with liver failure and death in dogs, according to the AVMA.
Holiday Hazard #8: Socially Shy Pets
Some pets simply aren't comfortable around a lot of people. Some get scared, others get hostile.
Whatever way your pet's party-shy personality tends to turn, put it in a spare bedroom with food and water, out of the way of guests, Cook suggested.
Holiday Hazard #9: Escape Artists
Pets "can be like little kids," Cook says. "They like to get out, too." So you've got company – maybe guests who aren't used to keeping track of pets – and someone leaves the door open and out they go.
Besides alerting guests to your furry escape artists, "make sure you have a way of finding your pet," Cook said. That means either a microchip, or at the least, a rabies tag or ID tag with your contact information, the vet's contact information, or both.
Holiday Hazard #10: Aluminum Foil
Crumpled up, with food sticking to it, aluminum foil can be irresistible to a pet. If swallowed, though, it can cause puncture wounds in the gastrointestinal tract, Cook said.
The holidays can be a busy and stressful time, but it's also a time to reconnect with your family, friends, and of course, pets. So be sure to take the proper precautions to ensure everyone has a safe and happy holiday season.

HIGHWAYS MADE OUT OF GLASS - Say What????

This is hard to believe but you really need to see this video.
Solar Energy - Future Highways made out of glass? 

http://www.wimp.com/solarhighways/

Thanks to our friends at Superbumber....

Arizona Auto Show - Phoenix, Arizona

FOR IMMEDIATE RLEAESE

2012-MODEL ARIZONA INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW
ROLLS HOTTEST RIDES INTO PHOENIX CONVENTION CENTER

Two for the Road USA -  Bill Z. and Cathy D. Attending the Phoenix Auto Show in November

PHOENIX, Ariz. – (October 28, 2011) More than 400 of the hottest cars, trucks, crossovers, luxury rides and more will cruise into the Phoenix Convention Center Thursday, November 24 (Thanksgiving Day) through Sunday, November 27, for the 2012-Model Arizona International Auto Show. From off-road test drives at Camp Jeep Arizona to interactive robots, this four-wheel extravaganza offers something for everyone!

Arizona International Auto Show attendees are invited to check out all the latest rides in a non-selling environment, sit behind the wheels, inspect engines, kick tires and even take a spin in several new models from Kia, Hyundai, Toyota, Ford, Chevrolet, Jeep and more. Additionally, several exciting models will turn heads on the show floor including the Chevrolet Sonic, FIAT 500, Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Veloster, Mercedes-Benz SLK, Volkswagen Beetle and more. Also, get an up-close look at hot pre-production models including the 2013 Ford Taurus!

Returning to the auto show, drivers are invited to experience Camp Jeep Arizona, an interactive adventure zone where professional 4x4 drivers will share the experience of Jeep’s on and off-road capabilities with riders. The Jeep test track includes logs, stumps, an angled drive-over and other terrains. It also features a thrilling hill climb where passengers experience the Jeep's traction capabilities while climbing a 35 degree Jeep Mountain. Vehicles available to ride along in include the Wrangler Rubicon, Wrangler Unlimited and Grand Cherokee. Hours are Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Families will enjoy entertainment from eight-foot tall King Robata, the Comic-Bot, who will entertain showgoers with singing, dancing and quick wit on Friday and Saturday, between 12 noon and 7 p.m. Additionally, stop by the Ford display and meet Hank the Ford Robot who will entertain crowds all show days. More than 50 models from six manufacturers will be available for test drives at the Arizona International Auto Show. Ride and drives include:

Kia Ride & Drive – Rio 5, Optima Hybrid, Optima SX, Soul

Hyundai Drive Experience – Genesis, Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, Equus, Tucson, Elantra, Veloster

The Toyota Drive Center – Toyota Next Generation Camry, Prius, Prius v, RAV4, Corolla, Tundra

Ford Drive One Experience – 2012 Ford Focus, Fiesta, Explorer, F-150, Fusion Hybrid, Edge, Flex, Mustang

Chevy In Motion Test Drive Event – Sonic, Volt, Cruze, Camaro Convertible, Equinox, Traverse

Don’t miss the Penske Luxury Salon featuring a collection of exotics from Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and Rolls-Royce, courtesy of Scottsdale Ferrari-Maserati, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Scottsdale, Bentley Scottsdale, Lamborghini North Scottsdale and Aston Martin Scottsdale.

Sunday is Family Day and all children 12 and under are admitted FREE when accompanied by a paying adult. Additionally, Spider-Man® will greet fans and pose for photos between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., as well as Captain America® between 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. The first 100 families to attend the auto show on Family Day will receive a free DVD redemption postcard for the movie Cowboys & Aliens when it hits stores on December 6. Limit one postcard per family. While supplies last.

The Arizona International Auto Show is owned and presented by the Valley Auto Dealers Association and produced by Motor Trend Auto Shows, LLC. The auto show will be open to the public Thursday, November 24 (Thanksgiving Day) through Sunday, November 27, at the Phoenix Convention Center, located at 100 N. 3rd Street, in Phoenix. Show hours are Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Admission is $10 for adults and $6 for military (with any DOD ID), senior citizens (62 and older), students (with valid ID) and children 7-12. Children 6 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Attendees will receive a FREE one-year subscription to Motor Trend magazine with each admission, compliments of the Valley Auto Dealers Association, an $18 value. Advance E-tickets can be purchased from the official auto show web site, http://www.autoshowphoenix.com/.

For more on the cars Two for the Road experiences go to http://www.twofortheroadusa.com/

SEMA Show featuring Katzkin Corsa 500 Concept

KATZKIN CORSA 500 CONCEPT TO BE REVEALED AT 2011 SEMA SHOW
Hip Vehicle Showcases Katzin’s Leadership Position Within Expressive Design and Interior Transformation

MONTEBELLO, Calif., October 28, 2011 – With a keen focus on advanced interior design, Katzkin Leather will be moving beyond just the sketches it creates to showcase its own branded concept vehicle, as it reveals the “Katzkin Corsa 500” at the 2011 SEMA Show, beginning next week in Las Vegas. As the first branded concept car Katzkin has created and shown in its 24 years at the SEMA show, the company is taking a stance to highlight its leadership position within expressive design and interior transformation. Katzkin is the global leader in automotive leather interiors, with a network that generates more than $100 million in annual revenues from the sales of Katzkin leather products, and has risen to surpass the competition in its 28 years of business.

Using the newly-introduced Fiat 500 as a base, the Katzkin “Corsa” 500 was named for its Italian heritage and literally refers to “racing.” The concept vehicle sports a totally transformed interior which takes the already hip and cool Fiat 500, and elevates the interior design to an even more energetic version with a higher regard for personality.

According to David O’Connell, Chief Designer for Katzkin, the Fiat 500 already makes a unique and individual statement on its own. However, O’Connell claims “this interior transformation builds on that momentum and amplifies the character with bold graphics and contrasting colors.” O’Connell noted that the beautiful, rich, white leather creates a stark contrast to the black trimmed interior, visually highlighting the seating areas. In addition, a feeling of increased interior space is achieved through the blue and black suede vertical stripes which visually lengthen the seats.

As a company, Katzkin to date has outfitted more than one million vehicles with its leather interiors, and is providing more than 3,000 patterns of handcrafted leather choices to its nationwide network of new vehicle dealers and restylers. As the company enters its 28th year of business, with a long string of successes under its belt, OEM’s such as Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and now Fiat, are now initiating exclusive partnerships and affording Katzkin an expanded credibility factor in the area of non-factory-provided automotive leather interiors.

About Katzkin Leather, Inc.
Founded in 1983 by Mitchell Katz, Katzkin Leather, Inc., of Montebello, Calif. is the leading manufacturer of custom leather interiors. With a nationwide installer base featuring over 2,500 restyling locations, Katzkin has created more than one million exciting vehicle interiors in the past 28 years. Katzkin maintains more than 3,000 interior patterns, 135 colors and materials, and more custom options than any other interior manufacturer. For more information or to become a Katzkin restyler, visit Katzkin online at www.katzkin.com or call 800.842.0590.