Susan Frissell, PhD
Editor/WWW

Patrice Banks, of #sheCANic fame has been hinting she has some exciting news to announce. She hopes you’ll be as excited as she is. I know we are, having watched her progress. Who says ‘girls’ don’t want to know more about cars? We’ve known this for some time.

Some of you may know that Patrice has been on a “bold mission to educate and empower women” through their cars. It has been her goal “to reach every woman driver and to change the face of the automotive industry to support its number one customer – women!”

According to Banks, the success of her flagship Girls Auto Clinic Repair Center in Philadelphia and the #sheCANic movement has been powered in part by the incredible support she’s been given, her team, and her business. “People are inspired by our story,” she says, “of an auto airhead turned auto mechanic who opened the nation’s first auto repair garage to employ women mechanics, offer a nail salon & lounge, and host car care workshops.” The question everyone asks now is “When is Girls Auto Clinic coming to my city” and the answer is SOON!”

Banks is so excited to announce that she is launching a crowdfund campaign on August 15th to grow the #sheCANic movement and expand Girls Auto Clinic Repair Center locations across the country! They are asking for the public’s help to get the news out there, and to support her Girls Auto Clinic.

So check out her pre-launch page and keep in touch for her exciting news to come. Jump on the bandwagon and be a part of this exciting movement around girls and their cars!

We received a sample of the Dr. Beasley’s Glass Serum Kit, complete with a 1 oz. Glass Serum bottle, 2 oz Glass Coating Prep, 1 Foam Block Applicator and 2 Suede Cloths. They also threw in a 1 bottle of AdvanceCoat: Glass. As Dr. Beasley’s president states, “the proof is in the results.” We found it to be somewhat superior to other products on the market; namely, RainX, and easy to use.

The packaging on this new high-tech formulation is handsome and speaks well of the product. You’re not using any low-end ingredients. Indorsed by professionals, automotive manufacturers and enthusiasts alike, Dr. Beasley’s has a popular line of products including a matte paint car line, wheel care, polishes, and ceramic coatings. The Dr.’s products stand out and serve the modern automobiles’ needs well. When I think of the products we used in the past, I shutter at their possible side effects; of which I probably never even considered. Dr. Beasleys Car Care Products, based in Chicago, is new to this automotive writer.

We waited for some much-needed rain here in Indy to ‘test drive’ the nano coating serum recently. As the label tells the buyer, Dr. Beasley’s products are handcrafted with over 30 years of detailing knowledge and passion. Easy to apply and with quick results, we found that the rain beaded right off the windshield. We haven’t applied the Serum to side windows yet, but will give that a try, also.

A big part of president Jim Lafeber’s motivation to create the Dr. Beasley’s line was his dissatisfaction with how previous products he was using at his Chicago detailing business, Simon’s Shine Shop, were affecting his customer’s vehicles’ health. Jim utilized his chemistry background to formulate detailing solutions of his own. He took in-house products to market under the Dr. Beasley’s name, gaining notability for their matte paint car line. They also formulate, manufacture and package the car care products within their Chicago, IL facility.

The “proof is in the results,” says Mr. Lafeber. “Our formulas are crafted with pharmaceutical grade ingredients.” Working to continually enhance their products, Dr. Beasley’s promises ‘high-quality” results.The Glass Serum Kit comes with instructions. (See for yourself at www.drbeasleys.com. Read about their products and order some for yourself).
Your car will love you for it!

Dr. Beasley’s won us over, not only after first use, but upon learning that Jim named his car care line after his Alaskan Malamute, Beasley. Applying the Glass Serum to all three cars, we promptly tossed our other inferior products in the garbage. I also applied it to windshield of my brother-in-law’s 2010 Kia Soul, after a three-hour detailing project. He’ll have to convice himself it’s really raining the next time he drives when it’s wet!!

Try Dr. Beasley’s. We think you’ll agree.

Hey, Jim, how about a picture of Beasley (the Malamute) on your box? Mr. Tito’s “dog” vodka isn’t the only star out there!

Don’t be unprepared when it comes to caring for your pet’s safety during inclement weather. Think about and plan, a strategy for when an emergency situation strikes. All of us should have a preparedness plan in place should tornadoes, fires, violent storms or floods happen.

It would seem that in the last several years, the weather conditions have clearly worsened, making it necessary to have a plan not only for the safety of our family, but for our pets, as well. Think about how you will move your pet(s) in an emergency situation. We’ve all seen the news during horrendous conditions, such as wild fires or hurricanes like Katrina and Harvey.

Things to include for your get-away include leashes or crates, a lightweight totebag carrier/container for a bird, ferret or rabbit. Also recommended are bottled water and the animal’s food. In longer term disasters, notes Dr. Eurell, a veterinarian at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in Urbana, IL., “you need to prepare with food, water and medications for your pets.”

Also handy is a large blanket or thick quilt to help protect you and your pets from dangerous flying glass or other debris in a storm. Learn how to turn off the gas and electricity in your home and be sure to include any needed tools in your kit. A flashlight, cell phone and charger, and weather radio are also musts. Another item that may save lives is a copy of the Pet First Aid book, available through the Red Cross. Taking a class in first aid/CPR for animals might also be a good idea.

Our pets should wear a collar at all times, complete with the owner’s name and cell phone number. This simple gesture can dramatically increase the chances of you and your pet being reunited should you be separated. Microchipping, which most dogs and cats receive today from their vet, is also something to seriously consider. Perhaps keeping a copy of your pet’s vaccination, and of your driver’s license can also be helpful.

As with all storms, choosing a safe place in your home is necessary; even practicing a drill helps us be as prepared as possible. Go to a basement, crawl space, area under a stairway, or interior room without windows. As soon as the sirens start, go to your designated spot. Take all warnings seriously. Such disasters as mudslides, earthquakes, floods move quickly and often don’t allow time for people and animals to get out of the affected area.

Plan for all possible emergencies, from fires in your own home, to natural disasters. Does the fire department know that you have animals in your home? I have a fire safety sticker notice in the front window of my home to alert police and fire that animals live here.

With good reason, pets are not allowed at disaster relief shelters. However, many states are working to provide shelters for pets and/or working with shelters in other states to accommodate separated pets.

After a disaster, be patient with your pets, try to get them back into their normal routine. Be ready and alert to behavior changes caused by the stress of the event. If there seem to be any health problems, consult your vet. When storms strike, you may not be able to get home immediately.

Therefore, it’s good to have a backup plan or person who can reach them. Make sure your backup person or neighbor has a list of your pet’s feeding and maintenance schedule and habits. If you utilize a pet service, determine whether they have any kind of available help during emergency situations.

Contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Red Cross for more detailed emergency information. Start getting ready now!

In case you’re able to pick and choose where you’ll drive this summer, the personal-finance website WalletHub provides their report on 2018’s Best and Worst Cities to Drive in. 2018’s Best & Worst Cities to Drive in.

To help you determine the most driver-friendly places in the U.S., WalletHub compared the 100 largest cities across 29 key metrics. Their data set ranges from average gas prices to annual hours in traffic congestion per auto commuter to auto-repair shops per capita. Here is their list of the Best and Worst Cities:

Best Cities for Driving Worst Cities for Driving
1 Raleigh, NC 91 Chicago, IL
2 Corpus Christi, TX 92 Los Angeles, CA
3 Orlando, FL 93 Newark, NJ
4 Greensboro, NC 94 New York, NY
5 Plano, TX 95 Boston, MA
6 Winston-Salem, NC 96 Seattle, WA
7 Durham, NC 97 Philadelphia, PA
8 El Paso, TX 98 Oakland, CA
9 Jacksonville, FL 99 San Francisco, CA
10 Tampa, FL 100 Detroit, MI

The Best vs. Worst info lays out like this:

• In Greensboro, North Carolina, residents spend the fewest annual hours in traffic congestion per auto commuter
• (four, which is 25.5 times fewer than in Los Angeles, the city where residents spend the most at 102).

• Gilbert, Arizona, boasts the fewest car thefts (per 1,000 residents), (0.49, which is 33.1 times fewer than in Oakland, California, the city with the most at 16.23).

• Oklahoma City has the lowest average gas price, $2.58 per gallon, (which is 1.5 times lower than in San Francisco, the city with the highest at $3.85 per gallon).

• Riverside, California, has the lowest average parking rate, ($1.43 per two hours, which is 19.2 times lower than in Buffalo, New York, the city with the highest at $27.44 per two hours).

If you’re interested in looking at the complete report, and determining your city’s rank, visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/best-worst-cities-to-drive-in/13964/

During the 2018 New York International Auto Show last March, some of the vehicles chosen for awards included a wide variety of brands:

*World Car Design of the Year: Range Rover Velar
*World Luxury Car: Audi A8
*World Performance Car: BMW M5
*World Urban Car: VW Polo
*World Car of the Year: Volvo XC60
*5-passenger SUV: VW Atlas

June 2018:

*General Motors Cadillac division recently announced it will be introducing a new sedan every six months!! This seems odd as to hear tell, the sedan as we know it, is on the way out?? Nevertheless, through 2021, GM is giving money to build two of them at the Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant in Michigan. GM will put $175 million into the next-generation Cadillac sedans.

*In other news from GM, the 2019 Chevrolet Blazer returns in a midsize crossover version. It looks great and will sell well, we predict.

*Out of Volvo, the news is the self-driving Volvo XC90 crossover SUV is planned for 2021. The Level 4 self-driving crossover SUV will be built at the So Carolina plant, and will be able to transport sleeping passengers toward their destination on limited roadways. The initial goal is provide a semi-automatic commuter vehicle. The technology is called Highway Assist, similar to Volvo’s already available Pilot Assist. In 2019, Volvo will debut its S60 vehicle.

*Volvo has confirmed that their new Care by Volvo Subscription Service is now available to deliver to automakers SC40 crossover Suv’s in most states. In 2019 the S60 Sedan will be unveiled at the So. Carolina factory, and is on track for subscriptions by the end of 2018.

*In 2019, Mazda’s infamous MX-5 Miata will get a 17 percent boost in horsepower over the 2018 model, to 181 hp. More power, higher redline. Can’t wait!

*At Volkswagen, the slow-selling dated Tiguan Ltd will be discontinued after the 2018 model year. The first five months of 2018 only saw 7,732 sales of the Limited crossover SUV. The Limited model was introduced in 2017 as a renamed, budget-priced ($23,150) version of VW’s Tiguan SUV. The design dates back to 2007, while its replacement redesigned model (2018) took over the straight Tiguan nameplate.

Susan Frissell, Editor
Womenwithwheels.com