MAZDA ANNOUNCES 2014 GOLD CUP CERTIFIED DEALERSHIPS

IRVINE, Calif. ( February 7, 2014) – Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) is proud to announce the winning dealerships of the 2014 Mazda Gold Cup award. This is the highest honor a dealer can receive from Mazda for their dedication to new vehicle sales and customer satisfaction.

Dealers qualify for Gold Cup certification by meeting rigorous Mazda sales loyalty goals, customer satisfaction requirements, maintaining a quality dealership image, and ensuring their sales and service staff adheres to Mazda training requirements on an on-going basis. Only dealerships that deliver the best sales experience and increase customer loyalty are given this prestigious award.

President and CEO of MNAO, Jim O’Sullivan says, “Mazda is proud to reward our top-performing dealerships every year, for their focus and dedication to providing the best sales and service experience in the industry. We congratulate each dealer on their great achievement.”

While all authorized Mazda dealerships are eligible, only a select number are awarded this high honor. For the qualifying period of January 3, 2013 through January 2, 2014, a total of 125 dealers were designated Gold Cup status.

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 700 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at www.mazdausamedia.com.

What does your car color say about you?

White: Direct, Organized, and Clean

Those who own white cars tend to be a bit high maintenance.   Generally, if you drive a white vehicle you probably insist upon keeping your office space, home, and vehicle in pristine condition.  White isn’t able to camouflage very much when it comes to mud and dust, so your motto is “cleanliness is next to godliness.”

Red: Outgoing and High Energy

There’s something about the color red that just screams “unstoppable.”  It is a dynamic, bold, and sensual color that really sets you apart from the rest.  If you like to be center stage with all eyes on you, get behind the wheel of a spicy red hot ride!

Black: Classic and Elegant.

Black is truly a timeless color.  Not only is it simple and versatile, it is an unmistakable symbol of power.  If you are the owner of a black vehicle, you probably have very classy taste in clothing and appreciate the finer things in life.

Blue: Trustworthy, Calm, and Patient

Much like the ocean on a bright sunny day, blue car owners tend to be cool and calm.  People who drive blue cars are likely to be trustworthy, sensitive, and caring.  They are excellent life-long friends that usually squash arguments instead of starting them.

Having a hard time letting your new teen driver fly solo behind the wheel?

We know it’s difficult—and we can help!  The best remedy to the parental stress that accompanies a smiling teenager with a glossy new license?  Making sure they’ve got the right car.  Here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re out looking for a new whip (or whatever the kids are saying these days).

New instead of used

 It might decrease your stress level momentarily to put your teen in charge of a vehicle that costs less, but think about it long-term.  You want your kiddo to be safe and you don’t want to end up having to spend money on repairs that end up being more costly than the vehicle itself.

Not too big, not too small

It doesn’t matter that “everyone else” has a tiny sports car, or that your teen “will be the laughing stock” of the school unless they are behind the wheel of a huge SUV.  The truth of it is that a happy medium is, well… a happy medium.  New drivers behind the wheel of big vehicles are more likely to roll it in an accident and new drivers with sports cars are more likely to disobey the speed limit and get into trouble that way.

Stay away from stick! 

We know back in our day everyone knew how to drive a manual transmission, but the sad truth is that it is becoming somewhat of an endangered skill.  Your teen can learn how to drive stick!  Just make the first vehicle as easy and safe as possible for your teen—and everyone else on the road.

The History of Christmas Cards

In the late 1830s and Englishman named Joshn Calcott Horsley helped to popularize the holiday tradition of sending Christmas greeting cards. Horsley would produce small cars featuring festive scenes of the season with a pre-written holiday greeting on them that he would then send out. Due to the recent efficiency of the newly established post offices in the United States and England, they cards because popular overnight. While Horsley was the first to come up with the idea to send Christmas cads, an American card maker, R.H. Pease began following suit in New York shortly after.

How to Make Delicious Eggnog

Ingredients:

• 3 eggs, lightly beaten  
• 1/3 cup white sugar 
• salt to taste  
• 2 1/2 cups milk 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract  
• 1 cup heavy cream 
• 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar  
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 2 drops yellow food coloring (optional) 
• 1 pinch ground nutmeg 

Directions: 

1. In a large saucepan, over medium heat, combine eggs, white sugar, and salt while gradually stirring in milk. Be sure to consistently stir the ingredients while the eggnog cooks for about 10-15 minutes. 
2. When the mixture can thickly coat a metal spoon, remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. 
3. Place saucepan over ice water until custard cools, and then refrigerate until chilled.
4. Now, in a chilled bowl, combine heavy cream, confectioners' sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Beat together until stiff peaks form. 
5. Stir in yellow food coloring and fold in whipped cream mixture into the cooled custard. Pour into serving bowl, and sprinkle with nutmeg. Serve immediately.

Recipe Courtesy of Allrecipes.com
 

Christmas Treats: What's Your Favorite to Eat?

Long before the first snow of the season begins to fall, sugary confections decorated and cut into the shapes of your favorite Christmas figures start making their rounds. From gingerbread men to brightly decorated sugar cookies, these holiday treats are just as beloved by children as presents.  These iced treats, usually made from sugar cookie dough, can come in the shapes of stockings, reindeer, snowman, candy canes, Santa's, Christmas trees. While all different types of sweet delights are consumed on Christmas including Candy Canes, Hot Chocolate, and gingerbread, every person has their own personal favorite. So tell us fans, what's your favorite Christmas time treat?

What's your favorite Christmas time treat?
	Candy Canes
	Sugar Cookies
	Ginger Bread House
	Hot Chocolate
	Chocolate
pollcode.com free polls

The Birth of Mistletoe

Mistletoe didn't get it's start as the "kissing" plant we all know it to be today. Back in the olden times, the Celtic and Teutonic Peoples considered mistletoe to have magical powers that could heal wounds and increase fertility. The Celts would also hang the mistletoe in their homes to ward off evil spirits and ring themselves good luck. In England, during the holidays, they would hang up sprigs of mistletoe from their doorways and ceilings and if someone was found standing under it they would have to be kissed by someone else in the room.