Arizona Automobile Dealers Association Newsletter
December 2011
In This Issue
Community Support
Last Minute Holiday Recipes
Auto Education
Christmas Around the World
Community Support
 
 A Helping Hand is sometimes the best present of all. 
 
Community support is important all year long, that is why we are going to provide you with volunteer opportunities every month. Look here for opportunities to get involved starting January.
 
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The Stuffed Animal Drive was a huge success.   Thank you to all that helped us collect for the very deserving children of Child Crisis Center.  Stay tuned next month to see just how many we collected.  
AADA Kitchen
Last Minute Holiday Recipes
 

Oh no! You forgot about the Holiday party tomorrow and of course you volunteered to bring an extra special treat as your contribution. Time to pull an all nighter to prepare that secret family recipe... or how about something simple and quick that is  sure to get just as many ooohhh's and ahhh's?  Here are few last minute holiday recipes from myrecipes.com.

Rocky Road Peanut Butter Candy Cups-  The prep time on this recipe is only 5 minutes and it can chill over night.  Perfect for those that forget until the night before.

Hello Dolly Bars- These sweet bars are ready in less than 30 minutes.

Chocolate Parfaits -  Here's a recipe that requires no cooking or baking at all.   Oh and did I mention that most of the ingredients are fat- free, sugar free, making this a healthier indulgence. 

Spicy Tomato Macaroni & Cheese-  Put a spin on this classic side dish.  With only 6 ingredients this recipe takes less than a half hour to prepare and is sure to please everyone around the table.

Tex-Mex Deviled Eggs- Spice up this age old favorite with some jalapenos, cilantro, and green onion.  Prep is simple and it is sure to be a crowd favorite. 

 

 Click HERE for more quick fix ideas 
Quick Links
Questions/ Comments

Please contact Kristen Hernandez with any comments or questions about the AADA eNewsletter.

AADA Sponsors Auto Education Programs

 

Did you know that Arizona has ASE/NATEF Certified High School Programs?

AADA is actively involved in the certification of our Arizona High School Automotive Programs.  The certification process requires the auto instructor to be Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified in the areas they teach.  The process also sets standards in areas such as curriculum, tasks taught, safety standards, facilities, and tool/equipment use.  If you are in need of any entry level technician/ employee, consider contacting one of the 10 certified High Schools in your area:
 
Valley Locations
EVIT- Mechanical (Mesa)
EVIT- Collision/ Refinish (Mesa)
Peoria High School
Phoenix Metro Tech
 
Northern Arizona
NAVIT (Show Low)
 
Southern Arizona
Palo Verde (Tucson)
Rincon (Tucson)
Sahuaro (Tucson)
Santa Rita (Tucson) 
Flowing Wells (Tucson)
 
 More Schools will be certified for the Spring Semester.
 
Please contact the school directly or contact Mike McAfee at 602-468-0888 X103 for more information

Arizona Christmas Destinations

 

Oh Christmas Tree!

Yes that's right Arizona is home to the nation's largest Christmas Tree.  Standing 114 ft tall, the tree in Anthem is even larger than the famous Rockefeller Center tree in New York.  The tree traveled 748.2 miles from Northern California to get here and with 3 miles of strung lights and 6,000 ornaments, it weighs in at a miraculous 16 tons.  Don't worry, the tree meets fire code standards... it is coated with 220 gallons of fire retardant!
 
All Aboard
A Christmas classic comes to life in Winslow, Arizona.  The Grand Canyon Railway takes the enchanting story of  The Polar Express and makes it into a real life event for children and parents.  The trip is a little over an hour and takes its passengers on a magical journey to the "North Pole" to meet Santa and his reindeer.
 
And Then There Were Lights
The Arizona Celebration of lights illuminates the west valley with its mile long display of over 7 million lights.  Families and groups drive through this animated display and at the end can enjoy hot chocolate at Santa's Village.
Dealer Licensing Reminder
 
If dealer license plates are lost or stolen, the dealer should immediately make a written report to the Arizona Motor Vehicle Dealer License Unit identifying the plate by type and number, including all available data concerning the loss or theft.  
 
To order additional or replacement dealer plates you must fill out form  48-5125.  Fill out the quantity need and make a check out to MVD for the amount of plates you are ordering and mail to the address at the top of the form.
 

 

Christmas Around the World
 
 Lighted house displays, stockings by the fireplace, gifts under the tree and good ol' Santa himself; these are what some of us Americans see as traditions for the Holidays, but how does the rest of the world celebrate the season? Here are some traditions from around the world found on WhyChristmas.com.

 

Australia- Grab your sun block, beach towel and get ready to hit the waves for an Australian Christmas. Christmas actually falls right in the middle of summer down under.

Santa Fun Fact- According to some Australian Christmas songs and stories Santa is said to trade his reindeer in when he arrives here and uses kangaroos to help him deliver the gifts.

 Mexico- How about 26 days of Christmas? In Mexico Christmas is celebrated from December 12th to January 6th. Different events take place during these 26 days including Posada processions, a tradition in which parts of the Christmas Story are played out. 

 Santa Fun Fact- Presents are brought by El Ninito( baby jesus) and Santo Clos (Santa Claus)

 China- Because only about 1 % of Chinese are actually Christian, Christmas is rarely celebrated. Larger cities such as Shanghai and Beijing often do celebrate the holiday and the streets and stores are decorated with Christmas attire.

 Santa Fun Fact- Santa in China is known as Sheng dan lao ren, Old Christmas Man.

 Latvia- In Latvia the people believe that Santa visits them not once, but 12 times starting Christmas Eve and leaves them a present every night. Also, it can be argued that Latvia was home to the first ever Christmas Tree in 1510.

 Santa Fun Fact- Santa in Latvia is known as Christmas Old Man, or Ziemassvetku vecitis

Venezuela- A Venezuelan Christmas is very colorful. Many holiday celebrations are sure to have fireworks, but a Venezuela Christmas is also very spiritual with many church services and Nativity Scenes.

 Santa Fun Fact- Presents are brought by San Nicolas (St. Nicholas) and Nino Jesus (Baby Jesus).

Greece-  Traditional Holiday decor for Greeks includes a shallow wooden bowl with a piece of wire suspended across the rim. From the wire hangs a wooden cross with a sprig of basil wrapped around it. Once a day someone from the family dips the cross into holy water and uses the cross to sprinkle water in each room of the house to keep the bad spirits away.

Santa Fun Fact- Presents are brought by Aghios Vassilis, Saint Basil, on January 1st.