Do You Know What Today Is?

The day following Thanksgiving—commonly referred to as Black Friday—has become one of the busiest shopping days of the year in the United States. National chain stores traditionally offer limited money-saving specials on a wide variety of goods in an effort to lure shoppers into stores while offering similar deals online. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 39% of private-sector workers get a paid holiday, with 69% of public-sector workers also enjoying the day as a paid holiday It is a state holiday in Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, and West Virginia. In Nevada, the day is known as Family Day. In Indiana, the day after Thanksgiving celebrates Lincoln's birthday while Georgia observes Robert E. Lee's birthday The popularity of this holiday is understandable. As Thanksgiving falls on a Thursday many add this day as a holiday to create a four-day weekend. Shops are open and this day has come to mark the start of the Christmas shopping period. Black Friday is followed by other shopping holidays, including Small Business Saturday, which encourages shoppers to visit local retailers, and Cyber Monday, which promotes shopping online. Giving Tuesday has also emerged to spur charitable donations.

Thanksgiving Travel Safety

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is next week? For most, spending time with loved ones and indulging in feasts is on most people's mind. It's also a day for making lasting memories. For many families, it is the most significant gathering day of the year. In this time excitement and festivities—it's crucial to prioritize safety Thanksgiving Travel Safety on the Road If you’re driving, ensure your vehicle is in optimal condition. This includes checking brakes, lights, and tires. Watch the weather: Pay attention to the forecast at home, at your destination, and everywhere in between. Be prepared to take extra time if storms or hazardous conditions (like icy roads) are in the forecast, and study up on how to handle winter driving conditions. Share travel plans with a family member or friend.  Have a car emergency kit with essentials like jumper cables, first aid supplies, and a warm blanket for chilly breakdowns. Avoid Distracted Driving- it’s easy to get distracted. Stay focused on the road and avoid using your phone while driving From all of us at Car-Lotta- May your blessings be many, your troubles be few, and your Thanksgiving be Wonderful.

Was There Ice On Your Windshield This Morning?

If you park your car outside overnight during the winter chances are there may be ice on your windshield. Before you call it a night during frosty seasons, grab some cooking spray from your kitchen. A light spray on your windshield and wipers can make a huge difference. This creates a barrier that prevents ice from bonding strongly with the glass, Doing this will help to have less scraping to do in the morning. Just make sure to wipe away any excess spray to keep your windshield clear and streak-free. You can use a indshield cover or a sheet, towel, or tarp can be placed over your windshield to prevent ice buildup. Your wiper blades can be used to hold the cover in place. Got an onion? The idea of using a vegetable may sound strange, but rubbing half an onion over your car windows and windshield at night will stop frost from forming in the morning. Cut the onion lengthwise and apply it the night before. The oil from the onion line the glass with a coating that works wonders. Remember.... Before you hit the road .... NEVER clear a tiny space and then drive off with only a small area cleared. Spending a few minutes will save you a lot of time and keep you, and others, a little safer on the roads.

Don't Be A Drowsy Driver

Daylight Saving Time ended last week. With the change comes increased risks on roads as a result of limited visibility and drowsy driving. Drivers need to be aware of increased drowsiness resulting from disturbed sleep patterns and reduced visibility from daylight changes. Drowsy driving is more likely to cause a crash. When you drive without adequate sleep, your motor skills are impaired. Drivers who’ve only slept 3 to 5 hours in the last 24 hours are unfit to drive. Most people understand it’s risky, but don’t think about the consequences. Drowsy driving is likely to cause a crash. Like drunk, drugged, and distracted driving, drowsy driving is a real public health issue, causing thousands of car crashes each year. Carlotta encourages everyone to prioritize sleep and drive when they are alert and refreshed. Our goal is to help people get the sleep they need and reduce the number of drivers who choose to drive while sleep-deprived.

Ready to "Fall Back"

It's almost time to turn back your clocks, and prepare for darker afternoons Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3. The return of standard time happens in autumn and involves turning clocks back by an hour -- earning it the motto "fall back." Out of all the devices that you need to update, your car's clock is probably the most important. Some modern cars that include GPS systems will allow you to do this. They will be able to synchronise the car's clock with the global positioning satellite signal and so they will automatically change the time according to the zone you're in. Some cars come with a Summer Time option in their settings. Just think.... we will “spring forward” one hour on Sunday, March 9, 2025.