SAN DIEGO — A popular after-school program may be called the 'Girlie Garage' but don't worry all students are welcome. In this Zevely Zone, I rolled up my sleeves at High Tech High Media Arts. The Point Loma school is collaborating with Girlie Garage to teach practical skills and confidence in automotive knowledge.
"This directly affects your gas mileage," said Talena Handley. She is the founder and CEO of Girlie Garage. "You can call me T-Money, T-Dog, T-Rex, anything that starts with T," said Talena. "This is my office. We are officially in the Girlie Garage in this parking lot right now."
T went to school to become a mechanic. "Okay, you guys there is inherent danger when working on cars," said Talena. Her Girlie Garage specializes in automotive education. "I know I can check my oil here," said Talena.
Her hands-on training prepares students at High Tech High Media Arts for roadside emergencies. But T says she's also looking out for car owners getting taken advantage of at repair shops.
"My friend called me up and she said 'Hey you know they are telling me that I have to replace my brakes because they are metal to metal and that it's going to be 2,500 dollars' and I was like are they making noise, and she said no. Well they are not metal to metal," said Talena.
If you are at a car repair shop and you get an estimate that you think may look high, for $35 you can call T and she will look it over for you. "From the parking lot, you can take a picture of their quote call me and we will go through it line by line and confirm whether those repairs need to be made," said Talena.
"I learned how to take a wheel off a car," said 14-year-old Crystal Barajas who now knows what she wants to do with her life. When she grows up she wants to become a mechanic.
"What happens when things get hot?" asked Talena. The automotive info session workshop is a highly successful, 3-hour intensive workshop, completed in 1 day. This format enables students to grasp the basics of auto mechanics within a concise timeframe. Participants gain hands-on experience, many working on their own vehicles.
The curriculum covers essential skills such as tire changes, basic car safety, and effective communication with mechanics.
"T is really friendly. She just wants to help people," said 17-year-old Destiny Blakely who is a proud Girlie Garage Graduate. "I can put new brakes on, I can put new rotors in. I know how to replace a whole radiator. I've put new spark plugs in," said Destiny. "My mom says I'm weird and my dad is like, 'I am so grateful that you are my daughter.'"
"My graduated workshop attendee-turned-intern, Destiny, was the most amazing intern I have had," Handley said. "I cannot say enough positive things about her. She now has the safety and confidence to work on cars down to a science and can speak automotive lingo. She also has resources on where to find parts and can safely instruct another group about how to change a tire and the importance of tire tread and tire pressure."
As for T's friend who needed that brake job? "We were able to do all four pads and her spark plug for less than three hundred dollars," said T.
It's advice that can save some money and maybe a life. "We are about to climb into these giant machines and hurl ourselves down the 5 Freeway at 80 miles an hour, so you should have a basic knowledge to make sure that you are safer and more confident on the road," said T.
Further expanding its reach, Talena has developed a YouTube channel with multitudes of free automotive information. The after-school program runs from 3-6 p.m., twice a semester, offering an enriching extracurricular experience for students interested in automotive maintenance and repair.
The after-school program runs twice a semester and is open to boys. For more information about Girlie Garage visiting your school click here.