Yep, the last few years I've seen alot more flame jobs. The "ghost" flames are really popular on bright colors, especially the blues and greens and metallics. I like it. I've always loved a good flame job :).
As for the lights, where have you been :)? They were popular when you were in Albuquerque, I guess you just didn't pay attention ;). Lights in the window washer holes, lights in vents, undercar neon, lights on the tire valve stems, lights in the back windows. I guess it's been a decade or so since I noticed them. Around here though the trend seems to have died off a bit.
The undercar neon lighting (and other lighting for that matter) is also really popular, if not mandated, in many of the Australian, European, and Asian touring and saloon car racing series. I think it was about 15 or so years ago that I started seeing them during night heats. I never found out if that was due to the aftermarket accessory companies mimicing the racing series or a street trend migrating in the other direction. I guess it doesn't really matter, I think it's here to stay for a while. It's a shame that Speed television is the only place in the States to see that style of racing. I love it. You see an Aian road race in a saloon series and you see right away where the kids are getting most of their ideas when it comes to body molding and wings.