Jamestown by AAA East Central

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Vol. 61 No. 4 Sept 12-22: e lu 3 xurious daytim in ts gh ni rail rides, with (3), Seattle, Vancouver (2), er Kamloops, Jasp f Lake Louise, Banf & Calgary

JAMESTOWN REGION

ERIENCES

PEAK EXP

Rocky Mountaineer Train Summit Helicopter Tour

CANADIAN ROCKIES: Seattle to Calgary

ertain travel experiences stimulate the senses, stir the soul and embed themselves forever in our psyche. Timeless and awe-inducing natural scenery — combined with unique and exhilarating adventures — forge lifelong joy-filled memories that may be called upon later to soothe & uplift us when we need to be soothed & uplifted. Such is the potential and priceless benefit you’re likely to reap if you join AAA’s Sept 1222 “Canadian Rockies: Seattle to Calgary” tour. And, for AAA members who book & make a deposit by 4/30/14, some other more-material benefits (savings up to $500.00!) are waiting as well; see box at right. Witness stunningly jagged mountainscapes soaring above and around you...icy-cold alpine lakes of uncommon hues more often associated with jewels...brilliant star-bright nights, silent but for sounds of the wild…dense forests redolent of evergreen and what can only be described as the smell of “clean.” Being temporarily dumbstruck by nature calls for an equally “moving” manmade experience that’s sure to get your heart racing — riding on the world’s foremost luxury touring train. This extraordinary 9-day tour includes daytime rides on Rocky Mountaineer — Seattle

Don’t just imagine it or read about it; discover all of the pleasures of a Rocky Mountaineer journey in “rail” time; enjoy the highestlevel GoldLeaf Service on 3 daytime train rides, just one feature of AAA’s Sept 12 “Canadian Rockies: Seattle to Calgary” tour.

ONLY AAA MEMBERS SAVE UP TO $500.00 Premium ............ $500.00 Plus.................... $450.00 Basic .................. $400.00 and get a pair of compact 8X BINOCULARS! Book & make a deposit by 4/30/14. SAVINGS/BINOCULARS PER ROOM, BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY

Exclusive AAA MEMBER BENEFIT: Each adult receives a $100.00 onboard Rocky Mountaineer souvenir credit! to Vancouver, Vancouver to Kamloops, Kamloops to Jasper. Even more extraordinary? The 3 rides are just 1 highlight of this tour! Great rail journeys transcend mere travel, and those on Rocky Mountaineer rate as one of the “World’s Greatest Trips” by National Geographic...“Best Train Experience in the World” by the Society of American Travel Writers...and “Best Rail Vacation” by Travel Weekly. Rocky Mountaineer’s highest-level GoldLeaf Service features reclining seats in a bi-level glass-domed coach with full-length windows and a lower-level dining room, where you’ll savor hot gourmet meals from an à la carte menu prepared by chefs trained at Michelinstarred restaurants. Enjoy complimentary snacks & beverages (soft & “hard”) at your seat as friendly hosts offer stories and alert you of photo opps, from your seat or the lower level’s outdoor vestibule. Relax to the train’s hypnotic clickety-clack and soothing sway. Marvel at the sights appearing and unfolding beyond the panoramic windows, with the promise of something even more spectacular just ahead or around each corner. In addition to the train experiences, you’ll also visit other wonders in 3 national parks that form the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site. And you’ll enjoy hotel stays in Seattle, Vancouver (2 nights), Kamloops, Jasper (2 nights), Banff and Calgary. It all begins Seattle; after some self-guided continued on page 19

APRIL 2014

AAA Motorist is now online at AAA.com

Travel | Insurance/Financial | Automotive | Member Savings | AAA.com

AAA’S STATE ADVOCACY AGENDA FOR 2014

Now you never have to miss a single issue of your AAA Club publication. The AAA Motorist is online with anytime access to informative articles on getting the most from your AAA membership, helpful consumer advice and thoughtful commentary on issues relevant to all motorists. Planning your next vacation? AAA Motorist highlights some of the premier destinations and attractions from across the country and around the globe. Plus, there are indepth reviews of the latest automotive technology, and practical information on buying and looking after your vehicle. Just go to AAA. com, click on the link that says Community and enter your zip code for the regional edition created specifically for your geographic area.

Free Battery Wellness Clinics from AAA AAA East Central is hosting Free Battery Wellness Clinics to help members get their cars ready for spring. AAA Battery Service offers fast, accurate and convenient mobile battery testing and replacement. State-of-the-art diagnostic equipment will confirm whether your battery will hold a charge, or if the problem lies deeper in the electrical system. If a replacement is needed, it can be purchased and installed on the spot. AAA will even recycle your old battery for free. Battery checks will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16, and Tuesday, April 22 (Earth Day), at the following AAA branch locations: • Jamestown: 111 W. 5th Street, Jamestown, NY; (716) 488-1981 • Lockport: 7135 Rochester Road, Lockport, NY; (716) 434-2865

Penske Open Road Sweepstakes Penske Truck Rental is celebrating their 15-year partnership with AAA with the Open Road Sweepstakes. Now through December 2014, Penske Trick Rental will be giving away 15 free truck rentals each month for local or one-way moving. AAA members are always winners at Penske, with a 12 percent discount on Penske one-way and local truck rentals with unlimited free mileage, plus a 12 percent discount on moving supplies and accessories. For your chance to win visit PenskeTruckRental.com/OpenRoadSweeps.

Hot Destinations & Cool Discounts Ready for an all-inclusive vacation to the sunny Caribbean or Mexico? Making destinations more memorable for over 50 years, Pleasant Holidays has a variety of exciting tours, activities and excursions to take your vacation experience from ordinary to extraordinary. Book before April 30, 2014 and get $50 off per room, based on double occupancy, from AAA Travel. Plus, you’ll also receive a $50 certificate from Pleasant Holidays good toward optional sightseeing or activities. New bookings only. SEE PAGE 7

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Best Western International has three for the road

AAA DIRECTORY

AAA MEMBER SERVICES • ADDRESS CHANGE triptiks, tourbooks, maps, license 412-363-5100 or 1-800-441-5008

AAA’s Hotel Partner of the Year offers three ways to stay est Western hotels are located everywhere — from seaside resorts and national parks — to major cities and small towns across North America. They offer a welcoming experience among clean and comfortable surroundings, with all the amenities to ensure a restful and productive stay at an exceptional value. Best Western hotels all meet AAA’s high-standards for a minimum 2-Diamond or 3-Diamond rating. In 2013, Best Western earned their fifth consecutive AAA Hotel Partner of the Year award. The world’s largest hotel family now has three for the road with Best Western Plus and Best Western Premier properties offering progressively enhanced amenities dining and recreation. Best Western, the company’s classic hotel brand offers a value priced combination of comfort, convenience, with such state-of-the-art amenities as complimentary Wi-Fi, in-room coffee & tea maker, and available breakfast to help you get a good start on your day. Best Western Plus always delivers that little something extra. From wellappointed rooms to modern amenities, it’s thoughtfully designed to suit the needs of any business or leisure traveler. Amenities include upgraded bath products, in-room mini-fridge, a fitness room to help you stay in shape and a business center. All Best Western Plus hotels meet the high-standard requirements of AAA

INTERNET WEB SITE: www.AAA.com

APPROVED AUTO REPAIR 412-365-7411 or 1-800-233-9733 EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE 412-362-1900 or 1-800-222-4357 EXPRESS TRAVEL RESERVATIONS

airline tickets, tours, cruises, rental cars

412-363-7283 or 1-800-354-8761

INSURANCE SERVICES: 1-800-207-7947 MEDIA RELATIONS: 412-365-7157 AAA MOTORIST: 412-365-7017 SAFETY: 412-365-7211 TDD for the hearing-impaired: 412-363-7144

AAA BRANCH OFFICE LOCATIONS

A LITTLE EXTRA — The Best Western Plus Las Brisas Hotel in Palm Springs. with a minimum 3-Diamond rating. Launched in 2011 the distinct style and personalized service of the Best Western Premier brand always leaves a lasting impression. Usually located in very desirable destinations, these hotels are aimed at travelers who appreciate unique experiences, and genuine hospitality.

Whether it’s a relaxing vacation or an important business meeting, plush amenities like fashionable furnishings, premium linens and towels, and HD TVs, provide a refined level of comfort for all travelers at these upscale properties. Best Western Premier hotels meet the high-standard requirements of AAA with a minimum 3-Diamond rating. The last thing you want when you’ve booked a single room is to find out you’re sharing it with millions of germs and bits of microscopic debris Best Western International has adopted a high-tech approach to ensure their rooms are as clean and sanitary as possible. Their innovative I Care Clean program brings advanced cleaning technologies used in hospitals to the hospitality industry. Housekeepers in all of Best Western’s 2,200 locations are now using black lights and ultraviolet light wands to seek out and destroy germs and harmful bacteria. The key to memorable travels with pets is careful planning. Best Western is a leader in pet friendly travel with more than 1,600 locations that accommodate your four-legged friends. Special efforts to accommodate pets include special amenities like doggie treats at check-in, water bowls, pet beds with blankets, and pet-friendly “Mini Bar” including pets snacks, toys and special clean-up bags.

IF YOU GO

AAA members save 10% or more on room rates at Best Western hotels in the U.S., Canada and Best Western hotels worldwide. AAA members also receive special benefits through Best Western’s exclusive rewards program, AAA Preferred Best Western Rewards. Membership is free and your Best Western Rewards points never expire.

Altoona 1634 Valley View Blvd. ............................. 814-946-1277 Butler 138 Clearview Circle .................................... 724-287-2713 Cranberry The Village Shoppes, 20510 Rt. 19 .......... 724-772-1122 Erie 6660 Peach St. Unit #2 .............................. 814-866-0246 Franklin 102 Sugar Creek Town Center Rd. ........... 814-432-3960 Greensburg Eastgate Shopping Center 5142 Route 30, Suite 135 ......................... 724-834-8300 Grove City 24 Pine Grove Village Dr. .......................... 724-458-8930 Harborcreek 4430 Buffalo Rd. ........................................ 814-897-9508 Hermitage 1749 E. State St.......................................... 724-981-9141 Indiana 1169 Wayne Ave........................................ 724-349-4193 Jamestown (New York) 111 W. Fifth St., Jamestown, N.Y.. ........... 716-488-1981 Kittanning Franklin Village Mall. ............................... 724-543-1924 Lewisburg 530 1/2 North Derr Drive . ....................... 570-524-7455 Lower Burrell/New Kensington Area Crossroads Plaza 2503 Leechburg Rd.................................... 724-339-4440 McKean County (Bradford) 587 South Ave. .......................................... 814-368-3113 Meadville 18939 Park Avenue Plaza Unit #7 ............ 814-724-2247 New Castle 40 East St.................................................... 724-658-8551 Niagara-Orleans 7135 Rochester Rd, Lockport, NY. ............ 716-434-2865 Pittsburgh–Century III Area (Pleasant Hills) 9 Clairton Blvd. (RT 51). ........................... 412-655-6100 Pittsburgh–Downtown 538 Smithfield St. ...................................... 412-338-4300 Pittsburgh–East Liberty/Shadyside 5900 Baum Blvd. ........................................ 412-365-7196 Pittsburgh–Monroeville 2725 Mosside Blvd. .................................... 412-858-4640 Pittsburgh–North Hills Area (Ross Township) 4790 McKnight Rd. .................................... 412-367-7600 Pittsburgh–Robinson Township Robinson Town Centre 1760 Park Manor Blvd. ............................. 412-809-2800 Pittsburgh–South Hills Area (Bethel Park) 160 Ft. Couch Rd. ...................................... 412-833-5203 Rochester 300 Adams St. ............................................ 724-775-8000 St. Marys 1375 Bucktail Rd. ...................................... 814-834-7838 Somerset 110 N. Center Ave. .................................... 814-443-6526 Sunbury 1001 Market Street. .................................. 570-286-4507 Uniontown 111 W. Main St. ......................................... 724-438-8575 Warren 2285 Market St. ......................................... 814-723-6660 Washington 196 Murtland Ave. .................................... 724-222-3800 Waynesburg 184 Greene Plaza, US 21 & I-79 ................ 724-627-3434 White Oak/McKeesport Area Oak Park Mall, 2001 Lincoln Way ............ 412-675-3400

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AAA’s state advocacy agenda for 2014 Jamestown Region Official publication of AAA East Central Published monthly (except bimonthly Aug./Sept., Nov./Dec.) by AAA East Central 111 West Fifth St., Jamestown NY 14701-5035 USPS 002-112 ISSN 0898-4158 Periodicals Postage Paid at Jamestown NY Postmaster: Send address changes to AAA Motorist Jamestown Region c/o AAA, 111 W. Fifth St., Jamestown NY 14701-5035 Subscription Rate: $1 included in Primary Membership dues. All others: $2/year.

Publisher.....................................James E. Lehman Managing Editor ....................... Doug O’Neil Editorial Office 5900 Baum Blvd, Pittsburgh PA 15206-3854 e-mail: motorist@aaaec.com

AAA EAST CENTRAL Chairman: ................................................Richard S. Hamilton Vice Chairman:....................................... James E. Broome, Jr. Vice Chairman:....................................... Douglas W. Caldwell Vice Chairman:.........................................Mary Lynn Laughlin Vice Chairman:.................................... Martha Hartle Munsch OFFICERS: President: ....................................................James E. Lehman Assistant Treasurer: ........................................ Edith W. Martel Secretary: ................................................ Robert H. Compton GOVERNING BOARD OF DIRECTORS James E. Broome, Jr., Steve D. Bullock**, Douglas W. Caldwell, Charles O. Casto, Edward C. Coaxum, Jr., Robert S. Collins, Robert H. Compton, Jon E. Denney, Debra A. Dinnocenzo, Pamela C. Fritz, Richard S. Hamilton, James H. Kanicki, Mary Lynn Laughlin, Richard D. Linderman**, William Duff McCrady, James M. McDonnell, Thomas V. McKernan Jr., Martha Hartle Munsch, Gary K. Munsie** EAST CENTRAL REGION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Neil D. Bassi, Chairman, Robert S. Collins, Vice Chairman, Carol Asam, Christian Asam, Jack A. Barkley, William E. Bierer**, Ellsworth T. Bowser**, Peter Burton, Marianne B. Campbell, Michael A. Cochran, Daniel J. Collins Jr.**, Robert H. Compton, Debra A. Dinnocenzo, James J. Dodaro, Jack G. Ellis, Mona N. Generett, Charles W. Groce , Richard S. Hamilton, Mark Henschen, Luke Howe, Richard Kallenborn, Herbert G. Koenig, Mark S. Mansour, W. Duff McCrady, Martha Hartle Munsch, W. Lee Oswalt, III, Michael Parkes, John D. Petruso, Louis Pomerico, Leonard L. Scheinholtz**, James C. Stump, Jr., James F. Ward *ex officio **emeritus directors

Regional Board of Directors Susan V. Abdella, Gordon W. Black, Hans P.B. Christensen, Alison Churchill, Charles Heinz, Bradley E. Long, Dennis H. Lundberg, Samuel P. Price Jr., Philip E. Ruslink, John L. Sellstrom, Beverly Ungerer

Jamestown Office: 111 W. Fifth St. Jamestown NY 14701-5035 (716) 488-1981

Notice to AAA Members regarding AAA Insurance Services: Due to Statutory restrictions, AAA East Central is prohibited from offering products and services to AAA members residing in the State of New York.

Copyright ©2014 by AAA East Central. Publication of an advertisement in the AAA Motorist does not constitute an endorsement of the product or service by the AAA Motorist or by AAA East Central, except in the case of products and services which are being offered by AAA East Central.

Priorities include distracted driving and teen driver safety By Richard Hamilton Chairman, AAA East Central wo thousand and fourteen may prove to be a watershed year for our transportation infrastructure. Many states lack the funding to build and properly maintain the roads we use every day. The failure of the federal government to adequately address this issue means state legislatures must look for new ways to pay for improvements and reduce congestion. AAA will do everything it can to support states in achieving these goals. AAA has prioritized a number important state advocacy issues this year, including transportation funding, distracted driving, teen driver safety, impaired driving and connected cars. Our goal is to make driving safer, improve mobility and protect the rights of all motorists. Transportation funding — Congress has not updated the 18.4 cents per gallon gas tax that funds the Highway Trust Fund in more than 20 years. Inflation and lower tax revenues due to improved fuel efficiency have significantly eroded federal transportation funding per mile. Last year, six states including Pennsylvania, passed legislation to adjust their statewide gas taxes to help fund roads and bridges and as many as 28 additional states will take up the issue this year. AAA will provide expertise as state policymakers examine ways to pay for critical transportation projects and safety improvements.

Richard Hamilton Distracted driving — AAA will continue working with state legislatures to reduce distracted driving. In 2009, AAA launched a national legislative campaign to ban texting while driving in all 50 states and today, only eight states remain without a law. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration distracted driving is responsible for about 3,000 fatalities and 420,000 injuries per year. Taking your eyes off the road for more than two seconds can double your risk of being in a crash. Teen driver safety — Car crashes take more teen lives than cancer, homicide and suicide combined. AAA is urging all states to adopt and enforce a

comprehensive three-stage graduated driver licensing (GDL) system for teen drivers. While every state has some form of a GDL law, there is much room for improvement. Only seven states including New York and West Virginia currently have GDL systems that meet AAA’s guidelines for nighttime limits, passenger limits and practice requirements. Safety experts credit GDL laws for much of the 57 percent decline in traffic fatalities for 16- and 17-year-old drivers between 1995 and 2010. Impaired driving — More than 10,000 people die in alcohol-impaired driving crashes per year, accounting for approximately one-third of the all motor vehicle traffic fatalities in the United States. Ignition interlocks have been proven to be effective at reducing repeat offenses, but only 18 states mandate or highly incentivize ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers. AAA is urging all remaining states to save lives and prevent needless tragedies by requiring ignition interlocks for all offenders. Connected cars — Wireless connectivity promises to transform the driving experience by improving safety and more new cars are being equipped with this technology. It also has the potential to collect and transmit vast amounts of user data outside the vehicle, without the knowledge or informed consent of the owner. AAA is working to educate state policymakers on the ramifications of this technology by promoting consumer rights for car data that ensure transparency, choice and security.

membersonly Request roadside assistance from your PC or mobile device More ways AAA is putting technology to work for you

ere’s a situation with a familiar ring to it — it’s a busy morning and you’re running late for work. You barely have time to grab your keys before hurrying out the door. Then you realize your car won’t start. Vehicle breakdowns are an unfortunate fact-of-life and the timing is never good. You could call by dialing our toll-free number, but AAA has several additional ways to request road service — AAA Mobile, AAA Find Me, and AAA Road Service Online. Use them when you’re on the road, or from your home or office.

AAA Mobile

AAA members can request roadside assistance electronically directly from their smartphones using the free AAA Mobile app. It also transmits the location of your vehicle using the GPS location on your phone. A new, next generation user interface, incorporating a series of interactive “cards” is beautifully responsive and optimized to look and work great on your device. Available for iPhone and Androidcompatible devices, AAA Mobile makes

the perfect travel companion for people on the go. In addition to roadside assistance key features include: • TripTik® — Trip planning with interactive maps and directions; • Exclusive member discounts at over 114,000 locations; • Mobile battery replacement quotes and AAA Approved Repair locations; • Research and book AAA Diamond Rated hotels with reviews, inspector notes and AAA member offers. (where available) AAA Mobile delivers a complete mobile member experience. For more information or to download the AAA Mobile app, visit the AAA Mobile Solutions page at AAA.com/Mobile.

AAA Road Service Online

Members can easily access AAA Road Service Online, from their PC or tablet device by clicking on the Road Service Online link at AAA.com. If you are not a registered AAA.com user, you’ll then be asked to enter your member number and zip code to confirm your membership. You’ll quickly be guided through the online request

process, providing the same information you would if you called, including vehicle information, location, and type of service requested. Shortly after the request is sent, members receive an e-mail confirmation that includes an estimated time of arrival for the roadservice provider. Why request road service online? Service requests made online go directly to the dispatcher, so the time it takes to request service online can be considerably shorter than by phone. This is particularly true during severe weather when call volume can be heavier. Visit AAA.com the next time you need roadside assistance.

AAA Find Me

If you need roadside assistance and call from your AT&T or Sprint GPSenabled mobile phone, AAA will rescue you — even if you aren’t sure where you are. AAA Find Me uses GPS technology to determine the location of authorized mobile handsets. There are no additional fees and only requirement is that participants are current AAA members and an AT&T or Sprint subscriber.

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The magical calm of the midnight sun Unforgettable views in the land of fjords

ailing up Norway’s winding blue pathways can be a little bit intimidating. Against this opposition of mountain, sea and sky, manmade objects seem to dwindle into dots, subordinated into insignificance by nature’s generosity. The tangled mass of inlets and fjords on Norway’s rugged west coast extend the 1,600-mile coastline by nearly 10 times, creating one the world’s most remarkable cruise destinations. You almost have to be there to believe it. Waterfalls tumble over slick mountainsides. Tiny farmsteads cling precariously to remote patches of land. Medieval towns line the quays, with wooden buildings painted in colors seemingly chosen to complement nature’s palette of greens and blues. Flanked by the steepest mountains on the west coast Geirangerfjord is famous for the Seven Sisters and the Suitor waterfalls. Narrow Naerofjord (an arm of Sognefjord) bisects the sheer cliffs rising 5,600 feet straight up from the water. Lysefjord is home to breathtaking Pulpit Rock, a natural rock formation jutting 2,000 feet over the water. Thrill seekers can stand on Kjeragbolten, a 20 foot boulder wedged between a crevasse and suspended over an abyss. Just two villages occupy the 23-mile-long fjord, each accessible only by water.

NATURE’S MASTERPIECE — Geirangerfjord is flanked by the steepest mountains on Norway’s west coast.

Set among the peaks of the Sunnmøre Alps, the picturesque town of Ålesund is known for its Art Nouveau architecture. Brilliantly colored houses incorporate Old Norse symbols like dragons and gargoyles. Take a drive or scale the 418 steps to the top of the Aksla overlook. In Aurlandsfjord visitors can board the Flåm Scenic Railway — one of the world’s steepest — for a spectacular, vertigo-inducing 12-mile journey past waterfalls, snow-capped mountains and mountain farms. Bergen is known as “the city between seven mountains.” A trading town since the Middle Ages, Norway’s second largest city is the gateway to the fjords. Visitors can ride the Fløibanen Funicular to the top of Fløyen mountain, or take a leisurely stroll along Bryggen Wharf, with its distinctive redbrick Hanseatic style buildings.

IF YOU GO Hardanger, the Queen of the Fjords, is where Edvard Grieg was inspired to compose In the Hall of the Mountain King. Nearly one million fruit trees thrive under the temperate influence of the Gulfstream, and in the spring the fjord is painted pink and white with their reflections. Hikers can make their way to Trolltunga (troll’s tongue) one of Norway’s most spectacular scenic cliffs.

Sognefjord — Norway’s longest and deepest — is 120 miles long and over 4,000 feet deep. The fjord and its namesake town have a rich history. More than a thousand years ago, the Vikings launched their longboats from here to wreak havoc across much of Europe. The picturesque stave churches in this region all date back to the twelfth century.

FOOTWORKS PERCUSSIVE DANCE ENSEMBLE — (April 11) An exuberant fusion of live music, comedy, singing, and a dazzling array of dance forms rooted in different cultures, Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble presents Incredible Feets! – a music and dance revue. This engaging show introduces the audience to traditional percussive dances from Ireland, England, South Africa, Canada and the American South as well as early jazz tap. Tickets: $18. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. at the 1891 Fredonia Opera House, 9 Church Street, Fredonia. Call 716-679-1891 or visit www.fredopera.org. GREATER OLEAN AREA HOME & GARDEN SHOW — (April 11-13) Nothing beats a face-to-face chat with a professional. The Greater Olean Area Home Show, presented by Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce, is your all-access pass to home specialists with expert advice, solutions and inspiration for your home projects. More than 80 area businesses are expected to exhibit their wares. Show runs Friday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Location: William O. Smith Recreation Center, 551 East State Street, Olean, NY. Call 716-372-4433 or visit www.oleanny.com.

CHILDREN’S CONCERT SERIES — (April 26) The SUNY Fredonia School of Music presents free concerts throughout the school year designed to teach very young children (from infants to 6-yearolds) about musical instruments. In this child-friendly environment children will get to see and hear instruments up close. Family members are encouraged to bring blankets or carpet squares to sit on. April’s performance will be by the Fredonia Guitar Quartet. Two performances: 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Location: Dunkirk Free Library, 536 Central Ave, Dunkirk. Visit www.fredonia.edu/music. SPRING GOURMET DINING CLUB – YOUR NEXT BRUNCH — (May 1) Learn how to prepare a delicious brunch at this session of the Jamestown Community College’s Gourmet Dining Club. Get an authentic hands-on culinary experience as you learn from Chef Timothy Mills. Registration: $39. Class runs from 6 to 9 p.m. at Jamestown Community College, Community Services Center (CSCE) Building, 525 Falconer Street, Jamestown. Call 716-338-1005 or visit www.sunyjcc.edu. JOE CROOKSTON & THE BLUEBIRD JUBILEE — (May 2) Award-winning singer/songwriter Joe Crookston

A number of cruise lines sail to this magical land each summer and fall, including Celebrity, Cunard, Crystal, Princess, Azamara, Holland America and Royal Caribbean. FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please see your AAA Departures Guide or log on to AAA.com/cruises for special values on European cruise vacations.

aroundtown BOB HINES: NATIONAL WILDLIFE ARTIST — (Through May 25) “Bob Hines: National Wildlife Artist” celebrates the work of one of the great wildlife illustrators of the 20th century. The exhibit takes the visitor on a tour of Hines’s lifework from his start as a conservation illustrator in Ohio through a long and storied career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Exhibit is included with admission to the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History. Museum admission: $6; $4, children and students. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Location: Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History, 311 Curtis Street, Jamestown. Visit www.rtpi.org. BROWN BAG LECTURE SERIES — (April 9) Come take part in the Fenton History Center’s first Brown Bag Lecture of 2014. Learn about an important part of Jamestown’s history during the lunch hour. The lecture series takes place the second Wednesday of the month from April through October. Free admission (donations encouraged). Event runs from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at Fenton History Center, 67 Washington Street, Jamestown. Call 716-6646256 or visit www.fentonhistorycenter.org.

makes his debut performance at the Opera House in an evening of original folk music. Together with Peter Glanville, as the BlueBird Jubilee, Crookston has played to full houses at festivals and performing arts centers across the U.S. His is a high energy show full of story songs, finger picking, stomping rhythms and a deep well of musical tradition and creativity. General admission tickets are $15. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. at the 1891 Fredonia Opera House, 9 Church Street, Fredonia. Call 716-679-1891 or visit www.fredopera.org. WESTFIELD BOOK & PAPER SHOW — (May 3) The Book and Paper Show is a one-day event that will feature 25 dealers of everything from antique books, to postcards, to historical documents and paaperbased ephemera. Show runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Eason Hall, 23 Elm Street, Westfield. Admission: $5. Call 716-326-2977 or visit www.bookandpapershow.com. SPRING CRAFT DAYS — (May 3) This annual craft show and sale, sponsored by the Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, features hand-crafted treasures and home-baked goods. It’s the perfect time to stop by and do some shopping throughout the village of Findley Lake. Free admission. Visit www.findleylakeinfo.org.

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Member Benefits • Exclusive Offers

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1-800-354-8761 • AAA.com/travel NOW AMBER PUERTO VALLARTA

BEACHES OCHO RIOS RESORT & GOLF CLUB

Calculating how to fulfill your beach getaway dreams? is AAA’s foolproof formula! And, until 4/30/14, you can get (see details on the next page). Flush with deluxe amenities, overflowing with fun activities, stuffed with specialty dining options and pampering you with attentive service, the allinclusive oceanfront oases below are just a few among hundreds in the Caribbean and Mexico available from AAA travel partner Pleasant Holidays. Singles, couples, families and groups of friends alike can find a resort that suits their interests, budget and travel styles. Pay just one price for everything — accommodations, meals, drinks, snacks, pools, water sports, fitness centers, spas and much, much more — and enjoy the vacation of your dreams! rants. Enjoy unlimited scuba diving, land & water sports and premium-brand drinks. Just over an hour southeast of Miami lies a jewel-like strand of islands called Turks BEACHES RESORT & GOLF CLUB: Ocho Rios, Jamaica & Caicos. Strung across indescribably turquoise waters, it's one of the world's Set where verdant mountains meet azure seas, this 223-room beachbest scuba destinations and it’s perfect for those looking for a true tropifront resort is the utimate vacation spot for those who love both surf cal hideaway. Named 2013’s #1 hotel for families in the Caribbean & turf and was voted among the Top 10 Best Beach Resorts by by Travel & Leisure magazine and set on Grace Bay’s whiteALL-INCLUSIVE Parents magazine. With complimentary golf for the entire sand beach, this 758-room resort offers 4 uniquely themed ADVANTAGES family, a Pirates’ Island Waterpark with waterslides and villages (featuring the architecture & ambiance of Italy, Avoid awkward tip moments, such as motorized water sports, this resort caters to families of France, the Caribbean and Key West). Families love worrying about whether or how much to tip. all ages. Take full advantage of kids’ programs and Pirates’ Island, the Caribban’s largest theme waterNo worrying about where to go, how to get from one place to another, where to stay, what to see. family suites. The natural beauty of luxuriant greenpark, and there's something for all kids, from tots to One value-packed price for hotel, food, drinks and most ery, mountains that loom over white-sand beaches tweens to teens — Sesame Street® characters, the extras eliminates guesswork...and the need to carry cash. and the world-renowned Dunn’s River Falls are Xbox 360® Game Garage and an under-21 disco No surprises: A placid predictability can be a wonderful panacea. what make the Ocho Rios area such an extraordi— all on one of the world’s best beaches. A few activities (massage or motorized water sports, in some cases) nary destination.

BEACHES RESORT VILLAGES & SPA: Providenciales, Turks & Caicos

may involve a fee, but the beauty is the spa & beach are only steps away. Many resorts cater to couples (as well as child-averse or child-indifferent GRAND VELAS RIVIERA MAYA: Mexico adults) and offer the promise of serenity, romance and flirty fun. A grand estate 40 minutes by plane from South Just 5 minutes from downtown Playa del CarMany resorts cater to parents with children. Daycare, kid-specific Florida, this 245-room enclave sits on an exquimen, this 491-room beachfront oasis of luxury, pools, activity zones, monitors, performers and more make it site white-sand beach. Enjoy all-concierge service known for its “Beyond All-Inclusive, Beyond All fun and stress-free for everyone. and magnificently appointed villa and suite accomCompare” amenities, offers impeccable service Relative privacy & seclusion: All-inclusives can also be havens of solitude and stillness, where the mind quiets modations with abundant amenities. Deep within the and hospitality. The resort features spacious, welland settles into a delicious anti-routine. idyllic waters of the Exumas, it brings unprecedented appointed suites, upscale furnishings, native artwork Unless you pile on the side trips and menu luxury to the easy-going rhythms of the Bahamian Out and a AAA Five Diamond restaurant. It’s the only famiextras, all- inclusives make it easy Islands. You’ll feel like you’re the only ones there, where ly-friendly all-inclusive resort in the Mexican Caribbean to to stick to a financial plan.

SANDALS EMERALD BAY GOLF RESORT & SPA: Great Exuma, Bahamas

service reigns supreme and Bahamian-style architecture of elreceive AAA’s Five Diamond Award. Set on 80+ acres of proADAPTED FROM HOTELCLUB.COM egant villas and suites harmonizes with nature. Secluded within tected mangroves, jungle and natural freshwater wells (cenotes), 500 tropical acres along a pristine mile-long beach, civilized pleasure Grand Velas enjoys more than 1,000 feet of pristine white-sand beach. coexists with exotic adventures, from 3 impressive pools — including a halfLuxury accommodation options include uniquely exotic garden suites, oceanacre, zero-entry pool with a dramatic fire pit in the middle — to 7 exceptional restauview suites around the infinity pool and oceanfront suites with private plunge pools. more on the next page

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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

continued from the previous page

NOW AMBER: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

This all-new resort is a welcoming haven. Perfectly situated on a golden-sand beach on Banderas Bay, it features luxurious amenities and lavish accommodations. Reservationfree dining options, activities and nightly performances will keep you entertained. Now Amber Puerto Vallarta earned the highly coveted AAA Four Diamond Award in 2013. Every amenity you’d expect from a world-class resort is included as part of UnlimitedLuxury.® Every gourmet meal, fine wine & cocktail and much more. A private terrace or balcony and Jacuzzi are among the many amenities you’ll enjoy. Now Amber Puerto Vallarta features 327 spacious suites, each with modern décor, marble floors and stunning views as well as 4 à la carte restaurants, a buffet, a barefoot grill and a café. Or you can enjoy a delicious meal in the privacy of your suite. Your Unlimited-Luxury® amenities include all snacks and meals.

Get up to $100.00 savings!

SOLMAR RESORT ALL-INCLUSIVE: Los Cabos, Mexico

This intimate 100-room beachfront resort offers 24-hour room service, 2 bars, 2 restaurants, 2 pools, a swim-up bar and Wi-Fi. It’s blessed by one of the most enchanting and romantic locations in Baja California. Granite cliffs hide the property from the outside world, yet the sights and sounds of Cabo San Lucas are but a 10-minute stroll away. Spread your towel on the white sands of Solmar Beach and soak up the sun in private comfort, grab a snorkel or a fishing pole or choose from a long list of other activities the Pacific Ocean has to offer — or shop, dine, then dance the night away at one of the many hotspots in Cabo San Lucas. Solmar All-inclusive offers the best of both of worlds — unmatched privacy in an extraordinary natural setting. Solmar All-inclusive is exclusively all suites with kitchen facilities, private balconies, marble floors, granite countertops and fine linens.

AAA MEMBERS ONLY — NOW ’S THE TIME! Book & make a deposit by April 30 on a 2014 7-night-or-longer air-inclusive Pleasant Holidays vacation to the Caribbean, Mexico or Europe and enjoy:

$50.00 SAVINGS FROM AAA TRAVEL (per room, based on double occupancy • new bookings only)

PLUSEXCLUSIVE

S! THESE ER BENEFIT AAA MEMB

EUROPE

$50.00 SAVINGS off package price, per booking

THE CARIBBEAN & MEXICO

$50.00 CERTIFICATE toward purchase of optional sightseeing or activity, per booking

APRIL 2014

AAA MOTORIST

PAGE 9

1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel

Member Benefits Exclusive Offers Celebrity Cruises & AAA Vacations® offer some of the best values at sea & great benefits unavailable elsewhere! Priority Check-in

does not grant priority boarding

Enjoy 2 valuable benefits EXCLUSIVELY for members

Up to $100.00 Onboard Credit

BEST-PRICE GUARANTEE

per stateroom

DATE NTS SHIP

PLUS... Get $50 savings from AAA Travel! PER ROOM BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY NEW BOOKINGS ONLY

6/15 7/11 7/12 7/18 7/25 8/8 8/15 8/26 9/4 9/12 10/2 10/14 10/19 11/23 11/29 12/7 12/8 12/28

7 7 7 7 10 7 10 12 12 11 12 13 6 7 7 14 5 7

ITINERARY

Century Millennium Equinox Solstice Reflection Millennium Infinity Equinox Century Solstice Constellation Equinox Summit Silhouette Reflection Eclipse Constellation Silhouette

Alaska Inside Passage: R/T from Vancouver BC Alaska Southbound: Seward AK to Vancouver BC Eastern Mediterranean: Venice IT to Istanbul TU Alaska Inside Passage: Roundtrip from Seattle WA E Mediterranean: R/T from Civitavecchia (Rome) IT Alaska Southbound: Seward AK to Vancouver BC N Europe: Roundtrip from Harwich (London) UK Western Mediterranean: Barcelona SP to Venice IT Alaska Inside Passage: R/T from San Francisco CA Alaska Inside Passage: Seattle WA to Vancouver BC Eastern Mediterranean: Roundtrip from Istanbul TU Western Mediterranean: R/T from Barcelona SP Eastern Caribbean: Bayonne NJ to San Juan PR Eastern Caribbean: R/T from Ft Lauderdale FL Eastern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Miami FL Southern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Miami FL Western Caribbean: R/T from Ft Lauderdale FL Western Caribbean: R/T from Ft Lauderdale FL

New bookings only. Offers listed available only on AAA Vacations® departures. Combinable with exclusive AAA Member Benefits; ask your AAA Travel Agent or visit AAA.com/travel for details & restrictions.

If you find a better rate for the exact same cruise itinerary & experience within 24 hours of booking, AAA Vacations ® will match the lower rate...and you’ll receive a $50.00 future-travel credit certificate.

24 / 7 MEMBER CARE

Get peace of mind whenever you need emergency assistance while traveling — a toll-free domestic number and collect-call instructions for international travelers.

A special kind of cruise stands apart from all others — a AAA Vacations ® cruise available only from AAA Travel. It delivers unique features designed to ensure you have the best vacation experience. Compare a AAA Vacations ® cruise against the same cruise offered elsewhere; see how much more your vacation dollar gets you at AAA. Even if you find the same cruise (without AAA Vacations ® benefits, of course!) at a lower price some-where else within 24 hours of booking your AAA Vacations ® cruise, AAA will match that rate and give you a $50.00 future-travel voucher... LOOK FOR guaranteed! THIS LOGO

Best of the West!

BEST OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

San Francisco. Muir Woods. Hearst Castle. Golden Gate Bridge. Sausalito. Napa Valley. Lunch on the Napa Wine Train. Amtrak train to Lake Tahoe. Ghost town of Virginia City NV. Yosemite National Park. Carmel. Big Sur. Monterey. 14 meals.

JULY 24–AUG 1 • $3,699

YELLOWSTONE EXPERIENCE

Our first national park’s first explorers were called liars when they described its otherworldly geysers & bubbling mudpots and its free-ranging bison, elk, moose, bears & wolves. Begin at Salt Lake City and travel through scenic AUG 11-17 • $2,695 Idaho to Yellowstone. Enjoy Old Faithful & many other natural landmarks, as well as the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center. A Wildlife Safari includes a picnic dinner. Also enjoy Grand Teton National Park, the cowboy town of Jackson, a Jenny Lake cruise, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (schedule permitting) and more! 12 meals.

COLORADO TRAIN ADVENTURE

This Centennial State tour features rides on the Pike’s Peak Cog Railway, the Royal Gorge Route RR, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic RR and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge RR. Tour the US Air Force Academy and SEPT 13-20 • $2,689 marvel at the rock formations of the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. Ride the country’s steepest incline and walk on the world’s highest suspension bridge at Royal Gorge. Visit Great Sand Dunes and Mesa Verde national parks. See the monoliths of Colorado National Monument. Visit the CO Railroad Museum. 15 meals. AAA Member Rates are per person (double occupancy), are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip flights from Buffalo, roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, sightseeing admissions, taxes/ gratuities for included features, baggage handling (1 bag per person) and meals as indicated. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Visit AAA.com/travel for itinerary details.

Sail on ALLURE OF THE SEAS for 7 nights to the Eastern Caribbean and enjoy the fun and entertainment of the DreamWorks Experience! Cruise roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale to Nassau, Bahamas; Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas USVI; and Philipsburg, St Maarten. 3 days at sea. Member-exclusive AAA Featured Vacation benefits

PREPAID GRATUITIES of up to $168

Total for 2 persons in a stateroom, when you book a balcony stateroom by 4/30/14.

COMPLIMENTARY DINNER for 2 • $75 ONBOARD CREDIT Complimentary dining is available only for the first 15 staterooms booked. Credit per stateroom.

Oct 26–Nov 2 •

AAA Member Rate: from $1,068

Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes cruise accommodations/entertainment, most onboard meals & government taxes/fees. Ask about available add-on airfare. Ship’s registry: Bahamas. Royal Caribbean International reserves the right to impose a fuel supplement on all guests if the price of West Texas intermediate fuel exceeds $65 per barrel. The fuel supplement for 1st and 2nd guests would be no more than $10 per guest per day, to a maximum of $140 per cruise; and for additional guests would be no more than $5 per person per day, to a maximum of $70 per cruise.

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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers Walk on the GREAT WALL!

AAA MEMBER SAVINGS $200 $150 $100 PREMIER

PLUS

BASIC

ALL SAVINGS PER ROOM. BOOK & DEPOSIT BY 4/30/14.

SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS

• PEKING DUCK & “HOTPOT“ DINNERS • FAMILY-HOME VISIT & HOME-COOKED MEAL • KUNG FU ACADEMY VISIT & DEMONSTRATION

Escort & driver s gratuitie ! included

Enjoy the comfort & security of an escorted experience — a comprehensive, informative & personal look at this rapidly growing city and an in-depth introduction to its fascinating culture. See landmarks & learn customs for nearly a week; then enjoy an entire day independently exploring & indulging your interests — art, history, cuisine, shopping, photography, parks & zoos — it’s all up to you, with suggestions, advice, directions, etc, from your expert guide! Marvel at ancient & modern, urban & rural, rich & poor, simple & sophisticated, serene & chaotic. Beijing’s unique combination of seemingly contradictory elements may well change your understanding of this city & nation...and provide moving memories that last a lifetime.

Sept 11-18 • AAA Member Rate: $3,349 Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Buffalo-Beijing), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, 12 meals, in-China guide, sightseeing/admissions, baggage handling (1 per person), driver/escort gratuities, AAA Tour Manager (if minimum-participation goal is met) & government taxes/fees. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Visit AAA.com/GoAsia for the complete itinerary! 4 UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES — THE GREAT WALL AT BADALING, THE IMPERIAL PALACE (FORBIDDEN CITY), THE SUMMER PALACE AND THE TEMPLE OF HEAVEN • TIANANMEN SQUARE • 2008 SUMMER OLYMPICS SITE • LAMA BUDDHIST TEMPLE • HUTONG MARKET VISIT, HOME VISIT & HOME-COOKED MEAL • BELL & DRUM TOWERS TEA CEREMONY JADE FACTORY • PEDICAB RIDE • KUNG FU DEMONSTRATION & STUDENT INTERACTION • TRADITIONAL PEKING DUCK & HOTPOT DINNERS • & MORE!

Glacier NP Discovery CHICAGO to SEATTLE

Jazz, Blues & Rock ’n’ Roll

NEW ORLEANS

CHICAGO – MEMPHIS – NEW ORLEANS

Ride Amtrak’s Empire Builder from the Windy City to the Emerald City and explore the Crown of the Continent in between! Begin with a reception at Palmer House, a worldclass hotel steps from Chicago’s best attractions. Enjoy a city tour and a cruise on the Chicago River. Start your rail journey with Mississippi River views and glimpses of the Twin Cities skyline. Awaken in your private sleeping accommodations to cross North Dakota’s plains and traverse Gassman Coulee Trestle. Cross into Montana’s Big Sky Country to Glacier National Park; this vast ice-carved terrain of ridges, peaks, waterfalls, hanging valleys, glaciers, forests and more than 200 lakes is one of the world’s most pristine natural environments. Deer are among the most commonly spotted wildlife, but elk, moose, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, wolves and bears are seen. Tour in a 1930s red “jammer”; rebuilt in 2001, they ply the park’s primary route — Going-to-the-Sun Road. Cross into Canada to visit Alberta’s Waterton Lakes National Park. Enjoy 2 nights at Glacier Park Lodge; its massive fireplace invites fireside chats, and there’s an outdoor pool, a golf course, a pitch-n-putt and a day spa on site. Your other in-park home for 2 nights is the Swiss-themed Many Glacier Hotel on Swiftcurrent Lake. Reboard the Empire Builder for Seattle. See the city’s many gems, including lively Pike Place Market. Then ascend the iconic Space Needle for breathtaking views and then, all too soon, it’s time to fly home!

The metronomic rhythm of your Amtrak® train will set you in the right frame of mind on this north-to-south music-inspired sojourn. Visit 3 fascinating cities where 3 authentically American music genres were born and continue to flourish. Train by night and day; be soothingly rocked to sleep on the overnight Chicago-to-Memphis leg (after enjoying an evening meal in the Dining car) and observe landscapes passing by your window on the Memphis–to–New Orleans portion. In the Windy City, settle into the luxurious Palmer House in the heart of the Loop. Tour the city’s landmarks, browse the Magnificent Mile and enjoy a Chicago River cruise to observe the city’s renowned architecture. Overnight on the train on the way to Beale Street, official “Home of the Blues.” Clubs and restaurants are just steps away. Tour Graceland, the home of Elvis; then, with musicians aboard (audience participation welcomed!), tour other sites of this city on the Mississippi named after the ancient Egyptian capital on the Nile. See Sun Studios, the Staxx Museum and the Rock ’n’ Soul Museum. Enjoy the relaxing journey to the Big Easy. Be welcomed into New Orleans by a jazz brunch in the French Quarter. Take a tour of the Crescent City, including the Garden District. Top it all off aboard a paddlewheel steamboat for a grand finale dinner cruise!

Glacier National Park Discovery: Chicago-Seattle

Jazz, Blues & Rock ’n’ Roll: Chicago–Memphis–New Orleans

GLACIER NP

Aug 16-25 •

AAA Member Rate: $5,079

Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes flights (Buffalo-Chicago, Seattle-Buffalo), train (Chicago-Seattle), roundtrip airport/hotel, 7-night hotel accommodations, 2-night train roomette accommodations, 17 meals, meal gratuities (except on train), welcome reception, 4 tours & 1 cruise in Glacier National Park, sightseeing per itinerary, hotel baggage handling (1 per person), air & hotel taxes and services of an Amtrak Vacations® escort (Chicago-Seattle). Visit AAA.com/travel for complete itinerary. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.

Sept 26–Oct 4 •

AAA Member Rate: $4,339

Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes flights (Buffalo-Chicago, New Orleans–Buffalo), train (Chicago–New Orleans), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, 7-night hotel accommodations, 1-night train roomette accommodations, 14 meals, meal gratuities (except on train), welcome reception, Chicago river cruise & evening activity, motorcoach tours (Chicago, Memphis, New Orleans), hotel baggage handling (1 per person), air & hotel taxes and services of an Amtrak Vacations® tour escort (Chicago–New Orleans). Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.

APRIL 2014

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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

An “outside the box” experience you’ll cherish for a lifetime!

One-of-a-kind Polar Bear Adventure! Tour also features Winnipeg, dog sledding, Eskimo Museum

Come with AAA to Canada’s “Polar Bear Capital of the World” — Churchill, Manitoba. Spend 2 full days tracking, sighting and capturing (by camera) polar bears on the tundra! Each October and early November, the massive bears (adult males weigh around 770 to 1,540 pounds and females about half that) wait near Churchill for Hudson Bay to freeze so they can hunt their primary food, ringed seals. Ride aboard the Tundra Buggy® Adventure’s specially designed all-terrain vehicles into and throughout the Churchill Wildlife Management Area on established trails that minimize impact on the tundra. Safely get right to the best locations with a high probability of wildlife sightings; viewing and photographing wildlife in its natural environment are thrills you’ll never forget! The interpretive drivers are experienced tour leaders and passionate adventurers knowledgeable about the tundra ecosystem and skilled at positioning the vehicle for optimal photography opportunities and wildlife viewing. The Tundra Buggy® Adventure’s long-standing relationship with Polar Bears International (PBI), the world’s leading polar bear conservation group, affords you an opportunity to spend time on the tundra with PBI Field Ambassadors and to learn about these incredible carnivores and their icy environment. Polar bears are surely the focus, but this getaway’s also packed with other great elements. Enjoy an excursion hosted by a local dog-sledding expert; learn about sledding’s historical significance and then enjoy an exhilarating

ride behind a strong team of huskies on a custom-made sled. You’ll also visit Port Merry, the Port of Churchill, the Eskimo Museum, the Parks Canada Interpretive Center and Manitoba Conservation’s Polar Bear Holding Facility (weather permitting). In Winnipeg, Canada’s seventh largest city, enjoy a stay at the centrally located and stylish Inn at the Forks. After a half-day tour that includes downtown, the historic Exchange District, St Boniface and the French Quarter, you’ll visit Assiniboine Park Zoo’s “Journey to Churchill” exhibit, which addresses issues related to climate change, polar bears and other northern species. Its Gateway to the Arctic zone is a viewing point for polar bears and ringed seals; from inside a 10-foot-wide acrylic tunnel, you can watch these creatures below the water surface of a swimming area where they often frolic between ice chunks. With only a clear wall bisecting the 2 habitats, the bears and seals see and smell each other, creating a dynamic and enriching environment.

Oct 20-26 • AAA Member Rate: $6,455 Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Buffalo-Winnipeg, Winnipeg-Churchill), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, hotel accommodations, luggage handling (1 piece per person), 17 meals, taxes/ gratuities on included items and services of a AAA tour manager (if minimum-participation goal is met). Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Visit AAA.com/ travel for details. Passport required.

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AAA MOTORIST

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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

AAA.com

Linking you & your next vacation! FLIGHTS RENTAL CARS HOTEL/MOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS Research & book travel arrangements from the comfort of your home – 24/7. TRAVEL WITH SOMEONE YOU TRUST.® ESCORTED TOUR OPERATED BY CIE TOURS INTERNATIONAL

Bunratty Folk Park • Medieval banquet in a castle • Cliffs of Moher • Flying Boat Museum • Killarney National Park • Ring of Kerry • Skellig Experience • Moll’s Gap • Waterford Crystal • Dinner & song at a pub • Dublin: tour & free time ...AND MUCH, MUCH MORE!

Oct 5-12 • Restrictions apply. Consult your AAA professional for details.

Royal Caribbean & AAA Vacations® offer extra values & benefits on 2014 Cape Liberty Explorer of the Seas sailings! Priority Check-in

does not grant priority boarding

Up to $50.00 Onboard Credit per stateroom

In-cabin Champagne during cruise

5-night BERMUDA 6/14 • 6/28 • 8/23 • 9/6 9/20 • 10/4 • 10/18 9-night CANADA & NEW ENGLAND 9/11 New bookings only. Offers listed available only on AAA Vacations® departures. Combinable with exclusive AAA Member Benefits; ask your AAA Travel Agent or visit AAA.com/travel for details & restrictions.

Irish Pubs

&Folklore

Enjoy 2 valuable benefits EXCLUSIVELY for members BEST-PRICE GUARANTEE

24 / 7 MEMBER CARE

9-night BERMUDA & EASTERN CARIBBEAN 6/5 • 6/19 • 9/25 • 10/23

AAA Member Rate: $1,459

Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, guided motorcoach sightseeing, entrance fees, 11 meals (including Bunratty Castle medieval banquet/entertainment & Merry Ploughboy pub dinner/ entertainment), in-Ireland tour director, hotel luggage handling (1 piece per person), hotel taxes & service charges. Ask about available add-on airfare. Visit AAA.com/GoIreland for itinerary and information.

Get peace of mind whenever you need emergency assistance while traveling — a toll-free domestic number and collect-call instructions for international travelers.

ESCORTED TOUR OPERATED BY CIE TOURS INTERNATIONAL

Sláinte! Cheers!

Feel like a local at friendly pubs full of the craic — Ireland’s unique mix of news, gossip, fun, entertainment and enjoyable conversation! Tour Dublin: St Stephen’s Green, Georgian squares, O’Connell Street, Famine Memorial & more. Quaff a pint at the Guinness Storehouse • Meet the owners of a working beef/ sheep/horse farm. • Tour medieval Kilkenny, then explore it on your own. • Visit the House of Waterford; watch craftsmen transform molten glass into elegant tableware. • Kiss the “Stone of Eloquence” at Blarney Castle. • Browse at Blarney Woolen Mills...or visit a pub instead! • Circumnavigate scenic Dingle Peninsula and sample a local brew at Dingle Brewing Company. • Sit down to dinner & traditional entertainment (including step-dancing) in Killarney. • Ferry across the Shannon to view the Cliffs of Moher. • Stop in Galway on the way to Connemara. • Overnight in attractive Westport. • Cross over to Achill Island and see the Deserted Village (stone cottages abandoned around the time of the Famine). • Tour Kilbeggan Distillery and enjoy an Irish coffee. • Enjoy storytelling at Dublin’s oldest pub. • Spend a day on your own in Dublin, using included vouchers for an open-top bus tour and a visit to Old Jameson Distillery.

May 12-21, 2015 •

AAA Member Rate: $1,899

Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, motorcoach sightseeing, itinerary attraction admissions, local taxes, hotel service charges & baggage handling (1 bag per person), walking-tour audio headsets, 15 meals (including Kate Kearney’s Cottage Irish Night, “Food, Folk & Fairies” dinner show at Brazen Head Pub and 3 table d’hote dinners) and in-Ireland professional guide & driver. Ask about available add-on airfare.

APRIL 2014

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AAA MOTORIST

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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

Italian Vista s AAA’s special 9-night Hawaiian vacation features a 2-night pre-cruise stay in Honolulu, a tour of the USS Arizona Memorial and a 7-night Pride of America cruise featuring 4 islands (Oahu, Maui, Hawaii & Kauai).

Oct 2-11: from $1,965 Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes hotel/pier transfers, 2 nights at the Marriott Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa, USS Arizona Memorial/Pearl Harbor tour, 7-night cruise accommodations/entertainment, most onboard meals and government taxes/fees. Ship’s registry: USA. Ask about available add-on airfare.

JAMESTOWN . . . . . . . . . . .716-488-1981 LOCKPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . .716-434-2865 GENERAL TRAVEL DISCLAIMER: AAA Travel Agency makes every effort to provide accurate, up-to-date prices as of press time and cannot assume responsibility for typographic errors. Rates/offers are per person based on double occupancy, unless otherwise indicated, and are subject to availability and airline/operator changes. International rates/offers are subject to currency fluctuations and additional tax & security charges. Rates that include airfare include all taxes, government fees and surcharges. Additional restrictions may apply. Rates/offers are available at all AAA East Central travel agency locations. For tour details, contact AAA or visit AAA.com/travel. AAA Featured Vacations are specially priced, unique departures; therefore, tour operators, cruise lines and other travel providers often exclude them from additional discounts or specials they offer. AAA Featured Vacations include services provided by third-party tour destination service companies; see your AAA Travel Agent for details. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for more details or visit the air carrier’s website for baggage allowance and fee information.

This 13-day escorted adventure features visits to 6 UNESCO World Heritage Sites — Rome, Pompeii, Florence, Pisa, Venice and Verona! Enjoy included extra-special “moments” you’d have to research & add on at your own expense & effort: Guided visits to St Peter’s Basilica and Vatican City’s museums, including the Sistine Chapel • A 4-course dinner with wine in Rome, with live performances of arias from the best operas • After-hours visit to a 14th-century monastery, followed by a family-style feast of Tuscan dishes, with wine! • A serenaded gondola cruise on the canals of Venice — one of the world’s most famous travel experiences Enjoy relaxing multiple-night stays in Rome (3), Sorrento–Amalfi Coast (2), Florence (2), Venice (2) and Stresa–Lakes District (2).

Oct 18-30 •

AAA Member Rate: $5,329

Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes flights (Buffalo-Rome, Milan-Buffalo), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, hotel accommodations/taxes/service charges/baggage handling (1 piece per person), 20 meals, air taxes & fees/surcharges, in-Italy tour director. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Visit AAA.com/GoItaly for details.

Portugal & its Islands It’s hot — and fast becoming Western Europe’s last “undiscovered” destination! Lisbon: Alfama Quarter, Jeronimo’s Monastery, Monument to the Discoveries, Tower of Belem • Sintra, summer residence of kings • “Riviera” • Silver Coast villages, vineyards & castles • Fatima Basilica • Batalha Monastery • Azores Islands • Madeira Island

Sept 12-24 •

©STEVANZZ/FOTOLIA.COM

AAA Member Rate: $4,619

Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Buffalo-Lisbon), in-Portugal flights, roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, hotel accommodations/taxes/service charges/baggage handling (1 piece per person), 19 meals, air taxes & fees/surcharges and an in-Portugal tour director. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Visit AAA.com/GoEurope for details.

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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

ALASKA ...$200.00 OFF! Book a balcony stateroom by 4/30 & get $200.00 OFF your roundtrip AIRFARE!

ADDED MEMBER VALUES valid for all balcony & higher-level staterooms

SHIPBOARD CREDIT — $50.00

per stateroom • for beverages, spa, shops, etc

ONBOARD MARTINI TASTING 2 vouchers per stateroom

SPECIALTY-RESTAURANT DINNER 2 people per stateroom • 1 evening

COMPACT HIGH-QUALITY BINOCULARS 1 per stateroom • view wildlife & scenery

Cruise roundtrip on Celebrity Solstice from Seattle to Ketchikan, Tracy Arm Fjord, Juneau, Skagway, Inside Passage and Victoria. Includes 2 relaxing full days at sea. Aug 1-8 OR Aug 8-15 •

APRIL 2014

VIP PRIORITY CHECK-IN

Avoid waiting in check-in lines!

24–7 MEMBER ASSISTANCE

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Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip airport/ pier transfers, balcony stateroom accommodations, onboard entertainment, most onboard meals and government fees. Ship’s registry: Malta. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Visit AAA.com/travel for itinerary details.

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Cutting edge cruise ship activities you have to try Cruise lines up the ante for onboard attractions

short training course you’ll get suited up and before you can say “Geronimo” you’ll be floating on a column of air inside a 23-foot tall transparent glass flight chamber on the top deck.

here was a time when shuffleboard was not just the most popular cruise ship activity; it was pretty much the only activity. Today, cruise ships have morphed into floating theme parks and resorts, all trying to outdo one another with the latest high-tech innovations. The roster of onboard attractions and activities ranges from mild to wild, with zip lines, cooking lessons from celebrity chefs, elaborately landscaped green spaces, circus schools, and onboard water parks just part of the mix.

Walking on air

Regal Princess, the second of Princess Cruise’s 141,000 ton Royal-class vessels, launches next month with a host of new features. The spectacular SeaWalk, a glass bottom walkway, extends 28 feet over the side of the top deck and hovers 128 feet above the ocean. At night, the top deck transforms into the Water and Light Show with dancing fountains synchronized to music and lights.

Go with the flow

Along with cantilevered whirlpools suspended 112-feet above the ocean a number of Royal Caribbean ships feature shipboard surf parks with FlowRider surf simulators. The 32-foot-wide by 40-foot-long FlowRider generates a thin sheet of water that flows over a cushioned-fabric surface similar to a trampoline, creating a wave-like shape. Riders can carve turns or body board against the waterflow of 30,000 gallons per minute. Instructors walk seagoing surfers through a required safety session with tips for a successful ride.

Dancing with the stars

Whether you like to Tango, Quickstep, Paso Doble, or just enjoy watching the sizzling performances, Holland America’s Dancing with the

Slip sliding away

SURF’S UP — Royal Caribbean’s FlowRider is just part of their unique top-deck aqua environment. Stars is an entirely new experience on the high seas. Every sailing features an exclusive Dancing with the Stars program, including lessons and an opportunity for some lucky guests to dance center stage in an exciting dance-off competition. Select cruises will also feature dance pros and celebrities from ABC’s hit TV show “Dancing with the Stars.”

Geronimo

Ever wonder what it feels like to freefall from 10,000 feet without jumping out of an airplane? RipCord by iFly will be the first skydiving experience at sea when it debuts on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas this November. Everyone from first-time flyers to seasoned skydivers can enjoy the adrenalin rush of skydiving risk-free. After a

Top-deck amenities on the newly re-imagined Carnival Sunshine include WaterWorks, a new racing-themed water park featuring five different slides and 40 different interactive water features. The enclosed 334-foot-long Twister — Carnival’s longest — features a crystal clear turn that extends out over the edge of the ship, offering dramatic views with each twist and turn.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please see your AAA Departures Guide or AAA.com/cruises for special values on cruise vacations from AAA Travel.

The secret life of your automobile battery Keeping up with your vehicle’s current affairs

f you could go undercover, under your hood, you might come away with a new respect for your battery. But do it soon. Growing energy requirements mean the average life expectancy of a battery is getting shorter. Depending upon usage, a battery’s life span can range from 24 to 60 months — with only about 30 percent actually lasting the full five years. Automotive batteries last longer when maintained at or near a full state of charge. However, when it comes to charging batteries, you can have too much — or too little — of a good thing. A malfunctioning component in the charging system, usually the voltage regulator, can lead to overcharging and a slow death for your battery. Too many accessories are another big turn-off. When batteries mysteriously drain, add on accessories like your mobile device should be the prime suspects. Unplug your phone and charger when you don’t need them, and any other electrical device before you shut down the engine. Under-use can also result in a premature death. You battery will drain faster if you regularly drive for 20 minutes or less, because it won’t allow the battery to fully charge. Even the tiny amount of power required to maintain computer memories, will gradually discharge a battery over time. If

prying these caps open may destroy or permanently damage your battery. You still need to check the terminals for corrosion and battery cables to ensure they are securely attached to the terminals. Corroded terminals can be cleaned with a brush (such as a discarded toothbrush) and a light paste of household baking soda and water. Keeping the terminals bright and tight will help ensure that your battery performs through its entire service life.

AAA BATTERY SERVICE

POWER TO SPARE — AAA’s Mobile Battery Service replaced a total of 164,098 batteries last December. your vehicle sits idle for more than a few weeks, investing in a AAA Battery Tender® charger will keep the battery fully charged. Winter may be over but few people realize that hot weather can be even harder on your car battery. Heat can weaken internal components, evaporate critical fluids, and accelerate the corrosion on your battery terminals. This can lead to insufficient electrical power being available, and leave you stranded without warning.

Another item that stands out as a battery’s worst enemy is vibration. Unnecessary vibration damages the delicate plates inside, so your battery needs to be firmly anchored. They will also do better if they are covered by a protective casing. The inside story on battery longevity comes down to care and cleaning. Most modern batteries are “maintenance free” which means motorists no longer needed to check or top off the electrolyte levels. In fact, forcing or

• Fully mobile service; • Free battery testing using advanced technology; • All batteries meet or exceed original manufacturers specs; • Fast, professional installation; • Environmentally friendly disposal and recycling; • Battery freshness guarantee; • 36-month nationwide replacement warranty; • Exclusive AAA-member pricing. FOR MORE INFORMATION

AAA Battery Service is available from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. 7 days a week. To verify AAA Battery Service availability in your area, call our toll-free number: 1.800.222.4357.

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Celebrity kicks off 10th Anniversary Galápagos sailings Xpedition offers modern luxury for the modern explorer

ou’ve heard of Xtreme sports. Now get ready for Xtreme cruising. Celebrity Cruises is taking guests to the world’s furthest extremes and treating them famously along the way. Celebrity Xpedition cruises are a series of exotic excursions designed to bring the “spoiled” closer to the “unspoiled.” Savvy travelers now have a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity to test the almost uncharted waters of the Galápagos. Celebrity Xpedition’s official 10th anniversary sailing will take place June 2014, and the celebration will continue on every sailing through December 2015. This fantastic voyage is equal parts adventure, scientific expedition and personal quest. ”The sentiment expressed by nearly every guest who experiences Celebrity Cruises’ Galápagos Islands vacations comes down to a few simple adjectives: unforgettable, transformative, magnificent,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises. One of the world’s most compelling and biodiverse regions this volcanic archipelago straddles both sides of the Equator about 600 miles west of Ecuador, in the Pacific Ocean. Just four of the 19 islands are inhabited, with most residents living on Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal. Often called a “melting pot” of marine species, the islands are worldrenowned for their unique wildlife

LONESOME NO MORE — Lonesome George at the Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz. — much of which was the inspiration for Charles Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection. “The natural history of this archipelago is very remarkable, the 22year-old Darwin wrote in his journal in 1835. “It seems to be a little world within itself.” Hundreds of giant tortoises, sea lions, penguins, and marine iguanas

bask on the beaches with little or no fear of people. They seem almost as curious about humans as we are about them. The state-of-the-art, 98-guest Celebrity Xpedition has evolved to meet the needs of the modern explorer. Guests enjoy an all-inclusive experience with hassle-free travel, creature

comforts such as gourmet cuisine, room service, in-suite dining, complimentary cocktails, and plush bathrobes. Darwin’s Restaurant features openseating and locally grown organic fruits and vegetables, as well as fresh fish caught by Galápagos’ artisanal fishermen. Expertly guided tours and excursions cover all there is to see and do in the most diversely unique chain of islands in the world. It’s all included, even the gear like snorkeling equipment, wetsuits, binoculars, and more. Galápagos is the Spanish word for tortoise and those found on the islands are the largest in the world. The Galápagos giant tortoise can grow to 6 feet in length and weigh nearly 900 pounds. One of the longest-lived vertebrates, one captive individual lived at least 170 years. Best known was Lonesome George, a Pinta Island subspecies who died in 2012 at around age 100. Believed to be the last of his kind, George became a potent symbol for conservation efforts after being featured in the PBS Nature film “The Loneliest Animals”.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please see this issue’s Departures Guide or visit AAA.com/cruises for special values on cruise vacations.

Making the world greener one driver at a time Seven simple ways to reduce your carbon footprint on the road

pril 22 is Earth Day — a time for each of us to renew our commitment to earth-friendly practices. Automobiles can co-exist in harmony with the environment, but motorists need to do their part. It may not be practical to replace your vehicle with a hybrid, or a more fuel-efficient model, but driving technique and proper maintenance can go a long way toward protecting the environment and conserving fuel. Here are seven simple ways to drive

green and keep more ‘green’ in your wallet through better fuel economy and avoiding costly repairs down the road. Drive gently — Jackrabbit starts and sudden stops can take a heavy toll on your vehicle and decrease its fuel efficiency. Use your accelerator pedal as if there were an egg between your foot and the pedal. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that practicing fuel efficient driving techniques can improve mileage by more than 10 percent. Idle thoughts — Unnecessary idling

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wastes fuel. If you have to stop for more than one minute at a non-intersection shut off the engine. It will save money and reduce harmful emissions. Check tire pressure — About two billion gallons of gas could be saved each year if every American kept their tires properly inflated. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, causing excessive wear and rob fuel efficiency, adding three to five cents per gallon to your fuel bill. Get a tune-up — Following the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedules in your owner’s manual should avoid any fuel economy problems due to worn spark plugs, clogged filters, malfunctioning fuel systems and emission controls that can result in up to a 15 percent increase in fuel consumption. Lighten the load — Get the junk out of the trunk and the stuff out of your car, with the exception of emergency items such as a spare tire, flares and a first-aid kit. For every extra 100-pounds you tote around, you’ll reduce fuel efficiency by 1-2 percent. A roof carrier can reduce efficiency by 5 percent. Gas caps and fill-ups — Check your gas cap. Loose, damaged or missing gas caps cause millions of gallons of gas to evaporate into thin air every year.

Topping off your gas tank when filling up your car can also release harmful vapors into the environment. Plan your outings — Before hopping in the car, take a few moments to plan your trip and the stops you need to make. Combine your errands into one outing to avoid short separate trips. Vehicle owners who do their own maintenance should remember to always recycle or properly dispose of fluids and other vehicle components, including used motor oil, tires and batteries. One gallon of improperly disposed of waste oil has the potential to contaminate up to 1 million gallons of drinking water. APPROVED AUTO REPAIR

Garages that participate in AAA’s Approved Auto Repair (AAR) program offer qualified technicians, a wide range of professional repair services and guaranteed quality. These shops meet AAA’s strict quality standards and display AAA’s logo. AAA members also are guaranteed a written estimate, and repairs, parts, labor, and components are guaranteed for 12 months or 12,000 miles under normal operating conditions. Visit AAA.com to locate the AAA Approved Auto Repair facility nearest you.

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Shaking up the status quo in the premium segment 2014 Kia Cadenza will be music to your ears

ia has managed a remarkable turnaround in just a few short years by offering stylish, surprisingly well-equipped vehicles priced below the competition. But back in 1994, Kias were just plain cheap. The transition began in 2006, when the carmaker identified design as its “core future growth engine” and hired wunderkind Peter Schreyer as its chief design officer. Schreyer, best known for creating the Audi TT, has overseen a Bauhaus-inspired makeover of Kia’s entire fleet. Add in a 10-year/100,000mile powertrain warranty and some dancing hamsters, and Kia has become a credible part of the car buying conversation. This year marks Kia’s 20th anniversary in the U.S. market, and the 2014 Cadenza signals another great leap forward for the brand. With a long list of standard equipment, an upscale Euro design and plenty of muscle from Kia’s most powerful V6, Cadenza is making a powerful statement in the near luxury segment. Cadenza is not Kia’s first attempt at building a premium car. The Kia Amanti introduced in 2003, was a clumsy knock off that looked something like a Mercedes E-Class after a three-car collision with a Jaguar and a Lincoln Town Car. At the time Consumer Reports called it “the worst-handling passenger car we’ve recently tested.”

LET’S DANCE — Kia used a remix of David Bowie’s 1980’s hit in their Cadenza marketing campaign. Kia compares Cadenza’s silhouette to a beautiful glass droplet. Broad shoulders, a contoured hood, and a wide stance give it an imposing appearance that would not be out of place on the Autobahn. LED positioning lights and projection beam headlights frame Kia’s signature “tiger nose” grille. The cabin wraps occupants in leather upholstery, soft touch points, and premium wood accents. Standard amenities include heated seats, navigation,

Show a little respect for your catalytic converter

he air we breathe is much cleaner today because harmful emissions from new cars are just a small fraction of those emitted from cars made in the 1970s. The reason for this success is one of the great engineering triumphs of the 20th century — the catalytic converter. If you’re surprised by this, you’re not alone. Just like the late, great comedian Rodney Dangerfield, catalytic converters “just can’t seem to get any respect.” Hybrid electrics, infotainment systems, even the number of cup holders are all more interesting than the prosaic catalytic converter. While it’s not a high-visibility item, it is a key pollution-control device and one that remains extremely valuable to environmentally minded motorists. It wasn’t that long ago when unprecedented levels of pollution choked our nation’s largest cities. Los Angeles became the poster child for America’s air pollution problem, experiencing over a hundred stage 1 smog alerts in just one year. A public outcry over dangerous smog levels led to the passage of the U.S. Clean Air Act of 1970. Since that time there has been a dramatic improvement in urban air quality despite a steady increase in the number

of cars per capita and an increase in the annual miles driven. Los Angeles has not experienced a stage 1 smog alert in eight years, and only one in the last 14 years. Every time a driver gets behind the wheel, the catalytic converter goes to work, filtering out exhaust pollutants that contribute to the destruction of the ozone layer. Catalytic converters are constructed with platinum, palladium, and rhodium. These platinum group metals promote a chemical reaction that reduces pollutant emissions by converting carbon monoxide and some hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide and water. One of the most significant developments in the pursuit of lower-emissions vehicles was the introduction of secondgeneration on-board diagnostic systems (OBDII) designed to work with catalytic converters. These are fitted with oxygen sensors that monitor the gases going in and out of the catalytic converter. Advancing vehicle technology, improved gasoline formulations, and regulatory actions have made a big difference. While automobiles still represent about 23 percent of the world’s total CO2 emissions, a new car today will produce 80 percent to 90 percent less pollution over its lifetime than one from just a few decades ago.

back up camera, and dual-zone climate control. The center console is angled slightly toward the driver for optimized control, with an 8-inch touch screen display. Front side windows in the step up Technology Package feature hydrophobic technology, which repels water for enhanced visibility during rainy weather. Cadenza shares its platform with the Hyundai Azera, Kia’s corporate cousin. The advanced all-aluminum engine pro-

duces 293 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and features dual continuously variable valve timing and a maintenancefree timing chain. The smooth-revving 3.3-liter V6 uses gasoline direct injection (GDI) technology for improved fuel economy and performance with reduced emissions. Kia believes Cadenza will appeal to that select group of affluent consumers who crave luxury and performance, but have no interest in vehicles that confer status or social standing. The kind of people who know that cadenza is Italian for a musical passage, and credenza is American for office furniture. Cadenza does symbolize just how far Kia has come over the last two decades and it’s only a harbinger of things to come. Kia’s all-new $60,000 K900 is poised to challenge the full-size, reardrive luxury sedan segment when it arrives in dealerships this spring.

VEHICLE TYPE: Four-door, 5-passenger sedan. ENGINE: 3.3-liter V6; 293 hp. TRANSMISSION: 6 speed automatic w/ overdrive. EPA ESTIMATES: 19/28 city/hwy. COMPETITION: Toyota Avalon, Acura TL, Buick LaCrosse. WARRANTY: 60 months/60,000 miles. MSRP: $35,100 to $42,400. COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA.

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It’s easy to go sleepless in Seattle The Emerald City offers a wealth of attractions

eattle has given us grunge rock, gourmet coffee and Microsoft. The Emerald’s City confluence of consumer chic, e-commerce and quality of life has been lauded as one the top-ten visitor destinations in the U.S. by the likes of Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure. Films like Sleepless in Seattle stirred romantic couples with scenes of live aboard houseboats, while rock groups like Pearl Jam and Nirvana made it the hippest city on earth. Visitors can take in the worldrenowned Pike Place Farmers Market, or view the skyline and Puget Sound from the atop the 605-foot Space Needle. Music fans will want to check out the Experience Music Project, a futuristic museum dedicated to Rock ’n Roll. The brainchild of Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen, the $240 million Frank Gehry-designed museum billows from Seattle’s streets like a polychromatic, stainless steel cloud. The 140,000-square-foot museum is handson, unconventional and, as you might expect, crammed with cutting-edge technology. The facility is also home to the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame. Elliott Bay, Seattle’s natural deepwater harbor, teems with ferries, tour boats and cruise ships. Seattle’s 2014 cruise season runs from May through September and cruise lines including Carnival, Celebrity Cruises, Holland

residents rebuilt over the rubble using bricks and mortar. Today, the Historic District skirts the southern fringe of Seattle’s downtown with about 20 square blocks of Victorian Romanesque buildings and a rip-roaring nightlife. The Underground Tour at Pioneer Square explores the subterranean passages that once were the main roadways and first-floor storefronts of old Seattle — about three blocks in all. Pike Place Farmers Market sprawls over nine acres in the heart of the Historic District, overlooking the Elliott Bay waterfront. One of the oldest continuously-operated farmer’s markets in the U.S., it’s famous for its “flying” fish, produce, arts and crafts, vintage clothing, antiques and collectibles, along with strolling musicians and international restaurants and cafes.

SPEECHLESS IN SEATTLE — Aerial view of the Space Needle with Mount Rainier hovering in the distance. America Line, Oceania, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International will homeport in Seattle and cruise to Alaska. Pier 66 is home to the Bell Street Cruise Terminal, homeport for luxury cruise liners bound for Alaska’s Inside Passage (a second cruise ship terminal is located at Pier 90). The pier also houses the Odyssey Maritime Discovery Center, which explores the region’s unique connection to sea.

The Seattle Aquarium and Seattle IMAX Omnidome Theater are just down the road at Pier 59. Window on Washington Waters is a 120,000 gallon exhibit that is the centerpiece of the aquarium’s $41-million expansion. A vintage trolley system connects the waterfront with Pioneer Square and the ChinatownInternational District, which spans some 44-blocks south of downtown. After an 1889 fire destroyed most of Seattle’s original wooden structures,

HITTING THE SKIDS

The term “Skid Row” originated in Seattle’s historic Pioneer Square district when loggers built wood skids to transport cut logs from the top of Yesler Way down to the waterfront and was the dividing line between the “respectable” downtown and the unsavory area to the south. FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please see this month’s Departures Guide or log on to AAA.com/cruises for great vacation ideas from AAA.

Disaster looms on foggy roadways It’s the highway version of blind man’s bluff

his is the time of year when warmer, wet air mixes with the cold ground. The result is fog and while that may seem preferable to snow or sleet, it also brings some unique challenges for motorists. When the weather makes for fog prone conditions, motorists must be prepared to cope at a moment’s notice. It can be patchy, going from a light mist to a thick cover in an instant. Fog can also catch you by surprise because it hangs in the low-lying areas. One minute you’re driving along with a clear view of the road and the next minute your visibility drops to less than 200 feet. It also affects perceptual judgments of speed and distance, reducing contrast and making objects appear fainter and less distinct. Driving in heavy fog is like driving with a blindfold on. Most safety experts agree that fog-related accidents occur because motorists continue to drive too fast on obscured roadways. In dense fog, drivers often steer their vehicles by following the taillights of the vehicle ahead — which some experts refer to as “the blind leading the blind.” If you do find yourself driving in foggy conditions, the best thing you can do is pull off the road to a service center or another safe place. If that isn’t

ment markings to help guide you. Use the right edge of the road as a guide, rather than the centerline. Increase your following distance. You will need extra distance to brake safely. Moisture can build up on the inside of the windshield as well as the outside. Use your defroster and air conditioning to help keep moisture from building up inside. If the fog becomes too dense to continue, pull completely off the roadway and try to position your vehicle in a protected area from other traffic. Turn on your emergency flashers. Never stop on the traveled portion of the road. You could become the first link in a chainreaction collision.

A FOGGY DAY — Driving in heavy fog is statistically among the most dangerous driving hazards. possible, slow down gradually and drive at a speed that suits the conditions. Use your low beam headlights. High beams reflect off the moisture droplets in the fog, making it harder to see. If you have fog lights on your vehicle, use them, in addition to your low beams. They are meant to shine out under blankets of fog hovering near the ground, and in other conditions of reduced visibility.

Minimize any distractions. Don’t listen to music or talk on your cell phone. Rolling down your windows may help you listen for vehicles you cannot see. Keep an eye on your speedometer because studies show that some drivers acclimate themselves to foggy conditions and unconsciously increase their speed over time. Employ proper lane discipline. Avoid passing, changing lanes and crossing traffic. Use pave-

FOG LIGHTS ARE FOR FOG

Fog lights can be very useful if used correctly but they can blind oncoming traffic when used in non-foggy conditions. They should only be used when visibility is less than 100 yards. FOR MORE INFORMATION

Visit AAA.com for information on all things automotive including tips on buying, operating and maintaining a vehicle.

APRIL 2014

AAA MOTORIST

Canadian Rockies: Seattle to Calgary touring of the caffeine-fueled Emerald City (as the locals call it), board Rocky Mountaineer for its Pacific-hugging “Coastal Passage” to Vancouver, with views of Everett’s fishing fleets & Boeing jets, the fields at the foot of the Cascade Mountains and Bellingham Bay and the San Juan Islands beyond. Discover Vancouver’s delights on a sightseeing tour (including the Capilano Suspension Bridge & Treetops Adventure!) and ride a gondola up Grouse Mountain for breathtaking views. Then enjoy a full day on your own for further exploration or perhaps a day trip to Victoria or Whistler. From Vancouver, Rocky Mountaineer enters the heart of British Columbia’s interior on its “Journey through the Clouds.” Pass through lush green valleys, piney forests, winding river canyons and then dusty desert hills on the way to Kamloops, known for its public art, including pole carvings and murals. Overnight in Kamloops, then head for Alberta, entering dramatic Fraser Canyon and climbing toward the lofty peaks of the Continental Divide. Ascend through the Spirals — massive tunnels in which the train doubles back on itself to reduce the steep grade. Climb up and over Yellowhead Pass and into picturesque Jasper, site of your final deboarding. Canada’s largest national park, Jasper abounds with rugged peaks, rushing waterfalls and other natural attractions. Take a short guided scenic tour and then explore the sights on

from page 1

your own the rest of the day. Then follow Icefields Parkway, one of the world’s most scenic highways to thundering Athabasca Falls. At Columbia Icefield, ride an Ice Explorer (an ice-&-snow–terrain vehicle) to the middle of Athabasca Glacier, learn how glaciers form and see interesting geological features. Stop at Bow Lake and overnight at Lake Louise, a mustsee-to-believe setting you’ll never forget, before exploring Yoho National Park and its Spiral Tunnels, Emerald Lake and natural rock bridge over Kicking Horse River. On a full-day tour of Banff National Park, see Bow Falls, Lake Minnewanka and the Hoodoos (wind-&-water– carved sandstone spires protected by hard-rock caps that stand guard over the Bow River Valley like vigilant sentinels). Ride a gondola to Sulphur Mountain’s 7,486-foot-high summit and, from Kananaskis, get even higher on an awesome Summit Helicopter Tour! Wrap it all up in Calgary, where cowboys rub shoulders with oilmen and financiers; enjoy a bird’s-eye view of this lively city between prairies and mountains from the world’s highest 360° observation deck atop 627-foottall Calgary Tower. In addition to all of the natural and man-made scenery on this tour, wildlife sightings are definitely possible; keep your eyes peeled, as Canada’s West is home to bear, elk, deer, moose, bald eagles, osprey, salmon, mountain goats and bighorn sheep!

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1-800-354-8761 • AAA.com/travel • Visit your local AAA.

It happens every spring in Myrtle Beach High tides and green grass on South Carolina’s Grand Strand

yrtle Beach isn’t just about the beach anymore. It’s a family-friendly mash up of sun, sea, golf, and eye-popping attractions all served up with a side order of Southern hospitality. Located at the hub of the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach presides over a pristine 60-mile ribbon of sand that stretches from Little River to Pawleys Island, along the South Carolina coast. Catch some rays on the beach, take in a show, tee off on a Low Country links, or do some people watching on the Boardwalk. The mile-long promenade offers memorable oceanfront views as it unravels along the shore. Myrtle Beach didn’t invent the wheel, but they do have the biggest one on the East Coast. With 42 glass gondolas the 200-ft.-high Myrtle Beach SkyWheel offers breathtaking panoramas of the Atlantic coastline. The Grand Strand boasts more than 100 golf courses, nearly one-third of which are rated four-stars or higher in Golf Digest’s “Places to Play.” Seven are ranked among the “Top 100 Public Courses in America.” Golfers may find themselves teeing off amid a cathedral of Carolina pines or staring down a stray gator in a water hazard. Courses come in all shapes, sizes and degrees of difficulty and include

MAGIC SWINGDOM — The Pete Dye Course at Barefoot Resort in North Myrtle Beach. designs by top architects like Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, and Pete Dye. Top shelf layouts include Tidewater Golf Club, the Caledonia Golf and Fish Club on Pawleys Island and Wachesaw Plantation Club on Murrells Inlet. The venerable Dunes Club, a Robert Trent Jones design which opened in 1949, is still considered by many to be the region’s best-all round course. And Myrtle Beach has enough diver-

sions to satisfy even the most gimleteyed golf widow or widower. With singing gondoliers, more than 100 boutiques, and attractions, like the NASCAR Speed Park and the Palace Theatre, Broadway at the Beach offers an enticing mix of shopping and entertainment. Located on 350 acres surrounding a lake, visitors can also splash down in the $43 million Ripley’s Aquarium, filled with 1.3 million gal-

lons of water and dozens of denizens of the deep. At Barefoot Landing, shopping feels closer to nature. Adjacent to miles of boardwalk overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway near North Myrtle Beach, the popular complex features more than 100 retail shops and attractions like the Alabama Theatre. Visitors can take a walk on the wild side at Alligator Adventure, one of the largest exotic reptile parks in the world and home to Utan, the “King of Crocs,” who weighs in at 2000 lbs and is just over 18 ft. in length. Sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington and her wealthy philanthropist husband Archer, created Brookgreen Gardens in the 1930s, on the site of four abandoned rice plantations. Considered the finest outdoor presentation of American figurative sculpture in the world, a series of butterfly-shaped connecting gardens displays 900 figurative sculptures, fringed by white dogwoods, azaleas, fountains and reflecting pools.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please see this issue’s Departures Guide or log on to AAA.com/USA for special values on and vacation ideas from AAA Travel.

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AAA MOTORIST

APRIL 2014