Jul erie 2016 by AAA East Central

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WESTERN ERIEPENNSYLVANIA REGION

Vol. 17 63 No. 7 1

JANUARY JULY 2016

Don’t Get Stuck with a Lemon!

Exclusive advantages on select IN-PERSON AAA Travel bookings July 1-30

OackFaFges $u1r &0cr0 uise p

to AAA purchased only inffices Travel Agencycuopancy. oc Per room, double 7+ nights. New bookings of ntral Ce st Ea A AA locations only

An invaluable information source, CARFAX is now available to AAA members at a special discount via AAA.com. Using the 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) found on a car’s dashboard and title documents, CARFAX Vehicle History Reports may detect hidden problems in a vehicle’s past that may adversely affect the safety, performance and resale value of a used vehicle. To receive the discount, AAA members should go to AAA.com/CARFAX, enter a VIN and obtain the history of any used car. This discount is only offered through AAA. The CARFAX database contains more than 14 billion vehicle records on cars and light trucks dating back to 1981. The data is collected from numerous independent sources including motor vehicle departments throughout the United States and Canada, emissions inspection stations and auto auctions. A detailed history report can be generated on virtually any registered used vehicle in seconds.

AAA Fuel Gauge Site Revamped, Renamed

Visit AAA Travel in person in July for best service & price advantage echnology’s great, but.... When it comes to planning and arranging your hard-earned vacation, nothing beats a living, breathing human travel expert. Someone who understands your travel needs, answers all of your questions, helps you feel confident about your travel purchase decisions, knows how to secure the best value for your precious vacation dollars and will be there if an issue arises — even while you’re away. AAA Travel Agents attentively listen and assist, diligently answer and solve, thoroughly research and arrange. They deliver their best and most personal service in person, face to face; and to prove it, AAA Travel invites you to visit your nearby AAA Travel office in person in July to book your next vacation getaway. In appreciation of your in-person visit and patronage, between July 1 and 30 we’ll take $100.00 off prepaid tour or cruise vacation packages of 7 nights or longer that you book in a branch office; this exclusive in-person offer is not valid for online or telephone sales! Some may argue that the internet is the absolute answer to everything. But the reality is sometimes the internet is too much of everything. Googling and scanning so many web sites can be overwhelming — too many options, too much information, too many decisions to make without much assistance if you need it — and it definitely takes way too much time to sift through it all. Meeting in person with a AAA travel agent gives you back what you value most — your precious time. He or she can do most or all of the necessary legwork for you. Ask yourself: Do you want to spend more time planning your vacation than enjoying it? AAA agents pride themselves on being more

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

NEW FEATURES ADDED TO AAA MOBILE APP

“Travel agents save consumers an average of $452 per trip plus 4 hours in travel planning... and help them avoid costly mistakes.” Best of Both Worlds: Quantifying How Travel Agents Save Consumers Time & Money (a survey/study by TNS Global market research firm, 2016)

than salespeople; they invest themselves wholeheartedly in providing personal service before, during and after your trip — from the initial quote to deposit to final payment to documentation — and even after you return home. They truly want to know how much you enjoyed your travel experience. And they make themselves accessible to you, whenever the office is open. They get to know you, they listen to you and they want to exceed your expectations. Agents aim to establish a personal connection with you right from the first meeting, by inquiring about your personal travel style, interests, budget, expectations, etc. Armed with this customized information, they can help you make educated decisions in the planning of your trip. That kind of tailored assistance and connection is sorely lacking on the internet. AAA travel agents can take care of all the details for every arrangement aspect of your trip — flights, seat assignments, transfers, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, rail reservations, passport photos. They can do online check-ins and arrange optional items such as day trips, on-shore excursions, transfers, park admissions, etc, and special requests. They can also provide valuable “insider” tips — when to travel for the best values, how to prepare for security lines, airline bag sizes/weights, packing tips, airport parking discounts (if available), etc. continued on page 17

AAA’s Fuel Gauge website has been upgraded with innovative new functionality and renamed AAA Gas Prices. Accessible at www.GasPrices.AAA.com, the enhanced site features: • An updated interface for improved usability on desktop, mobile and tablet devices. • An interactive U.S. map showcasing the current national average price and state averages via mouse-over, along with click-through access to individual state pages offering metro data. • Interactive state/national average comparisons by location and fuel type. • Metro data sortable by highest and lowest current averages. • Enhanced gas-cost calculator featuring additional destination options, milesper-gallon filter for unlisted specialty vehicles and location comparisons to help users achieve fuel savings. • A Top Trends page that enables users to filter averages by timeframe, region, most/least expensive or price change.

AAA News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Learn about the latest AAA specials and get the most value from your membership when you sign up for the monthly AAA e-Update newsletter. Each newsletter includes information about your AAA member benefits, along with savings offers, automotive tips, travel ideas and more. After your first newsletter, you decide which additional e newsletters you’d like to receive. Interested in learning about Travel specials? Get the Travel e-News, with exclusive getaway packages and offers. Or get the Insurance Insight, with information to help you protect your valued possessions. There’s no cost to you, and you can discontinue your AAA e-newsletter subscription at any time. Visit AAA.com/enews to sign up today.

Experience Alaska or Yellowstone in Winter

Photo: NPS/DevDharm Khalsa.

Learn how Alaskans really live on AAA Travel’s Ultimate Alaska Winter Wonderland Tour, Feb. 23- March 6, 2017. Iconic winter experiences include dog sledding, the Northern Lights, Alyeska Tram Ride, and the famed Iditarod. Or savor the solitude and splendor of a vast winter wilderness aboard AAA Travel’s Jan. 21-26 Yellowstone in Winter escorted tour. Wildlife viewing is at its peak and highlights include a luxury snowcoach excursion to see Old Faithful and Firehole Falls. SEE PAGE 9.

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AAA MOTORIST

Pack AAA savings into your summer vacation

Exclusive discounts on hotels, theme parks, car rentals and more

rom the Statue of Liberty to the Golden Gate Bridge, the country is bursting with fun, familyfriendly vacation destinations. Making memories that last a lifetime can be expensive, so before you pack your bags, it’s important for you to plan ahead, set a budget, build some fun into your travel time and prepare the car. Decide early in your vacation planning which items are splurge-worthy and where you can save some money. AAA membership provides extensive discounts to make a summer getaway more affordable.

Lodging Discounts AAA members who stay at AAA preferred hotels receive discounts ranging from five to 15 percent off the best available rate and the comfort of a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. Preferred hotels include Best Western, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, the Hilton Family including Hampton; Marriott

AAA DIRECTORY INTERNET WEB SITE: www.AAA.com AAA MEMBER SERVICES • ADDRESS CHANGE triptiks, tourbooks, maps, license 412-363-5100 or 1-800-441-5008 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: 412-365-7274 SAFETY: 412-365-7211

AAA Discounts & Rewards Stock up on the latest outdoor gear, from REI, Gander Mountain, Dunham’s Sports, Cabela’s Bass Pro Shops and more at AAA Discounts & Rewards on AAA.com. This innovative shopping experience features deep discounts, limited-time offers and everyday savings at over 30,000 online retailers. Plus, you’ll earn WOWPoints — AAA’s online reward points — on every purchase. For more information on AAA Discounts & Rewards, visit AAA.com/Discounts.

JULY 2016

TDD for the hearing-impaired: 412-363-7144

AAA BRANCH OFFICE LOCATIONS

SAVE MORE THIS SUMMER — AAA membership makes summer getaways more affordable. brands including Renaissance; and Starwood Hotels & Resorts including Sheraton and Westin. AAA categorizes its 31,000 AAA Approved hotels on a scale of One to Five Diamonds to help travelers identify properties that meet their needs and budget.

Travel Discounts AAA’s round-the-clock online vacation center AAA.com, is where you’ll find everything needed to research,

plan, reserve and book an air, land or sea vacation — whether it’s a weekend getaway, a romantic cruise or the trip of a lifetime. Save on an ever-changing selection of limited time hotel, flight and flight & hotel specials. Simply enter your origin and destination to see what’s currently on sale. Whether heading home for a summer holiday or to another great vacation destination, AAA members are eligible for exclusive savings on train travel. Members receive 10 percent off Amtrak passenger rail fares with three-day advance booking by visiting AAA.com/Amtrak.

Car Rental Discounts Hertz, AAA’s exclusive car rental partner, offers members a wide variety of money-saving discounts and exclusive offers using a Hertz/AAA CDP Number (your club code is 215).

Attraction Tickets AAA offers discounted admission tickets to dozens of the most popular theme parks and attractions for a summer getaway. Choose from world-class destinations like Walt Disney World Resort, Busch Gardens and Universal Studios Orlando; theme parks like Cedar Point, Sesame Place, Discovery Cove, Legoland, Hersheypark, Kings Island, Dollywood; and Colonial Williamsburg, zoos, sporting events and more. Visit AAA.com/tickets for the complete listing of attractions offering a AAA discount. Click on the destinations that interest you for complete information on how much you’ll save and how to order. NEVER BEEN EASIER TO SAVE

Your AAA card isn’t just for roadside assistance. With over 100,000 places to save, it could help pay for the cost of your membership. Visit your local AAA Office or AAA.com to learn about discounts available to AAA members on hotels, car rentals and attraction tickets and more.

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 491 Allegheny Blvd, Suite 200 .................. 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 Wexford-Wexford Plaza 10548 Perry Highway ................................ 724-933-3000 White Oak/McKeesport Area Oak Park Mall, 2001 Lincoln Way ............ 412-675-3400

JULY 2016

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Hot summer weather is no vacation for your car AAA helps give your car the attention it deserves Erie Region Official publication of the Erie Region of AAA East Central Published monthly (except bimonthly Aug./Sept., Nov./Dec.) by AAA East Central 6660 Peach St., Unit #2, Erie PA 16509-7710 814-866-0246 USPS 0178-440 ISSN 109-77554 Periodicals Postage Paid at Erie PA Postmaster: Send address changes to AAA Motorist Erie Region c/o AAA, 5900 Baum Blvd Pittsburgh PA 15206-3854 Subscription Rate: $1 included in Primary Membership dues. All others: $2/year.

Publisher.....................................James E. Lehman Managing Editor ............................Douglas 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............................................... Gregory E. Grim Vice Chairman..........................................Mary Lynn Laughlin Vice Chairman..................................... Martha Hartle Munsch OFFICERS: President ....................................................James E. Lehman Executive Vice President ............................... Thomas J. Ashley Secretary .................................................. Robert H. Compton Treasurer .......................................................Robert S. Collins GOVERNING BOARD OF DIRECTORS Glenn B. Bachman, Neil D. Bassi, James E. Broome, Jr., Steve D. Bullock**, Charles O. Casto**, Edward C. Coaxum, Jr., Robert S. Collins, Robert H. Compton, Jon E. Denney, Debra A. Dinnocenzo, Gregory E. Grim, Richard S. Hamilton, James H. Kanicki, Mary Lynn Laughlin, William Duff McCrady, James M. McDonnell, Thomas V. McKernan Jr., Martha Hartle Munsch, Gary K. Munsie**, Terrence L. Walton** EAST CENTRAL REGION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Neil D. Bassi, Chairman, Robert S. Collins, Vice Chairman, Christian Asam, Jack A. Barkley, William E. Bierer**, Ellsworth T. Bowser**, Peter Burton, Michael A. Cochran, Daniel J. Collins Jr.**, Robert S. Collins, Robert H. Compton, Debra A. Dinnocenzo, James J. Dodaro, 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, Jacob N. Skezas, James C. Stump, Jr., James F. Ward **emeritus directors

Regional President ......................... David R. Poor Regional Board of Directors Peter Burton, Harry G. Gorton, David R. Poor, William C. Sennett, William J. Stroh, Herman C. Weber Jr.

Erie 814-866-0246 6660 Peach Street, Unit #2 Harborcreek 814-897-9508 4430 Buffalo Rd

Copyright ©2016 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.

By David R. Poor President, Erie Region he dog days of summer are upon us and high temperatures can take their toll on people, pets and even cars. Extreme heat can push a vehicle past its limits, and drivers can find themselves stranded at the roadside. One way to minimize the hassle and inconvenience of a breakdown is to prepare for hot summer months. Check all fluids. Automobile engines work extra hard in the summer, and just like people fluids are critical for vehicles when things start to heat up. Check your owner’s guide for the proper procedures to verify the following: • Engine oil, including scheduling an oil change if it’s time • Coolant level • Automatic transmission fluid • Brake fluid • Power steering fluid • Windshield washer fluid Check your battery. Few people realize that summer heat is harder on your battery than winter’s cold. Heat causes battery fluid to evaporate, damaging the delicate internal structure. Hot weather also accelerates the rate of corrosion on the battery terminals and both conditions can leave you stranded without warning. Test batteries if they are three years old or older. Make sure the connection is clean, tight and corrosion-free. Tires are your safety cushion. Driving on under-inflated tires not only affects the handling and braking of a vehicle,

David R. Poor it can cause the tires to overheat and increase the likelihood of a blowout. The risk becomes even greater when road temperatures are high. Examine the tread for excessive or uneven wear and deep gouges, and check sidewalls for bulging or cracking. Check and adjust tire pressures using the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations, not the maximum pressure listed on the tire sidewall. Don’t forget to check the condition and inflation pressure of the spare tire. Check the hoses and belts. Inspect hoses and have them replaced when leaking, brittle, cracked, or swollen. Check V-belts and serpentine belts for looseness and condition, and have them

replaced when cracked, glazed or showing signs of excessive wear. Replacing the timing belt at the interval specified in the owner’s manual can avoid a breakdown or serious engine damage. Visibility is key. Most people recognize that good visibility is essential to safe driving but half of all windshield wiper blades on the road are beyond their functional lifespan. Check wiper operation and blade condition, replacing any blades that leave streaks behind, after two or three passes. With a helper, check operation of the brake lights (including the center high-mount brake light), back up lights, headlights (high and low beams), all directional signals and taillights. One final note: If you’re bringing children or a pet along for the ride, never leave them unattended in the vehicle. Even seemingly mild temperatures can rapidly create a lethal environment inside a car — even with the windows cracked open.

AAA Battery Service 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 and if a new battery is needed, you can purchase one and have it installed on the spot. AAA Battery Service is available from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. 7-days a week. To verify AAA Battery Service availability in your area, call our tollfree number:1-800-222-4357.

membersonly AAA Mobile® app adds some exciting new features Your favorite AAA services in the palm of your hand

AA Mobile® is beautifully responsive and optimized to look and work great on your iOS or Android device. Use it to access Roadside Assistance, AAA trip-planning tools with interactive maps and turn-by-turn directions and more. Book hotel rooms, rental cars, and flights on the go, all from one integrated app. Your digital AAA membership card and proof of AAA insurance are just a few taps away. Recent updates to the iOS and Android versions include a new digital membership card design that incorporates the membership number, a barcode that can be read by smartphone scanners and access to a digital version of the AAA Prescription Savings card. Other new and updated features include: Live Parking — Just arrived somewhere but aren’t sure where to park? Live Parking shows you available lots and what they cost so you can make an informed choice. Here to There — Provides real-time, at-a-glance visuals of traffic conditions

and travel time for your frequent destinations, such as home, work, and school. We’re here to help you plan your drive before you start your trip. Parking Buddy — Ever lost track of your car in a parking lot? With Parking Buddy, remember where you’re parked with the drop of a GPS pin. You can also set a timed reminder for parking meters and other time-limited spaces. AAA App Now on Apple Watch — Apple Watch owners can quickly and easily find the nearest gas station or the cheapest fuel with the AAA app. The app updates prices seven times a day and provides turn-by-turn navigation to the nearest or cheapest station through Apple Maps. Travel Tools — Book hotel rooms, rental cars, and flights on the go, all from one place. Plus, the app’s TripTik® Travel Planner provides interactive maps, turn-by-turn navigation, and guides to points of interests, campgrounds, and more. Find the Cheapest Gas — Save time and money with the Cheapest Gas feature. Gas station details include

updated prices for all available grades of gasoline, and you can sort stations alphabetically or by distance. Maps and Discounts — AAA’s TripTik® Travel Planner provides turnby-turn directions to everyday destinations, points of interests, attractions, AAA offices, campgrounds, and more. Use the app to discover more than 100,000 discount locations for shopping, dining, and hotel accommodations. AAA Mobile delivers the total mobile member experience. Text APP10 to 99000 and you’ll receive a link to download the free AAA Mobile® app, or visit the AAA Mobile Solutions page at AAA.com/Mobile.

Correction The Members Only column in the June 2016 edition incorrectly stated that “The following policies apply to the membership benefit” prior to a listing of services that are in fact, excluded. The correct wording should have been: “The following policies do not apply to the membership benefit.”

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AAA MOTORIST

JULY 2016

AAA MOTORIST

Affinity Celullar ad to Come

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JULY 2016

Teen Driver 101 — What parents and teens need to know Answers to common questions about car insurance By Robin Jones s if having a new teen driver in the family isn’t concerning enough—now you have to navigate insurance needs. Don’t fret: We’ve got some answers. When should I consider coverage for my teen driver? Just like licensing laws, rules about when to add a teen driver to your policy differ by state and insurer. Some require new drivers to be added once they receive their permit, while others wait until a driver’s license is issued. To be safe, you should contact your insurer to find out the requirements before your teen gets his or her permit. Does my teen need his own policy, or should I just put him on mine? Most parents simply add their teen driver to their auto insurance policy. By doing this, they can take advantage of various discounts (e.g., multi-policy or multivehicle) and also ensure appropriate coverage levels until the child reaches adulthood and leaves the household. I know that my premium will go up when I add my teen to my auto policy. What can I do to reduce the higher premium? First, talk to your agent about any discounts, such as a good student discount for teens that carry a qualifying GPA or a discount for teens that complete certain driver-safety courses. Second, to keep your premium low, consider a higher deductible on your teen’s vehicle—at least until your teen has been driving for a while. If your

What should I consider when my child goes away to college? Some insurers offer a discount when your child is a certain distance away at college (e.g., 100 miles or more) without a vehicle. To save money on their premium, some parents choose to exclude their collegeage children from their auto policy. Beware: This practice could backfire. Lapses in coverage are more likely to occur when parents exclude their child, then add him or her back on multiple times during a policy term. So, for example, if your child comes home for a break or a surprise visit and you forget to remove the exclusion or don’t remove it in time, your policy provides no coverage if he or she operates a vehicle and gets into an accident. In addition, if your excluded child borrows a friend’s car that is uninsured or underinsured, both of you could be liable if he or she is involved in a crash.

TAKING THE WHEEL — Your premium will be lower if your teen is not listed as the primary driver. teen maintains a good record over time, your premium should decrease, and you can lower your deductible at that point. Be aware that by raising your deductible, your out-of-pocket payment will be greater in the event of a claim. Also, don’t buy a car for your teen right away. Sure, you may have to make some adjustments to share your car

with your teen, but the premium will be lower if your teen is not listed as the primary driver on the insurance policy. Finally, be an involved parent. Download a parent-teen agreement from AAA.com/teens and review it with your child to encourage responsible driving. While it won’t lower your premium, it could help prevent a ticket or a crash that could increase your rates.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Trust AAA to steer you right on all your current and future Auto, Home and Life insurance needs. Combining your coverage with one insurance company could make a significant difference in your premium. Call 800.207.7947, or visit AAA.com/insurance for more information or to schedule a comprehensive Insurance review. AAA – your trusted insurance advisor.

JULY 2016

AAA MOTORIST

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Is your child’s identity vulnerable to theft? ChildSecure™ helps monitor your children’s identity

child’s life is carefree; the last thing on their mind should be credit. In fact, a child shouldn’t have any credit activity at all until the time comes to apply for a college loan. That said, the incidence of child identity theft is rising quickly. The Identity Theft Resource Center reports it almost tripled in 2014. As a responsible parent, you want to keep your kids out of harm’s way, and in these complex times that’s come to mean more than keeping them physically safe. It’s hard to imagine children as victims of identity theft or fraud, but most perpetrators consider children easy targets because of their clean credit histories. Criminals open fraudulent accounts that go unnoticed for years until young adults discover it when applying for their first lines of credit. Richard Power of Carnegie Mellon CyLab recently published a report on child identity theft based on identity protection scans of over 40,000 U.S. children. He found that an alarming 10.2 percent of the children studied had impersonators using their Social Security numbers. In comparison, among adults in the same population, the figure is 0.2 percent. Here are some steps to take, and things to keep in mind, to protect your child from identity theft: Limit the availability of your child’s Social Security number. Be mindful of

by a relative (36 percent), family friend (35 percent), neighbor (9 percent) or ex-spouse (9 percent). Know how and when to check your child’s credit report. If you believe your child has been the victim of ID theft, you can obtain a credit report, but only do so if your child’s identity has been compromised. Contact the three credit reporting agencies – Experian, TransUnion and Equifax — to check if a credit report exists in your child’s Social Security number. If no report exists, that’s probably a good sign.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

YOUNGEST VICTIMS — Children are easy targets for identity theft.

Parents who are AAA members can enroll in the ProtectMyID® Deluxe identity theft monitoring program and enroll their children, too. The program is a benefit for members and just $8.95 a month — a 56 percent savings for AAA members and associates. The ChildSecure™ feature of ProtectMyID® Deluxe helps detect theft of your children’s identities by searching for an Experian credit report, monitoring the report, and alerting you if someone applies for credit or opens credit accounts using your children’s information.

home office filing cabinet, move them now to a home safe or safe deposit box. Keep an eye out for warning signs. If your child starts to receive credit card offers or notices of account defaults, your child’s identity has likely been compromised. Other warning signs might include denial of a government assistance program for your child or family because someone associated with your child’s Social Security number is already getting benefits. You’d think that strangers are the most likely perpetrators but it’s far more common for children to be victimized

those who ask for your child’s Social Security number. You could be asked for his or her Social Security number when signing up for soccer or applying for a library card. Ask how they plan to use it, what steps they will take to protect it, and if there is any other form of identification that would be acceptable. Keep your child’s documents secure. Securing your child’s birth certificate and Social Security card is vital to keeping the identity of your children safe. These documents need to be accessed very infrequently. If you keep their Social Security cards in your wallet or a

FOR MORE INFORMATION

To learn more about ProtectMyID® and ChildSafe™, call 1-877-440-6943 or visit AAA.com/idtheft.

Before hitting the road this summer, consider renting a car A challenge for the overworked and undertravelled

iven the demands of work, family and social obligations, finding time to enjoy the open road and local attractions can be difficult. Taking time for yourself and enjoying something new not only helps you to feel more at ease, it also improves your productivity, physical and mental well-being. Before you embark on your summer drive trip, consider renting a vehicle. Avoid adding high vacation miles to your personal or leased vehicle by letting Hertz get you where you want to go. Rent from your local neighborhood Hertz office and enjoy all the benefits Hertz offers AAA Members, including a free child safety seat and a free additional qualified driver. Hertz also offers environmentally friendly vehicles in its Green Collection to help you save fuel and the environment. Hertz offers AAA Members a wide variety of car classes to choose from and has great rates on daily, weekend, weekly and monthly rentals both at home and abroad. Now through September 30, AAA Members will save $5 per day up to $30 on weekend and weekly rentals.

a car…skip the rental counter at 40 of the world’s busiest airports and at 1,000 worldwide locations, simply show your driver’s license, pick up the keys and go!

AAA member exclusive: •

•

ROOM TO MOVE — Think Hertz when you need a larger car or minivan for summer vacation. Igor Yaruta photo courtesy Hertz.

•

When should you rent from Hertz? •

When you want to prevent adding high miles on your personal car or on leased vehicles with mileage caps;

AAA Classic & AAA Plus Members get 675 Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Bonus points after the first Gold rental — that’s enough for One Free Rental Day! Join at AAA.com/HertzGold. You can join at hertz.com but be sure to include your Hertz AAA Discount Code (CDP#215). AAA Premier Members get 1,100 Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Bonus points, after the first Gold rental — enough for Two Free Weekend Rental Days! Join only at AAA.com/HertzPremier.

•

When you need a larger car or minivan for vacation comfort; When you simply want a sporty convertible for fun; When friends or relatives are visiting and need a car to use while they are in town; When you want to test drive a new car model before making a buying decision; When you want a luxury car for a special occasion; (i.e.: wedding, etc.)

•

When your personal car has been in an accident and you need an insurance replacement; • When your personal car is in the repair shop and you need a replacement vehicle. AAA and Hertz set the standard…the gold standard — AAA members can enjoy all the benefits of Hertz Gold service FREE! Enroll in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards and earn points toward free rental days and more. It’s the fastest way to rent

HERTZ SUMMER SPECIALS

Save $5/day up to $30 on weekend/weekly rentals on most car classes (excluding Dream Cars). Reference Promotion Code #108566 when making the reservation. Valid for vehicle pickup through 9/30/16. Save $50 on Monthly Rentals (minimum 28 days) of most car classes. Include Promotion Code #307204 when making the reservation. Valid for vehicle pick up through 12/31/16. Book today at AAA.com/hertz or by calling the AAA dedicated number, 1-800-654-3080.

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Christmas markets add magic to the holiday season Wrap up the holidays in style in Germany’s historic cities

he holiday season in Bavaria is a magical time of year. From late November through December, Christmas markets overflow with the sound of music and the aroma of mulled wine, German sausages, gingerbread, and Stollen, the traditional fruitcake. Travelers will find nativity scenes, fancifully decorated Christmas trees, choirs singing yuletide carols and local craftsmen displaying their wares. This centuries-old tradition signals the beginning of Advent and most traditional German handicrafts can be found here — from nutcrackers, carved wooden figurines, and straw stars — to candles, ceramics, cookie tins, glass balls, toys, and tin tree ornaments. Munich’s Christmas market dates back to the 14th century. Located on the Marienplatz in the Old City center, the market surrounds an enormous Christmas tree. Baked apples, roasted almonds, and other Bavarian delicacies are standard fare, as well as Glühwein, the mulled hot spice wine that is a staple at markets throughout Germany. Just behind city hall with its world famous Glockenspiel, artisans sell wooden figurines of wise men, oxen, donkeys, as well as the holy family in the Nativity Market. Bavaria’s Romantic Road winds through pastoral villages and medieval

Nuremberg is known for its culinary delights, such as Lebkuchen, a honeylaced cookie, which was produced in the city as early as 1395. Citizens gather the honey in the woods surrounding the city. “Nürnbergers” the thin brown sausages made by local butchers are another must-taste at the fair. Christmas can be celebrated all year long in Rothenburg ob der Tauber in Bavaria. Rothenburg’s medieval setting is so postcard perfect visitors occasionally complain it’s too Disney-like. In truth, the walled city has been left largely untouched for hundreds of years. The town boasts some of the most impressive medieval architecture in Europe, and is also home to the German Christmas Museum.

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HAPPY HOLIDAY — Munich’s Christmas market dates back to the 14th century. Joachim Messerschmidt photo courtesy German National Tourist Board. towns, each with its own traditions. Augsburg, just west of Munich, is home to the famous “Angel Play.” The young women portraying the angels must be graceful and — most importantly — not be afraid of heights. Once a week all 24 angels are lowered from the top of the city hall creating a gigantic living Advents calendar.

Nuremberg’s Christmas market attracts two million visitors a year and is probably the best known outside of Germany. Set between the Frauenkirche and the oldest of Nuremberg’s gabled homes, the market is opened each year by the Nuremberg Christkind — a young person chosen to spread the holiday spirit.

Experience Old World holiday traditions during AAA Travel’s German Christmas Markets, Nov. 30–Dec 8, 2016. This 7-night escorted tour features 4 nights in Nuremberg and 3 nights in Munich, with visits to Christmas Markets in Nuremberg, Rothenburg, Bamberg, Bayreuth, Regensburg, Augsburg and Munich. Tour Neuschwanstein, Mad King Ludwig’s incredible fairytale castle and more. Please see your AAA travel professional or log on to AAA.com for more information.

Make the most of your AAA membership Get on the Road to Unlimited Rewards with the AAA Member Rewards Visa® credit card

he AAA Member Rewards Visa® credit card puts you in the driver’s seat with points on everyday purchases and an incredible variety of cash, travel, gift card and AAA voucher rewards. There are so many ways to earn rewards points every day: TRIPLE POINTS for qualifying AAA and travel purchases; DOUBLE POINTS for gas, grocery store and drugstore purchases; and a SINGLE POINT PER DOLLAR for all other purchases.ł Plus, if you have multiple AAA Member Rewards cards, you can combine your points! When you are ready to redeem your points, you have multiple redemption options to choose from, but you get the best value for your points when you redeem for a AAA voucher or a AAA Approved Auto Repair voucher. For example: 5,000 points can be redeemed for $50 cash back, a $55 AAA Approved Auto Repair voucher or a $60 AAA voucher that could be applied to a AAA in-branch purchase, including your annual membership dues, your next vacation or your auto or homeowner insurance premium. Want a better way to earn rewards toward your next vacation? Simply make the AAA Member Rewards card your card of choice and watch how quickly the points add up. Before you know it, you’ll be able to request a AAA

voucher that could significantly reduce the price of your next vacation, whether it is a cruise, a tour, or a weekend getaway. It’s like your own personal vacation club account. One of our members paid for their family cruise and earned enough points to redeem them for cash to purchase a new gas grill -- just in time for the summer barbeque season. With no limits on how many points you can earn, the road is wide open with the AAA Member Rewards Visa credit card. Just visit a local AAA branch office to apply. *For information about rates, fees, other costs and benefits associated with the use of this credit card, or to apply, visit your AAA branch and refer to the disclosures accompanying the application. *To qualify for the 1 FREE Theme Park ticket: you must apply for and be approved for an In-Branch (same day) AAA Member Rewards Visa® credit card. Upon approval, you must use your new AAA Member Rewards card to purchase 3 Theme Park tickets and the fourth (4th) Theme Park Ticket, will be FREE. Transaction must be on the same day as the

details. This credit card program is issued and administered by Bank of America, N.A. Visa is a registered trademark of Visa International Service Association and is used by the Issuer pursuant to license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. AAA is a trademark of American Automobile Association, Inc. ©2016 Bank of America Corporation

SPECIAL INCENTIVE FOR NEW CARD HOLDERS*:

card approval. There are four (4) Theme Parks you can select from (Hersheypark, Cedar Point, Kennywood or Kings Island). This promotion cannot be combined with another offer. This is a limited time offer and may be cancelled at any time without notice. Federal law prohibits students from receiving a premium. ł AAA Member Rewards: Earn 1 point per dollar of new net retail purchase transactions (qualifying purchases less credits, returns and adjustments) charged to the card each billing cycle. Earn 2 points per dollar for purchases made with the card at any eligible gas, grocery store or pharmacy retail merchant categories as designated by Bank of America. Earn 3 points per dollar for purchases made with the card through any participating AAA Club when AAA is the merchant of record, or at eligible retail travel merchant categories as designated by Bank of America. Points expire five (5) years after the month they were earned. Additional restrictions apply. Please refer to disclosures accompanying application for more

From July 1 through August 31, 2016 AAA Members who visit a AAA branch office to apply for the AAA Member Rewards credit card and get approved will have the opportunity to take advantage of our Buy 3 Get 1 FREE attraction ticket offer for Cedar Point, Kennywood, Kings Island or Hersheypark when they use their new AAA Member Rewards credit card to pay for the purchase the same day the account was approved. Students are not eligible. And, by using your new AAA credit card you will automatically earn TRIPLE POINTS on your theme park ticket purchase! Here’s all you need to do: 1. Visit any AAA East Central branch office. 2. Ask a AAA Staff Associate to complete an instant authorization application. 3. Upon approval, you can use the temporary number assigned to purchase three theme park tickets to the participating attractions and get one FREE single-day adult admission ticket.

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Member Benefits • Exclusive Offers

1-800-354-8761 • AAA.com/travel

Very “cool” winter vacations are very “hot” at AAA

YELLOWSTONE $50.00 OFF PER ROOM, DOUBLE OCCUPANCY NEW BOOKINGS JULY 1-30

J A N 2126 More wildlife, fewer people than in summer “HOT” aptly describes the popularity of AAA’s Yellowstone in Winter escorted tour...as well as the park’s incredible natural phenomena — geysers, mudpots and vents. You’ve seen them in photographs or on TV, but seeing this national park’s iconic sights in person can be a life-altering and humbling experience. They’re not just as good as you’ve imagined; they’re better...and even more so in winter! It may be the best season to take in Yellowstone’s many natural wonders. Hordes of summer tourists disappear and, except for hibernating bears, wildlife viewing is at its peak. The park’s a magical landscape of frozen waterfalls and grazing bison under an incredible star canopy. Rising steam clouds turn nearby aspens into “ghost trees” shrouded under a veil of frost. Experience the solitude and splendor of this vast winter wilderness for yourself. AAA’s 5-night adventure kicks off in Salt Lake City, where seating has been arranged at Temple Square to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. A scenic drive brings you out of the Wasatch Mountains past Great Salt Lake and Ogden, Utah’s original settlement. Entering Idaho, pass the doomed town of Rexburg, destroyed in 1976 when Teton Dam burst, and the Island Park Region, renowned for its trout fishing. Cross over Targhee Pass into Montana and the park gateway town of West Yellowstone. Since most park roads close in winter, luxury snowcoaches are the way to go. Relax in a warm, comfortable cabin while guides share their knowledge as you glimpse wildlife. “A huge ram,” noted one past passenger, “was lying on a ledge looking straight down; it seemed like he was staring right at us!” You may even get into a “buffalo jam” when a herd decides the snow is too deep and the easiest way to travel is on a plowed road! continued on next page

A L A S K A

$100.00 OFF PER ROOM, DOUBLE OCCUPANCY NEW BOOKINGS JULY 1-30

FEB 23– MARCH 6 Iditarod Race, Northern Lights, Alaska Railroad and much more “Once-in-a-lifetime experience!” “Unexpected spectacles!” “Warm welcomes and hospitality!” “Unparalleled natural beauty!” Superlatives like those are commonplace among those who return home after having enjoyed AAA Travel’s Ultimate Alaska Winter Wonderland tour. Come find out why! This guided tour’s a unique and unforgettable combination of hands-on experiences (opportunities to guide your own dog sled!), exciting world-famous events (watching the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and meeting & dining with mushers!), spectacular natural phenomena (viewing the glowing, swirling Aurora Borealis!), fascinating cultural exposures (visiting a Native American heritage center!), deluxe accommodations (2 nights at Alaska’s only AAA 4 Diamond resort!) and much more. You may be wondering about visiting Alaska in the middle of winter! It’s true: This tour does depart Feb 23, right in the middle of Old Man Winter’s reign. But that’s exactly what makes this trip so special. This is when the true Alaskans reclaim their stunning state from the hordes of summer tourists who descend upon it like so many mosquitoes (also absent in winter!). And it’s also the time of the wondrous phenomenon known as the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights. Once you experience all of the exhilarating sights, sounds, aromas, textures and flavors of Alaska on this tour, you’ll wonder why you ever gave the winter weather a second thought! The tour’s centerpiece is the annual world-famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, a nearly-1,000-mile competition from Willow to continued on next page

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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

AAA BONUS!

Dinner for 2 at an onboard specialty restaurant

Add $15 per person per day.

•

The • Perks! • •

Add $45 per person per day.

Classic Beverage Packages for 2 Unlimited Internet for 2 Prepaid Tips for 2 $150 Onboard Spending Money per person ATURE

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Dec 30–Jan 5 •

AAA Member Rate: $3,995

Before-discount rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Pittsburgh–Los Angeles, San Diego–Pittsburgh), roundtrip ATURE airport/hotel transfers, motorcoach transportation, accommodations, 11 meals, luggage handling (1 bag/person), taxes/gratuities for included features and services of a AAA Tour Manager in California (if participation goal is met). Additional airline fees for CA O TI baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. D

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Reagan Library • Dinner at LA Prime on the 35th floor of your hotel • Rodeo Drive & Hollywood • Views of the iconic Hollywood sign • Celebrity homes in Bel Air & Beverly Hills • Behind-the-scenes Warner Brothers tour • New Year’s Eve party on the Queen Mary • LA: Farmers Market, Disney Concert Hall, Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels • Olvera Street, original heart of the Mexican community • Pacific Coast Highway • Reserved seat for Roses parade • Universal Studios CityWalk • San Diego: Cabrillo Monument, Mission Bay, Old Town, La Jolla, Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo • USS Midway aircraft carrier • Winery tour & tasting • Sunset dinner cruise on San Diego Bay

Rate is per person (balcony stateroom, double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes onboard accommodations, most onboard meals & entertainment and government taxes & port charges of up to $356.34. Ship’s registry: Malta & Ecuador. Ask about available add-on airfare.

THIS OFFER AVAILABLE WITH OCEANVIEW (AND ABOVE) STATEROOMS.

per room when you book & deposit by July 30!

Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale FL to... • Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas USVI • Basseterre, St Kitts & Nevis Nov 18-28 • Bridgetown, Barbados • Philipsburg, St Maarten NL AAA Member Rate (overnight in port!) from $1,545 4 days at sea balcony stateroom

Save $50

se i u r C n a e b b i r Ultimate Ca Equinox! on Celebrity

& the Tournament of Roses Parade!

California New Year' s Getaway

Make Thanksgiving 2016 the one everyone remembers:

Very “cool” winter vacations are very “hot” at AAA

Feb 23–March 6 •

Before-discount rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip airport/hotel transfers (within limited parameters), motorcoach transportation, accommodations, 9 meals, luggage handling (1 bag/person) and services of a local tour guide. Ask about available add-on airfare.

Nome. Get up close and personal with intrepid mushers and their eager-to-run dog teams. Watch the festivity-filled ceremonial start in downtown Anchorage, then head out to Willow the next day for the exciting official re-start across ice-covered Willow Lake. Channel your inner teenager...so you can stay up way past your normal bedtime for opportunities to see the dazzling Northern Lights. That’s just one more exciting highlight of a fun-filled itinerary that also includes... Fairbanks • Trans-Alaska Pipeline • Alaska Railroad • Talkeetna • Anchorage • Seward • Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center • Alaska Sealife Center • Seward Museum • Girdwood • Alyeska Tram • Alaska Zoo (behind-the scenes tour) • Mushers’ Banquet • Happy Trails Kennel (operated by 4-time Iditarod champion Martin Buser) • Iditarod HQ • Official Ceremonial Start of the ATURE Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race • Alaska Native Heritage Center • Iditarod Re-start CA O Visit AAA.com/travel for a complete itinerary. TI D

AAA Member Rate: $1,450

continued from previous page

Jan 21-26 •

See the Fountain Paint Pots as well as Firehole Falls, a spectacle of color and motion emerging from 800-foot-thick lava flows and sending up clouds of mist to produce dozens of rainbows. Marvel at Old Faithful, the park’s most celebrated geyser, erupting about every 90 minutes, spewing as much as 8,400 gallons of boiling water in a towering plume that can reach 180 feet high. Journey to the Wild West town of Jackson Hole WY at the base of the rugged Teton Mountains of Grand Teton National Park. At the nearby National Elk Refuge, a horse-drawn sleigh brings you into a sprawling valley where thousands of elk gather for their winter range. “They weren’t frightened, and we drove right up to them,” said one guest. This is followed by the National Museum of Wildlife Art, a stunning collection of 2,300 original works. Ride through rugged Snake River Canyon, surrounded ATURE by soaring peaks. In Utah, tour the site of the 2002 Winter Olympics, cradled in the Wasatch Mountains. Cap CA O off your tour with a farewell dinner in Salt Lake City. TI

Ultimate Alaska in Winter

continued from previous page

Yellowstone in Winter

AAA Member Rate: $3,999

Before-discount rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Pittsburgh-Fairbanks, Anchorage-Pittsburgh), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, motorcoach transportation, accommodations, 14 meals, luggage handling (1 bag/person), Alaska tour escort and services of a AAA tour manager (if minimum participation is met). Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.

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

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

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Featured Vacations:

Member Benefits Exclusive Offers T IO

Great destinations, great value! SAN FRANCISCO FLEET WEEK

TRAVEL AGENTS ON HAND SPECIAL OFFERS THIS NIGHT ONLY

FREE ALASKA CRUISE VACATION PLANNING EVENT

Oct 6-10 • $2,589

Discover the pleasures of the City by the Bay and enjoy excursions to Muir Woods, Sausalito, the Marin Headlands, Treasure Island and the vineyards of Napa Valley. Enjoy ample free time in San Francisco to explore on your own and to participate in the Fleet Week festivities — interact with sailors; tour amphibious carriers, destroyers and cruisers on the waterfront; and visit the festival center on Marina Green. Board a sternwheeler for a luncheon cruise during the Fleet Week Air Show featuring the Blue Angels! Includes services of a AAA Tour Manager (upon arrival at destination, if participation goal is met). 7 meals. © pngstudio / Fotolia.com

Tuesday, Aug 16 • 6:30-8:30pm National Aviary Allegheny Commons West • Pittsburgh Presentation by LaDonna Allen from Princess Cruises RSVP BY JULY 22: 1-800-354-8761

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Avoid potential airport hassles: Motorcoach to & from your cruise! Park for free, then relax on AAA’s convenient “Cruise Express” motorcoach right to your Royal Caribbean International ship!

Grandeur of the Seas — from Baltimore MD

Celebrate the National Park Service’s 100-year birthday! “MIGHTY 5 & MORE” Oct 18-26 • $3,845

Tour some of the America’s best parks. From Las Vegas, travel past Lake Mead and Hoover Dam, visit the Rt 66 Museum and marvel at the Grand Canyon. Enter Navajo Nation; stop at a trading post. See Lake Powell and Antelope Canyon. Cruise on Lake Powell and tour Monument Valley by 4WD. Experience Navajo culture. Explore Utah’s “Mighty 5” See natural arches in Arches NP. Dine at a lodge on the Colorado. A Jeep® tour of Canyonlands NP reveals its beauty. Ride a jet boat on the Colorado. See petroglyphs at Capitol Reef NP, the fairyland hues of Bryce Canyon NP and the 2,000-foot-high stone towers of Zion NP. Includes services of a AAA Tour Manager (upon arrival at destination, if participation goal is met). 16 meals.

SAN ANTONIO HOLIDAY

Dec 12-16 • from $1,899

The Bahamas.................................April 17-24............. from $815

This vibrant and inviting Texas city has been called the American Venice; its lovely River Walk meanders through downtown, glowing with Christmas lights and decorations. Soak up the spirit of the season and experience the Tex-Mex take on the holidays. You’ll also visit the Alamo, Mission San Jose, Bandera (“Cowboy Capital of the World”), the LBJ Ranch, German-flavored Fredericksburg (the heart of Texas Hill Country), Sandy Oaks Olive Orchard (site of your spectacular farewell dinner with local wines) and El Mercado (Mexican-style marketplace). Enjoy a traditional cowboy barbecue at a dude ranch! 6 meals. Ask about other departure dates.

AAA MEMBER RATES are per person (double occupancy), are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip motorcoach transportation (Pittsburgh-MD), cruise accommodations/entertainment, most onboard meals and taxes, fees and port expenses of up to $383.10 per person. Ship’s registry: Bahamas. Visit AAA.com/motorcruise for details & PA pickup points. Passport required.

AAA MEMBER RATES are per person (double occupancy), are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip flights from Pittsburgh, roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, meals as noted, hotel luggage handling (1 bag per person), sightseeing per itinerary and more. Visit AAA.com/FeaturedVacations for more information. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.

Southeast & the Bahamas ............Nov 12-21 .............. from $999 Coastal USA & the Bahamas ........Jan 14-23 ............... from $945 Coastal USA & the Bahamas ........Feb 4-13 ................. from $935 Coastal USA & the Bahamas ........March 18-27 ....... from $1,165

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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers © Piotr Pawinski / Fotolia.com

BOOK NOW & GET A FREE GIFT! NEW BOOKINGS OF 7+ NIGHTS MADE BETWEEN JULY 1 & 30

Portable Beach Headrest with Storage Space

Escape to deluxe

MEXI

AST

all-inclusive resorts like these... Grand Fiesta Americana Los Cabos Resort & Spa This resort embodies the essence of the destination, with its beautiful beaches, picturesque desert and serene ocean views. Meandering pools, lush gardens and tranquil paths create many private areas to sip a cocktail and enjoy the breezes.

Marquis Los Cabos All-inclusive Resort & Spa

PHOTO CREDIT: GRAND FIESTA AMERICANA LOS CABOS RESORT & SPA PHOTO CREDIT: MARQUIS LOS CABOS ALL INCLUSIVE RESORT & SPA

Nestled between a tranquil desert and the Sea of Cortez, this resort offers the perfect seaside escape for romance. Each spacious suite features deluxe bedding, a jetted tub and a private terrace or balcony. Indulge in an open-air couple’s massage.

German Christmas Markets Save $50

Experience fun and flavorful Old World holiday-season traditions!

per room when you book & deposit by July 30!

Enjoy the Christmas markets (and other aspects) of Nuremberg, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Bamberg, Bayreuth, Regensburg, Augsburg, Munich

Visit Neuschwanstein, the palace upon which Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle is modeled. Take a brewery tour and a tasting as well as a farewell dinner at Munich's famous Hofbrauhaus.

Nov 30–Dec 8 •

AAA Member Rate: $3,575

Awaken your senses at this luxurious beachfront resort. Each elegant residential-style room or suite features a magnificent ocean view, marble bath and designer amenities. Indulge at the Spa del Mar and relax by the 3-tiered infinity-edge pool.

PHOTO CREDIT: SANDOS CANCUN LUXURY RESORT PHOTO CREDIT: PARADISUS CANCUN

Paradisus Cancun The resort’s 5 majestic pyramids afford sleek and elegant accommodations reminiscent of an ancient Mayan civilization. Ideally situated in the Hotel Zone, the resort offers an array of dining, shopping and nightlife opportunities.

Barceló Puerto Vallarta This all-suite resort is located along the golden sands of Mismaloya Bay, 30 minutes from the activity of downtown PV. Experience spacious accommodations with marble floors, large baths, deluxe amenities and private terraces.

Casa Velas Boutique Hotel Puerto Vallarta

PHOTO CREDIT: BARCELÓ PUERTO VALLARTA PHOTO CREDIT: CASAS VELAS BOUTIQUE HOTEL PUERTO VALLARTA

Surrounded by a golf course and lush gardens punctuated with fish ponds, this boutique hotel's lawns are populated by resident peacocks. Herbs for the restaurant, bar and spa are provided by an on-site organic garden bathed in Pacific sunshine.

Before-discount rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes flights (Pittsburgh-Frankfurt, Munich-Pittsburgh), roundtrip airport/hotel ATURE transfers, motorcoach transportation, accommodations, 13 meals, luggage handling (1 bag/person), taxes/gratuities for included features and services of a AAA Tour Manager in Germany (if participation goal is met). Additional airline fees for bagCA O TI gage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Passport required.

Sandos Cancun Luxury Resort

Visit AAA.com/Pleasant for more resorts.

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

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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

Book in person at AAA Travel and save $100 in July! Save $100.00 off prepaid tour or cruise vacation packages booked at AAA East Central locations. New bookings of 7+ nights. Discount is per room, double occupancy. Exclusive in-person offer available July 1-30; not available online.

Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort

Oct 9-16 • from $878 7 NIGHTS STANDARD ROOM 6-DAY TICKET WITH ADMISSION TO 1 PARK PER DAY

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Oct 9-16 • from $2,169 7 NIGHTS POOL-VIEW ROOM 6-DAY TICKET WITH ADMISSION TO 1 PARK PER DAY

Jamaica: Montego Bay Oct 9-16: 7 nights • $912 RIU MONTEGO BAY Double Room

Western Caribbean: 7 nights

Allure of the Seas • Oct 16-23 • from $923

OCEAN-VIEW STATEROOM. Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale FL to Labadee, Haiti; Falmouth, Jamaica; and Cozumel, Mexico. 3 full days of cruising.

New England & Canada: 7 nights

Hawaii: Maui & Kauai

Serenade of the Seas • Oct 16-23 • from $1,339

Oct 9-17 • from $2,072

BALCONY STATEROOM. Roundtrip from Boston MA to Portland ME, Bar Harbor ME, Saint John NB and Halifax NS. 2 full days at sea.

8 NIGHTS — 4 NIGHTS MAUI & 4 NIGHTS KAUAI WITH HERTZ ECONOMY RENTAL CAR THROUGHOUT

AAA Vacations® amenities for each cruise:

WESTIN MAU RESORT & SPA

Mountain-view Room • Continental Breakfast $20 Daily Resort Credit per room • 15% Spa Discount

VIP Priority Check-in • 1 Dinner for 2 at a Specialty Restaurant In-cabin Champagne • $50.00 Onboard Credit per stateroom Best Price Guarantee • 24 x 7 Member Care Service

GRAND HYATT KAUAI RESORT & SPA

Pool-view Room • Welcome Lei Greeting • 24-hour Anara Spa Gym • Daily Guided Sunrise Walk

AAA Vacations® amenities for each package: $50.00 certificate per booking toward the purchase of optional sightseeing or activity Best Price Guarantee 24 x 7 Member Care Service

Transatlantic: 13 nights

Celebrity Equinox • Oct 25–Nov 7 • from $1,343 OCEAN-VIEW STATEROOM. Barcelona, Spain, to Cartagena, Spain; Agadir, Morocco; Lanzarote & Tenerife (Canary Islands), Spain; Ft Lauderdale FL. 8 full days at sea.

Southern Caribbean: 10 nights

Celebrity Infinity • Oct 27–Nov 6 • from $1,696

Italian Vistas guided tour Oct 3-15 • from $1,925

12 NIGHTS • 17 MEALS Rome, Pompeii, Sorrento Coast, Isle of Capri, Florence, Pisa, Venice, Murano Island, Verona, Stresa, Locarno (Switzerland), Isola dei Pescatori

California Coast guided tour Oct 9-17 • from $1,390

8 NIGHTS • 11 MEALS San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, Monterey, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Long Beach

AAA Vacations® amenities for each package: © vichie81 / Fotolia.com

JULY 2016

$75 credit per person toward an optional excursion ($100 per person if 2 or more excursions are purchased) $25 Member Benefit savings per person Best Price Guarantee • 24 x 7 Member Care Service Engaging Experiences (ask your agent)

OCEAN-VIEW STATEROOM. Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale FL to Key West FL; Oranjestad, Aruba; Kralendijk, Bonaire; and Willemstad, Curacao. 4 full days of cruising.

Irish Classic guided tour Oct 8-19 • from $2,218

11 NIGHTS • 21 MEALS Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet, Taylor’s Three Rock Pub Dinner/Show in Dublin, Giant’s Causeway, Watch Trained Dogs Herd Sheep, Jaunting Car Ride, Westport House, Ulster Folk Park, St Patrick’s Grave, Titanic Belfast, Derry, Donegal Castle, Cliffs of Moher, Dingle Peninsula, Killarney, Waterford and more

Taste of Scotland & Ireland guided tour

Oct 9-18 • from $2,078 9 NIGHTS • 17 MEALS Scottish Evening in Edinburgh, Dublin Canal Cruise Dinner, Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet, Loch Ness Cruise, Cliffs of Moher, Killarney Jaunting Car Ride, Sheepdog Display, Glasgow, Loch Lomond, Whisky Tasting, St Andrews, Edinburgh Castle, Titanic Belfast, Farmhouse Tea, Ring of Kerry, Skellig Experience

AAA Vacations® amenities for each cruise: VIP Priority Check-in • $100.00 Onboard Credit per stateroom Best Price Guarantee • 24 x 7 Member Care Service

Southern Caribbean: 7 nights

Carnival Fascination • Oct 9-16 • from $767 OCEAN-VIEW STATEROOM Roundtrip from San Juan PR to St Thomas USVI; Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St Lucia; Basseterre, St Kitts; and Philipsburg, St Maarten. 1 full day at sea.

Exotic Eastern Caribbean: 7 nights Carnival Pride • Oct 9-16 • from $902 INSIDE STATEROOM Roundtrip from Baltimore MD to Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos; and Half Moon Cay & Freeport, Bahamas. 3 full days at sea.

Sample vacations based on 2016 departures; other departure dates available. Ask about available add-on airfare. Discount offer not restricted to the travel vendors shown here. Before-discount AAA Member rates shown are per person, double occupancy.

Go to AAA.com/travel for hundreds of other tours & cruises, then visit your nearby AAA Travel office in person in July & save $100.00!

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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

LEAVE YOUR CAR AT HOME!

ATURE

Car-free, carefree adventures T IO

Rates are per person, are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip motorcoach transportation from the Pittsburgh area, accommodations (for multiday tours, based on double occupancy), sightseeing/admissions, taxes/gratuities for included features, baggage handling (for multiday tours), meals as indicated and the services of a AAA Tour Manager. Visit AAA.com/USA for complete itinerary details and pick-up points.

PA GRAND CANYON & MORE

VETERANS’ PRIDE

Williamsport & Wellsboro PA

Oct 6-8 •

Washington DC

AAA Member Rate: $605

Nov 9-11 •

Enjoy foliage from Kinzua Gorge’s 230-foot-high glass-bottomed skywalk; visit the PA Lumber Museum. Explore the PA Grand Canyon’ s upper gorge by covered wagon. Visit an overlook, then downtown Wellsboro. See the mansions of Williamsport’s Millionaires’ Row. Cruise on a paddle wheeler on the Susquehanna River. 6 meals.

VIRGINIA BEACH OCEANA AIR SHOW Virginia Beach & Norfolk VA

Sept 7-12 •

AAA Member Rate: $999

Enjoy 5 nights and relaxing beach time at an oceanfront hotel on Virginia Beach’s popular boardwalk. Visit Cape Henry Lighthouse, get a behind-the-scenes tour of Naval Station Norfolk and cruise Norfolk Harbor. Visit an interactive maritime center(Nauticus) and see the MacArthur Memorial. Highlight: Naval Air Station Oceana’s Air Show, including the world-famous Blue Angels! 10 meals.

ON THE ROAD WITH THE PIRATES!

Cincinnati Reds...and Louisville KY

Sept 14-17 •

AAA Member Rate: $785

2 nights in Louisville: Churchill Downs, the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory and Evan Williams Distillery. Continue on to Cincinnati: city tour, unlimited buffet in the Smokehouse Party Barn as you watch the game at Great American Ball Park. Also visit Newport KY. 6 meals. AAA Travel is the preferred travel agency of the Pittsburgh Pirates®.

AUTUMN ELK ENCOUNTER

Bald Eagle & Hyner View state parks

Sept 30–Oct 2 •

AAA Member Rate: from $579

Experience an immersive getaway celebrating more than 100 years of elk in Pennsylvania. Stay

Commemorate Veterans Day and the US Marine Corps’ birthday on a tour of patriotic and military landmarks in VA and DC — Manassas National Battlefield, Freedom Museum, USMC Museum, Quantico & Arlington cemeteries, DC memorials (WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iwo Jima, Lincoln) and night tour of DC. 5 meals.

at the Nature Inn at Bald Eagle State Park, where you follow trails, learn about nature and view “Pennsylvania Elk: Reclaiming the Alleghenies.” Follow the Pennsylvania Scenic Byway with a naturalist, stop at a lookout in Hyner View State Park and visit the Elk County Visitor Center to view live elk on the grounds and ride an oldfashioned covered wagon. 6 meals.

NEW ENGLAND RAILS & TRAILS Oct 2-9 •

AAA Member Rate: $499

CT, RI, MA, NH, VT, NY

AAA Member Rate: $2,035

Delight in autumn’s colors. Visit a CT submarine museum; tour a Newport RI mansion; see Plymouth Rock and ferry out to Nantucket Island in MA; take rides on the Cape Cod Central, Conway Scenic and Café Lafayette trains; follow NH’s Kancamagus Highway; visit an 1890s dairy farm, Quechee Gorge and Bennington VT; and tour elegant Belhurst Castle in NY’s Finger Lakes region. 18 meals.

BEST OF THE BLUE RIDGE

Virginia & North Carolina

Oct 23-28 • AAA Member Rate: from $1,645 Stay 2 nights at a lakeside resort in Blowing Rock NC, a quaint mountain village. Visit Grandfather Mountain, highest peak in the Blue Ridge. Ride the Smoky Mountain Railway on the Nantahala Gorge Excursion; hear bluegrass and Appalachian stories. Tour Asheville and the Biltmore

Estate (as well as its gardens and winery). Overnight at Viriginia’s Peaks of the Otter Lodge. Take beautiful Skyline Drive on your way home! 10 meals.

HOLIDAY TOURS!

CHRISTMAS SHOWS OF LANCASTER Lancaster PA

Dec 1-3 •

AAA Member Rate: $559

HOLIDAY HOUSES OF WORSHIP Pittsburgh PA

Dec 5 OR Dec 7 •

AAA Member Rate: $89

CHRISTMAS ON THE POTOMAC Dec 8-10 •

Washington DC

AAA Member Rate: $675

GATHERING OF GIFTS IN OHIO Dec 10 •

Millersburg OH

AAA Member Rate: $139

’TIS THE SEASON IN THE BIG APPLE New York City NY

Dec 12-14 •

AAA Member Rate: $665

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

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1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel Altoona PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .814-946-1277 Bridgeport WV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .304-842-7676 Butler PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .724-282-8810 Columbiana OH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .330-482-3836 Cranberry Township PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .724-772-1122 East Liverpool OH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .330-385-2020 Erie PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .814-866-0246 Greensburg PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .724-834-8300 Harborcreek PA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .814-897-9508 Hermitage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .724-981-9141 Indiana PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .724-349-4193 Kittanning PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .724-543-4244 Lower Burrell/New Kensington Area PA . . .724-339-4440 Martinsburg WV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .304-263-4619 Meadville PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .814-724-3157 Morgantown WV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .304-598-7470 New Castle PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .724-658-8551

Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

$ 50

Century III (Pleasant Hills) . . . . . . . . . .412-655-6105 Downtown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412-338-4305 East Liberty/Shadyside . . . . . . . . . . . . .412-365-7272 Monroeville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412-858-4640 North Hills (Ross Twp) . . . . . . . . . . . . .412-367-7625 Robinson Township . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412-809-2803 South Hills (Bethel Park) . . . . . . . . . . .412-833-5060 Wexford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .724-933-3000 White Oak/McKeesport . . . . . . . . . . . .412-675-3404 Rochester PA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .724-728-6230 St Marys PA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .814-781-3003 Uniontown PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .724-438-8575 Warren PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .814-723-6660 Washington PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .724-225-3600 Waynesburg PA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .724-627-3434 Wheeling WV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .304-233-1810 Weirton WV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .304-748-1616 PITTSBURGH PA AREA

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. 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. 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.

MYRTLE BEACH Who doesn’t

like being “carded”?

GET YOUR BEACH ON!

BEACHFRONT CONDO-HOTELS 4+ nights at any of 4 top-rated luxury properties

Get a $50.00 Disney Gift Card (per room, double occupancy) from AAA Travel when you book & make a deposit on a 5-night or longer Walt Disney World® Resort vacation package between July 1 & 30.

1 card, 2 towels per booking. Based on stays between 5/21/16 — 9/10/16. Restrictions apply.

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

ATURE

mbrace dazzling natural beauty and distinct experiences during this under-appreciated but oh-so-cool season

FREE when you book & make a deposit July 1-30 on a stay of 4 nights or longer

CANADA’S WINTER WONDERLAND! E VA

AAA GUARANTEES THE BEST AVAILABLE RATES! GAS CARD OF UP TO $100.00 AND 2 AAA BEACH TOWELS

North Beach Plantation®  The Caribbean Resort & Villas  Compass Cove® Oceanfront Resort  The Breakers Resort 

Photo: Banff Lake Louise Tourism /Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

JULY 2016

T IO

Photo: Banff Lake Louise Tourism /Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

You don’t live in one room at home; why live that way on vacation? Condo-hotels, among travel’s best-kept secrets, combine the spaciousness of condos and the amenities of hotels. They feature 2 to 5 bedrooms, multiple bathrooms, full kitchens, washers & dryers, dining areas, common living areas, balconies and numerous TVs. Enjoy the flexibility of eating meals or snacks at anytime and watching a variety of TV shows by different family members in different rooms. You get the 24/7 security of high-rise buildings with lobby check-in and amenities such as maid service, Wi-Fi and on-premises maintenance. Choose from 4 beachfront properties perfect for small or large families, multigenerational families (kids, parents and grandparents) and friends/neighbors vacationing together. Summer’s going by quickly — call now! LIMITED AVAILABILITY: Call the number below now for rates & dates.

Tired of “typical”? Here’s a unique off-season vacation — a getaway to a stunning corner of Canada transformed into a wonderland of white-frosted evergreens and crystal-blue skies. From Edmonton to Calgary, discover the wonders of Alberta — towering snow-clad peaks of the Canadian Rockies, spectacular Maligne Canyon in Jasper National Park, Icefields Parkway, postcard-perfect Lake Louise and the alpine resort town of Banff. Partake in activities and experiences designed to enlighten and create memories — from dog-sledding to ice-walking or snowshoeing to horse-drawn-sleigh riding. Savor a native peoples– themed dinner to find out what a meal was like centuries ago. Learn about ammolite, a rare opal-like gemstone found only in southern Alberta. Marvel at the Ice Magic Festival, where artisans carve sculptures from huge blocks of ice. Stay comfortable and cozy in style and luxury, including 2 nights at Château Lake Louise and 1 at Banff Springs Resort, both originally built as Canadian Pacific Railway hotels. You’ll also enjoy a night in Edmonton and 2 nights in Jasper.

AVAILABLE ONLY BY CALLING AAA AT 1-800-354-8761

Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes flights (Pittsburgh-Edmonton, Calgary-Pittsburgh), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, hotel luggage handling (1 bag per person) and 8 meals. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Passport required.

Condo space AND hotel amenities

Jan 9-15 • AAA Member Rate: from $3,214

BRAND-NEW TOUR!

Ice-walk or snowshoe at Maligne Canyon See eye-popping, jaw-dropping sculptures at the Lake Louise Ice Magic Festival Visit with a rare-gem specialist Marvel at snowy scenery along the Bow River Feel like royalty at the Fairmont Banff Springs, the iconic“Castle in the Rockies” Traverse the Icefields Parkway Stay at spectacular Château Lake Louise Enjoy the unforgettable panoramic journey from Edmonton to Jasper Savor an authentic “First Nations” dinner Sip cocoa and roast marshmallows around a blazing fire in Banff Special Inclusion: Ride in a sled drawn by Alaskan Huskies thrilled to be on the trail!

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Noah’s Ark funhouse is a whale of a good time Kennywood classic restored for its 80th anniversary

ennywood has been synonymous with summers in Pittsburgh for well over a century. The start of the National Historic Landmark’s 118th season marked the much-anticipated return of a beloved icon: the Noah’s Ark Whale. The centerpiece of Kennywood’s extensive efforts to restore one of the park’s most recognizable attractions, the big blue whale was removed 20 years ago when Noah’s Ark last saw major alterations. Ark reconstruction began in November, and was completed in time for guests to climb aboard during Opening Weekend in May. Lee Roy Raymond came up with the concept of a funhouse themed after the Biblical tale of Noah early in the 20th century, patenting the walkthrough attraction in 1921. More than thirty were built during the 1920s and ‘30s at amusement parks like Cedar Point and Coney Island. Kennywood’s ark was constructed by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1936 at a cost of $20,000 (approximately $342,600 in 2016 dollars). Gags and scenes included a balancing wall that gave guests the sensation they could fall into a pit. Air jets hidden in the floor blew up the skirts of female guests; while shaking floorboards, various animal stunts, and hand-carved animals helped add to the illusion. The now iconic whale’s mouth entrance and squishy tongue were added in 1969. It

CLASSIC ATTRACTION — Kennywood’s Noah’s Ark is the only one still in operation in the world. Photo courtesy Kennywood. was the last Noah’s Ark funhouse ever built and just like the Biblical prophet from the Book of Genesis, it has witnessed its share of floods and calamity. In an unusual twist of fate, Pittsburgh was hit with the worst flooding in its recorded history during the ark’s construction when water levels peaked at 46 feet during the Great St. Patrick’s

Day Flood of 1936. The ark was completely rebuilt in 1996 after it was found to be structurally unsound. The whale’s mouth entrance and much of interior scenes were replaced in favor of a more high-tech storyline with an ‘Elevator of Doom’ entrance and ‘Flooding Chamber’ final scene. During recon-

struction severe flooding once again inundated the city with water levels peaking at 34.6 feet. Today, the newly restored attraction is the only remaining operating Noah’s Ark funhouse attraction in the world. Since blueprints of the original whale could not be found, Dimensional Environments rebuilt the attraction as closely as possible to the original, using historical photos from the Kennywood archives. The only major change was a bigger whale tail. The ‘Elevator of Doom’ entrance, rock cavern walkways, skeletons, and all existing animals were removed, as was the ‘Flooding Chamber’ final scene. Kitschy old favorites like the shaking floorboards and rocking boat remain and the ark is still driven by the same gearshift and mechanical arm setup as the original attraction in 1936. In addition to the new Whale’s Mouth entrance and squishy tongue, 50 new animals, including lions, hippos, cheetahs, elephants, horses and zebras were installed. Special effects include sights and sounds, and for the first time in ark history, smells.

SAVE ON TICKETS

Visit your local AAA branch office to purchase your discounted Kennywood tickets at the special member-only price of $29.50 each, all summer long!

JULY 2016

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Visit AAA Travel in person in July for the best service and price advantage Agents have to be knowledgeable; they keep up-to-date with current trends and the latest technologies, as well as AAA member benefits and other discounts and promotions. Their expertise is built on years of specialized training & education, on-the-job experience and professional & personal travel experience. They may provide the late-breaking information not available on travel web sites that aren’t always kept current. Staying in touch between purchase and departure is another important area where working with a travel agent beats ordering from the internet. AAA

agents may communicate by phone, email or postcard, keeping you abreast of itinerary updates, reminding you of departure dates, reassuring you that they’re at your service at all times. And after-the-sale service and support are major components of the AAA travel experience. Feel free to contact (or visit) AAA agents again if you have any questions or concerns for which you cannot find answers on your own. They’ll be glad to review your documentation & tickets, explain boarding & other procedures, discuss types & levels of travel insurance, etc. They can even notify you after your purchase if a

Do -it -y ou rs el f ph ot o- ta ki ng is FU N!

Do -it -y ou rs el f tr av el ar ra ng in g is N OT ! Vi si t a A A A tr av el ag en t in pe rs on in Ju ly an d SAVE

$100!

newly announced promotion or other information will affect your vacation; you’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone on the internet who does that! While it may sometimes be true that cheap or inexpensive travel deals exist on the internet, who will you turn to if you eventually have any kind of problem with the product or service you’ve purchased online? Our agents are accessible before you leave on your trip... and while you’re on it; they do not abandon you once you’ve made your purchase and have left the AAA office. Purchasing travel online can be confusing because of the multitude of choices, restrictions and optional fees. AAA agents know how to navigate through the information overload, winnowing out only what is important for your specific travel situation and making sure you encounter no surprises (as in additional charges) once you’re at your destination. Another caveat about the internet: Not all web site transactions are fully secured; you may be putting your financial information at risk by dealing with a site whose reliability is not fully known. And the site you visit today may not even be there tomorrow. That’s where a brick-and-mortar establishment like AAA Travel provides advantages; we offer you a long-standing reputation for financial stability and consumer reliability, and our agents stand behind all of our products and services. You can truly travel

continued from page 1

July 1-30

$100 OFF

tour & cruise purchased o packages Travel Agencnly in AAA y offices Per room, do uble occupa New bookin gs of 7+ nighncy. ts. AAA East Ce locations onntral ly

with someone you trust because AAA agents provide not only travel services but also invaluable peace of mind. AAA agents always appreciate you and your business, and that’s reflected in the quality of customer service they provide. And, by visiting your local AAA Travel office in person (instead of using corporate or other travel web sites from who-knows-where), you’re supporting your local economy. By working with a living, breathing travel agent, you can travel confidently, enjoying extra peace of mind away from home, knowing that, if ever an issue should arise, you have a lifeline you can reach out to for assistance. Stop in this month for $100.00 savings on prepaid tour or cruise vacation packages of 7+ nights when you book in person. If you can dream it, a AAA travel agent can make it happen!

Visit AAA.com for the location closest to you.

The digital eye exam that shows you more

ou’ve heard them before. Those repetitive eye exam questions. “Which is better? One or two?” And you think, “This must be important. What if I get it wrong? Wait! Let me see number one again!” Seriously, is this still how we do eye exams today, by trial and error? The answer is, not anymore, thanks to Clarifye — the digital eye exam that shows you more. Clarifye technology maps the “fingerprint” of your eyes with digital precision to pinpoint the prescription you need to see your best. • Precision – No other eye exam is more precise. Clarifye is powered by innovators in precision optics—and features a whole new way to get your eyes checked, digitally. Its initial measurement is so precise it helps reduce the guesswork of “which is better?”* • Information – A more comprehensive eye health assessment. Clarifye gives you a more comprehensive understanding of your eye health and vision. The digitally precise exam measures 5x more optical characteristics about your visual system to address your needs and help you see your best. • Personalization – Dramatic results. Like night and day. Clarifye is so precise, it can even help uncover differences in your day and night vision. Since your eyes dilate more in the evening, there can be slight differences in corrective needs. Addressing those differences •

can mean crisper vision during the day with fewer starbursts and halos around lights at night, helping you feel more confident. Convenience – Now available at a LensCrafters near you. The next time you need your eyes checked, come in and experience the ease and convenience of Clarifye—available only at LensCrafters**. It’s as easy as texting MYEXAM to 242020. * DISCLAIMER: For consumers who are diagnosed with clean visual systems or low levels of higher order aberrations. ** DISCLAIMER: Clarifye is available at LensCrafters in states where LensCrafters employs doctors or at the independent doctor of optometry at or next to LensCrafters who utilize the Clarifye eye exam experience. In California, eye exams are available at LensCrafters locations from licensed optometrist employed by EYEXAM of California, a licensed vision health care service plan. The optometrists are not employed by LensCrafters, which do not provide eye exams.”

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Find the lowest online hotel rates at AAA.com AAA has accommodations for every lifestyle and budget

lanning a family trip to Orlando? How about a weekend getaway for two? AAA has a great variety of hotels and resorts to choose from with money-saving deals and hotel packages. Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, short-term or longterm, locally or cross-country, AAA has you covered. AAA offers thousands of hotels with rooms of all shapes and sizes, and hotel discounts to help fit within your budget. And we save you time by doing all the legwork, and making the reservation for you. A study by PhoCusWright Inc., an independent market research firm, found that AAA.com consistently offers the lowest average hotel rates and best initial hotel rates when compared with other online providers. “While no hotel or travel company can claim it offers the best rate every time, members are much more likely to find a better rate at AAA.com,” said Jim Lehman, president, AAA East Central. The online audit reviewed rates for stays in a standard double room at AAA Diamond® Rated properties in the top 20 U.S. metro areas for leisure travel. They found AAA was likely to have the best rate a whooping 66% of the time. “This study reconfirms what we have known all along: that AAA consistently offers the best rate and value to travelers,” said Lehman.

system to take the guesswork out of booking a room. Whether you’re looking for a luxury resort or a cozy bed & breakfast, check out our complete list of nearly 58,000 Approved and Diamond Rated hotels and restaurants. You’ll be sure to find accommodations that fit your budget and your travel plans from these AAA staff-reviewed and rated accommodations. Each property listed is selected only after a thorough, unannounced evaluation by AAA Inspectors. Since listings are provided free of charge to AAA Approved® establishments, you can be assured that they were selected on the basis of merit alone.

A PERFECT FIT — AAA offers thousands of hotels rooms of all shapes, sizes and budgets. Members who book through AAA.com automatically receive the best rates at Best Western Hotels & Resorts; the Hilton family of brands, including Hampton, Double Tree and Embassy Suites; Hyatt Hotels; the Marriott family of brands, including Courtyard, Fairfield Inn & Suites; Starwood, including Westin, Sheraton and Four Points; and MGM Resorts. Just click on AAA.com; or call toll-free (866) AAA-SAVE (866-222-7283) — and receive the best rate plus a satisfac-

tion guarantee at any of AAA’s lodging partners. Plus no other site can match AAA’s portfolio of trip planning tools like the AAA Mobile® app for tablets and smartphones; the desktop and mobile versions of the TripTik® Travel Planner online mapping and routing tool, searchable Travel Guides on AAA.com and AAA TourBook® guides available free to members at AAA offices. When choosing a hotel, depend on the AAA-approved Diamond Rating

THE DIAMOND RATING DIFFERENCE

♦ Budget-oriented, offering basic comfort and hospitality. ♦♦ Affordable, with modestly enhanced facilities, decor and amenities. ♦♦♦ Distinguished, multifaceted with enhanced physical attributes, amenities and guest comforts. ♦♦♦♦ Refined, stylish with upscale physical attributes, extensive amenities and a high degree of hospitality, service and attention to detail. ♦♦♦♦♦ Ultimate luxury, sophistication and comfort with extraordinary physical attributes, meticulous personalized service, extensive amenities and impeccable standards of excellence.

JULY 2016

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Follow your own path in New Mexico Explore the sacred sites and spirits of Taos

estled in the shadow of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, Taos has long been a magnet for those seeking creative or spiritual inspiration. Located about an hour north of Santa Fe, the drive along Highway 76 is known as the “High Road to Taos” — a spectacular route through Old Spanish villages and gorgeous Georgia O’Keeffe-style landscapes. The Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway is an 86-mile drive through the southern Rockies filled with mountain vistas, thick evergreen forests, and abundant wildlife. Named one National Geographic’s “Best Fall Trips” stops include the D.H. Lawrence Ranch and the former mining town of Red River. The Valle Vidal unit of Carson National Forest has been called the Yellowstone of New Mexico and is home to one of the largest elk herds in the state. Recently named as one of America’s “Coolest Desert Towns” by Travel & Leisure, the old storefronts in historic Taos Plaza have been transformed into galleries, restaurants and boutiques. The Kit Carson Park and Cemetery is the final resting place of the famed frontiersman and other must-sees include the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, towering 650 feet above the river. Many visitors are captivated by the town’s metaphysical attractions such as Taos Pueblo, San Francisco de Asis

BUILT TO LAST — Taos Pueblo is approximately 1,000 years old. Photo: Debbi Lujan.

Church, and the seven area labyrinths. Labyrinths have been around for more than 4,000 years and are said to help in the search for wisdom and peace. Unlike a maze, which has many confusing paths, labyrinths have only one path that leads to the center and back. Taos means “place of red willows” in the Northern Tiwa language, and

Taos Pueblo is the only living Native American community designated as both a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark. The Pueblo is made entirely of adobe — earth mixed with water and straw — then made into sun-dried bricks. The walls can be several feet thick. It’s no surprise that San Francisco de

Asis Church is the most painted church in America. With its massive adobe buttresses, vigas and hand-carved corbels, the 18th century church has drawn the creative eye of Georgia O’Keeffe, Ansel Adams and many others who have tried to encapsulate its enigmatic and spiritual qualities. Inside the church is the “Shadow of the Cross” — a mysterious painting by 19th century Canadian artist Henry Ault. In the daylight the eight-foot painting appears to be an unremarkable image of Jesus standing on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. When the lights are turned off, the painting begins to glow with an eerie luminescence and some say a very faint, nearly imperceptible halo appears above his head. About 40 miles south of Taos is Chimayó, New Mexico’s most visited religious shrine. The El Santuario de Chimayó church is said to have been built on sacred earth and possess miraculous healing powers. Taos is also famous for its Hum, a low-frequency noise that can be heard by only a few. Attempts to measure the sound have turned up nothing unusual.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

See the Departures Guide or log on to AAA.com/travelplanner for great vacation ideas from AAA.

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Breathe easier with a new cabin filter Clean the air inside your vehicle for a healthier ride

oadside air — especially along busy roads and highways — contains high levels of dust, soot and smog whose harmful effects have been well documented. And those who suffer from seasonal allergies will be all too familiar with itchy, runny noses, teary eyes, sneezing and congestion. To protect against these irritants and pollutants, modern vehicles utilize a cabin air filter, which acts much like the filter in your home’s heating system — trapping dust, dirt and grime from the road and pumping clean air into the passenger compartment. The cabin air filter goes by many names. It may also be called the pollen filter, air-conditioning filter, passenger compartment air filter, interior ventilation filter or dust filter. It’s engineered to capture and hold even the finest particles of contaminants such as dust, soot, pollen, fungus and bacteria. Over time, however, the cabin air filter can get clogged and actually multiply the dangers. Pollen and harmful substances inside a vehicle can be up to six times more concentrated than outside the car. Yet many drivers have no idea that their vehicle either has one, where it is located, or what purpose it serves. Signs that it may be time to replace the filter include windows steaming up more quickly, more dust

NO MORE BAD AIR DAYS — Audi’s new Q2 filters remove more fine particulates and impurities. Photo courtesy Audi. gathering inside the vehicle, or a musty smell inside the vehicle. Carmakers are also beginning to take interior air quality a lot more seriously. Tesla claims its Bioweapon Defense Mode on the Model S and Model X can literally survive a military grade bio attack. Inspired by the air filtration systems used in hospitals, clean rooms,

and the space industry, they developed a HEPA filtration system capable of stripping the outside air of pollen, bacteria, and pollution before they enter the cabin. It systematically scrubs the air inside the cabin as well to eliminate any trace of these particles. Tesla says the system is hundreds of times more efficient than standard

and into some of the most spectacular scenery. The yard sale starts (or ends) on Route 879 in Shawville and snakes through Lecontes Mills, Frenchville, Keewaydin, Karthaus, Pine Glen, Sinnemahoning, Drift Wood, Benezette and Medix Run. For information, call 814-263-4418, or visit visitquehannaarea.com. WATERFORD DAYS — (July 15-17) This 42nd annual celebration of Waterford’s rich heritage dates back to 1795. It’s three days of festive fun, including craft and food vendors, re-enactors and a parade. For information, visit waterforddays. com. Location: Waterford Borough Gazebo and parks, Waterford. WESBURY CHICKEN BBQ & CRAFT FAIR — (July 17) An annual event, held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. includes Family Fun Zone with games and train rides, outdoor and indoor entertainment, crafters and other vendors, and an antique and classic car cruise in. In addition, the Sunset Auxiliary holds its annual rummage, book and bake sale. Chicken and rib dinners, including several side dishes and homemade pie or cake, are for sale. For information, visit wesbury.com or call 814-3329264. Location: Wesbury, 31 N. Park Avenue, Meadville. NORTH EAST FIREMEN’S CHERRY FESTIVAL — (July 19-23) The annual

festival features a new midway with ultra-modern rides, plus cherry pies and the Original Cherry Festival Sausage Sandwich. The Cherry Queen is crowned Thursday at 7 p.m. A parade of bands, floats and emergency equipment will take place on Saturday at 4 p.m. in downtown North East. It’s said to be the largest volunteer firemen’s parade in Pennsylvania. For information, call 814-725-5616 or visit necherryfestival.com. Location: Gibson Park, Heard Park, Downtown North East. DISCOVER PRESQUE ISLE — (July 29-31) Celebrating its 25th year, the annual three-day Discover Presque Isle event’s purpose is to bring awareness of the park’s diverse natural ecosystems and the recreational opportunities offered there, and educate visitors on the importance of preserving our natural environment. There will be an arts and crafts show, family-friendly nature awareness activities, live music on the beach and a sand sculpture competition, and giant bonfire. Visitors can visit the lighthouse, take a free boat tour of the lagoons and learn about the flora and fauna that inhabit the park. For information, visit discoverpi.com. Location: Presque Isle State Park, Erie. DAN RICE DAYS — (August 4-6) The

automotive filters, capable of providing the best possible cabin air quality no matter what is happening in the environment around them. In June, select Audi models began rolling off the assembly line with a high tech new air conditioning filter. Available in the Audi A1, A3, Q2, Q3 and TT models the three-layer filter not only removes fine particulates and harmful gases from the air, it also neutralizes a majority of allergens. Existing owners can also have their cars retrofitted with the new filter Checking and replacing a vehicle’s cabin air filter according to the manufacturer’s specifications keeps environmental contaminants from entering the interior of the vehicle and aggravating seasonal allergies, asthma and other respiratory conditions. The level of difficulty widely varies with the make and model of your vehicle, so it’s important to know where your cabin filter is located before you have it replaced professionally or decide to tackle it yourself.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

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

aroundtown EMLENTON SUMMER FESTIVAL — (July 8-10) Three days of family-friendly events, including junior fishing derby, lumberjack show, raft race, scavenger hunt, kids’ bike race, frog jumping and hot dog eating contests, rubber ducky race, parade and fireworks on Saturday, 5K walk/run for adults and mini-marathon for kids on Sunday, and lots of food and crafts vendors all weekend long. For information and schedule, visit emlentonpa.com. Location: Hughes Park, Emlenton. HARLEY-DAVIDSON OF ERIE BIKEFEST — (July 9-17) This festival celebrates the best of the HarleyDavidson lifestyle and experience. Harley enthusiasts will enjoy over a week of motorcycle-related activities that include rides throughout the scenic countryside of northwest Pennsylvania, western New York and eastern Ohio, as well as food and beverages, live entertainment, motorcycle industry vendors, music, contests and more. For information, visit hderiebikefest.com. Location: Various venues around Erie. 100-MILE YARD SALE — (July 15-16) Yard sales as far as the eye can see! The 100 mile route through Elk, Clearfield and Cameron counties takes you through the largest wild area in the Eastern part of the U.S.

charismatic circus owner and Girard native Dan Rice is celebrated in this annual event, now in its 51st year. Three fun-filled days include bike rodeo, bike patrol with the police department, bath rub races, crafters in the park, live entertainment, wine and cheese tasting, photo contest, family street dance, Amish bake sale, 5K race and more. Parade begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Girard High School and ends at Church Street. For information, visit danricedays.com. Location: downtown Girard. CAMERON COUNTY FAIR — (August 7-13) A true country fair with a 100-year-plus history includes carnival rides, tractor pull, bubble gum blowing contest, stick horse rodeo, live entertainment, pet parade, talent show, “redneck” games, horseshoe tournament, and more. For information, visit cameroncountyfair.org. Location: Cameron County Fairgrounds, Route 46 North, Emporium. 33RD ANNUAL LAKE ERIE FANFARE — (August 8) Enjoy rousing performances by a variety of drum and bugle corps from around the country. Time: 6:30 p.m. For tickets and information, visit leregiment.org or dci.org or call 814-4565300. Location: Veterans Memorial Stadium, 26th and State Street, Erie.

JULY 2016

AAA MOTORIST

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AAA MOTORIST

JULY 2016