May sco 2016

SEE PAGE 3

Vol. 29 No. 3

OHIO/WEST VIRGINIA REGION

Celebrate the centennial of the National Park Service!

AAA Anywhere, Anytime with AAA Mobile App

MEMBERS SAVE! Premier: $100 Plus: $75 Classic: $50 SEE RESTRICTIONS IN BOX BELOW.

GRAND CANYON NP Mark Lellouch, NPS

© DinoZ - Fotolia.com

Anniversary shines light on vacation oases right in America’s “backyard”

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early 60 national parks await your discovery in 2016, a big milestone for the US National Park Service.

From Acadia in Maine to Zion in Utah, America’s federally protected zones of natural beauty make ideal family vacation destinations that are also affordable, fun alternatives to overseas travel. No passports, language issues or currency exchanging!

Between May 1 & May 31,

visit AAA Travel to find a AAA Vacations®-branded national park package of 7 nights or longer that suits your travel style & budget and enjoy great member-only savings of up to $100 per room, double occupancy!

This Land Is Your Land The eruption of Old Faithful geyser in Yellowstone National Park is drama at its best and, once you’ve seen it, it’s impossible to forget it. It’s also easy to see why, in 1872, © Silvy K. / Fotolia.com

Limited-time member-only offer exclusively from AAA East Central

Up to $100.00 off national park vacations!

New bookings with deposit May 1-31, 2016. Savings per room, double occupancy.

Valid only on AAA Vacations®–branded packages of 7 nights or longer and on the “Mighty 5 & More” Celebration Featured Vacation. See page 19.

MAY/JUNE 2016

Congress made the effort to protect the area from settlements by designating the region America’s first national park. That effort grew into a larger movement to preserve these kinds of sites, where the natural beauty inspires and educates visitors, and eventually led to the creation of the National Park Service (NPS), established by an act signed

by Woodrow Wilson on Aug 25, 1916.

Today, the NPS also administers national monuments, recreation areas, seashores, lakeshores and historic parks & memorials. Its programs focus on wildlife conservation, natural resources and outdoor recreation. Its 408 sites cover more than 84 million acres.

There’s a NPS site in every state, the District of Columbia, Guam, American Samoa, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Here are just 3 of the many national-park-centered tours available from AAA Travel: “Cowboy Country” The guided 8-day “Cowboy Country” (June through August departures) from Tauck Bridges is the ultimate family getaway in South continued on page 19

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

AAA MEMBERS SAVE 40% ON CARFAX VEHICLE HISTORY REPORTS

With our free AAA Mobile app, members can enjoy your favorite time- and money-saving AAA services, such as Roadside Assistance, member discounts, maps, gas prices, driving directions, and more right from the palm of your hand.

Book hotel rooms, rental cars, and flights right from your mobile device. Plus, the app’s TripTik® Travel Planner provides interactive maps, turn-byturn navigation, and guides to points of interests, campgrounds, and more 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. New functionality now enables Apple Watch owners to quickly and easily find the nearest gas station or the cheapest fuel with 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.

Get the free AAA Mobile App now to get access to these and other great features.

AAA Mobile delivers the total mobile member experience. For more information or to download the AAA Mobile app, visit the AAA Mobile Solutions page at AAA.com/Mobile or Text APP15 to 99000 and you’ll receive a link to download the app.

AAA StartSmart Website Updated The website for AAA’s StartSmart program recently was revamped to feature updated technology and mobile compatibility. Designed to help parents prepare their teens for driving, the StartSmart Online Parent Session provides easy access to the most useful parenting practices for supervising and managing a teen driver. StartSmart also delivers e-mail newsletters to subscribers at key points in the licensing process. The website supplements the newsletters by providing video content, training manuals, a two-hour parent workshop and driving-related “Zits” comic strips. For more information visit TeenDriving.AAA.com.

Follow Us on Facebook Frequently posted topics include: AAA.com website features, travel specials, online discounts, gas price information, safety tips, car care advice and upcoming events. Visit Facebook.com/AAAEastCentral to start following AAA East Central today.

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.

A Winter Wonderland in the Canadian Rockies There’s no view like the view from Canada’s rooftop and winter in the Canadian Rockies is a time for celebration. See amazing ice sculptures at the Lake Louise Ice Magic Festival, witness the glacier-clad monoliths on the Icefields Parkway, known as “20 Switzerlands in one.” Try dog-sledding or snowshoeing, and board an Ice Explorer for a memorable trek over the Columbia Icefield.

Revel in the lap of luxury at the legendary Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. The fires are roaring, the Northern Lights dance across the night sky and there’s a spot for you on AAA Travel’s Canada’s Winter Wonderland Tour, Jan. 9–15, 2017. SEE PAGE 9.

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AAA MOTORIST

AAA Member Rewards VISA is the card for all seasons Color your world with a $50 statement credit

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etail insiders know that spring can be a great season for bargain shoppers on the hunt for deals on refrigerators and mattresses (because new models come out in June), luggage (in the lull before summer vacations) and grill accessories (but not grills). Something about spring merchandising helps lure us out of hibernation.

Spring colors perk up consumers ready to brighten their surroundings and shift to a sunnier seasonal palette.

Psychologists have found that color can be a huge driver for shoppers. More than 80 percent of participants in a recent survey reported that color is a primary reason they choose a product.

Here are a few predictions that may color your shopping decisions this spring: Color me house-proud. In spring, homeowners hit the nurseries and home improvement stores to prepare for landscaping and remodeling. Some of that sprucing up may be because spring is also the most popular time to put a house on the market. PPG Pittsburgh Paints, named Paradise Found (PPG1135-5) as its 2016 Color of the Year. It’s a serious green that is nurturing as well as sturdy and protective with very little undertone of blue. As AAA’s newest Discounts & Rewards Partner PPG Paints now offers AAA members 25 percent savings on retail paint and 15 percent on sundries at more than 600 PPG Paints stores throughout the U.S.

MAY 2016

AAA DIRECTORY INTERNET WEB SITE: www.AAA.com AAA MEMBER SERVICES

triptiks, tourbooks, maps, license, address change

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: PA/WV: 1-800-207-7947 OH: 1-800-589-8308.

MEDIA RELATIONS: 412-365-7157 PUBLIC AFFAIRS: 216-606-6701 SAFETY: 412-365-7211 DRIVER EDUCATION 800-329-2415 TDD for the hearing-impaired: 412-363-7144

MORE REWARDING — From now through May 30th, new cardholders can earn a $50 statement credit.

Soft is the new black. Discounts on items for your spring wardrobe are most likely mid-season. Welcoming colors that psychologically fulfill our yearning for reassurance and security are becoming more prominent. The fashion-forward will be stocking their closets with sunny shades such as buttercup yellow and a spectrum of softer hues, such as rose, peach, sky blue and lilac.

How do we know? Because that is the color palette forecast by the Pantone Institute of Color™. For the past 15 years, this organization predicted color

trends and designated a Color of the Year. In 2016, a blending of two shades — Rose Quartz, a warm embracing rose tone, and Serenity, a cool, tranquil blue — were chosen. When Pantone speaks, fashion, home décor, automotive and product packaging experts take notice.

Big ticket paint jobs. When tax refunds hit bank accounts many people make big purchases, such as cars and appliances. Which paint jobs will pop in 2016?

Expect the top four car colors — white, black, grey and silver — to remain popular. However, PPG Industries predicts we will see more neutrals with a sparkle, metallic orange, and grey with a strong undertone of green. Stainless steel will remain the number one choice in appliances, but new options will include sleek black stainless finishes, icy white and a warm gray metallic that GE calls “slate.”

AAA Member Rewards VISA shines every season. No matter what you will be buying this spring, it is rewarding to shop with your AAA Member Rewards Visa® credit card. That is especially true now through May 30. New cardholders who make at least $250 in purchases the first 90 days their account is open get a $50 statement credit. All cardholders continue to earn points they can redeem for cash back on purchases. Earn 3 points per $1 on qualifying AAA and travel purchases. Earn 2 points per $1 on gas, grocery store and drugstore purchases. Earn 1 point per $1 on purchases everywhere else. Categories won’t change and there is no limit on the points you can earn.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Ask a AAA staff associate about the AAA Member Rewards Visa credit card or apply for your new card at AAA.com/ creditcard. For information about rates, fees, other costs and benefits associated with the use of this credit card, or to apply, visit the website above or any AAA branch and refer to the disclosures accompanying the application.

AAA BRANCH OFFICE LOCATIONS ATHENS, OH 130 E. State St. ...................740-593-6677 BRIDGEPORT, WV 138 Barnett Run Rd............304-842-2221 CHILLICOTHE, OH 141 W. Main St. ..................740-702-3838 COLUMBIANA, OH 118 South Main Street.......330-482-3836 EAST LIVERPOOL, OH 516 Broadway ....................330-385-2020 GALLIPOLIS, OH 360 Second Ave. .................740-446-0699 HILLSBORO, OH 125 W. Main St. ..................937-393-3489 HUNTINGTON, WV 1126 Sixth Ave. ..................304-523-6423 IRONTON, OH 624 S. Fourth St..................740-532-3242 JACKSON, OH 126 E. Gay St. .....................740-286-5077 LOGAN, OH 82 W. Main St. ....................740-385-8595 MARTINSBURG, WV 284 Retail Commons Parkway. .............................304-263-4619 MORGANTOWN, WV 482 Suncrest Towne Centre Drive ...... 304-598-7470 PORTSMOUTH, OH 1414 Twelfth St. ................740-354-5614 VIENNA, WV 1100 Ninth St., Unit D........304-295-7101 WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE, OH 334 E. Court St. ..................740-335-3950 WAVERLY, OH 217 W. Emmitt Ave. ...........740-947-7775 WEIRTON, WV 3126 West St. .....................304-748-1616 WHEELING, WV 846 National Rd. . ..............304-233-1810

MAY 2016

AAA MOTORIST

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Shopping for a good used car? Start at AAA.com AAA members save 40% on CARFAX Vehicle History Reports Ohio/West Virginia Official publication of AAA East Central Published bi-monthly by AAA East Central 1414 Twelfth Street Portsmouth, OH 45662-4235 USPS 0016-186 ISSN 1097-4504 Periodicals Postage Paid at Portsmouth, OH and additional mailing office Postmaster: Send address changes to AAA Motorist South Central Ohio 1414 Twelfth St., Portsmouth OH 45662-4235 Subscription Rate: $1 included in Primary Membership dues. All others: $2/year.

Publisher.................................. James E. Lehman Managing Editor ............................Doug O’Neil Ohio Editor ............................. Babbette L. Bays Editorial Offices 1414 Twelfth Street Portsmouth, OH 45662-4235 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

SCO Chairman ..................................James F. Ward SCO Regional President ...........Michael A. Morgan Advisory Board Nolan Borden, Marianne B. Campbell, Robert Cannon, Robert H. Compton, Jeffrey Daubenmire, James Doersam, Jack G. Ellis, Jeffrey Griffith, John G. Jones, Jeri Knowlton, Ernest McFarland, Robert L. Morton, Jay Murphy, Tom Reed, Ronald Swonger, William Thompson, James F. Ward, Joseph B. Yanity Jr.

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 Mike Morgan, President AAA South Central Ohio ou already rely on AAA for peace of mind on the road.

Now take that same level of confidence into your next used car buying experience. Just make sure to do your homework before handing over your hard-earned cash.

A CARFAX® Vehicle History Report™ is a good first step in protecting yourself against buying a used car with costly or hidden repair problems.

CARFAX® Vehicle History Reports™ are now available to AAA members at a substantial discount. AAA Classic and AAA Plus® members are entitled to a 20 percent discount — that’s a savings of $8 off the regular retail price of $39.99 on the purchase of a single CARFAX® Vehicle History Report™ when they order it online at AAA.com/CarfaxReport. There is also a five-report package and an unlimited report option available at equally significant savings!

AAA Premier® members are entitled to one free CARFAX® Vehicle History Report™ per household, per membership year. To request their free vehicle history report, AAA Premier® members must call the toll-free AAA Premier Member Hotline number printed on their membership card and select menu option number four. Subsequent reports are available at a 40 percent discount off the regular retail price and can be ordered online at AAA.com/CarfaxReport.

The leading source of vehicle his-

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Mike Morgan tory information for buyers and sellers of used cars CARFAX® offers the most comprehensive vehicle history database in North America. In fact, millions of consumers trust CARFAX® to provide them with vehicle history information every year. CARFAX® receives information from more than 91,000 data sources, including every U.S. and Canadian provincial motor vehicle agency, plus many auto auctions, fire and police departments, collision repair facilities, fleet management and rental agencies.

CARFAX® Vehicle History Reports™ are available on every used car and light truck model year 1981 or later using the unique 17-character vehicle identification number (VIN). Each

CARFAX® Vehicle History Report™ contains a wealth of valuable information that can impact a consumer’s buying decision such as: • Title information, including salvaged, rebuilt, or junked titles; • Flood damage history; • Total loss accident history; • Odometer readings including mileage rollbacks or rollovers; • Lemon history; • Number of owners; • Accident indicators, such as airbag deployments and structural damage; • State emissions inspection results; • Service, inspection and registration history; • Warranty information; • Recall Information; • Vehicle use. (taxi, rental, lease, etc.)

Although CARFAX® can’t promise to have every repair or accident record for every vehicle, or that it hasn’t had its odometer rolled back; it does provide consumers with detailed, indepth ownership information. AAA still recommends having any prospective used car purchase checked out by a reputable repair facility — like those who participate AAA’s Approved Auto Repair program.

If you’re shopping for a used car, don’t waste time looking at vehicles with a less than desirable past. Start your search at AAA.com/CarfaxReport and filter your results by one-owner cars, accident history, cars with service records, and more. Find the right used car, at the right price, with the help of CARFAX® and AAA!

membersonly Hertz month means extra savings for AAA members Neighborhood locations make your summer getaway easier

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ay is Hertz month at AAA and members can save big on weekly rentals! AAA members save up to 20 percent with Hertz, plus an additional 15 percent on weekly rentals when Promotional Code #106746 is included in the reservation.

One of the benefits of AAA membership is the special package of savings available when you rent from Hertz. Exclusive AAA member benefits include free unlimited mileage on most rentals. Families receive free use of one child, infant or booster seat, a savings of $13.00 per day, and there’s no charge for an additional driver — a savings of $13.50 per day — if that driver is a AAA member and meets standard rental qualifications.

Rent a NeverLost GPS for just $6.99 per day; save 50 percent off SIRIUS XM radio fees; and 10 percent off the Fuel Purchase Option. Purchase a tank of gas from Hertz at local prices and eliminate the hassle of rushing around trying to find a gas station before returning your car!

And every rental can be as good as gold. Hertz’ free Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® loyalty program helps AAA members fast-forward their car rental experience. Just show your license and pick-up your keys at the designated Gold counter at over 4,000 locations worldwide. Choose a car you like better on the spot with Hertz Gold Choice® and enjoy expedited drop-off with eReturn. Receive vehicle updates or select an upgrade right from your phone with Mobile Gold Alerts.

In a recent program enhancement AAA members can now sign up for Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® right at Hertz rental counters. Hertz has over 2,700 locations off-airport, bringing the car rental experience right to your doorstep.

You’ll earn one Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® point for every qualifying U.S. dollar spent on Hertz rentals and optional services worldwide. After their first Gold rental, AAA Classic and Plus members collect enough Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Bonus Points, for one free rental day. AAA Premier

members, earn points good for two free rental days.

Hertz Gold Plus Rewards recently swept top honors at the 2016 FlyerTalk Awards, winning in every category and geographic region of the Drive Group. The awards are held annually and determined by the FlyerTalk community, a group of over 600,000 frequent business and leisure travelers.

The community is dedicated to finding and sharing elite-level knowledge of airline, hotel and car rental affinity programs, and voted Hertz Gold Plus Rewards the top worldwide car rental loyalty program for the fifth consecutive year.

Enjoy these Hertz Month savings on weekly rentals on all car classes (excluding Dream Cars) at participating locations in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico. Offer is valid for vehicle pickup through June 30, 2016. For additional details see the Hertz ad in this issue. Contact your local AAA travel office, visit AAA.com/ Hertz or call 800-654-3080 to reserve your Hertz vehicle!

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Buying a house? Here’s some help for new homebuyers What you need to know now about homeowners insurance

By Robin Jones f you’re shopping for a home, you might be looking for something with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, an updated kitchen, and a big backyard for the kids and the dog.

Add one more thing to that list: good homeowners insurance.

That’s because when you’re in escrow, your mortgage lender will require you to buy a policy before the sale is final.

Since your new home is likely to become your most valuable asset, it’s important to understand the types of coverage that are available so you can decide the kind and amount of insurance that is right for you. It’s also helpful to be aware of insurability issues.

Coverage to consider — A standard homeowners policy covers the dwelling, additional structures, personal property, and loss of use should your home become uninhabitable due to a covered loss. It also provides you with some liability coverage if someone gets hurt on your property. Be sure to ask your insurance agent about the various types of homeowners policies available, along with the different coverage and premiums associated with them. When the need arises, you don’t want to be surprised that the coverage you have is not what you expected.

Also, know that most insurance policies may not cover losses from certain natural disasters, but government agencies or specialized insurance companies

by insurer, many carriers consider certain common factors. First, insurers usually look at the prior claims history of the applicant and the home he or she is seeking to insure. Second, they may consider any characteristic of the home or property that could create a liability issue. That might be a broken handrail, uneven pavement, or a swimming pool without a safety fence.

Depending on the age of a house or its prior loss history, an insurance company may require a home inspection before the buyer can obtain a homeowners policy. If an inspection is required, the inspector may also look for evidence of prior damage—for instance, a stain on the ceiling indicating that the roof is leaking or any wall or floor damage pointing to water seepage or leaks. With all the headaches of buying a new home, good homeowners insurance can bring peace of mind to the process.

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A SMART DECISION —The right insurance for new home buyers can bring peace of mind. offer plans that are worth considering— and might even be required, if your home is in a designated high-risk flood zone, for example.

Many insurers offer a multi policy discount, so it may be a good idea to have both your auto and home insurance policies with the same company.

Insurability issues — Insurance com-

panies will look at “acceptability criteria” when they decide whether or not to insure a home. The criteria include things such as the type of construction (e.g., wood or masonry), the type of roof (e.g., composite shingle or tile), and the use of the dwelling (owneroccupied or rented out).

While the acceptability criteria vary

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 866.802.8210, or visit AAA.com/insurance for more information or to schedule a comprehensive Insurance review. AAA – your trusted insurance advisor.

MAY 2016

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© Peter Cox / Fotolia.com

MAY 2016

Member Benefits • Exclusive Offers

1-800-354-8761 • AAA.com/travel

CANADA’S WINTER WONDERLAND! S

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VA

CA

Photo: Banff Lake Louise Tourism /Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

during this under-appreciated but oh-so-cool season

ATURE

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FE

Embrace dazzling natural beauty and distinct experiences

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MEMBERS SAVE! Premier....... $525 Plus ............ $475 Classic ......... $425 NEW BOOKINGS WITH DEPOSIT BY 5/31/16. PER ROOM, DOUBLE OCCUPANCY.

Ice, Ice, Baby!

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 musher’s sled drawn

by Alaskan Huskies thrilled to be out on the trail!

Tired of “typical”? Here’s a unique off-season vacation you’ll never forget — a January getaway to a stunning corner of Canada transformed into a wonderland of white-frosted evergreens and crystal-blue skies, where locals celebrate the season with enthusiasm and welcome you to join them in warming up to the joys of winter.

From Edmonton to Calgary, discover the sparkling wonders of Alberta — the towering snow-clad peaks of the Canadian Rockies, spectacular Maligne Canyon (more than 160 feet deep) in Jasper National Park, Icefields Parkway (which parallels the Continental Divide and from which the Columbia Icefield and wildlife may be seen), postcard-perfect Lake Louise and the alpine resort-town feel of Banff.

Along the way, you’re invited to partake in exciting activities and experiences designed to enlighten and create lifelong memories — from dog-sledding to icewalking or snowshoeing to horse-drawn-sleigh riding. You can even gear up at Lake Louise for a spin around what’s surely one of the world’s most magnificent settings for ice skating. Savor a native peoples–themed dinner to find out what a meal was like centuries ago. Visit a local specialist to view and learn about ammolite, a rare opal-like gemstone found only in southern Alberta. And step into a fascinating world of art and ice at the Ice Magic Festival, where skilled artisans carve incredible sculptures featuring the smallest details from huge blocks of ice.

Stay comfortable and cozy in style and luxury, including 2 nights at the Fairmont Château Lake Louise (modeled after a Victorian lodge and surrounded by soaring peaks) and 1 at the Fairmont Banff Springs (a short stroll from the town of Banff), both originally built as Canadian Pacific Railway hotels. You’ll also enjoy a night in Edmonton and 2 nights in Jasper.

Jan 9-15 •

Photo: Banff Lake Louise Tourism /Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

AAA Member Rate: from $3,214

Before-discount rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes flights (Columbus-Edmonton, Calgary-Columbus), 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.

BRAND-NEW TOUR!

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AAA MOTORIST

MAY 2016

Never cruised before?

This is for you!

© Mariusz Blach / Fotolia.com

Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

Cruising is the perfect way to relax in comfortable, elegant surroundings; visit exotic destinations; meet new friends; and enjoy fantastic food.

Cruises are fundamentally hassle-free...but, for those on their first cruise, it can feel like entering a world of “unknowns.” To help first-time cruising “newcomers” get their sea legs, here’s some useful information: Do a bit of homework.

There was a time when cruising meant a flight to Miami and a slow boat to the Caribbean.

Now there are endless destinations to choose from — from Asia to Antarctica — and many regional departure points, so take the time to find your perfect cruise itinerary. As an alternative to flying to a far-off departure city, you might consider driving or motorcoaching to a closer port (New York/New Jersey, Baltimore, etc), which could save you money and stress.

Cruise fare includes accommodations, meals in main dining venues, activities (including children’s programs) and nighttime entertainment — not to mention transportation from port to port. When you factor in all of the costs you’d incur on a land vacation, as well as the great deals you can currently find on cruise travel, you’ll discover that you can actually save by booking a cruise, compared to a land-based vacation.

Ships come in a variety of sizes and personalities. You’ll find a myriad of ship variations — big, small, explorer-oriented, decadent luxury, family-friendly — and one that’s right for you!

Consider splurging on a balcony stateroom; this semi-private relaxation area affords expansive ocean vistas and potentially spectacular sunrises and sunsets that can make the extra cost well worth it.

Pack just what you need.

According to some estimates, many first-time cruisers pack twice as many clothes as they need.

There’s no good reason to bring 15 pairs of shoes on a 7-day cruise. Rely on this: “When in doubt, leave it out.” Worst-case scenario: You can always pick up anything you absolutely need (but didn't bring or forgot to bring) on the ship or in a port of call on your journey.

Pack swim suits in a carry-on; it may take a

short while for luggage delivery to reach your stateroom. Visiting the pool can be a great timefiller until you can completely unpack.

Try new foods, new activities.

Seagoing gourmets can break bread in French or Italian bistros, sup in sea-view cafés, pork out in pizzerias or flambé at intimate restaurants branded by celebrity chefs. You can sample tableside cooking in dine-in wine cellars or graze on eclectic offerings from every part of the globe. Dining options include New York–style delis, patisseries, sushi bars and “steakhousestyle” supper clubs.

Consider pre-booking shore excursions. Most cruise lines allow you to pre-book sightseeing tours, scuba trips, etc, months in advance — saving time otherwise spent waiting in an onboard line — and ensuring the adventure isn’t sold out before you’re able to sign up. Be aware of the ship’s cancellation policy, just in case you change your mind once the vacation is under way.

Get involved.

All cruise ships offer plenty of onboard activities, so you can enjoy high-energy floor shows, flirt with Lady Luck in onboard casinos, dance cheek-to-cheek or savor the sea air on a moonlit stroll on deck. If you seek intellectual fulfillment, cruise lines offer onboard enrichment programs (on diverse topics such as language, music and cooking) and guest lecturers who are experts in their fields. There are even a growing number of theme cruises, where you can learn to dribble from an NBA star; explore art, music or food; or take driving lessons from a NASCAR champion.

You can participate in contests, do crafts, watch movies or simply grab a book and get a tan.

Keep fit.

Some say the average person gains about 5

pounds on a 1-week cruise. But, for those watching calories, be assured there are low-fat and often low-carb options on the menus, and buffets often offer some healthier choices.

Also, there’s a workout plan for everyone, and you can actually end up in even better physical condition than when you started. Fitness and spa facilities on most ships are equal to — and in many cases exceed — the best land-based facilities. Classes may include pilates, tai chi and kickboxing, and personal trainers are often available to offer customized exercise programs. Most ships have wooden promenade decks, and the invigorating sea air makes walking or jogging a breeze. Play some hoops or visit the ship’s gym, and there are always pools for soaking & swimming.

Stay connected...if you like.

Most ships have internet centers and shipboard Wi-Fi, so you can read e-mail and surf the web. Most offer CNN or some other cable news network on your in-room TV. You can make phone calls from the phone in your stateroom and from your cell phone as well (roaming charges apply).

Mind the clock...away from the dock.

With all the activities available on shore, it’s easy to lose track of time with all the sights, sounds and smells of a new destination. When you leave the ship, remember to be back in good time and that cruise lines typically use the 24-hour clock (where the day is divided into 24 hours, and 16:00 is not the same as 6:00pm).

Speak with a AAA travel agent.

AAA travel agents are cruise experts. For trip planning assistance, visit or call your local AAA Travel office.

Sample sailings ideal for “first-timers” NTS DATE

SHIP

ITINERARY & PORTS OF CALL

5

Aug 6

Anthem of the Seas BERMUDA: Roundtrip from Bayonne NJ

7

Aug 28 Liberty of the Seas

6

Oct 16 Celebrity Summit

6

Nov 13 Caribbean Princess

King’s Wharf, Bermuda; 2 days at sea

BALCONY STATEROOMS OR HIGHER

AAA VACATIONS® AMENITIES

$25.00 Onboard Credit* • Priority Check-in In-stateroom Champagne during cruise**

$25.00 ... ADDITIONAL S U PL ONBOARD CREDIT

WESTERN CARIBBEAN: Roundtrip from Galveston TX

$50.00 Onboard Credit* • Priority Check-in In-stateroom Champagne during cruise**

Philipsburg, St Maarten; Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas, 3 days at sea

EASTERN CARIBBEAN: Cape Liberty NJ to San Juan PR

$50.00 Onboard Credit* • Preferred Check-in on day of boarding Exclusive Wine-tasting Experience with Princess Sommelier

WESTERN CARIBBEAN: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale FL

$50.00 Onboard Credit* • Priority Check-in

Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; Cozumel, Mexico; 3 days at sea

$50.00

ADDITIONAL ONBOARD CREDIT

OUTSIDE STATEROOMS SELECT CRUISES OF 5+ NIGHTS BOOK & DEPOSIT MAY 1-31, 2016

Roatan, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; Cozumel, Mexico; 2 days at sea

*per stateroom **not available within 30 days of travel

MANY OTHER CRUISES ARE AVAILABLE. VISIT AAA TRAVEL AND SPEAK WITH AN AGENT.

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

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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

UNCOMMON CRUISES

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A cruise “veteran”? This is for you!

You’ve cruised before...and you loved it.

You’ve sailed the islands of the Caribbean... maybe even to Canada & New England.

And now you’re looking for something a little different.

Take a look below at some exciting and out-of-the-ordinary cruise vacation options available at AAA Travel.

Repositioning Cruises Birds do it, so do butterflies and whales. Even cruise ships migrate with the seasons. And for a growing number of savvy travelers, the change of seasons is a welcome signal to pack up and go on a repositioning cruise.

Repositioning cruises offer many advantages, including one-of-a-kind itineraries and a unique combination of ports. Passengers not only enjoy all the usual onboard amenities , many cruise lines enhance repositioning cruises with extra at-sea days, special themes and out-of-theordinary entertainment.

Cruise ships follow the sun. The most common repositioning cruises sail either north for the summer or south for the winter. In the fall, many return to the Caribbean from Europe.

Cooling fall temperatures can also signal hot cruise deals with a variety of special offseason and promotional rates, which can make a repositioning cruise a genuine bargain. This rare combination of exotic off-the-beaten-path locales, leisurely days at sea and incredible value means they often sell out early.

Transatlantic Crossings Transatlantic cruises once were the heart of daily commerce across the Atlantic Ocean, but today most transatlantic sailings take place when the cruise fleets migrate from the Caribbean to Europe and back during spring and fall. These crossings feature long tranquil days at sea along with one-of-a-kind port calls.

Down Under Cruises Koala bears, kangaroos and kiwi birds await cruisers who sail the ports of Australia

and New Zealand. Few travel experiences rival the excitement of sailing into Sydney and Auckland, the awe-inspiring scenery of Fiordland National Park and the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef, to name just a few.

Hawaii Cruises Cruising is the best way to experience Hawaii’s scenic splendor. Scattered like pearls around the North Pacific, the islands are a rich melange of people, cultures and cuisines with endless leisure opportunities. A garden of earthly delights where soothing green vistas are capped by towering volcanic peaks.

No doubt about it: The popularity of Hawaiian cruises is on the rise. Cruisers returning from the Aloha State typically rave about their experiences, fanning the flames of interest and sparking new “converts.” Who can resist sunshine-splashed days, star-filled nights, flower-scented breezes, jewel-tone waters?

Cruising around Hawaii’s 4 major islands is a stress- and hassle-free way to move from place to place. There’s absolutely no squandering precious vacation time. Settle into your stateroom — once — and that’s it.

Unpack just once (that alone is priceless!), and forget about lugging suitcases, scurrying for interisland flights, checking in & out of hotels and worrying about long security checks, delays and other hassles associated with airports.

Panama Canal Cruises The Panama Canal has been called the “Big Ditch” and the “8th Wonder of the Modern World.” The romance of crossing 2 oceans in a single day remains no less compelling than it

did centuries ago, when mariners first dreamed of carving a route through the narrow isthmus linking 2 continents. Travelers have marveled at this system of man-made channels, locks, dams and artificial lakes that connect the Pacific to the Atlantic. The canal is about 50 miles long, with an average transit time of 9 hours. Each of the locks has concrete walls 1,000 feet long and 81 feet high and is designed to raise giant ships 85 feet from sea to sea.

The Spanish first surveyed a canal route through the Isthmus of Panama in 1534, but it would be more than 300 years before construction finally began. A French company started digging in 1880, but the project went bankrupt. In 1902 the US purchased the French holdings in Panama for $40 million and the US Army Corps of Engineers were put in charge of construction. It would take 10 more years, $387 million and countless lives to complete.

River Cruises More travelers are discovering this exceptional travel “current” that takes you to (and into) destinations in ways no other tour can; river cruising is relaxing, exciting, even educational (in the most enjoyable way!). Luxurious liners glide in style into places ocean cruises can’t reach; enjoy more time to get an authentic sense of a place. Dock in the heart of a city; little time is needed to transfer to points of interest. Local entertainers may even board your vessel for cultural performances. River cruises average 130 guests (ocean liners host thousands); expect a quiet, intimate onboard atmosphere, with more space per person.

Samples of out-of-the-ordinary sailings

NTS DATE

7

SHIP

Sept 25 Celebrity Infinity

ITINERARY & PORTS OF CALL

AAA VACATIONS® AMENITIES

REPOSITIONING: Vancouver BC to San Francisco CA

$50.00 Onboard Credit* • Priority Check-in

Victoria, Seattle, Astoria, Catalina, San Diego, Monterey, 4 days at sea

16 Aug 28 Serenade of the Seas TRANSATLANTIC: Copenhagen DK to Boston MA

Oslo, Kristiansand, Isafjordur, Reykjavik, Akureyri, Halifax, 8 days at sea

13 Oct 4

Sun Princess

10 Sept 9 Celebrity Solstice 18 Sept 29 Oceania Insignia 7

Sept 30 AmaDolce

$100.00 Onboard Credit* • Priority Check-in In-stateroom Champagne during cruise

... $100.00 S U PL ADDITIONAL

Fjordland NP (cruising), Dunedin, Akaora, Picton, Wellington, Marlborough Sounds

NEW ZEALAND: Roundtrip from Sydney AUSTRALIA

$75.00 Onboard Credit* • Preferred Check-in on day of boarding Exclusive Wine-tasting Experience with Princess Sommelier

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS: Vancouver BC to Honolulu HI

$100.00 Onboard Credit* • Priority Check-in

PANAMA CANAL: Westbound Miami FL to Callao PE

$200.00 Onboard Credit* • Premium Wine-tasting Event plus complimentary bottle of wine from tasting menu

RIVER CRUISE: Roundtrip from Bordeaux FR

$75.00 Onboard Credit** • $100.00 discount** $150.00 Exclusive Member Benefit per person

Kailua-Kona & Hilo (Big Island of Hawaii), Lahaina (Maui), 5 days at sea

Key West, Cozumel, Costa Maya, Belize City , Roatan & 5 more ports, 4 days at sea Cadillac, Pauillac, Bourg, Libourne, Bordeaux

*per stateroom **per person, passengers 1 & 2

ONBOARD CREDIT

BALCONY STATEROOMS OR HIGHER

$50.00

ADDITIONAL ONBOARD CREDIT OUTSIDE STATEROOMS SELECT CRUISES OF 7+ NIGHTS BOOK & DEPOSIT MAY 1-31, 2016

MANY OTHER CRUISES ARE AVAILABLE. VISIT AAA TRAVEL AND SPEAK WITH AN AGENT.

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Glacier National Park Big Sky Circle Tour Going to the Sun Road Glacier Park Lodge

Yellowstone National Park Upper & Lower Loop Grant Village Lodge

Grand Teton National Park Jackson Hole WY Salt Lake City UT

Rome • The Colosseum • Assisi Perugia • Siena • Florence Chianti Winery • Venice Murano Island • Milan Oct 26–Nov 4 or Nov 7-16 AAA Member Rate: from $4,149

ASK ABOUT OTHER DEPARTURE DATES.

Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes flights (Columbus-Rome, Milan-Columbus), roundtrip airport/ hotel transfers, accommodations, hotel luggage handling (1 bag per person), 13 meals and a professional guide in Italy. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact a travel agent for details. Passport required.

Dec 12-16 AAA Member Rate: from $1,899

Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes flights (Columbus-San Antonio), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, hotel luggage handling (1 bag per person) and 6 meals.

Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact a travel agent for details.

•

$2,709

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Discover the many pleasures of the City by the Bay and enjoy excursions beyond to Muir Woods, Sausalito, the Marin Headlands, Treasure Island and the vineyards and wineries of Napa Valley. Enjoy ample free time in San Francisco to explore on your own and to participate in the Fleet Week festivities — you can choose to interact with sailors; tour amphibious carriers, destroyers and cruisers on the waterfront; and visit the festival Center on Marina Green for its Navy displays, live music and food trucks. Board a sternwheeler for a luncheon cruise during the Fleet Week Air Show featuring the Blue Angels! 7 meals.

ASK ABOUT OTHER DEPARTURE DATES.

VA

SOLD OUT 3 Sept 3-10 Aug 27–Sept • $3,139 Celebrate the 100th year of the National Park Service by roaming the home of the buffalo and discovering America’s wide-open spaces and iconic landmarks. Start in Salt Lake City and witness a Mormon Tabernacle Choir broadcast performance (choir schedule permitting).

Travel past Great Salt Lake, through Logan Canyon and beside Bear Lake. At Grand Teton National Park, take a scenic float trip on the Snake River. Visit Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs and other Yellowstone National Park sites. Enjoy historic Cody, the Buffalo Bill Center and a chuckwagon-style dinner. Marvel at Devil’s Tower, feel the Old West at Deadwood and enjoy the scenic Black Hills, Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse Monument.

After a Wildlife Jeep® Safari at Custer State Park to see buffalo (and more), end at the inspirational Mt Rushmore Evening Lighting Ceremony. 13 meals.

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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!

See the best of the West with AAA Travel AMERICAN MAJESTY

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Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, hotel accommodations, 15 meals, Amtrak train (roomette accommodations, Seattle to Glacier National Park), motorcoach sightseeing, taxes on included items and Amtrak Vacations tour escort. Ask about available add-on airfare.

Amtrak Empire Builder

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Some of the USA’s most beautiful national parks & a ride on Amtrak’s Empire Builder!

Explore a land rich in history, culture, art and romance.

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Featured Vacations: Near or far, always a great value!

Reflections of Italy AMTRAK & San Antonio

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“MIGHTY 5 & MORE” CELEBRATION

SOLD OUT Oct 11-19 Oct 18-26 • $3,845 Commemorate the centennial of the US National Park Service on a tour of some of the America’s best parks. After a night in fun-filled Las Vegas, travel past Lake Mead and Hoover Dam, visit Kingman’s Route 66 Museum and marvel at the magnificence of the Grand Canyon. Enter the Navajo Nation; stop at a trading post. See Lake Powell and Antelope Canyon. Enjoy a scenic cruise on Lake Powell, then take a 4-wheel-drive tour of Monument Valley. Experience Navajo culture.

Time for Utah’s “Mighty 5”: See amazing natural arches in Arches National Park. Dine at a dramatically located lodge on the Colorado River. A Jeep® tour of Canyonlands National Park reveals its beauty. Ride a jet boat on the Colorado River. See petroglyphs at Capitol Reef NP, the fairyland hues of Bryce Canyon National Park and the 2,000-foot-high stone towers of Zion National Park. 16 meals.

AAA MEMBER RATES are per person (double occupancy), are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip flights from Columbus, roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, meals as noted, hotel luggage handling (1 bag per person), sightseeing per itinerary, taxes/gratuities for included features, services of a AAA Tour Manager (upon arrival at destination, if participation goal is met). Visit AAA.com/USA for more information. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.

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

© Peter Cox / Fotolia.com

MAY 2016

AAA MOTORIST

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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

Why Travel Insurance from Allianz Global Assistance?

Imagine you’re waiting in the airport and the status of your connecting flight suddenly changes from “On-Time” to “Delayed.” At first it’s just by a few minutes…then it’s an hour…then two.

Before you know it, you’ve bought three cups of coffee, eaten dinner, and your flight is cancelled.

Now, you can either fork out more cash for a hotel or sleep next to the boarding gate.

No one likes to spend extra money. But anything can happen when you’re traveling, and the insurance offered through a tour operator or cruise line might not be as comprehensive as you think. Travel insurance, on the other hand, can protect you and your wallet from a wide array of travel-related problems and emergencies—freeing you up to enjoy your vacation.

Trip delays, interruptions, and cancellations can cause a lot of unexpected headaches and expenses. This is where travel insurance can help. It can cover the adjustments you need to make to get your trip back on track. And should something worse happen, like a medical emergency before you depart, it can reimburse you for the entire cost of your trip. Where a cruise line might give you a voucher, travel insurance can put cash back in your pocket.

Medical emergencies while overseas can happen to anyone, and most personal health

insurance policies (including Medicare) don’t offer coverage outside the U.S., which is why the State Department recommends travel insurance.

It can help you get emergency medical care while overseas and get back home after treatment. Plus, it usually comes with a higher amount of coverage than the insurance offered by tour operators.

Lost, damaged, or stolen luggage is a common problem that can put a damper on any vacation.

Have you ever arrived at your destination only to find that your luggage is missing? Making due without your stuff isn’t fun. Thankfully, travel insurance can protect you when other insurance options do not—covering up to hundreds of dollars in reimbursement if you need to purchase new clothes, toiletries, and other essentials for your trip right away.

Rental car accidents and break-ins can trigger a number of unexpected fees. You could be required to pay a deductible, compensate the rental company for financial losses, and your policy premium could go up. Travel insurance can protect you from all of these extra costs, and it’s usually cheaper than the insurance offered by the rental company.

As you can see, travel insurance is the smart choice for AAA members who want to be prepared for the unexpected while on vacation. If

you have any questions, or you need to purchase an insurance package for an upcoming trip, visit our travel insurance page or stop by your local AAA store.

Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Insurance products are underwritten by BCS Insurance Company or Jefferson Insurance Company. Plans may not be available in all jurisdictions. AGA Service Company is the licensed producer and administrator of these plans.

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Flip-flop Fridays!

Visit AAA Travel IN PERSON on any Friday in May & get a...

• FREE GIFT for a no-obligation quote on an allinclusive beach resort vacation from Pleasant Holidays • $100 DISCOUNT* when you book & make a deposit on an all-inclusive beach resort vacation of 7+ nights from Pleasant Holidays

Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

MYRTLE BEACH a top drive destination of AAA East Central members

BEACHFRONT CONDO-HOTELS 4+ nights at any of 4 top-rated luxury properties North Beach Plantation®  The Caribbean Resort & Villas  Compass Cove® Oceanfront Resort  The Breakers Resort 

AAA GUARANTEES THE BEST AVAILABLE RATES! GAS CARD OF UP TO $100 AND 2 AAA BEACH TOWELS FREE when you book & make a deposit May 1-31 on a stay of 4 nights or longer

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

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS *per room, double occupancy

Condo space AND hotel amenities

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 checkin 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 coming — call now!

LIMITED AVAILABILITY: Call the number below now for rates & dates.

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

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

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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

Car-free, carefree adventures

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Rates are per person (double occupancy for multiday tours), are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip motorcoach transportation from the Portsmouth 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.

LEAVE YOUR CAR AT HOME!

FOR MOTORCOACH TOURS, PLEASE CALL 1-800-887-1976 Mystery Tour

July 11-13 •

LUNENBURG

AAA Member Rate: $569

Depart for parts unknown to enjoy a specially prepared lunch, hear some area history and have a relaxing ride, all before check-in. Finish the first day by letting your light shine as you enjoy music & entertainment from local performers and then a unique dinner. Enjoy a blast from the past and a room with a view all before lunch. There’s free time in the afternoon to enjoy your surroundings, then have a heartwarming dinner, followed by more entertainment. Visit a couple of area attractions before departing for home to the third power. 7 meals.

Lancaster & Hershey PA

July 11-14 •

AAA Member Rate: $889

Your first stop is Chalk Talk with Elva Hurst at the Barnyard Art Studio & Gallery. Engage your senses through music, storytelling and the amazing chalk artistry of a former Old Order Mennonite woman who offers insights into Amish culture. Visit Kitchen Kettle Village’s 40 shops with local and name-brand favorites. Sight & Sound Theatre’s matinee of “Samson,” one of the Bible’s most captivating stories, offers colorful characters, extraordinary feats of strength and amazing special effects. Tour Kreider Farms, a working dairy farm. Visit The Hershey Story and the Museum Experience.

Dedicated to celebrating the life and legacy of Milton Hershey, this stateof-the-art facility tells his inspiring journey from failure to fortune, using interactive exhibits and hands-on activities. Visit the Museum Shop offering unique Hershey merchandise, hard-to-find sweets and distinctive souvenirs and keepsakes. Head over to Hershey’s Chocolate World for a simulated factory tour with time for shopping. 6 meals.

New York City NY: The Big Apple Aug 11-14 •

AAA Member Rate: $1,019

Check into newly renovated Edison Hotel, within walking distance of many popular Manhattan attractions. Get a city overview from the comfort of a motorcoach; see sights like Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, Times Square and the Theater District. In Lower Manhattan’s Battery Park, enter the reserved security line for quick access to the Liberty Island Ferry and then directly to the entrance of the Statue of Liberty. Enjoy an entertaining and informative audio tour of Liberty Island and the Statue.

Experience, just as millions of immigrants did a century ago, Ellis Island’s historic Baggage Room, Historic Great Hall and Railroad Ticket Office (now housing the Peopling of America® Exhibit). Visit the theater and enjoy the “Island of Hope, Island of Tears” documentary. Just outside the Great Hall is the American Immigrant Wall of Honor®; view more than 700,000 names and honor your family heritage at this National Monument. Enjoy more free time and then dinner at Langan’s. With a full day of free time, take in a sightseeing tour, see a Broadway show or use your vouchers for free admission to your choice of the American Museum of Natural History, the Museum of the City of New York, the New York Water Taxi Statue of Liberty Flex Pass, the Empire State Building Observatory, the Metropolitan Museum of Art or the Top of the Rock Observation Deck. 4 meals.

Two-Nation Vacation: New England & Nova Scotia Sept 10-18 •

AAA Member Rate: $2,299

Travel to New England. Upon arrival in Kennebunkport, take a narrated tour of the sandy beaches and rocky coastline and drive past the Bush estate at Walker’s Point; hear the history of shipbuilding towns and the legend

© PiLensPhoto / Fotolia.com

of the Wedding Cake House. See Franciscan Monastery’s beautiful landscaping, outdoor shrines and chapel. Enjoy a photo stop at Portland Head, Maine’s most photographed lighthouse. Board the fast ferry to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. The next day, meet a kilted tour guide and travel along the pristine south shore to Lunenburg, one of Canada’s prettiest towns and a World Heritage Site. Visit the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic. On the way to Halifax, the province’s capital, stop in Mahone Bay for a photo opportunity of 3 harborside churches, and at picturesque Peggy’s Cove lighthouse and its charming fishing village. Take an overview tour of Halifax, including its historic neighborhoods, tales of the Titanic recovery and the Halifax explosion and a photo stop atop Citadel Hill. Travel to Caribou to board the ferry to Prince Edward Island (PEI). Savor free time to shop & explore Charlottetown, PEI’s pristine and charming capital. Travel through PEI National Park and visit the Anne of Green Gables Heritage House, a national historic site. Cross Confederation Bridge — the world’s longest (9 miles) multi-span bridge, connecting PEI with New Brunswick. Continue sightseeing along the coastal route through Bay of Fundy National Park. Stop to see Hopewell Rocks, where high tides have carved flowerpots from the rocks; if the tide is low, walk along the ocean floor. Tour the highlights of the Loyalist City of Saint John; enjoy a photo stop at Reversing Falls. Travel back across the US/Canada border into northern Maine and on to Bangor (home to Paul Bunyan and Stephen King). Stop in Freeport, home of the L L Bean flagship store and many outlet shops. Overnight in Tewksbury MA and Lewisburg PA. 13 meals.

ADDITIONAL DEPARTURES June 11-16 ..... Michigan Potpourri........................................................ $1,469 Aug 21............ Reds vs LA Dodgers: Cincinnati OH ................................. $109 Sept 26-29 ..... National Quartet Convention & More: Tennessee .......... $799 Oct 6-9 ........... Chicago IL Highlights........................................................ $999 Nov 26............ Historic Lebanon OH: Christmas Shopping & Lights ....... $115

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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.

AAA.com

Linking you & your next vacation!

© Yuri Arcurs / Fotolia.com

FLIGHTS RENTAL CARS HOTELS Research & book travel arrangements from the comfort of your home – 24/7.

TRAVEL WITH SOMEONE YOU TRUST.®

Get up to $100.00 in perks!

NOW’S THE TIME!

Book & make a deposit by MAY 31 on a 2016 7-night-or-longer air-inclusive Pleasant Holidays vacation to HAWAII, MEXICO or the CARIBBEAN and enjoy:

$50 SAVINGS FROM AAA TRAVEL per room, based on double occupancy • new bookings May 1-31, 2016

PLUS

SIVE THIS EXCLU NEFIT! E MEMBER B

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

*At select Caribbean destinations, a $50 discount may apply (instead of a $50 activity voucher).

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JACKSON. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 740-286-5077 LOGAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 740-385-8595 PARKERSBURG/VIENNA . . . 304-295-7101 PORTSMOUTH . . . . . . . . . . 740-354-5614 WASHINGTON C H . . . . . . . 740-335-3950 WAVERLY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 740-947-7775

VA

ATHENS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 740-593-6677 CHILLICOTHE. . . . . . . . . . . . 740-702-3838 GALLIPOLIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . 740-446-0699 HILLSBORO . . . . . . . . . . . . . 937-393-3489 HUNTINGTON . . . . . . . . . . . 304-529-7107 IRONTON. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 740-532-3242

Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

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“You’ll never plough a field if you only turn it over in your mind”; and, in keeping with this Irish proverb, you’ll never appreciate the actual beauty, charm and fun of the Emerald Isle if you only dream about it.

Let AAA help you bring that dream to life on its “Irish Heritage & Dromoland Castle” escorted tour.

SPECIAL INCLUSION

DROMOLAND CASTLE Enjoy a farewell dinner at this elegant and luxurious fairytale castle hotel!

Limerick • Bunratty Castle: medieval banquet • Cliffs of Moher • Foynes Flying Boat Museum • Killarney National Park • Ring of Kerry • Valentia Island: Skellig Experience • Sneem • Moll’s Gap • Blarney: Castle, Woollen Mills • Cobh • Waterford • Wicklow Mountains • Dublin • Irish National Stud • Dromoland Castle

Oct 2-10 •

AAA Member Rate: $1,938

Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, 13 meals (including medieval castle banquet/entertainment, Kileen House in Killarney, Merry Ploughboy Pub dinner/entertainment, Dromoland Castle farewell dinner, 2 table d'hôte dinners and more), motorcoach sightseeing, hotel service charges & luggage handling (1 bag per person) and professional tour director in Ireland. Ask about available add-on airfare. Passport required. Tour operated by CIE International. Visit AAA.com/GoIreland for itinerary and more information.

© Peter Cox / Fotolia.com

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

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AAA has your ticket to ride this summer Save big on theme park, movie, attraction tickets and more

P

sst ...did you know you can save some serious cash on tickets to movies, theme parks, water parks and all sorts of fun places when you buy them through AAA? It’s true, and just another way AAA membership pays you back in more ways than towing. Here’s an example: your AAA membership card gets you movie tickets for as low as $8.49. If you’re someone who regularly goes to the theater to see every Oscar-nominated film, you’ll save enough money to cover basic annual membership dues.

AAA discounts are available to members and their families whose vacation plans include any of the following popular attractions: Walt Disney World, Cedar Point, Universal Studios, Busch Gardens, Sesame Place, Discovery Cove, Legoland, Colonial Williamsburg, Hersheypark, Kings Island, Dollywood and Six Flags.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg — at last count there were over 60 destinations providing a AAA discount. Go to AAA.com/tickets for a comprehensive list. Whether you want a bird’s eye view of the Grand Canyon (up to 25% off with Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters) or to witness a LeBron James high-flying alley oop (Cleveland Cavalier tickets are discounted up to 10% off), AAA saves you money.

To get special member pricing on tick-

THREE WAYS TO SAVE — Members can buy tickets at AAA offices, online, or at the gate by showing their membership card. ets you have three choices: visit a AAA branch office, buy them online, or make the purchase at the gate. You’ll get the best price when you purchase tickets in a branch office.

For instance, Orlando-bound families will be glad to learn they save up to $23.72 per ticket on Walt Disney World tickets when buying them at their local AAA office. Daredevils and coaster aficionados alike will flip knowing they can

save up to $25.00 on tickets to Cedar Point — the roller coaster capital of the world — during AAA Member Days, May 7 through May 31, 2016. Need regular season tickets? AAA has them for up to $16.00 off the regular Any Day gate price. (Stay tuned for other ticket specials this summer.)

Other tickets available in-branch include: Legoland Florida, Hersheypark, Sesame Place, Busch Gardens, Kings

Island, Discovery Cove, and Universal Orlando.

It’s not just the splashiest destinations that provide a discount. AAA members will save 30 percent at Water Country USA, but they can also take a refreshing two-hour cruise on the Erie Canal with Lockport Locks ($1.50 off at gate), pet a kangaroo or allow a Rainbow Lorikeet to gently alight on their arm at the Down Under Adventure Zoo (10 percent savings), or sit in quiet contemplation in the galleries at the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland (20 percent discount).

The most convenient option for getting tickets is ordering them online and using the print-at-home option.

Movie tickets for Cinemark Theatres, Regal Entertainment and Fandango are a popular item to purchase this way. Also, during the month of May, AAA members can purchase and print Kennywood tickets online through AAA.com for $27.99 plus processing fee — an exclusive price for our members, a savings of $16.00 from the gate price!

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.

AAA is your ticket to summer fun and savings!

Buzzing around North America with AAA Get ready to go with AAA TourBook® Guides

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AA travel editors are busy bees. They cover more than 6,000 destinations in North America on an endless quest to bring members the most comprehensive and up-to-date travel information.

That’s a lot of territory and reporting, and it’s all available in member-only TourBook® guides.

Practically anywhere you want to go, AAA has been there. That’s why for generations AAA has been the most trusted name in travel publishing.

Access to all this knowledge is easier than ever before and AAA TourBooks are available in several formats. Printed TourBooks have served members for generations. Travelers rely on them to locate AAA Approved and Diamond Rated hotels and restaurants in the U.S. and Canada.

As one-stop travel planning resources they also include detailed city maps, recommended sightseeing and information on even the smallest of towns, population 23!

There may be a few well-thumbed copies on your bookshelf right now.

These guides — 33 versions, no less — are chock-full of useful information.

People who go right to the hotel and restaurant listings miss out on the fascinating stuff at the start of each state’s write-up: history timeline, temperature charts and what to pack, editors’ picks

HAPPY MOTORING — AAA is your one-stop travel planning resource. of must-do experiences, state driving laws, even a calendar of events. It’s interesting reading for passengers/navigators on long stretches of road. Best of all, the TourBooks are free to members.

If you prefer to do your research on a computer, online Travel Guides are available at AAA.com/maps. You can search by city and region for detailed destination, attraction and event information, and editors’ picks for what to see and do.

If a hand-held device is more your

style, there’s info galore on the AAA Mobile App. Text APP10 to 99000 and you’ll get a link to download the app.

The same hotel, restaurant and attraction information found in TourBooks can be accessed via the app.

Time for a TripTik — At any one time during the month of May, there are thousands of members online trying to figure out how to get from Point A to Point B. If they’re smart they’re using the TripTik® Travel Planning tool. It’s one of AAA’s most popular applications.

So easy, too.

DIY types who want to map a trip themselves should make AAA.com/ TripTik their first stop. Plug in a starting point and a destination and the computer does it all. You can include multiple stops along the way and even create an entire round trip. The beauty of this online tool is its flexibility in allowing adjustments to any itinerary — sometimes the most interesting routes are off the beaten path!

If you prefer to let someone else do the work, call or stop by your local branch office to request a TripTik. Don’t forget to pick up TourBook guides and printed maps to be sure all your bases are covered. There’s nothing like having a good old crinkly map spread out on your lap to feel like summer has arrived.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

AAA TourBook® guides provide in-depth travel information for 7,400 destinations.

Content includes maps, visitor information and detailed listings for thousands of AAA Approved and Diamond Rated hotels and restaurants, plus attractions and events and navigable maps from the AAA Atlas series. Printed TourBook® guides available free, exclusively to AAA members at AAA offices. Searchable AAA Travel Guides are available on AAA.com/maps.

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National Park Vacations Dakota and Wyoming featuring engaging experiences — a 2-night stay in a Yellowstone National Park lodge near Old Faithful (featuring a full day with a wilderness guide)...a rodeo and visits to the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Crazy Horse Memorial and Mt Rushmore...and a float trip on the Snake River with a guide to help spot river otters, eagles, beaver, elk and maybe even a moose. From $3,263 (land only).

As a AAA Vacations® trip, “Cowboy Country” includes a $300 per booking credit on gear & apparel at necessarygear.com, a member benefit of $75 per person savings (with air booked with Tauck through AAA) and 24/7 Member Care and a Best Price Guarantee.

“National Parks of America” The guided 12-day “National Parks of America” (May through October departures) from Member Choice Vacations® is an exciting Arizona–to–South Dakota journey that visits 5 fantas© pngstudio / Fotolia.com

continued from page 1

tic national parks — Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Grand Teton and Yellowstone. Engaging experiences include a delightful breakfast cruise on scenic Lake Powell...the red-and-white sandstone cliffs of Zion...a free day to explore Jackson Hole WY, followed by cowboy entertainment and a traditional chuck-wagon dinner (late May through September), an overnight stay in Yellowstone National Park and a Mt Rushmore visit. From $3,349 (land only).

Because it’s a AAA Vacations® package, “America’s National Parks” includes a $75 per person credit to use toward an optional excursion ($100 per person if 2 or more excursions are purchased)...a member benefit of $25 per person savings...and 24/7 Member Care and a Best Price Guarantee. “ ‘Mighty 5 & More’ Celebration” AAA’s guided 8-day “ ‘Mighty 5 & More’ Celebration” Featured Vacation (Oct 18-26) showcases 5 national parks

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© bennymarty / Fotolia.com

MEMBERS SAVE! Premier: $100 Plus: $75 Classic: $50 New bookings with deposit May 1-31, 2016.

Savings per room, double occupancy.

Valid only on AAA Vacations®–branded packages of 7 nights or longer and on the “Mighty 5 & More” Celebration Featured Vacation.

© Scott Bufkin / Fotolia.com

in Utah (Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion), as well as the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley.

The tour starts in Las Vegas and moves on to Kingman’s Route 66 Museum, a trading post in the Navajo Nation and a 4-wheel-drive tour of Monument Valley. There’s also dinner at a dramatically located lodge on the Colorado River, a fascinating Jeep® tour of Canyonlands National Park and an exciting jet boat ride on the Colorado River.

This unique tour includes roundtrip flights from Columbus and the services of a AAA Tour Manager upon arrival at

© cphoto / Fotolia.com

your destination (if participation goal is met); visit AAA.com/USA for more information. From $3,845 (air included).

Booking “ ‘Mighty 5 & More’ Celebration” in May entitles you to a free copy of National Geographic’s Secrets of the National Parks, a colorful 272-page guidebook filled with maps, facts and photos — a retail value of $22.95.

Other national park tours available Choose from many other national park tours at AAA Travel. Visit a branch office in May and ask a travel agent about all available savings and perks!

All rates shown are per person, double occupancy.

Visit your local AAA Travel branch office or call 1-800-354-8761.

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Are you pushing your battery past its limits?

More devices are draining the life out of your battery

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otorists typically don’t think much about their battery until their car doesn’t start.

This humble workhorse of your daily commute not only provides the power for ignition, but a growing number of automotive electronics that are drawing more power from your battery than ever before.

Automobile batteries are not a “onesize-fits-all” proposition. Every car has unique electrical power demands that impact battery selection, and the space available to install a battery plays a role as well. It used to be starting your car was the biggest challenge a battery had to deal with. Now cars have multiple computers, mind-blowing sound systems, and accessories and powertrain features like heated seats, wireless hotspots and video displays that create a whole new level of electrical power demand.

When selecting a battery, the right size and cold cranking amps (CCA) are the most important considerations.

CCA is the most widely used cranking measurement and is the amount of current a battery can deliver at 0°F for 30 seconds. Where and how you use your vehicle and the electronic load that your battery supports should also be considered.

Most batteries today are sealed “maintenance-free” designs. For routine care, clean any corrosion from the

POWER SHORTAGE — AAA’s state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment will confirm whether your battery needs replacement. posts and cable connections, wash all surfaces with battery terminal cleaner or a solution of baking soda and water, and re-tighten all connections. Batteries contain sulfuric acid that will cause chemical burns so always wear eye protection, gloves, and old or protective clothing. Remove all jewelry and be careful with metal tools that could cause an arc or electrical short.

No matter how well it’s maintained, your car battery will probably only last three to five years. An aging battery increases the odds that you could spend some unscheduled time at the roadside waiting for AAA to arrive. Millions of members call AAA for assistance with their battery every year and it’s the number one cause of roadside breakdowns.

The good new is AAA’s Battery Service has trained technicians who can come to you and perform a free test of your car’s battery, starting and charging systems. State-of-the art diagnostic equipment will confirm whether your battery will hold a charge, or if the problem lies deeper in the electrical system. Best of all, the service is included with your AAA membership. If necessary, with your approval, they can install a new high-quality AAA battery right on the spot.

AAA batteries are sold to members at a discount and offer a 72-month limited nationwide warranty — with 100 percent free replacement for the first 36 months. In addition, every battery that AAA replaces is recycled to protect the environment. To date, AAA has kept more than four million batteries from contaminating landfills. If your battery is getting on in years, give yourself some added peace of mind by calling the AAA Battery Service for a no-cost evaluation.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

AAA Battery Service is available from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. 7-days a week.

To verify AAA Battery Service availability in your area, call our toll-free number: 1.800.222.4357.

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Summer time is prime time for motorcyclists May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

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ummer is almost here and motorcyclists are hitting the roads in greater numbers. Safe riding and cooperation among all road users is essential to reducing deaths and injuries.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports 4,295 motorcyclist deaths in 2014, the last year that statistics are available, accounting for 13 percent of all traffic fatalities. The federal government estimates that on a per vehicle mile basis, motorcyclists are more than 26 times more likely to die in a crash than occupants of cars.

The major motorcycle crash and fatality risk factors are lack of helmet use, alcohol involvement, speeding and invalid licensure. Because serious head injury is common among fatally injured motorcyclists, helmet use is important. Helmets are about 37 percent effective in preventing motorcycle deaths and about 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries. Yet only 19 states and the District of Columbia mandate helmet use by all riders, down from 26 in 1997.

Alcohol affects safe motorcycle operation by impairing your vision, judgment/decision-making ability and coordination/reaction time. According the Motorcycle Safety Foundation 46 percent of all motorcyclists killed in crashes were using alcohol.

There are effective strategies that can

EASY RIDERS — More than 20 million motorcyclists will be taking to the road this summer. make a difference. To prevent motorcycle deaths and injuries, AAA and NHTSA offer the following safety recommendations: For motorcyclists: • Never ride impaired or distracted.

• Obey traffic laws, wear DOTcompliant helmets and other protective gear.

• Make yourself visible by wearing bright colors and using reflective tape.

• Avoid riding in poor weather conditions.

AS GOOD AS GOLD — AAA East Central received the prestigious 2015 AAA Hertz Gold Key Club of the Year award at a March ceremony at the club’s Motor Square Gardens headquarters in Pittsburgh. The club won the award in the 1 million to 2,999,999 member category for its year-long efforts promoting the AAA/Hertz partnership as an extraordinary value for members. Pictured above: Drew Gagliano, Hertz Corporation director of AAA Sales and Marketing; AAA East Central president and CEO Jim Lehman; Dan Flynn, AAA East Central manager, AAA Discounts & Rewards; and Dave Baptisti, AAA National Office managing director, AAA Discounts & Rewards.

•

Use turn signals for every turn or lane change and combine hand signals and turn signals to make yourself more visible to traffic.

• Position yourself in the lane where you will be most visible to drivers.

For drivers: • Never drive distracted or impaired.

Doing so can result in tragic consequences.

• Don’t try to share the lane. A motorcycle needs the room to maneuver safely. According to NHTSA, when motorcycles crash with other vehi-

cles, the latter usually violates the motorcyclist’s right of way.

• Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic.

• A motorcyclist can be hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot. Always look for motorcycles by checking mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes and at intersections.

• Road conditions that are minor annoyances to motorists can pose major hazards to motorcyclists.

Riders may suddenly change speed or adjust position within a lane in reaction to road and traffic conditions such as potholes, gravel, and wet or slippery surfaces.

• Allow more following distance, at least three or four seconds, when following a motorcycle so the rider has enough time to maneuver or stop in an emergency.

AAA urges drivers to be extra cautious, because motorcyclists are more difficult to see and less protected than other motorists.

PUTTING ON THE BRAKES

The rate of fatal crashes is 31 percent lower for motorcycles equipped with optional antilock brakes (ABS) than for the same models without them. ABS prevents wheels from locking up. On a car, a lockup might result in a skid. On a motorcycle, it often means a serious fall.

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MAY 2016

Koningsdam is Holland America’s king of the seas New ship ushers in a new era of Pinnacle-class cruising

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hen the ms Koningsdam sets sail this month, she will not only be the first to bear that name, she will usher in a new era of Pinnacle-class cruising. Pinnacle means “high point” — and the debut of Koningsdam is a high point in Holland America Line’s 141 year history. She’ll carry forward all of the nautical heritage, traditions and service Holland America Line is known for — while raising the bar for 21st century elegance.

The name says it all. “Koning” means king in Dutch and it’s a salute to King Willem-Alexander, the Netherland’s first king in more than 100 years.

And “dam,” because this is a Holland America Line ship, and the naming convention dates back to 1883.

Interior spaces on the 99,500 ton, 2,650 passenger vessel blend fluid curves and light-filled spaces that evoke the feeling and beauty of a fine musical instrument with graceful lines, dramatic textures, and supple lighting effects.

A soaring atrium is capped by a ceiling that serves as a backdrop for subtly changing high-definition images is the ship’s focal point.

Staterooms are generous and come loaded with the latest tech like bedside USB ports and flat-screen TVs. The ship also will feature Holland America Line’s first purpose-built staterooms for families as well as single staterooms among

A ROYAL WELCOME — Guests will be treated like kings on Holland America’s first Pinnacle-class ship. its 1,331 guest accommodations.

Diners will have the opportunity to enjoy fine dining in several alternative restaurants including Sel de Mer, a new French seafood brasserie, the pan-Asian Tamarind, and popular Pinnacle Grill.

The Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine is a dedicated demonstration kitchen with individual cooking stations culinary demonstrations and hands-on classes by celebrity

chefs and the ship’s own experts.

Connoisseurs and novices alike can experience the art of winemaking at BLEND, the only purpose-built wineblending venue at sea. The intimate venue will teach guests how to blend their own wine and enjoy their creations at dinner or in the privacy of their stateroom.

Drop by Digital Workshop powered

by Windows and learn new techni-

cal skills taught by Microsoft-trained techsperts. These small-group sessions, designed for all abilities, translate the latest technology into useful tips everyone can use.

The Crow’s Nest will be a favorite place for guests to gather at the top of the ship. Huge wrap-around windows— take center stage, offering panoramic scenes that change by the nautical mile.

Entertainment meets innovation with the debut of Koningsdam’s The World Stage. The main theater surrounds guests with a 270 degree, highdefinition LED screen and state-of-theart lighting and sound. The theater will initially host five new productions performed in repertory by an international cast.

B.B. King’s Blues Club will also be part of Koningsdam’s new Music Walk complex — making it the eighth ship in the fleet to feature the Memphis music experience. Koningsdam will spend the summer sailing a series of Northern European voyages before repositioning to Fort Lauderdale, and Caribbean cruises until March 2017.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

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

Don’t let your kids hang out in the “No Zones” Teaching teens to drive safely around trucks

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eens love to hang out with their friends but one place they should never hang out is around heavy trucks on the roadways. Trucks have weight and size on their side, and require much more room to brake, turn and change lanes.

Research shows that too many drivers, especially young people, fail to recognize the danger.

Most deaths in large truck crashes are passenger vehicle occupants. According to U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) a total of 3,660 people died in large truck crashes in 2014. Sixteen percent of these deaths were truck occupants, 68 percent were occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles, and 15 percent were pedestrians, bicyclists or motorcyclists.

The main problem is the vulnerability of people traveling in smaller vehicles. Trucks often weigh 20-30 times as much as passenger cars and are taller with greater ground clearance, which can result in smaller vehicles underriding trucks in rear end crashes.

“A teen driver’s inexperience, inattention, and false sense of invincibility behind the wheel can be a deadly combination, especially around big trucks and buses,” said Al Salyers, manager of Auto Club Driving School Inc. “Many

DONE WITH MIRRORS — If you can’t see the truck’s side mirrors, the truck driver can’t see you. of these crashes could be avoided if motorists knew about truck limitations and how to steer clear of creating unsafe situations involving trucks.”

Teens may not know about the No Zones — the large blind spots a commercial vehicle has — or how trucks and buses require a greater distance to stop than a passenger car. Loaded tractor-trailers take 20-40 percent farther than cars to stop, and the discrepancy is greater on wet and slippery roads or

with poorly maintained brakes.

An average truck changing lanes at highway speeds needs a gap of 700 feet — that’s the length of two football fields. A truck’s weight and power will also create wind gusts. Keep both hands on the wheel when you pass a truck or when a truck passes you.

A large truck has four blind spots or “no zones.” If your car is in one of these areas, the truck driver doesn’t know it. The front no-zone is 10 to 20

feet in front of the truck cab. The rear no-zone extends to 200 feet behind a truck (that’s two-thirds the length of a football field).

Trucks also have large blind spots on both sides — much larger than the blind spots you experience driving in your car. When passing a truck, do it quickly and safely, don’t linger along side in the trucker’s blind spot. Never pull in front of a truck and then slow down.

Always keep a cushion of safety between you and the vehicle in front of you. If you can see a truck’s mirrors, the driver should be able to see you. You and your passengers are safest if you maneuver your vehicle into a position where a truck driver can clearly see it.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Auto Club Driving Schools provide both the classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction teenagers need to be safe, confident drivers. Classroom instruction is available in 20 counties throughout Southern and Eastern Ohio. Parents can enroll their teens in Auto Club Driving Schools by calling or visiting their local AAA East Central office. They can also enroll online at DSSAPP.US/AAAEC. Visit AAA.com/community for details.

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