Yankee Shopper by Hersam Acorn

Yankee

www.yankeeshopperonline.com

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Real Estate ..............Page 20

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Auto .........................Page 22

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Help Wanted...........Page 23

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Business & Services ..Page 18

Classiﬁeds .................Page 2

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Crossword...............Page 22

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PERMIT NO. 122 PITTSFIELD, MA

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Guide to the Inside

PRSRT - STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID

We Don’t Sell Advertising… We Sell Results!

March 3, 2010

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editorial email yankee@hersamacornma.com advertising email art@hersamacornma.com Editorial Deadline: 20th at noon the month before publication.

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Classiﬁed Deadline: Monday, March 20, 2010 Display Deadline: Monday, March 20, 2010

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888.633.0333 Fax 802.447.3270 Classiﬁed 888.307.0839 editorial email yankee@hersamacornma.com advertising email art@hersamacornma.com ■

Renee Tassone, General Manager Linda Devlin, Circulation Manager Carrie Devlin, Advertising Sales Sheryl Gibson, Advertising Sales Sarah Masiero, Advertising Sales Melissa Miller, Art Director Mary A. Garcia, Artist Jen Hathaway, Artist Chris Sobolowski, Artist ■

Editorial Deadline*: 20th of month prior Classiﬁed Deadline*: 20th of month prior Display Deadline*: 20th of month prior *Deadlines will change due to Holidays. See special deadline notices published before major holidays.

Manager’s Memo Welcome March! So nice to leave these winter months behind, although it seems more like winter now than it did in January. I hope everyone has been having a nice winter and that you are all looking forward to spring. I would be thrilled if I never saw another snowflake again. I hate shoveling it and hate driving in it. I am one of the lucky ones with a Toyota that has been recalled for the accelerating gas pedal. I got thirteen speeding tickets last year that I could have gotten out of, if only I knew it wasn’t my fault. Renee Tassone, For those of you wondering, I did not win anything in the Super Bowl but it General Manager was a great game. If the Colts had made that touchdown in the last two minutes of the game we would have been booking a flight to Florida, but no such luck. My husband and I hit every local bar that day then went home to watch the game. If there was anything I was disappointed with it was the commercials. Not so great this year. I was really looking forward to some more baby E*Trade commercials but they don’t seem as funny as the ones from last year. This month we have St. Patrick’s Day, another one of my favorite days. My husband and I both take the day off and spend it at Carmody’s in Bennington, Vermont. This year our daughter will be of age so she will be with us. She used to be our designated driver now she will need a designated driver. Carmody’s is a blast, the owner, TJ, dresses as a leprechaun and stands on the bar every hour and sings three Irish songs. There is a band, a guy playing the bagpipes, green beer and lots of food. I hope you enjoy the Furry Friends section in this issue. A portion of the proceeds will be given to Berkshire Humane Society, so thanks to all of the advertisers that are included in this section. Keep an eye out for our Massachusetts Resource Guide that will be out later this month. The Resource Guide is a very successful publication that is out all year. If you would like space reserved or would like copies of the Resource Guide or this publication please give us a call at 800-234-1432 We hope you enjoy this publication. As always we encourage your feedback. Feel free to send us your press releases to yankee@hersamacornvt.com or berkshire@hersamacornvt.com. Renee Tassone, General Manager

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Submission Guidelines: Those wishing to submit event listings or editorial content may email yankee@hersamacornma.com. ■

Notice: The Yankee Shopper will not knowingly accept or publish advertising which is fraudulent or misleading in nature. The publisher reserves the sole right to edit, revise, or reject any and all advertising, with or without cause being assigned, which in the publisher’s judgement is contrary to the interests of this publication. The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. ©2008, Hersam Acorn Newspapers. All contents of the Yankee Shopper are copyrighted, and any reproduction without permission is prohibited.

Martin Hersam, Chief Operating Ofﬁcer Thomas B. Nash, Publisher

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From my Corner

— by Susan J. Coons My hairdresser took last week as an all expenses paid trip to Santa Monica, California. She was attending special classes, and was

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very excited to be returning for another visit. She had spent a week there a couple of years ago and loved every minute of it! I don’t blame her! The smell of the salt air and the breeze off the Pacific Ocean hitting your face as you stand facing the world renowned entry to the Santa Monica Pier is truly exhilarating! You know from frequently reading this column, that I love the beach. I was fortunate enough to grow up during the time when beach movies reflected the real thing. Well, sort of. Boys did bring their surf boards to the beach and stand them up in the sand, and girls did make a fuss over them. But we didn’t stand around singing and dancing, there was no moondoggie! Instead we threw one another in the water, chased each other around, and brought sandwiches, chips and coke for food and beverage. We listened to music on the radio, gossiped and told stories until 11 or midnight around a fire. The following Saturday we did the same thing all over again and never got tired of it. Annette and Bobbie made the movies, we had all the fun!

Most of the time we went to Malibu Beach or Zuma Beach. When we had a little cash, we went to the Santa Monica Pier. You could get a real, hand-patted hamburger and fries for $1.25 and a coke for a dime at Al’s Kitchen. Not bad. Sometimes we’d just order a cup of fries and eat them as we walked up and down the pier. There was an arcade with take-achance games along the left side of the pier interspersed with several palm readers who lived in little shacks along the way. There were a couple of dusty gift shops with windows so dirty from the salt air you could barely see in or see out. The most nostalgic ride was on the handcarved carousel housed in a over-sized yellow building that is now on the National Register of Historic Places. In the center of the carousel stood the original calliope pumping out all the wonderful tunes that can’t be forgotten in a lifetime. Gives me goose-bumps to think of it now. No amusement area could be without bumper cars and as teenagers without drivers’ licenses, we loved to crash and bump! When developers began buying up beach front property during the 1970s, and converting homes to condos, raising the rent (throwcontinued on next page

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From my Corner continued from page 4 ing out the poor souls with fixed incomes who had lived there for many years, and some of them becoming homeless), there was an effort by the City Council to tear down the pier. Developers wanted to create an “island” where the pier stood and erect a high-rise, exclusive resort hotel. We were living in Pasadena at that time, and became involved with the group that wanted to save the pier. A fierce battle raged. The developers had so much money and our little opposition had very little. Among those who wanted to save the pier were folks left homeless by the developers, actors, writers, local artists, and many long-time residents of Santa Monica. In the mid-seventies, a terrible storm ripped out nearly one-third of the pier, leaving the project to save the pier doomed. But better sense prevailed and the pier was rebuilt. I still have a menu that was printed by Al’s Kitchen in the mid 70s. The cover became the poster for the cause. It’s a photograph of a naked man struggling to hold up one of the

pilings of the pier as he faces the storming ocean swirling about his body. I learned recently that the Santa Monica Pier had been restored. I checked it out on the Internet, and it looks great. The amusements and arcade are referred to collectively as Pacific Park. Gone is Al’s Kitchen (a marker stands in its place); Sinbad’s is gone, too. An aquarium and Ferris Wheel have been added, as well as other rides. I know I would love to walk the pier next time I visit Los Angeles. I’ll be sure to do that. (Two amusement parks that I have cherished in my memories and that have been paved over are River View in Chicago, Illinois, and Pacific Ocean Park in Venice Beach, just below Santa Monica. They were magical, a little seedy, exciting, and had so much more color and character than the over-sized amusements parks of today. Because the entrance fee was minimal we went ther often. One was allowed to wander

the dusty grounds and watch with amazement as children of all ages enjoyed themselves playing. I listened to the barkers in the arcade and girls screaming above the roar of the roller coaster, smelled pretzels baking and hot dogs steaming, heard laughter all through the park. The Pinball Arcade was always dark with neon lights flashing through the smokefilled air. That was no place for a little kid. Alladin’s Castle held excitement and mystery for me. Yeah, River View and POP live on in my memories.)

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Monday • 9:30 a.m. - Caregiver support group, for those who provide care to a loved one, sponsored by the Lee Regional Visiting Nurse Association, Inc. Phone: 413-243-1212 Lee Regional VNA Offices, 32 Park Street, Lee. • 6p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Knitting/Crochet North Adams Public Library, 74 Church St., North Adams. For information phone 413-6623133 or visit www.naplibrary.com.

Tuesday

• 10 a.m. - Preschool Story Time. North Adams Public Library, 74 Church St., North Adams. For information phone 413-662-3133 or visit www.naplibrary.com. • 11 a.m. - 12. - Blood Pressure Clinic: Blood pressure and health counseling sponsored by the Lee Regional Visiting Nurse Association, Inc. and the Chester Board of Health, at the Chester Town Hall, Chester, MA. Information: 413-243-1212 • 6:30 p.m. - Bingo - Non-Smoking - Refreshments Available Progressive Jackpots. Info: 413-443-7135 - ITAM Lodge #564, 22 Waubeek Road, Pittsfield.

Thursday

• 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. - Blood Pressure Clinic: Blood pressure and health counseling sponsored by the Lee Regional Visiting Nurse Association, Inc. and the Becket Board of Health, at the Becket Town Hall. Information: 413-243-1212 • 9:30 a.m. - Toddler Time. For one to two-and-a-half years. North Adams Public Library, 74 Church St., North Adams. For information phone 413-662-3133 or visit www.naplibrary.com.

Wednesday • 9 to10 a.m. - Blood pressure and health counseling sponsored by the Lee Regional Visiting Nurse Association, Inc. and the Lee Board of Health. Phone: 413-243-1212. Lee Regional VNA offices, 32 Park Street, Lee.

• 10 – 11:30 a.m. – Blood Pressure Clinic: Blood pressure and health counseling sponsored by the Lee Regional Visitng Nurse Association, Inc. at the Stop and Shop, Merrill Road Pittsfield MA. Information: 413-243-1212

Friday • 4:30 p.m. - Bingo - with food, Speedball, Horserace and Bingo Nut 2 Tickets. Weekly progressive game prize of $1,199, plus weekly door prize. St. Mary’s School, 115 Orchard St., Lee. • 6:30 p.m. – Bingo every Friday. Doors open at 4:30, games begin at 6:30. St. Mary’s School, 115 Orchard Street, Lee. 413-243-1079. • 6:30 p.m. – Bingo every Friday. Doors open at 4:30. Elks Lodge #487 in North Adams, Ma, 413-664-9039

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March 3 , 2010

Patient Safety Awareness Week

The Universal Patient Compact

The National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF) is pleased to announce that Patient Safety Awareness Week will be celebrated March 7-13, 2010. The theme of this year’s celebration is Lets Talk! Healthy Conversations for Safer Healthcare. Patient Safety Awareness Week is a national education and awareness-building campaign for improving patient safety at the local level. Hospitals and healthcare organizations across the country are encouraged to plan events to promote patient safety within their own organizations. Educational activities are centered on incorporating patients and families as active participants on their healthcare teams, as well as assisting organizations to build partnerships within their communities.

Principles for Partnership

As your healthcare partner we pledge to: � Include you as a member of the team � Treat you with respect, honesty and

As a patient I pledge to: � Be a responsible and active member of my healthcare team

� Treat you with respect, honesty and

compassion

consideration

� Always tell you the truth � Include your family or advocate when you would like us to

� Hold ourselves to the highest quality and safety standards

� Be responsive and timely with our care and information to you

� Help you to set goals for your healthcare and treatment plans

� Listen to you and answer your questions � Provide information to you in a way you can understand

� Respect your right to your own medical information

� Respect your privacy and the privacy of your medical information

� Communicate openly about benefits and risks associated with any treatments

� Provide you with information to help you

make informed decisions about your care and treatment options

� Always tell you the truth � Respect the commitment you have made to healthcare and healing

� Give you the information that you need to treat me

� Learn all that I can about my condition � Participate in decisions about my care � Understand my care plan to the best of my ability

� Tell you what medications I am taking � Ask questions when I do not understand and until I do understand

� Communicate any problems I have with the plan for my care

� Tell you if something about my health changes

� Tell you if I have trouble reading � Let you know if I have family, friends or an advocate to help me with my healthcare

� Work with you, and other partners who treat you, in the coordination of your care

Patient Safety Awareness Week March 7-13, 2010

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Partnership for

Clear Health Communication at the National Patient Safety Foundation

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Berkshire Medical Center

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BUSINESS PROFILES

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Freihofer’s Bakery Outlet

The ladies behind the counter, Paula Segala, Kim Forgette, and Sherry Sweetser

— by Mary Ann White I recently had a chance to visit Freihofer’s Bakery Outlet located at 1450 East Street in Pittsfield. I was greeted by store supervisor Sherry Sweetser who shared with me the fact that the store will celebrate its third anniversary on October 2. “We are not day-old products. We sell over-bakes, overstocks, and returns from driver routes,” Sherry informed me. The outlet offers

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Entenmann’s, Freihofer’s, Arnold, Boboli, Lender’s and Thomas’ products. For snack choices there are cookies, cakes, pies, Danish, donuts, Fritos, chips, nuts, beef sticks, and fruit snacks. In the bread section there are light breads, whole grains, multi-grains, wheat, and white. For rolls there is everything from dinner to hot dog and hamburg and grinder. Besides all the great choices of snacks and breads, you can pick up milk and juice at very reasonable prices. Why Freihofer’s is so unique is that it is a cozy, hidden gem that is not a Mom and Pop, but it is also not a Big Box. The ladies behind the counter (Paula Segala, Kim Forgette, and Sherry Sweetser) each have unique personalities and an abundance of smiles for their customers, and offer outstanding customer service. “We also always have cookies for our 4-legged friends,” Sherry said. When asked where the idea for the squirrels in their ads came from, Sherry said that she always thought of squirrels as thrifty as they store for later use. Celia saves a lot and her grandmother Penny Pincher have been in many ads over the years. The outlet is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday is Senior Day. Anyone 60 or over will get 10 percent off their total purchase. If you are looking for great deals and great products head on over to 1450 East Street where the girls will be happy to help and can even offer some recipes.

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Changes to Watch For on Your 2009 Tax Return (ARA) - More people are looking forward to tax time this year. More than 25 tax cuts for 2009 federal returns have been passed to help those struggling in the downturned economy. Many states are also offering tax breaks this year. “Virtually everyone is eligible for new tax credits, deductions and other changes on their federal tax returns,” says Jessi Dolmage, spokeswoman for 2nd Story Software, Inc., makers of TaxACT. Dolmage summarizes seven changes that could impact your bottom line. The Making Work Pay credit replaced the 2008 federal stimulus checks for 2009 and 2010. The refundable credit is worth 6.2 percent of your earned income, up to $400 for individuals and $800 for married couples filing jointly. The credit phases out for married couples filing jointly with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) between $150,000 and $190,000, and for single taxpayers whose MAGI is between $75,000 and $95,000.

Most taxpayers already received the credit for 2009 through reduced federal withholding starting in April 2009, resulting in an increase of $10 to $13 per paycheck. Even if you received the credit in your paychecks, you generally still need to claim the credit on your federal return to make up for the reduced withholding throughout the year. If you don’t withhold federal taxes, you must file a return to receive the credit. If you received the one-time economic recovery payment or qualify for the Government Retiree Credit, the amount must be subtracted from any Making Work Pay credit amount. TaxACT’s Making Work Pay Calculator (www.taxact.com/recovery-act) can estimate your credit amount. For the 2009 tax year, your standard deduction may also include state or local real estate taxes of up to $500 ($1,000 for married filing jointly) and net disaster losses that occurred before Jan. 1, 2010. The first $2,400 of unemployment compensation is exempt from 2009 continued on page 20

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How You Can Help a Pet in Need (ARA) - Imagine waking up every morning wondering if you’ll someday be able to find a home to call your own or how you’ll find your next meal. For so many pets, not having enough food in their bellies or a safe home are harsh realities. Fortunately, there are simple ways pet lovers can be heroes in the lives of pets. To help in this important effort, Purina ONE has teamed up with Martha Stewart for social network fundraising and the Tour For Heroes, a mobile tour visiting animal shelters coast to coast, providing pet food, supporting pet adoption and helping pets in need. “My pets are important members of my family and I am deeply committed to helping homeless animals,” says Stewart, founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. “I’m pleased �� to be working with Purina ONE �� to support pets in need because I �� believe this is a worthy cause that �� can help so many animals across �� the country.” ��

All Pet Lovers Can be Heroes ��

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While not every pet lover is able to adopt an animal, people

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can still help pets in their own community and across the country through online social networks. Purina ONE and Martha Stewart are helping pet lovers make a difference and raise funds for shelters by simply sharing photos of adoptable pets on Facebook. Sharing is easy. Start by searching for an adoptable pet anywhere in the United States by visiting tourforheroes. marthastewart.com. Choose a pet to help and click to share his or her profile with friends on your Facebook page. Every time a photo is shared, Purina ONE will donate $1 - up to $50,000 - worth of food to feed pets in need in local communities. Pet lovers can share photos until March 31.

continued on page 11

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How You Can Help a Pet in Need continued from page 10 Food for Fluffy and Fido Throughout the month of February, the Purina ONE Tour For Heroes will travel from San Francisco to New York and stop at local animal shelters in 11 cities along the way to set up temporary food banks and hold adoption events. More than 63,000 pounds of dog and cat food - equaling 11,000 bags of food - will be given out to help pets in need. Whether you’ve lost your job, have large veterinary or medical bills or

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are struggling to pay your mortgage, no one will be turned away at any of the Tour For Heroes events. “In tough times, a source of constant companionship can often be your dog or cat,” says Mark Stoddard, brand director for Purina ONE. “We want to lend a hand to pets in need, and by assisting their owners who may need a little extra help these days, we help their pets, too.” For more information about the Tour For Heroes and to find a tour stop near you, visit tourforheroes.marthastewart.com. Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Save money While Loving and Caring For Your Pet (ARA) - Pets are members of our families. They are our best friends and love us devotedly. Pet care can be a major line item in the family budget, as food, medicine, grooming tools and toys aren’t cheap. But there are ways to save money on pet supplies while keeping your pet healthy, happy and looking good. * Check the mailbox for fliers, inserts and community newspaper ads from pet stores in your vicinity. You may score a discount on food, treats or grooming from a neighborhood merchant or a national chain. * Look in the back of your local area phone book for coupons, which

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are typically valid for a long period of time. If you check the phone book when it first arrives at your house, you may have an entire year to redeem some of the discounts. * Contact the companies that manufacturer your favorite pet brands and sign up for their mailing list. Be sure to include your e-mail address. That way, you’ll be able to receive coupon codes to use online as well as coupons for preferred products to bring to your local brick and mortar store. * Keep up with preventive maintenance, and shop online for prescription pet medicines through CouponHeaven.com. Most online pet pharmacies offer free shipping, and you can save even more with pet prescription coupons that are valid for heartworm medications, flea continued on page 13

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Save money While Loving and Caring For Your Pet continued from page 12 and tick preventatives, and more. * Use the power of the Internet to save on most pet items. The exception to the rule is pet food, which is often too costly to ship because of weight. Shopping online allows you to browse different stores, comparing the quality and prices for all of your pet supplies, like a bed for your dog, a tank for your fish, toys for your cat or a kissing mirror for your bird - just to name a few. When you use CouponHeaven.com to find coupon codes for pet products, you can save money on the purchase, or get free shipping.

* Buy food in bulk at the discount stores. Yes, you will have to find an appropriate storage space, but the cost per ounce will be much cheaper, and you’ll also save by not making as many trips to the store. * Take care of your pet’s grooming at home whenever possible. If that won’t work for your family, consider asking your groomer if there is a customer loyalty program for discounts on services or treatments. * Make sure your pet gets the appropriate amount of exercise, which contributes to overall well-being and cuts down on potential vet bills. Happy pets make happy pet owners, and you can be even happier by combining pet care and cost-reducing strategies. Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Yankee Shopper

Car Care Myths Exposed (ARA) - Knowledge may be power, but that’s only the case if you put what you know into good use. Sure, it’s a common phrase that can be used in many different situations, but when applying it to car care, weeding through the myths can result in financial savings and longer vehicle life.

a few minutes to warm up your car before you drive away. This allows cold, thick oil to warm up, protecting your engine from damage. For cold weather starts, all you need is 30 seconds to ensure proper oil flow and lubrication. In the event of frigid temperatures, driving at a slower speed for a few miles will give your car enough time to warm up. Myth: You tires should be inflated to the pressure shown on the tire sidewall. Because of the wide variety of tires on the market today, tires can be used on more than one vehicle, so inflating your tires based on the PSI number on the sidewall may not be ideal for your specific vehicle. Car owners should follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for cold weather and normal conditions tire pressure. That number can be found on a doorjamb sticker in newer cars, or in the glove box or fuel door on older models.

Myth: My car’s motor oil should be changed every 3,000 miles It is recommended that vehicle owners follow their manufacturer’s maintenance intervals while it is still under warranty. However, if your car is no longer under warranty, try using a synthetic oil that can extend your oil change intervals. The number of miles you can allow between your oil changes will depend on the way you drive and the oxidations stability of the motor oil. Oxidation stability can be measured by the American Society for Testing and Materials’ (ASTM) rigorous Thin Film Oxidation Uptake Test (TFOUT). This test is so demanding that it lasts 1,300 minutes. Conventional motor oils typically last less than 300 minutes and Synthetic motor oils typically last less than 500 minutes. One high performance synthetic motor oil, Royal Purple, has been shown to outlast the duration of the test. Royal Purple motor oils are recommended to extend oil change intervals as much as 12,000 miles under normal driving conditions, and have also been shown to improve fuel economy.

Myth: Are dishwashing detergents suitable for washing my car? It is common for people to use dish detergents to wash your car, but do so with some warning. Dish detergents are designed to remove animal or vegetable fat and will equally target the wax on your car. Instead, opt for a product specifically for automotive use. Quality products are based on detergents and not soaps which are made of rendered animal byproduct that contain trace elements that could damage your paint. Myth: All oil filters are the same

Myth: A dealership must handle all maintenance on my vehicle while it is under warranty. The key to maintaining your factory warranty is that car care items specified in the owner’s manual are performed on schedule. As long as the service is documented, it can be performed by any auto-repair shop. You can also do the work yourself; just make sure you keep accurate records and receipts in case warranty issues arise and for future repair. Myth: My car engine needs to warm up before driving. During winter months, it is a common practice for drivers to warm their vehicles up inside, but a cold engine will warm up faster when it is being driven instead of idling. If you use your car infrequently, take 14

You may think that “an oil filter is an oil filter,” but that’s not true, because there can be significant differences that affect both filtration efficiency and longevity. The oil filter is the engine’s main line of defense against abrasion and premature wear. The more dirt and other contaminants the filter can trap and hold the better. Inexpensive filters are typically made with the 3,000-mile interval in mind, using low-quality paper media that deteriorates rapidly for filtration. There are a number of new high performance premium oil filters on the market from manufacturers such as Royal Purple, Wix and K&N. These filters are made for extended oil drain intervals. For example, Royal Purple uses a proprietary long-life, micro-glass media that provides protection for 12,000 miles. You can learn more at www.royalpurple.com. Courtesy of ARAcontent

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March 3 , 2010

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From my Corner — by Susan J. Coons ...full body scan... When I first started flying I was 18 and that flight was on a seaplane. I love to fly. In the 1960s when I was flying from Losa Angeles to Chicago, Miami, New York, Washington D.C. or the Bahamas, I carried a make-up overnight case, garment bag, hair dryer, and Samsonite suitcase. All my luggage was checked except my garment bag, which I handed to the stewardess when I boarded the plane. Motion pictures on the 1930s, 40s, and 50s created a mystique and drama of flying. My husband always wore a suit, sometimes three-piece, and tie and I wore a dress, nylon stockings, heels, hat and gloves. Flying was a special and somewhat formal event. No jeans, shorts, or sneakers. We had drinks in the lounge while we waited to board the plane. Once boarded we sat in leather seats that were wide and comfortable with only two on each side of the aisle. The pull-down trays were larger, and when they were pulled down, there was still room to move around in your seat. (Of course, I was thinner then!) We were served magnificent meals that included dessert, and two drinks. Flying was still fun in the 1970s. I took the kids along to the airport to see my husband off on business trips. They watched as the plane taxied down the runway and ascended into the sky. By the time I flew to Albany, from Los Angeles in 1983, the plane then sat three seats on each side of the aisle, the trays were smaller, and the distance from seat to seat front to back, was narrower. Pity the guy who

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Continuing our publication geared toward our seniors in the community. Great editorial, great news, packed with information on local events and local people!

PUBLISHES: April 8, 2010 AD DEADLINE: March 30, 2010 �� 16

had a window seat and had to use the lavatory. They still served a meal on cross-country flights, but it was meager. Today the planes are not only cramped with many more seats per aisle, but there are no meals. You can’t bring your own beverage on board. We have to take off our shoes, pass everything through the scanners, sometimes we’re patted down after going through screening, we open our suitcases for investigation, and now we’re going to be exposed to a full body screen. Holy Cow! There are so many ways to “look” at the prospect of “exposing” myself to a full body scan. First, I will tell you that from viewing one naked body after another in an eight-hour stretch the scanner will surely be aghast at the sight and eager to punch out at the end of the day. I think if I had that job I would sit in the dark when I get home, and try to put the memory of what I’ve seen out of my mind with a good, strong Rusty Nail. There are very few well-toned bodies in the world. Ninety-nine percent of us are out of shape with the natural sagging of age, the addition of pounds, surgeries, wrinkles, and the scars and scrapes of living. Screening offers an unlimited supply of naked body jokes. Just sitting here, at the computer I can think of several which I won’t tell you. This is a family paper, after all! My son did say that next time he comes to visit, he’s going to wear his underwear on the outside. I don’t know anyone my age who has a perfect body, man or woman. Shakespeare spoke of the old duffer wearing hose on shrunken shanks. Sagging socks. Aging gracefully? Well, I guess so. My mind is still good. I have a good attitude about life. If I was young and lovely, I don’t think I would mind the full body scan except for the sake of modesty. Now it’s no longer only modesty that rules but extreme embarrassment. Oh well. If they can stand it, so can I. I feel like I should buy the screener a drink or something for exposing her to such a catastrophic view.

Yankee Shopper

March 3 , 2010

Ten Tips For Living More Sustainably in 2010

7. Re-recycle: Recycling is nothing new and most people have been recycling in some form for years. But recycling can be taken to another level, going beyond obvious and traditionally recycled items like soda cans or newspaper to the smallest of waste materials, from plastic straws to the paper straw wrapper. Why not recycle apparel as well, by donating clothes and buying gently used clothes?

(ARA) - The beginning of a new year - and a new decade - is the time many people pledge to live differently. For many, that change means living a more sustainable lifestyle. Sustainability, once only a buzz word, is now fast becoming the way to live consciously. From reducing your water usage to buying organic, here are 10 simple ways to make 2010 the year of sustainable living: 1. Use water more efficiently: Water is a limited resource and limiting it within your household is a cornerstone of sustainability. Rain barrels, largely unheard of even a decade ago, are becoming a popular way to collect and reuse rainwater for purposes like gardening. Meanwhile, conserving water in the home by taking shorter showers or even fixing a leaky faucet also can make a difference at a time when many communities are experiencing water shortages or are expressing concerns about water overuse. 2. Compost: Turning over leaves by way of a new compost garden is one way to live a more sustainable lifestyle. A compost heap is a simple, effective way to collect yard waste, like leaves and grass clippings, and kitchen scraps such as raw vegetable peelings and coffee grounds, and return them to the ground as organic matter. 3. Seek earth-friendly packaging: To better fill that compost heap, alter shopping habits to look for products with compostable packaging. Snyder’s of Hanover, for instance, recently introduced a new Pretzel Variety Sack of 100-Calorie Pretzels and Pretzel Sandwiches in the market’s first 100 percent compostable outer package made from 100 percent renewable cornstarch-based plastic. The new Variety Sack includes a special logo indicating that the bag can be composted and is made with sustainable materials. In addition to that example, more manufacturers are switching to cardboard packaging materials, which are made from renewable materials and can be recycled or composted. 4. Buy local, embrace organic: Many farmers, ranchers and, increasingly, food manufacturers, are offering foods and beverages made using sustainable practices. It could be a farmers market tomato, a local dairy’s milk, an organic snack food, like new Organic Honey Whole Wheat Sticks and Organic Whole Wheat and Oat Sticks from Snyder’s of Hanover, or any number of natural or organic items. The bottom line is that natural, organic and locally produced foods provide both sustenance and sustainability. To learn more about Snyder’s of Hanover’s sustainability initiatives visit www.snydersofhanover.com/Sustainability/. 5. Go to seed: Take the locally grown movement a step further - like in your own backyard or patio. An afternoon spent planting seeds or small plants can yield plenty of rewards a few weeks or months later, in the form of fresh, inexpensive and convenient vegetables and fruits. You don’t need a large tract of land, in fact, to start a small garden. 6. Ride out the trend: Sustain your own energy level by opting to ride a bike or walk to a destination that isn’t all that far away. Add a basket to a bike or take along a backpack to bring something back home. March 3, 2010

8. Plug in: Learn how to operate appliances more efficiently. For example, use cold water in the washing machine: clothes will still be cleaned, without the use of heated water. Turn off appliances when not in use, whether it’s the television, video game player or radio. Better yet, completely unplug. Many electronics and battery chargers continue to draw a small amount of power even when they are switched off. Instead, use a power strip to cut power completely when not in use. 9. Lighten up: Use energy efficient lighting and bulbs when possible and turn off lights when not in a room. That will cut energy use - and the family budget. 10. Get involved: As the sustainability movement gains traction among the public, there are more opportunities to join in. Local communities, schools and organizations often have green committees, and there is a plethora of national and grassroots organizations geared around earth-friendly living that appreciate new volunteers or members. Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Changes to Watch For on Your 2009 Tax Return continued from page 9 federal taxes. Any amount over $2,400, as well as severance pay, is taxable income. If you purchased a home in 2009, you may qualify for the first-time homebuyer credit. Keep in mind the name of the credit is deceiving, as current and past homeowners may also qualify. The credit is equal to 10 percent of the purchase price, up to either $6,500 or $8,000, depending on the purchase date, price, whether you’ve owned a primary residence and when you last owned a primary residence. Income level and filing status also affect eligibility. Those claiming the credit must mail their federal returns along with certain documentation for the home. Energy efficient improvements made in 2009 and 2010 may give homeowners up to $1,500 through the Nonbusiness Energy Property Credit. Up to 30 percent of the costs for qualifying improvements to a primary residence can be claimed. The modified HOPE credit, the American Opportunity Credit, is equal to 100 percent of the first $2,000 and 25 percent of the next $2,000 (totaling up to $2,500 per student) for tuition, related fees and required course materials. It applies to the first four years of post-secondary education in 2009 and 2010. The refundable credit phases out at

MAGIs of $80,000 for individuals and $160,000 for joint filers. Finally, if you made a cash contribution towards earthquake relief efforts in Haiti after Jan. 11, 2010, and before March 1, 2010, you can deduct it on your 2009 or 2010 return (but not both). To ensure you get all the tax breaks you qualify for, Dolmage recommends a do-it-yourself tax solution like TaxACT that includes a maximum refund pledge. The program will break down all the tax law changes in an easy-to-understand and easy-to-follow format and point out potential deductions and credits you may overlook on your own. TaxACT users can e-file their federal return free, so they can have their refund in as few as 8 days with direct deposit. For information about all 2009 tax law changes, visit www.IRS.gov and www.TaxACT.com/recovery-act. Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Seek Safety When Purchasing Energy-efficient Home Appliances

March 3, 2010

(ARA) - Have government or manufacturer rebate programs enticed you to purchase a new home appliance? Before purchasing, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to consider all your options before you make a final decision. According to an October 2009 survey commissioned by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a leading independent safety testing organization, one in four homeowners involved in purchasing decisions independently reported they are likely to buy a large household appliance in the new year because of cash back offers for purchasing an energy efficient appliance during 2010. The following tips can be used to help assess whether your current appliances are safe and assist you to make smart decisions when purchasing new appliances: 1. Only use as intended: Using appliances for activities other than what they are designed for can pose serious risks. 2. Trust your instincts: If an appliance smells, sounds or functions strangely - be suspicious. This is a likely indicator to replace the problem appliance or at least have it inspected by a licensed technician. 3. Look for safety certification: Safety certifications, such as the UL Mark, confirm a product has been tested and certified to meet the highest standard in safety. For more tips on appliance safety, and 2010 state rebate programs, visit www.UL.com/appliancesafety.

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