AAA PIONEER VALLEY · Tell us your savings story Have you saved money with your ... The result is a rating of one to ﬁ ve diamonds. ... have world-class service AAA PIONEER VALLEY

AAA PIONEER VALLEY

MARCH 2016Vol. 34, Issue 3

this month

On the cover: Basalt columns rise from the sea at Giant’s Causeway

in Northern Ireland.

Tell us your savings story Have you saved money with your AAA Membership? Tell us your AAA savings story, and we’ll tell other AAA Times readers. A story will be selected randomly and published in the next issue of AAA Times. If your story is published, you’ll win a one-year membership renewal. For more information, visit AAA.com/promo.

Take a springtimemotorcoach tourLet AAA do the driving. Upcoming day tours include West Point Dress Parade on April 30, the Albany Tulip Festival on May 7 and the Bronx Zoo on May 14. For details, visit AAA.com/Motorcoach.

Class benefi ts mature driversAAA Driving School will hold a program to help mature drivers stay informed on the newest safety techniques when operating a mo-tor vehicle. The next class will be held March 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the AAA West Springfi eld offi ce. The cost for AAA Members is $20. For details and to RSVP, visit AAA.com/DrivingSchool.

Join the AAA Solo Travelers ClubDo you love to travel but don’t have a travel partner? Join the AAA Solo Traveler’s Club. For more informa-tion, visit AAA.com/Solo.

AAA Driving School classesSign up now for driver’s educa-tion classes in Hadley, Spring-fi eld and West Springfi eld. Visit AAA.com/DrivingSchool or call 1-800-622-9211 to register.

Learn more about college fundingAAA hosts a variety of free student fi nancial aid webinars. To learn more about college funding op-tions, call 1-877-888-8609 or visit AAA.com/Register.

The 12th annual AAA Travel Showcase is almost here, and it’s a great place to plan your next vacation. Visitors can talk one-on-one with travel experts and take advantage of the best advice, values and show-only deals on everything from exotic cruises and European vacations to afford-able, close-to-home escapes.

The event will be held March 23, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., inside the MassMutual Room at the Naismith Memorial Basket-ball Hall of Fame in Springfi eld. Parking is free.

Admission is $2 or free with a nonper-ishable food donation for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.

More than 20 exhibitors will be on hand, including several AAA savings partners. There will be show specials and booking incentives throughout the event. AAA travel agents will be available to help with every step of the planning process, and attendees can enter for a chance to win a $500 AAA Travel Agency gift certifi cate.

For more information, visit AAA.com/Travel.

AAA TRAVEL SHOWCASEMarch 23, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Springfi eldAdmission: $2. Free with a nonper-ishable food donation.

AAA Travel Showcase

Gotta get away? Come see AAA

Attendees of the 12th annual AAA Travel Showcase, coming to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame March 23, can discover exclusive destinations, savings and deals.

Teen-pleasing travelTeens

(and their parents) will love

discovering famous TV and movie

spots – like Tom’s

Restaurant from “Sein-feld” – with New York’s

On Loca-tion Tours.

10 TripTiks

By Cynthia BenjaminIf the only thing your teenagers look at while on a family

outing are their cellphones, if they scowl and roll their eyes at every stop – or even refuse to leave the car – then you need a new plan.

We’ve picked 10 totally chill destinations that just might excite your teens, actually causing them to smile and join in conversation. And, as a bonus, each stop is designed to appeal to the entire family and they’re all within a day’s drive.

Continued on page 8

Just one hour can add upTraffi c safety

For some folks, the start of daylight saving time on March 13 will be a welcome event.

The days are longer and springing the clocks forward means warmer weather is just around the corner.

But the time change does have a small fee – an hour of sleep. Though this might be a minor adjustment, it’s more than enough to make some motorists drowsy behind the wheel.

Losing just one hour of sleep matters. Many Americans are already sleep-deprived, and when our body clock is forced to change, it affects productivity and focus, increasing chances for

Continued on page 14Yawning frequently is a sign that you might be too tired to drive. Pulling over to a safe spot for a quick nap would help.

2 AAA PIONEER VALLEY | MARCH 2016

Here at AAA, we pride ourselves on providing world-class member services, such as roadside assistance and helping travelers plan their dream vacations. This is also the time each year when we have the pleasure of meeting and honor-ing a group also dedicated to providing world-class experi-ences – our AAA Five Diamond and Four Diamond hotels and restaurants.

Each year, AAA inspectors fan out across North America, visiting 58,000 establishments hoping to gain AAA’s approval. The anonymous inspectors, who are employees of AAA’s national offi ce, evaluate hotels and restaurants with a strict set of standards. The result is a rating of one to fi ve diamonds. These ratings offer excellent guidance to AAA Pioneer Valley Members planning trips to other parts of the country, as well as to people planning to visit us here in the Northeast.

Our detailed inspection and rating system exists for one reason: to provide AAA Members with an important trip-plan-ning tool. Any property rated by AAA meets standards for ser-vices, facilities and amenities. It takes into account the needs of budget-conscious travelers, as well as those who choose to stay or eat at a world-class establishment.

AAA is now in its 80th year of conducting professional, in-person property inspections and publishing the results for our members. Here are some of our historical milestones:

• In 1917, AAA published its fi rst stand-alone hotel direc-tory.

• In 1926, AAA released the fi rst TourBook series with three books covering the northeastern, southeastern and north cen-tral states, including parts of Canada.

• In 1937, AAA began inspecting lodgings and restaurants, publishing detailed property descriptions.

• In 1963, AAA adopted a formal rating system for lodging properties listed in the AAA TourBook. The guides carried four specifi c categories of ratings: Good, Very Good, Excellent and Outstanding.

• In 1985, AAA started using Dia-mond ratings for restaurants.

There are over 100 Five and Four Diamond Rated properties in New England. We certainly have the best of the best right here in our backyard. We also have the commitment to provide our members with useful and timely information about all AAA-rated properties throughout North America. Visit AAA.com, use our mobile app, or come into one of our branch offi ces and let us help you plan your next vacation.

from the president’s deskChris E. Mensing

AAA Diamond Rated sites have world-class service

AAA PIONEERVALLEY OFFICERS

Chairman of the BoardHelen R. Caulton-Harris

Vice ChairMichael Godek

President & CEOChris E. Mensing

CFO & TreasurerRobert M. Dwyer

AAA OFFICESADMINISTRATION150 Capital Drive

W. Springfield, MA 010891-800-622-9211

AAA.com

CHICOPEE863 Montgomery StreetHOURS: Monday - Friday

9 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.413-536-2655

Insurance Services Only

GREENFIELDMohawk Mall91 Main Street

HOURS: Monday - Friday9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

HADLEYCampus Plaza

458 Russell StreetHOURS: Mon, Tue, Wed,

Fri - 9 am - 5:30 pm;Thursday - 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.Saturday - 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.Registry Services AvailableInsurance Services unavailable Saturday

SPRINGFIELDFive Town Plaza

270 Cooley StreetHOURS: Mon, Tue, Wed,Fri - 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Thursday - 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.Saturday - 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.Insurance Services unavailable Saturday

WEST SPRINGFIELD150 Capital Drive

HOURS: Mon, Tue, Wed,Fri - 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Thursday - 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.Saturday - 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.Registry Services AvailableInsurance Services unavailable Saturday

TimesOfficial Publication ofAAA Pioneer Valley EDITORIAL OFFICE150 Capital Drive

W. Springfield, MA 01089413-205-2231

[email protected]

PUBLISHER & EDITORMindy J. Ginley

TRAVEL EDITORSandra J. Marsian

AAA Times is published ten times a year by AAA Pioneer Valley, 150 Capital Drive, W. Springfield, MA

01089 (USPS 002-740). Subscrip-tion rate: 50 cents per annum with

Periodicals Postage Paid at W. Springfield, MA and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send

address correction changes toAAA Pioneer Valley, 150 Capital Dr.,

West Springfield, MA 01089.

UPGRADE TO AAA PLUS®

OR AAA PREMIER®

You’ll get up to 200 miles of towing and more peace of mind.

You never know what’s around the next turn...so why not get even more peace of mind for you and your family by upgrading your membership. AAA Premier features valuable expanded benefits including one-day FREE car rental when your vehicle is towed.* And AAA Plus offers a great move up from Basic Membership. So hit the road with added peace of mind – upgrade today!

SERVICES AAA PREMIER® AAA PLUS® BASICTowing Benefit*

Emergency Fuel Delivery

Car Rental (with tow)*

Vehicle Locksmith Service

Home Lockout Services*

Towing up to 100 miles, one tow can be up to 200 miles^

FREE Emergency Gas

One-Day free Car Rental^

Up to $100

Up to $100^

Towing up to 100miles

FREE Emergency Gas

Up to 3 miles

You pay for gas

Discounted rate

Up to $50

CALL 1-800-622-9211 VISIT your local AAA branch CLICK AAA.com

Discounted rate

Up to $100

SERVICES

Roadside Assistance within Pioneer Valley:

For Service Outside Pioneer Valley: (800) 222-4357

429

lley:lley:

*This chart shows just some of the benefits available to members. Certain conditions and restrictions apply. Visit AAA.com/Membership for details.

^Per household per membership year

N/A N/A

MARCH 2016 | AAA PIONEER VALLEY 3

AAA Diamond Ratings for hotels

and restaurants.

AAA Members save. Find details

at AAA.com/Discounts.

LOOK FOR THESE ICONS WITHIN AAA TIMESAAA GEM attractions offer a Great

Experience for Members.

Get the most out of your membership!Sign up todayto receiveexclusivemember benefits, money-savingdeals andlimited-timeoffers.

Visit AAA.com/Email

APPLY TODAYby visiting any AAA branch or

AAA.com/creditcard.

3x points = 3% cash back on qualifying AAA and travel purchases**

2x points = 2% cash back on gas, grocery store and drug store purchases**

1 point per $1 = 1% cash back on purchases everywhere else**

The categories won’t change and there is no limit on the points you can earn. In addition to cash back,

redeem your points for statement credits, gift cards,

air travel, car rentals, hotel stays or AAA vouchers.

Spend $250 in purchases on your new AAA Member

Rewards Visa® credit card in the fi rst 90 days and get

a $50 statement credit.* Start earning points on all of

your purchases and redeem them for cash back:

For information about rates, fees, other costs and benefi ts 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. * Statement Credit Offer (Valid 2/1–4/30/2016). You will qualify for a $50 statement credit if you use your new credit card account to make any combination of purchase

transactions totaling at least $250 (exclusive of any fees, returns and adjustments) that post to your account within 90 days of the account open date. Limit one (1) statement credit per new account. This one-time promotion is limited to new customers opening an account in response to this offer. Other advertised promotional statement credit offers can vary from this promotion and may not be substituted. Allow 8–12 weeks from qualifying for the statement credit to post to your account. The statement credit will generally be applied to your existing balance with the highest APR before being applied to any balances with lower APRs. Receipt of a statement credit does not affect your responsibility to pay your Total Minimum Payment shown on each statement you receive from us.

** Earn 1 point per dollar of new net retail purchase transactions (qualifying purchases less credits, returns, and adjustments) charged to the card each billing cycle. Earn 2 points per dollar for purchases made with the card at any eligible gas, grocery or pharmacy retail merchant categories as designated by Bank of America. Earn 3 points per dollar for purchases made with the card through any participating AAA Club when AAA is the merchant of record, or at eligible retail travel merchant categories as designated by Bank of America. Points expire fi ve (5) years from end of the billing cycle during which the points were earned. Additional restrictions apply. Details accompany new account materials.

This credit card program is issued and administered by Bank of America, N.A. Visa and Visa Signature are registered trademarks of Visa International Service Association and are used by the issuer pursuant to license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. ©2016 Bank of America Corporation ©2016 AAA ARNDYKN6

Exclusively for AAA Members!

Carry the Card That Gets You There®.

Auto Renewal

Enroll in

$5

Save time & money!

Enroll today! Visit your nearest AAA office,call 1-800-622-9211 or click AAA.com/AutoRenew

OFF PER HOUSEHOLD**one time discount when you enroll in AAA Membership Auto Renewal using your credit card.

Spring will spring this month and it’s a perfect time to get out and take advantage of savings opportunities with AAA Discounts & Rewards.

GET READY FOR THE TAXMAN

Get those taxes fi led for less with discounts on desk-top and online products from TurboTax. Save $10 off Tur-boTax Deluxe, $15 off TurboTax Premier and $20 off TurboTax Home and Business. Go to AAA.com/TurboTax.

LIMITED-TIME OFFERSStop by shopper services at

Tanger Outlets between March 3 and April 17 to pick up a coupon sheet with a 20 percent off coupon for a single item, redeemable at several participat-ing locations.

Request information about the AAA Prescription Savings program and get a free kit fi lled with sunscreen and lip ointment. AAA Members can save up to 50 percent on prescriptions for the

whole family, including pets. Go to AAA.com/Prescriptions.

Save 40 percent on your entire purchase at Reebok Outlet Store from March 5 through 20. Restrictions apply. See AAA.com/Reebok. PAINT THE TOWN, FOR LESS

Visit PPG Paints and enjoy 25 percent off the retail price of paint and 15 percent off the retail price of certain sup-plies with your AAA card. See AAA.com/Discounts.

discounts bulletin

* Western New England Spring Bridal ShowGetting ready to say “I do”? You’ll fi nd over 100 vendors ready to help plan your special day at the MassMutual Center in Springfi eld. Attendees can enjoy live music, fi nd inspira-tion for the perfect cake and perhaps even spot “the” dress in the bridal fashion show: March 6, 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. $8. Visit www.westernnewenglandbridalshow.com.

* A quest for springIf you’re fed up with the snow and chill of winter, join naturalists at the Laughing Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Hampden for an outdoor adventure in search of signs of spring. Discover the fi rst hints of birds, green plants and insects returning to the area. Be sure to preregister: March 19, 10-11:30 a.m. $5; $7 children. Visit www.massaudubon.org.

* Renaissance Games NightGet competitive and challenge other Renaissance fans with a night of board games, puzzles and a Shakespearean trivia contest at the Massachusetts Center for Interdisciplinary Renaissance Studies in Amherst: March 25, 7-9 p.m. Free. Visit www.umass.edu.

things to do for $15 or lessget out!

C. Stevenson, South HadleyI cannot express my gratitude for Cherie Pease and the AAA Driving School instructors. As a single

mother of three children learning to drive at the same time, it was quite diffi cult arranging and maintain-ing lessons and courses.

Ms. Pease was very helpful with organizing my children’s schedules and deadlines with any confl icts and problems that arose during their driving instruction. I don’t know what I would have done without her personal assistance.

The instructors were patient, built my kids’ confi dence and helped them to become responsible drivers. Thank you for all your service and support. I will refer you to many families in my area.

Thankful mom praises AAA Driving School


CUTup to 50%*

PRESCRIPTION

Did you know that you can use AAA Prescription Savings and receive discounts on your PET prescriptions and save?

Just ask your vet to write a prescription that you can fill at a par-ticipating pharmacy and present it to your pharmacist. It’s that easy to save on prescriptions - for EVERY member of your family.

Start saving today! Simply present your AAA card to your phar-macist when filling your prescription. Visit AAA.com/prescrip-tions for more information and to locate a participatingpharmacy near you.

* AAA Prescription Savings is NOT insurance. Discounts are only available from participating pharmacies. By using this card, you agree to pay the entire prescription cost less any applicable discount. AAA members save an average of 24% on prescriptions. Savings may vary by pharmacy, drug strength, dosage, and quantity. Savings are based on actual 2014 drug purchases for this program administered by CVS Caremark, located in Woonsocket, RI. The program administrator may obtain fees or rebates from manufacturers and/or pharmacies based on your prescription drug purchases. These fees or rebates may be retained by the program administrator or shared with you and/or your pharmacy. Prescription claims through this program will not be eligible for reimbursement through Medicaid, Medicare or any other government program. Heartworm or flea/tick prevention medications are not covered. AAA Prescription Savings cannot be combined with any other discounts. This contains references to brand-name prescription drugs that are trademarks or registered trademarks of pharmaceutical manufacturers that are not affiliated with CVS Caremark or AAA.

n Savings and

In today’s economy, many families are choosing to move themselves to save money. These tips from Penske Truck Rental can help ensure that your move is smooth and easy.

Choose the right truck: A 12- or 16-foot truck is ideal for moving a few large items or the contents of a small condo or apartment.

Reserve early: Book your rental truck at least two weeks in advance.

Pack wisely: Load your heaviest items fi rst. Avoid injury by bending your knees and lifting with your legs.

Use accessories: Boxes, packaging material, moving blankets and hand trucks are essential to protecting your items and making your move more enjoyable.

Mark boxes: Label as you pack. It makes it easier to put the boxes in the right room while unloading.

Think safety: Trucks are

taller, wider, heavier and re-quire more stopping distance than cars. Pick up your truck early. Practice driving. Take precautions when the truck is loaded. Beware of low-hanging branches, overhangs and when turning a corner. Park in well-lit areas. Padlock the rear door. Penske Truck Rental has 24/7 emergency roadside assistance and optional protection plans.

Get oriented: Ask a truck rental associate to walk you through the features. It should be clean and well-maintained.

Drive green: Use a rental company – such as Penske Truck Rental – affi liated with EPA’s SmartWay freight trans-portation effi ciency program.

Preparation goes a long way to ensure an easy move. Get more moving tips at www.pensketruckrental.com. AAA Members receive a 12 percent discount on one-way and local truck rentals as well as moving supplies and acces-sories.

Smooth moves aheadMoving tips

It’s best to load heaviest items fi rst when packing for a move.

By George MorseFor the fi rst time in a long

time, Massachusetts Depart-ment of Transportation offi cials have some certainty about federal transportation funding in the years to come.

In early December, President Barack Obama signed the Fix-ing America’s Surface Trans-portation Act, also known as the FAST Act. The bipartisan bill provides roughly $281 billion nationwide in transportation and transit funding over the next fi ve years, which is a much lengthier authorization than anything in the recent past.

The FAST Act is the fi rst long-term transportation bill passed by Congress in 10 years, said U.S. Secretary of Trans-portation Anthony Foxx in a post on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fast Lane blog.

The last long-term authoriza-tion expired in 2009 and was followed by a series of short-term extensions. The FAST Act, for example, was signed just hours before the expiration of a two-week extension approved in mid-November.

“This is terrifi c news for Mas-sachusetts motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, and everyone who uses our roadways. This bill will enhance safety for all

by modernizing and bringing long-overdue improvements to our roads and bridges, and it will hopefully ease congestion as well,” said Sandra Marsian, vice president of membership, travel and marketing for AAA Pioneer Valley.

Massachusetts will receive about an average of $643 million annually in federal highway funds through 2020, topping out at more than $672 million in 2020. That’s nearly a 15 percent bump from 2015 funding of about $586 million.

In addition, the state will also see about a 13 percent in-crease in transit funding, from roughly $339 million in 2015 to a little over $384 million in 2020, an average of $371 mil-lion per year.

Stephanie Pollack, Massa-chusetts Secretary of Trans-portation and MassDOT CEO, said motorists should be happy about the long-term funding plan.

“This allows MassDOT to pro-actively plan our investments and administer our projects with funding confi dence. We are grateful to our congres-sional delegation and Congress for producing an innovative, comprehensive and long-term transportation bill. It not only provides us with increased

funds to invest in the com-monwealth’s infrastructure, it creates effi ciencies, fl exibility and will certainly allow us to administer our federal aid more effectively,” Pollack said.

Funds received through the FAST Act will allow the state to invest more in its capital invest-ment program, Pollack said. The plan is aimed at prioritiz-ing transportation investment between 2017 and 2021 across a variety of modes including highway, rail, mass transit and air travel, among others.

The FAST Act is funded by the federal Highway Trust Fund and federal budget offsets.

Transportation funding

State will see boost in highway, transit funds

Massachusetts will receive $643 million in federal high-way funds annually thanks to the passage of the FAST Act.


TravelAMTRAK®

Executive Valet ParkingGrand Canyon Railway Hertz®, Dollar®, Thrifty® Car RentalRoncari Express Valet ParkingThe Parking Spot

Shopping1-800-Flowersadidas OutletLee Premium OutletsModell’s Sporting GoodsNew York & Company®

Payless ShoeSource®

Reebok OutletsTanger® OutletsWrentham Village Premium OutletsYankee Mattress FactoryYawkey Way Store

WirelessAffinity CellularSprint

Personal ServicesAAA Driving School AAA Prescription SavingsAmRideGlasses.comHealthtrax Fitness & WellnessLensCraftersPearle Vision Sears OpticalTarget Optical

DiningCheer’s Boston / Sam’s CafeHard Rock Cafe®

Landry’s® Seafood The Crab HouseAquarium Restaurants® Chart House® Muer Seafood Restaurants®

OceanairePapa John’s PizzaRainforest Cafe (select locations) Saltgrass Steak House®

Simms Steakhouse

Partners and offers are subject to change without notice. Not responsible for typographical errors. Discounts and requirements vary, visit AAA.com/discounts for complete offers, restrictions and exclusions. *Discounts only available through AAA.com/Discounts.

SAVINGS ON YOUR FAVORITE BRANDSEntertainment & AttractionsBasketball Hall of FameBerkshire East Ski AreaBlue Man Group BostonBlue Man Group UniversalBoston Bruins Pro ShopCityStage & Symphony HallCoCo Key Water Resort - CTConnecticut’s Beardsley ZooEric Carle Museum of Picture Book ArtHistoric DeerfieldInternational Tennis Hall of FameMystic Seaport - The Museum of America & The SeaNew Century TheatreNew England Mutiny SoccerRoger Williams Park ZooBusch Gardens®, Sesame Place®, Adventure Island®, Water Country USA®

Six Flags®

Southwick’s ZooSpringfield Museums

The Hall at Patriot PlaceTicketmaster®

Universal Orlando & HollywoodUrban AdventoursWestern Mass. Pioneers

Home & BusinessAtlas Van LinesConsumer Relocation ServicesDell® DIRECTV® HP.comLifeLock, Inc.Penske Truck Rental Sitterly MoversSpareFootThe UPS Store®

TurboTax

AutomotiveAffordable Auto Glass NAPA® Auto PartsSpartan Auto Care Center - WilbrahamTire WarehouseTown Fair Tire Centers

AFFORDABLE

WITH AAA DISCOUNTS & REWARDS

LIFE IS NOW

The sale is always on for AAA Members. Get exclusive discounts at more than 100,000 locations -

online, down the street and around the world.

AAA.com/SearchfordiscountsOr download the AAA Mobile app

Save 10% on $50 or more merchan-dise/food/beverage purchase at

participating park locations.

Save 25% on admission.

Save $296/day or $1836/weekon airport valet parking.

Save 10% on food and non-alcoholic beverages.

Save $2 on adult admission

at all four museums.

Save 40% off original outlet prices from March 5-20. Restrictions apply.

Visit AAA.com/Restrictions.

Save up to 20% on truck rental rates and moving accessories

supplies at Pensketruckrental.com

Receive the first month free, plus a $20 Amazon gift card

when you book storage.


Great 8

By Phantom GourmetWhether straight off the fl at

top or piping hot from the press, nothing says comfort quite like a crispy, melty grilled cheese. And these are the eight greatest places to get it.

ROXY’S GRILLED CHEESE 485 Cambridge St., AllstonThis casual eatery on Cam-

bridge Street offers some of the best grilled cheese sandwiches you’ll fi nd anywhere. One of the keys to the grilled cheese sandwiches at Roxy’s is that they’re smeared with mayo instead of butter. Phantom loves the signature Green Muenster sandwich with Muenster cheese, bacon and guacamole.

CHEESEBOY With eight locations across

Massachusetts and Connecticut, Cheeseboy makes a great grilled cheese for the customer on the go. Sandwich options range from tomato basil to chicken

bacon ranch, with the most indulgent option being the Mac ’N Melt, which features creamy macaroni and cheese and hickory bacon on golden toasty white bread.

PAULI’S65 Salem St., Boston

This small shop in Boston’s North End is known for its larger-than-life menu. For a memorable sandwich, order up

the lobster grilled cheese. It’s stuffed with 7 ounces of deli-cious, sweet lobster meat and works surprisingly well inside a grilled cheese format.

NEW WORLD TAVERN56 Main St., Plymouth

The New World Tavern is far from your typical barroom, offering creative cuisine you usually don’t see outside of the city. Its gourmet grilled cheese

features a few twists, including smoked Gouda and Gruyere cheeses, an apple-onion spread and a honey truffl e sauce for dipping.

STONEWOOD TAVERN139 Lynnfi eld St., PeabodyThe Stonewood Tavern puts

an upscale spin on the typical tavern experience. Its over-the-top Stonewood All-American features an 8-ounce burger patty, garlic mayo, cheese, fresh-sliced tomato and grilled strips of bacon stuffed between two grilled cheese sandwiches.

ROX DINERWest Roxbury and NewtonFavorites here include the co-

conut-crusted Tahitian French toast, the messy meatball melt served with extra sauce for dip-ping, and the stack of cheddar, bacon and tomato known as the ultimate grilled cheese. The key to the sandwich is the extra smokiness from the hickory ba-con, which works perfectly with the toasted brioche bread.

SLATE BAR & GRILL109 High St., Boston

At Slate in the fi nancial district, there’s a clear pecking order to its three distinct styles of grilled cheese. The Intern consists of a humble, hard-working cheese, while Middle Management steps it up a notch with grilled tomatoes. And the CEO-style grilled cheese is a real one-percenter, fi lled with farm-house cheddar, tomatoes and crispy applewood smoked bacon on grilled thick-cut country white bread.

REAL DEAL DELIJamaica Plain,

West Roxbury and BrightonThe Grown-Up Grilled Cheese

is unlike anything your mother used to make. This sinful sandwich is stuffed with smoked Gouda, sliced barbecue brisket and caramelized onions before being grilled to a perfect golden brown. Equal parts smoky, sweet, melty and crispy, this is comfort food for adults.

J. Quinn, Belchertown, AAA Plus Member since 2009

AAA has saved my fam-ily numerous times with auto problems, but I also enjoyed the discounts I received during my recent trip to the Wrentham Village Premium Outlets. I was able to load up on great team apparel at Reebok, all at a nice savings. The added perk really made my day. My family and I now regularly ask at stores if our membership entitles us to a discount and it truly is a won-derful surprise when it does. We never shop without our AAA card!

K. Rossi, Belchertown, AAA Plus Member since 2011

AAA helped us save a bundle on our vacation to California a few weeks ago. We saved money on airport parking, our car rental, and all of our lodging in California. I am guessing we saved over $500 on this one trip. Thank you, AAA.

M. Dobiecki, Springfi eld, AAA Plus Member since 1987

My friend and I were on Inter-state 91 when her car started to have problems. She got us down the ramp and to a vacant gas station, where she shut off the car. She called AAA and said we needed a tow from Greenfi eld to Springfi eld, which would have cost $100. There was no way I would let her pay that (she only had a AAA Basic Membership, while I had AAA Plus). So I had them tow it under my member-ship for no extra fee. Needless to say, she upgraded to AAA Plus the next day.

AAA saves the day

Comforting classic gets creative touches

The Green Muenster at Roxy’s Grilled Cheese is packed with ba-con, Muenster cheese and guacamole.


Call or visit your nearest AAA Travel Agent

today!

This spring, discover all-new Star WarsTM adventures

at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, the Garden RocksTM

Concert Series at Epcot®, the new nighttime

experiences at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme

Park and so much more. With all-new experiences

and these special savings, now is the time to plan the

storybook vacation of your dreams.

WE’RE WISHING YOU WERE HERE.

Receive 1 more ticket day FREE when you upgrade to a room and ticket package with a minimum

4-day Theme Park ticket!

Book by Mar 31, 2016.

on rooms at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels this spring

UP TOSAVE 25%*

for stays most nights Apr 14–Jun 11, 2016.

Ask about other great rates for stays most nights Feb 22–Apr 13, 2016.

*The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Length-of-stay requirements may apply. Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same room. Additional per-adult charges may apply if more than two adults per room at Disney Value, Moderate and Deluxe Resorts. Cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion. Advance reservations required. Offer excludes campsites, 3-bedroom villas, the Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort—The Little Mermaid Standard Rooms. 25% savings for select Disney Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts; lower savings may be available for other Resorts. Everyone in the room must be on the same package. ©Disney WDW-16-47730

1-800-622-9211AAA.com/Travel


Savor the local cuisine, relive the Renaissance, and walk in the footsteps of the masters.

13 Days l 18 Meals l Starting at $3,124*

VistasTOUR OF ITALY HIGHLIGHTS: Rome, Colosseum, Ruins of Pompeii, Sorrento Coast, Isle of Capri, Florence, Michelangelo’s David, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Tuscan Winery, Venice, Murano Island, Verona, Stresa, Locarno (Switzerland).

Book any AAA Member Choice Vacations® trip or itinerary in February or March and earn 5X points when you pay with your AAA Member Rewards Visa® credit card.†

AAA MEMBER CHOICE VACATIONS● More than 150 tours to destinations such as Asia,

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Breathtaking Italian

TERMS & CONDITIONS:* This is a member price. Rate is land only, per person, based on double occupancy. Price includes a $25 per person member discount and is subject to availability. Not valid on group travel. Included in many U.S. cities within a 50-mile radius of more than 90 airport gateways. Service is available between 51 and 75 miles for a small fee. One transfer per room booking. Additional stops are not permitted on route. Other restrictions may apply; call for details.

† For information about the rates, fees, other costs, and benefits associated with the use of the credit card or to apply, visit your local AAA branch or AAA.com/creditcard. You will earn 5 points per dollar spent (consisting of 4 bonus points and 1 base point) on any AAA Member Choice Vacations transactions that have a transaction date from February 1–March 31, 2016. Purchases made through merchants other than Member Choice Vacations will not qualify for the bonus points. This promotion will not impact the standard earn rate on purchases or the bonus rewards offers on travel, gas, grocery store, and drug store purchases. The value of this reward may constitute taxable income to you. You may be issued an Internal Revenue Service Form 1099 (or other appropriate form) that reflects the value of such reward. Please consult your tax advisor, as neither we, nor our affiliates, provide tax advice. This credit card program is issued and administered by Bank of America, N.A. Visa and Visa Signature are registered trademarks of Visa International Service Association and are used by the issuer pursuant to license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. © 2015 Bank of America Corporation. ARJG894G

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10 TripTiks®

Continued from 11. Alpine Adventures, Lin-

coln, N.H.: Enjoy the scenic drive on the Kancamagus Highway through the White Mountains to this outdoor sports supercenter, where you can zoom along three canopy zip lines, take a thrilling off-road ride on a Swiss army transport vehicle, and challenge yourself on the rope ladders, bridges, gi-ant stunt ramp and more at the Thrillsville Aerial Park.

2. Cooperstown, N.Y.: Is your teen hard to impress? Would a customized baseball bat do the trick? The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is just the start of the fun. Cooperstown is perfect whether your teens are into watching baseball (visit the hall of fame), playing baseball (nearby batting cages and Cooper Park) or taking selfi es at famous sites (Doubleday Field) and with famous athletes (Heroes of Baseball Wax Museum).

3. Dave & Buster’s, Man-chester, Conn.; South Shore Plaza, Braintree; Woburn, Mass.; and Providence

Place, Providence, R.I.: A favorite with teenagers, this rockin’ play-eat-watch venue will also put a smile on parents’ faces: They can eat the surpris-ingly good fare, have a drink, watch sports on the TVs, or even join the fun as their teens ricochet from “Star Wars Battle Pod” to air hockey to “Fruit Ninja” in the enormous arcade. Even the ticket redemption center here will appeal to teens, with prizes ranging from NFL

footballs to plush Hello Kitty dolls.

4. Foxborough: In the shadow of massive Gillette Stadium – home to the New England Patriots – there’s a world of entertainment for aspiring adults. Pats fans of all ages won’t want to miss The Hall at Patriot Place , which has 11 themed displays, includ-ing the team’s four Vince Lom-bardi trophies, and the Patriots ProShop. Next door is Patriot

Place, which calls to teens with the hottest stores (Alex and Ani, Fanautical), restaurants (CBS Scene, Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill), and entertainment, including Showcase Cinema de Lux, Splitsville Luxury Lanes and Muse Paintbar.

5. Freeport, Maine: Named one of the best shopping towns in New England by Yankee magazine, Freeport is home to all the outlet stores that have cachet with teens, from the Nike Factory Store to Oakley Vault and North Face Outlet. But, more than that, Freeport is also the home of the fl agship L.L. Bean, a vast complex open 24 hours a day, every day. The store hosts frequent activities and demonstrations – many of them free – from bicycle main-tenance and learning to kayak to skate skiing.

6. MASS MoCA , North Adams: With 200,000 square feet of open, soaring gallery space in 13 renovated factory buildings that cover nearly a third of the downtown, this is defi nitely not your father’s art museum. More lively than stuffy, more platform than box, the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art is dedicated to the creation and display of new art.

7. Northampton: Heavily infl uenced by the prestigious colleges in the area, this charming, quirky town fairly pulses with a brainy, artistic and counterculture beat. Poke through the many galleries, music shops, bookstores and unique boutiques, people watch

in one of the many coffee shops, or grab a bite in an avant-garde restaurant.

8. On Location Tours, New York City : Whether your teens are fans of “Gossip Girl” or “Seinfeld,” new blockbusters or classic fi lms, this company has a tour for that. Get up-close and personal with the candy store where Vanessa shopped, or the diner that was second home to Jerry, George, Elaine and Kramer.

9. Six Flags Great Adven-ture & Safari , Jackson, N.J.: The theme park has added Total Mayhem to its impressive lineup of more than a dozen roller coasters. Teen thrill-seekers can scare themselves silly – or demon-strate their cool-headedness – on Batman: The Ride, Bizarro, Green Lantern, Dare Devil Dive and much more, while adults and younger children will fi nd plenty of tamer rides.

10. Taping of the “Today” show or “Good Morning America,” New York City: This is a surprisingly easy – and free – way to be a hero to your teens. “Today” doesn’t issue tickets; simply arrive at the corner of West 48th Street and Rockefeller Plaza about an hour before taping begins (at 7 a.m.) to get the best spot to see – and maybe interact with – the stars and get yourself on camera. Tickets are also not needed for “Good Morn-ing America” – just show up in Times Square, preferably by 6:30 a.m. for the best view. Check online for details.

Trips to please the pickiest of teens

Want to impress your teens? Take them to an early morning tap-ing of NBC’s “Today” show in New York City.

Peter Kramer / NBC


*Contact your travel agent for full terms and conditions. Offer limited by availability. Certain restrictions may apply. ©2016 Celebrity Cruises Inc. Ships’ registry: Malta and Ecuador 16048651 • 1/2016

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By Dana HammondI’m such a sap for Irish songs.

“Danny Boy” brings me to tears every time, but it’s another, more light-hearted, tune that got me choked up on a recent trip to Northern Ireland. In this “wee country,” as the locals call it – a six-county enclave smaller than the state of Connecticut and still under British rule – there’s a reason Irish eyes are smiling. And, as the old song so poignantly suggests, in the lilt of Irish laugher I could hear the angels sing.

The Emerald Isle’s treasures to the south are well-known. Still, for decades during a period succinctly dubbed the Troubles, visitors avoided venturing north to an area mired in religious and political sectarian violence. Things have changed. Today, nearly 20 years after a tentative peace agreement was crafted, Northern Ireland undoubtedly has a twinkle in its eye again.

From the jaw-dropping natural won-ders of the Antrim Coast, where a mys-tical causeway makes you believe in the masterful work of giants, to beguiling Belfast, where historic pubs glow with the patina of age and the shiny-new Ti-tanic Belfast illuminates the birthplace of the world’s most legendary liner, Northern Ireland promises rave-worthy attractions. Even areas marred by the Troubles have embraced visitors with tours that provide perspective.

SAINTS AND SPINNERSNaturally, St. Patrick fi gures into the

mix. You can follow his trail to 30 sites, including Downpatrick’s tech-savvy Saint Patrick Centre, the only perma-nent exhibition in the world devoted to Ireland’s patron saint. Saul Church, where he began his missionary work, and Down Cathedral, his reputed burial site, are located in Downpatrick as well.

Fans of Irish goods can shop for delicate Belleek Pottery and sip smooth Bushmills Whiskey in the namesake towns that produce those gems. For a lesson on Irish linen, historic Sion Mills beckons. Londonderry, boasting

scenic 17th century stone ramparts, ranks as Europe’s best-preserved walled city and the only intact fortifi ed city in Ireland.

Even if your Emerald Isle itinerary seems too tight to head north, don’t go home without seeing the capital, Belfast, and County Antrim. Cut some-thing else. You won’t regret it.

BUSTLING BELFASTFor a memorable day, book one of

Belfast’s Black Taxi tours. Zip around in a London-style cab with a driver who delivers friendly, informed and unfettered commentary. The tone counts, because the tours showcase West Belfast’s provocative political murals and the infamous peace lines, a series of gated walls that separate Catholic and Protestant communi-ties (the former favoring a united Ireland, the latter pledging loyalty to the queen). Extended tours whisk past Belfast Cathedral with its glass mosaic baptistery, Queen’s University, City Hall and other architectural gems before aptly ending in the Titanic Quarter, where the boat that created an industrial boon during Belfast’s Ed-

wardian heyday continues to support the city via the world’s largest Titanic experience.

A multi-bow-shaped structure clad in glistening aluminum shards, Titanic Belfast even looks a bit like an iceberg. Inside, roam replica cabins and soar around the liner during its construction in Belfast’s shipyard of yore on a virtual-reality ride. Related attractions include Titanic’s Dock and Pump House as well as the SS Nomadic, which served as a tender for the Titanic and stands out as the last ship in the White Star fl eet. End the day at Crown Liquor Saloon, savoring a pint of Guinness in one of the pew-box-style “snugs,” which come com-plete with carved-wood doors. Copper ceilings, stained-glass windows and gas-lit lamps enhance the ambiance. It’s one of the best high-Victorian pubs anywhere, and locals love it as much as tourists.

THE ANTRIM COASTBeyond Belfast, the almost unimagi-

nable Antrim Coast unwinds. Buses travel the Causeway Coastal Route that spans about 80 miles between Belfast and the popular Giant’s Causeway area, but it’s hard to beat driving yourself since you’ll want to stop every other second. Sea-bitten cliffs crowned with crumbling castles loom alongside the velvety Glens of Antrim, where

patchwork quilts in unnamed shades of green cover the ground. A parade of idyllic seaside villages passes, revealing the whitewashed cottages of Cush-endun and the stone structures of Ballintoy. The North also serves as a fi lming location for the visually stun-ning HBO series “Game of Thrones,” and both haunts have been featured. You can also spy the tunnel of twisted beech trees known as Dark Hedges (Kingsroad) and the round Mussenden Temple (Dragonstone), perched above a swath of sand.

Dunluce Castle, with its achingly beautiful ruins, sits on a rocky head-land. It’s a vision that makes you want to learn to paint. Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, on the other hand, might make you want to faint. A swaying right-of-passage for travelers, this footbridge slung across a chasm between the coast and an islet delivers wild views that are worth the wooziness. From the footbridge you can hike a cliff path to Giant’s Causeway, the only natu-ral UNESCO World Heritage site in Ireland. It’s an obvious fi nale to a day full of stunning scenery. Thousands of naturally formed basalt columns rise out of the sea like steppingstones to the shore. Technically, they’re vol-canic, but the surreal sight spawned legends about giants paving a path to Scotland. See it, and you’ll believe.

Northern Ireland

With Troubles behind them, Irish eyes smile once more

Tourism Ireland

Above, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge on the Antrim Coast of Northern Ireland deliv-ers jaw-dropping views (if you can get over the vertigo). Left, the Glens of Antrim feature a patchwork of glacial valleys, sandy beaches, wooded glens, picturesque villages and waterfalls – all within 20 or so square miles.

Northern Ireland Tourism Board


SPACIOUS, ELEGANT SHIPS GRACIOUS, AWARD-WINNING SERVICE WORLDWIDE ITINERARIESEXTENSIVE ACTIVITIES AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS SOPHISTICATED FIVE-STAR DINING

* Fares are based on Promo(s) FL, LI, RH, RT, RV, BR, KD, KE, JD. Featured fares are per person based on doubleoccupancy, cruise or Land+Sea Journeys only. FaresFares areare inin U.S.U.S. dollars.dollars. All savings amounts are included in the faresshown. Taxes, Fees & Port Expenses are an additional US$200. Subject to availability. Represented best fares reflectprices available on 01/18/16. For more information about our stateroom categories and suite descriptions, to viewdeck plans and for full terms and conditions applicable to your cruise, please refer to hollandamerica.com or theappropriate Holland America brochure. Offers are capacity controlled, and may be modified or withdrawn withoutprior notice. Other restrictions may apply. Ships' Registry: The Netherlands.

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Aloha Days Offer: Valid on new bookings made 3/1 – 4/30/16. Minimum 5-night hotel accommodations at participating property and roundtrip airfare required. FREE 5-day Midsize Hertz car rental valid for travel 3/1 – 6/5/16 and 9/6 – 12/20/16. $100 per booking savings valid for travel 3/1 – 12/20/16. AAA Member Benefi t: Activity voucher does not apply to air/car only bookings. AAA members must make advance reservations through AAA Travel to obtain Member Benefi ts. Not responsible for errors or omissions. [Pleasant Holidays acts only as an agent for the various travel providers shown above.] CST# 1007939-10. Copyright © 2016 Pleasant Holidays, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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Norway has 63,000 miles of twist-ing coastline – which, as National Geographic points out, would circle the world two and a half times if stretched out. This puts Norway’s coastline – the country’s largest and most majestic feature – as one of the longest in the world (the length was actually increased in 2011 to account for features like islets and fjords).

In order to truly experience Nor-way, it’s best to explore the coast. You could attempt to travel by car, but with so many out-of-the-way places that are difficult to reach by road, it’s best to do as Norwegians have done for centuries and navigate the coastline by ship.

Steeped in a 120-year history and forged by necessity, the Hurtigruten line takes passengers and freight through 1,500 miles of some of the

most spectacular inner-coastal scen-ery on earth. You’ll marvel at every turn, all year-round.

SPRING AND THE ARCTIC AWAKENING

In the spring, visitors can experi-ence three seasons in one journey, traveling from the warmer seasonal climate in the south to full winter in the north. This sets the stage for city history walks and kayaking, as well as dogsledding and visiting ice hotels. SUMMER AND THE MIDNIGHT SUN

Summer shows pristine and green Norway at its finest with hours of spectacular sunset skies. The ex-tended daylight above the Arctic Circle lasts around the clock, giving visitors more time to discover the coastline, cities and towns. It’s a great time to visit Geirangerfjord

Hurtigruten’s MS Nordnorge sails through Hjorundfjorden, one of Norway’s many inlets. All told, the Scandinavian country has 63,000 miles of coastline.

and many other hidden fjords along the coast.

FALL AND AUTUMN GOLDFall is harvest time, and with

it comes a bounty of Norwegian flavors – like the famous cloudber-ries – and a revival of cultural life and old traditions. Visitors marvel at the beautiful coastal colors that rise to snow-tipped peaks. This is a great time to sail for those seeking

to dip their toes into the Norwegian coastline.

WINTER AND THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

This is when visitors can best explore the wild and untamed Nor-wegian scenery, and the spectacular northern lights. Various excursions – such as dogsled adventures and snowmobile trips through the Arctic wilderness – are also available.

Norway

Sailing Scandinaviais Hurtigruten’s forte

When it comes to planning a vaca-tion, you probably have the basics covered – from airfare and hotel reser-vations to rental car bookings. With all that preparation and anticipation, it might be easy to overlook another essential item for any trip: travel insurance.

Travel insurance does more than just ensure you get your money back if your trip is canceled unexpectedly; it may also cover any medical emer-gencies you suffer abroad that aren’t covered by your health insurance.

Before traveling overseas or across borders, here are some points to con-sider about travel insurance.

• Review your health insurance. Verify if your health care plan pro-vides coverage outside of the United States. If so, remember to carry both your insurance policy card and a claim

form. Some insurance companies will pay for “customary and reasonable” costs, but few companies cover medical evacuation back to the U.S. Medical evacuation can often cost more than $10,000, depending on your location and condition.

• Medicare does not cover you abroad. The plan does not provide coverage beyond U.S. borders. Check with a AAA insurance account repre-sentative to determine a suitable plan for your travel needs.

• Double-check your policy. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with what your policy covers. For example, are you covered for higher-risk ac-tivities such as parasailing, mountain climbing or scuba diving? Also, review the policy to see how payments are made if you require medical care while away.

For peace of mind on vacation, don’t forget travel insurance

*Prices are per person, cruise only, based on double occupancy in interior stateroom and in U.S. dollars. All itineraries are subject to change without notice. Prices are subject to availability and change without notice. Certain restrictions apply. ©2015 Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Ships’ registry: The Bahamas. 15048185 • 12/14/15

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Europe

It’s easy to see why Europe is a peren-nially popular vacation destination. Visitors can enjoy a wonderful mix of history, architecture and nature across several countries in about a week or so.

The Nordic countries are a perfect example. This cluster of northern Euro-pean nations has a fantastically diverse lineup of places worth checking out.

Denmark: Denmark is home to a variety of family-friendly attractions. Bil-lund is the headquarters of Lego and the world’s original Legoland, which is full of fun attractions. Tivoli Gardens, in Co-penhagen, is another option, with great games, amusement rides, spectacular gardens, entertainment and restaurants.

Finland: Finland shares some of its neighbors’ best traits. The capital of Helsinki is a good bet; it’s easily traversed on foot with architecture such as the Temppeliaukio, or Rock Church, that will keep you looking up.

Norway: The fjords of Norway are among Europe’s most breathtaking natural wonders. These awe-inspiring creations are the result of glaciers carving narrow inlets of water through majestic cliffs. Stavanger and Geirang-erfjord are two stunning examples. Cruises and hiking are popular ways to experience the fjords, and scenic train rides are worth considering as well.

Iceland: Just west of Scandinavia

– and only a fi ve-hour plane ride from Boston – Iceland is an island of black-sand beaches, geysers, glaciers and waterfalls. There’s fantastic nightlife, too, along with national parks for hiking, horseback riding and snow-mobiling. Don’t miss the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa.

Sweden: No tour of opulent Euro-pean residences is complete without a stop at Drottningholm Palace. The UNESCO World Heritage site is not only home to Swedish royalty but a signifi cant portion of the palace and its grounds is open to visitors year-round.

Nordic countries a chill mix of culture, scenery

Left, Iceland is home to otherwordly glaciers, black-sand beaches, geysers and waterfalls, while Sweden’s Drottningholm Palace, right, houses the country’s royal family and is open year-round to visitors. Both Nordic countries – along with their neighbors Denmark, Finland and Norway – are worthy of a visit anytime.


ONE-DAY TOURS*April 30 - West Point Dress Parade..................................$116U.S. Military Academy Cadet Review viewing; lunch at Hotel Thayer; guided tour. Limited seats available!

May 7 - Albany Tulip Festival..............................................$88After the Tulip Festival, enjoy a late Italian lunch at Buca di Beppo in Albany. Great gift for Mother’s Day!May 14 - Bronx Zoo...............................................................$96Admission to the Bronx Zoo including zoo shuttle, monorail, children’s zoo, world of reptiles and congo gorilla forest ($86 child age 3-12)

June 12 - Newport Playhouse............................................$119Enjoy a buffet lunch followed by Woody Allen’s “Play it Again Sam”

July 24 - Charles Riverboat and Cambridge....................$114 Narrated Charles River cruise; lunch at the Cheesecake Factory; guided tour of Cambridge.

August 7 - Long Island Lighthouse Cruise.......................$110 Narrated lighthouse cruise; dinner at Go Fish; free time in Mystic Village

September 4 - NYC 9/11 Memorial Museum....................$94Admission to the 9/11 Memorial Museum; visit Chelsea Marketplace

September 25 - Hudson Valley Garlic Festival.................$79Entrance into the Garlic Festival with craft and food vendors; entertainment.October 16 - Granite State Octoberfest.............................$96Visit Grafton Cheese; lunch at The Inn at East Hill Farm with German Oom-pah Band entertainment.October 23 - Salem............................................................$107Lunch at Victoria Station Restaurant; admission to Salem Witch MuseumNovember - Radio City.........................................................TBAOrchestra seats; free time in NYC for shopping

MULTI-DAY ESCORTED TOURS*

June 1-3 - 3-Day Boston Red Sox in Baltimore Tour.......$5692 nights hotel; 2 full breakfast buffets; guided tour of Baltimore; tickets to 2 Boston Red Sox/Baltimore Orioles baseball games; Baltimore’s Inner Harbor; admission to Fort McHenry, Arundel Mills Shops & Maryland Live Casino

June 30 - July 6 - 7-Day Atlantic Canada Cruise Tour...$17591 night private stateroom onboard ship; 5 nights hotel; guided tours of Nova Scotia, Halifax and Prince Edward Island; Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo; all sightseeing & admission fees; 4 breakfasts; 5 dinners

August 16-18 - 3-Day Niagara Falls & Finger Lakes........$5952 nights in Niagara Falls; 2 full breakfasts; 2 dinners; Niagara Falls guided tour and cruise on the Hornblower; Niagara on the Lake shopping; Casino; Lunch and wine tasting at a Finger Lakes Winery

August 28-31 - 4-Day Montreal & Quebec.......................$8292 nights in Quebec; 1 night in Montreal; 2 breakfasts, 3 dinners; visit St. Anne de Beaupre, Montmorency Falls, Plains of Abraham, Quebec Parliament, Notre Dame, St. Joseph’s Oratory; sightseeing, casino, duty free shopping.

September 19-21 - 3-Day ‘Samson’ Theatre Show..........$4792 nights hotel; 2 breakfasts, dinner and show at the hotel, dinner at Shady Maple Smorgasbord, wine and cheese reception; ‘Samson’ reserved orches-tra tickets; Longwood Gardens; Kitchen Kettle Village; Sands Casino

October 7-10 - 4-Day Washington & Annapolis Tour.....$7792 nights at the Rosslyn Holiday Inn; guided tour of Washington, D.C.; Mount Vernon; tram tour at Arlington National Cemetery; guided tour of U.S. Naval Academy; 3 breakfasts; 3 dinners

2016 Motorcoach ToursBook Early - Space is Limited! For tour details, visit

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*Call for dates and pricing. One-day tour prices are per person; multi-day tour prices based on double occupancy; prices and dates subject to change

By Karen A. AvitabileWhen most people think of West

Virginia, they probably think of whitewater rafting, the great outdoors, renowned recreational activities and gorgeous scenery. For those who dive deeper, though, there are countless reasons to visit the Mountain State.

Over the years, music has been nurtured in the state’s hills and valleys. Fiddle and banjo music is especially popular, as the entire state lies in Ap-palachia. Today, West Virginia has a vibrant music scene that warrants further exploration.

LEWISBURGLewisburg is home to one of only

four Carnegie Halls still in continuous use in the world. It serves more than 75,000 patrons annually with classes, workshops, performances in dance, bluegrass, classical music and more.

In nearby White Sulphur Springs, stop by The Greenbrier, which has been welcoming guests for more than 230 years. Visit the mineral spa, more than 30 shops and boutiques, golf courses and the recently added Casino Club.

ELKINSTake in live music or a comedy

show in the Allegheny Mountains at the American Mountain Theater. The theater often brings in some of the best southern gospel and bluegrass per-formers. Enjoy dinner and a lively show by the Gandy Dancers at the Gandy Dancer Theatre, which features coun-try, Motown, gospel, pop and patriotic music from the 1950s to today.

While in Elkins, board the Tygart Flyer at Elkins Depot for a four-hour, scenic train ride (with lunch included) through spruce forests, tunnels, can-yons, the High Falls of Cheat River and more. The Augusta Heritage Center of Davis & Elkins College keeps tradi-tional folk culture alive with weeklong classes in music and dance.

PARKERSBURGThe Smoot Theatre, originally a

vaudeville house in 1926, has been restored to the glory of another era. From 1930 to the mid-1980s, the Smoot Theatre was primarily a movie theater. Today, patrons can take in jazz, country and bluegrass bands as well as theatrical productions. The Actors Guild of Parkersburg offers musical,

West Virginia

Mountain State wows with lively music scene

The Capitol Theatre in Wheeling is the oldest performing arts center in West Vir-ginia. It hosts a variety of acts, including the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra.

Steve Shaluta / WV Commerce Take a scenic train ride through for-ests and canyons on the Tygart Flyer.

comedic and dramatic fare, while the Parkersburg Art Center hosts regional and national exhibits. Check out Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park , which you can access via sternwheeler, or learn about the area’s oil and gas history at the Oil & Gas Museum.

CHARLESTONFor more than 30 years, Mountain

Stage with Larry Groce, founded in 1983, has been the home of live music on public radio. The two-hour broad-cast is recorded in front of an audience at The Cultural Center Theater on the State Capitol grounds.

The Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences of West Virginia houses performing and visual arts and also is home to the Avampato Discovery Museum and the West Virginia Sym-phony Orchestra. Be sure to check out these free attractions as well: the West Virginia State Capitol , West Virginia State Museum and the West Virginia Governor’s Mansion.

MORGANTOWNEach summer, the West Virginia

Public Theatre presents musical productions at the historic Metropoli-tan Theatre. The West Virginia Wine and Jazz Festival pairs the unique combination of award-winning wines with renowned jazz music.

MARLINTONThe Pocahontas County Opera House

is a beautifully restored opera house that reopened in 2000. The building serves as the county’s premier perform-ing arts, music and theater venue. Annual performances range from blues to jazz, folk to musical theater and more. Juanita Fireball & the Continen-tal Drifters debuted at the Pocahontas County Opera House in 2008 and per-form here often. The band plays local Appalachian string-band tunes.

WHEELINGThe second-longest-running radio

show in the country, Jamboree USA, (second only to the Grand Ole Opry) was performed at the Capitol Theatre, the oldest performing place of its kind in the state. Today, the hall hosts a variety of acts, including the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra.


8-night Canyon CountryAAA MEMBER CHOICE VACATIONS9/29 - 10/7/16 Includes: roundtrip air from Hartford, 8-night hotel accommodations, 7 breakfasts, 4 dinners, sightseeing, expert travel director, and much more.Highlights: Scottsdale, Oak Creek Canyon, Kaibab National Forest, Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Choice of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park or Canyon Adventure Cruise, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Las VegasLas Rate includes $25 savings per person Receive a $75 credit to use toward the optional

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CRUISES/CRUISETOURS

Rates valid on new bookings only. Rates are per person based on double occupancy, unless otherwise noted. Rate and member benefits shown are current at time of print, capacity controlled and subject to change and availability. Offers and itinerary are subject to change, availability, terms and conditions, and may be withdrawn or changed at any time without notice. AAA does not assume responsibility for any errors or omissions in the content of the offers displayed. Ask your AAA Travel Agent for best rate and full terms and conditions at time of booking. Not combinable with AAA ClubDeal offers. Other certain restrictions may apply.

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When you drive an older car, you never know what can go wrong.

Until it does.That’s why AAA offers an exclusive Vehicle Extended Service Plan, providing members with extended automotive coverage after the manufacturer’s warranty has expired.

This exclusive AAA plan offers customized coverage levels. And depending on the level you choose, it may cover all major repairs for up to 7 years and 230,000 odometer miles.

Affordable. Customized Plans. Easy.

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call 1-800-622-9211 x215 or visit AAA.com/ExtendedWarranty

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Register Today! AAA Springfield5 Week Saturday Class 1 Week Accelerated ClassMar. 5 - Apr. 2 • 9:30 AM - 4 PM Apr. 18 - 22 • 9:30 AM - 4 PM

AAA Hadley1 Week Accelerated ClassApr. 18 - 22 • 9:30 AM - 4 PM

AAA West Springfield1 Week AcceleratedApr. 18 - 22 • 9:30 AM - 4 PM

car crashes.A 2010 study by the AAA

Foundation for Traffi c Safety estimated that 16.5 percent

of fatal crashes in the U.S. involved a drowsy driver.

Symptoms of drowsy driv-ing include, but aren’t limited to, the following:

West Springfi eld offi ce offers free charging station AAA’s West Springfi eld offi ce offers an electric charging station with 240 volts that will allow consumers with electric cars to “top off” their vehicle’s charge in 30 to 60 minutes, as well as a tire refi ll station that can calibrate a vehicle’s tires to the proper pressure.

AAA’s senior driving website benefi ts motoristsVisit AAA’s website at SeniorDriving.AAA.com to fi nd tools, programs and educational resources to help keep seniors behind the wheel for as long as safely possible. The site features driving evalu-ation tools, tips to improve driving skills and resources on alternative forms of transportation.

Continued from 1 • Having trouble keeping your eyes open.

• Diffi culty keeping your head up.

• Daydreaming or hav-ing wandering, disconnected thoughts.

• Drifting from your lane or tailgating.

• Yawning frequently or rub-bing your eyes repeatedly.

• Missing traffi c signs or pass-ing your exit.

• Feeling irritable or restless.• Having trouble remember-

ing how far you’ve traveled. Drivers looking to avoid

drowsy driving during daylight saving time should move up their normal bedtime by about a half-hour. Maintaining a regular bedtime routine is another good idea, as is routine exercise and avoiding electronics before bed.

To stay alert and avoid drows-iness during daylight saving or any other time of year, here are some tips from AAA:

• Get plenty of sleep (at least six hours) the night before a long trip.

• Travel at times when you are normally awake, and stay somewhere overnight rather than driving straight through.

• On longer trips, schedule a break every two hours or every 100 miles.

• Stop driving if you be-come sleepy; someone who is tired could fall asleep at any time. Fatigue also impacts reaction time, judgment and vision.

• Don’t plan to work all day and then drive all night.

• Avoid sleepy times of day. Take a mid-afternoon nap and fi nd a place to sleep between midnight and 6 a.m.

• Travel with a passenger who is awake, if possible.

If you’re prone to driv-ing while drowsy, mov-ing your bedtime to an earlier hour may help.

Combatting drowsy driving


AAA Approved Auto Repair and Approved Auto Body facilities

meet AAA’s high standard of customer satisfaction, employ ASE certified technicians, provide a 12 month/12,000 mile warranty and agree to

accept AAA’s decision in the event of a member dispute. Check below for a location nearest you.

We Do!

Approved Auto Repair FacilitiesAgawamV&F Auto Service, 443 Springfield St. 789-2181 ChicopeeBrad’s Service Center, 760 Front St. 592-5187GreenfieldArt’s Tire, 10 Silver St. 774-4349HadleyRoute 9 Auto, 457 Russell St. 253-0088 HolyokeD. E. Bourque & Sons, 1280 Dwight St. 539-2552NorthamptonFirestone Tire & Service, 327 King St. 586-1584PalmerJackson’s Auto Sales & Svc., 1307 Park St. 289-1016South Hadley Veryl’s Automotive, 644 Newton St. 536-0794SpringfieldBing’s Auto Service, 512 St. James Ave. 739-8641Firestone Tire & Service, 1666 Boston Rd. 543-1312Leonard’s Auto Repair, 288 Allen St. 785-1434Lyndale Garage, Inc., 87 Warehouse St. 732-3750W. SpringfieldSpartan Auto Care Center, 865 Memorial Ave. 739-2175Westfield Brill’s Auto Sales, 388 Southampton Rd. 568-9487WilbrahamSpartan Auto Care Center, 2714 Boston Rd. 596-2479WilliamsburgCichy’s Garage, 5 Main St. 268-7901

Approved Auto Body FacilitiesNorthamptonAcme Automotive, 220 King St. 584-3710SpringfieldRick’s Auto Body, 375 Pasco Rd. 543-3368

Visit AAA.com/Auto for complete details on AAA’s Approved Auto Repair

and Approved Auto Body Programs

AAA Mobile Battery Service

Whether you’re on the road or online, our goal is to get you on the go.

To request a quote online, visit AAA.com/battery or download the

free mobile app today!

AAABattery Service

online or mobile Instant-QuoteGet one now!

AAA Battery Service* delivers five big benefits: • Accurate Testing - free battery test

using advanced technology. • Quick battery installation, at your

home, office or roadside. • A high-quality AAA battery with $25

off nonmember price. • 3-year warranty - free nationwide

* Service is available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in most areas. Battery costs vary by make and model of vehicle. Stock is limited to conventional lead-acid batteries, with coverage available for most vehicles. Certain vehicles due to the location of the battery may require additional time. Member savings are off nonmember price. For more information, please visit AAA.com/Battery.

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Why wait

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1Duplicate license and license renewals available for Class D, M and DM vehicles only, excluding CDLs and commercial licenses. 2Vehicles under 6,000 pounds only. 3ID renewals do not include liquor IDs. AAA accepts cash, check, money orders or credit card for MA RMV license services; AAA accepts cash, check or money orders for MA RMV registration services. Checks should be made payable to AAA.

Available at the following AAA offices:

West Springfield150 Capital Dr.

Hadley458 Russell St.

Monday - Friday

9 am - 5:30 pm;

Thursday 9 am - 7 pm;

Saturday 9 am - 1 pm

• License renewals and duplicates1

• Registration renewals and duplicates2

• State ID renewals3

• Replacement license plate stickers and more

AAA offers Massachusetts RMV Services

at no extra costfor AAA Members.

AAA.com/Registry

You don’t have to look very far to fi nd information on virtually every aspect of owning, operating and caring for a car or truck. But a lot of the knowledge that is passed down in families, shared among friends or found on auto enthusiast websites is more fi ction than fact. Some long-held practices and beliefs contradict one another, and others have been ren-dered obsolete by modern technology.

One good way to keep up with current information is by consulting credible experts, starting with the automobile manufacturers. Vehicle owner’s manu-als, the least-read books in the world, offer a wealth of information. So do some websites, including those of automakers and the leading aftermarket suppliers of replacement auto parts, fl uids and lubricants.

Another source of trustworthy automotive information is AAA, which has more than 100 years of educating motorists, assisting with auto repairs and advocating for vehicle owners’ interests at both the federal and state levels. In keeping with that tradition, we’ll look at some commonly held beliefs about car care and use.

Warm up your engine before driv-ing

FICTION: Back when automobile engines still used breaker-point ignitions

to fi re the spark plugs, and carburetors to mix gasoline and air, letting a car run for a few minutes before driving would help improve performance, particularly in cold weather. However, every car sold in the U.S. for more than 20 years has been equipped with electronic ignition and fuel-injection systems that enable them to start quickly and run smoothly at virtually any temperature.

The best way to warm a modern engine is to start it and allow it to idle

for 15 to 30 seconds while you fasten your seat belt and check the mirrors for proper adjustment. This will ensure that lubricating oil gets to all of the engine’s vital parts.

After a short initial run time, drive the car normally, avoiding heavy throttle for the fi rst few miles. The Environmental Defense Fund has calculated that a vehi-cle’s engine warms twice as quickly when it’s driven than when it’s idling. Driving is also the best way to get the heating system to deliver warm air into the cabin, and shorter cold running times save fuel and reduce exhaust emissions.

If you live in an area with regular sub-freezing temperatures, an engine block heater can help speed warmups. Block heaters are a factory option on most new cars.

Shut off your engine at stoplights to save gas

FACT: Idling engines burn fuel and get 0 miles per gallon. For every two minutes a car idles, it uses about the same amount of fuel as driving a mile. The Consumer Energy Center of the California Energy Commission estimates the average driver allows his or her car to idle fi ve to 10 minutes a day. If you multiply that time by all the drivers in the country, it adds up to a lot of wasted fuel and money, not to mention increased air pollution.

Premium gasoline contains more energy than regular

FICTION: Premium gasoline does not provide more power than regular. It actually contains slightly less energy, although it has a higher octane rating. Octane is the measure of a fuel’s ability to resist engine detonation or “knock” caused by the spontaneous ignition of air and fuel in the combustion chamber. Detonation can cause serious engine damage, and modern engine control sys-tems have knock sensors that halt igni-tion timing when detonation is detected.

The belief that premium fuels contain more energy likely came about because cars with high-output engines typically require premium fuel. However, the added power doesn’t come from the fuel, but rather from the engine’s “state of tune,” which involves its compression ra-tio, valve timing and many other factors. When an engine is designed to maximize power output, the necessary changes also increase the possibility of detonation.

If a car engine is designed to run on regular gasoline, there is no benefi t to us-ing premium. The only exception is with older, high-mileage engines that detonate when using regular fuel due to carbon buildup in the combustion chambers. A change to midgrade or premium gasoline may eliminate the problem.

When it comes to cars, what’s fact and what’s fi ction?

What to believe? The owner’s manual is an excellent source of information when it comes to learning about your car.


Most drivers have experienced the incon-venience of a fl at tire at one time or another. However, automakers and tire manufacturers are working to make fl at tires a less frequent occur-rence. Let’s take a closer look at how this is being done.

MINIMIZING THE IMPACT OF A PUNCTURE

Although self-sealing tires have been on the market for many years, most motorists don’t know about them. The tire has an inner lining made of an elastomer material that adheres to any object that punctures the tread. Self-sealing tires work so quickly that little, if any, air is lost. The driver might not even realize a tire has been punctured. Once the offending object is removed, the mate-rial fl ows into openings as large as 3/16” to form a permanent seal.

Run-fl at tires have specially reinforced sidewalls that can support the vehicle’s weight without collapsing when defl ated. Run-fl at tires allow the vehicle to be driven for limited distances at reduced speeds to a shop for repair. A tire pres-sure monitoring system (TPMS) alerts the driver when defl ation occurs. Run-fl at tires tend to ride more stiffl y than conventional tires, but the latest designs have improved ride quality compared to earlier models.

Cars with run-fl at tires aren’t the only ones with TPMS. These systems are standard equip-ment on all model year 2008 and newer cars and light trucks. They illuminate a warning light on the dash when a tire’s pressure falls more than 25 percent below the recommended level. This can signal a leak from a puncture or lack of proper tire maintenance. Either way, the best course of action is to drive to a repair facility as soon as possible to have the problem checked out.

FIXING A FLAT – OR NOTOnce you get a fl at tire and make your way to a

repair shop, the next decision will be whether the puncture can or should be repaired. Tire industry guidelines say that punctures up to 1/4 inch in diameter may be repaired, provided they are in the center of the tread. Repairs to the edges of the tread or tire sidewalls are not permitted.

For a proper repair, the tire must be removed from the rim and checked for internal damage at the site of the puncture. Provided it passes inspection, the correct method of long-term tire repair is to install a combined plug/patch that seals the inner tire liner to prevent air leaks and the opening in the tread to prevent water entry that can damage internal tire components. Tire removal also provides an opportunity to determine if the TPMS sensor, where fi tted, has suffered damage.

Run-fl at tires, pressure monitors change the way fl at tires are fi xed

A tire that’s been damaged on the edge of the tread or sidewalls cannot be repaired.

Automotive

A new analysis of AAA Road-side Assistance data reveals that millions of roadside breakdowns each year could be prevented with basic vehicle maintenance. Despite this, a recent AAA survey found that 35 percent of Americans have skipped or delayed service or repairs that were recommended by a mechanic or specifi ed by the factory maintenance schedule.

“According to a survey of AAA’s certifi ed Approved Auto Repair shops, consumers who forget or ignore recommended maintenance ultimately pay higher repair costs,” said John Nielsen, AAA’s managing direc-tor of automotive engineering and repair. “These repair facili-ties estimate drivers can save an average of $100 per visit simply by properly maintaining their vehicle.”

In 2014, AAA responded to more than 29 million calls for roadside assistance, with the majority (17 million) due to bat-tery failure, fl at tires and keys locked inside the vehicle. To prevent these common roadside problems, AAA offers the follow-ing recommendations:

Batteries: Automotive bat-teries typically last between three and fi ve years, with

reduced battery life in hotter climates. To avoid an unexpect-ed battery failure, AAA recom-mends that drivers have their vehicle’s battery tested when it reaches 3 years of age and on an annual basis afterward. AAA offers free battery testing to AAA Members.

Tires: Keeping tires properly infl ated and routinely checking tread depth is critical to safety, yet AAA found that 60 percent of Americans do not check tire pressure regularly. Tire pressure should be checked at least once a month, and when tread depth

reaches 4/32”, AAA recom-mends replacing tires. Addition-ally, while locking lug nuts are helpful in preventing tire theft, missing keys prevented roadside assistance technicians from changing 21,000 tires in 2014. AAA recommends storing the locking lug nut key with the spare tire or in the glove box.

Keys: Despite the rising popularity of keyless entry systems, AAA has not seen a signifi cant reduction in the number of lockout calls, prov-ing that it is diffi cult to prevent this common mistake.

Basic maintenance can halt most roadside breakdowns

Business Insurance

Superior service. Outstanding value.

1-800-622-9211 x430 • AAA.com/Insurance

AAA will work with you to insure your business vehicles and business property and liability exposures. We offer competitive rates on

Business Auto, Business Owners, Package and Fire Policies.

Ask Kasey Peters, AAA Insurance account manager for a quote today.

Pioneer Valley Auto Club Insurance Agency, Inc.

If you didn’t realize we offer great loans and financial services, that’s okay, now you do. AAA Financial Services saves you time and money with competitive rates and expert advisors—all from a company you already know and trust.

Surprised? You’re not alone.

*All loans offered through AAA Pioneer Valley. Rates and terms subject to change without notice. Some fees and restrictions may apply. All loans subject to credit approval, appraisal and satisfactory title examination where applicable. Consult your tax advisor regarding the deductibility of interest. Rates are for AAA members only. Other rates and terms available. Actual rate determined by individual credit worthiness. Above rates reflect a .50% discount for borrowing less than 80% of the vehicle’s value. Rates may not be available in all areas. No down payment required for qualified applicants. FIN.15522.15_PV

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AAA auto factsSeats: 5Fuel: Regular MPG: 18 city, 23 highwayAnnual fuel costs: $1,850Base price: $23,300Shop against: Chevrolet Colo-rado, Nissan Frontier

driven2016 Toyota Tacoma

The car: The Toyota Tacoma is a midsize truck that has been completely redesigned for 2016, with a new suspension system and V-6 engine to go along with a carryover four cyl-inder. Both engines are paired with a new six-speed automatic transmission with electronic shift, delivering quick and easy shifting.

Tacoma comes in fi ve model grades: a basic SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, and the subject of our road test, the top-of-the line Limited.

The cabin of the Tacoma is as nice as any luxury car. The seats are wide, comfortable and supportive, though there is no height adjustment. The dash is laid out nicely and the combination sound-system/navigation screen uses knobs for easier and less distracting

control. The climate control system and seat heaters are also easily controlled with buttons and knobs rather than a touch screen.

The road test: The new 3.5-liter V-6 engine delivers very good performance. The new engine is a high-tech Atkinson cycle design with variable valve timing, featur-ing both direct and port fuel injection. This translates into an engine that generates 278 horsepower and 265 foot-pounds of torque, while still delivering up to 23 mpg on the highway. When properly equipped, the Tacoma can also tow up to 6,800 pounds.

I drove the Tacoma off-road and found that even the Limited model could handle just about any challenge. I climbed deep ruts, steep hills and even large rocks with ease. For those driv-ers who want to head far off the beaten path with little fear of getting stuck, the TRD Off-Road grade adds a multi-terrain select system. The system allows the driver to choose between different types of terrain and the com-puter regulates wheel spin by adjusting throttle and brake pressure to provide maxi-mum traction. Think of it as cruise control for off-road

travel. The gas pedal design gives the driver more off-road control.

On the road, this is a quiet truck with little road or wind noise due to the careful use of sound-deadening materials. Safety is addressed with a back-up camera, standard airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, and front and rear side curtain airbags.

The bottom line: The latest Toyota Tacoma may be the best Tacoma, but unfortunately, it is also one of the most expen-sive. The two-wheel-drive SR model starts at $23,300 and our test model came in at just over $40,000. If you’re looking for a midsize truck that can handle just about anything, the Tacoma is the only choice.

WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU PUT A

CAR AND A HOUSE TOGETHER?

SAVINGS UP TO 20% ON YOUR INSURANCE PREMIUM.

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Combine your car and home insurance policies with AAA and you could save up to 20% off your premiums. To see how much you

1-800-622-2111AAA.com/quotenow

Insurance

Policies protect renters

Renters insurance protects your belongings and can be individually crafted to suit your needs.

By George MorseMost people looking to rent

an apartment, condominium or town house know it’s a good idea to set aside enough money for fi rst month’s rent and a security deposit.

But renters insurance isn’t always such a well-considered part of the plan, even though it can be a valuable investment and, in some cases, landlords require it.

Here are a few reasons to think about renters insurance if you’re renting or leasing your current digs.

It protects against quite a bit: Your average renters pol-icy will protect your personal belongings against a variety of hazards including fi re, vandal-ism and theft.

Your stuff is not covered by your landlord: While your landlord probably carries some type of policy for building and grounds, it typically won’t cover tenants’ possessions. To put it another away, a land-lord’s property insurance policy won’t protect your furniture, electronics or other important – and potentially expensive – belongings.

It protects you: Renters aren’t immune from personal liability. Along with safeguard-ing you against damage or loss of possessions, renters insur-ance can also offer coverage against a claim fi led by some-one injured in your residence. Some policies may include identity protection, too.

It’s fl exible: Like a lot of insurance policies, renters insurance can be crafted with coverage limits to best fi t your budget. You can also adjust a policy to safeguard costly items, such as jewelry.

In the event you need to fi le a claim with your policy, it can be helpful to have a compre-hensive list of possessions backed up by either a photo or video record. And, before you sign the dotted line, make sure you know if your policy covers your items for cash-value or replacement cost.


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Can you explain CD laddering to me? A CD, also known as a certificate of deposit, can be a

popular investment option because it provides an exact rate of return. CDs offer guaranteed interest earnings for terms of varying length, typically between 12 and 120 months.

CD laddering is a way to use this investment tool while maintaining some liquidity.

Here’s an example. Someone with $30,000 looking to start a CD ladder

could lay the groundwork for their investment by placing $10,000 into a 12-month CD, $10,000 into a 24-month CD and $10,000 into a 36-month CD. The investor then re-invests funds from the 12- and 24-month CDs at the time of their respective maturities into 36-month deposits.

This creates a trio of staggered 36-month CDs with one investment reaching maturity every 12 months. Investors can cash out at the time of maturity or reinvest the funds to keep the ladder going.

Along with having access to funds annually, some investors turn to laddering to get a higher return on investment. It’s common to see higher interest rates offered in exchange for longer terms.

making changewith AAA fi nancial services

By George MorseThere is no one-size-fi ts-all

approach to building a nest egg. Making the most of your sav-

ings is an effort that requires a solid plan, and working toward a clearly defi ned goal is an im-portant part of any strategy.

Here are three examples of savings goals and possible strat-egies to consider.

A new car: A big part of developing a goal is knowing where to start. If your goal is getting a new ride, it can be helpful to come up with an estimate of how much longer you plan to drive your current wheels and what your vehicle might be worth when you’re ready to sell it. Knowing the difference between what you have and what you’re looking to spend will help you determine what you can afford, and know-ing when you’re ready to move on will let you know how long you have to get there.

Retirement: Saving for retirement can be a signifi cant undertaking. It’s great to get rolling early in your career, if possible, though it’s never

too late to start. The IRS, for example, offers catch-up provi-sions for some retirement plans. A reverse mortgage is another option for workers later in their career. The program is open to homeowners age 62 or older and offers an opportunity to leverage existing equity to open a line of credit or pay for home repairs, among other uses.

Vacation: A fantastic get-away to a perfect destination is something you’ll cherish for a lifetime, but in many cases

planning for such a trip starts long before you hop in your car or head for the airport. Much like buying a new car, select-ing where you want to go, and when, will give you an idea how much you’ll need and how long you have to save. If it’s a year or more out, a CD is an option for guaranteeing your return. You can also create a dedicated vacation fund by having money directly deposited from your paycheck into a high-yielding online savings account.

Your fi nances

Different goals require targeted savings strategies

While it’s a good idea to start saving for retirement early on in your career, it’s never too late to start.

AAA has a great student lending program.

Call or visit today!1-888-222-9413AAA.com/FinancialAid

All advertised rates are current as of the date this advertisement was printed and are subject to change without notice. All loans are subject to the lender’s receipt and approval of a completed loan application. The APR and loan fees applicable to your loan will depend on several factors, including the repayment option you select and your credit history. AAA Advantage Loans are made by SunTrust. Consolidation and education refi nance loans are made by Citizens Bank. See rates and fees at http://www.southernnewengland.aaa.com/fi nancial/fi nancial-aid-center/college-planning for Annual Percentage Rate (APR) examples and other important information about private student loans through the AAA Student Lending Program. AAA encourages prospective borrowers to exhaust scholarships, grants, and federal loan options before applying for a private student loan. Federal loans are often less expensive and offer the widest variety of repayment options. FIN.15523.15_PV

When it comes to fi nding answers to your student loan questions, the AAA Student Lending Program is here for you. Our refi nance and consolidation loans will reduce loan payments after you have graduated while our private loan product provides competitive rates if you need help paying tuition and expenses.

The AAA Student Lending Program also provides: • Trusted advisors to guide you • Assistance fi lling out the FAFSA forms • Informational webinars • Help fi nding the right loan for you

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