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TRAVEL
Much more than free TourBooks, maps and TripTiks. AAA Auto Travel Counselors can help plan your road trip. AAA Travel Professionals understand national and international travel, from guided tours to independent adventure. AAA Colorado's travel store (in most offices and online) contains books, atlases, luggage and other travel items. Call 866-235-7070, visit a AAA office or www.aaa.com.
30 years of AAA Diamond ratings
In 2006, the AAA Diamond Rating System celebrates its 30th birthday.
While AAA published its first hotel directory in 1917, and began inspections of lodgings and restaurants in 1937, formal ratings were not introduced until 1963. In 1976, this evolved into the Diamond Rating System, with the diamond chosen in honor of AAA's 75th anniversary.
AAA's Diamond Ratings is the only rating system that covers all of North America—the USA, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. The AAA Diamond Ratings database includes more properties than any other rating system in North America.
While nearly 57,000 properties are evaluated each year, only 0.26% earn the exclusive Five Diamond distinction. The 2006 ratings have added six lodgings and seven restaurants from around the country to this prestigious list, bringing the total number of Five Diamond properties to 150.
Colorado has three: the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs , the Little Nell in Aspen and this year's new addition, the Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch in Beaver Creek.
In addition, the Broadmoor is one of only three properties in North America that has kept its Five Diamond rating for the entire 30 years the rating has been offered. The others are The Greenbrier in West Virginia and Camelback Inn in Arizona .
Diamond Ratings are published in AAA TourBook guides and online at www.aaa.com. For a complete description of the program, go to www.aaa.com/diamonds.
A Colorado GEM
The State Capitol
AAA TourBooks include a listing of points of interest around the state that we feel offer a Great Experience for Members: exceptional places for your list of “things to do.” GEMs are chosen solely on merit—an attraction or destination can't apply for GEM status.
Colorado has 28 GEMs and we'll look at a different one in each issue.
Our GEM this time is a building that you may be familiar with, but perhaps have not taken a closer look at: the State Capitol.
Located in downtown Denver , the Capitol was completed in 1908. Built of white granite from Gunnison and topped with a 24-karat gold-leafed dome, its interior is a stunning display of polished brass, stained glass and multi-colored marble, with pillars of rose onyx from Beulah—a stone so rare that building the Capitol used up the entire supply.
At the building's west entrance, two steps are marked as the altitude of one mile above sea level. The lower mark is the original, while the higher mark was installed in 1969 when it was found the original step was wrong. In 2002, it was discovered that Denver is three feet higher than previously thought. So take your pick—one of the building's steps is assuredly one mile high.
For more information click on “TourBook” at www.aaa.com or call the Capitol's tour desk at 303-866-2604.
TourBook fast facts
AAA TourBooks are used by more than 31 million members. Twenty-six regional titles are in print, covering the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
The books are available free, exclusively to members. Every year, listings for 57,000 AAA Approved and Diamond-rated hotels are updated, along with 15,000 attractions, 20,000 events, 7,000 destinations, and 4,000 visitor information offices.
AAA TourBooks are also searchable online at www.aaa.com, where listings include lowest online prices for bookings at Diamond-rated hotels.
SAFETY Stay Alert!
¡Manténgase Alerta!
According to statistics, some Hispanic groups in the U.S. have a higher risk of traffic-related injuries, compared to the general population. Both pedestrian and passenger injuries are found at a significantly higher rate, especially among children, and Hispanic male teens are almost twice as likely to die in a motor vehicle crash as white male teens.
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is helping to fund a two-year project by the Education Development Center (EDC). The project has conducted a nationwide survey of existing Spanish-language traffic safety information, with the goal of preparing better guidelines for the development of effective materials.
Due for completion and final reporting in 2006, the project has already initiated one Spanish-language campaign on the East Coast, to educate children and their families about pedestrian safety. It is hoped that the “Stay Alert!” pilot campaign will lead to nationwide campaigns on a range of traffic safety issues.
For more information about the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, visit www.aaafoundation.org.
Did You Know?
In Colorado, older children are required by law to be restrained in booster seats when traveling by car, until they are six years old or 55" tall. AAA recommends a booster seat until the child is 57" tall.
For information on safety seat inspections, or to book this complimentary AAA service for your group, contact Jaime Weisbrod at 303-753-8800, ext. 8105.
All About Kids Expo
Denver 's premier children's expo, All About Kids, will include a AAA booth this year. Kids can explore bike safety in the AAA Safety Village , have the fit of their helmets checked and much more.
Held at the Colorado Convention Center on Feb. 4–5, All About Kids will feature lots of family entertainment and children's activities, along with a showcase of family products and services from all over Colorado .
For more information on the expo, visit www.all-about-kids.org.
Drinking and Driving Quiz
ADVOCACY—In 2003, alcohol was a factor in 40% of all motor vehicle-related fatalities. Separating alcohol and driving is not just a choice, it is a necessity. Take the quiz below to test your knowledge.
True or False …?
1. “BAC” stands for blood alcohol content?
2. The legal limit is 0.08 BAC for all ages?
3. Reaction time is the first ability adversely affected by alcohol?
4. Coffee can help you sober up after drinking?
5. You cannot be legally punished unless your BAC is over 0.08?
Answers:
1. False. BAC stands for blood alcohol concentration. It refers to the ratio of alcohol to blood, expressed in grams of alcohol per deciliter of blood.
2. False. All 50 states have a zero-tolerance policy for drivers under 21. It is illegal for drivers under 21 to have any amount of alcohol in their blood.
3. False. Decision-making and judgment are affected first, which means your decision whether or not to drive should never be made after drinking. That's why it is so important to decide ahead of time on a designated driver.
4. False. Only time can help you become sober after drinking.
5. False. Drivers have been convicted for driving under the influence (DUI) with BACs as low as 0.03. Research has shown that a BAC as low as 0.02 can impair critical driving skills and increase crash risk. MEMBER SAVINGS
Show Your Card & Save Program—This is the member savings program of AAA. Simply show your AAA membership card to save money at hundreds of retail and service shops, travel-related companies, lodging and automotive facilities. Various restrictions apply; for details visit your local AAA office, click on “Savings” at www.aaa.com or call 877-244-9790, ext. 2054.
Valentine's Day Traditions
Valentine's Day is celebrated around the world by exchanging candy, gifts or flowers. However, in centuries past, there were very different traditions associated with Valentine's Day.
Hundreds of years ago, children in England went from house to house singing on Valentine's Day. During the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their Valentine would be, and pinned these names on their sleeves for one week. That is where the expression “wearing your heart on your sleeve” comes from.
The tradition of exchanging flowers dates to the early 1700s, when Charles II of Sweden brought the Persian poetical art called “the language of flowers” to Europe. Floral lexicons were published, allowing entire conversations to take place using flowers that symbolized different concepts or phrases. Today, the rose, which symbolizes love, is the most popular flower in the United States for Valentine's Day.
As a AAA member, you save 20% off all floral and gift purchases from FTD. From Feb. 1–14, FTD and AAA offer a special 30% savings on the FTD Sweetheart's Bouquet, only when you order online through www.ftd.com/aaa. This bouquet features red mini-carnations and white Peruvian lilies and comes in a matching vase that will be a lovely permanent reminder of the gift.
Gift cards can be a thoughtful “P.S.” to your Valentine's card. AAA now offers members gift cards from 50 of the country's most popular stores and restaurants at a 5% savings on the face value of the card. Some of the options are Barnes & Noble, Blockbuster, Bath & Body Works, Sam Goody, Sears, Sharper Image, Bennigan's, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, and TGI Friday's. Order the cards online at www.aaa.com/giftcards.
AUTOMOTIVE
AAA Colorado offers a wealth of automotive services, beginning with AAA's famous roadside assistance program that follows the member, not the vehicle. Other services include Approved Auto Repair and Auto Body Repair facilities (pages 50–51), automotive products at AAA Colorado offices, and auto sales and leasing through AutoSource. All can
be accessed through www.aaa.com, including AutoManager, which manages the maintenance of your vehicle.
Heed the warning light Every time you start your car they glow to greet you, but after a few seconds of engine operation they fade away, hopefully not to be seen again until the next engine start. What should you do if a warning light stays on—or worse, comes on while you're driving?
Oil pressure
When the OIL light illuminates, it means the engine has lost its oil supply and severe engine damage can occur within seconds. Pull off the road immediately, shut off the engine and call AAA for assistance. Driving the vehicle any farther can turn a possibly minor repair into a complete engine replacement.
Coolant temperature
When the TEMP light illuminates, the engine temperature has exceeded the safe maximum. Pull off the road at the first safe opportunity and call AAA for assistance. If steam is present, do not open the hood—and never remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot!
Charging System
When the battery light illuminates, the electrical system is no longer being supplied with power. This rarely results in serious damage, and you will generally have at least 20 minutes of driving time before the engine quits. Turn off all unnecessary electrical accessories and drive to the nearest repair facility or safe location for a tow.
To find an Approved Auto Repair facility in your area, visit www.aaa.com.
New auto body repair program
When maintenance or repairs are needed, many AAA members look for the nearest AAA Approved Auto Repair facility. In the coming months, they'll have even more choices as AAA rolls out its new Approved Auto Body Repair program.
Operating in the same way as Approved Auto Repair, the new program will identify reliable, top-quality auto body repair facilities that have passed the high standards of AAA inspectors, and are backed by AAA's consumer protection and dispute resolution services.
The inspection process has already been completed for the first two Approved Auto Body Repair facilities, and more are currently working through the process with AAA automotive inspectors.
For listings of Approved Auto Repair and Approved Auto Body Repair facilities and watch for more in future issues.
INSURANCE AAA Colorado's independent insurance agency offers auto, home, life, umbrella and long-term care products from several highly rated national insurers, as well as our exclusive brand, “AAA Insurance.” For a competitive quote, call 866-399-9836, or click on “Insurance” at www.aaa.com. AAA Colorado also offers financial services like the AAA Visa card, certificates of deposit and money market deposits. Call 303-753-8800 or click on “Financial” at www.aaa.com for Visa card information. For deposit products, call 800-526-7120.
Is your house safe for winter?
According to the Insurance Information Institute, water damage and freezing account for almost 22% of all homeowners' insurance claims. However, many winter disasters can be prevented if you take a few simple steps to protect your home.
• Clean out gutters. Blocked gutters can cause ice damming—a condition where water is unable to drain and instead seeps into the house. Gutter guards will prevent debris from interfering with the flow of water.
• Keep pipes warm. Set the thermostat for at least 65 degrees to prevent water pipes from freezing. Wrap exposed pipes with heating tape.
• Add insulation to attics. If too much heat escapes through the attic, it can cause snow and ice to melt, refreeze and build up on the roof. This can lead to ice damming or even a roof collapse. Ideally, the attic should be only five to 10 degrees warmer than outside.
• Know how to shut the water off. If your pipes freeze, time is of the essence. The quicker you can shut off the water, the better chance you have to prevent a burst pipe.
• Take special care during vacations. Turn the water off and/or have the water system drained to keep pipes from freezing, and have someone check your house while you're away.
Standard homeowners' policies cover winter-related disasters such as burst pipes, ice dams and damage caused by weight of ice or snow. For more information, contact your local AAA office, call 866-831-1367, or click on “Insurance” at www.aaa.com.
After an accident
You have auto insurance, but what happens if you need to use it? Here's a reminder of what NOT to do after an accident.
• Don't move any injured persons.
• Don't get confrontational or angry, and don't place blame.
• Don't apologize or admit fault.
• Don't tell any party how much insurance you carry.
• Don't accept any money. If you do, you forfeit your right to file a claim.
• Don't agree to forget about it. The other person may later file a lawsuit against you.
If you are hit by a driver who doesn't have adequate insurance, it may be difficult to recover any costs. Having Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage helps pay for your damages if you are hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver, and Medical Payments Coverage pays medical bills for you and your passengers (up to your policy limits) no matter who causes the accident.
AAA has insurance agents who can help you understand the complexities of auto insurance. Visit your AAA office or call 866-831-1367.
EnCompass and www.aaa.com—Your membership brings you six issues of EnCompass magazine a year, and AAA Colorado's website. Online you'll find a 24/7 virtual office for member-only information, travel specials, TripTik maps, insurance and auto information, car sales and leasing, and our Show Your Card & Save member savings program.
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