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Issue: November/December 2009

AAA Washington Goes Primetime

Get out your pompoms and strap on your cleats, it's time to play ball! AAA Washington Varsity News is a fast-moving, half-hour highlights show featuring comprehensive coverage of Washington-area sports, including clips from the best games, behind-the-scenes features, game-day experiences and more. The program covers all three sports seasons of boys-and-girls high school athletics in Washington.

AAA Washington Varsity News premiered in September and airs every Wednesday night at 10:30 p.m. on FSN. If you miss it on Wednesdays, you can catch it the following day on Comcast On Demand. In addition, the show's Web site, www.thevarsitynews.com, offers viewers the chance to interact with the show by uploading their own video and sharing their stories. You can also access the program through www.AAA.com, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Dream. Pack. And Leave the Rest to the Experts

Explore Europe on an escorted vacation. It's not too late to book "value season" for travel in winter or early spring and save up to 35 percent off summer rates. Or, book now for your summer travel and take advantage of great early booking discounts.

Hosted by: Trafalgar Tours & AAA Travel

Everett
909 S.E. Everett Mall Way,
Suite E-520
Date: Tues., Nov.10
Presentation: 5:30 p.m.
RSVP: (425) 438-2232

Bellevue
14404 N.E. 20th, Suite 150
Date: Wed., Nov. 11
Presentation: 5:30 p.m.
RSVP: (425) 637-9209

Lynnwood
4100 Alderwood Mall Blvd., Suite 8
Date: Thurs., Nov. 12
Presentation: 5:30 p.m.
RSVP: (425) 744-7310

Become A Better Drive

Washington drivers 55 and older who complete this mature-driver classroom program may qualify for a discount on their auto insurance premiums. The fee for the class is $16 for members, $22 for nonmembers. To register, send your name, class date, and a check or money order payable to American Driving Services to: ADS, P.O. Box 66681, Seattle, WA 98166-0681. You will receive a confirmation letter with all the details. If you have additional questions, call (206) 243-3564. Classes are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information or online classes, click here.

Winter Driving

If your plans include winter travel out of your area, get the latest AAA maps and a TripTik^® routing from your AAA office or www.AAA.com to be sure you plan your trip ahead of time and travel the most appropriate route. Check for seasonal road closures, and choose main roads over secondary roads. Next, prepare your car. Winterize as indicated for your type of vehicle and situation, and seek help from a AAA Approved Auto Repair service facility if needed. Stock your car with basic safety equipment such as a flashlight, first-aid kit, scraper and brush, and sand for traction. Local AAA Travel Stores offer members good deals on such automotive accessories as the AAA Severe Weather and AAA Emergency Roadside kits from Lifeline.

GET SET ...

• Carry a cell phone and car charger for emergencies.
• Don't wear restrictive or bulky clothing.
• Depart with a full tank of gas.
• If it's snowing, take time to remove snow from the entire car so it doesn't blow onto your windshield or the windshields of other drivers.

GO!

Buckle up, adjust your speed to the driving conditions, stay alert, take breaks, and pull over to make/receive phone calls. Take extra precautions in winter:

• Drive with your headlights on.
• When the roads are icy, slow down—even better—delay your trip, stop early for the day, or take an extended driving break.
• Normal following distances for dry pavement (three to four seconds) should be increased to eight to 10 seconds when driving on slippery surfaces.
• Watch for icy surfaces on bridges, even when the rest of the road seems to be in good condition.
• If you get stuck in snow, straighten the wheel and accelerate slowly. Add sand under the drive wheels to avoid spinning the tires.
• If your tires lose traction, look and steer in the direction you want to go. If the drive wheels start to spin while going up a hill, ease off the accelerator and then gently resume speed.
• Don't use cruise control in freezing temperatures.

For more information, pick up the "How to Go on Ice and Snow" brochure at your local AAA office or visit www.AAA.com/trafficsafety.

2nd Annual Soap for Hope

Toiletry item donation drive

The best part of this great event is that each AAA office has selected a local charity, food bank or shelter to receive the items, so your donations stay in your community and serve your neighbors. Last year AAA collected more than 30,000 items in just six weeks thanks to generous members. Acceptable donations include sample- or regular-size, unopened: shampoo, conditioner, soap, shaving cream, toothpaste and brushes, razors and deodorant. In our current economy, donations of these items are needed more than ever.

"Our members and other customers really rallied to support the charity (Domestic Violence Services of Benton & Franklin Counties) that our office selected," says Penny Jager, manager of AAA's Tri-Cities office. "We were amazed at how many people stopped by our office to drop off donations. They really cared about the cause and were extremely generous."

Donations can be made at any AAA office Mon.–Fri., from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. through the end of the year. For your local AAA office location click here.

You're Invited...

Find out about two of Latin America's best destinations: Costa Rica and Belize, for eco-friendly vacations.

Renton
3900 E. Valley Hwy. #105
Date: Thurs., Nov. 12
Presentation: 6 p.m.
Hosted by: Avanti Destinations & AAA Travel
RSVP: (425) 251-6040

Learn about the exclusive world of Viking River Cruises on the rivers of Europe and on China's exotic Yangtze.

Federal Way
2122 S. 314th St.
Date: Tues., Dec.15
Presentation: 6 p.m.
Hosted by: Viking River Cruises & AAA Travel
RSVP: (253) 945-8710

Holiday Open House at AAA Seattle offices

Join us for a fun and informative week featuring:

• Great travel ideas for 2010
• Holiday gift ideas
• Special savings on all travel store items
• Free quote on your auto, home or life insurance
• Tips on winterizing your car

Plus, enjoy refreshments and lots of holiday cheer.

Dec. 7–11
Open House: 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

West Seattle
4701 42nd Ave. S.W.

Seattle
1523 15th Ave. W.

Seattle—Univ. Dist.
4554 9th Ave. N.E., Suite 120

DISCOUNTS

Your AAA membership allows you to save on products and services you buy and use every day. For more information on the 175,000 participating businesses all over the U.S. as well as internationally, go to www.AAA.com/Discounts. In the meantime, start your savings now by checking out the following:

The Lights of Christmas
During select nights in December, see more than 1 million lights and entertainment options at Warm Beach Camp in Stanwood. AAA members save $4 off Dinner Theatre tickets; save $2 off Dessert Matinee tickets; save $2 off general admission tickets; and receive special discount pricing for overnight getaway packages. To learn more or make theatre or overnight reservations, call (360) 652-7575 or visit www.warmbeach.com and enter the 10-digit membership number from your AAA card. Limit of six tickets per membership card.

Pacific Northwest Ballet
Save 10% on Pacific Northwest Ballet's Nutcracker and all performances through June 2010 at McCaw Hall when purchasing tickets in advance online by using promotion code PNBAAA and clicking on the PNB link on www.AAA.com/Discounts or at www.pnb.org. Limit 10 tickets. The discount cannot be combined with any other offer, is subject to availability, is not available at any other ticket outlet and is not applicable on previously purchased tickets.

Thunderbirds Hockey
The Seattle Thunderbirds are excited to offer AAA members a chance to watch some of the brightest hockey stars of tomorrow at the new ShoWare Center in Kent and save on seven select home games in November and December. Get $22 premium level seat tickets for just $18 each when purchased online in advance. Go to www.AAA.com/Discounts and click on "Thunderbirds Hockey" to find your pass code, then select your game from the list.

Gap Outlet
Save 10% on all purchases including sale merchandise at Gap Outlet, Baby Gap Outlet and Kids Gap Outlet nationwide. Offer cannot be combined with other offers, including but not limited to offers found in outlet centers' coupon books.

Banana Republic Factory Store
Save 10% on all purchases including sale merchandise at all locations nationwide. Offer cannot be combined with other offers, including but not limited to offers mentioned in outlet centers' coupon books.

Riverfront Park
Receive free admission to the Ice Palace at Riverfront Park in Spokane for the evening session on Wednesdays with a AAA membership card and a coupon available at www.AAA.com/Discounts or at the three Spokane-area or Coeur d'Alene service centers. (Skate rental is extra.) Days excluded: Nov. 25, and Dec. 23 and 30. The Ice Palace is scheduled to be open through Feb. 28, 2010.

Are You Ready For Winter?

Cold snaps, wind, and ice storms all make the Northwest winter months peak time for potential homeowner claims. A homeowner policy is for you and your family's protection, to keep you safe and protected when the need arises. AAA has a full-service insurance agency for all of your insurance needs.

Here are a few tips to help safeguard your home this winter:

• Winterize your home to extend the life of your fuel supply: insulate walls and attics, caulk and weather-strip doors and windows, and install storm windows or cover windows with plastic.
• Prepare your house for heavy rains, ice or snow. Clear rain gutters; repair roof leaks and cut away tree branches that could fall on your house during a storm.
• Insulate pipes and allow faucets to drip a little during cold weather to avoid freezing.
• Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and make sure everyone in your house knows how to use them. As more people turn to alternate heating sources without taking the necessary safety precautions, risk of house fires increases dramatically.
• Learn how to shut off water valves (in case a pipe bursts).

Contact AAA Insurance to get more information on home, car and the many other insurance products that AAA offers. Call (877) 222-4678 or visit us online at www.AAA.com/insurance.