Your AAA Magazine January 2018

Happy New Year! January is Disney Month at AAA, and in this issue of Your AAA Magazine we celebrate with a story on new attractions coming to Walt Disney World. We share some notable facts about Disney Cruise Lines, and we invite you to take advantage of special AAA savings. You’ll meet the new president and CEO of AAA Northeast John Galvin. You’ll find coverage of new automotive technology and 2018’s most promising models – plus, articles on food, health, finance and insurance. Enjoy!

Articles

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Walt Disney World Adds Stellar New Attractions in 2018

Disney asked for filmmaker James Cameron’s fictional exoplanetary moon, its floating mountains, alien wildlife and bioluminescent plants – and got it. No longer 4.37 light-years away in Alpha Centauri, Pandora – the World of Avatar descended from deep space to open last May at Disney World’s Animal Kingdom, in Orlando, Fla. This whole new out-of-this...

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To New Beginnings and New Ways to Earn Your Trust

As we herald in the new year, we also begin a new chapter at AAA Northeast. After 37 years of dedicated service, Mark Shaw has retired as president and CEO. I am honored to have been selected as the club’s new president and CEO. One of the things I most look forward to is connecting...

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Predicting 2018’s Most Important Car Technology

Will 2018 bring a robot uprising led by artificially intelligent driverless cars bent on world domination? Probably not. But technology is changing cars faster than ever before. Look into a crystal ball with us as we explore technologies that could have the biggest impact on cars and trucks in 2018. Smartphone Integration Mobile apps like...

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Three Simple Ways to Boost Your Health in 2018

New Year’s resolutions are fun, but your health is a year-round thing. So instead of breaking promises to yourself by mid-March, pick up three simple habits that will stick with you. Sleep Right “We’ve become a very sleep-deprived society,” said Dr. Lawrence Epstein, medical director of clinical sleep medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in...

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Polaroid Cameras Snapping Back Into Fashion

Millennials are infamously known as the instant gratification generation. Could that be why Polaroid-type cameras have made a resurgence? In November 2012, Fujifilm released the Fujifilm Instax Mini 8, a funky, chunky camera with a vintage selling point: It prints photos instantly, much like a classic Polaroid camera. And, just as instantly, it was on...

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Your Guide to Common Snow Melt Solutions

Wondering how to effectively melt ice and save your driveway? Learn about common types of snow melt solutions and the pros and cons of each.

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Motivating Tunes: Choosing the Perfect Workout Music

Picture this: You’re at the gym, getting some cardio done on a treadmill, when you happen to glance over at someone pumping iron ahead of you. He’s in great shape and shows no signs of stopping, which makes sense once you notice how focused he is. Then, you see his headphones. It makes you wonder...

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Taste Africa With These Flavorful Dishes

Whether you’re looking to expand your palate or revisit a family favorite, this collection of recipes from the continent of Africa is sure to make your mouth water.

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The World’s Best Ski Towns for History and Fun

Why choose between historic exploration and fun recreation when you don't have to? Get the best of both worlds on any of these ski getaways.

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Tax Returns: Cash in on Tax Savings

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Is it to learn how to get the most out of your tax returns? Okay, perhaps that’s not your New Year’s resolution. But the 2018 tax season is upon us, and while the deadline to file isn’t until April, it’s never too early to start thinking about how you can...

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Brittany Snow’s 2001 Acura RSX

This award-winning Florida-born actress, singer and producer began her career on the CBS soap “Guiding Light.” Since then, she has appeared in hit films like “John Tucker Must Die,” “Hairspray” and “Pitch Perfect.” Watch her reprise the role of Barden Bellas co-captain Chloe Beale in “Pitch Perfect 3,” which is in theaters now. What was your...

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Unreliable Cars, Artificial Intelligence and a New CUV

The Tesla Model X and Cadillac Escalade have tied as the most unreliable cars on the market, according to a new study by Consumer Reports. The 2017 reliability report found that Model X owners experienced a large number of issues with body paint, hardware and climate control systems. Escalade owners noted issues with power equipment,...

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Taylor Kitsch’s 1991 Pontiac Firefly

Canadian-born actor and model Taylor Kitsch has appeared in blockbuster films like “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” “Battleship” and “John Carter.” He starred in the second season of the HBO series “True Detective” and scored his breakout role in the hit NBC series “Friday Night Lights.” Watch him portray Branch Davidians leader David Koresh in “Waco,” a...

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Reviews of the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan and and 2018 BMW 530e

2018 Volkswagen Tiguan $31,775 (Price as tested) | 4 cylinder, 184 hp | 21/27 mpg The all-new Tiguan has grown over the years to become one of the largest sport-utility vehicles in the segment. It comes in several trim levels and with front- or all-wheel drive. To put it in perspective, it’s 10 inches longer than...

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What Did 2017 Teach Us About Insurance Needs?

One year’s experiences are another year’s lessons. Just look at what we learned from 2017: Fidget spinners were a fad, virtual reality is here to stay and not even a credit repository is immune from a data breach. Last year also taught us much about the value of insurance. Here is a look back at...

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Be the First to Spot an Up-and-Coming Neighborhood

Buying a house can be one of life’s most exciting events, especially if you believe the home you’re purchasing today will be worth a whole bunch more in a decade. By properly identifying up-and-coming communities, homebuyers can set themselves up for a boon in home equity that can help with another purchase later in life,...

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Winter Wind Is Nothing to Take Lightly

Six tips to keep your home protected from strong winter winds.

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Three Police Officers, Two Crossing Guards Celebrated in New Jersey

AAA Northeast held its annual AAA Traffic Safety Awards luncheon in October, recognizing individuals and police departments who have gone and above beyond to bolster traffic safety in Essex, Morris and Union counties. Honorees included longtime Elizabeth crossing guards Rocco DiGiorgio (20 years), Elizabeth Parra (19 years) and Gladys Cintron (17 years). Each was named...

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AAA Welcomes Members to New Tewksbury, Mass., Location

AAA Northeast employees and members, lawmakers, business leaders and Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles officials recently celebrated the opening of a new branch at 345 Main St., in Tewksbury. The branch is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. In addition to the...

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Rhode Island Legislators, Police Officers Lauded for Traffic Safety Efforts

A single organization cannot improve traffic safety by itself. It takes the commitment of many stakeholders statewide, including traffic safety advocates, police officers, lawmakers and others. In November, AAA Northeast celebrated those efforts during the club’s annual AAA Community Traffic Safety Awards luncheon in Providence. Rhode Island Senate President Dominick Ruggerio and House of Representatives...

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AAA Honors Individuals, Communities and Partners for Traffic Safety Measures in New York

AAA Northeast held its 53rd annual Traffic Safety Awards luncheon in Garden City in October, recognizing individuals, organizations and communities for efforts to bolster traffic safety in New York. Marjorie Marciano, retired executive director of safety education and outreach for the New York City Department of Transportation, received an individual award for outstanding achievement in...

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AAA Recognizes Safe Rides Group and Police Officers in Connecticut

High school students in Wilton don’t have to worry about how to get home on Friday or Saturday nights. Since 2013, Wilton Safe Rides has given thousands of teenagers easy and anonymous access to safe, free transportation. Dozens of volunteers help operate the student-run group, which gives free rides home to high school students who...

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Massachusetts Heroes Set Traffic Safety Examples Worth Following

The world may never know what it would take to force Doris Frizzell from her position as a crossing guard at Shaughnessy Elementary School in Lowell. Despite bouts of inclement weather and dangerous traffic conditions – the school is located in one of the city’s busiest areas – Frizzell has spent the last 12 years...

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Disney Delivers Wishes

A trip to anywhere Disney is most children’s dream. But for kids like Steven De Angelis, 9, of Somerville, Mass., who face life-threatening medical conditions like Steven’s unique genetic disease, it might remain only a pipe dream. Enter the Disney Wish Program, which works with nonprofit wish-granting organizations like the Make-A-Wish Foundation to make these...

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Test Your Disney Cruise Lines Pixie-Dust Prowess

Disney magic isn’t limited to movies or theme parks. Disney Cruise Lines has been delivering unforgettable family experiences on the high seas since 1998. In celebration of Disney Month, here are some interesting facts about the line. • Disney has four ships – Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. • It was...

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