AAA October 2009 : Page 1

OCTOBER 2009 OCTOBER 2009 Train Your Brain to Drive Better DriveSharp Computer Games Can Help Reverse Natural Decline By Brandie M. Jefferson Car Care Month It may be hard to believe, but winter is just around the cor- ner. Before you know it, your car will be subject to snow, ice and freezing temperatures. Just in time to get your car ready for the elements, it’s AAA Car Care Month, offering members-only savings on preventive mainte- nance. In October and Novem- ber, make an appointment at a participating, Approved Auto Repair facility and present the coupon on page 17 to receive Continued on page 16 Now Save at Zoots! AAA members now save 10 percent on all services at Zoots. One of New England’s largest dry cleaners, Zoots does laun- dry; dry cleaning; home carpet, drapery and upholstery clean- ing; and water/flood/mold and fi re/smoke/odor restoration. It provides door-to-door delivery service and convenient store locations. For details on AAA member savings, visit AAA.com/ discounts. T-Mobile Day Enjoy special savings on T-Mo- bile Day, Oct. 23, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at AAA offices. For new activations, members will see the waiver of the $35 activation fee and re- ceive a free protective case, car charger and two movie tickets. All AAA members can save 12 percent on their monthly plan. Visit AAA.com/wireless. Reverse Mortgage Learn about reverse mort- gages at a free seminar, Oct. 13, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at AAAWaltham. To sign up, call (877) 888-8609 or visit AAA.com/register. For Web Exclusives, Bookmark AAA.com/horizons On the cover: (clockwise from top left) Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Arches. Credit: QT Luong/terragalleria.com Cinematographer Buddy Squires captures footage of Glacier Bay National Park. “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” took more than six years to film. Sail Easy from Your Home Port A cruise is an adventure. If you live in New England, part of the adventure – a potentially expensive part — is getting to the port of call. Here’s your chance to es- cape to the Caribbean without having to foot the bill for two trips: one to fly to Florida and another to the islands. AAA hosts two special 13-day homeport cruises on Royal Caribbean – one depart- ing from Cape Liberty, N.J., in the spring, and another from Boston in the fall. “It’s become increasingly popular to sail from a home port,” said Charlotte Nich- ols, Manager of AAA Travel Sales and Mar- keting. “Our members have choices now that weren’t available a few years ago.” The Explorer of the Seas sails round Lloyd Albert held his hands in front of his face, about a foot and a half apart. “At 16,” he said, “your useful fi eld of vision is about this big. “When you get to 85,” he continued, “it shrinks down to this.” His hands formed a circle the size of a grapefruit. If you are behind the wheel and a ball bounces into the street, you cannot re- act to it – hit the brakes, swerve – until it enters your useful fi eld of vision. So the question is, “Can some of this natural de- cline be reversed?” “The answer: unequivocally yes,” said Mr. Albert, AAA’s Senior Vice President of Public & Government Affairs. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has teamed up with California-based Posit Science to offer DriveSharp, software that can help reverse some of that natural de- cline. In the past few decades, scientists’ ideas about the brain have changed dra- matically, thanks largely to Michael Mer- zenich, co-founder and Chief Scientific Of- fi cer of Posit. He’s led the charge in brain plasticity research for the past 30 years. “Thirty years ago, everyone thought the brain was like a machine,” said Henry W. Mahncke, Vice President for Research and Outcomes at Posit. “We’ve turned this no- tion on its head. We now know the brain Continued on page 14 Burns Pays Homage to National Parks By Christine E. McDermott If Ken Burns has it his way, Americans will soon be pouring through the gates of the U.S. Na- tional Parks. The acclaimed director — dubbed the rock star of public television — has been a fan of the parks since he was 6 and his father took him to Shenandoah, in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. His newest film, “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea,” does more than boast stunning footage. It brings to light the stories of people who fought their entire lives to preserve natu- ral landmarks for generations of Americans. Mr. Burns spoke with AAA Ho- rizons, as the six-episode series was set to debut on PBS beginning Sept. 27. Q: It’s interesting that the his- tory of the parks is so connected with personal stories. This isn’t a travelogue, and this isn’t just a Continued on page 12 trip from Cape Liberty to St. Thomas, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Barbados, Dominica, Antigua and Puerto Rico. The ship offers you the chance to do something you may not expect in the Caribbean – ice-skating. In the fall, the Jewel of the Seas will cruise from Boston to St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Dominica, Barbados, Aruba and Curaçao and end in Fort Lauderdale. On- board, fi nd a rock-climbing wall and self- leveling pool tables. The fall cruise is ideal for New England- ers who migrate to Florida for the winter. “Imagine ‘moving’ south via a relaxing cruise ship!” Ms. Nichols said. Travel coun- selors can help you plan the return home. For details, see the ad on page 10. Not having to buy airfare makes home- port cruising more affordable for families. M

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