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Volume 3, Issue 8

INSIDE: HOLIDAY EVENTS CALENDARCOLD wEATHER fASHION SuRVIVAL guIDE

HOLIDAY gIfT guIDEMONEY SAVINg COuPONS

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HOwBIzARRE

The "Human Barbie" is a real woman named Valeria Lukyanova, according to a No-vember eCanada report. The woman hails herself as the "most famous woman" on the Russian-speaking Internet.

The "Human Barbie" certainly looks very doll-life. She is shocking to see. She has long, silky, blond hair. To complete her look, she has perfect, alabaster skin, a figure that is disproportionate in the same way as the Barbie doll's figure, and wide, blue eyes, which she spends a lot of time making up each day.

Some people think that Valeria Lukyanova is not completely real. She has received accusations that she has had plastic surgery to achieve her "Human Barbie" look. How-ever, she insists that she hasn't. She said,

"I am delighted that everyone thinks that I am not real, this proves that I’m doing my job correctly." (Examiner.com)

HuMAN BARBIE

A police officer faces a two-day suspension after being videotaped dunking his head in a bucket of urine at a Cleveland Browns’ game.Nine other officers, who put up $50 apiece and dared Patrolman Phil Croucher to go through with the stunt, have received written reprimands. The incident took place at the Oct. 14 Browns’ game, where Croucher and the other officers were off-duty. The video showing the shirtless Croucher putting his head in the bucket was nearing 300,000 views on YouTube.Croucher will be suspended two days, with one day held in abeyance upon completion of an alcohol evaluation, which will be paid for by the city, officials said. Police Chief Dan Llewellyn’s disciplinary action notice explained the decision to suspend Croucher, a 16-year police veteran. “You were identified as a Mentor Police Officer and that information was broadcast on many of the television, internet and news print media casting a negative light on the professionalism of not only yourself as a M.P.D. officer, but the entire organization,” Llewellyn wrote. (The Willits News)

PEA BRAIN

When a 9-year-old Ukrainian boy came across the equivalent of nearly 4 thousand bucks in his family's couch, he did what most kids might: he didn't think where it came from, he just blew it on candy.

According to UPI, the boy tapped a mentally ill adult acquaintance to help him convert more than three thousand U.S. dollars and 600 Euros to Ukrainian hryvnas, then the pair split their ill-gotten goodies. The kid also made it rain with sweet-toothed friends as well.

The child's father reportedly discovered his makeshift bank had been raided, and his son eventually came clean.(ABC News Radio)

CANDY ANYONE

The winner of a roach-eating contest has died after consuming dozens of the bugs, as well as worms.The South Florida contest had about 30 contestants. 32-year-old Edward Archbold won the grand prize python, but fell ill shortly after the competition.

He was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Authorities are awaiting autopsy results.(Metro)

PASS THE SALT

SHAYNE MORgAN

Sat. Dec. 1. THE PEACOCK.

Corvallis. 9:30 PM

Sat. Dec. 22. THE BAY HAVEN. Newport. 8:30 PM

Mon. Dec. 31. NEW YEARS EVE BASH!

JACK OKOLE'S. Corvallis. 9 PM

Sat. Jan. 12. JACK OKOLE'S.

Corvallis. 9 PM

Sat. Jan. 19. RILEY'S. Albany

HOLIDAY 2012

“A good conscience is a continual Christmas.” Benjamin Franklin

3

(BPT) - The cool, crisp air, brisk breezes and snow falling outside mean the cold weather season is upon us. With the advent of the temperature change, are you ready to face winter in style?

National fashion expert Sydne Sum-mer shares her top three expert tips that will help you remain fashionable and chic throughout the season.

Tip No. 1: Try a new trend

Two of the biggest trends you will see this cold weather season are peplum shapes and leather. Peplum, seen in both tops and dresses, is an elongated hem that resembles a short skirt. The style is flatter-ing on all silhouettes and provides a touch of glamour on the coldest of days. From leather jackets to dresses and tops, women all over the U.S. are making classic leather cool. Paired with either jeans or business attire, leather can make a statement day or night. Sleeveless leather dresses are serving as an alternative to the classic black dress. ‘It is a bit edgier, but equally as versatile,’ says Summer. Colored leather tanks can also brighten up the dreariest winter outfits.

Tip No. 2: Do not be afraid to go sleeveless

Going sleeveless is always chic, espe-cially during the winter months. Tradition-ally, women have been afraid to shed the sleeves this time of year because of dry skin or a decrease in underarm upkeep. However, a recent study conducted by Dove found that 50 percent of women ages 18 to 35 will wear sleeveless tops when out with friends or at a holiday parties this fall and winter. Additionally, more than half of women feel sexy and feminine when they go sleeveless.

‘When going sleeveless in colder weather it is important to moisturize,’ Summer advises. ‘Skin gets dryer in the winter so make sure to apply lotion to your arms and a moisturizing anti-perspirant to your underarms.’ She recommends Dove go sleeveless Soothing Chamomile Anti-Perspirant, the only anti-perspirant clini-

cally proven to soothe shaving irritation and provide softer, smoother underarms in just five days, while also providing 48-hour protection. It is also the only formula that cares for delicate underarm skin with Dove 1/4 moisturizers, giving women the confidence to go sleeveless all year. More information can be found on www.Dove.com.

When choosing a sleeveless outfit, be sure to select styles appropriate for your body type. If you have a fuller bust, opt for v-necklines when going sleeveless. Al-ternately, if you have a smaller chest, aim for a high neckline. Petite women can also benefit from a sleeveless turtleneck, which helps elongate their frames.

Tip No. 3: Embrace layering for comfort and fashion

Just because it is chilly outside does not mean that it is time to pack away your lightweight tops. Layering is the perfect way to transition from fall into winter and ensure that you do not have to leave your favorite sleeveless styles behind. Eighty six percent of women across America agree that wearing layers makes it easy to change their look for different occasions throughout the day, and 78 percent of women prefer to layer over a basic sleeve-less tank.

‘When layering, pay attention to fabrics to avoid looking bulky. Lightweight fabrics are a safe bet. You always want the layer closest to your body to be the tightest. For example, a thin, form-fitting tank top works better under a dress than a long-sleeve knit,’ says Summer.

You can also use layers to update old pieces in your wardrobe. Add a pop of color by layering with a bold scarf or bright pair of tights, or give last year’s coat a facelift by layering with a faux fur neck muff.

Looking chic when the temperature drops may seem challenging, but incorpo-rating a few tips to update your style can help you look your best.

Cold weather fashion survival guide

Looking your best when the temperature drops has never been easier

THE VALLEY EXPLORER

The Benton and Lincoln County bus systems have made changes to make travel more convenient on coast to val-ley routes. Buses now travel to multiple destinations in Lincoln and Benton Counties seven days a week.

Benton and Lincoln County buses are part of a 5-county alliance to provide co-ordinated transportation in Benton County, along the Northwest Oregon coast and be-yond. Riders can pick up a bus in Benton County and travel to the coast. Once on, the coast riders can travel north or south to other coastal destinations. Additionally, coastal residents can travel to Corvallis or to the Amtrak train station in Albany.

The new service will also help con-nect the South Beach Peninsula’s marine science and education workforce with Corvallis as well as Portland’s Internation-al Airport (PDX). With over 100 Oregon State University employees and over 200 federal and state agency employees on the South Beach Peninsula, including the new NOAA Marine Operations Center – Pa-cific, the connection to the HUT Shuttle for service to PDX is a welcome option for business travelers.

Lincoln and Benton County Transit worked closely with Maryann Bozza, Pro-gram Manager at the OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center, to connect riders from the Newport and Corvallis campuses of Oregon State University. “We are excited to have a public transportation option be-tween campuses for meetings and classes, or to commute, and many welcome the extra time to work or relax,” said Bozza. “County Transit staff have done a great job of including us without losing sight of their existing riders.”

Riders may contact Benton County, Dial-A-Bus at (541) 752-2615 or Lincoln County Transit at (541) 265-4900. Fares for cross-county trips are $10 each way for adults (12+ yrs old) or $7 each way for seniors (60+), youth (under 12) & the disabled. Ride coupons are also available: 6 rides for $50.00 for adults or 6 rides for $36 for seniors, youth & disabled. Rider may speak with their driver for discounted coupons. Bikes ride for free. Visit www.nworegontransit.org for complete County by County details.

City of Newport Mayor, Mark Mc-Connell, was enthusiastic about the much-needed connection to the Valley for Newport and Lincoln County residents. “There will be a direct connection to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis and other health care facilities,” he noted, “and our local business and leisure travelers and fishing community will be glad to have another connection to PDX. We also look forward to having Val-ley residents, students and tourists connect to our world class attractions and beaches here on the coast.”

The Northwest Oregon Transit Alliance recently received an award for transit innovation from the Oregon Transit As-sociation. The award was given to the transit alliance for its landmark project for Oregon to improve inter-agency coordina-tion, brand and market transit service in all five counties as a single seamless service, offer transit as an asset for economic development, and establish private-public partnerships for sustainable funding. More information: www.nworegontransit.org

New Bus Schedule: Coast to Valley Express

Part of the North by Northwest Connector Route Linking the communities of Newport, Corvallis and

towns In between

THE VALLEY EXPLORER HOLIDAY 2012 4

THE VALLEY EXPLORER

fOOD

Eating gluten free can sometimes be a challenge during the holiday season. From mother-in-laws to failed recipe attempts many people find themselves overwhelmed and often dreading their gluten free holidays. I don’t believe that food intolerances should stand in your way of a successful celebration. Here are a few tips to stay healthy, happy, and most importantly, full during this holiday season.

When in doubt go without: Gluten hides everywhere! Never assume something is gluten free, cross contamination is always a risk when eating at someone else’s home. Turkey’s are often made with stuffing inside, gravies are thickened with wheat flour, and it only takes a breadcrumb to trigger an autoimmune reaction. You are the only person responsible for the food that goes into your body. Don’t let someone peer pressure you into eating something that may or may not be gluten free. Trust me, the repercussions are NOT worth it!

Always be prepared: If you are starving you might eat something that you will later regret. I always pack food in my purse or eat ahead of time so I’m never in desperate need of food. If you know where you will be spending the holidays, give the hostess a call ahead of time and let them know about your allergies or intolerances. If necessary let them know you will bring your own food. If you bring a dish for everyone to share, ask if you can serve up your plate first and don’t plan on going

back for seconds. Shared utensils, fallen breadcrumbs, and gluten hands call all contaminate your food.

Offer to host at your home: If you are able, offer to host the dinner at your home. This way you know what goes into every dish and you can be sure everything is gluten free. If others insist on bringing food, ask them to bring something that is naturally gluten free. Some options are fruit, vegetables, or drinks.

Let someone else do the cooking for you: If you don’t feel like cooking or don’t have the time, you could always head over to our local gluten free restaurant, Eats & Treats Café. (www.Eats-Treats.com) they offer a wide variety options, including take out, and are always happy to take care of your gluten, dairy, and soy free needs.

With or without food intolerances, I know that the holiday season can be stressful. If you are feeling overwhelmed just try to remember what the holidays are really about. Take time to enjoy your family, friends, and the things that make you happy. When all else fails don’t forget that our local hard cider company, Two Town Cider House is gluten free!

If you are interested in learning more join me December 1st for our class, “Staying Gluten Free through the Holidays”. The class is $25 and will be from 10:00 to 11:00 am at the Darkside Theater. Space is limited, please pre-register at Nadine@glutenfreern.com

THE VALLEY EXPLORER

Tips for Enjoying the Holidays gluten free

The gluten free RNBy Nadine grzeskowiak

(BPT) - This time of year, homes across the country are bustling with friends and family celebrating the holidays with festive foods and drinks. Dairy products like butter, milk, cheese and cream are standard ingredients in celebratory dishes, but one area where dairy can play a starring role is often overlooked - the cocktail glass. Instead of just offering wine or beer, the Califor-nia Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) has put together cocktail tips and tricks for making every gathering a happy hour at home.

1. Cheers to dairy. Served hot or cold, milky alcoholic beverages are delicious on a hot day or in the cold of winter. Cock-tails made with milk can range from the classics like a White Russian to the more unusual Mardi Gras favorite Milk Punch, a somewhat lighter version of egg nog. Make sure to choose flavors and spices that complement the foods you're serving.

2. Look in the fridge. Chances are you already have everything you need to create a special cocktail or host a happy hour at home. Now is the time to use up the leftover craft beers from last week's game, that nice bottle of brandy you received as a gift and the California milk and cream you have in your fridge.

3. Apples to apples. Apples are one of those foods that everyone seems to love and that familiar apple flavor seems most welcome in the cooler, cozier months. Why not combine the iconic apple pie with a trend that is on the rise: hard ciders. With the influx of craft beer drinkers, hard ci-ders are coming into their own. Try creat-ing a Belgian Hot Apple Pie Cocktail (see recipe) and wow your friends and family with your bartending skills. This cocktail takes the beloved flavor of apple pie and lights it on fire, literally.

4. Drink your dessert. It's easy to create delicious drinkable desserts for the over-

21 crowd with just a few ingredients you likely already have on hand. A few scoops of Real California vanilla ice cream, milk, a flavored Irish cream liqueur and a shot of whiskey mixed in the blender will make even non-Irish eyes smile. Try chocolate vodka, peanut butter, milk and ice cream for an adult version of a peanut butter cup. Minty Moochas are a chocolate treat featuring coffee liqueur, peppermint schnapps, semisweet chocolate, milk and whipped cream.

5. Mix it up. Classic cocktails are making a comeback so mix up your own. Classic egg nog is a fun drink that can be served as either an adult or nonalcoholic beverage and is easily flavored to fit the festivities - from pumpkin pie spice to peppermint extract. If you are looking for a classic recipe, try a Wild's Cooked Egg Holiday Eggnog with a splash of dark rum or bour-bon, crafted by Chef Andy Wild on behalf of the CMAB.

Whenever serving alcohol in your home, make sure there's a designated driver to ensure everyone makes it home safely. Look for the Real California Milk and Cheese seals to guarantee you're getting products made with 100 percent Califor-nia milk. To make the irresistible drinks mentioned above and to check out other great recipes, visit RealCaliforniaMilk.com, or search for Real California Milk on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Belgian Hot Apple Pie Cocktail Yield: 1 serving

1 large scoop Real California vanilla ice cream 1 ounce apple brandy 12 ounces Belgian apple beer

Place ice cream in a large glass. Pour brandy into a small glass. Carefully touch a lighted match to surface of brandy to ignite it. When flames die down, pour brandy over ice cream and fill glass with beer. Serve with a spoon and a straw.

How to make your cocktails the life of the party

Belgian Hot Apple Pie Cocktail

HOLIDAY 2012 5

HOLIDAY 2012

(BPT) - Winter and colder tempera-tures are notorious for creating difficult driving conditions that can place strain on drivers and their vehicles. And as the temperature drops this winter, so will your gas mileage.

Colder temperatures mean cold oil, tires and cold air in the carburetor - all factors that reduce gas mileage. With higher prices lingering at the gas pumps, a few fuel-saving tips can help protect your miles per gallon (MPG) this winter.

*Warm your car up the right way

Many people believe the myth that you must warm your car up in the winter. The truth is that idling your car actually de-stroys your MPG and isn’t necessary.

Modern cars don’t require a warm-up, even when the temperatures drop below zero, according to AAA. Modern engines, those built since about 1990, have fuel in-jection systems rather than carburetors and need no more than 10 to 30 seconds to get oil moving through the engine properly.

Auto experts recommend driving mod-erately in cold weather to allow the engine and other systems to warm up slowly and reduce wear and tear. So even though many people choose to warm up their car in the winter for personal comfort or to defrost windows, idling a vehicle for more than even one minute is simply wasting gas.

*Get your car winter ready

From changing the oil to checking the tire pressure on a regular basis, improving

your winter gas mileage is easier than you might think.

‘Your vehicle’s motor oil becomes thicker in colder temperatures, which adds stress to the engine,’ says Jim Rossbach, CHS director of technical services and quality. ‘Try a thinner grade of oil to keep your engine running smoothly in the cold-er months.’ Rossbach recommends using a high-performing synthetic oil like Cenex Maxtron, which is designed to perform well in low temperatures and improve fuel economy.

Proper tire inflation can also improve fuel economy by up to 3 percent, accord-ing to the U.S. Department of Energy. It is important to check tire pressure several times throughout the winter when colder temperature can reduce tire pressure at a rate of one pound per square inch (PSI) for every 10 degrees change.

*Lighten the load

Extra weight from cargo or snow also reduces fuel efficiency. Cleaning out your car and clearing off heavy snow is an easy way to get better gas mileage.

In the past, carrying sandbags in the trunk was a common method for gaining more traction and helping rear-wheel drive cars perform better on snow and ice. To-day, most cars are front-wheel drive with the engine over the front wheels, creat-ing that same grip. Carrying extra weight does not add traction on snow and ice, but simply lowers your fuel economy.

For more gas-saving tips and to learn how you can nominate someone for a free tank of gas, visit www.tanksofthanks.com.

Don’t get caught in the cold: Know the facts about winter gas mileage

(BPT) - If visions of smartphones have replaced the sugarplums in your holiday dreams, you're not alone.

More than 35 percent of Americans include consumer electronics on the list of gifts they want to receive for the holidays, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). With the NRF predicting consumer spending this holiday season will increase 4 percent over 2011, it seems likely de-mand for tech gifts will keep pace.

High-tech gifts don't have to be high cost, too. You can find a variety of useful and fun, user-friendly and elegant tech gifts for less than $300. So when you're making your holiday shopping list, keep these ideas in mind:

Home theater for a song - While LG suggests a price of $329 for the BH6720S - 3D-Capable Blu-Ray Disc Home Theater System with Smart TV and built-in Wi-Fi, you can find it only for $250 to $300. The 5.1 channel speaker system includes four satellite speakers, a center channel speaker and a subwoofer to give you a real theater experience in the comfort of your own living room. 'Connected' players like this access to a variety of content and services from the Internet, including movies and music from providers such as Netflix, Hulu Plus, VUDU, CinemaNow, YouTube, Pan-dora, MOG and more. All online content can be accessed via a home network using the player's built-in Wi-Fi connectivity.

They've got you covered - Even if you love your iPad (and who doesn't?), there are times when you yearn for an actual keyboard. The Logitech Ultrathin Key-board Cover attaches to your iPad with magnets and functions as a keyboard. A leading product review site called it 'the best keyboard accessory ever made for the iPad.' Prices range around $100, depend-ing on where you buy.

Great tunes cubed - From serving as a dock for your iPod, iPhone or iPad to functioning as a good old-fashioned alarm clock with FM radio, LG's ND8520 does it all. The unique cube design deliv-

ers premium sound with its 2.1 Channel speaker system and built-in subwoofer. It's also Airplay compatible, so you can eas-ily stream your favorite tunes wirelessly. Android phone users can wirelessly stream their music via Bluetooth. The suggested retail price is $299, but you can probably find deals online.

All charged up - Who hasn't been caught with a low cellphone battery and no place to plug it in? Duracell's Instant USB Charger makes it easy to keep any mini-USB powered device powered up on the go. With a lithium-ion battery and universal cable, the charger provides up to three hours of backup power for your cell phone. MSRP is around $40 but you can likely find it for less online.

Web-cams move you - The whole con-cept of web cameras is amazing; they al-low you to see and communicate remotely via your PC with people on the other side of the world or just across the street. But most web cameras require you to sit in one spot, in front of your PC, at a certain dis-tance for optimum resolution. The Logi-tech Quickcam Orbit AF (around $175 on Amazon) solves both those problems. A motorized lens and intelligent face-track-ing helps keep the camera on you, even if you move. And, the camera can handle even extreme close-ups.

Gamers Rejoice - Call of Duty: Black Ops II, the most highly-anticipated video game of the year, is available just in time for the holidays. Set in the year 2025, the game propels players into global conflict featuring advanced weaponry, robotics, and drone warfare in a new Cold War scenario whose seeds are being sown in today's headlines.- For an even more vis-ceral gameplay experience, Call of Duty: Black Ops II is also playable in 3D!- It'll be available for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC for roughly $60.

Great tech gifts will be welcome under almost any tree, and with some careful shopping and creative thinking you can find deals that ensure you're not paying for those gifts well into the new year.

Top tech gifts for $300 or less

7

HOME fOR THE HOLIDAYS

Benton County Democrats and friends will gather for their annual Holiday Party and Auction, on Thursday, De-cember 6, at the Benton County Fair-grounds.

Silent auction items and an oral auction, headed by uber auctioneer Harry Demar-est, are the highlights of the evening. Doors open at 6:00, and guests are invited to come early and review the many items up for auction. Valley Catering will sup-ply a complimentary baked potato supper, and Squirrel's will tend a wine and beer no-host bar.

The annual party and auction is a thank-you to volunteers who give hours of time to our elections and a celebration of election victories with an evening of energetic and interesting conversation.

Funds raised help to subsidize BCDems’ headquarters and other campaign expenses during election years.

This year’s auction items include water-color art work from Bellfountain Arts, a hidden- treasure stay at a beautiful home at Black Butte, a river raft trip with a potluck for 6, parties catered in your own home, tickets to OSU Women’s basketball games, and much more.

All Democrats from Benton and sur-rounding counties are welcome to join in the fun. To contribute and auction item or purchase an ad in the auction program, contact Merry Demarest at merry@pro-axis.com or 541-990-0800

Benton County Democrats’ Holiday Party and Auction

THE VALLEY EXPLORER

YONKERS, N.Y /PRNewswire-US-Newswire/ -- Consumer Reports today unveiled its third annual Naughty & Nice List of company policies and prac-tices. The companies cover a gamut of industries, including automotive (BMW, Honda) apparel (Kohl's, Nordstrom, Forever 21) and even hospitality (Drury Hotels). The annual Naughty & Nice list is not a Rating on an overall company; rather it's a "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" on a specific policy or practice. CR also acknowledges that the compa-nies excluded from the list may have similar policies.

The full Naughty & Nice Lists from this year, 2011 and 2010 are available online at www.ConsumerReports.org/CRNaugh-tyNice.

This year, Consumer Reports is asking everyone to join in on the conversation by submitting their own personal Naughty & Nice nominee via Facebook and Twitter (#CRNaughtyNice). For the first time ever, Consumer Reports will also be setting up a booth at the Holiday Market at Union Square in New York City, offering visitors an in-person opportunity to submit their list and receive 24 hours of free access to www.ConsumerReports.org.

"We hope consumers will sound off and speak up, and let the companies they do business with know what they appreci-ate and what they don't," said Tod Marks, senior editor and resident shopping expert at Consumer Reports. "The purpose of this list is not to knock or commend companies as a whole, but to let consumers know they have choices at a time of year when shop-ping and spending are in the spotlight."

The Naughty & Nice Holiday List is based on input from Consumer Reports' reporters and editors who cover shopping, travel, hospitality, telecommunications and visitors to the Consumer Reports Face-book page.

The following highlights some of the com-

panies from the Naughty and the Nice side of the 2012 list:

NAUGHTY

Ticketmaster. The king of tickets will snail mail you your tickets for free if you have 10 to 14 days to wait for them, but if you need them any sooner you'll have to pay for expedited shipping. You'll even have to fork over $2.50 per order just to print them yourself. Gotcha! Time Warner Cable. The Internet biggie joins a list of other providers to charge a monthly fee (in this case, $3.95) to lease a cable modem.BMW. Getting stuck with a flat tire isn't the best way to find out your car didn't come with a spare tire or jack, but BMW owners may experience just that. The carmaker's models now come with run-flat tires or a Mobility Kit, which can get you to help after a minor puncture. The disappearing-spare syndrome has been spreading to include even economy models from Hyundai, Chevrolet and others.

NICE

Home Depot. Buy a new appliance from a home improvement giant and they'll haul your old one off your property without charge. The delivery crew will also un-crate, set up, level and test your new one.Oxo. The innovative housewares manu-facturer backs every product it sells with a no-exceptions pledge: If for any reason you are not satisfied, return it for replace-ment or refund. PNC Bank. In Consumer Reports' survey of 10 banking giants, PNC was the only one to offer a free basic checking account. What's more, the institution doesn't require customers to maintain a minimum balance to keep this freebie. For additional information on how to find the best holiday deals and expert advice on top products, consumers can visit Consumer Reports' online holiday-shopping hub at www.ConsumerReports.org/holiday.

Consumer Reports Reveals Annual Naughty & Nice List

Of Company Policies And Practices Deserving Of Coal

Or KudosTicketmaster, Time Warner Cable and BMW

among others make CR’s “Naughty” List while Home Depot, Oxo and PNC Bank play “Nice” in

Third Annual Public Education Campaign

fINANCE

(BPT) - With so many options based on where you live and what prescrip-tions you need, selecting a Medicare Part D Plan can be complicated and time consuming. However, every Ameri-can 65 and older or Medicare disabled who wishes to enroll must enroll in a plan for 2013 no later than Dec. 7, 2012.

Alexis Abramson, Ph.D, a gerontolo-gist and leading advocate for health and wellness issues affecting baby boomers and seniors, offers five simple tips to guide you through the process during this year's registration window.

1. Sign up for Medicare Part D - no mat-ter what.

Even if you currently don't take any prescription medications, you should still consider signing up for a Medicare Part D Plan. If you enroll late or when you are in need of drug coverage, you could pay much higher premiums. The only excep-tions to this rule are seniors with equiva-lent or creditable drug coverage from an employer's health care plan, retiree health plan or from the U.S. Department of Veter-ans Affairs.

2. You can get Part D two ways, but PDPs are a more affordable option.

Your first option is to buy Part D cover-age as part of a private Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) that is based on the drugs you take. Your second option is to sign up for Medicare Advantage, a Medicare HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) that also includes Medicare Part A and Part B (hospital and medical). According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, a majority of Medicare Part D enrollees opt for private PDPs.-

3. Plans change annually so take your time to research.

Assessing all your options isn't easy. You must weigh short-term savings in monthly premiums against long-term costs from co-payments or limited overall benefits. Consider your developing health concerns and how easily a plan will allow you ac-cess to your favorite doctor or specialist and medications you may be taking.

4. Preferred pharmacies matter.

Once you've found a plan that fits your budget and medication needs, don't forget about convenience when filling your pre-scriptions. A pharmacy accepted as 'pre-ferred' by a Medicare Part D Plan is a net-work pharmacy that offers covered drugs to plan members at lower out-of-pocket costs than what the member would pay at a non-preferred network pharmacy. For example, Walmart is a preferred pharmacy on multiple plans including the Humana-Walmart Preferred Rx Plan. People with high blood pressure or who are concerned about heart health also should know that Humana and Walmart just announced that members of the Humana Walmart-Preferred Rx Plan will have access to 10 hypertension drugs for a penny each when filled at one of the 4,400 Walmart or Sam's Club pharmacy locations.

5. Medicare plan finders are your friend.

There are so many options out there, so it can be hard to keep them all straight. Try one of the simple online search tools that source the most cost-effective plan for you. Walmart.com/RxPlan is easy to use and compares all available plans for you based on your zip code and medications you take.

Demystifying Medicare Part D enrollment

You can get Part D two ways, but PDPs are a more affordable option.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS fROM THE VALLEY ExPLORER

THE VALLEY EXPLORER HOLIDAY 2012 9

THE VALLEY EXPLORER

(BPT) - The holidays are a special time of year to show the important people in our lives how much we appreciate them — and that means gift-giving. If picking out holiday gifts is painless for you, you’re one of the lucky ones. More often than not, people have a tough time finding the perfect present for friends and family, particularly if you have someone on your list who already seems to have everything. So, if you’re stumped as to what to get that impossible-to-buy-for person, consider these five gift ideas that are sure to brighten anyone’s holiday:

1. Gift your services

Rather than giving a tangible item, give your services; it’s the perfectly practical gift for the person on your list who may be short on space, lacking financial resources or would just appreciate a little extra help. Love kids? Offer free child care so the recipient can enjoy an evening out on the town without worrying about the little ones. Have a knack for cooking? Gift a weeknight meal that you deliver to the recipient’s doorstep. Known for your organization? Offer your skills to help the recipient organize a closet, office or other cluttered space.

2. Make a miracle happen

Positively impacting others by giving a charitable gift in the recipient’s name embraces the true meaning of the season. The new Give Miracles Holiday Catalog from national nonprofit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals features in-demand pediatric items and services that local children’s hospitals need — anything from comforting teddy bears ($30) to a case of extra-small preemie diapers smaller than the palm of your hand ($170)! For high-impact gifts like a physical therapy toy kit ($375) or a pediatric wheelchair ($970), funds can be collectively raised by numerous gift-givers. This option is ideal for extended families looking to do something more meaningful than the typical gift exchange.

And to make that ‘do-good’ feeling for the recipient last long after the holidays are over, Give Miracles donors receive

ongoing communication from Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals throughout the year about how their gift is making an impact at their local hospital. Browse the gift catalog at www.GiveMiracles.org.

3. Purchase a membership to a monthly club

Rather than wasting money on a new gadget that will quickly be forgotten, give a gift that benefits the recipient all year long. Monthly clubs provide fun deliveries to a loved one’s address, an ongoing reminder of your generosity. Monthly gift clubs are available for just about anything, from wine and beer, to jams and cheese, to bacon and fruit.

4. Give a gift that grows

Potted plants are a fantastic gift idea because they represent how your love continues to grow for that special someone. Plus, plants are a wonderful addition to interior decor and help clean the air. With so many houseplants readily available, you’re sure to find the perfect one for the person who has everything. Does he gravitate toward decor with vivid color? Choose a flowering plant that provides delightful blooms. Does she love Asian culture? How about gifting a bonsai tree or a bamboo plant?

5. Provide an experience

Often, it’s not what’s in the box, it’s the memory that stays with so many people after the holidays have passed. That’s why giving a special experience can make a truly meaningful gift. Think about what really interests the recipient or an activity they’ve had on their bucket list. Perhaps it’s a hot air balloon ride or a white water rafting daytrip. If the person really loves to shop, hire a personal shopper for the day and let them see what it’s like to live like a star. If the recipient loves gourmet food, purchase a spot in a class taught by your town’s hottest chef.

Any one of these ideas is sure to show that hard-to-shop-for person on your list that you’ve put some real thought into their gift. And ultimately, isn’t it the thought that counts?

5 Perfect Presents Make gift-giving Easy

SANTA MONICA ,PRNewswire -- Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI), today announced that for the fourth consecutive year, the Call of Duty® franchise has delivered the biggest entertainment launch of the year. The highly-anticipated Call of Duty®: Black Ops II has achieved an es-timated sell-through of more than $500 million worldwide in the first 24 hours of its release, according to Chart-Track, retail customer sell-through information and internal company estimates.

"With first day sales of over half a bil-lion dollars worldwide, we believe Call of Duty is the biggest entertainment launch of the year for the fourth year in a row," said Bobby Kotick, CEO, Activision Blizzard, Inc. "Life-to-date sales for the Call of Duty franchise have exceeded worldwide theatrical box office receipts for "Harry Potter" and "Star Wars," the two most successful movie franchises of all time. Given the challenged macro-economic environment, we remain cautious about the balance of 2012 and 2013."

On November 13, 2012, millions of fans attended more than 16,000 midnight open-ings at retail stores worldwide. Reflect-ing the wave of excitement that swept the globe, Call of Duty: Black Ops II drove social conversation in its first 24 hours as it was a top trending topic globally on Twitter in 23 cities worldwide. Addition-ally, there have been more than 30 million YouTube video views of the game's live-action 'Surprise' launch trailer since its

release on October 29, 2012.

"Call of Duty has become more than a product people buy, it's a brand people buy into. And every November we do more than just the launch of a game, we kick off an annual, unofficial but worldwide phe-nomenon called the Call of Duty season," said Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision Publishing. "I want to thank our incredible team at Treyarch for making an amazing game, everyone at Activision for making this brand a force of nature and our retail partners for their unprecedented support of this franchise. But most importantly I want to thank our millions of fans for their con-tinued support and loyalty and for making us better every day."

Call of Duty: Black Ops II is available at retail locations worldwide on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, and Windows PC. The title is also expected to be released in North America for the new Wii U™ game system from Nintendo on November 18, 2012.

The game is rated "M" (Mature – Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Lan-guage, Suggestive Themes, Use of Drugs – content suitable for persons ages 18 and older) by the ESRB.

More information on Call of Duty: Black Ops II can be found at http://www.callofduty.com/blackops2 or on www.facebook.com/codblackops. Fans can also follow @Treyarch on Twitter.

Call Of Duty®: Black Ops II Delivers More Than $500 Million In worldwide Retail Sales In first 24 Hours

HOLIDAY 2012 10

THIS ONE’S BREAKINg ALL THE RuLES.

OuTDOORS

NEWPORT – The opening of the ocean commercial Dungeness crab season from Point Arena, Calif., north will be delayed at least through Dec. 15 to allow crab quality to improve.

The ocean commercial Dungeness crab season along the Oregon coast normally opens on Dec. 1, but can be delayed to ensure a high-quality product to consumers and avoid wastage of the resource. Crab quality testing in early November showed the majority of test areas coast wide did not meet minimum preseason test criteria. Fishery managers in Oregon, Washington and California met and decided to delay the opening.

A third round of crab quality testing will occur in late November or early December, and the results will be used to determine if the ocean commercial

Commercial Dungeness Crab Season Delayed

season should open Dec.16, be further delayed in all three states, or be split into two areas with different opening dates.

The delayed opening date will allow for the crab to fill with more meat and provide the three states with more information for setting an appropriate commercial crab season opening schedule.

In conjunction with the delayed ocean commercial season, commercial harvest of Dungeness crab in Oregon bays will close at 12:01a.m. Dec.1, but may reopen if the ocean commercial fishery opens in December.

Recreational harvest of Dungeness crab in the ocean off Oregon will open Dec.1 as scheduled. Recreational harvest of crab in Oregon’s bays will remain open.

YOu’LL HAVE TO wAIT fOR THIS.

(NewsUSA) - This past summer, many Americans learned about the existence of hantavirus and that the bubonic plague is again present (albeit rare) in the U.S. as cases resulting from these diseases made national news. These shocking and tragic cases were linked to nuisance wildlife, and serve as harsh reminders that many pests are vectors of disease. Because of the health dangers these pests pose, it is important to keep them out of our homes, out of our yards and out of our lives. Dr. Jorge Parada, medical spokesper-son for the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), urges parents to remind their children of how dangerous animals can be, particularly wild ones. "We often see parents bring children to the hospital for fear of rabies exposure or some other health concern associated with pests. Children are notorious for admiring wildlife too closely and being exposed to potentially harmful pathogens and bacteria in doing so." With temperatures dropping and seasons changing, many pests will be in search of new sources of food, water and shelter as these items become less readily abundant than in warmer months. If not properly protected, homes and yards provide wel-coming environments for pests. Rodents,

raccoons, squirrels and bats are some of the more common nuisance wildlife spe-cies likely to cross over into homeowners' personal spaces in the coming weeks and months. NPMA offers the following tips to help keep nuisance wildlife from inhabiting your property:• Seal cracks and holes on the outside of the home, including entry points for utili-ties and pipes.• Keep tree branches and shrubbery well trimmed and away from the house.• Don't leave pet food or water outdoors.• Hang birdfeeders as far back in the yard as possible.• Keep basements, attics and crawl spaces well ventilated and dry.• Store garbage in sealed containers. Make sure lids on outdoor trash receptacles fit snugly.• Replace weather-stripping and repair loose mortar around basement foundation and windows.• Add chimney caps to prevent wildlife from entering. Wildlife can be appreciated from afar, but if it comes into or close to a home, it becomes nuisance wildlife. If you suspect a problem with such pests, play it safe. Contact a qualified pest professional for additional advice and treatment if neces-sary.

How to Keep wildlife in the wild

THE VALLEY EXPLORER HOLIDAY 2012

CRITTERS ARE CuTE BuT REMEMBER THEY CAN CARRY DISEASES.

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