In the Spotlight

A trip to Disney became a cherished memory for Judy Getz Buzzell with a wave of AAA Vacations’ magical wand.

Usually, Buzzell is the family trip planner, but this time she let AAA do the work and it was a new role the grandmother of 10 thoroughly enjoyed.

“I just had to be ready, and then they led the way with Emma and me following,” Buzzell said.

Buzzell made the trip with her son Travis Getz, daughter-in-law Christy and granddaughter Emma.

“Because Christy and Travis had been so well prepared by AAA, all the work of figuring out what we were going to do was done before we left, so all any of us really had to do was have fun—and we did,” Buzzell said, who now looks forward to more Disney trips with the grandkids.

“Emma and I are so close,” she said. “Since I had no responsibility but to enjoy myself, I felt like a kid myself!”

For more about AAA’s exclusive Disney vacation packages, visit AAA.com/Disney

Need Extra Space?
You finished your annual spring cleaning – but what do you do with holiday decorations and sports equipment taking up precious storage space? Do you have more “stuff” than space to store it?

AAA members can use a new service—Extra Space Storage—for seasonal items and things you don’t use regularly in your home storage space.

AAA members receive a 15 percent discount on month-to-month storage in the company’s unit rentals for one year when signing a standard 12-month lease agreement.

Need a shorter rental period? Receive a 12 percent discount on month-to-month storage for up to 12 months.

Select locations feature climate control. This feature helps protect stored belongings from extreme temperatures. Extra Space Storage offers a wide range of sizes to accommodate your needs. Call 800-895-6188 for location information.

*Discounts are only applicable to AAA members who present a valid AAA card at participating Extra Space Storage locations for new rentals only and cannot be applied to current rentals. Cannot be combined with any other move-in or discounts offers. 12-month lease early termination rules apply. This offer has no cash value and is not transferable. Void where prohibited. Features and amenities vary by location. See Manager for details. Offer expires 3/31/09.

Battery Roundup
As part of Earth Day, AAA Carolinas held its annual Great Battery Round up in April, with 144 AAA-affiliated facilities collecting 1,665 potentially harmful batteries for recycling.

AAA supports keeping batteries out of landfills, discouraging illegal dumping and encouraging recycling by paying motorists $1 for each battery collected.

Since 2001, AAA Carolinas has collected more than 4,500 batteries in North and South Carolina.

Old and unused batteries can leak acid through cracks and cause painful injuries to curious children or pets. Batteries may leak lead that seeps into the ground and possibly pollute soil and water.

Open Houses Offer Free AAA Services
Has your child’s safety seat been recalled? Are your tires properly inflated? Is your family riding in a safe vehicle? Is your auto insurance up to date?

Find out during our free Open Houses, sponsored by AAA Carolinas’ Traffic Safety Foundation , hosted by the following branches: Aug. 16: East Blvd., 1408-A East Blvd., Charlotte, N.C ., and Aug. 29: Hendersonville, 136 S. Kings St., Suite D, Hendersonville, N.C .

Open to the public, events are from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Refreshments will be provided and no appointment is necessary.

A vehicle safety check includes inspection of tires, windshield wipers, lights, belts, hoses and battery.
A written evaluation is provided.

Certified AAA staff inspect your child passenger safety seat and assist with proper installation. Please bring your vehicle’s owner’s manual and the instruction manual for the seat.

Packing demonstrations and a contest to win free luggage will be held at East Boulevard’s Open House.

This is also a chance to plan a last minute summer vacation or review your current auto insurance.
Call (866) 741-6665 for details.

Summer Vacation Rocks with Disney and Best Western
Summer vacation rocks—especially when you’re a AAA member staying at a Best Western hotel. Not only do AAA members receive a 10 percent discount, Best Western International and the Disney Channel original movie, “Camp Rock,” are banding together with a summer gift card giveaway.

From June 20 through Aug. 17, AAA members who are part of Best Western’s Rewards Program receive a collectible “Camp Rock” Best Western Travel Card after staying five nights at any Best Western.

The “Camp Rock” Travel Card can be used to pay for accommodations and related incidentals, such as room service, at nearly 4,000 Best Western hotels.

AAA members who have not joined the rewards program can join prior to their first stay at AAA.com/bestwestern. Gold Crown membership is free.

Legislative Survey Results
AAA Carolinas polls members annually on traffic safety issues in North and South Carolina. The results help AAA direct its legislative actions. Thank you to all members who responded either on-line or by mail. AAA will contact legislative Advisory Committee members when there are traffic safety issues of interest under consideration by the North or South Carolina legislature. If you wish to be on AAA Carolina’s legislative Advisory Committee, email cjgifford@mailaaa.com .

Online TripTik® Even Better
Thousands of members use their local AAA office for trip planning expertise including reliable maps, driving directions, travel information and hotel reservations.

Now, in addition to the TripTik routings, the TripTik Travel Planner on AAA.com offers members another way to plan a trip.

It’s easier to use, with simplified ways to take advantage of features and access information. Here’s what’s new:

• Maps can be customized to your specified locations, including hotels, restaurants and points of interest. Your printout will contain TourBook® information about your selections, organized for easy reference.

• A new Travel Guide section contains information on more than 65 popular destinations with “Don’t-Miss Picks,” tips and insider information provided by AAA’s travel editors.

• A route modification tool allows you to reroute directions. Select a scenic route, a different way home, even use local streets when planning short trips around town.

• Members get time-saving construction and historic traffic congestion information, as well as the latest fuel prices, including E-85 ethanol fuel availability.

Driver Improvement
Got a Ticket?
If you have received a traffic ticket, AAA may be able to help. Ask the court if you are eligible to receive a reduced or dismissed citation by attending one of AAA’s Driver Improvement Program/Traffic Safety classes offered in Charlotte, Hillsborough and Pittsboro. Enroll online at AAAcarolinasdrivingschool.com or call (888) 274-4459.
Note: Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis and subject to cancellation, upon notification, for any reason.

Driver Education Schools AAA Carolinas’ Approved Driving School Network certifies schools to teach first-time drivers.

The following approved schools meet AAA Carolinas’ strict criteria: Lord Ashley Driving School, Charleston, Greenville/Spartanburg, and Myrtle Beach, S.C. (843) 824-2040; Baldwin Driver