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News You Can Use

December 7, 2007

Christmas Trees – A Pennsylvania Tradition 

The state is home to 2,000 Christmas tree farms on nearly 45,000 acres that produce 1.7 million cut trees, contributing $13.9 million annually to our economy, according to the National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA).   

The National Association stresses the environmental benefits of real Christmas trees – all-American, recyclable, renewable, and creating oxygen while absorbing carbon dioxide and other gases.  The Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association points out the Keystone State is first in the nation for the number of Christmas tree farms and ranks fourth in the nation in the number of Christmas trees cut each year and acres in production.   

Find a PA Preferred Christmas tree on the Department of Agriculture website or consult the Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association 2007 Guide to Pennsylvanian-Grown Christmas Trees & Holiday Family Adventures.  The Growers Association Guide offers an alphabetical list of PA Christmas tree farms.  You will find addresses, phone numbers, directions, email addresses, and web listings.  Tree farms with special features and events are included.  Santa is scheduled to make one last stop by a number of nurseries to get those wish lists straight.  You can find a nursery with saws for the do-it-yourself experience or one that's prepared to drill the holes in the stump for the tree stand.  And, for future reference, some even do preseason tagging.  The Guide outlines types of fir, spruce, and pine available; care tips, and a bit of history, as well.   

More than 30 Christmas tree growers are participating in the 2007 "Trees for Troops" Program sponsored by the Christmas Spirit Foundation and FedEx.  The national effort collects evergreens to provide military families with real Christmas trees.  For details and a list of participating PA tree farms, click here.

PA State Police Encouraging Support of Project Blue Light for the Holidays 

Add blue lights to your holiday decorations, place a single blue light in a window, or tie a blue ribbon on your car antenna in support of active and fallen law enforcement officers during Project Blue Light.  The PA State Police (PSP) is joining with Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc (COPS), a nonprofit organization, in promoting the display of blue during the holiday season.   

Across the country, between 140 and 160 officers are killed annually in the line of duty leaving family and co-workers to cope with the tragic loss.  Pennsylvania has witnessed the killing of 91 members of the PSP since the Department was established in 1905.   

COPS offers resources to assist in the rebuilding of the lives of surviving families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.  The organization also provides training to law enforcement agencies on survivor victimization issues and educates the public of the need to support the law enforcement profession and its survivors.  The group which was organized in 1984 with 110 founding members provides resources to the more than 15,000 affected families and co-workers of officers killed in the line of duty.   

To learn more and to support COPS click here.  PSP announces support of Project Blue Light.

Identity Theft Action Plan 

Is your Social Security Card in your wallet?  How many credit cards are you carrying?  What about that ATM card?  If you lost your wallet, could you remember every card, account number, and customer service contact to prevent someone else from racking up fraudulent charges? 

An Identity Theft Action Plan produced by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency offers a clear, concise print out that takes 5 minutes to complete but can prevent hours and dollars lost to identity theft.  Start by gathering all credit cards, bank account information, your driver's license, and medical insurance cards.   

Download the Action Plan and begin recording the information in each category.  You will find sufficient room at the bottom to list membership numbers and contacts for clubs and fraternal organizations from the American Legion to the Zoological Society and other stored information.   

The plan is complete with phone numbers and websites for the three credit reporting agencies, PennDOT's Department of Motor Vehicles, the Federal Trade Commission, the Passport Services Office of the U.S. Department of State, the Social Security Administration, and the U.S. Postal Service Mail Fraud Division.  

Keep the completed Identity Theft Action Plan in a safe secure place at home.  In the event your information is stolen or lost, PCCD encourages taking notes and attaching them and related correspondence to your personalized plan.   

For information on PCCD, click here.

Reserve Farm Show Dinner Tickets Before the Deadline 

It is time to register for the 2008 Pennsylvania Farm Show Reception and Dinner scheduled for Friday, January 4, according to PA Department of Agriculture.  With the Farm Show less than a month away, the deadline to reserve your ticket is set for Wednesday, December 19, 2007. 

The reception will begin at 6 p.m. in the Cameron Street Lobby to be followed by dinner at 7 p.m. in the Farm Show Banquet Room.  Nashville's Darryl Lee O'Donnell will provide the entertainment beginning at 9 p.m.   

Tickets are $40 per person and seating is limited.  Download a copy of the dinner ticket order form.

Payment in full must accompany your reservation.  You will then register and pick up your name badge in the Cameron Street Lobby upon arrival on January 4.  Contact Shelby Nestler at 717-787-4627 for questions. 

The 92^nd Annual Farm Show will welcome visitors from January 5-12, 2008.  More than 400,000 people will visit the show to see nearly 8,000 animals, 10,000 competitive exhibits, and 270 commercial exhibitors.  In addition, exhibitors can hope to tap into more than $465,000 in prize money.  The Farm Show Food Court will continue the annual tradition of serving PA Preferred Produce from baked potatoes to mushrooms to honey and more.  

PennDOT Approves 4-Hour Mature Driver Improvement Course  

Drivers 55 and older may now attend a 4-hour Mature Driver Improvement Refresher Course to hone driving skills and to continue to qualify for discounted vehicle insurance.  Instead of completing an 8-hour course every three years; mature drivers can now take advantage of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's new refresher course.   

Aging and driving abilities, insights on today's roadways, and recently enacted laws are covered in both the basic and refresher courses.  No written or practical driving tests are administered.  Moderate course fees vary with each of the four state-approved organizations administering the courses.  For details contact the following organizations: 

• AAA – check local offices for availability
• AARP -- 1-888-227-7669
• National Safety Council – 1-800-459-2556
• Seniors for Safe Driving – 1-800-559-4880

Consult PennDOT's Driver and Vehicle Services Website for more on mature driver safety.  See pages 10 through 12 of the Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles "Talking with Older Drivers" for additional resources.

Free Guide for Choosing a Medicare Managed Care Plan

Older Pennsylvanians considering a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) are being encouraged by the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) to consult the agency's new Guide for Medicare Beneficiaries.  These Part C managed care plans are offered by private insurance companies that manage the health care of their enrolled members.   

In choosing a Medicare Advantage Plan, you are still in the Medicare program and maintain the same rights as someone in Medicare.  Your Medicare-covered health care will come through the selected Advantage Plan and may offer extra benefits, such as vision, dental, and health and wellness programs.  Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage) is offered to everyone with Medicare.  PHC4 recommends carefully comparing your options to choose a plan best meeting your prescription drug needs.   

Get answers to your questions on coverage, deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance before the current open enrollment period concludes on December 31, 2007 with coverage to begin on January 1, 2008.  Download a copy of The Guide for Medicare Beneficiaries or call PHC4 at 717-232-6787 for a free hardcopy of the report.  Access company-specific information by county, through the PHC4 website.

Consumers with specific questions about Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D should call the Pennsylvania Department of Aging's APPRISE health insurance counseling service, toll-free, at 1-800-783-7067.