(RVIA Photo)

(ARA) - With summer in full swing, many Americans are counting down the days until they can escape their daily routine for some much needed rest and relaxation.

Before you pack up the RV or hit the friendly blue skies for your vacation getaway, you may want to check out what some of the biggest U.S. cities have to offer.

MSN, America's leading online destination teamed up with Prevention magazine, America's leading Healthy Lifestyle magazine and asked Americans where their favorite summertime destinations are - and what kind of fun you can have right here in the U.S. Some of the answers might surprise you so take a look and see how your favorite cities fared. You never know - you might just switch up your travel plans for a destination that better fits you.

Night owl: If you enjoy the night life and staying up late then you might want to book a flight to the city that never sleeps, a.k.a New York City, ranking as the most tired city ahead of Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles. After a late night of Broadway shows, dancing and exploring the city, you might crave a hearty meal. You're in the right place in New York City - which ranks as the city with the best hangover grub with Chicago and Philadelphia nabbing second and third place.

On the go: If late nights aren't your cup of tea, but physically active vacations are more your speed, then you might want to visit San Francisco, ranking as the healthiest and happiest city. So, if you like to stay on the move, then San Fran is the ideal getaway where you can explore Chinatown, Fisherman's Wharf and Lombard Street all while working up a sweat climbing the city's trademark hills.

Sports fanatic: If your dream vacation consists of visiting some of America's legendary sporting venues and rubbing elbows with fellow sports nuts, then New York City is the place to be, ranking as the city with the most passionate sports fans. But, if New York Yankees aren't your thing, you might want to hop on a flight to catch a Red Sox game at Fenway Park in Boston or a Cubs game at Wrigley field in Chicago, ranking No. 2 and No. 3 respectively when it comes to the most passionate sports fans. Let the games begin.

All about fashion: If shopping until you drop is your kind of sport, you might want to escape to Los Angeles where you can peruse Rodeo Drive or New York City where you can indulge yourself on Madison Avenue. Whether you're window shopping or buying, you can't go wrong with these two cities. While New York City and Los Angeles are the obvious destinations for fashion lovers, you'll be pleasantly surprised with Chicago ranking No. 3 as the city with the best airport shopping right behind No. 1 New York City and No. 2 Los Angeles - why not kick-start your shopping right when you land?

Sightseeing: Even if you don't count visiting Madison Avenue, Barney's or Rodeo Drive as your favorite sites to see, there is still lots to do in New York City, Los Angles and Washington, D.C., which all rank as the cities with the best tourist attractions. It's not just on TV, kids. History comes to life for the whole family in these cities. From the Statue Liberty, the Lincoln Memorial to the Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame - these famous places will not disappoint.

The full deal: If you're living on a shoe-string budget, who says you can't take a vacation? Atlanta bucks the notion with Americans ranking it No. 1 when it comes to offering the best quality of life on a tight budget, beating out Houston and Dallas. Discover all that Atlanta has to offer-at a reasonable price - from the Atlanta Botanical Gardens to The World of Coca-Cola to the incredible Georgia Aquarium.

Check out MSN Local Edition on MSN.com, to find restaurants, sports, weather, news and more info about these cities and others on your vacation destination list. To see how all the cities fared in the MSN and Prevention Magazine survey on everything from the city with the worst public restrooms to the smelliest city, visit MSN.com. Now, you can feel confident in knowing what your vacation destination has to offer.

In addition, check out Prevention.com to find tips on the 13 summer travel must have items that will keep your family happy, healthy and safe.

Here's to your next adventure.

by Courtesy of ARAcontent

Making changes that protect our water supply

By taking small steps in the right direction and making environmentally friendly choices, each of us has the power to positively impact freshwater conservation. Here are just a few ways you can start to make a big difference: 1. Reuse water you washed your fruits and vegetables with to water plants around your house. 2. Install a low-flow showerhead to limit the amount of water used in your daily shower. 3. Turn off the faucet as you soap your hands, wash your face and brush your teeth. 4. Make sure to check your plumbing frequently to ensure there are no leaks that waste water.

Do you ever think about how the water coming out of your faucet makes its way into your home? Or look out at the river as you're driving to work and expect it will always look the same? Though water is often perceived as an infinite resource that can't become endangered, by 2015, a majority of U.S. states may face water shortages. Some of those places may be right there in your backyard, and the loss of these ecosystems could affect your daily life.

Luckily, there are organizations that work to protect the water and the land around the world. The Nature Conservancy - a worldwide leader in freshwater protection - currently has hundreds of river and lake projects underway throughout the United States, positively impacting many of the areas where we live.

Freshwater conservation is important because, in addition to being the water we drink, it's used to water our crops, gives us fish to eat, powers our factories, lights our homes, transports goods and carries people back home. Freshwater conservation is an investment in our future.

The Nature Conservancy toils diligently to keep rivers and lakes that provide drinking water clean and healthy, but needs funds and volunteers for its efforts. That's why Crystal Light is collaborating with the Conservancy to support five local river and lake projects to help protect key sources of clean, fresh drinking water. For more information on the collaboration, visit the Crystal Light Facebook fan page at www.Facebook.com/CrystalLight. The site will be updated frequently to track the progress of the five projects Crystal Light is supporting around the United States:

Colorado River The river is the lifeblood of the intermountain West and touches seven states. It has been impacted by rapid population growth in the west.

Great Lakes Basin The Great Lakes Basin holds a fifth of the fresh surface water on Earth and impacts millions of Americans living along its shores. Even here, freshwater resources are in trouble as a result of climate change, water development and use.

Meramec River (Mississippi) The Meramec River, part of the Mississippi River, supplies drinking water to more than 15 million people and serves as a habitat for thousands of fish, birds and other wildlife. Over time, it has been threatened by excessive use, and is one of the Conservancy's highest priorities.

Potomac River The Potomac River provides drinking water to 4.3 million people living in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. It is being impacted by rapid population growth and land use change in the basin.

Southern Rivers Southern rivers and streams, such as the Pascagoula River in Mississippi and the Flint River in Georgia, span all 15 southern states. Recent droughts and increasing water demands have threatened these important bodies of water.

To learn more about the work The Nature Conservancy is doing across the country, visit its Web site, www.nature.org. To learn about how Crystal Light is supporting this important issue, visit www.Facebook.com/CrystalLight.

by Courtesy of ARAcontent

Central Florida’s Lake Weir Living (LWL), a Toy-Friendly residential community just 7.9 miles from The Villages® and 55 miles from Orlando, is growing. It’s not limited to outdoor enthusiasts, motorcyclists or “toy” owners, but it’s appealing to them. Their YouTube videos (www.Youtube.com/user/LiveWhereYouRide, or at www.LakeWeirLiving.com) show the community from a home’s concrete-pour to completion.

Buyers can watch their home being built from anywhere USA. It’s appealing to “boomers” frustrated with restrictions and fees from homeowners associations (HOA). Fees can range a few hundred dollars to thousands a month. Toy-owners say, “HOAs take the fun out of homeownership.” LWL offers Toy-owners (i.e. RVs, campers, boats, jet skis, motorcycles, haulers and more), new custom-homes with no HOA and toy-fitted garages at prices starting from the $90s! Is this community an evolution in active adult and retirement living?

LWL is groundbreaking! It’s nestled between what Harley-Davidson® endorses as some of Florida’s best touring roads. Neil Schuster, LWL Managing Partner; and builder, Joe Thompson (Sterjo Construction) offer custom homes at affordable prices.

Baby boomers and their families are a multi-billion dollar business for the big toy industry. Motorcycle use grew 26% percent (mic.org) in the last decade. 5.7 million women ride motorcycles today. Over 25 million riders are on the road (bigger than NYC); and RV owners are expected to climb to 8 million in 2010. Predictions claim that one-in-six households will own an RV: a 15% increase from 2001 (RVIA). Boomers love toys and play-hard! They don’t want to pay stiff HOA fees or storage costs!

Organically the Lake Weir area is rider-friendly, with local businesses and restaurants hanging signs that read, “Welcome Bikers”. “Riders have camaraderie. They have each other’s back, and that’s what we’re building, a community where homeowners watch out for neighbors and respect the passion for ‘the ride’ and their toys,” says Schuster (a rider himself). “No Way! No restrictions for me!” declares Jack McCann; a recent retiree from PA relocating to FL once his LWL custom-home, with a special Harley-Davidson room, is complete.

“We’re giving boomers what they want – freedom to have their toys at home,” states Schuster. What do the editors of Thunder Press, U.S.RiderNews, and American Motorcyclists Magazine all have in common? All agree, “This is a brilliant idea in homeownership!” For information and photos, contact 352-304-0027 or info@lakeweirliving.com.

by Lake Weir Living

If you're older than 65 and take multiple medications, you should be aware of potential interactions between your drugs.

These interactions can cause unwanted side effects, reduce the effectiveness of your medicine, or even lead to hospitalization. Studies show that up to 30 percent of hospital admissions of elderly patients are linked to harmful effects of medications and other related problems.

Many people not only take more than one medication, but also may see more than one doctor. It is important to inform all your doctors - especially your primary care physician - about all the medications you take to avoid potentially dangerous drug interactions.

"As a patient, you need to be watchful about your care and your medications," says Dr. Joseph Addiego, chief medical officer of Prescription Solutions, a pharmacy benefits management company. "If you are seeing multiple doctors, keep a list of all your medications and take it to each doctor's appointment. If you have questions, always feel free to ask your doctor or pharmacist."

Addiego recommends the following tips to ensure safe medication use:

1. Share information with your primary care physician and other health care providers about all the medications you are taking to avoid negative drug interactions and reduce the potential for side effects. This includes vitamins, herbal supplements and over-the-counter medications.

2. Use only one pharmacy, one pharmacy chain or one pharmacy benefits manager for all your prescription medicines. This helps your pharmacist monitor which medications you take so he or she can let you know about drug interactions.

3. Read carefully the information that comes with your medication and save it for future reference.

4. Take all your medicines exactly as directed, and continue taking all your medicines until the doctor says to stop.

5. Call your doctor, pharmacist or pharmacy benefits manager if you are experiencing side effects from your medication before you stop taking it.

While medication interactions are a serious problem, there are programs that can help health care providers and patients avoid medication problems. For example, Prescription Solutions a program called the Drug Interaction Alert Program, which alerts the prescribing physician of the potential dangerous interaction between medications for a specific patient. Another program, called Geriatric Rx Monitor, alerts the physician about medications that are not safe for use in older patients.

Check with your pharmacy or pharmacy benefits manager about programs that can help protect you from dangerous medication interactions, and be sure to talk to your doctor about all your medications at your next visit.

by Courtesy of ARAcontent

You're not the only one looking forward to your vacation or business trip. Identity thieves relish your travel time too, because your vital, personally identifying information may be more exposed when you're traveling than when you're at home or work.

You work hard to establish good credit, and have built a reputation for paying your bills on time and making responsible investing, saving and spending decisions. Yet one overflowing mailbox or a stack of uncollected newspapers on your front step can help unravel all your efforts; they're a red flag to thieves that you're away from home.

Before you head to the airport or start out on your long road trip, take some precautions to safeguard against identity theft - even when you're not at home.

Before you leave

• Consider signing up for an identity theft protection product like ProtectMyID.com, a part of Experian. You'll receive alerts by mail, e-mail or text message whenever a key change is made to your credit accounts, like a new credit application. You'll also be informed if a change of address action is initiated, a popular method for thieves to have bills rerouted from your home to keep you in the dark about the theft. Additionally, if your wallet is lost or stolen while you're on vacation, ProtectMyID.com's fraud resolution agents can help you resolve identity theft issues. Learn more about protecting your identity while you travel by visiting www.ProtectMyID.com.

Below, you'll find useful tips to help you stay secure while traveling.

• Ask the post office to hold mail delivery until you return. Request a "postal hold" rather than a "vacation hold" to avoid alerting postal clerks that you will be gone.
• Halt newspaper delivery and any other automatic deliveries, like bottled water.
• Clean out your wallet. Lock up your Social Security card instead of carrying it with you, and remove credit cards you don't need; carry only essential identification (a passport or driver's license) and one or two credit cards. If your health insurance card has your SSN on it, make a photocopy of the card, black out all but the last four digits of the number, and carry that with you instead of the original.
• If your neighborhood has a Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol (RSVP), contact them and ask for a courtesy check of your home while you're gone.
• Even if you have a housesitter coming in or a neighbor with a key who'll check the place while you're gone, lock up important personal documents like birth certificates and Social Security cards.

While on the road

• Store valuables in room safes if your hotel offers them, or in the hotel's safe if in-room ones are not available. Lock up items like laptops, PDAs, jewelry, passports and documents that contain your personal information.
• Be aware that pickpockets frequent high traffic areas that attract a lot of travelers. They're rarely interested in your cash. They want your SSN, checks and driver's license. Don't carry checks or your Social Security card, and store important pieces of ID, like your passport and driver's license, in a fanny pack or travel pouch worn inside your clothing.
• Remember when you're out and about on your trip - at the airport, in a restaurant, visiting attractions - that you're in public. ID thieves may look over your shoulder to snatch identifying information, or listen in on your cell phone conversation. Caution and discretion in public can help protect against identity theft.
• Carry photocopies of all your travel documents, including plane tickets, hotel reservations and passports. Keep them separate from the originals.
• Use credit cards while traveling, rather than debit cards. A debit card gives thieves a direct line to your bank account and, when used to make a "credit" purchase with a signature, don't require the user to enter a PIN. Also, beware of fake ATM machines, which are known to be placed in high traffic tourist areas.

by ARAcontent

Click Illustration for Larger Image

Contrary to the myth, well-fed birds won't get too lazy to search for food; they'll just get healthy and happy. And the better the food is you feed them, the more likely they'll continue to come back bringing their colorful plumage and welcome song to your backyard.

Myths aside, wooing beautiful backyard birds to your outdoor environment can be as simple as offering them a reliable, high-quality food source. Birds, like most wild animals, are survivalists and they'll take advantage of any food source they find - whether it's in your yard or your neighbor's. To entice them to your yard and garden, set out these preferred foods recommended by the bird-feeding experts at Cole's Wild Bird Products:

• Suet - Made from the fat of cattle, sheep, or even vegetables, suet may sound icky to us, but for birds it's a gourmet delight that helps them stay healthy and build vital fat reserves. Served in a cage or log, suet has the consistency of soft wax and can be kept for a long time. Chickadees, titmice, catbirds, bluebirds, robins, jays, warblers, thrashers, nuthatches and all species of woodpeckers relish suet and will feed on it all year round, even in warm months.

If your suet gets too soft in the warm summer months, switch to a no-melt, cornmeal-based suet. Suets offer a variety of enhancements including seeds, pecans and peanut butter. To keep squirrels from stealing your suet, try Cole's Hot Meats suet cakes that contain chili-infused sunflower meats. Birds can't taste the hot spice and squirrels will high-tail it out of your feeder once they try it.

• Seed - Not all birdseed is created equal. Look for blends without cheap filler seeds that are all natural, that way, the birds get more nutrition and you keep a cleaner feeder; the less filler, the less leftovers birds will kick out and leave behind. All-natural feeds are more appealing to birds, who know that natural just tastes better.

It's important to remember that all birdseed is perishable. Be sure and store any open product in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent the seed from drying out and little critters from finding it. Cole's seed is offered in nitrogen-purged barrier packaging to ensure seed freshness. They use the same packaging technology employed by potato chip makers and fresh vegetable farmers to keep their products fresher longer.

If unwelcome squirrels raid your bird feeder, opt for a seed blend like Cole's Blazing Hot Blend, new this spring. By combining a patented habanero chili oil formula with the most preferred seeds of backyard birds you can protect your feeder from squirrels while attracting woodpeckers, grosbeaks, buntings, cardinals, chickadees, bluebirds, goldfinches and more. Squirrels don't like the hot, spicy flavor, but birds won't be able to detect it.

• Insects and worms - A healthy, lush lawn is one of the best ways to feed birds who prefer insects and worms. A good lawn will attract the species of insects that birds enjoy. You can also supplement their diet by serving Dried Mealworms in a packaged variety that's easier to feed and less messy than live mealworms, and birds love them. These energy-packed morsels are Mother Nature's perfect treat for all your insect-loving songbirds.
• Garden favorites - Feeding birds doesn't just have to happen at the feeder. Thoughtful planting in your garden can help entice wild birds to forage there. Offer a birdbath for water and berry-producing trees and shrubs. Plant annuals and perennials that birds like, such as sunflowers, marigolds, petunias, Sweet William, nasturtium and blueberries. Climbing vines like morning glories, coral honeysuckle, muscadine and trumpet creeper are also favorites.

By serving wild birds their favorite foods throughout the summer, you can boost and build their stamina and reserves for the long winter ahead - and all the while you'll enjoy a birds-eye view of a multitude of species bringing bright color and cheerful song to you throughout the warm months.

by ARA

(ARA) - Nearly 24 million Americans have diabetes, and as most people with diabetes know, fluctuating levels of sugar in the bloodstream can be dangerous. Because many people with diabetes also have other conditions, like high blood pressure and high cholesterol, they often need to manage multiple medications.

CVS Pharmacist, Paul Magno, answers questions about diabetes treatment and how managing medications can lead to a healthier life.

Q: What medications are commonly used to treat diabetes?
A: Medications used to treat diabetes include insulin and glucose-lowering pills. People with type 1 diabetes, which typically begins in childhood, cannot make their own insulin, so daily insulin injections are needed.

Type 2 diabetes, which typically begins in adulthood and is the most common form of diabetes, may respond to treatment with diet and exercise, as well as glucose-lowering pills and insulin. Different groups of oral medications are often combined or used along with insulin. No single type of medication works for all patients, so you should work with your doctor and pharmacist to find a diabetes medication regimen that fits your needs.

Q: Why is managing medications especially important for people with diabetes?
A: Diabetes is a leading cause of death in the United States. Keeping your blood glucose in the recommended target range can prevent or delay the long-term health problems caused by the disease. Maintaining your medication, whether it is insulin injections or oral medications, along with exercise and a healthy diet, is critical to treating diabetes effectively and living well with the disease.

Q: Is there any danger of interactions when taking diabetes medications?
A: Most people with type 2 diabetes take oral medications or a combination of oral medications and insulin injections. In general, diabetes treatments are safe and effective. But like other drugs, they must be used with care, and you should always talk to your pharmacist about all the medications you are taking before you begin any new medication or over-the-counter treatment.

Q: Are there any additional guidelines for taking diabetes medication?
A: Many diabetes medications should be taken at certain times of the day. For example, some work best if they are taken 30 minutes before a meal, while others should be taken with the first bite of a meal. These are important details to know, so remember to consult with your pharmacist about when to take your specific medications in order to assure the best efficacy.

Taking the right pills at the right times in the right doses can be a difficult task, so it's important to get organized. A pill organizer can be a handy way to keep track of medications. Once you are organized and have incorporated your medications into your daily routine, it'll be easier to remember to take them.

If you are interested in learning more information about medication management and diabetes, visit www.cvs.com/diabetes.

by Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - Did you know that 80 percent of all strokes are preventable? That figure, from the National Stroke Association, illustrates just how important it is that you know the steps necessary to prevent a stroke from affecting your life. What might surprise you is that many of those steps are lifestyle suggestions you've heard before - they just have the added benefit of helping to ward off a stroke.

In honor of May being Stroke Awareness Month, Life Line Screening wants to share the list of lifestyle changes that can help aid in stroke prevention and to remind you that a preventive stroke screening can help you identify your particular risk factors. Knowing exactly how you can protect yourself from a stroke - which affects approximately 800,000 Americans each year - may inspire you to take action.

Many people are taking the steps to improve the quality of their lives. Even though the modifications can be difficult, the life-saving benefits they can offer are worth the effort. Only you can make the decision to take control of your wellness. Start with these simple steps:

Step 1. Don't smoke. If you smoke, quitting is one of the most important things you can do to decrease your chances of a stroke. Puffing on tobacco sets the stage for a stroke in the following ways:

• * Smoking is linked to an accumulation of plaque in your carotid arteries, which supply blood to your brain. Blockage in these arteries, including plaque, is the leading cause of stroke.
• Carbon monoxide from smoking lowers the amount of oxygen that your blood can carry to your brain and makes your blood more likely to clot. Blood clots in an artery that supplies blood to your brain can trigger a stroke.
• * Nicotine in the tobacco raises your blood pressure. High blood pressure can lead to stroke.
• If you smoke, talk to your doctor about medications and programs that can help you stop.

Step 2. Trim down. Being overweight is associated with many factors that raise your risk for a stroke.

Why it's important:

• You're more likely to have high cholesterol, which is an ingredient in plaque that can block your arteries. Blocked arteries are a risk factor for stroke.
• You're more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. The elevated levels of blood glucose, high cholesterol and increased blood pressure associated with diabetes can cause a stroke.
• You're more likely to have high blood pressure. High blood pressure can lead to stroke.

Doctors typically determine whether patients are too heavy by their body mass index (BMI), which uses a formula combining your height and weight. Ideally, your BMI should be less than 25. Calculate your BMI online by visiting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at: www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/index.htm.

Step 3. Get moving. If you don't do much physical activity, you can develop high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes, all of which increases your chance for a stroke.

Why it's important:

• If you're at a healthy weight, it's still important to exercise regularly.
• If you're overweight, exercising regularly will help you shed the extra pounds.

Exercising regularly means at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days. If you can't do it all at once, it's OK to break up your activity into smaller chunks.

Step 4. Prevent or control diabetes. Diabetes can damage the blood vessels in your brain and elsewhere in your body. Besides being at a very high risk for a stroke, most people with diabetes die of some form of cardiovascular disease.

Why it's important:

• If you have diabetes, maintaining your blood sugar levels through weight loss, physical activity and possibly by taking medications can help reduce your risk of stroke.
• If you don't have diabetes, regular physical activity and keeping a healthy weight will help you avoid it. By getting a preventive health screening for diabetes, you can find out what your risks are for the disease.

Step 5. Eat a healthy diet. Loading up your plate with fruits, vegetables and grains and cutting down on foods high in sodium, cholesterol and saturated fat, is also an important component in a stroke-preventing lifestyle. As a rule, avoid fatty meats, full-fat dairy and baked snack foods containing partially hydrogenated oils. Keep your sodium consumption below 2,400 milligrams (or 1 teaspoon) per day. This daily amount includes all salt and sodium in your foods, not just salt you add.

Why it's important:

• * Following this type of diet will help you maintain a healthier blood pressure and lower cholesterol, which is necessary for stroke prevention.

Life Line Screening, the nation's leading provider of preventive health screenings, encourages you to take a closer look at exactly how making these changes can help you prevent a stroke and live a healthier lifestyle for overall wellness.

by ARAcontent

Do you ever get a headache just thinking about navigating the streets of an unfamiliar city? Have you ever booked a campground in a less-than-great part of town, or been late to an appointment because you can't find a parking garage?

Even the savviest of travelers, who can find their way around a city with their eyes closed, run into travel snafus, sending their blood pressure through the roof. Navigating the streets of a new city can be one of the most stressful parts of booking and taking a trip, whether it's for business or leisure.

So you finally landed and you're on your way to the hotel that you booked in the heart of the city. Everything is going just as you planned. Not so fast! Somehow, you find yourself nowhere near the bright city lights and in a hotel on the outskirts of town where you wouldn't even venture out for a cup of Joe. Sound familiar? Well, you're not alone - more than half of business travelers say they've experienced this very nightmare, according to a recent Bing survey of business travelers.

While finding decent lodging can be difficult, sometimes even thinking about how to get around a city can strike fear into the hearts of business and leisure travelers alike. So which city gets travelers hearts racing when just thinking about how to get around? Unsurprisingly for anyone who has ever visited either New York or Los Angeles (even just once), both cities topped Bing's survey as the worst cities to navigate. More than 40 percent said "The heck with driving. I'm getting a taxi!" when visiting the Big Apple and a quarter said that the concrete jungle otherwise known as Los Angeles is too wild for them.

So, how can you ensure you know enough about a city to get around like you were a local, book a decent hotel, check out a local concert or find a local hot spot to grab a bite to eat? Well, the folks at Bing have a few tips to make your next adventure stress-free:

• Pay attention to reviews. Most online booking sites offer reviews from other guests who have stayed at the hotel that you're considering. While you may be inclined to take the overly positive reviews with a grain of salt, it's best to steer clear if a hotel receives consistent negative customer reviews.
• Study up. Check out the local convention center, visitors' bureau or chamber of commerce Web sites to learn more about the city and its surrounding neighborhoods. This will help give you a better idea of what's near your destination and the neighborhoods that surround it.
• Remember, you get what you pay for. If you're paying a two-star rate, don't expect to get four- or five-star accommodations and a mint on your pillow. A cheaper rate rarely buys you luxury, but you should still be able to score a clean, safe room that provides for your basic needs.
• Hop online. Use online resources like Bing Maps' new Streetside experience, a three-dimensional mapping tool. Just log on to Bing Maps where you can zoom in from satellite level to bird's eye view and even down to street level for 56 major U.S. metro areas.

Now, you can virtually walk the streets of your next adventure with actual 360-degree footage of the area. Not only can you tell if a hotel is in a good neighborhood, you'll be able to see if there's a WiFi coffee shop nearby where you can sync up your computer before your next meeting or scope out any traffic jams before you head out. And, you can even find the nearest parking garage so you're never late again to your lunch date - unlike the more than 40 percent of Bing survey respondents who were fashionably late because they couldn't find a parking spot.

"Booking a campground site on the Internet can be a risky proposition if you can't see the area it's in before you book," says Blaise Aguera y Arcas, architect of Bing Maps and MSN at Microsoft. "But technology like Streetside is making it possible to scope out a neighborhood - and ensure it's one you want to stay in - without ever having to leave the comfort of your computer chair." In fact, the Bing survey found that nearly a quarter of travelers rated finding a decent hotel as the most frustrating part of planning their trip.

Plus, stay up-to-date on the best places to check out on your next trip by using Bing's Twitter mapping app. Now, you can get real-time information about an area - such as seeing the latest tweets for the local shopping mall before you even go there or even updates about local events and breaking news.

Log onto Bing Maps, where you can plan your next trip whether it's a far away city or even your own town. Now, you can be a travel guru no matter where you are.

by ARAcontent

If you haven't already mailed in your 2010 U.S. Census form, you should expect a visit from a census taker very soon. The law mandates that everyone complete and return the forms, but you should know some things about protecting your identity during census time.

It's important to know that filling out the forms sent by the U.S. Census Bureau is safe -- but you need to be aware of potential scams, such as people posing as census takers and e-mails claiming to be from the Census Bureau. In an effort to make sure that all Americans participate, the Census Bureau employs teams of workers to knock on doors starting April 1. What you need to look out for are people posing as official workers in an attempt to defraud people who answer their questions.

Census workers will ask the same questions that are on the census forms that you receive in the mail, including things like your name, phone number, address and so on, but they will not ask for your full Social Security number, nor will they ask for money or donations. Anyone who asks you for information not requested on the Census form, like passwords or your full Social Security number, might be attempting to commit identity theft. You can ask a census worker to provide a valid Census Bureau identification.

Another increasingly popular scam is "phishing." This is a criminal activity that tries, via electronic communication, to get computer users to disclose their personal information, which could be used for fraudulent purposes. It is typically done via e-mail and might re-direct you to a legitimate appearing Web site that will ask for sensitive information.

If you see something in your e-mail inbox that purports to be from the census, avoid it. Don't click any links, open any attachments or reply with any information. The U.S. Census Bureau does not conduct the census through the Internet or e-mail, nor does it send e-mails about participating in the census. If you do receive e-mail from a source purporting to be the U.S. Census Bureau, forward the e-mail to [ ITSO.Fraud.Reporting@census.gov ].

The possibility of fraud during the census is a great reminder that ID theft is a year 'round possibility. Just as you need to make sure that anyone asking questions on behalf of the Census Bureau is an official worker, any identity theft protection you get should come from a trusted source. The credit reporting agency Equifax, for instance, offers services like ID Patrol, which allows subscribers to lock and unlock their credit file, receive alerts if their Social Security number or credit card numbers are found on Internet trading sites, and access trained ID theft resolution specialists 24 hours a day, among other things.

If you have any suspicions about communications you receive about the 2010 U.S. Census, trust your judgment. Don't be afraid to ask workers for official identification and always report any suspicious activity related to the census to the Census Bureau. You can find your local office by going to www.census.gov/regions. It's essential that you participate in the census, but equally important that you do so carefully.

by ARA