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The benefits of the Affordable Care Act for Arizona

May 17, 2012 · 0 comments

By David Sayen Medicare Regional Administrator Special to Today PublicationsFor too long, too many hardworking Americans paid the price for policies that handed free rein to insurance companies and put barriers between patients and their doctors. The Affordable Care Act gives hardworking families in Arizona the security they deserve.     The health care law forces insurance companies to play by the rules, prohibiting them from dropping your coverage if you get sick, billing you into bankruptcy because of an annual or lifetime limit, or, soon, discriminating against anyone with a pre-existing condition.     All Americans will have the security of knowing that they don’t have to worry about losing coverage if they’re laid off or change jobs.      The new law also makes a significant investment in State and community-based efforts that promote public health prevent disease and protect against public health emergencies. Thanks to the new health care law, 70,045 people with Medicare in Arizona received a $250 rebate to help cover the cost of their prescription drugs when they hit the donut hole in 2010.

    in 2011, 65,729 people with Medicare received a 50 percent discount on their covered brand-name prescription drugs when they hit the donut hole. this discount resulted in an average savings of $563 per person, and a total savings of $36,977,657 in Arizona. by 2020, the law will close the donut hole.    Under the new health care law, insurance companies must provide consumers greater value by spending generally at least 80 percent of premium dollars on health care and quality improvements instead of overhead, executive salaries or marketing. If they don’t, they must provide consumers a rebate or reduce premiums. this means that 1,457,000 Arizona residents with private insurance coverage will receive greater value for their premium dollars.    For more on this story check out the next issue of the San Tan Valley Today

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<a href="http://www.santanvalleytoday.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3134:the-benefits-of-the-affordable-care-act-for-arizona&catid=66:lifestyletag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.santanvalleytoday.com/index.php?option=com_content”>The benefits of the Affordable Care Act for Arizona

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Basic Auto Repair and Maintenance: Oil Change Instructions

May 15, 2012 · 0 comments

Changing the oil on a car is a fairly standard procedure. Although it is technically considered maintenance, performing an oil change is not much more difficult than filling with gas or replacing windshield wipers; generally it is just a little more time-consuming.

The first thing to do before beginning an oil change on your vehicle is to determine what sort of oil your vehicle uses, and how much. also determine what oil filter should be used. For this information consult your manual, local auto repair shop, or look online (Autozone’s website provides free information).

Next, gather the necessary tools. Essential tools are a box-end or socket wrench for removing the drain plug, an oil drip pan, and paper towels. Possibly optional items include a funnel, a work glove (for shielding your hand from the heat of the engine), and an oil filter wrench.

Oil filter wrenches come in two main styles, and if you’re buying one, be aware that accessibility of the oil filter should at least somewhat determine which style you get. If there is a lot of space toward the end of the filter (you can easily look down the axis of rotation), get a filter that mounts to a socket wrench. You’ll be able to use a socket extension. If there is plenty of space to the sides of the filter, but not a lot of room near the end, a strap-type filter wrench might be easier to manipulate.

To do the actual job, drive the car a bit, and then turn it off and let it cool for at least 15 minutes. this warms up the oil so that it flows better, but allows it time to drain back to the bottom of the engine. Locate the bottom of the engine. The engine may have various accessories bolted to it, but on the very lowest point of the engine will be a bolt that does not secure any other parts. this is the oil drain plug. Position your oil pan under this bolt, and remove it with the socket or box-end wrench. If your pan has a mesh cover, this will catch the plug. Otherwise try to keep ahold of it when it finally comes free.

Once the oil is draining, double-check to make sure it’s going in the pan when the flow slows, and then move to the oil filter. this should be easy to locate – the new one provides a reference for what you’re looking for. If it wasn’t over-tightened, it should be easy to remove. Twist to the left and unscrew it from the engine. If it won’t budge, use the filter wrench to loosen it. when the oil filter comes loose, it will drip oil, so tip it engine-side up as soon as possible. Apply a little clean oil to the rubber gasket of the new filter and twist into place. Slightly firmer than finger tight is the maximum recommended torque.

Next, replace the oil drain plug. this can be applied much more tightly, since it usually does not have a rubber gasket, and can be more easily removed with a greater mechanical advantage. Locate the oil fill port on top of the engine (usually a black cap marked oil or with a corresponding symbol). Fill the engine with oil to manufacturers’ specifications, using the funnel if necessary.

Basic Auto Repair and Maintenance: Oil Change Instructions

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Chris Treadway: Restoration project planned for El Cerrito hillside

May 14, 2012 · 0 comments

A once bare and steep hillside in El Cerrito that used to attract hundreds of motorcycle riders and spectators in the 1920s is going to be the focus of a restoration project in coming weekends that will reopen a long lost path for hiking.

In El Cerrito’s early days, the sparsely populated hillside around what is now Potrero Avenue and Blake Street was used for hill-climbing competitions by motorcycle clubs that proved to be a major draw.

You can see photos of those days — and get an idea of how difficult the climb up Motorcycle Hill actually was — online at http://bit.ly/KKXfs2 and http://bit.ly/LIDSoj.

According to Dave Weinstein of the group El Cerrito Trail Trekkers, the hill later had a trail that was popular in the 1970s but has “since been overgrown with Scotch broom (and some poison oak) and its route (has) become unclear.”

The Trekkers plan to restore the trail at work parties may 19, when volunteers will meet between 7701 and 7705 Potrero Ave., and may 27, meeting at Blake and Navellier streets, to curtail the overgrowth and remove the invasive plants.

A final work party meeting at Blake and Navellier to actually reestablish the lost trail is set for June 2, which is National Trails Day.

The group will have some tools available for the work, or volunteers can bring their own.

“Once Motorcycle Hill Trail is restored, it will increase the length of the current route which can be followed through the Hillside Natural Area,” according to the group. “Currently, the trail through Hillside North ends at a promontory above Motorcycle Hill Trail. once the trail is improved, people will be able to continue on down the hill safely using a series of easy switchbacks. in addition, the trail will provide a new access to the Hillside Natural Area, from Blake Street.”

The Trail Trekkers was formed two years ago “to improve, promote and enjoy El Cerrito’s wonderful system of public trails, steps and pathways.”

To volunteer, contact Jenny Hammer at 510-524-1590 or jhammer13@earthlink.net.

To learn more about the Trail Trekkers, call Dave Weinstein at 510-524-1737 or davidsweinstein@yahoo.com.

EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION: Todd Groves, a longtime volunteer at El Cerrito High and Portola Middle schools who coordinates the WriterCoach Connection programs locally, has been named the Distinguished Citizen Award winner by the West County Ed. Fund.

Groves is also the School Site Council president at El Cerrito High School, part of the ECHS Instructional Learning Team and program adviser for the Master plan for Academic Change.

The award winners will be honored at the 24th annual Excellence in Education Gala from 6 to 11 p.m. may 18 at the Craneway Pavilion, 1414 Harbour Way South in Richmond.

Teachers being honored this year are Richmond High School social science teacher Joshua Hastings; Washington Elementary School second grade teacher Maria Saxton; LoVonya DeJean Middle School history and leadership teacher Abigail Sims-Evelyn; and de Anza High School special education teacher Tracey Singh-Poole.

Proceeds from the gala benefit Ed. Fund scholarships and teacher grants. for details or to RSVP, visit www.edfundwest.org, send an email to info@edfundwest.org or call 510-233-1464, ext. 105.

FOREIGN STUDY SCHOLARSHIP: El Cerrito High School student Yvonne Banerjee will start the next academic semester at a high school in Japan while living with a host family there after being awarded a $12,150 Yoshi Hattori Memorial scholarship by American Field Service Intercultural Programs/USA.

Banerjee, who is from Concord, is a member of the ECHS girls tennis team, active with the campus Interact Club, an arm of Rotary International and is in the IDesign club, an arts group. She is also active in the youth group at her church.

WEST COUNTY NOTES: the office of state Sen. Loni Hancock and the California Contractors State License Board are hosting Senior Scam Stopper, a free seminar from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at the Richmond Annex Senior Center, 5801 Huntington Ave. in Richmond.

The session will offer advice for seniors, their families and caregivers on steps to guard against home repair, insurance and finance fraud, as well as identity theft fraud.

State Sen. Mark DeSaulnier is co-hosting the presentation. To RSVP, contact Melissa Male at 510-286-1333 or melissa.male@sen.ca.gov.

  • the final concert in the Point Richmond Acoustic Series will feature master finger-style guitarist Rick Ruskin at 8 p.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina Ave. in Point Richmond.

    • Ruskin, a Seattle resident, is a composer, songwriter and arranger who has recorded 16 albums and created numerous original works for television.

    Opening the show is Point Richmond Acoustic and East Bay favorite Claudia Russell. Tickets are $15. Details: www.pointacoustic.org.

  • the next open hours at the Historical Room at El Cerrito City Hall, 10890 San Pablo Ave., are 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. may 17.

  • the El Cerrito Environmental Quality Committee presents a free showing of “Green fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time” from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at El Cerrito City Hall, 10890 San Pablo Ave. the film will be followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Steve Dunsky. for more information, call 510-215-4350.

  • the organizers of the Juneteenth celebration in Richmond have landed George Clinton and Parliament/Funkadelic as the headline act.

    • The free admission event June 16 starts with a 10 a.m. parade led by Grand Marshal Clarence Van Hook, followed by the festival from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Nichol Park, 33rd Street and Macdonald Avenue.

    Vendors and volunteers are needed. for details and an application, go to www.Richmondcajuneteenth.org.

    Contact Chris Treadway at 510-262-2784 or ctreadway@bayareanewsgroup.com. Follow him at Twitter.com/christreadway.

    <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_20593145/chris-treadway-restoration-project-planned-el-cerrito-hillsidetag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_20593145/chris-treadway-restoration-project-planned-el-cerrito-hillsideThu, 10 May 2012 16:54:15 GMT”>Chris Treadway: Restoration project planned for El Cerrito hillside

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