AAA New York Meets The Donald

Welcome
to this issue of
Enjoy this issue’s extra stories, which are
not included in the print edition:
• Sharing Roads with Cyclists
Roads were not made for cars alone. Take these tips
to head off conflicts
• Getting to Know the Amish
The Pennsylvania Dutch Country’s Amish community
now invites you into their lives
• Test Drives
2011 Mazda2
Click the bottom right-hand corner
of the cover to read the magazine,
or click here for instructions
Driving To Save Gas
Boost Fuel Economy/Spend Less Cash
Tom Vanderbilt, author of Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do
(And What It Says About Us) Page 16
Parents
Know
Best
How to Assure Your
Teen Learns and Practices
Driver Safety
PLUS Stolen E-ZPasses 3
Go Slow: Finger Lakes to Toronto 24
Lancaster County Theater Treats 28
Tractor-Trailer Truck Safety 4
National Bike Safety Month 33
AAA Members Save up to 40% on Theme Park Tickets
*
Walt Disney World • Adventure Island • Busch Gardens • Camelbeach Waterpark • Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
• Discovery Cove • Niagara Parks Pass • SeaWorld • Sesame Place • Six Flags • Splish Splash • Universal Orlando
• Islands of Adventure • Water Country USA
AAA.com/Tickets
*For the best discount purchase online at AAA.com/Tickets or visit a branch office. Some parks do not offer discounts at the gate.
contents
24
28
20
DIGITAL BONUS
CAR DOCTOR Q&A
LETTERS
Comments on red-light cameras; New
York City’s proposed “Crash Tax;” electric
cars, and the Throgs Neck Bridge . . . . . . 2
UPDATE
Stolen E-ZPasses; Latest on the Throgs
Neck Bridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
ISSUES
Small Cars versus Big Trucks: New
Standards Needed Now . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
READERS ASK
Why isn’t my New York State handicapped permit valid in New York City? . . 4
AAA’s resident automotive expert
answers your questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
SHARING THE ROAD
WITH CYCLISTS
How to keep both yourself and them in
one piece on the roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
DRIVING TO SAVE GAS
The secret of fuel efficiency isn’t in the
car; it’s in the driver. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
SAFETY YOUR TEEN DRIVER
CAN LEARN FROM YOU
Every day, you teach your teen way more
about safe driving than you realize . . . 20
DISCOUNTS
Hertz Rental Cars; Penske Truck Rentals;
May Events; New AAA Members Reward
Visa Credit Card; 1-800-Flowers.com
and 1-800-Baskets.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
DIGITAL BONUS
TEST DRIVES
2011 Mazda2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
TAKING TIME OUT BETWEEN
NEW YORK AND TORONTO
Driving between New York and Toronto
does not have to be done in one fell swoop.
This is where to dally on the way. . . . . . 24
DIGITAL BONUS
5- AND 4-DIAMOND LODGINGS
The Mandarin Oriental in Manhattan
and Danfords in Port Jefferson . . . . . . 27
LANCASTER COUNTY:
A PENNSYLVANIA MUSE
Known for its Amish population, and
increasingly its arts, Lancaster County
also stages wonderful theater . . . . . . 28
AMISH V.I.P. TOUR
Meet the Pennsylvania Dutch Amish and
learn about their fascinating lives . . . . 30
TRAVEL DESK
Harlem Travel Guide contest; Three
AAA member events; Delsey
Luggage contest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
MEMBER NEWS
Patroller of the year; Bike rodeo;
Holiday notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
NOTEBOOK
A bicycle’s near-miss for a pedestrian
leads to musings on drivers, riders,
walkers, Europe and manners . . . . . 34
ON THE COVER Teaching and
monitoring our teens’ driving safety is
of paramount importance
AAA New York • Car & Travel • May Digital 2011 Volume 3, No. 5 • CarandTravelMagazine.com
Car & Travel (ISSN 1080-2290, USPS 383-120) is published 10 times a year by AAA New York, 1415 Kellum Place, Garden City, NY 11530-1690. Periodicals Mail postage paid at Garden City, NY, and
additional mailing offices. Copyright © 2011 by AAA New York. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Car & Travel assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material and
reserves the right to accept or reject any editorial or advertising material. Advertisements in this publication do not necessarily carry the endorsement of AAA New York. Subscription price of $4 is included in membership dues; nonmember subscription is $12/year, $20 foreign, or $2 a copy. Postmaster: Send address changes to: Car & Travel, 1415 Kellum Place, Garden City, NY 11530-1690.
C&T Digital 1
letters
Red Light for Money Making
Andrew D. Harte’s letter about clear, plastic license-plate covers
(Letters, February) was quite interesting to me. As a retired, ranking police officer, I can tell you that this law has been on the
books for decades. It only became popular with public officials
with the advent of red-light traffic and E-ZPass cameras. I can tell
firsthand that these cameras are not about safety and everything
to do with the government collecting money.An interesting situation happened in Nassau County two years ago.The county announced that it was installing red-light cameras at some county
road intersections for safety concerns. One camera was installed at an intersection
shared by the county with an incorporated village. When the then county executive’s office found out that the incorporated village would receive the fine money
and not Nassau County, the camera was removed and installed elsewhere. Needless
to say, “elsewhere” was on a Nassau County road.That case says it all. So much for
safety! The dollar rules once again.
Robert DiNubila
Franklin Square
Crash and Learn
Sorry to burst your bubble (Issues, February), but officers in the New York
Fire Department (FDNY) are already
“revenue collectors,” charged with the
responsibility of enforcing New York
City’s fire code. A new computerized
link with the New York City Department of Buildings also allows them to
alert the proper authorities of violations
of the city’s buildings code. Fire officers
also can write summonses for violations
of vehicle and traffic laws and violations
such as parking at a fire hydrant. The
3,000 members of FDNY’s Emergency
Medical Service are another large secret
force of “revenue collectors,” responsible
for completing patient call reports for
each of the 3,000 patients they see each
day. Each patient transported will receive
a bill for services rendered. These may
well be examples of double taxation, but
it’s nothing new.
Jim Martin
New Rochelle
[The possible introduction of a “crash
tax” is] a perfect example of how a savvy
business sense alone does not qualify one
to be a model elected official. On any
given day, New Yorkers bear witness to
a slew of traffic violations being committed in and around the five boroughs
without the slightest hint of lawful intervention. How about all those illegally
double-parked cars and trucks; blocked
intersections; obstructed bike lanes, fire
hydrants and bus stops; motorists rolling
through stop signs, running red lights
and still using their cellphones; even
drivers honking their horns for the sake
of it...just to name a few? A seemingly
lucrative revenue stream for the city is
left untapped from violations that are
simply non-enforced.
Mayor Bloomberg, with all due respect,
stop trying so ineptly to micro-manage
the people of New York City by implementing new tax punishments that will
most likely just “crash & burn” and be
more fiscally adept at reigning over laws
that are already in place.
Brian Murphy
Brooklyn
Don’t politicians realize that electricity
is one of the most expensive sources of
energy? Where does electricity come
from? Fossil fuels. Very little electricity,
in comparison, comes from water.Why
are car manufacturers and politicians
not thinking about natural gas, which
is clean, efficient and available in the
United States?
Janet Wierzchowski
Middleburgh
Electric cars were invented long before internal combustion engines (ICEs) arrived
on the scene, so pretending that they’re
some Buck Rogers future that will never
quite arrive is historically wrong and becoming more and more tiresome. This
fear mongering in Car & Travel’s pages is
not limited, sadly, to electric vehicles but
to all forms of transportation that do not
toe the line of its ICE religion.
For example, flex-fuel vehicles are
disparaged in much the same way, as
wishful some-day-in-the-far-dreamyfuture technology, but five years ago,
my wife and I honeymooned in Turkey
where we borrowed a 20-year-oldVolvo
station wagon that was able to run on
natural gas or gasoline, both of which
were available in every gas station.
Scott Powell
Brooklyn
One for Throgs Neck,
One for Safety
I am in favor of the one-lane approach
(Readers Ask, February) to the Throgs
Neck Bridge off the Cross Island Parkway. Almost every time I go to the
Throgs Neck I have a near miss because
of some reckless, inconsiderate [driver]
waiting until the last possible second
before flying over to the exit from the
Electric Dreams
In reference to Peter Crescenti’s article middle lane.
Pat Kenneally
on electric cars (Notebook, February), I
Floral Park
must ditto the sentiment. People outside
of a large city would not be able to utilize a fully electric car, as many of them Editor’s response: Go to Update (p. 3) for
travel more than 100 miles in one day. the latest development in this saga.
Send letters! E-mail: CarandTravel@aaany.com Mail: Editor, Car & Travel, 1415 Kellum Place, Garden City, NY 11530-1690. Please
include your name and e-mail and mailing addresses. Letters might be shortened or edited for space requirements. Letters
printed here do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Car & Travel or AAA.
2 C&T Digital
update
▲
The Case of the
Stolen E-ZPass
is the official
publication of
AAA New York
1415 Kellum Place
Garden City, NY 11530-1690
Telephone 516/746-7730
AAA.com
President
Dennis J . Crossley
Executive Editor
Peter F . Crescenti
Managing Editor
Terence Baker
Art Director
Louis Orellana
Automotive Editor
Graphic Designer
Assistant Graphic Designer
Production Coordinator
Editor Emeritus
Advertising Inquiries
John Owens
Kristin Sorrentino
Steven Sidi
Susan Roberts
If a thief makes off with your E-ZPass and
you don’t notice it missing right away, you
could be in for an expensive surprise .
“The E-ZPass is assigned to an account,
not to a vehicle,” says Judie Glave, spokesperson for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority . The E-ZPass application
asks for information about your vehicles,
but it’s not required, and as long as it’s the
same class of vehicle, you can use your tag
in any vehicle you own, rent or use .
But so can a thief . At $9 .60 for each
westbound crossing of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and $21 .61 for the
496 miles of the New York State Thruway’s main line, those charges can
add up fast .
What to do if you discover your E-ZPass is missing?
Think of it as a credit card, and cancel it right away by notifying the E-ZPass
Customer Service Center (e-zpassny .com; 800/333-8655) . Although passes
are issued by four different state agencies, this is the administrative hub for
all New York accounts . According to the terms and conditions of the E-ZPass,
you’re responsible until you report the loss .
Also, report the theft to the police and get a copy of the police report . It
can help you in the written appeal process to fight charges made without
your consent .
In any case, you’ll be responsible for replacing the cancelled tag: $23 for
the interior version; $33 for an exterior tag .
Sy Oshinsky
Reserved Parking
Terry Ausenbaugh
402/592-5000 ext . 452
tausenbaugh@hamedia
group .com
New York State has an estimated
3.6
million residents with disabilities .
The DMV has issued more than 45,000
Walking Over
the Limit?
Printed in the USA on environmentally
responsible and sustainable paper with fiber
originating from well managed forests meeting SFI
wood-procurement standards . Recycling used magazines
is one of the easiest ways to help the environment .
We encourage our readers to support recycling
efforts in their communities .
At 1,891, pedestrian traffic
fatalities were up slightly
nationwide in the first
half of 2010 but down
slightly in New York (132
vs . 139), says a study by the
Governors Highway Safety
Association . While not using crosswalks and using
distractions such as cell
phones and music players were cited, researchers
noted that more than half
of those killed were under
the influence of intoxicants .
distinctive license plates, and municipalities
have issued more than 600,000 parking
permits for people with disabilities .
Throgs Neck Fix
After 20 months of bottlenecks, backups and
rear-end crashes, the ramp from the Cross
Island Parkway to the Throgs Neck Bridge is
back to being two lanes . Opened in March, the
two-lane approach is reconfigured, moving
the merge point farther up the ramp . According to the MTA, the earlier two-lane configuration often resulted in crashes, as cars on the
ramp failed to merge safely . If the new pattern
is successful, it will become permanent . AAA
New York advocated for the fix to improve
traffic flow and increase safety .
C&T Digital 3
issues
READERS ASK
Road and Travel FAQs
Q:
In Manhattan recently, I
parked my car curbside
and put up my valid New York
State handicapped placard. To my
surprise, I got a ticket, even though
my permit is valid. Why?
If you have ever driven behind a tractor-trailer truck and thought
about what would happen if the truck suddenly stopped, you’ve probably dropped back to give yourself more braking distance. Smart move.
You’ve probably also wondered why there aren’t more protective bars
and rails covering the back of trucks and trailers to keep cars from sliding
underneath. One reason there isn’t more protection is because current
federal standards are outdated and don’t include many trucks at all.
This problem of cars sliding under large trucks and trailers is called
“under-ride,” and, according to a study released in March by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), this type of crash claims
hundreds of lives each year.
Without guards on the back of trailers and trucks that are low enough
and strong enough to block a rear-ending car, even a passenger vehicle
that gets a top rating in traditional crash tests offers little protection in
an under-ride. The impact-absorbing bumper, the airbags and seatbelts
aren’t much help when the major point of impact is at windshield level.
“Decapitation is a serious threat in under-rides,” the IIHS report said.
Crash tests conducted by the IIHS showed that under-ride guards
currently meeting U.S. standards on tractor-trailers can fail even at low
speeds, allowing a car to slip right under. In one test crash at 35 mph, the
trailer’s under-ride guard bent and broke free; the rear-ending car didn’t
stop until nearly half the car was under the trailer, its hood, windshield
and roof sheered off to the full length of the front seat. “Damage to the
cars in some of these tests was so devastating that it’s hard to watch the
footage without wincing,” said IIHS president Adrian Lund. “If these
had been real-world crashes, there would be no survivors.”
In a similar test, with an under-ride guard that met more stringent
Canadian standards, the crash was “survivable.”
AAA believes that the U.S. Department of Transportation must enact stronger and more comprehensive standards for under-ride guards
on trailers and large trucks. Guards that are lower and more crashworthy are long overdue. Current standards are more than a decade
old. As smaller passenger vehicles become more popular and more
necessary in a resource-conscious America, federal regulations must
be updated to protect the drivers and passengers in these vehicles. A
4 C&T Digital
A:
New York City has its own
designated handicapped
parking permits, which permit
curbside parking within the city’s
limits. No other city or state permit may be used to park on city
streets. Drivers holding state permits may park in areas where the
International Symbol of Access
is displayed, as long as the permit holder is riding in the vehicle.
Those spaces include all off-street
parking lots such as malls, shopping centers and office buildings.
According to the city’s Department of Transportation, the areas where one may park with a
New York City permit include “all
No Parking zones except those
marked as taxi stands; ‘No Parking’
or ‘No Standing’ spaces authorized
for doctors, press, diplomats and
government agencies; at parking
meters without depositing a coin;
in ‘No Standing, Trucks Loading
and Unloading’ zones except for
specified restricted hours.” Holders
may not park in any “No Stopping”
zones, any “No Standing” zones
(other than those previously listed), in front of fire hydrants, at bus
stops, or in crosswalks.
For information on how to obtain
a New York City permit, contact
the New York City Department of
Transportation at 718/433-3100 or,
within the city, dial 311.
IMAGE: © MEDIA BAKERY
Small Cars versus Big Trucks:
New Standards Needed Now
Contest Info
1. Win a Famous NYC T-shirt
ENTER this May Car & Travel contest, and you can be the
winner of one of 20 “I Love New York” T-shirts. Participants
must be 21 or older.
WEAR IT WITH PRIDE
You’ve seen that well-known design adorning the clothes of tourists
and non-tourists alike. “I Love New York” it says, and it means something
different to each person wearing the apparel it decorates.
For some, it could be the city’s incomparable cultural offerings, from
the museums to the plays. It could be the world-class bustle of big-cityManhattan or the presence of big-league sports. Maybe it’s the surprising presence of placidness in places like Central Park or other green spaces. Or maybe it’s the America-making history around almost every corner.
Whatever the reason, “I Love New York” states the obvious—America’s No. 1 city has it all, and it’s ready to show you.
Take a visit and find out what makes you love it.
2. Win a Family Getaway to Providence
ENTER this May Car & Travel Contest, and you could be the winner of a two-night stay for a family of
four at the Wyndham Garden Providence, and an exploration of two museums and the zoo. This prize is
valid May 2011 to May 2012. Advance reservations are required for accommodations, and are based
upon availability. Transportation, meals and gratuities are the responsibility of the winner. Other restrictions
and black-out dates may apply. All services are based on availability. Participants must be 21 or older.
A CAPITAL EXPERIENCE
Providence was founded as a refuge for religious outcasts, and it grew into a haven for creativity and learning. See how the
combination is wonderfully captured at the Museum of Art—Rhode Island School Design. The school was founded to ensure
that the heavily industrialized state was turning out the best work possible. It also was formed to make sure an exposure to the
finer things was assured. Today the museum houses more than 84,000 pieces in five buildings, and it stands as the only comprehensive art museum in New England.
Another comprehensive museum is the Culinary Arts Museum at Johnson & Wales University, which seeks to recount the
evolution of food preparation, presentation and enjoyment in the United States. What we eat and how we eat it says a lot
about a region, and the museum’s more than 250,000 pieces give quite an insight. Your family will never look at the kitchen the
same way again.
It’ll likely make them hungry, too. If so, your family can add their own chapter to the culinary story when they dine at one of
Providence’s acclaimed restaurants—a prize also included in the winner’s package.
After the meal, you can go wild at the Roger Williams Park Zoo, where more than 100 species, including some of the tallest,
heaviest and rarest animals from all around the world, roam in natural settings.
The perfect place from which to visit these great Providence attractions is the Wyndham Garden Providence. Nearly all of the
hotel’s 136 rooms have been newly renovated, and it offers a fantastic harbor location. The hotel also is minutes away from
downtown and ready to serve up a memorable New England getaway.
Order Free AAA and Car & Travel advertiser information:
CLICK HERE TO ORDER ONLINE! Your free information is just a mouse-click away. Complete the online form (month of issue,
your name, address, e-mail address, etc.). Make your selection(s) by checking the boxes. Click the SUBMIT button when done.
▲
discounts
Hertz Rental Cars
The Deal: AAA members receive 20% off standard rates (premium
and above); 15% off standard rates (economy to full size); 15% off
leisure/promotional rates (premium and above), and 10% off
leisure/promotional rates (economy to full size).
How: To reserve your vehicle, visit AAA.com/Hertz, call the
exclusive AAA toll-free line at 800/654-3080 or contact the AAA
Travel Agency.
What to Expect: Don’t forget to ask for your exclusive AAA
membership discount and benefits. Hertz, AAA’s preferred partner,
offers AAA members the best rates, plus many exclusive benefits,
including our Member Satisfaction Guarantee.
Fine Print: Applicable discounts available at participating Hertz
locations in the United States, Canada and internationally. Benefits
apply at Hertz participating locations in the U.S. and Canada only.
Advance reservations and other restrictions may apply.
Penske Truck Rentals
The Deal: AAA Exclusive Discount: 12% discount on one-way truck rentals with free unlimited mileage; 12%
discount on local truck rentals, moving supplies and accessories.
How: For reservations, call 877/222-7924, provide Club code 097 when placing the reservation and present a valid
membership card at time of rental. Visit PenskeTruckRental.com to find your nearest location.
Fine Print: To receive discounts, members must meet standard rental qualifications and present a valid AAA
membership card.
May Events
The Deal: Two great events to kick off the summer.
▲ AAA Weekend at the
Bronx Zoo
▲ MemberDay At Woodbury
Common Premium Outlets
The Deal: To save 30% on tickets and for more information
use this special link.
When: Sun., May 15, 10 a.m.– 3 p.m.
When: Sat., May 7, and Sun., May 8, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
at the Bronx Zoo. Meet the animals and enjoy a fun day
and kids’ crafts.
Where: The Dancing Crane Plaza Pavilion, Bronx Zoo,
2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx
6 C&T Digital
Where: Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, Exit 16,
Harriman, off the NYS Thruway
How: Show your card at Woodbury Common Premium
Outlets for MemberDay gifts, raffles and prizes. Bring
your friends for new member incentives.
More information: Visit AAA.com/Events
▲
discounts
1-800-Flowers.com & 1-800-Baskets.com
The Deal: Use code 30AAA and save 30% online at AAA.com/1800Flowers
or by phone 1-800-356-9377
What to Expect: Send Spring greetings with a sweet wire gift basket filled
with your favorite Godiva fare—Godiva Dark Truffle Heart Biscuits, Godiva
Chocolate Crème Hot Beverage, Godiva Chocolate Covered Raisins, Godiva
Solid White Chocolate Bar and much more. Or delight at roses and Calla
lilies—together, they produce the timeless beauty of a bouquet that’s sure
to make all moms feel like stars.
Fine Print: Prices and discounts are exclusive of applicable service, shipping charges and taxes. Items may vary and are subject to availability,
delivery rules and times. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer
or promotion. Not valid on prior purchases or the purchase of gift certificates. Offer valid through May 7, 2011. Void where prohibited.
New AAA Member Rewards Visa Credit Card
The Deal: You’ll start off with 2,500 bonus points after your first qualifying purchase. Then, add more points with
these everyday purchases: Triple points for qualifying AAA and travel purchases; double points for grocery, gas and
drugstore purchases; single point per dollar for all other purchases.
How: Call 866/665-3581 or apply online at AAA.com/MemberRewards.
What to Expect: Earn unlimited rewards for everyday spending, and there is no annual fee. You’ll never run out of
ways to redeem your points either. AAA certificates are good for travel and car repairs, or you can choose cash, gift
cards and merchandise.
Fine Print: For information about rates, fees and other costs and benefits associated with the use of this card, please
call the toll-free number or visit AAA.com.
Get on the road to
unlimited rewards
NEW FOR MEMBERS!
®
with the new AAA Member Rewards Visa credit card
2,500 BONUS POINTS
after first qualifying purchase*
Enough for your first reward!
• TRIPLE POINTS on all qualifying AAA purchases –
including travel booked at AAA … or anywhere else!*
• DOUBLE POINTS for gas, grocery and drug store
purchases*
• 1 POINT PER $1 spent on purchases everywhere else*
• EXCLUSIVE REWARDS including AAA vouchers good
for travel, even car repairs … or choose merchandise,
gift cards, or cash back
Visit:
AAA.com/ApplyNow
Call: 1-866-665-3581
(Mention priority code: VAAUV8)
For information about rates, fees, other costs and benefits associated with the use of this credit card, please call the number or visit the website provided above.
* Earn 1 point per dollar of new net retail purchase transactions (qualifying purchases less credits, returns, and adjustments) (“Net Purchases”) charged to the card each billing cycle. Earn 2 points per
dollar (consisting of 1 base point and 1 bonus point) for Net Purchases made with the card at any eligible gas, grocery or pharmacy retail merchant categories as designated by us. Eligible merchants
and their associated Merchant Category Codes (“MCC”) are the following: (a) Gas Stations (MCC codes 5541 and 5542); (b) Grocery Stores (MCC codes 5411, 5422, 5441, 5451, 5462, and 5499);
and (c) Pharmacy Stores (MCC codes 5122 and 5912). Purchases made at merchants that do not process transactions under these codes will not qualify to receive double points. Earn 3 points per
dollar (consisting of 1 base point and 2 bonus points) for Net Purchases made with the card through any participating AAA Club, when AAA is the merchant of record, or at eligible retail travel merchant
categories as designated by us. Eligible travel Merchant Category Codes (“MCC”) are the following: (a) Airlines (MCC codes 3000-3299, and 4511); (b) Car Rental Agencies (MCC codes 3351-3441,
and 7512); (c) Hotels, Motels, Inns and Resorts (MCC codes 3501-3999, and 7011); (d) Cruise Lines (MCC code 4411); and (e) Travel Agencies and Tour Operators (MCC Code 4722). Purchases
made at merchants that do not process transactions under these codes will not qualify to receive triple points. You will qualify for 2,500 bonus points if you use your new account to make at least one
purchase transaction that posts to your account within 90 days of the account open date. Limit (1) 2,500 bonus points credit per new account. Allow 8-12 weeks from qualifying for the bonus points
to post to your account. Rewards begin at 2,500 points for merchandise, 5,000 points for cash and AAA reward vouchers and 15,000 points for air. Other restrictions apply. Complete details accompany
new account materials.
This credit card program is issued and administered by FIA Card Services, N.A. Visa and Visa Signature are registered trademarks of Visa International Service Association and are used by the Issuer
pursuant to license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. AAA is a trademark of American Automobile Association, Inc.
©2011 Bank of America Corporation
ARP5S5F2
C&T Digital 7
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7 days from $1249
7 days from
$1699
11 day tour from
SOUTH DAKOTA: THE BLACK HILLS & BADLANDS
1880 Steam Train, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial,
Custer State Park, Deadwood, Hot Springs, Badlands
National Park
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Lake Powell, Bryce Canyon & Zion national parks,
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valleys, San Francisco, Monterey, San Simeon, Santa
Barbara, Los Angeles.
14 days from
Grand Canyon Railway
CANYON LIMITED PLUS PACKAGE
Package includes roundtrip train travel from Williams,
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the South Rim, one night at the Maswik Lodge at
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3-night packages. Call for pricing.
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PACKAGES PRICES ARE PER PERSON AND
INCLUDE: 5-night hotel accommodations, hotel tax,
2/4 door Hertz rental car
$2475
$2725
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● Travel Impressions
Receive one $30 optional tour credit per booking. Ask your AAA Travel
agent for details.
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Receive coupon booklet valued at $350
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Choice of:
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• $40 voucher per person toward the purchase of optional tours
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Receive free round-trip sedan transfer service that takes you from your
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Visit a local branch office: Brooklyn 2334 Ralph Ave., between aves. M & N • Manhattan 1881 Broadway at 62nd St. • Nassau 229 Seventh St., Garden City
• Queens 186-06 Hillside Ave., Jamaica • Suffolk 729 Smithtown By-Pass, Smithtown • Westchester 111 Brook St., Scarsdale • Utica 409 Court St.
• Oneonta 195 Oneida St. • Cooperstown 72 Elm St. Call for hours of operation
Rates are per person, land-only, based on double occupancy, valid on select departures and subject to availability. Airfare, government fees and taxes are additional. Some restrictions may apply. Published prices are based on availability at time of press.
Travel Impressions: Rate is land only, per person, based on double occupancy in the lowest room category, and includes roundtrip hotel transfers, hotel accommodations and hotel tax. Hawaii rates valid for travel 8/24/11- 11/18/11. Punta Cana rates valid for travel 4/25/11- 8/31/11.
Blackout, weekend, holiday peak season surcharges apply. Rates and promotions are accurate at time of printing and are subject to changes, exceptions, cancellation charges and restrictions. All advertised savings are reflected in price. Car rental is available to qualified renters only,
does not include tax or insurance, and certain age and other restrictions apply. Not responsible for errors or omissions in the printing of this ad. Additional higher priced packages available. Valid for new bookings only. CST # 2029006-20, IOWA#758. NEVADA#2004-0029. Washington
UBI # 602 425 801. **Valid on new vacation package bookings of $3,000 or more made at AAA New York with preferred tour operators. Sale ends 5/15/11. Other restrictions may apply.
CRUISES
THE BEST
CRUISE PRICES
GUARANTEED*
BERMUDA
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NO f CRUISE NORWEGIAN GEM:
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Ask about single cabins
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Disclaimer: Rates are per person, cruise-only, based on double occupancy, valid on select sailings, include service fees and are subject to availability. Airfare, government fees, fuel supplements and taxes are additional, unless otherwise noted. Shipboard credits are per cabin and applicable to select
sailing dates only. Some restrictions may apply. Not responsible for errors or omissions in the content of this advertisement. Published prices are based on availability at time of press. *Bring us a legitimate cruise or vacation package quote for one of our preferred cruise or tour operators for any
2011 vacation 3 nights or more. If we cannot match the price, we’ll give you $100 upon receipt of appropriate documentation showing completed travel. Not valid on internet or group bookings.
test drives
2011 Mazda2
MSRP $16,235, As Tested $17,185
T
he Mazda2 comes to the U.S. as a new model after being available in overseas markets for a
couple of years.This diminutive economy car competes against a bevy of other models but easily holds its own, thanks to superlative road performance, quality workmanship and an affordable purchase price.
From the outside, the 2 is a really small-looking car. It seems impossible that a full-sized adult could
feel comfortable inside it, but climb inside and front-seat passengers quickly discover that they’re not
at all cramped. That said, those in the rear will not fare as well.
Economy cars usually lack the luxury features that lead to lots of buttons and switches, and so it is
with the little Mazda, whose instruments are simple and easy to reach and use.
Though this is an inexpensive car, the materials used throughout look and feel better than the car’s
price would suggest. It’s also built solidly and absent of squeaks and rattles. There are strong thumps
when the doors are closed.
Specifications
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.5L I4
Horsepower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100@6,000 rpm
Torque (lb-ft) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98@4,000 rpm
Acceleration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0-60 mph 9.4 sec.
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60-0 mph 133 feet
Fuel requirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Regular
EPA city/highway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27/33 mpg
Warranties
Bumper-to-bumper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3/36,000
Powertrain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6/60,000
Rust-through . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5/Unlimited
Competitors: Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio,
Mini Cooper, Toyota Yaris
On the road, the Mazda2 impresses within the first 100 feet of driving. The car accelerates well and
seems to be much quicker than the performance numbers indicate. It’s wonderful to drive a small
car with a conventional transmission when so many manufacturers now use continuously variable
transmissions for the sake of mileage.This policy, of course, comes at the expense of performance.The
four-speed automatic has a gear for every occasion, shifts quickly and has the car ready to scoot at a
moment’s notice. With quick, responsive steering and a sporty suspension, the 2 features an aboveaverage sensation of stability and control. It encourages you to push it, and you cannot help but notice
how nimble and responsive the car is. It excels in all driving situations, but one. Exiting one of our
local highways at speed, with a too-short off-ramp and a hairpin turn, the car feels like it wants to
hang out the rear end.A quick steering correction brings things back under control.This twitchiness is
no doubt a by-product of the short wheelbase, the only flaw in a car that has excellent road manners.
One would expect a small car to get good mileage, and with $4 gas increasingly common, it’s almost
a necessity. The Mazda gets very good fuel economy (27 mph in the city, 33 mph on the highway), but
not near some of the close-to-50-mpg numbers that hybrids easily achieve. Some may view this as a
demerit, but compare the price of a hybrid to the 2, and you’ll see that you’ll save many thousands of
dollars on the 2, money that could buy more gas than you’d ever need. And no sluggishly performing
hybrid could touch the driving dynamics of this Mazda.
While higher gas prices may make life more difficult, the spirited, little Mazda2 provides an affordable,
fun-to-drive, practical response that may not let you laugh, but at least smile, at high crude-oil prices. A
—ROBERT SINCLAIR, JR
©GUY SPANGENBERG, 2009
To search for the vehicle that’s best for you, or to review its safety ratings, visit AAA.com/AutoBuying.To find
more automobile reviews, visit CarandTravelMagazine.com and click on “Car Features” and then “Test Drives.”
Car
Doctor
AAA’s resident expert answers your
automotive questions
Your prescription for good vehicle health
B Y J O H N PA U L
Q. Recently, my car wouldn’t
start. AAA came and jumped the
engine but it wouldn’t stay running, although the battery tested
fine. Could it be the alternator? It is a 1986 model. Should I
replace it?
A. The problem is most likely a
faulty alternator, fuse or wiring
problem. If the car has low mileage, it’s hard to imagine not having
it repaired, unless it’s becoming
structurally unsound. An overall
inspection should help determine
if the car is worth keeping.
Regarding a replacement, a newer car will most likely be more
dependable, more economical,
produce lower emissions and have
the latest safety features.
power, but also by suspension, vehicle structure and
braking ability. A vehicle with a powerful engine
towing a heavy trailer would be extremely dangerous if the vehicle’s brakes were insufficient to stop
the combined weight of the trailer and vehicle. As
for the French towing oversized trailers with small
cars, perhaps it’s their sans souci attitude.
Q. How can someone honk a car’s horn when
they’re not the owner of the car, or even in the car?
This is happening to a family member. It seems that
someone is using a device to do this several times a
day. The police and car dealers don’t know how to
stop it. Do you have a solution?
A. I doubt that someone is using an electronic trigger to set off the horn. Most likely, the problem is
a faulty horn-relay or horn button. I’ve seen cases
where the cover over the airbag shrinks in cold
weather and causes the horn to sound. If the car has
an alarm, it’s possible that the alarm is sounding due
to vibrations. I’ve seen tractor-trailers and motorQ. As cars and engine sizes get cycles set off car alarms.
smaller, trailer-towing capacities
would seem likely to suffer. Yet Q. I’ve noticed that many cars on the road have headwhile driving in France, I was lights out.This is a safety problem since you don’t know
amazed by the size of the travel if it’s a motorcycle or something else coming toward
trailers being pulled by small cars. you.Why do so many cars have headlights out?
How do manufacturers deter- A.You’re correct; it is a safety problem and a “ticketmine trailer-towing limits?
able” offense in many states.Years ago, I was involved
A. Tow limits are set by each ve- in a AAA car-care survey and we found that one
hicle manufacturer, but the driver of every five cars had a lighting issue. The avershould be aware of much more age life of a headlight is about five years, and as
than just the tow rating. Anoth- the vehicles on the road age, it’s not unusual to see
er essential number is the gross more lights out. A driver should periodically check
combination weight rating. This all the car’s lights. If a blub is out, replace it with a
takes into account both what’s good-quality part. There are many inferior-quality
being towed and the tow vehicle. bulbs available that cost less but have a shorter life
A
Most vehicle manufacturers cal- and provide poor lighting.
culate this rating by adding the
vehicle weight, passenger weight,
Send your questions for AAA’s
cargo capacity and trailer weight.
Car Doctor to cardoctor@aaany.com.
Towing ability of a vehicle is
(Please note that not all correspondence
determined not just by engine
sent to the Car Doctor can be replied to.)
12 C&T Digital
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For a full list of member discounts visit AAA.com/Discounts
Check AAA.com/Discounts for applicable codes and availability. Some discounts may only be available online. All discounts are current as of printing. Some exclusions apply. Not responsible for errors or omissions.
+Set includes a pink, deluxe reusable deco box with red door deluxe compact w/two interchangeable color palettes, 12 eye shadows & 2 cheek colors, 3-piece brush set, high shine lip-gloss, and much more. Only members from the AAA New York territory are eligible to enter. Multiple entries will be disqualified. Previous winners are not eligible. Winner must claim their prize within 90 days of notification. Prize provided by Elizabeth Arden located at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets.
How to Share Roads with Cyclists
Roads were not made for cars alone. Take these tips to head off conflicts.
BY JOSEPH D. YOUNGER
You’ve probably noticed more
bicycles on the road. In fact, when
you’re not behind the wheel, you
might be sitting in the saddle
yourself.
About eight percent of all commuters in New York State now
walk or bike to work—one of
the highest rates in the nation.
And that doesn’t even count
the hordes of weekend and recreational cyclists. Nowhere has
cycling’s explosive popularity become more apparent than New
York City. According to a 2010
study led by Rutgers University
professor John Pucher, the number of bike trips in the city has
nearly doubled since 2000.
Experts cite many reasons for
the surge, including its widespread
recognition as an economical and
environmentally friendly method of transportation, its health
and fitness benefits and even the
hero status of seven-time Tour de
France winner Lance Armstrong.
One thing is for sure: Motorists
and cyclists all can do more to
share the road safely. AAA New
York is a long-time supporter
of bicycle safety, with initiatives
ranging from sponsoring Bike
Rodeos for kids to Websites
packed with advice on helmets
and other riding essentials.
The Club aims to cut the
number of car-bike collisions
that have accompanied cycling’s
growth. Here’s what you can do
to share the road safely with all
those pedal pushers:
14 C&T Digital
◗ Recognize a cyclist’s right to the road
“Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities on the streets as a motorist,” says Jeff Olson, partner in
Alta Planning and Design (a firm specializing in multimodal transportation planning) and co-founder
of the Association of Pedestrian & Bicycle Professionals. In other words, bikes must follow the same
rules as any other vehicle—and they deserve the same respect as any other vehicle.
On roads without bike lanes, cyclists tend to ride as far to the right as possible. Sometimes they take
the entire lane, because they need it—to make a left turn or to avoid storm drains, debris and other
hazards. And the cyclist who takes the middle of the lane when riding alongside a row of parked cars?
He’s trying to avoid getting “doored”—riding smack into a car door opened by an inattentive motorist.
◗ Slow down
Speed affects the seriousness of a car-bike collision. In a 25-mph crash, the cyclist has a 75-percent
chance of surviving. At 37 mph, the chances of survival drop to 50-50. And at 40 mph, the fatality rate
for cyclists jumps to 70 percent. No wonder they feel vulnerable.
◗ Watch for movement at intersections
Nearly 90 percent of all bike-car collisions occur in or near intersections. Often, motorists simply don’t
see the cyclist. “Take in the whole picture by looking for motion,” says Ed McLaughlin, instructor in
AAA New York’s Driver Improvement Program. “Besides scanning side to side, scan up and down—
from the ground to just above eye level—to pick up the motion of shadows or feet.” Look through the
windows and windshields of surrounding cars, adds McLaughlin. You’ll see farther ahead and to the
side. And always look to the side and check your outboard mirror for bikes before turning.
◗ Make eye contact
When you spot cyclists, make sure that they see you. Cyclists rely on eye contact to communicate with
drivers.“Generally, by making eye contact, you can tell whether the driver recognizes you and will give
you space,” says Josh Poppel, former executive director of the New York Bicycling Coalition.
◗ Keep at least a three-foot cushion while passing
“It’s important to give cyclists a wide berth,” says Noah Budnick of Transportation Alternatives, a bikeboosting New York City nonprofit group.That translates to between three and five feet while passing.
Cyclists need that room. Often, wind from the passing car buffets a cyclist just as the wind from a passing tractor-trailer affects a car.
In some situations, a little patience proves safer than passing. “Often, a driver will pass me in a rush
only to race up to a red light and wait,” says Budnick.“Eventually, I catch up to him at the intersection.
He hasn’t saved any time at all.”
◗ Look behind you before opening a door
As a driver, you have an obligation to check for clearance before opening your car door. This allows
A
cyclists not to have to swerve into the path of a trailing vehicle.
For more information, visit: bikeleague.org and nybc.net.
C&T Digital 15
Driving To Save Gas
The secret of fuel efficiency isn’t in the car. It’s in the driver.
BY TOM VANDERBILT
16 C&T Digital
IMAGE: © MEDIA BAKERY
W
hen you drive, there are many steps you can take to boost your fuel economy.
And these do not need to include the most determined tactics of so-called
“hyper-milers,” such as “drafting” in the wake of tractor-trailers or driving barefoot (mileage geeks insist this allows you to more carefully “read” the engine).
Sure, hybrids and other high-mileage vehicles are great, but what many drivers fail
to appreciate is that how you drive can be as important as what you drive. In one
test, Australia’s Royal Automobile Club of Victoria took a 4.0-liter Ford Falcon (a
mid-sized wagon sold in Australia) and a smaller 1.8-liter Mazda 323 Astina sedan
to local suburban roads. Both cars were driven “aggressively” and then “smoothly.” The club’s finding: “A large vehicle driven conservatively can now better
the fuel economy of a smaller car driven aggressively.”
By simply avoiding jackrabbit starts, excessive braking and ever-changing speeds, drivers can cut their fuel consumption by up to one-third.There’s some debate as to which
speed is optimal for fuel consumption, but what’s not in dispute is that a constant speed
is best—cruise control, not surprisingly, can cut fuel use.
It’s easy for drivers to succumb to time pressure. But another interesting finding of the
Australian experiment was that while the average journey time was 94 minutes, the differ-
“
A large vehicle
driven conservatively
can now better
the fuel economy
of a smaller
car driven aggressively.
“
ence between driving aggressively and smoothly was just five minutes. Drivers who zip away from the traffic light may feel as if their
higher speed is getting them somewhere, but it’s best to think of a
journey in terms of average speed.Why not trade time spent idling
at the traffic light for a slower, steadier approach? Accelerating from
a dead stop, it’s been estimated, takes up to 20 percent more energy
than ramping up from 5 mph.
Speaking of idling, that’s worst of all: 0 mpg. Studies show that
the energy consumed by American drivers idling is equal to the
total energy use of a country like Costa Rica. Old myths die hard:
Many people still believe that cars need minutes of warm-up
time on cold days (it’s the drivers that are waiting to warm up)
and that stopping and starting the engine consumes more energy
than idling. But research by Canada’s Office of Energy Efficiency
shows that cars need no more than 30 seconds of start-up idle
time in deepest winter and that turning off the engine becomes a
better option than idling after as little as 10 seconds.
There’s another huge benefit
to smoother driving. Studies
among groups of company fleet
vehicles show that the drivers
who had the best fuel-efficiency
record had the best safety record.
It turns out that all those little
things that make for less energyintensive driving—looking far
down the road and anticipating
traffic, avoiding tailgating, etc.—
make for better driving.
But how do you get people to
change their behavior? One way
is to simply play it back to them.
Feedback is a wonderful behavior-changing tool, and when
companies or even cities undergo trials in which large numbers
of cars are equipped with
real-time feedback devices (by companies
such as Cartasite and
GreenRoad), fuel efficiency
and safety both improve. Drivers
report being surprised by how
much time they spent idling,
or how many “hard-braking”
events they were recording.
Cars such as the Toyota Prius
now have similar devices built
into their operating systems. But
the Prius already records the highest mileage on the road (51 mpg
city/48 highway) and arguably has
less to gain by its “eco-driving”
gauge. Of all the sophisticated
electronic devices now found on
cars, it’s a wonder they lack what
might be the most useful of all—
one that answers the question
“How’s My Driving?” A
Tom Vanderbilt is author of Traffic: Why We Drive The Way We
Do (And What It Says About
Us). Visit his Website at tomvanderbilt.com/traffic.
C&T Digital 17
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Safety Your Teen Driver Can
Learn from You
What you can do right now to have your teens learning and practicing driving safety
BY JOSEPH D. YOUNGER
As a parent, you probably hand over the car keys to your teenager with mixed
emotions: Relief, because you won’t have to play chauffeur much longer; pride,
because learning to drive marks a rite of passage; and, most of all, worry and fear.
You have good reason to worry. According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, traffic crashes are the number-one cause of death for 16- to 19-year-olds.
Every year, more than 3,000 teens die on the road and 350,000 wind up in emergency
rooms for crash-related injuries.
But you can do a lot to keep your teen from becoming another grim statistic.
These four steps will help you get your young driver off to a safe start.
❱ Be the grown-up
A recent study sponsored by
the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety shows a clear link between parents’ and teens’ driving records. Generally, teens
who had crashes were far more
likely to have parents who had
crashes or received tickets.“This
suggests that teens’ driving behavior is a reflection of parents’
driving behavior,” concludes the
researchers.
“The strongest way to deliver
a message is to lead by example,”
says Barbara Ward, traffic safety
specialist with AAA New York.
Parents need to be good role
models by wearing safety belts,
obeying the speed limit, maintaining a safe following distance
and keeping their cool behind
the wheel.”And, of course, by not
being distracted by cell phones,
texting or music players.
Advice and Help
•On the Web
AAA’s new teen-driver Website, Keys2Drive, is packed with videos, tips, quizzes
and illustrated handbooks. It’s a must-see for parents and teens. Visit AAA.com/
Teens.
•Workshops
AAA traffic-safety experts conduct free workshops for Club-area high schools and community groups. For new and experienced drivers, there are Handling Driving Emergencies and Driver Anger Management workshops. For parents of teens, AAA offers a 10
Deadly Teen Driver Mistakes workshop. This 30-minute interactive presentation gives
parents tips to help their teens improve their judgment, knowledge, behavior and skills
while behind the wheel. For details, call 516/873-2364 or e-mail bward@aaany.com.
•DVDs
Driver-ZED 3.0 is an engaging, informative and entertaining DVD that helps teens handle
many sorts of driving risks. Played on a DVD-ROM drive, this disk puts teens to the test in
100 situations—everything from city streets to rural roads to work zones. It costs $21.40
for members ($26.99 for nonmembers). To purchase a copy, visit AAA.com/Safety, then
click on Driver Training Tools, or call 516/873-2364, 315/624-3901 or 607/441-5021.
Teaching Your Teens to Drive is a 50-minute DVD that steers parents through the process of coaching kids behind the wheel. The DVD costs $29.95. Call 800/327-3444 to
get your copy.
•Parent-Teen Driving Agreement
Once your teen is licensed and has plenty of adult-supervised practice in a range of
conditions and situations, it’s time to loosen—but not release—the reins. The AAA
StartSmart Parent-Teen Driving Agreement takes a stepped approach to unsupervised
driving. As the novice driver shows skill and responsibility, the scope of times, passengers, weather and roads expands. Parents must set the rules and possible consequences for their child. To read more about the StartSmart program and get the full
agreement, visit AAA.com/Teens.
C&T Digital 21
❱ Lessons are everywhere
As Ward notes, your teen’s first driving lessons can begin long before he or she slides behind the wheel.
When you drive in everyday situations with your child along as a passenger, take the time to explain
what you’re doing and why. For instance, use a crowded expressway for a one-minute lesson in the
“three-second rule” to keep a safe following distance. (That is, when the car in front of you passes a
stationary object such as a road sign or light post, count “one thousand one, one thousand two,
one thousand three.”Your front bumper shouldn’t reach the marker before you finish counting.)
Or, when you’re navigating a rain-slick street in your neighborhood, explain why you begin to brake
early and steer gradually. Of course, you don’t want to provide a running commentary on your every
move, but you can recognize teachable moments and prepare your teen for similar circumstances.
Usually, you’ll find your teen surprisingly eager to listen.
❱ Practice, practice, practice
Although New York state law requires teens to log 50 hours of supervised practice,AAA recommends
100 hours to expose learners to a full variety of driving environments and conditions. “Keep the
lesson simple and focus on one skill at a time,” advises Ward. “Start out in basic low-risk situations
such as a parking lot or a residential street and gradually move to more complex situations such as
highways or a drive in bad weather.”
“Humans learn complex tasks such as driving more from direct experience than by being told
what to do,” says Arthur Goodwin, a senior research associate with the University of North Carolina
Highway Safety Research Center.“Parents should ask themselves: Do I want my teen to learn how to
handle bad weather, darkness, rush-hour traffic or narrow rural roads without me in the car?”
22 C&T Digital
“
Just because your
teen passes a road test
and obtains a license,
you’re not done
“
Before setting out, take a few minutes in the driveway or parking lot
to go over the skills your teen will
practice in that session. During the
lesson, stay calm and reinforce what
your teen does well. Try to correct mistakes by asking questions
(“What’s the speed limit here?”).
Take breaks—as often as every 20
minutes—to offer feedback on both
good and bad points. “Be patient
and positive,” says Ward. “You need
to understand that making mistakes
is a part of the learning process. If
your teen did something dangerous
behind the wheel, explain why and
discuss the potential consequences
calmly.”
❱ Stay involved
“This is the most important message,” emphasizes Ward. “Just because your teen passes a road test and
obtains a license, you’re not done.You still need to monitor your young driver, ride as a passenger as
often as possible and set guidelines.” That means signing a parent-teen driving contract in which both
you and your teen agree on the conditions for driving privileges and restrictions and the consequences
for violating them. See the sidebar on page 21, and find guidance on setting a teen-driving contract at
AAA.com/Teens.
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C&T Digital 23
Taking Time Out Between
New York and Toronto
BY TERENCE BAKER
Tobehanna Creek in the
village of Tyrone
T
he drive between Manhattan and Toronto is 490
miles, to Niagara Falls, 410, but that does not
stop many driving it all in one fell swoop of
interstates 87 and 90.
Freeway foolishness? Perhaps, for between the
Big Apple and the Queen City are landscapes, history, food and wine ready to delight both senses
and taste buds.
The Finger Lakes are the result of power, grinding
Ice Age glaciers ripping out what today are its stunning lakes, Seneca, Canandaigua, Keuka, Cayuga and
Skaneateles among them. Its wine now is recognized
internationally. I reached Corning and its glass museum, taking a pause at the city’s delicious, checkerboard-colored Poppleton Pastries. Close by, colorful
silos mark neat farms, and wishbone-shaped Keuka
Lake drops gorgeously to tidy Hammondsport, where
the area’s wine story began. Near Keuka, I was stunned
by beautiful Italy Valley and how it feels hidden from
the world, and then I discovered small Conesus Lake,
its far shore shimmering in deep water.
On my roundabout back-road way to my Watkins
Glen hotel, I stopped to buy water at cream-andgreen Ray Dann’s Town and Country Trading Post
in the small village of Tyrone, which sits close to
its own Finger lake, Lamoka, where evidence has
surfaced of an eponymously named, ancient people. A white clapboard post office sits alone, a small
creek pond lies at the bottom of a hill’s curve, a pine
forest smells fragrant and the song of chattering
birds enlivens the sunshine. I drove back the next
Thunder up high:
The power of
Niagara Falls
morning, and owner Ray Dann
invited me in for coffee. We
chatted about small-town unemployment, upstate New York,
his store and his and his friends’
hunting. Dann has been at his
family store for half a century.
Outside, signs announced “Dry
Goods,” “Windshields Installed”
and “Ice Cream,” in other words,
it is grocery, mechanics, social
center and community pulse.
Watkins Glen, known for its
waterfall-sprinkled glen, is at
the foot of Seneca Lake, a drive
around that makes for a wonderful day. Stop off at three wineries
that run the gamut from established (Glenora, on the western
shore) to up-and-coming (Fox
Run, also on the west) and new
(Hector, on the eastern shore in
a village of the same name). All
have great wine. Hector opened
last November; Fox Run has a
cheerful restaurant; Glenora does
excellent food-wine pairings
(Pinot blanc with New York-
A Glenora Wine
Cellars’ barrel
stands guard above
Seneca Lake
C&T Digital 25
Pleasing Pitstop: Poppleton Pastries
made horseradish cheese), and
its vineyards swoop down to the
water from its hotel with excellent restaurant. Another wonderful restaurant (and winery) is
Hector’s Red Newt.
I drove up Seneca again, but
slightly inland, along Rte. 14A
near Hall, and came across a community of Amish farmers—locals
refer to them as horse-and-buggy
Mennonites—that moved to the
Penn Yan area from Lancaster
County, Pa., in the mid-1970s.
At Niagara Falls, dally stateside
to gaze at the Canadian Falls from
Goat Island, before walking back
to the viewing platform to see
the American and Bridal Veil falls.
Crossing the border at Rainbow
Bridge, with the Canadian and
American falls resplendent and
thundery in the half-distance, is
thrilling. The Canadian side has
energy and flickering casinos,
while the American side appears
26 C&T Digital
hard hit by economic downturn. Glitz on one side, a city rebuilding
on the other, but in the middle, sheer, raw power.
Before sweeping around the tip of Lake Ontario to Toronto, stop at
Niagara-on-the-Lake. It’s also famous for wine, and, with a history
dating from 1785, the Olde Angel Inn with five guest rooms, is as
authentic a British pub, as you’ll find this side of the Pond.
Yet another thing missed if the goal is to get to Toronto in eight hours.
Toronto, famous for hockey, the CN Tower and being friendly and
diverse, contains surprises. Its Flatiron building predates Manhattan’s by a decade and sits close to the St. Lawrence Market, where
for three decades everyone has headed to the Carousel Bakery for
its “peameal” bacon sandwiches. Stomach full, head to the Distillery
District, re-opened in 2003 as a shopping and restaurant area following its demise as the whisky-producing Gooderham and Worts
factory. Tappo is indicative of the district—light-infused, modern
with nods to the distillery’s past and welcoming with an excellent
menu, in its case, Italian. A short walk north, a quieter reflection
on Toronto’s proud history of social betterment is the one-room
Enoch Turner Schoolhouse on Trinity Street, which when opened
in 1848 was the city’s first free school. On the other side of Toronto
are the upcoming West Queen West and Ossington areas (see Notebook, Mar. 2011).
From Corning glass to Toronto class, it pays to take your time. A
More Information: fingerlakes.org; niagara-usa.com;
niagaraonthelake.com; seetorontonow.com; AAA.com/Travel
travel desk
New York’s AAA Five Diamond
and AAA Four Diamond Lodgings—Part 3
BY TERENCE BAKER
AAA annually evaluates more than 60,000 lodging establishments and restaurants and rates
them on a scale of one to five Diamonds. One Diamond lodgings meet AAA’s basic standards for comfort, cleanliness and hospitality, while Five Diamond lodgings are the premier
establishments that provide the ultimate in quality and service.
New York has numerous Five Diamond and Four Diamond lodgings. Here are two.
Mandarin Oriental New York
Perched high up the Time Warner Center on Columbus Circle, the 248-room Mandarin Oriental New
York gazes across the splendor of Central Park at the 25.8-mile mark of the route of the New York City
Marathon, held the first Sunday of every November. Some rooms stare at the equally iconic Hudson
River, which is where the sun sets.
Included in its mix are 46 suites, a cocktail bar called MObar (not a bad pun), a 75-foot pool, a
14,500-square-foot spa and Asiate, a wonderful restaurant serving Asian and American fare in decorous
surroundings. Its rooms are as sumptuous as you would expect, and a ballroom sits on the 36th floor.
Adjacent are the Shops of Columbus, part of the Time Warner Center, where comfy sofas give an eagle’seye view straight along W. 59th St., the south side of the park. Inside is one of New York’s most celebrated
restaurants, Thomas Keller’s Per Se. Book now regardless of when you book your room. Both hotel and
restaurant are equally as popular as one another.
Details: 80 Columbus Circle (at 60th St.), Manhattan; 866/801-8880; mandarinoriental.com/newyork
Danfords Hotel & Marina
In the historic village of Port Jefferson, half way along the north shore of Long Island, the 86-room Danfords Hotel & Marina is an urban escape boasting both views of the village itself as well as the Long Island
Sound.
Eight separate buildings show New England-style touches, while rooms do not lack modern “necessities” such as 32-inch flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations and WiFi. A gym and spa also are on site, and
those who want to come in by yacht can tie up in a 75-slip marina, although your craft must be less than
250 feet in length.The hardships of travel!
The hotel’s WAVE restaurant serves nouveau-American cuisine courtesy of chef Paul Govin, and when
the weather is clement, an outdoor deck opens. Breakfast is included in the tariff. In summer, weddings
are particularly popular.
Port Jefferson also the terminal of the ferry to Bridgeport, Conn.
Details: 25 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson; 800/332-6367; danfords.com
Visit AAA.com/Hotels to find great rates on lodging. Learn more about hotels, restaurants and attractions by viewing our online travel guides at AAA.com/TourBook.
C&T Digital 27
Lancaster County: A Pennsylvani
BY PETER CRESCENTI
Here is a select list of
shows scheduled at these
theaters this spring:
Fulton Theatre: Chitty Chitty
Bang Bang, June 6-July 10
Sight & Sound: Joseph,
through Oct . 22
Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre:
The Drowsy Chaperone,
June 2-July 9
28 C&T Digital
I’m
sitting in the Rendezvous Lounge at the
town Lancaster, Pa., listening to a barber
on a tune from the Doo Wop era. They’
Coast competition taking place at the hotel the next da
It’s appropriate that these amateur crooners have assem
fact that the city has been busy repositioning itself in rece
visual and performing arts in Eastern Pennsylvania.
Car & Travel was here two years ago, covering the burgeo
monthly “Art Walks,” new galleries and street fairs.
This time I’d come to town for performances of anoth
at the Fulton, Sight & Sound and Dutch Apple theaters.
The Fulton is one of the grande dames of American theat
the country’s oldest continuously running venue and a N
e Marriott hotel in downrshop quartet harmonizing
’re warming up for an East
ay.
mbled in Lancaster, given the
ent years as the home of the
oning art scene that includes
her kind—stage productions
ters. At 152 years of age, it is
National Historic Landmark.
I’m here to see Monty Python’s Spamalot, which is concluding
a month-long run to a near-full house. The seemingly incongruous pairing of this irreverent spoof of the film Monty Python
and the Holy Grail and this prim and proper Victorian treasure
is not as odd as it seems: In 1920, the hall’s manager was arrested for “exhibiting immoral shows”—i.e., burlesque. For the
Lancaster Law and Order Society, it was quite a comedown for
a venue that had once hosted the likes of Mark Twain, Buffalo
Bill Cody, Douglas Fairbanks, Al Jolson, George M. Cohan and
scores of highly regarded divas and thespians of the mid-19th
and early 20th centuries.
Lancaster County’s number-one attraction also is a theater—
the Sight & Sound in Strasburg. A bona-fide tourist attraction,
the hall stages full-blown dramatizations of the lives of biblical
figures such as Joseph, Daniel and Noah and hosts more than
800,000 visitors a year. On my visit, tour buses from as far away
as Canada filled the parking lot.
Sight & Sound is something of a mom-and-pop venue on
a grand scale.Virtually everything is done in-house, from costumes to sets. Even the theater’s proportions are biblical: Imagine a three-sided wraparound stage that is twice as big as Radio
City Music Hall’s. And as if the stage weren’t big enough to
contain all the action, the aisles are used, too.They’re frequently
filled with animals—horses, llamas, oxen, camels, goats, donkeys and sheep co-starred in the production of Joseph I saw—
that are trained by in-house animal trainers.
For all that, the theater is somewhat austere compared to
Sight & Sound’s lobby, a Promised Land for visitors seeking
religious trinkets, T-shirts and Bibles.
On the other end of the spectrum are Lancaster’s dinner
theaters, which cater to a mix of locals and tourists. At the
Dutch Apple, for instance, for about $50 you can gorge yourself at a bountiful smorgasbord—with about 10 dessert choices
alone—and enjoy shows such as Broadway’s George M!, film adaptations such as White Christmas and regional theater hits such
as Church Basement Ladies. Out in Amish country, in Paradise, is
the Rainbow Theatre, an all-comedy-all-the-time venue.
Three different types of venues, three different theater
experiences. If your idea of Lancaster and Pennsylvania
Dutch Country is no more than horse-and-buggies, dairy
farms and family-style dining, think again and belly up to
the box office.
A
More information: fultontheatre.org; sight-sound.com;
dutchapple.com
Peter Crescenti is the executive editor of this magazine.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SIGHT & SOUND THEATERS
ia Muse
C&T Digital 29
Become an
Amish Insider
BY PETER CRESCENTI
Have you ever wanted to get up close and
personal with a member of Pennsylvania
Dutch Country’s Amish community? Now
you can, with the Amish V.I.P. Tour.V.I.P.
stands for Visit in Person, and that’s exactly
what you do.
“The V.I.P. tour is not like a regular tour where we stop at Amish
shops for the purpose of buying crafts or baked goods,” says Brad Igou,
president of Amish Country Tours. “This tour is really designed to provide close personal interaction with the Amish. The result is that the
Amish are seen as real people, dispelling many of the preconceptions
and myths so many of us have of them. This is not about re-creating
another culture, visiting a replica Amish farm, or having people dress
up and impersonate characters.This is meeting real people one-on-one,
where they live and work.”
The tour, which takes a maximum of 14 people per trip, leaves from the
Amish Experience Theater in Bird-in-Hand (next to the Plain & Fancy
restaurant), Mon. through Fri. at 5 p.m., and it lasts about three hours.
Our first stop was at Sam and Susie Riehl’s 36-acre dairy farm, where
the affable Sam gives a primer on getting milk from cows to the breakfast
table. The Amish don’t use electricity, so all the machinery—from the
vacuum pump that extracts milk from the cows to the cooling tank—is
run on diesel power. The Riehls support themselves on milk sales and
income from Susie’s crafts shop.
But fewer than half the Amish own farms, so most of them earn a living
as craftsmen or tradesmen, or in retail. Amos Stoltzfus, for instance, is a
metal worker by day and a carpet weaver by night. He works on a compressed-air loom built by his father. The second stop on the tour might
also visit a basket weaver, soap maker, gourd farmer (he paints and sells
them), blacksmith or wood worker. There’s a conversation about what
these Amish do, not a lecture, and where appropriate guests are invited to
give the work a try.
The final stop for most visitors will be the most intriguing.You’re invited into the home of an Amish family, to spend an hour chatting in
their living room. Fourteen chairs circle the room as the Amish—in our
case John and Sylvia Lantz—reveal much about their family, faith and
culture. John, a former dairy farmer, works in a natural-foods store, and
Sylvia makes crafts and jellies. Their two young daughters make lovely
greeting cards.
A propane lamp in the dining room provides the only light in the
30 C&T Digital
house. John opens a window and
Amish, they’re tapping into so
prohibition against them riding
Every Amish we met along th
formalities were out of the way,
asked about language. The Ami
Sylvia spoke enthusiastically
parents’ homes, only on Tuesda
vited guests, and to accommod
isn’t nailed down. Quickie exte
to store the food, and three sto
Witness, the Harrison Ford m
closest most of us have come to
people who are as happy to me
Tours run June through Octo
or visit AmishExperience.com.
“
image: © Jeff greenberg / alamy
You’re invited
into the home of
an Amish family, to
spend an hour
chatting
“
d says he’s putting on the air conditioning. But like more and more
olar power. John says that Amish don’t own cars, but there is no
g in one.
he way wanted to know where each of us was from, and once the
y, the Q&A began. John told us about his work, and then someone
ish speak three: English, German and Pennsylvania Dutch.
y about Amish wedding traditions. Amish are married in their
ays or Thursdays. There are anywhere between 300 and 500 indate them, Amish homes are emptied of virtually everything that
ensions are built onto the house, too. A walk-in cooler is rented
oves are rented to cook it. Stuffed chicken is the main dish.
movie about a hunted cop who hides out in Amish country, is the
o seeing the Amish as individuals. Now there’s a better way, among
eet you as you are to understand them.
ober. For dates and ticket information, call 717/768-3600, ext. 210
.
A
Peter Crescenti is the executive editor of this magazine.
C&T Digital 31
travel desk
Contest—Stroll to Strivers’ Row and Beyond
What: Harlem Travel Guide by Carolyn D . Johnson and Valerie Jo Bradley
About: Bemoaning the fact that many tourists coming to Manhattan bypass Harlem completely, two residents and Harlem champions, Carolyn D . Johnson and Valerie Jo Bradley, decided
to do something about it . The result: A wonderful guide and romp through the area’s
African, African-American, African-Caribbean and Latin culture, history, food and daily
life . The guide also uncovers many lesser-known corners that help explain Harlem’s 350 years
of fascinating, influential history .
Johnson and Bradley are very well qualified to write on the subject . Johnson is president of
Welcome to Harlem, a walking- and bus-tour company, while Bradley owns the Harlem 144
Guest House, produces the annual Dance Harlem Festival and co-produces the Reel Harlem
film festival .
How: AAA is giving away 10 copies . To win, fill out the form online at AAA .com/Win or send
a postcard to Harlem Travel Guide Contest, Car & Travel, 1415 Kellum Place, Garden City, NY
11530 . Include in your entry your name, Club membership number and mailing address . Entries must contain a valid e-mail
address and be submitted online or postmarked by May 31, 2011 . Multiple entries will be disqualified .
More Information: To buy a copy of the guide, visit welcometoharlem .com; and until the end of June 2011, AAA members
receive a discount of 15 percent off the sale price of $29 .99 . Visit the Website above and enter code CAT1115 .
Providence, Rhode Island, Getaway Contest
Win a two-night stay for a family of four at the Wyndham Garden Providence . The prize includes dinner at an acclaimed,
local restaurant and admission to several area attractions such as the Roger Williams Park Zoo . The prize is valid until
May 2012 .
How: Click on http://carandtravel .ai-dsg .com . The fine print also is available at that Website .
Three AAA Member Sales and Events
What: Cruises from NYC Day
When: Sat ., May 7: 9 a .m .-2 p .m .
Where: Queens Branch: 186-06 Hillside Ave ., Jamaica
What: Orlando Family Vacation Sale
When: Sun ., May 8 to Sun ., May 15
Where: All branch locations
What: Hertz Month at AAA
When: Throughout May
Where: All branch locations
More information: Visit AAA .com/
TravelEvents
Win a Set of New Delsey Helium Shadow Luggage
About: Delsey Luggage has launched its newest luggage, the hard-side Helium Shadow in three vibrant colors—blue,
purple and platinum . Four multidirectional spinner wheels assure smooth maneuverability and stability on virtually
every surface, as well as keeping the weight off your arm, while its hard shell and TSA-approved combination lock provide security . AAA Travel and Delsey Luggage are giving away a three-piece set of Helium Shadow luggage (value: $377 .20
before member discount) .
How: To win, fill out the online form at AAA .com/TravelStore or send a postcard to Delsey Luggage Contest, AAA Travel,
1415 Kellum Place, Garden City, NY 11530 . Include in your entry your name, membership number and mailing address .
Entries must contain a valid e-mail address and be submitted online or postmarked by May 31, 2011 . Multiple entries will
be disqualified .
32 C&T Digital
member news
Club Recognizes Brooklyn Safety Patroller
Mohamed Zaman, a fifth grader at P.S. 250 in Brooklyn, has been
named the 2011 AAA New York Patroller of the Year.
Gerard Moss, the safety patrol supervisor for P.S. 250, states that as
the captain of his school’s safety patrol, Mohamed demonstrates excellent leadership qualities such as taking the initiative to be
an organizer and treating both teachers and students with
respect. Mohamed also insures that each position is filled
in the morning and reports to the teacher in charge when
there is a problem that he cannot handle.
Mohamed loves being the captain of safety patrol and considers it a real job.“I have learned many new leadership qualities
that are important in life such as making good decisions that will
help benefit everyone. As the captain of safety patrol, I have learned
to use my responsibilities in a respectable manner and not abuse
the trust that was given to me by Mr. Moss and many other faculty
members,” he says.
Mohamed will be recognized for his achievement at an awards luncheon hosted by the Club in the spring. Besides his role as a safety
patroller, Mohamed participates in the school’s food drive. He also
tutors other students.
For more information on AAA’s School Safety Patrol Program, visit AAA.com/
Safety or call Traffic Safety program coordinator Eileen Beetar at 516/873-2377.
Bike Rodeo Updates
Celebrate National Bike Safety Month (every May) by hosting a AAA
Bike Rodeo. The Bike Rodeo program is a skill-building obstacle
course developed to teach children basic bike-riding skills such as
stopping, balancing, signaling and turning. Rodeos also feature bikeand helmet-safety inspections.
Our new and improved obstacle course includes new riding stations
such as the “Rock Dodge,”“Demon Driveway” and “Crazy Crossroads,”
which all focus on developing good maneuvering and scanning skills.
AAA helps school PTAs, scout groups and other youth groups by
providing materials, expertise and our popular loanable container of
supplies—so that no one in your group has to hunt down cones, flags
and other course markers or materials. Call 516/873-2409, 607/4415022 or 315/797-6154 to book your group’s rodeo today.
!!
Holiday Notice: AAA New York’s administrative and branch offices and Telephone Travel Agency will be closed on Mon.,
May 30, in observance of Memorial Day. Member Services phone lines will be open on all three days of the holiday
weekend. AAA Roadside Assistance remains available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
C&T Digital 33
notebook
Unidentified Flying Riders
W
alking to lunch on a bright,
sunny day, I glance down
to see a big wad of gum
waiting for my shoe.“Sidestep to the left
or stride over it?” my brain asks unconsciously.“Over it,” my synapses decide.
At that instant, I sense a blur to my left.
So close that I feel a rush of wind on my
face; so quiet that I don’t hear anything
except thumping rhythms leaking out of
headphones as the blur zooms by.
A bicycle.
When my heart rate returns to normal, I realize that if my brain had sent
me left, I’d now be in The Realm of
Messy Clean-ups.
I’m not on the wild streets of Manhattan where cyclists so famously
combine a free-for-all attitude with
the directional chaos of pinballs. No,
I’m on a sidewalk in the leafy suburbs.
Anyone who drives, cycles, walks or
performs any combination of the three
on a regular basis knows that there are
often tensions with those performing the
others. Whether we’re shaking our fist
or shaking our head depends on which
side of the steering wheel, handlebars or
Reeboks we’re on at any given moment.
From what I can see, the problem
isn’t so much antipathy as neglect.
Many car-bike crashes occur because
drivers simply don’t think to look for
34 C&T Digital
cyclists, especially when making right turns. And how many
of us glance behind before opening a car door? “Dooring”—
pedaling into an open car door or veering suddenly to avoid
whacking it—is a lethal threat to cyclists. Whenever I ride
along a row of parked cars, I constantly look for people ready
to alight street-side. I’m sorry if I’ve startled any of you as I’ve
yelled “Watch out!” but self-preservation boosts my volume.
As my sidewalk near-miss shows, riders, too, must act more
responsibly.
Bicycling proponents often cite how well drivers, cyclists
and pedestrians co-exist in European cities. The European
model is at the heart of America’s current bike-lane mania.
Overlooked, however, are two important points: The first is
that bike lanes in the U.S. typically are underutilized and often come at the expense of more congested and dangerous
roads for the rest of us. The second is that European cyclists
tend to be law-abiding and predictable.
I’ve spent a great deal of time in Copenhagen, Berlin and
Amsterdam, all great cycling cities, and I’ve been awestruck
by how responsibly riders there behave. In my experience,
they unfailingly stop for lights (there often are tiny versions of
the vehicular signals). They signal their intentions (yes, hand
signals!) and even signal pedestrians and each other (old-fashioned handlebar-mounted bells). The only time I’ve had a
close call with a bicycle is when I inadvertently broke the
rules (incurring the wrath of a grandmotherly woman who
shared with me many Dutch sailor words).
Here in America, too many riders consider bikes more
closely related to skateboards than to cars. Not so much transportation as entertainment.
But New York State vehicle and traffic laws are explicit:
Bicycles are traffic. That sidewalks are for pedestrians, not
bikes, shouldn’t be surprising. Neither should the fact that
the war on distractions such as cell phones and iPods includes
cyclists. New York law specifies that riders keep at least one ear
free. (Unlike my headphone-wearing, sidewalk-riding nemesis.)
Yes, motorists must be more conscious of and courteous
toward cyclists. Drivers must truly share the road. But if bicycles are to be taken seriously as transportation in our area
and merit even a fraction of the bike-oriented infrastructure
that’s taking shape, everyone who rides should learn to get
A
along better with pedestrians and cars.
John Owens is the automotive editor of this magazine.
IMAGE: © MEDIA BAKERY
BY JOHN OWENS
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