• What you Should Know before Buying Life Insurance


    Many people realize that life insurance is an important way to provide for their families, but buying life insurance can seem daunting. How do you know if you’re picking the best coverage for you and your family?
    The American Council of Life Insurers offers the following tips to help you pick out the best plan:
    • Decide if you need permanent or term life insurance. Permanent policies will provide money to your family no matter when you die. Term policies will pay only if you die during a specific period of time.
    • When you’re trying to decide between life insurance companies, ask family and friends for recommendations. You can also meet with an insurance agent to talk through your options.
    • Ask for the outlines of several plans so you can compare the features of the various options you’re considering.
    • Always answer the questions on your application truthfully.
    • Once you select a plan, store the policy with your other important financial documents, but not in a safe deposit box. Upon death, boxes are sometimes sealed temporarily by the bank, which could delay your family’s access to the coverage.
    • Review and update your policy from time to time, especially after major life events like marriages or children being born.
    Click here for more information on life insurance.

    Information provided by USA.gov

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  • Follow NASA's Curiosity Mars Rover

    Mars Crater Valley


    CURIOSITY, the Mars rover landed on the red planet at 10:32 p.m. August 5, 2012, and will spend the next 2 years analyzing soil and rock samples in order to determine whether Mars was ever able to support small life forms.

    Visit NASA's website on the Curiosity Mars rover to learn about the mission, see images and videos, get the latest news, and more.

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  • Avoid Identity Theft - Deter, Detect, Defend

    DETER - DETECT - DEFEND
     against
     IDENTITY THEFT



    DETER: MINIMIZE YOUR RISK

    While nothing can guarantee that you won't become a victim of identity theft, you can minimize your risk by making it difficult for identity thieves to access your personal information.
    • Protect your social security number:
      •   Don't carry your SS card with you
      •   Don't write your SS number on checks
      •  Give your SS number only when necessary - use other types of identifiers whenever possible.
    • Treat your trash and mail carefully:         
      • Shred charge receipts, copies of credit applications,  insurance forms, physician statements, checks and bank statements before discarding.
      • Consider opting out of prescreened offers of credit in the mail by calling 1-888-567-8688        (NOTE: You will be asked to provide your Social Security number).
      • Deposit outgoing mail containing personally identifying information in postal collection boxes or at your local post office, rather than in an unsecured mailbox.
      • Promptly remove mail from your mailbox.
      • If you are planning to be away from home contact the U. S. Postal Service at  1-800-275-8777 to place a vacation hold. 
    • Be on guard using the internet:
      •  For practical tips to help you be on guard against internet fraud, secure your computer and protect your personal information, go to: http://onguardonline.gov           
    • Select intricate passwords:
      •   Place passwords on your credit card, bank and phone accounts.
      •   Don't use easily available information (i.e. mother's maiden name, birth date, last 4 of social security number).  Instead, for a strong password, use a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters.
      •  Give your SS number only when necessary - use other types of identifiers whenever possible
    • Verify a source before sharing information:
      • Because identity thieves are clever and may pose as representatives of banks, internet service providers, etc., don't give out personal information on the phone, through the mail or over the internet unless you have initiated the contact.
    • Safeguard your purse and wallet:
      • Protect your purse and wallet at all times.  Don't carry your social security card, and carry only the identification cards, credit cards or debit cards that you will need when you go out.
    • Store information in a secure location in your home.
     For more information visit http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/index.html .

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  • Salute Our Military

    Armed Forces Day
    May 19, 2012

    Many Americans celebrate Armed Forces Day annually on the third Saturday of May. It is a day to pay tribute to men and women who serve the United States armed forces. Armed Forces Day is also part of Armed Forces Week, which begins on the second Saturday of May. Armed Forces Day is reserved as a day to pay special tribute to our nation's men and women of the military forces that have defended our country day and night, insured our freedom, and upheld the beliefs and principles that this great nation was built on.


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  • Driving and Road Trip Resources


    Whether you're driving locally or taking a road trip, find helpful resources on USA.gov's Road and Train Travel page, including:


    • Gas Mileage Tips -- Find out how driving efficiently, keeping your car in good condition, and combining trips can help you save money.
    • Traffic and Road Closures -- Get resources to keep you informed about road and traffic conditions.
    •  Scenic Byways -- Find scenic drives that you might enjoy while traveling on the road.

    -- Resources for Senior Drivers  , Teen Drivers & Child Safety

    Wherever you're driving, make safety a top priority and keep in mind that most states have banned texting while driving. Learn more about distracted driving.


    Information provided by USA.gov & NHTSA


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  • America the Beautiful

    The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass



     A new federal recreation pass is available that combines the benefits of existing recreation passes from five federal agencies into one comprehensive pass: “America the Beautiful – the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.” Frequent visitors to multiple federal agency lands may save money by buying this annual pass. Plus, 90% of the purchase price goes back to federal land agencies to help them protect these national treasures for generations to come.

    The new pass program was created by the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, which Congress authorized in December 2004 and replaces the Golden Eagle, Golden Age, and the Golden Access Passports as well as the National Parks Pass. Existing passes will remain valid until expired.

    The America the Beautiful: National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass (Interagency Annual Pass) is honored nationwide at National Park Service, Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Reclamation recreation sites charging day-use or entrance fees.

    The basic pass terms and conditions are listed below:

    •  Cost $80
    •    Valid for 12 months from the month of purchase. Expires the last day of the month punched.
    •     Includes two signature lines and any two individuals may sign the pass. Both are considered pass holders.
    •     Admits pass holder and any accompanying passengers in a private non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee sites.
    •     At per person fee sites, admits pass holder and up to three (3) persons age 16 and older. Children 15 and younger are admitted free of charge.
    •     Photo identification may be required to verify ownership.
    •     Passes are NON-REFUNDABLE, NON-TRANSFERABLE, and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen.
    •     To plan your trip and determine if this pass is the right one for you, please contact the offices of the federal recreation sites where you plan to visit.


    Other kinds of passes include:

    Senior Pass -- $10 lifetime pass for U.S. citizens who are 62 years and older

    Access Pass -- Free lifetime pass for permanently disabled U.S. citizens

    Volunteer Pass -- Annual Pass awarded to volunteers who contribute 500 or more hours

    Additional Information and FAQ's


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  • Increasing Fuel Prices in the U.S.

    Why the Price of Gas is Rising

    Our increasing fuel costs here in the United States are mainly due to the rising price of crude oil. 
    Crude oil is a natural form of oil found in the ground, and it must be refined into gasoline.  As of January, one gallon of crude oil costs $2.57, making up 76% of our cost of $3.38 per gallon, a national average in January.

    Causes of increased crude oil prices?  China and other countries have increased their demands. In addition, the instability in the Middle East means unpredictable or less output from Libya and Iran, who produce a majority of the crude oil. Less production of crude oil means higher prices for us at the pump.



    World countries and corporations that sell crude oil benefit when the price is high. In 2010, about 49% of the oil used by the U.S. was imported from foreign countries.  Read FAQs provided by the U.S. Energy Administration, and also what the US Energy Administration gives as breakdown on what makes up the rest of the price. Click here for those details.


    What you can do? Avoid idling. It gets you zero miles per gallon. Don't be aggressive, brake hard, or rapidly accelerate. This can lower mileage by 33%. Watch your speed: every 5 mph over 60 mph, is like paying an additional $0.30 per gallon. Air conditioning “economy” and "recirculation" settings are helpful and allow reduction of chilling the hot outside air.  

    Check out the following links: 



    Information provided by USA.gov.




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  • Property Appraiser to Speak Thursday

    Pasco County Property Appraiser Mike Wells will be speaking tonight, March 22nd, at the Beacon Square Civic Association meeting Thursday at 7:00 p.m.

    Mr. Wells will discuss the  appraisal process, property values, legislation affecting those property values, among other topics.

    The Beacon Square Civic Association is located at 3741 Bradford Drive, New Port Richey.  Heading south on U.S. 19, turn right onto Moog Road, and then turn right again on Bradford Drive. 

    More information is available by calling the Association at 727-807-7007.

    * Information provided by the Suncoast News / Pasco North edition.

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