Perspective LIVING 2012

LIVING

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Perspective | Saturday, March 31, 2012 | bangordailynews.com/living

Grilling Season is here at

Dunnett's ...and everywhere!

BY David M. Fitzpatrick, CUSTOM PUBLICATIONS WRITER

W

hen you think “appliances,” you probably don’t think about grills, and you might not think “Dunnett’s.”

But the store carries them — and a brand consistently rated by groups such as Consumer Reports as being the best value for the money.

Weber grills are certainly an American success story. It began in 1951 when George Stephen worked for the Weber Brothers Metal Works near Chicago, welding spherical buoys for a local yacht club, and he had an idea. As an avid griller, he found the typical flat, open braziers of the day to be inefficient and inadequate, but it occurred to him that he could fashion a grill out of the unwelded halves of a buoy.

It didn’t work well at first, until a neighbor suggested poking holes in it to provide oxygen for the fire.

That did the trick, and Weber grills were born.

Dunnett’s has carried other grill lines in the past, but only has Weber now. “We tried many other brands over the years and we just had too many issues,” said owner Jack Eisentrager.

“There’s this perception

by people that [the bigbox stores] so big that they have to be better priced. A lot of times we’re a better value.”

Jack Eisentrager

These aren’t what you’ll find at discount department stores. Check out a Weber grill and then compare it to any of the cheap grills and you’ll almost certainly see the word “cheap” really means something there.

With grills, you certainly get what you pay for.

“A lot of people, when they go to buy a grill, go, ‘Ah, I don’t want to spend more than $200,’” Eisentrager said.

“But what happens is a year and a half, two years, three years down the road, they’re out buying another grill.”

The entry-level grill at Dunnett’s is $399, built like a tank, and loaded with warranties that cheap grills can only dream about. A typical grill has a one-year warranty, and when they start coming apart, you’re plagued with many factors: no more warranty, can’t find replacement parts, too expensive when you do find them, and so on.

Weber warranties things like aluminum castings and stainless-steel and porcelain-enameled shrouds for 25

years. You’ll get 10 years on stainless-steel burner tubes, and 2-5 years on smaller parts such as rotisseries, grates, and flavorizer bars. And if you do need a replacement part that’s under warranty, all you have to do is call a toll-free number and Weber will ship it directly to you without the need for a service call.

“There are a lot of price points out there and a lot of different qualities, but Weber is a good investment,” Eisentrager said. “The inconvenience of having to buy a grill every couple of years — why not have one good one that’s going to last 5 years or longer?”

Of course, Dunnett’s has always been careful about carrying only quality products that hold up well.

The store never jumps on the bandwagon when a new product line appears, no matter what kind of product. For example, when Samsung and LG began making appliances, Dunnett’s waited cautiously.

“We let a period of Photo courtesy of Weber-Stephen Products time go by to read about Weber calls the Spirit series the “best entry-level stationary cart gas grill on the market.” This model features stainless-steel cooking grates (instead of porcelainthem, to hear about them, enameled). Its various parts carry warranties from 2 to 25 years, in contrast to the typical one-year warranty across the board for typical cheap big-box grills. and to see how they’d be rated before we decided to take them on — just up all the extra fees you incur at a big-box store, get serviced. In fact, Dunnett’s fields regular requests to make sure that we weren’t getting ourselves into what seemed like a great deal suddenly isn’t so great. from big-box stores that want Dunnett’s to pick up a bad situation by selling products that weren’t And often it wasn’t a great deal in the first place. their service contracts. But Eisentrager said Dunnett’s standing up to good standards,” Eisentrager said.

“There’s this perception by people that [the bigis interested in taking care of its own customers, and Dunnett’s routinely fends off arguments about the box stores] so big that they have to be better priced,” certainly not helping the big-box competition succeed. big-box competition for major appliances, as many Eisentrager said. “A lot of times we’re a better value.”

“We’re fortunate that we’ve been here as long as we people assume it’s cheaper at the big-box stores. But And, of course, Dunnett’s has an experienced have and built a clientele of people,” Eisentrager said.

Dunnett’s is part of the largest buying group in the staff, with employees ranging from 5 to 34 years “A lot of parents bring their kids in when they’re doing country, which keeps its prices competitive with the there. They aren’t working minimum-wage jobs their first home and introduce us, because they want big-box competition, and if not they’ll price match. and won’t likely be gone when you come in next them to buy here and they know the difference.”

But Eisentrager stressed that there’s a lot more to like you’re apt to find in the big-box world.

Besides the Weber grills, Dunnett’s carries a wide a major appliance than just the sticker price.

The biggest deciding factor, he said, is service: array of other major appliances. Purchases of Energy For example, big-box stoves don’t often include range Dunnett’s services what it sells. The big-box stores often Star-certified appliances are eligible for a $50 rebate cords, dryer cords, venting, delivery, and free-standing don’t, and buyers aren’t aware that their appliances through Efficiency Maine at least through June. installation, all things Dunnett’s does. When you add might have to ship out of state at their expense to

bangordailynews.com/living | Saturday, March 31, 2012 | Perspective

Hearing Facts that

Adolescent Hearing Loss

Everyone should know

BY ARA

W

hen it comes to our health, many Americans have two realities: what we know and what we think we know.

When what we think we know is less than accurate, it can be as harmful to our health as the things we don't know at all. Perceptions about hearing loss are a good example of this phenomenon.

You may think you already know a lot about hearing loss and treatment, but some of the facts surrounding this prevalent problem — for instance that, according to the Better Hearing Institute, 11 percent of Americans report having hearing difficulties — could surprise you. Here are some realities that may make you reconsider what you think you know about your hearing, what puts it at risk and what you can do if you suffer a hearing loss:

Surprising fact No.1 Not everyone who has hearing loss is old. In fact, most people with hearing problems (65 percent) are younger than 65, BHI reports. And, more children and teenagers are experiencing hearing loss. Nearly one in five American teens now has some level of hearing loss, according to a 2010 study by researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

While you may think the volume dial on Johnny's iPod is directly related to his hearing problems, there's more to the story, researchers say. Which leads to the next fact.

Surprising fact No. 2 Threats to our hearing lurk in places you might not expect. Protecting your ears while engaging in activities you know are loud — such as attending a rock concert or a visiting a shooting range — is only

the start. Gradual hearing damage can begin to occur with prolonged exposure to sounds of just 85 decibelsroughly the volume generated by a kitchen blender.

So while that MP3 player may be a contributing factor to a child's hearing loss, it's not the only one. In fact, very loud toys — those that emit 90 decibels or more — can be a risk factor, too, according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Hearing experts take the toy risk so seriously, that every November the Sight and Hearing Association publishes a list of the noisiest toys.

Surprising fact No. 3 Loud noise isn't the only thing that can damage hearing. In reality, many outside factors — from some medications to a blow to the head — can cause hearing loss. Pressure differences between the inside and outside of the eardrum can be harmful, putting SCUBA divers and frequent flyers at risk.

Diseases like sickle cell anemia, kidney disease, toxoplasmosis and even herpes have been linked to hearing loss. Chemotherapy drugs, loop diuretics and some antibiotics also can affect your hearing. Even large quantities of aspirin (salicylates) may cause hearing loss.

Surprising fact No. 5 Hearing aids change lives. Technology has made modern hearing aids more effective, versatile, convenient and discreet than ever before. Advances like completelyin-canal styles make it virtually impossible for observers to know if someone is wearing a hearing aid.

Surprising fact No. 6 Despite the prevalence of hearing loss, less than 15 percent of American adults who get a physical exam this year will also have their hearing screened by their physician or nurse during that exam, a BHI survey indicates.

"The vast majority of doctors in today's health care system don't include hearing health as a routine part of annual exams, despite the fact that more than 95 percent of those with hearing loss could benefit from hearing aids," Dr. Sergei Kochkin, executive director of BHI, said in a press release announcing the survey.

Surprising fact No. 4 Hearing loss not only affects your ability to hear and your quality of life, it may even hurt your earning potential. The BHI reports that untreated hearing loss may decrease your income by up to $30,000 a year. The good news is that treating hearing loss with hearing aids can reduce the risk to your income by 90 to 100 percent if your hearing loss is mild, and from 65 to 77 percent if it's moderate to severe. Which leads to fact five.

ARA Photo

Protect Your Hearing

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BY House Ear Institute

s people age, certain ailments or conditions are considered part of the territory. For example, athletes understand the need to start pulling back as they age, altering their training in an effort to ease the toll exercise can take on their body. Also, many seniors make sure to drink enough milk as they age to keep their bones strong.

Another ailment or condition adults often expect as they age is a gradual loss of hearing. While hearing loss is widely considered a product of old age, young people, adults and children included, can actually take steps to

protect their hearing long before they're considering retirement. And it's important young people do just that. According to the House Ear Institute, roughly 32.5 million people in the United States alone have a hearing loss, approximately 30 percent of which is a direct result of exposure to excessive noises.

Thought it might seem early for young people to start protecting their hearing, it's never too early to do just that. The following means to protecting hearing can help bury the misconception that hearing loss is a fact of life when reaching older adulthood.

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■■ Take "quiet" breaks. Much like professionals who work at computers all day must take periodic breaks to give their eyes a break, it's ideal for everyone to take periodic "quiet" breaks to give ears a rest as well. It's also important to note that ears can be safely exposed to 85 decibels (dB) for up to 8 hours per day. However, the maximum time of safe exposure to 100 dB is just 15 minutes.

Though it might not seem much higher, the effects are enormous. When purchasing headphones

HEARING PAGE 6 

Hearing loss among American adolescents is surging.

So says a 2010 report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, in which researchers found that 19.5 percent of children sampled between the ages of 12 to 19 in 2005 and 2006 had some hearing loss. That's a considerable increase from the 14.9 percent of children in the same age group who had some hearing loss between 1988 and 1994.

What's especially troubling about the report's findings is that once a person has hearing loss, their risk of progressive hearing loss as they age is greater. So even small hearing loss today can, over time, evolve into significant hearing loss. Much of this spike in hearing loss could be the result of frequent earbuds use, which are tiny electric speakers that commonly accompany personal MP3 players. Earbuds are convenient, but many fear that convenience could come at the cost of an individual's hearing, particularly for children, who are among the most frequent users of personal musical players and, consequently, earbuds. Concerned parents can protect their children's ears from hearing loss in a number of ways.

■■ Recognize symptoms. Symptoms of hearing loss include pain in the ears, buzzing or ringing in the ears and even trouble correctly hearing words.

Should a child exhibit any of these symptoms, visit an audiologist as soon as possible.

■■ Reduce risks. Childhood noise risks are many, and it's up to parents to reduce a child's exposure to such risks. The American Academy of Audiology notes that some of the common childhood noise risks are concerts, sporting events, arcades, shop class, and even noisy toys. Avoid giving young children very noisy toys, and encourage them to keep the volume down when playing video games. When taking a child to a concert, avoid sitting too close to the stage, where the noise is often at its loudest.

■■ Promote hearing protection. Noise-induced hearing loss can occur whenever there is prolonged exposed to sounds louder than 85 decibels (dB). To put that in perspective, a hair dryer typically operates at 90 dB and an ambulance siren might be 130 dB. Encourage kids to wear proper hearing protection, including earplugs, whenever the noise levels are likely to exceed 85 dB, such as if they'll be attending noisy concerts or sporting events. Earplugs won't make it impossible to enjoy a concert, and they will provide the added protection kids need.

■■ Turn down the volume. Personal music players can reach great volumes, which can do significant damage. Encourage kids to turn down the volume when using personal music players.

A good barometer is if kids can hear external sounds beyond their earbuds. If kids can't hear nearby conversation while listening to their personal music player, the volume is too loud.

■■ Aside from ear plugs, don't put anything in kids' ears. Don't remove wax or dirt from ears with fingers, cotton wool or cotton swabs. Nothing besides an ear plug should ever go into a person's ear, regardless of how old that person is.

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Perspective | Saturday, March 31, 2012 | bangordailynews.com/living

Sizing your Necktie

BY Metro Creative Service

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he necktie has been an important male fashion accessory for generations. Although it is something many people wear on a daily basis, some men are still unsure how to properly buy a tie.

Throughout history, a tie has been worn as a signifier of status. The tie of today is thought to have originated from a similar design worn by Chinese Emperor Shi Huang Ti. Ancient Romans also wore neckwear that resembles the modern-day tie.

The modern necktie was developed in 1924 by Jessie

Langsdorf. He created a method of cutting the tie on a 45-degree bias and dividing the necktie into three separate parts, which were then attached together.

Through the years the tie has been through many incarnations. During the second World War, silk was replaced with artificial materials for tie manufacture.

Advancements in tie production enabled the printing of images on ties. One of the first images to adorn a tie was a photo of Marilyn Monroe. In the 1970s, neckties were wide in width, while in the 1980s they shrunk to skinny ties. At of the beginning of the 21st century, ties standardized at a three- or fourinch width, which has become classic. Although tie width should still correlate with the lapel of a suit jacket: The wider the lapel, the wider the tie.

Here are some other tips for wearing and shopping for ties.

■ Ties come in two major lengths: Regular at around 57 inches and extra-long at 62 inches. Most people can wear the regular length. However, men who are

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very tall (over 6 feet), should choose a longer length.

The same can be said for men with a thick neck.

A tie that is properly tied should hit on the bottom point at just about the top of the belt line.

It is acceptable to wear a necktie that is a little long.

Some stars are taking to wearing ties a bit long.

However, a tie that is too short looks foolish.

Tie patterns change from season to season. It's best to toss away old ties and update a wardrobe from time to time to stay in style.

Avoid bold colors unless you're really looking to make a statement. Pick a tie that coordinates with the color of the shirt you're wearing. If the shirt is white, go with a safe bet, like a pale blue or a grey tie.

Getting a new tie is one of the easiest ways to update the look of a suit without spending a fortune.

Although you may be tempted to shop at a discount retailer, sometimes

it pays to visit a menswear shop to get the personalized service they offer. A consultant can help you pick out a suit and tie combination that is classic and works with your shape and height.

■ Ties may have been around for centuries, but some men need a little help picking out a size and pattern that is appropriate for their wardrobe.

iStockphoto/Thinkstock

What to Look for in Outdoor Furniture

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BY Metro Creative Service

utdoor entertaining areas have always been popular among homeowners. The ability to entertain friends and family or simply relax by yourself is something homeowners cherish, particularly during the warm weather seasons. Finding the right furniture to match your outdoor area, be it a deck, patio or poolside lounging area, is essential to making the most of this special area of the home. When shopping for outdoor furniture, consider the following.

■ Weight: Unlike furniture inside the home, outdoor furniture will be moved around quite frequently, such as to protect it from inclement weather or changing seasons. As a result, the weight of the furniture bears importance. While you don't want furniture that's too lightweight and will blow away any time a strong gust of wind comes along, it's a good idea to choose furniture that isn't too heavy. This makes it easier to move should a storm suddenly appear and it won't require the entire household to help move the furniture into and out of the garage when inclement weather arrives.

■ Comfort: The whole idea behind an outdoor entertaining area is to have a relaxing place to spend time outside. So be sure to choose furniture that's comfortable and can handle the elements. Metal furniture, for example, might be durable, but such furniture can also get very hot if out in the sun.

■ Versatility: Many homeowners enjoy changing their home's interior decor from time to time, and it can be just as enjoyable to do the same to a home's exterior decor. That said, look for furniture that can be accented with a variety of accessories, so you can change the look of your outdoor entertaining area easily.

■ Protection: Protecting exterior furniture from the elements should be a priority. When shopping for outdoor furniture, figure out if protective covering is available or if it will need to be custom made. The latter alternative can be quite expensive, so you might want to consider more generic furniture that comes with standard protective coverings to make it more affordable.

Photo courtesy Metro Creative Service

With the weather getting nicer, the allure of the patio is almost unavoidable. Choosing the right patio furniture can make your time outdoors even nicer.

bangordailynews.com/living | Saturday, March 31, 2012 | Perspective

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Maps reveal new Plant Hardiness Zones

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BY Metro Creative Service

ardeners rely on a number of factors when deciding on what to plant in their gardens and around their property. One of the most important things to take into consideration is the climate.

Since 1960, the go-to source for climate and relation to agriculture has been the U.S. Department

Photo courtesy Metro Creative Service

Hardiness zone maps courtesy of the USDA and Agriculture Canada.

of Agriculture's (USDA) Plant Hardiness Zone map. In 1967, Agriculture Canada developed their own map that took into consideration Canadian plant survival data and a wider range of climatic variables. The maps remained constant until now.

In January 2012, the USDA released an updated zone map. The map is now more precise and reflects microclimates, heat islands, prevailing wind, elevation, and generally better data. It breaks down the country into 13 unique zones from the previous 11. Individuals who once resided in a particular zone may find that they are now moved into another zone. This updated map has taken into consideration climate changes that have occurred between 1976 and 2005. You now may be able to try plants that you may have been skeptical about in the past.

The new map now offers a Geographic Information System, orGIS, -based, interactive format and is specifically designed to be Internet-friendly.

The map website also incorporates a "find your zone by ZIP code" function. Static images of national, regional and state maps have also been included to ensure the map is readily accessible to those who lack broadband Internet access.

The new version of the map includes 13 zones, with the addition for the first time of zones 12 (50-60 degrees F) and 13 (60-70 degrees F). Each zone is a 10-degree Fahrenheit band, further divided into A and B 5-degree Fahrenheit zones.

A hardiness zone describes a geographically defined area in which a specific category of plant life is capable of growing, as defined by climatic conditions, including its ability to withstand the minimum temperatures of the zone. Summer temperatures are not factored into the mix. Therefore, areas with similar winter patterns and average lows may be in the same zone despite having drastically different highs. Hardiness zones may not take into consideration snow cover, either. Snow helps insulate the soil and hibernating plants. Therefore hardiness zones are more like guidelines instead of foolproof methods of determining viable plants.

Although a poster-sized version of this map will not be available for purchase from USDA, as in the past, anyone may download the map free of charge

from the Internet onto their personal computer and print copies of the map as needed.

When shopping for plants, most will display a hardiness zone right on the container to help you determine whether this particular plant will be acceptable outdoors in your zone. To learn more about hardiness zones, visit www. usda.gov or http://planthardiness.gc.ca.

iStockphoto/Thinkstock

TIPS TO BREEZE THROUGH SPRING CLEANING Spring heralds a season of fresh starts and growth — and what better way to start anew than with a little spring cleaning?

Taking the time to get organized can make all the difference — and it can make the most cluttered closets and dirtiest corners a breeze to clean. With the right tools in hand, organizing any messy space becomes a mangeable task. You can save time and money by getting cleaning supplies, like dusters, sponges and automated air fresheners, at dollar stores or discount outlets.

Still don't know where to start? Try these spring-cleaning tips: ■ Cover the basics. Take inventory of your cleaning supplies. Some must-haves are mops, brooms, sponges, paper towels, trash bags, disinfectant wipes and bathroom-specific supplies. Make a list of what you need so you can get it all in one shopping trip. Many basic and speciality cleaning products are now available online.

■ Tackle the clutter in steps. Spring cleaning can be daunting, so take small steps and approach

spaces one at a time. Strive to find everything a permanent home. Create "donate" and "trash" piles for items you no longer use or need.

■ Use organizing tools. Over-the-door mesh shoe racks are great for storing all kinds of winter accessories — hats, gloves, scarves and coats. Get some sturdy hooks for purses, backpacks and other accessories, and relish the feeling of a clean closet.

■ Revitalize your laundry room. Put a stop to the mountain of dirty clothes that grows every week by getting each family member a laundry basket.

If clothing doesn't make it into their bin, it's not getting washed. Keep your laundry room stocked with detergent, bleach and stain remover.

■ Store items in plastic storage containers. Some winter items will be used until the early days of summer, others won't make an appearance until next year.

A variety of belongings can be stored in plastic containers to keep them organized and out of the way.

BY NEWSUSA

Photo courtesy NewsUSA

Spring cleaning is your opportunity to put a stop to overflowing clutter.

Perspective | Saturday, March 31, 2012 | bangordailynews.com/living

 FROM PAGE 3

or other audio products, be sure to research the maximum decibel level.

■■ Don't purchase front row seats.

Concertgoers no doubt love getting as close as possible to their favorite bands.

However, doing so can prove very harmful to hearing, even if it's only done every so often. When near on-stage monitors or amplifiers, position yourself a safe distance away from amplifiers and other speakers. Musicians can even take steps to protect their hearing by practicing below performance levels whenever possible.

“...roughly 32.5 million

people in the United States alone have a hearing loss.”

■■ Stop going places where raised voices are the norm. Hazardous sound environments are all around us, and should be avoided whenever possible. Loud music concerts, construction zones where loud power tools are used regularly and even vehicles traveling at high speeds with the windows rolled down are all hazardous sound environments. A good rule of thumb is to avoid locales where you routinely need to raise your voice to be heard. If you must raise your voice, chances are you're hurting your ears the longer you are there.

■■ Protect your ears regularly. Ear protection might not be the coolest thing a person can do in terms of looks, but it's as effective as anything when it comes to protecting your ears. Foam, silicone or pre-molded earplugs are all effective at protecting the ears when in an extreme sound environment. Ear protection products should have a noise-reduction rating of at least 9 dB. This should not be a problem, as most products have a minimum NRR of 22 dB. What's more, technology has helped hearing protection products a great deal. High fidelity ear hearing protection reduce all sound frequencies equally, and many people feel wearing such products make listening to music more enjoyable.

■■ Don't be patient if you suspect hearing loss. Sudden changes in hearing or suspected hearing loss should immediately report their suspicions or concerns to an otolarygologist (ENT). Even if it ends up being a passing problem, it's better to be safe than sorry.

For more information on protecting your ears, visit the House Ear Institute Web site at www.hei.org.

Cell Phones getting

Signal Boost in rural Maine

BY David M. Fitzpatrick, CUSTOM PUBLICATIONS WRITER

W

e’ve all experienced it. You’re somewhere in Maine, probably away from the Interstate 95 corridor or the coast, and you try to make a cell-phone call. But — no bars. You drive down the road and get a bar, pull over, and make the call. The bar vanishes. You might get through, but the call is scratchy and jumpy and you can’t hear the other person, and he can’t hear you.

The cause is simple: Not close enough to a cellphone tower, or natural or manmade obstructions are interfering with the signal. The solution is also simple: More power at your cell phone’s source.

Not too many years ago, the problem wasn’t as prevalent with the old-style bag phones, which powered off a car and had ample power. But these days, cell phones with their tiny batteries fit in shirt pockets and just don’t have the juice.

Enter the Wilson signal booster. It’s not much bigger than a smart phone, mounts discreetly in your car, and gives you the power you need.

It’s powered off the car, hooked to an external antenna, and connected to your phone — no plugs, just attached to it with a Velcro-backed pad. And the boost it gives can be dramatic.

“You will be hard-

pressed to find a comparable cell phone booster that is higher rated across the board and works in almost any setting like this product does.”

JOHN KINGSBURY, PRESIDENT WHITTEN'S TWO-WAY

“If you got at least one bar, it will boost it up to four,” said John Kingsbury, president of Whitten’s 2-Way Service, a local dealer for the Wilson booster. “It’s an in-vehicle booster. In the rural areas where you have poor cell-phone coverage, it boosts it up to a full signal.”

If slapping the Velcro card onto your phone is too annoying, another Wilson model is attachment-free; so long as your phone is close to the unit in the car, it will work — and for anyone else in the car using cell phones.

Signal is a function not only of receiving from a tower but having the power to send to that tower. With 3 watts of power, the booster increases your cell-phone signal strength by 10 to 15 times normal. It works with virtually all cellular and PCS phones, and requires no adapters since it doesn’t plug into anything. For phone standards, it works on all generations of CDMA, TDMA, and GSM protocols Wilson boosters can also be installed in your house or office. In fact, Wilson makes specialized whole-house setups to wire up a house, a camp, or any building so that everyone inside has strong cell coverage.

But the biggest use Kingsbury sees for the Wilson booster is its use for those who travel for a living, particularly in remote areas — of which Maine has plenty. “Every logger’s pickup pretty much has these — a two-way and a cell-phone booster,” Kingsbury said.

“Those [pickup trucks] are their offices.”

Whitten’s has carried the Wilson boosters for several years, and they’re proven technology. There are many similar products on the market, but Wilson’s is consistently rated as actually working properly. A quick Web search for various related Wilson models reveals plenty of praise for their power, reliability, and ability to do exactly what they claim. In fact, three of the top ten cell boosters rated on TopTenReviews. com were Wilsons, and the number-one-rated booster is the model talked about here.

“Wilson Electronics is the leading cell phone booster company because they know how to produce quality products and keep their customers happy,” writes the reviewer. “You will be hard-pressed to find a comparable cell phone booster that is higher rated across the board and works in almost any setting like this product does.”

The Wilson booster isn’t just for cell phones, either. If you have a wireless wide-area network card in your laptop, the booster will amplify that signal as well, giving you more reliable Internet connectivity and better data throughput.

“As long as you have a signal, this will boost it,” Kingsbury said.

Clouds in blue sky Zoonar/Thinkstock

Hearing

The Mobile Antenns iStockphoto/Thinkstock

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bangordailynews.com/living | Saturday, March 31, 2012 | Perspective

Spring is the Perfect Time

BE A SAVVY SHREDDER

to organize your paperwork

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BY Debra L. Bell, CUSTOM PUBLICATIONS WRITER

ow organized are you when it comes to your financial life? According to a poll done

by Consumer Reports National Research Center, 89 percent of Americans asserted that they were fairly well organized or better when it comes to their important financial documents”. However, nearly one-quarter had either lost of forgotten about critical paperwork, and 16 percent had lost money or incurred a charge because of poorly organized paperwork.

Sure, organizing your paperwork isn’t sexy or exciting, but being organized can save you money, time, and keep your identity safe.

This spring, make sure you take time to clear out paperwork you don’t need in your home. And it could save your identity as well. Paperwork can be separated into five major categories: act immediately, retain for one year, retain for seven years, and retain long-term, and do not toss.

Pay and shred immediately: ■■ Phone bills ■■ Utility bills ■■ Credit card statements (unless you need them for taxes or as proof of purchase) ■■ Keep for one year: ■■ Bank statements; receipts and deposit slips can be shredded once the monthly statement comes.

■■ Pay stubs ■■ Medical records. Keep longer if there’s a question over reimbursement or insurance.

Keep for about seven years: ■■ Tax records, tax returns, and supporting documents.

This is because you can be randomly audited up to three years after filing your taxes. If you failed to report more than 25 percent of your gross income, the government has six years to collect the tax or begin filing in court.

■■ Documents about the purchase or sale of a home, or payment for home improvements

Keep longer: ■■ Insurance records should be kept for the duration of the policy, plus five more years.

■■ Hold on to IRA contribution documents until you withdraw the money. Shred quarterly statements.

■■ Warranty documents should be retained as long as the warranty is in effect.

Do not toss: ■■ Essential records: birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, divorce decrees, social security cards, and military discharge apers.

■■ Defined-benefit plan information as well as health plan guides.

■■ Safe-deposit box inventory. This inventory should include the location of the box, your keys, and an inventory of all items in the box. Update the list when necessary.

■■ Estate planning documents. These documents include your wills, trusts, and powers of attorney (financial and medical). Also include contact names and information for your legal representatives.

■■ Life insurance policies as long as they are in effect.

■■ Clean your way to a safe ID ■■ Shred it: It can be tempting to just throw away or recycle your paperwork. The Consumer Reports poll discovered that more than 50 percent of the people surveyed said they put documents through a shredder. Another 26 percent tear them up, 15 percent claim to burn them, and five percent admit to just trashing documents.

■■ But anything that can identify you (your name, address and telephone number, social security number, account numbers, and birthday) can also make you vulnerable to

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identity theft. Tear off address labels from magazines and periodicals and shred items that have your personal information on them. Have extra checks from a move or cancelled account? Shred them.

■■ Secure important information: The financial information you keep should be stored in a secure place — such as a locking file cabinet or safe — to keep them safe from curious eyes. Keep keys in a safe place.

■■ Pay online: Another safety tip to prevent identity theft: switch to e-billing and electronic bank statements. Some businesses provide a discount or incentive for switching to e-bills.

Whether you’re a business owner or a private citizen, having a reliable shredder can do more than just protect your identity; it can make your life simpler and safer.

Paper shredders come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and shredding styles. They also come in a variety of price ranges, and in the world of the paper shredder, cheaper is not always better. Here are some tips for choosing the right shredder for your home and lifestyle.

■■ Decide where the shredder will live. Will you be shredding in the kitchen to tackle mail before it hits the rest of the house. If your kitchen is low on space, consider a tabletop shredder. If you’re likely to shred in the home office, choose a shredder that will fit easily in the space. Extra convenience comes with a shredder on wheels.

■■ Choose a shredder that does a cross-cut or micro-cut shred style. Instead of shredding paper into strips — which, with a little patience, can be easily taped together— these shredders chop paper into small bits. Cross-cut and micro-cut shredders are usually rated level 3 or higher.

■■ Overestimate your needs. Get a shredder that will be more than capable of handling multiple pages at a time. And consider getting a shredder that can also chop up CDs, DVDs, and credit cards for added protection.

■■ Test the bins. Cheap shredders will expand to sit over a bin, but you’ll need to remove the shredder head to empty the basket — and bins will fill quickly. If you will be shredding on a regular basis (more than once every quarter) look for a shredder that has a bin drawer or a tip out bin for quick, easy emptying.

■■ Keep pets and kids safe. If you have kids or pets in the home, choose a shredder with a safety feature such automatic shut off if a hand (or tongue) gets too close to the blades. For extra safety, always unplug your shredder when it’s not in use.

■■ Start, stop, and reverse automatically. An autostart and stop shredder will kick on as soon as you insert a piece of paper. Reverse modes help clear paper jams (and they do happen).

■■ Take care of your shredder. Blades will get dull, so make sure to run a lubricant sheet through from time to time. Refer to your manual to find the right sheet for your shredder.

By Debra L. Bell

Photo courtesy of Debra L. Bell

Dog-Proof Your Hardwood Floors Pet parents may resign themselves to the fact that hardwood floors aren't practical. But that doesn't have to be the case. It's possible to have and maintain hardwood floors and still enable pooches to enjoy rooms with wood floors.

■■ Keep dogs' nails trimmed short so that they do not scratch or scuff wood floors.

■■ Dogs that tend to grow long fur between the pads of their feet may need to have that fur trimmed as short as possible. This will help improve the traction the dog will have when walking on the wood floors.

■■ If dog bowls are kept on the floor, use a mat that will protect against spills, drips and slobber. Something that will not allow moisture to bleed through onto the floor is ideal, as is a mat that will contain spills.

■■ Place runners in high-traffic areas so that the dogs have an easier time of walking from room to room.

■■ Clean the bottom of paws when the dog comes inside from the yard so that dirt won't mar or ruin the floors.

■■ Choose distressed-looking floors, so if scratches resulting from dogs' nails do occur, it will blend in with the flooring and not stick out like a sore thumb.

■■ Ask to have a thick layer of clear-coating applied to the floors to further protect them.

■■ Do not encourage doggie horseplay on the wood floors, even if it is humorous watching the pooch slide around and try to get footing.

■■ Consider a floor wax product to improve a dogs' traction on the floors and reduce their propensity to claw-in to get a good grip.

By Metro Creative Service

Be A Grime-Fighter this Spring Tips for Staying Sane During Mud Season

BY Debra L. Bell, CUSTOM PUBLICATIONS WRITER

T

he very thought of mud season sends parents and pet owners into a panic, especially when it comes to keeping the house clean. Dirty paws —human and canine alike — track in mud, sand, road salt and dirt and leave the house a wreck.

But now, prepare to conquer mud-season grime — without losing your mind.

Stage a frontal assault Stage a frontal assault in your entryway.

Every home has one: a breezeway, mud room, or main entry. The first step is to look down.

What sits at the threshold of your home?

A common dirt and drip catcher is a scatter rug. You know, the kind humans use to wipe their feet on. But for dogs and cats, wiping feet is a foreign concept. A scatter rug will help, but when it comes to Fido’s paws, the best defense is a good offense. Keep a damp rag by the door where Fido enters and exits. Wipe her paws, legs, and belly after every walk to remove mud, dirt, and salt. Because mud season can wreak havoc on her paws, she’ll thank you.

For kids, repetition is key. Removing sneakers, boots, and shoes before entering the house will help keep mud season outside. For particularly muddy days, let footwear dry then rub with an old towel to remove cakey mud. For mud found in the crevices of shoes, use an old toothbrush or hairbrush to brush out the dirt and grime. It’s best to do this outside or over a trash can.

For muddy footprints, wipe up with a paper towel or dry mop and apply the appropriate cleaner for the floor type you have. Always read labels before using on your floor — especially when working on hardwood.

“The wrong brand can strip your hardwood floor of its finish,” said David Saliba, of Saliba’s Rug Sales & Service. That can lead to costly fixes, including hardwood floor resealing.

Contain and cover it Scatter rugs made from synthetic fibers are one of the best grime defenders for your home. Natural fibers — think wool or cotton — which are not allowed to dry will ultimately cause unwanted odors. By putting out one or two scatter rugs that can be removed, cleaned, and dried fully are best.

Saliba recommended a full professional cleaning of any rug or entry rug once or twice a year. Professional cleaners have machines capable of removing all traces of soap from the rug and will extend the life of the rug.

Containing dirt, mud, and water also keeps floors looking fresh. For the height of mud season, put a boot tray out next to a chair or bench.

Insist that family members remove their shoes before crossing the threshold into living space.

For even more incentive, put slippers next to the boot tray to keep feet clean and socks fresh.

Don’t have a tray? Find one at the local department store or hardware supply store. Refrain from laying newspapers on the floor or putting a cardboard box down to keep boots from touching the floor. When

papers and boxes dry from the wet muck from the boots, you’ll have a nightmare of cleaning to do since paper will stick to the floor. If you’re truly stuck, put down a scatter rug to catch dirt and water.

Suck it up Make vacuuming or sweeping a weekly occurrence during the height of mud season (if it’s not already). Depending on the amount of foot traffic, it might need to be done more often. Vacuuming will pick up dried dirt particles and should be done before mopping on vinyl, hardwood, or tile. Don’t forget the stairs when vacuuming.

If you walk your dog down the street or anywhere there is dirt and muck, you’ll want to make sure she’s cleaned off before entering the home. Once or twice a week, suck up all the stuff that’s come off of your pup to prevent the build-up of hair and grime. (Did I mention that spring is also shedding season?)

Make it a family affair Ask each family member to help with a task pertaining to mud season. Some jobs include: ■■ Sweeping up dirt, debris, and dried mud; ■■ Mopping or vacuuming high traffic areas; ■■ Walking and wiping down the dog after each walk; ■■ Replacing and collecting dog cleaning towels for the wash; ■■ Dumping out dried debris from the boot tray.

With a little preplanning you can save time, money, and your sanity by preparing to battle grime season before it strikes.

iStockphoto/Thinkstock

Granite Countertops still

Top List

of Home Improvements

BY NewsUSA

D

espite the sputtering economy, consumer spending on home renovation remains healthy. Across the nation, homeowners are investing in home remodeling projects -; especially kitchen makeovers -; either to make their homes more appealing to buyers or more comfortable and enjoyable while they ride out the housing slump.

And one of the most popular home improvements is, once again, granite countertops.

A recent study of 10,000 consumers, conducted by the Research Institute for Cooking and Kitchen Intelligence, found that kitchen renovations remain at the top of the list for consumers seeking to add value to their homes. When the study asked homeowners, "If you were changing your kitchen now and had no budget constraints, what improvement would you make?" granite countertops were among the kitchen features they coveted most.

Many consumers are tightening their belts but remain eager for granite countertops, according to Garis Distelhorst, executive vice president of the Marble Institute of America, the nation's leading natural stone association.

"Historically, consumers recognize that granite

countertops enhance the value of a home in ways few other improvements can," said Distelhorst.

"No other countertop surface can measure up to granite in terms of practicality, timeless beauty, durability and safety. This natural stone has held its value in ways more trendy materials have not."

Consumers continue to invest confidently in kitchen makeovers because the projects typically increase the resale value of their homes. In the last five years, kitchen remodeling projects have generally returned 80 to 85 percent of consumers' investments, according to the "Cost versus Value Report" from Remodeling magazine.

Because kitchen renovations increase resale values, experts agree that if consumers can only afford to renovate one room in their homes, it should be the kitchen. In fact, an all-new kitchen "that looks great and is fun to work in" was the top priority of 2,200 home enthusiasts surveyed recently by Better Homes and Gardens magazine.

"What we've discovered is that the home continues to be our emotional center and the sweet spot of everyday life," said Gayle Butler, Better Home's editor in chief. "Economic uncertainty aside, we won't stop spending, improving and dreaming."

Photo courtesy of NewsUSA

8

Perspective | Saturday, March 31, 2012 | ďƒœbangordailynews.com/living

LIVING

9

Perspective | Saturday, March 31, 2012 | bangordailynews.com/living

UMaine Machias students learn

Valuable GIS Skills

BY BRIAN SWARTZ, CUSTOM PUBLICATIONS EDITOR  more at www.http://www.umm.maine.edu/gis-program.html

Graphic courtesy of UMM

By combining several layers of geospatial data from the towns of Machias and East Machias, UMM student Christopher Frederico was able to create the draft Development Suitability map on the left in the GIS Service Center at UMM. The analysis, supported by a grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, will be modified with community input to help identify areas best suited for development.

M

ACHIAS — Jobs await students enrolled in the GIS programs at the University of Maine at Machias.

In fact, the job demand is so great, “we would love to have more students in our programs,” said Tora Johnson, GIS Service Center director at UMM. “The labor market is tough everywhere, especially in Maine, but these skills give our graduates an edge. In the current economic market, people with GIS skills on their resumes are out-competing other job seekers.

“Many people in the geospatial industry in Maine will be retiring over the next 10 years and will need to be replaced,” Johnson said.

Geographic information systems (GIS) is a technology found everywhere from a car’s GPSbased onboard navigation system to a laptop’s Google Earth. At UMM, “we teach more than strictly GIS,” Johnson said. “We teach and utilize GIS geospatial technology and geospatial science.”

Geospatial technology and science blend GIS, GPS, and data mapping and analysis, according to Johnson.

“Initially GIS was used almost exclusively in environmental technology and landuse applications,” she said.

But “geospatial technology has been growing exponentially over the last 12-14 years” as government and industry “are really ramping up their use of GIS,” she said. Geospatial technology has expanded into such fields as geospatial intelligence and crime and emergency management.

“There is a growing need for workers. Those fields are recognizing a desperate need for people who understand GIS and how to use it,” Johnson said. “Employment has just taken off. Geospatial technology was recognized six to eight years ago by the Department of Labor as among the top 12 fastest growing groups of occupations.

Growth in GIS-related technology “has been caused by broader accessibility of the tools,” especially at the consumer level, and also by “faster computers, [and] broadband Internet,” Johnson said.

To help prepare students for GIS-related employment, the University of Maine at Machias offers: • Two GIS degree programs: a bachelor of science in environmental studies with a GIS concentration and a bachelor of science in marine biology or environmental recreation and tourism management with a GIS minor.

• A GIS certificate program designed especially for employees who need to upgrade their job skills. “That is by far the majority of demand for GIS in the workforce.

Employers really need these skills,” Johnson said.

“We have been responding to that need by developing programs that are accessible to people who are in the workforce and need to update their skills,” she said. “You don’t need to quit your day job to complete our GIS certificate.”

According to a national survey, more than 50 percent of students enrolled in similar GIS certificate programs have college degrees. “They’re adding to their skill sets,” Johnson said.

• In conjunction with Washington County Community College in Calais, an associate degree in GIS technology.

At the University of Maine at Machias, the GIS Service Center is located in Torrey Hall. Students do not spend all their class time learning theory, however; “we focus on applied learning,” with students working on specific projects that benefit businesses, government agencies, and municipalities, Johnson said.

“Students gain this real-word experience either in class or as paid interns in our GIS Service Center,” she said.

“Our focus is primarily on Washington County, on building mapping-and-planning capacity for the rural communities around us,” Johnson indicated.

“We have done work in Hancock County.

“We provide mapping and mapping-analysis services that help municipalities make decisions more effectively and inexpensively,” Johnson said.

“We provide our clients with maps and other services that support decision-making, and our students get hands-on experience.”According to Johnson, GIS students have digitized tax maps in

most Down East municipalities. “Tax mapping has been a really important piece of work,” she said.

“Students gain this real-world experience either in class or as paid interns in our GIS Service Center,” Tora Johnson, GIS Service Center director at UMM

With GIS-based software, UMM students can “layer different kinds of data” to “create maps that provide municipal officials with a lot of information,” Johnson said. For example, tax maps layered “with natural resource data” can reveal on whose land “critical wetlands or eagle nests” are located, she explained.

“With this information, a town can make plans to protect those resources,” Johnson said. In conjunction with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the Washington County Council of Governments, “we have created shoreland zoning maps for many Washington County towns, at a cost of only hundreds [of dollars] per town,” she said.

“This has helped them create their own ordinances and avoid a state-imposed ordinance,” Johnson said.

A few years ago, Johnson and UMM’s GIS students worked with the Hancock County Planning Commission and the Washington County Council of Governments “to develop a Down East Coastal Region Inventory of Scenic Resources,” Johnson said.

“Employment has just

taken off. Geospatial technology was recognized six to eight years ago by the Department of Labor as among the top 12 fastest growing groups of occupations

”

Photo courtesy of University of Maine at Machias

Tora Johnson (standing), the GIS Service Center director at the University of Maine at Machias, instructs a student during a class for a UMM Geographic Information Systems course.

Environmental Liberal Arts on the coast of Maine

connect with your environment.

Tora Johnson, GIS Service Center director at UMM The project “combined GIS analysis and fieldwork to understand which places people were really attached to and to rate … which are the important places to conserve,” she said. That inventory is now available at the HCPC and WCCOG Web sites.

“We also have developed in the southern half of Washington County a Down East Regional Conservation Priority Map,” Johnson said. This project “also involved combining mapped information with information from surveys where people were asked to vote for their most important priorities” in terms of natural features that should be preserved.

Students participating in these various projects have “gained invaluable experience” in fieldwork and in analyzing data and creating digitized maps, according to Johnson. That experience translates to “additional skills that are attractive to employers,” she said.

“The students who have GIS training and are graduating from UMM today are getting full-time jobs,” Johnson said. Classes are currently split almost evenly between men and women; “there are more women going in to the field,” she indicated.

“It’s a growing employment field. The University of Maine at Machias is a great place to learn,” Johnson said. “Our students graduate with realworld experience that employers want.”

To learn more about the GIS programs at UMM, log onto http://www.umm.maine.edu/gis-program.html.

Join us for Preview Day

Friday, April 20

1-888-468-6866

www.machias.edu New England’s Only Public Environmental Liberal Arts College

Perspective | Saturday, March 31, 2012 | bangordailynews.com/living

LIVING

10

H

Hearing Loss sneaks up

Fall into a

BY ARA

BY SHEILA GRANT

on many

Baby Boomers

arry Crum didn't realize how bad his hearing really was until he was hunting one afternoon with some friends. He couldn't hear a wild boar grinding his teeth just a few yards away.

As a 44-year-old husband, father and head pastor of the First Church of the Nazarene in Rochester, Mich., Crum's life was slowly falling silent. When he realized he couldn't fully participate in conversations with his family and congregation members, he began to wonder what else he could be missing.

"More than 48 million Americans suffer from hearing loss, and many of those individuals are oblivious to the small details of life they're missing out on," says Dr. Angela Flores, director of Education and Training at Siemens Hearing Instruments, Inc. "Unaddressed hearing loss can lead to social isolation, increased anger and depression. A recent study from the U.S. National Institute on Aging shows adults who experience hearing loss may even face a greater risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease."

With the baby boomer generation reaching its greatest numbers at 77 million, our nation's state of health is of great concern. The number of Americans struggling with hearing loss increases by the day.

Hearing aids from a generation ago carry the stigmas of being clunky, uncomfortable and ineffective.

And many image-conscious Americans ignore their hearing loss because acknowledging it brings negative attention and a perceived weakness.

But hearing aid manufacturers have made significant strides in enhancing the natural performance, look and size of the latest hearing aids. Even added benefits, such as Bluetooth-enabled accessories and waterproof features, further enhance your lifestyle. Current sophisticated technology enables wearers to distinguish voices from noise and block out background sounds in crowded areas.

"Many boomers do not realize the advancements hearing aids have made," Flores says. "Today's devices are smaller, stronger and offer much more of a pleasant listening experience than in years past."

For Pastor Crum, every day is filled with interactions with people, whether he's counseling members of his congregation, conversing with passengers as he drives the youth-ministry van or visiting someone in need.

But making those connections became difficult once Crum's hearing began to decline.

The cause of Crum's hearing loss? Genetics mixed with a life of heavy noise exposure. He spent 12 years working in an automobile factory and has been a hunter all of his life — a costly combination.

"I struggled for years to hear the details of life — among my family, my grandchildren, members of my congregation and out within nature," Crum says. "Conversations with my granddaughters were often difficult, not to mention conversing with my parishioners in a crowded foyer."

Success came when Crum was fitted with a behind-theear (BTE) hearing aid from Siemens — the Motion 701.

With Siemens BestSound Technology, Crum now enjoys the clarity he needs in communicating with his congregation and family in a variety of settings, as well as the detail he needs while hunting. A handheld remote streamer, the Siemens Tek, even offers Crum Bluetooth wireless connectivity to his television and mobile phone.

"Today's boomers are far more active and technologically advanced than the previous generation, and many of them look to technology to both enhance their lives and solve their challenges," Flores says.

"It's amazing to see wearers enjoy sound with their hearing aids while swimming, biking and living a fulfilling everyday life. But even still, many boomers experiencing hearing loss wait an average of seven years before getting their hearing tested."

Prevention is by far the best option. Flores suggests turning the volume down on your television and mobile phones, wearing ear protection while mowing the lawn and in other loud environments, and having your hearing tested regularly starting at the age of 50.

For those already experiencing hearing loss, go see a hearing care professional near you to receive a pain-free audiogram and discuss your hearing aid options. According to Flores, early treatment can prevent greater loss down the road, not to mention better your life sooner rather than later.

iStockphoto/Thinkstock

I

Bathroom Update

f an outdated, inefficient bathroom is on your to-do list this fall, consider every aspect of the project carefully.

“Some customers are looking for energyefficient products,” said Lori Witham, Hammond Lumber’s kitchen and bath department manager.

“Others are looking for recycled or green materials, or something economical, or maybe this will be their luxurious bath retreat.”

Resale value is a concern for some homeowners; others want to create their dream home regardless of resale potential. Older couples, especially, may choose to do away with a tub in favor of a walk-in shower.

“A real estate agent will tell you not to take out the bathtub,” Witham said. “It depends on how many bathrooms are in the home. If you are remodeling the only bathroom, you definitely need to make sure that it meets all the basic requirements. If you have multiple baths, you can specialize more.”

Witham said oversized showers and soaking tubs are popular.

Custom tile showers allow homeowners to individualize, and to fit odd spaces, but they each require additional considerations.

“Make sure the floor structure is going to support the weight, not just of the unit, but of the unit filled with 80 gallons of water,” Witham advised. “Depending on how elaborate they are going to get, with multi-shower heads or whatever, they’ve got to make sure the well and pump will supply the increased demand for water.”

Homeowners also need to be sure the existing hot water heater is capable of generating enough hot water to fill a new soaking tub. Adequate ventilation must be provided to handle the added steam and moisture. Will special plumbing be needed to accommodate the

this year

bath unit or a particular lavatory style? Is the lighting adequate? Does the room have enough storage?

“The bathroom is usually not a very large room,” Witham said. “It needs to be planned very carefully.”

Upgrades are best discussed with qualified and licensed contractors, plumbers and electricians during the planning process. Check local code enforcement regulations and permitting needs, as well as asking for referrals for reputable contractors and subcontractors to complete any additional work.

iStockphoto/Hemera

ďƒœbangordailynews.com/living | Saturday, March 31, 2012 | Perspective

11

Perspective | Saturday, March 31, 2012 | bangordailynews.com/living

LIVING

12

NESCom places

in Students valuable internships

BY KIMBERLY GRINDLE  more at www.nescom.edu/

Photo courtesy of NESCOM

NESCom student Gino Devaney interned with Clear Channel in Portsmouth, N.H. He now works at 106.7 KROQ radio in California.

N

ew England School of Communications may be located in Bangor, but I bet you didn’t know that NESCom’s campus actually runs from coast to coast. I also bet you didn’t know that NESCom has been leading its graduates to bigger and better opportunities nationwide — or that its students are transcending NESCom’s campus to take their skills into real work places.

NESCom has been busy placing its students in competitive and career-changing internships. With the skills gained in these internships, NESCom is graduating professionals prepared to take on the job market and move to the top of their field.

• Rachel Findlen of Windham studied audio engineering at NESCom. She graduated with experience from the East and West coasts of the United States due to her internship at Conway Recording Studios in Hollywood, Calif.

Findlen said that from Day One, her father urged her to seek out NESCom Career Services Director Bill Devine. With perseverance and Devine’s expertise, Findlen landed the internship of her dreams. “After getting my resume and cover letter approved by Bill, I sent it to Conway three times and kept calling. Finally they had no choice but to accept me,” she said.

Findlen worked 12-hour days while working her way up the chain of command and earning respect from the

professionals at Conway. “Obviously NESCom taught me a lot about audio. Getting hands on experience made me more confident,” she said. “It helps a lot when you have people like the teachers at NESCom on your side.

“I think the most important things I learned at NESCom were more about how to make it in the industry once you get there,” Findlen said. “I know NESCom is one of the only reasons I got offered a job after the internship.

And that’s what everyone is hoping for!”

• Greg Scott Cody of Bourne, Mass. studied video production at NESCom. He is now the technical director for Bruins and Celtics games at TD Bank Garden in Boston.

His internship experience there was a success, for which he credits NESCom Executive Director of Video Production Rodney Verrill and Bill Devine. Cody said they both helped make his internship possible.

“I was fortunate to start my internship during the Bruins’ final run for the Stanley Cup,” Cody said. “On game days I would prepare the control room and cameras before games. During them I would edit a 45-second highlight video that would be played back on the JumboTron during the third period. Once the season was over I began to do a lot of editing and archiving footage.”

Cody said that he met some great people during his

internship and, as a result, was hired to be on the control room staff. He said that NESCom played its part in preparing him for working there.

“I honestly can't describe how much NESCom has prepared me,” he said. “The best thing about attending school here is that it isn't like any other school. We come here to work, and that might be the key that makes NESCom different and well worth it.”

• Robert Nesbitt of Hodgdon studied broadcast journalism. He made his way to New York City to work with 76 fellow interns at CBS Evening News. “A lot of people ask me how in the world I landed such a great internship, and every time I reply, ‘Honestly, it was just a click away,’” he said. Nesbitt applied online and two months later, after a phone interview, was accepted.

“I could not have asked for a better experience. CBS made sure that we worked hard and earned our place in the news room,” he said. Nesbitt worked with other interns on producing full-length news segments and got to anchor a practice newscast at the CBS news desk.

“I've had two different job interviews since graduating in December, and each one expressed how my landing a network internship had a huge part in being brought in for an interview,” Nesbitt said. “I now know that this is absolutely, without any shadow of a doubt what I want to do with the rest of my life.”

• Molly Derrig of Rockport is majoring in NESCom’s newest degree programs, entertainment production. Though the program is new, Derrig still managed to participate in an internship.

“I had an internship at the Camden Opera House over the summer,” she said. “I went in every Thursday (afternoon) to help the production manager with advertising and media publicity. I worked with the technical director on lighting, sound, and projection needs. Overall I had a blast, and they really worked with my tight summer schedule.

“Since they are a rental facility, they loved to hire me out to some of the renters, which gave me some good experience working with different groups and personnel. I ran sound for the Everyman Repertory Theater show and lights for the Camden Civic Theater’s performances,” Derrig said.

She will be one of the first students to graduate from the entertainment production program this year. More

iStockphoto/Thinkstock Photo courtesy of NESCOM

Robert Nesbitt of Hodgdon anchored a practice newscast while interning at CBS Evening News. He is studying broadcast at the New England School of Communications in Bangor.

“The best thing about attending school here is that it isn't like any other school. We come here to work, and that might be the key that makes NESCom different and well worth it.”

Greg Scott Cody of Bourne, Mass.

than half of the EP students have or are currently participating in internships locally. The program hopes to expand to more distant locations soon.

• Selma Basic of Prijedor in Bosnia and Herzegovina studies marketing. She owes her internship to Nancy Roberts. “(She) was the reason I got (my) internship,” Basic said. “As [the NESCom] marketing communications director, Nancy has great connections for students in the marketing field. I needed an internship close to home, and she helped me find it.”

At People Making Good, Basic was given professional tasks to fulfill, including writing press releases and creating media lists. “PMG gave me the opportunity to challenge myself, putting the skills I had gained at NESCom to the test,” she said. “Throughout my internship I noticed a great improvement in my writing

NESCOM PAGE 14 

Saturday

April 21

...what unexpected opportunity is just around the corner, waiting to change all the tenor of our lives — Kathleen Norris

Register online at www.nescom.edu or call 1-888-877-1876

| |

UMAINE 2012 SUMMER UNIVERSITY May 7 – August 17

Over 600 Courses on-campus, on-line, on-site umaine.edu/summeruniversity or call 207- 581- 3143 for more information

| |

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1 College Circle :: Bangor, ME 04401

One of Maine’s public universities

new home:

bangordailynews.com/living | Saturday, March 31, 2012 | Perspective

The Sim’s have a

13

Husson University

S

BY DEBRA BELL, CUSTOM PUBLICATIONS WRITER  more at 1-800-4HUSSON or www.husson.edu

tricken with a variety of ailments, four patients lie in hospital beds. Ranging in ages from newborn to elderly, these patients are awaiting crucial care from nurses. Time, attentiveness, and managing the conditions with a cool head are critical.

Think this is a scene from a TV medical drama?

Think again. It’s part of the Husson University School of Nursing’s “Sim Lab”, a fertile training ground for helping nursing students prepare for real world patients.

The lab, its equipment, and the KbPort wireless simulation data management system were funded by a $285,814 HRSA grant provided to Husson by the Department of Human Services. According to College of Health and Education Dean Barbara Higgins, the lab’s “state-of-the-art technology” enables students to work in a real world environment before they begin clinicals and work with real patients.

In fact, Coordinator of the Nursing Simulation Lab Valerie Herbert said this technology has been at Husson for about six years, but the grant coupled with new purchases has enabled students to be highly proficient and hone their problem solving skills before hitting the real world.

Lab provides hands-on learning experience The lab, located in the School of Nursing in O’Donnell Commons, looks just like any medical ward. Hospital “patients” are hooked up to monitors, IVs, and other medical diagnostic supplies. Each “sim person” can be remotely controlled by the instructor while the student practices technical nursing skills, including talking to the patient.

For instance, Herbert said, if a student is supposed to give the “patient” an injection, the student needs to treat the sim person just like a real patient and explain what is being doing. If this does not happen, the sim person can be programmed to react to the student.

“This lab is really a complex learning environment,” Herbert said. “It does a couple of different things.

First, it helps bridge the student from classroom to taking care of a ‘real patient’. The healthcare environment is extremely complex, moving at a very quick pace. For a student stepping straight into the real thing, it can be intimidating and overwhelming.

Second, the lab helps improve patient safety.”

The Sim Lab utilizes the high-tech mannequins as the patients. However, their “conditions and symptoms” are controlled through the wireless simulation data-management system. From a control booth in the rear of the lab, educators cannot only program what will happen as the nursing student works on the sim person, but they can literally have a birds-eye view of the student as he or she works.

“We can create a similar experience for all students,” Herbert said. This is never possible in the real clinical world.

According to Herbert, that ability is imperative to training nurses for the working world.

“For example, the minute a nursing student becomes an RN, they are expected to care for patients with cardiac events,” Herbert said. “They are expected to know exactly what to do. The same goes for dealing with death and dying. Not all of them have experience with .those situations in clinicals, so we provide them in the simulation labs”

Photo provided by Husson School of Nursing

In addition to the simulation mannequins, Husson University nursing students and instructors practice nursing skills on real “patients”.

“We can slow down the experience to help with the learning process,” she said. “We really work to meet the learner where they are and build their abilities. This lab allows us to engage more with the students and develop real life case studies.”

All of the knowledge for the Sim Lab begins in the classroom for nursing students, Herbert said.

Based upon what students are learning at the time, appropriate simulations are designed.

“At Husson, we look at where student needs and gaps are and then work with faculty to develop the most appropriate simulation,” she said. “We gradually increase the intensity as students progress through the nursing program.”

An inter-disciplinary approach to learning In fact, Husson University was one of the first universities north of southern Maine to institute the nursing simulation lab into its offerings. “It’s a complimentary teaching strategy, blended with classroom and clinical experiences” Herbert said.

“Husson was a leader in developing this.”

Each student who attends Husson’s School of Nursing will rotate into the Sim Lab. And, Herbert said, students are required to sign a contract that says they’ll suspend reality when working in the lab.

“We tell students to treat the simulation as a real clinical day and mistakes are learning opportunities in this lab,” Herbert said.

“This is a safe environment to learn.”

But it’s not just general nursing care that students gain experience through the Sim Lab. All kinds of medical

Photo provided by Husson School of Nursing

In a practical laboratory located on the second floor of O'Donnell Commons on the Husson University campus, nursing students attend to one of the interactive mannequins in the “sim” lab.

scenarios are presented to the students, including a heart attack, flesh wounds, pediatric medical scenarios, death and dying, and childbirth and its complications.

A table in the center of the Sim Lab allows other nursing students to observe their classmates in real time on screen through a camera and audio system.

Feedback is given from the instructors watching from the control room. And the participating student has the opportunity to watch his/her performance recorded on video to critique what was done well and what can be done better.

“The value is as much in the evaluation component as the actual carrying out of patient care,” Higgins said.

In other developments this spring, Herbert said, nursing students are gaining essential experience in electronic record keeping and barcode medication administration, while caring for their simulated patients.. In addition, nursing students will also gain experience with scenarios with other schools, including students from the criminal justice program in an altercation in the simulated ER “The same process on the clinical side is being done on the education side to prepare students to care for patients with these new technologies used with real patients” Herbert said.

Husson’s College of Health & Education is now looking to expand these nursing experiences for students into healthcare team simulations, much like what occurs in the clinical setting. Rarely does a nurse care for patients in isolation, but requires working as a team.

Creating opportunities for our students to perform while working in these teams is vital for the healthcare setting.

Photo provided by Husson School of Nursing

Husson University School of Nursing students are training using state-of-the-art technology in the form of a simulation laboratory. The lab allows students to practice their skills in a real world setting while also being monitored on camera by instructors.

It s not just what I ll be doing.

It s the difference I ll be making.

Keri Holst > College of Health and Education > School of Nursing

Learn about Husson University’s undergraduate and graduate programs in Nursing, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy at Husson.edu

If you are interested in a career in healthcare or are already a healthcare professional with the drive and determination to advance your career, Husson University is where your future begins. Top-notch faculty and cutting-edge simulation labs are just two reasons why. Discover many more, including everything that will make U & Husson such an unbeatable team at Husson.edu.

BUSINESS

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E D U C AT I O N

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H E A LT H

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LEGAL STUDIES

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PHARMACY

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SCIENCE & HUMANITIES

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Perspective | Saturday, March 31, 2012 | bangordailynews.com/living

Get the

“Floor-1-1” from an expert

BY NewsUSA

N

o one should be ashamed to admit it — buying flooring products for your new home or remodeling job can be a complicated task. Since it's not something any of us does very often, picking the perfect style of carpet for your bedroom or pattern of tile for the kitchen can take months of planning. Making the right flooring choices is important since the look and appeal of flooring are essential to increasing the value and aesthetics of your entire home.

As an interior designer for more than 15 years and current designer for Shaw, the world's largest flooring manufacturer, I've noticed some exciting new trends that can help you really personalize your home with flooring.

• Carpet. Gone are the days when blasé beige carpet was suitable for the average home -; a carpet's eyecatching fashion has now become as high a priority as its durability. Look for carpet with unique styling, such as patterns or textures, which can make a statement for many years to come. Carpet is no longer limited to earth tones. Colors like olive, chocolate and raisin can make an average room spectacular. And if you really want to add flair to a room, patterns abound in the world of carpet. From geometric patterns inspired by modern art, to houndstooth and crocodile patterns that are fresh off the runway, bold looks are in. For carpet that's both attractive and eco-friendly, check out Shaw carpets made of Anso nylon carpet fiber-they contain recycled content and can be recycled into new carpet over and over again.

• Tile. The most popular choice today is oversized tile, which creates an open, expansive feel in rooms both big and small. Don't overlook the possibility of laying porcelain tile, which highly resembles the look of hardwood planking and is durable enough

for covered porches and patios. Try alternating colors for a dramatic two-tone effect. To create something totally unique, use different shapes and sizes to make patterns for a more custom look.

And don't be afraid to think beyond the grid -; by laying your tile horizontally, you can create an entirely different look. Even small changes like the color of your grout can give your floor a unique style.

• Hardwood. Hardwood is moving more toward distressed planks, planks in wider widths and exotic woods. Options like teak and Brazilian cherry will accentuate any room with deep, rich tones that generate an inviting feel. Hand-scraped woods or alternating plank widths help create vintage looks, while light colors complement the sleek, modern styles often found in new condos and renovated lofts.

For more information, visit www.shawfloors.com to download a copy of "A Woman's Guide to Flooring" from the site's Tips, Trends & Care section. Also, be sure to try Shaw's interactive online design tool, "Try On a Floor," which allows you to upload a photo of your own room and replace the room's floor with one from Shaw.

 Emily Morrow is the director of color, style and

design for Shaw Industries. With experience in interior design for more than 15 years as well as experience in product development, she travels the world to forecast upcoming trends for the company.

Emily holds a degree in interior design with a concentration in textiles from the University of Tennessee and is an allied member of the American Society of Interior Designers.  iStockphoto/Photodisc

Nescom  FROM PAGE 12

skills. Writing press releases suddenly felt natural.

“At PMG I did real work for real clients. I gained a variety of skills in public relations, which will help me continue to do well in my career. I definitely believe that my experience at PMG will help me find a job after college,” she said.

• Gino Devaney of Salem, N.H. studied radio at NESCom. Bill Devine was the driving force behind Devaney’s internship with Clear Channel in Portsmouth, N.H. Devaney quickly learned that working in radio meant fulfilling many tasks. He worked on promotions, ran the board for Portland Sea Dog games, and worked on production. “I learned the valuable lesson of paying attention to detail and how much each department depends on each other,” he said.

“I got some great insight and experience during my internship as well. The staff trusted me because of where I was getting my education and felt no challenge giving me extra tasks to take care of.”

Devaney is now working for 106.7 KROQ, one of the larger alternative rock stations “in the world.

I can honestly say if it wasn’t for NESCom or my internship, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

“I still learn something new every day, but if it wasn’t for my strong foundation and education, I would have had nothing to build on. For that I am forever grateful to NESCom,” he said.

• Alex Burgos of Belchertown, Mass. studies

Web media at NESCom. He took finding an internship into his own hands; he wanted something near his hometown in Massachusetts.

He utilized his Web expertise to find BlueLuna in Peabody. “At BlueLuna, I was thrown into the mix immediately, contributing to the development of multiple Web sites,” he said. “It felt great, and it was very rewarding to get an internship where you feel you are a part of the team right away.”

BlueLuna offers custom Web site design and development, as well as e-commerce solutions, online marketing, web applications, and content management. Burgos said that BlueLuna gave him the experience of working in a big city agency and helped him take his skills “to the next level.”

Burgos learned that perseverance and hard work were key to making his internship work. “One of the things I've discovered first hand is how much an internship or relevant experience gives you a leg up on our increasingly competitive work force,” he said. “That, along with the interviewing skills and the coaching I've had at NESCom [in] writing resumes, cover letters, and putting together a portfolio have given me an major advantage.”

bangordailynews.com/living | Saturday, March 31, 2012 | Perspective

Husson University

introduces

15

Four New degree programs H

BY BRIAN SWARTZ, CUSTOM PUBLICATIONS EDITOR  more at 1-800-4HUSSON or admit@husson.edu

BDN File Photo by Brian Swartz

Two hikers step onto the rocky cliffs at the Bold Coast in Cutler. Among the four new degree programs recently announced by Husson University is a bachelor of science in hospitality and tourism management. This degree will provide students with high-level skills in guest service, tourism, and travel, all desirable skills in Maine’s burgeoning tourism industry.

usson University will unveil four new degree programs this fall.

Each program will offer graduating students a bachelor of science degree.

The new degree programs are: • Forensic science. Made popular by CSI TV shows, the field of forensic science is expected to expand in the future. Students pursuing this degree at Husson will be ready to work in crime laboratories, law-enforcement agencies, and related medical fields. The science-intensive courses will focus on chemistry, biology, forensic science, and substantive, evidentiary, and procedural law.

“Employers in this in-demand field require a strong science background with excellent critical thinking skills,” said Marie Hansen, Husson University director of legal studies. “Our students will be exposed to evidence law, crime scene processing, testing and analyzing of typical forensic samples in the laboratory, and practice expert testimony in court.

“Husson’s comprehensive approach to learning, which includes hands-on experiences and preparation for certifications, will ensure students are ready to meet the comprehensive demands of this field,” she said.

• Software development. This program will prepare students in developing, creating, and modifying enterprise software or specialized utility programs and in developing customized software for clients to optimize operational efficiency.

This new program is offered in addition to Husson’s current computer information system program,

Cochlear implants improve

S

providing students a new opportunity to pursue a more specific focus on either hardware or software.

• Environmental science. This program will prepare students for positions with local, state, and federal government agencies, private environmental organizations, or graduate schools in scientific or policy-related environmental disciplines.

Students will gain a strong foundation in the natural and physical processes that affect the functioning of the planet, as well as the social and political factors that influence environmental policy and management.

• Hospitality and tourism management. This program will provide students with high-level skills in guest service, tourism, and travel. Advanced hospitality courses, such as food and beverage cost controls, supervision, and leadership are included in the program.

Hands-on work experience in the form of hospitality internships will be a major component to the curriculum.

“The new degree programs reflect Husson’s commitment to providing students with a quality education that leads to a professional career,” said Husson President Robert Clark. “We anticipate a great interest in these offerings because they represent the needs of the workforce, both now and into the future.”

Students interested in enrolling in these degree programs or other offerings at Husson University should contact the Husson admissions office at 1-800-4HUSSON or admit@husson.edu.

hearing for

some patients

BY ARA

training to hear each day, even when using powerful advanced hearing aids? Feeling frustrated and sometimes even exhausted from listening? Whether it happens suddenly or gradually over time, hearing loss can affect physical and emotional health. Being unable to hear impacts one's ability to socialize with friends, communicate with co-workers, and can force people to become more reliant on family members to constantly interpret for them.

By age 65, one out of three people will have a hearing loss, according to the Hearing Loss Association of America. Signs of hearing loss include: • Difficulty understanding speech on the telephone • Trouble following a conversation with two or more people talking at the same time

• Difficulty hearing in a noisy background • Having to strain to understand conversation • The need to ask people to repeat themselves • Misunderstanding others and responding inappropriately If you or someone you know is experiencing more than two of these signs, it could be beneficial to schedule an evaluation with a certified audiologist to learn if you/your loved one has a hearing loss. For people diagnosed with severe to profound hearing loss, who no longer benefit from hearing aids, there may be a solution. Unlike a hearing aid that amplifies sound, a cochlear implant is an implantable solution designed to mimic natural hearing using sophisticated software and state-of-the art electronic components.

Ann Dexheimer, a former certified American Sign Language interpreter and teacher for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program in Sonoma County, was diagnosed with hearing loss as a child. Starting at age 12, her progressive loss started to worsen.

Throughout her career, Dexheimer had taken professional courses and learned about cochlear implants, a technology that is often covered by many private health insurance plans and Medicare, and may be covered by Medicaid. Because her own hearing had worsened, it dawned on her in a class one day that she should consider getting a cochlear implant herself.

"For me it was a no-brainer. I'd seen the remarkable success of children with cochlear implants."

Having a cochlear implant has become more than a

device to assist her in hearing. "It becomes who you are," Dexheimer says. "Some days you don't even realize or notice that you're hearing everything. Then all of sudden you'll have a CI (cochlear implant) moment. You'll hear a leaf hitting the ground and go, 'Wow I heard that!' It's amazing. I'm so fortunate."

To learn more about cochlear implants and to meet individuals like Dexheimer who use the technology, consider attending a free educational Hearing Health Seminar near you. Visit www.hearinghealthseminar.com to see a list of cities in which the seminars will be held.

Don’t Leave Money on the Table! or Grants Available for Maine Residents

$500 + $400 + $50 = $950

$200 + $400 + $50 = $650

“Welcoming baby Rose was a dream come true,” says Lisa B. “When we found out that, as a Maine resident baby, Rose was eligible for the $500 Harold Alfond College Challenge Grant, it was icing on the cake.” All Lisa had to do was open a Section 529 NextGen College Investing Plan® account by Rose’s first birthday to receive the $500 grant for her future college expenses. As Lisa discovered, this is just one of the special benefits available to Maine residents.

Not eligible for the Alfond Grant? A $200 Initial Matching Grant is available to eligible Maine residents who open a NextGen account with an initial contribution of $50. “We moved to Maine when our son Sam was older than one,” says Dan L. We opened a NextGen account for him and received a $200 matching grant.” Dan intends to make automated contributions so that Sam will also benefit from the NextStep Matching Grant up to $400 and the one-time $50 grant described above. “That may bring us $650 closer to meeting Sam’s college costs. Who wouldn’t jump at that opportunity?”

In addition, the NextStep Matching Grant offers a one-third match on contributions made to eligible Maine NextGen accounts within the first 24 months of account opening, up to a maximum of $400. A one-time $50 Automated Funding grant is also available to eligible Maine accounts that receive contributions through automated funding from a bank account or payroll direct deposit.

With dollars earmarked for college, Maine children can get off to a great start.

For more information, please contact FAME at 1-800-228-3734 or visit FAMEmaine.com/nextgen.

All grants are subject to certain requirements and restrictions. See Grant Terms and Conditions for more details. A “Maine account” is an account where either the account owner or the beneficiary is a Maine resident. To receive the Harold Alfond College Challenge Grant, the beneficiary must be a Maine resident. Please remember there’s always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities.

NextGen is a Section 529 plan administered by the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME). Before you invest in NextGen, request a NextGen Program Description from your Maine bank or financial advisor, or call FAME at 1-800-228-3734 and read it carefully. The Program Description contains more complete information, including investment objectives, charges, expenses and risks of investing in NextGen, which you should carefully consider before investing. You also should consider whether your home state or your designated beneficiary’s home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state’s 529 plan. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner& Smith Incorporated, a registered broker-dealer, member SIPC, is the program manager and underwriter.

16

Perspective | Saturday, March 31, 2012 | ďƒœbangordailynews.com/living

Perspective | Saturday, March 31, 2012 | bangordailynews.com/living

Service, hard work, integrity: Not just words at Cross Insurance

LIVING

17

BY DAVID M. FITZPATRICK, CUSTOM PUBLICATIONS WRITER  more at www.crossangency.com

W

hat sets a business apart? Service? Hard work? Integrity? All three, if you’re Cross Insurance. But unlike companies repeating robotic mottoes, Cross Insurance practices them as a lifestyle, under the guidance of its 95-yearold founder, who ensures that his lifelong example of service, hard work, and integrity is followed.

Woodrow Cross first went into business in the 1920s, hooking his pony to a cart and visiting area farms to sell seed and hand salve. At 10 years old, he reportedly regretted starting as a businessman so late in life.

He then ventured into chicken farming, buying chickens and building a chicken house. Short on feed money, he convinced a local storekeeper to extend him credit, promising to pay his bill when he sold his chickens. Woodrow was true to his word.

As a teenager, he worked with his father, who owned several businesses, right into the Great Depression. In his late teens, he entered the grocery business at his father’s store in Bradford. But when his father died three years later, Woodrow took over the store. It was challenging to keep the store alive during the Depression, but the experience had a huge impact on Woodrow’s life.

After serving in the Army in the Pacific Theater during World War II, during which time he was married, he returned home to run the store and start a family. He worked the store for several years before relocating to Bangor in 1954. In his late 30s, Woodrow wanted to establish a new career, but in the meantime supported his family through other work. One night job was at the under-construction Bangor Auditorium, ensuring it stayed heated so the new concrete would properly set.

He also worked as a laborer at Eastern Fine Paper.

When someone suggested an insurance career, he liked the sound of it. He looked into buying a small insurance agency and began learning all he could about the field. Someone else bought the agency, but he continued his self-education and was soon licensed by the state to sell insurance.

Woodrow started working out of his home, seeing customers by day and doing paperwork by night at his dining-room table (and later a desk, when he could afford it). He spent time at the library and talking with insurance companies, learning all he could. His client base expanded, including some of his EFP co-workers. Many of those families are with Cross Insurance today, often the children and grandchildren of the original clients.

In 1963 Woodrow purchased his first agency, hired an employee, and moved downtown to the Coe Building on the coincidentally named Cross Street. His son Royce, aged 12 then, frequently joined his father on client visits — running to the car when his father needed certain materials, helping with the tape measure when sizing a client’s property, and serving as an allaround gopher. Along the way, he learned all about the business, and eventually joined the agency in 1970.

In 1979, Royce’s brother Brent joined the company.

He’d begun in local television, but discovered his only advancement was to go into television marketing.

Figuring if he were to be in sales he might as well work for the family business, he came aboard.

After moves to the old Merchants Bank building and then to Key Plaza, the agency’s real growth began in 1993 when it acquired Fenderson Insurance and its Gilman Road building in Bangor. An earlier Bangorarea acquisition had added a Lincoln branch, but with Fenderson came Calais and Eastport branches, greatly extending Cross Insurance’s reach.

Over its life, Cross has purchased about 100 small agencies, rarely pursuing sales but answering companies offering to sell. Cross spread first across Maine and recently into New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

Today, with nearly 500 employees, there’s virtually no type of insurance the company doesn’t handle, and no New England industry in which it’s not involved — even handling various insurance contracts for the New England Patriots and the Boston Red Sox. At 95, Woodrow Cross still comes to work every weekday from 7 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., and is there on Saturday. And he sets quite an example for everyone: When Royce suggests his father go home early on days when he’s tired, Woodrow refuses.

“He says, ‘No, I can’t do that; that wouldn’t be a good example,’” Royce said.

When Woodrow won an award from an insurance company and was invited to a ceremony in southern Maine, Woodrow wanted to know the night of the event, because he didn’t want to end up late to work the next morning — which the insurance company found amusing. “They came back and they said, ‘I guess that kind of tells it all right there,’” Royce said.

And Woodrow keeps working. “He told me a while ago that he’s planning on working until he’s 100, and then he’s going to re-assess the situation,” said Royce. That’s no surprise for a man who often says he wishes he had the energy he did when he was 80.

At 60, Royce is nearing retirement age, but he’s having too much fun as his job — and besides, the pressure is on. “How can I plan on retiring when my 95-year-old father, who’s planning on working to 100, [is here]?” he said with a laugh. “I can’t leave as long as he’s here.”

Royce’s son, Jonathan, got no breaks for being family. Like his father, he was the gopher, emptying trash cans and running errands. And he remembers very well what his grandfather told him the first day he went out to sell in the mid-1990s.

“My grandfather pulled me aside and said, ‘You have to understand that you’re protecting every last asset that these people have built over a lifetime,’” Jonathan recalled. “It’s a tremendous responsibility. It’s not just to sell somebody something.

You’ve got to make sure that’s it’s right.”

Brent’s son, Woodrow II, is now 23 and, like Jonathan, started as a gopher in the office. And Woody also gets no breaks; family members start at the bottom, assigned to other employees, to learn the ropes. “We never interfere — we stay right out of it,” said Brent.

Like his brother, Brent loves what he does, and loves working with the family.

“Family business has its challenges, and it can also be very rewarding,” he said. “Until I started working with my son, I don’t think I knew the joy my father had felt working with his sons.”

Money saved for a college education

is money not

borrowed

BY ARA

W

hether you intend to send your child off to college or plan to pursue an academic or vocational path for yourself, reducing student debt load makes good financial sense, especially since the sticker shock of almost all kinds of post-secondary education can be daunting.

The net price of four-year colleges has risen rapidly since 2002 and the average increase in tuition and fees at public four-year colleges in 2008-2009 was 6.5 percent, according to the College Board. Twenty per-cent of students attending colleges and universities experienced an increase of 9 percent or more.

Unfortunately, this has occurred against the backdrop of the current recession, which has meant the elimination of many scholarship programs. According to U.S. News and World Report, financial aid will get tougher for anyone hoping for free money from any of the three main sources of scholarships: governments; charities, foundations and corporations; and schools.

■■ Now is the time to learn the ins and outs of funding a post-secondary education.

Here are some tips to help you get “smart” about paying for education costs.

■■ Start an education savings plan. If your children are quite young, or if you are making plans of your own, you may want to consider putting savings aside, taking out a prepaid tuition plan or establishing a 529 plan.

■■ Your relatives and friends may also want to participate in your family’s savings strategy by contributing to your education savings as part of their holiday gift-giving or to mark special occasions such as a marriage, anniversary, or birth of a child. Or, you can decide to set aside any such cash gifts and keep them in an education savings account to redeem later, when needed.

■■ Check out scholarships. Beyond scholarships offered by individual colleges and universities, look for scholarships in unusual places. Community foundations, civic groups, religious groups, chambers of commerce, charitable trusts, public companies, and private organizations also offer scholarships.

■■ It’s also important to familiarize yourself with tax considerations related to scholarships, as scholarships are tax-free on certain qualifying tuition and fee (but not room and board) costs.

■■ Consider the impact of inflation. College prices today are not going to be the same as they will be in the year 2027, when children born in 2009 will likely begin their freshman year.

■■ The College Board reports that published college prices rise more rapidly than other goods and services, a trend that has persisted for more than 30 years. Continuing this compounding trend forward 18 years, this could result in four-year education expenses costing literally tens of thousands of dollars more than an equivalent education today. So it is important to budget and save in accordance with the cost of education in the future and not simply base a savings plan on the cost of an education today.

■■ Plan for the long term. Having a life insurance plan can add financial security for your family’s education. If you haven’t put a life insurance plan in place, now is a good time to do so. For example, should your heirs need financial assistance after you’ve passed away, a life insurance benefit could be used to help pay for their post-secondary education.

■■ By taking these steps and seeking help from qualified financial advisors, you have a better chance of making your family members’ postsecondary education as debt-free as possible.

“‘Family business has its challenges,

and it can also be very rewarding,’ he said. ‘Until I started working with my son, I don’t think I knew the joy my father had felt working with his sons.’”

BRENT CROSS, MANAGER

Photo by Terry Farren, www.farrenphotography.com

Woodrow Cross, 95 (front) poses with some of his family and co-workers: his son Brent, left, and son Royce, right. Royce’s son, Jonathan, is in the back.

18

Perspective | Saturday, March 31, 2012 | bangordailynews.com/living

Online sources help campers

connect with the best place to stay

BY BRIAN SWARTZ, CUSTOM PUBLICATIONS EDITOR  more at www.campmaine.com

Have tent, trailer, or RV, will travel But where to?

From York County to Aroostook County, a few hundred campgrounds dot Maine’s magnificent landscape and offer campers every potential camping experience in the great Pine Tree State: ■■ Want to awaken to a gorgeous ocean sunrise? Somewhere between Kittery and Eastport, a seaside campground offers the “perfect” eastward facing site.

■■ Want to participate in a nose-to-nose discussion with a bull moose? Somewhere between Gilead and Calais, somewhere between Rangeley and Greenville and Millinocket and St. Agatha lies a campground through which moose, deer, the occasional black bear, and other furred and feathered critters often travel.

■■ Want to camp near the big city lights? Just minutes from Portland and Lewiston and Bangor exists a campground that blends camping amenities with proximity to shopping, cultural events, concerts, and other metropolitan attractions.

■■ Want to experience solitude far from the maddening crowd? Scattered across Maine — and particularly concentrated in Maine Public Reserve Lands — are primitive “back to nature” campsites.

So many campgrounds and so many potential camping experiences: How does a camper combine the desired camping experience with the appropriate campground?

The one-stop Maine camping resource First, connect with the Maine Campground Owners Association (207-782-5874), the one-stop Maine camping resource.

Headquartered in Lewiston, MECOA represents 225 campgrounds located across Maine. The association publishes the annual Maine Camping Guide (available at January and February camping shows in Maine) and maintains an informative Web site at www.campmaine. com. Both sources provide campers with all the pertinent information about MECOA campgrounds: ■■ Using the eight county-based regions (South Coast, Downeast & Acadia, Katahdin & Moosehead & Highlands, etc.) developed by the Maine Office of Tourism, MECOA breaks down its campground listings by region.

■■ For each region, the Maine Camping Guide provides a full-color map marked with colored

BDN File Photo by Gabor Degre

Children ride their bicycles at the Timberland Acres RV Park in Trenton on a warm summer’s day. and numbered squares that correspond to campground listings printed in a detailed chart on the opposite page. Listing each campground’s name, municipality, and phone number, the chart also indicates the available amenities and services, from “store” and “laundry” and “swimming pool” to maximum site amperage and RV length to total campground sites and inclusive seasonal dates.

■■ The MECOA Web site offers an “Interactive Guidebook” link and an interactive “Find A Campground” map that lets a camper click on a map or information link for each region. The “info” link provides three more links: a regional map, a campground list, and an attractions list.

Using the campground list, a camper can click on either a campground’s Web site or a “View Listing” link that offers basic campground information. Not all MECOA campgrounds offer a link to www.campmaine.com.

The Maine Camping Guide and MECOA Web site also provide detailed information about regional attractions, including museums, festivals, historic sites, state fairs, and amusements.

Campground contacts Second, connect with specific campgrounds. After using the MECOA resources to determine which campgrounds to contact, check out each facility’s Maine Camping Guide or online ad and each campground’s Web site.

These sources all provide pertinent information, with many ads or Web sites also incorporating color photos. Such images convincingly convey key details that confirm the printed word; for example, if a campground boasts a sand beach, a color photo can corroborate that assertion.

By phone or email, contact individual campgrounds.

Ask questions about sites, facilities, and programs.

Sometimes a phone conversation or email Q & A reveals information not found in an ad or online.

Personal contacts Third, ask other campers — almost every Mainer knows someone who camps — about which campgrounds they prefer — and why.

Some (not all) campgrounds appeal to specific market segments: families, RVers, pet owners, water lovers, etc. Experienced campers probably know which campgrounds are family friendly, enforce quiet times, or offer full water amenities (i.e., rental boats and canoes, fishing gear, and delineated swimming areas).

To draw hard-earned knowledge from experienced campers, get ’em talking and listen well. They’re happy to pass along useful tips.

bangordailynews.com/living | Saturday, March 31, 2012 | Perspective

Passenger counts, travel routes

A

expand at

BIA

BY BRIAN SWARTZ, CUSTOM PUBLICATIONS EDITOR  more at www.flybangor.com

fter Anthony Caruso replaced Rebecca Hupp at the Bangor International Airport helm on March 17, passengers noticed no change in airport operations.

In fact, travel choices are increasing at BIA, which saw its passenger count increase 11 percent in 2011.

The BIA director since December 2001, Hupp announced on Friday, Jan. 20 that she had accepted a position as director at Boise Airport in Boise, Idaho, effective April 2. Caruso, who has served as BIA’s assistant director for almost a decade, was named BIA’s interim director effective Saturday, March 17.

“Tony has been the assistant director for almost 10 years and has filled in during the director’s absences,” Bangor City Manager Catherine Conlow said while announcing Caruso’s appointment in early February.

“I am confident he will lead the team … while we execute our search to fill the airport director position.”

With Canadian passengers helping to fill passenger seats, airlines are adding capacity at BIA. On Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011, Allegiant Air inaugurated direct, non-stop jet service between Bangor and Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Speaking shortly before Allegiant Flight 941 landed from Fort Lauderdale, Hupp said that BIA officials had worked with Allegiant “two to three years to develop this route.” Allegiant already flew similar non-stop flights from Bangor to Orlando/ Sanford Airport and Tampa/St. Petersburg Airport.

BDN File Photo by Kevin Bennett

Passengers board a US Airways regional jet at Bangor International Airport.

According to Hupp, adding Fort Lauderdale made sense. “Florida is one of our top destinations,” she explained. “Fort Lauderdale is always in our top 10 destinations. There is always a market for Fort Lauderdale; it is a popular cruise embarkation point and destination for snowbirds.”

Flying MD-80s, Allegiant offers two weekly Bangorto-Fort Lauderdale flights. A third flight could

possibly be added if passenger traffic increases.

On Sunday, March 25, US Airways inaugurated nonstop daily flights between BIA and Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. Through its US Airways Express partner Air Wisconsin, the airline provided only weekend service between the two airports.

The new daily service utilizes 50-seat CRJ-200 regional jets to fly two outgoing and two incoming flights. The current BIA-Reagan National schedule is: ■■ Flight 3887 departs Bangor at 8:59 a.m. and lands in Washington at 11 a.m.; ■■ Flight 3884 leaves Washington at 10:05 a.m. and arrives in Bangor at 11:54 a.m.; ■■ Flight 3779 departs Bangor at 12:20 p.m. and lands in Washington at 2:18 p.m.; ■■ Flight 3806 leaves Washington at 10 p.m. and lands in Bangor at 11:45 p.m.

Effective March 25, US Airways also added a fourth daily roundtrip between BIA and Philadelphia International Airport. The flight leaves Philadelphia at 3:45 p.m., lands in Bangor at 5:21 p.m., leaves Bangor at 6:11 p.m., and lands in Philadelphia at 7:55 p.m.

The new Bangor-Washington connection should boost BIA traffic, which rose to more than 429,000 passengers in 2011. Of that number, December saw 31,282 passengers utilize BIA. January 2012 saw the airport’s passenger count rise 15.8 percent over January 2011.

“Really, the key driver is the load factor in terms of percentage of filled seats,” Caruso said.

“I think certainly these are some very pleasing numbers. Certainly the demand is there.”

Other changes recently taking place at BIA have included upgrades to passenger screening. On Jan. 25, the Transportation Security Agency unveiled a new advanced imaging technology scanner designed “to screen a passenger for any metallic or nonmetallic items that may be concealed underclothing,” Ann Davis told the BDN. She is the public affairs manager of the TSA’s Northeast Region.

“It’s safe, efficient, and it points out the necessity for passengers to divest themselves of everything that’s not paper or tissue,” Davis said.

At 4 feet in width and 9 feet in height, the scanner is similar in dimensions to advanced imaging scanners installed earlier in major American airport hubs.

According to Davis, the scanner projects “a computer-generated, generic avatar of a human form that’s identical for every person.

“This is really the world’s best available technology to screen a passenger for any metallic or nonmetallic items that may be concealed under clothing,” she said.

This spring the Sargent Corp. will start rebuilding

the general aviation apron, located outside the BIA general aviation terminal off Maine Avenue.

The project will upgrade the apron’s undergrounddrainage system and ability to handle heavier aircraft. “Currently, we can handle aircraft weighing less than 100,000 pounds in that area,” Caruso

Be a safe tourist by Andrew Daniels The world today encompasses very real concerns of crime, health risks, natural disasters, and terrorism that can disrupt the best-planned vacations.

Travelers need to be aware of the risks they can face when vacationing to an unfamiliar territory.

Whether you are a student going on spring break, a family vacationing together, or are traveling strictly for business, there are some items that you should ensure are checked off of your pretrip list before you depart for your destination.

■■ Proof of identity and citizenship are critical while traveling abroad. Your personal safety, and your ability to travel, will be at risk if your passport and other identification are lost or stolen. Remember to take a photocopy of your passport and other identification with you on your travels. Keep it in a safe place, in the event something happens to the original.

■■ As soon as you know you are going to travel abroad, locate your passport and make sure all of the information is correct. If you were over age 16 when your passport was issued, it is valid for 10 years.

If you were age 15 or younger when your passport was issued, your passport is valid for five years.

■■ If you need to apply for a passport, do so at least three months in advance of your trip to avoid fees associated with expediting the process.

■■ Check for travel warnings and advisories. The U.S. Department of State’s Web site, www.travel. state.gov, should be your first stop when planning for international travel. There is also information about foreign countries’ laws and policies as well as other international travel resources.

■■ Even if you don’t think the weather will stop you from a great vacation, it could delay your travel

told the BDN. “After this apron reconstruction, we can handle aircraft up to 150,000 pounds.”

The federal government will fund 90 percent of the $5 million project, with the Maine Department of Transportation paying 7.5 percent and Bangor paying 2.5 percent.

arrangements or even cancel them altogether due to a natural disaster. Check your destination’s local weather forecast for storms and warnings.

■■ Register your travel plans with the State Department through a free online service at www. travelregistration.state.gov. All American citizens travelling or residing abroad can provide travel and personal information to the State Department so that in an emergency situation, you can be contacted.

■■ If your health insurance does not cover you, there is the option of purchasing travel insurance. This insurance provides health coverage, protects you if your trip is delayed or cut short, or if you need to cancel your trip for one of the covered reasons such as illness or a natural disaster.

■■ Contact your credit card and cell phone companies.

If you plan on using credit cards during your travel, alert your providers to your travel dates.

This way they do not put a hold on a purchase because they know that it is you using the card.

It is also suggested to use credit cards rather than debit cards because credit companies offer fraud protection required by federal regulations.

If you plan on taking your cell phone with you, check with your provider to make sure your service will work wherever you go. There may be an extra charge for international or roaming calls or data services. If you are leaving for a long period of time, it is best to alert a neighbor, nearby family member, or friend of when you are leaving and returning.

You may also want to consider having your house sitter pick up your mail, or you can put a hold on your mail being delivered at the post office.

Bangor International Airport — Convenience...Non-Stop Daily Bangor International Airport is fast, easy, and hassle-free. With shorter lines for check-in and security, BGR is the best way to experience your next business or leisure trip. With daily non-stop service to major hubs, most destinations are only one stop away. New daily service to Washington, D.C. started March 25th connecting you to even more destinations. Other non-stop/connecting hubs include Philadelphia, LaGuardia, and Detroit. BGR also has non-stop service to Tampa/St. Petersburg, and Orlando/Sanford, and seasonal non-stops to Fort Lauderdale.

BGR is dedicated to providing our passengers with the best service possible by continually working on air service and facility amenities. In addition to the added amenities in recent years such as free wi-fi, TV monitors, and post-security restrooms, BGR recently added children’s play areas and concessions post-security. There are also 4 new charging stations in the Domestic Terminal both pre – and post-security for passenger convenience.

For the latest information on flights and fares, and to book your next vacation go to FlyBangor.com.

Summer Travel Tips •

Book your ticket early. Be flexible with your travel dates for the best fares.

•

Arrive at the airport early. With overbooked flights those who arrive earliest have the greatest chance of not getting bumped.

•

Get an advance seat assignment. Usually passengers with seat assignments are only bumped if they arrive late. So check-in online.

•

Remember to bring ID’s for everyone traveling and passports is you are leaving the country.

•

Bring snacks, books, DVD player/computer and movies, and whatever else works to entertain young children especially on long flights.

•

Pack light and check the airlines website to find out about weight limits and baggage fees.

•

Remember 3-1-1. TSA regulations limit the amount of liquids passengers can take through security in their carry-nos.

So keep everything to 3 ounces or less and it all must fit in a one quart zip lock, clear plastic bag. The bag must be taken out and placed in a bin at security.

•

Relax and have fun!

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Perspective | Saturday, March 31, 2012 | bangordailynews.com/living

Protect Buildings against Potential

L

Damage Caused By Wildfires

BY BRIAN SWARTZ, CUSTOM PUBLICATIONS EDITOR  more at www.maineforestservice.gov

ate each year, the Santa Ana winds sweep across California and wreak havoc where wildfires already burn amidst heavily populated canyons and hills. News broadcasts show vivid fire imagery, often of flames burning through dry brush and invading residential neighborhoods.

The aftermath? Homes and vehicles reduced to skeletal rubble, lives changed forever.

For many Maine residents watching the TV news or Internet videos, fleeing a California wildlife is unimaginable. So is fleeing a Maine wildfire, of course, because Maine could not possibly suffer fires as widespread as California’s, right?

Wrong. In 1825 — and granted that’s a long time ago — the so-called “Miramichi Fire” raged across Maine and New Brunswick, burned 3 million acres, and killed 160 people. Both figures are impressive; if the fire had burned solely in Maine, about 14 percent of the state’s land mass would have been consumed.

And many Maine residents still remember autumn 1947, when wildfires burned in different sections of the state and ultimately killed 16 people, consumed 175,000 acres, and destroyed 1,248 homes (including 397 seasonal dwellings). At isolated spots on Mount Desert Island, the fire’s fury remains evident in empty cellars and blackened tree stumps.

So wildfires can still destroy businesses and homes in Maine, although superb fire-suppression efforts usually save property. The Maine Forest Service Forest Protection Division urges property owners to take steps to protect buildings against potential wildfire damage, and as Maine residents build more homes in thick forests, the fire danger increases.

According to the Maine Forest Service, “one area of recent concern is the increasing amount of Wildland Urban Interface throughout the state of Maine.” The MFS defines WUI as “‘the area where homes meet the forest,’” thus placing such homes “at risk from wildfire.

“As Maine communities grow, the threat of a

“Don’t let the warm

breezes and temps of early March 2012 lull anyone into believing that property-damaging wildfires cannot happen in Maine.”

Photo by Bridget Brown

Daryl O'Kresik helps put out a wildfire that consumed multiple acres off Beech Hill Pond Road in Dedham on July 9, 2008. fire in the Wildland Urban Interface increases as well,” according to the MFS. “Fires in the WUI can originate in the forests and threaten homes or start as structural fires and threaten the forests.

“Each year hundreds of people build their dream homes away from the city. These homes are tucked in the woods or abut picturesque wild land.

Unfortunately, in all their serene beauty, these homes may be vulnerable to wildfire,” the MFS reports.

To help property owners protect buildings against wildfire damage, the Maine Forest Service recommends these steps, among others: ■■ Pile firewood away from buildings; ■■ Remove leaves and pine needles from gutters and roofs; ■■ Because high temperatures quickly melt vinyl, install metal gutters and downspouts; ■■ Use fire-resistant roofing materials (Class A shingles or metal) rather than flammable materials, such as cedar shakes; ■■ Extend the lawn to a minimal 30 feet around a building; ■■ Trim tree branches that overhang a house — and especially remove limbs that touch a building anywhere; ■■ Trim tree branches back at least 20 feet from every chimney; ■■ Trim coniferous trees growing near buildings; ■■ Prune trees and branches along a driveway to provide a 12-foot width and a 14-foot overhead clearance for fire engines; ■■ Meet with a local fire-department representative or

forest ranger to determine a building’s “defensible space,” the optimal distance at which trees and brush should be removed to lessen fire danger; ■■ Remove all dead tree and plant growth and thick brush from within the defensible space; ■■ Relocate conifer shrubs outside the defensible space. Replace these shrubs with “lowflammable plants,” the MFS recommends; ■■ Place reflective street numbers on the house so they can be seen from the street. These numbers should be at least 4 inches high. Place similar numbers on a roadside mailbox; ■■ Place a hose on a rack and attach the house to an outside faucet. The Maine Forest Service recommends installing at least a 100-foot hose; ■■ Compost leaves. Don’t burn them; ■■ Install fire extinguishers in a garage and kitchen, two areas where household fires often start; ■■ Enclose a deck, especially its sides, so that natural debris cannot collect beneath it and become a fire fuel source.

Don’t let the warm breezes and temps of early March 2012 lull anyone into believing that property-damaging wildfires cannot happen in Maine. If the spring weather turns dry, moisture-starved fields and woods could quickly become tinder dry, and spring winds could hurl a wildfire at high speed across the landscape.  For more information about protecting

property located in a Wildland Urban Interface, log onto http://www.maine.gov/doc/mfs/fpd/ pages/wui/wui.html. 

Photo courtesy of Maine Forest Service

Forest Ranger Josh Noyes sizes up a wildfire near Pocomoonshine Mountain in Princeton in early July 2008.