Air Quality and Your Health: Stay Aware During Georgia's Ozone Season

 

While Georgia has been successful in improving air quality over the past decades, the potential harm of air pollution is still of significant concern for people living with certain health conditions.

“It is important that all Georgians be aware of the indications of poor air quality, but it is especially so for those most at risk from its negative effects,” said Michael Odom of Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division (EPD). “Those most likely to be impacted by poor air quality should plan their activities with the air quality forecast in mind, especially during peak ozone season.”

GEPD's Air Protection Branch has designated March 1 through Oct. 1 as ozone season in the state. Ambient Monitoring, a program within EPD's Air Protection Branch, provides ozone forecasting from April 1 through Oct. 1.

Who is most at risk from air pollution exposure?

• People with heart disease, such as atherosclerosis
• People with lung disease (lung cancer, COPD, asthma)
• People with diabetes
• Older adults
• Children younger than 18

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that people in these groups reduce exposure to air pollution by:

• Spending less active time outdoors;
• Reducing the intensity of outdoor activity; and
• Planning outdoor activity during hours of better air quality.

To determine air quality, Georgians can visit www.airgeorgia.org for current and forecasted conditions. Another resource is www.airnow.gov, a service of the EPA.

2023 Infiniti QX80: Smooth Luxury in a Large Setting

 

Large, luxury SUVs offer comfort, a smooth ride and plenty of cargo space. You'll find all of those qualities and more in the 2023 Infiniti QX80.

The QX80 has, under the hood, a standard 5.6-liter V-8 engine that makes 400 horsepower and is linked to a seven-speed automatic transmission that produces 413 lbs.-ft. of torque. Rear-wheel drive comes standard, with four-wheel drive optional. 

Seating for up to eight passengers is available across three rows. 

The QX80 has a maximum cargo capacity of 95.1 cubic feet with the second- and third-row seats folded down. It can also tow up to 8,500 pounds.

There are three trim levels: Luxe, Premium Select and Sensory. 

Fuel economy is rated 14 mpg city, 20 highway with RWD, and 13 and 19 with 4WD. 

Pricing for the QX80 starts at around $73,000 and ranges to around $88,000. 

If a large SUV with a smooth ride and ample room is what you're aiming for, the QX80 will be right on target. 

6 Steps on How to Save Money for Travel

If you're looking to do some traveling and planning a dream vacation, it’s time to turn that dream into reality. But first, you have to start saving. Figuring out how to save money for travel ultimately comes down to six easy steps:

• Determine your travel goals
• Assess your current spending plan
• Cut out small daily expenses
• Make extra money
• Designate a separate savings account
• Plan to travel on a budget

Like any savings goal, it requires discipline and commitment. But with the right advice and accounts at your disposal, you can afford to splurge on your next trip.

6 Steps on How to Save Money for Travel

To help you reach your goal of getting away, we’ll explain each step and set you up for success. Let’s start at the beginning.

1. Determine Your Travel Goals & Budget

Any goal needs to be specific, and travel goals are no different. Before looking at the numbers, take some time to map out what kind of trip you want. Some questions to ask before you save money for travel include:

• Where you want to travel
• How you will get there
• How long your trip will be
• The sightseeing you want to do
• How many people will be going

Once you have that information, start looking up approximate costs for major items such as accommodation, transportation, food for the entire trip, tickets for tourist attractions or tours, and souvenirs. Places to look at include online travel forums and airline companies.

When determining those costs it’s better to overestimate a bit instead of underestimating. Your next step is to look at when you plan on going on your trip. That’s how long you’ll have to save for your upcoming trip. Here’s where it helps to break down your overall goal into smaller chunks. For example, you’re planning on flying to Mexico and determined you’ll need $1,500 in six months. This means you should aim to save at least $250 a month, or around $62.50 per week.

2. Assess Your Current Spending Plan

Before making changes to your current budget, take a look at what you’re already spending. That way, you can assess what you can cut out (either permanently or temporarily) from your budget.

Grab your bank and credit card statements and organize each transaction into categories. You can go as far as separating them into “needs” and “wants.” Then assess what you can eliminate, reduce, or leave the same. For instance, it’s not possible to change the amount you pay for rent, but you can reduce the amount you spend on restaurants.

When you do spend money, consider using a travel rewards credit card. These cards allow you to earn perks like airline miles when you spend. So if you’re making essential purchases, you can use your travel card and earn while spending. Those miles could help you cover a portion of your flight.

3. Designate a Separate Savings Account

When looking at how to save money for travel, one of the best ways to save is to actually separate your money.

Separating the money you’re saving for your trip from your regular checking or savings account is useful because you won’t be tempted to spend it (even by accident). It also helps keep you focused since you can see your progress.

4. Cut Out Small Daily Expenses

Go ahead and take a look at your list of “wants” or discretionary expenses and see if there’s any way to cut back. Perhaps you’re currently subscribed to multiple streaming services — can you cut back on a couple of them temporarily until you reach your savings goal? Or can you cook more at home and cut back on takeout for the time being?

Even if they’re small expenses, cutting back on multiple ones can add up. Other considerations include negotiating down your bills — many internet and mobile companies are happy to work with you to keep you as a customer. Taking the 15 minutes to call places like your auto insurance company can save you hundreds of dollars.

5. Make Extra Money

If it’s not possible to cut back on your budget anymore or you want to accelerate your goal when saving money for travel, consider taking on extra shifts at your job or a side hustle.

Working a few extra hours per week can go a long way to help you towards your travel fund, and you don’t need to work these extra hours forever. Some ideas on what you can do include tutoring, dog walking, or being a rideshare driver.

6. Plan to Travel on a Budget

While you’re planning your trip consider some of the following ways to travel more affordably:

• Travel during off-peak periods: Booking your trip outside of busy times can save you big bucks. Another advantage is that there may be fewer crowds, and tourist attractions may also offer discounts. If you have some flexibility, check to see how much you can save compared to traveling during peak periods.
• Use public transportation: Taxis and renting a car is usually the more expensive option compared to taking the bus, metro, or train.  In many cases, buying a public transit pass or multiple tickets at once can net even greater savings.
• Purchase package deals: Let’s say you’re interested in visiting a bunch of museums on your trip. Some cities offer passes that group multiple tourist attractions together for a better price than if you were to purchase tickets separately.
• Assemble your own meals: Even if you don’t want to cook on your trip, going to the local grocery store can yield some foodie treasures. Many will have sections of pre-packed meals like sandwiches, and you can grab some drinks, fruit, and other snacks for a well-rounded meal. If it’s a nice day, throw down a blanket and have a picnic.

Other Ways to Afford to Travel

Some trips are simply too expensive to save up for. If you’re planning a vacation that reaches beyond your savings goals, there are other ways to cover the costs.

Many financial institutions offer personal loans specifically designed to finance travel expenses. If you can find a lender that offers a low-interest rate, you can finance a portion of your trip affordably.

Happy Travels

Saving money for your next trip can feel overwhelming. But when you break down your goal, get specific about what you’re saving for, and find multiple ways of how to save money for travel, you could be surprised at what you can accomplish.

Darwin Wright Park: Lakeside Recreation in South Carolina

 

Darwin Wright Park in Anderson, S.C., is a beautiful lakeside recreation area that features three covered shelters on site with picnic tables and grills. All shelters have electrical outlets and water.   These shelters are available for reservations for $50 each per day for City of Anderson residents, with a non-resident fee of $15 added for other users.  

The park also features more than 25 picnic tables and grills, a beach area by the designated swimming area of the lake, children's play equipment, two restroom facilities, a flying disc golf course and a fishing pier. Diving is not allowed from the pier. Boating is also allowed in designated areas of the lake.

The park has security cameras that can be monitored by law enforcement and the local parks department.

2023 Ford Expedition: Spaciousness with a Smooth Ride

 

Large SUVs aren't quite as popular as they once were, thanks to the explosion in growth of small and mid-sized crossovers. But there's still room in the market for the giants, and the 2022 Ford Expedition shows you why. With a smooth ride and cavernous interior space, it's easy to see why vehicles like this still hold appeal.

The Expedition has seating for up to eight passengers across three rows. Maximum cargo capacity is 104.6 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded down.

The Expedition features a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine that makes 375 horsepower and is linked to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Two-wheel drive comes standard, with four-wheel drive optional.

There are six trim levels available: XL, XLT, Limited, Timberline, King Ranch and Platinum. If you choose Platinum, you'll get an engine that is tuned to produce 400 horsepower and 280 pounds-feet of torque with the same powertrain as the XL model. 

Fuel economy is rated at 17 mpg city, 23 highway for most models, with the all-wheel drive models being rated at 15 and 19.

The Expedition provides a wondrously smooth ride, as you'll almost feel like you're riding in an elevated limousine. And with the roomy interior and comfortable seats, it's a great vehicle for passengers to cruise the roadways in style. 

Pricing starts at around $53,000 and ranges as high as $83,000.

If a large, smooth-riding vehicle with plenty of interior space is what you need, the Ford Expedition might be the right call. 

Kentucky Horse Farm Tour Celebrates Nature and Sport

 AAE recently visited Kentucky for some exciting tours of horse farms. The area is well known for raising thoroughbred horses, so if you have a love for the equestrian set and/or you just enjoy seeing the natural beauty of acres of green grass, rolling hills and wooden fences, this might be a great trip for you. 

Our first stop was Keeneland, a farm and track that is a national historic landmark. The outside walking tour provides a guide who will take you through the Keeneland paddock and grandstand, grounds, and when available, to the world-renowned Keeneland Sales Pavilion. You can learn more about this pillar of the equine industry in Kentucky, and will likely see horses training on the track.

Located in the heart of Kentucky horse country, Keeneland is an internationally renowned racecourse and the thoroughbred industry’s leading auction house. It was founded in 1936, with a mission to continually invest in the industry and preserve the tradition of thoroughbred racing.

 

Keeneland's founders intended it to be a special place that could symbolize the best in thoroughbred racing in the region. This founding vision continues more than eight 

decades later as Keeneland continues to provide racing and sales at the highest level.

Another farm we visited, the Gainsborough Farm in Versailles, Ky., is now open to visitors for the first time. Gainsborough is a nursery division of Godolphin, the international thoroughbred breeding and racing operation founded by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai.

 

At the start of the tour, you will learn about the history of Gainsborough Farm as well as the global scope of HH Sheikh Mohammed’s international thoroughbred operations. From there you will climb aboard an electric shuttle for a scenic drive through the farm with several stops along the way to get up close to broodmares and babies. These mares and foals love to pose for photos and meet new people.

 

Godolphin and Darley were born out of Sheikh Mohammed’s love for horses that began as a young man, when he and his friend rode bareback races on the sands of Dubai’s Jumeirah Beach. Today, Team Godolphin is one of the leading breeding and racing stables in the world, and has won some of the most prestigious races including the Dubai World Cup, a dozen individual Breeders’ Cup races, the Belmont Stakes, Epsom Derby and more. 

Every modern Thoroughbred traces its beginnings to Arabia and the three foundation Arabian stallions that came from East to West - the Godolphin Arabian, Darley Arabian and Byerly Turk. 

Local NAACP Chapter in Florida to Issue Travel Advisory for State

 

Florida's Hillsborough County chapter of the NAACP is working on issuing a travel advisory for the state. The move follows the recent controversial laws implemented by Gov. Ron DeSantis. 

This travel advisory is intended to bring attention to current Florida legislation, say NAACP leaders in Hillsborough County.

"Just educate yourself on what is really going on and why," said Yvette Lewis, the president of the Hillsborough County Chapter of the NAACP. Lewis and other NAACP members agreed over the weekend to ask the NAACP's national office to consider issuing a travel advisory for Florida.

Lewis explained that under the travel advisory, people are discouraged and warned about visiting or relocating to the state.

Florida has made a number of controversial legislative decisions within the last few months, ranging from rejecting an advanced placement African American studies course in high school because state leaders and  DeSantis argued it contributed to a political agenda to a law imposing that books must not contain any bias when it comes to race, culture or socioeconomic status.

The Hillsborough NAACP chapter says it will hear from the national chapter this month.


Information from Know Your Rights Camp was used in this report