ARMED GUARDS ENSURING SAFETY OF ORGAN PIPE NATIONAL MONUMENT TOURS

http://azstarnet.com/news/local/border/armed-guards-ensuring-safety-of-organ-pipe-tours/article_ff023cb3-993e-51e2-932d-9fac0015a356.html

7 TRAVEL GOTCHAS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT

http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/today-in-travel/seven-travel-gotchas-you-need-to-know-about.html?id=10767436&source=91&value=2012-03-16+00%3A00%3A00&u=SL6052B80E&nl_cs=10667972%3A%3A7597281%3A%3A10767436%3A%3A

JUDICIAL WATCH: MEXICANS GET FREE PASS THROUGH TSA SECURITY AS "TRUSTED TRAVELERS" - 84 MILLION OF THEM - WTF?!

Where is your 'trusted traveler' program? WHERE IS YOUR OUTRAGE?

Trusted Traveler Program Lets Mexicans Skip Airport Security

• Posted by JessicaM on December 9, 2010 at 8:59pm in News, Issues, & Politics
• Send Message View Discussions

by Judicial Watch, Inc. on Thursday, December 9, 2010 at 12:15pm

As violent drug cartels take over Mexico and expand their criminal enterprises north, the United States has signed a “trusted traveler” agreement that allows pre-screened Mexican airline passengers to bypass lengthy airport security checkpoints.

The foreigners will get “trusted traveler cards” with fingerprints and other biometric data and they must answer customs declarations questions on touch-screen kiosks before leaving airport inspection areas. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano claims it’s a way to enhance information sharing and mutual security in the face of “ever-evolving, multinational threats.”

http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1291143177817.shtm

About 84 million Mexicans are expected to qualify for the trusted traveler program, according to Mexico’s Interior Ministry Secretary, who signed the agreement on behalf of his country this week. Celebrating the festive occasion, the Mexican government official assured that the new accord will facilitate the U.S. entry of business travelers and tourists who are key factors in economic development, growth of trade and cultural exchange.

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7020678731?Mexico%2C+U.S.+A...

Mexicans will get the perk through the U.S. government’s Global Entry Program, which allows participants to obtain security clearance by presenting a “machine-readable” passport or resident card at airport “Global Entry kiosks.” The machines issue the foreign travelers a transaction receipt and directions to baggage claim and the exit into the United States. Applying is easy. Candidates fill out an online application, provide valid identification and answer a few questions from a Customs and Border Protection officer.

While Napolitano was in Mexico finalizing the trusted traveler agreement this week, she also took the opportunity to sign a “letter of intent” to develop a plan for protecting immigrants from criminal attacks as they cross the border—illegally—into the U.S. Mexican officials have long complained that American law enforcement officers stand by as illegal immigrants are robbed, killed or violently beaten. Napolitano has committed to reducing the risk to life and security of migrants, according to the Mexican minister.

BEDBUGS - HELPFUL TIPS ON AVOIDING THEM

Did you see yesterday that they are slowing taking over NYC? They're at the Waldorf.

The management refused to believe the victim until they saw the bites.

When you travel, be aware that they are everywhere, waiting in the dark to suck your blood - even in airline seats (eeeeeuuuuuuwwww - the pillows, the blankets1 and the upholstery!)

Always check for signs in your room - especially the welting on your mattress/box springs.
Little specks of blood on the mattress, dead insects that have been crushed.

Here are the tips:

A bit of information that you might like to know about. We have friends here in our community and one of their sons is an entomologist (insect expert), and has been telling them that there is an epidemic of bed bugs now occurring in America . Recently I have heard on the news that several stores in NYC have had to close due to bed bug problems, as well as a complete mall in New Jersey .

He says that since much of our clothing, sheets, towels, etc. now comes from companies outside of America, (sad but true), even the most expensive stores sell foreign clothing from China, Indonesia, etc. The bed bugs are coming in on the clothing as these countries do not consider them a problem. He recommends that if you buy any new clothing, even underwear and socks, sheets, towels, etc. that you bring them into the house and put them in your clothes dryer for at least 20 minutes. The heat will kill them and their eggs. DO NOT PURCHASE CLOTHES AND HANG THEM IN THE CLOSET FIRST. It does not matter what the price range is of the clothing, or if the outfit comes from the most expensive store known in the U.S. They still get shipments from these countries and the bugs can come in a box of scarves or anything else for that matter. That is the reason why so many stores, many of them clothing stores have had to shut down in NYC and other places. All you need is to bring one item into the house that has bugs or eggs and you will go to hell and back trying to get rid of them. He travels all over the country as an adviser to many of these stores, as prevention and after they have the problem.

Send this information on to those on your e-mail list so that this good prevention information gets around quickly.

Ever lose your travel documents? Maybe this will help.

https://www.accessmyid.com/

Came across this on the Journeywoman.com site as an ad. While it makes me feel like big sister is watching me, I think it may have merits for those of you who travel extensively.

What to do with those credit cards that come in the mail.

Open a spring latch lock. (Doesn’t work on a deadbolt, thankfully.)
Ice scraper.
Paint scraper.
Aquarium glass scraper.
Caulk edger, like one of these things advertised on tv for $19.99.
Shims for tight spaces.
Guitar pick.
Hard Cheese grater–use the embossing side and wash the card first!
Paint guide for tight places.
BookmarkFinger splint, using it to immobilize an adjacent finger or two–until you can get to a doctor, of course.
Cake knife. (Seriously.)
Weeder, to get in the cracks between paving stones and sidewalks.
Straight edge. (Okay, a SMALL straight edge.)
Pick-pocket diverter. Fill a cheap prop wallet with them–use the fake ones you get in the mail–and slip it into your back pocket.
And finally my favorite..cut them up to use as mosaic tiles.
Make a mobile.
Give them to the kids to make cut outs.

Also: Why to pack duct tape when traveling.

Travel Gear: 10 Reasons to Pack Duct Tape When You Travel

We're minimalists when it comes to specialized travel gear, but the one thing we never leave home without is a small roll of duct tape (also called duck tape). Here are some terrific uses you've probably never considered.

Repair broken luggage or tape closed the area where a zipper has failed.
Once you've left the US (and TSA) tamper proof your luggage by wrapping duct tape around it. While someone can still get into your luggage if they really need to, they'll probably skip yours and rifle through someone else's bag.

Use colored duct tape, or a personal design to mark your suitcase for visibility.

In a hotel, close gaping blackout drapes.

Create an extra label for your suitcase by writing your name and address on some duct tape and sticking it inside.

Seal over the drain in a hotel room sink so that you can wash laundry.

Babyproof a Hotel Room

Entertain the kids: Use the tape to outline a hopscotch design or a race track for toy cars.

In case of fire, seal off door & air vents to keep smoke out. Some say that duct tape is more effective than damp towels, and it certainly works better to cover an air vent on the ceiling.

First Aid:

In a pinch, duct tape can be used to make band-aids (with some tissue or cotton), a finger splint (with two popsicle sticks), or to remove a splinter. (Wonder if it will work on jellyfish stings?)

You can buy mini-rolls of duct tape from a travel store, but it's easy and cheap to make your own. Wrap the tape around a popsicle stick, short pencil, crayon or expired credit card.

You can find more tips at Travel Gear: 10 Reasons to Pack Duct Tape When You Travel
We're minimalists when it comes to specialized travel gear, but the one thing we never leave home without is a small roll of duct tape (also called duck tape). Here are some terrific uses you've probably never considered.

Repair broken luggage or tape closed the area where a zipper has failed.
Once you've left the US (and TSA) tamper proof your luggage by wrapping duct tape around it. While someone can still get into your luggage if they really need to, they'll probably skip yours and rifle through someone else's bag.
Use colored duct tape, or a personal design to mark your suitcase for visibility
In a hotel, close gaping blackout drapes
Create an extra label for your suitcase by writing your name and address on some duct tape and sticking it inside.
Seal over the drain in a hotel room sink so that you can wash laundry
Babyproof a Hotel Room
Entertain the kids: Use the tape to outline a hopscotch design or a race track for toy cars
In case of fire, seal off door & air vents to keep smoke out. Some say that duct tape is more effective than damp towels, and it certainly works better to cover an air vent on the ceiling.
First Aid: In a pinch, duct tape can be used to make band-aids (with some tissue or cotton), a finger splint (with two popsicle sticks), or to remove a splinter
You can buy mini-rolls of duct tape from a travel store, but it's easy and cheap to make your own. Wrap the tape around a popsicle stick, short pencil, crayon or expired credit card.

You can find more tips at www.tipnut.com.

(Thanks, Judith in Bama)


Send me your suggestions and I'll post them!