AMAC Offers FREE Memberships in 2008.
Discounts for People 50 and Older. |
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(Bohemia, NY) The Long Island based Association of Mature American Citizens, better known as AMAC, announced today that it would provide a comprehensive benefit package for new members at no cost to mature residents ages 50 and older during their 2008 Free Membership Drive.
AMAC President, Dan Weber, cited the economic struggles that many maturing Americans are facing in his decision to provide a no cost membership in 2008: “A growing number of seniors are being forced to work in retirement despite having spent decades in the workforce and raising families. We believe they deserve a break, and that is the purpose behind our 2008 Free Membership Drive,” said Weber.
AMAC provides seniors with a comprehensive package of neighborhood discounts and merchant benefits, and it serves the entire senior population through aggressive issue advocacy that focuses on reducing taxes and enhancing the economic status of maturing Americans.
AMAC’s popular quarterly magazine and merchant directory, The AMAC Advantage, boasts over 1,200 participating businesses ranging from Black Forest Bakery in Lindenhurst, Ace Hardware in Bethpage, Main Street Flowers in Center Moriches and Freedman Jewelers in Huntington. All AMAC members need to do in order to receive their merchant discounts is show their AMAC membership card.
AMAC has been a strong and consistent voice in confronting state, federal and local elected officials on reducing burden of taxes on senior citizens. “We all know that with oil prices rising, health care costs spiraling upwards and the general cost of making ends meet, many older residents on fixed incomes need a helping hand. We want to do our part in 2008, our Member Merchants have stepped up to the plate to help by offering great discounts, and we hope that our elected officials from Washington to Smithtown will do their part as well by fighting for the tax breaks seniors deserve.”
If you would like to join AMAC, please call 1-888-AMAC-006 (1-888-262-2006). To learn more about AMAC please visit them on the Internet at www.AMAC.us.
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Press Contact: Anthony Manetta: 631-265-9800
AMAC Contact: Dan Weber/ Gary Christiansen: 631-589-6675 |
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Identity Theft - AMAC and the Federal Trade Commission |
| AMAC
has partnered with the U.S Federal Trade Commission
in the fight against identity theft. Our purpose: To educate our
members about identity theft and how members can protect their
personal information.
Identity theft is a serious crime. It occurs when your personal
information is stolen and used without your knowledge to commit
fraud or other crimes. Identity theft can cost you time and money.
It can destroy your credit and ruin your good name.
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Identity Theft Video:
Below is 10-minute
educational video that provides an overview of identity theft
and outlines the steps consumers can take to protect themselves and their assets. |
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Deter identity thieves
by safeguarding your information.
* Shred financial documents and paperwork
with personal information before you discard them.
* Protect your Social Security number. Don't
carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your
Social Security number on a check. Give it out only if absolutely
necessary or ask to use another identifier.
* Don't give out personal information on the
phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you know
who you are dealing with.
* Never click on links sent in unsolicited
emails; instead, type in a web address you know. Use firewalls,
anti-spyware, and anti-virus software to protect your home computer;
keep them up-to-date. Visit OnGuardOnline.gov for more information.
* Don't use an obvious password like your
birth date, your mother's maiden name, or the last four digits
of your Social Security number.
* Keep your personal information in a secure
place at home, especially if you have roommates, employ outside
help, or are having work done in your house.
Detect suspicious activity by routinely
monitoring your financial accounts and billing statements. Be alert to signs that require immediate attention:
* Bills that do not arrive as expected.
* Unexpected credit cards or account statements.
* Denials of credit for no apparent reason.
* Calls or letters about purchased you did
not make.
Inspect:
* Your credit report. Credit reports contain
information about you, including what accounts you have and your
bill paying history.
- The law requires the major nationwide consumer
reporting companies - Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion - to
give you a free copy of your credit report each year if you ask
for it.
- Visit http://www.annualcreditreport.com/ or call 1-877-322-8228, a service created by these three companies,
to order your free credit reports each year. You also can write:
Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta,
GA 30348-5281.
* Your financial statements. Review financial
accounts and billing statements regularly, looking for charges
you did not make.
Defend against ID theft as soon as you suspect
it.
* Place a "Fraud Alert" on your
credit reports, and review the reports carefully. The alert tells
creditors to follow certain procedures before they open new accounts
in your name or make changes to your existing accounts. The three
nationwide consumer reporting companies have toll-free numbers
for placing an initial 90-day fraud alert; a call to one company
is sufficient.
- Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
- Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
- TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
Placing a fraud alert entitles you to free
copies of your credit reports. Look for inquiries from companies
you haven't contacted, accounts you didn't open, and debts on
your accounts that you can't explain.
Close accounts. Close any accounts that
have been tampered with or established fraudulently.
- Call the security or fraud departments
of each company where an account was opened or changed without
your okay. Follow up in writing, with copies of supporting documents.
- Use the ID Theft Affidavit at ftc.gov/idtheft to support your written statement.
- Ask for verification that the disputed
account has been closed and the fraudulent debts discharged.
- Keep copies of documents and records of
your conversations about the theft.
File a police report. File a report with
law enforcement officials to help you with creditors who may
want proof of the crime.
Report the theft to
the Federal Trade Commission. Your report helps law enforcement officials across the country
in their investigations.
- Online: ftc.gov/idtheft
- By phone: 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338) or
TTY, 1-866-653-4261
- By mail: Identity Theft Clearinghouse,
Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580
COMMON WAYS ID THEFT HAPPENS: Skilled identity thieves use a variety of
methods to steal your personal information, including:
1. Dumpster Diving. They rummage through trash
looking for bills or other paper with your personal information
on it.
2. Skimming. They steal credit/debit card
numbers by using a special storage device when processing your
card.
3. Phishing. They pretend to be financial
institutions or companies and send spam or pop-up messages to
get you to reveal your personal information.
4. Changing Your Address. They divert your
billing statement sot another location by completing a "change
of address" form.
5. "Old-Fashioned" Stealing. They
steal wallets and purses; mail, including bank and credit card
statements; pre-approved credit offers; and new checks or tax
information. They steal personnel records from their employers,
or bribe employees who have access.
DETER * DETECT * DEFEND
To learn more about ID theft and how to deter,
detect, and defend against it, visit ftc.gov/idtheft. Or request
copies of ID theft resources by writing to:
Consumer Response Center
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, H-130
Washington, DC 20580
FREE Information on how to protect yourself
against identity theft is available to all AMAC members. <Click
to learn more>
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| AMAC publishes second issue of AMAC Advantage magazine |
(View PDF)
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| Travelers Insurance Company - Working
for AMAC Members |
| Travelers Insurance Company, the second largest
writer of U.S. Personal Insurance through independent insurance
agents, has agreed to provide AMAC Members with access to discount
personal auto and home insurance! The Travelers AMAC Member discount
rates are available exclusively through Hometown Insurance Agency,
the AMAC Insurance Plan administrator.
To take advantage of the discounted Auto and Homeowners Insurance
rates that Travelers Insurance Company is providing to AMAC members,
call Hometown Insurance Agency at 1-800-568-SAVE. Be sure to
have a copy of your current policy on hand, and mention that
you are an AMAC member.
"Travelers Insurance Company offers
a wide variety of insurance and surety products, as well as
risk management services, to
numerous types of businesses, organizations, and individuals.
Our products are distributed primarily through U.S. independent
insurance agents and brokers under the Travelers brand."
Competitive Advantages:
* Considerable financial strength
* Fast, fair, effective claims handling
* Well-recognized brand names in the personal and commercial
insurance marketplace
* Experienced and well-regarded management team
* Strong underwriting culture
* Superior depth and breadth of product offerings
Travelers also provides excellent rates on commercial and business
insurance. Travelers is ranked in the top 5 positions in 47 States.
For a no-obligation commercial insurance quote, contact Hometown
Insurance Agency at (631) 567-1011.
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| Sports |
Giants Road to Victory
“Underdog Giants go on to win the Super Bowl”
The New York Giants road to victory in Super Bowl XLII is one of the most thrilling travels in the annals of sports history. Impossible, improbable, immense, call it what you will- the Giants play off wins and eventual victory over the undefeated New England Patriots in the Super Bowl will serve as the benchmark to compare all great football teams for years to come.
The preseason prognosticators thought little of the Giants. The team had just lost their most prolific running back, Tiki Barber, who retired after setting new team records in rushing and scoring. They had a still green quarterback and a much maligned coach.
Here is what SportsBook.com said about the Giants before the season started:
“We really think this team is going to finish in the basement of the division and will be lucky to get to 7 wins, more likely ending up with six”
The first two games seemed to bear out this prediction. The Giants lost to Dallas 45-35 then lost to The Green Bay Packers 35-13. The defense allowed 80 points in two weeks and looked more like a bunch of college players than a team of professionals.
But, against the Washington Redskins in their third game, something happened.
Playing away against an always tough division rival, the Giant defense took control in the second half and came away with a 24-17 win. A new determination seemed to surround them as they went on to win 5 more straight games. Admittedly it was the weak part of their schedule but anyone knows, in the NFL, a win is a win. They fought through the second half of the season with a 4-4 record. The high point was their game against the undefeated New England Patriots.
Since they had clinched a wildcard berth, the game was not as important to them as it was to the Patriots- who wanted to finish the season undefeated. Many thought the Giants should “rest” some of the starters, but the coach and the team thought differently. They would go for the win!
In a thrilling hard fought game that went back and forth, the Patriots managed to eek out a 38-35 win. The Giants stood proud for their effort and brought confidence and momentum with them to the first playoff game.
Tampa Bay was favored. The Giants had the worst odds of winning the Super Bowl among all the playoff teams. After the loss to the Patriots no one expected the Giants to come back strong for this game. Yet Eli Manning had two touchdown passes, no interceptions and with help from Amani Toomer (7 catches-1 a touchdown) they went on to win 24-14.
Next, they had to face Dallas in Texas. Dallas had beaten the Giants twice during the season and again the New York team was the underdogs. Tony Romo, the star quarterback for the Cowboys tried mightily and Marion Barber ran for 129 yards, but it was not enough to beat the scrappy Giants whose defense rose to the occasion with 2 sacks and a last minute interception for a 21-17 victory. A lot of the Giant fans who were delighted that the Giants had finally won a playoff game (in Tampa) now were beginning to see a spark of hope that they could somehow get into the Super Bowl.
Ahead lay the highly favored Packers who had soundly beaten them earlier in the season. The Packers were playing at home and Eli Manning had never done well in the frigid weather. This time the Giants put the pressure on Bret Favre from the beginning. The game was a titanic struggle that looked like it could go either way. The Giant’s kicker, Lawrence Tynes lost a chance to win the game with a missed field goal. The game went into overtime with a 20-20 tie. When the Packers won the coin toss it looked bleak for the Giants. The winner of the coin toss wins 80% of the time. The Packers started to move the ball downfield when the Giant defense got their 2nd interception allowing Tynes a chance to redeem himself. He did, running onto the field when the offense was stopped and kicking a 47 yard field goal to win the NFC Championship.
Giant fans felt victorious just being in the Super Bowl. Again the Giants were the underdogs by 12 points. They had narrowly beaten two 13and 3 teams in a row but no one in the media was calling them lucky. The reporters now knew the Giants had a solid team led by a quarterback who had come of age. Still, few gave them a chance against a team that had just made history by finishing a season with a perfect 18-0 record.
The Patriots were a football powerhouse the likes of which hadn’t been seen in decades. With no weaknesses and outstanding players at virtually every position, the New England team had rolled over their first eight opponents never scoring less than 34 points. Their ace quarterback, Tom Brady, had just set a completion record in an AFC playoff game going 26-28 in passing with 262 yards and 3 touchdowns against Jacksonville. The only thing between their next Super Bowl Championship was the Giants.
The Championship was played at the beautiful University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale Arizona. If their last match-up, won by New England 38-35, was to be an indication of this game, a high scoring contest was expected. Instead, the coaching staffs from both teams had adjusted their defenses to smother the opponent’s offense.
The Giants started with the longest opening drive in Super Bowl history, taking 9 minutes and 59 seconds off the clock, before being stopped on the 14 yard line and settling for a 32 yard field goal from Lawrence Tynes.
The Patriots responded with a scoring drive of their own, lasting just over 5 minutes which ended when Laurence Maroney plunged over from the 1-yard line after a Giant penalty gave them first and goal on the one. Then the ball was exchanged several times, as each team forced the other to punt. On their last possession in the first half, New England was moving the ball into Giant territory when Justin Tuck sacked Brady for the second time with 22 seconds left. The half ended with New England ahead 7-3.
The third quarter was a standoff with no scoring.
The Giants opened their first possession of the fourth quarter with another scoring drive. Led by Manning, who completed a 45-yard pass to rookie Kevin Boss and assisted by three runs from rookie running back Ahmad Bradshaw, the Giants completed a 7 play 80-yard drive with a Manning pass to David Tyree from the 5-yard line. The Giants led 10-7 with 11minutes left.
Everyone expected the Patriots to respond with another score. After all, that is what they were doing all season and how they got to be 18-0. They did not disappoint.
After consecutive punts by New England and New York, the Patriots got the ball on their own 20-yard line with just less than 8 minutes to play. Brady assumed command, completing passes to Wes Welker, Moss, Welker, Moss and Faulk with a 9-yard run by Maroney in between. The Patriots were on the Giants one when Brady completed a touchdown pass to Moss after Giant cornerback Corey Webster slipped while backing up to cover. New England led 14-10. Only 2 minutes and 42 seconds were left to play.
A field goal would not help the Giants. They needed a touchdown to win.
Manning started his team from their 17-yard line. He completed two 20-yard passes to Toomer. Then Brandon Jacobs kept the drive going with a 2 yard run for a first down on a 4th and 1. On their next series, the Giants completed one of the greatest plays in football history.
With a 3rd and 5 on their own 44 and 1:15 remaining, Manning dropped back to pass. It looked like all his receivers were covered when the New England defenders swarmed over him. Two players had their hands on him but he spun out of the grasp of lineman Jarvis Green, recovered his balance and escaped long enough to pass downfield to David Tyree. 32 yards away Tyree leaped into the air at the same time as defender Rodney Harrison. For a second it looked like both players caught the ball, but somehow Tyree pinned the ball against his helmet and when they came to the ground he had the ball securely in his hands.
A couple of plays later, facing a 3rd and 11, Manning found Smith in the open for a twelve yard gain. On the next play the Patriots sent 6 pass rushers after Manning but he was able to find Plaxio Burress in the end zone for a touchdown. The Giants now led 17-14.
The New York Giants had just completed one of the biggest upsets in football, beating the undefeated New England Patriots and winning the Super Bowl!
Postscript: In a special video cast, Steve Sabol, president of NFL Films, showed all the outstanding plays recorded in Super Bowl games. He ended by saying; “The Eli Manning pass to David Tyree was the greatest play in Super Bowl history”.
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| Who
is the oldest G.I. in Iraq? |
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Send AMAC the name and D.O.B. of the oldest member
of our military serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. Click Here! |
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