The time has come for the 5th Arizona Travel Blogger Meet (and tweet!) up. Bring your stories, pictures and self for an hour or two of travel talk, stories and bonding with other members of Arizona’s local travel community.
The goal is simple! Get to know each other while developing a more aware/active travel community in Arizona. We’ve got a ton of talent/experience in Arizona and it’s about time we started helping each other!
The meet-up will be Saturday June 25th at 2:00PM. We’ll be meeting at Boulders on Broadway which is located just west of Mill Avenue off of Broadway Road in Tempe. All you need to bring is yourself.
If you’ll be attending, please feel free to post a quick introduction, including your twitter info/website/blog in a response to this post.
Date: Saturday, June 25th 2:00-? PM.
Location: Boulders on Broadway which is located on the North East Corner of Broadway and Roosevelt Street in Tempe. View it on Google here. The address is 530 W Broadway Road, Tempe, AZ.
Coordination: My (Alex) phone number is 480.313.2441 if you want to confirm anything or are having issues finding the meet up shoot me a text/call. I won’t be able to check twitter during the event, so make sure to contact me directly.
Spread the Word: So, here’s the challenge. Let’s make sure we don’t miss anyone. Are you aware of travel tweeps, bloggers or industry personalities that might like to join? Make sure to either send them to this post, or get me their e-mail and I’ll reach out to them.
AZ COMMUNITY – On twitter? See the list I’ve assembled of AZ based travel twitter users here.
Any questions? Post them in a comment – or feel free to e-mail me directly via alex ~at~ virtualwayfarer.com.
October, March (x2), and August’s meetups were an absolute blast and I’m really excited/looking forward to round five! Hope to see you all there.
*Also, please note that I’ll be passing the torch for future meetups, as I’m re-locating to Denmark the end of next month.
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 608-3050
Arizona web directory contains all related useful links in AZ such as business, education, travel, sport, society, computer & networking, shopping & services, health, insurance, arts & humanities, real estate.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Arizona's Immigration Law Hits Tourism Hard Review
The last thing in the world Nevada and Las Vegas need now is an Arizona-type immigration bill.
If the "sin" doesn't undo sin city, the proposed Arizona-like immigration bill might.
Speaking to Travel Weekly, the travel trade publication, Rossi Ralenkotter, CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority lamented that Arizona lost about $90 million dollars in tourism revenue because meetings, conventions and related businesses stopped doing business with Arizona to protest the state's strict immigration law, which many believe leads to racial profiling.
Terrified, Las Vegas and Nevada officials are now trying to thwart efforts to pass a similar law in their state by attempting to block the ballot initiative sponsored by Nevada state Assemblyman, Chad Christensen (R). In fact the Kennedy-looking Christensen's web site touts him for US Senator saying, "Nevadans are on the same page as Chad Christensen when it comes to cracking down on illegal immigration."
That's very bad news to Ralenkotter who pointed out that Nevada has the highest rate of unemployment in the United States (14%), and are desperate to protect their tourism revenue.
Arizona tourism officials, woefully unprepared for the passage of their immigration bill, have urged tourism officials around the country to be very vigilant about immigration initiatives in their own states.
Travel Weekly reports that at least five states (South Carolina, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Michigan) are considering tough immigration legislation which could have a devastating affect on their state's tourism dollars and tarnish their reputations.
Obviously underlying all this is an increasingly compelling need for federal action, says the American Hotel and Lodging Association . The controversies over the immigration legislation and the "hit" tourism is taking in this time of enormous economic struggle make federal action critical, says the AHLA.
In the case of Las Vegas, no one doubts that travel and tourism are the engines that drive the economy.
But on the other hand, will attempts to block immigration ballot initiatives make the tourism officials look obstructionistic?
Ralenkotter replies that they'll do anything they can to make sure travel and tourism jobs are protected.
It's time for the federal government to step in and create a national immigration policy, and stop the loss of of vital tourism dollars.
1390 Market St. Suite 107
(between Larkin St & 9th St)
San Francisco, CA 94102
Neighborhood: Civic Center/Tenderloin
(415) 766-0306
If the "sin" doesn't undo sin city, the proposed Arizona-like immigration bill might.
Speaking to Travel Weekly, the travel trade publication, Rossi Ralenkotter, CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority lamented that Arizona lost about $90 million dollars in tourism revenue because meetings, conventions and related businesses stopped doing business with Arizona to protest the state's strict immigration law, which many believe leads to racial profiling.
Terrified, Las Vegas and Nevada officials are now trying to thwart efforts to pass a similar law in their state by attempting to block the ballot initiative sponsored by Nevada state Assemblyman, Chad Christensen (R). In fact the Kennedy-looking Christensen's web site touts him for US Senator saying, "Nevadans are on the same page as Chad Christensen when it comes to cracking down on illegal immigration."
That's very bad news to Ralenkotter who pointed out that Nevada has the highest rate of unemployment in the United States (14%), and are desperate to protect their tourism revenue.
Arizona tourism officials, woefully unprepared for the passage of their immigration bill, have urged tourism officials around the country to be very vigilant about immigration initiatives in their own states.
Travel Weekly reports that at least five states (South Carolina, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Michigan) are considering tough immigration legislation which could have a devastating affect on their state's tourism dollars and tarnish their reputations.
Obviously underlying all this is an increasingly compelling need for federal action, says the American Hotel and Lodging Association . The controversies over the immigration legislation and the "hit" tourism is taking in this time of enormous economic struggle make federal action critical, says the AHLA.
In the case of Las Vegas, no one doubts that travel and tourism are the engines that drive the economy.
But on the other hand, will attempts to block immigration ballot initiatives make the tourism officials look obstructionistic?
Ralenkotter replies that they'll do anything they can to make sure travel and tourism jobs are protected.
It's time for the federal government to step in and create a national immigration policy, and stop the loss of of vital tourism dollars.
1390 Market St. Suite 107
(between Larkin St & 9th St)
San Francisco, CA 94102
Neighborhood: Civic Center/Tenderloin
(415) 766-0306
Friday, January 6, 2012
Health Insurance for Pregnant Women in Arizona Review
If you are already pregnant, no health insurance company in Arizona will give you an individual/family policy. They will make you wait until after the baby is born before they will even look at your application.
Here are three possible ways for you to find coverage for your pregnancy in Arizona. Please feel free to give us a call at 1-800-600-9663 with any questions.
1. Group Health Coverage
If you have the option to join a group health plan through an employer, that is probably your best choice. The group plan will be required to accept you even though you are already pregnant, and it will cover your pregnancy right away with no waiting period.
2. AHCCCS
If your income is low, you may qualify for AHCCCS, Arizona’s Medicaid program for low-income residents. The fastest way for pregnant women to apply and begin getting medical treatment is through their program called Baby Arizona.
3. Maternity Packages
Another option for maternity coverage is to purchase a self-pay maternity package from a hospital. Because the insurance companies are all dropping maternity coverage on their individual plans, these self-pay packages are becoming a more popular option. Here is a PDF from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona that lists hospitals offering maternity packages. The rates vary, but for a routine delivery, expect to pay about $3,000-$5,000 for your hospital stay, plus doctor’s fees.
Do you know of any other good options for women who are already pregnant? Got a personal experience to share? Please leave a comment below! There are many women who look at this page and would love to hear from you.
1540 W Wabansia Ave
(between Bosworth Ave & Ashland Ave)
Chicago, IL 60622
Neighborhood: Wicker Park
(773) 342-4009
Here are three possible ways for you to find coverage for your pregnancy in Arizona. Please feel free to give us a call at 1-800-600-9663 with any questions.
1. Group Health Coverage
If you have the option to join a group health plan through an employer, that is probably your best choice. The group plan will be required to accept you even though you are already pregnant, and it will cover your pregnancy right away with no waiting period.
2. AHCCCS
If your income is low, you may qualify for AHCCCS, Arizona’s Medicaid program for low-income residents. The fastest way for pregnant women to apply and begin getting medical treatment is through their program called Baby Arizona.
3. Maternity Packages
Another option for maternity coverage is to purchase a self-pay maternity package from a hospital. Because the insurance companies are all dropping maternity coverage on their individual plans, these self-pay packages are becoming a more popular option. Here is a PDF from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona that lists hospitals offering maternity packages. The rates vary, but for a routine delivery, expect to pay about $3,000-$5,000 for your hospital stay, plus doctor’s fees.
Do you know of any other good options for women who are already pregnant? Got a personal experience to share? Please leave a comment below! There are many women who look at this page and would love to hear from you.
1540 W Wabansia Ave
(between Bosworth Ave & Ashland Ave)
Chicago, IL 60622
Neighborhood: Wicker Park
(773) 342-4009
Think Before Filing a Homeowner Claim Review
When we buy insurance of any kind there is a premium/cost to us as consumers. All we really ask in return is that the company providing the coverage do their part when there is a claim. And for the most part insurance carriers do a pretty good job handling claims (in my opinion) overall.
But what is often not understood is the repercussion of filing multiple homeowner claims.
In Arizona, insurance carriers commonly non-renew Arizona home insurance policies that have two (2) or more claims within a 5 year period.
One simple piece of advice can save you alot of grief.
Carry a high deductible on your home insurance policy and avoid the temptation of filing a small claim. One person reportedly had a water claim a few years back. Then, a couple years later believed they had been the victim of a theft and called the insurance carrier only to discover the item missing was not missing afterall.
Even though this person tried to cancel their "theft" claim it was too late. The insurance carrier already had reported it to the claims loss underwriting exchange. Now for the world to see they had two claims on their record.
The result? The client was non-renewed for having two claims within a 5 year period. When they shop for new home insurance the rate will likely be substantially more due to their claims history.
Be careful filing small claims. And be especially careful filing two home insurance claims within a 5 year period.
3535 N. Leavitt
Unit G
Chicago, IL 60686
Neighborhood: University Village
(773) 459-9575
But what is often not understood is the repercussion of filing multiple homeowner claims.
In Arizona, insurance carriers commonly non-renew Arizona home insurance policies that have two (2) or more claims within a 5 year period.
One simple piece of advice can save you alot of grief.
Carry a high deductible on your home insurance policy and avoid the temptation of filing a small claim. One person reportedly had a water claim a few years back. Then, a couple years later believed they had been the victim of a theft and called the insurance carrier only to discover the item missing was not missing afterall.
Even though this person tried to cancel their "theft" claim it was too late. The insurance carrier already had reported it to the claims loss underwriting exchange. Now for the world to see they had two claims on their record.
The result? The client was non-renewed for having two claims within a 5 year period. When they shop for new home insurance the rate will likely be substantially more due to their claims history.
Be careful filing small claims. And be especially careful filing two home insurance claims within a 5 year period.
3535 N. Leavitt
Unit G
Chicago, IL 60686
Neighborhood: University Village
(773) 459-9575
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