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From Senate Republican Policy Development & Research Office January 2, 2009 Take Advantage of "Cabin Fever" Discounts Make plans now to stave off that annual bout of "Cabin Fever" that permeates the air in January and February. Both rustic and modern cabins located throughout 23 state parks will be available at discounted rates, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR). Choose from seven regions and numerous local state parks offering an array of lodging options. You will find rustic cabins that include a refrigerator, fireplace, kitchen stove, and either a woodstove or gas heat, but do not have indoor plumbing. Carpeting, electric heat, bedrooms, a bathroom, and kitchen grace the modern cabins. When booking your lodging, search by region, facility, or park. Be sure to select from among your favorite wintertime activities to complete your stay. DCNR is encouraging you and your family to further explore special winter activities and events at Pennsylvania's 117 state parks situated throughout the state. Access complete details on the Cabin Fever Discount and book your adventure online. You can make reservations any time of the year by telephone by calling toll-free to 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757) from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Years Day, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. New Regulations to Protect the Homebuyer Pennsylvania is adopting new regulations aimed at helping homebuyers to safely ride out the current wave of foreclosures. The new rules for the mortgage industry will require loans accompanied by clear, up-front terms. Sound underwriting practices and improved disclosures will replace lax lending standards and increasingly complex loans. Proof of income, employment, and other critical information must now be documented to ensure the borrower will be able to pay back an offered loan. Problems related to the mortgage loan business triggered a legislative mandate that the Pennsylvania Department of Banking study foreclosure trends and lending practices. The result was a series of Senate Bills that set in motion mortgage reform in Pennsylvania. 2009 Farm Show -- Keeping Pennsylvania Growing The 2009 Pennsylvania Farm Show, set to kick off on Saturday, January 10 and continue through Saturday, January 17, is expecting to see more than 400,000 people taking in the sights and sounds of nearly 6,000 animals, 10,000 competitive exhibits and 270 commercial exhibitors. Exhibitors can hope to tap into more than $550,000 in prize money while visitors take in the best of Pennsylvania agriculture--youth livestock shows, educational displays, and some of the state's most delicious foods. The Celebrity Milking Contest, the PA Preferred Best Chef in Pennsylvania Contest, and the timeless favorite, the Sheep-to-Shawl competition are tucked in between a number of product demonstrations, including maple syrup production, a honey extraction, and cooking. Consider visiting the 2009 Farm Show website before you visit the show. Consult the show's schedule and hours, parking, security, food, emergency medical services, restrooms, coat check, and more for a smooth trip. Click on "Just for Kids" and obtain a list of learning stations and what you and the kids can expect to encounter -- from petting a rabbit and an alpaca to learning quilting and so much more. Stricter Limits Set for Lead in Children's Toys A multi-state investigation by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General (PA OAG) and others has set in motion stricter limits for lead in children's toys. Well ahead of the timeline required by new federal standards, Mattel and Fisher-Price are adopting the following procedures as a result of a consumer protection agreement with Pennsylvania and 38 other states. The companies have agreed to:
Through the consent judgment with Mattel and Fisher-Price, Pennsylvania will receive more than a half a million dollars to support consumer protection and enforcement activities and to enhance toy safety education programs. Click on the PA OAG Consumer Safety Links for information related to toy recalls. You may also access information related to Consumer Product Safety, Vehicle Safety, Food Product Safety, and Video Game Safety. Winter Travel Considerations The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is encouraging travelers to access current traveler information posted online through the Department's official website. Find travel conditions for all Pennsylvania Interstates, as well as travel advisories, weather forecasts, and traffic cameras to help you prepare for the road ahead. The travel page's winter driving guides include the "Ice and Snow, Take it Slow" brochure. The guide provides winter driving tips and includes a list of items to include in a simple emergency travel kit. Travelers are being reminded that weather-related road condition information for all Pennsylvania Interstates can also be obtained by calling the Interstate Road Conditions Hotline at 1-888-783-6783 for in-state callers; out-of-state callers should dial 717-783-5186. Encourage a New Year's Resolution: Send a CDC Health-e-Card! In case you ran out of time to mail holiday greetings, it’s not too late to send a free, electronic card courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The colorful greetings encourage healthy living in 2009, promoting safe year-round activities and supporting resolutions. Encourage friends to protect themselves and their families from flu through vaccination. Support your favorite former couch potato as they strive to be active. You will even find an e-card with sleep tips for someone who has trouble falling or staying asleep. Don't forget the Pennsylvania Department of Health promotes healthy living 24/7 with health topics ranging from arthritis to mold management to those affecting women, infants and children. The Pennsylvania Public Health Information Clearinghouse is devoted to serving as a resource center and providing a wide range of health-related resources.
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