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tmoning

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Posts posted by tmoning

  1. Posted · Report reply

    The following info is from the Motorhome News portion of FMCA.com:

    The National Park Service will offer fee-free days again this year, allowing visitors to check out the nation's 391 national parks without paying an admission fee.

    The first fee-free days are scheduled for April 17 to 25, National Parks Week 2010. Information on additional fee-free periods will be released later this spring.

    In addition to the fee-free days, many tour operators, hotels, restaurants and gift shops plan to provide discounts and special promotions.

    Fees for activities such as camping, tours and concessions are not affected by the entrance fee waiver.

    There are 147 parks that normally charge entrance fees ranging from $3 to $25, and 244 national parks never charge entrance fees.

    For more about national parks, visit www.nps.gov.

  3. Posted · Report reply

    FMCA's 86th International Convention will be held at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin. The dates for this event will be Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, August 10, 11, 12, and 13, 2011. Family parking days will be Monday and Tuesday, August 8 and 9, 2011.

    The Alliant Energy Center is a 164-acre complex that includes Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Exhibition Hall, Willow Island and the Arena. It is accessible from five major highways and interstates.

    Many families will be parked at Lake Farm Park, which is located approximately two miles from Alliant Energy Center. Lake Farm Park is a beautiful lakeside county-operated park with boat docks, picnic shelters, walking paths and playground equipment. It should be a great location to bring families.

    This will be FMCA's second international convention at Alliant Energy Center (formerly the Dane County Exposition Center). The last time FMCA met in Madison, Wisconsin, was in 1984, for the 30th convention of the association.

    We look forward to seeing you at FMCA's 86th International Convention in Madison, Wisconsin!

    More info about Alliant Energy Center: www.alliantenergycenter.com

    post-220-1270147030_thumb.jpg

    Exhibition Hall at Alliant Energy Center

    post-220-1270147076_thumb.jpg

    Aerial view of Alliant Energy Center

  4. Posted · Report reply

    :rolleyes: Really appreciate the references ... however, too bad these types of presentations can't be recorded and sold/rented at a reasonable cost to members who are unable to view these seminars live. I sure wouldn't mind paying $5-$? for a DVD of such items. Could there be a possibility of such an addition to FMCA programs in the future? I know there are many production companies that would take or record a master copy and willing to provide copies at a reasonable cost -- usually around $6 a copy. Or perhaps FMCA might set up a library to rent/sell DVD's of seminars in the future?

    Those are good suggestions.

    Despite the delayed start of this first seminar webcast, response has been generally positive. So, we may explore some of your ideas in the future. Accessibility/availability of the webcasts will be publicized.

    Thank you, everyone, for your comments.

    Anyone who has additional suggestions for webcasts/DVDs/multimedia, please post.

  5. Posted · Report reply

    Could not get the webcast to play. Had same report from other members. This was for the Eastern time frame.

    Our Web team in Albuquerque experienced some technical difficulties, so the webcast was delayed for approximately 45 minutes. Then, an e-mail was sent out redirecting members to specific URLs where they could view the remaining portion of the Webcast.

    We apologize for the inconvenience this caused.

    We have heard favorable comments from folks who watched the webcast once it was up and running.

    Due to the length of the RV Weight & Tire seminar, it's doubtful that the complete footage will be "archived" online. Weight and tire information, however, is available in the Motorhoming section on FMCA.com, www.fmca.com/index.php/motorhome/basics, and there is good information available on the Web site of the company that presented yesterday's seminar -- the Recreation Vehicle Safety & Education Foundation -- www.rvsafety.com.

    Again, our apologies for the inconvenience.

  6. Posted · Report reply

    RV Weight & Tire Safety, one of FMCA's most popular technical seminars, will be webcast live from FMCA's Albuquerque convention on Tuesday, March 23. Times and link follow:

    • 8 to 10 a.m. Mountain time
    • 10 to noon Eastern time
    • 9 to 11 a.m. Central time
    • 7 to 9 a.m. Pacific time

    To watch the webcast, click this link: RV Weight & Tire Safety seminar webcast.

    The seminar, co-sponsored by the Recreation Vehicle Safety & Education Foundation and FMCA, focuses on weight-related definitions, weight disclosure labels, towing components, stopping assistance, tire markings, tire load/inflation tables, new RV considerations, tire pressure monitoring systems and more.

    That's important stuff, so tell your friends and be sure to tune in.

  9. Posted · Report reply

    Subscribing to specific forums or tracking certain topics is a great way to keep an eye on forum discussions that interest you.

    Subscribing to a forum:

    By subscribing to a forum, you are asking to be notified of all new posts in that forum.

    Here's how to subscribe:

    (Note: You must be signed in at FMCA.com or logged in on the forum site.)

    1. Go the forums contents page, http://community.fmca.com/index.php?act=idx.

    2. For this example, we'll choose the Towing forum, so under the Technical category, click on the Towing forum. It takes you to a list of topics, or threads, within the Towing forum: http://community.fmca.com/index.php?showforum=13.

    3. Do you see the Forum Options button at the right of the page? From that drop-down menu, select the last option, "Subscribe to this forum."

    4. Choose your forum notification method. (I suggest Immediate Email notification.)

    5. Click the Proceed button.

    That's all there is to it. Now you will be notified of any new activity in the Conventions and Rallies forum.

    Tracking topics:

    You can also subscribe, or Track, individual Topics within a forum category, instead of the entire forum.

    1. For example, go back to the Towing topics -- http://community.fmca.com/index.php?showforum=13 -- and click the "Tire pressure when towing" Topic title. This will take you to an active discussion: http://community.fmca.com/index.php?showtopic=1266.

    2. From the Options drop-down tab, select "Track this topic," and then choose your notification method, and click Proceed.

    You are now set to receive e-mail notifications when a reply has been made in the "Tire pressure when towing" Topic. You will NOT be notified of new posts under other Towing Topics, unless you specify so or are subscribed to the Towing forum.

    Note: If you are already subscribed to a forum category, you will not be able to subscribe to individual topics within that category.

    Unsubscribing:

    It's fast and easy.

    1. Click the My Controls link near the top center of the page.

    2. On the left of the control panel page, scroll down to Subscriptions.

    3. Select View Forums and you'll see your forum subscriptions. Use the check boxes and unsubscribe drop-down menu to unsubscribe or change your notification preferences.

  10. Posted · Report reply

    Bob:

    Lydia Hansen, with Destination Southwest, the tour operator, responds:

    "We do have a guide who keeps everyone moving while giving commentary. Tour participants are also given time to explore on their own. I'm sure if you are concerned once the tour actually gets going, you can work something out with your guide. I would not classify the tour as "strenuous," but it is definitely a moderate walking tour."

    For more information, contact Destination Southwest at (505) 766-9068; e-mail tours@destinationsouthwest.com.

  11. Posted · Report reply

    Stoppin' Spots enables members to offer assistance and hospitality to fellow members who are on the road in their areas. Stoppin' Spots exemplifies FMCA's members-helping-members philosophy, which has been a hallmark of the Association from the start.

    To have your name added as a Stoppin' Spots listing to the online Member Directory, send an e-mail to FMCA's Membership Services Department (membership@fmca.com) or call (800) 543-3622 and ask for the Membership department.

    Also, the January directory issue of Family Motor Coaching magazine contains a printed listing of Stoppin' Spots participants. If you would like to be included in the January 2011 Stoppin’ Spots directory in the magazine, please contact the Member Services Department by Nov. 1, 2010.

    Members who volunteer for Stoppin’ Spots are listed under four categories:

    Stop Over Spot indicates that fellow members are welcome to stop over at the volunteering member’s home for a 24-hour emergency stay.

    Come Visit indicates that FMCA members are welcome to visit the volunteering member’s home for a 24-hour friendship stay, unless invited by the host member to stay longer.

    Mechanic’s Helper indicates that if an FMCA member’s coach breaks down along the road in a volunteering member’s area, the volunteering member is available to assist him or her in locating quality local service.

    Pinch Hit Driver indicates that any FMCA member who encounters an emergency that in any way prevents him or her from driving his or her coach while on the road may request the assistance of a driver to transport that member’s coach to a chosen destination at the owner’s expense. The Pinch Hit Drivers are FMCA members who have volunteered to perform this emergency service for fellow members who are in need.

  17. Posted · Report reply

    Feb. 1 is the final day for your comments to be considered in the development of any final version of the proposed fee changes.

    First, be sure to read the notice published by the Forest Service in the Federal Register. The notice requests comments on a PROPOSED directive revision that would change how concessionaires honor Interagency Passes.

    Read the notice and related information here: www.fs.fed.us/specialuses/special_concession.shtml

    Here are some key points from the notice:

    The proposed change applies ONLY to campgrounds operated by concessionaires on the National Forests and Grasslands. It does NOT apply to Forest Service operated sites or campgrounds operated by any other federal agency.

    Key points of the proposal for public comment (which are described more fully and explained in the notice):

    For holders of lifetime senior and access passes:

    • no change to 50% discount at Forest Service-operated sites
    • new benefit of 10% discount at concession operated standard amenity fee sites
    • reduction in camping discount from 50% to 10% at concession operated campgrounds

    For holders of annual and volunteer passes:

    • new benefit of free admission to concession operated standard amenity fee sites

    Read the Federal Register notice and submit your comments.

  18. Posted · Report reply

    The San Francisco Bay Area Toll Authority and Metropolitan Transit Commission, on Jan. 27, approved a proposal to increase the tolls on seven state-run Bay Area bridges.

    Starting July 1, 2011, crossing a bridge in a two-axle motorhome with car in tow (four axles total) will cost $14. The toll increases to $20 in July 2012. The current charge for four axles is $8.25.

    Commercial trucks and other vehicles with three or more axles also will pay the higher tolls.

    State law requires the toll authority to base tolls on the number of axles on a vehicle or the total number of axles on a vehicle plus the total number of axles on the drawn trailer or vehicle.

    I'm sure opponents of the toll hikes suggested lowering the tolls for noncommercial vehicles such as motorhomes ... apparently to no avail.

    The toll hikes would raise $160,000 per year to finance seismic retrofit projects on two of the bridges. I expect most motorhomes understand the need for a toll increase to improve bridges' resistance to earthquakes, but more than doubling the current fee seems a bit steep.

    The car toll and other two-axle tolls, meanwhile, rose only from $4 to $5 for six of the bridges, effective July 1, 2010. Is the inconvenience of driving the motorhome and toad separately over a bridge worth a $10 savings?

  19. Posted · Report reply

    Thanks for the suggestion. Will consder it. Currently, you'll find these types of posts in the General discussion forum. Here are samples:

    http://community.fmca.com/index.php?showtopic=203

    http://community.fmca.com/index.php?showtopic=939

    http://community.fmca.com/index.php?showtopic=730

    http://community.fmca.com/index.php?showtopic=745

    http://community.fmca.com/index.php?showtopic=512

    http://community.fmca.com/index.php?showtopic=272

    http://community.fmca.com/index.php?showtopic=597

  21. Posted · Report reply

    Now that's what I call a mini, mini RV. The inside looks kind of like my first apartment.

    Steve, to join a discussion, click on a forum or topic. To start a new topic (as you have already done here), click the "New topic" button. To reply to a topic, click the "Add reply" button." Then, post your message in the text box, scroll down, and click "Post New Topic" or "Add Reply."

    It looks like you already have the hang of it. Just be sure to choose the forum that best fits your new topic. Find more tips for using the forums in Forum support.

  23. Posted · Report reply

    Sorry, but solicitations to buy or sell of any kind are prohibited out of respect to our paying advertisers. This part of the forum rules includes, but is not limited to, soliciting money for non-profits and posting classified-type ads such as Craigslist.

    A swap meet (for small items) or a skills trading area -- swap your skills for those of others -- may be considered in the future.

  24. Posted · Report reply

    Maybe this can be stopped if the Forest Service hears from enough people ...

    The U.S. Forest Service has proposed to eliminate the 50 percent discount at National Forest campgrounds that has been available to holders of lifetime Senior and Access (permanent disability) passes.

    The change would apply at campgrounds managed by private concessioners. Private Concessioners represent approximately 50 percent of National Forest camping capacity and 82 percent of reservable campsites.

    Current policy requires concessioners to honor Senior and Access passes for campground fees under the same terms as if the Forest Service operated the facility directly, meaning that a 50 percent discount must be offered. Most highly developed campgrounds are now managed by concessioners.

    The half-price rule has been in place since the mid-'60s. In the Dec. 1 Federal Register, the Forest Service presented a new policy that would replace the half-price rule with a 10 percent discount. The proposed policy would also require Senior and Access pass holders to pay a fee at National Forest day-use sites that are currently covered in full by their passes.

    Day-use sites managed by concessioners would also be affected by the changes. Holders of the annual America the Beautiful Pass would be entitled to free entry, but Senior and Access lifetime pass holders would get only a 10 percent discount. This changes current policy, which calls for all three passes to be honored equally at day-use fee sites.

    Seniors 62 and older pay a one-time $10 fee for their lifetime pass. Lifetime passes for the permanently disabled are free. Together, Senior and Access passes represent more than 78 percent of all pass sales, according to the Forest Service.

    Read the full proposal and send your comments electronically at this Regulations.gov page:

    http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/hom...900006480a60f36

    OR, send comments via postal mail to:

    Attn: Carolyn Holbrook

    U.S. Forest Service

    Recreation and Heritage Resources Staff

    1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 1125

    Washington, DC 20250-1125

    Postal mail should reference: Proposed Directives for Forest Service Concession Campground Special Use Permits (Document ID FS-2009-0001-0001)

    You may also want to contact your state and Federal representatives.

    Comments must be received before Feb. 2, 2010.

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