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Gary Lipton Media Relations Manager Phone: 1-(800)-222-5551 Fax: 1-(800)-990-4329 Web site: www. napsnet .com e-mail: printmedia@napsnet.com #2690 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 415 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017 Picking Quality Plans Enjoy The Holidays With A Twist On Classic Celebrations (NAPSA)—Another spirited holiday has arrived, heralding months of twinkling lights, festive celebrations and delicious food. As festivities begin and hosts contemplate their holiday menus, it’s important to remember that a bountiful holiday table deserves to be paired with a bright and crowdpleasing wine. Wine and food lovers can kick off their celebrations this year on the third Thursday of November, the official release of Beaujolais Nouveau, the first wine of the harvest. The bright berry flavors of Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau ($11) evoke joy and pair perfectly with almost any holiday dish, from rib roast to a brimming bowl of mashed potatoes. To add a twist to classic holiday celebrations, incorporate the revelry of the French harvest into the merriment using the following tips: •Wondering how much wine to buy? A good rule of thumb is one serving per hour per person. •For background music, choose elegant French jazz or classic artists such as Edith Piaf or Josephine Baker. •Accent the wine’s freshness by serving it slightly chilled. •Decorate with vintage travel posters of lush vineyards and quaint cobblestoned market squares, like those found in Beaujolais. •To give your table that wow f a c t o r, u s e a b e a u t i f u l b o w l overflowing with grapes as the centerpiece. •Holiday foods pair beautifully with Beaujolais Nouveau. Serve a range of cheeses and charcuterie. To please a large crowd, complete your holiday table with this Maple Rib Roast recipe: Maple Rib Roast Servings: 12 portions 5-lb rib roast, bone in Salt and pepper to taste 1 ⁄2 cup pure Canadian maple syrup Star ting on November 20, in homes, restaurants, bars and bistros around the world, corks pop on the season’s first bottles of Beaujolais Nouveau, and continue to add joy throughout the holiday season. ⁄3 cup Dijon mustard 2 T fresh rosemary, finely chopped 2 T fresh thyme, finely chopped 2 T fresh black pepper, roughly ground Store-bought bordelaise sauce 1 Preheat oven to 400 F. Place roast bones side up in roasting pan. Score fat with knife. Season well with salt and pepper. Cover ends of bones with foil. In bowl, combine maple syrup and mustard; baste roast. Separately, combine herbs and pepper; season roast. Roast for 30 minutes; reduce to 300 F and cook for 2 hours for rare doneness. Wrap in foil and let rest for 10 minutes. Carve and serve with bordelaise sauce. Recipe: Pure Canadian Maple Syrup (www.purecanadamaple. com) Learn More Visit www.duboeuf.com for more information. by Patricia Smith (NAPSA)—Every year, millions of Medicare beneficiaries must decide which Medicare Advantage plan to enroll in. During Medicare’s annual open enrollment period, October 15–December 7, you can change Medicare Advantage (MA) plans or enroll in one for the first time. Important factors to consider include premium costs, choice of doctors and plan benefits. But there is one other important question: What is the quality rating of the plan? You or someone you care for may be facing an important health care decision. Quality is important because it means better health care and the best value for your money. Medicare uses a system called Star Ratings to assess the quality of plans, awarding plans from one to five stars. These ratings are based on many factors, such as how well the plan does in keeping people healthy and preventing illness, how quickly you can get an appointment and see specialists, and how the plan responds to your complaints and concerns. I’m proud of the fact that seven of the 11 MA plans earning five stars this year are members of the Alliance of Community Health Plans, an organization representing high-quality health plans. You can learn more about MA plans using the Medicare Plan Finder at www.Medicare.gov. The National Committee for Quality Assurance also evaluates quality in MA plans at www.ncqa.org. •Ms. Smith is the CEO of the Alliance of Community Health Plans, www.achp.org. Six Vehicle Warning Signs Your Nose Can Notice (NAPSA)—While most motorists are fond of what’s known as that “new car smell,” there are some other specific odors that motorists should also be aware of. Identifying these suspect smells early on can help car owners be car care aware and avoid the hassle and expense of an unexpected breakdown. The Car Care Council recommends a sniff test of your vehicle to identify any unusual smells, including the following six warning signs: 1. The smell of burnt rubber could be slipping drive belts or misplaced loose hoses that might be rubbing against rotating accessory drive pulleys. Do not reach in if the engine compartment is hot. 2. The smell of hot oil could mean that oil is leaking onto the exhaust system. To verify the leak, look for oil on the pavement or smoke coming from the engine area. 3. The smell of gasoline is likely the sign of a gas leak in some area of the vehicle such as a fuel injector line or the fuel tank. Any smell of fuel can result in a possible fire hazard, so immediate attention should be given. 4. The sweet smell of syrup may be a sign that your car is leaking engine coolant from a leaky component related to the car’s cooling system. Do not open the radiator cap when it is hot. 5. The smell of burning carpet could be a sign of brake trouble and a safety hazard. Have your brakes checked right away, especially if this smell is happening during normal driving conditions. Any smell of fuel can indicate a possible fire hazard, so immediate attention should be given. 6. If the smell of rotten eggs is coming from your vehicle, it could mean a problem with your catalytic converter or a poorly running engine causing the catalytic converter to become overloaded and fail due to meltdown. “When you smell any peculiar odor, you should not ignore it. Instead, bring your vehicle to a professional service technician that you trust to get an informed opinion on the nature of the odor,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care. For a copy of the council’s “Car Care Guide” or for more information, visit www.car care.org.