Arizona faces a rising crisis of methamphetamine use and distribution. The series of statistics surrounding this terrible drug are shocking. Learn how you can protect your family by tuning in for Crystal Darkness, April 15 6:30 p.m. on CW6. Learn more about Crystal Darkness.

Sun Safety

Did you know that 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer at some point in their lives? So cover up, seek shade whenever possible and use a good quality sunscreen everyday. And remember your eyes need protection year round too, even on the most overcast days. It is important to wear sunglasses that are rated 99% to 100% UV protected.

Remember:
Avoid direct sunlight between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when ultraviolet rays are most intense.
Cover up. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and clothes that cover as much as possible of the arms, legs and torso.
Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 15 and reapply after swimming or perspiring.
Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps because they also are sources of UV

Protect Yourself ... Spread the Word about Sun Safety
For more information on Sun Safety log onto to www.kristicares.com

Topic one: Personal Finances for the Ages
Here are some of tips that Wells Fargo would like to share to help meet the financial challenges of adulthood and beyond. For more information go to www.wellsfargo.com.

1. Set a budget - Getting a plan and developing good spending and savings habits will help you stay on track throughout your lifetime.

2. Know your spending habits –Track your spending and figure out where you can cut back. Use that money to start, or supplement, your savings account.

3. Save money – At every stage in life, we should be saving money. Saving money can be hard to do, yet your future financial security depends on it.

4. Use the 20/10 rule for credit cards – Never let your credit card debt get to be more than 20% or your total yearly income after taxes. And each month, don’t have more than 10% of your monthly take-home pay in credit card payment.

5. Start saving to buy a home- homeownership as a key path to financial well-being and stability. Know what you can afford and start saving.

6. Start saving for retirement – Look at a variety of savings vehicles, from 401(k) to and IRAs, to make sure you’re setting yourself up for many comfortable sunset years.

7. Financial Plans Change – As your life circumstances change, so should your financial plan. Occurrences like getting married, changing jobs, starting a family, or buying a home are times to reevaluate your plans and goals.

Topic two: First-time Homebuyers
Each year, millions of Americans achieve the dream of homeownership. Following are opportunities currently available to first-time homebuyers:
1. Increased affordability due to low interest rates-Lower interest rates allow buyers to secure a lower monthly payment or to qualify for a larger home.

2. Availability of low-down-payment loans-Many lenders offer loans that require low down payments that can help many first-time homebuyers get into a home sooner and cut the time it may take to save for a down payment.

3. Down-payment assistance programs-
Potential homebuyers should find out what information is contained in their credit reports. Lenders want to know your credit history and facts about outstanding debts. You can obtain a copy of your credit report by contacting one of the three major credit reporting agencies: Equifax (800-685-1111); Experian (800-682-7654); or Trans Union (800-916-8800).
Next, potential homebuyers should determine how much “house” they can afford. Many lending institutions base a borrowers’ ability to pay on a lending ratio, typically 28/36. This means a homebuyer’s housing expenses – including mortgage payments, taxes and insurance – should not exceed 28 percent of their monthly gross income; and their total expenses, defined as all debt, cannot exceed 36 percent. Many popular Web sites including www.wellsfargo.com offer tools and calculators to determine this ratio.

Here’s advice homebuyers should keep in mind:
Shop around for the best rates and loan types.
Compare mortgage products.
Ask about pricing, points and fees.
Know what’s required at closing.

Click here for more information on Wells Fargo

Fun Recycling Facts
Did you know that aluminum is an amazing, infinitely recyclable material?

An aluminum beverage can can be recycled over and over and over again.

An aluminum beverage can go from a recycling bin back onto a shelf at a grocery store in as little as 60 days filled with your favorite beverage.

Aluminum cans are 100-percent recyclable.

Recycling one can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours or a 100-watt light bulb for four hours.

Americans earn nearly $1 billion annually from recycling aluminum cans!

More than 120,000 aluminum cans are recycled every minute in the U.S. alone.

In 1972, 53 million pounds of aluminum cans were recycled. Today, Americans exceed that amount WEEKLY!

Sponsored by: CW6 and Alltel

If I were to tell you about an organized youth baseball league,
You might call it ordinary.
If I were to tell you the athletes are physically and mentally challenged,
You might call it touching.
If you were to see them play you would call it a Miracle.

Introducing ... The Miracle League

Every child deserves to play baseball is the theme of The Miracle League.

After seeing a documentary on the national organization, The Miracle League, Andrew and Kamryn Puhler started the first Miracle League in Arizona, now called The East Valley Miracle League.

The CW6 partnered with The East Valley Miracle League and is actively raising money to help build the specialty field. The East Valley Miracle League is a non-profit little-league baseball organization for mentally, physically and developmentally disabled children ages 3 to 19. The Miracle League is set to begin in fall 2006 or beginning of spring 2007.

The Miracle League is like a traditional little league, but with a twist.

The children in this league have bats, mitts and billed baseball caps just like other little leaguers, but the field and the rules are different. The field will be custom-designed with a cushioned, synthetic turf made of rubber to help prevent injuries, wheelchair-accessible dugouts and painted-on bases so children who use crutches or wheelchairs can round them.

Arizona Facts: 45,945 physically and/or mentally handicapped children between the ages of 5 and 20 are living in the state of Arizona. Approximately 14,809 children between the ages of 5 and 20 live in the East Valley. The need for recreational programming in the East Valley are undeniable.

The East Valley Miracle League is accepting donations that will help build a field and make it possible for children facing special challenges to do what they never dreamed possible -- play in an organized baseball league.

Your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

To donate go to www.EVMiracleLeague.org/donate.htm

If you are interested in playing on a team, volunteering or coaching please contact:
Kamryn Puhler
Executive Director
East Valley Miracle League
P.O. Box 785
Gilbert, AZ 85299
Phone: (480) 593-7756
E-mail: info@evmiracleleague.org
Web: www.EVMiracleLeague.org

Sponsored by: CW6 and the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) is a community service which matches parents seeking child care with child care resources. CCR&R also provides training and technical assistance to child care providers.

In offering these services, CCR&R gathers information about parent demand and existing child care resources. Where there is a disparity between supply and demand, CCR&R seeks to stimulate the development of needed child care resources.

Whether you are a parent seeking child care resources, a child-care provider seeking help with your work, employer trying to assist parents in your organization, or a community organization involved with children, we look forward to helping you obtain the information you need.

You can reach us at 1-800-308-9000, ArizonaChildCare.org.

Spread the Word ... about the Importance of Family Literacy

A child's educational success can be directly tied to their ability to read and reading should be a fun, family activity! CW6 and A Stepping Stone Foundation are committed to getting your family reading using these simple tips.

Click here for more information about A Stepping Stone Foundation

Sponsored by: CW6

Spread the Word ... You can still help those in need

Like a hurricane's center, Eyes of the Storm provides calm amid the chaos -- a careful retelling of how hurricanes Katrina and Rita delivered a powerful one-two punch to one of America 's most treasured regions.

The Dallas Morning News photographers gave voice to the millions crying out through the devastation wrought by the hurricans. This photojournalistic journey chronicles desperation, determination, and resilience through the watchful lenses of Pulitzer Prize-winning photographers.

Eyes of the Storm also is a tribute to the heroic people who survived and who helped others survive.

The Dallas Morning News is honored to donate all profits from Eyes of the Storm to the nonprofit organizations that selflessly served the survivors of the worst natural disaster in U.S. history.

Click here for more information or to order Eyes of the Storm