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Paso Robles, CA (PRWEB) May 11, 2012

Below is a roundup of not-to-be-missed events happening this summer. For more information on attractions, dining and lodging, visit http://www.travelpaso.com. For the latest news on the area, visit http://blog.travelpaso.com, join us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/travelpaso and follow us on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/travelpaso.

?MAY?

National Train Day – May 12

Wine Rail Excursions ? May – Oct

San Luis Obispo County

Leading up to the fourth annual Central Coast Railroad Festival, held Oct. 4-8, are a variety of events including National Train Day on May 12 in San Luis Obispo, a day to celebrate the 143rd anniversary of the nation?s first transcontinental railroad. In addition, Central Coast Railroad Festival Wine Rail Excursions are offered the second Sunday of every month. The trips include a ride on Amtrak’s Coast Starlight up or down the Cuesta Grade between Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo, complimentary wine tasting, light lunch snacks, rail history and a private bus trip in the opposite direction from the rail trip. The trips generally stop at one or two rail related wineries. Tickets for most trips are $ 49 for adults and $ 39 for children 15 and under. Excursions are limited to 24 guests and generally sell out in advance. For a list of excursions, visit http://ccrrf.com. For more information about National Train Day, visit nationaltrainday.com.

30th Annual Paso Robles Wine Festival

May 18-20

Paso Robles City Park

Combining past traditions with innovations of the future, the Paso Robles Wine Country comes together to honor 30 years of the Paso Robles Wine Festival in Paso Robles City Park this May. World-class wines, farm fresh culinary delights and winemaker seminars make this festival the place to be for wine enthusiasts. Guests can experience the character and rich history reflected in each glass of Paso Robles wine. This celebration will include the finest food and wine and embrace all that defines Paso Robles Wine County. Whether crisp whites or bold reds satisfy your palate, the Paso Robles Wine Festival has something for everyone. For more information and to purchase tickets, call (800) 549-WINE or visit pasowine.com.

Festival of the Arts

May 25-27

Downtown Paso Robles

Celebrate summer with this magical three-day event for families. New this year is a Plein Air Masters exhibition, two-day workshops (taking place the week prior to the main events), guest lectures and an Art Tour. Saturday starts with a Plein Air Quick-Draw and auction, followed by a fine art show, a public mural project, hands-on youth art stations, the Travel Channel?s Sand Masters constructing giant sand castles, street performers, adult art seminars, live music, dance performances, stilt walkers and other musical and visual surprises for kids. This three-day family event features guest lectures on Friday, and an Awards Brunch followed by the Exclusive Westside Art Tour of two private collections on Sunday. (888) 988-PASO (7276). Event tickets are available at pasoartfestival.com; the Saturday Main Event is free; Media Contact: Shonna Howenstine, (805) 227-7236, tourism(at)prcity(dot)com.

Great Western Bicycle Rally

May 25-28

Paso Robles Event Center

Gather some friends, hop on your bikes and get ready for a thrilling weekend of bicycling through the rolling hills of stunning Paso Robles. A variety of routes are geared for all levels of riders so everyone can join in. This is a fun and reasonably priced family vacation option. For more information and to register, call (866) 909-4927 or visit greatwesternbicyclerally.com.

JUNE ?
First Annual BBQ Fun Fest and Kids Day in the Park

June 1-3, 12 p.m. ? 8 p.m., June 3, 12 p.m. ? 6 p.m.

Downtown Paso Robles City Park

Get ready for the First Annual BBQ Fun Fest and Kids Day in the Park, a three-day event filled with mouthwatering BBQ, including pulled pork, turkey legs, chicken, tri-tip and sausage available for purchase as well as beer and wine. On Friday night guests can enjoy live music from Steve Sturgis & Roadhouse, with a special introduction by the Paso Robles High School Jazz Bank, followed by a BBQ Cook Off Contest on Saturday. Fun for the whole family, there will a giant bounce house for the kids to enjoy and a ?Kahuna Kids? Kids Day in the Park? on Saturday, featuring vendors, crafts and youth demonstrations. For more information, visit pasoroblesdowntown.org. Media Contact: Norma Moye, (805) 238-4103, mainstreet(at)tcsn(dot)net.

Model A and Model T Car Show

June 2, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Rios-Caledonia Adobe in San Miguel

Join the fun at this free event when the local antique car clubs exhibit their unique old Model A and Model T automobiles on the original old highway that runs in front of the Adobe. Vote for your favorite and participate in the 50-50 drawing. Added interests this year include the Santa Lucis Rockhounds showing their wares in the Information Center and Central Coast Lavender displaying and illustrating their fragrant lavender products. Food will be for sale by the “Three Amigos” – super cooks Terry Scantlin, and his wife, Mary, and Monica Cisneros. Dance to music by Ron Domingos and Friends and sip wine in the old bar in the Adobe by Tackitt Family Winery of San Miguel. For more information, call (805) 238-0506 or visit pasorobleschamber.org.

First Annual Firestone Walker Invitational Brewfest

June 9

Paso Robles Event Center

Gather around for some of the best breweries in the U.S. as they pour their finest beers at this inaugural festival, where the brewers will be on hand to talk about their beers. Some of the Central Coast?s finest restaurants and food providers will show off their culinary skills as they pair delicious foods with the featured brews. This event benefits the Pioneer Day committee, which is dedicated to the preservation of the unique history and culture of Paso Robles. For more information, visit firestonebeer.com.

NRCHA Derby

June 12-17, 8 a.m. daily

Paso Robles Event Center

The NRCHA (National Reined Cow Horse Association) Derby, celebrates the working cow horse by upholding vaquero traditions with exciting displays of horsemanship, training and spirit. For more information, call (580) 759-4949 or visit nrcha.com.

Concerts in the Park

June 15 ? August 24, Friday evenings from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Downtown City Park

Enjoy the sounds of live jazz, blues, rock, fusion and more at this free summer concert series in downtown Paso Robles. Savor a glass of J. Lohr wine for sale at the concert. Proceeds benefit the REC Foundation. For more information, visit travelpaso.com.

Trading Day and Kids Flea Market

June 23, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Downtown City Park

Find that coveted antique table or discover the perfect piece of artwork at this popular outdoor yard sale filled with collectibles and curiosities. Not be left out, children between third and eighth grades will learn the basics of entrepreneurship by selling their own items at the Kids Flea Market. For more information, call (805) 238-4103 or visit travelpaso.com.

-JULY-

Central Coast Shakespeare Festival

July 13 ? August 11

Friday & Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ? 9:30 p.m.; Sunday, 6 – 8 p.m.

River Oaks Amphitheater

Enjoy a summer of outdoor classical theater under the stars next to a beautiful lake. Be sure to bring low back lawn chairs or blankets and a picnic meal to enjoy during the show. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit centralcoastshakespeare.org.

Lavender Festival

July 14, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Downtown City Park

Relax and recharge your spirit at this fragrant festival. Indulge in lavender ice cream and unwind with body oils and bath products infused with this aromatic herb. Learn about lavender cultivation, distillation and sustainable farming practices from growers from around the country. Guests will also be treated to live music, a special children?s activities area, a juried arts show, a lavender tasting garden and complimentary samples and demonstrations. For more information, visit cclavenderfestival.com.

California Mid-State Fair

July 18-29

Paso Robles Event Center

This star-studded annual event features the brightest stars in show business. Past headliners include Aerosmith, Kid Rock, Alan Jackson, Jason Aldean, Stone Temple Pilots, Justin Bieber, and Selena Gomez, just to name a few. Accompanying the live music are carnival rides, fabulous fair food, and amazing Paso Robles wine, of course. For more information and to purchase tickets, call (800) 909-FAIR or visit midstatefair.com.

-AUGUST-

Winemakers? Cookoff

August 11, 6 – 9 p.m.

River Oaks Hot Springs

More than 30 winemakers will show off their culinary talents, pairing culinary creations with their finest wines to compete for the Judges? Choice and People?s Choice awards. Proceeds from this event support local high school seniors in need of financial assistance for college. For more information and to purchase tickets, call (877) 264-6979 or visit winemakerscookoff.com.

Seattle, WA (PRWEB) May 10, 2012

Many people dealing with unpaid debt have received letters or phone calls from collection agencies offering deals to settle accounts for less than the full balance owed. When someone settles a debt, it means they pay off a portion of what they owe to the creditor. This sounds very enticing, but that discount on debt comes at a very high cost to an individual?s credit report and reputation. Below, American Financial Solutions outlines the dangers of settling debt.

The damage done to a credit report from a debt settlement is significant. During the settlement process, many collection agencies make it sound as though, once paid, the account will show in good standing on the credit report. The reality is that the account will be marked on the credit report as settled for less than full balance. This is a derogatory mark and may cause future lenders to be leery of approving a loan application. It will also impact a credit score.

Dean KiloDavis, Loan Officer for HomeStreet Bank, says having a settlement on a credit report can result in being turned down for a loan. ?A settlement doesn?t instill confidence that you will repay your debt,? says KiloDavis.

He explains it this way, ?Imagine I ask you for a loan to be paid back in two weeks. Then you find out from a mutual friend they loaned me money. You are informed that I didn’t pay them back when I said I would, and I paid back less than I borrowed. Would this knowledge make you comfortable giving me the loan in the amount I asked for??

In addition to the damage to a credit report and the ability to borrow money, any type of debt forgiveness or settlement (except bankruptcy) may also result in higher taxable income. The Internal Revenue Service considers all or most settled debt or cancelled debt as taxable income, depending on the consumer?s asset-to-liability ratio (do they owe more than their assets are worth) at the time the debt was forgiven or settled. The individual will receive a 1099-C tax form from the creditor if $ 600 or more is forgiven. Also, while rare, creditors may sell the unpaid portion of the debt to a collection agency. The bottom line is that people may still be responsible for repaying part of the forgiven debt.

If someone is thinking about settling a debt, there are certain steps they can take to try and protect themselves. These include:

Deal with their creditor directly rather than using a debt settlement company.

Attempt to come to a settlement agreement with the original creditor, rather than waiting until the debt is sent to a third party collection agency.

Request that the creditor provide them with a 1099 ? C form rather than sending the remaining debt to a collection agency.

Attempt to have any agreements with the creditor (or collection agency) in writing.

“The information on your credit report determines your ability to qualify for many things from car insurance, getting a job, and of course buying or refinancing a home,” cautions KiloDavis, “but there are resources out there, like American Financial Solutions, who can get you back on track. Bad credit is not a death sentence. You can fix it, but it’ll take some elbow work. Making that first call to ask for help can be scary, but when some of that weight starts lifting off your shoulders, you’ll be glad you did it.”

HomeStreet Bank is one of the largest community banks in the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii and has specialized in mortgage lending since 1921. They are an equal housing lender.

American Financial Solutions (AFS) is a non-profit 501(c)3 financial education and credit counseling agency that helps people find solutions for managing their money and improving their financial lives. Since 1999, AFS has helped individuals across the United States through one-on-one counseling, classes and the use of debt management plans. AFS is a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) as well as the Association for Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies (AICCCA). AFS is also accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA) and has an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau. Find us and add us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.

John Gerosa, Google


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