Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page B2

Secured cards are one option to build credit history asked answered Andrea Hiland our experts are here to help with your questions I Follow her on Twitter: HERE TO HELP To ask a question of the Republic, 12 Newsand azcentral teams, goto asked.azcentral.com a Watch Andrea's segments each weekday on 12 News Today Oandreahiland Find Andrea on Facebook: facebook.comandrea.hiland What did we uncover this week? Thanks to some great questions, we learned about Maricopa County's restaurant grading system, we found out what to do before closing your home for an extended time, Megan Finnerty gave us the scoop on outdoor activities this month, and we learned about steps to take to reduce junk e-mail. You can find all the new questions and answers by logging on to ask.azcentral.com. And while you're there, drop in your own question. This question reminds me of the phrase "you're doomed if you do, and you're doomed if you don't." The answer provides some good advice. Question: I read an article in The Arizona Republic on credit your score? Look closer," AZ Economy, March 31).

I'm 38 years old and grew up in a family that didn't believe in credit cards, so I've always paid everything with cash. Now I'm trying to buy a house but don't have a sufficiently high credit score. No one wants to give me a credit card because of my invisible build a credit history. For someone starting out with a secured credit card, Detweiler suggests charging very little and paying off the balance in full to avoid interest and running the balance close to the credit limit, which can hurt your efforts to build a good credit score. For example, you might use the card just once a month for groceries or gas and then pay the balance in full, she said.

After using one of these cards for six months or so, you can apply for a regular, unsecured credit card. Building credit for the first time takes time, Detweiler said. For someone seeking to obtain a mortgage soon, Detweiler suggests looking into eCredable. It's an alternative credit-reporting agency that allows you to build an alternative credit rating from bills you already pay that wouldn't necessarily show up in a traditional credit-reporting formula payments such as those to insurers, mobile-phone companies and landlords. This company has relationships with a lender offering mortgages.

history. Is there an easier way to start a credit history? Answer: The Arizona Republic's personal-finance expert, Russ Wiles, ran this question past Gerri Detweiler of Credit.com. Her first suggestion was to apply for a secured card, such as the Capital One Secured MasterCard or the Capital One Cash Rewards for New comers Card. These are credit cards, meaning you may choose not to pay off the balance each month. They're collateralized by a refundable, non-interest-bearing security deposit.

The more you deposit, the higher your credit line. Since these are credit cards, your payment history is usually reported to credit bureaus, offering a chance to HOW TO CONTACT KEY EDITORS IN YOUR REGION Scottsdale editor: Chris Coppola; chris.coppolaarizonarepublic.com; 602-444-6397 Phoenix editor: Christina Leonard; christina.leonardarizonarepublic.com; 602-444-6397 East Valley editor: Paul Maryniak; paul.maryniakarizonarepublic.com; 602-444-6397 West Valley editor: Carrie Watters; carrie.wattersarizonarepublic.com; 602-444-6397 Video contest gets student cameras rolling to raise alcohol awareness Fall League team moving to W. Valley By Cale Ottens The Republic azcentral.com Baseball fans in Glendale won't have to wait until next year's spring-training season to enjoy more action at Camel-back Ranch, because an Arizona Fall League team is relocating to the park. The Desert Dogs franchise is moving to the Glendale-owned facility in west Phoenix from Phoenix Municipal Stadium, where the team has played for more than two decades. Six Fall League teams play across the Valley.

This year, the Desert Dogs will feature minor-league prospects from the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers and three other major-league teams. Each of the 30 Major League Baseball teams is required to select at least seven players to join the league each fall, according to Paul Jensen, a league spokesman. The rosters will be set toward the end of summer, he added. "Our teams are basically all-star teams from the minor leagues," Jensen said. "For a hard-core baseball fan that lives out here, it's a great, great thing to go to these games." This year's Fall League season starts Oct.

8 and ends Nov. 23. The five other teams typically play at Surprise Stadium, Peoria Sports Complex, Mesa Hohokam Stadium, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick and Scottsdale Stadium. However, because of renovations at the Peoria Sports Complex, the Peoria Javelinas will play elsewhere this year. League Director Steve Cobb is now negotiating to find the team a temporary home, Jensen said.

the park that they were immersed in a video project and not a "red Solo-cup party." "This video had a big impact on me," said Julia Bulin, a Desert Vista student. "I was acting out a scene that people I know have done and paid the price for. I really hope that it registers how easily a bad decision can ruin a life. Underage drinking is no laughing matter. You can party and have a good time without it." Students in Coro's media class routinely work with cameras, a control room, back-end switchers, telepromp-ters, audio, lighting and graphics that are comparable to those in TV stations.

"This class definitely prepares them for a career in technology education," Coro said. "They are so engrained in video and social-media technology, and they learn more by playing with it every day." Students involved in the project also are enhancing their portfolios and resumes. "Students brainstormed ideas before coming up with the final version of what they wanted to present," Mountain Pointe's Adamson said. Adamson said the Mountain Pointe video is more about the emotional impact of underage drinking than the act of underage drinking. The public is invited to the awards ceremony May 1 at 7 p.m.

at North Canyon High School, 1700 E. Union Hills Drive in Phoenix. The videos will be available at www.phoenix.govpolice. By Melissa Hirschl The Republic azcentral.com According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, each year approximately 5,000 people ages 20 and younger die as a result of underage drinking. Accordingly, the Phoenix Police Department created a contest to engage students creatively and tap into their affinity for technology.

They challenged all Phoenix-area high schools to produce a 60-second YouTube video highlighting the consequences of underage drinking. Media students at Desert Vista and Mountain Pointe high schools in Ahwa-tukee Foothills took on the challenge under the guidance of the Tempe Union High School District schools' media teachers, Michelle Coro at Desert Vista and Jacqueline Adamson at Mountain Pointe. Funded by the Governor's Office and the DUI Abatement Council, the project will culminate in an awards ceremony May 1. The winner will receive second place, and third place, $2,000. The videos will be voted on by an independent panel of Valley television-media professionals.

"Our hope is that the winning video will go viral," said Sgt. Tommy Thompson, a Phoenix Police Department spokesman. "This is a great opportunity for our young people to teach one another Desert Vista High media students review segments of their video that highlights the consequences of underage drinking. MICHELLE CORODESERT VISTA HIGH SCHOOL about the dangers of underage drinking. Many times, this message is put out by marketing firms, but these will be created purely by students.

I feel good about helping the schools, especially since funding can be a challenge these days," he said. The video created by Desert Vista students portrays a student who receives a text message to meet friends at a nearby park to indulge in drinking. The scenario could have had a disastrous ending, but the student chooses to have police intervene and have it end on a positive note. According to Coro, they had to explain to the early-morning walkers at scottsdale.azcentral.com phoenix.azcentral.com nephoenix.azcentral.com ahwatukee.azcentral.com northvalley.azcentral.com mesa.azcentral.com gilbert.azcentral.com chandler.azcentral.com tempe.azcentral.com pinal.azcentral.com glendale.azcentral.com peoria.azcentral.com surprise.azcentral.com swvalley.azcentral.com Help clean up New River trail PEORIA Volunteers are needed to pick up trash along the New River trail near Union Hills Drive and 83rd Avenue at 7 a.m. Saturday.

In recognition of Earth Day, Peoria and Glendale, along with Arizona Clean and Beautiful, will provide water and trash bags for volunteers who will meet at the Uncle Sam's parking lot, 18913 83rd Ave. Registration: peoriaaz.govspecial events or 623-773-7137. Free movies, popcorn at plaza PEORIA A free Disney movie and complimentary popcorn will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Centennial Plaza, 8400 W. Mountain View Road.

Peoria's Green Screen Film Festival kicks off with a showing of "Earth," a 2007 nature documentary film depicting the diversity of wild habitats and creatures across the planet. More details: peoriaaz.govspecial events or 623-773-7000. Class on tracing family history YOUNGTOWN The West Valley Genealogical Society, 12222 N. Ill will conduct a class for novice genealogists at 1 p.m. Friday.

Uncertain how to begin researching your family history? This class will help with introductory steps. Registration is required, and a charge may apply- More details: azwvgs.org or Firefighter recruitment open SCOTTSDALE An open registration for the 2013 firefighter-recruitment process is being conducted by Scottsdale, Chandler and Tempe. Candidates will take a written test to create an eligibility list. Candidates must register at one of two events on April 21 or 22. The registration is for the opportunity to take a written test on May 29 or 30, according to Scottsdale.

Space is limited to the first 1,500 people, with a maximum of 750 registrations per day. More information: scottsdaleaz Forum about drug use offered SCOTTSDALE Parents are invited to attend a free forum on drug abuse from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Cactus Shadows High School Fine Arts Center, 33606 N. 60th Scottsdale. This presentation is designed to educate parents and professionals about teen and adult drug use, how to recognize the paraphernalia and concealment of drugs, and effective prevention strategies.

Registration: Gina Durbin, 480-575-2026 or gdurbinccusd93.org. Event focuses on water safety SCOTTSDALE This year's April Pools Day will feature raffles, food and prizes from 1 to 4 p.m. April 27 at Scottsdale's El Dorado Aquatic and Fitness Center, 2301 N. Miller Road. The event aims to educate children and families to prevent drownings.

More details: 480-312-2484. Low-income housing planned PHOENIX An agency that assists homeless families is planning a $9.5 million development in north Phoenix that would provide low-income housing. The United Methodist Outreach Ministries Phoenix, or UMOM, bought 3.3 acres at 10825 N. Cave Creek Road in 2012. The non-profit wants to develop the North Mountain Village Apartments on the site.

The project would consist of five independent buildings, which are slated to include 48 affordable family apartments. "In addition to the housing component, we also plan to build a residents' services center, which will provide a full variety of free services to the residents and neighbors," said David Hepburn, UMOM's chief housing officer. "It's all designed to serve an extremely low-income population." Hepburn said UMOM plans to pursue low-income tax-credit funding for the project. In addition, the Phoenix City Council approved a loan for up to $1 million for the project. The developer is UMOM Housing III LLC.

Once UMOM receives funding, Hepburn said the program will begin demolition immediately and expects to complete the apartment project by October 2014. The property is the site of the former North Mountain Lodge built in the 1960s. Discussions on Dial-a-Ride fee CHANDLER The city will have meetings to obtain feedback on proposed increases to the fares people pay when using the East Valley's non-ADA Dial-a-Ride service. Meetings are scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, 6 p.m.

Tuesday, and 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Dial-a-Ride provides transportation services to senior citizens and individuals with disabilities. Information: 480-782-3440. Photos display Tempe history TEMPE "Ebb and Flow, a 20-panel photo display that spans a century of Tempe's history with the Salt River, including the creation of Tempe Town Lake, runs through Aug.

4 at the Tempe History Museum. An 1890s freight wagon, historic toys and a Rough Riders uniform will also be on display. Admission is free. More information: tempe.gov museumevents. Celebrate Arbor and Earth days CHANDLER A combined Earth Day and Arbor Day celebration will be from 4 to 7 p.m.

Friday at the Environmental Education Center at Veterans Oasis Park, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Road. Festivities are free and will include hands-on activities for an eco-friendly lifestyle. More details: chandleraz.gov veterans-oasis. Lottery information is available at arizonalottery.com or 480-829-PICK (7425).

POWERBALL Saturday's drawing: 10 12 31 56 57; Powerball: 33. Estimated jackpot: $70 million. THE PICK Saturday's drawing: 01 31 33 39 40 44. Estimated jackpot: $6.3 million. FANTASY 5 Friday's drawing: 1419 21 28 36.

Saturday's drawing: 04 08 1516 21. Estimated jackpot: $56,000. PICK 3 Friday's drawing: 9 4 6. Saturday's drawing: 963. WEEKLY WINNINGS Friday's drawing: 02 40 42 43.

2BY2 Friday's drawing: Red: 04 26. White: 01 22. Saturday's drawing: Red: 01 21. White: 10 24. MEGA MILLIONS Friday's drawing: 01 1013 19 21; Mega Ball: 28; Megaplier: 3.

Estimated jackpot: $66 million..