According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2005, 16,885 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes - an average of one almost every half-hour. These deaths constituted approximately 39 percent of the 43,443 total traffic fatalities. Please don't add to either of these numbers this holiday or anytime. Drive safely and
Please, Don't Drink and Drive!
Wine: It's Not Just Red or White Anymore (December 28, 2006)
Confused as to what wine to serve or order with your New Year's Dinner? Don't just think red or white. Think full, medium, or light bodied; fruity, silky, soft, or tannic. And don't forget sparkling and dessert wines. Use Rachel Ray's Wine Pairing chart to guide you.
Online Food Resource (December 26, 2006)
Food 411 is a great food resource for everything on the Web related to online food: shopping opportunities; gourmet foods, ingredients, recipes, cooking, and food blogs, unique gift ideas, and meals for delivery.
Merry Christmas
Line Rider (December 22, 2006)
Line Rider is way too much fun and yet simple to use. Keep the kids busy for a while (or enjoy it yourself) getting this sleder down a slippery slope.
How Are They Made (December 20, 2006)
How Products Are Made explains and details the manufacturing process of a wide variety of products, from daily household items to complicated electronic equipment and heavy machinery. The site provides step by step descriptions of the assembly and the manufacturing process (complemented with illustrations and diagrams) Each product also has related information such as the background, how the item works, who invented the product, raw materials that were used, product applications, by-products that are generated, possible future developments, quality control procedures, etc.
Festival Finder (December 18, 2006)
Festivals.com claims to be the Internet's largest Festival and Event resource. Click the map of the USA to find events in your state or click "Explore the World" to view events in other countries.
Roller Coaster Safety (December 16, 2006)
How do physics laws affect amusement park ride design? Learner.org has designed an online exhibit giving you a chance to find out by designing your own roller coaster. You can also experiment with bumper car collisions.
The South Pole (December 14, 2006)
Visit Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station online; perhaps the world's most remote research facility. Find out what they're doing and how it may effect you.
Getting Off Mailing Lists (December 12, 2006)
To receive less national advertising mail, you can register for the Direct Marketing Association's (DMA's) Mail Preference Service (MPS).
When you register with DMA's Mail Preference Service, your name and home address are placed on a "do-not-mail" file. DMA members are required to run their list of prospective customers against the file and remove individuals who registered so that they do not send their mailings to these individuals. MPS is also available to non-DMA members, so that all marketers may take advantage of this service, and remove the names of individuals who have already indicated they don't wish to receive unsolicited mail at their homes.
The "do-not-mail" file is updated monthly and distributed four times a year (January, April, July, and October), though some mailers choose to receive the file monthly. Your name remains on MPS for five years, after which time you may register again. Typically, you will see the amount of mail you receive begin to decrease approximately three months after your name is entered onto the quarterly file (a little longer if you use the mail-in option).
Keep it Safe - part 3 of 3 (December 10, 2006)
Here are the numbers you always need to contact if your wallet, etc., has been stolen:
Equifax: 800-525-6285
Experian (formerly TRW): 888-397-3742
Trans Union: 800-6807289
Social Security Administration (fraud line):800-269-0271
Keep it Safe - part 2 of 3 (December 8, 2006)
5
We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card Numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them.
6
File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit Providers you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an Investigation (if there ever is one). But here's what is perhaps most important of all: (I never even thought to do this.)
7
Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations Immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and also call the Social Security fraud line number. The alert means any company that checks your Credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by Phone to authorize new credit.
The next Bits & Bolg entry will be Who to call.
Keep it Safe - part 1 of 3 (December 6, 2006)
1
Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "PHOTO ID REQUIRED."
2
When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card Accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won't have access to it.
3
Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home Phone. If you have a PO Box use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks. (DUH!) You can add it if it is necessary. But if you have It printed, anyone can get it.
4
Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. Carry a Photocopy of your passport when traveling either here or abroad. We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed on us in stealing a Name, address, Social Security number, credit cards.
The next Bits & Bolg entry will be critical information to limit the damage in case your credit cards and drivers license is lost or stolen.
Flash Earth (December 4, 2006)
Flash Earth is an experimental application that uses satellite and aerial imagery from online mapping web sites without official consent. It's interesting to see the different maps and how they work.
Don't Pay Full Retail (December 2, 2006)
Many online stores allow for a "coupon" or "promotion" code when you order to automatically assign discounts, deals and freebies (kinda like money for nothing). RetailMeNot is a place for finding and sharing these coupon codes.
