MAKE A NOTE!! -- October 18th, 2000
CIRCULATION - 3,364
WEB SITE VISITORS - 5,314
A Free Twice Monthly (1st and 3d Wednesday of each month) Ezine with (Hopefully) Useful Info on a Wide Variety of Topics
NEXT ISSUE TO BE PUBLISHED ON/ABOUT NOVEMBER 1ST, 2000
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NOTE: Each entry has a suggested "POST IT..." location at the end. We recommend that you print out the ezine, cut out each entry, & post it in these locations to make it easier for you to find when you need it. And if you like what you read, be sure to pass it on to someone else who can use it.
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Editor's Note
We've made a few minor changes to the ezine this week. First of all, due to numerous requests, we have removed the "(Hopefully)" from our subtitle. If there is ever a need to replace it, be sure to let me know. :-) The issues will now be coming out the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month, so mark your calendars. I have also reinstated our "Coming Attractions" section. This section will try to keep you informed about the articles that we are working on, but keep in mind that this is a working list and changes may be made. We do our best to keep our web site updated, eliminating out of date info, correcting changed links, etc, but we can't do it without your help. If you come across things that need to be fixed, please be sure to drop us a line & let us know. For example, Priceline recently announced the cancellation of their gas card program, so we have removed those articles from our site. And as always, if there is anything you would like to see covered in future issues, please don't hesitate to let us know.
--Sharon ^i^
Editor, Make A Note ... Make-A-Note@worldnet.att.net
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Free Olympic Athlete Video Clarification
Apparently there was a miscommunication between myself and a worker at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association regarding this offer I mentioned in our last issue (October 4th, 2000). The offer was not intended for the general public, but only for those on the World Wide Pictures mailing list. However, World Wide Pictures graciously agreed to honor the offer for our readers who call in, as long as the number of requests doesn't get too cumbersome. If you were one of the first to call in, the operators may have turned down your request. They will honor the offer for a short time longer to give those people a chance to call in again. The offer is only open to residents of the USA, Canada, and those with APO/FPO addresses. Call 1-877-247-2426 or request it through their web site at http://www.billygraham.org/contactus/. You might also request to be put on their mailing list to keep abreast of all their great family videos. A big thank you to Dawn L. for alerting me to the problem. POST IT...by your telephone.
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Election Site for Kids
For those of you who haven't discovered all the wonderful things on PBS Kids' Web site, you don't know what you have been missing (and the adult one is pretty informative also). One of the sections on the site is currently about democracy. Check it out at http://www.pbs.org/democracy/kids. For more kid sites go to http://www.pbs.org/kids (and for adult programs http://www.pbs.org. POST IT...by your computer.
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Extensive Tourist Info for USA
Whether you live on Main Street, USA or on another continent, here is a site that will give you plenty of vacation ideas for every corner of the USA. The National Council of State Tourism Directors have brought together into one web site, info from all across the country. Links to state sites, territories, and so much more. You may be surprised at what you may be able to do & see even on a day trip. Check it out at: http://www.tourstates.com. Remember that most USA libraries now have free computer access, so if your schedule is a little more flexible, you can still update your itinerary far from home. POST IT...by your computer, in travel books, motel books, or your suitcase.
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MindWare-Creative Products for Kids
A long time ago, reader Charlotte E. asked me for ideas on encouraging gifted children (now you see why I am hesitant to do a "Coming Attractions" site). I didn't forget, and would like to share a great catalog with you for encouraging any child to keep that gray matter upstairs busy. MindWare-Creative Enrichment for School Age Kids is a fantastic company that seeks out the best "smart" products they can find. No toys here that do everything & leave the child with nothing to do but watch. Their catalog is filled with learning games, books, puzzles, & other products. They do accept purchase orders from schools, & also let you know which of their books are reproducible for classroom use. They have products for all ages. You can check out their web site at http://www.MINDWAREonline.com, or call & request a catalog at 1-800-999-0398. To request a catalog by email, or inquire about international rates, write to info@MINDWAREonline.com. POST IT...by your computer, your phone, your Christmas shopping list.
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Watch Those Hospital Bills
When is a $10 teddy bear, NOT a teddy bear? When it is a $60 "cough support device". Yes, that is turning up on some ADULT patients' hospital bills. You think that because of all those investigative reporters out there, that hospitals no longer pad bills? Not so. While I'm sure there are some honest hospitals out there, there are still $10 boxes of tissues (mucus recovery systems) and $18 trash bags (gauze collection bags) being put on bills. According to Equifax, the average hospital patient overpays by $1,300. Recently MSNBC ran a wonderful article by Pat Palmer, author of "The Medical Bill Survival Guide", and founder of Medical Billing Advocates of America. For the full text of the article, go to: http://www.msnbc.com/news/470229.asp. You should ALWAYS ask for a detailed bill, and should always check it. You also might want to order a copy of the author's book "The Medical Bill Survival Guide : What You Need to Know Before You Pay a Dime" for $6.29 or check to see if your library has a copy. In the book she lists organizations that will check the bill for you. To get info on people in your area who can help you, you can also go to the web site of Medical Billing Advocates of America at http://www.billadvocates.com or call them at (540)387-5870. If the company recovers anything for you, most keep 50% or less of the recovered amount. Usually if they recover nothing, they charge nothing. And as a former insurance clerk for a doctor's office, I advise you to ALWAYS re-file denied claims, or claims that are not paid in full. Ask your company to consider them for additional payment. In the majority of cases I handled, they did end up paying more than the original settlement. Never hurts to ask. POST IT...with your insurance card/papers.
Back Issue Treasure -- -Medical Research On Your Own
This June 1st, 1998 back issue has an extensive article on how to do your own medical research. A GOOD doctor will be pleased with an informed patient who asks appropriate questions.
CURRENT MOST POPULAR BACK ISSUES:
July 15th, 2000 and September 15th, 2000. Check them out yourselves to see what all the fuss is about. :-)
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Coming Attractions
For the Bonus Page on the web site, we are working on a Moving Checklist, and additional "Diet for a Poisoned Planet" food lists. For future issues of the ezine, we are working on an issue devoted entirely to home schooling, but the resources would also be wonderful supplements to public/private school students. So keep on reading.
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JOKE (Church Bulletin Blooper in honor of Clergy Appreciation Month)
"The pastor will preach his farewell message, after which the choir will sing, 'Break Forth Into Joy'." (Editor's Note-don't forget to do something special for your pastor this month)
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QUOTE
"Seventy-five percent of the public gets their information from TV. That means 75% of Americans are under-informed. ...You must read newspapers, you must read magazines, you must read books. The essence of journalism is the printed word." --Bernard Shaw, CNN Anchor, and reporter for 36 years.
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AT&T's Community Port
AT&T has a site about WorldNet members, like us, who have created their own personal web pages. If you think our site deserves to be featured on AT&T's Community Port , send them an e-mail about it, at communities@att.net. Be sure to include the page's URL http://home.att.net/~make-a-note/index.htm and why you think our site is special.
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