MAKE A NOTE!! -- September 17th, 2003
CIRCULATION - 36,450 (From Around the World! :-)
WEB SITE VISITORS - 75,400
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 OCTOBER 15TH, 2003
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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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Hurricane Prep Sites (Good for Other Storms as Well)
We've done several articles over the years on hurricane preparedness (check
out back issues and do a search on "hurricanes"), but many of the sites have
disappeared. So here are the Make a Note's favorite hurricane info sites. For
info on location, warnings, advisories, and nice clear maps, get it from the
horse's mouth at the National Hurricane Center at
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
My favorite is the Maps and Charts section. For info on how to prepare for the
storm and understand how it works (do you know the more dangerous quadrant of a
hurricane?), go to...
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/intro.shtml
Since I wrote the last hurricane article, we survived Fran in NC, so I have a few more things to add that aren't usually listed on the prepare lists. The day before the storm hits, or earlier if you can manage it, gas your vehicles (electric pumps may be out later). Pack up your freezer and fridge as much as you can, the fuller it is, the better it will keep the cold if you lose power. Water jugs are great for taking up space, fill in the rest with blankets or towels, but do it BEFORE power goes out, not after. Turn your freezer down to the coldest setting and the same with your fridge, without causing the fridge foods to freeze. If the power goes out, try not to open your fridge/freezer unless you have to (tape it shut so you don't forget), and cover any large freezers with a blanket on the outside as well to hold in the cold. After 2 days without power our freezer items were still frozen. Just before the storm hits, turn down your A/C to as low as you can stand it; if you lose power later, at least you'll have a few more hours of cool. If your power goes out, take a shower right away, that may be the last hot water you see for a while. You might also consider turning the temperature up on your water heater a little higher than usual to help it last a little longer. Be careful about this esp. if you have kids. Before the storm hits do as much laundry and dishes in the dishwasher/washing machines as you can, don't try to do it in the middle of the storm or you may be trying to find a way to rinse out soapy clothes in a tub. Fill up your bathtubs with water, not for drinking, but for flushing the toilet if you lose water. But also have a good supply of water on hand for drinking, and candles/flashlights/matches. If you have gas and HAVE to use your stove, remember that most gas stoves have the electric ignitions now, but you can light them with a match...BE CAREFUL. Have plastic sheeting and buckets on hand for leaks. Bring ALL lose items inside or tie down, if that's not possible try to lay them low on the ground close to a wall on the side away from the wind. Do NOT park vehicles under trees , and try to cut or pull down any loose branches on trees around your home. If you have a lot of big trees around your home consider having family members sleep on the floor next to their beds that night, that way if a tree comes down hopefully the bed will offer a little protection. Unplug all electrical items not in use, hurricanes often generate a lot of lightning and tornadoes (Back up your computer info). Put as many of your possessions inside closets or drawers as you can and/or away from windows. Much of the damage caused by hurricanes/tornadoes are related to water, more than wind. Keep an eye on your ceiling and around windows/doors for leaks. Stock up on food/drinks that don't require cooking or chilling (jerky, cans of tuna/beans/stew) , individual servings may work better at this time. Baked potatoes keep well until cut, fruit is also good. Have cash on hand, ATMs and credit card machines may be out of commission and many stores will only take cash. According to the latest prediction, our part of VA has the eye passing just south of us very early Friday morning, so if I don't answer your email right away, you'll know why. :-) And the most dangerous quadrant of the storm...if the hurricane were a car and it was moving forward, the passenger side would be the side where more tornadoes, high winds, and storm surge are generated. In other words, you are safer if you are to the left of the path.
POST IT...on your computer and shopping list.
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Lego Catalog
For all you Lego fans out there, the catalog is the best place to shop. How
many times have you gone into a store to get Lego gift for someone and the only
sets left were the ones everyone had OR no one wanted OR only the cheap/most
expensive sets? Well, the catalog eliminates all that. I find the prices
comparable to stores if not cheaper, I've never called to find them out of
stock, and you don't even have to leave your home. They have a huge selection
and you can find the new stuff without having to go to 50 stores looking for
them. You can go to this site to fill out a catalog request online...
http://shop.lego.com/TermsPolicies/request_catalog.asp
They have links to request the catalog in many other countries as well on this
site. If you would like to call it's 1-800-453-4652 to request a catalog in
English, in Canada for French please call 1-877-518-5346.
POST IT...on your shopping list (are you using our Christmas Countdown
List?).
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Practice Tests/Drills /Games for (just about) Any Subject
I LOVE this web site!! Anyone taking a class in just about any subject will
probably find helpful drills/tests on this site. Whether it is for grade school,
middle school, high school, or college they have a ton drills/tests/games, in a
VERY wide variety of subject areas, to practice on. So go to...
http://www.quia.com/dir/
for all the topics available. When you click on the title, it will come up with
the 20 most popular activities. If you want to see an entire list, just change
your preference under "All Activities" to "by title". This site is free for
those using the games. It only costs money if a teacher wants to sign up to add
their own games for kids. They do have group rates if you are interested in
doing that.
POST IT...under "school" on your web sites, tell other students and teachers you know.
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Water Slide Warning
In our previous issue, we talked about homemade water slides. An alert
reader, Thomas D., alerted us to certain safety warnings regarding these slides.
While we only talked about kids using them, we would like to be clear that it is
not safe for adults or teens to use them. Eight adults and 1 teen were injured
trying to use them over the last 31 years, even though the box clearly says it
is not for adult use. For more info you can go to the following web sites...
FindLaw Class Action and Mass Tort
Center
www.MySafeFamily.com
Skeletons in the Courthouse: Hazards to the Public Remain Secret
POST IT...with the water slide article.
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Recipe: Italian Potato Salad
Here's a potato salad that can do without refrigeration for a few hours more than one that is mayo-based. Take 5 lbs of potatoes and scrub well, I like the red ones best, then cook until done either in the microwave or oven. Allow to cool (can be served warm if desired), slice into chunks leaving the peel on. Add 1C of chopped green onion (white or purple onion will do in a pinch). Pour in 1C, more or less to taste, of Italian salad dressing (I love Wishbone's). Mix well. You can add bacon bits IF you don't have to worry about losing power. :-)
POST IT...in your recipe box.
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Back Issue Treasure: September 15th, 1998
Did you know that October is Clergy Appreciation Month? Go to this back issue for all kinds of ideas to keep that pastor in good spirits. Looking for a musical instrument without having to spend a fortune? We'll direct you to a site to help you find a good deal. We'll also tell you mystery lovers about web sites with free stories to keep you guessing, great for kids too. Got PMS, then you may need more calcium, go to this issue to find out more. What a neat gift idea...cakes in jars, check it out in this issue as well. All this and much more.
To retrieve this back issue click HERE.
POST IT...by your computer.
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Missing Child Info: Ahkeelah & Tiesha Gammons
Both the girls and their father are all black, with black hair and brown
eyes, and missing from Temple, TX. Ahkeelah is 9 yrs old, 4'11", and 161 lbs.
Tiesha is 6 yrs old, 4', and 61 lbs. Ahkeelah was last seen wearing a blue
Calvin Klein T-shirt. Tiesha was last seen wearing a brown sweater with white
sleeves. They were last seen in the company of their non-custodial father,
Jeffrey Gammons who is Schizophrenic. He is 32 yrs old, 5'10", 209 lbs. Last
seen on 9/15. For photos go to...
http://www.ncmec.org/missingkids/servlet/PubCaseSearchServlet?act=viewPoster&caseNum=A0309006&orgPrefix=TXCH&searchLang=en_US(remember
or go to http://www.ncmec.org and click on "More Search Options" in the middle of the page, then enter in "Gammons" at the bottom, then click on either the child's name or "View Poster" under their name.
POST IT...in your car and keep an eye out, esp. if you are in the TX area.
Final Words
JOKE (From Chip H.)
A pastor had a skydiver in his congregation. One day the skydiver came up to the pastor and said, "You should come and skydive with me sometime pastor." The pastor said, "Oh, no, no, no, no." The skydiver said smiling, "You know you don't have to worry, pastor, the Lord will be with you." The pastor said, "No, He says 'LO (low), I am with you.'" :-)
QUOTE
"Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be."
--Abraham Lincoln
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