MAKE A NOTE!! -- March 7th, 2001
CIRCULATION - 11,924 (From Around the World! :-)
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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 MARCH 21ST, 2001
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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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Contest Pointers
If you have kids, then you know that they LOVE to enter contests. Or maybe you are the one who likes to compete. Either way, it is important to take into consideration WHO is sponsoring/judging the contest when you put together your entry. Obviously I'm not talking about the fill in the entry form type of contest, but contests where pictures are drawn, photos are taken, speeches done, or essays are written. If the contest is being sponsored by a telephone product company, then draw a picture (or suggest to the child that they draw a picture) of something involving a phone. If the company has a logo & you are supposed to be drawing a car, include the logo on the car. If the essay about changing your world is sponsored by a soda company, you wouldn't want to do anything about avoiding soda or drinking milk. I'm not saying you should lie, just consider your audience. Think this doesn't matter? My daughter entered a phonebook company's contest to have a picture they had drawn included in the yellow pages. The first two times she entered she drew bears and her pictures were not selected. The 3rd & 4th time she entered she drew bears with either phones or phonebooks & both were selected. And I really couldn't tell that much difference in any of the pictures other than that. Also it is a good idea to try to avoid the common, if they are supposed to do a speech about a battle from a particular war, try to find an obscure one that will catch the interest of the judges. This is also a good idea for reports in classrooms, try to select subjects/books that seem to be least popular. POST IT...near your art supplies.
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Dangerous Surge Protectors
In the last month, our medium sized home town has experienced two bad apartment complex fires BOTH caused by surge protectors that overheated & caused a fire. Dozens of families lost their homes. The fire department said that fires from surge protectors are a growing problem all across the country. So here are some tips to keep this from happening to you. First, check this web site to make sure that you aren't using a surge protector that has been recalled http://www.ehs.umaryland.edu/NewsArticles/pr29.htm, there are a lot of them out there. If you don't have web site access, then look for the UL or ETL label on the box/product. Use the ones that have the 3 hole outlets w/one blade larger than the other. Don't overload the surge protectors or use with other extension cords/surge protectors. Do not use surge protectors with large appliances like refrigerators, heaters, or dishwashers (buy heavy duty extension cords). Never use cords that become hot to the touch or are cut/worn. Unplug things when not in use as much as possible. For those of you in dorms, or with family members in dorms, this is a real problem in rooms that are not built to handle the computers, microwaves, mini-fridges, hot-plates, TV's, radios, and more that often go into ONE room. Be sure that the school monitors this type of thing. You may take safety measures, but what about the people all around you. And check those smoke detectors monthly! POST IT...near your computer/surge protector.
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Rental Car Savings
A reader recently asked about saving money on rental cars. I thought you all might be interested in the info...First of all, I recommend Enterprise Rental car. The last few times that we have needed a rental car in different parts of the country, Enterprise had the best rates. I would also recommend getting one car up from the cheapest one when renting cars, because the smallest ones are more likely to overheat or not have the "oomph" you need when you hit the accelerator in traffic. As far as the extra insurance goes, in most cases this would be covered by your insurance company or credit card company, so check with them before you go. Unless your own vehicles have a lot less coverage than the rental car, then usually you will be completely covered. Most of the time, you shouldn't have to buy the extra insurance, although they do make quite a bit of money selling it to people who don't need it. When checking with a car company, the best prices are most often by the day rather than miles. If you are planning on traveling out of the state you rent it in, check with the company to make sure that this isn't a problem. Enterprise doesn't usually charge for the spouse, while other companies will add an extra fee. Check on prices not only with the 800 national number, but also with the local office you will be renting from, they may offer you a better deal. Ask if they have shuttle services if needed. POST IT...under "Automobile Rental" or "Travel Agents" in the yellow pages.
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Good Advice for Parents of Teens
A juvenile probation officer in Texas actually interviewed teens on their way to reform school and asked them, "What could your parents have done to help you?" We don't have room for all 10 responses here, but here are the top four...
- Parents, keep your cool, stay calm, & don't lose your temper.
- Parents, do not get hung up on jobs or activities that keep you away from home, keep in touch somehow and be around to supervise your children.
- Parents, stay away from alcohol & drugs (even things like sleeping pills).
- Parents, use strict, loving discipline, show the kids who is boss, they really do want it this way, even though they may complain.
Out of the mouths of babes...
For the top TEN responses, click HERE, or go to our "Bonus Stuff" page, then scroll down to "Parenting", then "Good Advice for Parents of Teens".
From an article by Clarence DeLoach, Jr. in "The Edifier". POST IT...near your computer, & where you can see it daily.
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Recipe: Salmon Patties
Here's an easy recipe for those of you eating more fish for Lent. Mix together 1 Lg Can (14.75 oz) of salmon (liquid included), 1/2C saltine cracker crumbs, 1/4C finely chopped celery, 2 tblsp finely chopped onion (green onion also works well), & 1 egg slightly beaten. A potato masher makes a great tool for mixing this & crushing all the contents as you go. Form into patties and fry in Pam sprayed or lightly oiled frying pan on medium heat until golden brown on each side. Season to taste. Serve with tartar or cocktail sauce, or lemon wedges on side. POST IT... on your shopping list, & in your recipe box.
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Back Issue Treasure: March 1st, 1999 Issue (Irish Potato Candies, St. Patrick's Day Quiz, and more)
Access our March 1st, 1999 issue for a fun St. Patrick's Day. Enlist your kids & make some delicious Irish Potato Candies. These treats are very popular in the Philly area at this time of year. They look like little dirty potatoes, but are actually sort of like coconut candies rolled in cinnamon. See the back issue for the recipe. They are always a big hit. Quiz your family on St. Patrick trivia (see our March 15th, 1999 Issue for another fun St. Patrick's Day game that will keep your company guessing on what the "trick" is :-). A couple of the items on this back issue are no longer valid (computers, & Hot Wheels), but the rest of the info should still be current. POST IT...by your computer & near your recipe box.
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Final Words
JOKE
This is actually a quote, but I thought it was humorous & perhaps some good advice for President Bush...
Former President Ronald Reagan once said, "I have left orders to be awakened at any time in case of national emergency, even if I'm in a Cabinet meeting."
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QUOTE
"I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble."
--Helen Keller
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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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