Category Archives: Tips and Tricks

What To Do If Your Number Is Spoofed

“Who is this?” “Why did you call me?” “Stop harassing me!!” If you’ve been getting messages like these from people you’ve never contacted, someone might be spoofing your phone number. Read on to learn what to do if your number is spoofed.

What is number spoofing?

Number spoofing is when someone fakes outgoing caller ID info to show a number that isn’t theirs. The spoofed number often belongs to a real person or business, but not to the person using it to call you.

A common strategy is neighbor spoofing, which is when the caller displays a number with your area code so that you’re more likely to pick up. Scammers will even spoof the numbers of legitimate government agencies, banks, and insurance providers to fool people into paying fraudulent fees or revealing sensitive information.

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The World’s Most Magical Christmas Villages to Visit This Year

Carolers, hot chocolate, holiday decorations galore…celebrating Christmas is an art form, and these small towns have perfected it, spreading cheer every December. A Santa in the square? Child’s play. Here, villages turn storybook Christmases straight out of a Dickens novel into reality, taking celebrations to the next level in the form of parades, unique trees, miles of ornate lighting displays, pageants, and enough chestnuts and cocoa to send the elves into hibernation. If you want to feel like you’re stepping inside your favorite magical holiday flick, visit one of these best Christmas villages and towns in the U.S., Germany, and around the world.

Slovan, California

In the Santa Ynez Mountains outside Santa Barbara, this tiny Danish village celebrates Christmas with ample cheer during its annual Julefest. Events include the Skål Stroll Wine and Beer Walk, candlelight tours, a nativity pageant, a holiday concert, and the Julefest parade. Keep an eye peeled for the Jule Nisse: festive gnomes with clues leading toward holiday prizes.

Bad Ragaz, Switzerland

The Swiss town of Bad Ragaz kicks off its yearly Christmas season in late November with a ceremonial Festival of Lights, illuminating the 131-foot-tall sequoia tree on the lawn of Grand Resort Bad Ragaz—supposedly the tallest living Christmas tree in Europe. Other events hosted at the picturesque village’s Grand Resort include several Christmas markets, multiple concerts, dinners, parties, and processions, and a Russian Christmas gala.

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Franklin Tennessee

Aarhus, Denmark

Denmark’s second-largest city, the quaint destination of Aarhus, is a Christmas dream. The town boasts thousands of lights on its “Strøget” high street, with delights including a Christmas market selling Danish specialties, the exterior of department store Salling wrapped up like a gift, Christmas tree-lined streets in the Latin Quarter, and a panorama of Danish Christmas throughout the ages at The Old Town Museum, Den Gamle By.

Williamsburg, Virginia

Calling itself the Best Christmas Town in America, Colonial Williamsburg particularly shines at Christmastime. Traditions abound, such as caroling by torchlight, a gun-salute display, and every home in the historic area lighting a candle in their windows—dating back to the days of the Founding Fathers. As far as lights, the area can’t be beat, with Busch Gardens donning 10 million lights for the largest display in North America. And the Community Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Market Square is a must.

Colmar, France

A quaint Alsatian village close to the German border, Colmar is reportedly one of the locales that inspired Belle’s town in Beauty and the Beast. Indeed, the fairy-tale aspect of Colmar comes to life during the holidays, with five Christmas markets, an endless array of twinkling lights, carolers, a roller coaster, carousel, and ice-skating rink.

Alexandria, Virginia

Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

A meticulously-preserved walled medieval town in Germany, Rothenburg ob der Tauber boasts a centuries old Christmas market well-worth the trip to its cobblestone streets. (Incredibly, this used to be Germany’s second largest city.) Revelers can find treats like mulled wine, grilled sausage, roast chestnuts, or an original Rothenburg Snowball fried dough pastry, while other highlights include a German Christmas Museum. The market kicks off every year with the appearance of the “Rothenburger Riders,” horsemen who—while formerly scary—are now believed to be messengers of good news

Santa Claus, Indiana

With a name like Santa Claus, how could this small Indiana town not be full of seasonal tidings? Celebrations include the annual Christmas parade, a Santa Claus Arts & Crafts Show, Santa’s Candy Castle for elven chats, a German-inspired Das Nikolaus Fest, and the Santa Claus Museum & Village, where children can write letters to St. Nick. (PS: letters postmarked by December 20th will receive a response, too!)

Mont Tremblant, Quebec

At Christmastime, Canada’s pedestrian village Mont Tremblant turns into a winter wonderland, complete with skiing, tubing, dog sledding, and horse-drawn sleighs. Toufou, the town mascot, greets visitors who come for events such as the holiday parade, Lumberjack Day, concerts and entertainment from the Grelot Family elves, and generational storytelling on Legends Day.

Branson, Missouri

It’s no wonder Branson is known as America’s Christmas Tree City: this is a town that does Christmas proud. Over 6.5 million lights sparkle in Branson every festive season, with other highlights including more than 1000 Christmas trees, Rudolph’s Holly Jolly Christmas Light Parade, a drive-through lights display, Living Nativity petting zoo, and the Christmas celebration at Silver Dollar City with its nightly lights display and Christmas festival.

Coburg, Germany

The hometown of Queen Victoria’s husband Prince Albert—who reportedly introduced the Christmas tree and other German festive customs to England—the Bavarian city of Coburg comes alive at Christmastime with its traditional Christmas Market, candlelight parade led by the Coburg Children’s Choir, and Christmas decorations aplenty. Revelers can also enjoy treats like spiced wine, mulled beer, and Lebkuchen, a baked German gingerbread treat, as well as enjoy horse and carriage rides around the charming town.

Frankenmuth, Michigan

Winchester, England

This medieval city features one of England’s biggest and most charming German-inspired Christmas markets with more than one hundred wooden chalets. Seasonal bright spots include the outdoor skating rink, British Crafts Village complete with nativity scene; festive food like bratwurst, minced pies and mulled wine; family carols at Winchester Cathedral; an annual Lantern Parade; and a charitable Santa Fun Run.

Riverside, California

Montreux, Switzerland

The small Swiss town of Montreux features a legendary Christmas Market overlooking Lac Léman, with more than 160 chalet stalls, crafts, mulled wine, local delicacies, live music, artisan gifts, and numerous restaurants. Children and adults alike can enjoy the Lumberjack Village, catch sight of Santa on his flying sleigh, ride the Big Ferris Wheel, visits elves in the Place du Marche (otherwise known as Elves Square), and even take a cogwheel train up the Rochers-de-Naye mountain to Santa’s House. Nearby, the medieval fortress of Chillon Castle provides even more festive delights.

Bath, England

The Georgian spa town of Bath transforms into a winter wonderland at Christmas, complete with annual Bath Christmas market featuring more than 150 chalets, an ice rink, Victorian carousel, parties, wreath-making workshops, festive train rides, visits from Santa, and more. Don’t forget to check out the Christmas Tree Carol Trail to enjoy each of ten trees decorated in the style of a classic Christmas song.

North Pole, Alaska

Freiburg, Germany

As the unofficial capital of southwest Germany’s Black Forest, the town of Freiburg features Christmas charm aplenty. Its traditional and undeniably quaint Christmas market offers crafts, gifts, seasonal nibbles and drinks from more than 130 stalls, while other must-dos include a life-sized wooden nativity and daily advent services at St. Martin’s Church.

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Use H-O-L-L-Y to Beat Christmas Cooking Stress

What does holly, that untidy traditional greenery you just have to festoon your house with every year, have to do with not tearing your hair out before it’s even Thanksgiving? Plenty. You can use H-O-L-L-Y to help you get organized.

1. H: Help

How many times have you tried to do the perfect turkey all by yourself just so your mother-in-law would be impressed? Here’s a reality check: (a) If your mother-in-law is any kind of a real woman, she remembers that her mother-in-law put the exact same pressure on her, and (b) if she’s the kind of person who complains because the cranberries come from a can, she’s the kind of person who complains anyway and would be unhappy if she couldn’t try to make you look like an incompetent nitwit, and how a woman like that could raise your wonderful husband is beyond everyone.

If that husband is such a great guy, get him in the kitchen. Sit down and plan what the two of you really want—he might not want a six-course dinner, which is fine, because you don’t either. Get the kids involved. By now some of them are at that stage where they want to show off what they can do “all by myself,” and you know that even though you hate your daughter’s taste in music, she did make killer stuffing last Thanksgiving. And your son makes a great omelet for Christmas morning. Then there’s your sister who loves to chat, so put her to work while you listen to her endless monologue.

Electronic help is great too—use a PDA or the family computer to keep a list of recipes and ingredients. There are many great, sometimes free, computer programs available.

2. O: Oh-No

Let’s face it. You’ll make mistakes. The sugar cookies will burn. You can always “eat” your mistakes and try again—just don’t try a new recipe for the first time Christmas Day. In fact, plan for your mistakes. That’s right. Most of us spend so much time agonizing over avoiding mistakes we forget that they are going to happen anyway, and not necessarily at our hands. So your best girlfriend Susan brought over deviled ham instead of double chocolate cake…there’s a reason we have bakeries, right? Just cheerfully accept the mistake and move on. People can get over a slightly too well-done roast, but they will be downright uncomfortable if you spend the entire dinner moaning about it.

3. L: Love

You know Christmas is the season of love, and you can have as much fun with take-out pizza as you can with an elegant dinner if the company is right. One sure way to recapture love is to bake cookies together. There’s nothing like the sight of kids rolling dough and decorating their works of art.

4. L: Let It Be

Sorry for the Paul McCartney overtones, but once you have your plan in place, stick to it—that doesn’t mean you can’t compromise slightly. Agonizing over turkey versus tofu causes you to lose your appetite, and is as harmful to your cooking as disorganization. Sticking to a decision and keeping your plan, no matter what everyone else thinks, gives you peace of mind.

5. Y: You

Remember that there will be stress around the holidays, but that your mind can choose not to give in. You can choose to refuse another beer because “I’m frazzled” or avoid inviting people you really can’t stand just because your mind thinks you have an obligation to be popular and kill yourself feeding 25 people. You can throw snowballs, or, if you live in California, go throw some water on the wildfires…just take your mind off your cooking. You’ll rediscover just why it is you’re cooking and what you love about Christmas.

So that’s your H-O-L-L-Y for a happy holiday. And when all else fails, there’s chocolate.

By
Kristin Johnson, co-author of Christmas Cookies Are For Giving: Stories, Recipes and Tips for Making Heartwarming Gifts

A Card That Celebrates Giving All Year Long

A greeting card that does a world of good for children around the world will now be available year-round.

For the first time ever, greeting cards carrying the logo of UNICEF-The United Nations Children’s Fund-will be available all through the year at participating Hallmark Gold Crown® stores. UNICEF has been raising money for its programs from the sale of greeting cards since 1949. To date, over 4 billion cards have been sold.

The new collection will feature 20 different varieties of boxed cards packaged in keepsake boxes with an African Kuba-cloth-patterned bottom. Birthday cards, thank-you cards, thinking-of-you cards and blank cards will be included in the collection-the first produced for UNICEF by Hallmark. Most boxes have four designs per box. The cards will be priced between $10 and $20 and come in groups of eight cards with nine envelopes or groups of 20 cards with 21 envelopes.

Since 1947, the U.S. Fund for UNICEF has supported the work of the United Nations Children’s Fund by raising support for its programs and increasing public awareness of the challenges facing the world’s children.

UNICEF’s programs are funded entirely by voluntary contributions and have made a tangible difference in the lives of children in 155 countries and territories. For example:

• $10 can provide a box of 200 disposable syringes for use during immunization campaigns.

• $12 can provide two long-lasting insecticidal mosquito nets, protecting families from malaria, which kills one African child every 30 seconds.

• $12 can provide 20 packets of high-energy biscuits, specially developed for malnourished children in emergency situations.

• $17 can immunize one child for life against the six major childhood diseases: diphtheria, measles, polio, tetanus, tuberculosis and whooping cough.

• $20 can buy blankets to protect five small children from the cold.

Kansas City-based Hallmark is known throughout the world for its greeting cards, related personal expression products, and one of television’s most honored and enduring dramatic series, “Hallmark Hall of Fame.” The company publishes products in more than 30 languages and distributes them in more than 100 countries.

10 Alternate Energy Sources To Live Well With Global Warming.

Feeling hot under the collar?

Glaciers and polar ice are melting, ocean levels are rising, hot, dry weather, huge forest fires, water restrictions, crop failures.

You name it, if these don’t feature in your life yet, they soon will. Global warming and climate change are facts of life now, according to the International Panel on Climate Change, and many scientists.

Huge problems beyond our control!

But are you hot under the collar?

If you’re not, you probably live in a city where half of the Earth’s citizens live now and take much for granted. Because in city living we are far removed from natural processes that deliver our food, clothing and energy.

Does your child even know that milk comes from a cow – or a soya bean if you’re that way inclined – and not from a milk carton?

Even in the city you cannot stick your head in the sand (or under the asphalt?) and you are not immune from climate change. Witnesses are the 15,000 mostly elderly people that died in Paris alone in the sizzling hot European summer of 2003. Or the many killed in New Orleans at the ‘hands’ of cyclone Katrina.

And if you are hot under the collar, do you think perhaps that there will be some miraculous scientific break-through so they ever-responsible ‘They’ will fix the Earth? The ultimate stem cell technology maybe that can clone a new home for us!

Seriously, for many of us it is just all too hard.

All we want is to live a life where we may raise our children to have a future.

A future of some predictability: of schooling, a job, a family, community, of achievements and an enjoyable life – on a healthy planet Earth.

Is this a fading dream, once a reasonable expectation?

Maybe, maybe not.

Our world is changing. There are great challenges ahead and it is too late to stop global warming. The Earth has changed and the processes it uses to regulate itself are adjusting themselves. And these changes will not suit human life as it is.

But you are not powerless.

Each person alone can change the world, one by one. Let me explain.

Do I say that these problems are under our control then?

Well, yes and no.

We are talking about a severely disabled world really.

And from the experience of disability we can learn how to survive and thrive!

“Come on, get real”, you say? Do I hear: “Just show me the right alternate energy sources and we’ll get out of this mess.”

Yes, we desperately do need to switch to renewable energy sources that do not make a greenhouse out of our home, the Earth. But all the technology in the world will never be enough to survive and flourish.

Renewable energy sources alone will not teach us to accept limits, unpredictability and what it is to lead a rewarding life.

How we have lived collectively, in our billions, for the last few hundred years, has got us to this point. And by changing what we do we can live through climate change as best as we might.

Even now.

It’s simple and it’s hard work. No way out of that.

Many people with severe disabilities know this. And they report the same or better life satisfaction as anyone else–under highly challenging, vulnerable circumstances.

So, we can learn to live well in a disabled world.

Regardless of what is to come you and I will be well served by the beliefs and strategies that people with disabilities use to – not just to survive – but to live well.

These are true alternate energy sources.

Those that guide us how to use what we have sustainably.

These ‘disabled people’ believe this:

* Accept that all of us are fragile and vulnerable

* The world is full of limits. We need some of these to live well

* Vulnerability and dependence are an inevitable part of a whole life

* No-one is independent, but interdependent

* Connection with others is our lifeline and our wellbeing

And they do this:

* Engage with others to build positive relationship, where you live, work and play

* Pay attention to other’s needs and that of the environment

* Take responsibility for the situation you’re in

* Care for others and the environment competently

* Be assertive and use your humour and creativity

Not all people with disabilities act in this way of course. And I’d be the last to portray people with disabilities as heroes. We’re just people – trying to get on.

You try that!

Talk to that elderly woman in your street. Offer a hand when someone needs it.

Doing such small things will connect you with others and your environment.

And do also use the ‘regular’ renewable alternate energy sources, and recycle too.

You can change your local world by acting in these ways.

And if all fails – regardless?

Well, it’s the only way to go!

Perhaps your world might be just as hot but it’ll be cooler under your collar!

Defending Your Home From Pests

At the first site of a home invasion of bugs, don’t run for the spray gun. First, learn a little about the insect and how much of an invasion has really occurred. There just may be an easy way for you to get rid of the pest without putting yourself, your family, or your pets at risk. However, if a showdown is what it takes, there are some steps you should take to keep your home environment safe and healthy for your family.

The behavior of certain pests can help you eliminate them. For example, if your problem is cockroaches in your kitchen, you can set out baits in the corners of cabinets or hide them behind appliances against the wall. This is because cockroaches tend to follow along walls when they scout for food and water. No matter what insect has invaded your home, knowing your opponent will help you choose an effective and economical way to eliminate your infestation.

The pest may decide to avoid a showdown. Run them out of town by removing sources of food, water, and shelter. Most insects come into your home for these reasons. If the necessities for life are not there, they will go elsewhere. You may need to have a leaky faucet repaired and store food in sealed containers. You may also need to seal cracks under doors, next to windows, and around drainpipes to keep the insects from entering your home. Throwing out unnecessary paper boxes and paper bags can also eliminate places for insects to hide.

Use baits first because they are usually clean and have little or no odor. However, you must place them away from kids and pets. A child or pet may be attracted to bright colors or mistake the bait for a toy or treat.

You may also want to try an organic solution that is less harmful to the environment and often has fewer odors. However, organic does not mean it will be completely harmless to you, your family, or pets. You still need to follow the manufactures safety precautions when using organic pesticides.

To get ready for the showdown, read the label first. And read all of it, so you will know how to apply the pesticide, how much pesticide you need, where and where not to apply it, and most importantly, what to do in case of an emergency. The special warnings not only tell you to keep it out of your eyes, for example, but what to do if you spray and it’s carried to your eyes.

If sprays are necessary, only use what is approved for home or indoor use and use only the recommended amount. Inside your home a chemical can be toxic, especially those designed for the outdoors. Chemicals designed for the outdoors often remain toxic longer inside than they would outdoors, because outdoors the chemical will breakup and disperse to some degree, but inside the wind and elements are not there to help this happen. When spraying indoors, you may want to air out the house before you close it up for the night.

Don’t over do it. More is not better when it comes to chemicals in and around your home. Use the amount recommended on the label. The manufacturer of the product makes recommendations with the expectation that you will use it properly for the right insect, in the right volume, and in the right environment.

Don’t forget to dispose of unused pesticides properly. You will find the disposal instructions on the label. And don’t transfer the pesticide to another container or use the pesticide container for something else. Of course, keep stored pesticides away from children and pets. In the United States, every 15 seconds a poison control center takes a call. Most of the calls are concerning a child and a substance the child found in the home.

If your home has been invaded with pests, don’t be fast on the trigger. Take a little time to learn about your opponents and then run them out of town. But if a showdown is the only way to rid your home of the pest, be the quickest on the draw by selecting a product designed for the pest and one that is suited for use in your home.

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