Norma Jean's Column for Southern Prince George's County

CLINTON COLUMN FOR AUGUST 28, 2003

Spending time with my family is one of my greatest joys, as all of my readers know. This past weekend, my oldest daughter, Barbara, came from South Carolina to spend a long weekend with us. We enjoyed the early part of the evening with all the family at my house, and then the rest of the evening at a Karaoke bar with the older folks. It is hard to believe that summer is almost over, but of course, we all know it has to happen eventually. I still would rather live in this area with the changing of the seasons, instead of Arizona or any of those states where the seasons don't seem to change much.

A Community Support Systems Country Fest is being held at the Brandywine Lions Park on October 11, with an auction starting at 9:30 am, lawn mower races at 1 pm, and cow chip Bingo beginning at 10 am. Of course, there will also be food, soft drinks, and other festivities. Tickets are $5 and are available now. Call 301-372-1491 or email css1995@aol.com for more information and tickets. 

identity theft is the newest crime that is being perpetrated against the vulnerable population. Readers Digest had some information about how to defend yourself from this crime. First of all, safeguard your Social Security number. Do not carry your card, and if any of your other cards have the number on it, ask the place whose card it is to give you a different number. Request passwords for credit cards and bank accounts, even if it is with a teller. Check your credit reports every six months to look for suspicious activity. These reports will cost you $9 unless you have been victimized already. In that case, they are free. For $70 to $80 a year, each of the credit agencies will alert you if anyone applies for credit in your name. To get off the credit bureaus' marketing lists and stop receiving pre-approved credit offers, call 888-567-8688.

If you have already been scammed, phone the three major credit agencies - Experian is 888-397-3742, TransUnion is 800-680-7289, Equifax is 888-766-0008 - and report it. Contact any creditors with whom the thieves have run up bills. Use the Federal Trade Commission's fraud affidavit at www.consumer.gov/idtheft/. Many businesses will accept this in lieu of their forms. Get a police report since creditors often require this as evidence that you have been a victim.

Easter Seals is looking for volunteers to answer phones and meet with administrative and clerical employees in the Calverton/Beltsville office. Someone with computer experience is preferred. Hours are flexible. Call 301-933-8700, ext. 105.

Prince George's Sports and Learning Center is offering a drop-in session for age12 and older to use the computers on Fridays from 6 to 9 pm. For more information, call 301-583-2430 (TTY) 301-583-2441.

A free Christian Dating Service in Washington, DC assists ages 18 to 90 in meeting other singles. Call 202-269-3449.

Adults 18 and older are needed to mentor African-American youth, ages 10 to 15 from Southeast DC. Volunteers must consent to a background check. Call the Center for Child protection and Family Support at 202-610-1939.

Freestate Happy Wanderers Volksmarch Club is sponsoring walking trails in Cambridge, Glen Burnie, Laurel, Savage, Ocean City, Port Deposit and Wheaton. Trails are available daily, during daylight hours. Call 410-437-2164/

Kettering Civic Federation is looking for crafters and food vendors for the Community Pride Day at Old Mill Park in Kettering on September 13, 11:30 am to 5 pm. Call 301-218-0258 for information.

To enter your pie or cake in the contest for North Clinton Community Day, the number is 301-868-4437. I'm afraid I made a mistake (horrors) and put it in as 301-858-4437. I hope the folks of the North Clinton community will forgive me.

There was a time when it was illegal to sell or consume ice cream sodas on Sunday, the day of the Sabbath, because they were too delicious and therefore sinful. Enterprising vendors altered the recipe to include fruits and sold the new concoction as a "Sunday". The Sunday treats became successful and the vendors altered the spelling slightly to "Sundae" so that customers would consume them on other days, also.

Norma Jean Fazenbaker's column can be found in the Clinton Gazette, Prince George's Post, Prince George's Sentinel, and the Enquirer Gazette. You can contact Norma Jean by email - click this link.

2003 Archives: Jan. 2, Jan. 9, Jan. 17, Jan. 23, Jan. 30, Feb. 6, Feb. 13, Feb. 20, Feb. 27, March 6, March 13, March 20, March 27, April 3, April 10, April 17, April 24, May 1, May 8, May 16, May 22, May 29, June 5, June 12, June 19, June 26, July 3, July 10, July 24

2002 Archives: May 30, June 6, June 13, June 20, June 27, July 4, July 11, July 18, July 25, Aug. 1, Aug. 8, Aug. 15, Aug. 22, Aug. 28, Sept. 5, Sept. 12, Sept. 18, Sept. 26, Oct. 3, Oct. 10, Oct. 17, Oct. 24, Oct. 31, Nov. 7, Nov. 14, Nov. 21, Nov. 28, Dec. 5, Dec. 12, Dec. 19, Dec. 26

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