Do you still receive unsolicited calls from telemarketers trying
to sell you something you don’t want or need: security systems, satellite television
or a new remedy for your diabetes? They are often scams but can also be calls
from telemarketers representing Fortune 500 companies. But there are steps you
can take to limit them.
First, register with the National
Do Not Call Registry by calling toll-free 1-888-382-1222 from the phone number
you wish to register, or go online at donocall.gov. (For online registration
you will need an email address.) You may want to register your cell phone, but
is shouldn’t be necessary because it is illegal in most cases for telemarketers
to call a cell phone.
Once you have registered your
phone number, it is permanent - unless you have lost your mind and want to take
your name off the registry. Or if you forgot to pay your last two phone bills
and were disconnected, in which case you will need to register again.
Unfortunately, the law does
not prohibit calls from charities, political organizations, telephone surveyors
and companies with which you've done business in the last 18 months. But for
those telemarketers not covered by the Do Not Call regulations, you can ask
them to put you on their own internal Do Not Call list, and by law they have to
honor your request. Record the date you make the request so if there are future
violations, you'll be able to file an FTC complaint.
Telemarketers have up to 31
days to update their lists, so it could take that long for calls to cease.
After that, you can file a complaint about unwanted calls at the Do Not Call
website or phone number.
Through enforcement actions,
the Federal Trade Commission is working to reduce the number of illegal
telemarketing calls and holding telemarketers and businesses accountable. Just
recently, a federal judge in Illinois ruled that the satellite TV company Dish
Network is liable for making 57,606,609 illegal telemarketing calls.
It was
nice to see everyone at the Civic for GoRed for Women’s Heart Health. And if
the event nudged you towards being more active, the Center offers several affordable
movement and exercise classes: from the gentle and contemplative Tai Chi to the
high energy Zumba Gold with Seniorcise, yoga and Strong Women in-between. You
can drop in any class at any time to see if the class works for you. But you
will have to wait until March 2nd for Corliss Marsh’s Tai Chi class
to return.
For
all of you who did not make it to Saturday Night Bingo you missed a delicious
meal prepared by Cherry Heights Living – the Center’s neighbors to the north.
Thanks to managers Blll and Nelda, and cooks Barry and Sandy for helping make a
wonderful evening of fun and good food.
AARP Tax
Aide, a free service for low and moderate income tax payers, is off to a fast
start with a packed downstairs at the Center on Friday and Saturday. The hours
for the program are from 2:00 – 6:00 on Fridays and 9:00 – 1:00 on Saturdays through
April 11th. And a reminder, it is first come first serve. If you are
not in a rush you might want to wait until March when the action slows down and
you won’t have to wait as long.
For
the Tuesday Night Music and Dance at the Center on February 10th, the crowd pleasing
Andre, K.C. and Tom will be performing. Doors open at 6:00, music starts at 7:00,
all ages are welcome and donations are always appreciated.
The
name of the boy with the pointed cowlick in the “Our Gang” and “Little Rascals”
comedies was Alfalfa. (And the winner of a free Cherry Festival Breakfast is Kim
Birge.)
The television
commercials for this product were some of most popular in the 60’s and 70’s.
For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was name of the medication that
was advertised on television using the 1966 hit song “No Matter What Shape Your
Stomach’s In”? E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call
541-296-4788 or drop it off with “a spicy meat ball-a”.
Well,
it’s been another week, wondering what the winter would have been like if all
the rain had been snow. Until we meet again, it’s your attitude not your age that
counts.
“Someday, everything will make perfect sense. So for now,
laugh at the confusion, smile through the tears, be strong and keep reminding yourself
that everything happens for a reason.” ― John Mayer
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