iPod nano (1st Generation) Replacement Program Announced by Apple Today

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UPDATE 1/4/12: Well, as discussed in the original post below, I sent back my original 1st generation iPod nano to Apple for a replacement. They made the original nano from September 2005 to February 2006. Apple promptly sent me a replacement box and postage label and I dillydallied for 3 or 4 weeks before finally sending it back to Apple.

Apple promptly emailed me when they received the package and told me when they were sending the replacement. Top notch customer service. I was expecting to receive a refurbished version of my iPod back with a replacement battery. Today I received the package. To my delight, I received the most current 6th generation model as a replacement. NICE! Thanks Apple! Retail value is $129 new. I can't tell if the unit I received is new or refurbished, but it certainly looks new!

ORIGINALLY POSTED 11/11/11 (LOVE THAT DATE):

Old timer that I am, I still have in my possession 1st generation iPod nano (not to say we don't own other iPods and Apple gadgets). Today I received an email from Apple telling me I should send it back due to the remote possibilty of the battery overheating. They'll send me back a replacement unit. What the heck! I think I'll take them up on that offer!

Here's what they wrote:

Apple has determined that, in very rare cases, the battery in the iPod nano (1st generation) may overheat and pose a safety risk. Affected iPod nanos were sol

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Dramatic Clouds Over Thousand Oaks vs Westlake Village Football Game 9/23/11

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J.P. Gorham of Conejo Valley Cares was at the Thousand Oaks vs Westlake Village high school football game last Friday, September 23rd, when he and others in attendance were given an overhead show courtesy of Mother Nature. J.P. notes that these great pictures taken on his cell phone camera don't even come close to the changing colors and layers spectators were rewarded with. Perhaps those clouds distracted home team Thousand Oaks Lancers in their 38 to 6 loss to the Westlake Warriors. :>

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Can You Believe It? This Is (Was) The Last Day of Summer 2011!

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Thanks to local dart guru L. David Irete we have this beautiful sunset to remember the last of our summer 2011 here in the Conejo Valley. And speaking of darts, check out the Ventura County Darts Association website at www.vcda.org. Darts is a great hobby (or perhaps a sport to some)...for nearly 100 groups and clubs around Ventura County, CLICK HERE.

U.S. Postal Service Looking to Make Dramatic Changes to Survive

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The U.S. Postal Service announced today that unless legislation is passed this month, it is on the brink of default on its obligations. They say they need to cut operating expenses by $20 BILLION a year by 2015 to survive.


The Postmaster General spoke today to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs. Here are some of the challenges the USPS would like to address with the help of Congress:

Retirement Benefits: By law the USPS is forced to contribute $5.5 billion each year to fund retirement health benefits of future retirees (in addition $2.5 billion for current retirees). The USPS would like to change this requirement.

Delivery Frequency: USPS wants to be able to be able to control delivery frequency...e.g. perhaps 5 days per week instead of 6. USPS states that in surveys, about 75% of the American public (up from 50% 2 years ago) favors cutting back service rather than cover l

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How Long to be Had Until Your Food Goes Bad Thanks to StillTasty.com

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StillTasty.com is a great resource for figuring out whether you should dine or dump the contents of your fridge and pantry. Very useful site for those who want to play it safe with their food. While I tend to go with "the smell test" when it comes to edibility, I found the site very useful and interesting.

StillTasty really nails it when it comes to usability. Just type in a word or two and you receive instant information. For example, let's take a look at hot dogs. Living in a house with kids, hot dogs are part of the Red Food Group that includes balogna, salami, bacon and Twizzlers. There are always hot dogs somewhere in the deep recesses of the fridge.

Type in "hot dog" and you get three options; cooked leftovers, opened package and unopened package. Click one of those and in very easy to read format using arrows they tell you how long you have to eat them from the fridge and freezer. Here's what StillTasty said:

Unopened package: Eat within 1 week after due date coming from fridge. Freezer life is about 1-2 months.

Opened package: Eat within 7 days after opening in fridge. 1-2 months in freezer.

Cooked leftovers: Eat within 3-4 days in fridge and once again 1-2 months in freezer.

That helps. Though hmm...am I really going to remember how many days/months have passed by...?  I guess I'll just have to make a mental note of it.

I always wonder about hard boiled eggs. StillTasty says they last 1-2 weeks in the shell and 1 week out of the shell.

The owners of the site pull their information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Do check it out at www.StillTasty.com.

OK, one more. An opened can of peanut butter lasts about 3 months in the pantry. Uh oh, better start sniffing those jars...