Videos of Low Flying Air Force One Photo Opp at Statue of Liberty on 4/27

Boy, this really freaked out some New Yorkers on Monday and I can see why!  This Air Force One backup 747 was dispatched to the Statue of Liberty accompanied by an F-14 fighter jet for an airborne photo opp.  Only problem is, it was "classified" and nobody knew about it, even New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.  The White House apologized for the confusion and disruption after buildings were evacuated.  Not to worry...all's fine now.

What to Do With Old Cell Phones and Other Electronics

We have 3 cell phone users in our house and a bunch of old cell phones lying around.  The kids get tired of playing with them and they are basically non-functional (though they do work successfully as paperweights).  Are they worth anything?  For the most part, no.  So the best bet is to take them to a recycler that has been approved for taking e-waste.

If you prefer to rid yourself of these items via mail, the USPS is piloting a recycling program, where they provide postage-paid plastic envelopes for recycling old cell phones, PDAs, MP3 players, digital cameras and up to 4 inkjet cartridges.  Call your local post office at 800.ASK.USPS to see if they have these bags.  I know they carry them at 2150 Pickwick Drive, Camarillo as I plan to use a few myself.

So does your old cell phone and other old electronic equipment have any value?  You could spend time on eBay and try to sell your old equipment.  But you could also check out Gazelle.com, which allows you to type in information about your equipment and they tell you how much they will pay you for it. I found out that I could fetch a whopping $17 for my 6 month old LG phone while my old Nokia has no value.  But they also buy old laptops, gaming consoles, digital cameras, MP3 players, etc.  I found out our ancient Nintendo 64 also has no value :<

Click this link:  Get Cash For Your Gadgets at gazelle.com! so that Conejo Joe gets credit if you do happen to sell something to Gazelle.  Whatever I make I will donate to local charities!  Go on, start uncluttering your house of old electronic stuff!

Time to Start Dialing More Numbers! The 818/747 Area Code Overlay is Coming on April 18th!

Start re-programming those cell phones!  On April 18th, the 818 area code will be "overlayed" with the brand new 747 area code.  An overlay means both area codes will work in the same area and thus if you have an 818 number now, you can keep it.  But...there's a catch.  You now have to dial 10 digits (1-818-XXX-XXXX) instead of just 7 digits, even if you are calling from an 818 to another 818 number.

This new 1 + area code + phone number requirement begins on APRIL 19TH!  So if you don't dial the 10 digit number on that date, your call will not be completed as dialed.

Are you excited about the prospect of getting one of those new 747 numbers!?  Well, ya have to wait until May 18th for that to be a possibility.

The California PUC has a cool catchphrase: When in Doubt, Dial it Out!  Much better than my idea: Dial 10 Digits, Not 7, Mental Midgets!

For more information about the change, call your phone company or visit www.cpuc.ca.gov/818areacode.

Why are they doing this?  Because they are running out of 818 phone numbers, duh!  For you old timers and history buffs, the 818 area code was born in 1984 as a geographic split from the 213 area code.  (Woah, 818 is turning 25 this year!  Yippee!).  In 1997 the 626 area code was split out of the 818 code.

Will this affect us 805 area code people?  Nah, we can just laugh and go "ha ha" to our 818 neighbors in Westlake Village, Agoura, Calabasas and beyond. But don't laugh too loud.  This could happen to you too someday.  The 805 area code has actually been around since 1957, having also been split out from gramma 213 (or is it grandpa?).

818/747 Overlay Map, Courtesy Cal PUC

An Amazing Infant Swimming Survival Video

Anyone with young kids and a pool worries about pool safety. Too often we read about pool tragedies. A friend of mine sent me a link to this amazing video of an infant that was taught pool survival skills. As a parent it is hard to watch at first but is incredible (and you will see a very big smile on this cute little guy at the end of the video).

This infant was taught survival swim techniques through an Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) program. I visited the ISR website at www.infantswim.com and searched for local ISR-certified instructors in Ventura County. I came across a local instructor in Newbury Park at www.CaliforniaWaterBabies.com.

Of course the best approach to pool safety is prevention. Some common sense tips:

• Put a fence around your pool.
• Don't leave the little ones unattended.
• Don't get distracted, as accidents can happen in a split second.
• Put an alarm on your pool gate.
• Put a lock on your pool gate and check it daily.
• Don't leave toys in the pool that could entice a little one to jump in.

For more tips visit www.californiawaterbabies.com/prevention.html.

Apple First Generation iPod nano Class Action Settlement Refund

So I get this notice in the mail the other day about an Apple 1st Generation iPod nano (yes, they spell it with a lowercase "n" - I never realized that).  There was a class action lawsuit about an "excessive scratching" issue with this nano and that Apple failed to disclose the issue.  Apple decided it didn't want to waste time with this lawsuit and agreed to provide a cash settlement fund of $22.5 million to settle it.

If you bought a 1st Generation iPod nano and can declare that you experienced scratching of the nano that "impaired my use or enjoyment of my iPod nano" (quoted from the claim form) and you can provide the serial number of your nano, you are eligible for a refund of $15 or $25, depending on if you received a "slip case" with your purchase.  This refund can be more (up to $22.50 or $37.50) or less depending how many claims are filed. 

You must be the original purchaser of a brand new 1st Generation iPod nano to be eligible.  These uncoated nanos susceptible to scratches were sold beginning in September 2005, but some did have the protective coat on them.

The big winners...(drum roll)...the attorneys!!  Yes, the attorneys receive $4.5 million from the award plus up to $200,000 in litigation expenses.  A full 20%+ of the award.  I knew I shoulda been an attorney.  And the 11 named plaintiffs in the class action lawsuit will be awarded up to $2,500 each for their time.

For more information about the settlement and to obtain a claim form, visit www.iPodnanoSettlement.com or call 1.888.232.3395.  Claims filing deadline is June 10, 2009.

BREAKING NEWS! City of Thousand Oaks Changes Name to Nine Hundred Seventy Eight Oaks!

The City of Thousand Oaks announced today that effective immediately, the city's name has been changed to the City of Nine Hundred Seventy Eight Oaks!

Prompting the name change was an extensive review and inventory of trees in Thousand Oaks by the Ventura County Auditor-Controller's office.  Since the city's incorporation on October 7, 1964, there had been no formal assessment of the number of oak trees residing within city limits. 

The recent audit indicated that only 978 full grown oak trees are located in the city.  Lead auditor Mia Countdemup notes "I was shocked!  We looked in every nook and cranny and couldn't find those other 22 trees. Kind of bums me out!"

While numerous oak trees have been planted in city limits between 1964 and 2009, it can take up to 15 to 20 years for an oak tree to reach full size.  Growth of the city through the years to over 127,000 inhabitants has caused a number of oaks to be displaced, resulting in the shortfall of trees.

City spokesperson Ayn L. Retentive indicated that future tree counts will be performed annually in March and results will be announced on April 1st.

In related news, the City of Twentynine Palms in San Bernandino County announced that it has changed its name to A Dozen Palms after an exhaustive review for 17 missing palm trees.  City council member and palm counter Ivana Findemall stated "We kind of don't mind, as 29 is such an odd number anyhow. A dozen is much more memorable."

HAPPY APRIL FOOLS' DAY!!!

California Sales Taxes...Financial "Swindle Us" Package Coming April Fool's Day!

It is now April 1st!  Yes, the California sales tax rate has increased to 8.25% as previously announced.

One Penny Equals 14%

Funny (well maybe not) how when describing the sales tax hike they say it is increasing by a penny, or 1% of each dollar.  Well the reality of it is that for every $100 taxable purchase you pay $8.25 in taxes instead of $7.25...this $1 increase represents a 14% tax hike!  OUCH!

The "good" news is that most of Ventura County will be limited to 8.25%.  Our neighbors in the L.A. County portion of Westlake Village, Agoura and Calabasas will pay 9.25%. 

The cities of Oxnard and Port Hueneme will charge 8.75% sales taxes on 4/1.  The extra .5% was approved by voters in November.  Hmmm, I wonder if this would have been approved had they known another statewide increase was coming.  A double whammy!  As a result, sales taxes in Oxnard and Port Hueneme effectively are increasing by 21%!!!

It could be worse.  The highest rate in California is 10.25% in Pico Rivera and South Gate.   Dear PR and SG residents: Thousand Oaks is only 60 miles away.  Drive here to save taxes on big ticket purchases!  (NOTE: A very smart friend of mine pointed out an inaccuracy in the original post...that vehicles are taxed based on the city/county the car is registered in...not the city of purchase.  Thank you for that key clarification!)

The Trend is Not Your Friend

The California State Board of Equalization website is not ashamed (nor am I) to publish the following history of sales tax rates:

• 8/1/33:  2.5%
• 7/1/35:  3%
• 7/1/43:  2.5% (nice!)
• 7/1/49:  3%
• 1/1/62:  4% (owww...a 33% increase)
• 8/1/67:  5% (another 25%)
• 7/1/73:  6% (20% increase)
• 10/1/73:  5% (back down only 3 months later)
• 4/1/74:  6% (and back up we go)
• 12/1/89:  6.25% (not bad...15 1/2 years and only .25% increase)
• 1/1/91:  6% (very nice)
• 7/15/91:  7.25% (prior drop was a major head fake)
• 1/1/01:  7%
• 1/1/02:  7.25%
• 4/1/09:  8.25%

California sales tax rates have more than tripled since they were born in 1933.  That trend line ain't looking too good.

This latest increase they say will expire on either 7/1/01 or 7/1/12, depending upon whether we approve a "Budget Stabilization constitutional amendment" in a statewide election on May 19th.  I attempted to decipher what this amendment is but was unsuccessful.  I will try again once the details are published.