Certified - Safe and SOUND News

New Year's Eve Safety Tips

2011-12-21T10:26:00.000-08:00

New Years Eve is a huge night for everyone, which means crowds will be swarming toward all the metropolitan hubs around the world. People feed off eachothers' excitement, and sometimes things can get out of hand if safety precautions are not taken. Everyone wants to have an unforgettable night (in a good way!). By simply using some common sense, we can keep it that way. Ring in the New Year safely!

Designate a Driver:
If you are going to be driving New Years Eve, don't drink and drive. If you have a friend who does not prefer to drink, make sure they take the wheel. You might even be on the water this New Years Eve. The person in charge of navigating the boat needs to be cautious, and this still applies to them! It is important to be safe on the water as well, so drink sensibly.
Don't forget about your pets! They are just as much a part of the family as everyone else. If you are using fireworks, anything with loud noises, or fire, be sure that pets are kept at a distance as well as children. None of these are a good mix. Candles are also a potential hazard.
Be Alert: Be aware of your surroundings and how others are acting. Stay away from those who are out of control and might cause harm. Taking preventive measures is key. If someone is really intoxicated, prevent them from trying to drive or leaving with someone they do not know. It's important to keep an eye out for each other.
Don't Drive: If you don't have to go behind the wheel, avoid it. More people will be driving under the influence on this particular night, so avoid a potentially dangerous accident by staying off the road. Otherwise, be alert and drive defensively. Most importantly, wear your seatbelt! Also, using public transportation is a wise option. If taking a cab is too expensive, crashing at a friend's place nearby is a convenient solution.
Stick Together: This way we can look out for our friends and family. Going out to parties and nightclubs means a fast-paced, crazy night; so be sure to travel in groups. Having a safety net around you in this environment, especially for women, is imperative.
Monitor your Alcohol Intake: A majority of people will be drinking on New Years Eve, and there is nothing wrong with that. Just be sure to pay attention to how much you and others are consuming. Drinking too much alcohol can have lethal affects. Be responsible.

SOURCE

Local Crime Alert (11/07/2011)

2011-11-07T09:58:00.000-08:00

Protect the things you can't replace!

Get a FREE Video Surveillance System

from Certified Alarms!

Learn More>

Local Crime Alert (11/07/2011)

Crime	Date	Address	Link
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	150XX FLORIDA	Details
Robbery	11/06/11 12:00 AM	21XX O'NEAL	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	22XX DEERWOOD	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	24XX WALNUTWOOD	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	28XX MILLERVILLE	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	134XX RUSSEAU	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	134XX ARLINGFORD	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	6XX FLANNERY	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	133XX ARLINGFORD	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	9XX FLANNERY	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	28XX LAKE FOREST PARK	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	138XX STONE GATE	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	2XX LITTLE JOHN	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	118XX FAIR OAK	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	117XX CATALPA	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	118XX MANORWOOD	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	116XX ARCHERY	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	127XX WOODSHIRE	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	119XX OLD HAMMOND	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	116XX FLORIDA	Details
Robbery	11/06/11 12:00 AM	129XX COURSEY	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	110XX DARRYL	Details
Theft	11/06/11 12:00 AM	108XX BIG BEND	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	110XX WAVERLAND	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	42XX LASSEN	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	34XX PIONEER	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	25XX SHERWOOD FOREST	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	121XX LAKE SHERWOOD	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	119XX PARKMEADOW	Details
Other	11/06/11 12:00 AM	47XX SHERWOOD FOREST	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	101XX GERALD	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	105XX KENLEE	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	98XX OLYMPIC	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	105XX PLAZA AMERICANA	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	101XX COURSEY	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	96XX AIRLINE	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	95XX CAMMY	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	93XX AIRLINE	Details
Other	11/06/11 12:00 AM	83XX FLORIDA	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	35XX DONALDSON	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	33XX LONE OAK	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	6XX WOODDALE	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	28XX WOODDALE	Details
Other	11/06/11 12:00 AM	6XX DONMOOR	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	65XX FLORIDA	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	13XX ARDENWOOD	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	61XX FLORIDA	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	77XX PERKINS	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	75XX PERKINS	Details
Burglary	11/06/11 12:00 AM	61XX BYRON	Details

Trick-Or-Treating Safety Tips

2011-10-14T07:31:00.000-07:00

Halloween is the beginning of an exciting time of year, but criminals see the season as ripe with opportunity. Prevent accidents and crime this Halloween by staying informed, and staying in touch. With millions of kids hitting the streets in search of candy and fun, safety and home security is more important than ever.

Follow these important tips for avoiding crime and accidents this Halloween.

Make a Plan: The most important steps for Halloween safety happen before kids leave the house. Remind trick-or-treaters to be cautious and to stick with a buddy at all times. Plan Halloween routes and communicate with other parents so every child in a group can easily be accounted for. Make sure older trick-or-or-treaters have a set return time and cell phones handy.
Be Seen: Children and parents are advised to trick-or-treat in well-lit areas with clear walking paths or sidewalks. Use reflective stickers, flashlights and glowsticks to ensure that children are easily seen by motorists. For those staying home, make sure driveways, walkways and yards are clear of debris in order to reduce the risk of falls.
Protect Property: Halloween is an ideal time for vandals and burglars to attack. It is easy to spot who is and isn't home, and with the commotion outside, a thief can blend-in quite easily. Make sure doors and windows stay locked and the home security system is set whenever the house is unattended. Keep alarm company signs clearly displayed and well-lit in order to deter nighttime criminals.
Keep an Eye Out: Neighborhoods and communities can be united fronts against crime during Halloween weekend. Parents should meet to compare schedules and plan a watch group for the evening. Report any suspicious behavior to the police immediately.
Check the Candy: At the end of the night, inspect all candy before kids dig in. Survey for opened or broken wrappers, suspicious-looking items or any ingredients children may be allergic to.

National Fire Prevention Week, October 9-15, 2011; Protect Your Family From Fire.

2011-10-07T09:08:00.000-07:00

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) theme for Fire Prevention Week is “Protect Your Family from Fire”. Fire Prevention Week will be held October 9-15, 2011. NFPA has sponsored the fire prevention campaign since 1922, spreading awareness of the dangers of fires and inspiring individuals to prevent the deaths, injuries, and destruction they cause. This year’s theme focuses on how to protect your family from fire by planning ahead and integrating simple things into your everyday life.

Fires can strike anywhere - in buildings, automobiles, and the outdoors - but fires that affect our homes are often the most tragic and the most preventable. Over 75% percent of all fire fatalities occur in home fires. This year's National Fire Prevention Week theme is, Protect Your Family from Fire. You can protect your family by, Installing smoke alarms on every level of your home, Testing smoke alarms once a month, Changing smoke alarm batteries at least once a year, and Making and practicing a home fire escape plan. Fires can occur in a variety of ways and in any room of your home. Having a smoke alarm is the first key step towards your family's safety. A smoke alarm stands guard around the clock and, when it first senses smoke, it sounds a shrill alarm. This often allows a family the precious but limited time it takes to escape. Properly installed and maintained smoke alarms are considered to be one of the best and least expensive means of providing an early warning of a potentially deadly fire and could reduce the risk of dying from a fire in your home by almost half.
Fires in the home take a great toll on life and property each year. During the five-year-period from 2005-2009, NFPA estimates that U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 373,900 reported home structure fires per year. These fires caused an estimated average of 2,650 civilian deaths, 12,890 civilian injuries, and $7.1 billion in direct property damage per year. Smoking materials remain the leading cause of home fire deaths, while cooking equipment is the leading cause of home structure fires and home fire injuries.
Installing systems such as smoke alarms and residential fire sprinklers, as well as identifying potential hazards, can reduce the risk of home fires and property loss, injury, or death due to fire. Nearly two-thirds of home structure fire deaths occur in homes where there was no smoke alarm, or where smoke alarms were present but failed to operate.

NFPA has taken the lead in public fire safety outreach by serving as the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for 89 years. The annual public awareness and safety commemoration, which is proclaimed by the President of the United States each year, is observed by fire departments in the U.S. and Canada to mark the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. According to the National Archives and Records Administration’s Library Information Center, Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health and safety observance on record.

Visit the Fire Prevention Week website for safety tips, statistical information, and more. The materials are available for use by fire departments, teachers, families and anyone interested in learning or teaching about fire safety.

Follow Fire Prevention Week on Facebook and Twitter!

Like Fire Prevention Week on Facebook now!
Follow Fire Prevention Week on Twitter!

Certified Employees help celebrate Annual Lee National Denim Day® on Oct. 7th

2011-09-28T07:11:00.000-07:00

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. That’s a startling statistic. But since 1996, Lee National Denim Day® has raised nearly $83 million for the fight against breast cancer ... $5 at a time.

On National Denim Day®, October 7, Certified Alarm Systems & Home Theaters will be joining together for a very special “casual Friday” to help Lee National Denim Day® celebrate 16 years of fighting breast cancer. Certified employees are gearing up to participate in this grassroots program which has raised more than $83 million for breast cancer research by simply asking the nation to put on their jeans for a $5 donation to the Women’s Cancer Programs of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF).

For the second year in a row, Lee National Denim Day® is proud to partner with the Cancer Support Community, an international non-profit dedicated to providing support, education and hope to people affected
by cancer.

Funds raised from participation in Denim Day® will support:

· Lee Translational Laboratories, a collaboration of six of the nation’s leading research institutions to find less toxic, more effective treatments.

· The EIF Breast Cancer Biomarker Discovery Project, a multi-year effort led by world-class scientists to develop a blood test for early detection of breast cancer when survival rates are the highest.

· The Cancer Support Community, an international non-profit uniting The Wellness Community and Gilda’s Club Worldwide that provides emotional and social support to all people affected by cancer.

We Protect The Things You Can‘t Replace.

“Our employees are always interested in participating in more charitable events” says Jan & Rusty Howard, owners of Certified Alarm Systems & Home Theaters. “Lee National Denim Day® is easy and fun to do. Everyone gets to wear jeans to work in exchange for a $5 donation and the money helps fight breast cancer, a cause that is very important to many of our employees.”

Certified employees will add their own flavor to Lee National Denim Day® by encouraging online and in office donation collections to commemorate their fundraising accomplishments and further the message of the importance of early detection.

“We are more grateful every year at the number of organizations like Certified Alarm Systems & Home Theaters, who come together across the country and donate to make this grassroots program a continued success,” said Liz Cahill, Vice President of Marketing Communications for Lee Jeans. “This year as we celebrate our 16th anniversary, we’d like to thank all the companies and people across the nation that has continued to participate in Lee National Denim Day and helped us contribute more than $83 million in the fight against breast cancer.”

For questions about EIF’s Women’s Cancer Programs and information about breast cancer, visit Denimday.com, eifoundation.org or call 800-426-0010

Join Certified Alarm Systems

in the fight against breast cancer.

Help us reach our $500 Goal!

Donate Online or at our Denham Springs location

to receive a free pink ribbon pendant

Support Certified Alarms and Lee National Denim Day®

in their campaign to fight breast cancer.

Beware of Imposters!!!

2011-09-28T06:49:00.000-07:00

Local residents have informed us that another alarm company is going door to door claiming to be associated with Certified Alarm Systemsand GE Home Security. They are offering you a free upgrade to your existing system, and are able to do this upgrade ON THE SPOT. If you are approached by anyone offering free equipment or upgrade, do NOT be fooled! Never turn over your Certified yard sign or equipment to anyone without contacting Certified Alarm Systems to verify the validity of the transaction.

ASK TO SEE IDENTIFICATION!All persons employed by Certified Alarm Systems will carry an ID card issued by the State Fire Marshal, please ask to see this card before letting anyone into your home. Every summer, an out of state company employs college students in the area to go door to door to homes with existing security systems and offer this upgrade. When school starts back in the fall, this company representative that contacted you will be no where to be found....BEWARE of anything that sounds to good to be true...it usually is!

National Fire Prevention Week (October 9-15, 2011)

2011-09-27T14:54:00.000-07:00

Stay Safe With These Fire Prevention TipsBy Rachel Cooper, About.com Guide
During National Fire Prevention Week, October 9 - 15, 2011 attention is focused on promoting fire safety and prevention, however we should practice fire safety all year long. Many potential fire hazards go undetected because people simply do not take steps to fireproof their home.

Many bedroom fires are caused by misuse or poor maintenance of electrical devices, careless use of candles, smoking in bed, and children playing with matches and lighters. Most potential hazards can be addressed with a little common sense. For example, be sure to keep flammable items like bedding, clothes and curtains at least three feet away from portable heaters or lit candles, and never smoke in bed. Also, items like appliances or electric blankets should not be operated if they have frayed power cords, and electrical outlets should never be overloaded.

Fire Safety Checklist:•Install and maintain a working smoke alarm outside of every sleep area and remember to change the battery at least once a year.

•Designate two escape routes from each bedroom and practice them regularly.

•Teach everyone the "Stop, Drop, and Roll" technique in case clothing catches on fire.

•Avoid storing old mattresses in the home or garage.

•Teach kids that matches, lighters and candles are tools, not toys. If you suspect that a child is playing with fire, check under beds and in closets for telltale signs like burned matches. Matches and lighters should be stored in a secure drawer or cabinet.

Certified Alarm Systems handles all your Generac generator needs from sales to service and turn key installations.

2011-07-21T14:22:00.000-07:00

Your warranty requires that maintenance be performed in a timely manner by trained and qualified technicians. Your warranty is worth more if your generator is maintained according to manufacturer's recommendations. Certified Alarms is a certified distributor and installer for Generac generator systems. We can help you keep your full warranty by commissioning and servicing your Generac generator, even if you did not purchase your Generac generator from us.

10 Reasons why you should purchase a Preventative Maintenance Agreement for your Generac generator
1. Standby systems require periodic preventative maintenance to ensure long-term, trouble-free operation.
Batteries, engine oil, antifreeze, belts and hoses are all subject to deterioration, not only from operation, but also from time itself. Oxidation, corrosion, separation and fatigue all jeopardize your power system’s components and operation.

2. Periodic preventive maintenance saves you money.
Early detection can help you identify small problems before they become major repair costs. Spark plugs, hoses, ignition systems, batteries, belt adjustments and exhaust systems inspections are but a few of the checks performed by our experienced service technicians.

3. Electrical power when you need it the most.
Avoid costly losses.You invested in a standby system to protect your valuable computer data and equipment, and to keep your operations running at all times. Avoid costly losses by properly maintaining your standby systems with Certified Alarm Systems.

4. Warranty coverage.
The warranty coverage on any standby system depends on proper installation and regular maintenance. Count on Certified Alarm Systems to ensure that your warranty requirements are always met. We keep permanent records of all service repairs.

5. Insurance.
A Preventative Maintenance Agreement is your best insurance to ensure that your standby systems will operate when you need it. Also, NFPA110 legally requires regular scheduled maintenance on all nursing homes and health care facilities.

6. Minimize emergency situations.
Help prevent an emergency occurrence by properly maintaining your standby system with a preventative maintenance agreement. Annual load bank testing can be scheduled to save you costly engine repairs due to wet stacking and to ensure your standby system is operating at top performance.

7. Emergency service.
If you discover a problem with your emergency power system, we are ready to help get your system back online. We are on-call 24/7 and our technicians are stationed throughout our coverage area to provide our customers the fastest response. Simply complete our Service Request form and we will contact you with the date and time our technician will arrive.

8. Genuine parts.
Get parts from your Generac Service Dealer, Certified Alarm Systems. We will find the right part at the right price. Our service technicians complete a parts supply form for every contracted customer. We keep parts in stock for each of our contracted customers.

9. Convenient schedule.
We do our best to schedule visits to your convenience, not ours.

10. Expert technicians.
All our service technicians are factory trained and authorized.

No matter how small or large your specific needs are, we'd love to talk to you about how Certified Alarms can assist. Contact Certified Alarms directly at 225-928-7867 or visit us online at www.certifiedalarms.com.

Safety Tips To Launching Your Own Fireworks This Fourth of July

2011-06-23T11:35:00.000-07:00

From 2 to 82 – everyone loves the “boom booms.” As we prepare for the biggest barbeque holiday of the year, we’re here to help you with some firework safety tips.
While most of these tips are common sense, it’s always good to remind yourself and loved ones of the hazards that come from lighting fireworks. Thanks to the CPSC for some of these!

Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper. This is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.
Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals. Anyone – especially young children – can suffer injuries from sparklers.
Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
Never carry fireworks in a pocket. Or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
Make sure it’s out. After fireworks complete their burning, douse it with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.
Check local laws and regulations. Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them, or if family and friends have brought them to your event.

By following these guidelines, we hope fireworks-related injuries will be minimal this year. About 40% of the most common firewords-related injuries (burns and laceration to the hands, face and head) occur to children younger than 15 years of age. Safety data shows the 30-day period surrounding July 4th tends to have the most firework-related emergency room visits and reports of injury – about 1,900 and 6,300 respectively in 2010.
That being said, we wish you all a very happy (and safe!) Independence Day filled with good people, good food, and hopefully some good “boom booms.”

by MaryAlexa Divver

Stephanie Haller

http://blog.consumerbell.com/2011/06/22/safety-tips-to-launching-your-own-fireworks-this-fourth-of-july/

A Child dies in portable pool every 5 days

2011-06-20T12:30:00.000-07:00

By JoANNE VIVIANO

COLUMBUS, Ohio A child dies in a portable pool every five days during warm-weather months, according to the first U.S. study on child drownings in such pools, a statistic that the study's senior author says demonstrates the need for consumer education and affordable protection devices.
The research being published Monday in the journal Pediatrics shows 209 deaths and 35 near-drownings of children under 12 from 2001 through 2009. Most of the children, 94 percent, were under 5, and 81 percent of the accidents happened during summer months.
"The anecdotal evidence was suggesting that because portable pools are readily available in many convenience stores and malls, and they're relatively cheap, parents would pick them up, take them home, quickly assemble them, and all this would be done without a lot of forethought about the safety aspects," said senior author, Dr. Gary A. Smith, director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus.
The study focused on portable pools, from small wading pools less than 18 inches deep to inflatable pools and other soft-sided pools that can reach depths of 4 feet. It was conducted by researchers at Nationwide hospital and Independent Safety Consulting in Rockville, Md. They say the findings are comparable to drownings related to in-ground pools.
Many safety methods used for permanent pools, such as fencing, pool alarms, safety covers and removable or lockable ladders, are too expensive or not available for families who purchase portable pools, said Smith, who also is a pediatrics professor at the Ohio State University College of Medicine.
The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals supports "layers of protection," and the study underscores the importance of active, undistracted adult supervision, said Carvin DiGiovanni a senior director at the Alexandria, Va.-based association.
"The primary layer of protection is constant adult supervision supplemented by barriers, alarms and other related devices," he said. "We encourage homeowners to purchase the additional layer of protection that works for them knowing that they would be more likely to use it."
The study shows that children were supervised by adults in fewer than half, 43 percent, of the drownings and near-drownings, and that most, 73 percent, were at home.
Among other data, the report shows CPR was administered before emergency crews arrived in 15 percent of the fatalities and 17 percent of near-drownings, numbers that help show "it's time for us to begin requiring that people learn how to do CPR," perhaps by adding it to high school curricula, said Susan Baker, a professor at the Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research & Policy in Baltimore.
"That to me is a reminder that every one of us ought to be knowledgeable about how to do CPR and willing to jump in and do it immediately," said Baker, who was not involved in the study.
Smith said drownings overall represent the second-leading cause of injury deaths among young children and are different from other childhood accidents because there's no second chance.
"I tell parents that drowning is quick, it's silent and it's final," he said.
---
Online:
The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital: http://www.injurycenter.org
Association of Pool & Spa Professionals: http://www.apsp.org/Public/Home/index.cfm

Crafty crooks are creating a sticky situation for bank customers.....

2011-06-16T08:14:00.000-07:00

.....using glue rather than guns to rob them at ATM machines.

Police are warning residents about a rise in theft reports involving thieves who disable ATM keys using adhesives.

The thieves glue down the “enter,” “cancel” and “clear” buttons on the keypad and wait until the customer goes into the bank for help before withdrawing money from their account.

"The robbed customers have already punched in their PINs when they realize the keypad buttons are stuck. The unwitting customers either do not know that they can use the ATM touchscreen to finish their transaction, or become nervous when the keypad isn’t working and react by leaving the ATM unattended."- Richmond Station police Capt. Richard Corriea

BY: Mike Aldax Examiner Staff Writer Read more at the San Francisco Examiner: http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/crime/2011/03/glue-gun-goons-target-unwary-atm-users#ixzz1PS6JFBYx

Avoiding this type of theft is simple.
"First, customers should know they can use the touchscreen if the keypad buttons are stuck..."

"Also, customers should never leave cards in the machine unattended."

"Customers can call the bank using their cell phone, or send someone else into the bank to fetch help"

OTHER SCAMS TO WATCH-OUT FOR

The Lebanese loop: Crooks insert a blocking device, such as a thin strip of film, into the card slot of the ATM machine. Meanwhile, the crook may be watching you enter your PIN. When the card doesn’t come out, the victim goes into the bank seeking help. The crook then pulls out the card, and withdraws cash.

Cash trapping: A sleeve or device is installed inside the cash dispenser, blocking the cash from coming out. While customers are seeking help, crooks remove the block and pull out the cash.

Shoulder surfing: Thieves are known to mount a wireless video camera inside ATM areas. Once the scammers record your number, they can reproduce magnetic strips to replicate ATM cards. Thieves are also known to put fake PIN keypads over original keypads to record information, or place fake ATM machines in public locations to record information.

The skimmer: Devices installed in ATMs can scan card information, including account number, balance and pin number. Skimmers can collect and store information for up to 200 ATM cards.

Phishing: Scammers pretending to be a representative of a bank send bank customers an e-mail, which includes a notice requesting the customer to update account information. The thieves collect the information and reproduce the ATM card or simply withdraw money from an account via online banking.

-Scambusters.org

Checking Into Facebook Places.....

2011-06-14T11:41:00.000-07:00

...AKA Informing Thieves
“We Aren’t Home”

Facebook recently released a report stating that users most often check in at airports, ignoring repeated warnings about posting their travel plans online.

If your up-comming summer vacation involves traveling, be aware that "checking-in" on facebook is a huge security risk. You’re announcing publicly to everyone that you’re going away for an extended amount of time.

If you can’t resist “check-in” to facebook on the way to the Beach, at least consider this:

Be very aware of your privacy settings, not just on Facebook, but on other social media sites as well. Make sure no one you haven’t approved can see your information or posts.
Be selective about who you friend in the first place. Remember that Facebook has a setting where you can sort and manage friend lists and control each one’s access to certain information on your page.

But as a rule of thumb, simply wait until you return home to brag about your amazing vacation.

Operation of motor scooters hwy safety

2011-06-13T13:47:00.000-07:00

Have you noticed an increasing number of elderly and disabled people using powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters on the hwy? Drivers and pedestrians need to follow the rules of the Highway Code, whether using a sidewalk or the highway.

When on the road, drive with due care and attention, always traveling in the direction of the traffic, obeying traffic signs and signals. Give way to pedestrians who are crossing at junctions or pedestrian crossings.
Watch out for obstructions in the road ahead, such as drains, pot-holes and parked cars. When passing parked cars, watch out for doors being opened in your path or the vehicle moving off without indicating.
Bear in mind that other drivers may not be able to see you easily. As a class 3 vehicle driver, you are in a similarly vulnerable position to cyclists, especially at roundabouts and junctions.

LOUISIANA HWY CODE Operation of motor scooters :

Any parish or municipal governing authority may authorize the operation of motor scooters at a speed not to exceed twenty miles per hour by persons eight years old or older between sunrise and sunset on any sidewalk under its jurisdiction.
With regard to any motor scooter used pursuant to Subsection A of this Section, no parent, guardian, or person with legal responsibility for the safety and welfare of a child shall knowingly allow such child under the age of eighteen to operate or ride as a passenger on a motor scooter without wearing an approved helmet of good fit fastened securely upon the head with the straps of the helmet.
Notice shall be provided in accordance with the following provisions:
- A person regularly engaged in the business of selling or renting motor scooters shall post a sign stating the following: "Louisiana law requires a motor scooter operator or passenger under the age of eighteen years to wear a helmet when riding a motor scooter."
- The sign must be at least twenty-four inches in length and twelve inches in width. The lettering on the sign must be at least one inch in height. The sign must be posted conspicuously so that it is clearly visible to all persons buying or renting motor scooters.
The issuance of a citation for a violation of this Section shall not be prima facie evidence of negligence. The comparative negligence statutes of Louisiana shall apply in these cases as in all other cases of negligence.

Acts 2004, No. 805, §1.
SOURCE RS 32:200: http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/lss.asp?doc=285105

CRIMESTOPPERS - Free Texting App for iPhone

2011-06-10T07:54:00.000-07:00

TipSubmit Mobile Ap
The new mobile application allows the public to submit anonymous tips via phone, web and SMS Text-a-Tip. The iPhone app offers more powerful options than the existing SMS Text-a-Tip solution offers, allowing the public to easily auto-locate the nearest agency they can submit to or select one manually.

Tips submitted through the app may also include uploaded images and video, and even establish an anonymous ongoing two-way dialog and real time chat with the receiving agency.

There is no cost to the public to use this application and it will be released for additional mobile platforms in the coming months.

To learn more or for download and installation steps
for the TipSoft application visit
http://www.tipsoft.com/index.asp?P=TipSubmitMobile

FREE DOWNLOAD:

View in iTunes | View in Android Market

If you do NOT have a smart phone

Text "CS225 plus your message" to 274637 (CRIMES).

Standard rates may apply. An opt-out can be requested at any time by sending the keyword STOP to CRIMES. Text HELP to 274637 (CRIMES) to get instructions on how to use SMS Crime Tips on your cell phone. Children must be 13 years or older or have parents permission to use this service.

Supported Carriers:

United States: AT&T , Verizon Wireless , Tmobile , Sprint , Dobson (Cellular One) , Nextel , Boost, Alltel , Virgin Mobile , Us Cellular , Cincinnati Bell , Tier 2/3 Carrier Group (consists of carriers below), Appalachian Wireless (East Kentucky Networks), Bluegrass Cellular , Cellular One of Ease Central Illinoi (ECIT), Immix (PC Management), Revol Wireless , Unicel (Rural Cellular Corporation), West Central Wireless , Centennial Wireless, ACS Wireless (aka Alaska Communications Systems Inc.), GCI Communications (aka Alaska DigiTel), Illinois Valley Cellular (aka IVC), Inland Cellular (aka Washingtone Rsa No.8 Limited Partnership), Nex-Tech Wireless, Thumb Cellular, United Wireless, Associated Carrier Group (consists of carriers below), Cellcom, Cellular South, nTelosCanada: Aliant, MTS , Sasktel, Virgin, Bell, NorthernTel, Telebec, Fido, Rogers, TelusUK: O2, Orange, Tmobile, Virgin, Vodafone, Hutchison 3G

~ Bill Gates ~ 11 Rules you will not learn in school

2011-06-07T11:30:00.001-07:00

by Certified Alarms on Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at 1:25pm

Bill Gates recently gave a speech at a High School about eleven (11) things they did not and will not learn in school.

Love him or hate him , he sure hits the nail on the head with this! He talks about how feel-good, politically correct teachings created a generation of kids with no concept of reality and how this concept set them up for failure in the real world.

11 Rules you will not learn in school:

Rule 1 : Life is not fair - get used to it!
Rule 2 : The world doesn't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.
Rule 3 : You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.
Rule 4 : If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss
Rule 5 : Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: They called it opportunity.
Rule 6 : If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.
Rule 7 : Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were: So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room..
Rule 8 : Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. *This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.
Rule 9 : Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. *Do that on your own time.
Rule 10 : Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.
Rule 11 : Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one..

If you can read this... Thank a Teacher.

If you can read this in English... Thank a Soldier!

And for life and everything else you have... Thank God!!

Now.... think about this and smile if you agree and please pass this on...If you don't agree, go stick your head in the sand and take a deep breath!

-Rusty Howard, President & CEO http://www.certifiedalarms.com/rustyhoward.htm

Amigos Don’t Let Amigos Drive Drunk - Cinco de Mayo Safety

2011-05-05T08:29:00.000-07:00

Amigos Don’t Let Amigos Drive Drunk
This Cinco de Mayo
Remember to Designate a Sober Driver Before the 5th of May Celebration Begins

En Espanol

Cinco de Mayo has become a big night out for many, particularly young adults. But it is also a very dangerous night out because of alcohol or drug impaired drivers. Americans who drive while impaired on Cinco de Mayo make it a high-risk evening on the nation’s roadways. Over the past 5 years since 1999, an average of 43 percent of all highway fatalities each year on May 5 and overnight into the early morning on May 6 were caused by impaired drivers with blood alcohol content (BAC) levels of 0.08 percent and above, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

But much of this tragedy can be prevented by reminding all drivers of a few simple precautions:

* Whether your are just meeting a few friends after work or attending a Cinco de Mayo party, if you plan on using alcohol, never drink and drive while impaired -and never let your friends drive they show signs of impairment.

* Designating a sober driver before the local celebration begins and making sure friends don’t Drive Impaired are just two of several, simple steps to help avoid a tragic crash or an arrest for impaired driving.

* If you are planning to use alcohol on Cinco de Mayo:

o Remember to designate your sober driver before going out to celebrate;

o Be sure and eat something during the evening; load up on the chips and salsa and other appetizers, and then enjoy your other favorite Mexican foods during the evening;

o If drinking, don’t even think about getting behind the wheel. Ask a sober friend for a ride home; call a cab, your local sober rides program, (if your community has a local sober rides program, please insert the phone number here) or friend or family member to come and get you; use other mass transit if available; or just stay where you are and sleep it off until you are sober;

o Take the keys and never let a friend leave your sight if you think they are about to drive impaired.

Impaired Driving is a Deadly Problem

* Impaired driving is one of America’s deadliest problems. Nationally, in 2003, more than 17,000 people died in impaired driving-related highway crashes. Hundreds of thousands more were injured.

* Every 30 minutes, nearly 50 times a day, someone in America dies in an impaired driving-related crash. This means you, your friends, your family are regularly at risk.

* According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about three in every ten Americans will be involved in an impaired driving crash at some point in their lives.

* The rate of alcohol involvement in a fatal crash is more than three times as high at night than in other time periods.

* Although national impaired driving highway fatalities during 2003 declined slightly for the first time in several years (down three percent from 2002), there is still much more work to be done.

* Too many people still don’t understand that alcohol, drugs and driving don’t mix. Impaired driving is no accident – nor is it a victimless crime.

* Legislators and law enforcement officials are becoming even more vigilant in combating impaired driving. 2004 marked the first year that .08% blood alcohol content (BAC) laws have been enacted in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Impaired Driving Creates Serious Consequences

* The tragedies and costs from drinking and driving impaired do not just end at the potential death, disfigurement, disability and injury caused by impaired drivers.

* Driving impaired or riding with someone who is impaired is not worth the risk. The consequences are serious and real. Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for driving while impaired can be really significant and not the way you want to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

* Violators often face jail time, the loss of their driver’s license, higher insurance rates, and dozens of other unanticipated expenses from attorney fees, other fines and court costs, car towing and repairs, lost time at work, etc.

* Plus, there is the added embarrassment, humiliation, and potential loss and consequence after informing family, friends, and employers.

* And remember on Cinco de Mayo, Amigos Don’t Let Amigos Drive Drunk.

source:http://www.gahighwaysafety.org/2005CDM.HTML

T-Shirt Changes Pattern to Indicate High Levels of Carbon Monoxide

2011-04-25T10:46:00.000-07:00

For those of you who can't stand being around tobacco smoke, your overdramatic coughing and waving of the hand may soon become unnecessary, thanks to a new t-shirt made by a couple of NYU graduate students. Called "Warning Signs", the t-shirt is actually a carbon monoxide detector. Two versions of the t-shirt have been made, one with a pair of lungs and another with a heart. In the presence of high levels of carbon monoxide, blue-colored "veins" begin to appear on the pink-colored organs. Originally intended to visualize the amount of pollution in the atmosphere, the technology behind the shirt could also find uses in the home to warn of a faulty heating system, or perhaps as a silent, but chic statement to a room of chain-smokers!
Take a look at the "Warning Signs" t-shirt in action:

Learn More at http://blog.nienlam.com/2010/12/19/warning-signs/

Home Invasion - Student Used Facebook to Call for help!

2011-04-15T07:52:00.000-07:00

UGA student's Facebook status,"HELP, ROBBERS," helps catch intruders, says report

(CBS) NEW YORK - When three hooded robbers invaded the home of a University of Georgia student Wednesday night, he took to Facebook in a desperate plea for help, and luckily someone heard his cry.

The student was in bed when masked men invaded his home and tied up his 17-year-old sister and his grandmother. Apparently he didn’t have his phone so he took his laptop and hid in the attic. He logged into Facebook and wrote as a status message “someone please call 911, no phone, hiding in my house, robbery," CNN reports “His best friend called police, and sheriff's deputies arrived, the men scattered as soon as police arrived. But they arrested one of the suspects while two, possibly three, others got away.
They quoted him as saying "Facebook was like the only thing where I knew I could reach someone instantly that was on chat."

"I don't think [Facebook] is really meant as a lifesaving tool, but it's the only way I could think of contacting someone immediately to call for help," 20-year-old Nitesh Bhakta told the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
According to Bhakta, who had left his cell phone at the campus back in Athens, Ga., three hooded men entered his family's Cartersville home, about 45 miles outside of Atlanta, when he heard his grandmother scream.

"As soon as I opened my door, I saw three hooded guys like all masked in black at the front door," Bhakta told AJC. "I shut my door, locked it, grabbed my laptop, went into the attic and hid."
The assailants tied up his 17-year-old sister and grandmother downstairs as Bhakta sat on a ledge in the attic, gripped with fear, reports the paper. As the thieves rummaged through his home, Bhakta thought to update his Facebook status, which read, "HELP, ROBBERS, NO PHONE."
Though many of Bhakta's friends thought his status was a joke, his best friend, John Slater, took it seriously and alerted the Bartow County sheriff's deputies.
"When [the robbers] heard the sirens ... they all kind of fled in their own little directions," Bhakta told the paper.
Two of the alleged thieves managed to escape, but officers caught one of the men, who has not been identified.

source: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20045431-504083.html

A Billion Acts Of Green - Earth Day 2011 What Will YOU Pledge?

2011-04-15T07:28:00.000-07:00

Pledge an Act, Save Our Planet! Show your commitment to the Earth this Earth Day. What Will YOU Pledge this Earth Day?

See what millions are pledging to change! Join them, comment, or submit your own act of green!

PLEDGE ONLINE

Music is in the air - BOSE Outdoor sound

2011-04-08T14:35:00.000-07:00

The migration is afoot. We're moving out.
Outdoors, that is. Comfortable backyard escapes with elegant furniture, landscaping, lighting—adding music could be the perfect finishing touch. Is this the year you stop balancing that old boom box on your deck railing?

Quality sound for your quality time
Consider how you spend time outdoors gardening, playing or just relaxing. Now, think about gardening to music, or adding a rich soundtrack to your outdoor entertaining.
Outdoor speakers can elevate the sound quality and broaden the scope of your open-air listening. Just as you've brought indoor comforts to your outdoor space, you can do the same with your favorite music. Why keep it behind closed doors?
Playing for the long term
True outdoor speakers (also known as environmental speakers) are engineered to play and stay outside. They're made of durable, weatherproof materials: polypropylene housings, corrosion-proof connectors, rustproof hardware and brackets. Thinking of moving indoor speakers outside? Bad idea. Dampness, temperature extremes and—if you live by the ocean—salt fog will soon silence them, even under cover.
Now consider where you spend your outdoor time. Relaxing on your deck or patio? Lounging by the pool? Communing with nature in the garden? Maybe all of the above. You'll find outdoor speakers for every scenario. Once installed, they become a permanent part of the landscape—sometimes literally.
Read more »

Keeping It Simple - A BOSE Home Entertainment Glossary

2011-04-08T13:19:00.000-07:00

Choices in home entertainment keep expanding. So do the related terms and acronyms. With all that information, it's a challenge to cut through the clutter and get exactly what you need.

To make it easier, we're offering this glossary of common terms, with descriptions and explanations in plain English.

5.1-channel surround sound- This recording format surrounds the viewer with audio from six separate speakers—particular sounds will often come from a specific location to enhance the listening experience. The setup includes three speakers (right, left and center) in front of the viewer, right and left speakers behind, and a sixth speaker for low-frequency sounds. While 5.1 is the most common option, 6.1- and 7.1-channel systems are also available, usually adding speakers at side locations.
2.1-channel sound - A popular alternative to 5.1-channel surround sound for smaller rooms where space is limited. This setup includes two front speakers and a third speaker for low-frequency effects. By using digital signal processing technologies, 2.1-channel sound can deliver much of the performance of a surround-sound speaker system.
DSP (digital signal processing) -Commonly used in home theater receivers and amplifiers, DSP adds various sound effects, such as reverberation and echo, to enhance the audio experience.
LFE (low-frequency effects) - The ".1" of 5.1 channel sound, LFE is the audio portion of a movie soundtrack designated to the lowest frequencies. These are sounds many people say they "feel"—rumbling vehicles, explosions and other dramatic movie sounds.
MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3) -MP3 is the standard for digital audio encoding used for listening to music on most portable digital audio players. Engineers from several different companies developed the format, which was approved as an industry standard in 1991. Apple® iTunes® uses its own proprietary digital media player application for digital music and movies.

Parents, Caregivers Should Consider Safety Before Opening Windows

2011-04-08T11:18:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON, April 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As temperatures go up, so do windows in many homes. Opening windows in your home to enjoy the warmer temperatures may seem harmless, but open windows have proven to be sources of injury and death for young children.

This week, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) joins the National Safety Council in recognizing National Window Safety Week (April 3rd-9th, 2011) and urges parents and caregivers to be aware of the dangers of leaving windows open when young children are present.

According to CPSC data, falls from windows result in an average of about eight deaths yearly to children five years or younger, while an estimated 3,300 children ages five and younger are treated each year in U.S. hospital emergency departments. On average, one of every three children, about 34 percent, required hospitalization after falling from a window.

These deaths and injuries frequently occur when kids push themselves against window screens or climb onto furniture located next to an open window. These incidents increase dramatically during the spring and summer months.
"We want parents and caregivers to think 'safety first' before opening windows where young children are present. The deaths and life-altering injuries are heartbreaking and in many cases preventable," said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum.
To help prevent injuries and tragedies, CPSC recommends the following safety tips:

Safeguard your children by using window guards or window stops.
- Install window guards to prevent children from falling out of windows.
- For windows on the 6th floor and below, install window guards that adults and older children can open easily in case of fire.
- Install window stops so that windows open no more than 4 inches.
Never depend on screens to keep children from falling out of windows.
Whenever possible, open windows from the top - instead of the bottom.
Keep furniture away from windows to discourage children from climbing near windows.
Some jurisdictions require landlords to install guards. Check your local regulations.

MUST WATCH: FOX's new show BREAKING IN staring Christian Slater.

2011-04-08T09:07:00.000-07:00

Can you hack their security system?
See if you can crack the secret password! PLAY "Breaking In"

Watch it WEDS as 9:30/8:30c on FOX

BREAKING IN is an offbeat half-hour workplace comedy about a high-tech security firm that takes extreme - and often questionable - measures to sell their protection services. Created by Adam F. Goldberg and Seth Gordon, the series centers on a team of uniquely skilled oddball geniuses hand-picked to work for a manipulative mastermind.
Contra Security, corporate America's answer to "The A-Team," gives clients a sense of security by first ripping it away. The firm is led by OZ (Christian Slater), a larger-than-life head honcho who is a man of mystery and master of manipulation. The members of the odd squad include alluring bad girl MELANIE (Odette Annable), who is in charge of lock-picking, safe-cracking and heart-breaking; and CASH (Alphonso McAuley), a fanboy who specializes in strategy, logistics and office pranks only a mad genius could think up.
Oz's newest recruit, plucked right out of college, is lovable and charming computer hacker CAMERON PRICE (Bret Harrison). Unfortunately for Cameron, cracking into state-of-the-art security systems is a lot easier than dealing with his co-workers. Between Melanie's sex appeal and Cash's hazing, Cameron has more than a few obstacles to overcome if he wants to cement his status as part of the team and become Oz's go-to guy.
BREAKING IN is produced by Happy Madison Productions, Adam F. Goldberg Productions and Sethsquatch, Inc. in association with Sony Pictures Television. Goldberg, Gordon and Doug Robinson ("Rules of Engagement") serve as executive producers, while Goldberg serves as writer. The pilot was directed by Gordon.

Livingston Parish Fire District 5 Fundraiser/ Auction - 9am April 9, 2011

2011-04-07T06:44:00.000-07:00

Saturday April 9 (see flyer for more details)

CLICK IMAGE TO ZOOM

The Top 100 April Fool's Day Hoaxes of All Time As judged by notoriety, creativity, and number of people duped

2011-04-01T11:57:00.000-07:00

#1: The Swiss Spaghetti Harvest

1957: The respected BBC news show Panorama announced that thanks to a very mild winter and the virtual elimination of the dreaded spaghetti weevil, Swiss farmers were enjoying a bumper spaghetti crop. It accompanied this announcement with footage of Swiss peasants pulling strands of spaghetti down from trees. Huge numbers of viewers were taken in. Many called the BBC wanting to know how they could grow their own spaghetti tree. To this the BBC diplomatically replied, "place a sprig of spaghetti in a tin of tomato sauce and hope for the best."

Related:
• The Swiss Spaghetti Harvest (full-length article)
• April Fool's Day Botany
• April Fool's Day Hoaxes of the BBC

Comments (65) | Permalink

#2: Sidd Finch

1985: Sports Illustrated published a story about a new rookie pitcher who planned to play for the Mets. His name was Sidd Finch, and he could reportedly throw a baseball at 168 mph with pinpoint accuracy. This was 65 mph faster than the previous record. Surprisingly, Sidd Finch had never even played the game before. Instead, he had mastered the "art of the pitch" in a Tibetan monastery under the guidance of the "great poet-saint Lama Milaraspa." Mets fans celebrated their teams' amazing luck at having found such a gifted player, and Sports Illustrated was flooded with requests for more information. In reality this legendary player only existed in the imagination of the author of the article, George Plimpton.

Related:
• Sidd Finch (full-length article)
• April Fool's Day Sports

Comments (33) | Permalink

#3: Instant Color TV

1962: In 1962 there was only one tv channel in Sweden, and it broadcast in black and white. The station's technical expert, Kjell Stensson, appeared on the news to announce that, thanks to a new technology, viewers could convert their existing sets to display color reception. All they had to do was pull a nylon stocking over their tv screen. Stensson proceeded to demonstrate the process. Thousands of people were taken in. Regular color broadcasts only commenced in Sweden on April 1, 1970.

Related:
• Instant Color TV (full-length article)
• April Fool's Day Television Hoaxes

Comments (79) | Permalink

#4: The Taco Liberty Bell

1996: The Taco Bell Corporation announced it had bought the Liberty Bell and was renaming it the Taco Liberty Bell. Hundreds of outraged citizens called the National Historic Park in Philadelphia where the bell was housed to express their anger. Their nerves were only calmed when Taco Bell revealed, a few hours later, that it was all a practical joke. The best line of the day came when White House press secretary Mike McCurry was asked about the sale. Thinking on his feet, he responded that the Lincoln Memorial had also been sold. It would now be known, he said, as the Ford Lincoln Mercury Memorial.

Related:
• Taco Liberty Bell (full-length article)
• Unlikely Acquisitions announced on April 1st
• April Fool's Day hoaxes involving national landmarks

Comments (49) | Permalink

#5: San Serriffe

1977: The British newspaper The Guardian published a special seven-page supplement devoted to San Serriffe, a small republic said to consist of several semi-colon-shaped islands located in the Indian Ocean. A series of articles affectionately described the geography and culture of this obscure nation. Its two main islands were named Upper Caisse and Lower Caisse. Its capital was Bodoni, and its leader was General Pica. The Guardian's phones rang all day as readers sought more information about the idyllic holiday spot. Only a few noticed that everything about the island was named after printer's terminology. The success of this hoax is widely credited with launching the enthusiasm for April Foolery that gripped the British tabloids in subsequent decades.

Related:
• San Serriffe (full-length article)
• Fictitious Geography of April Fool's Day

Comments (36) | Permalink

#6: Nixon for President

1992: National Public Radio's Talk of the Nation program announced that Richard Nixon, in a surprise move, was running for President again. His new campaign slogan was, "I didn't do anything wrong, and I won't do it again." Accompanying this announcement were audio clips of Nixon delivering his candidacy speech. Listeners responded viscerally to the announcement, flooding the show with calls expressing shock and outrage. Only during the second half of the show did the host John Hockenberry reveal that the announcement was a practical joke. Nixon's voice was impersonated by comedian Rich Little.

Related:
• April Fool's Day Political Hoaxes

Comments (24) | Permalink

#7: Alabama Changes the Value of Pi

1998: The April 1998 issue of the New Mexicans for Science and Reason newsletter contained an article claiming that the Alabama state legislature had voted to change the value of the mathematical constant pi from 3.14159 to the 'Biblical value' of 3.0. Soon the article made its way onto the internet, and then it rapidly spread around the world, forwarded by email. It only became apparent how far the article had spread when the Alabama legislature began receiving hundreds of calls from people protesting the legislation. The original article, which was intended as a parody of legislative attempts to circumscribe the teaching of evolution, was written by physicist Mark Boslough.

Comments (79) | Permalink

#8: The Left-Handed Whopper

1998: Burger King published a full page advertisement in USA Today announcing the introduction of a new item to their menu: a "Left-Handed Whopper" specially designed for the 32 million left-handed Americans. According to the advertisement, the new whopper included the same ingredients as the original Whopper (lettuce, tomato, hamburger patty, etc.), but all the condiments were rotated 180 degrees for the benefit of their left-handed customers. The following day Burger King issued a follow-up release revealing that although the Left-Handed Whopper was a hoax, thousands of customers had gone into restaurants to request the new sandwich. Simultaneously, according to the press release, "many others requested their own 'right handed' version."

Comments (59) | Permalink

#9: Hotheaded Naked Ice Borers

1995: Discover Magazine reported that the highly respected wildlife biologist Dr. Aprile Pazzo had found a new species in Antarctica: the hotheaded naked ice borer. These fascinating creatures had bony plates on their heads that, fed by numerous blood vessels, could become burning hot, allowing the animals to bore through ice at high speeds. They used this ability to hunt penguins, melting the ice beneath the penguins and causing them to sink downwards into the resulting slush where the hotheads consumed them. After much research, Dr. Pazzo theorized that the hotheads might have been responsible for the mysterious disappearance of noted Antarctic explorer Philippe Poisson in 1837. "To the ice borers, he would have looked like a penguin," the article quoted her as saying. Discover received more mail in response to this article than they had received for any other article in their history.

Related:
• The Hotheaded Naked Ice Borer (full-length article)
• Fictitious Creatures of April Fool's Day
• April Fool's Day Science

Comments (44) | Permalink

#10: Planetary Alignment Decreases Gravity

1976: The British astronomer Patrick Moore announced on BBC Radio 2 that at 9:47 AM a once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event was going to occur that listeners could experience in their very own homes. The planet Pluto would pass behind Jupiter, temporarily causing a gravitational alignment that would counteract and lessen the Earth's own gravity. Moore told his listeners that if they jumped in the air at the exact moment that this planetary alignment occurred, they would experience a strange floating sensation. When 9:47 AM arrived, BBC2 began to receive hundreds of phone calls from listeners claiming to have felt the sensation. One woman even reported that she and her eleven friends had risen from their chairs and floated around the room.

#11: UFO Lands in London

1989: On March 31, 1989 thousands of motorists driving on the highway outside London looked up in the air to see a glowing flying saucer descending on their city. Many of them pulled to the side of the road to watch the bizarre craft float through the air. The saucer finally landed in a field on the outskirts of London where local residents immediately called the police to warn them of an alien invasion. Soon the police arrived on the scene, and one brave officer approached the craft with his truncheon extended before him. When a door in the craft popped open, and a small, silver-suited figure emerged, the policeman ran in the opposite direction. The saucer turned out to be a hot-air balloon that had been specially built to look like a UFO by Richard Branson, the 36-year-old chairman of Virgin Records. The stunt combined his passion for ballooning with his love of pranks. His plan was to land the craft in London's Hyde Park on April 1. Unfortunately, the wind blew him off course, and he was forced to land a day early in the wrong location.

Comments (36) | Permalink

#12: Flying Penguins

2008: The BBC announced that camera crews filming near the Antarctic for its natural history series Miracles of Evolution had captured footage of Adélie penguins taking to the air. It even offered a video clip of these flying penguins, which became one of the most viewed videos on the internet. Presenter Terry Jones explained that, instead of huddling together to endure the Antarctic winter, these penguins took to the air and flew thousands of miles to the rainforests of South America where they "spend the winter basking in the tropical sun." A follow-up video explained how the BBC created the special effects of the flying penguins.

Comments (0) | Permalink

#13: Kremvax

1984: A message distributed to the members of Usenet (the online messaging community that was one of the first forms the internet took) announced that the Soviet Union was joining Usenet. This generated enormous excitement, since most Usenet members had assumed that cold war security concerns would prevent such a link-up. The message purported to come from Konstantin Chernenko (from the address chernenko@kremvax.UUCP) who explained that the Soviet Union wanted to join the network in order to "have a means of having an open discussion forum with the American and European people." The message created a flood of responses. Two weeks later its true author, a European man named Piet Beertema, revealed it was a hoax. This is believed to be the first hoax on the internet. Six years later, when Moscow really did link up to the internet, it adopted the domain name 'kremvax' in honor of the hoax.

Comments (8) | Permalink

#14: The Body of Nessie Found

1972: On March 31 1972, a team of zoologists from Yorkshire's Flamingo Park Zoo, who were at Loch Ness searching for proof of Nessie's existence, found a mysterious carcass floating in the Loch. Initial reports claimed it weighed a ton and a half and was 15 ½ feet long. The zoologists placed the body in a van and began to transport it back to the zoo. However, the police chased down their truck and stopped it under a 1933 act of Parliament prohibiting the removal of "unidentified creatures" from Loch Ness. The body was then taken to nearby Dunfermline for examination. The discovery of the carcass received worldwide media attention. The British press dubbed it "Son of Nessie." But upon examination, Edinburgh scientists identified the creature as a bull elephant seal from the South Atlantic. The next day John Shields, Flamingo Park's education officer, confessed he had been responsible for the body. The bull elephant seal had died the week before at Dudley Zoo. He had shaved off its whiskers, padded its cheeks with stones, and kept it frozen for a week, before dumping it in the Loch and then phoning in a tip to make sure his colleagues found it. He had meant to play an April Fool's prank on his colleagues, but admitted the joke got out of hand when the police chased down their van.

Comments (0) | Permalink

#15: Metric Time

1975: Australia's This Day Tonight news program revealed that the country would soon be converting to "metric time." Under the new system there would be 100 seconds to the minute, 100 minutes to the hour, and 20-hour days. Furthermore, seconds would become millidays, minutes become centidays, and hours become decidays. The report included an interview with Deputy Premier Des Corcoran who praised the new time system. The Adelaide townhall was even shown sporting a new 10-hour metric clock face. The thumbnail (found at TelevisionAU.com) shows TDT Adelaide reporter Nigel Starck posing with a smaller metric clock. TDT received numerous calls from viewers who fell for the hoax. One frustrated viewer wanted to know how he could convert his newly purchased digital clock to metric time.

Comments (1) | Permalink

#16: The Eruption of Mount Edgecumbe

1974: Residents of Sitka, Alaska were alarmed when the long-dormant volcano neighboring them, Mount Edgecumbe, suddenly began to belch out billows of black smoke. People spilled out of their homes onto the streets to gaze up at the volcano, terrified that it was active again and might soon erupt. Luckily it turned out that man, not nature, was responsible for the smoke. A local practical joker named Porky Bickar had flown hundreds of old tires into the volcano's crater and then lit them on fire, all in a (successful) attempt to fool the city dwellers into believing that the volcano was stirring to life. According to local legend, when Mount St. Helens erupted six years later, a Sitka resident wrote to Bickar to tell him, "This time you've gone too far!" (photo via sitka.com)

Comments (38) | Permalink

#17: The Case of the Interfering Brassieres

1982: The Daily Mail reported that a local manufacturer had sold 10,000 "rogue bras" that were causing a unique and unprecedented problem, not to the wearers but to the public at large. Apparently the support wire in these bras had been made out of a kind of copper originally designed for use in fire alarms. When this copper came into contact with nylon and body heat, it produced static electricity which, in turn, was interfering with local television and radio broadcasts. The chief engineer of British Telecom, upon reading the article, immediately ordered that all his female laboratory employees disclose what type of bra they were wearing.

Comments (12) | Permalink

#18: Man Flies By Own Lung Power

1934: In April 1934 many American newspapers, including The New York Times, printed a photograph of a man flying through the air by means of a device powered only by the breath from his lungs. Accompanying articles excitedly described this miraculous new invention. The man, identified as German pilot Erich Kocher, blew into a box on his chest. This activated rotors that created a powerful suction effect, lifting him aloft. Skis on his feet served as landing gear, and a tail fin allowed him to steer. What the American papers didn't realize was that the "lung-power motor" was a joke. The photo had first appeared in the April Fool's Day edition of the Berliner Illustrirte Zeitung. It made its way to America thanks to Hearst's International News Photo agency which not only fell for the hoax but also distributed it to all its U.S. subscribers. In the original Berliner Illustrirte Zeitung article, the pilot's name was spelled "Erich Koycher," which was a pun on the German word "keuchen," meaning to puff or wheeze.

Comments (2) | Permalink

#19: The Sydney Iceberg

1978: A barge appeared in Sydney Harbor towing a giant iceberg. Sydneysiders were expecting it. Dick Smith, a local adventurer and millionaire businessman (owner of Dick Smith's Foods), had been loudly promoting his scheme to tow an iceberg from Antarctica for quite some time. Now he had apparently succeeded. He said that he was going to carve the berg into small ice cubes, which he would sell to the public for ten cents each. These well-traveled cubes, fresh from the pure waters of Antarctica, were promised to improve the flavor of any drink they cooled. Slowly the iceberg made its way into the harbor. Local radio stations provided excited blow-by-blow coverage of the scene. Only when the berg was well into the harbor was its secret revealed. It started to rain, and the firefighting foam and shaving cream that the berg was really made of washed away, uncovering the white plastic sheets beneath.

Comments (19) | Permalink

#20: The 26-Day Marathon

1981: The Daily Mail ran a story about an unfortunate Japanese long-distance runner, Kimo Nakajimi, who had entered the London Marathon but, on account of a translation error, thought that he had to run for 26 days, not 26 miles. Reportedly Nakajimi was now somewhere out on the roads of England, still running, determined to finish the race. Various people had spotted him, though they were unable to flag him down. The translation error was attributed to Timothy Bryant, an import director, who said, "I translated the rules and sent them off to him. But I have only been learning Japanese for two years, and I must have made a mistake. He seems to be taking this marathon to be something like the very long races they have over there."

Comments (35) | Permalink

#21: Bombs Away!

1915: On April 1, 1915, in the midst of World War I, a French aviator flew over a German camp and dropped what appeared to be a huge bomb. The German soldiers immediately scattered in all directions, but no explosion followed. After some time, the soldiers crept back and gingerly approached the bomb. They discovered it was actually a large football with a note tied to it that read, "April Fool!"

Comments (0) | Permalink

#22: Whistling Carrots

2002: The British supermarket chain Tesco published an advertisement in The Sun announcing the successful development of a genetically modified 'whistling carrot.' The ad explained that the carrots had been specially engineered to grow with tapered airholes in their side. When fully cooked, these airholes caused the vegetable to whistle.

Related:
• April Fool's Day Botany

Comments (8) | Permalink

#23: The Skyforest Orange-Bearing Pine Trees

1950: Motorists driving along the scenic Rim of the World highway near Lake Arrowhead in Southern California discovered that the pine and cedar trees lining the road had all grown oranges overnight. The transformation was the work of the residents of the nearby town of Skyforest, led by the cartoonist Frank Adams. They had crept out during the night and strung 50,000 oranges in the trees along a one-mile section of the highway. The fruit was left over from the recent National Orange Show in San Bernardino.

Comments (0) | Permalink

#24: Drunk Driving on the Internet

1994: An article by John Dvorak in PC Computing magazine described a bill going through Congress that would make it illegal to use the internet while drunk, or to discuss sexual matters over a public network. The bill was supposedly numbered 040194 (i.e. 04/01/94), and the contact person was listed as Lirpa Sloof (April Fools backwards). The article said that the FBI was going to use the bill to tap the phone line of anyone who "uses or abuses alcohol" while accessing the internet. Passage of the bill was felt to be certain because "Who wants to come out and support drunkenness and computer sex?" The article offered this explanation for the origin of the bill: "The moniker 'Information Highway' itself seems to be responsible for SB 040194... I know how silly this sounds, but Congress apparently thinks being drunk on a highway is bad no matter what kind of highway it is." The article generated so many outraged phone calls to Congress that Senator Edward Kennedy's office had to release an official denial of the rumor that he was a sponsor of the bill.

Comments (19) | Permalink

#25: 15th Annual New York City April Fool’s Day Parade

2000: A news release sent to the media stated that the 15th annual New York City April Fool's Day Parade was scheduled to begin at noon on 59th Street and would proceed down to Fifth Avenue. According to the release, floats in the parade would include a "Beat 'em, Bust 'em, Book 'em" float created by the New York, Los Angeles, and Seattle police departments. This float would portray "themes of brutality, corruption and incompetence." A "Where's Mars?" float, reportedly built at a cost of $10 billion, would portray missed Mars missions. Finally, the "Atlanta Braves Baseball Tribute to Racism" float would feature John Rocker who would be "spewing racial epithets at the crowd." CNN and the Fox affiliate WNYW sent television news crews to cover the parade. They arrived at 59th Street at noon only to discover that there was no sign of a parade, at which point the reporters realized they had been hoaxed. The prank was the handiwork of Joey Skaggs, an experienced hoaxer. Skaggs had been issuing press releases advertising the nonexistent parade every April Fool's Day since 1986.

Comments (19) | Permalink

#26: The Predictions of Isaac Bickerstaff

1708: In February 1708 a previously unknown London astrologer named Isaac Bickerstaff published an almanac in which he predicted the death by fever of the famous rival astrologer John Partridge. According to Bickerstaff, Partridge would die on March 29 of that year. Partridge indignantly denied the prediction, but on March 30 Bickerstaff released a pamphlet announcing that he had been correct: Partridge was dead. It took a day for the news to settle in, but soon everyone had heard of the astrologer's demise. Thus, on April 1st Partridge was woken by a sexton outside his window who wanted to know if there were any orders for his funeral sermon. Then, as Partridge walked down the street, people stared at him as if they were looking at a ghost or stopped to tell him that he looked exactly like someone they knew who was dead. As hard as he tried, Partridge couldn't convince people that he wasn't dead. Bickerstaff, it turned out, was a pseudonym for the satirist Jonathan Swift. His prognosticatory practical joke upon Partridge worked so well that the astrologer finally was forced to stop publishing his almanacs, because he couldn't shake his reputation as the man whose death had been foretold.

Comments (21) | Permalink

#27: Diseases of Brunus edwardii

1972: The Veterinary Record, the weekly journal of the British veterinary profession, contained an article about the diseases of Brunus edwardii, which was described as a species "commonly kept in homes in the United Kingdom and other countries in Europe and North America." The article warned:

Pet ownership surveys have shown that 63.8 percent of households are inhabited by one or more of these animals, and there is a statistically significant relationship between their population and the number of children in a household. The public health implications of this fact are obvious, and it is imperative that more be known about their diseases, particularly zoonoses or other conditions which might be associated with their close contact with man.

For months afterwards the correspondence section of the Veterinary Record was dominated by letters about Brunus edwardii, most of which offered new observations about the species. The article proved so popular that it was eventually published in a special edition by Whittington Press, although it was reported that the British Library later had difficulty deciding how to classify it, as fact or fiction. Brunus edwardii is more commonly known as the "Teddy Bear".

Comments (0) | Permalink

#28: Wisconsin State Capitol Collapses

1933: The Madison Capital-Times solemnly announced that the Wisconsin state capitol building lay in ruins following a series of mysterious explosions. The explosions were attributed to "large quantities of gas, generated through many weeks of verbose debate in the Senate and Assembly chambers." Accompanying the article was a picture showing the capitol building collapsing. Many readers were fooled—and outraged. One reader wrote in declaring the hoax "was not only tactless and void of humor, but also a hideous jest." Nevertheless, in 1985 The Science Digest named this as one of the best hoaxes ever.

Comments (12) | Permalink

#29: New Zealand Wasp Swarm

In 1949 Phil Shone, a New Zealand deejay for radio station 1ZB, announced to his listeners that a mile-wide wasp swarm was headed towards Auckland. He urged them to take a variety of steps to protect themselves and their homes from the winged menace. For instance, he suggested that they wear their socks over their trousers when they left for work, and that they leave honey-smeared traps outside their doors. Hundreds of people dutifully heeded his advice, until he finally admitted that it had all been a joke. The New Zealand Broadcasting Service was not amused by Shone's prank. Its director, Professor James Shelley, denounced the hoax on the grounds that it undermined the rules of proper broadcasting. From then on, a memo was sent out each year before April Fool's Day reminding New Zealand radio stations of their obligation to report the truth, and nothing but the truth.

Comments (11) | Permalink

#30: Abduction From the Grand Guignol

1950: On Wednesday March 29, 1950, between the second and third acts of No Orchids for Miss Blandish at Paris's Grand Guignol theater, actress Nicole Riche suddenly disappeared. Stage hands said she had been handed a note, went pale as she read it, walked outside, and then vanished. Unable to continue the play, the theater gave everyone in the audience their money back. The police, who suspected kidnapping, launched a massive manhunt. Her disappearance made headlines around the world. Some papers noted it was an odd coincidence that she had apparently been kidnapped while starring in a play about a woman who is kidnapped. Two days later, early on the morning of April 1st, Riche walked into a police station dressed in the same flimsy white negligee and furcoat she had been wearing during the play, plus a sweater she said some friendly gypsies had given her. She claimed she had been imprisoned for the past two days by "Puritans" who lectured her endlessly about her immoral lifestyle before finally abandoning her in a forest. The police were skeptical about her story since there's wasn't a speck of dirt or dust on her. Eventually Riche broke down and admitted she hadn't been abducted by Puritans. Her disappearance had been an April Fool's Day publicity stunt engineered by the Grand Guignol's manager, Alexandre Dundas.

Related:
• The Kidnapping of Nicole Riche (full-length article)
• April Fool's Day Crime
• French April Fool's Day Hoaxes

Comments (0) | Permalink

#31: Migrant Mother Makeover

2005: Popular Photography ran an article titled "Can these photos be saved?" about how to remove unsightly wrinkles from photographic subjects. They chose, as an example of a photo that "needed to be saved," Dorothea Lange's "Migrant Mother" photo taken in 1936 during the Great Depression. Lange's photo is one of the most widely admired in the world. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to describe it as the Mona Lisa of photographs, and the Migrant Mother's stoic expression is what makes the image great. Nevertheless, the editors of Popular Photography erased her wrinkles, softened her gaze, and removed her kids, transforming her from an iconic symbol of endurance into a smooth-faced, worry-free soccer mom. Their readers were horrified, not realizing the article was a spoof on the way magazines routinely touch-up celebrity images to remove blemishes and wrinkles. Hundreds wrote in expressing outrage at the defacement of such a classic image. To which the editors replied: Look at the date it was published!

Comments (13) | Permalink

#32: The Great Comic Strip Switcheroonie

1997: Comic strip fans opened their papers on April 1, 1997 and discovered their favorite strips looked different. Not only that, but in many cases characters from other strips popped up out of place. The reason for the chaos was the Great Comics Switcheroonie. Forty-six comic-strip artists conspired to pen each other's strips for the day. For instance, Scott Adams of Dilbert took over Family Circus by Bil Keane, where he added a touch of corporate cynicism to the family-themed strip by having the mother tell her kid to "work cuter, not harder." Jim Davis of Garfield took over Blondie, which allowed him to show his famous overweight cat eating one of Dagwood's sandwiches. The stunt was masterminded by Rick Kirkman and Jerry Scott, creators of the Baby Blues comic strip. When asked why he participated, Scott Adams noted, "You don't get that many chances to tunnel under the fence."

Comments (0) | Permalink

#33: The Derbyshire Fairy

2007: In late March 2007, images of an 8-inch mummified creature resembling a fairy were posted on the website of the Lebanon Circle Magik Co. Accompanying text explained how the creature had been found by a man walking his dog along an old roman road in rural Derbyshire. Word of this discovery soon spread around the internet. Bloggers excitedly speculated about whether the find was evidence of the actual existence of fairies. By April 1 the Lebanon Circle website had received tens of thousands of visitors and hundreds of emails. But at the end of April 1, Dan Baines, the owner of the site, confessed that the fairy was a hoax. He had used his skills as a magician's prop-maker to create the creature. Baines later reported that, even after his confession, he continued to receive numerous emails from people who refused to accept the fairy wasn't real.

Comments (7) | Permalink

#34: I Must Fly

1959: The residents of Wellingborough, England woke to find a trail of white footprints painted along the main street of their town. At the end of the trail were the words, "I must fly."

Related:
• April Fool's Day Street Pranks

Comments (0) | Permalink

#35: Big Ben Goes Digital

1980: The BBC reported that Big Ben, in order to keep up with the times, was going to be given a digital readout. The announcement received a huge response from listeners shocked and angered by the proposed change. The BBC Japanese service also announced that the clock hands would be sold to the first four listeners to contact them. One Japanese seaman in the mid-Atlantic immediately radioed in a bid.

Comments (15) | Permalink

#36: Discovery of the Bigon

1996: Discover Magazine reported that physicists had discovered a new fundamental particle of matter, dubbed the Bigon. It could only be coaxed into existence for mere millionths of a second, but amazingly, when it did materialize it was the size of a bowling ball. Physicist Albert Manque and his colleagues accidentally found the particle when a computer connected to one of their vacuum-tube experiments exploded. Video analysis of the explosion revealed the Bigon hovering over the computer for a fraction of a second. Manque theorized that the Bigon might be responsible for a host of other unexplained phenomena such as ball lightning, sinking souffles, and spontaneous human combustion. Discover received huge amounts of mail in response to the story.

Related:
• April Fool's Day Science

Comments (12) | Permalink

#37: Dutch Elm Disease Infects Redheads

1973: BBC Radio broadcast an interview with an elderly academic, Dr. Clothier, who discoursed on the government's efforts to stop the spread of Dutch Elm Disease. Dr. Clothier described some startling discoveries that had been made about the tree disease. For instance, he referred to the research of Dr. Emily Lang of the London School of Pathological and Environmental Medicine. Dr. Lang had apparently found that exposure to Dutch Elm Disease immunized people to the common cold. Unfortunately, there was a side effect. Exposure to the disease also caused red hair to turn yellow and eventually fall out. This was attributed to a similarity between the blood count of redheads and the soil conditions in which affected trees grew. Therefore, redheads were advised to stay away from forests for the foreseeable future. Dr. Clothier was in reality the comedian Spike Milligan.

Related:
• April Fool's Day Medical Hoaxes

Comments (3) | Permalink

#38: Operation Parallax

1979: London's Capital Radio announced that Operation Parallax would soon go into effect. This was a government plan to resynchronize the British calendar with the rest of the world. It was explained that ever since 1945 Britain had gradually become 48 hours ahead of all other countries because of the constant switching back and forth from British Summer Time. To remedy this situation, the British government had decided to cancel April 5 and 12 that year. Capital Radio received numerous calls as a result of this announcement. One employer wanted to know if she had to pay her employees for the missing days. Another woman was curious about what would happen to her birthday, which fell on one of the cancelled days.

Related:
• April Fool's Day Time and Date Hoaxes

Comments (11) | Permalink

#39: Space Shuttle Lands in San Diego

1993: Dave Rickards, a deejay at KGB-FM in San Diego, announced that the space shuttle Discovery had been diverted from Edwards Air Force Base and would instead soon be landing at Montgomery Field, a small airport located in the middle of a residential area just outside of San Diego. Thousands of commuters immediately headed towards the landing site, causing enormous traffic jams that lasted for almost an hour. Police eventually had to be called in to clear the traffic. People arrived at the airport armed with cameras, camcorders, and even folding chairs. Reportedly the crowd swelled to over 1,000 people. Of course, the shuttle never landed. In fact, the Montgomery Field airport would have been far too small for the shuttle to even consider landing there. Moreover, there wasn't even a shuttle in orbit at the time. The police were not amused by the prank. They announced that they would be billing the radio station for the cost of forcing officers to direct the traffic.

Related:
• April Fool's Day Wild Goose Chases

Comments (24) | Permalink

#40: The Spiggot Metric Boycott

1973: Westward Television, a British TV studio, produced a documentary feature about the village of Spiggot. As the documentary explained, the stubborn residents of this small town were refusing to accept the new decimal currency recently adopted by the British government, preferring instead to stick with the traditional denominations they had grown up with. As soon as the documentary was over, the studio received hundreds of calls expressing support for the brave stand taken by the villagers. In fact, many of the callers voiced their intention to join in the anti-decimal crusade. Unfortunately for this burgeoning rebellion, the village of Spiggot did not exist.

Related:
• April Fool's Day Measurement Hoaxes

Comments (4) | Permalink

#41: Dogs to be painted white

1965: Politiken, a Copenhagen newspaper, reported that the Danish parliament had passed a new law requiring all dogs to be painted white. The purpose of this, it explained, was to increase road safety by allowing dogs to be seen more easily at night.

Comments (0) | Permalink

#42: Webnode

1999: A press release issued over Business Wire announced the creation of a new company called Webnode. This company, according to the release, had been granted a government contract to regulate ownership of 'nodes' on the 'Next Generation Internet.' Each of these nodes (there were said to be over 50 million of them) represented a route that data could travel. The company was licensed to sell each node for $100. Nodes would increase in value depending on how much traffic they routed, and owners would also receive usage fees based on the amount of data that flowed across their section of the internet. Therefore, bidding for the nodes was expected to become quite intense. Offers to buy shares in Webnode soon began pouring in, but they all had to be turned down since the company was just a prank. There really was a Next Generation Internet, but there were no nodes on it. Business Wire didn't find the prank amusing and filed suit against its perpetrators for fraud, breach of contract, defamation, and conspiracy.

Comments (14) | Permalink

#43: An Interview with President Carter

2001: Michael Enright, host of the Sunday Edition of the Canadian Broadcasting Corpation's radio program This Morning, interviewed former President Jimmy Carter on the air. The interview concerned Canada's heavily subsidized softwood lumber industry, about which Carter had recently written an editorial piece in The New York Times. The interview took a turn for the worse when Enright began telling Carter to speed up his answers. Then Enright asked, "I think the question on everyone's mind is, how did a washed-up peanut farmer from Hicksville such as yourself get involved in such a sophisticated bilateral trade argument?" Carter seemed stunned by the insult. Finally he replied, "Excuse me? A washed-up peanut farmer? You're one to talk, sir. Didn't you used to be on the air five times a week?" The tone of the interview did not improve from there. Carter ended up calling Enright a "rude person" before he hung up. Enright then revealed that the interview had been fake. The Toronto comedian Ray Landry had been impersonating Carter's voice. The interview generated a number of angry calls from listeners who didn't find the joke funny. But the next day the controversy reached even larger proportions when the Globe and Mail reported the interview as fact on their front pages. The editor of the Globe and Mail later explained that he hadn't realized the interview was a hoax because it was "a fairly strange issue and a strange person to choose as a spoof."

Comments (11) | Permalink

#44: Around the World for 210 Guineas

1972: In honor of the 100-year anniversary of Thomas Cook's first round the world travel tour, the London Times ran a full article about Cook's 1872 tour, in which it noted that the vacation had cost the participants only 210 guineas each, or approximately $575. Of course, inflation had made a similar vacation quite a bit more expensive by 1972. A few pages later, the Times included a small article noting that in honor of the 100-year anniversary, the travel agent Thomas Cook was offering 1000 lucky people the chance to buy a similar package deal at 1872 prices. The offer would be given to the first 1000 people to apply. The article noted that applications should be addressed to "Miss Avril Foley." The public response to this bargain-basement offer was swift and enthusiastic. Huge lines of people formed outside the Thomas Cook offices, and the travel agent was swamped with calls. Belatedly the Times identified the offer as an April Fool's joke and apologized for the inconvenience it had caused. The people who had waited in line for hours were, to put it mildly, not amused. The reporter who wrote the article, John Carter, was fired (though he was later reinstated).

Related:
• April Fool's Day Phony Bargains

Comments (3) | Permalink

#45: Bearskin Helmets Need Trimming

1980: Soldier magazine revealed that the fur on the bearskin helmets worn by the Irish guards while on duty at Buckingham Palace keeps growing and needs to be regularly trimmed:

The most hair-raising fact about the bearskins has been discovered by scientists recently. The skins retain an original hormone, which lives on after the animal has been skinned. Scientists call it otiose and it is hoped it can be put to use in medical research — especially into baldness.

The article quoted Maj. Ursa who noted, "Bears hibernate in the winter and the amazing thing is that in the spring the skins really start to sprout." An accompanying photo showed Guardsmen sitting in an army barbershop having their helmets trimmed. The story was picked up by the London Daily Express and run as a straight story.

Related:
• April Fool's Day Fashion

Comments (1) | Permalink

#46: Guinness Mean Time

1998: Guinness issued a press release announcing that it had reached an agreement with the Old Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England to be the official beer sponsor of the Observatory's millennium celebration. According to this agreement, Greenwich Mean Time would be renamed Guinness Mean Time until the end of 1999. In addition, where the Observatory traditionally counted seconds in "pips," it would now count them in "pint drips." The Financial Times, not realizing that the release was a joke, declared that Guinness was setting a "brash tone for the millennium." When the Financial Times learned that it had fallen for a joke, it printed a curt retraction, stating that the news it had disclosed "was apparently intended as part of an April 1 spoof."

Related:
• April Fool's Day Time and Date Hoaxes

Comments (5) | Permalink

#47: Internet Spring Cleaning

1997: An email message spread throughout the world announcing that the internet would be shut down for cleaning for twenty-four hours from March 31 until April 2. This cleaning was said to be necessary to clear out the "electronic flotsam and jetsam" that had accumulated in the network. Dead email and inactive ftp, www, and gopher sites would be purged. The cleaning would be done by "five very powerful Japanese-built multi-lingual Internet-crawling robots (Toshiba ML-2274) situated around the world." During this period, users were warned to disconnect all devices from the internet. The message supposedly originated from the "Interconnected Network Maintenance Staff, Main Branch, Massachusetts Institute of Technology." This joke was an updated version of an old joke that used to be told about the phone system. For many years, gullible phone customers had been warned that the phone systems would be cleaned on April Fool's Day. They were cautioned to place plastic bags over the ends of the phone to catch the dust that might be blown out of the phone lines during this period.

Related:
• April Fool's Day Internet Pranks

Comments (22) | Permalink

#48: Tasmanian Mock Walrus

1984: The Orlando Sentinel featured a story about a creature known as the Tasmanian Mock Walrus (or TMW for short) that many people in Florida were supposedly adopting as a pet. The creature was said to be four inches long, resembled a walrus, purred like a cat, and had the temperament of a hamster. What made it such an ideal pet was that it never had to be bathed, it used a litter box, and it ate cockroaches. In fact, a single TMW could entirely rid a house of its cockroach problem. Reportedly, some TMWs had been smuggled in from Tasmania, and there were efforts being made to breed them, but the local pest-control industry was pressuring the government not to allow them into the country, fearing they would put cockroach exterminators out of business. Dozens of people called the paper trying to find out where they could obtain their own TMW. A picture of a Tasmanian Mock Walrus accompanied the article. Skeptics noted that the creature looked surprisingly similar to a Naked Mole Rat.

Comments (16) | Permalink

#49: Don’t Disturb the Squirrels

1993: Westdeutsche Rundfunk, a German radio station, announced that officials in Cologne had just passed an unusual new city regulation. Joggers going through the park would be required to pace themselves to go no faster than six mph. Any faster, it was felt, would unnecessarily disturb the squirrels who were in the middle of their mating season.

Related:
• Stupid Laws of April Fool's Day

Comments (11) | Permalink

#50: The Sheep Albedo Hypothesis

2007: RealClimate.org posted about the work of Dr. Ewe Noh-Watt of the New Zealand Institute of Veterinary Climatology, who had discovered that global warming was caused not by a buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, but rather by the decline of New Zealand's sheep population. The reasoning was that sheep are white, and therefore large numbers of sheep increase the planet's albedo (the amount of sunlight reflected back into space). As the sheep population declined, the ground was absorbing more solar radiation, thus warming the planet: "It can be seen that the recent warming can be explained entirely by the decline in the New Zealand sheep population, without any need to bring in any mysterious so-called 'radiative forcing' from carbon dioxide, which doesn't affect the sunlight (hardly) anyway — unlike Sheep Albedo."

Noh-Watt also warmed of a potentially destabilizing feedback mechanism: "As climate gets warmer, there is less demand for wool sweaters and wooly underwear. Hence the sheep population tends to drop, leading to even more warming. In an extreme form, this can lead to a 'runaway sheep-albedo feedback,' which is believed to have led to the present torrid climate of Venus."

Related:
• April Fool's Day Climate Hoaxes

Comments (0) | Permalink

#51: British Weather Machine

1981: The Guardian reported that scientists at Britain's research labs in Pershore had "developed a machine to control the weather." The article, titled "Britain Rules the Skies," explained that "Britain will gain the immediate benefit of long summers, with rainfall only at night, and the Continent will have whatever Pershore decides to send it." Readers were also assured that Pershore scientists would make sure that it snowed every Christmas in Britain. Accompanying the article was a picture of a scruffy-looking scientists surrounded by scientific equipment. The picture was captioned, "Dr. Chisholm-Downright expresses quiet satisfaction as a computer printout announced sunshine in Pershore and a forthcoming blizzard over Marseilles."

Comments (5) |

#52: Smellovision

In 1965 BBC TV featured an interview with a professor who had just invented a device called "smellovision." This miraculous technology allowed viewers to experience directly in their own home aromas produced in the television studio. The professor offered a demonstration by cutting some onions and brewing coffee. A number of viewers called in to confirm that they distinctly experienced these scents as if they were there in the studio with him. Since no aromas were being transmitted, whatever these viewers thought they smelled coming out of their tv sets must be chalked up to the power of suggestion.

Comments (14) |

#53: Thomas Edison Invents Food Machine

1878: After Thomas Edison invented the phonograph in 1877, Americans firmly believed that there were no limits to his genius. Therefore, when the New York Graphic announced in 1878 that Edison had invented a machine that could transform soil directly into cereal and water directly into wine, thereby ending the problem of world hunger, it found no shortage of willing believers.
Newspapers throughout America copied the article, heaping lavish praise on Edison. The conservative Buffalo Commercial Advertiser was particularly effusive in its praise, waxing eloquent about Edison's brilliance in a long editorial. The Graphic took the liberty of reprinting the Advertiser's editorial in full, placing above it a simple, two-word headline: "They Bite!"

Comments (7) |

#54: Washing the Lions at the Tower of London

1860: Numerous people throughout London received the following invitation: "Tower of London—Admit Bearer and Friend to view annual ceremony of Washing the White Lions on Sunday, April 1, 1860. Admittance only at White Gate. It is particularly requested that no gratuities be given to wardens or attendants." By twelve o'clock on April 1 a large crowd had reportedly gathered outside the tower. But of course, lions hadn't been kept in the tower for centuries, particularly not white liions. Therefore the crowd eventually snuck away disappointed. This prank had a very long pedigree. It had often been perpetrated (on a smaller scale) on unsuspecting out-of-towners, and an instance of it is recorded from as far back as 1698.

Comments (2) |

#55: FatSox

2000: The British Daily Mail announced that Esporta Health Clubs had launched a new line of socks designed to help people lose weight. Dubbed "FatSox," these revolutionary socks could actually suck body fat out of sweating feet. The invention promised to "banish fat for ever." The socks employed a patented nylon polymer called FloraAstraTetrazine that had been "previously only applied in the nutrition industry." The American inventor of this polymer was Professor Frank Ellis Elgood. The socks supposedly worked in the following way: as a person's body heat rose and their blood vessels dilated, the socks drew "excess lipid from the body through the sweat." After having sweated out the fat, the wearer could then simply remove the socks and wash them, and the fat, away.

Comments (14) |

#56: IPO for F/rite Air

2000: By April 2000 the dot.com bubble was rapidly deflating. This didn't deter hundreds of Dutch investors from lining up to buy shares in F/rite Air, which was being billed as a hot new technology company backed by supporters such as Bill Gates, Paul Allen, and George Soros. The announcement about the company's IPO was posted on iex.nl, a financial web site for Dutch investors. It was reported that shares in the IPO could be reserved for $18 each by email, although it was said that analysts anticipated the stock soaring to above $80 on the first day of its filing. The company seemed like a sure thing, and almost immediately orders worth over $7 million flooded in. The orders didn't stop coming in even after the newspapers had revealed the IPO to be an April Fool's Day joke. F/rite air was a pun for 'Fried air' (i.e. Hot Air).

Comments (2) |

#57: Nat Tate

1998: A lavish party was held at Jeff Koons's New York studio to honor the memory of the late, great American artist Nat Tate, that troubled abstract expressionist who destroyed 99 percent of his own work before leaping to his death from the Staten Island ferry. At the party superstar David Bowie read aloud selections from William Boyd's soon-to-be released biography of Tate, "Nat Tate: An American Artist, 1928-1960." Critics in the crowd murmured appreciative comments about Tate's work as they sipped their drinks. The only catch was that Tate had never existed. He was the satirical creation of William Boyd. Bowie, Boyd, and Boyd's publisher were the only ones in on the joke.

Comments (9) |

#58: Portable Zip Codes

2004: National Public Radio's All Things Considered announced that the post office had begun a new 'portable zip codes' program. This program, inspired by an FCC ruling that allowed phone users to take their phone number with them when they moved, would allow people to also take their zip code with them when they moved, no matter where they moved to. It was hoped that with this new program zip codes would come to symbolize "a citizen's place in the demographic, rather than geographic, landscape." Assistant Postmaster General Lester Crandall was quoted as saying, "Every year millions of Americans are on the go: People who must relocate for work or other reasons. Those people may have been quite attached to their original homes or an adopted town or city of residence. For them this innovative measure will serve as an umbilical cord to the place they love best."

Comments (6) |

#59: Daylight Savings Contest

1984: the Eldorado Daily Journal, based in Illinois, announced a contest to see who could save the most daylight for daylight savings time. The rules of the contest were simple: beginning with the first day of daylight savings time, contestants would be required to save daylight. Whoever succeeded in saving the most daylight would win. Only pure daylight would be allowed—no dawn or twilight light, though light from cloudy days would be allowed. Moonlight was strictly forbidden. Light could be stored in any container. The contest received a huge, nationwide response. The paper's editor was interviewed by correspondents from CBS and NBC and was featured in papers throughout the country.

Comments (8) |

#60: PhDs Exempt From China’s One-Child Policy

1993: The China Youth Daily, an official state newspaper of China, announced on its front page that the government had decided to make Ph.D. holders exempt from the state-imposed one-child limit. The logic behind this decision was that it would eventually reduce the need to invite as many foreign experts into the country to help with the state's modernization effort. Despite a disclaimer beneath the story identifying it as a joke, the report was repeated as fact by Hong Kong's New Evening News and by Agence France-Presse, an international news agency. Apparently what made the hoax seem credible to many was that intellectuals in Singapore are encouraged to marry each other and have children, and China's leaders are known to have great respect for the Singapore system. The Chinese government responded to the hoax by condemning April Fool's Day as a dangerous Western tradition. The Guangming Daily, Beijing's main newspaper for intellectuals, ran an editorial stating that April Fool's jokes "are an extremely bad influence." It went on to declare that, "Put plainly, April Fool's Day is Liar's Day."

Comments (10) |

#61: La Fornication Comme Une Acte Culturelle

In 1972 listeners to England's Radio 3 program In Parenthesis were treated to a roundtable discussion of a few cutting-edge new works of social anthropology and musicology. First up was a discussion of La Fornication Comme Une Acte Culturelle by Henri Mensonge (translated as Henry Lie). This book argued that "we live in an age of metaphorical rape" in which "confrontation, assault, intrusion, and exposure are becoming validated transactions, the rites of democracy, of mass society." This sparked a blisteringly incomprehensible debate, which eventually segued into an exploration of the question "Is 'Is' Is?" Finally, the audience heard a rousing deconstruction of the 'arch form' of the sonata's first motif. Listeners seemed to accept the program's discussion as a legitimate exploration of new trends in the arts. Thankfully, it was a parody.

Comments (15) |

#62: Freewheelz

The April 2000 issue of Esquire magazine introduced its readers to an exciting new company called Freewheelz. This company had a novel business plan. It intended to provide drivers with free cars. In exchange, the lucky drivers had to agree both to the placement of large advertisements on the outside of their vehicle and to the streaming of advertisements on the radio inside their car. Strict criteria limited the number of people eligible to receive a free car. Not only did you have to guarantee that you would drive over 300 miles a week, you also had to complete a 600-question survey that probed into personal information such as your political affiliations and whether you were concerned about hair loss. Finally you had to submit your family's tax returns, notarized video-store-rental receipts, and a stool sample. The entire article, written by Ted Fishman, was a satire of the much-touted "new economy" spawned by the internet. Attentive readers would have caught on to the joke if they had noticed that Freewheelz's official rollout on the web was slated to occur on April 1. But readers who didn't notice this tip-off flooded the offices of Esquire with calls, demanding to know how they could sign up to drive a free minivan. The satire also went over the head of the CEO's of a number of real internet start-ups with business plans similar to that of the fictitious Freewheelz, companies such as Mobile Billboard Network, Freecar.com, and Autowraps.com. Larry Butler, the CEO of freecar.com, later confessed to Fishman that he was so scared at the prospect of this new competition that he cried when he first read the article.

Comments (6) |

#63: M3 Zebra Crossing

In 2000 early morning commuters travelling on the northern carriageway of the M3 near Farnborough, Hampshire encountered a pedestrian zebra crossing painted across the busy highway. The perpetrator of the prank was unknown. A police spokesman speculated that the prank, "must have been done very early in the morning when there was little or no traffic on the motorway." Maintenance workers were quickly summoned to remove the crossing, which was apparently not too difficult to do since the pranksters had used emulsion paint rather than gloss. The police noted that, surprisingly, they had received no calls from the public about the crossing.

Comments (3) |

#64: Total Home Remote Electricity

In 1999 executives at 130 major companies received a professionally designed package of information about an exciting new product: Total Home Remote Electricity. Forget wireless computers. This technology, created by Ottmar Industries of Switzerland, allowed electricity itself to be beamed wirelessly anywhere within a house. Simply plug one of the small "projectors" into a wall outlet, and a safe electrical "aura" would envelop the home. Then attach a converter to any appliance, and the appliance would be able to receive power at any location within the aura, even outside on the roof. "Did you ever imagine making toast on your roof?" the promotional material asked. Accompanying the ads was a letter that included a phone number the executives could call for more information. Reportedly, about 30 people called the number, including three high-level executives. But the number really connected them to the advertising agency, Hoffman york, that had sent out the fake ad as an April Fool's Day publicity stunts.

Comments (14) |

#65: Y2K Solved

In 1999 the Singapore Straits Times reported that a 17-year-old high school student had one-upped all the major software corporations of the world by creating a small computer program that would easily solve the Y2K bug. The camera-shy C student had supposedly devised the program in twenty-nine minutes while solving an algebra problem for his homework. His family and a technology consulting group were reportedly forming a joint venture named 'Polo Flair' in order to commercialize the discovery. They anticipated achieving revenues of $50 million by the end of the year. Numerous journalists and computer specialists contacted the Straits Times, seeking more information about the boy genius and his Y2K cure. One journalist even wanted to know if the boy would be willing to appear on TV, despite the fact that he was camera shy. Unfortunately the boy and his ingenious program didn't exist. Quick-witted readers would have noticed that 'Polo Flair' was an anagram for 'April Fool.'

Comments (2) |

#66: Smaugia Volans

The April 1, 1998 online edition of Nature Magazine revealed the discovery of "a near-complete skeleton of a theropod dinosaur in North Dakota." The discovery was referred to in an article by Henry Gee discussing the palaeontological debate over the origin of birds. The dinosaur skeleton had reportedly been discovered by Randy Sepulchrave of the Museum of the University of Southern North Dakota. The exciting part of the discovery, according to the article, was that "The researchers believe that the dinosaur, now named as Smaugia volans, could have flown." In actuality, the University of Southern North Dakota does not exist, though it has been made famous by Peter Schickele who refers to it as the location where the music of the obscure eighteenth-century composer PDQ Bach was first performed; Smaug was the name of the dragon in Tolkein's The Hobbit; and Sepulchrave was the name of the 76th Earl of Groan in Mervyn Peake's Titus Groan. This Earl, believing that he was an owl, leapt to his death from a high tower, discovering too late that he could not fly.

Comments (4) |

#67: Life Discovered on Jupiter

In 1996 AOL subscribers who logged onto the service were greeted by a news flash announcing that a "Government source reveals signs of life on Jupiter." The claim was backed up by statements from a planetary biologist and an assertion by Ted Leonsis, AOL's president, that his company was in possession of documents proving that the government was hiding the existence of life on the massive planet. The story quickly generated over 1,300 messages on AOL. A spokesman for the company later explained that the hoax had been intended as a tribute to Orson Welles's 1938 Halloween broadcast of the War of the Worlds.

Comments (3) |

#68: Euro Disney Lenin

In 1995 the Irish Times reported that the Disney Corporation was negotiating with the Russian government to purchase the embalmed body of communist leader Vladimir Ilyich Lenin. The body has been kept on display in Red Square since the leader's death. Disney proposed moving the body and the mausoleum to the new Euro Disney, where it would be given the "full Disney treatment." This would include displaying the body "under stroboscopic lights which will tone up the pallid face while excerpts from President Reagan's 'evil empire' speech will be played in quadrophonic sound." Lenin t-shirts would also be sold. Disney anticipated that this attraction would attract more visitors to the theme park, significantly boosting profits which had been weak since the park's opening. The Russians were said to be agreeable to the sale of Lenin's body. But a controversy had erupted about the sale of the mausoleum. Liberal groups wanted to keep the mausoleum empty "to symbolize the 'emptiness of the Communist system,'" while Russian nationalists wanted to transform it into a memorial to Tsar Nicholas II.

Comments (4) |

#69: Corporate Tattoos

In 1994 National Public Radio's All Things Considered program reported that companies such as Pepsi were sponsoring teenagers to tattoo their ears with corporate logos. In return for branding themselves with the corporate symbol, the teenagers would receive a lifetime 10% discount on that company's products. Teenagers were said to be responding enthusiastically to this deal.

Comments (8) |

#70: One-way Highway

In 1991 the London Times announced that the Department of Transport had finalized a plan to ease congestion on the M25, the circular highway surrounding London. The capacity of the road would be doubled by making the traffic on both carriageways travel in the same direction. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays the traffic would travel clockwise; while on Tuesdays and Thursdays it would travel anti-clockwise. The plan would not operate on weekends. It was said that the scheme was almost certain to meet with the cabinet's approval, despite voices of protest coming from some quarters. One of the protestors included a spokesman for Labour Transport who reportedly warned that "Many drivers already have trouble telling their left from their right." Also, a resident of Swanley, Kent was quoted as saying, "Villagers use the motorway to make shopping trips to Orpington. On some days this will be a journey of two miles, and on others a journey of 117 miles. The scheme is lunatic." Thankfully, the scheme existed only in the minds of the writers at the Times.

Comments (4) |

#71: Michigan Shark Experiment

In 1981 the Herald-News in Roscommon, Michigan reported that 3 lakes in northern Michigan had been selected to host "an in-depth study into the breeding and habits of several species of fresh-water sharks." Two thousand sharks were to be released into the lakes including blue sharks, hammerheads, and a few great whites. The experiment was designed to determine whether the sharks could survive in the cold climate of Michigan. The federal government was said to be spending $1.3 million to determine this. A representative from the National Biological Foundation was quoted as saying that there would probably be a noticeable decline in the populations of other fish in the lake because "the sharks will eat about 20 pounds of fish each per day, more as they get older." County officials were said to have protested the experiment, afraid of the hazard it would pose to fishermen and swimmers, but their complaints had been ignored by the federal government. Furthermore, fishermen had been forbidden from catching the sharks. The Herald-News received a flurry of letters in response to the announcement.

Comments (5) |

#72: Miller Lites

In 2000 Miller Beer announced that it had struck an agreement with the town of Marfa, Texas to become the exclusive sponsor of the phenomenon known as the Marfa Mystery Lights. These are spherical lights which appear south of the town each evening, seeming to bounce around in the sky. They're variously rumored to be caused by ghosts, swamp gas, or uranium (though they're probably caused by the headlights from the nearby highway). Miller announced that under the terms of the agreement the Marfa Lights would be renamed the Miller Lites. The local paper, which was in on the joke, printed the news on its front page.

Comments (2) |

#73: The Origin of April Fool’s Day

In 1983 the Associated Press reported that the mystery of the origin of April Fool's Day had finally been solved. Joseph Boskin, a History professor at Boston University, had discovered that the celebration had begun during the Roman empire when a court jester had boasted to Emperor Constantine that the fools and jesters of the court could rule the kingdom better than the Emperor could. In response, Constantine had decreed that the court fools would be given a chance to prove this boast, and he set aside one day of the year upon which a fool would rule the kingdom. The first year Constantine appointed a jester named Kugel as ruler, and Kugel immediately decreed that only the absurd would be allowed in the kingdom on that day. Therefore the tradition of April Fools was born. News media throughout the country reprinted the Associated Press story. But what the AP reporter who had interviewed Professor Boskin for the story hadn't realized was that Boskin was lying. Not a word of the story was true, which Boskin admitted a few weeks later. Boston University issued a statement apologizing for the joke, and many papers published corrections.

Comments (4) |

#74: The Musendrophilus

In 1975 the famous naturalist David Attenborough reported on BBC Radio 3 about a group of islands in the Pacific known as the Sheba Islands. He played sound recordings of the island's fauna, including a recording of an alleged night-singing tree mouse called the Musendrophilus. He also described a species whose webbed feet were prized by inhabitants of the island as reeds for musical instruments. Unfortunately, the night-singing tree mice were merely products of Attenborough's imagination, perhaps inspired by that old yarn about the Tree Squeaks, that North American species which lives high in the trees and squeaks every time the wind blows.

Comments (1) |

#75: World to End Tomorrow

On March 31, 1940 the Franklin Institute issued a press release stating that the world would end the next day. The release was picked up by radio station KYW which broadcast the following message: "Your worst fears that the world will end are confirmed by astronomers of Franklin Institute, Philadelphia. Scientists predict that the world will end at 3 P.M. Eastern Standard Time tomorrow. This is no April Fool joke. Confirmation can be obtained from Wagner Schlesinger, director of the Fels Planetarium of this city." The public reaction was immediate. Local authorities were flooded with frantic phone calls. The panic only subsided after the Franklin Institute assured people that it had made no such prediction. The prankster responsible for the press release turned out to be William Castellini, the Institute's press agent. He had intended to use the fake release to publicize an April 1st lecture at the institute titled "How Will the World End?" Soon afterwards, the Institute dismissed Castellini.

Comments (8) |

#76: Great Cave Sell

On one undetermined April 1 in the 1840s a story appeared in the Boston Post announcing that a cave full of treasure had been discovered beneath Boston Common. It had supposedly been uncovered by workmen as they removed a tree from the Common. As the tree fell, it revealed a stone trap-door with a large iron ring set in it. Beneath the door was a stone stairway that led to an underground cave. In this cave lay piles of jewels, old coins, and weapons with jeweled handles. As word of the discovery spread throughout Boston, parties of excited curiosity-seekers began marching out across the Common to view the treasure. A witness later described the scene: "It was rainy, that 1st of April, the Legislature was in session, and it was an animated scene that the Common presented, roofed with umbrellas, sheltering pilgrims on their way to the new-found sell. A procession of grave legislators marched solemnly down under their green gingham, while philosophers, archaeologists, numismatists, antiquarians of all qualities, and the public generally paid tribute to the Post's ingenuity." Of course, the Common was empty of all jewel-bearing caverns, as the crowd of treasure seekers eventually discovered to its disappointment.

Comments (0) |

#77: MITkey Mouse

On April 1, 1998 the homepage of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology announced some startling news: the prestigious university was to be sold to Walt Disney Co. for $6.9 billion. A photograph of the university's famous dome outfitted with a pair of mouse ears accompanied the news. The press release explained that the university was to be dismantled and transported to Orlando where new schools would be added to the campus including the School of Imagineering, the Scrooge McDuck School of Management, and the Donald Duck Department of Linguistics. The fact that the announcement appeared on MIT's homepage added official credibility to it. But in fact, the announcement was the work of students who had hacked into the school's central server and replaced the school's real web page with a phony one.

Comments (8) |

#78: The Venetian Horse Hoax

The citizens of Venice woke on the morning of April 1, 1919 to find piles of horse manure deposited throughout the Piazza San Marco, as if a procession of horses had gone through there during the night. This was extremely unusual, since the Piazza is surrounded by canals and not easily accessible to horses. The manure turned out to be the work of the infamous British prankster Horace de Vere Cole, who was honeymooning in Venice. He had transported a load of manure over from the mainland the night before with the help of a gondolier and had then deposited small piles of it throughout the Piazza. Perhaps he should have been paying more attention to his wife while on honeymoon because, evidently tired by his constant hijinks, she divorced him a few years later.

Comments (0) |

#79: PETA’s Tournament of Sleeping Fish

In 2000 the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) warned that it planned to sabotage the bass fishing tournament in East Texas's Lake Palestine by releasing tranquilizers into the lake before the tournament. Their announcement stated that "this year, the fish will be napping, not nibbling." State officials took the threat seriously and stationed rangers around the lake in order to stop any tranquilizer-toting PETA activists from drugging the fish, and numerous newspapers reported the threat. Eventually PETA admitted that it had been joking.

Comments (20) |

#80: Moscow’s Second Subway

In 1992 the Moskovskaya Pravda announced that the winds of capitalism transforming Russia would bring further changes for the residents of Moscow. Apparently plans had been finalized to build a new Moscow subway system. Of course, there was nothing wrong with the city's current subway. But in the spirit of capitalism, the second system would be built to promote "the interests of competition."

Comments (2) |

#81: Weeping Lenin

Over the years numerous statues of the Virgin Mary have been known to miraculously start weeping, but in 1995 an Italian statue of Lenin in the town of Cavriago joined the club. A huge crowd gathered to witness the milky white tears rolling down the statue's metal cheeks. The crowd remained for hours until the tears were eventually revealed to be a prank.

Comments (2) |

#82: Maradona Joins Soviet Soccer Team

In 1988 the Soviet newspaper Izvestia reported that the world-renowned Argentine soccer star Diego Maradona was in negotiations to join the Moscow Spartaks. The Spartaks were to pay him $6 million to play on their struggling team. Izvestia later admitted that the story was an April Fool's day joke, but only after the news was disseminated by the Associated Press, which then had to publish a red-faced retraction. The AP had believed the story because it was the first time in modern memory that a Soviet newspaper had published an April Fool's day hoax. The sudden display of humor was attributed to Mikhail Gorbachev's policy of glasnost, or openness.

Comments (2) |

#83: Diamond-Encrusted Grenades

During the 1990s stories of the ruthlessness of Russian gangsters became increasingly prevalent in the news, but apparently just because the gangsters were ruthless, that didn't mean they weren't fashion conscious. In 1996 Itar-Tass announced that a military factory had begun manufacturing diamond-encrusted grenades, which it was selling to Russian gangsters concerned about dispatching their enemies with style. "The use of such a grenade will leave your one-time rival in a sea of beautiful sparkling gems rather than in a pool of blood," the article noted.

Comments (9) |

#84: Viagra for Hamsters

In 2000 The Independent reported that Florida researchers had developed a Viagra-like pill to treat sexually frustrated pets, including hamsters. Veterinarians were said to have greeted the news with derision, but the article pointed out that there are few things as sad as a pet suffering from feelings of sexual inadequacy, noting that "It's not unknown for a guinea pig to sit in its cage thinking, 'I haven't had sex for months. Am I so unattractive?'." Owners were instructed to simply grind the pills up and sprinkle them in the pet's food. Laying some newspaper down on the floor once the pills began to take effect was also advised. The pills were to be marketed under the brand name Feralmone.

Comments (5) |

#85: Kokomo Police Cut Costs

In 1959 the Kokomo Tribune, based in Indiana, announced that the city police had devised a plan to cut costs and save money. According to this plan, the police station would close each night from 6 pm to 6 am An answering machine would record all calls made to the station during this time, and these calls would be screened by an officer in the morning. The police reportedly anticipated that the screening process would save the city a great deal of money, since many of the calls would be old by the morning and would not need to be answered. A spokesman for the police admitted that "there will be a problem on what to do in the case of a woman who calls in and says her husband has threatened to shoot her or some member of the family." But in such a situation, the spokesman explained, "We will check the hospitals and the coroner, and if they don't have any record of any trouble, then we will know that nothing happened."

Comments (8) |

#86: Killer Bees Attack Arizona

In 1994 residents of Glendale and Peoria, Arizona woke to find yellow fliers posted around their neighborhoods warning them of "Operation Killer Bees." Apparently there was to be widespread aerial spraying later that day to eradicate a killer bee population that had made its way into the area. Residents were warned to stay indoors from 9 am until 2:30 pm. The phone numbers of local television and radio stations were provided. On the bottom of the flier the name of an official government agency was listed: Arizona Pest Removal Information Line (For Outside Operations Listings). The first letters of this agency spelled out "April Fool." Few people got the joke. Radio and television stations received numerous calls, as did the Arizona Agriculture Department. Many worried residents stayed inside all day, anxiously watching out their windows for the pest-control planes to fly overhead.

Comments (5) |

#87: Telepathic Email

The April 1999 edition of Red Herring Magazine included an article about a revolutionary new technology that allowed users to compose and send email telepathically. The company developing this technology was Tidal Wave Communications, led by Yuri Maldini, a computer genius from Estonia. Mr. Maldini claimed that he had developed the technology from the encrypted communications systems he had helped the army put in place during the Gulf War. At the end of the article the reporter recalled a moment when he asked Mr. Maldini how big the market for such a product might be: "Mr. Maldini falls silent. He stares vacantly for several moments out his office window and then says, 'I just sent you an email with my answer.' Upon returning to our office, we find the response waiting: 'It's going to be huge,' reads the email. 'Simply huge.'" Red Herring received numerous letters from readers admitting they had been fooled by the article.

Comments (1) |

#88: Bank Teller Fees

In 1999 the Savings Bank of Rockville placed an ad in the Connecticut Journal-Inquirer announcing that it would soon begin charging a $5 fee to customers who visited a live teller. The ad, which appeared on March 31, claimed that the fee was necessary in order to provide, "professional, caring and superior customer service." Although the ad was a joke, many customers failed to recognize it as such. One woman reportedly closed her account because of it. The bank then ran a second ad revealing that the initial ad was a joke. The bank manager commented that the first ad ironically "commits us to not charging such fees."

Comments (12) |

#89: Asterix Village Found

In 1993 London's Independent announced the discovery by archaeologists of the 3000-year-old village of the cartoon hero Asterix. The village was said to have been found at Le Yaudet, near Lannion, France, in almost precisely the location where Rene Goscinny, Asterix's creator, had placed it in his books. The expedition was led by Professor Barry Cunliffe, of Oxford University, and Dr. Patrick Galliou, of the University of Brest. Supposedly the team found evidence that the small village had never been occupied by Roman forces. They also discovered Celtic coins printed with the image of a wild boar (the favorite food of Asterix's friend Obelix), as well as a large collection of rare Iron Age menhirs (standing stones) "of the precise size favoured by the indomitable Obelix whose job as a menhir delivery man has added a certain academic weight to the books."

Comments (5) |

#90: Belgium Divides

The London Times reported in 1992 that formal negotiations were underway to divide Belgium in half. The Dutch-speaking north would join the Netherlands and the French-speaking south would join France. An editorial in the paper then lamented that, "The fun will go from that favorite parlor game: Name five famous Belgians." The report apparently fooled the British foreign office minister Tristan Garel-Jones who almost went on a TV interview prepared to discuss this "important" story. The Belgian embassy also received numerous calls from journalists and expatriate Belgians seeking to confirm the news. A rival paper later criticized the prank, declaring that, "The Times's effort could only be defined as funny if you find the very notion of Belgium hilarious."

Comments (18) |

#91: Augusta National Goes Public

The May 1990 issue of Golf magazine had good news for golf enthusiasts. It reported that Augusta National, the elite private golf course where the Masters tournament is held, would begin allowing public access to its course at certain times. As a result of this report, both Augusta National and Golf magazine received hundreds of calls from eager golfers inquiring about playing privileges. But the report was an April fool's joke, despite its placement in the May issue. Golf magazine was forced to publish a retraction, reaffirming that Augusta National was still a private club open only to members and guests.

Comments (1) |

#92: LA Highways Close for Repairs

In 1987 a Los Angeles disc jockey announced that on April 8 the LA highway system would be shut down for repairs for an entire month. This was alarming news in LA where it's necessary to use the highway to get almost anywhere. The radio station immediately received hundreds of frantic calls in response to the announcement, and the California Highway Patrol reported that they were also flooded with calls throughout the day. The station later admitted that it was stunned by the intensity of the public reaction to the hoax. A representative from the California Department of Transportation called the station's managers to share their opinion of the prank. Reportedly "they didn't think it was very funny."

Comments (6) |

#93: Eiffel Tower Moves

The Parisien stunned French citizens in 1986 when it reported that an agreement had been signed to dismantle the Eiffle Tower. The international symbol of French culture would then be reconstructed in the new Euro Disney theme park going up east of Paris. In the space where the Tower used to stand, a 35,000 seat stadium would be built for use during the 1992 Olympic Games.

Comments (4) |

#94: Tomb of Socrates Found

In 1995 the Greek Ministry of Culture announced that during excavation for the Athens metro system, archaeologists had uncovered what they believed to be the tomb of Socrates near the base of the Acropolis. A vase containing traces of hemlock (the poison used to kill socrates) and a piece of leather dating from between 400 and 390 BC were found in the tomb. The news agency Agence France-Presse immediately issued a release about the story. What it didn't realize was that the Greek Ministry was joking, forcing the news agency to issue an embarrassed retraction a few hours later.

Comments (7) |

#95: Chunnel Blunder

In 1990 the News of the World reported that the Chunnel project, which was already suffering from huge cost overruns, would face another big additional expense caused by a colossal engineering blunder. Apparently the two halves of the tunnel, being built simultaneously from the coasts of France and England, would miss each other by 14 feet. The error was attributed to the fact that French engineers had insisted on using metric specifications in their blueprints. The mistake would reportedly cost $14 billion to fix.

Comments (21) |

#96: Boston Globe Price Cut

Readers of the Boston Morning Globe in 1915 could have purchased their papers for half the cost on April Fool's Day, if they had been alert. The price listed on the front page had been lowered from "Two Cents Per Copy" to "One Cent." But almost 60,000 copies of the paper were sold before anyone noticed the unannounced price change. When the management of the Globe found out about the change, they were just as surprised as everyone else. The new price turned out to be the responsibility of a mischievous production worker who had surreptitiously inserted the lower value at the last minute as the paper went to print.

Comments (3) |

#97: Providence Closes for the Day

Carolyn Fox, a disc jockey for WHJY in Providence, Rhode Island, announced in 1986 that the 'Providence Labor Action Relations Board Committee' had decided to close the city for the day. She gave out a number for listeners to call for more information. The number was that of a rival station, WPRO-AM. Reportedly hundreds of people called WPRO, as well as City Hall and the police. Even more called into their offices to see if they had to go into work. WHJY management later explained that it had never imagined its joke would have such a dramatic impact on the city.

Comments (3) |

#98: Soy Bomb Lands Record Contract

Viewers of the February 1998 broadcast of the Grammys were surprised when a semi-naked man with the word 'Soy Bomb' scrawled on his chest danced out onto the stage during Bob Dylan's solo performance. The man (who was definitely not supposed to be there) was quickly escorted away by security guards. But a few months later, on April 1, Rhino Records proudly announced that it had signed Soy Bomb (as he was now known) to a two-year, six-album recording contract. Soy Bomb's first album would include covers of popular classics such as 'Dancing Machine' and 'You Dropped a Bomb on Me.' A spokesman for Rhino Records commented that they had been moved to offer Soy Bomb a contract because the experience of watching him dance had been for them "kind of like
when you eat too many Whoppers and you feel a little nauseous,
but you're so happy you ate them."

Comments (5) |

#99: Virgin Cola’s Blue Cans

In 1996 Virgin Cola announced that in the interest of consumer safety it had integrated a new technology into its cans. When the cola passed its sell-by date, the liquid would react with the metal in the can, turning the can itself bright blue. Virgin warned that consumers should therefore avoid purchasing all blue cans. The joke was that Pepsi had recently unveiled its newly designed cans. They were bright blue.

Comments (20) |

#100: The British Postal Address Turnabout

In 1977 the BBC gave airtime to Tom Jackson, General Secretary of the British Union of Post Office Workers. Mr. Jackson was up in arms about a recent proposal that the British mail adopt the German method of addressing envelopes in which the house number is written after the name of the road, not before it (i.e. Downing Street 10, instead of 10 Downing Street). Jackson spoke at great length about the enormous burden this change would place upon postal employees, insisting that "Postal workers would be furious because it would turn upside-down the way we have learned to sort." His comments elicited an immediate reaction from the audience, many of whom phoned up to voice their support for Jackson's campaign. What the audience didn't realize was that there were no plans to change the way the British addressed their mail. Mr. Jackson's diatribe was an elaborate April Fool's Day joke.

Comments (48) |

Source: http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/aprilfool/

Crime Stoppers asks for help locating contractor suspected of fraud

2011-03-30T07:56:00.000-07:00

AMITE – Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards reports that the Criminal Investigations Department of the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office is looking for 45 year old Pirvu Marrian, of 40172 River Rd. in Gonzales, LA.

Marrian is wanted on one count of Contractor’s Misapplication of Payments in the amount of 96,000.00.

On August 26, 2008, an Amite resident entered into a contract with Sunrise Construction Inc. represented by Pirvu Marrian to perform work on his residence. Over the course of this two year project, Marrian neglected to pay sub-contractors and local suppliers for the items purchased to complete this construction job. As per a signed agreement, it states that Contractor and Owner for the stated construction company agrees and is bound to providing all the necessary materials / services needed to perform the work for this project. In turn, the Contactor / Owner are responsible for the payment of such materials and services.

The homeowner remained faithful to the contract and paid Sunrise Construction fee’s which exceeded the amount of $200,000.

Recently the homeowner has been contacted by various business establishments looking for payments, thus far in the amount of $96,000.00.

Sheriff Edwards is asking knowing the whereabouts of Pirvu Marrian to please contact Crime Stoppers at 800.554.5245 or TPSO Detective Mike Dean Sr. at 985.748.3343.

sources: http://actionnews17.com/News/PoliceFire/tabid/62/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6299/Crime-Stoppers-asks-for-help-locating-contractor-suspected-of-fraud.aspx

http://www.wbrz.com/news/man-wanted-for-misapplication-of-payments-in-tangipahoa-parish/

Crime Stoppers USA launches Copper Theft Program

2011-03-15T12:23:00.000-07:00

Overview of the Problem
Copper theft is a major problem across the USA. Currently, records of incidents are either not kept or, at best, are kept as written reports, and limited analysis has been completed on the issue. Due to the lack of records, very few of these incidents are reported to police. There has been a mindset in the business community that theft of copper is just another business expense, and businesses regularly replace the missing cable without reporting it.

The incidents vary in value; however, regardless of the quantity of cable/copper stolen, the thefts cause a risk to the safety of company staff and the public. Many incidents include the theft of grounding cable, which forms part of the safety system in the event of a fault or a lightning strike. The safety problem is also compounded when thieves cut the fence and leave the site exposed. Most substation sites have voltages that can be lethal if equipment is approached; a person does not have to physically touch the equipment to receive a lethal electric shock.
Read more »

Crimestoppers Teen Peace Summit

2011-03-11T06:39:00.000-08:00

Hear radio ad for Teen Peace Summit

Crimestoppers is proud to present the 2011 Teen Peace Summit

Saturday, Apr 2 Noon til 5PM
at UNO Lakefront Arena, New Orleans, LA
Ticket Price: $8.00 - $18.00 Ticketmaster

Mardi Gras Parades ( Wed, March 2, 2011 - Tue. March 8, 2011)

2011-02-28T13:55:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, March 2
NEW ORLEANS

Krewe of Druids: 6:30 p.m., Uptown.

Thursday, March 3
NEW ORLEANS

Knights of Babylon: 5:45 p.m., Uptown. http://www.knightsofbabylon.com
Knights of Chaos: 6:30 p.m., Uptown.
Krewe of Muses: 6:30 p.m., Uptown. http://www.kreweofmuses.org

Friday, March 4
BATON ROUGE

Krewe of Southdowns: 7 p.m., Southdowns neighborhood. http://www.southdowns.org

Certified Employee Spotlights

2011-02-25T14:37:00.000-08:00

As featured in Safe & SOUND Magazine - March - June 2011

Meet Glen Carter, Technician Manager
Glen has been a member of the Certified Team for 4 years. He currently lives in Central, Louisiana.

He has three beautiful children: Mason, Jacob and Hayleigh. He is a graduate of Central High School and enjoys riding ATVs, playing golf, and hunting. His goals are to inspire others and become a better motivational speaker.

Certifications and qualifications: Level One Technician, FAIM Fire Technician, Computer Networking

____________________________________________________
Ashley Adams, Service Manager
Ashley has been a member of the Certified Team for 11 years. She currently lives in Watson, Louisiana.

She has two beautiful children: Destin and Gavin. She is a graduate of Denham Springs High School and enjoys spending time with friends and family, being a mom, reading and shopping. Her goal is to provide quality customer service.
Certifications and qualifications: Technical Support, Customer Service Specialist and Customer Relations

Learn More About the Certified Team>

Local Police Officer Saves Woman’s Life

2011-02-25T14:33:00.000-08:00

As featured in Safe & SOUND Magazine - March - June 2011

Trooper Brett Dupre’ has dedicated his entire career to protecting and serving Louisiana communities. As a retired First Sergeant with the United States Army National Guard, where he served as a military police officer, he is now a Louisiana State Police Trooper stationed in Troop L.
Trooper Dupre’ was making a routine traffic stop this past February 13, 2011 at approximately 12:06 am. Shortly after, he realized he was face-to-face with an alleged rapist and kidnapper. Based on information given to him by the victim, who was in the vehicle at the time, Trooper Dupre’ apprehended and placed under arrest the driver, Allen Martin.
Trooper Dupre’ had no idea when he began his shift that day that he would end his shift as “a life saver.” Trooper Dupre’ humbly stated that if the victim had not confided and trusted him to help her, he would not have known she was in danger. Had Trooper Dupre’ not pulled that vehicle over in the first place, the victim would not have had the chance to tell her story.
There is comfort in knowing that Trooper Dupre’ and other Law Enforcement Officers like him are patrolling Louisiana streets and keeping our community safe. The next time you get pulled over, remember that your life is the one that could be saved.

Certified News- We’re Going Green

2011-02-25T14:26:00.000-08:00

As featured in Safe & SOUND Magazine - March - June 2011

Whether your goal is to conserve energy and save the earth one kilowatt at a time or to conserve money and save your bank account several dollars at a time, Certified Alarms can help. We are proud to provide convenient, cost-effective solutions designed to conserve resources and help preserve the environment and help you reduce your monthly utility bills. This can all be done through Certified’s Smart Home Technologies program.
Homeowners are often looking for ways to save money. Many families need dual incomes just to make ends meet. Energy bills are on the rise, and with the increased attention to saving the Earth’s environment, saving energy is becoming a priority as well.
With our Smart Home Technologies Program, we can help you save energy and reduce the cost of your energy bills through automated lighting and thermostat control.
One example of how our Smart Home Technologies Program can help you conserve energy is through automated lighting and thermostat control.

Forget to turn your lights off before leaving your home? Forget to change the temperature on your thermostat? Not a problem!
With the touch of a button on your smart phone or from any computer with internet access, you can turn you lights on and off in your home and adjust the thermostat without actually being there. Conserving energy and saving money on your monthly utility bill is now in your control. See our ad in Safe & SOUND Magazine - March - June 2011 (page 4) to learn more.

For more information on how you can take advantage of this money saving opportunity, call Certified Alarms today at 225-928-STOP (7867)

Crime Stoppers - Local Crime Statistics

2011-02-25T14:14:00.000-08:00

As featured in Safe & SOUND Magazine - March - June 2011

CRIME STOPPERS IN REVIEW…
Crime Stoppers: For the people, by the people
Crime Stoppers is a non-profit organization dedicated to the apprehension and conviction of criminals. Our goal is to keep the streets of the community safe for our children and our families. We depend on concerned citizens to come forward and anonymously report any information that may lead authorities in the direction of a wanted criminal. Because of the help of many, Crime Stoppers is proud to report these statistics:

-STATISTICAL DATA BEGINNING NOVEMBER 1982 THROUGH JANUARY 2011

Does Your Child Watch Too Much Television?

2011-02-25T14:11:00.000-08:00

As featured in Safe & SOUND Magazine - March - June 2011

It’s time for parents to think about what role they want television to play in their family.

On average, children ages 2-5 spend 32 hours a week in front of a TV watching DVD’s, DVR’s and videos, and using game consoles. Kids ages 6-11 spend about 28 hours a week in front of the TV. 97% of that time is spent watching live TV.
71% of those ages 8-18 have a TV in their bedroom; 54% have a DVD/VCR player, 37% have cable/satellite TV; and 20% have premium channels.
Media technology now offers more ways to access TV content, such as on the Internet, cell phones and iPods. This has led to an increase in time spent viewing TV, even as TV viewing has declined. 41% of that viewing is now online, time-shifted, on DVD or on a mobile device.
In about two-thirds of households, the TV is “usually” on during meals.
In 53% of households of 7th-12th graders, there are no rules about TV watching.
In 51% of households, the TV is on “most” of the time.
Kids with a TV in their bedroom spend an average of almost 1.5 hours more per day watching TV than kids without a TV in the bedroom.

Identity Theft … It can happen to you.

2011-02-25T14:05:00.000-08:00

As featured in Safe & SOUND Magazine - March - June 2011

When we think of burglary, pickpockets, muggings, vehicle vandalizing, or even home invasion, we often think of stolen property, property damage and physical harm. However, we rarely consider that those horrible crimes can even result in the theft of our identity. Personal information, such as a driver’s license, social security card, and birth certificate, are often carried with us at all times. When we carry such items, we risk becoming victims of identity theft if we are mugged or robbed. Keeping financial records or personal documents in our home without putting them in a safe or our throwing those items in the trash without shredding them first can also put us at risk. When we voluntarily give information at shops or restaurants, online or over the phone, we are also putting ourselves at great risk of identity theft.
Identity theft can generally be broken down into two categories: Financial and Nonfinancial. If you become a victim of identity theft, you may have to spend quite a bit of money out of your own pocket to resolve your situation with creditors or administrative or law enforcement agencies. In most cases, you suffer from direct financial harm. The kind of harm varies with the types of information identity thieves obtain and the ways in which that information is used. That can include thieves misusing your existing credit cards and debit card accounts, opening new accounts (including credit or debit card, loan, and utilities), having issued to themselves government benefits or services in your name, and purchasing motor vehicles and other valuable items with your funds or credit.
Normally, you are not liable for debts that identity thieves create in your name. However, that is not always the case. If the theft involves your existing credit card account, then it can be a lot easier for you to correct the situation. Simply call the card issuer, report the fraudulent transactions and provide the necessary information. Those debts should then be dismissed.
If the theft involves your debit card or checking account, you should be able to have the fraudulently obtained funds restored to your account, pending resolution of your claim by your financial institution. However, you may be temporarily deprived of access to those funds.
In cases where the thief has created new credit card accounts in your name, you may not even be aware of the identity theft until a creditor or debt collector contacts you. That contact may not take place until after the thief has reached the credit limit on your account and has left you with a large, outstanding debt. Unfortunately, you may have to spend hundreds, if not thousands of dollars recovering trying to resolve that debt. Expenses can include notary fees, certified mailings, hiring of legal counsel and lost income.
Nonfinancial harm pertains mainly to loss of time, time that you have to spend correcting credit reports, disputing fraudulent accounts or charges and obtaining new identity documents. If your financial accounts have been misused, you may suffer damage to your credit standing and your general reputation when dealing with businesses and government agencies. That is why resolving and recovering from nonfinancial harm may take a lot longer.
One reason identity theft can be so destructive to you is because of the amount of time and energy that is often required to correct credit reports, dispute charges with individual creditors, close and re-open bank accounts and monitor credit reports for future problems arising from the theft. You will spend many hours making telephone calls and writing letters to consumer reporting companies, creditors and debt collectors in order to resolve the crime. Those calls and letters result in your having to spend even more time gathering information and documents needed to prove you are innocent and not responsible for the debt the criminal created in your name.
You may unknowingly have a criminal record in your name if a criminal uses your identity when he has committed a crime or when he has identified himself to law enforcement officers at or before his arrest or first appearance in a criminal case. As a result, law enforcement records may mistakenly list your name under those criminal acts the identity thief committed. That, in turn, can lead to your being arrested by law enforcement officers instead of the criminal who actually committed the crime.
The amount of people who are mistakenly arrested because of identity theft is a lot smaller when compared to the estimated number of identity theft victims as a whole. Nonetheless, identity theft does happen and can be very difficult to resolve.
Being a victim of identity theft can be devastating. Identity theft is one of the fastest spreading forms of white collar crime in the United States. Its increase will continue growing because of its lucrative nature and will likely increase in sophistication as technology evolves.
Familiarize yourself with the risks of identity theft. Protect your personal information at all cost, and take the necessary precautions.

The following are some basic self-defense strategies to help you combat identity theft.

your wallet or your purse
•Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet or purse unless you are visiting the Social Security office. In that case, remember to put it away when you get home. Look for other documents which contain your Social Security number. For example, some states use that number as your driver’s license number. If that’s the case, ask your state motor vehicle department if they can assign you some other number on your license.

•Do the same whenever your Social Security number is used as an account number. If your Social Security number is on the documents and you don’t need them every day, consider leaving them at home.

Credit cards/debit cards
•Don’t carry one single card more than you really need. Many of us carry every credit/debit card we have, yet few of these cards get daily use. If you don’t have credit cards on your person, they are a lot less likely to disappear

•If you aren’t using one or more credit cards, cancel them in writing with the issuing financial institution. Then cut the card(s) into small strips before disposing of them.

•Do not write your personal identification number (PIN) on the back of your credit card, and don’t write it on a little sheet of paper you carry in your wallet or purse.

•Instead of signing the back of your credit/debit card, write “check photo id” in the signature block. Many banks now issue credit/debit cards that display your photograph on the front. If that’s an option with your bank, consider doing it. Both practices make it more difficult for a thief to use your card in person.

•Check your credit card bills and bank statements carefully every month, looking for activity you don’t recognize. Many banks now offer online banking services, allowing you to check transactions even more frequently. The quicker you spot a problem, the more you are able to limit the damage.

•Make copies of the front and back of all your credit and debit cards, and then place the copies in a secure location (not your wallet or your purse). If your cards are stolen or lost, you’ll have all the necessary information you need to contact the card issuers and report the lost or stolen items. This, too, will help limit your damage.

•Finally, a good deal of stolen personal information comes from “pre-approved credit” offers you receive in the mail and then discard unopened. Discarding those offers in this manner allows a thief to use the application to apply for credit in your name. To stop these “pre-approved credit” offers, contact the three major credit reporting agencies (TransUnion, Equifax and Experian). You can stop future pre-approved credit offers by calling a single telephone number, 1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688) for more information.

Your mailbox
A significant amount of identity theft happens just a few feet away from your home - in your mailbox. Here are some important self-defense measures you can take to avoid that problem:

•Take your outgoing mail either to a local post office or deposit it in one of the postal service boxes in your neighborhood. Leaving outgoing mail in your own mailbox gives a thief the opportunity to steal your account numbers, checks and other valuable information.

•Pick up your incoming mail as soon as possible after it is delivered. The longer it sits in your box, the greater the chance is that it will be stolen. In other words, check your mailbox every day the mail runs.

•If mailbox security is a concern within your neighborhood, consider asking your local post office about centralized mail delivery into locked boxes or perhaps getting a post office box.

Your glove compartment
By now, you know what to do. Go through your glove compartment (and for that matter, your car). Remove any personally identifying documents stuffed in your glove compartment and under your seats. What you leave in your car can be worth more to a thief than your car itself.

Your trash
A thief likes nothing more than going through a bag containing a week’s worth of paper trash. That’s because every piece of paper that goes into your house will almost certainly come out eventually - and much of it will contain some of your personal information. To prevent a thief from getting your personal information out of your trash, consider purchasing an inexpensive home paper shredder. You can purchase a good paper shredder for as little as $10 - $20. Shred anything that contains any sort of personal information.

You - This one’s simple!
Don’t give out personal information. Not in person, over the phone, by mail or on the Internet unless you made contact or you are absolutely certain you know the people to whom you are giving your information. An identity thief can pose as someone from your bank, your credit card company or your internet service provider. And his stories can sound very believable.
If the caller asks for any type of personal information, ask for his name, telephone number and the organization he is representing. Then call the company using the customer assistance number the company provides with your account statement or bill (not the number you were given by the caller). Tell the customer service department about the call you received and the information you were asked to provide. If the call is legitimate, you’ll be transferred to the correct department. If the call is not legitimate, you’ll help alert the company that a fraud may be going on in the company’s name.

Anything else?
Here are further tips to help you protect yourself:

•In your home, make sure you secure important documents that have personal information on them in a locked box, drawer or (better yet) a safe. This is particularly true if you have roommates or have outside help working in your house.

•When regular bills don’t show up when you know they should, follow up with the company. This may be a sign that someone has stolen pieces of your mail.

•When you reorder personal checks from your bank, arrange to pick them up at the bank instead of having them sent to your home. If a thief should get his hands on your check book, then he has access to your bank account information as well as your funds.

•NEVER give out your Social Security number unless it is absolutely necessary. Some places simply must have that number (for example, your bank, your employer and credit grantors may need that information). Sometimes it is collected merely as a convenience. Whenever you are asked for your Social Security number, find out why it is needed, how it is going to be used, how it is protected and what will happen if you don’t provide it. A company may tell you it can’t do business with you unless you provide your number, but at least you will be making an informed choice.

Protect your personal information at all times. Identity theft can happen to you at any moment. Don’t be a victim of identity theft. For more information, contact these sources:

Sources:
http://www.bbbonline.org/IDTheft/protect.asp
Information For Consumers - Protecting Your Identity In The Real World

http://www.youreviltwin.net/identity-theft-scope-of-problem.html
Identity Theft: The Scope of the Problem By Jonathan J. Rusch - Deputy Chief, Fraud Section, Criminal Division - US DOJ United States Attorneys’ Bulletin, March 2008

Fire Watch with Howard Ward - Electricity, a “silent servant” that can become a “silent assassin”

2011-02-25T14:01:00.000-08:00

As featured in Safe & SOUND Magazine - March - June 2011
Electricity is not something you want to mess with. My dad taught me all about hunting, fishing and playing ball. Sometimes when he was repairing our car or small motors, he would let me help. But there was one lesson I learned that I will never forget. It was my first lesson in Electricity 101.

I had heard about the dangers of electricity, but I had never really experienced any. It was early spring, and our yard was ready for mowing. So my dad pulled out our old trusty TG&Y 21” push mower, but it would not start.

When I asked my dad what was wrong with the mower, he said it sounded like it didn’t have “fire.” I remember then asking him, “What is fire?”
Being the light-hearted type and never one to resist an opportunity to teach his son a valuable lesson, Dad wanted to show me what “fire” actually was. So he removed the spark plug wire from the spark plug and said, “Hold this.”
As Dad pulled on the pull rope to start the mower, I immediately felt “Fire” and let out a great big scream.
My dad just leaned over and said, “Well, it ain’t fire.”
Although I was not injured from that lesson and my dad and I laughed afterward, I learned the danger of this silent servant, electricity.

It doesn’t take much to get hurt or killed from even a small amount of electricity. The current from a 7.5 watt Christmas tree bulb can kill you in a fraction of a second if its current passes through your chest. The best thing you can do is to be aware of the dangers of electricity and learn how to avoid them.

Our homes are filled with items that run on electricity. These items do make our lives easier, but every year, more than 50,000 home fires are caused by electrical problems. Even worse, hundreds of people die in these fires each year.

Protect your family from the silent assassin:

1.) If your power goes out a lot or if the lights in your home flicker, smell bad or make noise, have an electrician come to inspect your wiring.

2.) The electrical outlet in your bathroom should have a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI). This is a tool which protects you from a dangerous shock when water and electricity come together. An electrician can install a GFCI for you.

3.) All electrical outlets and switches should be covered by faceplates.

4.) Make sure all electrical cords are in good condition.

5.) Don’t tie or knot cords. Don’t let furniture sit on cords.

6.) Use the right size light bulbs in all lamps and light fixtures.

7.) Look inside each light fixture to find the label that tells you which light bulb size (wattage) is the right size for that fixture.

8.) Look for a mark on the label such as ETL or UL when you buy electrical appliances (such as toasters, microwaves or coffee makers) and cords. This will tell you the product has been tested for safety.

9.) Unplug toaster ovens, coffee makers and other small appliances after using them.

10.) Keep appliances dry and away from water at all times.

11.) Don’t plug too many appliances in at once.

Is Your Website Working For You?

2011-02-25T13:44:00.000-08:00

As featured in Safe & SOUND Magazine - March - June 2011

Nothing is more detrimental to your business than losing money. But that is exactly what
happens every time a potential customer chooses another company over yours. If your competitor’s information is more easily accessible to customers, the competitor gets the business.

Because we now live in “the digital age,” technology is everywhere. As a business owner, embrace its power and use it to your advantage. Research proves the most successful, efficient and affordable advertisement tool available today is your
company’s website.

Years ago, a potential customer would sift through yellow page after yellow page to find a business, company or service. Now, millions of people use search engines like Google, Yahoo, MSN and Bing to find information every day. Your businesses can actually pay a search engine for the temporary use of “key words” that will link customers to your website. Those key words bring your website more “visitors” and ultimately more business.

Constructing a website by yourself or, even worse, paying someone else to do it and your not receiving any positive returns for your efforts or money invested is counter-productive. owever,
there is a way to embrace the power of the internet, reach all your potential customers, waste less money, and not have to deal with the headache of figuring out this potentially confusing process. The solution: VIZADO.

VIZADO has all the tools necessary to create an effective, efficient, and professional website for your business. Our team of Experts have the ability to design a website just for you with all the
key components to bring your site to the top of the search engines.

Already have a website? VIZADO offers Search Engine Optimization, which helps put your site among the first to appear when people search key words. For example, if a customer is looking for a lawyer in Baton Rouge and types “Lawyer Baton Rouge” into the Google search engine, almost a million websites can appear. That customer will usually not look past the first ten to fifteen websites on that page of listings. So he either settles for the most relevant lawyer listed, gives up, or actually finds the lawyer he needs. VIZADO knows what to do to help your company appear on that first page.

You want your website to work for you. We at VIZADO want to ensure that your time and your money are not wasted. Take advantage of how the internet can help expand your business and increase your profits. Allow VIZADO to assist you in making your website one of your most powerful advertising tools.

Get a FREE Website for your business today from VIZADO!
See ad below for more information or call 225-791-7179

click image to enlarge

What Every Pet Owner Should Know

2011-02-25T13:40:00.000-08:00

As featured in Safe & SOUND Magazine - March - June 2011
Spring and summer months are a great time for you and your dog to enjoy the outdoors. However, it’s important to remember these helpful tips:

Make sure your pets are protected with flea, tick and heartworm treatments and are up-to-date on vaccinations.
Fertilizing your lawn can be hazardous to your pets. Be mindful when letting your pets outside, and watch closely to make sure they are not eating grass. If you think your pet has ingested grass with pesticides or fertilizer on it, contact your vet immediately.
Spring showers and sprinklers can leave puddles of standing water. Try not to let your dog drink out of puddles. Standing water can be filled with bacteria which causes gastrointestinal upset or ailments.
Nothing is better than a leisurely spring ride in the car. If you’re taking your pet with you, make sure he is properly crated. Don’t put him in the back of a pick-up truck where he can fall out or let him hang out an open window where bugs or debris can get in his eyes.
Pets have allergies, too. If your pet has swollen eyes, fur and skin conditions, scratches frequently, is sneezing or has other allergy symptoms, you may want to take your him to the vet to explore these problems.
Certain common spring flowers, such as daffodils, tulips and lilies, can be extremely hazardous to your pet. Many can cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested. Some can even be deadly.

SOLAR NEWS - READY FOR BIG GREEN?

2011-02-25T13:34:00.000-08:00

Today’s Solar is smarter and more affordable than ever. A few years ago, feeling energy independent and being green were the big reasons for going solar. Now the big 16% investment return is a prime consideration. Home Solar can save you $100 per month and pay for itself in 5 years. Louisiana has the best solar rebate program in the nation with 80% of the cost paid by state and federal incentives. Your first step to get in on the big green savings is to contact us. We can answer your questions and look at a satellite view of your roof to see if solar will work well for your property. Or visit our website packed with solar information, helpful resource links, and educational videos. Here is a sample of popular Q&A:

How long do solar panels last?
40 to 50 years, and they have a 25 year power production warranty.

Will they stand up to hurricanes?
Yes, in our area the system is engineered for 110 mph winds. Adding attachments can increase the rating to 135 mph.

What is the long term reliability?
Very good. Expect many years of trouble-free operation because there are no moving parts.

What maintenance is involved?
Washing the glass periodically helps boost output but is not required. We check the system if the monitoring program reveals significant power loss.

Will solar power run my house during a power outage? It can, but it requires more expensive equipment like batteries and a Hybrid Inverter.

How long does it take to get the tax credits? Louisiana will rebate 50% within one year. Federal credit applies to the next tax return.

Does the meter really run backward?
Yes, when your panels are creating more energy than your home is using.

Will my power company buy my extra solar electricity? No, but you do get a credit, like rollover minutes for future months. This arrangement is called net metering.

Are there some Made in America choices? Yes, many. We are proud to offer systems which have most components made in the USA. Some of the best solar equipment in the world is made here in the USA.

What about financing? We have a
6 - 18 month same as cash program. Many often use a home equity line of credit. Our website also has information and helpful links to FHA and other lending programs.

Brought to you by
Greenlight Solar "Your Solar Energy Expert!"
Learn more at www. SolarRouge.com | 225-341-2031

What's Cookin' with MeMe - Onion Souffle’

2011-02-25T13:25:00.000-08:00

As featured in Safe & SOUND Magazine - March - June 2011
This onion soufflé is guaranteed to be a hit EVERYTIME you make it! I bring this dish to just about every neighborhood gathering we have, and it’s always the first to disappear. You’ll have requests for this one over and over. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

24 oz. cream cheese (softened)
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 12 oz. package frozen onions (thawed & drained)
2 cups grated parmeson cheese
Tony Chachere’s Original Creole Seasoning and Cayenne Pepper

Preheat oven to 375°. Beat cream cheese and mayonnaise until smooth and fluffy. Add onions, cheese and seasoning to your liking. Beat until blended well. Spoon into a greased 8” baking/souffle’ dish. Bake about 30 minutes or until top is golden brown and fluffy.

Serve hot with FRITOS® SCOOPS!® Corn Chips or crackers.

SERVES 6 – 8

Choices in Orthodontic Therapy

2011-02-25T13:19:00.000-08:00

As featured in Safe & SOUND Magazine - March - June 2011
Orthodontic therapy improves the appearance of your teeth and smile by straightening and realigning your teeth. When it comes to orthodontic therapy, each patient is unique. At Premier Dental Care, Dr. Robert Carlson carefully studies each case and recommends a preferred treatment plan. Premier Dental Care offers you two types of orthodontic therapy: traditional treatment of braces and cosmetic treatment with Invisalign.
TRADITIONAL BRACES
Traditional braces consist of metal or ceramic brackets cemented or bonded to the front of your teeth. A thin wire is then placed in the brackets to help move teeth. Over time, force and pressure slowly move your teeth to the preferred and desired position. To insure the best results, more frequent office visits, periodic cleanings, and other preventative services are required.

INVISALIGN
Unlike braces, where brackets and metal wires are visible inside your mouth, Invisalign is a more cosmetic form of orthodontic treatment. This therapy allows you to see the same results without anyone else seeing the device.
Invisalign consists of clear BPA-free, plastic aligners that are individual, custom trays created specifically for you. These aligners do not irritate your cheeks or gums like traditional braces often do. You wear them throughout the day and remove them to brush and floss. This results in better hygiene.
Because no wires or brackets are present, you are able to visibly see the results sooner. Depending on the patient, the therapy time for Invisalign may vary. But for optimal results, the aligners should be worn 20 to 22 hours per day.

Premier Dental Care is dedicated to creating healthy, beautiful smiles.
Whether you need traditional braces or Invisalign, Dr. Carlson is dedicated to finding a solution for your Orthodontic needs. Contact Premier Dental Care today. Schedule an appointment to see Dr. Carlson if you or someone you know is in need of Orthodontic treatment.

Premier Dental Care
General and Cosmetic Dentistry
5188 Highland Road | Baton Rouge, LA 70808
www.premierdentalcarebr.com
225-766-8107

In The Know - Juban Crossing Groundbreaking Marks Beginning of Development

2011-02-25T13:11:00.000-08:00

As featured in Safe & SOUND Magazine - March - June 2011
State and Parish Leaders Join Creekstone Developers for Historic Event
LIVINGSTON PARISH, La (Feb. 15, 2011)

DOTD Secretary Sherri LeBas, LivingstonParish PresidentMike Grimmer, State Sen. Dale Erdey, State Rep. Rogers Pope,members of the Livingston Parish Council, area elected officials and Creekstone Companies Principal Stephen Keller broke ground on the 471-acre Juban Crossing development at the intersection of Interstate 12 and Juban Road in Livingston Parish. “Since the Jindal Administration took office, more than $190 million has been invested in

Livingston Parish’s infrastructure, including multiple enhancement projects that draw developments such as Juban Crossing to the area,” said LeBas. “I applaud Stephen Keller and his entire team at Creekstone Companies for bringing this innovative project to Livingston Parish and supporting the continued growth of this vital corridor.”
pictured above:
Secretary Sherri Lebas, Parish Pres. Mike Grimmer, State Sen. Dale Erdey, State Rep. Rogers Pope, State Rep. Bodi White, State Rep. Mert Smiley, State Sen. Jody Amedee, Councilman Randy Rushing, Councilman Thomas Watson, Councilman Jimmie McCoy, Councilwoman Cindy Wale, Councilman Marshall Harris, Councilman Eddie Wagner, Councilman Buddy Mincey, Councilman Don Wheat, Councilman Ronald Sharp, Sheriff Willie Graves, Thomas Sullivan, Jr., Stuart Litvin (Liv. Economic Devel. Council), Walker Mayor Bobby Font, Stephen Keller, 4 Juban Family Members, Chamber Chairman Margot May. -Photos Provided by Rebecca Rainer

Surrounded by enthusiastic residents, area business leaders and local officials, Pres. Grimmer, Sen. Erdey, and Rep. Pope heralded this event as a victory for Livingston Parish businesses and families.
“This is a monumental day for Livingston Parish, as well as just the beginning of great things to come,” said Grimmer.
“I am proud to have worked with our Livingston delegation to provide the resources and infrastructure support to help make this vision a reality,” said Sen. Erdey (Dist. 13). “Our diligence will ensure that residents and visitors alike will be able to get to Juban Crossing without the headaches of other retail establishments.”
The $350 million project will be built in three phases. Developers announced that Kohl’s will be the first retailer to begin construction on a 55,000-square-foot department store in phase one. Other stores in negotiations include Ross and T.J. Maxx. Total retail in this first phase, opening fall of 2012, will make up approximately 350,000 square feet of the development. Also included are a 14-screen, 46,000-square-foot, 2,200-seat theater, national chain restaurants, a hotel, a drugstore, two banks and a gas station.
Future phases will include roughly 800 single-family homes, 300 multi-family apartment homes, additional hotels, small office space, and a town square.
Ultimately developers antici-pate roughly 1.2 million square feet of retail throughout the development. Once completed, Juban Crossing will be a place to live, shop and work for some families and a place to stop for visitors and people traveling down Interstate 12.
“This public and private investment is exactly what Livingston Parish needs as we continue our phenomenal growth for the future,” said Rep. Pope (Dist. 71). “We have great schools, great people, and soon on this land a great shopping, residential and community development we can all be proud of.”
In a late December vote of 7-2, Livingston Parish council members approved a two-cent sales tax within the development. This tax will be bonded to raise an estimated $150 million to $175 million for parish-owned infrastructure, such as roads, drainage, a water tower and a sewerage collection system. Developers are working with the state legislative delegation on an initial appropriation to conduct engineering and environmental studies to improve the roads leading to the development. Their anticipated goal is to widen to four lanes Juban Road to Highway 190 and widen and extend Cook Road from Pete’s Highway to Juban Crossing.
“Juban Crossing is more than just a retail development. It will allow the residents of Livingston Parish to work and shop where they live rather than having to travel to neighboring parishes,” added Keller. “We’re essentially building a small city.”
“This is a reality that I never imagined I would see in my lifetime,” said Jerelyn Juban Witter, the owner of the land upon which the development will be built. “For us, this wasn’t just a piece of land. It was the opportunity for us to leave something behind that enriches the lives of the families and people of Livingston Parish.”
The retail space will be completed in two years, the medical and commercial facilities within two-and-a-half years, and the residential properties will be finished within five to seven years.
The economic impact of Juban Crossing has been the parish’s largest selling point. Economist Jim Richardson predicts local governments in Livingston Parish will have up to $21.8 million in additional tax collections over the next 25 years because of the retail development of Juban Crossing. Economist anticipate an additional 1,500 jobs just in construction alone.
“Juban Crossing is the next development in Livingston Parish that will complement its sustained population growth, enhance its tax base, allow the parish and its municipalities to pay for public services demanded by the citizens, and make the parish an even more attractive place to live,” explained Dr. Richardson.
Richardson estimates the housing units in the residential portion of Juban Crossing will support the projected population growth in the parish, will support the increase in the retail customer base and will provide direct property tax payments to local governments. Once all residential units are completed, he projects property tax payments to be more than $3.2 million per year.
According to Census data, Livingston Parish has gained almost 20,000 new residents or an average of almost 4,000 per year since 2000. Livingston Parish is projected to continue this population growth over the next twenty years.
Richardson believes retail, commercial, and medical activities at Juban Crossing will lead to the creation and support of 3,253 jobs to 5,021 jobs, depending on the net new spending that occurs within the parish.
“Livingston Parish has been known as the fastest growing parish in the state for a few years. Now we can add that we’ve got the biggest economic project to hit our area that will keep us on the map for a long time to come,” added Grimmer.

About Creekstone Companies
is a vertically integrated, full-service real estate investment, development and management company focused on multi-family residential and commercial properties throughout North America. With more that $1 billion in total investments, Creekstone concentrates on the institutional quality assets, each generally less that $75 million in total cost, within geographic regions that maintain long-term employment and strong population growth trends.
www.creekstonecompanies.com

Springtime... ...is just around the corner

2011-02-24T05:58:00.000-08:00

As featured in Safe & SOUND Magazine - March - June 2011
With flowers in bloom and the grass turning to its beautiful shade of green, we are reminded that another season is arriving. Spring is the time when we open the windows and let the breeze blow through our homes or go out in the yard and do a little gardening.
So when you’re working outdoors tending to your flower beds or mowing your lawn, remember to wear safety goggles, gloves, a sun hat and sun block. Be sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids like water or other electrolyte-type beverages.
Because you are starting lawn mowers and other lawn equipment for the first time after several months, be sure to use the necessary precautions. Remember to keep children and animals away from lawn equipment.
Be aware that insects are also celebrating the new season, so be mindful that they may be lurking in the bushes and on the eves and gutters of your home. Be sure to have plenty of insect spray nearby to protect you from being attacked by an infestation. Also, be on the lookout for those insects to which you may be allergic.
Most importantly, enjoy the beautiful spring scenery, and as always, be safe.

God Bless,
Rusty & Jan Howard

- Publisher, Safe & SOUND Magazine
-President / CEO, Certified Alarm Systems
& Home Theaters, Inc.

"When I was informed of Certified's Fallen Police Officers Program, in honor of one of our own, I was overwhelmed" -LPSO Officer Daniel Beadle

2011-01-28T13:52:00.000-08:00

"When I was informed of Certified's Fallen Police Officers Program, in honor of one of our own, I was overwhelmed"

As a fellow officer, I had the Honor of working side by side with Deputy Kiger while employed with the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office. As always, we have had a great working relationship with the businesses of our community. When I was informed of Certified Alarms' Fallen Police Officers Program, in honor of one of our own, I was overwhelmed. A Special Thanks to Rusty and Jan Howard for giving fellow officers peace of mind. Knowing after our last shift has ended, Certified Alarms, a pillar of this community, has made a stand to help watch over our families if we are taken from them. This courtesy, makes everything worth it. I know that Officer Kiger would be honored as well. May God bless you and those who help make this possible. - Officer Daniel Beadle, Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office

Read more testimonials>

A Look Behind The Shield - Venkat Kommalapati

2011-01-28T13:47:00.000-08:00

Venkat has been an employee of Certified Alarm Systems & Home Theaters for a little over 1 year as our Web Developer and Web Programmer. He and and his wife Padmaja Lakkakula PhD are originally from Hyderabad, India and now reside in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. They have been in America for only three and a half years.

The Certified Team would like to congratulate and welcome the birth of their first child, Vihaan Raghav, born on December 20, 2010. Vihaan made his debut into the world weighing only 2lbs 4oz measuring 14.8 inches long. Padmaja’s due date was actually March 17, 2011, so it was with great surprise to them when they received an early present.

Learn more about the Certified Team>

Register to WIN at the Habitat Home & Garden Show

2011-01-28T13:38:00.000-08:00

Join Us! @ Baton Rouge River Center

Saturday, March 12: 9AM - 7PM
&

Sunday, March 13: 10 AM - 5 PM

Certified Alarm Systems & Home Theaters
Booth #200 / #202

CAS Generac Generators - Booth #204

Vizado Custom Web & Graphic
Design & Marketing - Booth #211

Tickets are available at the door
Adults: $7.00 | Children: (6 - 12) $3.00
Under 6: No charge
Event Details>

Special Delivery - A Stranger At Your Door

2011-01-28T13:34:00.000-08:00

With Valentine,s Day approaching, there will be a lot of deliveries made to people’s homes and workplaces. This time of year, it is especially important to be cautious of who you open your door for. Burglars and rapists use this opportunity to prey on victims.

Remember to Always lock your door.
If you are at home alone and are not expecting any deliveries, be cautious when someone you don’t know is at the door. If you have a peep hole, remember to look before you open. If you don’t have one, look outside through the window. Try to identify the person if you can. If identification can not be made ask the person to move into view so you can make a positive ID. Ask the person what they need before opening the door. Never tell a person that you are home alone.

Do not open the door for ANY stranger.
This may include: Sales Reps, canvassers, kids selling magazines or cookies, or a man in distress. These could be cons to get you to open your door for what could be a rapist or burglar.
Package delivery person- even in uniform. Uniforms are easy to steal or get other ways. Have them leave the package outside, even if it is raining. Wait until the truck leaves and wait about 30 minutes before retrieving the package.
If the person outside your door refuses to leave or insists you open the door, call 911 immediately. You may be in danger. If it is a delivery of any kind, and you can see the delivery truck, you may feel like it is safe to open the door. In that case, call a neighbor or friend, tell them the situation and ask them to remain on the line while you open the door to receive your package. Ask them to contact 911, for you, if they hear any suspicious conversation between you and the delivery person.

Always set your alarm.
If you are home alone, you should always have your alarm armed. If you don’t have an alarm system, contact Certified Alarm Systems today at 225-928-STOP (7867.) If you do have an alarm system and you feel in danger, remember to use your silent alarm. This lets the command center know that you are in danger and they will notify police immediately.

Certified Alarm Systems is ALWAYS here to help.
If you have any questions about how to use your silent alarm or the arming or disarming of your system, feel free to contact one of our trained professionals. They are standing by to assist you. Have peace of mind knowing that when Certified’s technicians come to your home, weather it be for an installation or service call, they will be uniformed and have the proper identification badges.

Receiving unmarked packages.
You should also be very careful when receiving a package that is wrapped and you are unable to identify who delivered it. Don’t just assume it‘s a gift. If you return to your home and there is a wrapped present at your front door, without proper identification on it, there could be an explosive device inside. If you feel like it could be of danger to you, call the police immediately.

Better to be safe than sorry.
Not all situations are dangerous but it is better to be safe than sorry. Take precautions and be mindful of what it “could” be. You can never be too safe. These simple precautions may save your life.

Did You Know....

2011-01-28T13:29:00.000-08:00

Hershey‘s Kisses are called that because the machine that makes them looks like it’s kissing the conveyor.
No matter its size or thickness, a piece of paper can‘t be folded in half more than 7 times.
By raising your legs slowly and lying on your back, you can‘t sink in quicksand.
The smallest bone in the human body is the stapes or stirrup bone located in the middle ear. It is approximately .11 inches (.28 cm) long.
Hawaii is moving toward Japan 4 inches every year.
You consume 1/10 of a calorie by licking a stamp.
Every minute, 30-40,000 dead skin cellsfall from your body.
Flea‘s can jump 130 times higher than their own height. In human terms this is equal to a 6ft. person jumping 780 ft. into the air.
Leonardo Da Vinci invented scissors. Also, it took him 10 years to paint Mona Lisa‘s lips.
The first product Motorola started to develop was a record player for automobiles. At that time, the most known player on the market was the Victrola, so they called themselves Motorola.

FIRE WATCH with Howard Ward

2011-01-28T13:25:00.000-08:00

As a young boy growing up, I was fortunate to have been involved with the Boy Scouts of America. I learned so many exciting things while I was scouting. For example: how to make a camp fire, tie knots, read a compass, and many other skills that helped me grow as a young man. Unfortunately, over the years and as time has gone by, I have lost the ability to do some of these things. One thing that I learned that has always stuck with me since the scouting days is the scout motto, “BE PREPARED.” Often we like to think we are prepared, for anything that could happen, or we think “It will never happen to me,” but often we really aren’t truly prepared. Over the many years with the fire service, I have seen the horror and disbelief in victim’s eyes. I have heard them say “If I had only…” When it comes to preparation, it should be your first priority to prepare yourselves and your family members for the possibility of a fire in your home.

Protecting your family from fire requires advance planning and preparation for what to do if fire strikes. This includes the use of protective devices, usually smoke alarms, to provide early warning of an imminent fire. The majority of all house fires happen at night while you are asleep and are most vulnerable. However, depending on the size and layout of your home and the characteristics of your family, you may need to do more to assure their safety. For example; this may include the use of emergency escape ladders in homes with two or more levels of living. More than one or two smoke alarms in the home depending on size and layout. Each home is different and it will be your job to best prepare your loved ones in case of fire.

In the event of a fire, time is the biggest enemy and every second counts!
Escape plans help you get out of your home quickly. In less than 30 seconds a small flame can get completely out of control and turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for a house to fill with thick black smoke and become engulfed in flames.

EXIT DRILLS IN THE HOME (E.D.I.T.H)

Prepare a floor plan of your home showing at least two ways out of each room. An emergency escape ladder provides a safe means of getting out of your room if your home is a multi-level residence and all other exits are unavailable
Sleep with your bedroom door closed. It helps to hold back heat and smoke.
Agree on a fixed location out-of-doors where family members are to gather for a head count.
Make certain that no one goes back inside.
Practice - Practice – Practice

Remember:
Smoke detectors should be replaced every ten years. Learn More>

Helpful tips for Pampering your pooch this Valentines Day

2011-01-28T13:18:00.000-08:00

Never bathe a matted dog. Water only tightens the tangles and de-matting is them very difficult. Try to brush out the mats first. If it can’t be done humanely, take you dog to a professional groomer.
You should brush your dog’s teeth everyday to maintain good dental hygiene. You will need a soft bristled toothbrush and veterinary toothpaste. Human toothpastes and baking soda may cause problems.
Keep in mind those beautiful Valentine flowers could be harmful to your pet. Lilies are FATAL to cats and dogs. Other potentially poisonous flowers include tulips, amaryllis, daisies, chrysanthemums and baby’s breath.
Death by Chocolate. For all you dark chocolate lovers, this type of chocolate contains methylxanthines, a caffeine like stimulant. If ingested can cause abnormal heartbeats, kidney failure, increased thirst, panting, vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, seizures and death.

Certified - Safe and SOUND News

New Year's Eve Safety Tips

Local Crime Alert (11/07/2011)

Trick-Or-Treating Safety Tips

National Fire Prevention Week, October 9-15, 2011; Protect Your Family From Fire.

Follow Fire Prevention Week on Facebook and Twitter!

Certified Employees help celebrate Annual Lee National Denim Day® on Oct. 7th

Beware of Imposters!!!

National Fire Prevention Week (October 9-15, 2011)

Certified Alarm Systems handles all your Generac generator needs from sales to service and turn key installations.

Safety Tips To Launching Your Own Fireworks This Fourth of July

by MaryAlexa Divver

A Child dies in portable pool every 5 days

Crafty crooks are creating a sticky situation for bank customers.....

OTHER SCAMS TO WATCH-OUT FOR

Checking Into Facebook Places.....

...AKA Informing Thieves“We Aren’t Home”

Operation of motor scooters hwy safety

CRIMESTOPPERS - Free Texting App for iPhone

~ Bill Gates ~ 11 Rules you will not learn in school

Amigos Don’t Let Amigos Drive Drunk - Cinco de Mayo Safety

T-Shirt Changes Pattern to Indicate High Levels of Carbon Monoxide

Home Invasion - Student Used Facebook to Call for help!

A Billion Acts Of Green - Earth Day 2011 What Will YOU Pledge?

Music is in the air - BOSE Outdoor sound

Keeping It Simple - A BOSE Home Entertainment Glossary

Parents, Caregivers Should Consider Safety Before Opening Windows

MUST WATCH: FOX's new show BREAKING IN staring Christian Slater.

Livingston Parish Fire District 5 Fundraiser/ Auction - 9am April 9, 2011

The Top 100 April Fool's Day Hoaxes of All Time As judged by notoriety, creativity, and number of people duped

Crime Stoppers asks for help locating contractor suspected of fraud

Crime Stoppers USA launches Copper Theft Program

Crimestoppers Teen Peace Summit

Mardi Gras Parades ( Wed, March 2, 2011 - Tue. March 8, 2011)

Certified Employee Spotlights

Local Police Officer Saves Woman’s Life

Certified News- We’re Going Green

Crime Stoppers - Local Crime Statistics

Does Your Child Watch Too Much Television?

Identity Theft … It can happen to you.

Fire Watch with Howard Ward - Electricity, a “silent servant” that can become a “silent assassin”

Is Your Website Working For You?

What Every Pet Owner Should Know

SOLAR NEWS - READY FOR BIG GREEN?

What's Cookin' with MeMe - Onion Souffle’

Choices in Orthodontic Therapy

In The Know - Juban Crossing Groundbreaking Marks Beginning of Development

Springtime... ...is just around the corner

"When I was informed of Certified's Fallen Police Officers Program, in honor of one of our own, I was overwhelmed" -LPSO Officer Daniel Beadle

A Look Behind The Shield - Venkat Kommalapati

Register to WIN at the Habitat Home & Garden Show

Special Delivery - A Stranger At Your Door

Did You Know....

FIRE WATCH with Howard Ward

Helpful tips for Pampering your pooch this Valentines Day

...AKA Informing Thieves
“We Aren’t Home”