La Center Historical Museumwill be open on Saturday, December 4th from Noon to 4:00 p.m. Please drop by to see the Cathlapootle Gem Society's "Dinner Table Feast for the Eyes" and the Salute to Washington Woman's Suffrage - 100 years as well as the on going exhibits which include The Loggers Gallery and The Sternwheeler Gallery.
The Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors of the La Center Museum Association will be held on Monday, December 6th, 6:30 p.m. at the Grange Hall. The agenda will include Committee Reports, Appointments of new Directors, Election of Officers for the coming year and upcoming plans for museum exhibits. The General Membership is encouraged to attend and provide input.
Volunteers are needed to staff the Museum in the coming months -- on the first and third Saturday of each month (with the exception of holidays such as New Year's Day with falls on the first Saturday this year). Please e-mail me or call Barbara at (360) 263-3308 if you can volunteer in the months ahead. Thank you.
Leaders, scholars, public employees to brighten holidays for kids
Community members may donate until Dec. 4 to boost impact for local families
Vancouver, WA - Board of County Commissioners Chair Steve Stuart and Vancouver Mayor Tim Leavitt will join forces with Miss Washington Jacquie Brown and two other scholarship winners this week to shop on behalf of Clark County’s Children’s Sharing Project, a holiday gift program for families in need.
Stuart, Leavitt and Brown, of Vancouver, will be joined by Miss Clark County 2011 Katie Parsons and Miss Clark County’s Outstanding Teen 2011 Alicia Cooper. The group will gather at 8 a.m., Dec. 4, at Grand Central Fred Meyer, 2500 Columbia House Blvd., Vancouver.
As in previous years, Fred Meyer has donated $5,000 to the Children’s Sharing Project. Fred Meyer also gives discounts on the purchases and has employees helping with the event.
County employees have provided holiday gifts for local children through the Children’s Sharing Project since 1985. From infants to teens, many gift wishes speak to basic needs, such as shoes, clothes, winter gear and car seats. County employees hold fundraisers throughout the year to raise money for the holiday shopping. In addition, they purchase gifts and gather, wrap and distribute holiday presents through food banks and other service groups. City of Vancouver employees traditionally help during the holiday season. Last year, the program served 1,200 children. Anyone can brighten a child’s holiday with a tax-deductible donation to the Children’s Sharing Project, by stopping in at Grand Central Fred Meyer from 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday Dec. 4. Donations also can be made by calling Barbara Gerrior at (360) 397-2130 ext. 7822.
Do We Get It?
Our Chamber is one of 11 business organizations from Southwest Washington who have joined together to shine the spotlight on on our shopping habits throughout the year. Even if our spending habits could be modified slightly, the benefits to our community and our neighbors would be significant.
Here's the grim picture: We spend nearly one billion (with a B) in Oregon each year. (They may think of us as their stimulus package.) That's $5.91 DAILY for every man, woman, and child. And, we save about 48 cents or the price of two gumballs.
If we spent the revenue here in Clark County it could add up to over 5,500 jobs. Seriously. In this time of great stress and unemployment, that's a big number.
November 2010
New Leadership
The Chamber is pleased to announce that Al Lane will complete the term of President of the Chamber for the remainder of the year. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Linda Tracy is unable to fulfill her term.
“Fall Back” to Standard Time
Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 7 at 2:00 A.M. Set your clocks BACK one hour! Clark County Fire and Rescue also recommends that homeowners dust or vacuum their smoke detectors to keep them free of debris, so they can function properly if needed. According to a recent survey among 1,004 adults commissioned by the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and conducted by Harris Interactive by telephone in September 2010, Americans continue to have misunderstandings about smoke alarms, including how many they need in their homes, and how often they should be tested and replaced. The NFPA also states that two-thirds of home fire deaths result from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. NFPA tips for keeping smoke alarms/detectors working properly:
Test smoke alarms/detectors at least once a month by using the alarms “test button”. Do NOT use an open flame.
Clean the units by vacuuming or dusting in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Install new batteries in all smoke alarms/detectors at least once a year on the day you change your clocks in the fall or when the alarm chirps (warning that the battery is dying). Do NOT disable the “chirping” feature by removing batteries.
Keep batteries in smoke alarms/detectors; do not borrow them for other purposes. Nuisance activations can be addressed by moving a smoke alarm/detector farther away from kitchen smoke or bathroom steam and by more frequent cleaning. If the problem persists, replace the unit.
Don’t paint over smoke alarms and detectors.
NFPA tips for installing smoke alarms/detectors:
While smoke alarms/detectors alert people to fires, families still need to develop and practice home fire escape plans so that they can get out quickly.
Install at least one smoke alarm on every floor of your home (including the basement) and in or near each sleeping area. If you sleep with the door closed, NFPA recommends installing smoke alarms/detectors inside the room. In new homes, smoke alarms/ detectors are required in all sleeping rooms, per the National Fire Alarm Code.
Woodland Walmart Coming Soon
It is estimated that the Woodland Walmart store opening will generate approximately 300 quality jobs for the local community. The Woodland store hiring center will begin accepting applications on Monday, November 1, and will continue accepting applications from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday. Interested applicants can apply online at http://walmartstores.com/Careers/7745.aspx. Applications may also be submitted in person at the store hiring center, which will be located at 1906 Belmont Loop in Woodland, next door to the Kindercare. Walmart creates economic opportunity by providing good jobs that give associates the chance to build careers. Associates can advance as far as their hard work and talent will take them. In fact, over 70 percent of the U.S. store management team started as hourly associates.
The new store will feature what Woodland customers want and need. Specifically, the store will feature a full-range of general merchandise such as apparel, sporting goods and home and garden, food, an in-store pharmacy, optical center and automotive center. The Woodland Walmart, like all new Walmart stores, includes energy-efficient technology and sustainable construction features designed to reduce energy and water consumption and minimize waste.
Body Language – Make a Better First Impression
Body language can account for up to 90% of the impression you make in a conversation, and it can enhance or undermine the point you're trying to make.
Frowning indicates defeat or anger, and is obviously negative. Smile as you counter objections with a positive comment. Mirroring the other person's body language could possibly win them over subconsciously. Imitate the way they posture themselves, and your non-verbal communication says, "I like you, you're just like me."
Nodding the head signifies approval. This is a technique that's often used in the restaurant business. When the server nods her head "yes" while reciting the dessert menu, your response is more likely to be, "Why sure, I'll take one of those!"
Regarding eye contact: An intense stare makes people uncomfortable, and can even make them feel you're a little off balance. On the other hand, if you avoid eye contact, the person you are speaking to will probably think you're lying. Be attentive and smile. This tells them you're a winner!
Look relaxed, but don’t overdo it. When standing, be at ease and keep your hands at your side or clasped in front of you. Never cross your arms…this is an aggressive stature with many negative implications. When seated, slumped shoulders give a negative impression; on the other hand, leaning back and clasping your hands behind your head tells people you are quite full of yourself. If the bottom half of your body is covered by your desk when a new client is sitting across from you, they're missing half of your body language. So the way you position yourself in your chair is very important. Relax and lean slightly forward with one shoulder as you tilt your head just a bit. This shows you are captivated by what they have to say.
In business, we often have to remain positive even in a negative situation. Being attentive to your own body language can make an incredible difference in how others perceive you. This is one area where practice really does make perfect. Rest assured, if you're not practicing, your competition probably is.
October 2010
New Members
Please join us in welcoming the following new members to our Chamber as of October 1, 2010:
Pomeroy Living History Farm Invites you to visit Pumpkin Lane
Pumpkin Lane will be open all weekends in October through October 31st. Service animals onlyallowed on Farm grounds. Saturdays 10am-5pm and Sundays 1pm-5pm
Professor Bamboozle Returns!! Showtimes are Saturdays 12:00 and 3:00 and Sundays 1:30 and 3:00 He will be here October 9,10,16,17,23,24
Admission: $5.00 Adults and $4.00 ages 3-11. @ and under free.
Admission includes a mile long hay ride down decorated Pumpkin Lane with a stop at the Pumpkin Patch. Pumpkins are $1.00 and up depending on size.
Americana music by the "Fargher Lake Five"
Scarecrow Making
Children's games, animal petting, hay bale maze, the Farm Cafe
20902 NE Lucia Falls Road
Yacolt, WA 98675
Tel: (360) 686-3537
Fall events illuminate the rich history of the Fort Vancouver National Site
by Susan Parrish
As crisp autumn days arrive, Fort Vancouver rolls out events for visitors of all ages. With the popularity of Lantern Tours at Fort Vancouver last fall and winter, the National Park Service has scheduled additional Lantern Tours to accommodate those who want to participate in this enchanting evening tour of the reconstructed Fort Vancouver led by a park ranger dressed in period clothing.
Visitors entering the parking lot will be greeted by lanterns lighting the footpath into the reconstructed fort. Each adult carries a lantern as the group tours the fur store, counting house and bake house by lantern light. The tour ends at the bake house, where hot apple cider awaits. Six Lantern Tours are scheduled from Oct. 2 through Dec. 18.
This event requires pre-registration and includes a fee of $10 for adults and $7 for children under 15 years of age. To make reservations call the Fort Vancouver Visitor Center at 360-816-6230.
October Events at Fort Vancouver National Site
Ongoing Programs:
• Fort Vancouver, the Visitor Center and the Bookstore are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 360-816-6230; http://www.nps.gov/fova/
• Free tours of The Marshall House on Officers Row, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 360-693-3103; www.fortvan.org
• Pearson Air Museum and Bookstore are open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 360-694-7026;
WALK and KNOCK -- Clark County Council for the Homeless, sponsored by the Miss Clark County Scholarship Organization
October 16th the newly crowned titleholders, plus a lot of the contestants, will be canvassing La Center for donations of new or gently used coats, sweaters and blankets.
They are asking for donations to be dropped off at the Heritage Room from 10-3pm and they'll also pick up in the City limits by appointment; call Linda Tracy 989-6301.
Last Frontier Casino October Highlights
Spin & Win is Continues!
You could be our next $1,000 winner! Now thru October 24th, if you're called to spin the wheel, you're guaranteed to win $50, $100, $250, $500 or $1,000! It gets even better on Sunday! If we call your name during our Big Cash Sunday drawing, the least you'll win is $1,000 up to $5,000!
FREE registration for Spin & Win begins daily at 1pm at The Player's Club Booth. There are eight wheel spins per day, 5pm to 12 midnight and ALL your Spin & Win entries from each week go into the Big Cash Sunday drawing barrel with drawings held every hour from 5pm to 9pm.
NOW QUALIFYING! $3,000 Free Roll Poker Tournaments
Weekly $3,000 Free Roll Poker Tournaments continue thru Sunday, October 31st! Get your name on our big FREE ROLL board! In addition to winning $200 for your High Hand, you'll be automatically entered into our Sunday morning $3,000 Free Roll Poker Tournament.
October High Hands
October High Hands and Free Rolls to payout over $100,000! Stop by for Sunday morning No-Limit Hold ‘Em $3,000 Tournaments, featuring 15-minute rounds with each player starting with 2,000 units. Blinds begin at $25/$50. Six places to be paid: 1st $1,001, 2nd $599, 3rd $500, 4th $400, 5th $300 and 6th $200. To gain entry into the tournament, your goal is to win one of the 56 qualifying High Hands, Monday thru Friday. Details are posted.
NOW PLAYING! $2 to $10 Spread Limit Hold'Em
It's a great action game with creative betting and big pots. Come in and give it a try!
Bad Beat Jackpot
The Daily $10,000 Bad Beat Jackpot is up for grabs! No matter how many times it’s hit, it’s still $10,000 for the next Bad Beat! Trigger the jackpot with quads over quads or better. The Bad Beat gets $4,000, the giver of the Bad Beat $2,000 and the remaining players at the dealt-in Bad Beat table equally divide $4,000. As in High Hands, both hole cards must play.
24-Hour Poker Room
24-Hour Poker Room now spreading $2 - $10 Spread Limit! Do you like to be creative in your betting and strategy? Then try our new $2 to $10 Spread Limit Hold ‘Em. Blinds are just $1 and $2. Popular limits and big pots still highlight our daily game menu. Featured are $3/$6 to $15/$30 Hold ‘Em. Mondays and Tuesdays we feature $20/$40 Hold ‘Em.
No matter the limits you like, you’ll find the action you crave in our 24-hour Poker Room! If you’re a Poker player who loves a professionally run game with friendly and knowledgeable dealers, this is the room for you. Our Poker player’s menu is designed just for you, fresh and delicious, with a variety of specials priced at $2 and $5.
LewisRiver.Com
LewisRiver.com continues to draw visitors looking for information about our area. We get visitors from over 50 foreign countries and all corners of the United States every month. We average between 1500 and 2000 visitors every day. The fishing report site draws the most interest. We are happy to report a new service called LewisRiver.com News. You can post news and other items of general interest on this site. I monitor the entries so we don't get things posted that are not appropriate. The more we post on their the more people will read it. The LewisRiver.com news site has become quite popular already. It is our hope that people will look at it every day for breaking news and events. To find this site just go to www.lewisriver.com and click on the News icon on the left side. It is easy to find. You could Google it.
La Center Tavern
Now open for Monday Night Football!!!
On Saturday night, October 30th from 9 to Midnight, the tavern will be hosting their famous Halloween Costume Ball, “Pimp-N-Ho”….hmmm. Sounds like this could be a lot of fun!
Future Members Sadie and Josie’s Bakery is OPEN!
Finally!!! They have opened their doors the beginning of October and are doing a brisk business at
582 Pacific Highway 263-6200. Stop by and tell ‘em the Chamber sent you!
The La Center Lions Club
See them at the Fall Carnival on Oct. 23 with their "jail" [plus some games] at the La Center Middle School gymnasium
La Center Historical Museum
Now open at their building on 5th Street next to the Grange in La Center… 1st & 3rd Saturdays 12-4 pm.
Opdahl Chiropractic
TURN THE POWER ON IN YOUR BODY!!!
Wednesday October 13th
$20 Adjustments for Returning Patients
Thursday October 14th
$20 New Patient Consultation, Exam & X-Rays (if medically necessary)
Call and schedule your power appointment today!!! 666-6001
Miss Clark County and Miss Clark County Outstanding Teen
We have 3 local girls [Jennifer, Ashley, and Katie] running for Miss Clark County and Miss Clark County's Outstanding Teen on Saturday, October 9th at Fort Vancouver High School, 6pm. Come and support them and hoot and holler. Tickets available at the door.
(printable schedule of events .pdf file attached) Sandhill Crane Tours, Kiwa Trail Tours and Big Canoe Paddle Tours are still available. Get your tickets now!
September Newsletter:
Presidents Message
WOW, what a summer we've had but where did it go. As the Director of the Miss Teen LaCenter Scholarship Pageant and the organizer of the City's Parade Float I've been active in area parades since May. We never miss an opportunity to promote the City and the Chamber to people we meet. School just started so we only have 114 days til Christmas!!
Now that I have your attention.....your Chamber has been very busy. We've manned an information booth at the LaCenter Farmers Market each week to talk to people and promote the Chamber. The final day of the market for this year is September 9th, stop by and say hi.
The Chamber played an integral part in this year's fabulous "Our Days" Celebration. Wendy McGraw, our very own Project Coordinator, did an awesome job as Chairman of the festival. Thanks to Ron Ridnour who again organized the lawnmower races. I was able to attend the event for the first time this year and had a great time. The new Miss Teen LaCenter Court was asked to be lap counters and work the stop watch....the girls had lots of fun.
The Saturday festival was very successful......the Miss Teen LaCenter Court organized and facilitated the Beautiful Baby Contest again this year..... LaCenter TRULY has the most beautiful babies. Thank you Vicki, LaCenter Tavern, for sponsoring the street dance on Saturday night. We finished an extraordinary weekend with free rootbeer floats, sponsored by the City, in a special mug, hot dogs, sponsored by the New Phoenix/Last Frontier Casinos, for a dollar, and Barbershop in the Park. What could be better than that.
Look for some exciting events coming up in the near future...your Chamber is working for you.
La Center Museum Association
The La Center Museum Association will be hosting a “Star Spangled” Gala Dinner and Auction on Saturday, September 25th, 2010 from 5:30-9:30pm. Cost is $35 per person and reservations are required by September 15th. Contact Barbara 263-3308 or Judy 263-9060 for availability.
Miss Teen La Center Royalty to Compete in Miss Clark CountyScholarship Program
LaCenter "royalty" [past and present] are running in the Miss Clark County Scholarship program October 9th...Jennifer Reynolds - MTLC 2009, Katie Parsons - MTLC Court 2006 and Ashley Fleck - MTLC Court 2010.
Lewis River Mobile Food Bank
The Lewis River Mobile Food Bank is a community run volunteer organization which provides people with emergency and supplemental foot in underserved areas in north Clark County. Families are eligible to receive food one time each month from any one location. The schedule is:
1st Saturday at View Fire Station at 37604 ME 119th Ave.
2nd Sunday at Fire District 2 Station at 314 NW 389th Street
3rd Sunday at Yacolt Evangelical Free Church at 509 W. Cushman in Yacolt
4th Sunday at La Center Evangelical Free Church at 111 E. 5th Street
There are many opportunities to help with deliveries, sorting food, packaging food, stocking the trailer, office work, food drives, and more! Contact them at 263-5763 or email lrmfb@tds.net.
Salmon Creek Interchange Project takes off to move traffic, boost jobs
Vancouver, WA – One day before the start of the Labor Day weekend, Clark County commissioners and other local leaders will gather to discuss how the Salmon Creek Interchange Project will create jobs and improve the transportation system for businesses, schools and residents.
A public event is set for 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 2, at the site of the future Salmon Creek Park & Ride, south of Northeast 139th Street and east of 10th Avenue, near the shopping center anchored by Fred Meyer.
In the first phase of a $133 million construction project, a contractor has been working since early August to grade the Park & Ride site and install underground utilities.
Speakers at Thursday’s event will explain the importance of the overall interchange project, as well as the county’s 13.1 percent unemployment rate in July, highest among the state’s 39 counties.
“We know people are hurting in this economy,” said Steve Stuart, chair of the Board of County Commissioners. “This project will help lay the foundation for good-paying jobs, both short term in construction and long term in health care and education.”
The Washington State Department of Transportation estimates the project will support about 600 jobs, including direct construction jobs, indirect jobs with suppliers and additional jobs at stores, restaurants and small businesses. That doesn’t count thousands of permanent jobs the private sector could create in an area that includes Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center, Washington State University Vancouver and other regional employers.
In late July, commissioners in awarded a $1.2 million contract for the Park & Ride work. In early 2011, the county expects to award a much larger contract, $12 million to $14 million, for local road improvements in the area. Later in 2011, the Washington State Department of Transportation plans to award a contract to rebuild the Northeast 134th Street interchange on Interstate 5, extend Northeast 139th Street east and make freeway ramp improvements.
The floors are done, the painting is done, the donut case and large display case have been delivered…Sadie and Josie [and mom, Sharon] are hoping to be open this month at the old Purple Bee location on Pacific Highway in La Center. I can almost smell the fresh baked bread…
6 Quick Tips to improve your credit score
1. Pull your reports online – get them for free, no strings attached, at the government authorized website AnnualCreditReport.com. This doesn’t get you your actual FICO scores, but it does get you the content of your report. Look for errors that could be depressing your score, like accounts that don’t belong to you, balances that are actually lower than reported, old debts that are paid off that should have been removed entirely (7 years for credit cards, 10 for bankruptcies).
2. Consider reopening accounts you thought were open but have been closed because you haven’t used them in so long - it will help boost your utilization ratio, one element of your credit score that is dependent on how much available credit you have.
3. Pay down some debt. This both decreases your debt-to-income ratio (36% is the goal, including the proposed mortgage payment) and increases your credit score, if you do it right (see the next tip).
4. Don’t close any accounts. Instead, spread your debt out. The ideal utilization ratio is about 20-30% of your available credit overall, and on any given account. Closing accounts reduces the amount of credit that is available to you, so it makes it look like you’re closer to being maxed out.
So if you have one card that’s near its max and several others that have zero balances and you’re trying boost your score a bit, quickly, consider balance transfers to spread our your debt more evenly, aiming for 20-30% of the available credit on each card.
5. Use your credit regularly – and pay it on time, every time: Having a good FICO score doesn't happen because you have sound personal finances, including no debt. FICO scores are a measure that shows that you have a history of responsibly using and managing and repaying your debt on an ongoing basis.
6. Finally, check in with your mortgage broker. Have them pull your report and score, as the report they pull is the one they’ll have to go by in the final analysis. If you’re really close to a score level higher, that would empower you to qualify for a lower rate, they can actually run a credit diagnostic on your score and generate some recommendations for which actions you could take to raise your score by the needed few points. Then many of them can do what’s called a ‘Rapid Rescore’ – once you’ve paid that bill off, they can actually submit a request directly to the credit bureaus to update that information and your score in just a few days.
None of these tips will get someone with a 500 credit score to a 700 (other than a massive debt reduction program). But if you’re trying to get a little boost to get you over a credit score hump, these can be potent, and save you beaucoup bucks in interest.
New and Exciting Ways to Win at the New Phoenix/Last Frontier
You could be our next $1,000 winner! September 20th thru October 24th, if you're called to spin the wheel, you're guaranteed to win $50, $100, $250, $500 or $1,000! It gets even better on Sunday! If we call your name during our Big Cash Sunday drawing, the least you'll win is $1,000 up to $5,000! FREE registration for Spin & Win begins daily at 1pm at The Player's Club Booth. There are eight wheel spins per day, 5pm to 12 midnight and ALL your Spin & Win entries from each week go into the Big Cash Sunday drawing barrel with drawings held every hour from 5pm to 9pm. More details at the Players Club booth at the New Phoenix Casino.
Win your share of $200,000 in High Hand and Tournament payouts, August 30th thru October 31st. Play poker at The Last Frontier Casino Poker Room Monday thru Friday, win a daily High Hand and you win $200 instantly! Plus, you win a seat in that Sunday's $3,000 Free Roll Poker Tournament!
Looking for a "fun spot" to have lunch or just to unwind? The Twin Palms Oasis Lounge inside The New Phoenix Casino is just the place for you.
Join us for Karaoke at the Twin Palms Oasis Lounge! Every Friday and Saturday night from 9pm to 1am, join host Danny Chavez and his songbook of thousands. You can also play pool, try your luck at pull tabs, hit the links on the electronic PGA golf game, play one of the Mega Touch games, or just relax and enjoy happy hour food and drink specials. We feature many popular domestic and micro brews for you to choose from.
$2 Happy Hour food menu
Chicken wings to hamburgers, fried shrimp to egg rolls
Enjoy Happy Hour prices on your favorite beverages
Looking for exciting big screen action? Come to The Twin Palms Oasis Lounge at The New Phoenix Casino this football season. Monday Night Football Parties include raffle drawings, action on our sports board and Happy Hour specials. Plus, support your team by wearing a football jersey and become eligible for a special drawing. Game nights begin September 13th and run thru December 27th. Open daily at 11am. Happy Hour prices continue all day until 8pm, 6pm on special event nights.
Construction under way on Costco's second Clark County warehouse store
Construction crews are moving along on Clark County's second Costco warehouse store at Lacamas Crossing. The 18-acre project is being developed by Tualatin, Ore.-based Gramor Development Inc. at Northeast 192nd Avenue and Southeast First Street on the eastern edge of Vancouver. The $40 million shopping center will be anchored by the 154,000-square-foot Costco, as well as an additional 27,000 square feet of retail space. Businesses at Lacamas Crossing are expected to employ 500 people, with Costco hiring about 350 full-time workers and the additional retail shops creating another 150 jobs, said Barry Cain, president of Gramor. Costco is expected to open in early 2011.
Hough Foundation “Sip and Stroll”
Please join us for an evening stroll in Uptown Village enjoying the unique boutiques and restaurants along Upper Main Street, Broadway & Washington while sampling the best regional wine and craft beer. You will have an opportunity to meet some of the brewery and winery representatives while enjoying their latest offerings. Bader Beer & Wine Supply will also conduct a beer making demonstration. Food and live music will be provided as well as special retail discounts for "Sippers".
In addition to our wonderful sponsors & advertisers, twenty-two merchants are partnering with the Hough Foundation to raise funds for the Hough Family Services Center. This center provides critical social services, enrichment programs and mental health advocacy for hundreds of children in our community. If you would like to learn more about the Hough Foundation and how you can get involved, please visit www.houghfoundation.org.
How Safe Do You Surf?
When it comes to computer security, we all get a little concerned. Here are a few tips for ensuring that you are surfing safe!
Don't know it? Don't click it.If you see a pop-up window from a security suite that you know you don't have explaining that you're infected with malicious software, do not click anywhere on the window... ever.
On Windows computers, press {ctrl}{alt}{del} on your keyboard to start the Task Manager. Highlight the task in the Applications Tab by left clicking once on it. When it's highlighted, click on the "End Task" button. Once the window is closed run a full scan using your installed AntiVirus suite... IMMEDIATELY.
Pack on protection.For real security, don't rely on just one AntiVirus program. There isn't one superior program that detects every infection, 100% of the time. It's a good idea to install 2 or 3 programs that work in concert together.
"Password" is a horrible password.You might laugh, but it remains one of the 10 most used passwords every year! The most secure passwords you can use are called "pass phrases" such as " A cow says moo". You can easily turn that into "acowsaysmoo". Hackers invented a language called leetspeak, using characters and numbers that look like letters but they're actually identified differently by security software. ("4(0//say5M0o". Can you see it?) Use that technology to your advantage and get creative with symbols and numbers.
Call your local computer repair geek for advice on what you should be running based on your computing needs. They have a wealth of information at their fingertips and will be more than happy to give you free advice.
September marks the beginning of school and FOOTBALL!
