Internet Shopping Safety Tips



Santa's Big Night Item#929



Hi Puzzlers,

Whether you are gearing up to shop on-line for  Black Friday or Cyber Monday it is important to remember what to look for and what to avoid to make your on-line shopping experience safe. Below is our annual list of internet shopping safety tips. We added an asterisk to our newest tips so you can identify them quickly.

Trust your instincts - If you have a funny feeling about the site check it out before placing the order. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is a scam. Several sites like Epinions.com or BizRate have customer evaluations which can help you determine a company's legitimacy.

Protect your PC - Make sure your personal computer has recent updates installed for Spam filters, anti-virus and anti-spy software, and a secure firewall.

Trusted Websites - Shoppers should know whom they are dealing with. Confirm the online seller’s physical address and phone number.  Anyone can set up an online store under any name. Check for security seals, such as the tiny padlock icon and the http (URL) has an “s” in it. The https:// stands for secure.

*Personal Information – Do not give any personal information ever!  On-line stores do not need your social security number or birthdate. So never give it to them and be suspicious if you are asked for it directly or indirectly in a pop-up (phising). Real companies would not ask for this type of information.  Always remember to give the least amount of information about yourself as possible.

Keep your Web browser updated - “Internet Explorer 9” provides another layer of protection with Web sites that use Extended Validation (EV) Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Certificates. The address bar turns green and has both https and the closed padlock. An EV SSL certificate not only helps ensure that communication with a Web site is secure, but it also includes information about the legitimacy of the Web site, which has been confirmed by the Certification Authority (CA) issuing the SSL Certificate.”

Don’t shop using Wi-Fi - When using Wi-Fi at a coffee shop, hotel, airport, or restaurant, you are making yourself vulnerable to identity theft. Your iPhone, Blackberry, Smartphone and laptop can easily be hacked on a free or paid public Wi-Fi spot. 

Pay by credit or charge card - By using a credit or charge card you are protected by the

Fair Credit Billing Act. This law gives you the right to dispute charges and temporarily withhold payment while the credit card company investigates your claims. Never use your debit card, as you have no rights protecting you from fraud or theft. Try to use just one credit card for all your purchases; this will make it easier to spot fraudulent charges.

Insure the safe delivery of your item - If you’re concerned about the safety of your package if there’s no one home to receive it, request it be sent with a signature required. Or, it may be safer to have the package delivered to your office.

Refund Policies and Delivery Dates -Make sure you know if you can return the item for a full refund and who pays the shipping for the return. Is the refund for a store credit or cash refund? Know when you should expect delivery of your item.

Print & Save - Keep documentation of your order. If confirmation was sent by email, keep the email and save any and all correspondence with the retailer.

Be Comfortable - Wear comfortable slippers, get a comfortable chair and pour a nice cup of tea, you could be at your computer for hours!

*Check Statements – Go online to monitor your account(s) and check it for fraudulent charges. Do not wait for the statement!  Check your account(s) every few days to make sure all is well.  If you see something wrong, address the issue immediately by PHONE! This will serve as a formal complaint/claim and the credit card company can begin looking into the fraudulent charge(s).  Finally do not pay the bill until the charges are accurate.

*Relieve Stress – If all this shopping has got you stressed, quickly make your way to your favorite puzzling spot and start puzzling.  As you know, puzzling is one of the best ways to reduce stress and anxiety.

Happy Puzzling!

Playing Cards the Jigsaw Puzzle Way

 

Playing Cards Item # 931



Hi Puzzlers,

Last night our country elected to keep our 44^th President in office.  The final election brings with it an end to all the political campaigning.  Hurray!  But, I have to admit some of the campaigning was entertaining.  It really reminded me of the card game poker.  Like a poker player, each politician must know when to take a hit, to hold, to bluff or when to fold.  Politics and politicians, like cards and the games played with them, have been around for centuries.

No one knows exactly when or where playing cards originated but many speculate they came from China. This speculation is based in the fact that China was the first to develop paper and because of ancient documentation dating back to the 12th century which describes paper money cards. This deck was comprised of four suits of coins and numbered 1-9. It is believed that the cards not only served as instruments to play the game but as the bet/wager itself.

Cards of this type, dating back to the 8th century, have reportedly been found in Persia and everywhere in the Arabian Peninsula. Scholars believe the cards traveled to Europe with merchants and gypsies during the mid 14th century. The decks consisted of 52-cards, four suits (Swords, Cups, Sticks and Coins) and were numbered 1-10. The royal cards included a King, Deputy King and an Under Deputy. All cards including the royals were decorated with geometric patterns.

European cards were made by craftsmen and ornately designed by hand by trained artists.  

Cards of this time were a luxury only the wealthy could afford. But, by the end on the 14th century advancements in printing techniques made cards more affordable to the general public. The Europeans were the first to put human faces on the royal cards and in doing so the cards characters began to take on more familiar titles such as kings and queens.

During the 15^th century a deck of cards could have as many as 56 cards or as little as 48.  Players from around the country debated for decades about the best number of cards for optimum play.  Finally at the end of the century the 52 card deck was deemed the best number to play with.

The French were the first to begin producing cards with suits that included Diamonds, Hearts, Clubs and Spades.  A typical card deck had three royal cards with a King, Queen and Knave along with the lower numbers from 1-10.  The back of the cards were left plain.  Unfortunately, this made the cards easy to mark and cheat with.  To prevent cheating and to extend the life of the cards many manufactures started to print repeating patterns on the back of the cards.

The reversible royal cards made their debut in Agen, France in 1745. These reversible cards replaced the full length images of Kings, Queens and Knaves with a double headed waist version that did not need to be turned upright. 

In the 1800’s American printers began gearing up to print playing cards on the first mechanized printing press and a new dilemma made itself apparent.  The abbreviated “K” for King would be easily confused with the “Kn” for Knave.  To remedy this The Knave, who played the “Jack of Trumps” in an old English card game called “All Fours”, was renamed “Jack”.

By the 1860’s card playing was making its way to the four corners of the globe.  New games were emerging every day and a number of popular games required an extra trump card.  In 1865 Samuel Hart names this trump card the “Joker”.  The Joker is the all powerful royal that fixes any and all problems.

Let’s hope that the politician have a Joker up their sleeve that can fix any and all problems too!

Happy Puzzling!

People’s Choice Awards

Hi Puzzlers,

The Three Stooges Puzzle Item #876



We have some exciting news to share with you!  The Three Stooges movie has been nominated for Favorite Comedic Movie for the 2013 People’s Choice Awards! We just think it’s great that an old-time favorite has made its way into today’s pop culture; this certainly assures that the “Godfathers of Comedy”  legacy will continue on.   It also appears that the “People Choice Awards” is on track to leave its legacy for future generations as well.

The People’s Choice Awards made its debut in 1975.  It was created and produced by Bob Stivers and aired on CBS.  The show’s goal is to honor and recognize the work and people of popular culture.  It is also one of the very first televised annual awards shows to have its winners chosen by votes from the general public. 

Winners that first year included Barbra Streisand as the year's Favorite Film Actress, John Wayne as its Favorite Film Actor and The Sting as 1974's Favorite Picture.  Presenters included Jim Nabors, Sammy Davis Jr. and Alan Alda.

Votes in the shows early years were tallied in the various categories based on the results of the Gallop poll.   In 2005 the voting went online and all results were based on the online votes.  Presently, in an effort to reach a broader base and reflect a true people’s choice, voting now encompasses a variety of methods including; land line calls, cell phone calls, online voting, reviewing data from Internet videos, national ratings averages, box office grosses and album sales.  In the event that the poll is so close, and no clear winner can be determined, a tie is announced in that category and both will be recognized as the Favorite.

Multiple versions on the People’s Choice Awards have been created to appeal to younger audiences such as the Teen Choice Awards and Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards.  It is important to note that these shows are independent and unrelated to each other and the only thing they share is similar names.

In 2012 the People’s Choice Awards franchise expands to India. This is the first time in the shows four-decade history it will air outside of America.  The India version will continue to cover fan favorites such as movies, music and television but it has added sports as a special category.

SO click here to cast your vote for your Favorite Comedic Movie for the 2013 People’s Choice Awards! N’yuk, N’yuk, N’yuk!

Happy Puzzling!

Happy Hour Jigsaw Puzzle

Happy Hour Jigsaw Puzzle Item #937

Hi Puzzlers,

October has certainly kept up the old tradition of keeping everyone busy.  East coast farmers are hurrying to get the last of their crops in.  Mothers are preparing their homes for the long winter nights with a good fall cleaning.  Fathers are finishing last minute lawn care issues, tuning up snow blowers and filling buckets with sand and salt.  Children of all ages are back in school.  Fall sports schedules are in full swing; which means, parents are shuttling kids from game to game and field to field on top of all their other obligations and work schedules.  Just looking at the list gives me anxiety!  But then I gaze across my desk to our newest puzzle by Lori Schory and get taken away, as if magically transported into her colorful scene of a tropical “Happy Hour.”  Ah! Take a minute, kick back, relax and join me as we look back at the history of Happy Hour!

The beloved “Happy Hour” is said to have emerged from the United States Navy during the 1920’s.   The slang term represented a time when on-ship performances were scheduled and the sailors, after consuming a few alcoholic drinks, became a little “happy”. 

Back on shore, Prohibition had put an end to any public consumption of alcohol.  To circumvent the 18^th Amendment, people would serve drinks at home or would meet for illegal cocktails at speakeasies before going out to dinner.  The pre-dinner cocktail ritual continued in lounges even after prohibition ended.  The term “Happy Hour” would become extremely popular after the Saturday Evening Post featured an article on military life in 1959.

Within a few years “Happy Hour” would move from a prelude to dinner to an after-work ritual.  Complimentary hors d'oeuvres got integrated into the Happy Hour mix during the 1980’s as a way to reduce drunk driving.  In 1984 the military, in keeping with the anti-drunk driving laws, terminated happy hour at all US military base clubs.

Happy Hour is a ritual that extends to all corners of the globe and differs from country to country. In the Netherlands the price of alcoholic drinks are regulated; no half price deals here.  In Italy, customers are offered free finger-foods but pay full price for drinks.  In India, customers received reduced prices on appetizers and drinks.  But here in the USA we get the best of both, free finger-food and discounted drinks.

As the World’s Most Interesting Man says, “Stay thirsty my friends”.  Drive responsibly and enjoy Happy Hour!

Happy Puzzling!

Laundromats & Campgrounds

Hi Puzzlers,

Evening Rendezvous Puzzle item #



Yesterday I had to do laundry at the Laundromat! My beloved 10 year old washer refused to spin my clothes and left them soaking in a ton of water. It seems to me that many of today’s products are being built intentionally not to last. The first washing machine I ever bought was a used 20 year old machine and it worked great for several years. I replaced it because it looked dated, not because it broke down. For all I know it’s still working! Thankfully White Mountain Puzzles continually strives to improve the quality of our puzzles. Ok enough of the rant and rave where was I? Oh yes, the Laundromat. Glen Ellis Campground has a wonderful state-of-the-art Laundromat where you preload a card with a dollar amount and then swipe it through the washers and dryers to activate them, eliminating the need for change. It’s very cool! Doing laundry at the campground brought back a plethora of camping memories.

During the 80’s I camped every weekend with my friends in the summer. Rain or shine it didn’t matter. The ten of us were like a well oiled machine, packing and preparing for our trips within an hour. We had a special spot we would go to that we nick-named the Ponderosa. We got to it by wading waist deep through the river while toting our gear in a canoe or by holding it above our heads. Within a half hour all the tents were assembled, the fire had been lit, extra wood was neatly piled nearby and the kitchen area was up and running. Next, as was custom, we all dove off the riverbank into the freezing water below. Once we started to turn blue we would come out and warm ourselves by the fire and have a beverage. It was so relaxing to just sit there and talk. No cell phones, iPods or any electronics to disturb us, just the sound of the river gushing by and the radio playing softly in the background. During the day we would take hikes and explore the surrounding wilderness, never venturing back into civilization until we had to. These weekend trips relaxed our minds, invigorated our souls and connected us to nature. I believe many people have these same feelings and that is why camping is so popular.

Records indicate the first “organized” American camp was the Gunnery Camp located in Washington, Connecticut. It was founded by Frederick W. Gunn and his wife Abigail. The Gunns who operated a home school for boys decided in 1861 to take the entire school on a two-week trip. I n order to reach the camp site the boys had to hike in and then set up camp. The students spent their time fishing, boating and trapping. This tradition continued for twelve years.

In 1874 the first girl’s camp was founded in Philadelphia by the YWCA (Young Women’s Christian Association). It was a summer boarding and vacation house geared towards "tired young women wearing out their lives in an almost endless drudgery for wages that admit no thought of rest or recreation."

By the 1920’s most American’s lives had changed considerably. Homes had electricity and indoor plumbing, and our connection to the great outdoors had diminished with the Industrial Revolution. The invention of the automobile coupled with the establishment of national parks and America’s desire to get away from its industrial life sparked a new interest in recreational camping.

Today campgrounds and RV resorts can be found throughout the United States, and in other countries throughout the world. To me, camping will always help mankind find its way back to nature and the great outdoors. It gives people memories that will last a lifetime.

Happy Puzzling!