S: Is for keeping yourself safe

A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company.

1. Do not sign the back of your credit cards . Instead, put ' PHOTO ID REQUIRED '

2. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the 'For' line. Instead, just put the last four numbers . The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won't have access to it.

3. Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks. (DUH!) You can add it if it is necessary. But if you have It printed, anyone can get it.

4. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine . Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place.

Also carry a photocopy of my passport when I travel either here or abroad. We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed on us in stealing a Name, address, Social Security number, credit cards.

Unfortunately, the reason the attorney wrote this was his wallet was stolen last month. Within a week, the thieve(S) ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received a PIN number from DMV to change his driving record information online, and more.
But here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know:

5. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them.

6. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).

But here's what is perhaps most important of all

7. Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and also call the Social Security fraud line number. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the internet in my name.

The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.

Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet, if it has been stolen:

1.) Equifax:1-800-525-6285
2.) Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
3.) Trans Union :1-800-680 7289
4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271

Tis the season when people get desperate. This is a way to keep yourself and your family safe and that is a F.A.C.T.

T: Is for a Blessed Thanksgiving

When I was a kid on Thanksgiving I would get up early and watch the Macy's Parade on TV. Since I was from California everything about New York fascinated me. I would watch with awe as the performers of Broadway shows would dance and sing their way into my heart. Yes to me it was all about the theater. When I got to NYC the first thing I auditioned for was the Macy Parade. I danced and sang my way those couple of miles as Strawberry Shortcake. It was thrilling. The next year I watched it and froze my ass off. Now I live a block away from where they blow up the balloons. It is hell trying to get to my apartment and even worse trying to see those creative works of art but I have found the trick. You write yourself an invitation to parties on 81st and 76th and you can admire the artistry without the shoving and pushing from those who clammer for a view.


What comes to mind when you think of Thanksgiving? The big fat golden-brown turkey? Homemade pumpkin pie? Or cranberries and stuffing with marshmellow sweet potato? Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate the beauty and bounty around us, our marvelous friends and family, and the gift of their love! Celebrated every year on the fourth Thursday in November, the spirit of Thanksgiving sets the tone for a joyous season. Did you know? 13.7 pounds is the amount of turkey consumed by the typical American. The first Thanksgiving celebration is believed to be held by the Plymouth Pilgrims in the Fall of 1621. The credit for making Thanksgiving a national holiday is given to one lady magazine editor called Sarah Josepha Hale. Benjamin Franklin fought hard to make the wild turkey the national bird of America instead of the bald eagle, which he found to be a coward. When a tom turkey (male turkey) gobbles, it can be heard from as far as a mile and they say women are noisier than men.

This year I have a lot to be grateful for. I have amazing friends who love and support me unconditionally. An adopted family who has shown me what it means to be a family. A career that is slowly on the rise. I am alive and can still enjoy the things I love and so much more. I wish for all of you these things plus light, joy, and peace and that is always a blessed F.A.C.T.

C: Is for Talented friends performing in clubs.

I have known Blythe Gruda, I think since she came to New York. We use to share the stage at Sam's and pretend rivalry even though we have always been the best of friends. Joan Crowe, I had the privilege of singing and sharing the billing with. I am pleased to announce that both have cabaret shows this week.


Joan opened on the 17th in "Jazz In the Key Of Comedy" with her special guest, Eric Frazier on Congas and Vocals at Broadway Baby Broadway Comedy Club in the Music Box Room located at 318 west 53rd . She will perform again on the 24th at 7:00 for a $15.00 cover charge / $15.00 food/drink minimum you can hear this funny jazz chick. The critics state "Joan Crowe gets to the heart of the song’s story…and she’s funny.” - Michael Bourne, WBGO. These two multi-award winning jazz/comedy performers bring their fantastic chops, their individual styles and their senses of humor to help convert this Comedy Club to a New Music Venue! Joining them is Keith Ingham on piano and Kelly Friesen on bass, for a fun filled evening that will pay tribute to the great Jesters of Jazz, the writers of our time that have written not justgreat jazz tunes but tunes that also have a sense of humor. Featuring classics of Cab Calloway,Fats Waller, Louis Jordan, Slim Galliard, Dave Frishberg, Bob Dorough and more! Don't miss this extraordinary event …you’ll laugh, you’ll swing, and then you’ll laugh some more! Be there or be square Daddy-O! Joan is also the creator and star of the ground breaking video podcast: www.FunnyJazzChick.com which is filmed live every Monday Night at Birdland! And seen in over 63 countries worldwide. Check it out online or visit Joan at www.JoanCrowe.com or Eric at www.EricFraziermusic.com.

Bly has one of the best voices I know. She has a wild range that she has learned to control. When you are born with a voice like this vocal pyrotechnics are what you crave because it is easy and feels like being free and flying. I know because I have the same kind of voice. As you get older you realize it is the control that allows you a power that is combustible and it is emotions that are just beyond the surface that allow the audience to get the most out of the experience. Blythe has learned this and she is a power house. Tuesdays in December( 4th, 11th, and 18th) she will bring her amazing talent to The Ritz, 369 W 46th St.

With the strike stopping Broadway these talented ladies will fill the bill. Seize the day...but go out at night and catch these wildly talented vocal talents and you will see for a F.A.C.T what singing is about.

A: Is discovering Art by accident

My friend Laura is a terrific chef, so when she invited me to see a play that a friend of hers wrote and I said yes I thought I was doing a friend a favor. It turned out that the play was wonderful. The kind of evening that you pray for. I sat in my seat and it was like a roller coaster ride. The Chaos Theories, written by Alexander Dinelaris, is 84 minutes of tightly directed (by Dinelaris and Stewart M. Schulman), exceedingly well-performed dark comedy. A series of vignettes the dialogue is hilarious and I missed half the lines because I was laughing so hard. Like most black comedies the reason it is so funny is it is so dead on. There are moments that the reality hits you and you cry but like a amusement ride it drops you back from tears of sorrow to ones of "Oh, my God I'm laughing again and this is so wrong". It is the hottest restaurant in New York City, and all hell is breaking loose. A homeless person mumbles frantically to herself; a businesswoman crassly rants on her cell phone; a female celebrity flirts with a journalist and attempts to seduce her; a Hollywood agent takes advantage of a new screenwriter; and a wonderfully long self-indulgent monologue discripting a woman's problems of the day (delivered by Amanda Mantovani) to her friend as a snide waiter intersperse everything going on. The later monologue is so evocative of what many of us have put up with at some point that it received a round of audience applause. This entire play is a slice of what may be going on in our city at any given moment. Everything here is done rapid-fire, though without ever becoming overwhelming or annoying. There are times you know you are witnessing the birth of something. This was this night. Surprisingly this was a showcase of the highest caliber and it was also its last night. Alexander Dinelris is one of the hottest writers who's star is about to shine. Next year his new play "The Still Life" will hit the Broadway boards and if I have anything to do with it "The Chaos Theories" will have a life here and in London. It is smart, clever and touching everything you pray for in a production. This play will change lives, take you out of yours and drop you in another place without you realizing it. It is the reason I have always loved live theater and why I always will and that is a F.A.C.T.

F: Is for Food, Wine and Music.

Last week my friend Desta wanted to introduce me to a new company. He invited me to two events. The first one was last Monday night, which I could not attend so I sent Tom who is a wine connoisseur. He not only loved the wines but also loved the concept of blending new music. On Tuesday I was excited to join in the festivities. Wente wines are produced in the Livermore Valley, which is near San Francisco Bay. I spent some time in San Francisco and I have family friends who grow grapes and produce wine there. This area has an ideal climate for producing some of the best wine around. I tasted the following wines: Charles Wetmore Cabernet Sauvignon, Crane Ridge Merlot, Smith Bench Zinfandel, Southern Hills Cabernet Sauvignon, Shorthorn Canyon Syrah, Morning Fog Chardonnay and Louis Mel Sauvignon Blanc. These grapes have an intense varietal character and are beautifully balanced wines. Wente Vineyards Riva Ranch Chardonnay 2004 got 89 points, Editor's Choice, in Wine Enthusiast, December 31, 2006.
What does Wente winnery, Blues Traveler, Heart, Styx, The Beach Boys and The Dobbie Brothers have in common? The answer is this gorgeous stage. It is housed on Wente Winery grounds and these artists have all played there plus many others. Now they are introducing new artists. Two lucky readers can Log onto www.wentevineyards.com and enter NPP495 or 4J8HW7. Those are my codes to hear the free music and I give them to you. It will only work once per code. There is also a golf course and an award winning restaurant. The only draw back for New Yorkers is this is all in California. The good news are the wines will be for sale here and served at some of the better restaurants in town. They do however have a cookbook for sale called " Sharing the Vineyard Table".

Served with the wine was a food tasting. The food was exquisite but the most amazing part was I ate Ostrich and Boar. Now for most of you this might seem normal but for me it is not. I stick to what I know and I have no urge to stray on the off beaten path. Though I would not order either dish they were quite tasty, but even without knowing I still only ate them once and went back to the lamb chops and the scallops. Mark created dishes to be paired perfectly with the wine. My favorite was the Scallops with the Cabernet. I guess deep down I know what I eat. The chef was famed New York based Mark Fahrer Caterers leading party specialists. Mark's advice on recipes and entertaining has been featured on the TV Food Network, The New York Times, New York Daily News, The New York Post, Signature Magazine, and Bride's Magazine. Mark also has a blog where he gives tips. To learn what Mark has to offer log onto www.pantry.blogspot.com/

It is a F.A.C.T. with Thanksgiving coming up we can use help. My suggestion try Wendt's wines or their cookbook for some delightful ideas. Try Mark's blog for some use full tips.