BBB Alert: Email Scam Uses Amazon.com to Steal Your Identity

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Better Business Bureau is alerting consumers about fake emails purporting to be from www.Amazon.com sent to “confirm your order.” The email looks real. It has the Amazon logo, an order number, a price, a description of what was ordered, and even a link to get an Amazon.com credit card. (Samples of these fake emails are pasted below).

These fake Amazon.com emails are an example of “spoofing” which is a scam that copies a company’s identity to confuse you into thinking that you are dealing with the real company. Spoofing scams are intended to trick you into clicking on the links in the email and providing personal information which can be used to steal your identity.

“The link for the Amazon.com credit card is especially troubling because you will be required to give your social security number,” said BBB President Tom Bartholomy. “When a scammer gets your social security number, they have stuck identity theft gold!”

If you shop on Amazon.com, the BBB has these reminders:

· Amazon will not send you an email asking you for your social security number, your credit card number, PIN number, credit card security code, your mother's maiden name, or your Amazon.com password.

· Amazon will not ask you to verify or confirm your order or account information.

· Amazon does not send you emails that require you to click on links or attachments.

· If you receive emails from Amazon about orders you did not place, please forward the e-mail to stop-spoofing@amazon.com for investigation.

· Poor grammar or obvious mathematical mistakes are red flags that the email is fake.

For more information about safe online shopping and protecting your identity, please visit www.bbb.org.

Better Business Bureau of Southern Piedmont
13860 Ballantyne Corporate
Place, Suite 225
Charlotte, North Carolina
28277

Blood Pressure Screenings

Free blood pressure screenings are available Wednesday, August 4 from 9:30-10:30am. Provided by retired Geriatric & Nurse Practitioner Gail Kimball.

Rufty-Holmes Senior Center
1120 S Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue
Salisbury NC 28144

August Line Dancing Classes

Cheryl Kluttz, Instructor

Absolute Beginners (no experience necessary):

Tuesdays 3:30pm - 4:30pm beginning August 3

High Beginner

* Thursdays 4:30pm-5:30pm beginning August 5

Intermediate:

Thursdays 5:30pm - 6:30pm beginning August 5

$4 per lesson or $12.00 for the month

Members can register by calling the Front Desk at 704-216-7714.

Summer Night Out!

8/6/2010
Downtown Salisbury NC
Downtown Salisbury, Inc. is excited to host Summer Night Out on Friday, August 6, 5-9 p.m.! 23-19 Bands will be playing your favorite music at several locations in downtown.

As always, we’ll be offering free trolley rides; activities for the youngsters such as moon bounces, face painting, and Wacky Doo the Clown; entertainment and music around Downtown; carriage rides; and extended merchant hours for your shopping and dining pleasure (tax-free weekend begins today – time to stock up on school clothes and supplies!). And local car enthusiasts will have their classic cars on display for all to enjoy in the Farmers Market lot on the corner of S. Main and E. Bank Streets.

Summer Night Out is free and open to the public, rain or shine. Enjoy the music, cruise around on a trolley or carriage, or simply enjoy the refreshments that many of the downtown establishments will be offering throughout the evening. So, meet us Downtown for some hot fun, and find out why 75 Shops & 15 Restaurants Create One Special Place! For more information, contact Downtown Salisbury, Inc

Barbecue Dinner and Silent Auction

KANNAPOLIS — A barbecue dinner and silent auction event dubbed “Piggin’ Out for Pink” will raise money to fight breast cancer Aug. 6 in Kannapolis.

Irresistible Portraits will host the event for Focused on a Cure, a nonprofit organization dedicated to local breast cancer research.

The event will begin at 6 p.m. in the old Cannon towel store, 120 West Ave., featuring barbecue from Punchy’s Diner, a documentary survivor film by K.A. Studios, stories from breast cancer survivors, music by the Band of Oz and raffle baskets.

To purchase a $50 ticket, call 704-933-5600.

North Carolina's Tax Free

G.S. 105-164.13C provides for a sales tax holiday on certain types of personal property sold between 12:01 A.M. on the first Friday in August and 11:59 P.M. the following Sunday.

Weekend: Aug. 6-8, 2010
Applies to:

*Clothing, footwear, and school supplies under $100

*Sports and recreation equipment under $50

*Computers under $3,500

*Computer equipment under $250

Vets of Foreign War

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2031, 139 Jordan Lane., Statesville, will hold a benefit breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday Aug. 7 The all-you-can eat breakfast will cost $5 and to-go orders may be called into the Post at 704-873-9126. All proceeds will benefit the Post building fund.

RiverDance 2010

8/14/2010
Historic Salisbury Station, 215 Depot St, Salisbury NC Details: RiverDance 2010 will be held on August 14 at the Historic Salisbury Station from 7:00 p.m. until midnight. RiverDance is the major fundraiser event forThe LandTrust for Central North Carolina’s

Email: landtrust@landtrustcnc.org
Phone: 704-647-0302

Appointments for Legal Assistance

Several times a year an attorney with Legal Aid of North Carolina, Inc. will be available to meet with interested persons at the Center by appointment to provide assistance in non- criminal matters (family law, public assistance, housing, consumer protection, etc). The service is free to low- income adults age 60 or older, provided with regional funds from the Area Agency on Aging. The attorney will be at the Senior Center on August 17 to see individuals who have appointments. For information, and to schedule an appointment, call the NC Legal Aid office at 1-877- 439-3480 and identify yourself as an older adult residing in Rowan County.

Rufty-Holmes Senior Center
1120 S Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue
Salisbury NC 28144

Registration for "A Matter of Balance" Program

An evidence-based four-week program designed to improve one's strength and balance while reducing the risk of falling and setting realistic goals for improving activity levels. Group will meet Wednesdays & Fridays from 1:00am - 3:00pm August 18-September 10. There is no charge to participate, although donations are welcome. Space is limited, so register early. Contact the Front Desk at 704-216-7714 for more information.

Rufty-Holmes Senior Center
1120 S Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue
Salisbury, NC, 28144

Hot Summer Nights
Cruise In and Shop Crawl

August 21, 2010
4-9PM
Cruise In and Shop Crawl

Enjoy a fun evening with old cars, street rods, music, kickin' back in a lawn chair visiting with friends and neighbors like we used to. In other words, slowing down to enjoy life away from the fast lane. The shops in the village will be open late for browsing and shopping. Checker boards will also be available for a fun old time game or two. The Gold Miner's Cafe will host a DJ, spinning the 'Oldies' on the restaurant deck. A 50/50 Raffle will also be held during the evening. More Info Coming!!!

Assistance with Hearing Needs

Tuesday, August 24 at 10:00am. For individuals who are hard of hearing and need assistance with hearing aids or telephone communication. Sponsored by the NC Division of Services for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing. Pre- registration required by calling 1-800-835-5302.

Coping with the Loss of a Pet

Wednesday, August 25 at 10:00am. A presentation concerning new community resources available specifically for those experiencing pet loss. Offered by Brent & Patti Lyerly, with Lyerly Funeral Home and Lyerly Counseling Services. Free and open to any interested adult. Pre- registration is not required.

Rufty-Holmes Senior Center
1120 S Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue
Salisbury NC 28144

New Concentrated Computer Classes

New summer concentrated computer classes will be offered again in August. We will be offering Introduction to Digital Photography, Introduction to Computers, and Using Windows 7. Interested persons can request particular classes on-line at the Rufty-Holmes website (www.ruftyholmes.org). By accessing the website, one can see the classes to be offered, class meeting times & dates, and registration fees, as well as request a particular class. Older adults without computer access to the Internet can still obtain information in person at the Front Desk.

Rufty-Holmes Senior Center
1120 S Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue
Salisbury
NC 28144

August Club Meetings

TOPS Chapter - Each Monday at 9:00am

Men's Breakfast Club - Each Tuesday at 8:30am

Rufty-Holmes Lady Liners - Each Tuesday at 10:00am

Creative Needles Group - Each Wednesday at 9:30am

R-H Computer Club - Each Thursday at 10:00am

Woodcarvers Group - Each Thursday at 1:30pm

Evergreen Bridge Club - Each Friday at 1:00pm

Golf Association of Rowan Seniors - Monday, August 2 at 8:30am

Ambassadors Club - Monday, August 2 at noon

Seniors Morning Out - Thursday, August 5 at 10:00am

AARP Chapter - Thursday, August 5 at 1:00pm

Rowan Amateur Radio Society - Monday, August 9 at 6:30pm

Seniors Without Partners - Thursday, August 12 at 9:00am

Art Gang - Thursday, August 12 at 10:00am

Starry Night Quilters - Thursday, August 12 at 6:30pm

Southside Extension Homemakers - Monday, August 16 at 10:00am

NARFE - Monday, August 16 at 1:00pm

Rowan Doll Society - Tuesday, August 17 at noon

Salisbury-Rowan Quilters Guild Meeting - Thursday, August 19 at 1:00pm

Rufty-Holmes Senior Center
1120 S Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue
Salisbury NC 28144

Veterans' Services

The Rowan County Veterans Service Office is located at Rufty-Holmes Senior Center as part of the Senior Services Department. Service Officer Elaine Howle is available to meet with Rowan County veterans to assist them in applying and receiving all VA benefits to which they are legally entitled. For an appointment, call 704-216- 7714.

Rowan Regional to Offer Free Fall Cooking Demonstration

Rowan Regional Medical Center invites the public to attend a healthy fall cooking demonstration Sept. 3.

Michelle Henrickson, RD, LDN, CDE and Michelle Musselwhite, RD, LDN, will prepare simple, yet tasty autumn dishes. Recipes and tasting are included, and the event is free.

The demonstration, which will take place at the campus of RRMC in the Educatjion and Resource Center, will begin at 2 p.m. and last until 3 p.m., then will be repeated from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

RRMC asks that those who wish to attend register in advance as space is limited by calling 704-210-5772 by Aug. 31.

Specific directions will be provided at the time of registration.

"A Matter of Balance" Program

An evidence-based four-week program designed to improve one's strength and balance while reducing the risk of falling and setting realistic goals for improving activity levels. Group will meet Wednesdays & Fridays from 1:00am - 3:00pm August 18-September 10. There is no charge to participate, although donations are welcome. Space is limited, so register early. Contact the Front Desk at 704-216-7714 for more information.

Free Prostate Cancer Screening

Rowan Regional Medical Center is offering a free prostate cancer screening Saturday, Sept. 19 from 8 am until 11 am.

Prostate cancer is one of the most frequently occurring cancers in men and the second leading cause of cancer death. But many cases are curable if the disease is diagnosed in its early stages.

RRMC will offer a free screening by physicians from Salisbury Urological Clinic. Attendees will also learn about the warning signs and risk factors of prostate cancer.

Call (800) 335-4921 and press 1 to schedule an appointment.

Gold Hill Founder’s Day

Gold Hill Founder’s Day celebration, Sept. 25. Arts, crafts, Heritage Living exhibitors, quilters, blacksmiths, tinsmiths, wood carvers and other artisans, antique exhibits, hit and miss engines. vivian@historicgoldhill.com, 704-279-1630 or 704-267-9439.

April-Sept. Gardening Calendar

May

- Pansies need to be removed and replaced with summer annuals or perennials.

- Continue to harvest of cool season crops such as lettuce, cabbage, onion and broccoli, garden peas should be underway.

- Disbud spent rhododendron blooms and prune candles (new shoots) to compact the plant and prevent leggy growth.

- Lace bugs on azaleas and rhododendrons can be serious problems this month. Turn the leaves over and check for black tar-like spots. Spray underneath the leaves to keep lace bugs in check.

- Insects are out and they are hungry. Keep a close eye on tender crops. Aphids are usually the first to arrive.

- Danger of frost is over- house plants can be moved outdoors to recoup from their indoor winter home. Don't put plants in direct sunlight; filtered light is best.

- Ticks come out this month. Check yourself thoroughly if you work outdoors or walk in open fields or wooded areas. Mark the calendar when a tick is removed.

- Anthracnose could be a problem on shade trees such maple, oak and sycamore, depending on the weather. Brown spots on the leaves may cause premature leaf drop. This disease will not kill the tree.

- Mulching helps conserve moisture and reduce weed growth. Apply course bark or needles not to exceed 6 inches deep.

June

- June is the month to renovate strawberry beds. Thin mature spent plants 12 inches apart and remove runners. Fertilize with a complete fertilizer and water during the summer. Keep the plants as weed free as possible to promote good growth and bud set in August.

- Brown patch arrives in cool-season fescue or bluegrass lawns in humid weather. Mow lawns when the grass is dry. Avoid fertilization with high nitrogen fertilizer.

- Wooly aphids arrive in early June. These insects are a problem for those that have silver maples. Control using pesticides is not practical.

- Japanese beetles hatch this month, usually after a warm summer shower. Sevin dust easily kills the critter.

- Tomatoes start blossom end rot just before ripening. Blossom end rot can best be controlled with even watering practices.

Make sure to lime the soil to help reduce this physiological problem.

- Daylilies are at their peak at the end of this month. Planting continuous blooming varieties for blooms throughout the summer is becoming very popular.

- Those that wish to reseed lawns this fall should have their soil tested this month so soil amendments can be made before planting in early fall. Soil sample boxes are available from the Extension Office.

- Extra mulch around vegetables, especially tomatoes and beans helps conserve water and reduce weeds.

- Pumpkins need to be planted early this month. Most take between 110 and 120 days to mature. Howden's Field is a large variety that the kids enjoy.

- Honey bees are busy pollinating cucurbits and other plants. Be careful and spray insecticides late in the evening to avoid unnecessary bee kills.

- Continue to pinch back herbs and dead head roses and other flowers.

July

- July 4th is the peak for summer vegetables. Tomatoes, sweet corn, okra and other vegetables should be plentiful at this time.

Visit the Farmers Market and take advantage of local gown fresh produce.

- Yellow jackets can ruin outings from now until the first frost.

It takes some skill to locate nests. Aerosol sprays that control wasp and hornets work well. Use these sprays at dusk. Be careful.

- Crepe myrtles show their color this month. Some varieties have problems with powdery mildew.

- July is the month to take cuttings. Azalea, boxwood, holly, camellia and other evergreen shrubs can have tip cuttings taken this month. Cuttings should be six inches and dipped into rooting hormone powder. Place them in half sand half Canadian peat and keep moist for about 6 weeks.

- Bermuda grass can be easily killed in July and August. Use Roundup for effective control. Make sure the grass is actively growing before application.

- Bermuda grass can be controlled in shrubs with Vantage. It controls the weed without injury to the shrub. Follow the instructions. It takes a while for the pesticide to work.

- Water carefully early in the morning to avoid evaporation.

Trickle or drip irrigation works well for valuable trees and shrubs. Carefully evaluate your water source. A weak well is no match for constant vegetable irrigation.August

- Those with more weeds than lawn may want kill entire lawn with systemic herbicide such as Roundup and prepare to for planting.

- Cool season vegetables such as turnip, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower can be direct seeded now.

- Insects are out in force during the heat of summer. Daily spraying may be necessary to control some insect pests.

- Fertilize shrubs early in the month for the last time until the spring.

- Azaleas set their blooms during late July and August. Make sure the shrubs receive ample water.

- Fertilize strawberries with a complete fertilizer (10-10-10) about 21/2 pounds per 100 feet or row.

- Late vegetables can be planted now. Late tomatoes, green beans and squash for those that want fall vegetables.

- Keep vegetables, flowers and other items healthy to enter in the Rowan County Fair.

- Spray stone fruits such as peach, cherry, and plum for peach tree borers this month.

- Black orange striped oak caterpillars will literally strip the leaves from oak tree and some other tree species. It's late in the summer and the tree is generally unaffected by the over active caterpillar.

- Mums are available at the end of this month. Use these as accents around the home and garden.

September

- Labor Day is an excellent time to reseed and apply fall fertilizer for cool season lawns. A narrow window of opportunity exists for seeding. The earlier in September lawns are seeded, the stronger and better established the lawn becomes before winter.,

- Pre emergence herbicides can be applied to lawns when the temperatures begin to dip into the 50's to prevent chickweed and annual bluegrass.

- Cool season fescue lawns can be core-aerated this month.

- Maples should be pruned in September when the leaves are still there to prevent excessive bleeding.

- Fall webworms make a mess in some trees, especially pecan, sourwood and hickory. These do not kill the tree only a nuisance.

- Those suffering from garden burn-out should remove garden debris, and turn stubble under. Plant a cover crop of wheat or clover for next springs' vegetable garden.

- Pumpkins and winter squash can be harvested this month before frost after the vines dry up. Avoid bruising or scratching fruit while harvesting. Wipe the fruit with 1 part bleach and 10 parts water to kill bacteria and fungi. This allows the vegetables to last until Halloween.

- The Rowan County Fair is the 3rd week of September. Plan to visit or enter crops, produce and flowers and show off your handy work.

Darrell Blackwelder is extension agent for horticulture and interim director of the Rowan County Cooperative Extension Service. Contact him at 704- 216-8970.

NCTM Upcoming Events

July 24: Cub Scout Day. Cub Scouts ride the train and earn their Geography Pin and Belt Loop during afternoon workshops.

Aug 7: All Ford Show. This show features classic Fords, from Model A's and T's to classic Mustangs, Fairlanes, T-Birds and much more. Free.

Aug 14: Moving Into the Carolina Back Country: Colonial Era Transportation in the Carolinas and Virginia, 1585 - 1785. Military historian Tom Magnuson, M.A., describes the history of ground transportation in the Southeast during colonial times. 1 p.m. in the Bob Julian Roundhouse Orientation Room. Free. Sponsored by the N.C. Humanities Council.

Aug 21: Honda Gold Wing Show. The Gold Wing Rider's Association's Chapter M show their classic motorcycles from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Aug 28:Fire Apparatus Show. Hosted by the Spencer Fire Department Auxillary, this show will feature fire trucks from the first half of the 20th cenutry to the present.
People's Choice Awards and Best in Show Awards will be presented.

Aug 28:A Thomas and Friends Play Day. Join us for a free, fun filled day of Thomas and Friends activities. (Thomas will not appear.)

Sept. 4:Mopar Car Show. The Plymouth Car Club will display all kinds of Mopar vehicles, with no entrance fee for spectators, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Sept 24-26, Oct. 1-3:Day Out With Thomas. A working Thomas the Tank Engine locomotive visits the museum, with a variety of entertainment events geared toward young children.

Oct. 15:Fall Home School Day. A special day for home school groups to explore the museum through workshops and guided tours. Contact Brian Moffitt for more information, 704-636-2889 ext. 257.

Autumn Train Excursions
Oct. 30 - Roanoke, Va.
Oct. 31 - Asheville, N.C.
The N.C. Transportation Museum Foundation and the Watauga Valley Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society will host two day trip excursions to Roanoke, Va. and Asheville, N.C. this fall. These excursions, now in their fourth year, allow travelers to see beautiful fall foliage, experience a great destination and enjoy the romance of riding the rails.
This year, the "Virginia Autumn Special" will travel to Roanoke Saturday, Oct. 30. The "Blue Ridge Special" will travel to Asheville. Sunday, Oct. 31.