BARGAIN: Local July 30, 2008

Fed up --with your "addiction" to gasoline and food? --Tired of the wallet squeezing? Could you use a treat, Binky?

Have a bite: cheesecake! Get thee & the crew over to the restaurant next Wednesday, for something/anything and the dessert: only $1.50 a slice --any slice they got at the Factory known for churning out cheesecake. It won't cool off the planet --fill the tank --make you rich, but baby steps. --The difference, usual price minus the anniversary day price, hold onto it till you get to the bank and toss it into your savings account. --Small amounts every week: will take care of you when you're not able to get around for a slice.

Wednesday: July 30, 2008

All Day: slice of cheesecake, any variety, $1.50


http://www.cheesecakefactory.com/aboutus_whatsnew.asp#q1

Local: http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/locations_state.asp?st=CA


Silver Lake residents can get the daVine --without having the chain in our backyard --or having to go far to get it! What a treat. Bon Appetite

BARGAIN: Affordable ISP?

UPDATE Bargain ISP: extended to September 30, 2008

Free as Birds
Once upon a time: the Internet was free --open --freedom --a community. Then giant corporate 'sharks' climbed into the 'pond' and went 'whaling.'

Access 'Excess'
Every ISP was "fair" game to the corporate sharks until: nearly all small creative Internet providers offering free access *poofed* --disappeared into others' bottom line. The 'minnows' not swallowed up were merged and morphed until ISP choices reduced to:
-"free" only few minutes a day/hours a month
-"free" --plastered with billboard ads --blocked view until user clicks on pop-up ads
-'free' trials: non-stop spam trying to convert user to over-priced Internet service
-pay-through-the-'snout' access --bundled with expensive additional services
Served up with smelly service

The One That Got Away
What's left: where is the inexpensive Internet Service Provider with ad-free access? Some like-minded individuals formed a group to offer service that 'fills' two 'holes' in vast ocean of corporate greed:

• Affordable unrestricted Internet access



• Access for school children

Bargain Headquarters
Internet Service Provider: housed in San Fernando Valley, California, by 'employees' --volunteers, un-paid, some helping for more than twenty years. Why do they do it?

Internet Service: Provider
You get the Internet --access 24/7, at bargain price. After the bills are paid: volunteers use the balance to enable schools --in non-glamorous neighborhoods struggling with budget for basics -no left-overs, to have computers and Internet access. You help them --contribute to the education of the next generation. You get reliable, inexpensive access and Volunteers make the Internet accessable in disadvantaged schools. --Two 'fish'/one pole.

You save money -school children join the 21st century, No mega-corporation gets fatter.

Works
With this ISP service you get:

• Your own Web page


• Your own E-mail account --secure, private, non-spamable


• Tech Help

--all free, Plus: No ads --"Home" page to e-mail All: 'naked' --No advertising --No spam!

COST
Dial-up: $.17 a day/$5 per month = $60.oo year --Amount many pay for one month

• Speed freak --absolutely gotta have DSL? They got it
• You're in rural/out of local California? They still might be able to provide

• Want service outside California? No problemo: service available in many US states

Your Choice Doesn't matter which service you choose: provider will donate to schools in poor neighborhoods that cannot afford Internet access.

Note: I'm able to recommend this ISP because I have used for a long time
-able to get on-line always
-if system will be down for maintenance: they send e-mail notice
-I've actually called and talked to them: in the beginning, when I was getting connected (and too paranoid to use credit card on-line; they were 100% helpful, good attitude) when an access number actually went dead, they gave me an alternative number, promptly.

*To get this Bargain: sign up by August 5, 2008

*Write: "New Service - davine" in subject window, send e-mail to ops@lafn.org

*See: website http://www.lafn.org/


If you sign up with check or money-order: it could take over a week to get connected, this is volunteers remember, not giant corporation; they open the mail only once a week and then someone else does the deposit, so plan accordingly and don't forget your patience.

(In case you're curious: they have their own way of doing things/what works for them; each volunteer is knowledgeable, helpful, cheerful; has their own quirks, just like you.)

Access doesn't begin until payment clears their system.




Inexpensive Internet Service Provider * Connecting Schools
"New Service - daVine" ops@lafn.org

Note: I offered to help, so please write "davine" in all your corrrespondence with the ISP.




Internet Service Provider: 5 bucks --$5.00 a month! Such a deal!



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Personal Note A "mover" separated the cords from my computer by breaking the screws, leaving the other half in the holes--oh the data --dead? locked inside the 'screwed' one.... Well, all moved, a borrowed new puter (no time to shop) and third --third, keyboard--nobody does quality check anymore? sheesh --and I'm finally back on-line, at least for this moment. But Google having a 'blonde' moment/month glitch --I'm hanging clueless: if you are reading/when it will be fixed...oh well, stuff happens, will get de-glitched, eventually.

Happily Silver Lake still daVine...the only 'glitch': the greedy/lazy who are/have poured in, snapping up rental property/jacking rents --and the local elected "reps" looking out for them, not for those searching for affordable housing --or for finding ways to provide.... The Mayor lied to convince the ignorant to vote to tax their own phones, supposedly to afford 500 additional cops, after a judge told him and the City "NO" phone tax was legal --soaring DWP and water rates --will accomplish what if majority can't afford to live here --and neither can the cops, and we all move out of state? A pox on them and if not, may the coyotes wander over to snack....

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tag: Internet service provider ISP bargain inexpensive affordable local US connection donation California school access web dial-up DSL free e-mail web site

Flowers and Fireworks???

You knew --it was coming, right after July 3rd, but couldn't get it together to see fireworks July 4Th? Cheer up, Binky, the Universe giveth --a beautiful Second chance: Friday July 11 and Saturday July 12.

Lotus Festival

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22416013@N06/

--will catapult you & yours into Summer...force you to shut off the 'Berry, the cell, the puter --leave the virtual world for the real, this week-end, right here in the 'hood' at "the lake."

Echo Park Lake: lotus flowers (will open in time?), Dragon Boat Races, Saturday and Sunday, and

• Live music, dance and entertainment


• Health Fair lectures on holistic fitness


• Art Show, across the street from the boathouse, at Cathedral Center of St. Paul, 850 Echo Park Avenue


• International Boutiques


• Children's Courtyard


• Food Booths of Asian and Pacific Islander cuisine


• Demonstrations - paper-cutting, hand painted scrolls, calligraphy, plant & flower expertise

• Fireworks over Echo Park Lake: both Friday and Saturday night




Lotus Festival

Echo Park Lake - Park Avenue between Glendale Avenue & Echo Park Boulevard, just north of Hollywood (#101) and Pasadena (#110) freeway junction, near Dodger Stadium

*Friday July 11, 2008 - 5:00 to 9:00 PM Friday - Night Jazz Series
*Saturday July 12, 2008 - 12 noon to 9:00 PM - fireworks display over Echo Park Lake both nights
*Sunday July 13, 2008 - 12 noon to 8:30 PM

Details:
http://www.laparks.org/grifmet/lotus.htm

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Note: I was off-line for over 45 days --way passed my control/not my choice; but didn't stop working --on a series about Bargains --next up: "Bargain - ISP"

'08 Silver Lake Calendar: July

July Nothing vague about it, the month that means Summer...the month to get hold of the Good novels, forget the week-end errands, really kick back and enjoy the long days, especially: One of the three best (with New Year's and Thanksgiving) holidays; the only one that uses the night sky as canvas for artists to make shimmering magic, heaven...even better with good company and good eats. Bon Apetite!








M -T -W -T -F -S -S
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07 08 09 10 11 12 13
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28 29 30 31

Things change: confirm ALL before making plans


2 - Wednesday
7 PM ~ Silver Lake Governing Board - Meets
1st Wednesday of each month at Micheltorena Street Elementary School Auditorium 1511 Micheltorena Street x Sunset, lot parking - all the news, politics, ideas, events you can handle --all free; email to SLNC Governing Board: board@silverlakenc.org

4 - Friday
Independence Day
Pure Opinion, from long experience:

Good: Hollywood Bowl
Hate crowds, long lines, parking jambs --pick a spot outside the Bowl, like above, in surrounding hills, and watch fthe fireworks rom your own curbside --Bowl Co. well-know neighbors are watching and aim high for all to see; if you splurge on tickets (this late: only at scalper+ rate): inside the Bowl you can have picnic dinner, brought from home or reserved from one of the newly-built Bowl restaurants, and you get music of course, also long wait to get your car out of the lot, even longer to get it out of traffic --stock up on gas, but it is special (warning: they believe they own the air so tobacco use is banned).


Better: Marina del Rey
They shoot the works over the water at the Marina, which reflects the light --a kind of 'twofer' --beautiful; if you & co head over early enough: traffic isn't significant and you can dine on the lawn, for the fun and the tradition, or at a dock-side eatery --either: bring your party face and be prepared to get to know the 'neighbors' well, they will be very close, but the air is refreshing and the whole scene is fun; slight negative: fireworks don't last long enough, especially after waiting a whole year.

Best: Rose Bowl, Pasadena
You can drive farther, spend more, but unless that means Boston, DC or Manhattan, you cannot see better sparklers --The Best, Most beautiful, creative show in So Cal --a 'three-cat' standout; for a best-bargain no-cost show: pick a well-positioned bridge -freeway overpass or steep hill and spread a blanket, the fireworks will soar --even people living in adjacent Altadena, north of Pasadena, can see the show; cops suprisingly cool: cars were allowed to park on the meridian and in one lane in either direction on a freeway exit, last time, without a single ticket in sight -as long as traffic isn't impeded from getting thru each remaining lane; check for trees: before you park - they become black show-stopping giants after dark; bring comfy pillows, blankets --even if you're Sure you won't need them --the show is good and long, the tush gets sore. Which are your favorite fireworks-watching spots? Post below for future comparison.

Also this day: Uncle Jim born --Best wishes for the day--Happy B'day Uncle Jim!

9 - Wednesday
Urban Design and Preservation
6:30 PM - Meets 2nd Wednesday, SLNC Office – 2898 Rowena Ave. Suite 101, Silver Lake, Chair: Elizabeth Bougart-Sharkov urbandesign@silverlakenc.org

10 - Thursday
Transportation
7:00 PM ~Silver Lake Committee - Meets
So you thought 'boring committee' but now? Show up: share your ideas to spread solutions, reduce grief. SLNC Office – 2898 Rowena Ave. Suite 101, SL


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