Sunday, March 12, 2017

My Review of Golda's Balcony. The play at the clubhouse.

WE went to the show last... Golda's Balcony.  I knew it would be a play of course, Bella thought it might be a comedy, I wasn't sure, comedy, drama, musical, who knows? The opening was delayed for a couple minutes but seemed like an eternity.
The sound finally comes up and out on stage comes Golda, portrayed by Francine. An actress that I never heard of before, but has a very long and impressive resume of past performances, Gypsy, Hello Dolly, Fiddler on the Roof, Bus Stop, Mame, Driving Miss Daisy just to name a few of the dozens more.
The award winning Producer/Director Jay Kholos also has quite a list of past productions. Writer of the book, words and music of A Stoop on Orchard Street, directed musicals, My Catskills Summer and The Book Of Esther and others.
When Golda comes on stage, we are treated to a one woman show. She takes you back, as a young 4 year old girl in Czarist Russia, leaving the persecution behind and going to America.
Her parents struggle to get by in Milwaukee, and as a 15 year old, She leaves home to live with her sister in Denver and go to High School.
She learns of Socialism, Zionism and meets the man she will eventually marry in 1917.
In 1921, they go to Palestine and live in a Kibbutz. She tells of the inner struggle between her love of her family and their personal sacrifice for Goldas love of Israel.
The rest of the story tells of Golda going from working in a kitchen in the Kibbutz to becoming the Prime Minister of Israel and dealing with the Yom Kippur War. Dealing with Nixon, Kissinger, and her representative in the states and it's conclusion.
The acting was superb. Francine had you believing that Golda Meir was on the stage. She made you laugh, she made you cry. She made you believe in the words "NEVER AGAIN".
As we were walking out, after the standing ovation for a truly wonderful performance, you could hear the comments, "I never knew that...", "I learned so much about Golda..." "What a fantastic show" and "Riveting..."
It was. It was a shame more people did not see it. Not only was it a great show, it was an education.

Thursday, March 9, 2017

Answer to Gary's post of his answer to me



AB vrs Comcast

This post is in reply to Bob Rivera's remarks.

What would you expect when you are complaining about the Comcast complainers. There is no else here. Comcast is the only provider we have and if something goes wrong or is not right, then we complain.

What would you expect when you look at AB and see that they are still in Miami somewhere and still have to start trenching. It somewhat dangerous to sign a contract, a 10-year contract before they are here and ready to go.

I have Comcast, of course. I have Comcast's DVR, it is always 90% full, no problem. I have all the channels Comcast provides with my plan. So what? I only watch maybe a dozen of them. I have 2 movie channels, I only watch one of them, HBO, so what?

What could I possibly do with 300 channels, 1/2 of them Spanish? (and still in Miami)

As far as complaining is concerned, I will still reserve the right to complain no matter what.





Gary, If you pay attention to the CSI owner Leo Delgado, the channels will not be Miami stations, but local. as far as your 1/2 of them Spanish, that's starting to sound pretty racist. Century Village has a growing Spanish speaking population. Many from Puerto Rico, Cuba, Spain, Argentina, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic and other Spanish speaking countries. We have a growing Black population also, some from Caribbean island countries, others from other states and Canada. If you have a problem with that, then maybe you should consider someplace slightly more in tune with that way of thinking, they may even provide the white sheets for your bed or whatever...
As far as the original subject on hand, the trenching needed from Miami would be completed before the contract comes into effect, so what is the problem? We have almost two year left on the contract with Comcast, they are not offering a decrease in their charges, they don't have as many channels, they don't offer FREE service calls. What they DO offer is to start at the same amount that we are paying today. A "wire" check for free, so they will come into your house look at the wires, probably say, oh they're okay, and later CHARGE you when you have any kind of problem. 
Atlantic Broadband says they will provide FREE Maintenance. They will have someone IN THE VILLAGE whenever you have a problem, not just a call center that will put you on hold and schedule a truck to come out (for a price of course). In case you don't want to admit it, or maybe are unaware, there are many in the village that have issues with simple things, like hitting the wrong button on their remote and now their tv is on channel off and they don't get their program. Sounds like a simple fix, right? they call Comcast and rather than explain over the phone, they send a truck. Cha-ching! They take advantage of the elderly and technology-challenged. My aunt was one of those people before she moved out of the village. I would get 3 or 4 calls a week. Comcast would also get called by her if I was not available, AND THEY CHARGED $75 each time. So, no, comcast is not my choice, especially when there is a much better choice on the horizon. 

Monday, March 6, 2017

CC VS AB

At just about every Delegate meeting that has any discussion on the subject of money, as in budget, or increases in fees, I always hear the same thing. "We have people here on fixed incomes, and they can't afford that increase of two dollars", or that increase of a buck and a half. 
At the past assembly meeting, someone complained that "the $1.25 increase at Atlantic Broadband comes out to $12.50 after ten years and that is a lot of money" BUT they were for keeping Comcast, which may I point out, that for the past six years, I have heard nothing but complaints about. 
Now that we have an option to save money on a much better deal, with fiber optic cable, TiVo DVR and optional internet at 100 Mbps, you want to keep Comcast? Why?
The same people that have complained about Comcast for years are now shouting out praises for it. Glory Hallelujah! Ed has saved us! or was it Neil? They can't seem to make up their minds, regardless, they are on the table and their offer is STILL higher than Atlantic Broadband.
Ignore the fact that the price starts out at what you pay right now then increase EVERY year (compounded)  at 3%. 
Atlantic Broadband is $1.25 yearly. 
The price in the 10th year is $44.31 for Comcast and $40.25 for Atlantic Broadband.
For 187 channels (CC)  vs. 315 channels (AB)
You don't want internet? Don't get it. IT IS OPTIONAL. For those that do get it and want to stream video, use for their magic jack, or Hulu, Netflix etc. Comcast will offer 75 Mbps, AB is 100 Mbps.
Let me repeat that for the hard of reading (or hearing in some cases)
INTERNET IS OPTIONAL.
Yet some are still complaining that it is too much money, but they will vote for Comcast...
A few are worried about the trenching for the fiber optic cables, a couple concerned with losing valuables when their homes get rewired (they will be in your home no matter which you choose, one (AB)to rewire, the other (CC) to "check" your wiring, and while on the subject of wiring, CC is only offering a "wiring check" while AB is offering FREE MAINTENANCE. You know CC will start charging those ridiculous fees for sending a tech. Both are saying they will have a dedicated service rep, but only AB is have on ON SITE... IN CENTURY VILLAGE. 
If you still want Comcast after this, don't complain about them. 

Thursday, March 2, 2017

Comcast VS. Atlantic Broadband

Bella and I Did some number crunching with the info we had and went to a Presidents meeting at UCO today. I, like many of you was looking at the comparison charts and it was a little confusing, especially the last line showing the $350/unit vs. #450/unit and did not realize that it is the amount that WE (UCO) gets FROM Comcast and Atlantic Broadband! 
If you look at just the numbers 
channels: ..Comcast 187 /AB 315
PRICE: Comcast 32.29 / AB 29.00
after 5 years .....CC 38.27 /AB 32.75
10 yrs ...............CC 44.36 / AB 39.00

option with internet included 
Mbps .......CC 75 / AB 150
price .......CC 52.50 /AB 50.99
after 5 yrs CC 60.86 /AB 55.00
10 yrs  ... CC 70.53 / AB 61.25 

Makes things a little clearer?
Atlantic Broadband is the wiser choice. Oh yeah, I also mentioned at the meeting that with AB we get a THIRD community channel and suggested that it be handed over to the other people in the village to voice their opinions. David liked the idea.

****PAYPAL SCAM ALERT!!!!********PAYPAL SCAM ALERT!!!******

Are you a Paypal user? 
Well look out. There is some scammers sending phishing e-mail that actually look authentic, but they are saying that you have purchased an item. 
There will be a charge for whatever the amount (in this example it was 119.00) for shoes from Florsheim Shoes.
Since I know I did not order anything, I know it wasn't mine. 
t also had the "shoes going to an address in Illinois and had the complete "verified" address. that is a BIG RED FLAG!!!!
If you get something like this, DO NOT CLICK ON ANY LINKS! They are phishing (fishing) for YOUR INFO, and will even have an official looking log in for Paypal. If you sign into it, you have given them your log in for Paypal and might as well kiss your life savings good-bye. 
What you need to do :
1. Forward the e-mail to spoof@paypal.com and review@paypal.com
2. Report it to Palm Beach Sheriff's Office
    You can fill out an online report, and also forward the email to PBSO or copy and paste it to the report.
3. File a complaint with the Federal Bureau of Investigation at www.IC3.gov
 PLEASE, I must stress this again, DO NOT CLICK on ANY LINKS on the e-mail. Be sure your anti-virus software is up to date, and REPORT IT to the proper authorities.
Be Safe...... Bob