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April showers may bring May flowers but they can also rain on your parade. Likewise, this April issue contains a mixture of "clouds" to watch out for and colorful opportunities to enjoy. It begins with a warning about fake BBB emails and tells you how to spot them in order to avoid phishing scams. We also include advice on what to do if you've been hacked on Facebook. The forecast is all sunny for the rest of the issue, where you'll find adorable videos, cool websites, and a beginner's guide to Pinterest.
We think you'll find the information contained in this newsletter to be a valuable tool for enhancing your Internet experience. As always, we appreciate your feedback and suggestions. Please send your thoughts, comments or questions to newsletter@greenmountainaccess.net.
- The Green
Mountain Access Team
Aaron, Adam, Amanda, Eric, Kris,
Phil, Richard, Seth, Scott, and Tom
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Enter For Your Chance to Win a $100 Gift Certificate to Greenhaven Gardens and Nursery
Spring is here and this month we are giving away a $100 gift certificate to Greenhaven Gardens and Nursery in New Haven. They offer a full selection of plants hand chosen for the Vermont environment and their retail store carries a full line of useful and unique garden supplies and accessories. Visit them on the web at www.greenhavengardensandnursery.com. Each month, we raffle off a prize from a local business, so be sure to enter your name every month for your chance to win. Congratulations to Russell Leavstrom, last month’s winner of a Vermont gift basket featuring Olivia’s Croutons and other local products. The drawing will take place on April 19. To be entered into the raffle, simply click this link and leave your name and contact information.
ESPN3 is Available to GMA High-Speed Internet Subscribers!
 Just a reminder that all Green Mountain Access high-speed Internet customers have FREE access to ESPN3, your ticket to sports. To access ESPN3 programming, just visit www.espn3.com from your Green Mountain Access high-speed Internet connection. Here are a few Frequently Asked Questions. Additional FAQ's are available on the ESPN3 website. Enjoy and please let us know if you have any questions!
What is ESPN3?
ESPN3 is a broadband network for live sports programming. ESPN harnesses the quality ESPN has built through its TV networks and delivers online sports programming to fans through a rich, interactive, and easy-to-use experience. ESPN broadcasts thousands of live games and events online each year. A majority of the events are exclusive to ESPN3, while others are broadband-enhanced versions of games from one of ESPN's TV networks.
What kind of programming does ESPN3 offer?
Each year ESPN3 delivers thousands of live games and events like College Football and Basketball, NBA, MLB, The Masters and US Open Golf, all 4 Grand Slam tennis tournaments, and more. Plus you get a fully interactive experience with real time in-game stats and scoreboards and live chat.
How do I access ESPN3 programming?
ESPN3 is free to all Green Mountain Access high-speed Internet subscribers. Just visit www.espn3.com from your green Mountain Access high-speed Internet connection and ESPN3 will automatically recognize you as a Green Mountain Access subscriber and you will have immediate access to online content. You can also register for remote access if you want to use this service while you are away from home (to register for remote access, you must be on your Green Mountain Access high-speed Internet connection).
WCVT in the Community
2012 Mad River Valley Community Easter Egg Hunt
 This years Community Easter Egg Hunt was another great success. We had approximately 200 children participate this year. Thank you to everyone who attended and all of the Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom employees who volunteered their time to help make this a great event.
 WCVT Hosts Another Successful Blood Drive
Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom played host to a Red Cross blood drive on March 20th. A total of 70 pints of blood were collected. There is still a large need for donations. You can contact the Red Cross at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or online at www.redcrossblood.org for a complete list of upcoming blood drives near you. A heart filled thank you to everyone who came by to donate and to all of the volunteers who helped out
If you have a community service project in the making and are looking for help please don’t hesitate to contact Alan Jones, at 496-8328 or via e-mail ajones@wcvt.com to see if we can lend a hand.
And The Winner Of One Free Month Of High-Speed Internet Service Is
Congratulations Kim Norton for being this month’s winner of one-free month of high-speed Internet service. Kim’s name was chosen at random from customers who completed our monthly Green Mountain Access technical support surveys.
Each month, one name is selected at random from customers who completed our online technical support or new user surveys. Survey requests are sent out via e-mail to customers after calling technical support, or establishing new service. So be sure to fill out those surveys!
Two to View — A Couple Of Amazing Videos You Don't Want To Miss
Fascinated by Flushing
 Gizmo the cat just can't get enough, flushing the toilet again and again and again. Who knew swirling water was so fascinating? Perhaps Gizmo's owners should get this cat interested in cleaning the toilet as well.
I Feel Happy of Myself!
 After learning to ride his bike, this young boy gives an impromptu speech of celebration and inspiration. His sweet words contain lessons for all of us about continuing to practice in order to "get better and better at it."
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Scam Warning Beware of Fake BBB Emails
Businesses and consumers across the country are being hit by an ongoing email scam that appears to be from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The fake emails started late last year and have gone through a number of variations since then.
In one, people report receiving phone calls—in addition to emails—from scammers claiming to be from the BBB. These callers offer help to remove a virus from the recipient's computer. They claim the computer was infected when the owner downloaded a virus from an email scam using the BBB name. The BBB is cautioning not to give out any personal information to callers or to install or download any software they recommend.
Should you receive a suspicious email identified as being from the BBB, don't click on any links or open any attachments; doing so could unleash a virus. You can test the links by using your mouse to hover over them. The destination of the links will appear in a small pop-up box next to the link or at the bottom of the screen. If the email is a scam, the website shown will not be an http://www.BBB.org URL. After you've confirmed the email you received is a scam, the BBB has asked that you forward it to phishing@council.bbb.org and delete it from your inbox. Also, make sure your virus software is up to date and run a virus scan.
Short Tutorial Setting Up a Pinterest Account and Starting to Pin
Pinterest is an online pinboard that lets you organize and share images of your favorite things--from baked goods to craft projects to inspiring quotes. It's an invitation-only website, so to get started using it you need to ask a friend who's already on the site to invite you. Once you receive your email invitation, click the link to set up your account. The Pinterest wizard will take you through the following steps:
1. Choose a sign-in method. Use your Facebook or Twitter login to automatically connect to those accounts. Your Pinterest activity will show up there. For an account without connections, use a unique Pinterest user name and password.
2. Choose topics of interest. Your choices dictate what shows up in your home page Pinterest feed.
3. You can edit pinboards and names anytime in the future.
Once you've set up your Pinterest account, here's what to do to begin pinning:
1. Browse other people's pinboards to get ideas before you start pinning yourself. Use Follow buttons to find and follow people and pinboards. Hover over a pin to Repin, Like, or Comment on other people's pins. For more options, click on the image. You can send the image to your Facebook or Twitter feeds, or easily embed the image in your own website.
2. Add the Pin It button to your browser so you can start pinning. You'll find a tutorial in the About menu. Using the Pin It button automatically embeds the address of the website into the pin so followers can find the original image and information about it.
3. Press the Pin It button while browsing. Pinterest will show you the images you can pin from that page. Choose the one you want and click on it. It will give you a chance to choose a pinboard and add a comment. Use the @ symbol before a name to mention Pinterest friends; they'll receive a notice.
This Month's FAQ What Should I Do When I've Been Hacked on Facebook?
Question: What should I do when I've been hacked on Facebook?
Answer: First of all, we're sorry to hear you've been the victim of a "Facecrook." You probably discovered the problem when you were denied access to your Facebook page after the hacker changed your password. But have no fear; you can reclaim your account and get your Facebook life back in order.
You'll need to reset your password and make sure it's secure. If you're not logged in, you can reset your password by clicking the "Forgot your password?" link on the Facebook login page.
If you're already logged in, you can reset your password by going to your
Account Settings page located in the Account drop-down menu at the top of every Facebook page.
When choosing a new password:
- Use a combination of at least six numbers, letters, and punctuation marks.
- Don't pick a word from the dictionary.
- Don't pick something you've used as a password on another site.
To reduce your chances of getting hacked again, be careful before signing up for a new Facebook application; they are often the gateway to these kinds of problems. In particular, watch out for applications with "too good to be true" promises as well as those that request you invite half of your friends before you get full functionality. |
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The Totally Rad 80's Night Dance Party - Saturday, April 14th - Montpelier
Get ready to rock out to your favorite 80's songs! Proceeds to benefit the 2012 American Cancer Society: Contests for best costumes (think Breakfast Club, Miami Vice …)! Dance party takes place at Montpelier Elks Club starting at 8:00 p.m. For more information email: centralvermontRFL@gmail.com or call 802-496-HOPE.
Middlebury Wind Ensemble – April 18 – Middlebury
Also known as "Midd Winds," this ensemble is conducted by Jerry Shedd. This event is free of charge and open to the public. Sponsored by the Department of Music. The event begins at 7:00 p.m. at the Mahaney Center for the Arts, Concert Hall. For more information, visit: http://www.middlebury.edu/arts/news/2011-2012/apr2012
Mad River Valley Indoor Farmers' Market April 28 - Waitsfield
The Big Picture Theater & Cafe will host a Spring Indoor Market on April 28 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. with a variety of local foods and products. For more information, visit www.bigpicturetheater.info.
Sunday Movie Matinee The Lion King April 29 - Bristol
Come to Holley Hall at 1:00 p.m. and catch a flick on our big movie screen. Good family Fun! For more information, visit:www.bristolrec.org.
Annual Monkton Boy Scout Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction - May 5 - Monkton
The annual Eric Davis Memorial spaghetti dinner and silent auction will be held on Saturday, May 5th at the Monkton Central School. Dinner will be served from 5:00-7:00 pm. $8.00 for adults $5.00 for children under 10. The silent auction ends at 6:30 pm. All proceeds from the dinner benefit the Eric Davis Memorial Campership fund, which provides funds for scouts to be able to attend summer camps. The proceeds from the silent auction are used for scouts to attend The Jamboree in 2013 and-or Florida SeaBase High Adventure Camp in 2014.
Community Yard Sale Day 2012 - Saturday May 12 - Hinesburg
The Hinesburg Business & Professional Association (HBPA) is sponsoring the 14th Hinesburg Community Yard Sale on Saturday, May 12, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The community sale site will again be at the Hinesburg Fire Hall. The HBPA will offer spaces and tables for anyone wishing to rent sale space. In addition, the HBPA is encouraging Hinesburg residents to hold sales at their homes or businesses on the same day, making May 12 a yard sale extravaganza. The HBPA will distribute maps with the various sale sites throughout town. There is no charge for being included on the sale site map. For further information on renting sale space, attending the sale or having your location n included on the map, contact HBPA President Tom Mathews at 802-496-8537 or email to tmathews@gmavt.net. |
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Go Easy On Your Eyes
http://protectyourvision.org
With heavy computer use can come Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), which commonly results in symptoms such as eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision, and dry eyes. To help prevent these problems, take a look at this site. You can set up your choice of automatic signals to remind you to periodically take a break from the computer screen and rest your eyes.
What's Up With Upcoming Movies?
http://moviepilot.com/upcoming-movies
What movies are coming to theaters? And what will they be like? Here's a very convenient resource for movie fans that lets you search by theme channels; all the way from Action to Zombies. Read plot summaries, find out where the movie is in the production process, and discover whether it's expected to be "Hot" or "Not".
Tips to Improve Gas Mileage
http://fueleconomy.gov/feg/drive.shtml
In light of rising gas prices, now's a good time to learn how to drive down your costs through better gas mileage. This U.S. Department of Energy site offers tips on how to drive more efficiently, keep your car in shape, plan and combine trips, and choose a more efficient vehicle. There's also a Fuel-Saving Tip of the Week.
Titanic's 100th Anniversary
http://photos.denverpost.com/mediacenter/2012/03/photos-titanic-artifacts/32050/#name%20here
This April marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. Here you can browse through a poignant photo gallery of artifacts retrieved from the Titanic, some of which will be auctioned by Guernsey's Auction House this month. The images include a section of the hull, china, jewelry, spectacles, and a chef's hat.
Lighten Up Spring Meals
http://www.simpleanddelicious.com/meal-ideas/holidays-events/plan-lighter-spring-menu.jsp
Going from winter to spring isn't just about changing your wardrobe. It's also an opportunity to make seasonal revisions to your meals. Now that it's spring, check out the refreshing ideas on this site for lighter menus that take advantage of the grill and encourage you to pile on the produce. How about a Primavera Stuffed Tomato or a Honey-Raspberry Parfait?
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