TOP DRAWER INK NEWSLETTER

 

Here's the latest issue of Top Drawer Ink, the newsletter written by author HL Carpenter that's chock full of humor and common sense information.

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March 7, 2009
Volume 7, Number 5
ISSN 1554-6330

In this issue:

1. Carpenter Country Essay

2. Top Drawer Article

3. Top Drawer Tips

4. Top Drawer Satire

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CARPENTER COUNTRY

What's Happening in Our Neck of the Human Experience

It’s March and Carpenter Country is finally heading into spring. The dogwoods and azaleas are covered in glorious flowers, the amaryllis has buds - but where are the frogs?

Last year the short one heard the species was in trouble. However there were plenty of little green critters clinging to her window pane and no shortage of trills, croaks and ribbits from the back yard – so she ignored the warning.

Now the numbers are in.

During the past four decades nearly two hundred species of frogs have disappeared. On top of that, more than two thousand species are threatened with extinction.

Frogs are falling victim to habitat destruction, pollution of their environment and non-native species that invade their territory.

True, not all frogs are as cute as Kermit. In fact, some are downright scary. Still they’re wonderful at helping our ecosystem stay in good working order. When they’re little they eat algae, keeping waterways clean and clear. As they grow bigger, they switch their diets to ticks, mosquitoes and all those other pesky bugs that like to raise welts on our tender skin.

Luckily for frogs - and for all of us - help is on the way. Thanks to the scientific community, April 28th has been designated Save the Frogs day. At present there is no central location for the event, but that will change in the future. Right now spreading the word about amphibian declines is what’s important.

So let everybody know. You won’t receive money or a miracle, but you may help save a frog species.

The short one already has her big mouth open.

Ribbit! Ribbit!

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TOP DRAWER ARTICLE

Beware of Tax Email Scams

by
HL Carpenter

Besides changing tax laws, there’s another reason to be careful during tax time: According to the Internal Revenue Service, scammers are especially active this year.

Read the entire article here

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TOP DRAWER TIPS
Topics and Tidbits

Tip: While ‘phishing’ – defined as sending you an email designed to elicit account numbers or other financial information – is a common method of fraud, scammers may use other means of contacting you besides fake emails. The IRS says schemes include phone calls and faxed requests for confidential data. Be suspicious of unsolicited or unexpected communications asking for personal information.

Glossary Term: Pharming. A type of online fraud with the same goal as phishing. Hackers use pharming to misdirect you to bogus web sites where they collect your personal information in order to steal your identity or commit fraud using your credit card or other account numbers.

Financial Horoscope: Does an offer seem too good to be true? Take a second look – and a third – and ask questions before you agree. In a world that abounds with laws and yet teems with crimes, skepticism can help keep your finances intact.

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TOP DRAWER SATIRE

Where's Rock Bottom?

by
HL Carpenter

Do you know where Rock Bottom is? If so, you may be able to collect a sizeable reward.

Read the rest here