E-mail pictures of your family to grandma - even if she doesn't have a computer!

Keeping in touch with older relatives can be challenging when they don’t use a computer.

Now, there are several products and services available that can enhance communication between those who use e-mail and those who don’t because they lack a computer or the skills to operate one.

Whether you want to send grandma a quick e-mail with the latest family news, a snapshot of your son hitting the game winning home run or even share the latest “inside scoop” about your family from Facebook – there are several solutions to choose from.

While seniors are the fastest growing group of Internet and e-mail users in the U.S., they still lag way behind younger generations. Around 45% of people ages 70 to 75 go online compared to almost 90% of those under age 35. To help, there’s a relatively new service called Sunnygram that will turn your e-mails into stamped letters making it easy to keep in touch with grandma.

The idea is simple: Upon sign up, grandma gets an e-mail address that you write to. Sunnygram then collects and prints out all the e-mail messages and pictures addressed to her, and sends them via U.S. mail to her once a week in an attractive newsletter format. Getting the newsletter printed in an easy-to-read large font is also an option.

Grandma then has the option of responding through a Sunnygram prepaid letter, which would be scanned and e-mailed to you. Or she can call a toll-free number and leave a voice message, which would be transcribed and sent to you via e-mail. This service provides unlimited e-mail and photo printing and unlmited family members and friends can correspond with her.

For more information about Sunnygram, visit: http://www.sunnygram.com or call 888-517-8669.

For services from other companies, visit:
http://www.appeal-democrat.com/articles/computer-97552-don-seniors.html

There are at least three different apps that help users find potential “love-interests” based on how close they are to the user at any given moment.

Users simply log into the app, create a brief profile, upload a photo of themselves and they’re good to go.

Then whenever they want to connect with someone new – whether at a concert, the grocery store or even church – simply load the app and check-out who is nearby. Once someone of interest is found, simply send a text message with an invitation to meet.

While the app has actually helped couples begin new relationships, users really need to exercise caution in responding to invitations from strangers. Perhaps that first rendezvous should be at a coffee shop or other public place.

Have you tried one of these “GPS dating” apps? Please comment about your personal experience here.

For more information, read this story from CNN.

The  Carnaval parade is most recognized for its spectacular choreographed dancers and scantily clad women. Since 1979, Carnaval has been the main event for thousands of artists who spend hundreds of hours preparing for San Francisco’s most colorful parade.

Sheryl Harris - Cleveland Plain Dealer reporter

Have you been a victim of identity theft? If not, it may just be a matter of time before you are.

ID theft can be more than the inconvenience of disputing fraudulent charges on your credit card bill. For some, it can take YEARS to get your financial affairs back in order.

Sheryl Harris of the Cleveland Plain Dealer has put together an excellent article on how to clean up the mess of ID theft. Click here to read it now.

My wife and I were –  so we decided to do something about it. We took a class from Financial Peace University (FPU) - sponsored by Gateway West Church in Cleveland. What once seemed overwhelming is now quite manageable as we put into practice many of the amazing tips we learned.

At one our classes, I discovered a simple technique that saved us $150.00 on the purchase of a new dining room set. We also learned how to create a budget that is very doable and speeding us on our way to financial freedom!

FPU was created by NY Times best selling author Dave Ramsey – a life-changing program that teaches you to achieve your financial goals by eliminating debt, saving for the future, and giving like never before. More than 1 million families have attended FPU with amazing results. You will be challenged and motivated to make a plan for your money and change your family tree forever!

For more information, visit: http://www.daveramsey.com/fpu/home

On right side of page – enter zip code 44111. The first class on list should be ours (Hosted by Gateway Church West, held at West Park YMCA). Read the details and sign up! This class WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE! We are living proof.

Mark and Doreen Madere

Fake check and genuine FedEx envelope that it arrived in. Double click a photo to see it larger.

Consider this scenario: You’ve just received an e-mail from someone ready to pay full price for an item you have for sale on Craig’s List. The potential buyer is happy to wait until the check clears before you send the item. Two days later, you get an e-mail from the buyer saying they “accidentally” sent the check for an amount higher than the price of your item. All you have to do is wire the difference back to them ASAP (BEFORE the check clears).

I was selling a clarinet and experienced the above exchange of e-mails. To make it seem legitimate, the check came via FedEx and was written out of a business account. The amount was $2000.00 more than the price of the clarinet!

Knowing all this added up to nothing but bad news, I contacted WEWS NewsChannel5 to investigate. Read their report at  http://bit.ly/bTfGP2

Have you had a bad experience selling something online? Please share it by commenting on this post.

Polaroid SX 70 replacement film by "The Impossible Project"

Is it time to simplify your photography and ditch that fancy, new digital camera?

The founders of The Impossible Project, headquartered in Vienna, Austria, think so. Recently they released its first color instant film, PX 70 Color Shade, designed for use in Polaroid SX 70 cameras.

PX 70 Color Shade, the company says, is reminiscent of the original Polaroid Time Zero film and “delivers unique images by rendering astonishing pastel tones with crisp details. “Combined with a highly sensitive overall exposure performance and strong characteristics, it allows achieving breathtakingly charming results,” states the company.

The film can be used not only in SX 70 cameras but also in all 600 series Polaroid cameras, with appropriate adjustment of the exposure settings.

In October 2008 The Impossible Project saved the last Polaroid production plant for Integral Instant film in Enschede (NL) and started to re-invent and re-produce new instant films for traditional Polaroid Cameras.

So what do you think? Please leave your comments – below.

Pastor Rich Bennett leads closing prayer

A gorgeous Sunday afternoon at Crystal Springs in North Ridgeville saw ten people accept Jesus Christ as their savior as they were baptised in the lake.

Senior Pastor Geoff Schultz and Pastor of Youth and Care Ministries – Karen Cuy performed the baptisms at the North Olmsted Evangelical Friends Church annual picnic. Pastor Rich Bennett closed the service with a prayer.

The Mocha Monkey at the controls of a San Francisco cable car. Click a photo to view it larger.

During the Mocha Monkey’s May trip to San Francisco, he met the conductor of one of the city’s world famous cable cars. After a little “monkeying around,” the conductor allowed MM to operate the grip handle which propels the cable car.

From MM’s brief cable car history lesson, he learned that San Francisco first put them in service in 1873. MM also discovered how these amazing cars actually operate.

What are your favorite places to visit in San Francisco? Please post your “Comments” below.

Just like his parents, Teri and Don, Sean will be the kind of person to motivate others to accomplish great things.

To see more of Sean’s portraits, watch his video on YouTube or Facebook.