Robocalls Never Say YES

I received yet another scam call wanting me to say "yes". That makes three today. The last one being as I was typing this!

According to THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE-- Fraudsters feign difficulty with a headset or phone receiver and ask respondents, “Can you hear me?” This is an attempt to get unsuspecting victims to say “yes” on a recorded line so that the recording can then be used to verify approval of charges to the victim’s phone bill, cable/internet bill or credit card....

The scammer already has the victim’s phone number and may also have other personal information from a data breach. The fraudster is then able to charge unauthorized phone calls, internet service and/or other expensive purchases, using the recorded “yes” as evidence such charges were approved.

Best advice is don't say anything.. not even "no". They could use that as well. Now imagine this in conjunction with what I said in my last post about stolen mail. They could already have someone's information.

I never play with them fearing they could set their machines to relentlessly call who knows how many times a day. I tried several different things. Letting the answer machine get them all. Playing a recording with the telephone company's tones saying this number has been disconnected. Picking up and hanging up within a second. Answering hello then hanging up after they respond. Call blocking (I gave up after them spoofing over 50 different phone numbers). All to no avail.

I have cameras out front so at least I can ignore those vermin coming to my front door.

Beware Of Latest Possible Mail Scam

No I'm not talking about email.

I came across a few posts here in the Lehigh Valley where people were claiming they weren't getting their electric bills delivered. Some suggested it's possible scammers are taking them out of mailboxes so they get hold of account information. Once they have the information it could be used to change someone to a more expensive supplier. The same goes for gas bills.


There's always the paperless option but I've found it less preferable for several reasons. On my desk I have a list when bills usually arrive. If they seem to be a couple days late I log on to my accounts.

For those who prefer auto-pay it's a good idea to logon and take a look at the actual bill (usually a PDF file). Knowing the amount and due date alone won't list who your supplier is. Better to be safe then sorry.

The same goes for any bills that arrive through snail mail. Especially credit card bills.

Ever Hear Of Israel Kamakawiwo’ole?

Documentary about Israel Kamakawiwo’ole

Zipster Sings "Baby It's Cold Outside"

Uploaded December 2013

For you folks not familiar with Terry from Allentown his group back in the 60's and 70's was known as "Another Pretty Face"

A slide show of 40 years on the road (1967-2007)


One of their last performances at The China Club, N.Y.C. May 16, 2007

Yes that's Tico Torres from 'Bon Jovi' on drums

I've been following Terry aka Zipster since 2006. He's not only entertained viewers for the past 13 years he also shared his most personal highs and lows as well a bunch of stories when he was with the band. He was one of only about a dozen YouTube paid performers for the first 3 years when it all began before Google bought it.

I realize he may not be everyone's cup of tea but one thing is for sure he's an original. Very few are willing to do the kind of schtick he does to get laughs. Even fewer willingly share their most personal moments.

Here's his most recent upload from Dec. 18, 2019

Allentown Circa 1828 to 1985

...and Beyond

"These postcards were from the private collection of the John Stopp family from Allentown, Pennsylvania, whose ancestors pioneered near the Jordan Creek prior to the Revolutionary War, later built civic and commercial buildings in Allentown, and were involved with several of the institutions depicted in the postcards."

Video Courtesy jmackel



"Sheila Evans of the Allentown Symphony Association gives the
history of Symphony Hall and its influence on the surrounding area."

History & Tour by ViaCastTV

A BRIEF TIMELINEMarch 12, 1867- Allentown was officially "incorporated".

July 4, 1828- The first documented performance by the "Allentown Band"

1832- M.S. Young & Co. 724 Hamilton Street (later 740 Hamilton) (Mark Young & Stephen Barber). Stephen died in 1860. The store was huge. It's 5 story building was connected by tunnels and an overhead bridge to it's other buildings at 11,13 & 15 S. 8th Street.

June 1, 1848- Allentown had a population of 3,700 people living in 619 houses (6 per home).Today 118,032 are living in 45,960 houses (2.56 per home)
1847- Appel Jewelry, originally opened on E. Hamilton street. It relocated to the 600 block on Hamilton in 1860. In 1930 Carl W. Appel then became owner after his father passed away. Carl passed away at 94 years old on June 24, 1997.

1850- Henry Leh (an Allentown native). At 20 years old started H. Leh & Co at 626 W. Hamilton St.

1887- Allentown Steam Heat Company (23 S. Hall Street) was founded by Harry C. Trexler (his 1st business venture). It ceased operations in 1968

July 1, 1891- Electric trolley car service began in Allentown on Hamilton Street by the Allentown and Bethlehem Rapid Transit Company.

February 19, 1897- Hess's (9th & Hamilton) founded by Charles and Max Hess. Max died in 1922. Charles ran the store between then and 1932. Max Hess, Jr., from 1932 through 1968.

Oct. 19, 1899- The Soldiers and Sailors Monument at Center Square in Allentown was unveiled

Sept. 17, 1908- The Bandshell in West Park was dedicated (The Allentown Band performed at the dedication)

1910- Zollinger-Harned replaced the hardware store (W.R. Lawfer & Co.) at 605 W. Hamilton St.

November 17, 1913- 8th Street toll bridge opened for traffic (5 cents). The plans for the bridge were started in 1911 by the "Allentown Bridge Company" (formed by the "The Lehigh Valley Transit Company"). In 1906 Harry C. Trexler bought the forerunner to what became the LVT.

1912- Benioff Furs opened. The store was later run by his son, Abraham J. Benioff who at 91 passed away on Nov. 27, 1997. The store at 10th & Hamilton along with it's storage locker at 410 N. 6th Street closed on Friday, Feb 2, 1996.

1914- Harry C. Trexler started "Romper Day"

1897- Harry J. Trexler (lumber dealer), George Ormrod (coal/iron-like in Ormrod, Pa.) and Col. Edward M. Young (hardware) formed the Lehigh Portland Cement Company. On April 23, 1919 Lehigh Portland Cement Company' became reincorporated.

1922- Yoccos (Liberty Grill) founded by Theodore Iacocca (uncle of Lee Iacocca). Currently being run by the 3rd & 4th generation.

1923- Kern's Restaurant (Stooges) founded by Charles and Arlene Kern.

1926 to 1928- The PPL building was built.

1931- The Brass Rail opened it's first stand. It was started by Philip Sorrentino. Later, in 1933 it's location moved to 1137 W. Hamilton Street (since then closed). In 1961 a second store was opened at 3015 Lehigh Street where it is now run by his grandson.

1933-1934- The Allentown post office was built.
Other misc. businesses:The Allentown National Bank
The Lehigh Valley Trust and Safe Deposit Co.
The Second National Bank
Allentown Boiler Works
Shafer's Popular Book Store
Allentown Brewing Co.
Daufer & Co., 16 South 8th St.
Arbogast & Bastian, 7-23 Hamilton St.
Koch Bros (Clothiers) 7th & Hamilton
The Vulcan Brass Works, 716 N 4th St
Lehigh Knitting Mills, Court and Hall Sts.
Allen Steam Laundry, S 7th St.
Eastern Light
Allen Stamp and Stencil Co., 104-106 N 7th St.
Kramer's Music House, 544 Hamilton St.
Good's Pharmacy, 803 Hamilton St
Dolly Madison (soda/ice cream)
Adelaide Silk Mills
Wolfe Shoe Mfg. Co., Hall and Court Sts.,
McCrory's Five & Ten
Woolworths Five & Ten
A&P Food Store
Mohican Market
Movie Theaters:
The Boyd, The Towne, The Jeanette, The Rialto, The Colonial, The Earle, The Capri, The Eric, The Strand (12 N. 8th circa 1917), Orpheum Theatre (6th St. and Linden St.), Boulevard Drive-In, Westend Drive-In

The Rialto Theatre was built from 1918 to 1921.
Fire severely damaged it 1946.
It reopened and remained open till it's closure in 1979.

A List of mayors of Allentown, Pennsylvania (from 1867 to present)
Cemeteries and Memorial Sites of Politicians in Lehigh County

Reposted From Jan 17, 2013

David Byrne Is Alive And Well

Remember him from the eighties?

New York - Hudson Theatre - 10/4/2019




"Road to Nowhere," from the 1985 album Little Creatures.


AIN'T IT THE TRUTH!

Remember Dopey Duncan?

Dopey Duncan's speech he gave at his testimonial roast.
June 29, 1987
Lehigh Valley Days Inn



Uploaded By Rick Guyton
"Mule Train" (Pa. Dutch Version)