Monthly Archives: June 2020
Jun 30 2020
New York Issues COVID -19 Travel Advisory Includes California Texas Florida and @HealthNYGov

Restricted States

Based upon Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order 205, issued June 25, 2020, the following states meet the criteria for required quarantine:

  • Alabama
  • Arkansas
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Iowa
  • Idaho
  • Louisiana
  • Mississippi
  • Nevada
  • North Carolina
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah

This is based upon a seven day rolling average, of positive tests in excess of 10%, or number of positive cases exceeding 10 per 100,000 residents.

Guidance for Travel

The travel advisory is effective at 12:01 am on Thursday, June 25, 2020. If you have traveled from within one of the designated states with significant community spread, you must quarantine when you enter New York for 14 days from the last travel within such designated state, provided on the date you enter into New York State that such state met the criteria for requiring such quarantine.

The requirements of the travel advisory do not apply to any individual passing through designated states for a limited duration (i.e., less than 24 hours) through the course of travel.

Examples of such brief passage include but are not limited to: stopping at rest stops for vehicles, buses, and/or trains; or lay-overs for air travel, bus travel, or train travel.

The travel advisory requires all New Yorkers, as well as those visiting from out of state, to take personal responsibility for complying with the advisory in the best interest of public health and safety.

To file a report of an individual failing to adhere to the quarantine pursuant to the travel advisory, please call 1-833-789-0470 or visit this website. Individuals may also contact their local department of health

Jun 29 2020
Food Delivery Services Eating Info Restaurant Margins – Many on the brink of closing

As the pandemic continues to cause decline in business and disruptions in the economy, restaurants are faced with another challenge on top of everything else.

With their increase overhead and decreasing margins services like Grubhub, Postmates, UberEats, DoorDash and others take a percentage of potential profits from restaurant owners.  So with the increase in these services the cost of meals are increasing.

Some services have cut fees during the pandemic, but the fees are still high.  Fees range from 13.5 to 40% of the order. Assuming the claim is that restaurant would not have received the order had it not been for the service.  Some cities have imposed a fee cap on these services/

I encourage friends and others to pickup direct from the restaurant when possible.

 

 

Jun 29 2020
Bars, Breweries, and Wine Tasting Rooms are Required to Close in L.A. County

Bars, Breweries, and Wine Tasting Rooms are Required to Close in L.A. County

 

Effective June 28, 2020, the County of Los Angeles Public Health Order was amended to require that all bars, breweries, brewpubs, wineries and tasting rooms in Los Angeles County close unless they are offering sit-down dine-in meals. This includes closing bar areas in restaurants. There has been a sharp increase in new cases and hospitalizations. The timing of these increases is in line with the reopening of key sectors, including bars, which are places where people remove their face covering to drink while they may be socializing with people not in their household. To review the amended Order, please click here.

Please note that specific higher-risk businesses and locations remain closed. Public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a single household or living unit must also remain prohibited. Higher-risk businesses and locations include:

  • Lounges and nightclubs;
  • Bars, breweries, tasting rooms, craft distilleries, and wineries that possess a valid low risk restaurant permit issued by the County of Los Angeles;
  • Brewpubs, craft distilleries and wineries, with premises set aside for beer and/or wine tasting, that are exempt from the definition of a food facility by California Health and Safety Code Section 113789(c)(5), and do not hold a health permit for preparing and serving on site;
  • Public entertainment venues such as theaters, concert venues theme parks, and festivals;
  • Family entertainment centers such as bowling alleys, arcades and miniature golf courses, and batting cages;
  • Hot tubs, steam rooms and saunas not located on residential property; and
  • All events and gatherings unless allowed by the health Order.

While we are making good progress, it’s important to remember that the COVID-19 pandemic is still active. Residents, business owners and employees must observe physical distancing requirements and prevention techniques outlined above under the Safer at Home order. To learn more about the County of Los Angeles’ Roadmap to Recovery, please click here. Please remember that violation of or failure to comply with the County’s Order is a crime and punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both.

Jun 23 2020
Charter Spectrum To Set Data Caps and Charge Streaming Services? @fcc @Ask_Spectrum #charter

Charter parent of Spectrum is requesting of the FCC that it be allowed to set data caps and to be able to charge streaming companies fees.

Through the merger with Time Warner Charter agreed to not set data caps until May 2020.

Now Charter is asking for that to be terminated early and allow it to basically do whatever it wants, charge for data and charge streaming companies, so much for net neutrality.  Charter has to be one of the most profit centered, with executives being paid millions and millions in bonuses.  The customer is second to profit.

Spectrum internet is by far one of the most complained about, with reliability issues constantly plaguing the company.  Customer service experiences are horrible to say the least.  And the bait and switch tactics are dishonest and take advantage of customers new and old.

 

You can search some of the public comments already appear on the FCC site as of today when the pettion was filed.

You can see the filing here

 

106232440116123

WC 16-197

Stewart Smith

COMMENT

DISSEMINATED

Unrestricted

Jun 23, 2020

Jun 23, 2020

7965 MLK Jr. Blvd

Denver

CO

80238

Charter is only asking for this NOW (and not before) because the COVID-19 crisis is affecting their bottom line, threatening corporate officer bonuses. I would of course assume they have framed it differently, but that is their prerogative. Please, at a minimum, DO NOT grant their petition for “early release.” Additionally, please inform them of the following: “Comply or die!” If you also feel the need to inform Charter (and/or its corporate officers) to eat a big bowl of shit, that is fine.

 

Jun 22 2020
Watch the WWDC 2020 Keynote #wwdc #apple #iphone12

How to watch the WWDC keynote on iPhone, iPad, Mac, the web

WWDC20 keynote starts at 10 a.m. PT/ 1 p.m PT ET on June 22

Watch from here:

 

Jun 20 2020
Notice of Public Forums for Southern California Edison Company’s 2021 General Rate Case A.19-08-013 @californiapuc @SCE

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD

NOTICE OF PUBLIC FORUMS

FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY’S
2021 GENERAL RATE CASE A.19-08-013

Why am I receiving this notice?  Southern California Edison (SCE) and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) would like to hear from you. You are invited to participate in a public forum regarding SCE’s application to raise electricity rates. At the public forum, you can make comments and raise concerns with the CPUC’s Administrative Law Judge(s) (Judge) who are overseeing this rate increase request.

How will the public forums be held?  Due to the Governor’s directive and the CPUC’s ongoing efforts to protect customers and community members during COVID-19, there will be no in-person physical location for these public forums.

The public forums can be viewed via internet, or listened to via phone, with the information below. If you wish to make a public comment, please participate by phone using the phone number and passcode below.

Date Time Details
Tuesday, June 30 2 p.m. Phone number:  1-800-857-1917

Passcode:          1673482

Webcast:            www.adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc/

6 p.m.
Wednesday, July 1 2 p.m.
6 p.m.

Written public comments may also be provided at any time during the proceeding using the “Add Public Comment” button on the “Public Comment” tab of the Docket Card for A.19-08-013, available at cpuc.ca.gov/SCE2021GRCPublicComments.

 
Bundled service customers’ average rate impacts:

Customer Group Current Average Rates
as of July 2019 (cents/kWh)
Proposed Average Rates
as of January 2021 (cents/kWh)
Total Change
(cents/kWh)
Percentage Change
(% Increase)
Residential 18.1 cents/kWh 20.7 cents/kWh 2.6 cents/kWh 14.4%
Lighting — Small and Medium Power  

17.3 cents/kWh

 

19.2 cents/kWh

 

1.9 cents/kWh

 

11.0%

Large Power 12.4 cents/kWh 13.5 cents/kWh 1.1 cents/kWh 8.9%
Agricultural 13.7 cents/kWh 15.1 cents/kWh 1.4 cents/kWh 10.2%
Street Lighting 25.5 cents/kWh 26.2 cents/kWh 0.7 cents/kWh 2.7%
Standby 10.2 cents/kWh 10.8 cents/kWh 0.6 cents/kWh 5.9%
Total 16.3 cents/kWh 18.2 cents/kWh 1.9 cents/kWh 11.7%

Note: Total percentage system revenue increase including bundled and non-bundled service customers is 12.9%

The rates and percentages shown above are averages and are not the exact changes you may see in your bill.  Changes in individual bills depend on how much energy each customer uses.

Why is SCE requesting this rate increase?  SCE delivers your electricity. Every four years, SCE must file what is known as a General Rate Case (GRC) application with the CPUC. GRCs set rates that customers pay to fund SCE’s day-to-day operations, including maintenance for its equipment and electricity grid upgrades.

How could this affect my monthly bill?  If SCE’s rate request is approved by the CPUC, the average residential monthly bill would increase by approximately $14 in 2021, $4 in 2022, and $6 in 2023.

How does the rest of the process work?  This application has been assigned to a Judge, who will consider all proposals and evidence presented during the formal hearing process. The Judge will issue a proposed decision which may adopt SCE’s application, modify it or deny it. Any CPUC Commissioner may sponsor an alternate decision. The proposed decision, and any alternate decisions, will be discussed and voted upon by the CPUC Commissioners.

The Public Advocates Office (Cal Advocates) is currently reviewing this application. Cal Advocates is the independent consumer advocate within the CPUC with a statutory mandate to represent customers of investor-owned utilities to obtain the lowest possible rate for service consistent with safe and reliable service and the state’s environmental policy goals. Cal Advocates has a multi-disciplinary staff with expertise in economics, finance, accounting and engineering.  For more information about Cal Advocates, please call 1-415-703-1584, e-mail PublicAdvocatesOffice@cpuc.ca.gov, or visit Cal Advocates’ website at publicadvocates.cpuc.ca.gov.

Where can I get more information?

Contact SCE:

Contact the CPUC:

You may also get information about this proceeding by contacting the CPUC:       

Visit cpuc.ca.gov/SCE2021GRCPublicComments to submit a public comment.
Contact the CPUC’s Public Advisor’s Office if you have questions about CPUC processes:
Phone:  1-866-849-8390 (toll-free) or 1-415-703-2074
Mail:    CPUC Public Advisor’s Office

505 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102

Email:   Public.Advisor@cpuc.ca.gov

Sus tarifas pueden aumentar. Para obtener más información por favor comuníquese con nosotros. Los usuarios con acceso al Internet podrán leer y descargar esta notificación en español en el sitio Web de SCE www.sce.com/avisos o escriba a: Southern California Edison Company, P.O. Box 800, 2244 Walnut Grove Avenue, Rosemead, CA 91770. Atención: Comunicaciones Corporativas. Para más detalles en español, llame al 1-800-441-2233 todos los días 8:00-20:00.

Please reference SCE A.19-08-013 in any communications you have with the CPUC regarding this matter.

Jun 20 2020
Beware Citi Costco Card Late Payment Warning 29.99% @citi @costco

If you are late making a payment to your Costco Citi Credit Card:

Late Payment Warning
If we do not receive your minimum payment by Jul. 08, 2020, you may have to pay a late fee of up to $40.00 and your APRs may be increased up to the variable Penalty APR of 29.99%.
This warning message is part of the CARD Act of 2009 and the revised Truth in Lending Act, intended to make customers more aware of payment due dates and the implications of paying late. This message will appear each month and will not change during the billing cycle, regardless of payments made.

Jun 12 2020
All Fireworks Are Illegal in Pasadena and City Ordinance Will Be Strictly Enforced @PasadenaPD @PasadenaGov #fireworks

All Fireworks Are Illegal in Pasadena and City Ordinance Will Be Strictly Enforced.

Fire danger and injuries from fireworks still exist even in the midst of a pandemic crisis. The City of Pasadena municipal code holds property owners and tenants responsible for permitting the possession, sale, usage or discharge of fireworks on their property. The ordinance allows for the prosecution of fireworks-related offenses and for the demand of payment for all costs associated with the safe disposal of confiscated fireworks. The City maintains a zero tolerance enforcement policy for fireworks, and Pasadena’s police and firefighters are teaming up for special fireworks enforcement patrols before and during the Fourth of July holiday. Violators are subject to arrest; having their vehicles impounded; and serving up to one year in jail and fines up to $50,000.

Statistics show that fireworks are among the most dangerous of all consumer products. Even hand-held sparklers, which many consider safe, are dangerous and can reach 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, causing serious burns or fires. National Fire Protection Association statistics reveal that a majority of fireworks-related injuries are caused by so-called “safe and sane” fireworks, which are illegal in Pasadena.

Help keep all of us, our children, our homes, and our property safe from illegal fireworks. If you see something, say something! Call Pasadena Police at (626) 744-4241 to report illegal fireworks and other suspicious activities. Residents may also use the Pasadena Citizen Service Center mobile app to report illegal fireworks.

Due to the potential for fire hazards and injuries, Pasadena police and fire personnel will patrol the city looking for illegal firework activity, and police officers will seize fireworks in an effort to protect the public. Parking enforcement officers will ensure that vehicles illegally parked in Pasadena’s hillside areas on July 4 are impounded.

The Pasadena Fire Department will be applying Phos-Chek to brush areas around the Arroyo area. The main ingredients of this fire retardant are phosphates and fertilizers to help prevent plants from burning and to re-vegetate burned wildland areas.

Stay connected to the City of Pasadena! Visit us online at www.cityofpasadena.net; follow us on Twitter at @PasadenaGov, and Instagram and Facebook at @CityOfPasadena; or call the Citizen Service Center, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday at (626) 744-7311.

Jun 12 2020
Pasadena Water Rates Going Up Approx 7.8% July 1, 2020

Pasadena Water Rates Going Up Approx 7.8% July 1, 2020

Rates for Pasadena water is going up July 1, 2020.  Here’s more info on the rate increasing.

More info

 

Jun 9 2020
Mosquitoes Tips and Tricks That Really Work #pestcontrol #naturalpest

Are you struggling to fight the mosquitoes this season?  Are they getting inside your house?

Here’s a couple tips:

#1:

The first one:

Get a sprayer and mix the following in similar proportions

  1. 1 big bottle of cheap blue mouthwash
  2. 3 cups Epsom salts
  3. 12 oz can of flat beer
  4. 1 cup water

Mix ingredients until salts are dissolved put into a sprayer or spray bottles. Spray anywhere you sit outdoors around pools , decks picnic tables. It won’t hurt plants or flowers, It can repel mosquitoes for up to 80 days. Spray 2 to 3 times per summer.

 

#2: Get a fan and blow air, the mosquitoes do not like the air blowing

#3:

Avon Skin So Soft

#4

DynaTrap Outdoor Insect Trap

#5:

Madison James – Flyaway Sticks – Repels Unwanted Guests

  • Repels mosquitoes, horseflies & unwanted flying guests up to 4 hrs each stick
  • Orange Cintronella Sticks for entertaining indoor and out
  • Tucjed away in the New York City’s Flower Market of renown artists, ecentric interior designers, and the rest of the the diverse horticulteral community is madisonjames

#6

citronella and lemongrass essential oil and make our own spray bottle: distilled water with 20 drops of each essential oils for inside the house.

#7:

diffuser that I put lemongrass and peppermint essential oils in. I’ve also made a body / clothing spray with a variety of essential oils in a vodka and witch hazel base

#8:

Homemade Bug Spray Ingredients

1. 30 drops of geranium essential oil

2. 30 drops of citronella essential oil

3. 20 drops of lemon eucalyptus essential oil

4. 20 drops of lavender essential oil

5. 10 drops rosemary essential oil

6. 1 TBSP vodka or rubbing alcohol

7. 1/2 cup water or vinegar

8. 1./2 cup natural witch hazel

9. 1 tsp vegetable glycerin ( optional)

Instructions:

1. Place essential oils in a glass spray bottle, add vodka or alcohol and shake well to combone

2. pout in witch hazel and shake to combine

3. add 1/2 tsp vegetable glycerin if using, this is not necessary but helps everything stay combined

4. Add water and sake again, shake bottle before each use as the oils and water will naturally separate some over time.

 

#10 If you get bites use Bendryl Spray

 

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