THE PROOF IS IN THE "PUDDING" OR SPEED
With what has gone on with Comcast I performed a little test (which you can perform on your computer - see below). Before the tech came to my home I performed a speed test on my DSL internet connection and my results were 2459 for the download and 725 for the upload and this is with Verizon's High Speed DSL that I was paying $30 a month.
The tech just left after connecting my computers to BLAST 16. I retested my system and the results are 16327 for download and 1610 for upload. This is unbelievably fast. Check my note below about download and upload speeds.
By the way, I received a call from Maurice Chandler. He couldn't believe how many people had called. The reason I told him that I had EVERYONE call was because MANY emails I received from residents about their conversations with Comcast reps included the following, "those residents who think they will be charged $24.99 will be sadly mistaken when they get their next bill and that price will be much higher". Since this seemed like a general blanket statement regarding everyone who got the $24.99, it's better to be safe then sorry. Maurice has honored all those promotions that reps gave out for $24.99. I gave him 3 names of Comcast reps who said that the deal was good for new customers and customers who currently have the promotion for $33. He didn't understand why they gave out the price to existing customers. I told him that it was done because they better not "mess with Regency residents". We both laughed but he honored everyone's "unauthorized" promotion. Next year, remind me to turn this one over to our Chairman, Goodie Mollen to handle.
WOW! Today I received a call from The Director of Comcast for the Central NJ region. She was VERY apologetic and naturally, being very humble, I accepted her apology on behalf of Regency residents who got totally frustrated by hearing different things from different Comcast employees. She did say that her job now is to make sure that every Comcast representative in the Central NJ region is totally aware of promotions and that they are all consistent with what they say to customers.
As I mentioned supposedly the deal was for just NEW customers. However, if you have Comcast and are currently paying $33 and your contract is almost up or you have or are being billed at a higher rate right now, call their RETENTION department and "MAKE A DEAL". They might offer you a better deal if you tell them that you might want to go elsewhere. This always reminds me of the credit card companies that might charge you 20% interest, but if you call, they will reduce it to 10%. This always reminds me of a friend who use to go from one credit card company to another and he paid 0% interest. He just kept switching accounts. There should be a book written entitled, "HOW TO BEAT BIG BUSINESS AT THEIR GAME". I'm done with Chapter 1.
INCREASING OUR PURCHASING POWER
I read an interesting article the other day which discussed how at one time corporate America dictated what they were going to charge for their products or services. Today, many formidible groups have joined in telling corporate America, take your product and/or service and you know what you can do with it unless you are willing to do something for all of us. AARP was one such corporation but now, other groups are "popping" up all over the place. You see, just like I said from day one, you talk to a company as an individual and you get nowhere. You talk to a company and you are part of a group of 1000 people - well they will now start talking to you. Would we have gotten what we received if our CCMT was not dealing with our real estate tax problem? I don't think so.
Last night we went out with friends from Riviera at Freehold and they had a contract with Westminster Security (now ADT) for $22/month. Why? When I told them that this was what many residents from Regency were paying, but now, many are paying $8.99 for the same exact service, they couldn't believe it. Friends at Encore might also be paying more.. Why? The answer is simple. We all do things individually and not as a united group. Do you think that a hospital with 500 beds would pay the same price for a gauze pad as a group of hospitals that banned together and had 10,000 beds? This was a rhetorical questions since the answer is obviously NO.
So here we are. We are the BABY BOOMERS GROUP, which in Monroe Township alone must account for the largest group of residents. Each adult community acts on their own giving them zero leveraging and power. Get these communities together and boy, will we be a force to be reckoned with. So, I have asked the Chairman of our Resident Purchasing Group, to "reach out" and form some "coalition" with other adult communites, just like our CCMT did, but this time deal with our purchasing power. Goodie and I will be contacting other adult communities, first within the borders of Monroe Township and once we see it working then expand to other adult communities in other townships. Who knows, maybe we can even influence lower pricing on gas if we select a few gas stations and rule out others, if they provide the "seniors" of their township with discounts. You see this on the internet, like don't buy CITGO gas. That won't work because you are telling one person not to buy the gas. But, if you tell 15,000 residents within a township that you should go to only Joe's or Bob's gas station since they will work with "seniors" in discounting their gas and services, well when the time comes for the contract to be renewed, I bet other gas stations will think about what they can do to regain their lost business. I have been involved with buying groups all my life and I know that these things work. Just look at what the Resident Purchasing Committee has done so far and we are just 500+ homes.
SPEED TESTS FOR YOUR COMPUTER
Some of you have asked about the site that provides FREE speed tests for your computer. Here it is:
http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/
Click on Seattle WA. and the test will begin. It gives you download and upload speeds. Remember the "catch" that some companies have when it comes to the two different speeds. They use the words "UP TO", which means that if you have a system that you pay for a download speed of 6 MB, well 4 or 5 is considered "UP TO".
A resident also mentioned to me that download speeds are only seen or become apparent when you are downloading a file, eg. Music, Software Program, Movie, etc. When you are "surfing" from one site to another, increasing your download speed doesn't necessarily mean that your computer will go from site to site faster. Upload speeds are when you upload things to the internet, eg. I might upload 400 auctions to EBAY. Theoretically if I had an upload speed of 2 MB and I went to 4 MB, it should take me half the time to upload. Most of you probably don't require fast upload speeds. Those of you who are computer "savvy" let me know if what I am saying is correct.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO THE MEMBERS OF THE GOURMET LUNCH
There was an error in the Regency Reporter regarding the May Gourmet Lunch. The Gourmet Lunch is May 1, 2008, not May 15, 2008. Any questions, please call Christiana Barone 732-605-9198. Thank you.
HELP NEEDED
Subject: Read Across America
I need a few volunteers to help me again this year with the Read Across America program, which is run in the elementary schools all over the US. Anyone who can give a hour or two in the clubhouse on Thursday or Friday, April 24 or 25, please let me know at: viv2546@verizon.net There are 95 entries to be read and graded. The more people we have the less time it will take. This is for the Barclay Brook and Brookside schools which my grandchildren attend and is greatly appreciated. Thanks for your help.
Vivienne Rubin
CLARK FITNESS SCHEDULE
MAY-JUNE 2008
CLICK ON LINK FOR MORE INFORMATION
http://www.adrive.com/public/212c9fccdf637eb07f4065807a93959ca14dd5daf3c9c683a6cc099a136178ad.html
MEN POKER PLAYERS NEEDED FOR 2 DIFFERENT GAMES
Two gentlemen wanted for Thursday night poker game. Starting time 7 and ending at 10:30. We play a quarter and a half game. Contact Goodie Mollen at 732 656 7895 or GMOLLEN@AOL.COM
One gentlemen wanted for Wednesday night poker game. Starting time 7 and ending at 11. We play a 50 cent and a dollar game. Contact Goodie Mollen at 732 656 7895 or GMOLLEN@AOL.COM
DO YOU KNOW OF ANY STUDENTS WHO WOULD WANT TO BABYSIT?
I'd like to know if any of the residents know of a student that might want to baby sit on a part time regular basis for my granddaughter (about 4hrs a day, 4 days a week). She is 15 months. My phone number is 723 521-0772.
HAVING ADRIVE PROBLEMS?
We are never too old to learn. One of our residents grandson's helped his grandma in opening some of my links that I store on EBAY. He basically disabled "pop ups" from AOL (it could even apply to someone who doesn't hve AOL - try disabling pop ups). Once you open the link then you can go back and enable the pop up blocker.
With what has gone on with Comcast I performed a little test (which you can perform on your computer - see below). Before the tech came to my home I performed a speed test on my DSL internet connection and my results were 2459 for the download and 725 for the upload and this is with Verizon's High Speed DSL that I was paying $30 a month.
The tech just left after connecting my computers to BLAST 16. I retested my system and the results are 16327 for download and 1610 for upload. This is unbelievably fast. Check my note below about download and upload speeds.
By the way, I received a call from Maurice Chandler. He couldn't believe how many people had called. The reason I told him that I had EVERYONE call was because MANY emails I received from residents about their conversations with Comcast reps included the following, "those residents who think they will be charged $24.99 will be sadly mistaken when they get their next bill and that price will be much higher". Since this seemed like a general blanket statement regarding everyone who got the $24.99, it's better to be safe then sorry. Maurice has honored all those promotions that reps gave out for $24.99. I gave him 3 names of Comcast reps who said that the deal was good for new customers and customers who currently have the promotion for $33. He didn't understand why they gave out the price to existing customers. I told him that it was done because they better not "mess with Regency residents". We both laughed but he honored everyone's "unauthorized" promotion. Next year, remind me to turn this one over to our Chairman, Goodie Mollen to handle.
WOW! Today I received a call from The Director of Comcast for the Central NJ region. She was VERY apologetic and naturally, being very humble, I accepted her apology on behalf of Regency residents who got totally frustrated by hearing different things from different Comcast employees. She did say that her job now is to make sure that every Comcast representative in the Central NJ region is totally aware of promotions and that they are all consistent with what they say to customers.
As I mentioned supposedly the deal was for just NEW customers. However, if you have Comcast and are currently paying $33 and your contract is almost up or you have or are being billed at a higher rate right now, call their RETENTION department and "MAKE A DEAL". They might offer you a better deal if you tell them that you might want to go elsewhere. This always reminds me of the credit card companies that might charge you 20% interest, but if you call, they will reduce it to 10%. This always reminds me of a friend who use to go from one credit card company to another and he paid 0% interest. He just kept switching accounts. There should be a book written entitled, "HOW TO BEAT BIG BUSINESS AT THEIR GAME". I'm done with Chapter 1.
INCREASING OUR PURCHASING POWER
I read an interesting article the other day which discussed how at one time corporate America dictated what they were going to charge for their products or services. Today, many formidible groups have joined in telling corporate America, take your product and/or service and you know what you can do with it unless you are willing to do something for all of us. AARP was one such corporation but now, other groups are "popping" up all over the place. You see, just like I said from day one, you talk to a company as an individual and you get nowhere. You talk to a company and you are part of a group of 1000 people - well they will now start talking to you. Would we have gotten what we received if our CCMT was not dealing with our real estate tax problem? I don't think so.
Last night we went out with friends from Riviera at Freehold and they had a contract with Westminster Security (now ADT) for $22/month. Why? When I told them that this was what many residents from Regency were paying, but now, many are paying $8.99 for the same exact service, they couldn't believe it. Friends at Encore might also be paying more.. Why? The answer is simple. We all do things individually and not as a united group. Do you think that a hospital with 500 beds would pay the same price for a gauze pad as a group of hospitals that banned together and had 10,000 beds? This was a rhetorical questions since the answer is obviously NO.
So here we are. We are the BABY BOOMERS GROUP, which in Monroe Township alone must account for the largest group of residents. Each adult community acts on their own giving them zero leveraging and power. Get these communities together and boy, will we be a force to be reckoned with. So, I have asked the Chairman of our Resident Purchasing Group, to "reach out" and form some "coalition" with other adult communites, just like our CCMT did, but this time deal with our purchasing power. Goodie and I will be contacting other adult communities, first within the borders of Monroe Township and once we see it working then expand to other adult communities in other townships. Who knows, maybe we can even influence lower pricing on gas if we select a few gas stations and rule out others, if they provide the "seniors" of their township with discounts. You see this on the internet, like don't buy CITGO gas. That won't work because you are telling one person not to buy the gas. But, if you tell 15,000 residents within a township that you should go to only Joe's or Bob's gas station since they will work with "seniors" in discounting their gas and services, well when the time comes for the contract to be renewed, I bet other gas stations will think about what they can do to regain their lost business. I have been involved with buying groups all my life and I know that these things work. Just look at what the Resident Purchasing Committee has done so far and we are just 500+ homes.
SPEED TESTS FOR YOUR COMPUTER
Some of you have asked about the site that provides FREE speed tests for your computer. Here it is:
http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/
Click on Seattle WA. and the test will begin. It gives you download and upload speeds. Remember the "catch" that some companies have when it comes to the two different speeds. They use the words "UP TO", which means that if you have a system that you pay for a download speed of 6 MB, well 4 or 5 is considered "UP TO".
A resident also mentioned to me that download speeds are only seen or become apparent when you are downloading a file, eg. Music, Software Program, Movie, etc. When you are "surfing" from one site to another, increasing your download speed doesn't necessarily mean that your computer will go from site to site faster. Upload speeds are when you upload things to the internet, eg. I might upload 400 auctions to EBAY. Theoretically if I had an upload speed of 2 MB and I went to 4 MB, it should take me half the time to upload. Most of you probably don't require fast upload speeds. Those of you who are computer "savvy" let me know if what I am saying is correct.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO THE MEMBERS OF THE GOURMET LUNCH
There was an error in the Regency Reporter regarding the May Gourmet Lunch. The Gourmet Lunch is May 1, 2008, not May 15, 2008. Any questions, please call Christiana Barone 732-605-9198. Thank you.
HELP NEEDED
Subject: Read Across America
I need a few volunteers to help me again this year with the Read Across America program, which is run in the elementary schools all over the US. Anyone who can give a hour or two in the clubhouse on Thursday or Friday, April 24 or 25, please let me know at: viv2546@verizon.net There are 95 entries to be read and graded. The more people we have the less time it will take. This is for the Barclay Brook and Brookside schools which my grandchildren attend and is greatly appreciated. Thanks for your help.
Vivienne Rubin
CLARK FITNESS SCHEDULE
MAY-JUNE 2008
CLICK ON LINK FOR MORE INFORMATION
http://www.adrive.com/public/212c9fccdf637eb07f4065807a93959ca14dd5daf3c9c683a6cc099a136178ad.html
MEN POKER PLAYERS NEEDED FOR 2 DIFFERENT GAMES
Two gentlemen wanted for Thursday night poker game. Starting time 7 and ending at 10:30. We play a quarter and a half game. Contact Goodie Mollen at 732 656 7895 or GMOLLEN@AOL.COM
One gentlemen wanted for Wednesday night poker game. Starting time 7 and ending at 11. We play a 50 cent and a dollar game. Contact Goodie Mollen at 732 656 7895 or GMOLLEN@AOL.COM
DO YOU KNOW OF ANY STUDENTS WHO WOULD WANT TO BABYSIT?
I'd like to know if any of the residents know of a student that might want to baby sit on a part time regular basis for my granddaughter (about 4hrs a day, 4 days a week). She is 15 months. My phone number is 723 521-0772.
HAVING ADRIVE PROBLEMS?
We are never too old to learn. One of our residents grandson's helped his grandma in opening some of my links that I store on EBAY. He basically disabled "pop ups" from AOL (it could even apply to someone who doesn't hve AOL - try disabling pop ups). Once you open the link then you can go back and enable the pop up blocker.
Within the next few weeks I will be exploring paying for a website for the uploaded links instead of using the free service of ADRIVE. Once this happens, then a click of the link will open the messages immediately. Video, music, photos and everything else would be simpler
DRIVEWAY SEALING
The Purchasing Club is starting our program for sealing the driveways. We are planning to start at the end of June or early July. If you have an interest please E-mail Goodie Mollen, Fran Deutchman or Jerry Lieberman. The price this year will be $45. The following information will be needed.
Your name, address, phone number and E-mail address.
Goodwin Mollen Fran Deutchman Gerry Lieberman
58 Turnberry Drive 13 Crooked Stick Place 9 Tamarack Road
732 656 7895 (Home) 732 521 2962 732 521 3415
732 656 7896 (Office)
DRIVEWAY SEALING
The Purchasing Club is starting our program for sealing the driveways. We are planning to start at the end of June or early July. If you have an interest please E-mail Goodie Mollen, Fran Deutchman or Jerry Lieberman. The price this year will be $45. The following information will be needed.
Your name, address, phone number and E-mail address.
Goodwin Mollen Fran Deutchman Gerry Lieberman
58 Turnberry Drive 13 Crooked Stick Place 9 Tamarack Road
732 656 7895 (Home) 732 521 2962 732 521 3415
732 656 7896 (Office)
FDeutch@aol.com jtlieb@yahoo.com
732 501 9720 (Cell)
gmollen@aol.com
THIS IS NOT VERIFIED BUT IT SOUNDS LOGICAL
Only buy or fill up your car or truck in the early morning when the ground
temperature is still cold. Remember that all service stations have their
storage tanks buried below ground. The colder the ground the more dense
the gasoline, when it gets warmer gasoline expands, so buying in the
afternoon or in the evening....your gallon is not exactly a gallon. In the
petroleum business, the specific gravity and the temperature of the
gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, ethanol and other petroleum products plays
an important role.
A 1-degree rise in temperature is a big deal for this business. But the
service stations do not have temperature compensation at the pumps.
When you're filling up do not squeeze the trigger of the nozzle to a fast
mode. If you look you will see that the trigger has three (3) stages: low,
middle, and high. In slow mode you should be pumping on low speed, thereby minimizing the vapors that are created while you are pumping. All hoses at the pump have a vapor return. If you are pumping on the fast rate, some other liquid that goes to your tank becomes vapor. Those vapors are being sucked up and back into the underground storage tank so you're getting less worth for your money.
One of the most important tips is to fill up when your gas tank is HALF
FULL or HALF EMPTY. The reason for this is, the more gas you have in your
tank the less air occupying its empty space. Gasoline evaporates faster
than you can imagine. Gasoline storage tanks have an internal floating
roof. This roof serves as zero clearance between the gas and the
atmosphere, so it minimizes the evaporation. Unlike service stations, here
where I work, every truck that we load is temperature compensated so that
every gallon is actually the exact amount.
Another reminder, if there is a gasoline truck pumping into the storage
tanks when you stop to buy gas, DO NOT fill up--most likely the gasoline
is being stirred up as the gas is being delivered, and you might pick up
some of the dirt that normally settles on the bottom. Hope this will help
you get the most value for your money.
MERCER COUNTY SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA PERFORMANCE
Date - Thursday, May 15th
Place; Kelsey Theatre, Mercer County College, Old Trenton Road, West Windsor
Time - 8:00pm
Tickets - free
(IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THIS ORCHESTRA PERFORM, BOY ARE YOU MISSING A FANTASTIC EVENING. REGENCY'S MARIO LENCI AND BERNIE GHEE ARE IN THIS ORCHESTRA. RICH LANS TRIED OUT FOR CYMBALS WHEN THE ORCHESTRA WAS HERE BUT UNFORTUNATELY, HE DIDN'T GET THE JOB).
A Thank You Message From Ronnee Ricklis Rothschild and Larry Bershad
I can't begin to express my sincere appreciation for all the care and concern we felt from Regency residents during the brief illness of my mother, Barbara Ricklis, and the beautiful thoughts and expressions of sympathy we received when she passed away. During this difficult time it is a comfort to hear such kind words and to know that we have met such special people in the short time we have lived in Regency. It's great to enjoy a new home development because of the great parties but it's even nicer to enjoy that new home when people are there for you during the sad times.
Ronnee Ricklis Rothschild and Larry Bershad
WOMEN'S GROUP MEETING
MONDAY, APRIL 14
7:30 PM
732 501 9720 (Cell)
gmollen@aol.com
THIS IS NOT VERIFIED BUT IT SOUNDS LOGICAL
Only buy or fill up your car or truck in the early morning when the ground
temperature is still cold. Remember that all service stations have their
storage tanks buried below ground. The colder the ground the more dense
the gasoline, when it gets warmer gasoline expands, so buying in the
afternoon or in the evening....your gallon is not exactly a gallon. In the
petroleum business, the specific gravity and the temperature of the
gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, ethanol and other petroleum products plays
an important role.
A 1-degree rise in temperature is a big deal for this business. But the
service stations do not have temperature compensation at the pumps.
When you're filling up do not squeeze the trigger of the nozzle to a fast
mode. If you look you will see that the trigger has three (3) stages: low,
middle, and high. In slow mode you should be pumping on low speed, thereby minimizing the vapors that are created while you are pumping. All hoses at the pump have a vapor return. If you are pumping on the fast rate, some other liquid that goes to your tank becomes vapor. Those vapors are being sucked up and back into the underground storage tank so you're getting less worth for your money.
One of the most important tips is to fill up when your gas tank is HALF
FULL or HALF EMPTY. The reason for this is, the more gas you have in your
tank the less air occupying its empty space. Gasoline evaporates faster
than you can imagine. Gasoline storage tanks have an internal floating
roof. This roof serves as zero clearance between the gas and the
atmosphere, so it minimizes the evaporation. Unlike service stations, here
where I work, every truck that we load is temperature compensated so that
every gallon is actually the exact amount.
Another reminder, if there is a gasoline truck pumping into the storage
tanks when you stop to buy gas, DO NOT fill up--most likely the gasoline
is being stirred up as the gas is being delivered, and you might pick up
some of the dirt that normally settles on the bottom. Hope this will help
you get the most value for your money.
MERCER COUNTY SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA PERFORMANCE
Date - Thursday, May 15th
Place; Kelsey Theatre, Mercer County College, Old Trenton Road, West Windsor
Time - 8:00pm
Tickets - free
(IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THIS ORCHESTRA PERFORM, BOY ARE YOU MISSING A FANTASTIC EVENING. REGENCY'S MARIO LENCI AND BERNIE GHEE ARE IN THIS ORCHESTRA. RICH LANS TRIED OUT FOR CYMBALS WHEN THE ORCHESTRA WAS HERE BUT UNFORTUNATELY, HE DIDN'T GET THE JOB).
A Thank You Message From Ronnee Ricklis Rothschild and Larry Bershad
I can't begin to express my sincere appreciation for all the care and concern we felt from Regency residents during the brief illness of my mother, Barbara Ricklis, and the beautiful thoughts and expressions of sympathy we received when she passed away. During this difficult time it is a comfort to hear such kind words and to know that we have met such special people in the short time we have lived in Regency. It's great to enjoy a new home development because of the great parties but it's even nicer to enjoy that new home when people are there for you during the sad times.
Ronnee Ricklis Rothschild and Larry Bershad
WOMEN'S GROUP MEETING
MONDAY, APRIL 14
7:30 PM
WOMEN'S GROUP MEETING
LINE DANCING WITH GAIL
REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED
TWO TICKETS FOR INTERNATIONAL NIGHT ARE AVAILABLE
I have two tickets available for the International Night. Please post it for me. If anyone is interested they can call me on my cell 954-529.5660.
thank you.
John Tesoro
Tel: (646) 924-9126
ARE YOU MISSING A SCREEN?
Several weeks ago we had high winds and heavy precipitation. The result was I have an extra screen. If you could put a note in your next newsletter to the homeowners surrounding my house, I'd appreciate it. One of my neighbors doesn't realize they're missing a screen. SAM AND MARILYN KRAWET
WHAT TO DO IF YOU NEED THE CODE TO SWITCH TO ALARM RELAY
Dear Ron:
Just wanted to tell everyone my experience with trying to switch to Alarm Relay.
None of the codes that Alarm Relay had would allow them to reprogram the alarm box.
I called ADT (who has taken over Westminster) and was told they would not release any codes and would not reprogram the box remotely but would send out a technician for $150.00 to reset the alarm box.
After several calls and speaking with supervisors at ADT, it was suggested that I call the people who originally installed the system.
The Toll Bros. installers were J.M. Security. The phone # is 610-992-9300. I spoke with Julie at extension 112. J.M. Security was able to remotely open the box allow Alarm Relay to reprogram the box.
THAT'S IT FOR NOW
RON
