Warren County Connection - June 2019

Warren County Connection A Publication of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Warren County

June 2019

Source Credibility is Key to Derailing Fake News Fake news is a threat to American democratic institutions, whether through online election interference or, in extreme cases, inciting violence. It also can destroy a person’s reputation and career. Social media companies are spending huge amounts of money to combat the problem but with little success.

New research published April 30 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences offers a roadmap for dealing with false information. In “Believability of Evidence Matters for Correcting Social Impressions,” a team led by Cornell psychology professor Melissa Ferguson provides new evidence that people’s beliefs about the source of information affects how they take in that information, even at the level of their automatic responses.

In this issue: Tracking The Climate With 3 Phenology

right policy to combat fake news,” said Ferguson, one of the paper’s authors and senior associate dean for social sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Ferguson and fellow researchers Jeremy Cone, Ph.D. ’12, of Williams College, and Kathryn Flaharty of Georgetown University conducted seven experiments with more than 3,100 participants to assess how the truth value of new information about others affected both their reported feelings and their gut-level, automatic reactions. The experiments They also found that new information ranged from those using video can modify or even undo existing im- games and narratives of intergroup pressions created by fake news. conflicts to studies featuring an individual named Kevin.

“We wanted to know whether offering information about the source of The researchers used the character news matters for people’s gut-level, of Kevin to assess how attitudes toautomatic reactions. Does knowing ward him changed depending on that something is fake have lingering what information was provided. In pernicious effects that can later one series of experiments, Kevin was shape and influence our thoughts first depicted entirely positively. and behavior toward the person?

Then participants were told someOur studies suggest that establishing thing disturbing – in one version of credibility for news sources is the (Continued on page 8)

Lawn Care Basics

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Bettas Need More Than Bowls

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Keep Smartphone Data Private By Safely Downloading Apps

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Credit Repair Scams

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Keep Pollen Out of Your 10 Home Summertime Fun& Sun! Stay Hydrated and Healthy This Summer

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10th Annual Golf Tournament

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Special points of interest: 

Calendar of Events

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Warren County Connection

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Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Warren County 377 Schroon River Road Warrensburg, NY 12885

Phone: (518) 623-3291 or (518) 668-4881 Fax: (518) 668-4912 Visit Our Web Site: www.cce.cornell.edu/warren

Who We Are Nation-wide, thousands of people in each state tap into their state’s land-grant university research and know-how to make sound confident decisions concerning family, home, business, finances, and the future. In New York State, the land-grant university is Cornell University.

The Cornell Cooperative Extension network brings you the expertise of Cornell University, other land-grant universities across the country and locally-based Extension Educators, volunteers, and other experts through such programs as: horticulture, youth and families, leadership, environment, food, nutrition & health, home environment, and financial management.

Staff Dr. James Seeley, Executive Director John Bowe, 4-H Team Coordinator Dan Carusone, 4-H Community Educator Marybeth Mitcham, Nutrition, Food Safety, and Healthy Living Educator Roxanne Westcott, Parent Educator/Energy Educator Anne Mills, Farm to School Coordinator Jessica Holmes, Master Gardener Coordinator Sharon Bellamy, Finance Manager Amy Sabattis, Public Relations/Publications Manager Michele Baker, Administrative Assistant Chris Dittus, Administrative Assistant Rand Fosdick, Maintenance

Board of Directors William Mason - President Laura Conway- Vice President Julie Pearl - Secretary William Hamelin - Treasurer Aimee Azaert Daniel Bruno Peter Benoit Ed Griesmer Jim Kneeshaw David Strainer Michael White

Extension Service Committee Chair - Andrea Hogan Douglas Beaty Jack Diamond Ben Driscoll If you have special needs as addressed by the Cynthia Hyde Americans With Disabilities Act and need William Loeb assistance with attending these workshops, Brad Magowan please make your needs known by the regisEugene Merlino tration deadline. Reasonable efforts will be Michael Wild made for accommodations.

Warren County Connection

CALENDAR Please visit our website for more events www.cce.cornell.edu/warren 6/1/2019 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM - Master Gardeners Annual Plant Sale & 4-H Food Sale - Come shop for perennials and vegetable seedlings grown by master gardeners while enjoying tasty food prepared by 4-H Youth & Volunteers. Soil testing and master gardeners on site for questions. For more information contact CCE of Fulton & Montgomery Counties 518-853-2135. Location: Montgomery County Annex, 20 Park Street, Fonda, NY 12068 6/1/2019 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM - Outdoor Cooking Class This hands-on, interactive class will combine information with guidance to provide participants with the basic skills to start developing their own proficiency in outdoor cooking over a fire. Cost is $20.00. Register online http:// www.sunyacc.edu/continuing-ed/registration. Location: SUNY Adirondack, 640 Bay Road, Queensbury, NY 12804 6/1 & 6/2 2019 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM - Cornell Cooperative Extension Plant Sale - Come join us for our greenhouse sale! We will have annuals, vegetables, perennials and hanging baskets. Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer any questions you may have. All proceeds will go into the Master Gardener & 4-H Programs. For more information contact CCE Warren County 518-623-3291. Location: Cornell Cooperative Extension, 377 Schroon River Road, Warrensburg, NY 12885 6/6/2019 6:00 PM - 7:30PM - WHEP: Birds Eye View - Hike up Hackensack Mountain and look for songbirds and soaring birds of prey. Bring hiking shoes, a rain coat, hat, and sun glasses. Check for ticks afterward. No fee. Contact CCE Warren to register by e-mailing mlb222@cornell.edu or calling 518-668-4881. Location: Cornell Cooperative Extension, 377 Schroon River Road, Warrensburg, NY 12885 6/6 & 6/13 2019 10: 00 AM - 1:00 PM - Parenting Apart A parent program designed specifically for parents who are separating, divorcing or parenting apart from the other parent. Pre-registration required by contacting Roxanne Westcott at 518-668-4881 or rmw38@cornell.edu. TBA Queensbury/Lake George, NY. 6/16/2019 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM - Shotgun Program - Must be at least 12 years of age and 90 lbs. Continue to improve safety skills. Work on moving targets, lead, trigger squeeze, breathing, and follow through. Fee $5. Contact the CCE Warren office to register by e-mailing mlb222@cornell.edu or calling 518-668-4881. Location Dunham’s Bay Fish & Game Club, 2080 Ridge Road, Queensbury, NY 12804

Warren County Connection

Tracking The Climate With Phenology

By Dr. Leonard Perry, Horticulture Professor Emeritus University of Vermont

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signs of spring in 1736, continuing for over 60 years. Succeeding generations of his family continued this into the twentieth century. Marsham was friends with another naturalist, Gilbert White, who observed (with naturalist William Markwick) the seasonal events of more than 400 plant and animal species between 1768 and 1793.

Watching dates of biological events each year preceded even these naturalists, dating back centuries to preagricultural times. The earliest written records were by the Chinese in 974 B.C. Perhaps the longest record of flowering dates--1200 years-- shows that cherry trees in Japan are blooming earlier over the last 100 years. Osaka researcher Yasuyuki Aono has compiled this data from historical documents and records.

Watching when buds and then flowers appear on specific plants from year to year now is being used to watch for changes in climate. Knowing these dates also can be related to the appearance of certain pests and diseases, so it can tell you the best times for control. The study of such biological events is known as “phenology.” It is easy, can give you a better perspective on your own garden events and climate, and you can join networks of gardeners and naturalists all sharing this interest.

The appearance of robins in spring, flowering of crabapples and lilacs, the flowering of the cherry trees in Washington, dates of egg-laying of birds, and the dates of leaf coloring and drop in autumn are all phenological events.

They respond to a combination of climate factors such as temperature, rainfall, and day length. Of course, these can be measured separately, but what I find fascinating about watching plants is that they are programmed to combine all such factors to determine when certain events such as bud opening occur.

Phenology has been handed down for years in folklore, such as the saying relating leaf appearance and rainfall.

"If oak's before ash, you're in for a splash. If ash before oak, you're in for a soak." The term “phenology” comes from the Greek words for “study” of “appearances.”

While the Belgian botanist Charles Morren is often credited with the first use of this term, in 1849, the English naturalist Robert Marsham is often considered the founding father of phenology. He began recording 27

Another quite long record is that of the ripening of the Pinot Noir grape in Burgundy, France. Grape harvest dates are closely related to temperature, so provide a good indicator of yearly changes, in this case between 1370 and 2003 (Nature, November2004). The French researchers found that temperatures as high as those in the 1990’s occurred several times since 1370, with the summer of 2003 being extraordinarily high.

Looking at bloom dates in the northeastern U.S., plants at the Arnold Arboretum in Boston are blooming about eight days earlier than recorded there 100 years ago.

Wildflowers in nearby Concord, Massachusetts are blooming about three weeks earlier than in 1854 when Thoreau observed them (primacklab.blogspot.com). A researcher at Longwood Gardens, near Philadelphia, has shown that flowers in that area are blooming on average one and a half days earlier per decade compared to 150 years ago. Similarly, in Vermont, lilacs are blooming one and a half days earlier, with leaves out 3 days earlier, per decade (alanbetts.com).

Much of the current phenology efforts can be traced back right here to Vermont, to the research and network begun in 1965 by Professor Hopp in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. He was interested in relating bloom dates to insects, and so best control times, and to helping farmers plant crops at the right times. Back then, climate change and tracking it was not an issue, nor even considered.

A more recent study, published by the Entomology program at the University of Kentucky (entomology.ca.uky. edu/entfacts) correlates the emergence of 33 important insect pests of landscape plants with the flowering of 34 (Continued on page 4)

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Warren County Connection

commonly seen plants in landscapes. By knowing such relationships, it is easier to know which pests may be emerging, just by what is blooming, and to best schedule their control. For instance, they found that egg hatch of eastern tent caterpillars on average was March 16, just after first bloom of border forsythia and 95 percent bloom of cornelian cherry dogwood. Some gardeners look for this egg hatch when the buds of crabapples and wild plums open. Then later, they watch for grasshopper egg hatch when purple lilacs bloom and, in summer, watch for squash vine borers when chicory blooms.

importance. “Phenology is the study of periodic biological events in the animal and plant world as influenced by the environment, especially temperature changes driven by weather and climate. Wide ranges of phenomena are included, from first openings of leaf and flower buds, to insect hatchings and return of birds. Each one gives a ready measure of the environment as viewed by the associated organism. Thus, timings of phenological events are ideal indicators of the impact of local and global changes in weather and climate on the earth’s biosphere.”

Some gardeners also use phenology, or what is blooming, to schedule their plantings and cultural practices.

Examples would be to prune roses and fertilize lawns when yellow forsythia and crocus bloom; plant peas when daffodils bloom; plant lettuce when lilacs have leafed out; plant cucumbers when lilac flowers have faded; plant tomatoes when apple blossoms begin to fall; and plant peppers when bearded iris are in bloom.

Recording phenology events is easy, doesn’t require much time (outside of what you probably already are doing in watching your plants in spring and summer), and through such observations over the years you will be learning more about your own climate. You can begin to relate certain events, such flowering and pest emergence. By then sharing your data as a “citizen scientist” in one of these networks, you’ll be helping scientists in their predictions, taking the “pulse of the planet.”

In the early 1980’s, I took over the phenology network begun by Professor Hopp, at that time collecting specific bud and bloom “phenophase” data on a couple of clonal selections of lilac and honeysuckle from observers throughout Vermont and the region. Clones or cultivars (cultivated varieties) were selected since they would be identical at each observation site, the bud and bloom timing just varying with the climate differences among sites.

Since then, this network has been expanded under Dr. Mark Schwartz at the University of Madison Milwaukee.

The current result is the National Phenology Network, which he helped to co-found. There, you can learn more about this science and even participate as a citizen scientist with your own observations (www.usanpn.org).

You can buy and observe the same lilac cultivar—Red Rothamagensis—that Professor Hopp used, adding to the over 50 years of data already from hundreds of observers. Or, you can observe many other plant and animal species—particular ones depending on your state. For Vermont, for instance, 55 are listed at the National Phenology Network site. On this site there are also “campaigns”—observations relating to a plant, such as this lilac, or group such as pollinators. All these, plus mobile apps, a botany primer for observations, and more are part of this network’s Nature’s Notebook— celebrating its tenth year in 2019. There are many other phenology-related observation programs and organizations listed on this site, some quite local and regional (www.usanpn.org/nn/connect/friends).

Dr. Schwartz summarizes well what phenology is, and its

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Lawn Care Basics

Quick tips for a healthier lawn. You don't have to become a lawn expert to have a healthy lawn. Just follow these simple tips and you'll be well on your way.

Mow high. The shorter you mow your lawn, the more work you will need to do to keep it looking good. Never cut more than a third of the plant when you mow. If you want to keep your lawn mowed to just 1 inch, that means mowing when it reaches 1.5 inches, or every 2 to 5 days. That's a lot of work. Mowing that close can weaken root systems (making the grass more prone to drought), and makes it easier for weeds to out-compete grass. Mowing your lawn to a 3-inch height helps grass compete with weeds. It means mowing when the grass reaches 4.5 inches, or every 5 to 15 days, depending on growth rates.

Keep your mower sharp. Dull blades tear grass instead of cutting it. Lawns mowed with dull blades use 30 percent more water. Plus the wounds created by dull blades allow disease pathogens to enter grass plants. File your blade regularly, and replace damaged blades.

Leave the clippings. Clippings do not create carbon, contrary to popular belief. If you cut only a third of the plant at each mowing, the clippings won't smother the grass either. Mulching mowers work best to chop up clippings so they can settle down through the grass and onto the soil surface. There, earthworms incorporate clippings into the soil, improving both its drainage after storms and ability to hold water during drought. Do not disperse clippings onto pavement or into gutters. They are high in phosphorus and can cause pollution when washed into storm sewers and reach streams and lakes.

Don't fertilize early. Fertilizing in early spring only stresses grass plants over the long term by encouraging

excessive top growth at the expense of roots. (Do not apply fertilizer to frozen or saturated soil, or on top of snow. It's a waste of fertilizer and sure way to have it wash into streams and lakes.) A better strategy is to fertilize in fall, from about August 15 until about 2 weeks after last mowing. Plants will use this fertilizer to develop root reserves to help them survive through winter and get off to a healthy start next spring.

Watch your water. Only newly planted grass needs to be irrigated. Summer brown-out (dormancy) will not be prevented by irrigation. The grass goes dormant because temperatures are too high for optimal growth. If you MUST water, never water at night. Wet grass invites diseases. Water between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. when the leaves will dry quickly in the morning sun.

Special care in shade. Grass needs a minimum of 4 hours of direct sun—6 hours if it gets much foot traffic.

Anything less than this, you should consider other ground covers. In shady spots, plant fine fescues that are adapted to lower light, mow high and reduce fertilizer.

Spray sparingly. Never use lawn insecticides without scouting to see if the problem justifies treatment. 75 percent of lawn insecticide applications in New York are unnecessary or ineffective, and also expensive! Manage grass for healthy root systems, which can tolerate some insect damage and remain aesthetically pleasing.

Fill in weak spots. Use a rake to work up and improve the soil where weeds flourish or the ground is bare. Then reseed with grass varieties best-suited to the site. If, after a season of mowing high and leaving the clippings, your lawn is still more than half perennial weeds and bare spots, consider a complete renovation.

Source: Cornell University Department of Horticulture

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Bettas Need More Than Bowls

build up over time from urine, feces, and break down of uneaten food in the water.

A filtration system that is low flow is preferred in their tank to keep the environment clean of toxins. A low-flow filter is vital to ensure that the fish’s delicate fins are not injured by the suction of a filter.

IT’S NOT ‘JUST’ A FISH Known for their bright, beautiful coloration and elaborate fin displays, betta fish, more accurately called “Siamese fighting fish,” are a common household pet.

These little beauties require specific care to ensure that they stay happy and healthy. Dr. Krista Keller, a veterinarian at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana who is a board-certified specialist in zoological medicine, offers insights for owners of these pet fish.

Housing Your Betta The first thing to consider for a betta fish is its environment.

“Betta fish are often seen living in bowls that are too small to allow for normal swimming and hiding behavior,” Dr. Keller says. “They should not live in bowls. Instead, they should ideally be in a 5-gallon glass or plastic tank or larger.” Having an environment of this size allows the betta fish to exhibit normal activity and have less buildup of toxins in their environment.

It can be fun to decorate a fish tank—there are so many different shapes, sizes, and colors of decorations found in pet stores and online. However, it is important to keep the betta fish in mind when choosing decorations.

“Decorations for a tank should never take up too much of the tank, pushing the fish to the periphery,” Dr. Keller says. Betta fish love to swim around and explore their entire tank. Many decorations also have sharp edges that can easily tear the delicate fins. Avoid these to keep the betta’s fins beautiful.

Water Quality and Temperature Water quality is vital to the health of a fish. Toxins can

“Most people don’t realize that betta are tropical fish,” Dr. Keller explains. Their tank needs to be kept within a distinct range of 76°F to 81°F. Owners should measure the tank temperature with a thermometer. Because most homes are kept at a lower temperature, an in-tank water heater will be needed to maintain the temperature.

The type of water used in the tank matters too. Tap water contains harmful chemicals, such as chlorine and chloramine and sometimes heavy metals. These chemicals can cause immunosuppression or make the fish very sick.

“If tap water is used in the tank, it is recommended to use a dechlorinating product and test for heavy metals,” Dr. Keller explains. An alternative to tap water is bottled water, which is free of these harmful chemicals. However, distilled water should not be used as it lacks vital minerals that are important for fish health.

Time to Eat! “Many resources may falsely claim that bettas can live off nibbling the roots of several plants,” Dr. Keller says. “This is not true!” Plants can provide enrichment for the fish to hide and explore, but plants are not a food source.

Betta fish are carnivores that eat insects and insect larvae. They should be fed a balanced pelleted or flaked food daily.

Just like cats and dogs, betta fish can be overfed, leading to obesity and other health issues.

Dr. Keller suggests that every day a betta fish should be given the amount of food it can eat within 3 to 5 minutes, without any food left over. Left-over food will sink to the bottom of the tank and lead to poor water quality.

“Betta fish can be given treats, too! They should be highprotein items such as bloodworms or brine shrimp fed live or freeze dried, and like all treats they should be given in moderation,” Dr. Keller explains.

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Do They Get Lonely?

Betta fish are naturally territorial and should not be housed with any other betta fish because they will fight and injure each other, often resulting in death. They are unlikely to get lonely in their tank; however, if they are in a small tank, they may get bored.

“There are a variety of other species of tank mates that can be safely added to a betta’s tank, such as snails, ghost shrimp, certain species of fish, and African dwarf frogs,” Dr. Keller says. In order to add these friends, however, the size of the tank and filtration system must increase to keep everyone healthy and clean.

Betta Resources There is a plethora of information available online about betta fish. Unfortunately, a lot of it is incomplete or inaccurate. Dr. Keller recommends the website Bettafish.org as a great resource for any betta fish questions.

“There are many types of family members. They don’t all have to be furry or fuzzy,” Dr. Keller says. “All family members deserve the same high level of care and treatment, so next time someone says, ‘It’s just a fish,’ you can reply, ‘this is MY fish!’”

If you have further questions about betta fish, visit Bettafish.org or contact a veterinarian who treats zoological companion animals.

Source: College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign

Why do we love the sea? It is because it has some potent power to make us think things we like to think. ~Robert Henri The sun, with all those planets revolving around it and dependent on it, can still ripen a bunch of grapes as if it had nothing else in the universe to do. ~Galileo Galilei

Keep Smartphone Data Private By Safely Downloading Apps Smartphones can make our lives easier, but they can also make our personal information more accessible in ways that we don’t want.

Adware, spyware, and Trojans can infect smartphones and access your private data – which can translate into a financial problem as well as a security problem. Besides accessing your contacts and tracking your location, malware can enable someone to shop with your bank account, raise your phone bill with SMS messages, and collect passwords for all types of financial and shopping accounts you may use on your phone.

Tip 1: Use the “Official” App Store Android may be more susceptible to malware and spyware because it is an open platform system on which many retailers can offer apps, and from many sources, not just one official store. But even if you limit yourself to only using an “official” store like the Apple Store or Google Play, it is still smart to take precautions.

Disable the installation of third-party source apps to prevent Trojans that spread through ads and other unknown sources. And know that even though the official stores have departments that work to review apps, something could still slip past.

Tip 2: Watch Out for Imposters How do you know if an app is “safe” to download? You find out the same way you check out an investment or other financial product – you do some research.

Check out the app developer by doing a web search on what other apps they have created. Note the number of downloads and how long ago the app was published or updated. Like in phishing emails, spelling and grammar errors are a common give-away to trouble.

Read reviews, but take them with a grain of salt. If all the reviews are positive, they may be paid testimonials or posted by bots. Detailed reviews that list both good and bad features are more likely to be real user-generated feedback. While you want an app that people list positively, it’s a sign that reviews are authentic if users occasionally post a negative point or question – and it’s an even (Continued on page 8)

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Warren County Connection

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the experiment, that he had been arrested for domestic abuse of his ex-wife. The researchers found that when the news about the arrest record was attributed to police records, participants’ rapid, gut-level attitudes toward Kevin immediately became more negative.

better sign if the developer has responded to work through the issue.

But when the same information was attributed to a friend of Kevin’s ex-girlfriend – more questionably reliable than the police – participants retained their positive attitude toward Kevin. They saw the ex-girlfriend as perhaps having a reason to spread malicious, untrue gossip and, by discounting the source, discounted the information.

“In other words, whether participants thought this new information was true determined even their automatic feelings,” the researchers wrote. “And, in a separate experiment, this occurred even if participants initially thought the information was true and only later discovered that it was from a questionable source.”

In another set of experiments using celebrities as the subject, the researchers found that even a single exposure to false news shifted participants’ automatic reactions to the negative from their previous positive attitude. However, the researchers found if they immediately informed participants that the news was fake, participants’ reactions did not switch to negative. The negative effects of the fake news could be undone simply by the researchers – who were seen as reliable sources of news – telling the participants that the news was false.

“The very same new information about an individual or event may or may not lead to substantive correction depending on the perceived credibility of the source – perceptions that are likely to differ markedly among people,” the researchers wrote. “Perhaps, then, the philosopher [Gloria] Origgi is correct when she suggests that we live not in an ‘age of information’ but rather in an ‘age of reputation’ in which the most impactful information is that which is shared by the most reputable among us – not just for deliberate evaluations, but also for relatively more unintentional ones.”

Source: Linda B. Glaser is a staff writer for the College of Arts and Sciences.

Overall, if it sounds too good to be true, it just might be.

Tip 3: Be Aware of App Permissions What permissions does the app require to access specific functions and data? Be selective about what authority you grant – carefully review the permissions request and consider whether those permissions are really needed for that app to function.

If the app wants to access your calendar or location, it may be relaying that information to someone who wants to know where you’re going – or when you’re not home.

If it’s accessing your phone, camera or microphone, it could record at any time without your knowledge. Phone or SMS permissions also may be troublesome if criminals make calls or send messages at a charge to you. Contacts can be particularly appealing to fraudsters. Storage access can let the app read, change, or remove any files stored on the device.

If you don’t want to grant the permissions, you can decline them. But if the app really needs them it may not work properly. You can change app permissions in your settings at any time. And if you suspect you’ve downloaded a bad app, uninstall it and see if phone performance improves.

Finally, remember that your smartphone is a computer and should be maintained by keeping system software and apps updated and by using a good antivirus and Anti-spyware software.

Source: Kelly May, Senior Extension Associate, Family Finance and Resource Management, University of Kentucky

All of the biggest technological inventions created by man - the airplane, the automobile, the computer - says little about his intelligence, but speaks volumes about his laziness. ~Mark Kennedy The real danger is not that computers will begin to think like men, but that men will begin to think like computers. ~Sydney J. Harris

Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself. ~Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy

I like my new telephone, my computer works just fine, my calculator is perfect, but Lord, I miss my mind! ~Author Unknown

I wondered why somebody didn't do something. Then I realized, I am somebody. ~Author Unknown

Technology presumes there's just one right way to do things and there never is. ~Robert M. Pirsig

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Credit Repair Scams

You've probably seen ads from companies promising a “new credit identity” — that is, a fresh start for your credit history. It may seem like just the thing you need to get your credit back on track, but it’s actually a scam.

These companies often sell Social Security numbers illegally. If you use a number other than your own to apply for credit, not only won’t you get credit, but you also could face fines or prison.

If your credit is less than golden, there are steps you can take to repair it on your own, at no cost. Only time and a personal debt repayment plan will improve your credit.  Signs of a Credit Repair Scam  Ads That Promise a "New Credit Identity"  Your Credit Rights  Report Credit Repair Fraud

Signs of a Credit Repair Scam You’ll know you’re encountering credit repair fraud if a company:  insists you pay them before they do any work on your behalf  tells you not to contact the credit reporting companies directly  tells you to dispute information in your credit report — even if you know it's accurate  tells you to give false information on your applications for credit or a loan  doesn’t explain your legal rights when they tell you what they can do for you

Ads That Promise a "New Credit Identity" Companies promising a “new credit identity” say they can help you hide bad credit history or bankruptcy for a fee. If you pay them, these companies will provide you with a nine-digit number that looks like a Social Security

number. They may call it a CPN — a credit profile number or a credit privacy number. Or, they may direct you to apply for an EIN — an Employer Identification Number — from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). EIN’s are legitimate numbers, typically used by businesses to report financial information to the IRS and Social Security Administration — but an EIN is not a substitute for your Social Security number.

The credit repair companies may tell you to apply for credit using the CPN or EIN, rather than your own Social Security number. And they may lie and tell you that this process is legal. But it's a scam. These companies may be selling stolen Social Security numbers, often those taken from children. By using a stolen number as your own, the con artists will have involved you in identity theft.

If you follow a credit repair company’s advice and commit fraud, you might find yourself in legal trouble. It’s a federal crime to:  lie on a credit or loan application  misrepresent your Social Security number  obtain an EIN from the IRS under false pretenses The bottom line is that if you use the number they sell you, you could face fines or time in prison.

Your Credit Rights The Credit Repair Organization Act (CROA) makes it illegal for credit repair companies to lie about what they can do for you, and to charge you before they've performed their services. This law, which is enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, requires credit repair companies to explain:  your legal rights in a written contract that also details the services they'll perform  your three day right to cancel without any charge  how long it will take to get results  the total cost you will pay  any guarantees What if a credit repair company you hired doesn't live up to its promises? You have some options.   

You can sue them in federal court for your actual losses or for what you paid them, whichever is more You can seek punitive damages — money to punish the company for violating the law You can join other people in a class action lawsuit against the company, and if you win, the company has to pay your attorney's fees (Continued on page 10)

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Report Credit Repair Fraud State Attorneys General Many states also have laws regulating credit repair companies. If you have a problem with a credit repair company, report it to your local consumer affairs office or to your state Attorney General (AG).

Federal Trade Commission You also can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. Although the FTC can't resolve individual credit disputes, it can take action against a company if there's a pattern of possible law violations. File your complaint online at ftc.gov/complaint or call 1-877-FTC-HELP. Source: Federal Trade Commission

Keep Pollen Out of Your Home! 

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Remain indoors in the morning when the pollen levels are highest. Sunny, windy days can be especially bothersome for allergy sufferers. If you have a pollen allergy and you must work outdoors, you can wear tight fitting facemasks that are designed to filter pollen out of the air before it reaches your nasal passages.

Keep your lawn mowed to prevent grasses from blooming and pollinating. When you do mow your grass, wear a mask to filter out the pollen particles.

When you are in your car, keep your windows closed and your air conditioning on re-circulate.

At home keep your windows closed during peak hours of the day, and be sure to replace your heating/cooling air filters regularly.

Obtain a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter.

They are very effective in removing pollen from the air indoors without contaminating the environment with molds.

Dry all your laundry indoors during the pollen season. Save the clothesline for pre- and post-pollen weather.

Avoid travel in the country; especially on dry, windy days or while crops are being harvested.

Pets bring in pollen on their fur. Brushing them thoroughly before they come in will keep them from “tracking” pollen inside.

Change your clothes after being outside, since you can bring pollen inside. Wash or rinse your hair. Remove shoes before going inside.

Warren County Connection

Summertime Fun & Sun! Stay Hydrated and Healthy This Summer Our bodies are made up of about 60% water, and every system depends on water. So water is important for healthy skin, hair, and nails, as well as controlling body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure.

You can stay fully hydrated throughout the day by drinking water and other fluids, as well as eating foods that are hydrating.

Fruits are an excellent source for water. Watermelon is 90% water, so it ranks highest on the list. Oranges, grapefruit, and melons like cantaloupe and honeydew are also strong contenders. Vegetables, though not as full of water as fruit, can also provide a nutrient-rich water source. Stick with celery, cucumbers, tomatoes, green peppers, and Romaine lettuce.

There are plenty of hidden sources of water in your diet, says White. If you want to tap into these foods, reach for oatmeal, yogurt, soup, and smoothies.

Besides guzzling water, milk is a top choice to refuel. Juices and sports drinks are also hydrating -- you can lower the sugar content by diluting them with water.

Coffee and tea also count in your tally. Many used to believe that they were dehydrating, but that myth has been debunked. The diuretic effect does not off-set hydration.

Alcohol is a huge dehydrator, says White. You should try to limit your intake, but if you are going to raise a glass, aim for at least a one-to-one ratio with water.

If you don't like the taste of plain water, try adding lemon to it. Or test out your own concoction, like sparkling water with raspberries with a sprig of mint.

Cold Brewed Iced Tea Did you know? Tea is rich in antioxidants. And it contains less caffeine, than coffee, it may reduce your risk for heart attack and stroke, helps protect bones, and keeps your smile bright.

Make cold brewed Iced Tea instead of soda! It’s easy; just follow these steps: Combine 8 cups cold water and 10 tea bags in a pitcher. Cover and refrigerate 15 to 36 hours, until it's the strength you like. Remove tea bags. Add lemon slices and honey or stevia to taste and serve over ice.

Source: North Carolina Cooperative Extension Reference: University of Maryland Extension, webmd.com

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