EDITORIAL


The worst is over. According to European scientists (who apparently get paid to track this sort of thing), Monday January 24th was the most depressing day of the year. They factored in: short days; poor weather; post-holiday debt; and broken New Year's Resolutions and came up with Monday January 24th as THE worst day of the year. Glad THAT's over.

A reader passed along the following tips for preventing/dealing with Identity theft (having learned the hard way, unfortunately). It's no substitute for legal or financial advice—but a few pointers might help. Use a shredder on all discarded bill/payment stubs. Any financial records that you maintain for tax purposes should be stored in a safe place. Order your checks with your initials plus your last name; a thief won't know that you sign with first and last name, but the bank will have your signature on file. Don't have your Social Security number printed on your checks. When you write checks to your credit card company, only use the last four numbers of the account on the Subject/For line (so the full number can't be scanned by just anyone along the processing line). Use your work number on your checks. Copy the contents of all your wallet IDs (front and back) and store the

copy in a safe or in a safe deposit box. Then you'll have the numbers to call to notify credit card companies of theft. For due diligence, immediately file a police report if your wallet/purse is stolen. AND keep the numbers of the three credit reporting organizations handy, so they can put a fraud alert on your name and social security number. Their numbers are:

Equifax:1-800-525-6285
Experian:(formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
Trans Union:1-800-680-72 89
For the Social Security Administration(fraud line), call 1-800-269-0271.

If anyone's going to rack up a new home theatre and a few trips to Fiji on your AmEx black, it oughtta be you.


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Mail: 486 West Second St , Lexington, Ky 40507
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Dining for Dollars

The kickoff event for the city’s Dining for Tsunami Relief began at Good Foods Market & Café, last weekend. A 15 percent portion of the proceeds go toward relief efforts for Tsunami survivors in Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and other affected countries. The event is sponsored by the Mayor’s Office, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government and the Bluegrass Area Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Info, 859.258.3123.


It’s here......

Once-a-week garbage pickup begins Monday, January 31st for those who have their trash collected by the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government’s Division of Solid Waste.


Got a Plan?

The Lexington Fayette Urban County Government Division of Planning is seeking citizen input about the upcoming 2006 Comprehensive Plan at a series of public meetings hosted in February.

The plan serves as a guide for public and private decisions to ensure that property in Fayette County is developed in appropriate places. In the past, the plan has also served as a reference point for developers by showing how and where future development could take place in Lexington.

The division will host five public meetings to present and receive input on the new plan. Each meeting begins at 7pm.

The first date and location is: February 3rd, at Northside Library, 1737 Russell Cave Rd.


Komen Funding

Officials with the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department have announced receipt of funds totaling $110,000 from the Susan G. Komen Foundation for 2005. Funds are available to eligible women in need of breast diagnostic and treatment services. Women experiencing a relapse from previously diagnosed and/or treated breast cancer are eligible if they fulfill the residence and financial criteria requirements.Women are not required to go through a private MD for a referral. Qualifying women can be of any age, but must reside in a county affiliated with the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Affiliated counties in the immediate area include Fayette, Bourbon, Clark, Franklin, Jessamine, Madison, and Woodford.

Eligible women may be underinsured, uninsured, or in financial need. Eligible patients are assisted on a 'first-come first- served' basis.

Contact Roanya Rice, RN, Women's Health Manager, 288.2345, or roanya.rice@ky.gov, for information.


Steer Clear

The left northbound lane and parking area of N. Limestone St. will be blocked at W. Fourth St. thru Friday, January 28, to install water service.

The inbound right lane of Clays Mill Rd. will be closed between Man O’ War Blvd. and Spring Run Rd. thru Friday, February 4, for road improvements.

Traffic on downtown Lexington streets will be congested on Saturday, February 5, as streets close to accommodate a Mardi Gras Parade from 6 to 7p.m.

Loudon Ave. will be blocked from Winchester Road to Eastland Dr. thru March 11, for utility work.

To submit an advocacy/activism activity or event for Quickies, email rkirkland@aceweekly.com, or editor@aceweekly.com.

To submit a Neighborhood, advocacy/activism activity or event for Quickies, email rkirkland@aceweekly.com, or editor@aceweekly.com.