ChaCha for Answers on Your Cell Phone

Update 9/21/09:  I continue to be pleased at how nicely ChaCha has helped me find information on the go.  For example, on Saturday I was out and about with my kids and decided I wanted to take them to see the new movie, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs.  I called 1-800-2ChaCha and asked "Where is the movie 'Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs' playing near Thousand Oaks, California in the next 2 hours?"  Within a couple minutes I had several choices texted to my cell phone, with movie times and phone numbers!  Worked beautifully! And I was able to do this while driving the car (would have been challenging...and illegal...using an iPhone web browser). (Of course...make sure to stop before reading the text messages.)

What's nice about ChaCha is that you have a virtual personal assistant that does the homework for you! And it is free!

ChaCha is fun for random questions. Like the other day I heard that song "Blinded by the Light" and wondered for the 99th time, what are heck are those lyrics that I never understand?  ChaCha promptly replied that the lyrics for this Manfred Mann Earth Band hit are "Blinded by the light, revved up like a deuce, another runner in the night."  Ah ha!  Learned something new! Now I should call back and ask what those lyrics actually mean!

NOTE: This was previously posted about a year ago but a friend reminded me of ChaCha as a FREE personal assistant.  To summarize ChaCha, it is a free service where you call a toll-free number, ask a question and a real person does the research and texts the answer back to you on your cell phone.  The person who does the research receives 10 cents to 20 cents per answer (I confirmed this by asking ChaCha).  How does ChaCha make money?  Advertising.  I typically receive 3 text messages back from ChaCha...a written confirmation of my question. an advertisement, and an answer.

The ChaCha website is also kind of fun to check out to see what types of questions are currently being asked.  For example, someone asked "How many schools are there in the U.S." and ChaCha replied with "124,110 public/private schools as of 2005."

I tried it at lunch during the 2008 NBA playoffs.  Dialed 800.224.2242 (or 800.2chacha) and asked:  "What is the time and date of the next Lakers playoff game?"  I hung up and within a minute received a text message that confirmed my question and told me I would receive an answer soon. A minute later the next text message said "L.A. Lakers play Denver 5:30 p.m. EDT on TNT.  Lakers lead series 2-0."  So they gave me even more than I asked!

After lunch I tried one more:  "Who was the 5th President of the U.S. and how old was he when he died?"  After the initial reply confirming the question, I heard back:  "James Monroe was the fifth President of the United States (1817-1825).  He died in New York at the age of 73."  So once again, not only did they respond quickly, but with even more than what I asked!

You can also type and text your questions to them at "ChaCha" or 242242. 

Local Trash and Recycling Guidelines in the Conejo Valley

We seem to always argue in our household about what we are "supposed" to place in the recycling, trash and yard debris containers.  Harrison Industries, one of our local trash collectors in the Conejo Valley (along with Waste Management), publishes guidelines on what we can and cannot do:

Recycling Bin:

Yes:  Aluminum and metal cans, plastic containers (1-7), plastic bags, hard plastics (including nursery pots, yogurt containers and toys), glass containers, paper and junk mail, newspaper, magazines, cardboard, cereal, cracker and shoe boxes.

No:  Styrofoam, plastic bags or shrink wrap.

The City of Thousand Oaks has some additional tips about the quality of the City’s recycling: Keep plastic bags out of the recycling bin (even if you collect recyclables in them. Dump them out of the bag as it causes problems with sorting them. Rinse any food-contaminated containers before recycling them. And of course, keep all non-recyclables out of the recycling bin.

Yard Debris Bin:

Yes:  Yard trimmings, weeds, leaves, grass, small branches, unpainted/untreated scrap lumber, plants and flowers.

No:  Trash, garden hoses, animal waste, dirt/rocks, yucca/palm, plastic bags, food, recyclables, concrete, metal, flower pots and painted/treated wood.

Trash:

Yes: Well, just trash.  Everything that doesn't go into the recycling and yard debris, with exceptions below.

No:  Hazardous waste, TVs, computer monitors, fluorescent light bulbs, tires, batteries, oil/paint, medical needles.

Bin Spacing:  2 to 3 feet apart. Now there’s been some heated debate on NextDoor regarding whether to put the bins on the curb or in the street in front of the curb. E.J. Harrison says the carts should be placed “with the wheels facing the curb,” which to me infers they should be in the street. I’ve personally always place my bins/carts in the street, and find it quite obnoxious when folks block sidewalks with their trash bins. So I guess you know my feelings on the matter. :)

Hazardous Waste

Thousand Oaks residents can take hazardous waste for disposal by appointment 1 day per month.  Click here to make an appointment.

Materials accepted includes acids, oil, antifreeze, paint, propane, pesticides, batteries, electronics, various household chemical, etc. 

Looking for other places to bring recyclables and hazardous waste?  Check out www.Earth911.org.

Batteries and Fluorescent Bulbs

For several years now it has been illegal to toss used batteries and flourescent bulbs in the trash.  While I am not aware of anyone going to jail for dumping a AA battery into the trash, do the right thing by taking used batteries to a hazardous waste disposal event or taking your batteries to drop-off locations in the area.

Or better yet, switch to rechargeable batteries! 

Kids and Teenagers on the Internet - Should You Use Internet Filtering Software?

So yesterday I spoke at a local elementary school "Career Day" about Conejo Valley Guide.  It was a lot of fun and there was a large range of presenters...including firefighters, a dentist (actually, MY dentist), a shoe designer, jockey, creative director, ad salesperson, x-ray technician, project manager and a whole range of others.

Anyhow, it was no surprise to me that ALL of the 25 students in my sessions use the Internet.  But what WAS surprising to me was how many, probably 80% to 90%, of the 4th, 5th and 6th graders in attendance, are avid users of YouTube and other popular websites.  A few of the kids mentioned "Webkins" and other kid sites, but a lot of the kids are on the Web all the time on all sorts of sites.

Not that YouTube is bad or anything; there's a lot of great stuff that kids can learn from in there.  But the Internet as we know has a virtually endless supply of stuff we rarely got exposed to as a kid...pornography, chat rooms, hate sites, social networking, shareware, personals/dating, drugs, weapons, violence, etc.

I know some parents that rarely let there kids on the Internet, and others who allow it under close supervision.  However, can be hard to do.  I know it is in my household, with 3 boys ranging from 3 to 15.

So I strongly advise taking a look at one of the various Internet Filtering Software products out there.  We've used, with success, a product called Cybersitter. Among other things it allows you to block dozens of different website categories as well as specific sites chosen by you.  Cybersitter costs about $35 to $40 but is worth it for peace of mind.

Net Nanny one of the most popular and well known Web filtering software products and sells for $30 to $40.  This website: http://internet-filter-review.toptenreviews.com/ has a great summary and reviews for all of the top products, including Net Nanny and Cybersitter.  Worth checking out!

What to Do With Old Cell Phones and Other Electronics

We have 3 cell phone users in our house and a bunch of old cell phones lying around.  The kids get tired of playing with them and they are basically non-functional (though they do work successfully as paperweights).  Are they worth anything?  For the most part, no.  So the best bet is to take them to a recycler that has been approved for taking e-waste.

If you prefer to rid yourself of these items via mail, the USPS is piloting a recycling program, where they provide postage-paid plastic envelopes for recycling old cell phones, PDAs, MP3 players, digital cameras and up to 4 inkjet cartridges.  Call your local post office at 800.ASK.USPS to see if they have these bags.  I know they carry them at 2150 Pickwick Drive, Camarillo as I plan to use a few myself.

So does your old cell phone and other old electronic equipment have any value?  You could spend time on eBay and try to sell your old equipment.  But you could also check out Gazelle.com, which allows you to type in information about your equipment and they tell you how much they will pay you for it. I found out that I could fetch a whopping $17 for my 6 month old LG phone while my old Nokia has no value.  But they also buy old laptops, gaming consoles, digital cameras, MP3 players, etc.  I found out our ancient Nintendo 64 also has no value :<

Click this link:  Get Cash For Your Gadgets at gazelle.com! so that Conejo Joe gets credit if you do happen to sell something to Gazelle.  Whatever I make I will donate to local charities!  Go on, start uncluttering your house of old electronic stuff!

An Amazing Infant Swimming Survival Video

Anyone with young kids and a pool worries about pool safety. Too often we read about pool tragedies. A friend of mine sent me a link to this amazing video of an infant that was taught pool survival skills. As a parent it is hard to watch at first but is incredible (and you will see a very big smile on this cute little guy at the end of the video).

This infant was taught survival swim techniques through an Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) program. I visited the ISR website at www.infantswim.com and searched for local ISR-certified instructors in Ventura County. I came across a local instructor in Newbury Park at www.CaliforniaWaterBabies.com.

Of course the best approach to pool safety is prevention. Some common sense tips:

• Put a fence around your pool.
• Don't leave the little ones unattended.
• Don't get distracted, as accidents can happen in a split second.
• Put an alarm on your pool gate.
• Put a lock on your pool gate and check it daily.
• Don't leave toys in the pool that could entice a little one to jump in.

For more tips visit www.californiawaterbabies.com/prevention.html.

Resolve to Get Fit in 2009! Local Fitness Activities in the Conejo Valley

Feeling flabby?  Looking large?  Terribly tired?  Severely sluggish?  Horribly heavy?  OK, you get the point.  Time to get active!  How about setting a fitness goal for 2009!  Work out at least 3 times a week!  Take a hike!  Join a local club!  Get fit!

We live in an area where there is no excuse NOT to be active!  Great weather year-round, hiking trails surround us and plenty of things to do.  Conejo Valley Guide provides hundreds of sources of local activities.  Let me provide a few ideas to get you on the move!

Click here for local running, cycling and hiking clubs.  Hiking, walking and running are your best "low budget" fitness bets!  Can't beat the fitness value of a pair of running shoes and this website dedicated to sharing info about Ventura County trails.  Here's a few:

Conejo Track Club

Future Track Running Club

Moms in Motion Fitness/Training

Conejo Open Space Group Hiking Outings

Conejo Valley Cyclists

Download a map of Las Virgenes-Malibu Area Trails

Click here for local gyms and fitness facilities.

Click here for karate and martial arts studios.

How about one of the following local clubs:

California Kayak Friends Club

Ventura Disc Golf Club

Ventura Surf Club

Other ideas:

Sign up for a class with the Conejo Recreation and Park District

Pilates classes

Gymnastics and dance facilities

Golf and tennis

Do a power walk at a local park

Ventura County beaches

This list is just a starting point!  Feel free to Contact Me with more ideas not found on this site and we will make sure to get them posted.

Visit the New City of Thousand Oaks "BikeSafe" Website!

BikeSafe is a new bicycle safety campaign launched in April 2008 designed to educate the Thousand Oaks community about good riding and driving practices that help keep everyone safe on the road. The campaign focuses on youth and adult cyclists, with an emphasis on the importance of riding with the traffic not against it.

BikeSafe has tips for local bicyclists and drivers, a great local area bike map, bicycling brochures for adults and children (in both English and Spanish), links to other bicycling website, information about local events and other information.

Check it out at www.toaks.org/bike or call the Thousand Oaks Public Works Department at 805.449.2400 for more information.