I wrote a post back on April 29 about LifeLock. My husband and I plan to join the service. It costs about $10 per month and offers Identity Theft Protection, Reduced Junk Mail and Reduced Credit Card Offers, and is backed by a $1 Million Service Guarantee.

Experian is one of the major credit reporting bureaus in the USA and they do not like that LifeLock places fraud alerts for Lifelock members. Experian is now suing lifelock, alleging “credit laws do not provide for a third party to place fraud alerts on behalf of a consumer.” Placing fraud alerts, preventing fraud losses, issuing credit reports and investigating identity theft are among the corporate charges of the credit-reporting bureau. However, they do not like using their resources to set alerts on behalf of Lifelock’s clients.

Lifelock also provides opt-out services for pre-approved junk mail, which is cutting into the very lucrative practice of selling your credit history to lenders so that they may send you those new credit card and balance transfer offers.

While credit bureaus do very well with giving out consumer information so that lenders may up-sell, cross-sell customers while managing risk, they actually do little to help you straighten out your credit or identity when it is stolen.

Posted by CyberCelt under Did You Know & Product Reviews & Trouble | 5 Comments »

The Texas Hill Country Wine region is now the #2 Wine Region Destination in the USA, second only to the Napa Valley in California (Orbitz Insider Index, September 19, 2007). There are hundreds of vineyards in Texas, as grapes grow easily in much of the state. These vineyards may or may not have a winery, where the wine is made, on site.

Texas Wines Come of Age

The Texas Wine Trail (TWT)

The trail consists of 22 Texas wineries and you may visit them any time, just call ahead to check hours. However, there are five special trail events each year. Wineries host tastings of newly released wines, provide wine and food pairings, hold seminars, conduct demonstrations and give tours. Enjoy Texas Hill Country artists, musicians, crafters, chefs and entertainers during trail events. Here is a handy map of participating wineries and a calendar of events.

Way Out Wineries (WOW)

The Way Out Wineries (WOW) is a group of boutique wineries in an area from the north part of the Texas Hill Country to just south of the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. Here is the calendar of road trips and a map of the WOW.

Texas Vineyards, Tasting Rooms and Wineries (A-Z)

Alamosa Wine Cellars • (325) 628-3313 WOW

677 CR 430, Bend, TX 76824

Enjoy wines grown in the Texas Hill Country from the grapes of Italy, Spain and the Rhone. Taste warm climate varietals of Sangiovese, Viognier, Tempranillo and Syrah and specialty wines including Texas Port, Orange Muscat and Texas Sherry. Surrounded by hills and cooled by the winds off the Colorado River, enjoy fabulous sunsets and wonderful views.

Becker Vineyards • (830) 644-2681 TWT

464 Becker Farms Rd, Stonewall, TX 78671

Located in the Texas Hill Country between Fredericksburg and Stonewall, the 10,040 square-foot winery is located in a 19th-century German stone barn, surrounded by grazing quarter horses, peach orchards and fields of native wildflowers and lavender. The 46 acres of French Vinifera vines generate 8 different available varietals, including Syrah, Petite Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec, Petite Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The Homestead Bed and Breakfast, located next door, is the original homestead log cabin of the Heinrick Peese Family.

Barking Rocks Winery • 817-579-0007 WOW

1919 Allen Court, Granbury TX 76048

Premium wines handcrafted in an old rock barn located between historic Granbury and Thorp Springs.

Bluff Dale Vineyards • 254-728-3540 WOW

5222 CR 148, Bluff Dale, TX

Come sit on the porch overlooking the beautiful vineyards and the Hill Country of Bluff Dale.

Brennan Vineyards • 325-356-9100 WOW

802 S Austin Street (Highway 16), Comanche, TX 76442

Enjoy award-winning Brennan Vineyards Viognier and popular Austin Street Syrah, Commanche Rose and Cabernet Sauvignon wines McGrary Tasting Room and Gift Shop open most weekends.

Chisholm Trail Winery • (830) 990-CORK TWT

2367 Usener Road, Fredericksburg, TX 78624

Nine miles west of Fredericksburg on Hwy 290 west, 2.4 miles south on Usener Road. Picnic by Spring Creek and watch longhorn cattle and quarter horses or sit back in the corral and enjoy a glass of Chisholm Trail wine while overlooking Spring Creek Vineyards.

Comfort Cellars Winery • (830) 995-3274 TWT

723 Front Street (Hwy 27), Comfort, TX 78013

Fine wines, unique wines and wine blends. Gift shop and complimentary wine tasting. Some unusual wine offerings include Jalapeño, Comfort Gold, Sweet Rojo and Raisin! Browse the gift shop for fine soaps made with great fragrances and all organic ingredients.

Driftwood Vineyards • (512) 692-6229 TWT

4001 Elder Hill Road (CR 170), Driftwood, TX 78619

Located between Dripping Springs and Wimberley, Driftwood Vineyards offer Mediterranean style wines, with some award-winning blends and wines. Breathtaking hilltop view overlooking the vineyard. Gift shop, tastings, picnic area and covered deck. Bring a lunch and enjoy a glass of wine with the view from the covered deck.

Dry Comal Creek Vineyards • (830) 885-4121 TWT

1741 Herbelin Rd., New Braunfels, TX 78132

About 6.5 miles west of New Braunfels, off Highway 46 West is a winery that has won national awards and produces award-winning wines like White Port, White Black Spanish, Orange Muscat, Unoaked Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Reserve Fume Blanc, French Colombard and many others. Active calendar, call for information on Foot Stomp, Wine U and other fun events.

Flat Creek Estate • (512) 267-6310 TWT

24912 Singleton Bend Street, Marble Falls, TX 78654

Experience Old-World charm throughout our 80-acre Estate. Visit the home of “Super Texan” sangiovese. Taste handcrafted Texas wines from Texas grapes labels include Flat Creek Estate & Travis Peak Select. Located 6 miles west of Lago Vista (20 miles east of Marble Falls) on FM 1431. South on Singleton Bend 2.5 miles to Singleton Bend East. Left 1 mile to vineyards.

Fredericksburg Winery • (830) 990-8747 TWT

247 West Main Street, Fredericksburg, TX 78624

Named one of the top three producers in Texas by USA Today - Fredericksburg Winery is owned and operated by the Switzer family. They offer a range of red and white wines, from dry, semi-dry, medium sweet, sweet, late harvest desserts, port to sherry! Newest releases include Texas Chardonnay and Late Harvest Muscat Hamburg. Note: This is not a vineyard, but a winery where the actual wine making is done.

Grape Creek Vineyard • (830) 644-2710 TWT

97 Vineyard Lane, Stonewall, TX 78671

On Highway 290, 9 miles East of Fredericksburg is a little bit of Tuscany that will provide an experience that will refresh your heart and replenish your spirit. Grape Creek Vineyard produces a classic selection of award-winning wines. Active calendar, check the website. The Villa on Grape Creek, a bed and breakfast, has beautiful views of the vineyard, the banks of Grape Creek, the rolling hills and natural landscape of the area.

Lost Creek Vineyard • (325) 388-3753 TWT

1129 RR 2233, Sunrise Beach, TX 78643

Lost Creek Vineyard and Winery’s owner and winemaker David Brinkman has a passion to create the finest wines possible. He has been rewarded with 36 medals in less than 3 short years, both local and international. The wine tasting room is closed due to flood damage. Call for updates.

Mandola Estate Winery • (512) 858-1470 TWT

13308 FM 150 West, Driftwood, TX 78619

The climate above Onion Creek, where the 20 acres of vineyards are located, echoes the warmer drier climes of Southern Italy. Enjoy Texas wine with an Italian flair. The Trattoria Lisina restaurant is located in a beautiful, serene setting, overlooking Mandola Estate Winery, picturesque gardens and our vineyard. This casual restaurant offers a widely varied menu of authentic country-style Italian food.

McReynolds Winery • (830) 825-3544 TWT

706 Shovel Mountain Road, Cypress Mill, TX 78633

Award-winning, hand crafted, premium Texas table wines. We are halfway between Marble Falls and Johnson City. From Austin, 25 miles West of Bee Cave (via Hamilton Pool Rd/ RR 3238) or from Round Mountain 6 miles east on RR 962 to Shovel Mountain Rd (Blanco Co Rd 304). North on Shovel Mtn Rd 1/2 mile to winery. Picnic facilities available.

Pillar Bluff Vineyards • (512) 556-4078 WOW

300 Burnet County Road 111, Lampasas, TX 76550

Taste French varietals, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Merlot, in either the tasting room or outside in the shade of Live Oaks. From Hwy. 183/281 take 580 west 8 blocks to Farm Road 1478. Turn left off 580 West and stay on 1478 for 5 miles. At the Burnet County Line turn left onto County Rd 111. The winery is the first building on the right.

Red Caboose Winery • (866) 849-6518 WOW

1147 County Road 1110, Meridian, TX 76665

The design of the Red Caboose winery meets LEED green building criteria, one of the few wineries in the country, to do so. By using geothermal cooling and chilling, collecting rainwater for irrigation, and producing their own electricity, the winery is sustainable. The new cellar, now under construction, is partially subterranean which provides more energy efficiencies, geothermal cooling and cost savings. All this and wine, too! The winery and vineyards are located on the G Lazy M Ranch in beautiful Bosque County, south of Fort Worth and Dallas.

Rising Star Vineyards • 254-643-1776 WOW

1001 County Road 290, Rising Star, Texas 76471

The 2006 Rustler’s Red is a blend of Syrah, Ruby Cabernet and Zinfandel, and it is flying out of the tasting room. The vineyard and winery are located just 5 miles north of Rising Star on Highway 183.

Singing Water Vineyards • 830-995-2246 TWT

316 Mill Dam, Comfort, TX 78013

You will enjoy a visit to this scenic Hill Country vineyard and winery located up in the hills just south of Comfort on the banks of Bruins Creek. The tasting room, a rebuilt 100 year old Hill Country barn, greets you as you drive up to the winery. A tour and tasting in this relaxed country atmosphere is sure to lower your stress level! Bring your picnic lunch and relax on the winery porch with a glass of Singing Water wine.

Sister Creek Vineyards • (830) 324-6704 TWT

1142 Sisterdale Road, Sisterdale, TX 78006

Sisterdale is located in a quite valley between the East and West Sister Creeks, just north of the Guadalupe River, only 12 miles north of Boerne on scenic FM 1376. Award winning, barrel-aged European-style wines made in a restored 1885 cotton gin. Wines include Cabernet Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Muscat Canelli.

Spicewood Vineyards • (830) 693-5328 TWT

1419 Burnet CR 409, Spicewood, TX 78669

Home of award-winning 100% estate handcrafted wines from our vineyard. French oak barrels for fermenting the Chardonnay, as well as aging the Chardonnay, Semillon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. Zinfandel is aged in both American and French oak barrels. Gallery, gift shop, winemaker tour and tastings. Check website for directions from Highway 71.

Stone House Vineyard • (512) 264-3630 TWT

24350 Haynie Flat Rd., Spicewood, TX 78669

Beautiful setting on Lake Travis surrounded by vineyards producing award-winning wines, 35 minutes from Austin. The winery is constructed of massive limestone blocks making it functional as well as a building of artistic architectural merit. Located off Hwy 71 west, turn onto Paleface Ranch Road, 3 miles to t-junction, right onto Haynie Flat Road.

Texas Hills Vineyard • (830) 868-2321 TWT

878 RR 2766, Johnson City, TX 78636

Home of the “Kick Butt Cab” and other Italian-styled “Wines to Share With Friends.” Wines include Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese, Orange Moscato, Merlot, Syrah and more. Enjoy a picnic on the patio overlooking the vineyard. Locally made artisan cheeses and crackers available in the tasting room. Tasting room and gift shop. Located 1 mile east of Johnson City on RR 2766 (road to Pedernales Falls State Park)

Texas Legato Winery • (512) 556-9600 WOW

2935 Highway 1478, Lampasas, TX 76550

In Lampasas, Texas and from the intersection of Highway 183 and highway 580 W, turn west on Hwy 580 W, go 8 blocks to Hwy 1478 ( aka Howe Street), turn left (south) on Howe and go 4.3 miles and turn left into the winery, just west of Pillar Bluff Vineyard. We age our wines in a combination of French and American Oak barrels, giving our wines the best of both, hints of vanilla and cherry from the American Oak and the smoothness from the French Oak barrels.

Torre di Pietra Vineyards • (830) 644-2829 TWT

10915 E. US Hwy 290, Fredericksburg, TX 78624

Located near Fredericksburg Texas with vineyards in Doss and Gillespie Counties, Torre di Pietra continues a Hill Country family tradition of farming and wine making that date to the late 1800s in Texas. Enjoy Torre di Pietra’s quality wines, live music and unique gifts in a romantic setting. Wines include varietals: Sangiovese, Primitivo, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Moscato and popular blends: Red Flirt and Classico.

Woodrose Winery • (830) 644-2539 TWT

662 Woodrose Lane, Stonewall, TX 78671

Woodrose Winery is a small winery located on the south side of Hwy 290, just west of Stonewall. They have 2 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon in its ninth leaf of production. In 2008, Mourvedre, Sangiovese, Syrah and Malbec were also planted. The new 3,000 square foot multi level deck is perfect to sit down with a glass of wine, cheese plate and enjoy the Texas Hill Country.

Posted by CyberCelt under Day Trips & Food/Wine & Gardens/Tours & Wildflowers | 2 Comments »

Hushing Up Crisis Of Suicide, Mental Scars

By EMANUEL MARGOLIS
May 25, 2008
http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/commentary/hc-commentarymargolis0525.artmay25,0,4610803.story

Dr. Ira Katz, chief of mental health services for the Department of Veterans Affairs, sent an e-mail to a VA colleague this past February that read:

“Shh! Our suicide prevention coordinators are identifying about 1,000 suicide attempts per month among the veterans we see in our medical facilities. Is this something we should (carefully) address ourselves in some sort of release before somebody stumbles on it?”

Unfortunately for the government, somebody did “stumble” on it. Dr. Katz lied about the numbers before the House of Representatives Veterans’ Affairs Committee, grossly understating the number of such suicide attempts. He testified that the number for all of 2007 was 790. He also neglected the Army’s own “Suicide Event Report,” which disclosed that 2006 saw the highest rate of military suicides in 26 years!

CBS News did its own extensive research, finding that more than 6,250 American veterans took their own lives in 2005 alone. That comes to slightly more than 17 suicides every day.

Most of the data was obtained by discovery in the case of Veterans for Common Sense v. Peake, now pending in U.S. District Court in California. Veterans for Common Sense has spent years seeking this information under the Freedom of Information Act as well as through discovery ancillary to its lawsuit.

In the interest of full disclosure, I am a member of Veterans for Common Sense, and I have an application pending with the VA for an increase of my disability pension as a Purple Heart combat veteran of World War II.

The litigation against Veterans Affairs Secretary James Peake is uncovering more than the familiar amalgam of government secrecy, cover-up and deception by still another federal agency.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is vital to the protection and support of our troops. This support has carried an implied exception, namely cost-cutting for veterans’ health care after they have served their country.

The Veterans for Common Sense lawsuit has already demonstrated that the VA intentionally misled Congress and the public about the epidemic of veterans’ suicides. Here are the facts squeezed out of the government to date:

• 120 veterans commit suicide every week.
• 1,000 veterans attempt suicide while in VA care every month.
• Nearly one in five service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan (approximately 300,000) have post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms or major depression.
• 19 percent of post-Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have been diagnosed with possible traumatic brain injury, according to a Rand Corp. Study in April.
• A higher percentage of these veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder than from any previous war because of “stop loss” or an involuntary extension of service in the military (58,300), multiple tours, greater prevalence of brain injuries, etc.

The Veterans for Common Sense case has already uncovered widespread breakdown of the VA’s health care for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. The Rand Corp. study demonstrates that, in addition to the 300,000 Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans diagnosed with PTSD, an additional 320,000 have sustained physical brain damage resulting from traumatic brain injury. A majority of these injured GIs are receiving no help from the Defense Department or the VA, which are more concerned with covering up such unpleasant facts than providing care and paying disability pensions.

The Rand Corp. study concludes:

“Individuals afflicted with these conditions face higher risk for other psychological problems and for attempting suicide. They have higher rates of unhealthy behaviors — such as smoking, overeating and unsafe sex — and higher rates of physical health problems and mortality. … These conditions can impair relationships, disrupt marriages, aggravate the difficulties of parenting, and cause problems in children that may extend consequences of combat trauma across generations.”

The Defense Department’s Task Force on Mental Health has begun to recognize “daunting and growing” psychological problems among our troops. Nearly 40 percent of our soldiers, a third of our Marines, and half of the National Guard members are presenting with serious mental health issues.

The administration and Congress must come to grips with this grave and growing problem among our returning vets. The suicide rates, domestic violence and the strain on families need to be recognized, and timely health care provided. Proper screening and treatment are essential. Our returning troops are entitled to nothing less.

These are the real costs of President Bush’s misbegotten and mismanaged wars. These are the costs that the administration seeks to hide while it attempts to make the test of patriotism the wearing of flag pins in our lapels!

It’s what is underneath those flag pins that really matters. It is called compassion. It is real patriotism as opposed to the fraud of “Mission Accomplished” and promises of victory.

——————————————————————————-

Emanuel Margolis is an attorney in Stamford, a former chairman of the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut and an adjunct professor of First Amendment law at Quinnipiac Law School.

Posted by CyberCelt under RV Travel | 3 Comments »

Memorial Day

Honor and Appreciate their Sacrifice on the Field of Battle.
Most of All, Remember Them Today.

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who died in service to our country. Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday in 1971, to be celebrated on the last Monday of May. About 5,000 people attend the Memorial Day ceremony at the Arlington National Cemetery each year. A small American flag is placed on each grave and the President lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Ways You Might Celebrate Memorial Day:

• visit cemeteries and war memorials and place flags or flowers
• attend Memorial Day parades or your local VFW hall
• fly the US flag at half-staff until noon
• add the POW/MIA flag to your flagpole
• submit a eulogy
• participate in National Moment of Remembrance at 3 PM (local time)
• view the National Memorial Day Concert

Decoration Day

Originally know as Decoration Day, it is believed that Memorial day started in the United States after the Civil War to remember fallen Union soldiers. This might be true, because eight southern states still hold a separate memorial day for fallen Confederate soldiers.

Posted by CyberCelt under Historic & Holidays & Remember | No Comments »

The TravelHacker blog on AirlineCreditCards.comhas released a list of Top 100 Best Travel Journal blogs. Texas RV Travel blog is number 47 and is under the category of Region Specific blogs. I saw the backlink to my blog or I would have missed it. I would not have wanted to do that as I appreciate all my readers.

To you, Christina Laun of TravelHacker blog, I present the Nice Matters Award and my sincere thanks!

Take a look at the many wonderful travel blogs that TravelHacker found.

Posted by CyberCelt under Other Countries & Other States & RV Travel & Travel | No Comments »

As y’all may have noticed, I moved my blog from Blogger a few months ago. Let me tell you that it was scary. I already had the domain name, so I just needed some cheap web hosting that provided a few things I needed, like FrontPage extensions, adequate storage space and unlimited bandwidth.

I read all I could find on the forums and Word Press website, but there were some things I just did not GET. Then I found this website called webhostingrating.com that lets you compare hosting companies. After reading a few articles, I made the big step and secured hosting with BlueHost.

I had no idea how to use Word Press, how to install a plug-in or how to backup, restore and secure my website. Luckily, I remembered that webhostrating.com had pages of articles on all types of subjects having to do with hosting your own domain. They saved my sanity and website. I would highly recommend that you use this site for more information about web hosting specifications and tutorials.

Posted by CyberCelt under Reviews | No Comments »

Comanche Cyclone

Comanche Cyclone

Comanche, Texas
Saturday, June 7, 2008 8 am
Cross Country

300 cyclists expected

Special route for youngsters 10 and under. Country back-roads, no traffic, and very scenic. There are some scenic routes listed on the website in case you cannot make the race. This is a pretty part of Texas.

Routes

All are PDFs.

Cyclone Route Map - 10 Miles
Cyclone Route Map - 22 Miles
Cyclone Route Map - 28 Miles
Cyclone Route Map - 42 Miles
Cyclone Route Map - 55 Miles
Cyclone Route Map - 75 Miles

RVers: You may want to stay at Proctor Lake (Army Corps of Engineers Park)

Mesquite Rodeo Bike Ride

You will begin your ride from Resistol Arena at Rodeo Center located at 1818 Rodeo Drive. I-635 (LBJ Freeway) exit Military Parkway/Scyene. If you are traveling southbound, continue through both signal lights to the Arena. If you’re northbound, turn left on Military Parkway, take an immediate left after the overpass at Rodeo Center Blvd.Thousands of cyclists will start out from the Mesquite Rodeo Center. Bring your family, friends and co-workers.

Mesquite Rodeo Bike Ride

Mesquite, Texas
Saturday, June 7, 2008 8 am
2000 cyclists expected.

Route Details

RVers: I would stay at the Plantation Place RV Park.

Peach Pedal Bike Ride

Peach Pedal Bike Ride
Weatherford, Texas
Saturday, July 12, 2008
2500 cyclists expected

Routes of 100K, 39 miles, 26 miles and 9 miles. This course has some tough hills. but the hills are interspersed with flat stretches. Check in advance of the state of the roads in the area. Sometimes spring floods can wash roads away.

After the ride, shuttle buses will take riders from the start/finish to the Parker County Peach Festival in downtown Weatherford, where you’ll enjoy lots of food, crafts, music and country hospitality.

RVers: Stay at the Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway. The Trailway provides opportunities for hikers, bicyclists and equestrians.

Posted by CyberCelt under Camping & Family Fun & Hike/Bike/Run & Holidays & Horseback Riding & Nature & RV Parks & RV Travel & Reviews & Rivers & Sports | 2 Comments »