Blog Views By Roz...

I'm speechless as to what to say... the devastation that our fellow countrymen and women are going through is too much for me to understand. After analyzing my own feelings and emotions... I believe I am more touched because I was trapped in NYC when 911 hit. It was a feeling of helplessness and bewilderment I had never known before. I can't even imagine what these men and women (and children) are feeling leaving their homes and possessions behind and starting anew!

I know how trivial this must sound, but... My prayers and good wishes go out to everyone touched by these horrible hurricanes.

Posted by roz at 05:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From Alien Skin Software http://www.alienskin.com


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Alien Skin Releases Free Plug-in Updates, Fixes OS X Tiger Issues

Raleigh, NC (September 22, 2005)—Alien Skin Software today announced updates to several of their popular Adobe® Photoshop®-compatible plug-ins. These updates address Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger compatibility as well as a few, minor bugs. Updated products include the following:

• Eye Candy® 5: Nature, both Macintosh and Windows versions
• Eye Candy 5: Textures, both Macintosh and Windows versions
• Eye Candy 4000, Macintosh version only
• Xenofex® 2, Macintosh version only
• Image Doctor®, Macintosh version only
• Splat!®, Macintosh version only

These updates are available to registered users as free, downloadable patches on the Alien Skin website:
http://www.alienskin.com/support/patches/index.html Users with problems updating their software or questions regarding the updates are encouraged to contact Alien Skin for technical support.

Toll-free phone: 1-888-921-SKIN
Non-U.S. customers: 1-919-832-4124
Email: support@alienskin.com

A maker of award-winning plug-ins since 1994, Alien Skin Software writes and sells filters that users love.

Posted by roz at 04:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's been quite a day on the Blog updating front!

If you are a regular reader you will see that BlogViewsByRoz.com has had a face lift! This came compliments of MovableType's new Version MT 3.2. I like it. It's sleek and more streamlined!

After a silly little oversight editing the CGI script I was off and running! Now I am off and running to dreamland to grab a few hours sleep.

Nite All!

Posted by Roz / BlogViewsByRoz.com

Posted by roz at 02:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Thursday I purchased three Trisonic 25-Foot Modular Coil Phone Cords for my three phones - TS-625. This is the "curly" cord that goes from the phone to the receiver.

I asked in the store... "IF I buy them can I bring them back if they do not work." I was told I could not. Stupid me purchased them anyway! Can't blame anyone for stupidity! (I made this purchase in the Dollar Store on Litig Avenue.

I installed two of them on two different phones. So far one works, the second does not. What happens is that when talking the two people on the line cannot hear each other as the modular click is NOT tight in the phone jack. There is "wiggle" room so to speak!

I stalled the third wire on the phone with the problem and so far it works fine.

I called Trisonic.com which clearly displays their contact information on their website. They were receptive to the fact to tell me to take it back to the store, which is the proper thing to do. Only the store had told me that I could not return it. He then told me that I would have to send it back to him for them to replace it, which is also the proper thing to do, but... it would COST ME MORE to send it back than to just trash it and use it as a learning experience.

My point in writing this is TO EDUCATE anyone reading it to NOT buy cheap phone cords. IF you do, make sure you can return them, but in the end it will cost you more in time and effort than it is worth, so it is a good idea to bite the bullet and buy phone cords from the big guys like AT&T and the like. My At&T cords lasted me more years than I can count. They broke of "old age" and nothing more!

To be fair, I will try and contact the Dollar Store and ask if I can return/exchange the defective phone cord on my next trip over there. I do remember her saying though that IF I opened it I could not. As the Trisonic representative said: "You had to open it to see if it worked!"

Posted by Roz Fruchtman / BlogViewsByRoz.com

Posted by roz at 10:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Being a New Yorker, 911 is a really painful day for me. This year... as a way to give back, I opened the 911 section of my Card Club member area to the general public for the entire day... Sunday, September 11, 2005. To access the link go to...

Graphics Schmaphics Exclusive Judaic Greetings
http://www.JudaicEcards.com

Once there... click the direct link to the 911 area -- Top of page, middle section.

The free cards will only be available until 12:00AM PST/3:00AM EST Monday morning September 12, 2005. After that the cards can once again be accessed through the member area of the website.

Roz Fruchtman / Graphics Schmaphics Exclusive Judaic Greetings Club
http://www.JudaicEcards.com

Posted by roz at 05:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Pey Dalid to Appear at the 28th Annual Shalom Pelham Parkway Jewish Festival to be Held Sunday September 18, 2005 — Pelham Parkway, Bronx, New York


PRESS RELEASE:
Bronx, New York -- Pey Dalid to appear at the Shalom Pelham Parkway Judaic Festival.

Join us for a day of fun and Community Pride, Sunday, September 18, 2005 when the Pelham Parkway Jewish Community Council sponsors The 28th Annual Shalom Pelham Parkway Festival.

When: Sunday, September 18, 2005
Time: Noon until 6PM
Where: At Comras Mall of Bronx Park at Bronx Park East & Lydig Avenue, Bronx, NY (just steps away from the Bronx Zoo)

----
In case of rain...<br> the festival will be held at the Young Israel of Pelham Parkway at Barnes and Lydig Avenue
----

Highlighting the Festival is a fantastic show featuring continuous live entertainment by some of the most popular names in Jewish music.

* The dynamic Ira Heller and Yoel Sharabi are joined by the exciting young group Pey Dalid, the Klezmer Trio and Cantor Karl Kritz. (A band accompanies the performers.)

Clowns and magicians will perform around the Festival grounds throughout the day.

This year's Shalom Pelham Parkway Festival will feature attractive and enlightening exhibits on Jewish history including:

* The fascinating posters issued by the American Jewish Historical Society outlining 350 years of Jewish life in America.
* Displays of beautiful Judaica Books
* Fabulous art
* Kosher food to snack on
* Local artists will be displaying their works of art
* Much more

Fun and activities include:
* For children of all ages -- Make a real Shofer at our "Shofer Factory"
* For everyone -- Visit displays of neighborhood civic and religious organizations and learn about the services they offer

It's not too late to participate:
If you are interested in displaying your work or having your organization participate in this year's Shalom Pelham Parkway Festival, please contact David Edelstein using the contact information at the bottom of the page.

Who should attend?
Everyone — Bring your family, friends, neighbors and colleagues for a day of fun, community pride and great entertainment. There is something for everyone!

Admission:
Admission and entertainment are all free.

Contact:
For further information contact David Edelstein at:

The Jewish Community Council of Pelham Parkway
2157 Holland Avenue
Bronx, NY 10462
voice: 718-792-4744
fax: 718-892-3661

Posted by Roz Fruchtman for David Edelstein/Pelham Parkway JCC

Roz Fruchtman for David Edelstein/Pelham Parkway JCC

Posted by roz at 04:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

REMINDER...

August 14, 2005 / Pelham Parkway, Bronx New York -- The 28th Annual Shalom Pelham Parkway Festival, sponsored by The Jewish Community Council of Pelham Parkway, will be held on:

• WHEN: Sunday, September 18, 2005
• TIME: Noon until 6PM
• WHERE: Comras Mall of Bronx Park at Bronx Park East & Lydig Avenue -- just steps away from the Bronx Zoo.

Highlighting the Festival is a fantastic show featuring continuous live entertainment by some of the most popular names in Jewish music.

• The dynamic Ira Heller and Yoel Sharabi are joined by the exciting young group Pey Dalid, the Klezmer Trio and Cantor Karl Kritz. A band accompanies the performers.

Clowns and magicians will perform around the Festival grounds throughout the day.

This year's Shalom Pelham Parkway Festival will feature attractive and enlightening exhibits on Jewish history including:

• The fascinating posters issued by the American Jewish Historical Society outlining 350 years of Jewish life in America.


• Displays of beautiful Judaica Books
• Fabulous art
• Kosher food to snack on
• Displays of work by local artists
• Much more

FUN AND ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:

• For children of all ages -- Make a real Shofer at our "Shofer Factory"
• For everyone -- Visit displays of neighborhood civic and religious organizations and learn about the services they offer

WHY NOT PARTICIPATE!
If you are interested in displaying your work or having your organization participate in this year's Shalom Pelham Parkway Festival, please contact David Edelstein with the contact information at the bottom of this entry.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Everyone — Bring your family, friends, neighbors and colleagues for a day of fun, community pride and great entertainment. There is something for everyone!
ADMISSION
Admission and entertainment are ALL FREE.

CONTACT
For further information contact David Edelstein at:

The Jewish Community Council of Pelham Parkway
2157 Holland Avenue
Bronx, NY 10462
Voice: 718-792-4744
Fax: 718-892-3661

Posted by Roz Fruchtman for David Edelstein/Pelham Parkway JCC

Posted by roz at 10:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A few days ago I received an email from a marketer. He has a product that he was offering for sale at a discounted rate of $99. He was prepared to donate $50 of the $99 discounted rate to the Katrina victims. (I saw nothing wrong with this!)

The next day I received another email from the same person saying who he received some really negative responses and he was withdrawing his offer, but that the money he had already collected would be donated as promised. From the tone of his email you could tell he was totally shattered as his heart had been/was really in the right place. (When these things happen people feel helpless and look for a way to help in any way they can. Most of us only have our skills to offer as we do not have large amounts of money and some are barely making ends meet.)

That evening I received yet another email from him thanking those who wrote in support and response to what he was prepared to do. He was re-energized to once again offer the product, but this time he would donate the ENTIRE $99 to the Katrina victims.

I felt deep compassion for him as I had tried something on a much smaller scale last year and got a similar negative response. It IS extremely disheartening when you REALLY did/do want to help.

In any case he said something interesting and it inspired me to start a campaign to help as well. I made up my mind this time I don't care what the nay sayers have to say. I know my heart is pure and in the right place.

He said how it would not cost those offering virtual products anything to help, even if they donated a portion of what they earned as the product was already done and it would be offered over the Internet.

This said, I set up a month's campaign to donate $1.75 from EACH and EVERY eCard Membership I sold during the period from September 3, 2005 until and including October 3, 2005 at:

Graphics Schmaphics Exclusive Judaic Greetings Club
URL: http://www.graphicsschmaphicsexclusive.com
SHORT CUT URL: http://www.JudaicEcards.com

With Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (the Jewish New Year / High Holy Days) right around the corner, this is the site's busiest time for sending Judaic eCards and Greetings. My hope is that I will be able to make a tiny difference because of the coincidental timing.

HOW TO JOIN/SIGN UP:
There is a JOIN BUTTON/sign up at the top of each and every page of the Graphics Schmaphics Exclusive Judaic Greetings website. There are NO SPECIAL links as ALL memberships are included whether:

• new memberships
• renewal memberships
• 3-month memberships
• 6-month memberships
• annual memberships

IF everyone offering virtual products would help, imagine what could be done. We are small individuals and not big corporations, but IF we all stick together we can make a difference. It costs us nothing to use our skills, but the payoff to the recipients is priceless.

So to the nay sayers I would say: "And What Are YOU Doing to Help!"

The money will be donated to the Larry's Jones Feed The Children network.

NOTE: To those wondering why I chose the peculiar amount of $1.75 to be donated from each membership, it started when I received an email about hot meals being delivered at the rate of $1.75 each. I chose that amount for that reason. Going back later I think I got which place did what mixed up, but decided to keep the $1.75 as it is still more than 10% of my most expensive membership which is $16.95 for 12 months of unlimited eCard sending and even more than 10% after the fees are deducted from the sale. I am proud and more than a little thrilled to have a skill that I can use to raise money for the victims. No matter how little, everything counts!

Posted by Roz Fruchtman / BlogViewsByRoz.com
Digital Artist / Graphics Schmaphics Exclusive Judaic Greetings

Posted by roz at 10:31 AM | Permalink

This is one time that even I am speechless, tears rolling down my face as I watch the devastation and degradation the victims of Hurricane Katrina are experiencing.

I could not sleep last night and was watching/listening to the TV interviews from different Katrina shelters (for lack of a better word). I literally thought I was dreaming as I listened to the accounts of murders and rapes from doctors and reporters. One doctor said he would not go back until they provided more security.(It was that bad!)

I can understand people being terrified, disillusioned, abandoned and lots of other things I can't even name, but... to result to barbarism is beyond any way of thinking I am familiar with. I would not even venture to write what I think should be done with the offenders.

I can only pray for the survivors and hope things get better for them in the very near future. Those who have been transported to Texas are at least being treated with the dignities and compassion human being deserve.

In the past couple of years I have learned how to turn my challenges into blessings, or find a blessing or a learning experience in them somehow. It was never more clear to me, just how rich I am in blessings just having a roof over my head, water (hot or cold) running from the tap, food on my table, electricity and warmth. As I pray for Katrina's victims I will give thanks for my blessings of the moment. I have already learned the lesson that nothing is forever and things can change from one second to the other.

They are all in my prayers and thoughts. I hope the rest of us never have to know their struggles firsthand.

Posted by roz at 08:34 AM | Permalink