Those of a certain age can remember these attacks...

One of the hottest phone scams right now is callers pretending to be from some agency of the federal government. The object is to scare you or charm you out of some cash.

Maybe you’ve already had one of these calls – someone claiming they’re from the IRS, Social Security or even the FBI. They may even claim to be representing some federal agency that has a grant for you. Stop and think. Grants always require you to actually apply for them – and the application process is usually pretty long and detailed. It’s like those “sweepstakes” scams (how could you win a sweepstakes you never entered?).

And if the IRS or FBI really wanted you, they wouldn’t be notifying you by phone – giving you a chance to take it on the lam. They’d be knocking at your front door with handcuffs at the ready.

Here are some things to keep in mind to make sure you don’t fall for these “federal” fraudsters:

1.) The federal government will never call you and ask for personal information. Never. (Believe us, between your tax returns and social security information, they already know quite a bit about you.)

2.) Any important communication between you and the government, especially if it’s of a legal nature, will be handled through the U.S. Postal System.

3.) The government will not suspend Social Security or Medicare benefits because someone else misused or appropriated your identity.

4.) Federal agencies will never accept payments via gift cards, bank transfer of crypto currency.

As we get older, most of us experience a rise in blood pressure. That problem can worsen depending on medication you may be taking for other medical concerns – and that medication doesn’t have to be by prescription!

Ibuprofen and naproxen, two widely-taken over-the-counter drugs as anti0inflammatories, can actually raise blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke. The list of non-prescription medications that may increase your risk of heart disease also includes products for coughs, cold and flu.

If you’re taking 5 or more prescription medications, there also an increased risk that various drug interactions could be harmful to the health of your heart.

As always, consult with your doctor and/or pharmacist as they should have the latest information and can advise you regarding your own particular situation.

In case you're new here, a litle something to help you get around...

1964: A concert that would have a tremendous impact on British rock takes place at Fairfield Hall in Croydon, England. The American Negro Blues Festival features Howlin’ Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, Lightning Hopkins, Willie Dixon, and many more. In attendance are many young Brits who will eventually become rock legends getting their first taste of live American blues.

We lost one of our childhood friends last week when Tommy Kirk passed away, just 3 months shy of his 80^th birthday.

Kirk was one of handful of child actors (others included Annette Funicello, Tim Considine, Hayley Mills and Kevin “Moochie” Corcoran) that Disney built their live action films around in the late 50’s and early 60’s.

He got his start working in the early days of TV dramas before being cast to play the younger of the two Hardy Boys on The Mickey Mouse Club. That serial clicked and Disney signed him to a long-term contract. While he never appeared as a Mousketeer, Disney kept him busy with a full slate of feature films. He’s best remembered by Boomers as the human alter ego of The Shaggy Dog, the boy who owned Old Yeller and as wacky kid inventor Merlin Jones.

Disney declined to renew his contract when the fact that he was gay became an open secret around the lot. Kirk then migrated to American International Pictures where he starred opposed his old Disney buddy Annette in Pajama Party, playing a hard-partying Martian (no kidding).

A bust for marijuana possession derailed his career at AIP, although Kirk did appear, again as a Martian (typecasting?), in the deathless 1968 opus, Mars Needs Women, but acting roles dried up after that.

Kirk kicked around in various odd jobs including working as a chauffeur until he founded a carpet-cleaning business that he ran for 26 years and afforded him a comfortable retirement.

In his later years, Kirk enjoyed going to nostalgia conventions and taking an occasional acting gig.

Tommy Kirk was inducted as a Disney Legend on October 9, 2006, alongside his former co-stars Tim Considine and Kevin Corcoran. 

It was 54 years ago this week (October 1st) that Florida gained the attraction that has now come to define the state as Walt Disney World opened for the first time.

Initially, just one theme park (The Magic Kingdom) and a handful of hotels, the complex now embraces 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, a huge shopping, dining, and entertainment complex, as well as literally dozens of hotels and resorts. It single-handedly transformed Orlando from a sleepy landlocked retirement community into one of the top 20 cities in America.

Along the way, many attractions within the parks have come and gone, including:

• Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
• Snow White's Scary Adventures
• Mickey Mouse Review
• Swan Boats
• The Tomorrowland-Fantasyland Skyway
• 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
• Mission to Mars
• If You Had Wings

And many, many more!

A Whopper? A Big Mac? How about that hairdo?

Watch out Marvel Cinematic Universe. There are some new heroes in town!