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For Immediate Release A Conversation with Senator Brubaker Looking for something to do? Head downtown While all of Lancaster County is a rich collection of activity and attractions, our local downtowns offer unique opportunities for further exploration. The Lancaster County Downtown Consortium, a collaboration of urban centers including the city of Lancaster in the 13th District as well as Ephrata, Mount Joy, Manheim and Lititz in the 36th District and Elizabethtown in the 48th District, showcases some of the greatest assets of the county, from history and heritage to food and shopping. Restoring downtowns is very important because doing so creates new businesses, jobs and housing, and also gives people a chance to get involved in their neighborhoods. These towns have been working diligently for many years to revitalize their downtown areas and to create attractive and friendly areas that reflect their different cultures. In doing so, they have created their own identities so that each stands apart and creates a distinct feeling of civic pride. The Consortium's web site, www.onlydowntown.org, offers a calendar of events for these downtowns – for instance, the Fall Antique Show and Sale in Lititz is just around the corner on September 1, and on September 8, you can enjoy the Arts, Crafts and Restaurant Fair in Ephrata. If you would like additional ideas, the web site also provides suggested itineraries for exploring, and if you head downtown, you will find numerous ways in which individuals of all ages can enjoy a day in their very own communities. Beware of new identity theft scam Identity thieves have found new ways to obtain consumers' personal and financial information. The latest scam, called "vishing," occurs when targeted victims receive a phone call with a recorded message claiming their credit card accounts have been compromised. Customers are urged to call a 1-800 number immediately, where another recorded message asks for an account, credit card, or even Social Security number. At that point, software converts the keystrokes into a numeric display, and thus accounts are compromised and identities stolen. Caller ID does not provide protection against vishing because the new Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, allows callers to use the internet rather than traditional telephone infrastructure. This gives scammers with a way to disguise both incoming and return phone numbers, making it appear that the phone call really is from their bank or another legitimate business, when it could actually be originating from anywhere. Consumers who receive such calls, or any other similar message delivered by mail or e-mail, are urged to directly call their financial institutions or store where the account is held to verify any potential problems. By practicing vigilance and taking care to whom personal and sensitive information is given, individuals can avoid becoming victims of identity theft. Community Spotlight Recently, I was honored to join with Congressman Joe Pitts to present Charles Neiss of Columbia with several medals he earned six decades ago in World War II but had never received. Congressman Pitts and I worked together to help Charles obtain his medals, which include the Good Conduct Medal, the American Defense Service Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and Bronze Star Attachment, and the World War II Victory Medal. It was truly a pleasure to see him receive the appreciation and respect he deserves for dedicating himself in service to our country. I have great respect for the men and women who lay their lives on the line for us every day, and commend Charles and all veterans for their commitment and sacrifices.
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