Hello, this is the online version of the May 2025 issue of the Connections newsletter. It will include a variety of news, funny jokes, and a unique crossword puzzle … that might interest some of my neighbors.
I do not know what the future content will be until I publish it once-a-month. Originally I only created a printed version and delivered it to about 20 neighbors, but now I will create an online post in the OakHollowPark.com website so that anyone can view the newsletter.
Are you planning a trip by plane or crossing the border anytime soon?
Starting May 7th, 2025, you will have to show a “Real-ID,” compliant driver’s license that meets federal security standards for identification. The “Real-ID” is marked with a gold star in the upper right corner and is required for boarding domestic flights and accessing certain federal facilities starting on May 7th.
An “Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) is a state-issued card with enhanced security features and can be used to cross the border, often marked with a flag. If your current driver’s license doesn’t have a gold star, you’ll get the gold star on your next renewal, or you can request a replacement ID card.
Voters beware: A new billed passed in in the U.S. House that will require voters in federal elections to prove their citizenship, a military ID, or a REAL ID card (could be REAL ID Driver’s License).
What is your favorite hobby?
A hobby is a regular activity that someone enjoys doing in their spare time, for recreation or pleasure. Some hobbies are playing video games, knitting, photography, creative writing, crochet, drawing, cooking, embroidery, sewing, painting, hiking, dancing, woodworking, exercising, gardening, hunting, acting, baking, scrapbooking, singing, playing board games and I guess watching tv.
After a few minutes of thinking about it, my favorite hobby appears to be publishing funny jokes and stories on the OakHollowPark.com website. Almost every day, neighbors and friends send me funny jokes and stories they believe are worth sharing. Sometimes I have to create a clipart image to go with the joke, sometimes I re-write the joke to tone it down for publication. I have published almost 400 funny jokes and stories, and I believe I may hit 500 by year’s end. Think about it. What occupies your spare time?
To Flush or not to Flush? Are you in Hot Water? – I will share my experience at the next coffee meeting.
I don’t want to create a problem when one doesn’t exist, but I get reminders often saying I need to flush the water from my hot water heater every year, or every 5 years. I have lived here 19 years and have never flushed my hot water heater. So far, our hot water comes on when we need it, and I don’t see water leaks.
How often do you flush your hot water heater? I am simply trying to keep up with home maintenance.
My friend “Roger-the-Handyman (210) 241-8713 told me (over the phone) that he drains his hot water heater tank every year and it is easy. He told me to hook up a garden hose to the tank’s spigot, turn the valve and drain away the water. Leave the water valve on so tank will refill. Sounds easy enough… stay tuned in.
Time to prepare for your Property Tax Protest
By the time you receive this Coffee Invite, you might have received your annual Property Tax proposal! You must protest your 2025 property taxes to avoid a 2026 increase! Please view my video, “How to Protest Your Oak Hollow Park Property Taxes.” The link @ OakHollowPark.com/tax
Page 2, Connections continued with some humor.
Two men are in the woods and come across a big, deep hole in the ground.
“Wow, that looks deep,” one says. The other nods. “Sure does.
Let’s toss a few pebbles in there and see how deep it is.”
They pick up a few pebbles and throw them in. They wait to hear a noise but there’s nothing, so they decide to throw some larger rocks down to see how deep it is. They toss them in but again there is no noise.
They look at each other in amazement. One gets a determined look on his face and says: “Hey there’s a railroad tie over there. Help me carry it over here. When we toss it in it has to make some noise.”
The two drag the heavy railroad tie over to the hole and heave it in. Not a sound comes from the hole, but suddenly, out of the nearby woods, a goat appears, running like the wind. It rushes toward the two men, then right past them, running as fast as its legs will carry it. It leaps in the air and straight into the hole.
The two men are astonished with what they’ve just seen. Then, out of the woods comes a farmer who spots the men and runs over to them.
“Hey, have you two guys seen my goat out here?”
“You bet we did! The craziest thing I’ve ever seen.
The goat came running like crazy and just jumped into this hole!”
“Oh no,” says the farmer. “That couldn’t have been my goat. My goat is chained to a heavy railroad tie.”
Page 3 … Connections continued.
We all occasionally need a distraction, so let’s try more humor.
This humor is called “Fifty Bucks is Fifty Bucks!” … Buddy and his wife Edna went to the state fair every year, and every year Buddy would say, “Edna, I’d like to ride in that helicopter.”
Edna always replied, “I know Buddy, but that helicopter ride is fifty bucks, and fifty bucks is fifty bucks.”
One year Buddy and Edna went to the fair, and Buddy said, “Edna, I’m 85 years old. If I don’t ride that helicopter, I might never get another chance.”
To this, Edna replied, “Buddy that helicopter ride is fifty bucks, and fifty bucks is fifty bucks.”
The pilot overheard the couple and said, “Folks I’ll make you a deal.
I’ll take both of you for a ride. If you can stay quiet for the entire ride and don’t say a word I won’t charge you a penny!
But if you say one word it’s fifty dollars.”
Buddy and Edna agreed and up they went.
The pilot did all kinds of fancy maneuvers, but not a word was heard. He did his daredevil tricks repeatedly, but still not a word. When they landed, the pilot turned to Buddy and said, ‘By golly, I did everything I could to get you to yell out, but you didn’t. I’m impressed!’
Buddy replied, Well, to tell you the truth, I almost said something when Edna fell out, but you know,
“Fifty bucks is fifty bucks!” ( for the record … my wife read this & said, “that’s bad”, but she was still smiling)
Today, I got up at 5am … I ran over 3 miles around the neighborhood, got home and I made myself a vegetable smoothie for breakfast, and did 2 loads of laundry, vacuumed and mopped all our wood floors, and that’s all I remember about my dream.
Are the proposed Tariffs a good thing for you?
Concerns that tariffs will lead to higher inflation and a potential recession are also contributing to market sell-offs. Consulting with a financial advisor can help you develop a strategy that aligns with your risk tolerance and investment goals. While tariffs can create uncertainty and volatility in the stock market, they don’t automatically mean your money is unsafe. By understanding the risks, diversifying your investments, and potentially adjusting your strategy, you can mitigate the potential impact of tariffs on your portfolio.
Page 4 … Connections continued – Be aware of Today’s “Scams”
The Latest Scam – Beware neighbors – from a homeowner in a nearby neighborhood.
I just received a phone call from a restricted number (note #1). This person identified himself as a Sgt. with the Bexar County Sheriff Department and we are on a recorded line. He proceeds to ask me if I received a federal jury summons in the mail to appear in court for jury duty today.
I, of course, being over 65, did not. He then tells me the judge issued 2 Class C warrants in my name. He then proceeds to tell me the Case #, and the 2 warrant numbers. He tells me he has my case file in front of him (note #2) and that he can see that I am an upstanding citizen. He says since I say I did not receive the summons he will note that in my file. He then gives me the address of his office, 200 N Main Comal St in San Antonio. Then he says he is going to transfer me to Captain Frank Scott (note #3). While talking to him, he is telling me basically the same thing the Sgt told me.
I told him I’ll come down to the office immediately and take care of this. Then he says, well, if you come to the office since there are 2 warrants out for your arrest, we will have no option other than to arrest you. We want to take care of this now and not cause any problems (note #4). I’m busy taking notes and in walks my husband. He reads my notes and takes the phone. Now my husband is a retired public servant AND a Defense Investigator. He is listening to this Captain, getting all the information that I just jotted down. Now, I’m not a stupid person. This sort of sounds like a scam but then again … I’m just not sure. So, my husband walks outside with my cell phone, talking to the Captain.
Meanwhile I call the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office on his cell phone. The deputy I spoke to says, “and there is a warrant out for your arrest, right?” He says this is a SCAM! Hang up the phone, don’t give out any information. I told the Deputy that he had my address. He said some of these people do. The Deputy said he had just gotten off the phone with another lady who almost paid ALOT of money, ALOT of money says the Deputy. The Deputy also told me that if there are any warrants out on a person, they will come to the house to get that person, not call on the phone.
SO … BEWARE EVERYONE! Bexar County Sheriff’s Office will never call you on the phone. They will come to get you. Please tell others. You may save someone thousands of dollars. Once the money is paid, you probably will not get it back……..More Scams …
How to Prevent Credit Card Skimming … Skimming is a method of obtaining personal data from ATM, debit, or credit cards while they are used at an ATM machine or a merchant location.
In addition to spotting skimmers that have been installed, you can lessen your chances of skimming by choosing locations that have high traffic, are well-lit, and are closest to attendants or workers because these locations are less likely to be tampered with. Going inside the gas station to pay is also safer, as is using ATM machines inside the bank.
When entering your PIN at an ATM machine or using your debit card,
… cover the keypad with your hand.
If you have the option, use a credit card rather than a debit card and swipe as a credit card whenever possible. Credit cards have an extra layer of protection when it comes to fraudulent activity.
Finally, monitor your accounts regularly. You can even set up text alerts with your credit card company, so you are immediately aware of any questionable transactions, “Real-time updates on your card usage are super helpful!”
