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October 26, 2009
Rounding your bill up...
Recently I was at Il Bachio in Delray Beach enjoying a drink with a friend. When it came time to leave, I paid with a $20 bill.
When the waiter brought my change, it was short. "Did you already take your tip out of here?" I asked.
With a very flippant air he answered, "No, I rounded it up."
That means instead of returning my exact change, which would have been $9.62, he returned nine dollars.
I was not happy, and the 62 cents became his tip.
The next day I called and spoke with the manager. He seemed to think it was no big deal. He said the waiter didn't have change and I could just take it out of his tip.
So am I supposed to have the exact change when I go to a restaurant?
A friend of mine went on vacation in Sanibel and said this happened to them the first day. The second day they spoke up.
For myself, I have decided that if someone rounds up bill up and keeps the change, that becomes their tip.
This practice is common at some establishments. It is, by the way, not lawful. It can add up over a year's time to a nice sum and is not taxed.
Newborn Chinese baby's stem cells restore Delray Beach man's sight
David Aldrich of Delray Beach nearly drown in a tragic swimming accident in 2002. Months later when the then 44-year-old fully awoke from a coma, he found himself blind and paralyzed from the top of his chest down - a quadriplegic.
"I cried like a baby," David said.
In 2006, David traveled to a hospital in China for stem cell treatments accompanied by a family member, an aide and a crew from National Geographic. The crew filmed David's experience and those of four other seriously ill individuals - including a young child.
Almost miraculously, three weeks and several treatments later, David regained his vision. "It was a pretty tearful and emotional event," he said.
The stem cells used to treat him were harvested from the cord blood (blood that remains in the placenta and attached umbilical cord after birth) of a Chinese baby. This is illegal in the U.S.
National Geographic produced a documentary, Supercell, featuring David and the other four people who had treatments. The film was shown in most other countries, but not in the U.S. It can be seen at the bottom of this blog in it's entirety.
It is fabulous.
According to David’s opthomologist, Dr. Adriana Saker of the Jaffe Eye Institute, David’s vision in both eyes was 2100 before his treatment, and he could see only dark and light. Normal vision is 20/20.
Today, David's vision is 20/30 in his right eye and 20/50 in his left eye. Saker has no explanation.
David’s limbs, speech, core body strength and breathing have also dramatically improved, and while still legally blind, he sees well enough to read. David requires aides 24/7, but now he frequently rides around his neighborhood unassisted in his motorized wheelchair - his dog, Skipper, running along side him. "That's huge," David said.
David's story in his words
Before his treatment, David could not operate his wheel chair - not even from room to room in the house.
"I would like more treatments," he said. "It's a shame you have to go half way around the world to get them."
He has gone to China twice for treatments - family members paid for part of the first trip and his church donated money towards the second one. Lack of funds prevent him from returning.
David's stem cells came from Beike Biotech based in Shenzhen, China.
Dr. Sean Hu, an MD and PhD in Molecular Biology, is the founder and CEO of Beike. Hu says adult stem cells are used to treat dozens of ailments - heart, cancer multiple sclerosis and diabetic foot to name a few. Hu said the cells hold promise to eventually cure nearly every disease.
Children and adults suffering from both new and old afflictions can be treated with adult stem cells.
The good news, according to Hu, is everyone has stem cells in their nose – after a couple of weeks of coaxing in a laboratory - they become miracle workers.
The bad news is there are many fraudulent companies out there and only a few reliable ones, so Hu says for those in need - do a lot of research before selecting a stem cell company.
Below is National Geographic's documentary, Supercell.
Not so long ago, when someone said, "I'm an IBMer," we all knew what he or she meant. That person was smart, well educated and set for life.
With the recent fall of huge companies, such as GM, Bear Stearns - who most of us thought would be around well after all of us - everything has changed.
Branding is the latest buzzword. Just like McDonald's, FOX News or Madonna, individuals have to build their own brand.
Housekeeper, brain surgeon or writer like myself, it's all the same. Youtube, twittering and facebook take us around the world in seconds making resumes and CV's (curriculum vitae - an overview of one's life) so yesterday.
Dickens was right - it is the best of times and worst of times. But, with the help of technology, all of us can build our brand and make ourselves visible.
Like many of you, I am new at this and not comfortable flaunting my skills, but I will.
After all, it is 2009 and this is the ways things are done today. So, are you out there building your brand?
It was bound to happen.. Delray has it's own facebook page.
So, if you want to join the well over 1,000 people who are writing about their favorite events, restaurants, or topic of the day happening in Delray Beach, make a new "friend" on Facebook. See you there.
You know the drill...your pricey technology is outdated before you even walk out of the store with it.
An online company, Nextworth.com, will pay you for
for your outdated "toys."
Nextworth wipes the gadget clean so all of your information is removed and then resells or recycles it.
The company accepts cell phones, laptops, GPS, digital cameras and more. Check out their site.
After a very short and simple process (you plug in the information about the item/s) the company advises you how much they are willing to pay. It is contingent on the model and condition.
If you decide to sell, download their prepaid shipping label and wait to make some cash.
Payments are made via PayPal or Amazon or Target gift cards.
Self-Defense for women or for the women in your life
Free self-defense classes for women only are available from the police departments in Boca and Delray.
For dates and time, call the police at their non-emergency numbers at the police station. Boca Raton is 561.338.1234 and the Delray Beach Police Department at 561.243.7800.
Below are some tips from the police department to help stay safe:
Don't make yourself vulnerable by not being aware - prevention is 90 percent awareness and avoiding risk.
1. Look confident and look people in the eyes so they know you are aware of them.
2. If you feel like something's wrong, it probably is. Don't ignore your 6th sense. If you are alone, try to get around others.
3. If you are suspicious about something call 911. Better to be wrong than a victim.
4. If you don't have a cell phone, get one.
At home.
1. Use unbumpable (unbumpable locks can't be picked,) dead bolts locks for your doors; don't open the door to strangers; close your blinds and shades at night so others can't see you or your belongings.
Parking lots.
1. Park under a light at night. If the parking lot is deserted, ask the security guard to escort you.
2. Be mindful. When walking back to your car, day or night, don't talk on your cell phone or be thinking about other things. Concentrate on your surroundings.
3. Look under your car as you approach it and look inside before you get in it.
Driving
1. If someone is following you,in your car don't go to your house. Keep your doors locked, drive to the nearest police station or fire department, call 911 and honk your horn. If you don't know where the police station is, find out.
ATM's
1. Avoid going at night or after dark.
Elevators & stairs
1. Stand near the control panel so if necessary you can push the panic button.
2. When getting on an elevator if someone makes you uncomfortable, don't get on it. Conversely if someone gets on and makes you uncomfortable, get off immediately.
3.Avoid isolated stairs.
My suggestion
1. If you have an SUV, you cannot see in the Cargo area. Glue two mirrors on the ceiling in the cargo area and that will enable you to view the back of your car before you get into it.
VFW Post 4141
5 S.E. 2nd Ave. - just south of Atlantic Ave.
Delray Beach
561.276.92529
Stepping into VFW 4141 in Delray Beach is like stepping back into the 1950's and the prices are great.
It is open to the public M - F from 11 - 2 a.m. for the $5 lunch; on Wednesday's from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. for $8 steak night; on Friday nights during season from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. for the $6 fish fry.
Sunday mornings from 8 - noon the popular and very busy breakfast is available to the public. For $6 patrons get eggs, bacon, toast, fresh fruit and coffee or milk. Add $2 more and enjoy a steak with your eggs.
The Post is run by Commander Robert "RDK" Kuhn. All of the employees are volunteers so generous tips are appreciated because that is the only compensation they receive.
*All proceeds go to Veterans and the troops.
*Full bar.
*Restaurant is non-smoking and does not smell smoky. Bar allows smoking.
*The food is very good and as varied as any restaurant.
*Definitely worth a try. If you've not been there, you will be pleasantly surprised.
The Get Local community blogs are written by residents of the community. The Sun-Sentinel does not edit the blogs, nor take responsibility for the contents.
MARY KAY
Kay has lived in Florida for the past seven years. Writing has always been her passion...
