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Wikipedia article of the day for July 18, 2015

The Wikipedia article of the day for July 18, 2015 is Red Skelton.
Red Skelton (1913–1997) was an American entertainer known for his national radio and television acts. He began developing his comedic and pantomime skills at age 10 in a traveling medicine show. Over the next decade he worked on a showboat, in the burlesque circuit, and in vaudeville. In 1938 he became the host of radio’s Avalon Time, and got his own radio show in 1941, The Raleigh Cigarette Program, which debuted many of his comedy characters. Though he regularly appeared on radio and film, Skelton was most eager to work in television. The Red Skelton Show premiered in 1951, and continued on a variety of networks and under several names until 1971. Afterwards, he focused on painting, and probably earned more from sales of lithographs of his works than from his entire television career. He received many accolades, including two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and induction into the Television and National Radio Halls of Fame.

Consumers Beware: 5 Tips to Keep you Scam-Free this Summer

For the majority of Americans who plan to take a vacation, attend a concert, or work on their home or garden this summer, this season comes with its own unique consumer challenges. Here are the top five scams and frauds to be alert for this time of year:

  1. Don’t buy gas additives that claim to increase fuel mileage. Even though gas prices go up in the summer, the Environmental Protection Agency has not found any product that significantly improves gas mileage, and some could damage a car’s engine or increase exhaust emissions.
  2. Unlicensed home repair or landscaping contractors may come to your door to offer services. Always research contractors, pay for services upon completion–not ahead of time– and consider using a signed contract outlining the work to be done and the exact price.
  3. Interested in a summer concert or festival? If you buy tickets from a major vendor, remember surcharges and additional fees may be tacked onto the listed price. Some venues require the same credit card used to purchase tickets be presented when the tickets are picked up, so if you’re buying tickets for someone as a gift, they may have difficulty getting them at will-call.
  4. When renting a beach or lake house for vacation, make sure the property actually exists. Do your homework before paying– check out the owner or rental company, consult maps and read the lease carefully. Pay with an online payment service or a credit card so you can dispute the charges if something goes wrong.
  5. When flying, make sure you’re aware of the airline’s baggage charges and their policy when it comes to bumping passengers. A lot of airlines “bump” depending on how late you checked in, so check in ASAP!

For more advice on protecting your money, order the Consumer Action Handbook.

source: https://www.usa.gov/