Text messaging scam uses Best Buy, Wal-mart, and Target. But, The Better Business Bureau says a text message claiming you have won a $1,000 gift card is nothing more than a lure to steal your identity.
1951: The first push-button automatic garage door was installed in Washington, D.C.
1952:Krystyne Kolorful was born in Alberta. She became the world's most decorated woman with tattoos over 95% of her body.
1953:- Mutual radio broadcast the final episode of "The Green Hornet." Britt Reid and Cato left the air after 15 years on Mutual, NBC and ABC. Britt Reid was the great-grand-nephew of the Lone Ranger.
1963 - The 21st Amendment repeals Prohibition. I'll drink to that!
1968: The Rolling Stones celebrated the release of their Beggar's Banquet album with a pie fight at London's Elizabethan Hotel.
1968: Graham Nash quit the Hollies. Three day later, he announced the formation of Crosby, Stills and Nash.
Tonight on TV
CBS: Survivor: Philippines is new followed by a newCriminal Minds and a live event wraps up the night: The Grammy Nominations Concert Live! -- Countdown to Music's Biggest Night
NBC: Whitney, Guys with Kids, Law and Order: SVU, and Chicago Fireare all new tonight
FOX: The X Factor is live
CW: Arrow and Supernatural are both new
The Liquid Neon Tour will take a break while Chris Young gets his voice back. Docs have placed him on vocal rest, forcing him to reschedule upcoming shows in Huntsville, Ala., Savannah, Ga. and Chattanooga, Tenn.
Randy Houser will release a new album "How Country Feels" on Jan 22.
Be Careful When Shopping
Shopping during the holiday season can present unique danger. Taking a few prevention measures can help keep your holiday season joyous. The holiday season is a time when busy people can become careless and vulnerable to theft and other holiday crime. Check out these tips from LAPD Crime Prevention.
Shop during daylight hours whenever possible. If you must shop at night, go with a friend or family member.
Dress casually and comfortably. Avoid wearing expensive jewelry. Do not carry a purse or wallet, if possible.
Always carry your driver’s license or identification along with necessary cash, checks and/or a credit card you expect to use.
Even though you are rushed and thinking about a thousand things, stay alert to your surroundings.
Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Pay for purchases with a check or credit card when possible.
Keep cash in your front pocket.
Notify the credit card issuer immediately if your credit card is lost, stolen or misused. Keep a record of all of your credit card numbers in a safe place at home.
Be extra careful if you do carry a wallet or purse. They are the prime targets of criminals in crowded shopping areas, transportation terminals, bus stops, on buses and other rapid transit.
Avoid overloading yourself with packages. It is important to have clear visibility and freedom of motion to avoid mishaps.
Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason. At this time of year, con-artists may try various methods of distracting you with the intention of taking your money or belongings.
Source: LAPD Crime Prevention
Food fans, hold on to your beaks.
Chicken skin is the latest culinary craze to hit the foodie circuit.
One chef in Chicago serves a chicken skin salad and chicken skin with onion seeds.
Cost for this new crunchy snack? $4 a pound in stores and in some cases, $5 per order in restaurants.
phone is not ringing, beeping or vibrating.
44% have slept with their phones to not miss an important call or message.
Almost 30% describe our phone as "something we can't live without."
But at least a portion of us, 11%, think this isn't a good trend. We're worried that our phone is starting to take over our lives. How do we know? Because 12% of us have someone that tells us so.
student sends a whopping 110 text messages a day! That's 32-hundred a month!
Students check their phones around 60 times on a typical day -- and would label losing their phones as "disastrous" to their social lives.
Starbucks is adding a fancy $7 premium cup of coffee to its menu, but will American taste buds be able to distinguish the Costa Rica Finca Palmilera from regular $2 coffee?
- Mingle... a lot. As the host or the guest. In a room full of strangers, be the lady that makes an effort to spread good holiday cheer.
- Sip the spiked punch... responsibly. Bad things happen when the booze starts flowing.
- Guests of guests do not bring guests. Run it by the host if you're in a pinch
- Be honest with your RSVP's, and don't attend everything.
- Abide to the secret santa price limit... seriously. Nobody likes a show off.
Your Nose Gets Warmer When You Lie
According to a study out of Spain, you can tell if someone is lying by paying attention to their NOSE. They call it the "Pinocchio Effect" . . . but your nose doesn't get bigger, just warmer. Scientists looked at thermal images of people's faces, and found that their noses and the corners of their eyes got warmer when they lied . . . and colder when they were doing a difficult mental task. (Livescience.com)
Working From Home
A new study out of University of Texas finds that most telecommuters work MORE than the rest of their coworkers.
OK, so you're working in your PJs. When you work at home, you're putting in about five to seven hours more per week. That comes out to about 31 to 43 more DAYS every year. (University of Texas)
- Get emotional
- Be honest in an exit interview
- Jump on COBRA (COBRA can be three times the cost of an individual policy...)
- Cash out your 401K
- Trash-talk your previous company
- Leave without getting a letter of recommendation
- Wait to file unemployment
- Leave your coworkers high and dry
- Fib on your resume
- Talk about a new opportunity with colleagues
Good News Story 
It's the busy time of year for Rudolph -- and not just Santa's famous reindeer. Thousands of cards and letters are flooding into the post office in Rudolph, Ohio. Volunteers in the village are helping to stamp the mail with a Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer postmark.
The tradition had been threatened by staff cut backs. But postal officials have decided to let townsfolk pick up the slack. About 80,000 pieces of mail are expected to be processed. A local lawmaker says Rudolph has been saved.
Lar's Thought of the Day 
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. Eleanor Roosevelt
