Who: Palmer Drug Abuse Program

What: Benefit Car Wash

When: February 22, 12:00pm to 6:00pm

Where: 3104 S. Alameda, Corpus Christi

On January 21st, 2013 the home of Kingsville Specialized Crimes & Narcotics Task Force Officer, Ken Starrs was engulfed in flames. Assistant Commander Ken Starrs and his wife, Karen Starrs, survived the fire however Mrs. Starrs was severely burned and airlifted to San Antonio for intense treatment.

On February 22nd, the Palmer Drug Abuse Program will be holding a day long car wash to benefit Officer Starrs and his wife. Asst. Commander Starrs is a former member of the Corpus Christi Police Department and has a long history of public service. Group members of PDAP consider it an honor to give back to a family that has given so much to our community through their service. As an officer of the law, Mr. Starrs has put his life on the line and should not have to struggle to meet daily needs and mounting medical bills.

We invite the public to come by and have their car washed or make a donation at our offices. Car wash is free and donations are accepted. One hundred percent of ALL donations go to Assistant Commander Ken Starrs and Wife, Karen Starrs.

“Spring Break Fishing Days”

Five One-Day Programs

 Registration runs now through March 11

Registration online today!

The Corpus Christi Parks & Recreation Department will be offering a “Spring Break Fishing Day” program for youth ages 8-13 at Lindale Recreation Center. There will be five one-day programs held during Spring Break, March 11–15, 2013 from 9am–3pm. The program is designed to teach participants the basics of fishing and all that it entails. Participants will learn about our local marine life, fish anatomy and adaptations, the safety rules of fishing, how to bait and cast, arts and crafts projects, and take a local fishing trip to put their skills to the test. Space is limited—only 15-participant slots are available each day. Participants may only register for one day of this program so that more youth can participate in this learning opportunity. The cost is $15 per day per child with a lunch and snack included!

REGISTRATION: Online Registration will be offered now through March 7, 2013 at www.ccparkandrec.com . On-site Registration will be offered now through March 11, 2013 from 3pm–7pm, Monday–Thursday, at Lindale Recreation Center (3133 Swantner Drive). A copy of a birth certificate is required at the time of registration to show proof of eligibility for this program.

For more information, call 361-855-0392 during operating hours from 3pm–7pm, Monday–Thursday.

For more information about the wide variety of programs and services offered by the Corpus Christi Parks & Recreation Department, visit www.ccparkandrec.com. We invite you to Live. Learn. Play!

Better Business Bureau is urging consumers to take steps to secure their mobile devices in order to protect themselves from identity theft and malware.

According to a survey released by The Pew Research Center in January, almost half of all American adults now own smartphones. The same survey found that 17 percent of all consumers use their mobile device as their primary means of accessing the internet.

Smartphones can be a treasure trove for hackers. Through apps and mobile browsers, people store personal information like passwords, bank account information and credit card numbers in addition to their contacts and other information.

However, a survey conducted in part by the National Cyber Security Alliance, found that more than one quarter of cell phone users are not aware of common security threats to smartphones and more than half do not know enough about mobile phone security to decide whether or not they need it.

BBB urges consumers to remember that a smart phone is no different than a desktop or laptop computer, in that it is vulnerable to the same hackers, malware, spyware and viruses.

Here are a few practical tips from BBB to secure your mobile devices:

• Lock your phone. If your phone is lost or stolen, your personal information is at risk. Add a security code to your phone to prevent thieves from accessing your data. Then set your device to lock automatically when not in use for a specified time.
   

• Update your operating system. Those alerts on your smart phone that tell you to update your apps and operating system are more than just a minor annoyance. These updates close security loopholes and other backdoors hackers can use to access your phone without your knowledge.
   

• Beware of unknown apps and links. Do not download any apps or click on links in your email or social media pages without first researching their source. They may contain viruses, malware or spyware that can compromise your personal data.
   

• Avoid unsecured Wi-Fi. If you choose to connect to an unsecured or public Wi-Fi network, do not enter any passwords or access any personal data. Bad guys can use such networks as an easy means to hack your device.
   

• Turn off Bluetooth. Bluetooth creates a wireless connection between your phone and other devices or phones. If you are not actively using an enabled device, such as a headset, make sure your Bluetooth is turned off.
   

• Check your permissions. Check all of your apps to see what data they are accessing and revoke permissions for information those apps don’t need to properly operate. Check your phone’s owner’s manual or contact your wireless provider for directions on how to do so.
   

• Report missing devices. If your phone is lost or stolen, immediately report it to your wireless carrier and have the device disabled.
   

• Back up your data. Make sure you have a backup of all the apps and information — especially important photos or other irreplaceable items — stored on your phone in case it’s lost, stolen, hacked or damaged.
   

• Pay close attention to your phone bills. Unanticipated, sudden increases in data usage can indicate a problem. In addition, third-party content providers sometimes add erroneous charges to bills for apps or services the consumer never authorized. In addition, keep an eye out for strange texts and disrupted service. They can be red flags that indicate your phone has been hacked.
   

• Erase old phones completely. If you’re selling, donating or recycling your old phone, ensure all your data is completely erased and the phone is returned to factory settings before letting it out of your possession. There are online tutorials to teach you how to do this, or your wireless provider can walk you through the steps.
   

• Shop with caution. When shopping online with your mobile device, take the same precautions you would with a desktop or laptop. Look for the “s” in the “https://” in the address bar and research sites at bbb.org before providing any personal information or credit card numbers.
   

• Consider mobile security. Many sources offer antivirus or other security apps for your phone. Research them thoroughly before choosing which is right for you.

To check the reliability of a company and find trustworthy businesses, visit bbb.org.

The Corpus Christi Parks & Recreation wants you to celebrate your Easter holiday outdoors with us at Labonte Park. Reservations for campsites are now open for the week of March 25 – 31, 2013.

Labonte Park which is located along Nueces River has long been a popular camping destination on special holiday weekends, most notably during Easter. We want everyone to have an enjoyable experience, so we ask visitors to take pride in our City park and to please keep it clean.

The new Camping Fee of $25 will be required for up to three days of camping at the park. A second $25 camping permit may also be purchased allowing for up to three additional days of camping. RV campsites are $50 for the first three days of camping and $50 for three additional days. Each campsite will include parking permits for two vehicles. Each additional vehicle will need a $2.00 per day per vehicle permit to enter the park. Overnight camping is allowed by City ordinance for a maximum of six consecutive days. A day use permit for an individual campsite will also be $25. Camping Fees will offset the cost of trash pick-up and site clean-up required as a result of the holiday camping. 

Now through March 28, 2013, campsites may be reserved and paid for in advance either in person at City Hall (1201 Leopard St.), 3^rd Floor, Parks & Recreation Department, or online at https://register.ccparkandrec.com/. Reservation deadline is noon on Thursday, March 28, 2013 – any vacant campsites would then be reserved on a first come, first serve basis at Labonte Park beginning Friday, March 29, 2013.

Plan now to reserve your campsite for a fun-filled time with your family and friends!

For more information, please call the Corpus Christi Parks & Recreation Department at 361-826-3460 or visit www.ccparkandrec.com . Interested food vendors can call 361-826-3469. We invite you to Live. Learn. Play!    

Yes I want to try this.  I'll go to the gym twice a day if need be but this sounds awesome.  It's a 100% CHEESE Grilled Cheese Sandwich.

According to DudeFoods.com:

"I started off by heating up some oil in a pan and cutting the block of bread cheese in half. I added a couple slices of American cheese to the middle of my sandwich and sautéed it for a couple minutes on each side. It turned out way better than I even expected. The bread cheese softened up a bit, but completely kept its shape, while the American cheese melted perfectly in the middle. Long story short, the sandwich was delicious!"

(Source: Nick|DudeFoods.com)