RB Community Watch by Jacquie Nelson

Lotteries, contests and premiums; know the differences
Do not confuse Sweepstakes with a LOTTERY, which is where items of value are awarded to members of the public by chance, but it requires some form of payment in order to participate. Lotteries are illegal except when conducted by States and certain exempt charitable organizations. If you believe you have received a solicitation in the guise of a sweepstakes which is really an illegal lottery, you should contact your local post office.

Do not confuse sweepstakes with a SKILL CONTEST. In a skill contest, the winner is determined by ability, not chance, and an entry fee or purchase may be required. There are many legitimate skill contests: writing a jingle, solving puzzles, or answering questions correctly. Know how the contest works, what the prizes are, and what ALL the fees are before paying anything.

Do not confuse sweepstakes with a PREMIUM OFFER. Premiums are gifts that companies make available to all recipients who respond according to the company’s instructions; for example, a travel bag received with a new magazine subscription. So, when everyone who responds to the offer receives the same gift, without any element of chance, the offer is not a sweepstakes. You are simply buying something with a reward attached.

Last week I wrote about Sweepstakes and how to get off those mailing lists. It’s important that you know that they must take your name off within 60 days of notification of "stop-mail." If they do not, you can sue the promoter in small claims court for monetary loss or $500, whichever is higher.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW: The Seven Oaks Fall Festival 2000 will be held on Saturday, October 7 from 9 a.m. at the Community Center,16789 Bernardo Oaks Drive. For more information call Joyce Gage, Seven Oaks Board of Directors Activities Chair, at 675-9467. More details to come in future columns.

RB Senior Services will host a seminar on "Age related eye conditions" on Monday, September 11^th from 10 -11:30 a.m. Elizabeth Waas, Educational Representative for the Braille Institute, will talk on ‘Macular Degeneration,’ ‘Glaucoma’ and ‘Cataracts.’ Who is at risk? Is it hereditary? What are the warning signs? The latest research available will be discussed. Reservations are needed; seating is limited. Call now to reserve - 487-2640.

NOTE: September 21^st is the deadline for the DMV license renewal test on September 28. Call before the 21^st to learn what is needed.

Coco’s Café and Bakery in Rancho Bernardo congratulates Lorraine and James R. Alley Neighborhood Watch Block Captains in Seven Oaks and Dan Vogel, also a Neighborhood Watch Block Captain in Seven Oaks, and honors them with the Coco’s Award for September 2000.

Coco’s donates two free lunches to two outstanding volunteers in Neighborhood Watch and Emergency Preparedness each month. Thanks go to Coco’s for their generosity and their pride in Rancho Bernardo’s hard working volunteers.

Courtesy RB NEWSJournal
September 7, 2000