You might notice some changes in the newsletter over the next few months. The first change appears with this issue, and you probably read write over it. I've changed the description at the top of each issue from "Written and Distributed by Alan Cohen" to "Published by Alan Cohen" I believe it was Steve Schwartz of Sears Phone Card Dept. who first accused me of being a publisher, something that I was very flattered with, but still did not believe. That is the direction that I want to take the newsletter in the future - an on-line magazine for phonecard collectors
For those who have read previous issues, you have seen guest segments. I want this to be a permanent part of the newsletter. I still plan on giving my editorials, but it would be useful to have the perspectives (on a regular basis) of other people in the hobby. There are definitely fewer print magazines, and I have learned this is a phenomen a not just in the U.S., but globally.
Mike McGrath already contributes a regular column about stored value cards, and Lenny Rapp of The Phone Card Connection has agreed to write on a regular basis for this newsletter. Consider this an open call for letters and editorials from readers. You dont have to be a dealer or a writer, collector stories are great too. I already have a number of people contributing information when they see a promotional phonecard available. If you want to write once, or write regularly, please contact me at alan@cardmall.com.
Finally, I would like to bring up the possibility of ads appearing in the newsletter. I've received request from dealers about this, and for a long time have resisted. To a certain extent, ads do appear in the newsletter Announcements for price lists, cards available from companies to order, etc. That really won't change. I'm thinking about a small tag line at the beginning and/or end of the newsletter, probably from a phonecard dealer, with a special offer or general announcement. This will not effect the distribution or cost of the newsletter It will still be available for free via the web or e-mail. One thing I never want to do is charge people to receive the newsletter. This would be a way to raise revenue while still being able to publish (and hopefully improve) the newsletter. I would like to hear your opinion on this subject, and have set up a web page for you to express it (in the form of a survey) To encourage participation, I am going to award a prize randomly to someone who fills out the survey. What you say will have no effect on whether you win or lose, so please be honest! The winner will receive either a free copy of the Moneycard Catalog, or $35 worth of phonecards (catalog value) if they already own it, or do not want it. The survey is available at:
http://www.cardmall.com/pol/survey.htm
You can also express your opinions in the form of an e-mail message. The winner will be announced with next weeks newsletter, so you must submit your survey by Saturday, March 14th. Only one entry per person, please!
The 15-minute prepaid calling cards, which represent 1,150 hours of calling, are being distributed to tornado and flood disaster victims in Central and North Florida by the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and other volunteer organizations.
Prepaid calling cards help victims who are without home phones due to damage, or who are suffering a loss of income due to the disaster or are in need of emotional support from relatives.
``This is a significant step in the recovery and it shows the willingness of Floridians to help each other in time of need,'' said Joe Myers, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
Sprint's response to the tornadoes that ravaged Central Florida on Feb. 23, 1998, killing 42 and destroying or damaging more than 3,200 homes, began just hours after the storm. Sprint employees distributed hundreds of prepaid cards to victims in two of the hardest-hit areas, Lakeside Estates and Buenaventura Lakes in Osceola County. Portable Sprint payphones with free long distance service were also brought in to assist victims in making initial contacts with relatives and friends, and Sprint donated $15,000 to the Red Cross.
Sprint's commitment to aid storm victims continues to focus on helping them put their lives back together with as little additional hardship as possible. Special tariffs have been filed with the Florida Public Service Commission that waive various installation and monthly charges for storm victims, and also reserve telephone numbers for a six-month period. These measures will aid storm victims who must disconnect service for a period of time while the cleanup and/or rebuilding process is completed.
One of the killer tornadoes that struck Central Florida made a direct hit on Sprint's Buenaventura Lakes Central Office, ripping away the roof and pouring water onto sensitive telephone computer equipment. Thanks to the around-the-clock efforts of dozens of dedicated Sprint employees, telephone service was restored by Feb. 25 for all 8,000 Sprint customers who lost service in the storm. Sprint provides local service to 90,000 customer telephone lines in Osceola County, and more than 400,000 lines in the Central Florida counties that were in the storm's path.
Although 4,000 customer lines were shorted out when rain poured into the Buenaventura Lakes Central Office, the Sprint Emergency Restoration Team led by Bobby Lingerfelt, area manager-customer service operations, managed to keep the remaining 8,300 lines working while emergency repairs to the building were performed. After ordering parts from all over Florida and as far away as Oklahoma, the repairs were completed and the 4,000 lines were brought back into service. Plans still call for replacing the Central Office equipment because of the extent of the damage, and that step is now being planned.
NDSR
Marlene Highfill, Secretary
PO Box 25
Broken Arrow, OK 74013-0025
(918) 254-8931
CITIBANK, N.A. VISA CASH MUSICIAN SETS VARIETIES DISCOVERED:
Two major varieties have been discovered in the Citibank Street Musicians Sets of Visa Cash Cards. Apparantly a second issue of two of the four cards has been distributed.
The $10 Ansonia Condominium "Sax Player" card has now surfaced with a new expiration date. Originally distributed since the launch of the Citibank Visa Cash Program in early October 1997 with an expiration date of 11/99, the $10 Ansonia Condominium "Sax Player" card has now surfaced with an expiration date of 02/00. Both cards carry the same SV#019742 and the same printer number of Giesecke & Devrient (G&D): 42964.
The $20 72nd Street Station "Bongo Player" card has also surfaced with a new expiration date. The original expiration date of this card was 02/29/00, and it has now been discovered with an expiration date of 01/31/00. Like the Ansonia Condominium card the 72nd Street "Bongo Player" card also carrys the same SV#019741 and the same G&D number 42962.
Both cards in this significant discovery by COM-GAL, LTD. carry the same series number, S1. This major discovery makes the Citibank Street Musicians set a seven card set, containing the original four Street Musicians cards, the $5 Ansonia Condominium
"Sax Player" Complimentary, and the two new discovery cards, the $10 Ansonia Condominium expiration date 02/00 and the $20 72nd Street Station "Bongo Player" expiration date 01/31/00. These newly discovered two cards with new expiration dates may prove difficult for collectors to locate, as their distribution process is uncertain at this time.
The magazine has a website at http://www.mediainfo.com, and their street address is 11 West 19th St, NY NY 10011.
From: Kimberly Last
From: Sam Barton
This is the third year in a row that 10 minute phone cards are packaged inside specially marked tins of flavored coffee from General Foods. The time expires 12/31/98 with services provided by GE Exchange. The cardboard phone card opens into three panels to resemble a small greeting card.
TOP FLITE XL GOLF BALLS
A 10 minute card is found in boxes containing 15 golf balls. Look for boxes that have a yellow triangle with red printing stating the free phone card is inside. A golfer is pictured on the front of the card, the AT&T name and logo are on the reverse. A scratch-off covers the PIN. The time expires 10/21/98.
Until Next Week,
Alan
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