Rao bulletin 15 January 2015 html edition this bulletin contains the following articles

• 
  For a more sophisticated concoction, Martha Stewart has eighteen recipes for sparkling cocktails at www.marthastewart.com/275544/champagne-and-sparkling-wine-cocktails/@center/276959/cocktail-hour.
  
• 
  LearnVest suggests dolling up a bottle of prosecco or cava with two cups of pomegranate juice and a squirt of lemon juice. http://www.learnvest.com/2014/12/holiday-spending-and-budgeting-tips/3
  

• 
  Nino Franco Prosecco Rustico ($18 to $20). Fox News calls this wine “an elegant, easy-drinking prosecco that’s very dry and very crisp.”
  
• 
  La Marca Prosecco ($12 to $16). Wine blogger Ryan O’Hara (The Fermented Fruit) calls this wine “delicate and understated in its approach – somewhat unusual and refreshing in wines at this very reasonable price point.”
  
• 
  Cupcake Vineyards Prosecco D.O.C. ($9 to $10). Rachael Ray recommends Cupcake’s dry, affordable prosecco (“subtle nectarine notes and a clean, lemony finish”) for use in cocktails.
  
• 
  89 Le Colture NV Fagher Brut (Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore) ($16). Wine Enthusiast magazine says, “Prosecco is often painted as a low-cost Italian sparkling wine made in industrial quantities. But nothing about Prosecco Superiore is easy or cheap, although many boutique producers offer the highest quality at attractive prices.”
  

• 
  Lucien Albrecht Cremant d’Alsace Rose ($15 to $20). “A Champagne-style rose with rich, lush, fruity taste that is sure to be a crowd pleaser,” says Fox News.
  
• 
  JBC #69 Brut Rose Cremant de Bourgogne ($20). Bloomberg’s Elin McCoy calls this wine “a good fizz for the price.”
  

• 
  Paul Cheneau Lady of Spain Cava ($8 to $13). Good Housekeeping reviewers “fell in love with its toasty, nutty blend of three Spanish grape varietals from the Penedès region” of Spain.
  
• 
  Bohigas Cava Reserva Brut Nature NV ($12 to $15). The New York Times, in a roundup of best inexpensive summer wines, called this Bohigas wine “light, frothy, zesty and fresh, with a cloudlike purity that demands refills.”
  

• 
  N.V. Dr. Loosen Sparkling Riesling Sekt, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer ($13 to $15). Wine Enthusiast says, “This sekt admirably reflects its Riesling content and Mosel origins, delivering characteristic notes of lime, apple and gingery spice.”
  

• 
  Kirkland Signature Brut Champagne ($19.99). Costco turns out a budget wine made in the Champagne region village of Verzenay of 50 percent pinot noir, 35 percent pinot meunier and 15 percent chardonnay. It “lacks the complexity of a traditional Champagne, but it’s an easily drinkable sparkler that most guests will probably enjoy,” Fox News says.
  

[Source: MoneyTalksNews | Marilyn Lewis | Dec. 26, 2014 ++]

 

How the Scam Works:

• 
  You receive an email that appears to be from Pizza Hut. The message claims the pizza chain is celebrating its 55th anniversary by offering customers a free pizza. 
  
• 
  All you need to do is download the attached coupon and bring it into the restaurant. But don't do it! It's not a coupon, it's actually malware. 
  

• 
  Once downloaded, malware can hunt for banking and/or personal information on your computer, putting you at risk for ID theft. 
  
• 
  Emails posing as business giveaways are a popular way to transmit malware or phish for banking/personal information. Be careful of any unsolicited email that promises free gift cards or other too-good-to-be-true perks. 
  

• 
  Hover over links to check their source. Place your mouse over hyper-linked text and the true destination will appear.  
  
• 
  Don't believe what you see. scammers can easily copy a real business' colors, logo and even email address.
  
• 
  Be wary of unexpected emails that contain links or attachments. As always, do not click on links or open the files in unfamiliar emails. 
  
• 
  Check the offer with a quick web search. If a business is really offering a promotional giveaway, they should be advertising it on their website and elsewhere. A quick search on Google reveals that this offer isn't real. 
  
• 
  Watch for poor grammar and spelling. Scam emails often are riddled with typos.
  
• 
  Ignore calls for immediate action. Scam emails try to get you to act before you think by creating a sense of urgency. Don't fall for it.  
  

For More Information check out http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/free-pizza-nope-just-free-malware to see the Federal Trade Commission's full alert. To find out more about other scams, check the BBB Scam Stopper website at http://www.bbb.org/council/bbb-scam-stopper.

• 
  Medicare. If an “official Medicare agent” shows up at your front door, the FTC says it’s a scam. There are no Medicare sales reps. If you get a call that says you’re required to have a prescription plan or you’ll lose your Medicare coverage, that’s another scam. Also, don’t give out your personal information, including your Medicare number, over the phone, the FTC warns.
  
• 
  Affordable Care Act marketplace. “If you are shopping in the [federal] Health Insurance Marketplace, only shop at HealthCare.gov. People who try to sign you up elsewhere may be scammers,” the FTC said. Also know that the government will not call to sell you insurance.
  
• 
  If you buy insurance elsewhere. The FTC urges consumers to make sure they’re signing up for actual insurance, not a medical discount plan. They are not the same. If you’re unsure if it’s insurance, call your state insurance commissioner’s office.
  

Property taxation is limited to real property.  New York State law gives local governments and public school districts the option of granting a reduction on the amount of property taxes paid by qualifying senior citizens.  This is accomplished by reducing the assessed value of residential property owned by seniors by 50%.  To qualify, seniors must be 65 years of age or older and meet certain income limitations and other requirements.  For the 59% exemption, the law allows each county, city, town, village or school district to set the maximum income limit at any figure between $3,000 and $24,000.  Localities have the further option of granting an exemption of less than 50% to senior citizens whose incomes exceed the local income limit by less than $1,000 in three income ranges or $900 in six other income ranges.  For example, in a community that has taken this “sliding-scale” option and has adopted the $21,500 income maximum, an eligible resident whose income is more than $21,500 but less than $22,500, is entitled to a 45% exemption.  If a person’s income is more than $29,000 but less than $32,400, the exemption is 5%.  For more information, refer to http://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/property.

There is no inheritance tax.  Regarding the estate tax, if the date of death is on or after January 1, 2004, the estate must file a New York State estate tax return if any one of the following conditions are met:  (1) The decedent was domiciled in New York State at the time of death and the total of the federal gross estate, federal taxable gifts and specific exemption exceeds $1 million; (2) The decedent was not domiciled in New York State at the time of death and the estate includes real or tangible personal property with a situs in New York State, and the total of the federal gross estate, federal taxable gifts and specific exemption exceeds $1million; or (3) The decedent was neither a resident nor a citizen of the United States, the estate includes real or tangible personal property with a situs in New York State, and the estate is required to file a federal estate tax return. For more information, refer to http://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/estate/etidx.htm.