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7 facts about Barb from Stranger Things that will turn you upside down
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Netflix releases season two of "Stranger Things" Friday, Oct. 27. - photo by Lottie Johnson
She left us way too soon.

Barbara Barb Holland, the loyal best friend of Nancy Wheeler who was never afraid to speak her mind, disappears during the second episode of Stranger Things.

And although little is seen or known of Barb, something about her vanishing and eventual death sparked community outrage and heartbreak.

Perhaps it was her short red hair, frilly collared shirts and now-retro glasses the show takes place in 1983 that drew people in.

Perhaps it was the unabashed way shed tell Nancy she was acting strange or walking into a dangerous situation.

Perhaps its the fact that no matter what silly thing Nancy did, we knew Barb would always be there.

Until she wasnt. Thanks a lot, Demogorgon.

Barbs quick disappearance from Stranger Things and the lack of attention her town gave to the matter turned social media into a mourning forum, particularly expressed with the hashtags #WeAreAllBarb and #JusticeForBarb.

And although its been confirmed that Barb doesnt make it out of the Upside Down, that doesnt mean Hawkins, Indiana, will be devoid of the beloved characters presence. In fact, a recent article in Entertainment Weekly assures us that #JusticeforBarb will play a major role in season two of Stranger Things as Nancy grapples with grief and guilt over her best friends death.

To honor Barb and celebrate the upcoming release of Stranger Things on Oct. 27, here are seven facts about the actress behind the gone but certainly not forgotten character.

  1. Playing Barb in Stranger Things marked 20-year-old actress Shannon Pursers screen debut, according to deadline.com. She was a senior in high school when she took part in the sci-fi/horror show. Talking about the show with Deadline, the actress said, Stranger Things really is everything that I love. Im a big science fiction fan; I love films from the 80s, so it was such a cool, interesting combination of that. I really couldnt have asked for a better thing to start off with.
  2. Her first acting credit landed Purser an Emmy nomination in July 2017. Utahns who are fans of Stranger Things will be delighted to learn that the actress was actually in the Salt Lake City International Airport en route to shoot season two of The CW show Riverdale when she discovered her role as Barb had earned an Emmy nomination for outstanding guest actress in a drama series, according to elle.com. To calm her nerves as she was standing at her boarding gate, Purser petted two golden retriever service dogs that were close by, stating in her interview that It was absolutely what I needed."
  3. When asked by Glamour magazine if she would consider herself to be a Nancy or a Barb, Purser remains loyal to her character: Im definitely a Barb. I dont have a problem with that. I think shes great. I totally am dorky and weird, and thats fine with me.
  4. Prior to playing Barb, Purser worked at a movie theater in her Roswell, Georgia, hometown. In fact, she was watching a movie with her mom at the theater when she learned she got the part. The actress told Elle magazine, "I can't for the life of me remember what movie we were seeing, but it was just me and her in the theater. I was obsessively checking my phone, and then I got an email telling me I got the part. I turned to my mom, like, 'Mom, I got it!' Then we watched the rest of the movie."
  5. Purser returned to her job at the movie theater after shooting Stranger Things, but ended up quitting when people began showing up to see Barb in person, according to her interview with Glamour magazine.
  6. Since her role in Stranger Things, Purser has starred in The CW drama series Riverdale and recently made her film debut in the horror flick Wish Upon.
  7. The actress had no idea what Barbs fate would be, telling Glamour magazine that there was a weird air of secrecy about the seventh episode when Barbs body is discovered. Although Purser knew things were certainly not looking good for her character we see the Demogorgon drag her down to the bottom of a pool in the third episode finding out what would eventually become of Barb was a waiting game. But she did say in her interview that if (The Duffer brothers) ever wanted to bring Barb back, I would be 100 percent OK with it.
Were still rooting for you, Barb.
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New Medicare cards are in the mail and scammers are on the prowl
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has begun mailing new Medicare Health Insurance ID cards. The program no longer uses Social Security numbers to identify people. - photo by Lois M Collins
The federal government is beginning to send out new ID cards to the 58 million Americans who benefit from Medicare. But since many of the people who will receive them don't know they're coming or why, scammers are already gearing up to take advantage.

An AARP survey shows as many as three-fourths of Americans 65 and older have no idea the cards are coming, so some individuals may be duped with claims that they're supposed to pay a fee or provide personal information that will be used, instead, to defraud them.

The new cards are the first reissue in years, and the most striking part of the redesign is that the cards no longer carry the beneficiary's Social Security number. Congress mandated the removal of that number as an identifier for Medicare beneficiaries by next April. Instead, the card has a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier number, an 11-digit combination of numbers and letters.

The new Medicare cards are now being mailed out in batches, starting with the Eastern seaboard and moving west. Most Medicare beneficiaries will receive their cards over the next six months, as long as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has their correct mailing address. Once the cards are in hand, people can share the new identification number with their health care providers. During a transition period, either card is valid.

The old cards, which used Social Security numbers as the personal identification number, should be destroyed.

AARP recently launched an education campaign to warn consumers about scams related to the new Medicare cards.

The membership organization's "Fraud Watch" consultant, Frank Abagnale reformed con man, scammer and the subject of the movie and book "Catch Me If You Can" tells senior citizens the only time they need to carry the actual Medicare card is to health care appointments. Otherwise, it should be left in a safe place. If they want to carry one in their wallet or purse, he says, make a copy and black out the first seven numbers.

Since the cards were announced, scammers have already:

  • Called seniors and asked for their bank account information so that money on their old card could be returned. There is no money on the old card and CMS never asks for personal information over the phone.
  • Offered to send the new card after Medicare beneficiaries pay a $25 fee to cover expenses related to the card. The card is free.
  • Said the card will be mailed out as soon as the older person verifies his or her Social Security number, mailing address and other personal information. CMS already knows the beneficiary's Social Security number and it's no longer being used in conjunction with health care.
AARP and the Federal Trade Commission will hold a free online seminar about the cards and the fraud attempts they have spawned on Thursday, April 19, at 7 p.m. EDT. Register at: www.aarp.org/FraudWebinar. CMS also offers a "frequently asked questions" guide to the new cards.

The AARP Fraud Watch Network says consumers can sign up for its Watchdog Alert emails that deliver breaking scam information, or call a free helpline at 877-908-3360 to speak with volunteers trained in fraud counseling. Abagnale also hosts a weekly podcast for AARP, called The Perfect Scam.
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