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Family flicks for the Fourth of July
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The Sandlot is all about Americas favorite pastime: baseball. Scotty Smalls reminisces about the summer of 1962 when he first discovered the sandlot and the neighborhood kids who taught him more than just how to throw a ball. - photo by Sarah Binghurst
FAMILY TIME This weekend we celebrate Independence Day. Whether you are headed out of town or staying close to home, most families have some big plans to celebrate our country.

Between all of the barbecues and fireworks, there just might be time for your family to enjoy a movie together. Here are a few suggestions we think everyone will enjoy.

The Sandlot

The Sandlot is all about Americas favorite pastime: baseball. Scotty Smalls reminisces about the summer of 1962 when he first discovered the sandlot and the neighborhood kids who taught him more than just how to throw a ball.

The Sandlot has arguably one of the most patriotic scenes of all time. While everyone else in the neighborhood is barbeCuing and playing with sparklers, the sandlot gang decides to play ball under the bright colors of the fireworks exploding above them. With America the Beautiful playing in the background, there are not many other scenes that capture what the Fourth of July is all about better than this movie.

Whether you grew up playing the game or not, you will love watching these kids and the shenanigans they get themselves into.

The Sandlot is 100 percent worth your time and appropriate for ages 8+ on Ok.com.

National Treasure

National Treasure takes you on a trip into history as a team of historians goes on a good old-fashioned treasure hunt.

Benjamin Gates is an eccentric historian with a love for his country. When he finds out a shady colleague plans to steal the Declaration of Independence, Ben has no choice but to steal it first.

Put your U.S. history knowledge to the test as Ben and his gang follow one clue after another in pursuit of the biggest treasure in the world.

Filled with wit, romance and trivia knowledge, this movie is about as exciting as history can get.

National Treasure is 76 percent worth-your-time and appropriate for ages 8+.

An American Tail

America has long been known as the land of opportunity. People from all over the world have come here to have a piece of the American Dream.

An American Tail is an animated motion picture following the Mousekewitz family as they immigrate to the United States from Russia in search of a new start. When Fievel gets lost along the way, he meets some friends who show him the best America has to offer as they help reunite him with his family.

This is a family friendly film that celebrates the diversity that makes up our American identity.

An American Tail is 100 percent worth your time on OK.com and is appropriate for all ages.

Miracle

Miracle is the true story of the 1980 U.S. Mens Olympic Hockey Team. When pitted against the supposedly unbeatable team from Russia, the young and talented Americans carried the hopes of an entire nation. In a brilliant underdog story, the team and coach Herb Brooks (Kurt Russell) fight their way to a gold medal victory.

This sports drama captures a glimpse of the fighting spirit of America. Even under insurmountable odds, America almost always finds a way to rise above, just as the 1980 team did on the ice.

If there is one lesson to be learned from Miracle, it is that we should never lose hope. Despite all the odds, anything is possible if you believe in miracles.

Miracle is 100 percent worth your time on OK.com and is appropriate for ages 8+.
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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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