There will be a new meeting starting at the Redding Alano Club on August 6, 2010, from 9:00 to 10:00 PM. The meeting is named 530 R.A.W. (Recovery at work). The format of the group will be determined at the first meeting, so make it a point to be there and participate!

Since the first of the month, I have sent almost a dozen webmaster emails to certain ERC Staff members on various topics and with different degrees of importance... I have not received a single reply to any of those emails. I have enough time in Recovery to dismiss the idea that I was just being ignored-- and besides, some of the emails were in response to important issues.

So, remembering two occasions when the ERC's own Internet Service Provider had blocked the emails from the website of their own customer, I did a Google search for the term "email blocked by at&t" and came up with no less than 419,000 results of AT&T's shenanigans and innumerable irate complaints up to and including a fellow who could not even receive emails from his own mother: You can read about it Here.

The problem is exacerbated by the fact that the blockage is intermittent-- an on again, off again type of thing. From what I can determine, this is due to ATT's use of third-party software that they don't have to pay for, and that software seems to have been designed by persons with an IQ somewhere in the single digit range.

Setting up your ERC account is should be very simple: contact webmaster@empirerecovery.org with the user name you are assigned, and you will be sent a password.... but how can you be sent a password if your provider has blocked all ERC emails, including webmaster@empirerecovery.org?

I believe the best answer is a bulletin board. We had a bulletin board set up at one time, but it was taken down by reason of lack of participation. I have just set one up again, this time for the primary purpose of establishing communication between myself and the ERC staff, despite AT&T's irresposible blockage.

Just go here: http://www.empirerecovery.org/bb/, and click the Getting Started link first. You will see the forum titled "HOW-TO". Click the link and you will find two more links, "How to Register" and "Setting up Your ERC Account" that will explain how to easily do both things. Register and you will then be automatically logged in.

Are you an ERC staff member, board member or volunteer? Have any information about upcoming events at the ERC, or other content that you feel should be posted on the ERC's website?

If you can answer "yes" to both questions, please let the ERC webmaster know about it-- (yep, that's me, on the right).

I usually have to ferret out news items for the website's content by pestering staff or volunteers with phone calls and emails, and I get a "news" letter once a year, but these methods all too often are insufficient.

If you have timely news of events or other content material for the website, you can submit it Here. Rest assured, it will be very much appreciated!

Speaking of appreciation, one of our most reliable sources for ERC event news for the website is John Doe, as he signs his emails. Thanks very much, John.

On another note, a new "help" section has been added, for the benefit of those who may need help for almost anything related to the ERC website. This new section is where you can get assistance or information from the ERC webmaster more easily, along with a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) and a few "How-Tos" for things like setting up email. Look for the "Webmaster's Cellar" link on the left. This new addition will have content added on a regular basis.

The ERC is looking to increase alumni attendance and Volunteerism. Our weekly alumni group is held at the ERC on Thursdays at 6pm. Our weekly family group is held on Wednesdays at the ERC at 6:30. We are encouraging family, alumni members, and friends of the ERC to attend family.

We are looking for alumni members to attend alumni meeting and to volunteer for duties at the ERC which include making copies, sitting in on groups, and various other activities.

  We are still holding Family Group on Wednesday Night at 6:30 PM, and Alumni Group on Thursday Night at 6:00 PM. We encourage attendance.

The Empire Recovery Center needs your help! We have a wish list of items that would contribute to a more comfortable and pleasant environment for our residents. We are actively seeking donations of the following items:

* Remember-- donations are tax deductible!

And Volunteers! If you cannot donate items, please consider donating your time and efforts. Come look at our new materials, Power Point presentation, and talk to us about what types of services you could provide.

If you have any questions, call ERC at 530-243-7470.