The Senior Scene

Free technology classes are offered at Pierce County Library branches. Participants can sign up in advance for a class on a specific topic, or drop in for a help session. Here’s what’s availabld:
• Master mobile devices. Make the most of iPads and other tablets and access downloadable music, movies and magazines. Download e-books to a Nook, Kindle or other e-reader and e-audiobooks to an MP3 player.
• Wander the Web. Be smart and safe on Facebook, Pinterest and other social media sites on the Internet.
• Launch library resources. Discover the wonders of 3D printing, start and grow a business, explore genealogy, create a perfect trip and find the value of antiques and collectibles. Also choose from 250 self-paced technology courses with Microsoft IT Academy and 500 continuing education classes through Universal Class.
• Conquer computer challenges Cover basic skills, connect with email, get started in PowerPoint and Publisher, and progress through beginning and intermediate Excel and Word.
Registration, which may be required for some classes, is available at www.piercecountylibrary.org/calendar

Eight local bands will perform in all-ages, family-friendly show at Louie G’s in Fife in a benefit concert for FISH Food Banks of Pierce County on June 22.

For a suggested donation of $10, audiences can listen to James Coates, Champagne Sunday, Vividal, Moss Brothers, The Approach, Tin Man, Nolan Garrett, and Strangely Alright.

The concert is scheduled for 3 to 7 p.m. Louie G’s is at 5219 Pacific Hwy. S.

Event sponsors include The Fish Records, The Corbenic Group, Bill Bungard Photography, Great Scott, NWCZ Radio, SHURE, In Tune Guitar Picks, John L. Scott North Tacoma, Sweatbox Entertainment, Flat Hat Productions and Seattle Wave Radio.

Judi said goodbye and dropped the cell phone into her purse, unaware of the high-tech mischief about to take place. As she picked up her gym bag and walked out of the Lakewood Community Building with me, she explained who had called and what had happened.
When I arrived home later that day and checked my phone messages, I discovered an eerie call filled with strange background noises and distant voices. I was about to hang up when I heard Judi’s voice telling the story I had heard earlier. After she finished talking, random background noise and rustling sounds continued for several minutes.
I was puzzled until I realized what had happened. When Judi dropped her phone into her purse, it accidently dialed my number, and since no one was home, the call was recorded.
Pocket dialing (also known as butt dialing) of accidental calls is caused when an object in a person’s pocket or bag bumps the buttons on the phone. This often occurs on open phones where the keys are exposed. The dialed number is usually one that has been recently called or a number near the beginning or end of the phone’s contact list. I find it amusing these calls are referred to as pocket dialing, considering that touch tone buttons were introduced in 1963, and the majority of cell phone users most likely have never seen or used a dial phone.
It would not be considered unusual that Judi’s phone accidentally dialed a number when it fell into her purse. However, the odds that it dialed the person she was talking to does seems remote. Pocket dialing can be more than annoying and embarrassing; in one incident, it resulted in putting the caller behind bars.
In November 2013, Larry Barnett from Arkansas was describing an elaborate plan to murder a former employee when he accidently butt-dialed his intended victim, revealing the plot.
The person who received the call had previously worked for Barnett and quickly figured out he was the intended victim. He listened as Barnett plotted the murder and gave a third party directions to his home. The victim told police he overheard Barnett say, “I don’t care if you have to burn his house to the ground with him in it. I don’t care what you have to do, make it look like an accident.”
The police went to the complainant’s home and discovered it had been burglarized and the gas stove had been tampered with. At that point, Barnett was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit murder.
Perhaps, if Larry Barnett had used one of the available apps to safeguard his phone from butt dialing, it could have saved his.

(Janet Rich, who wrote this article, is an author and freelance writer. Her book, “Charles’ Tell-Tale Diary of 1899,” was the subject of a story in the April edition of Senior Scene.)

It’s that time of year again for the Memorie Singers.
The Tacoma-based musical group’s annual, two-hour public performance is scheduled for June 14 at 3 p.m. at Tacoma Musical Playhouse, which is located at 7116 Sixth Ave. The playhouse organization sponsors the Memorie Singers, a non-profit group of seniors who also perform at nursing homes, adult daycare centers, senior centers and churches, and for special occasions. ]
Admission to the upcoming concert is a suggested donation of $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger. Tickets are available in advance from members of the singing group, at the box office the day of the show, and at 253-922-6937.