Thinking about breaking out your shovel?

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Calling 811 can save you some trouble!

Race Communications recently experienced a major interruption in service throughout California due to a cut fiber line. Cut fiber lines tend to occur during this time of year as this glorious warm weather is a great motivator when it comes to getting home-improvement projects done!

Whether you’re finally getting around to fixing up the patio or you’re adding a new and improved garage or shed, calling 811 should be your very first step! You never know what may be lurking underground.

Water, gas, and electricity are just some of the utilities that may be underground on your property – not to mention your precious fiber lines for internet and phone services. Surely you wouldn’t want to disrupt your service (or your neighbor’s service)! In order to avoid a major headache in the form of a burst water pipe or electrical outage, be sure to call 811 at least two business days before you plan to dig. 

The 811 call center will then ensure that all public utilities are notified about the upcoming dig on your property. You may be asked to mark the area you plan to dig with white paint or white flags, which can be found at many hardware stores.

Then, each organization, either by themselves or via a hired third-party, will mark the area of each utility. Each type of utility has a different color so that you will know what is where. Not sure what the colors are? Here’s a quick recap:

The designated color for drinking water is blue; sewer is green, and gas, oil and steam are all marked yellow. Red is the color for electrical utilities and orange signifies communications – like internet, telephone and TV.

When you call 811, they will also mark for public utilities which are the ones that use the public right of way (or easement) to your house. You’ll need to keep an extra eye out for these as these lines could be responsible for providing service to entire neighborhoods.

So again, don’t break out that shovel before you make the call to 811! Be prepared that the representative will ask you some questions in order to process your request, including your address and nearby cross streets, city, county, the type and scope of the digging project, and a contact number. Now, what are you waiting for? Better get started on that “honey-do” list!

Race COVID-19 Notice

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March 17, 2020

Dear Valued Race Customer,

The Health and Safety of our employees and customers remains our top priority here at Race.  We continue to closely monitor the State and Federal updates and have our staff in direct communication with the CPUC and State CIO offices.   Our State is adapting and changing on a daily basis to stay ahead of the virus.  Your Race Team is evaluating these guidelines and protocols and adjusting company policies to adapt to these new conditions.

Race understands that now more than ever that our customers need to stay connected.  We are taking steps to assure all our customers can stay in touch with work, school and news.   Our staff will continue to work our normal business hours and our Network Operation Center (NOC) will continue to operate 24/7 to ensure the reliability and performance of our network.

Safety for our Technicians during site visits

  • We are continually educating staff on best hygiene and social distancing practices and are cleaning our equipment and vehicles on a regular basis.
  • When our installation or service work can be performed on the outside of the business or home, we will complete the work without customer contact.

How can our customers help?

  • If you or a member of your household or business are experiencing flu-like symptoms and have a scheduled appointment, please call our service center at 877 722 3833 to reschedule the appointment.

Public locations closed

  • Race has closed all public offices that have customer contact.
    • When returning equipment please mail to:
    • 1170 E. Tehachapi Blvd. Suite C Tehachapi, CA  93561

Service Calls

  • At this time Race is scheduling service calls for interruption of data or phone services as priority calls.
  • To limit the number of calls to our call center, Race customers can email support@race.com or chat with a support tech at race.com by clicking the icon on the lower right-hand side.

Race has designed and built our fiber networks to be able to sustain maximum capacity.  With our NOC working 24/7 we will continue to monitor the network to maintain peak performance.

For our Race Enterprise customers, we continue to provide you the support you need.   If you are experiencing demands on your networks by your new remote workforce, please contact our support team to evaluate your connection.

Race will continue to send updates as conditions change.

Thank you,

The Race Team

New Year, New You: Connecting to a Healthier Lifestyle

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It’s no secret that gyms see a spike in sign-ups every January… or that all those new members typically abandon their health goals by February. If you’ve tried and failed to keep resolutions before, you may even wonder if it’s worth trying to live a healthier lifestyle in 2020. But you can do this! To make it a little bit easier, we’ve rounded up seven apps and tools that will keep you motivated and on track. Read on to discover everything you need to make this year your healthiest year yet.

#1: Echelon Smart Connect Bike

Much like the popular Peloton Bike (but with options at half the price), Echelon’s smart exercise bike streams live classes and on-demand workouts to keep you in the saddle and on the move. Already have an exercise bike? Just download the app to get the “smart” ride experience and enjoy studio fitness classes from the privacy of your own home.

#2: Mirror

This sleek, dual-purpose fitness tool is everything you need for revamping your fitness this year! The Mirror is both a mirror and a screen for streaming, so you can watch your NYC studio instructor and yourself at the same time. Choose between dance cardio, yoga, boxing, or many other active options, then jump into a live class or pick one on demand. When turned off, Mirror acts as a regular mirror with a modern design that blends seamlessly into your home decor.

#3: Aaptiv

Whether you want to work out at home, in the gym, or in the great outdoors, Aaptiv makes it easy to get a personal trainer’s guidance every step of the way. Simply check your workout suggestions for the day, then tap to stream guided audio workouts for running, strength training, yoga, and more. Each workout is paired with a playlist, so you can move to the beat as you crush your goals. Plus team challenges, an in-app “team” feed, and a feature that measures your workout streak provide all the motivation you need to get active with Aaptiv every day this year!

#4: MyFitnessPal

As you get fit in 2020, exercise is only half the battle. That’s why MyFitnessPal is here to help you form healthier eating habits, too. This app allows you to set goals, track your food intake, and monitor your progress over time. There is also an in-app community which offers all the encouragement you need to remember you’re not in this alone. You’ve got this!

#5: Sleep++

As you tackle new, healthy habits, don’t forget to give your body the rest it needs to recover each day! For Apple users, the Sleep++ app helps you uncover your sleep patterns by tracking how long (and how well) you sleep. Check the easy-to-read data analytics and make adjustments over time to ensure you’re getting the shut-eye you need to stay on track and healthy in the new year.

#6: Sensoria Smart Socks

If you want to maintain a long-term running plan, you have to avoid injury. And if you want to avoid injury, you have to make sure you’re running correctly and safely. Fortunately, these smart socks provide real-time feedback on your running form! Outfitted with tiny textile sensors under each foot, the conductive fibers act as a circuit board that gathers information with each movement. The app provides audio and video cues throughout your run so you can make little tweaks to ensure every workout is smart and safe.

#7: Shopwell

Does finding healthy options in the grocery store leave you confused and overwhelmed? Shopwell has your back. Start by creating a food profile to set goals, note allergies and health concerns, and even record your likes and dislikes. This handy app will make recommendations for healthy foods to grab on your next grocery run. You can even scan labels to find out instantly whether that snack you discover in aisle 3 is a good choice to keep you on track.

Are you ready to get fit and healthy in 2020? Call Race today to make sure your internet can power the apps and tools you need to achieve your goals!

 

How to Share Memories Online (While Still Keeping Your Kids Safe)

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From birthdays and milestones to silly selfies on an ordinary Tuesday, parents have tons of opportunities to share aww-worthy moments online. But does sharing photos with family and friends on the internet put your family’s security at risk? It doesn’t have to!

Check out these tips for sharing those special moments with your loved ones while still keeping your kids safe.

Use the security features

Popular social networks Facebook and Instagram allow users to hide their photos and posts from anyone not on their friends list. As you’re using these platforms to share memories with loved ones near and far, use the security settings to control who sees them — and comb through your friends list to make sure you actually know everyone in your digital circle. Still not sure about hitting that post button? Check out the group messaging features on either platform to share your photos and videos with just a few close loved ones.

Share privately with smaller groups

Did you know there are entire social networking platforms built with your privacy in mind? Apps like Cluster and 23Snaps make it easy to share your photos with a tight and controlled group of people — so Aunt May gets the video of baby’s first steps, but that Facebook friend you haven’t talked to since 7th grade does not. Added bonus: Both of these apps also make it easy to get pictures off your phone and into your hands with the option to create and print simple family albums!

Skip the geotags

It may seem obvious to say you shouldn’t share too much of your child’s identifying info online, but the geotagging features on some social media sites make it easy to do just that without a second thought. For example, geotagging photos from your child’s birthday party can immediately reveal your child’s name, birthdate and location to the general public. If you do decide to share photos publicly, consider skipping the geotags to keep your child safe from those who could otherwise use that identifying information to open unwanted accounts in their name.

Think long-term

It’s tempting to share all the memorable moments you get to enjoy with your little one, even if it’s just to have a record for your own sake down the road! But if you’re posting publicly, consider whether your kids would want those posts popping up when they’re starting to date, apply to colleges or search for jobs. Share happy family memories online, but try to keep private those shots and stories that seem innocent enough now but could be embarrassing down the road — like bathtime, potty training developments or temper tantrums.

Talk with your kids

Yes, using social media and the internet safely requires some wisdom and intentionality, but that doesn’t mean you have to skip out on them all together. After all, your child will soon be using these same platforms on their own. And that’s a good thing! The internet is full of amazing tools for sharing photos, connecting with loved ones and much, much more. Prepare your child to use the best of the internet safely by modeling good practices and inviting them into the conversation now. Ask your kids what they’d like you to share (or not) before posting and discuss how you’re taking steps to protect them as you share those happy memories with loved ones near and far.

With smart practices and a secure connection, the internet can be a great tool for connecting with loved ones. Contact Race today to make sure you have the strong, secure, and reliable internet you need to share special memories with those who matter most.

“Smart” Seniors: The Best Wearable Tech for Baby Boomers

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Millennials and Gen Z may be known for their mastery of technology, but they aren’t the only generations using modern tools to manage their daily lives. With so many advances in wearable technology, more resources exist now than ever before to help baby boomers live a healthy lifestyle and maintain their independence.

Here are five of the best wearable tech devices on the market for today’s older adults.

#1: Livio AI Hearing Aids

First things first: The Livio AI Hearing Aids are an extremely effective product. You can stream your phone, TV, or music straight to the hearing aids, adjust settings easily in the companion app and even use geotags to save your preferred settings for frequent locations. But the impressive functionality doesn’t stop there.

These hearing aids are the first to use artificial intelligence to monitor body and brain health and deliver a daily overall wellness score. Plus, built-in technology can detect a fall and immediately alert emergency contacts, giving you and your loved ones more peace of mind.

#2: Samsung Gear S3

The Samsung Gear S3 may look like a classic, timeless watch, but the smart features make it perfect for today’s baby boomers. For example, with convenient built-in speakers, you can easily make or take calls straight from your watch, even if your phone is in another room.

Added bonus: If you fall or find yourself in an emergency situation, you can easily send SOS messages to assigned contacts, who will immediately receive information about your location as well.

#3: Apple Watch Series 5

The latest Apple Watch is full of bells and whistles to keep users of all ages healthy. An ECG app can help you (and your doctors) know if your heart rhythm is high, low or irregular. Noise sensors notify you when surroundings are loud enough to damage your hearing.

Calendar functionality and daily alerts can remind you to take your medication and attend your doctors’ appointments. And, again, a fall detection feature easily notifies emergency services and loved ones in the case of an accident.

#4: Dexcom G6

For those living with Diabetes Type 1 or Type 2, the Dexcom G6 makes it easier than ever to monitor your glucose and share data with the people in your corner. The continuous glucose monitoring system updates your phone app with your latest glucose numbers every five minutes.

Share your info with up to 10 people, who can access your data and trends from their own phones. Plus, check out easy-to-read graphs, trends and statistics based on your health data, then email it directly to your doctors to keep them informed.

#5: Freedom Guardian

No smartphone? No problem. This medical alert watch is a standalone device designed specifically for older adults (think simple interface and large touch-screen icons). Helpful features include weather forecasts, reminders and alerts and text-to-speech messaging. Plus, you can simply press and hold the side button for three seconds to request emergency assistance.

Friends, family and caregivers love it as well. With the companion mobile app, they can easily add important daily tasks in your calendar, track your location, message you and know right away if you’ve requested emergency assistance.

Each of these wearable tech devices makes life easier for baby boomers — just like high-speed internet from Race! Contact us today to make sure you have the high-speed internet you need to make the most of today’s technology.