Immigration Tales
It's not just for foreigners you know
By Jeff Jordan aka Poppa Jeff
Since moving to the city, I've taken a lot of steps to reintegrate myself into the environment and the culture.
First I got my library card. Immediately, I used the Milwaukee County Library App to reserve a book. The book I found, when I received it, I had already read.
Library Card ⛛
My other reason to go to the library was to register to vote. What I discovered was a dedicated computer and printer to do what I could have done from home. All it did was allow me to make out the form online and print it. I still had to validate my address and mail it to the clerk's office. At least I didn't burden some poor person with trying to read my writing.
Voter Registration ⛝
The YMCA for a gym membership was a breeze compared to the voter registration. The process was easier because I had my Silver Sneakers member number. For all you youngsters, Silver Sneakers is a Medicare Provider perk where they pay for a clients gym membership. While waiting for the application to slide up to the cloud, I was able to study my French language course on my phone with my Babbel App.
YMCA Gym Membership ⛝
Not exactly a city thing, but I needed to get a new Passport. Mine was expiring this year in any case, but I lost it. I reported my passport lost online. Then I started the process of reapplying for a new one. On the government website, I learned that I needed two copies of my birth certificate, two identical recent photos of myself and a filled-out application form.
When you apply for a passport you have two choices. One was the traditional book which costs one hundred dollars. Or, I could get a card, similar to a drivers license. The card works if you're going to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean. Since I couldn't imagine going anywhere where I would need the book and the cost of thirty dollars, the card was my choice.
When I went to the Post Office, which was the closest place for me to apply, I found out I needed an appointment. Since I had all the things ready the clerk reluctantly agreed to take my application. She was visibly happy to send me home to get the original copy of my Birth Certificate. "And remember," she said, "You have to schedule an appointment online. And by the way, we charge thirty-five dollars for a service fee."
The county clerks office takes applications on a walk-in basis. The person I was working with was happy that I had everything I needed to apply. It seemed that I did except for a couple of small matters. I had used a pen with blue ink to make out the application. I had to make out a new one with black ink. I didn't need two photographs I only need one. All I needed was my original Birth Certificate, which they would return to me. I didn't need any copies of it.
The biggest surprise was that the lower cost "Card" passport only worked if you travel by land or sea to the countries that accept it. If you fly you need the book. Oh yes, and everybody charges thirty-five dollars for a service fee.
Passport ⛝
So to complete my integration into my new home, I requested a loyalty card at my local grocery store. The young lady checking me out handed me a plastic-coated piece that had a card and a fob on it. Done!
Grocery Loyalty Card ⛝
It's not just for foreigners you know
By Jeff Jordan aka Poppa Jeff
Since moving to the city, I've taken a lot of steps to reintegrate myself into the environment and the culture.
First I got my library card. Immediately, I used the Milwaukee County Library App to reserve a book. The book I found, when I received it, I had already read.
Library Card ⛛
My other reason to go to the library was to register to vote. What I discovered was a dedicated computer and printer to do what I could have done from home. All it did was allow me to make out the form online and print it. I still had to validate my address and mail it to the clerk's office. At least I didn't burden some poor person with trying to read my writing.
Voter Registration ⛝
The YMCA for a gym membership was a breeze compared to the voter registration. The process was easier because I had my Silver Sneakers member number. For all you youngsters, Silver Sneakers is a Medicare Provider perk where they pay for a clients gym membership. While waiting for the application to slide up to the cloud, I was able to study my French language course on my phone with my Babbel App.
YMCA Gym Membership ⛝
Not exactly a city thing, but I needed to get a new Passport. Mine was expiring this year in any case, but I lost it. I reported my passport lost online. Then I started the process of reapplying for a new one. On the government website, I learned that I needed two copies of my birth certificate, two identical recent photos of myself and a filled-out application form.
When you apply for a passport you have two choices. One was the traditional book which costs one hundred dollars. Or, I could get a card, similar to a drivers license. The card works if you're going to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean. Since I couldn't imagine going anywhere where I would need the book and the cost of thirty dollars, the card was my choice.
When I went to the Post Office, which was the closest place for me to apply, I found out I needed an appointment. Since I had all the things ready the clerk reluctantly agreed to take my application. She was visibly happy to send me home to get the original copy of my Birth Certificate. "And remember," she said, "You have to schedule an appointment online. And by the way, we charge thirty-five dollars for a service fee."
The county clerks office takes applications on a walk-in basis. The person I was working with was happy that I had everything I needed to apply. It seemed that I did except for a couple of small matters. I had used a pen with blue ink to make out the application. I had to make out a new one with black ink. I didn't need two photographs I only need one. All I needed was my original Birth Certificate, which they would return to me. I didn't need any copies of it.
The biggest surprise was that the lower cost "Card" passport only worked if you travel by land or sea to the countries that accept it. If you fly you need the book. Oh yes, and everybody charges thirty-five dollars for a service fee.
Passport ⛝
So to complete my integration into my new home, I requested a loyalty card at my local grocery store. The young lady checking me out handed me a plastic-coated piece that had a card and a fob on it. Done!
Grocery Loyalty Card ⛝
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