Do Not Fret about email

Did you get the email about how your cell phone number is being released to telemarketers on January 1st, and if you don't register on the national Do Not Call list by the deadline, you're going to be beleaguered by obnoxious salesman until 2007?

Of course you did. You probably sent it to all of your friends and maybe even to Houstonist. Thanks for the concern, by the way, but it's not true.

The Federal Trade Commission, which oversees the Do Not Call list, has refuted the email, reminding everyone to keep their britches on and calm down. Your cell phone number hasn't been handed out willy-nilly out to anyone (except for that skeazy bartender you gave it to last night), but if you still want to register your number to prevent any new telemarketers from targeting you, you can do so at any time here.