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Best for low-light environments, this Clear lens includes anti-fog treatment on the inner surface. That's just the start of its fog-cutting performance. Fog buildup occurs when moisture vapor from your skin comes into contact with a lens cooled by air temperature and wind. This design uses two lenses and puts an insulating layer of air between them. It gives you the ultimate in fog protection, along with unsurpassed clarity and impact resistance.
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Google wields a big sheriff's badge when it tells online snake-oil salesmen to peddle their wares elsewhere.
A customer of Canada's Shoppers Drug Mart wonders why he is getting someone else's mail from the pharmacy. He asks whether it might have been intended for someone from the future. He receives a reply that stops him dead.
CVS customers will now be able to download their pharmacy histories to Microsoft HealthVault to maintain a complete record of their medications and treatments.
A recent report on sponsored search ads on Bing highlights the ongoing challenges posed by shady drug vendors to Microsoft, Google, and Yahoo.
Congress is considering legislation that would ban the sale or distribution of prescription drugs over the Internet without a valid prescription.
MLB's Bud Selig tells Congress that baseball executives "fully support" Congress' attempts to make it harder for Americans to get drugs online without a prescription.
A man robs a drugstore on the Upper East Side in New York. Police quickly track him down because the OxyContin bottle he was given was actually a dummy bottle equipped with GPS.
The new entry-level universal remote can control eight devices and supports online programming like more expensive Harmony remotes.
SmartPlanet talks to Lytro founder Ren Ng about how the Silicon Valley startup is re-imagining the digital camera with its patented light-field photography technology.


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|Softball » Schedule » Roster » News » Coaches » 2014 Season Statistics
Valparaiso (35-16, 17-5 Horizon)
Cleveland State (17-37, 9-13 Horizon)
5/4/2012 | Cleveland, Ohio | Attendance: 67
Related Links
Friday, May 04, 2012
The Valparaiso softball program earned the outright Horizon League regular season championship on Friday evening, thanks to a 7-0 victory at Cleveland State. The outright title means that Valpo also earns hosting rights for the 2012 Horizon League Championship next Wednesday-Saturday at the Valparaiso University Softball Field, with the tournament champion earning the league's automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. The victory on Friday also marked the 35th of the 2012 season for the Crusaders, matching the program's single-season wins record.
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AN NJN EDITORIAL — Editors note: The original editorial mistakenly stated that Milton McGregor had lost his casino and dog track business, which was incorrect. McGreggor still owns and operates Victoryland in Shorter. He decided to temporarily stop greyhound racing and remove the elecronic bingo machines until legal issues are resolved. The business is open for simulcast wagering and dining seven days a week.
Ronnie Gilley is a gambler, just as much as the customers he sought to play the so-called electronic bingo machines at his south Alabama casino. He was just playing much bigger stakes.
He gambled when he tried to bribe state legislators into voting for laws that would favor his project, as well as Milton McGregor's Victoryland complex at Shorter.
Then he decided to play it safe, sort of, when he agreed to a plea deal in the federal investigation of corruption in the legislature. He assumed that the Justice Department had all the evidence it needed to convict McGregor and a rogue's gallery of politicians, lobbyists and others, thanks to all the secret recordings made by State Sen. Scott Beason, R-Gardendale. Gilley decided to cut his losses and take a lesser sentence.
In retrospect, he bet when he shouldn't have, and didn't when he should. While Gilley awaited his fate, the rest of those charged beat the rap after two trials.
Meanwhile, Gilley was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison, after pleas for home incarceration went for naught. Two others who copped plea deals got lesser sentences.
And at last, this sordid chapter of the state's political history has come to an end.
So who won and who lost? Hardly anyone really won, actually. McGregor and friends won their continued freedom, but lost so much else. Beason lost his political momentum, and he will be forever linked to the word "aborigines." The feds lost the case, and slithered back to Washington. Gilley lost the most. The only winners: the Poarch Creek Indians, who now have a monopoly on the state's slot machines for the moment.
Maybe someday we will legitimately decide which kinds of gambling are truly legal in Alabama.
But don't bet on it.


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Economic outlook clouded by a myriad of new challenges for veterinary practices.
National Report — Mark Twain once said it was best to read the weather forecase before praying for rain.
National Report — According to the recent "Compassionate Care Online Survey" from Virbac Animal Health, 47 percent of veterinarians have end-of-life discussions with their clients more than 11 times per month. How these conversations unfold, experts say, is key to a client's comfort with their choice in extending or ending a pet's life.
The number of registered Thoroughbred foals is declining as horse racing faces increasing economic challenges.
Lansing, Mich. — Students entering the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University expect to sit in lectures and attend labs, but thanks to Robert Malinowski, DVM, the use of technology both in the classroom and out is enhancing courses and changing the way students are receiving information.
Shifting societal perceptions, and a lot of money, fueling popularity.
National Report — The phone rang at 4 a.m. It was unnerving, recalls Dr. Rich Farris. The fire department official on the other end of the line made it even worse.
National Report — While the cattle herd has shrunk over the years as grazing space dwindles, there are new signs of optimism in the market.
National Report — In the last three years, James Dee, DVM, has seen visits steadily drop in his hollywood, Fla., practice. In fact, the appointment calendar is wide open. "Anybody can be seen within a day," he says.
A gutted building finds new life in Culver City, California
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- Brian Millar in Fast Company on how to do great work when working for a terrible company.
Instead of just going through the motions on your next project, look for the hidden opportunities you already have. On The Creative Influence, graphic designer Michael Bierut challenges us to look for opportunities in even the most dull assignments. He speaks about his mentor, designer Massimo Vignelli, when he was asked to sort through the chaos of the New York subway signage during the 1960s. He remembers thinking:
Does that sound like an exciting job to you? I wanted to design record covers for rock bands and this is signs for the subway, what the heck? But Massimo understood that every assignment like that had within it the opportunity to do something of consequence. So imagine that, for many people when you sort of say, "what is New York to you?" Sometimes what they picture is standing on a subway platform under a sign that says 'Uptown 456.'
As Bierut learned, "every single opportunity has the potential to be something that might have some impact on peoples' daily lives for years to come."
At Entrepreneur, social behavior expert James Clear states that in any creative endeavor you have to give yourself permission to "create junk." Don't fall under the impression that great minds are able to produce compelling work on their first attempt. As Steven Pressfield, author of The Legend of Bagger Vance, affirms:
It was ten years before I got the first check for something I had written and ten more before a novel, The Legend of Bagger Vance, was actually published. But that moment when I first hit the keys to spell out THE END was so epochal. I remember rolling the last page out and adding it to the stack that was the finished manuscript. Nobody knew I was done. Nobody cared. But I knew. I felt like a dragon I'd been fighting all my life had just dropped dead at my feet and gasped out its last sulfuric breath.
The catch? You have to finish it. Even if it is the worst thing you have ever created – get it done. Once you have a finished product, you can go back and find what needs revising. Producing something to completion will provide you with the confidence to continue creating — and eventually, something just might stick.
Actor and comedian Jim Carrey delivered a powerful commencement address at Maharishi University on having the courage to make the leap:
So many of us chose our path out of fear disguised as practicality. What we really want seems impossibly out of reach and ridiculous to expect so we never dare to ask the universe for it. I'm saying: I'm the proof that you can ask the universe for it.
My father could have been a great comedian but he didn't believe that was possible for him. So he made a conservative choice. Instead, he got a safe job as an accountant and when I was 12 years old, he was let go from that safe job and our family had to do whatever we could to survive.
I learned many great lessons from my father. Not the least of which was that you can fail at what you don't want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love.
Multitasking causes a greater decrease in IQ than smoking pot or losing a night's sleep, found a recent study by the Institute of Psychiatry at the University of London.
We need to stop overloading our systems with simultaneous inputs (fortunately, music doesn't count) and revert to focusing on one thing at a time. Sandra Chapman, author of Make Your Brain Smarter: Increase Your Brain's Creativity, Energy and Focus, shares three tips for monotasking:
Give your brain some down time. You will be more productive if, several times a day, you step away from mentally challenging tasks for three to five minutes. Get some fresh air, for example, or just look out the window. Taking a break will help make room for your next inspired idea because a halt in constant thinking slows the mind's rhythms to allow more innovative "aha" moments.
Focus deeply, without distraction. Silence your phone, turn off your email and try to perform just one task at a time. Think it's impossible to break away? Start with 15-minute intervals and work your way up to longer time periods. Giving your full attention to the project at hand will increase accuracy, innovation and speed.
Make a to-do list. Then identify your top two priorities for the day and make sure they are accomplished above all else. Giving the most important tasks your brain's prime time will make you feel more productive. Or, as Boone Pickens said, "When you are hunting elephants, don't get distracted chasing rabbits."
Our best work deserves our full attention. Besides, most people can't effectively multitask to begin with.
Read Chapman's full post on why monotasking is the way to go, over at Forbes.
As we do every Friday, we've collected our best stuff from the past week for your weekend reading pleasure.
There are many ways to get rich, but many wealthy people exhibit the same 10 habits toward financial independence.
If you have the unfortunate task of laying off staffers, be honest and human. Basically, don't do this.
Ever take the rest of the day easy because you had a productive morning? Or ate some junk food because you ate well the day before? When we rationalize bad behavior this way it's called "moral licensing" and left unchecked it could derail your long term goals.
From mahjong parlors, to stoops, to African elections, illustrator Wendy MacNaughton attributes her creativity to getting out of her own head. In other words, get out of your element, find some strangers and then shut up and listen. You can either be comfortable to be creative, but not both.
"The idea of going freelance terrified me," says designer Craig Ward. "I had no confidence I could turn this into a career." It was the culmination of 10 years of work, preparation, and networking. In our latest podcast episode we asked we asked Ward how he did it.
Catch more links like these by signing up for our weekly newsletter below, which features our best content, delivered fresh every Sunday.
If you're currently managing interns or planning to hire some this coming fall, it's imperative to remember that their job isn't to push paper and make coffee runs. In fact, such menial tasks could potentially be construed as illegal according to the Department of Labor.
Ashley Mosley, Community Engagement Manager of InternMatch, shares a handful of tips on how to generate a beneficial experience for both you and your interns. One point struck us as the strongest, and most beneficial, for both the intern and their manager:
Aside from daily tasks, your intern should be delegated one large, long-term project to undertake during their time with you. They will lead this project themselves, but you should be there to guide them in times of need. Depending on their position and your company, this could be a video project, social media campaign, marketing campaign, or even a website. This is their chance to learn, remain focused on a larger end-goal during their downtime, add value to the company, and gain a nice piece for their resume and portfolio.
By creating an awesome internship, you'll get the best work from your interns as well as make them your advocates (and potentially future employees). Read Mosley's full list over at the Huffington Post and then follow it up with her guide to kickstarting your internship program.


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By BEN JOHNSON
Sports Editor
Northeastern State is no longer a winless member in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.
Joel Rockmore rushed for 121 yards and a touchdown — a 19-yard, go-ahead score with 1:54 remaining — as the RiverHawks rallied from three scores down to upend Central Missouri, 24-23, at Doc Wadley Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
"It feels great," NSU head coach Kenny Evans said. "I really expected it to come a lot sooner than this, but again, to win against a nationally-ranked team and to play well in six of our seven games, I'm happy with where we're at."
The RiverHawks (1-6, 1-6 MIAA) became the final team in the MIAA to post a victory in the league, only because Nebraska-Kearney started its game earlier than NSU. Both the RiverHawks and Lopers were winless heading into Saturday, but both won to give every team in the MIAA at least one win through Week 8.
Facing a six-point deficit with 2:51 to play, NSU marched 88 yards in 57 seconds (in five plays) to go ahead for good. After an offsides penalty, Rockmore rushed up the middle of the field before working his way around the left corner and into the end zone.
"The play that 'Rock got it down there to score on was a play you don't see much in football anymore: a trap," Evans said. "That's all we do. Within our two-minute offense, we run a trap — it was something they had been giving us the whole game."
Of course, Rockmore's clinching score wouldn't have been possible without Johnny Deaton and Jermaine Sherman.
After three straight incompletions to start the drive, Deaton connected with Sherman on a 64-yard pass on fourth-and-10.
On the play that was called, "I do a post and the slot (receiver) does a wheel route," said Sherman, who had his right shoulder wrapped in ice after hauling in six catches for 102 yards during the course of the game.
"And when I ran my post, the free safety rolled down and left me wide open. That's how I got so open. Then, I tried to get my break-away speed, but you seen what happened."
Sherman's second-longest catch of the season came after he coughed up a fumble and turned the ball over, after NSU had just crossed into Central Missouri territory with 4:21 to play.
"Jermaine wanted back in the game, and I'm not sure if the doctors even approved him to go back in the game, but nobody was going to stop him," Evans said. "Then, he came in and made a big catch on fourth down."
Once NSU took the lead, it was up to its defense to make a stand with a little less than two minutes left.
Yet, after three plays on Central Missouri's ensuing drive, it appeared as though the Mules (5-3, 5-3) were going to at least be within field goal range for kicker Aaron Jamieson, who would of had the south wind at his back. On third-and-10 from its own 26-yard line, Central Missouri moved the ball 32 yards up the field when quarterback Colter Smith — last week's conference Offensive Player of the Week — found Ronrei Lloyd over the middle of the field.
The Mules, though, wouldn't pick up another first down. Smith completed two straight passes on first and second down, but a 7-yarder to David Cannon was negated by a pass for a loss of seven yards to LaVance Taylor.
Then, on third down, NSU defensive lineman, James McGue batted down a Smith pass.
"On the deflection, one of my teammates told me that on a certain play, (Smith) likes to throw over the defensive ends, so I had to get my hands up," McGue said of his only pass break-up of the game. "I just threw my hands up and hit the ball."
On fourth-and-10, Smith frantically passed to Taylor, who was 15 yards down the field. But the pass fell incomplete, prompting a thunderous celebration on the NSU sidelines and among the 1,772 in the stands.
"Victory coming our way," McGue said, when asked what was going through his mind when Smith's 46th pass attempt of the game fell incomplete.
Save for Smith's long pass to Lloyd on the Mules' final drive, Central Missouri mustered only 73 yards on offense in the second half.
"Couldn't get anything going on offense in the second half; we missed out on some opportunities," Central Missouri coach Jim Svoboda said. "But you have to give Northeastern State's kids credit. They played hard, their coaches did a great job with them and they never quit."
The RiverHawks, who trailed 23-7 at halftime, began their comeback with 8:11 left in the third quarter when Cayle Shambaugh recovered a fumble in the end zone to get NSU within 23-14. And 82 seconds into the fourth quarter, NSU kicker Drew Patton booted home his sixth field goal of the season, this one from 20 yards out.
Deaton finished 19 of 37 for 226 yards and one interception for the RiverHawks on offense. As a team, NSU racked up 400 yards of total offense, compared to only 250 for Central Missouri.
However, the Mules won the turnover battle — and easily. The RiverHawks handed the ball over five times (four times on fumbles) while Central Missouri had three giveaways.
But in the end, it was Jamieson's missed point-after attempt — following the Mules' first score of the game — that proved to be the difference.
"After one of our touchdowns, I almost went for two," Evans said, talking about possibly attempting to score on a two-point conversion after Shambaugh's touchdown. "But I'm glad I didn't do that now."
NSU managed to claim an early lead on Deaton's 34-yard run straight up the guy midway through the first quarter.
The RiverHawks' advantage evaporated in a hurry, though. Central Missouri manhandled the RiverHawks the rest of the first half.
The Mules' first touchdown came on Smith's 15th scoring pass of the season, a 6-yard strike to Sean Gorman.
Moments later, Smith tossed another touchdown pass, this time to Lloyd — who caught a game-high 10 passes for 126 yards — for 19 yards to give the Mules the lead, 13-7.
Continuing to prey on NSU turnovers, Central Missouri scored two more times in the second quarter — with both possessions starting in NSU territory. First was an Aaron Jamieson 31-yard field goal, followed by Gorman's 1-yard run late in the second quarter.
The Mules, though, were held scoreless after that, resulting in their first game this season where they didn't score in the second half.
"We had an outstanding first half," Svoboda said. "Defense did a good job of taking the ball away, and offensively we just had a lot of near-misses. Like I said, we lost our rhythm and give credit to them."
Northeastern State 24, Central Missouri 23
First quarter
NORTHEASTERN STATE — Johnny Deaton 34-yard run (Drew Patton kick), 6:21.
CENTRAL MISSOURI — Sean Gorman 6-yard pass from Colter Smith (Aaron Jamieson kick failed), 4:40.
CENTRAL MISSOURI — Ronrei Lloyd 19-yard pass from Smith (Jamieson kick), 1:44.
Second quarter
CENTRAL MISSOURI — Jamieson 31-yard field goal, 12:18.
CENTRAL MISSOURI — Gorman 1-yard run (Jamieson kick), 4:41.
Third quarter
NORTHEASTERN STATE — Cayle Shambaugh fumble recovery in end zone (Patton kick), 8:11.
Fourth quarter
NORTHEASTERN STATE — Patton 20-yard field goal, 13:38.
NORTHEASTERN STATE — Joel Rockmore 19-yard run, 1:54.
First downs 15 19
Rush 3 9
Pass 8 8
Penalty 4 2
Rush Att-Yds 24-22 39-174
Pass Comp. 27 19
Pass Att. 46 37
INT's thrown 2 1
Passing Yards 228 226
Total Yards 250 400
Punts-Avg. 8-44.6 7-43.6
Fumbles-Lost 1-1 4-4
Penalties-Yds 7-50 9-82
Individual Stats
Central Missouri: LaVance Taylor 11-13, Corey Washington 4-12, Colter Smith 7-6, Sean Gorman 1-1, TEAM 1-(-10); Northeastern State: Joel Rockmore 25-121, Johnny Deaton 7-33, Dallas McCutcheon 2-13, Zack Simmons 3-13, TEAM 1-(-2).
Missouri Central: Smith 27-46-2 228; Northeastern State: Deaton 19-37-1 226, McCutcheon 0-0-0 0.
Missouri Central: Ronrei Lloyd 10-126, Taylor 5-(-6), David Cannon 3-49, Cullen Rosine 2-27, Ralph Watson 2-8, Cody Woods 1-8, Gorman 1-6, Washington 1-5, Anthony Kirkwood 1-5, Kyson Ginavan 1-0; Northeastern State: Jermaine Sherman 6-102, Jahmai Coleman 6-70, Chucky Bryant 3-32, Gionni Harris 2-18, Ryan Dvorak 1-3, Rockmore 1-1.


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For the first time in this lockout, it seemed like this feature may not have been needed anymore, but here we are back to square one.
As the World Junior Championship approaches, prospects are looking to impress.
With the lockout, several Habs players are playing in Europe. We'll give you a weekly breakdown on how they're doing, along with Habs prospects.
Leblanc raised expectations with a solid first pro season after major surgery in the offseason. Can he impress us enough to move up the rankings next year?
Now 22 years old, American winger Danny Kristo has been making Canadiens fans wait for a closer look quite a while now. Will the wait be worth it?
Mac Bennett has the skills to succeed as a professional player like his uncles and grandfather did, but does he have the vision and defensive game to make it to the NHL?
Injuries put a dent in the development curve of Steve Quailer, but after 4 seasons in the NCAA he seems to be ready to make the jump to the pros. Can the budding power forward make good?
Despite an up and down sophomore season, Danny Kristo holds the No. & spot in our Habs Top 25 Under 25.
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The new era begins here...bring it home Deron bring that trophy home
I'm not really upgrading if I become a Nets fan.
I'd probably turn like you, so no thanks.
All Nets fans are fake anyways. So if I do decide to join, I'd probably fit right in.
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On topic: I already said Clips will be in the WCF but apparently I can talk about the Nets in this thread?
Off topic: Raps just stop. You are the one looking bad in this back and forth conversation.
Playoffs, yes. Contenders, no.
They look legit this year. Last year they looked like a team that'll barely pass first round, even if they past first round, they won't get past second, which is what happened.
This year, they look like a team that can make a deep playoff run. It's all about the match-ups though. We gotta watch their match-up games with SAS, OKC, LAL
Top 10 Rappers Right Now
1. Nas
2. Kendrick Lamar
3. Jay-Z
4. J Cole
5. Lupe Fiasco
6. Common
7. Eminem
8. Kanye West
9. Pusha-T
10. Slaughterhouse (Royce, Crooked I, Joe Budden)
Top 10 Rappers of all-time
1. 2Pac
2. Nas
3. Rakim
4. Notorious B.I.G.
5. Jay-Z
6. Eminem
7. KRS-One
8. Public Enemy (Chuck D)
9. Common
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Follow me, @bharjan
This team will choke come playoff time, thats how much bad luck this team has
Erik Spoelstra on the Clippers: "We view them as legit contenders for the title.''
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by Marty Fujita
In tropical forests, bats often comprise close to half of all mammal species, and many plants in these forests rely on nectar and fruit-eating bats for pollination or for the dispersal of their seeds. As a result of the extraordinary variety of plants that rely on these bats to varying degrees, nectar and fruit-eating species play a key role in determining how tropical forests are structured.
Throughout the Old World tropics, from Africa to Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, flying foxes (bats of the family Pteropodidae) are also of great importance to plants that contribute hundreds of millions of dollars annually to national economies. Despite the value of flying foxes, their populations have been decimated by large-scale eradication efforts, habitat destruction and over-harvesting for human consumption. It is believed that more than a dozen species of flying foxes already are either extinct or endangered. Vast numbers of these bats are required to ensure adequate reproduction and propagation of some rain forest plants, yet in many places too few remain to fulfill their vital role. So little attention has been paid to the plight of flying foxes that some have become extinct before they were even declared endangered, and the status of many more remains in doubt. Their loss could have significant consequences for many bat-dependent plants and the ecosystems and economies they support.
The need for documentation
Protection for flying foxes is urgently needed, but misconceptions about them have made it difficult to convince governments and even conservation planners to provide necessary management and conservation initiatives. In some countries, all bats are officially listed as vermin, the status otherwise reserved for rats, mice and poisonous snakes. Documentation of the values of flying foxes to rain forests and associated economies is essential in order to gain protective legislation for declining species.
In 1985, Bat Conservation International received a grant [BATS, February 1985] to investigate and document the economic value of flying foxes in the Old World tropics. Because of my previous experience and special interest in these animals, I was chosen to carry out the study as part of my BCI-sponsored post-doctoral fellowship at Harvard University. The work was conducted in three stages, the first of which involved an extensive review of both botanical and zoological literature to compile a comprehensive list of plants visited by bats for fruit, pollen or nectar. The marketable products derived from these various plant species were then documented, and the countries which produce them, the origin of each plant species, and current distribution of the plant were noted. This phase revealed that the majority of reports of economically important products derived from bat-dependent plants were from Southeast Asia, and that area was chosen for the third stage of the study: on-site documentation of the economic values of these products. Economic botanists were consulted, and extensive interviews were conducted in markets throughout Southeast Asia during the summer of 1987. (Scarcity of such reports from other areas where flying foxes occur likely reflects only a lack of field investigation.)
"Bat plant" products
I documented over 300 plant species in Southeast Asia, tropical Africa, and the Pacific islands that rely, to varying degrees, on flying foxes for pollination or seed dispersal. At least 134 of these plants yield products that are used by humans. Most of these plants are not grown on large commercial plantations, and thus still rely on bats. More than 450 products, including medicinals, food, drinks, fruits, dyes, tannins, timber, fiber and fuelwood, are derived from these plants. Although most products are important only in local markets, a number of them are also valuable export items. The potential of others, such as medicinals, has not yet been fully explored. The importance of bats to the future harvest of these products is substantial, and has largely gone unrealized or has been vastly underestimated.
Bananas, originally from Southeast Asia, are one of the best known tropical fruits and, perhaps, the most commercially important. Wild bananas are pollinated almost exclusively by bats, with at least 20 species of the plant known. Only a few kinds are cultivated, and these do not need to be pollinated to produce fruit. Nevertheless, wild plant species provide important genetic reservoirs for cultivar improvement and for combating disease, such as fungal root rot. Their loss could seriously threaten the future of commercial banana production.
In Southeast Asia, the durian (Durio zibethinus) is known as the "King of Fruits." By some estimates, the durian harvest is worth $120 million annually to producing countries. Durian flowers are pollinated by flying foxes, especially the Dawn bat (Eonycteris spelea). The large white flowers are perfectly adapted for bats. Clustered on the underside of sturdy branches that provide easy access, they exude copious amounts of nectar, opening only at night when bat visitors are most active, enticing them with a fragrant odor. The fruit is one of the most delectable delights of Southeast Asia.
Another "bat plant" that produces valuable export products is kapok (Ceiba pentandra). Although this species probably originated in Central and South America, it is now common in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and certain parts of Africa. Throughout its range, it is pollinated by bats, and its seed pods contain high-quality fibers used for insulation and as stuffing for life-jackets, cushions and mattresses. In Indonesia alone, 1986 statistics indicate that kapok fiber was worth over $5 million in exports. The importance of kapok has diminished with increased use of synthetic fibers, but it is still valued locally, and kapok trees are commonly planted in villages. Other products derived from this plant species, such as oil and timber, are becoming more important.
Throughout the Old World tropics, timber from bat-dependent trees is used in many ways--for furniture, small carvings, canoes, building materials, poles and fuel, to name just a few. Although economic statistics are not available for many of these products, tests on the various qualities of wood from bat-dependent trees indicate that many of them have the potential to be marketed profitably. For example, Pajanella longifolia, a Southeast Asian tree pollinated by flying foxes, is known for its dense, teak-like wood which is used for canoes, boats and house planking. Many of Australia's Eucalyptus trees, as well as brush box (Lapostemum confestus), black bean (Castinospermum australie) and others, also are pollinated by bats and yield excellent, commercially important timber. In Africa, the wood of the iroko tree (Chlorophora excelsa) is highly valued because of its resemblance to teak. Azadirachta indica, introduced to West Africa from India, is an important tree for fuelwood; its seeds are dispersed primarily by bats, which may have caused its rapid spread over large areas.
Statistics on products not exported were unavailable, so I conducted market surveys in Malaysia and Indonesia to assess the economic importance of some of these. One product, petai seeds, was found in every market I visited and appears to be a very popular food item. Petai (Parkia speciosa and P. javanica) are large leguminous trees (of the bean family), native to Southeast Asia. They are not grown commercially, but are found in small plantings around villages and are relatively common in native forests. The light-bulb shaped inflorescences of these trees are suspended from pendulous stalks, permitting easy access to bat pollinators. The long, green seed pods are collected mostly from forest trees and taken to local markets. The petai seeds are prized for their garlicky taste and are used to flavor curries and other traditional dishes. The Forest Institute of Malaysia estimates the local value of petai at over a million dollars annually in Peninsular Malaysia, not including its potential value as a timber tree, a use which is now being tried experimentally.
Sonneratia trees are also important on a local scale in Malaysia and Indonesia, comprising a major component of the mangrove flora of Southeast Asia and Australia. Their showy, nocturnal flowers are primarily pollinated by three small flying foxes, the Dawn bat (which also pollinates durian), the Common long-tailed bat (Macroglossus minimus), and the Lesser short-nosed fruit bat (Cynopterus brachyotis). Wood from these trees is used for poles, furniture, sandals, and in the production of charcoal. Mangroves also serve as the major roosting sites of two of the world's largest flying foxes, the Common flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus) and the Island flying fox, (P. hypomelanus). In addition, mangroves have incalculable value as fish and shrimp breeding grounds.
Currently, vast mangrove areas in Sarawak and Sabah (the Bornean provinces of Malaysia) are being cut for paper pulp. The combined importance of mangroves to the ecology of flying foxes and their potential commercial value make a sound management plan essential.
The decline of flying foxes
Despite the importance of flying foxes to the ecology of Old World tropical forests and their considerable contribution to local and national economies through the plants that depend on them, the few accurate censuses recently conducted indicate that many of these bat species are declining rapidly. In general, very little is known about the distribution, numbers and behavior of Old World flying foxes. Most detailed studies on the ecology and behavior of bats have concentrated on species found in Europe or the United States. A few historical, anecdotal accounts from Southeast Asia, Australia, the South Pacific Islands and parts of Africa, speak of vast colonies of flying foxes, far larger than most that remain today.
Although habitat destruction has played a large role in their decline, colony eradication by fruit growers, and unregulated hunting (for sustenance and sport) appear to be major causes of population declines in Southeast Asia, the Pacific and Indian Ocean islands, and increasingly in Africa and Australia. A number of Southeast Asian flying foxes, especially the smaller cave-dwelling species, are taken from their cave roosts. Some of these are already extinct, and others soon may be if not protected.
To determine the degree to which hunting was affecting bat populations in Malaysia and Indonesia, I conducted interviews with sport and bounty hunters, market vendors and restaurant owners from many different regions of these countries. Although the majority of Malaysians and Indonesians are Moslem and are not permitted to eat bats for religious reasons, the large Chinese and Manadonese populations of these countries consider bat meat a delicacy. According to many Chinese, bat meat is also the best cure for asthma, kidney ailments and general malaise. My interviews and my observations indicate that the only species traded to a significant extent in Malaysia and Indonesia is the Common flying fox; the Island flying fox may also be hunted to a limited degree. Many smaller species, such as Cynopterus, are not actively hunted for food, but they are shot when they visit fruit orchards.
Many orchard owners in both Malaysia and Indonesia consider flying foxes to be pests, especially of rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum), langsat (Lansium domesticum), and water apples (Eugenia aquea)--all important market fruits. I questioned a number of growers about bat damage to their fruit crops. Given the number of bats shot as pests, I was surprised when most told me that squirrels and macaques were a more significant problem than bats. The former take both ripe and unripe fruit and were, therefore, a threat during the entire growing period. Bats, on the other hand, take only ripe fruit and present a problem to growers only for a few days prior to harvest.
The owner of one of the largest langsat orchards in Peninsular Malaysia told me that if he did not protect his trees from bats during this period, 20% of his crop would be lost. However, if he took simple protective measures, such as shining bright lamps, lighting small fires below the trees or shooting to scare the bats away, the damage would be negligible. He also told me that almost all of the langsat trees in his village, which are harvested for sale in the local market, were the result of seeds dropped by bats. During the fruiting and flowering seasons, many plantation owners employ bounty hunters to eradicate animals they consider to be pests. Bats, primarily the Common flying fox, command a bounty as high as two U.S. dollars. Typically, a group of three to five hunters patrol an orchard at night, locating bats with bright lights. As many as seven can be hit with a single shot, according to one hunter, and 100 or more taken in a single night. Others, hunting only for sport, shoot bats at their daytime roosts, and it is not uncommon for a group of hunters to bag several hundred in a single outing. When bats are to be sold in markets, different hunting techniques are employed to capture the bats live since customers prefer them fresh. The bats are then killed on-the-spot by the vendor.
The volume of bat meat traded is difficult to estimate. However, the figures reported by individual vendors indicate that the annual sales of a single merchant could eliminate several average-sized colonies (about 1,500 animals each) of Common flying foxes each year. In the Sunday market in Kuching, Sarawak, I found a vendor who sold this species exclusively, selling 150 to 200 every week for about three U.S. dollars each. Although only a few were found who specialized in bat meat, wild game vendors were found in many markets. On several occasions, these merchants (who displayed monitor lizards, freshwater turtles, squirrels and snakes) obligingly told me that bat meat could be easily obtained if I wanted to order it. Bats were also readily available in Manadonese restaurants in Indonesia, and one owner told me that she sells as many as 2,000 flying foxes each year.
Because no historical data on bat populations exists for these areas, it is difficult to assess the actual impact that commercial hunting of bats has had on the various flying fox species in Southeast Asia. All the hunters I interviewed, said that in the last 10 years or so, colonies of Common flying foxes have become increasingly difficult to locate, and the number of bats shot in orchards has decreased substantially.
One factor that may contribute significantly to flying fox decline is that the greatest amount of hunting occurs during the bats' reproductive season. Many of the hunters and vendors interviewed stated that there was a definite "bat season" that coincided with the main fruiting peaks in the area, and that a number of the bats taken were pregnant or carried young. Many bat species in tropical regions are known to time lactation with fruiting peaks. Increased hunting during such a crucial period could severely limit a population's ability to recover.
Unprotected status
Much more information is needed about the number of colonies and the population densities of flying foxes in Southeast Asia before their status and conservation needs can be fully determined. Available information strongly suggests that at least two species, the Common flying fox and the Island flying fox, are threatened. Although they both are protected in Peninsular Malaysia, the schedule on which they are listed only guards against importation, exportation or hunting them for trophies. It does not require that a license be obtained for hunting or selling, nor does it limit the numbers that can be taken. This legislation applies only to Peninsular Malaysia, and not to Sarawak or Sabah. Furthermore, general legislation in Peninsular Malaysia concerning wild animals states that any animal which poses a threat to a resident, or to his or her crops, can be killed. Since bats are considered fruit pests, they are hunted freely under this provision. No laws protect any bat species in Indonesia.
Increased awareness of the vital role that these bats play in the life cycle of commercially important plants can have very positive effects on conservation efforts. More research on the ecological impact of fruit and nectar-feeding bats is essential. With better documentation of the ecological and economic values of bats, we increasingly are able to alert governments and conservation organizations to the urgent plight of flying foxes. Protective actions must be taken before more populations fall too low to perform their essential role in the maintenance of tropical forests and the economies they support.
Marty Fujita obtained her Ph.D. degree studying the evolution, behavior and ecology of bats at Boston University in 1986. Funded through a BCI post-doctoral fellowship, she worked on BCI's flying fox project while a research associate of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University. She is currently a Diplomacy Fellow for the American Association for the Advancement of Science, working as Assistant Environmental Advisor for the Latin America and Caribbean Bureau of the U. S. Agency for International Development.
All articles in this issue:On the Cover
The Bat in Navajo Lore
Flying Foxes and Economics
Bat Conservation Progress in Southeast Asia
Putting CITES to Work for Flying Foxes
Finding Solutions
An African Diary
Flying Fox Bibliography Available
New BCI Trustee
How BCI is Funded
New Means of Supporting Bat Conservation
"You're invited to explore..."
Corporate Partners
Call for Articles


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Booked the A3 for it's first service at Chesterfield Audi. Ł180 inc VAT, hope it's a decent price plus getting a courtesy car whatever that'll be..
It's the first new car I've owned. They asked me on the phone if there was anything else needed. Didn't know what to say as I'm always scared they'll just charge me more!!
Did she mean warranty work?
Is it ok to mention it when I get there? There is a few probs, which I don't know if they're covered under warranty.
First one is I imagine will be, the car sometimes trembles a little when idling at traffic lights. Common fault apparently?
2nd one is when I hoovering the car the plastic thingy off the rear carpet broke when I lifted the mat a few month ago. Not that it really matters, but it's there if you know what I mean.
3rd one is that my seat is getting a little worn, the car is only a year old and it's been like this for months!
I know I have to ask them not to wash it, don't want nasty swirls and I hope they don't kerb the wheels...


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We've been in the industry for over 10 years, so we know our products and more importantly, the right identification products for your business or school. We'll help you find professional and simple solutions to your needs.
(based on 18 reviews)
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Good product
We use these badge reels at my compnay to display badges. They serve two purposes, to display the employees photo ID and to extend the access badge swipe to open doors at the...Read complete review
We use these badge reels at my compnay to display badges. They serve two purposes, to display the employees photo ID and to extend the access badge swipe to open doors at the building. They work great for the price. I've had mine on my belt for over a year and it's still working fine, but I find that a small part of our population here wears them out pretty quick. Usually the string breaks in a car door or a machine in the manufactoring facility.Overall a great product though.
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Employees doing office work find this device good for displaying badges. The clip is not secure enough for physical work.
Reviewed by 18 customers
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Reel it in
By Virg
from Hialeah, FL
Comments about idville Round Solid Color Badge Reel:
I.D. badges and access cards
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Great Addition to the badge
By Safety Sam
from Easton PA
Our company colors are Yellow & Blue, I bought the badge reels in both colors and the employees love them! Adds a splash of color to their navy blue uniforms.
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Sturdy Badge Reel
By Asst.
from KC MO
Ordered these to hold employee badges, works great.
Round Solid Color Badge Reel
By none
from Washington DC
They work just fine for our needs
I would purchase product again
By Melissa
from Portland Oregon
The reel is working great. I ordered the incorrect size of plastic badge holders and have returned for a credit. Once the credit is processed I will order the correct size.
Excellent quality
By Lil D
from Des Moines, Ia
Very happy with service and products. Love the discounts too!!! Thank you
Slide Clip Version Great
By Donna
from Carol Stream, IL
The slide clip works well. The other reel I ordered with the clip has changed and is unreliable.
Reliable product
By Admin. Asst. Maggie
from Lakeland, FL
This product allows use of our i.d. tags to unlock doors via scanner, but keeps the i.d. tag out of the way as well.
Seems to do the trick -
By Amy
from Cleveland, OH
I ordered these badge reels in addtion to the hard plastic badge holders for our school staff. A couple of the reels broke right away, but everything else seems to be working well!
Badge Reels
By Betty
from Leeds, AL
The badge reels are used by each hourly employee to hold their ID badge and proximity cards. They are convenient for the employees to swipe their badge at the time clock without having to take their wallet out each time.
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Staying Healthy-Smart In An At Home Working Environment
by admin on May 21st, 2014
filed under Working At Home
REMEMBER THAT COMMERCIAL WITH THE TELE-worker shuffling around in her pajamas and bunny slippers?" asks Lee Smith, a public-relations account executive who works from Portland, Ore., for a firm based in Chicago. "Well, contrary to popular belief, I don't sit around like that."
Like most work-at-home employees, Smith struggles against the perception that she has–in the words of a coworker–"a cake position." When she first began teleworking four years ago after being in-house for six, many of her fellow workers assumed she was slacking off. "One guy said, `Gee, wouldn't it be nice if we all had the luxury of working at home?' His words echoed the thoughts of several others outside of my department," Smith says.
To combat resentment and misconceptions, Smith overdelivered. She worked marathon hours and delivered seven-page status reports. She responded to e-mails within 10 minutes, sent unnecessary e-mails to everybody, and felt guilty about missing a single call.
As Smith learned, dealing with the social aspects of telecommuting can be daunting. Coworkers resent what they imagine is a slice of heaven and try to undermine you. Even managers add to the misconception by forgetting to ask for your input or neglecting to invite you to meetings.
But all is not lost. The teleworkers and experts we interviewed agree that much of the initial resentment between office and home workers dissipates within the first six months. Meanwhile, read on to see how best to handle it.
Help Others Understand when your coworkers know why telecommuting is the best way for you to get the job done, they'll be less resentful. "At first, they said things to me like, `How's the lady of leisure today?'" says San Jose, Calif.-based Colleen Pizarev, who worked at PR Newswire for three years before becoming a teleworker two years ago.
"They thought I was sleeping late, [lying] around, and watching TV. I explained that to do my job, I had to telecommute." Pizarev works with bureaus in Europe and Asia, and starts her day at 6 a.m., clocking a few hours and then taking some time off before starting up again at 6 p.m. "Since I had that lull in the afternoon, telecommuting made the most sense. Once people heard that, they accepted it."
Pizarev further diffused resentment by opening communication with the most vocal dissenters. She was honest about the pros and cons of working at home and admitted to missing everyone. "I continually stressed that it simply made more sense for me to work from home. Once people understood that and learned they could reach me whenever they needed to, there were no more hard feelings."
Don't Forget Me
Possibly nothing is more difficult for teleworkers than staying connected, but unless you're constantly in your coworkers' thoughts, it's easy for them to assume you're slacking off. And once you start getting left out, it can be next to impossible to get back in.
"The most difficult thing when I started teleworking was that people forgot about me," says Pizarev. "Decisions were made, meetings were held, and I didn't know what was going on. I had to learn to stay in contact professionally and politically, and it was a huge challenge." Pizarev believes that the main reasons telework arrangements fail is that such issues aren't recognized or addressed early on. But how do you remain in the loop on a constant basis?
Jeff Hill, who lives in Orem, Utah, and works for a New York City-based firm, suggests calling people for social chats. "I call it `virtual wandering,'" he says. "Because you're remote, you have to reach out. In the office, when you're at a lull, you go to the water cooler. Pick up the phone and ask a coworker about the kids, the latest movies she's seen, or what's new in her life."
Jack Burke, author of the book Creating Customer Connections, suggests establishing daily conversations with your supervisor, especially if you can't get to the office regularly. He also advises teleworkers to make every effort to attend company functions such as picnics and awards banquets.
Since teleworkers are usually "the last to know" what's going on in the office, Jennifer Johnson started the Virtual High Five, or VHF. Johnson, president of Johnson & Company, a virtual public relations and marketing agency, institutionalized the importance of complimenting best practices and accomplishments.
"VHF is part of our vernacular," she says. "The entire company had a virtual baby shower for three pregnant staffers, where we were all on a conference call and listened as the moms-to-be opened gifts." For Christmas 1998, Johnson bought everyone silk pajamas with the firm's logo on the pocket. She asked them not to open their gifts until the team conference call. "It sounds simple, but it creates a sense of community."
Know Yourself/Know Your Coworkers "You must know your personality and style of communicating," says Orlando, Fla., resident Deb Haggerty, a former telecommuter for AT&T who now counsels others. Her firm, Positive Connections, helps companies and people communicate better and institute human resources departments.
"Be aware of people's different styles," she says, "so you're more precise in your communication. The folks at the office who appear jealous may have different ways of communicating. For example, if you're at home and use lots of gestures and facial expressions, that won't come through over the phone. You'll need to make people understand with only your words. If you're talking with a detail-oriented person, be concise and precise. Have the data nearby to talk in a way that suits that person's style."
For Smith, understanding her coworkers means remembering what it's like to be in an office. "It's easy to forget about people just walking in and wanting to talk about the weekend or asking for your opinion. I expect people to call me back immediately, and that doesn't happen. I remind myself [there are] a lot of interruptions and I need to be patient. There needs to be give and take."
Get Management Buy-In
Pizarev learned how vital a supportive manager can be. "In meetings, my boss would make sure to bring up my name and keep everyone aware of what I was doing and that I was part of the team. The then-president was also supportive and included me on speakerphone for major meetings." Pizarev says her company championed her cause, and that went a long way toward reducing resentment.
Sweetening the Pot
In today's competitive job market, savvy managers know providing better benefits and more options is key to attracting and retaining the best talent. Keeping employees happy isn't just about a good health and dental plan–what they want is flexibility.
In a poll conducted by RHI Consulting, a company that provides IT professionals on a project basis, 88 percent of managers surveyed said offering a wide range of benefits–flexible hours, personal days, telecommuting, and sabbaticals–was crucial. In addition, those surveyed noted that job sharing has surged in popularity. So what are companies offering? (Survey participants were allowed more than one answer.)
You're Always on My Mind
The following suggestions are from Siemens Information and Communication Networks Inc., where approximately 25 percent of the 7,000 employees telecommute.
* Use items with the company logo–such as mugs, pencils, and mousepads–to help you feel connected.
* Talk to your peers as often as possible.
* Make sure your colleagues and manager know about important happenings in your life.
* Find ways to be in contact with your colleagues via e-mail.
* Stay in touch with your manager on a regular basis.
When Settling Isn't Bad…
by admin on May 6th, 2014
filed under Management, Working At Home
JUDGING BY THE NUMBER OF TELEwork-related disputes making their way into the legal system, even companies with large-scale, successful work-at-home programs aren't immune to serious problems.
Classic "he said/she said" exchanges are typically at the root of such full-blown legal conflicts between workers and managers; these usually result from improperly trained managers and poor communication on both sides.
What can you do to avoid trouble before it starts? If your company is new to telework arrangements, develop a specific legal telework policy you can turn to if things get out of hand. And if you've already drafted a legal policy, be sure to review it periodically and make tweaks and updates based on feedback from employees and your human resources and legal departments.
Take the case of former Aetna Life & Casualty employee Virginia-Daley, who sued the company claiming she was fired because she asked her supervisor to let her telework one day a week soon after the birth of her son.
Although Daley had returned to work full-time, she soon yearned to spend more time at home, as well as well as cut down on her daily two-hour commute. When she broached the subject of telework with her supervisor, he denied her request, arguing, according to Daley, that one's private and professional lives should be kept separate, and that Daley should "get a nanny" to care for her child.
Soon after, and during the course of a routine session with a human resources representative, Daley expressed her strong desire to work one day a week from home. When the HR officer discussed the remark with Daley's supervisor, she said her supervisor challenged her for "going over [his] head."
According to Daley, from that point on, she continued to perform her job well but was unable to please her supervisor. In frustration, she wrote a letter to Aetna's CEO suggesting that there was room for improvement in Aetna's policies, which, in turn, further enraged her boss. A year from the time she first requested a flexible work arrangement, Daley was fired.
Aetna, recognized as a bellwether for flexible work arrangements, claimed the firing had nothing to do with Daley's request to telework nor her writing the letter to the CEO, but was the result of poor performance. However, during the time of the conflict, Aetna was in the process of downsizing its operation, and had elected to keep Daley in her position.
Although a jury ruled in favor of Aetna in 1994, subsequent motions and appeals kept the case in court until a Connecticut Supreme Court upheld the jury's ruling in August 1999. All in all, the case of Aetna v Daley dragged on for eight years.
Make a Plan
According to C. Andrew Head, an employment attorney and author of the report "Telecommuting: Panacea or Pandora's Box?", telework arrangements can create a host of problems for employers as well as for the courts, which must reconcile the evolving telework paradigm with employment laws dating back to the 19th century.
Besides drawing up a written legal agreement before dispatching any workers home, Head lists the following important considerations that can help you and your employees avoid future conflicts while embarking on telework situations:
* Identify the jobs in your organization that are suitable for remote working, and produce job descriptions detailing the essential functions for those positions.
* Create legitimate, nondiscriminatory selection guidelines for granting telecommuting privileges to employees.
* Document equipment expenses, technical support, training, and courier or express mail services, as well as space, facilities, furniture, or equipment provided for the telework position.
* Determine whether the employer or the employee is responsible for insuring equipment and the home work area.
Avoiding Traps
Besides these guidelines, Head says there are three common telework pitfalls managers and workers should make every effort to avoid.
Never use telework as a solution for a problem worker. Performance problems exhibited in the office are not likely to improve at home. Specifically, Head cites the case of an employee with chronic attendance problems who viewed working from home as a remedy.
When the employer refused to grant a telework arrangement, the worker sued the company, but lost the case. The judge ruled that the company's flex-time policy needn't apply in a situation in which the employee was expected to do his job during normal business hours.
Second, severe conflicts may stem from a lack of control, either real or imagined, on the part of the manager. Often the work-at-home employee is thought not to be working at all.
Another root of potential conflict comes from the manager who takes an "out of sight, out of mind" stance. Consider the case of Ellen, a software developer who had teleworked for a construction company for years. When a new supervisor joined the company, Ellen's attempts to communicate via e-mail and phone were ignored, and before long, the boss attempted to eliminate her position. Although the supervisor offered to let Ellen continue her position from company headquarters, that would have entailed moving out of state, so she opted to leave the company instead.
Although Ellen never considered taking legal action against her former employer, she regrets the loss of her telework position.
Greasing The Wheel
A no-nonsense legal policy goes a long way toward helping you sidestep worker-manager conflicts, but so does a detailed communications policy. If possible, require new teleworkers to spend time in the office initially, both to establish contact with colleagues and to help them feel part of the team. Moreover, make sure teleworkers come in for meetings, face-to-face sessions with managers, and even social occasions.
Telework: More Than Just a Perk
According to a recent survey conducted by the International Telework Association & Council (ITAC), employers sent more than 19.6 million workers home last year, bringing the total number of teleworkers to 10 percent of the U.S. population.
The report cites three factors in the increase: the Internet, technology, and "work/life choices." With fast and inexpensive access to the Internet and a wide range of technology options, such as cell phones and notebook computers, the report says telework is increasingly being recognized not as a perk, but as a necessary component of the modern office.
Keep Yourself Protected When Telecommuting
by admin on April 29th, 2014
filed under Working At Home
YOU'VE SAT AT THE SAME DESK FOR five years. You've worked at the same PC day in and day out for the last three. Even the filing cabinet and phone are familiar fixtures in your home office. The trouble is, they're not yours–the company paid for them when you started teleworking.
"When I left my last job, I was very concerned about making sure I wasn't blamed for not bringing everything back," says Salt Lake City-based consultant Amy Neuberger. "I made a detailed list with the secretary and had her mark off everything that I returned. I didn't want there to be any misunderstanding. I even returned leftover paper clips!"
While few companies insist on getting back unused boxes of staples, desks and computers are another matter. And considering the sizable investment that such equipment represents, you'd expect employers to carefully manage their telework inventory. But that's not always the case.
"Many companies have pretty informal teleworking programs," says Martha Buxton, director of marketing at TeleCommute Solutions, an Atlanta-based company specializing in remote workforce management. "They often don't have telecommuting agreements or track equipment."
That's exactly the experience of Robin Hohman, a reporter who recently left her Framingham, Mass-based employer. The company initially provided a computer, desk, chair, telephone, and supplies. But at the end of her tenure, problems surfaced. "We had no telework agreement at all," she says. "No one kept records of what equipment belonged to whom, or what the disposition would be when I left."
Hohman found herself poring over equipment records, and tried bargaining with the company for possession. What can you do to ensure that your equipment and furniture goes where you'd like it to? Consider these tips:
Keep Good Records
There's nothing more important than making sure you and your company agree on who owns what. "Because we [worked] off of old expense sheets," says Hohman, "I wound up returning things that the company didn't even really want." It can be a real nightmare trying to determine who owns what when you're in the throes of changing jobs and possibly even moving. "They might hold up your last paycheck if they think you haven't returned everything," she adds.
Be a Hero
Many telecommuting programs fail because the terms of the agreement were never spelled out, says TeleCommute Solutions' Buxton. If you can persuade your boss to put the details in writing, you're not only protecting yourself but helping the company's telework program to succeed. You'll have a clearly defined exit strategy, and be a hero, to boot.
Don't Settle for an Allowance
Some teleworkers push for an equipment allowance to outfit their home office. On the surface, it's a good deal for everyone–you get some cash and the company may be able to bargain a lower starting salary in return. But this path is fraught with pitfalls: The allowance is taxable income, reducing your actual buying power, throwing your entire office into a gray zone–what percentage of the desk was paid for with the allowance? Who really owns it? It's better to order the equipment with a company credit card, or even expense it.
Don't Assume Anything
Establish from the outset exactly what equipment the company will provide and what you'll need to supply on your own. This should be detailed in your telecommuting agreement. Also include any options for upgrading to new equipment, and what happens to the equipment if you leave the firm. "Few companies think that far out," Buxton says.
Hohman agrees: "Don't assume that just because your old boss paid for the desk, your new company will do the same. I found out the hard way, and it cost me a lot of money to establish a new home office." Also, firm up details with your boss regarding who pays for the cost of delivering and assembling equipment.
Discuss Buyback Options
Quite often, the equipment that your company gave you three years ago is more trouble than it's worth to return. "Since the company has already depreciated your equipment and it'll cost a small fortune to ship, don't be afraid to make [your company] an attractive offer to just keep the stuff," says Stan Fitzgerald, a telework project manager for Boca Raton, Fla.-based Siemens Information and Communication Networks Inc. who regularly manages hundreds of teleworkers. "Often a company would rather get some cash for an old desk than lose money getting it back," he says.
Don't Pack it Yourself
When it's time to say goodbye, let the employer come pick up the equipment. If the firm sends a moving company to retrieve it, this frees you from liability for any damage, and will save you some back-breaking labor in the bargain.
Trade Shows Are Still Red Hot
by admin on April 21st, 2014
filed under Business Ideas
BIG COMPANIES HAVE RELIED ON INDUSTRY trade shows to be hotbeds for business-to-business deal making, lead gathering, and overall business marketing and promotion. In the past, many trade shows had a broad appeal and focus or catered only to Fortune 1000 companies. But recent growth in this booming $10 billion industry has spurred organizers to launch increasing numbers of smaller, more specialized business-to-business events that cater to much narrower, more vertical audiences. Today, you have a good chance of discovering events dedicated to your trade and targeting the very customers, competitors, and potential partners you're trying to reach.
Although odds are good you've walked the aisles as an attendant at such industry events, it's time to consider the benefits of setting up your own exhibit booth. Trade shows can help you target your audience. If you pick the proper show, you'll meet people you wouldn't usually see on a one-on-one basis. And because you're not a large company with an extensive sales force, the benefits are great: You'll encounter hundreds of potential business opportunities in two or three days.
You may think your home-based business is too small to participate, too constrained by lack of personnel to staff a booth, or too tightly budgeted to invest in booth space and peripherals. But that's no longer the case. We'll show you how to get started.
Home In on a Show
There are shows of all sizes in nearly every industry, from various technologies to gift fairs to manufacturing to `landscaping. And it's easy to find out what they are and how impressive their attendance figures have been. Learn what they charge per square foot of exhibit space (generally the smallest increment you can purchase is 10 by 10 feet).
The simplest way to research shows is online. TS-Central (www.tscentral.com) and the Trade Show News Network (www.tsnn.com) are two top sources for identifying most of the 4,000-plus annual North American trade shows. The sites provide information on events (dates, locations, and so on), and let you find contacts at shows and study exhibits by industry, date, and geographical region to get a better idea of where you fit in.
Make Contact After you've done your research and created a list of possibilities, get in touch with the company or association responsible for producing the show. Most show organizers have Web sites and often let you register online to get a feel for the event. You can also request a prospectus, a brochure that gives you detailed information about the show. It lists exhibitors and supporting associations and groups, and provides attendee profiles with job titles and levels of buying authority.
There is one caveat, though: Check with show management regarding drayage (movement of freight) charges and labor regulations within the hall. If you have your product shipped in, you'll be charged a fee for every 100 pounds. You may not have much to haul, but these fees can be hefty surprises for new exhibitors.
Set Up Shop Before you arrive at the show, you need to make several decisions. As a new, small player, you may want to rent a portable or pop-up booth. The large exhibit houses build megabooths for big companies and the like. But what you need is an easy-to-assemble, lightweight structure.
"This eliminates a cadre of decisions the new exhibitor must make," says exhibition consultant Janet Schafer, president of the Highland Park, Ill.-based Schafer Group. A new niche or pavilion area within a show often offers special pricing. And always ask about a first-timer program, she says.
Preshow Marketing
To get the most out of the show, preplanning is essential. This involves setting goals and supporting them through marketing via direct mail, reminder cards, contests, and participation in show-sponsored programs.
Although it's the event organizer's responsibility to bring attendees to the hall, it's your job to attract them to your booth. The organizer will help you determine the identity of pre-registered attendees and answer your questions.
Trade show organizers publicize their events to qualified attendees. But they also invite exhibitors to go in on co-op ads at little or no cost, sending your customers four-page flyers with registration forms and information inside, and your ad or logo on the front page.
Other perks include VIP tickets or free, personalized invitations that are mailed to your customers. You receive a listing in the directory, which is distributed on-site, and you'll be offered opportunities in other show-driven marketing programs. The show's Web site might also offer a link from its exhibitor listing to your Web site.
Meet the Press Show organizers will frequently ask you to prepare a press kit for the show. This is your opportunity to reach out to the media and get publicity for your business. The kit is a compilation of information about your company, and should include a one-page company backgrounder, a two-page news piece on each new product or service your company provides, a photo (slide or color print), a contact name, and your booth number.
Editors and reporters need to know what's new, and if they find something interesting, there's a chance you'll be mentioned in a news or product story.
Work the Booth
Staffing an exhibit alone takes stamina; standing around all day, making contacts, and showing off your product or service can leave you exhausted by the end of the show's run. If you have a colleague in a similar business, you might want to exhibit jointly. Or you can go in as an adjunct to a company with which you do business.
If you can't get another person (even a family member) to take over the booth for a while, leave a message for visitors indicating when you'll return. Don't take long lunches; leave more frequently for shorter periods.
When you're among hundreds of event participants in a confined space, it can often be difficult to attract visitors to your booth. Be proactive. You have just a few moments to get your message across, so work on making it interesting and brief.
You also should have your company literature handy. If you can afford to do so, rent space in literature kiosks in the lobbies or registration areas. You may also want to swipe attendants' plastic ID cards (provided with their badges) to capture the lead on an imprinter or handheld computer system rented from show management. If so, it's imperative to mail catalogs, brochures, and other materials to them quickly, with a personalized cover letter attached.
Once the show's over, you'll need to do some follow-up. File leads for future reference, visit the organizer's Web site for updates on future shows, and stay in touch with exhibitors you've met. And let your clients know which trade shows you participate in. Exhibiting keeps you up-to-date in your industry.
Virtual Show
Although the virtual exhibition has not yet arrived, the industry is moving toward incorporating an online aspect into shows. Currently, though, the virtual trade show simply exists as an adjunct to successful offline events, offering links to the exhibitor's home page, a description and history of the show, and useful information on conferences and networking events, as well as contact information.
Booth Building Made Easy
If the "pipe-and-drape" system of exhibition (assembling metal tubing for hanging curtains) isn't to your taste, more sophisticated booths are available for rental or purchase. You may want to use a portable backlit booth that stows away in a case on casters, and can be transported by car to the convention hall. Or, you can purchase an exhibit made up of flexible panels that configures for a variety of situations. The initial investment in either can be recouped after three to five shows, depending on how well you fare at the show.
According to Bruce Newbury, director of business development for Nimlok, a Niles, III.-based booth vendor, renting a simple 10-foot exhibit with a backlit header and materials costs about $650. A graphic adds another $175, carpet rental may be $325, and an electrical outlet is about $200 (prices vary from show to show), he says.
Some exhibitors can expect to pay about $45 per 100 pounds in drayage fees, Newbury says. For example, 130 pounds divided by 100, or 1.3 times $45, equals $60. "Setup takes one person about 20 minutes," he adds.
Avoid Health Emergencies Today, Before They Arrive
by admin on March 11th, 2014
filed under Working At Home
Annemarie Marek needed health insurance. But the cost of coverage was enough to make her sick.
As a nonsmoker in good health–and with no history of claims–Marek pays about $230 per month for medical coverage, on top of an annual $2,500 deductible. The package includes a 5 percent discount on prescriptions, but Marek has seen the deductible cost jump 20 percent annually since she first purchased the plan in 1992. Although her Dallas-based marketing communications firm, Marek & Co., foots the cost of her health coverage, Marek quips, "Remember, I'm a sole proprietor."
So costly is health insurance for independent professionals and home-based business owners, like Marek, that many have opted to go without coverage. According to the National Federation of Independent Businesses (www. nfibonline.com), approximately 56 percent of its 600,000 members are uninsured. And 11 percent work from home, notes the NFIB's national director of health care, Jamie Amaral.
"It's a huge issue," says Amaral, explaining that available policies often don't match the business owner's needs or ability to pay. "There's either too much coverage, so they're too expensive, or they're so bare-bones there:s little benefit," she says.
According to a recent survey of uninsured Americans by WellPoint Health Networks Inc., in Thousand Oaks, Calif., 25 percent of respondents said they would purchase health insurance–if it was priced affordably. What's more, respondents perceived the cost of insurance coverage to be twice as much as it actually was.
Affordable health insurance policies do exist, if you know where to look. Follow our guidelines to find a plan that suits your needs without breaking the bank.
Assess Your Needs
Before you start shopping around, take the time to determine your minimum health care requirements. Make a list of care or treatments you need, as well as the amount for copayments (what you'll pay to the care provider at the time of service) and out-of-pocket expenses (usually your maximum deductible) your business can afford. A rule of thumb: The more you pay per visit, the lower your premium. Also keep in mind that preexisting conditions such as asthma and diabetes typically boost premium costs.
Next, consider which of the three general types of health plans best suits your needs. A health maintenance organization policy is the most affordable, but it limits you to a select group of doctors on the HMO's list. More expensive is a preferred provider organization (PPO) policy, which is less restrictive, but also requires you to choose from a prescribed roster of doctors and facilities. And more costly still is an open policy, which provides near-unlimited access to doctors, hospitals, and surgical or clinical facilities.
Shop for a Plan Once you've settled on a health care strategy, you need to find a policy to match it. David Ludwig, senior vice president of agency management with WellPoint, recommends you get quotes from at least three agents before settling on a plan. Consider these six starting points to find what you need.
* Inquire whether your local chamber of commerce and your industry trade association offer member policies.
* Ask your peers for referrals to trusted health insurance agents.
* Contact the National Association of Health Underwriters (www.nahu.org), an association of independent health insurance sales agents.
* Call your state's insurance commissioner's office and inquire whether your state participates in a small-business coverage pool, suggests Amaral. Also referred to as "catastrophic insurance," coverage pools accept employed workers who have been denied coverage by a commercial carrier or employer due to a pre-existing or chronic condition. However, the cost can be high–from $400 to $600 per month per person, according to the NFIB.
* If you've recently left a company to work for yourself, you might want to consider signing up for a COBRA plan. Although this lets you extend your existing coverage from your former employer, Amaral warns that the cost can be up to three times higher than traditional coverage.
* For general information and policies, checklists, charts, and questionnaires, head to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (www.ahcpr.gov).
Doctor in the House
Once you've collected quotes from several providers, next you'll want to scan the provider directories for primary care physicians or general practitioners whose names you know–or who have been recommended to you. If you've moved to a new area, look for board certifications and other credentials; you can often find this information at the insurance carrier's Web site.
For comprehensive information and online application processing and policy ordering, check out Web sites such as ehealthinsurance.com, InsWeb.com, HealthAxis.com, and Insuremarket.com. Each site simplifies the process of finding affordable health insurance, says Vip Patel, CEO of ehalthinsurance.com, Sunnyvale, Calif.
"The hassle factor results in a barrier," says Patel, whose company represents Blue Cross-Blue Shield, Prudential PacifiCare, United Healthcare, Cigna, and Aetna in a number of states.
If price is your primary concern, consider creating a checklist of your required services–and how much each may cost, advises Ludwig. Weigh the desired monthly premium against the deductible, the out-of-pocket maximum per occurrence, as well as other medical charges.
To further cut costs, Ludwig advises that you raise your deductible (the amount you'll pay on each occurrence before the insurance kicks in) or lower your lifetime benefit (the amount for which the insurance ultimately is liable in the event of a long or catastrophic illness). Then invest that amount.
That's what Marek did; she then earmarked the savings for health emergencies.


text:
"The Club will be bright and tropical; there will be palm trees on the stage and the waitresses will smell like coconut oil," adds funnyman Jon Lovitz. Lovitz's vision of a light, casual club serves as a backdrop for some of Hollywood's funniest stand-up comics. The club features "A-List" stand up comedians headlining Thursday through Saturday and an "Open Mic" night where aspiring comics can gain valuable stage time to hone their skills. Many of the headlining comics have appeared on such shows as "Comedy Central Presents ", "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno", "Late Night with Conan O'Brien/Jimmy Fallon", "The Late Show with David Letterman", "Later with Craig Ferguson" and the rest of the late night talkshow circuit.
In addition to "A-Class" stand-up comedy, the club offers menu items catered from Jerry's Famous Deli, Mulberry Street Pizza and The Perfect Bite as well as tropical signature cocktails and full-bar service.


text:
UPDATED (9:27 p.m.)—The Baltimore County Council is scheduled to vote Monday on a contract with a consultant who is already advising the county police department on promotional testing procedures that are being scrutinized for possible violations of federal discrimination law.
The Baltimore County Police Department entered into a $70,000 contract June 26 with Fields Consulting Group Inc. to provide validation services for the department's corporal and sergeants promotional exams. The company began providing services despite a requirement by the County Charter that the Baltimore County Council approve all contracts exceeding $25,000 or in excess of two years in duration.
A county spokesman said such retroactive council approvals are not uncommon and that payments would not exceed $25,000 if the council does not approve the contract Monday night.
"We structure contracts like that all of the time, have been for years," county spokesman Don Mohler wrote in an email response to a reporter's questions. "In service contracts we can go up to $25,000 without council approval. Above that we get council approval—same process used repeatedly."
As of July 19, the firm has provided services valued at $17,000, according to fiscal notes provided to council members for its July 31 meeting.
Mohler said such arrangements are not an example of the county jumping the proverbial procedural gun.
"Firms know that they can start up to $25,000 and if not approved the project stops," Mohler wrote. "Budget folks say it is standard operating procedure."
County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, while on the council, challenged then County Executive Jim Smith on similar contracting issues.
Fields Consulting Group Inc. is being paid to develop promotional testing procedures for the county after the police department suspended promotional exams for corporals and sergeants earlier this year.
The exams were suspended due to concerns raised by the U.S. Department of Justice, according to the fiscal note from the county auditor's office.
"There was no good time to postpone promotional tests," Chief Jim Johnson told the council last week.
In May, George Gay, the county director of Human Resources, announced the department planned to just as an initial inquiry by the Department of Justice into the began.
Johnson said the county hopes to expedite the review and quickly resume testing.
Read more:
Correction: George Gay, director of Human Resources, announced the hiring of the testing consultant just as the Department of Justice was beginning it's inquiry into hiring and promotional practices.


text:
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How to make minecraft look AWESOME
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