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On-going, comprehensive coverage of California's budgeting process for fiscal 2013-14, from Governor Brown's initial and revised proposals, to expert analysis and lawmaker reactions, to debate, more revision and eventual passage.
From Capital Public Radio News
Rosy Calif. Budget Projections Prompt Calls for New SpendingMonday, December 02, 2013
Many California Democrats and progressive groups want to reinvest in programs devastated by years of budget cuts now that the state's revenue outlook has improved.
After Years of Deficits, Budget Surpluses Projected for CaliforniaWednesday, November 20, 2013
California's non-partisan budget analyst says the state's structural deficit is gone. The new projection: a surplus of more than $2 billion by the end of the current fiscal year next June.
Capitol Roundup: Calderon Responds...Sort Of; October Cash ReportFriday, November 08, 2013
State Sen. Ron Calderon issues a statement prompted by the bribery allegations against him in a leaked FBI affidavit - but doesn't address the allegations themselves. Also, October turned out to be a strong month for state budget revenues.
Gov't Shutdown Could Harm California's Recovering EconomyMonday, September 30, 2013
California programs and services wouldn't take a big hit from a federal government shutdown, at least not at first. But state budget watchers still say California has a lot to lose from the standoff in Washington.
Brown, Legislative Leaders Reach Prisons DealMonday, September 09, 2013
After nearly two weeks of sniping back and forth, Calif. Gov. Jerry Brown and Senate Leader Darrell Steinberg have reached a deal on their competing prison plans in response to the federal court order that requires California to reduce overcrowding.
Capitol Roundup: Brown Signs Transgender School BillMonday, August 12, 2013
California Governor Jerry Brown has signed a bill that increases the rights of transgender students at public schools. Also, a Republican lawmaker wants Brown to call a special legislative session on prisons. And California revenues had a slow July.
Fitch Boosts California's Credit RatingMonday, August 05, 2013
A second agency has upgraded the state of California's credit rating. Fitch Ratings now gives California an "A" – up from an "A-minus."
New School Funding Formula Mandates Parental InvolvementMonday, July 29, 2013
California's new education funding formula sends more dollars to disadvantaged students – with new strings attached.
Big Property Tax Surprise Coming for Many Calif. HomeownersMonday, July 15, 2013
California homeowners who saw their property taxes plunge along with their homes' market values during the recession could get some sticker shock when their next tax bill arrives. The bad news for homeowners is good news for state and local budgets.
Brown Signs Enterprise Zone, SEIU Contract, "Bridge Plan" BillsThursday, July 11, 2013
California Governor Jerry Brown has signed legislation to overhaul a controversial tax break for companies that hire workers in low-income communities. He also signed a key labor pact and a measure to provide health care to the working poor.
SEIU Members Approve State Labor DealTuesday, July 09, 2013
Governor Jerry Brown's labor deal with California's largest state workers union is now all-but-official. SEIU Local 1000 says 90 percent of its members voted to ratify the contract.
Bills Going Out for Controversial Fire FeeMonday, July 08, 2013
For the second year in a row, California is charging rural homeowners a special fee for fire protection. The bills are coming a bit later than planned, but they are on their way. he fee's critics are as angry as ever and still hope to overturn it.
S&P: New Calif. Budget a Mixed Bag
Mon, Jul 01, 2013
The Standard and Poor's rating agency likes most of what it sees in the new California state budget. But S&P analyst Gabriel Petek says the spending plan takes a step backwards by not paying down as much debt as Gov. Jerry Brown originally proposed.
Brown's Budget Guru Stepping Down
Fri, Jun 28, 2013
Governor Jerry Brown's budget guru is resigning after more than three years as head of California's Finance Department. Katie Orr reports from Sacramento.
Budget's on the Books: Brown Signs $96 Billion Spending Plan
Thu, Jun 27, 2013
California's new state budget is now law. Governor Jerry Brown has signed the $96 billion general fund spending plan for the fiscal year that will begin on Monday, with very few line-item vetoes.
Brown Wins Enterprise Zone Elimination in Narrow Assembly Vote
Thu, Jun 27, 2013
California Governor Jerry Brown's proposal to eliminate the controversial Enterprise Zone tax break has squeaked through the Assembly with the bare minimum two-thirds vote.
California Health Care Advocates Applaud New Budget And Medi-Cal Expansion
Thu, Jun 27, 2013
There was a sense of celebration as Governor Jerry Brown signed the California budget today, especially among health care advocates.
Senate Approves Restoration of Records Act
Mon, Jun 24, 2013
The California Senate has passed an Assembly bill that would roll back changes to the state's Public Records Act.
Trial Courts Welcome $60 Million Bump
Mon, Jun 24, 2013
California's trial courts are set to receive an extra $60 million in the new state budget that takes effect next month. The money is designated to help improve access to courts that have slashed hours and resources or shut down completely.
Calif. Public Records Act to Remain Intact
Thu, Jun 20, 2013
After a week filled with controversy over a provision in the state budget package that would have gutted the California Public Records Act, Gov. Jerry Brown and Democratic legislative leaders all say they support short- and long-term fixes.
Lawmakers Scramble to Undo Change to Public Records Act
Wed, Jun 19, 2013
After an angry outcry from the public and press, California state lawmakers are backtracking on provisions that would weaken California's Public Records Act.
California Beginning to Implement New Way of Teaching
Mon, Jun 17, 2013
The days of tedious memorization and multiple choice tests may soon be a thing of the past for California students. The state is beginning to implement an entirely new way of teaching known as the common core curriculum.
Calif. Legislature Passes State Budget Bill
Fri, Jun 14, 2013
The California legislature has approved the 2013-14 state budget bill – one day before its constitutional deadline to send a spending plan to Gov. Jerry Brown. Debate will continue Saturday on some of the budget's accompanying "trailer" bills.
New Budget Fills In Dental Coverage Gaps for Poor Californians
Fri, Jun 14, 2013
California lawmakers and Governor Jerry Brown reached a budget agreement this week. A small number of areas won restored funding for next year - dental care was one of them.
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Art and Cuisine Flatware Sets
When buying flatware sets, consider design, weight, and type of metal of the utensils. Shop for a sturdy set of forks, knives, spoons, and serving pieces that serves eight to 12 people and that suits your personal style. Think about buying a formal set for special occasions and a casual set for everyday meals.

subset: commoncrawl


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2 bed, 2 full bath. Beautifully decorated unit. Truly a must see! Silk drapes, flat screen tv's, high unit - 2nd from tMore info
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Kids In Need Teacher Grants Help Teachers Realize Their Dreams
Kids In Need Teacher Grants provide preK-12 educators with funding to provide innovative learning opportunities for their students. The Kids In Need Foundation helps to engage students in the learning process by supporting our most creative and important educational resource our nation's teachers. Grant applications are available online each year from July 15 until September 30.
The lists of 2013 Teacher Grant recipients is now available!
See the winners of grants sponsored by Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, Fred Meyer, and Via Credit Union, as well as the Ready, Steady, GO! grants sponsored by Office Depot Foundation and the Office Depot Star Teacher Program. 2014 Kids In Need Teacher Grant Applications will be available July 15!
Make sure to join us on Facebook to keep up with the latest news!
How are the Teacher Grants funded?
The Teacher Grants are funded by retail and education credit union sponsors. The 2013 sponsors were Office Depot Foundation, Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, Fred Meyer Fund, and Via Credit Union.
How do teachers get an application?
Retail sponsors and designated education credit unions make the grant applications available at their outlets during the back-to-school season. Applications from the sponsors are also available on this website. This year all teachers that apply will receive a special gift of poster making and bulletin board supplies from our fantastic partner ArtSkills!
How many Teacher Grants are awarded?
Teacher Grant awards range from $100 to $500 each and are used to finance creative classroom projects. The number of grants awarded varies from year to year, depending on the amount of the funds being requested. Typically, 300-600 grants are awarded each year.
What is the selection criteria?
The applications are judged according to a rubric which emphasizes innovativeness and merit, clarity of objectives, replication feasibility, suitability of evaluation methods, and cost effectiveness. See guidelines and suggestions here.
Who is eligible?
All certified K-12 teachers in the U.S. are eligible.
What type of projects are funded?
At the end of the academic year, teachers report on the outcome of the funded projects. Some examples of winning projects include:
- Twilight Zone "Eye of the Beholder" - This project consisted of remaking a Twilight Zone episode in its entirety from the original script. Students cast the drama, built the sets, designed and rigged the lighting and sound, applied the make-up, ran the cameras, edited the video tape, designed the titles and credits, and put on an event for the premiere showing of the completed video.
- Charged Cars - Math in Motion - Students designed and built a battery-operated vehicle with a wheelbase of 40 cm designed to be mathematically accurate to travel and stop at any designated point between 1 and 10 meters.
Winning projects are put in the form of project ideas and are published as The Guide to Award Winning Projects.


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Weston >Shopping >
Florists >Anthony's Florist & Gifts
301 Indian Trce, Weston, FL | Directions 3332626.104089 -80.371916
Monday-Saturday 9a-5pm
South Florida's Best Florist – I was driving to a funeral and called Anthony's to see if I could get an arrangement there in only a few hours. The funeral was not even in the same town, they took care of it and the flowers were so beautiful! They also did my wedding a few years ago and the flowers were gorgeous. Besides the good time everyone had, they all talked about the amazing flowers. Thanks Anthony's for making my special day so special.
I had a dream come true wedding! – Anthony's created a beautiful atmosphere for our wedding at Vizcaya in Coral Gables. The decor was breath taking and the crew worked tirelessly to pull off an outdoor wedding in between rain showers! Everything from fire torches to boquets which attracted the butterflies! We went with long stem red roses on the tables and the whole tent glowed.
My dream team!
One of the most FUN weddings we ever did... and we loved every minute of it!
You were a gorgeous bride, it was a fairy tale wedding and you are a fantastic couple... who now have two of the most beautiful little girls!
Can't WAIT to do their weddings someday ;-)
Love this florist! – I used Anthony's Florist when a family member passed away. I had to plan the Funeral from Connecticut and the funeral home recomended Anthony's. I could not be more pleased. The floral arrangements were more beautiful than I could imagine. The staff was so wonderful to me and my family. Now when I need to send flowers in the South Florida Area, I only use Anthony's
Anthony's Florist - Great Family Owned Florist – We have used Anthony's Florist for at least 20 years. They are some of the most gracious and helpful people we have ever used. If at anytime there were problems, they went above and beyond to correct the problems. Anthony's has taken care of our floral and gift needs from births and baptisms to weddings and funerals.
Thanks to all of you.
Mary Arnold
I have had the pleasure of ordering arrangements through Anthony's Florist many times. They have always delivered on time. My family in the south Florida area has always been pleased w/ their arrangements. Anthony's also did all the flowers including bouquets and center pieces for my sister's wedding. They were the perfect decoration. They were able to guarantee the sterling roses that were the right touch for her day.
I would recommend Anthony's to everyone!
Most friendly, most reliable – I will never order an arrangement from anyone else ever again!
Anthony's florist above all others, has the best customer service – friendly folks, that don't completely laugh at you when you call the morning of mother's day and want the flowers delivered THAT DAY!
They are completely reliable – you can call them from the car and tell them what theme you're looking for – they get it spot on. I've never received such great compliments for my ability to order flowers – without ever having picked out an arrangement!
And again, when you've got someone on the other end of the phone – when you are completely frantic – they are a cool, calm ear to take the burden away and make great things happen.
Don't order from this place! – I placed an order for Mother's Day flowers for my husband's 92-year-old grandmother this week to arrive yesterday, and it is now Mother's Day and she got no flowers. They sure charged my credit card, though, and their distribution vendor couldn't take the time to call her back when she called to ask if and when she could expect a delivery. When I called Anthony's to ask about it, they said there was no one available to speak to me.
The worst possible service. I hope grandmother is here next Mother's day to receive flowers -- they sure won't be coming from Anthony's.
RUDE, HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE!!! – I wanted to send a gift to my Grandmother. I called Anthony's with a request, as the same request had been taken care of last year. I wanted to ask for a specialty boquet, rather than choose one from their website.
The woman on the phone was just RUDE!!!! Her voice and attitude was atrocious!!! I cannot believe they actually are a successful business. When I tried to explain that I ordered a specialty boquet last year, she just kept insisting that I was wrong and that it was a different florist, even though I had their card in my hand. She also just kept speaking over me as if I were a child. She was HORRIBLE!!!
Worst customer service – My experience was not the best, maybe because of the date (Valentine's Day!) but I'd try them out one more time before making an assessment :)
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PEORIA — Austin Beccue may be No. 2 on the Gibault High pitching depth chart, but you'd have a tough time convincing anyone that watched him Friday at the Class 1A state baseball tournament.
The junior right-hander shut down Shawnee on one hit through six innings and got plenty of offensive support in the Hawks' 9-2 semifinal victory at Dozer Park.
"I just did what I've one my entire life, kept the ball down and focused on not getting the strikeouts but more on trusting my defense and getting the ground balls," said Beccue, who was sharp despite a 41-minute rain delay. "You work your whole life for this moment and we're one step away. It feels great."
Gibault (24-11) will try to win its first state baseball title when it takes on Putnam County (24-10) at 11:30 a.m. Saturday.
"It's a big step for our school," said Beccue, who allowed only a fourth-inning single to Austin Treece and struck out six while allowing two runs (one earned). "We've been working the last two years for this opportunity and to finally be one step away it means the world to me. This team's been everything to me for the last six months or so, so it feels really good."
Getting a couple runs early seemed to infuse Beccue and the Hawks with confidence. Gibault led 2-1 until scoring four runs in the sixth and three more in the seventh to break things wide open.
"It's what he's been doing all year," Gibault shortstop Wes Degener said of Beccue. "He's been solid and throws strikes, just lets his defense do the work."
A leadoff walk to Mitch Meyer led to a Gibault run in the first inning. Meyer stole second and went to third on a single by Degener before scoring on a grounder to the hole at short by Matt Schreder.
A two-out error by Shawnee shortstop Dylan Boston led to another Gibault run in the third. Gibault's Chandler Purcell stole second and reached third on a balk, then scored when Degener fouled off several pitches before bouncing an RBI single over the head of the first baseman.
"Early we had some good at bats and put a couple runs up on the board," Gibault coach Andy Skaer said. "Late in the game we just kind of exploded. They gave us some extra outs and we took advantage and kept things moving, stayed aggressive on the bases."
Shawnee cut Gibault's lead to 2-1 in the fourth. Austin Treece reached on a leadoff single and scored from third on a double steal.
A bunt single by Degener started the sixth and he scored all the way from first on a wild pickoff throw that was misplayed again down the right field line.
"They fumbled the ball around a little bit in right field and with Wes's speed we were able to get him around all the way from first base," Skaer said. "That was a really big run because that put us up 3-1 and then we just kept rolling from there. They gave us a few more outs and we just kept pushing the issue."
Following two more Shawnee errors, the Hawks broke the game open on a two-run double to the fence in left by Ryley Wallin that gave them a 5-1 lead.
The teams combined for 11 errors, including six by Gibault.
"It was one of those things where when we made the errors, they made us pay for it," Shawnee coach Chad Pitts said. "When they made the errors, we really didn't really make them pay for it. It was just a sloppy game all the way around.
"I'm not sure if weather played a part in it. It probably did, but they were more opportunistic than we were."
Gibault added an insurance run in the sixth on a wild pitch, then tacked on three more in the seventh. Meyer singled and scored on a wild pitch and Auggie Ward's two-run single made it 9-1.
Beccue tired in the seventh, issuing a pair of walks to load the bases. Ward came on in relief and got the final three outs in succession, with Shawnee scoring a run on a sacrifice fly.
It was Gibault's first state baseball tournament appearance since 1997, while Shawnee hadn't made the trip since 1981.
The rain delay, combined with the usual nervous anticipating of playing at the state tournament, might have bothered some pitchers.
Not Beccue.
"We faced a rain delay in our sectional final game that was two hours, so I didn't warm up before then," said Beccue, who stretched and played catch, also doing some light running. "Today I was pumped and I was ready to go, then we got the rain delay. I stayed loose, kept focused and stayed on task with the job."
Contact reporter Norm Sanders at 239-2454, email@example.com or on Twitter @NormSanders


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721 Cardinal Ln Ste 101, Green Bay
I went to the Lifespa Wellness Center, LLC @ 721 Cardinal Ln, Howard, WI 54313, 920-434-2204, yesterday (2-9-2012) for a one hour full body massage. I decided to treat myself to a…
1850 Velp Ave, Green Bay
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Last summer, I began the adventure of finding the perfect wedding dress. My mom had passed away less than a year before, so I was an emotional wreck throughout the process. My…
464 Cardinal Ln, Green Bay
In ShortFounded in 1901 in Chicago by Charles R. Walgreen Sr., this neighborhood pharmacy has grown to be one of the nation's largest drugstore chains. Each store carries 25,000…
2400 Velp Ave, Green Bay
In ShortFirst opened in 1963 in Lowell, Mass., under the name Consumer Value Stores, this drugstore chain is among the largest in the country. Stores carry a variety of products,…
2331 Velp Ave Ste M, Green Bay
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1845 Velp Ave, Green Bay


text: With a few color changes and the addition of a Van Dyke beard, this could be an Airedale. I'll snip into the sides of the face to create his side beard and add the eye brows that are kind of like Andy Rooney's. If you know how hard it is to find Airedale stuff, this is a great find. As a generic puppy, it works as well. Cute!


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Some residents of the Elm Grove section of Wheeling got their day off to an inauspicious start Thursday, when they discovered they were among nearly 30 people who had their car tires slashed overnight.
According to Wheeling Deputy Police Chief Martin Kimball, a vandal or vandals slashed the tires of at least 28 automobiles sometime late Wednesday or early Thursday. Multiple tires were slashed on some of those vehicles, he pointed out, so the extent of the damage was not precisely known Thursday.
Police received the first complaint at about 5:15 a.m. Thursday. The calls continued to roll in throughout the morning, and by the afternoon officers had taken reports of tires slashed on Sycamore, Vernon, Rine and Paxton avenues.
Article Photos
Photo by Tyler Reynard
A vandal or vandals slashed the tires of at least 28 vehicles late Wednesday or early Thursday in the Elm Grove section of Wheeling.
"I'd be really steamed," Kimball said, putting himself in the victims' shoes. "That's thousands of dollars of damage, and for what?"
Video surveillance from businesses on nearby Kruger Street may not help identify a suspect either, Kimball said, because many of the vehicles were parked out of the view of cameras.
Police had yet to determine a motive or identify a suspect Thursday, but Kimball said that apprehending those responsible for the "senseless crimes" will be a "high priority" for the department.


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CANAJOHARIE - The Canajoharie High School hosted the annual Western Athletic Conference Exceptional Seniors games Wednesday night.
In the girls game, the WAC South Seniors defeated the WAC North Seniors 57-29, while the WAC South Seniors won the boys game, 81-53.
For their standout performances in Wednesday's contests, Schoharie's Evan Ottman was named the South's Most Valuable Player and St. Johnsville's Alex Hart received the honor for the North.
Article Photos
Fort Plain senior Zach Sweet and Duanesburg's Sean McGarry (3) battle for a rebound during the boys Western Athletic Conference Exceptional Seniors Game on Wednesday at Canajoharie High School. (The Leader-Herald/James A. Ellis)
In the girls game, Duanesburg's Stephanie Rice received the Most Valuable Player award, while Galway's Abigail Spagnola was named the North's MVP of the game.


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Its wonderfully large size will cast a luxe glow on any decor. US artisans hand-pour clay then dip this unscented piece again and again to give it its brilliant blue luster. The vessel is finished with a sky blue interior glaze for perfect candle light reflection. Seventeen eco-friendly cotton wicks and a lovely ivory ribbon are the perfect finishing touches.
FlashPoint Candle believes that when it comes to candles, one style doesn't fit all. It offers a variety of styles and colors, unscented and scented, for a variety of occasions and settings.


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Arkansas filled the defensive coordinator vacancy on coach Bret Bielema's staff with the hiring of former NFL assistant Robb Smith.
Smith replaces Chris Ash, who left Arkansas last month to become co-defensive coordinator at Ohio State. The 38-year-old Smith will make $500,000 per year through the 2015 season.
Smith worked as the linebackers coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season before coach Greg Schiano was ousted. Smith had served under Schiano at Rutgers, where Smith spent four seasons going from special teams coordinator to linebackers coach to defensive coordinator.
Bielema and Smith previously worked together at Iowa when Bielema was linebackers coach and Smith was a graduate assistant.
"I've been able to watch Robb Smith grow in the profession and I know he'll bring in an attacking defensive philosophy that is built specifically to stop offenses in the SEC," Bielema said. "Robb has been promoted time and time again at every place he's been. With his background, he captivates a room no matter where he is and players gravitate towards him. He's demonstrated an understanding of what it takes to build a team into a championship program."
Smith faces the challenge of improving an Arkansas defense that ranked 102nd nationally and 12th in the SEC last season in yards allowed per play (6.09). The Razorbacks finished with a 3-9 record in Bielema's first year.
"We want to swarm to the football," Smith said. "We want to be physical at all levels of our defense. That's just an attitude. That's the first thing we're going to bring."
Bielema announced earlier this month that linebackers coach Randy Shannon was promoted to senior associate head coach. Shannon is a fomrer University of Miami head coach.


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SUPERSEDED (see Active link, below)
Active (view current version of standard)
1. Scope
1.1 This specification covers three classes of gray iron for castings intended for use as valve pressure retaining parts, pipe fittings, and flanges.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
Note 1--The text of this standard references notes and footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.
2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.
ASTM Standards
A48/A48M Specification for Gray Iron Castings
A644 Terminology Relating to Iron Castings
E8 Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials
ICS Code
ICS Number Code 23.040.40 (Metal fittings); 23.040.60 (Flanges, couplings and joints)
UNSPSC Code
UNSPSC Code 31100000(Castings and casting assemblies); 40170000(Pipe piping and pipe fittings)
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.


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Folding Knives
Fixed Blade Knives
Find Your Hunting Knife
Choosing a Hunting Knife
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Game Recipes
Hunting Resources
Your Privacy
Muskrat at Slide and Den
Muskrat at Slide and Den-With what shall I bait for muskrats at slides or at holes?
No bait is needed at such places. If the trap is properly placed in the entrance of the den, the muskrat will get caught when he comes out or enters. It is the same when the trap is set at the foot fo a slide, the animal will put his foot in the trap when he attempts to climb up the slide from the water. Bait need only be used where there are no good signs to set at, and in such cases, sweet apple is perhaps the best bait, but there are other good ones.
Harding, A.R.. 3001 Questions and Answers. Columbus, Oh: A.R. Harding, 1913.
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Lisa Murton Beets
How to make sure you're protected when doing business in other countries
It's a reality of business today: many of the products sold in the U.S. are part of a global supply chain. There is even a debate surrounding what percentage of a product has to come from the United States in order to be labeled "Made in the U.S.A."
"Unless they are very small, most manufacturing and distribution companies in the U.S. are involved with at least one other country," says Debra F. Scalice, vice president, Millennium Corporate Solutions.
"Importing from China alone has increased from $109 billion in 2001 to $365 billion today — that's huge; almost a 300 percent increase. Obviously the removal of U.S. manufacturing jobs has had multiple impacts, and among these is increased international risk," Scalice adds.
Unfortunately, she says, many U.S. companies are not fully cognizant of the consequences that may occur if they are not covered properly while conducting business with and in other nations.
Smart Business asked Scalice about some of the exposures businesses face and what they can do to minimize them.
Why is international risk such an important topic right now?
Many U.S. manufacturers are fighting to stay alive and they are often resorting to smaller, niche markets, leaving their old product skews behind and innovating new products or parts, which are imports. They must change or face extinction via lack of competitive price points. Nearly all U.S. companies are involved to some degree with importing or exporting. All too often, U.S. companies think they are protected from various liabilities when in reality they are not. It is easy to misinterpret your coverage. Countries have very specific mandates about the types of coverage you need to have and who is legally able to provide that coverage — Mexico is a good example. If you don't have a Mexican insurance company and something goes wrong, you're going to jail.
What are some of the risks involved with property exposure?
Typically, international property exposures are similar to domestic exposures. You need to know where the property is located, whether there are any nationally mandated coverages, availability of coverage subject to increased hazards, if the property is adequately covered while in transit, and if you are using the shipper's coverage or purchasing your own.
Are there any time constraints regarding the arrival of your property? What if the goods arrive at the harbor and half of the product isn't there? Or, has the product been substituted using trickery? What level of risk are you prepared to take on yourself? On the other hand, if you are exporting, what happens if the companies you are exporting to owe you money and disappear? Can you handle the financial loss or will you need credit insurance?
What key factors about liability exposure do companies need to be aware of?
If you're manufacturing in the U.S. and your policy says you have worldwide coverage and protection, don't let that lull you into a false sense of security. It probably means you're only covered for lawsuits initiated in the U.S. Let's say you sell something in Europe and someone gets hurt. You think you have worldwide coverage, but if you don't have proper international liability in place, there could be terrible financial consequences.
Liability exposure for importers is another consideration. There are many domestic carriers who are not interested in covering imported products. So if you're an importer and something goes wrong with the product you imported, you will be held accountable, as there is no domestic manufacturer to seek financial restitution from. It is very difficult to sue in other countries, which are often 'developing.' Who will you sue in that country? Are they even liable according to their laws? What if the products you're bringing in and selling to your clients start to fail? This is a nuance of international business you can't insure for, but you have to contemplate the risk.
What are some considerations for traveling overseas for business?
In today's world, you do not want to be walking around a foreign country without proper risk assessment and coverage. Let's say you're a salesperson who travels to London for your boss; you and your boss decide you should live there temporarily. The employer needs to cover you for workers' compensation in that country — it's a human resource issue. Or let's say you're the CEO of your own business and you've excluded yourself from workers' compensation insurance. You go to Europe and something happens to you — you have a car accident or a health event, or a political act takes place. Who will pay to bring you back to the U.S.? Kidnap and ransom are also real concerns. If you are an American traveling abroad, you are a target. There are hotter spots than others in terms of exposure, but it's actually quite common and happens all over the world. For any executives who are traveling, you need to ensure that risk management techniques have been employed to help assure your safety and that the right coverage is in place.
How can companies ensure that they are protected properly?
Talk with your international attorney and a diligent insurance broker who will show you how to protect your interests. They will help you determine your own risk tolerance, where you are exposed, and what needs to be covered. Seek a broker familiar with international risk who will know the insurance vehicles available to cover international risk. Equally important, the broker will help you understand what is not covered. This is a very dynamic and fluid area so it's important to keep in touch with your broker on a regular basis to ensure you are properly covered at all times.
DEBRA F. SCALICE is vice president, Millennium Corporate Solutions. Reach her at (949) 679-7139 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
How will Ohio handle unemployment compensation?
Spending on unemployment compensation is at an all-time high, jumping from approximately $31 billion in 2008 to $120 billion in 2009, $160 billion in 2010 and a projected $120 billion for 2011. Numerous states, including Ohio, have depleted their unemployment compensation trust funds and have had to borrow from the federal government.
"Ohio employers have seen modest increases in their state unemployment taxes over the last few years as automatic triggers kicked in to try to keep the fund solvent. However, the increases just haven't been enough to stay ahead of the benefits paid out," says Anthonio C. Fiore, an attorney with Kegler, Brown, Hill & Ritter.
Eventually, the federal government will look to Ohio employers to replenish their fund through higher contributions or taxes. To keep the costs to employers from growing ever higher, Fiore says the state and its employers must work to reform the unemployment compensation system in Ohio and get people re-employed.
Smart Business spoke with Fiore about the tasks at hand.
What is the status of Ohio's unemployment compensation (UC) trust fund?
Employers pay into both the state and federal unemployment compensation trust funds. Solvency of the state's UC trust fund had been a growing concern for a number of years, but it finally moved into the red in January 2009. Ohio currently owes the federal government over $2.6 billion for loans from the Federal Unemployment Account (FUA) — commonly referred to as Title XII loans.
How does the situation in Ohio compare to that in other states?
Ohio is in the same boat as many other states. The highest unemployment in nearly three decades is spread across the U.S. and very few counties and states have been immune. State unemployment taxes increased as a percent of total wages on average by 34 percent from 2009 to 2010 and are expected to increase even more for 2011 and 2012.
As of Sept. 1, 2011, 27 states and the Virgin Islands have outstanding federal loans of over $36 billion. The United States Department of Labor (USDOL) projects a peak in 2013 of up to 40 states and $65.2 billion in outstanding loans. Interest on loans is charged at the rate of just over 4 percent for 2011. Approximately $1.7 billion will need to be paid from sources other than the state unemployment insurance (UI) tax — employers in 19 states (not including Ohio) will pay a special assessment to cover this cost. The first interest payment from states is due September 30, 2011, and interest will continue to accrue as long as loans are outstanding.
State and federal unemployment taxes will continue to increase over the next three years and remain at higher rates for at least 10 years on average. Average UI taxes will more than double with some employers experiencing much higher tax increases as a percentage of total wages. Increased taxes will increase the cost of hiring. Increased duration of unemployment compensation will continue to be a disincentive to individuals deciding whether to actively seek and accept work available in the labor market. Relief from automatic Title XII interest and Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) offset credit penalties is possible only if states, businesses and workers push for them. States with no debt may be less supportive of relief, arguing that they have already addressed solvency and did not get relief.
How long will it take Ohio to get its fund solvent once again?
The goal is not simply to pay back the $2.6 billion to the federal government. The goal is to replenish the fund to what is called 'minimum safe level' in order for it to weather future economic downturns. The minimum safe level is around $2.5 billion; therefore the state UI fund is approximately $5 billion away from where it needs to be in the future. It could take three to five years to get the fund back to this level.
How can Ohio get the fund back to solvency?
Obviously, the best case scenario is finding a way to get more individuals employed, so fewer individuals are collecting unemployment. That would help Ohio rebuild the fund the fastest, versus raising employer taxes. In terms of direct costs to companies, businesses can work with third-party claims administrators and/or an attorney to more aggressively manage their claims to eradicate fraudulent claims and overpayments. The state itself is taking numerous proactive efforts and is focusing on ways to reform Ohio's unemployment compensation system, keep businesses in Ohio, attract new companies to Ohio, and get Ohioans re-employed.
How will developments at the federal level impact Ohio?
Pending legislation (H.R. 1745, also known as the Jobs Act) would reform aspects of the unemployment system. Ohio would benefit from some of the reforms that are being advocated by a broad coalition of national and state business associations. One of these is a requirement that would strengthen job search requirements for those receiving unemployment. In addition, President Obama recently released the 'American JOBS Act' with several provisions affecting unemployment compensation. While some provisions of the proposal have merit there is still uncertainty surrounding what price tag will be levied on those who fully fund the system — employers. The current system was developed in the 1930s and was not set up for the situation the country is currently in. Reforms would focus on getting people re-employed faster and into the jobs that are available.
ANTHONIO C. FIORE is an attorney with Kegler, Brown, Hill & Ritter. Reach him at (614) 462-5428 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
How recent oil and gas discoveries will impact Ohio businesses and landowners
It was announced recently that the Utica Shale formation in Ohio is not only a source of natural gas, but oil as well. New technological advancements — especially in horizontal drilling techniques and the hydraulic fracturing of the shale ("fracking") — along with the fact that the oil appears to be of high quality, is bringing drilling to Ohio a lot faster than originally thought.
"Drilling has been taking place in the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania and West Virginia for a while now," says Jeffrey R. Huntsberger, a member of the Business Department and the Real Estate Practice Group at McDonald Hopkins LLC. "Geologists knew there was natural gas in Ohio's Marcellus formations, but figured Ohio wouldn't be as rich a source as Pennsylvania. All of that has changed now with the discoveries in the deeper Utica Shale formation. For example, the CEO of Chesapeake Energy Corp. recently said that his company expects to invest $10 billion per year in Ohio for the next couple of decades."
Smart Business asked Huntsberger what Utica Shale drilling means for Ohio.
Why does the Utica Shale hold so much promise for Ohio?
The Utica Shale formation appears to hold significant amounts of 'wet' gas and oil. The wet gas has elements in it that are sought after by gas companies, including propane, ethane, butane, and other large molecule hydrocarbons and, in addition, there's oil, which appears to be of high quality. Companies like Chesapeake Energy and others are excited about the wet gas and oil in Ohio.
How will drilling impact Ohio businesses?
Drilling in the Utica Shale is a game changing industrial event taking place right in our own back yard. Drilling is already taking place in southeastern and mideastern Ohio counties and promises to spread northward through the entire eastern part of Ohio. Manufacturers of tubular steel, pumps, valves, and fittings are already seeing substantial demand for their products as a result of drilling. If everything works out, we'll have a cheap source of energy on our doorstep, which will give us an advantage in manufacturing. In addition, the byproducts of oil can be used for hundreds of industrial applications, and having a source of those byproducts right here in Ohio will be beneficial for a variety of industries. In the long-term, the drilling should stir growth.
What are the potential environmental impacts?
The major issue is water. Rural areas rely on well water (drawn from about 50 to 250 ft. deep). The shale layers are found at 5,000 feet and deeper below the surface but, in order to get there, the wells must be drilled through the water table. If the well is not drilled and cased properly, there's a good chance that someone's well water will be contaminated.
Fracking itself requires up to three million gallons of water per well. The crew has to drill down vertically several thousand feet and then sideways for as much as a mile. The fracking fluid, which is then inserted into the well and forced into the shale layers, is 98 percent water and sand with the remaining two percent made up of 'nasty stuff' — chemicals intended to help ease the hydrocarbons out of the shale. Huge pressure is created to break the shale, release the gas, and bring it back up. What comes up is contaminated with the chemicals as well as other environmentally damaging materials from the ground, such as heavy metals, which must be dealt with properly.
What kind of regulatory oversight is in place?
Almost all regulation in Ohio is through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). A number of years ago, the legislature took away the rights of local communities to regulate drilling. A new law (Senate Bill 165), enacted about a year ago, adds to the ODNR's power to regulate the industry. Included in the many new provisions are restrictions on how close companies can drill to occupied dwellings and property lines; increased liability insurance required for drillers; tighter construction standards; and the requirement that fracking must not be done in a manner that creates any danger to the water or the environment.
At the federal level, the U.S. EPA is looking into the fracking process and studying the potential impact on the environment. The EPA expects that it will be well into 2012 before any preliminary comments are made, and then another two years for any regulations to be put in place. As a side note, as of September 30th, Ohio House Bill 133 authorized drilling in Ohio's state parks.
How can landowners maximize their benefits if approached about leasing rights?
Some of the simple things you can negotiate with the companies leasing your land include the size and timing of the bonus payment; the amount of the royalty (the standard is usually around 12.5 percent of what gets produced from the well; however, this can often be negotiated to 15 or 18 percent, or even higher); and the time period for the company to hold the lease until drilling takes place. More complex negotiations involve placing restrictions on unitization (the right of the lessee to combine your property with that of other land owner lessors); prohibiting the storage of gas or the permanent disposal of toxic liquids on the property; obtaining mutual agreement on the placement of roads, wells and pipelines; and having the ground water tested before and after drilling.
Educate yourself through easily accessible materials such as those found on the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' website. Hire an attorney who really knows this area. Don't be quick to sign a standard lease presented to you, because these companies will negotiate.
JEFFREY R. HUNTSBERGER is a member of the Business Department and Real Estate Practice Group at McDonald Hopkins LLC. He focuses on real estate, business counseling and energy. Reach him at (216) 348-5405 or email@example.com.
How to select, protect and enforce trademarks
Trademarks help consumers identify and distinguish your products and services in the marketplace. If you don't protect your trademarks, your rights can be weakened, which may allow for competitive products/services using similar markings, ultimately diminishing the value of your trademarks.
"If you're a new business or are launching a new product — especially one that's innovative — it's important to choose your trademarks wisely," says Jim Dimitrijevs, a member at McDonald Hopkins LLC, whose practice focuses on Intellectual Property.
"It's important to consider the inherent strength of a proposed trademark," adds Grant Monachino, also a member specializing in Intellectual Property at McDonald Hopkins LLC. "It's equally important that you enforce your trademark rights as the years go by, or you risk losing them."
Smart Business asked Dimitrijevs and Monachino how companies can best select and protect trademarks.
How does a company go about selecting a trademark?
First you need to consider the product or service itself, as well as its life expectancy. If it's going to be long lived, an inherently strong trademark will likely be more beneficial over the life of the product or service. If it's going to be a fleeting fad and you want to ensure quick catch-on, you might select a more basic descriptive name that fits that purpose, but is not necessarily an inherently strong trademark. You also need to consider whether the product is going to be sold outside of the U.S. If so, you'll need to assess 1) how those markets will perceive the trademark, and 2) whether the trademark is available for use in all the jurisdictions you're considering.
How can you evaluate the inherent strength of a trademark?
In the initial marketing phases for a new product, it can be beneficial to use a basic, descriptive term, but it won't be as easy to protect. It is easier to protect words and marks that are more distinctive when used in association with the company's product or service.
When selecting a trademark, we look at the 'spectrum of distinctiveness' in the context in which a proposed trademark will be used. On the weakest end, we have generic terms that are essentially the common name for the product or service (e.g., 'DVD' for digital video/versatile discs). Next we have descriptive terms (e.g., Web Analytics Experts for services regarding the analysis of Internet-based statistics), followed by suggestive terms (e.g., Sure for a deodorant). At the stronger end, we have arbitrary terms (e.g., Apple for a computer) and fanciful (invented) terms (e.g., Kodak for film).
In practice, most trademarks are somewhere in the middle range between descriptive and suggestive. However, there can be a lot of long-term benefit in selecting an arbitrary or fanciful mark if you're introducing something completely new to the market and/or the product/service being introduced will have a long shelf life.
What happens after the company agrees on a proposed trademark?
You check on availability and assess risk. Counsel will evaluate the marks you want to use and consider them against the goods and services you want to link them to, and then have a trademark search conducted. The search will uncover whether any other companies or individuals are already using the same or similar marks for similar goods and services. Counsel will analyze the search results to determine if there are conflicts that could cause consumer confusion, and prepare a legal assessment of risk.
How can a company protect its trademark?
In the U.S., trademark rights accrue with use (i.e., 'common-law' rights). You will obtain your best rights, however, by registering your trademark at the federal level. In the U.S., this gives you protection in all 50 states (among other benefits). In most jurisdictions outside the U.S., trademark rights are only protected if a registration is obtained. Thus, you should register your trademarks not only where you sell, but also where you manufacture, especially if you sell or manufacture products abroad.
Trademark rights are somewhat unique in that you need to police them. Although theoretically, you can maintain a trademark registration and the related rights for as long as you use the mark, if you let others use your trademark or something similar without trying to stop them or enforce your rights, you allow your rights to be eroded.
How do you proceed if you think another company is infringing upon your rights?
First, conduct sufficient due diligence to confirm you have superior rights, as well as the nature and scope of your rights.
Once sufficient due diligence has been conducted, consider who the infringer is in crafting your approach to try to resolve the issue. One typical approach is sending a cease and desist letter. Another is filing a court action (in lieu of or in connection with a C&D letter). While sending a letter may achieve a quicker, less expensive result, it may also give the infringer the opportunity to select the forum where the dispute will be resolved (i.e., by filing a declaratory judgment action in a jurisdiction more favorable or convenient to the infringer).
Claims available may include one or more of the following: federal trademark infringement, state trademark infringement, federal or state unfair competition, and/or an action in court or the Trademark Office to challenge the trademark application or registration of the infringer.
If both parties have viable rights, or want to avoid the cost and unpredictability of an action in court or in the Trademark Office, they may decide to resolve the dispute by a coexistence agreement that allows both parties to use their marks in ways that avoid consumer confusion.
JIM DIMITRIJEVS and GRANT MONACHINO are members at McDonald Hopkins LLC, both specializing in Intellectual Property. Reach Dimitrijevs at (216) 348-5774. Reach Monachino at (216) 430-2003.
How gaming is changing in Ohio and what it means to the state and local economies
Ohio will soon get four casinos — one in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Toledo. Since the time that Issue 3 passed in 2009 until the present, most of the major hurdles have been removed and the Ohio Casino Commission is beginning to work on regulations.
A dispute that threatened to stall progress in Columbus — about where Penn National Gaming would build its casino — was settled on July 22, 2011.
"There were some in the Columbus business community who felt that a casino in the Arena District, which was the original site where the casino was going to be built, would threaten residential development and business in that area," says Michael E. Zatezalo, managing director and chair, Gaming Law practice, Kegler, Brown, Hill & Ritter.
Smart Business asked Zatezalo about the outcome of that situation and what it means for Columbus and the state in general.
Where will the Columbus casino be located?
Penn National will annex an old GM plant site on Columbus' west side near I-270 and Broad Street, about 20 minutes from the Arena District. Nationwide Realty Investors will buy the Arena District property that Penn National had intended to build the casino on from Penn National for $11 million. Penn will receive $15 million in incentives from the city to help clean up the site where the casino will be built.
How soon will the casino open?
Between regulation and construction issues, it looks like late 2012. Because of the controversy in Columbus about where the casino would be built, it might be one of the later of the four Ohio casinos to come online.
Will the Ohio casinos be subject to the Commercial Activity Tax?
Having to pay the Commercial Activity Tax would have meant the operators would have to pay an additional $10 million to $12 million to the state per year, which gave the investment bankers financing the casinos a concern. A compromise was reached so that instead of having to pay the Commercial Activity Tax, the casinos will pay the state $115 million over 10 years.
History shows that casinos located in the lowest tax jurisdictions (Nevada, Mississippi and New Jersey) invest more money into their facilities and produce more jobs. So there are tradeoffs. It remains to be seen what will happen in Ohio. Yes, the state 'could' have gotten more money, but a high tax rate is not necessarily the best way to create jobs. There are people who feel that the payment over 10 years is a fair break.
How will the casinos impact Ohio's race tracks and charities?
Gov. John Kasich has signed into law an amendment that will permit relocation of Ohio's horse race tracks. Penn National Gaming has indicated it would like to move its Beulah Park race track out of Columbus and into Dayton, and its Raceway Park track out of Toledo and into Youngstown, so the race tracks won't compete with the casinos. In addition, the state has authorized video lottery terminals (VLTs) at race tracks, but the Ohio Lottery Commission will have to develop the regulations — it could take about a year, but we can't say for sure. It's a very fluid situation.
Charities are already negatively impacted and will continue to be. They are under siege by casinos, VLTs and sweepstakes parlors, which are not regulated. A bill has been introduced at the request of the Attorney General's office that would license and regulate sweepstakes parlors and skill games. Veterans' organizations are also trying to get VLTs into their posts, but that would open the door for bar owners to argue for them as well.
How can businesses that want to work with casinos best prepare?
Anyone who wants to serve as a vendor will have to be thoroughly familiar and compliant with all the rules, regulations and licensing requirements. The Ohio Casino Commission is just beginning the process of developing the regulations. At present, they have given priority to determining how the casino operators themselves will be regulated.
The gaming industry is probably the most regulated industry in America. There are many protections in place to ensure the integrity of the games and that the gamblers are getting a fair shot at winning. That said, you don't want the regulations to be so tight that they restrict the ability to do business. So we are hoping for a regulatory scheme that recognizes the need for flexibility — one that is set up in a way that will maximize revenue for Ohio.
Will the casinos have a positive impact on the local and state economies?
I think that they will. But there will be tradeoffs. The casinos might create problem gambling issues for some people and may take entertainment dollars away from local businesses, but then again, they will also create jobs and draw people to Ohio who otherwise would not travel here. And once people are in town, they might start looking for other things to do as well, such as go to a baseball game or visit a museum.
In Biloxi, Miss., for instance, there are now 32 golf courses surrounding the local casinos. The net bottom line is that the new casinos will keep money and jobs in Ohio.
MICHAEL E. ZATEZALO is managing director and chair, Gaming Law practice, Kegler, Brown, Hill & Ritter. Reach him at (614) 462-5497 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
How to protect your business from workplace retaliation claims
Workplace retaliation claims are an ever-increasing litigation concern for employers. In 2010 there were more charges of retaliation filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) than any other type of charge.
"We are certainly seeing an uptick in retaliation claims filed by current and former employees," says Nicole Gray, an attorney in the Labor and Employment Practice Group at McDonald Hopkins. "Recent decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court that have expanded the rights of employees who complain about retaliation, energetic enforcement by federal agencies, and increased public awareness are all factors that could explain why retaliation claims are becoming more frequent."
In addition, almost every worker can relate to a story of disagreeing with a boss and falling into disfavor as a result.
"Courts and juries are more willing to accept an employee's claim that he or she was treated differently after voicing complaints," Gray adds.
Smart Business asked Gray how companies can proactively manage their work forces to defend against retaliation claims.
What does it mean that an employer 'retaliated' against an employee?
Put simply, retaliation law prohibits employers from 'getting even' with an employee who 1) engages in 'protected conduct' (e.g., files a lawsuit or administrative charge, testifies or participates in an investigation or hearing, promotes better working conditions), and/or 2) opposes an unlawful practice. This protection is not codified in any one statute, but is found in varying forms in laws that create workplace rights, such as employment discrimination laws, wage and hour laws, and leave and benefits laws — even the bankruptcy code and state wage garnishment laws include anti-retaliation provisions.
How does an employee establish a claim of retaliation?
There are three essential elements of a retaliation case: the employee engaged in protected activity of which the employer had knowledge; the employer took an adverse action against the employee; and a causal connection exists between the protected activity and the adverse action. An employee must only have a reasonable, good faith belief that the employer's conduct is unlawful.
For example, an employee who believes in good faith that her employer was paying women less than their male counterparts may file a charge with an administrative agency. If the agency investigates and determines that discrimination did not occur, that employee still has the right to be free from reprisal for raising her complaint.
What types of 'adverse actions' give rise to a claim of retaliation?
While many claims are based on an employee termination, less severe actions against an employee may also give rise to a claim (e.g., a demotion, a disciplinary suspension, or denial of a promotion). Although trivial annoyances are not actionable, more significant retaliatory treatment that is reasonably likely to deter protected activity is unlawful.
Are only current employees able to allege workplace retaliation?
No. Adverse actions undertaken after the employee's employment has ended, such as negative job references, can form the basis of a retaliation claim. In addition, third parties within the workplace, such as relatives or close associates, who did not complain of unlawful activity may be able to establish a retaliation claim if they suffered harm based on their association with the person who did complain.
If an employee engaged in protected conduct, does that mean he or she cannot be fired?
Employees who engage in protected conduct are not untouchable, nor excused from complying with work rules and/or achieving performance standards. It simply means that their employers cannot fire them (or take other tangible, adverse action against them) for engaging in that protected conduct. A court or investigative agency will review the facts to determine whether there is evidence that retaliation was a motive for the adverse action.
Temporal proximity is also a determinative factor in retaliation claims. Close temporal proximity between the employer's knowledge of the protected activity and the adverse employment action alone may be significant enough to constitute evidence of a causal connection. While there is no magic time period that necessarily insulates an employer from a retaliation claim, a recent decision out of Ohio's Eighth District Court of Appeals did hold that a one-year time period between the protected activity and the adverse action, without further evidence of retaliatory treatment, was too remote in time to establish a retaliation claim.
How can employers limit their exposure to a claim of workplace retaliation?
Be aware of employee rights and recognize that employer retaliation against protected employee conduct is unlawful. Likewise, consider whether an employee has engaged in protected activity prior to taking any adverse actions. Seek the assistance of legal counsel to identify potential retaliation issues, provide training to supervisors regarding prohibited activities, and update policies to include anti-retaliation language. Employers can rebut a retaliation claim if they are able to articulate a legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason for taking the adverse action. Therefore, employers should take care to ensure that they can establish an objective reason for the adverse action taken and, whenever possible, have effective documentation that supports that reason.
Nicole Gray is an attorney in the Labor and Employment Practice Group at McDonald Hopkins. Reach her at (216) 348-5418 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
How to develop a plan to get the most out of your business after retirement
Alot of business owners avoid the topic of business succession planning. They're happy doing what they're doing and life is good.
But what if something happens? What if the owner has a significant health event or dies? What if the family takes over when that was not the owner's intention at all?
There can be a lot of strife and unnecessary financial loss without a plan in place. The owner knows the business better than anyone and should be the one who decides how to maximize its value after he or she is gone.
Many owners reason that they don't have the time to develop a plan. However, it can be done in manageable steps.
"You can at least get started on defining your goals and then, through regularly scheduled meetings, craft the plan over the course of several years if need be," says Chuck Kegler, director, Kegler, Brown, Hill & Ritter.
Smart Business asked Kegler for guidance on how owners can best navigate this process.
What is the starting point for business succession planning?
First you must come to the point of acceptance that you're not going to be around forever, and that developing a plan is in your family's best interests. Then you need to define your goals. There is no cookie cutter way to develop a plan. Goals, families and finances are all different, so therefore, each plan is different.
Also, there may be conflict among the goals — everyone wants to have their cake and eat it too, but that's not always going to be the case. Owners can get very overwhelmed with the goal identification process. Anything their adviser can do to simplify the process — such as breaking down the goals into several categories — and keep the owner focused will help move the process along.
What happens after the goals have been identified?
The next step is to have a business valuation conducted by a third-party firm. How much is the business actually worth? Most owners don't really know. Interview two or three investment bankers (brokers) and ask how they would go about selling your business. What do they think it's worth? Brokers and investment bankers will often provide valuation estimates for no charge in hopes of being engaged to sell the business. Once you have a sense of a range of values you can work on the exit model — will you sell to an independent party, to family members or employees, or transfer the company to the next generation? How will your decision impact all of your other goals?
What are some of the most common roadblocks the owner will face during this process, and how does he or she overcome them?
The roadblocks will depend on the road taken. Even if you think it's relatively straightforward (e.g., I'm transferring the business to my son), there are still many decisions to be made. Will this decision create conflict among the other siblings? How much money will they get, even those who don't work in the business? Will any of this be gifted? Will your son pay you? How will your health care needs be provided for? What if you become disabled? Based on your goals and future needs, how much money will you actually need? Do you still want capital to invest in other opportunities in the future? Do you need some degree of certainty in terms of a guaranteed future income stream, such as an annuity? How would that decision impact your children at the time of your death? The answers to these questions may require you to refine your goals.
Owners who want to sell have other issues to consider. Unless an owner has health problems, is overly stressed, or just wants to get rid of the business, it may be decided that he or she 'can't afford' to sell. Perhaps the proceeds from the sale will not enable the owner to maintain the lifestyle to which he or she is accustomed. On the other hand, if the most important goal is, 'I need more time for my personal life,' the owner might come to the conclusion that, 'yes, this will be a different life than I am used to, but I can do this.'
What are some key considerations for structuring a plan that minimizes exposure to taxation?
There are two primary taxes to think about. First, if you're selling, how do you minimize the income tax side? The goal is to pay one level of tax at the capital gains tax rate. Next, there are the gift and estate taxes. The $5 million ($10 million for married couples) exemption has been extended through 2011 and 2012, so many owners think the financial pressure involved with making estate planning decisions is off. However, that's temporary — we don't know what's going to happen Jan. 1, 2013. Even the least informed members of Congress understand that we have a significant deficit and that an easy way to reduce some of that deficit is to go back to the $1 million/55 percent exemption. If this happens, it will once again change the estate planning ball game.
Chuck KEgler is a director, as well as chair of the business and tax and estate planning areas, at Kegler, Brown, Hill & Ritter. Reach him at (614) 462-5446 or email@example.com.
How to weigh insurance costs versus coverage
When buying or renewing any type of insurance for your business, you have to strike a balance between price and coverage.
"Since the recession, so many buyers are making decisions about insurance based on price alone. They know they need insurance, so they take the lowest-price option, many times sacrificing coverage or service or both," says Steve Grane, partner, Millennium Corporate Solutions. "The problem comes in, however, if something happens and they're not covered. Then there can be all kinds of negative consequences to deal with."
Grane says that the goal of a good broker or agent should always be to get his or her client the best coverage at the best price.
"If the broker or agent doesn't have your best interests at heart, you could really get burned," he says.
Smart Business asked Grane for tips on how buyers can get the most bang for their buck when making insurance purchasing decisions.
What should a buyer do if his or her rates have increased to a price that is higher than expected?
The first instinct may be to go price shopping. But you have to think about your risk at the present time. Is it different than it was a year ago? Is it going to become greater over the coming year? Each situation is different.
You then have to weigh the premium increase and total cost against how much it will cost if you have a claim that's not covered. Talk with your broker or agent. There might be places where you can raise your deductible.
You should also see what other options are available in the market. Get three bids. Make sure the bids are for the same coverage you already have. Request a face-to-face meeting. You can usually determine rather quickly if the person is legitimate. If the person is ethical, he or she will lay out the premium costs and all the coverages in a way that you can easily understand. Ask for the names of people you can call to assess how responsive this person is. You want someone who is accessible — someone who will return your call within a few hours, not a few days.
What else should the buyer look for when comparing bids?
You have to compare apples to apples. Ask your current broker or agent to give you a comparison sheet on the main coverages. Ask him or her to write out what is covered and what the limits are. Then ask others who are bidding to do the same. For example, say you are responsible for homeowner association (HOA) insurance. The total insured value on the declarations page is $10 million. The agents or brokers who are submitting bids should come in and take a square foot inventory and then provide you with a cost analysis of what it would cost to reconstruct the property per square foot. They would use this as a guideline to come up with total insured value. In some cases, it may be determined that you are underinsured.
How can being underinsured cost more in the long run?
Let's look at the liability that comes from being on the HOA board. There are many different directors' and officers' liability policies out there. You can get a very inexpensive policy as part of the main policy, but it's not going to cover much. For about 10 percent more, say around $1,000, you can get 60-70 percent more coverage to protect board members against things such as wrongful acts, sexual harassment, nonmonetary claims and spousal liability. Board members are volunteers, and if a homeowner decides to sue, even for nonmonetary claims, it can end up costing the volunteers a great deal of money out of their own pockets if they are not adequately insured.
If coverage levels are comparable and it comes down to price, what next?
Service is just as important as price. What would happen if you actually had to file a claim? How professionally will the claim be processed, and how swiftly? Is the insurance company A-rated on AM Best? Is the adjustor easy to reach?
How can the buyer be sure that the claims will be processed quickly?
You can't know for sure until you have a claim. That is where the importance of the relationship with the broker or agent comes into play. If you find out the hard way that the company with the lowest price is not responsive, it can cost you thousands of dollars of your own money trying to fix problems while you are waiting for a claim to be settled.
How often should insurance needs be reassessed?
Talk with your broker or agent at least four or five times throughout the year, and always at renewal. This way, if there are any changes, or anticipated changes, the broker or agent can ensure that your insurance coverage reflects the changes. You should view your broker or agent as a partner. They are like football officials. At the worst games, there are all kinds of complaints about the calls; at the best games, you don't even realize they are there.
STEVE GRANE is a partner with Millennium Corporate Solutions. Reach him at (949) 679-7131 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
Process your own checks?
Convenience, time savings, faster access to cash — all of these are touted as benefits of processing the checks you receive from customers directly in your office. The procedure, known most commonly as remote deposit capture, but also as electronic check service, image depositing and other like terms, has been around for a few years now thanks to "Check 21" legislation implemented in October 2004 that allows banks to clear checks based on images of the original items.
"RDC enables businesses to scan the checks they receive and transfer the image electronically via an Internet connection to the bank for posting and clearing," says Scott McCallum, senior manager, Cendrowski Corporate Advisors. "While there are different solutions for retail-type businesses that accept mostly cash and credit cards — and while larger companies processing a large volume of checks will often be better served with a lockbox service — RDC can be an attractive solution for small business owners and small to midsized professional service firms, such as law firms, financial advisers, accounting firms, physician and dental offices, insurance agencies, and real estate firms."
Smart Business spoke to McCallum about how a business could benefit from this technology.
In a nutshell, how does the process work?
This is a relatively new technology that basically places the check-clearing process in the hands of the bank customer. Rather than collect all the checks and take them to the branch, you can process the checks in your office at any time that is convenient, day or night. You still need separation of duties. The person handling and scanning the checks should not be the same person doing the bookkeeping. After you scan the checks and transmit the images to the bank, you hold the checks for a determined amount of time with guidance from the bank, usually 60 days. During that period, you have to retain them in a secure place and, afterward, destroy them.
What are some of the advantages of processing checks yourself?
The main saving is in transportation costs. It saves time by eliminating the need for a person to physically take checks to the bank, either daily or weekly. In that regard, it's a great control mechanism for arranging the workflow of administrative personnel and eliminates the downtime involved with them having to deliver checks. In some cases, there may be some social sacrifice for the person who goes to the bank and who may enjoy the interaction with bank personnel, but there will be the benefit of the opportunity costs for what else they can be doing with their time. Another benefit is that you will quicken cash flow. By accelerating the clearing process, you speed up the process for when the funds will be available. Also, if an item is returned, you'll know faster. Ongoing costs should be cheaper since physical transactions tend to cost more than electronic ones. Yes, there is the cost to rent or purchase the machine and/or there may be some per-item costs, but they tend to be lower than when presenting paper. Plus, if you keep enough in balances, the bank may waive the fees. For most businesses, there is a cost savings.
What about downsides?
There is some potential risk for insider fraud, but there are ways to control it. Banks usually provide training on how to use the system and the best practices to reduce fraud. They will also provide you with a contract defining who is responsible for what. During the time frame that you are responsible for the physical checks, make sure you have a policy about where you store them and how you destroy them.
What kind of banks are promoting this?
This is a great equalizer for community banks, which don't have a lot of branches, as it takes away or neutralizes the convenience factor of the branch. In essence, a bank that sets up an RDC system in your business is putting a deposit center right in your office. Community banks in certain cities are really going after this business. Bigger banks have the technology and offer it, but many don't promote it as heavily because they are heavily invested in your coming into the branch.
What can a business do to get started?
If your bank hasn't promoted this technology to you, ask what it offers. You may be able to walk through an online demo or have a representative come to your office to conduct one. Keep in mind that whenever you use an image in lieu of actual paper you will be subject to risk. An image may not clearly reveal things like counterfeiting, physical alteration, or forged or missing information — but you have risk with physical checks, as well. Talk to your bank and your accounting firm about the risks, although usually the cost savings and speeding up of cash flow will outweigh them.
SCOTT McCALLUM is a senior manager with Cendrowski Corporate Advisors. Reach him at (866) 717-1607 or email@example.com, or visit the company's Web site at www.cca-advisors.com.
Effective arbitration
During the course of the last decade, it has become increasingly common for employers to have employees sign arbitration agreements, binding contracts between the two parties in which they agree to refer employment disputes, such as wrongful termination and discrimination claims, to a private arbitrator instead of filing them in court.
"The last decade has provided the legal community with enough time to develop a clearer picture of the advantages and disadvantages of employment arbitration agreements," says William J. O'Neill, member and chair of the litigation department at McDonald Hopkins LLC. "At first, employers thought they were a cure-all. That's not the case. However, in many cases, they are effective."
Smart Business asked O'Neill and his partner, Douglas B. Schnee, member and co-chair of the labor and employment practice, about the pros and cons of employment arbitration agreements.
What are the advantages of resolving claims through arbitration?
The primary advantage is cost. Arbitration is designed to be a streamlined and effective process taking several months versus the court system, which can go on for several years. Arbitration often involves less discovery, the filing of only a few pleadings, and lower attorney fees.
Also, the employer saves time. Many court systems face very clogged dockets. In theory, arbitration can move quickly. Another advantage is privacy. When a case goes to court, it is a matter of public record and the media has the right to be present. Arbitration goes on privately behind closed doors, outside of the public eye, and can help a company avoid unwanted publicity. Another advantage is predictability. Awards tend to be more practical than what a jury might award, as arbitrators are typically attorneys or hired judges.
Are there pitfalls in going to arbitration instead of court?
Arbitration can avoid the risk of a runaway jury award, but at the outset, the employer could spend a lot of money just trying to enforce the arbitration clause. This doesn't always happen, but it can because employees often will attempt to take the case to court versus arbitration. For example, the employer could end up spending $25,000 to $30,000 to litigate the issue of enforceability of an arbitration clause just to find out that, yes, it is enforceable.
Then you have to consider the costs to file and pay the arbitrator. The typical filing fee to start the process with a service such as the American Arbitration Association can be thousands of dollars, versus the filing fees for what you would spend if the case went to court, which are only a couple hundred dollars. With arbitration, the employer ends up paying the filing fees. If the case goes to court instead, the employee typically pays the filing fees. In court, obviously you don't have to pay the judge by the hour. In arbitration, the arbitrator gets paid perhaps $200 to $500 per hour, including for all the time spent in prehearing conferences, etc.
The employer must be aware that arbitration agreements do not prevent employees from filing claims with agencies such as the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Also, there is only a limited right to appeal an arbitrator's decision, but with a jury, there are several avenues of appeal. Another pitfall would be if the agreement were found to be unenforceable.
What should an arbitration agreement contain to be enforceable?
The agreement needs to be very clear. At its heart, it needs to be fair and not one-sided. The court will reject and find it unenforceable if it contains things such as the employee has to bear all the costs or the employer has the exclusive right to select an arbitrator. Something unfair and one-sided could include some language along the lines of 'the employee has two hours for arbitration and can only be awarded a maximum of $10,000 in damages.'
Everything should be transparent and the document needs to be a separate agreement signed by the employee — not something buried on the employment application or in the employee handbook. It should be very clear and not contain a lot of legalese. If the average person can't understand it, a court could find that the employee 'did not make a knowing decision' in signing it, and this could find the agreement unenforceable.
In spite of the risks, are arbitration agreements advisable?
If you asked employers what they thought of arbitration agreements, you would get mixed responses. At the end of the day, a runaway jury award is what employers fear. If employers are willing to trade higher filing fees and the expense of an arbitrator for potentially lower attorney fees and lower risk of runaway jury awards, these agreements could be effective. Some have been surprised by the initial filing fees for arbitration and the fees for the arbitrators' services. Arbitration agreements can be less expensive in the long run but are not necessarily inexpensive. The short answer is it depends on the individual circumstances of the employer or business. If the employer recognizes that arbitration agreements are not a cure-all for claims, then they can be a very effective tool in reducing litigation costs, avoiding risks of jury trials, and perhaps streamlining the process of resolving employee-related claims.
WILLIAM J. O'NEILL is a member and chair of the litigation department at McDonald Hopkins LLC. Reach him at (216) 348-5755 or email@example.com. DOUGLAS B. SCHNEE is a member and co-chair of the labor and employment department at McDonald Hopkins LLC. Reach him at (216) 348-5720 or email@example.com.


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school resources
teacher resources
school finance & grants
Testing / Accountability
student assessment & ratings
standards, college prep & programs
data, statistics & research
News & Events
communications & calendars
ARRA/Ed Jobs
stimulus, stabilization, & ed jobs
Educators who have been issued a standard certificate or credential from another country outside of the United States and its territories must apply for a review of their out-of-country credentials.
List of foreign credential evaluation services recognized by TEA.
Educators who have completed the review of credentials and are found to be eligible may be issued a One Year Certificate. During the validity of this nonrenewable certificate, the educator must complete all appropriate tests. Acceptable proof of Oral English language proficiency must be established before being eligible for a certificate.
Once all Texas requirements are completed you will apply online for a Standard Certificate. Acceptable proof of Oral English language proficiency must be established before being eligible for a certificate.
Page last modified on 10/17/2012 01:54:07 PM.
Copyright Texas Education Agency (TEA) 2007-2012


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Participating Schools
Participating Schools
The following high schools, career/tech centers, and training programs have established an articulation agreement with Baker College. If your school is not listed below and you wish to establish an Agreement for Articulation, please contact the Baker College campus in your vicinity.
Grass Lake High School
Baker College of JacksonABT101 Painting and Refinishing I
ABT151 Mig Welding
AG101 Introduction to Agriculture Industry
AG111 Agribusiness I
AST111A Introduction to Automotive Electrical
AST221A Automotive Brake Service
AST231A Automotive Suspension/Steering
CIS106B Computer Operating Systems and Maintenance I
CIS107B Computer Operating Systems and Maintenance II
CRJ101 Introduction to Criminal Justice
CRJ106 Introduction to Corrections
CRJ111 911 Telecommunications I
CRJ211 Interpersonal Communication and Conflict Management
CRJ221 Interviewing Investigations and Report Writing
CRJ231 Principles of Policing I
CS111 Introduction to Programming
CS217A C++ Programming
CUL131B Food Safety
CUL141 Nutrition
ECE101B Introduction to Early Childhood Education
ECE111B Early Childhood Development
ECE131A Healthy Environments for Early Childhood
ECE141A Creative Activities
EET111A Electrical Technology
EET115 DC Circuits
EET125 AC Circuits
INF112 Word Processing
INF113 Electronic Spreadsheets
INF121 Introduction to Windows
INF131 Internet and the World Wide Web
INF141A PowerPoint
MED103 Medical Terminology
MGT 101 Introduction to Business
MGT231 Small Business Management
MKT 111B Principles of Marketing
MKT201 Sales
MKT215 Applied Marketing
SBM121A Small Business Marketing and Promotion Techniques
SCI100F Structure and Function of the Human Body
WEB111B HTML Programming
WPG098 Keyboarding
WPG101B Office Grammar Skills
WPG122 Introduction to Document Processing
WPG123 Intermediate Document Processing
WPG224 Advanced Document Processing


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Police probe death in Springfield Hospital parking lotStaff Report | February 08,2013SPRINGFIELD – Springfield police are investigating the death of a 75-year-old Springfield man who was found dead in his car outside the emergency room at Springfield Hospital on Thursday morning.
Police say Ernest Thomas Hemmings was discovered by hospital personnel, who noticed him in his car outside the emergency room.
Springfield Police Chief Douglas Johnston said that Hemmings' death does not appear suspicious at this time, but police were conducting an investigation into his death. The chief said he did not know how long Hemmings had been parked at the hospital, or whether Hemmings had been at the hospital.
A spokesman for Springfield Hospital did not immediately return a call for comment about the death.MORE IN This Just InTOMORROW'S HEADLINES TODAY: Two fires, one in West Rutland and the other in Middletown Springs, keep firefighters busy, sports and update on robbery at Jenny Wren's in Springfield. 0News Editor Alan Keays, staff writer Darren Marcy and Sports Editor Bob Fredette discuss some of... Full StoryStaff Report Full StoryStaff Report Full Story
- Most Popular
- Most Emailed
- TODAY'S WEATHER MINUTE: First televised nuclear test, Woody Harrelson's father claimed involvement in the JFK assassination, Immanuel Kant and William L. Shirer rave on and MIT researchers propose sea-borne nuclear power stations.
- TOMORROW'S HEADLINES TODAY: Accused child killer released on bail, protesters want him back behind bars, aldermen meet to vote on mayor's board nomination, 156 Vermont runners participate in Monday's Boston Marathon.
- TODAY'S WEATHER MINUTE: Soil beneath Greenland ice sheet predates dawn of mankind, Hitch faces true Hollawood problem head-on, Mark Twain on school boards, all in today's minute.
- TOMORROW'S HEADLINES TODAY: Rutland Free Library director Paula Baker will retire at the end of the year, state Senate will vote on new minimum wage legislation and Bennington College graduates win Pulitzer Prizes.
- TODAY'S WEATHER MINUTE: Rutland Herald content editor Rich Alcott shares local weather information and easily digestible news tidbits.
- TODAY'S WEATHER MINUTE: Dresden firebombing helped bring Nazis to knees, killed at least 25,000 civilians, men, women, children, dogs, cats; Veena in Sitka, BIG NEWS FLASH! Old guys get grumpy with age.


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Keep your logo on your clients disk.
Marketing your business can be tough sometimes, especially if your target consumers are constantly bombarded with enticing promotional products by your competitors. The best and most effective solution to combat this battle and win in the marketing arena is use a product that is not only attention grabbing, but cool enough to compete with the ongoing trends of our current technology.
One promotional item that has won the hearts of tech-savvy individuals is the mouse pad. This unique promotional item can be ordered easily online and is considered to be an innovative tool to promote one's marketing message.
With the functional usage of a mouse pad, any recipient would be thrilled to receive a customized mouse pad. Whether your company is just looking for a new, cool gadget or accessory to advertise your business, the mouse pad takes the lead as the perfect choice for your marketing motives because it is very affordable, can be custom printed with your logo or slogan, varied designs to choose from and lastly provide continuous form of promotion once the clients use it for their day-to-day computer activities.
Be part of your consumer's daily routine by handing out promotional products that will provide comfort, greater usage and satisfaction the moment they receive any of your promotional giveaways. This is your chance to be seen and be heard through the use of a colorful, personalized mouse pad showing off your unique logo or company's name.


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Museum Of East Anglian Life
Museum Of East Anglian Life
Iliffe Way
Our Website
01449 612229
01449 672307
The Museum of East Anglian Life sits in over 70 acres of beautiful Suffolk countryside. The Museum feature historic buildings, farm animals, a nature walk and over 40,000 objects in its collection.
Venue Type:
Museum, Heritage site, Historic house or home, Agricultural site, Industrial heritage site, Garden, parklands or rural site
Abbot's Hall Open
Tuesday-Friday 10am-5pm
Saturday 10am-4pm
Main museum site closed November-March
Adult £6.90
Concession £5.90
Child (4 to 16) £3.90
Family £19.00
We offer discounts for prebooked groups, please see website for details
- Museums Association
The Museum is signposted from the main A14 trunk road and the B1115 to Great Finborough. The railway station is a 10 minute walk and the bus stop 5 minutes, making us easy to access with public transport, which we encourage through our Green MEAL scheme (see website for details).
Additional info
Our library and collections information are available to the public by appointment only. Coach parking is available on a book only basis.
Collection details
Agriculture, Archives, Costume and Textiles, Land Transport, Science and Technology, Social History
May Day Celebrations
- 5 May 2014 10am-5pm
Join us for a May Day like no other, with our annual May Day Celebrations. Enjoy the traditional crowning of a May Queen, Morris Dancing and Maypole dancing, this is one event the entire family cannot miss! For further information contact the Museum on 01449 612229.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
Adult £6.90, Concession £5.90, Child £3.90. Family tickets also available.
Group discounts available for groups of 10 people and more if prebooked.
Beer Festival
- 26 — 29 June 2014
The Museum of East Anglian Life in association with CAMRA- the Campaign for Real Ale holds its 17th Annual Festival of Beer and Brewing from the 26th-29th June. The festival, which is held in the museum's beautiful 13th century barn, features over 60 East Anglian real ales and a number of ciders and celebrates East Anglia's rich heritage of brewing.
Admission will be £2.50 to the Beer Festival or is included in standard museum admission during the day. CAMRA members get in for free with a valid CAMRA membership.
Suitable for
- 18+
Admission charges apply
Steam and Crafts Weekend
- 9 — 10 August 2014 10am-5pm
Visitors will be able to experience the sights, sounds and smells of the machines of yesteryear, as well as checking out a range of crafts and skills, many of which are experiencing a revival at the present time. The Museum's 80 acre site will be buzzing with working machinery, demonstrations and plenty of live action, as well as all the usual displays, exhibits and historic buildings.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
Adult £6.90, Concession £5.90, Child £3.90. Family tickets also available. Group discounts available for pre-booked groups of 10 or more people, for details telephone 01449 612229.
Traditional Music Day
- 30 August 2014
Traditional Music Day takes place in the informal and intimate settings of the ancient barns, farmhouses and outbuildings – even an old "tin tabernacle" chapel - collected together at the Museum of East Anglian Life.
The guest line-up is always small and eclectic, and an array of local traditional musicians, singers and stepdancers feature alongside the big names.
An advance ticket is available from the East Anglian Traditional Music Trust www.eatmt.org.uk and gives you access to over 30 different events in many different locations on the museum site from 11 am to 5.30pm
Concert programme throughout the day featuring special guests
Stepdancing - the biggest annual gathering of stepdancers, featuring many from East Anglia
Stories in the woods & songs in the stables
Music & song sessions
Afternoon ceilidh
Talks about song-collecting and Gypsy wagons
Have-a-go sessions - a chance to try out traditional instruments including melodeons and concertinas, mouthorgans, spoons and jig dolls
Suitable for
- Any age
Concert tickets are available from the East Anglian Traditional Music Trust www.eatmt.org.uk
Normal Museum Admission is available on the day, but does not give access to all the concerts
Countryside at War
- 14 September 2014 11am-5pm
Visitors can discover what life was like in the Suffolk countryside during the Second World War through demonstrations, re-enactments, wartime vehicles and family activities, in a day out for all the family to enjoy. Discover what people in the countryside did during the war; watch our Steam Team and Land Army Girls as they demonstrate steam thrashing and wartime farming. Join our costumed staff and volunteers as we help bring history to life. Collect your identity card, join the Home Guard for drill practice, and learn how to put out fires with a stirrup pump! For details call 01449 612229.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
Standard Museum Admission Applies. Adults £6.90, Concessions £5.90, Children £3.90. Family tickets available. Group discounts available for prebooked parties of 10 or more.
Crowe Street Cottage Tours
The cottages are a pair of newly restored estate workers cottages dating back from 18th century. Their last occupant, Emily Wilding ran a dairy from the rear of the building and donated all her belongings to the museum when she vacated the cottages in the early 1970s. We offer guided tours twice daily for visitors to look inside, providing a unique snapshot of the life of a mid 20th century rural worker and their family.
How to obtain
A guided tour of Crowe Street Cottages is available between 11.00am-11.45am and 2.30pm-3.15pm and can be booked at the front desk upon arrival. Crowe Street tours are covered by normal Museum entry.
The Finch Family Workshop
A workshop for schools that explores Victorian life. Children help with the tasks of a Nineteeth Century home such as wash day and butter making. They are also introduced to handling artefacts. (Group size: one class; Key Stage 1 & 2)
- Museum of East Anglian Life
- Museum of East Anglian Life
How to obtain
To book please contact Jo Rooks on 01449 612229 or email email@example.com. The Finch Family cost £10 per session (2 hrs, morning or afternoon. School visit rates = £3 per child, teachers/helpers free when booked.
The Victorian Classroom - The Pen and The Spade
The Victorian Classroom allows schools to discover and experience Victorian life. The workshop includes use of the schoolroom, costume, lesson plans and tools to take out in the fields. The activity is aimed towards Key Stage 1 & 2, group size up to 25, the workshop can be booked for either a morning or afternoon session.
- Museum of East Anglian Life
- Museum of East Anglian Life
How to obtain
Please phone Jo Rooks, Sustainable Learning Officer at MEAL on 01449 612229 to book this workshop or email firstname.lastname@example.com. Teachers notes and lesson plans for the Victorian Classroom are available on the Museum website. The workshop costs £10 per session, school visits to MEAL are £3 per child, teachers/adult helpers are free of charge.
Getting there
The Museum is signposted from the main A14 trunk road and the B1115 to Great Finborough. The railway station is a 10 minute walk and the bus stop 5 minutes, making us easy to access with public transport, which we encourage through our Green MEAL scheme (see website for details).
- About
- | Collections
- | Events
- | Resources
- | Map


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Checklist for the General Assembly
From Openembedded.org
Revision as of 10:32, 4 November 2009 by 188.8.131.52 (Talk)
Checklist to organize the General Assembly
Preparing the General Assembly
- Pick date at least ~7 weeks from now
- Pick a venue for the conference
- Take the last invitation and change the date, location and the year of the assembly
- Change the proxy form to refer to the correct assembly. You will find the ODT in the KDE SVN
- Create a WIKI page for the Agenda (TODO: Come up with a namespace)
- Send the Invitation, Proxyform and Agenda to the members list
Holding the General Assembly
- Start with the "Welcome"
- Make sure there are no valid objections to hold the assembly
- Make sure someone writes the protocol...
Paper work
- Write a protocol
- Make sure it arrives at the Amtsgericht (TODO: Enter address, club number)
- Send the protocol to the member list