Youth Community Service Projects

Civic-minded kids of all ages are looking for ways to make a difference in their community and the world. In the past volunteer opportunities were available only to teenagers. This is gradually changing as more grade schools introduce service projects into their curriculum and youth groups like 4-H, the Girl Scouts and the Cub Scouts increase their emphasis on activities that serve their communities. The key is finding age-appropriate activities that educate kids while supporting a good cause.

Volunteer at an Animal Shelter

Animal shelters often need dog walkers

There are many ways for kids to help at animal shelters, although some organizations require that volunteers be at least 13 years old. Shelters often need people to walk dogs, play with cats, clean cages or feed the animals. Young people could also organize a food or supply collection for the shelter. For example, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Sacramento, Calif., suggests that youth groups organize a campaign to collect old newspapers for animal bedding. In its "Official Kids Fundraising Manual," the Erie County SPCA suggests that kids make toys, treats or fleece beds for the animals, and includes instructions and recipes for making these items. Petfinder.com has a search engine to help you locate animal shelters and rescue organizations in your area.

Sell Lemonade for a Cause

Kids across the United States have found that the humble lemonade stand can raise thousands of dollars for charity. After recovering from brain tumor at age 10, Reid Colliander, of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, started Reid's Lemon-AID Foundation in 2005 to raise money for brain tumor research. He sold glasses of lemonade at events like his village's Independence Day Parade, eventually raising $9,000 for his cause. On a weekend in March 2009, 8-year-old Victoria Petrucelly and her friend Jesse Theobald raised $24,000 for cancer research by selling pink lemonade in Orlando, Florida. Lemonade recipes, posters, sales trackers and other helpful information are available for download from the Sunkist and C&H Sugar websites.

Entertain at a Children's Hospital

A puppet show cheers up hospitalized children

A simple musical or theatrical performance can brighten the day for children who are recuperating in the hospital. Each hospital may have specific guidelines on the type of entertainment it allows and the minimum age of volunteers, so inquire with the hospital's community relations or volunteer department before planning your project. Some possibilities include puppet shows, vocal and instrumental musical performances or a short play or skit. Even if the hospital does not accept volunteers under age 15, younger kids can cheer up a sick child from a distance. For example, an 11-year-old could record himself reading his favorite book, then give the recording to the hospital to share with children who may love books but feel too sick to read.

Hold a Charity Carnival

Bust-the-balloon is a simple, fun carnival game

Charity carnivals were popular in the 1960s and '70s when kids organized these backyard events to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). Young organizers would invite neighborhood friends to the carnival, which would include nickel games like sponge toss, bingo and bust-a-balloon. Kids would often sell refreshments like lemonade and popcorn, too. Some carnivals included talent shows or fortune tellers. The MDA reintroduced its backyard carnival program in 2005, although this concept could be adapted for any charity. Kids can obtain a free planning kit from the MDA that shows them build simple carnival booths, find and set up easy games, obtain donated prizes and food and much more. Tickets, signs, fliers and posters can be downloaded from MDACarnival.org.

Yellow Page Advertising Tips

Think of your Yellow Pages ad as your local business card.

The term "Yellow Pages" may seem old-fashioned, but the company has brought its Yellow Pages to the online venue, as well. Still, there are steadfast users of the print Yellow Pages, and whether you use advertising space online or in print, your goal is the same: grab your potential customer's attention, illustrate the benefit to him of contacting you, and give him a call to action.

"Size" Up Your Competition

Imagine you are your potential customer. Open your local Yellow Pages (print or electronic) and critique the ads of your competitors --- especially that of your biggest competition. Make note of the sizes of your competitors' ads and plan to spend the money for an ad at least one size larger than your competition, ideally, or at least the same size and not smaller. Also, take notice of headlines and graphics used and list any that appear in more than one ad.

Graphics

A picture is worth a thousand words, especially in the Yellow Pages. Your potential customer is looking at your industry section to choose the company he will contact, not shopping for leisure. In addition to your graphic logo (if you have one), choose or design at least one graphic that will grab your potential customer's attention at first glance. Your graphics should be simple but stunning. You don't want your ad to feel cluttered, because you will also be including text. Make sure any graphics you choose are visually appealing in black and white, in keeping with Yellow Pages printing, and that they are different from any used by your competition.

Text

In addition to your contact information, develop a headline for your ad. Your headline may be your slogan or tagline if you have one, or a testament to why you are the company your potential customer should call. If you listed any repetitive text used by your competition, such as "fastest delivery" used in more than one ad, try to avoid similar text. If your industry (especially locally) relies on fast delivery, make your text more specific by including an award you received or quoting a mention from your newspaper, for example. A potential customer will have more confidence in your qualified statement of fact than an empty promise.

Design

Keep it simple. Whether through a graphic or your text, tell your potential customer what she will get if she contacts you and do so. Your ad should clearly illustrate a benefit for her, and set you apart from your competition. Your graphic and text elements should work together, with the main goal being a call to action for your potential customer. All graphics and fonts should be as simple and clutter-free as possible and look elegant and clear in black and white for Yellow Pages printing.

Yamaha Forex Nytro Performance

Yamaha designed the FX Nytro for speed on the snow drifts.

One of Yamaha's sport snowmobiles, the FX Nytro comes with a number of performance-enhancing features. After testing the machine, Snowmobile.com concluded that the FX Nytro compared favorably with "premium" sleds from other manufacturers.

Engine

The Nytro's 130-horsepower engine, found in all models, allows riders to attain fast speeds with almost instantaneous throttle response and sudden-but-effective acceleration. The four-stroke engine also gives the snowmobile high-speed capabilities, with the FX Nytro claiming the top speed in its class in the Old Forge Shoot-Out speed competition.

Suspension and Shocks

The FX Nytro features an effective suspension system that allows for 14 inches of vertical travel meant to minimize rider discomfort. The Nytro also comes with front and rear adjustable shocks that enable riders to choose the right amount of suspension for the circumstances.

Steering

The FX Nytro also comes with what Yamaha calls over-the-engine steering. This kind of steering enables riders to work bumps while standing and to steer while airborne, though it may take some getting used to.

Yamaha Baby Grand Piano Specifications

Baby grand pianos are considered to run under 5 1/2 feet in length.

A gleaming baby grand piano can bring grandeur and sophistication to any room, as well as beautiful music. A small, or baby, grand piano is usually considered to be 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 feet in length. However, Larry Fine, author of "The Piano Book," advises against purchasing a baby grand under 5 feet in length in the interest of preserving tone quality. The Yamaha Corporation, began by watchmaker Torakusu Yamaha in 1887 Japan, offers several lines of baby grand pianos in a variety of colors and sizes.

The GC1 Series

The GC1 baby grand is 149 cm wide, 101 cm high and 161 cm deep. The piano weighs 285 kg, with 88 keys made of white acrylic resin and sharps of black phenolic resin. It has a bass sustain pedal with two cabinet lid prop positions and a lid safety stop. The cabinet lids are square, but the key covers do not come with a soft-close fallboard or fallboard locks. The GC1 series comes in a variety of colors, including satin ebony (GC1 SE), satin American walnut (GC1 SAW), polished white (GC1 PW), polished mahogany (GC1 PM), polished ivory (GC1 PBI), polished American walnut (GC1 PAW) and polished ebony (GC1 and GC1 PE).

The GB1 Series

The GB1 series baby grand is 146 cm wide, 99 cm high and 151 cm deep. The GB1 has 88 keys made of white acrylic resin, and sharps made of black phenolic resin. It weighs 261 kg with a square cabinet lid, two lid prop positions, but no lid safety stop. It also does not include a soft-close fallboard or fallboard locks. It has a bass sustain pedal. The GB1 comes in polished ebony (GB1), polished American walnut (GB1 PAW) and polished mahogany (GB1 PM) colors.

The C1 Series

The dimensions of the C1 series of baby grands are 149 cm wide, 101 cm high and 161 cm deep. The C1 weighs 287 kg, with 88 keys made up of acrylic resin, and phenolic resin used for the sharps. It contains a sostenuto pedal and a cabinet lid that includes three prop positions, a safety stop and a sculptured edge. This baby grand also has soft-close key cover fallboards with fallboard locks. The C1 series comes in many colors, including polished ebony (C1 PE and C1), satin ebony (C1 SE), polished white (C1 PW) polished American walnut (C1 PAW), satin American walnut (C1 SAW), polished ivory (C1 PBI), polished mahogany (C1 PM) and satin mahogany (C1 SM).

The A1 Series

The A1 series is the smallest of Yamaha's baby grand pianos, measuring 146 cm wide, 99 cm high and 149 cm long. This baby grand has 88 keys made of acrylic and phenolic resin. The A1's cabinet lids are square with two prop positions and a safety stop. The A1 has a soft-close key cover fallboard, but does not come with fallboard locks. Their pedal type is sostenuto. This series offers pianos in polished ebony (A1) or polished white (A1 PWH).

Writing An Excellent Resume Cover Letter

A great cover letter is one that answers the question of why the employer should hire the specific candidate sending the application. A great cover letter sparks the curiosity of the employer and provides examples and facts that intrigues and influences the employer to bring the candidate in for an interview. Start by writing a draft and edit it until you feel it is ready to be submitted with your resume for consideration.

General Length

A solid cover letter is no longer than a single page long. Some employers prefer the cover letter to be about half a page long. The cover letter is not a place where you get to share your entire work history and plead your case for consideration. This is the chance to be direct and straight forward in communicating why you are the ideal person for the job. If you can make your case in fewer words, you show that you are confident in your skills and that you are capable of effective communication.

Personality

Another element that makes a cover letter more appealing and solid is if it shows the employer personality traits of the applicant. While the resume will provide the employer with factual information about education and previous work experience, the cover letter must explain what type of person the applicant is. Focus on your employability skills and your outgoing personality. The employer wants to know if you work best alone or if you are a team player based on your cover letter.

Filling in the Gaps

Since the cover letter is frequently used to show the employer that the applicant is the ideal choice for the job in question, you should explain any gaps in your resume that could result in questions. Explain that you took a two-year break between two jobs listed on your resume to start a family or that you took a year off during your college degree to travel the world. Rather than the employer jumping to conclusions, fill in the obvious gaps.

Making the Connection

Some employers find that good cover letters are the ones that make the connection between what the candidate is capable of and what the company is all about. This particular approach helps build the case of why the candidate is the right choice. It not only shows that you have the right qualifications and skills for the job, but that you recognize what the needs of the company are.

Writing A Great Business Memorandum

Business memos communicate short, important messages.

A business memorandum (memo) may be written for any number of reasons: to document a change, price or meeting for a file, to communicate important information to a client or colleague, or to make an announcement to a group of individuals. Regardless of its intent, a good business memorandum should be clear and concise, and should include all relevant information. Memos are usually brief and are less formal than contracts or letters.

Instructions

1. Type "Memorandum" at the top of the page. Alternatively, you may use the abbreviation, "Memo."

2. Create a header. The traditional header includes four titled fields: "To:," "From:," "Date:" and "RE:" (which stands for "regarding").

3. Fill in the header fields. If you are writing the memo only to document an event for the record, write "file" in the "to" field. Include both names and titles in the "to" and "from" fields. In the "RE" field, write a brief phrase that identifies the subject of your memo. For example, a memo announcing a new product launch may be identified as "RE: New product launch."

4. Write the body of your memorandum. State the reason for your memo. Include all relevant dates, client names, project numbers, etc. If you are documenting a change to a project or a budget, include the name of the person who authorized it. State whether additional action, such as a reply, is needed.

5. Initial the document. Traditionally, memos are initialed rather than signed. Write your initials next to your name in the header.

Insurance Needs For Semi Trucks

Semi trucks, also known as tractor trailers or 18-wheelers, carry a considerable amount of weight when loaded. Not surprisingly, the more weight a vehicle carries, the more damage can result should an accident occur. As most semi trucks perform commercial activities, certain insurance requirements exist for businesses and individuals who operate semi trucks on a regular basis.

Commercial Truck Insurance

The design of a semi truck makes it ideal for carrying large quantities of freight across long distances. Semi trucks come in a range of sizes for different purposes, but typically fall within one of three categories or classes. Depending on the actual weight of the truck, a semi will fall within either Class A, B or C, where Class A trucks carry the most weight. Commercial truck insurance requirements exist on both federal and state levels, with federal requirements governing trucks that travel cross-country on a regular basis. Commercial truck insurance can provide different types of protection, some of which include bodily injury, property damage and freight damage. Truck insurance also helps protect businesses from potential lawsuits.

Primary Liability Insurance

State and federal regulations require drivers and/or businesses to carry primary liability insurance coverage for semi trucks. Primary insurance covers any injuries or damages caused by an accident. By law, semi trucks have minimum coverage requirements based on weight and type of freight hauled, according to the Truckers Insurance Group website (See link in the Reference section). This form of coverage also provides protection across state lines. The cost for primary liability insurance protection will vary depending on the type of freight hauled, the driver's driving record and the condition and age of the truck.

Motor Truck Cargo Insurance

Motor truck cargo insurance specifically covers any damages or losses involving freight or cargo contained inside a semi truck. Requirements for motor truck cargo insurance can vary depending on whether a business requires it for their trucks. Business owners also determine whatever coverage limits seem necessary for the type of freight involved. Another type of insurance known as non-trucking liability provides cargo and overall liability protection for off-duty trucks, such as when a driver takes a truck home. Owner-operators may want to consider non-trucking liability coverage, depending on whether the businesses they work with provide it or not.

ICC/MC Authority Requirements

Two federal agencies -- known as the Interstate Commerce Commission and the Motor Carrier Authority -- require anyone operating a commercial semi truck to obtain an ICC/MC authority, or licensing. ICC and MC authority requirements apply for drivers who carry regulated freight across state lines. In order to obtain these licenses, drivers must carry minimum amounts of liability coverage based on the type of cargo hauled and the weight of the truck, according to the Truckers Insurance Group. For semi trucks weighing 10,000 pounds or more, trucks carrying hazardous materials must have a minimum of $1 million in liability insurance, while trucks carrying explosives must have a minimum of $5 million in coverage. Trucks carrying general commodities follow the $750,000 coverage requirement for primary liability insurance. Semi trucks weighing less than 10,000 pounds have a $300,000 minimum coverage requirement for general commodities and a $5 million coverage requirement for explosives and hazardous materials.

World Bank Functions

The World Bank is one of the Bretton Woods institutions. The group, which consists of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, is named for the city of Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, where they were created at a 1944 summit between representatives from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and India. The World Bank promotes the original purpose of the decisions made at Bretton Woods: the facilitation of the international economy.

Lending

The World Bank was established at Bretton Woods because the end of World War II was in sight and the summit attendees worried about the devastation of Europe. The Bank was created to help with reviving Europe's economy and repairing the damage of the war. It did this by giving loans -- its first loan, in 1947, gave $250 million to France to rebuild. As of 2010, the bank loaned about $13 billion each year to developing countries in the form of interest-free credits.

Development Strategy

Loans from the World Bank have strings attached: the Bank monitors how each country spends the funds that it receives. The framework of the World Bank provides support for countries to which it lends to ensure that World Bank funds are not spent inefficiently or lost to corruption. The Bank studies the economy and political atmosphere of each country to which it intends to lend funds. The loan comes with a development strategy that the various institutions that comprise the World Bank will help the country follow.

Financial Services

The World Bank also helps developing countries to manage their money effectively. As part of its development strategies, the World Bank counsels the borrowing countries on developing their financial strategies. It helps them to develop their investment portfolios and teaches them about financial practices like risk management through hedging and derivatives trading. It gives continuing financial advice to its borrowing countries, advising them on managing investments and risk in addition to protecting against disasters with catastrophe bonds.

Data Collection

The World Bank draws on the experiences of countries that it has supplied funds to in the past to decide how a new borrower may best use its loan. It documents its experiences in data banks. The World Bank collects information about each borrowing country and how it uses World Bank funds. While the Bank collects this information primarily for its own use, it also shares its knowledge. The World Bank makes much of its data available to the public in online databases, and it also publishes its analysts' reports on emerging global trends.

Place of work Ethics And Behavior

Encouraging ethical behavior at work is important for all companies.

Ethical behavior in business is a crucial part of any company's success. A business is ultimately responsible for the actions of its employees, good or bad. Therefore, educating workers on the right ethical behavior is beneficial to the organization and society as a whole.

Common Unethical Behaviors

According to John Schermerhorn's 2008 text, "Management," only a slim majority (55 percent) of people report unethical behavior when they see it. Additionally, the text notes that about half of all workers reported observing unethical behavior in the previous year. Most common unethical behaviors include abusive or intimidating behavior toward employees, followed by lying (either to fellow employees, bosses, customers, vendors or the general public) and misrepresenting the time spent working.

Unethical Influences

There are a number of factors that influence an employee's ethical behavior. A manager's personality and beliefs can cause unethical behavior when he cares only the bottom line. Similarly, if an organization and its overall culture values profit above everything else, it will encourage employees to do anything (including illegal acts) to achieve success.

Ethics Training

A good way to encourage ethical employee behavior is ethics training. Ethics training gives employees the tools they need to identify the ethical dimensions of their decisions and introduces high ethical standards in their everyday lives.

Overseas Challenges

Now that the worldwide economy is more linked than ever before and most large corporations have an overseas presence, new unethical behaviors are surfacing. For example, in many foreign countries, taking and offering bribes is a common practice, yet most Western companies forbid this. Therefore, workers stationed abroad should receive ethics training tailored to specific international ethical issues.

Ethics and Diversity

Cultures can also clash domestically when employees from different backgrounds don't see eye to eye and ethical issues involving the use of racial slurs and stereotyping can occur. However, diversity has a positive influence on companies and, over time, getting to know people from other backgrounds usually erases stereotypes and encourages open-mindedness. Therefore, hiring employees from different backgrounds is well worth any initial trouble in the long run.

Workman'S Compensation Recommendations Within The Condition Of Delaware

Created by the state legislature, workers' compensation in Delaware provides benefits to employees injured while on the job as well as those contracting an occupationally related disease. Workers' compensation gives medical benefits and disability payments to affected employees. For those with permanent injuries, the program provides long-term compensation. The Delaware Department of Labor administers the state's workers' compensation program.

Workers' Compensation Coverage

Any employer with at least one employee must purchase workers' compensation insurance coverage. Employees cannot be charged for premiums or any related workers' compensation insurance expenses. Certain categories of employees, such as agricultural workers, are exempt from Delaware's workers' compensation law, but the agricultural employer has the option to provide such coverage. Workers covered under the state law must be actual employees. Those working as freelancers or independent contractors do not qualify for coverage.

Guidelines for Injured Workers

Employees injured on the job should notify the employer at once, in writing, requesting medical treatment. According to the law, "Failure to give notice or to accept medical services may deprive the employee of the right to compensation." The employee must give the employer notice for any compensation claims for disability if the employee cannot return to work within three days of an accident. If an employee is fatally injured, an employee dependent or representative of the employee's estate must give notice to the employer.

Guidelines for Employers

When an employee receives a job-related injury, the employer must provide all required medical care, including surgery and hospitalization, if necessary. Employers has to keep records of the incident and file an official workers' compensation report, titled the First Report of Occupational Injury or Disease, with the insurance carrier and the Office of Workers' Compensation within 10 days of the accident. The employer must discern the employee's average weekly wage and compensate the injured employee for disability after the third day following the accident. The Office of Workers' Compensation approves all compensation agreements.

Hearings

In situations where an injured employee cannot reach a compensation agreement with the employer, the employee should file for a hearing before the Office of Workers' Compensation's Industrial Accident Board. The request for such a hearing must be made within two years of the accident or one year after diagnosis of an occupationally related disease. Forms for filing for a hearing and additional information may be obtained by contacting the Office of Workers' Compensation.

Perform A Home Budget Monitoring Template

home budget tracking template

A home budget tracking template is a great way to track finances in the home and keep you on a budget. This template can be adjusted to match your home budget tracking needs.

Instructions

1. First divide your budget template into seven columns for tracking home expenses.

2. Label the home budget tracking columns as follows: 1. Home Budget Expense 2. Projected Use 3. Projected Amount 4. Budget Priority 5. Actual Use 6. Actual Amount 7. Total Savings

3. Choose a home budget tracking schedule for your template such as daily, weekly, bi weekly or monthly.

4. List all your home budget expenses under the budget expense columns tracking fixed bills first, then home expense needs, then personal needs and last discretionary spending. For example eating lunches out would be considered discretionary spending.

5. List an estimate of how often you pay the expense in your home or buy the item in your Projected Use column. For example you estimate you will eat lunch out 3 times a week or 12 times a month depending on the tracking schedule for your budget template.

6. Next estimate the dollar amount you spend on this budget expense item under your Projected Amount column within your given tracking schedule. You estimate spending $20.00 per week on lunches away from home for example.

7. Then assign a priority to the budget item according to how important it is to you. A priority of 1 means you cant do without it, a 2 you must have but can cut back, and a 3 you can eliminate it completely.

8. Now track how many times you actually paid the expense in your Actual Use column of your budget template. For example you actually went to lunch 2 times that week, etc.

9. Then write in how much you spent on the item in the given tracking period. You actually spent $17.50 on lunches away from home that week for example.

10. Now subtract your actual home budget amount from your projected to get your positive or negative savings balance and list it in the Total Savings column of your tracking template.

Withholding Tax Training

Tax withholding laws are expansive and ever changing, and the employer must apply the respective policies appropriately to ensure compliance. The Internal Revenue Service enforces federal tax withholding laws, and a state's revenue agency administrates state income tax withholding laws. An individual who wishes to learn tax withholding can draw from many sources.

Publications

IRS Circular E/Publication 15 is the Employer's Tax Guide. Each year, the IRS sends employers it has on record an updated copy. The publication is also available online. Employers are supposed to withhold federal income tax, Social Security tax and Medicare tax from employees' paychecks. IRS Circular E instructs employers on make the withholding, file tax returns and make tax deposits. In most cases, state income tax withholding is required. In addition, some cities and local governments require city and local income tax withholding. The withholding procedure varies by state. Most states have withholding publications similar to IRS Circular E, which gives withholding, tax filing and tax payment instructions. The Georgia Department of Revenue, for example, has its own Employer's Tax Guide.

Formal Training

A payroll practitioner in the early stages of her career can take a class to learn tax withholding. Accountants, bookkeepers, HR administrators and others who perform payroll duties can benefit from formal payroll training. The American Payroll Association (APA), for example, provides a three-day Payroll Practice Essentials course, which teaches withhold, pay and report payroll taxes, calculate gross to net income, understand taxable and nontaxable fringe benefits and prepare and file tax forms, such as annual W-2s and quarterly 941s. Classes are taught around the country. The price depends on whether the individual is an APA member, nonmember or colleague.

Online Tutorials

The IRS website contains payroll modules that include tutorials on federal payroll taxes. These teach the purpose of each tax, withholding, payment and reporting procedures and the importance of Form W-4. The employer can check its state revenue agency's website for tutorials on state/city/local income tax withholding. The Utah State Tax Commission, for example, has withholding tax online tutorials, which include general withholding information, tax filing due dates, tax withholding examples and year-end reporting guidelines.

Considerations

The Social Security Administration website has the tax rates and applicable withholding limits for Social Security and Medicare tax withholding. The site also has employer W-2 filing instructions. Employers that use a payroll service provider to process their payroll should understand tax withholding policies, since the IRS and some state revenue agencies penalize the employer for tax errors a third-party makes.

Wisconsin Business Foreclosures Prevention Programs

Several programs help Wisconsin businesses prevent foreclosure.

Wisconsin businesses can get help from several programs to stave off the threat of foreclosure. State, federal, private and nonprofit groups can help businesses thrive through information, guidance and loans. Regardless of the economy, every business can benefit from guidance, an impartial ear and help when hard times strike.

Wisconsin Housing and Urban Development

The Wisconsin field office of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development supports local businesses to fend off foreclosure. The agency primarily answers questions, and spreads information for new initiatives and HUD contracting opportunities. The program is geared toward businesses owned by minorities, women and service-disabled veterans. The agency helps ensure that small businesses have the opportunity to compete for HUD contracts and projects funded by HUD grants, such as Community Development Block Grants, according to the agency.

Wisconsin Business Development Finance Corporation

The Wisconsin Business Development Finance Corporation is a nonprofit, offering long-term, fixed-rate financing. The group fulfills the U.S. Small Business Administration's objective to support small business and create jobs, according to the WBD. It gives small businesses access to working capital and provides struggling businesses with restructuring solutions. WBD provides consulting and loan packaging services to banks and borrowers. Since 1982, it has helped fund 2,000 Wisconsin businesses, according to the corporation.

Community Development Block Grant

Wisconsin is allotted millions in federal Community Development Block Grants each year to help neighborhoods thrive. The money can go toward projects that provide affordable housing, services to the vulnerable, and the creation and retention of jobs. According to HUD, the block grant money can be awarded to for-profit businesses for economic development projects. For more information, call your city councilman or other local representative. The federal government launched the Community Block Grant initiative in 1974. The agency provides grants nationwide annually to 1,204 governmental units, using a formula.

Milwaukee Foreclosure Mediation Program

The Milwaukee Foreclosure Mediation Program is operated by the Marquette University Law School. The service is for people facing home foreclosure, but also serves those who rent out sections of their home as a business. The program offers mediation services to any homeowner or borrower who occupies a residential property that houses one to four families. As part of the program, a chief mediator talks with the homeowner and lender privately, about how the matter could be resolved, according to the university. An agreement is usually written and signed by all parties. The program's goal is to negotiate bargaining, preserve home equity and prevent blight in communities. The Milwaukee Foreclosure Mediation Program was launched with funding from the City of Milwaukee and attorney general.

Wire Transfer Versus Eft

Wire transfers and Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) systems are similar in many ways, and yet differ greatly in terms of their uses and evolution. While wire transfers have long been and continue to be a reliable and popular means for transmitting large sums of money, EFT systems have grown so large that they permeate nearly all aspects of modern business and employment. EFT has become so popular that even the IRS now accepts electronic payments online for both individual and business taxes.

Wire Transfers

A wire transfer is simply a transfer of money between two banks through a secure system such as Fedwire for banks within the Federal Reserve system, or Clearing House Interbank Payments System (CHIPS), which is owned jointly by its members. Traditionally, for an individual (or business entity) to conduct a wire transfer, he must furnish his bank with the receiving information of the recipient's bank in order to initiate the transaction. Generally the sending and receiving banks must hold reciprocal accounts with each other, but the use of a third bank (and thus the payment of additional fees) that holds an account with both may be used. There are, however, several consumer-oriented wire transfer services that will allow you to transmit money over great distances without holding an account with any bank, often at higher fee rates. The most popular example of this type of service is Western Union.

Electronic Funds Transfers

EFT systems simply take the traditional paper check transaction cycle and bring it into the Digital Age. Instead of the receiver's bank using a paper check to initiate a transfer from the sender's bank, a digital signal is generated upon the execution of a transaction and sent through an intermediary known as a clearinghouse.

Considerations

While wire transfers are viewed as one of the most secure ways to transmit money, many people are reluctant to take advantage of EFT systems due to reports of fraud, theft and other vulnerabilities inherent in transmitting personal information over an electronic system. These are real issues that presented serious problems during EFT's early stages, but with each passing year the systems involved become more sophisticated and secure. In addition, the Federal Reserve System offers protection for all direct deposits and electronic transfers under Regulation E.

Benefits

Wire transfers generally utilize banking sources that are trusted by the sending and receiving parties and are the method of choice for large institutional transactions or transfers between nations.

EFT, on the other hand, has made it possible for smaller businesses to dramatically reduce payroll and other processing costs related to receiving, filing and depositing paper checks. Employees also benefit greatly from the ability to receive wages electronically, as well as the ability to pay bills without the hassle and lead times associated with mailing paper checks.

The Future

As the world continues its march toward complete digital dependence, it stands to reason that EFT has a lot of room for expansion. We already use electronic means to collect our paychecks, pay our bills and to make everyday purchases. One day soon we may be using electronic transfers to conduct all monetary transactions, from repaying debts between friends to giving our children their allowance.

Wintu Indian Tribe Grants or loans

The Wintu Tribe, located in Northern California, is not recognized by the federal government as a Native American tribe. The Wintu have made recycling of electronics a primary focus and offer grants to nonprofits in the local area for this purpose. Services are also available for businesses for a fee, including assured destruction, with witnesses, of proprietary software and hardware. Destruction certification is provided.

The Wintus

The tribe's ancestral territory ranges from Mount Shasta in the Cascades, encompassing Shasta and Trinity counties along with part of Tehama and Siskiyou counties. When the Shasta Dam was created in the 1940s, the largest community in population dissolved, as the land is now the bottom of Shasta Lake. At the time of publication, the Wintu Tribe has approximately 440 members. The community focuses on local environmental concerns when considering grant applications.

Toyon Center Facility

Although the tribe does not currently have federal recognition, it regularly petitions the government and local representatives to receive such designation. It was granted access to the Toyon Center in Shasta Lake City by the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California, originally built for workers during the construction of the dam. The recycling grants offered to the local community also aid the tribe by providing jobs for its young people. In addition to employment, the tribe focuses on education and combating a historically high drop-out rate among its youth.

Computer Grant Recycling

The Wintu Tribe provides a computer grant program for non-profit 501(c) organizations in Shasta County. Eligible groups may receive recycled computers, which the tribe repairs and reprograms, eliminating any previous data stored on the machines. Licensed by Microsoft as a recycler, only legal software is used on these recycled computers.

Computer Recipients

At the time of publication, the Wintu Tribe has provided various local nonprofits with recycled computers. This includes the Rowell Family Empowerment of Northern California, which aids families with children diagnosed with autism, Down Syndrome and other developmental disabilities. Other recipients include the Evergreen Charter School, chapters of the International Police Association, the Forever Pets adoption program and the Hepatitis C Task Force of Northern California. Any registered charity in Shasta County is eligible to apply for a recycled computer grant.

Wind Energy Grants or loans In South Texas

Wind energy funding take the form of scholarships, grants or tax breaks.

Wind energy grants are available from both Texas state and federal sources. Grants include scholarships for wind energy and technology education, professional development grants for wind energy companies and tax incentives for renewable energy projects. By overlapping grant projects, such as installing wind energy with the assistance of wind energy students, or by providing wind research opportunities, a patchwork of funding may be available for wind energy projects.

SARE and Rural Development Grants

Renewable energy creates revenue and jobs.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers sustainable energy grants through its Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program. Wind energy projects used on farm property in conjunction with public programs such as education, research and production enhancement are funded by SARE grants. The USDA Rural Development Department offers renewable energy grants for wind power in rural areas. Wind power in rural areas can generate not only energy, but also jobs and local income, which is why government programs are funding these projects. Wind energy grants from the Rural Development Department range from grants to help install wind energy equipment to grants for job expansion and professional development for wind energy businesses.

Texas Wind Energy Institute

The Texas Wind Energy Institute (TWEI) is a partnership between Texas Tech University and Texas State Technical College offering training, education and professional development in wind energy. Entry-level certificates, undergraduate and graduate programs including a PhD. in Wind Science and Engineering are available through TWEI programs on Texas college campuses. TWEI also offers opportunities for wind energy teachers and employers in the field. Texas Tech University offers a Wind Energy Scholarship with applications for the program on the school's website. The Federal Pell Grant can also be used for any of these programs by low-to middle-income students without bachelor's degrees. Applicants for the Pell Grant use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid online. Colleges listed on the FAFSA will be contacted, and then college financial aid departments will issue award letters to recipients for acceptance. The TWEI educational programs could work together with SARE grants for wind energy and graduate student research.

More College Wind Programs and a Franchise Tax Exemption

Several other Texas colleges offer wind energy programs with financial aid such as Pell Grants and in-house scholarships, available to assist students with tuition, housing, transportation and supplies. West Texas A&M University has an Alternative Energy Institute and Baylor University has an Environmental Studies Department that includes wind energy. Texas offers the Solar Energy Devices Business Franchise Tax Exemption, which gives commercial and industrial wind energy businesses franchise tax exemptions. Recipients must be a corporation in Texas engaged solely in the business of manufacturing, selling or installing solar energy devices. This exemption still qualifies as a solar energy exemption under the Texas Tax Code.

Wind Energy Incentives and Renewable Energy Grants

The Texas State Energy Conservation Office offers several grants for wind energy. SECO offers Renewable Energy Technology Grants for eligible public entities to fund qualified renewable energy technology. SECO also has provided grant money to colleges and universities specifically for renewable energy students. The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy offers financial assistance to businesses working to increase the use of renewable energy, and several federal and state wind energy incentives exist as well. The Federal Renewable Electricity Production Tax Credit and IRS Production Tax Credits are two federal wind energy incentive programs.

A Brief History From The Chicago Stockyards

The Chicago Stockyards officially opened in 1865 and closed in 1971, ending a period of industrial development that influenced local, national and world history. American poet Carl Sandburg called Chicago the "butcher for the world" and author Upton Sinclair described the unsafe production methods in his expose "The Jungle" based on his investigations in the Chicago stockyards and packing houses.

Origins

The vast American plains offered free grazing for cattle, but logistically, it was difficult to bring the cattle to a market that was centered in the eastern U.S. The railroad and stockyards provided a quick remedy to this situation. Chicago was the railhead for the great western cattle roundups in the 1840s. Cattle wranglers moved the animals to key locations, such as Kansas City, where the railroad transported the cargo to larger rail hubs. Chicago provided the logistical center for the U.S. during that time. Soon stockyards, including the Lake Shore and Cottage Grove Yards, were established in Chicago.

Chicago Union Stockyards & Transit Company

The ease of transporting cattle to Chicago by rail was quickly identified and additional stockyards were created to hold the animals. A consortium of nine railroad companies founded the Chicago Union Stockyards and Transit Company as the largest centralized cattle yard in the US. Octave Chanute was the engineer in charge of creating a plan for the expansive area in 1864 and the yards opened on Christmas Day 1865 on the 320-acres between Pershing Avenue, Halsted Street, 147th Street and Ashland Avenue. By 1900, the CUSY had expanded to over 475 acres with 50 miles of road and 130 miles of track running throughout the complex.

Meatpacking

Meat packing plants soon opened around the stockyards. Armour was the first to build a large operation in 1867, followed by Swift, Morris and Hammond. Soon these meat packing plants slaughtered the cattle and prepared the meat for nearly 82 percent of the meat eaten in the U.S., according to the Chicago Historical Society. In addition to the food, factories were built to utilize the by-products of the meat packing industry including bones for button-making, hides for leather shoes, and soap, glue and shoe polish from the meat renderings (remains left after processing).

Expansion

The stockyards expanded further after the invention of ice-cooled railroad cars in 1872 and Gustavus Swift's invention of the refrigerated railroad car in 1882. The two inventions supplied fresh meat for market, even to remote markets. The stockyards fed cattle into the meat packing houses that worked round the clock using assembly lines to butcher and pack the meat products.

Decline and Closure

The Chicago Stockyards closed as a direct result of the federal highway system and the invention of refrigerated semi-trucks. However, it was a slow death. The stockyards were no longer necessary to bring cattle to the meat packing houses as a result of these inventions and the production facilities moved to rural areas where the land was inexpensive. Meat packing plants in the Chicago stockyard area closed post-World War II, including Wilson & Company which locked the doors in 1955, as new mechanized plants were constructed far from Chicago. The Union Stock Yards, once the country's largest, officially closed July 31, 1971. The location is now home to smaller industrial plants. A large limestone arch, built in 1879, is still in place at the former entry to the stockyards at Exchange Avenue at Peoria Street.

Exactly Why Is The Function Of Your Practice Inside A Culture Vital That You Worldwide Companies

Many companies that expand their market to other countries have to familiarize themselves with the target culture, as the more they know about their new customers the better. These companies need to know the new culture's educational policies and the content of their training in order to accurately asses their needs.

A Reflection of a Culture's Values

By understanding the educational system of a given country, we get a glimpse into that culture's values. For example, there is a great emphasis on good education in Japan. Throughout their studies, Japanese children are taught that hard work and self-discipline are the highest values. An international company operating in Japan would have to incorporate those values into their marketing strategies.

A Reflection of People's Needs

Education and cultural values are, to a considerable extent, a reflection of people's needs. An international toy company in a strict and authoritative Japan would not concentrate on selling toys for random leisure activities, but rather on games, books and activities that teach a child a skill.

A Reflection of Business Etiquette

The emphasis on a certain type of training in a culture-specific educational system also reflects that culture's particular slant towards what is important in business relations. For example, a company operating in a fast-paced and business-oriented culture such as the U.S. would have to make adjustments to how they handle business. In the U.S., there is a great emphasis on customer service and business relations, which means mail is responded to quickly and phone calls are returned on the same business day. A international company unaccustomed to these practices would have to learn them if they intended to break into the American market.

Submit Something New To Williamssonoma

Williams-Sonoma accepts proposals for new products to be included in their Williams-Sonoma catalogs and stores. They are very specific on the steps to send them information on a new product.

Instructions

1. Write a cover letter describing your product. When describing the features of the product it is important to describe how the product will benefit the Williams-Sonoma customer.

On a separate page print out a pricing sheet for the product. The pricing sheet should include the per-unit price and total prices with quantities for either a pallet load or shipping container load.

2. Photos of the product are required. Use the digital camera to photograph and print out several high-quality pictures of the product.

3. The cover letter, pricing sheet and photos should be sent by overnight mail to:

Williams-Sonoma Merchandising

Attention: product submission

915 Beach Street

San Francisco, California 94109

4. Do not telephone the buyers at Williams-Sonoma. Do not send the actual product. Products will not be accepted.

5. A buyer will respond to your product submission. It can take up to three months for them to contact you. Remember, do not telephone the buyers until they contact you.

Exactly Why Is Nitrogen Essential For Life

Life depends on nitrogen, which is a basic ingredient in amino acids that make up all proteins. While a substantial percentage of the atmosphere is comprised of nitrogen gas, it must be processed into a soluble form. This is done via a nitrogen cycle that occurs in the soil. Then plants and the animals that eat them can obtain dietary nitrogen.

Identification

Seventy-eight percent of the Earth's atmosphere is nitrogen. This element, symbolized by the letter N, was discovered in 1772 by the Scot Daniel Rutherford. Nitrogen makes up 7 percent of the protein found in cereals. It causes green plants to produce healthy leaves that are strong enough to withstand a heavy wind or a frost.

Significance

Plants with nitrogen deficiencies look weak. The leaves, which should be healthy and green, may look wilted and yellow. Animals and people get dietary nitrogen by eating protein-rich foods like milk, eggs, fish, beef and legumes. Nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen and oxygen are found in amino acids, which are the main structures of every protein.

Function

Though 78 percent of the atmosphere is made of inert nitrogen, it must be transformed into a form that can be used by plants and animals. This happens via a nitrogen cycle that occurs in the soil. Earthworms, bacteria and other forces break down the proteins in organic material and animal manure in the soil to decompose them. The first byproduct is ammonia, a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen. Next, nitrates are formed. Nitrobacteria called azotobactors produce soluble nitrates that plants can get out of the soil.

Types

Nitrogen can also enter the soil directly from the atmosphere via the rhizobium bacteria in the roots of legumes, or during a heavy rain, when it mixes with water to become nitric acid. Chemical fertilizers are another way to put nitrogen into the soil, but these can cause pollution or even nitrate poisoning in cattle. Organic sources of nitrogen fertilizer are rabbit droppings, cottonseed meal and feather meal.

Effects

Digesting protein-rich food produces amino-acid nitrogen, which is a waste product the body must eliminate through reactions called transanimations. Most of this excess nitrogen is excreted in the form of urea.

Alter The Tires On Popup Trailers

Pop-up trailers are popular recreational vehicles, as they're like little mobile tents that can be moved wherever you like for camping in the woods or by the river. If you get a flat tire on your trailer, or need to change the tire for any other reason, then you need to take care of it, otherwise you may have a problem the next time you take it out camping. This is an easy process, and should be done within 30 minutes.

Instructions

1. Lift up the trailer using the jack and set both the axle and the frame of the pop-up trailer on the jack stands. Make sure the vehicle is secure before you work on it.

2. Remove the lug nuts on the wheel using the tire iron. Once they're all off, grip the tire by both sides and pull it off of the axle. Then place it to the side so it's out of the way.

3. Grab the replacement wheel and tire assembly with your arms and place it on the axle studs. Tighten the lug nuts down using the tire iron in a star pattern.

4. Lower the pop-up trailer off of the jack stands using the jack and place it on the ground. Then tighten the lug nuts on the wheel one more time, using the same star pattern as before.

Why Do Vital That You Separate Paidin Capital From Gained Capital

Paid-in capital and earned capital are two forms of equity capital shown in the shareholders' equity section of the balance sheet. Paid-in capital is also referred to as contributed capital that investors provide when they purchase a company's initially issued shares. Earned capital is retained earnings, the accumulated income that a company has earned since its inception. The separation of paid-in capital from earned capital concerns the issue of legal capital and any additional capital in excess of share face value, as well as tracking earnings made and dividends distributed.

Maintaining Legal Capital

Legal capital is defined as the par value capital, the base amount of the paid-in capital. A stock's par value, or face value, is the stated value on each share of the stock. Companies usually set their stock's par value at $1 per share. Thus, the total par value capital is the par value multiplied by the number of shares issued. The amount of par value capital is separated from the rest of the equity capital as legal capital. Legal capital helps limit dividend distributions to stay within the total amount of retained earnings and any additional paid-in capital.

Additional Paid-in Capital

Companies often sell shares at a price higher than their stock's stated face value. The selling price in excess of the par value commonly is referred to as additional paid-in capital. While par value capital is listed in the first line of the shareholders' equity section under common stock, any excess capital from share issuance is listed below par value capital in additional-paid-in-capital account. Additional paid-in capital provides a level of buffer to absorb dividend distributions or any operation losses before they can reach legal capital.

Measuring Accumulated Income

Earned capital, or retained earnings, must be reported separately from contributed capital so that companies can track and measure their accumulated income over time. The earned capital account is essential for both providing an internal financing source and absorbing any asset losses. Moreover, retained earnings may become negative if a company has sustained losses over time in excess of accumulated earnings. With the separation of its earned capital from other equity capital accounts, a company is able to adjust its financing and operation activities to accommodate the level of retained earnings.

Measuring Dividend Distributions

Dividend distributions reduce the amount of retained earnings, and companies may distribute dividends over time in excess of retained earnings. As an equity account rather than an asset account, retained earnings are different from a company's cash position. A company may hold more cash than the amount of retained earnings, for example, as a result of borrowing. It is possible that a company overpays dividends beyond retained earnings. Therefore, keeping the retained earnings account separate from other capital accounts enables a company to check on the sustainability of its dividend payments.

Exactly Why Is Financial Management Essential Running A Business

Financial Management

Financial management consists of several components that enable the financial manager to make decisions in regard to allocating funds, financing alternatives and to develop dividend policies in keeping with the organization's objectives.

Ratios

Ratios are used to compare an organization's performance against other firms in the same industry as well as against itself.

Types of Ratios

The profitability ratios measure profit margin, return on assets and return on equity. The asset utilization ratios measure receivable turnover, average collection period, inventory turnover, fixed asset turnover and total asset turnover. The liquidity ratios measure the current ratio and quick ratio that provide information on the ability to pay off short-term obligations. The debt utilization ratios measure debt to total assets, times interest earned and fixed charge coverage.

Analytical Tools

The ratio analysis enables an organization to measure its current condition and performance. Horizontal analysis determines patterns or trends from one year to the next. Vertical analysis shows the internal structure of an organization: the relationship between sales and income statements.

Uses of Ratio Calculations

The results of the ratio calculations enable the financial manager to determine the organization's performance in regard to similar organizations in the industry. Furthermore, the calculation demonstrates the organization's current financial situation, past financial situation and is applied to predict the future of the organization.

Conclusion

Financial management enables an organization to compare its performance against other companies within the industry. Financial management also enables an organization to evaluate its performance over time and whether or not it remains profitable.

So Why Do People Donate To Charitable organisation

According to the American Institute of Philanthropy, more than 68,000 charities were established between 2006 and 2007, and there are currently more than 1.5 million nonprofit organizations in America. Charities cover a wide gamut of issues and causes. There are charities for family planning, African Americans, AIDS, animal protection, the visually impaired, crime prevention, the environment, cancer, human rights, hunger, literacy, senior citizens, veterans, women's rights, and youth. Examples of charities include the American Cancer Society, the Salvation Army, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America. There are numerous reasons why people donate to a charitable organization, from personal reasons to tax incentives.

Religion

Many religions advocate that people are supposed to give to charity and that giving is a spiritual requirement. The major religions of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism all emphasize that giving to charity is a main virtue. In many types of Christian worship services, some type of offering is collected for the church or for the poor. Religions also promote tithing, which comes from an ancient word for tenth. Many churches also preach that Christians should give 10% of their pay to their local church.

Feeling Good

According to a 2007 study by University of Oregon economics professor William Harbaugh and psychology professor Ulrich Mayr, people donate to charity because it provides them with a good feeling. The study used brain imaging technology on volunteers as they donated money to a food bank. Results showed that the pleasure centers of the brain were activated by the process of giving. Researchers contend that the study supports the idea of a "warm glow" feeling and that people are willing to take action, even if it does not directly benefit them.

Image

According to a recent economic study by behavioral economists Dan Ariely, Anat Bracha, and Stephan Meier, one of the main reasons people give to charity is to enhance their image; people want to be viewed as charitable. The researchers discovered that gifts given anonymously tended to be smaller, but gifts that were publicized were much bigger. Research proved that a main incentive for giving donations is positive personal publicity.

Personal Experience

Donors often give to charity due to a personal experience. These are often connected to medical or health issues. People who have cancer or know someone who has cancer often participate in American Cancer Society activities. Through donating, people are able to contribute to a cause that they have been affected by or can pay tribute to someone close to them who was affected by it.

Tax Deductions

Individuals who donate to charity may deduct contributions on their federal tax returns. According to the IRS, there are several tips to keep in mind when donating to charity. Contributions must be made to legitimate charity to receive a deduction; contributions to a specific person may not be deducted. Keep careful records of money given through bank records or written communication from the charity, which includes the name of the organization, the date a contribution was given, and the amount. For a deduction of $250 or more, individuals need written confirmation from the charity proving that the donation was contributed and if the charity provided any goods or services in exchange for the donation.

Turbo Lister Troubleshooting

The Turbo Lister software is a popular automation software used by many eBay sellers. This software is especially convenient for sellers who sell several, if not hundreds, of products at a time. Turbo Lister will automatically list your eBay ad according to a preset schedule. There are several problems that Turbo Lister users may run into, including issues with a computer's firewall or log files. You may also run into network errors because of using an outdated version of the software.

Instructions

1. Configure Turbo Lister to work with your firewall. Open your anti-virus/firewall software program. Access the firewall configuration section. The steps for accessing this section differ by the program. In Norton Internet Security, for example, select "Personal Firewall." In McAfee, select "Configuration Assistant" under the "Tasks" heading. In the program control section, find Turbo Lister and select it to allow the program to penetrate the firewall.

2. Download a newer version of Turbo Lister. Network errors are often caused by the use of an outdated version. For example, Turbo Lister 1 had problems reading and writing to its own database files. Turbo Lister 2 corrected these problems. See Resources to download the latest version of Turbo Lister.

3. Send the log files to eBay customer support. After contacting customer support about Turbo Lister problems, the representative may request the software log files so he can narrow down the problem and provide further assistance. To find the log files, click on the "Computer" or "My Computer" folder in the desktop Start menu. Select the "C:\" drive. Double-click on the "Program Files" folder and then click on "eBay." Inside the eBay folder, click on "Turbo Lister." Find the log files "TI.log" and "TI.log.bak1.log files." Drag the log files to your desktop and attach them in an email to the eBay representative.

What Steps Ought To Be Drawn In Studying An Essay

Multiple revisions create strong, focused essays.

Whether you've spent countless hours painstakingly crafting an essay or typed furiously the day the paper was due, the revision process is necessary for every essay you write. Revision allows you to go back and retool your essay, adjusting it for clarity, content and coherency. Don't be concerned about catching every change necessary on the first revision; allow yourself time to complete multiple drafts for a strong, polished finished product.

Time and Space

Once you have completed your first draft of an essay, time needs to elapse before you attempt to revise it. Your involvement in your arguments will render you incapable of objectively revising and editing your paper. Write your first draft, scan it quickly for any glaring spelling or grammar errors, then walk away from the paper. The first revision step is to allow at least 24 hours to elapse before you revise an essay. Don't dash off an essay quickly before class then expect to give it a thorough revision later that afternoon. When you return to your essay, revise it in a space that is conducive to applied thought and studious concentration. Turn off your cell phone, shut the door and give yourself adequate space to spread out your materials.

Make an Argument

Every way of seeing is also a way of not seeing, and focusing on your essay's argument may hinder you from seeing flaws in your logic or weakness in your writing. The next revision step is to print off drafts of your essay and ask friends, classmates, parents, older siblings and your instructor to read it. Even if you have a peer-review session in class with your fellow students, actively solicit more readers. Have readers underline the sections of your essay that are unclear and leave suggestions for clarification. Write a paragraph that argues the exact opposite of your essay to see if you can find any holes in your theory. The positions you held when you first drafted the essay may have changed, so note the places that need clarification and adjustment.

Professional Opinions

If you have an instructor who reads your first drafts and gives you written feedback, follow he nrotes. Instructors want their students to succeed; they have certain expectations for the assignment and can guide you through completing it successfully. If an instructor tells you that your thesis statement is weak or that your paper lacks coherency, don't take it as a personal insult. Go through your paper note by note and address the feedback you've received. If you don't understand something that your instructor has written, ask her for clarification. Ask your instructor to read a revised essay draft before submitting the final paper to make sure that you are on the right track.

Begin Again

You've collected pages of notes, dozens of marked-up drafts and had extensive conversations with your instructor. Now it is time to begin revising and rewriting your essay. Be flexible when approaching your revisions. Your thesis may need to be overhauled, paragraphs may be drastically altered or eliminated, new content may need to be written and that three-sentence conclusion you tacked on at the end of your paper will need to be expanded into a fully fleshed-out paragraph. The more rigidly you adhere to your first draft and the more resistant you are to change, the harder the revision process will be for you. Set aside plenty of time, listen to the feedback you've received and make sure that every paragraph of thought adequately addresses the essay properly.

What Exactly Are Astm Standards

ASTM Standards are documents developed and published by ASTM International. Founded in 1898, it was known as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). The name was changed to ASTM International to reflect the international character of members, contributors and standards users. Although the standards are voluntary, they are frequently referred to, cited in and incorporated into codes, regulations and laws around the world. Standards are developed and written by members of ASTM technical committees (producers, users, consumers and general interest parties; many of whom are scientists). ASTM develops six types of standards.

Test Method Standard

A test method standard has a short and informative description of a procedure to determine a property or constituent of a material, a collection of materials or a product. To achieve satisfactory precision, the test method should include details about test apparatus, test specimen, test procedure and calculations of data obtained from the test. An example would be the Standard Test Methods for Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive-Coated Tapes Used for Electrical and Electronic Applications. This standard outlines tests to evaluate the safety of electrical tape. If all electrical tapes are evaluated using the same test, then it is easier to determine which tape is best suited for a particular use.

Specification Standard

A specification standard has a detailed set of conditions and provisions that a material, product, system or service must meet. It will also identify what test methods are appropriate to determine whether it meets the criteria of the standard. The Standard Specification for File Folders for Storage of Permanent Records outlines what qualities file folders used in the storage of records and documents should have to achieve a maximum life span.

Classification Standard

A classification standard outlines the requirements to systematically assign materials, products, systems or services into groups. Examples of requirements include origin, composition, physical properties and chemical properties. The Standard Classification of Coppers covers kinds of copper available in refinery shapes and wrought products. When companies use this standard to classify the copper they sell, it allows buyers to more easily compare prices of the same product from different companies before they make a purchase.

Practice Standard

A practice standard gives specific instructions for performing a specific task or operation. For example, the Standard Practice for Functional Inspections and Adjustments of Alpine Ski/Binding/Boot Systems outlines procedures for inspection and adjustment of alpine ski/binding/boot systems.

Guide Standard

A guide standard has several choices or instructions but does not advise a particular action. Based on the individual situation, the user selects the choice or instructions that best suit the situation. The Standard Guide for Examination of Typewritten Items helps forensic document examiners decide which procedure should be used to examine a typewritten document, perhaps for a criminal investigation.

Terminology Standard

A terminology standard outlines and defines terms, symbols, abbreviations and acronyms used in a field or industry. Because many chemicals can have more than one name, The Standard Terminology of Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Related Chemicals allows scientists and other chemical users to read a paper or article written by others and easily understand and identify which chemicals are being discussed without the author having to provide extensive definitions within the document.

Who Requires A Food Handler'S License In Florida

A food handler's license certifies that employees of establishments such as restaurants, cafeterias and mobile food carts have basic knowledge of food safety, sanitation and the prevention of food-borne illness. The state of Florida has specific criteria for who needs a food handler's license and obtain one.

Who Needs a License?

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation states that "all employees responsible for food storage, preparation, display or service must complete food service employee training." This means that any worker who comes in contact with food designated for public consumption must be licensed. The department further states that workers must obtain their license within 60 days of being hired in most cases, though some workers, such as those working with operations that use "bare contact with ready-to-eat foods" may require faster certification. Additionally, operations that employee four or more food workers must have one licensed certified professional food manager on-site during operating hours; this position requires a separate exam.

Obtaining Florida Food Handler's License

Florida uses third-party programs for licensing food service workers. As of June 2011, 130 such state-approved programs exist. Managers or employees should contact the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to double-check the current status of a program before paying fees and obtaining training. Several programs offer their courses in a variety of languages to accommodate ESL workers. As of June 2011, Florida does not sanction online courses or exams; all training programs licensing exams are in-person only.

Safe Food Handling

Workers receiving food handler training primarily learn prevent food-borne illness, including proper storage of dry and perishable foods, pest control, personal hygiene, food temperature guidelines and prevention of cross-contamination in the kitchen. It will be the responsibility of the management to continue that training and ensure that safe food handling practices continue throughout the workday.

Reporting Information

All food-service workers receive a hard copy of their food handler's license, which is valid for three years after the date of issue. A copy of the card must also remain on file at the employee's workplace and be readily available during a health inspection. The state also requires that food service establishments report any food service employee training to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation using the web application obtained through that department's website.

Type Right Into A Pdf

From time to time, you may need to add or remove portions of text found in a PDF file. Those using a PDF reader program, such as Adobe Reader, cannot type into a PDF file using those programs. Fortunately, purchasing an expensive PDF-editing software program is not the only option for those wishing to type into a PDF file. Downloading the proper software program will allow you to edit any PDF file on your computer and do so for free.

Instructions

1. Download and install the software program Nitro PDF Professional (see Resources). You will be able to use this program to type into a PDF file even after the 14-day trial ends.

2. Open Nitro PDF Professional.

3. Click on the "N" icon that is located at the top of the software program.

4. Select "Open." Search for the PDF that you want to type into and then double-click that file to open it.

5. Click on the "Insert and Edit" tab. This is at the top of Nitro PDF.

6. Click the "Insert" button found under "Insert and Edit."

7. Scroll down through the PDF file until you find the spot that you want to type into and then click on that spot.

8. Enter the text in the spot you selected in the previous step.

9. Select a part of text on the PDF file you would like to edit. Once you've clicked on that text, a box will surround the text.

10. Right-click the box around the selected text and select "Edit Text." Once you do, you will be able to delete or add letters and words to that portion of text.

Which From The Sun'S Layers Produces Its Visible Light

This X-ray image of the sun gives some hint of the remarkable energy it generates and releases.

The sun is not a very pleasant place to be. For example, the pressure at the bottom of the deepest ocean on Earth --- at the Mariana Trench --- would smash you into a messy glob, and the pressure at the center of the sun is 300 million times more. You wouldn't have to worry about it, though, because you'd be burned up as you would in a pot of molten steel --- except that the temperature is 10,000 times hotter. All that unpleasantness, though, leads to a cascade of events that results in the light that brings life to Earth.

In the Middle

Nearly all the mass of the entire solar system is concentrated in the sun.

The driving force that creates those high pressures and temperatures is gravity. The sun is so massive --- 330,000 times as massive as the Earth --- that gravity pulls matter toward the center with incredible force. The force of gravity is balanced by the pressure of the hydrogen and helium that compose the sun. The pressure and temperature are so high that electrons are stripped away from the hydrogen and helium atoms, and the neutrons and protons at the core of the sun are free to crash into each other, unprotected by their electrons.

Fusion Energy

When a proton in the core crashes into another, most of the time it just bounces off. But in about a million years or so, the proton briefly turns into a neutron and crashes just at the right time to stick to a proton. Another proton joins in, then two of those resulting conglomerations crash into each other and stick and the hydrogen has been converted to helium. This action at the core releases energy, very high-energy gamma rays. Those gamma rays are like light; they would travel in straight lines if they could. The reason the Earth is not bathed in gamma rays is that they don't make it very far without bouncing into other particles in the dense solar core.

Moving Outward

The gamma rays push out from the center, bouncing from one nucleus to another. But as they get farther out from the core, the temperature and pressure have decreased to the point where the electrons can still hang out around their nuclei. That is, the atoms can be whole again. About the place that happens, the atoms and nuclei that absorb gamma rays find it easier to get rid of that extra energy by bouncing around and crashing into other neighboring atoms. So those atoms start swirling around like hot air above a desert, churning in big loops that drive toward the surface of the sun and back down. They also emit light --- this time visible light, but again, the light is still too far under the surface to make it out.

The Photosphere

Although energy is being radiated by particles all throughout the sun, the light that makes it out comes from only the top 100 or 200 kilometers.

Finally, the energy created at the core of the sun has made its long journey to within a couple hundred kilometers of the surface. The temperature is now all the way down to about 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The light from lower levels gets absorbed here. The energy in the atoms in this layer gets emitted as visible light. Because the energy is spread among atoms at different temperatures, there's a spread of the spectrum of light from the sun. The top couple hundred kilometers that emit the light we see are called the photosphere.

Where You Can Report A Stolen Social Security Card

The Social Security Administration (SSA) states that identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States. A stolen Social Security card is a valuable asset to criminals. It provides useful information for committing financial crimes. It also acts as an identifying document for thieves who wish to establish a new identity. Reporting stolen cards to the proper agencies and authorities can stop the illicit use.

Definition

A Social Security number is a nine digit number issued by the United States government to citizens and immigrants. The Federal Citizen Information Center explains that a Social Security card is needed to get employment and receive certain government services, including Social Security retirement or disability payments. Lenders, banks and certain other companies use the number for credit applications and other purposes. The government issues an official card with a person's name and Social Security number.

Risk

Social Security cards are often stolen as part of a purse or wallet theft. The criminal may also get other identifying documents, including the person's drivers license and credit cards, to use together for identity theft. The SSA states that numbers are also stolen from documents such as bank statements or pre-approved credit offers that are thrown in the trash without being shredded. A Social Security number is valuable when combined with a name, address and other information because the thief can apply for new loans, credit cards, utility accounts and other financial obligations in the victim's name, the SSA warns.

Process

The SSA explains that it does not take reports about stolen cards, although it accepts replacement requests. It recommends filing complaints with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Internet Crime Complaint Center if the thief may be using the stolen card illegally. Consumers whose cards have been stolen should closely watch their credit reports for unrecognized accounts. The FTC explains that fraud victims are entitled to free reports, and all consumers can get free copies annually through AnnualCreditReport.com.

Considerations

A Social Security card does not necessarily need to be replaced for people who have memorized their Social Security numbers, according to the SSA. They can simply provide their number as needed unless they wish to get a new card for their records.

Limitation

The SSA states that people are limited to to no more than three replacement cards in one year, and they cannot get more than seven in a lifetime. This includes replacements for stolen cards but not for requests because of name or citizenship status changes.

Solution

Consumers can sometimes change their Social Security numbers in extreme circumstances, the Consumerist consumer advocate website explains. They must first take all possible steps to resolve the problems that caused misuse of the number. If their efforts are not successful and they are still being harmed, they must call or visit the local Social Security office to request the change.

How To Locate Clothes Produced In America

To help American clothes manufacturers stay in business, you can make a commitment to buy only clothing that is made in America. You may be surprised to learn that most of your favorite brands of clothing are manufactured in other countries. However, there are a few retail locations and Web sites where you can count on finding clothes that were made in this country. Be sure to double-check labels to ensure that the items were truly made in the U.S.A.

Online Sites

The best place to find a wide array of American-made clothing is online. There are several Web sites that post links to online stores that sell clothes labeled "Made in the USA." Go to MadeInUSA.org for a list of over 100 little-known online clothing stores that sell items for men, women and children. AllUSAclothing.com is an online store that sells more well-known brands like Carhartt, Jensen and Union Line. This store is very selective about selling only American-made clothing. AllAmericanClothing.com is another online store that has made a commitment to selling clothes that are made in the U.S.A.

Local Designers

There are plenty of local, struggling clothing designers in almost every major American city. They open small boutiques and sell their wares on consignment in local stores. Start by visiting art and design schools. These schools are usually full of up and coming local designers who design and manufacture American clothing by hand.

Take a day to browse your downtown shopping area for small boutiques. Talk to the owners about which clothes are made by local designers. Get the names, phone numbers, and Web sites of all of the designers you can. Buy pre-made clothes from these American artists or pay to have custom-made clothes manufactured to fit your needs.

CafePress.com

CafePress.com is an online custom T-shirt and clothing manufacturing company headquartered in California. It's an American company that manufactures items in Kentucky. You can design your own clothing pieces, including shirts, hats, and bags, and have them manufactured here in the U.S.A. While some raw materials may or may not have been made in-country, the finished item is American-made and designed (by you). Be sure to take a look at the made in America patriotic tees, which were created in honor of our U.S. troops and their families.

How To Locate Antique Bulbs

Looking for a rare light bulb to go with an antique lamp? Or for authentic Christmas lights from an earlier era? Thanks to the Internet, you can locate both in less time than it takes to say "Edison." You'll find classified "for sale" ads featuring antique bulbs, or you can post your needs on "want to buy" classifieds. You also can buy on retail Web sites, or if you like the action of an auction, make an online bid for old bulbs.

Instructions

1. Read the "For Sale" classified ads on antique light bulb Web sites (see Resources below). You'll find things such as blown-glass bulbs, fixtures and sometimes whole collections for sale. If you don't see what you want, consider posting a "Wanted" notice that describes what you're seeking.

2. Buy your bulbs on retail websites (see Resources below). The selection is often limited, though, so you might want to consider purchasing reproduction antique bulbs, which are more readily available. If your budget is limited, reproductions also will save you money.

3. Enter your bid in an online auction. Just type in "antique light bulbs," and you'll see everything from antique Christmas lights with a starting bid of $.99 to Edison electric lamp light bulbs starting at $187. You'll also find antique chandeliers, other light fixtures, animal-shaped bulbs and much more.

Can The Government Request For Bank Statements Within An Audit Of Breaks

The IRS has the legal authority to examine your financial records.

If the Internal Revenue Service suspects that your tax returns, either for personal or business tax, are not reflecting the reality of your income and expenses, it may audit your tax filings. Tax audits are not voluntary, and they require time and close attention to the records you relied on to complete your tax returns. In addition, it's wise to remember that the IRS has legal access to a wide range of financial information.

Audits

At any time, the Internal Revenue Service can order an audit of your tax returns. The agency will send a letter informing you of the audit. The letter may also demand that you have certain documents available, including copies of your bank account records over a certain period. Audit letters usually specify problem areas on your returns, allowing you to gather and prepare relevant documents for the IRS examiner.

Authority

The IRS has the legal authority to examine any and all of your banking records (as well as debit and credit card records). If you do not produce them voluntarily, the agency will simply demand them from the bank, which is legally required to comply. If you have closed accounts that you do not disclose, the agency has access to informational databases that list accounts opened in previous years.

Accountants

If you have used an accountant for your personal or business returns, the IRS may also issue a demand letter, or a subpoena, for that accountant's records and information regarding your bank accounts. The IRS is more likely to audit individuals who prepare their own taxes, going on the assumption that accountants will be more diligent in preparing a legal and complete return.

Self-Employment

If you are self-employed, the IRS will be particularly interested in your personal bank accounts. The agency goes on the assumption that for the self-employed, business and personal expenses are closely tied together and that you may have not disclosed income earned through the business (but deposited into your personal account). In addition, your personal expenses may have been deducted from your business income, which is a no-no.

Preparation

If the IRS schedules an audit, prepare your bank account statements, tax returns, and any other paperwork related to your income, expenses and deductions. You must arrive at the location of the audit on time and prepared. If you delay the audit, any penalties and interest owing on back taxes will increase.

Suspect Transactions

You must be prepared to explain deposits and withdrawals on the account and any unusual activity, such as several withdrawals taken closely together or unusually large deposits. You must also be able to explain itemized deductions on your tax return, as evidenced by your account statements, and further document expenses with dated receipts.

When You Should File A Quit Claim Deed

A quit claim deed is used to transfer property, such as a home or land, between parties. It is a legal, less expensive and quicker way to transfer property, especially in amicable circumstances. A quit claim is filled out by the grantor (the person giving up the property). No attorney is required, but the quit claim does need to be notarized and filed with the appropriate county clerk to be legal and binding.

After a Divorce

A quit claim deed is most often filed after a divorce when one party agrees to transfer rights to marital property to the other. Many times this includes a house shared by the married couple. The quit claim is often used in undisputed divorce and basically states that the grantor is giving up all rights and responsibilities to the property in question, usually to the ex-spouse.

Transfer of Property

A quit claim is often used by an executor of someone's will to transfer property to legal heirs after someone's death. The quit claim is typically prepared along with a will and used to hold property in trust until the reading of a will, where the executor will then transfer the property to legal heirs and file the required quit claim.

Life Estate

Someone can use a quit claim deed while still alive. This is similar to a transfer of property to heirs, except it allows the grantor the right to use the property as long as he is alive, after which time property is transferred to the heir or heirs without need of an executor.

After Marriage

Quit claim deeds can be used after a marriage, basically in the same way they can be used after a marriage. An ex-spouse can fill out a quit claim granting her share of a marital property to ex-spouse's new spouse rather than to the ex-spouse.

Exceptions to Quit Claim

It is not a good idea to use a quit claim between seller and buyer. In these instances, a clear title or a warranty deed is preferred. A quit claim should also not be used to transfer property to avoid losing it in a bankruptcy. While quit claim deed transfers are legal, a judge can overturn a transfer used for an illegal purpose.

When Do You Need To Incorporate

Incorporation is the process of either starting a business as a corporation or converting an existing business into a corporation. The reason that not all companies are corporations is because it is not necessarily the best structure for everyone. However, the corporate structure does have certain benefits intrinsic to it, and it could possibly be the best fit for your situation, depending on a number of factors.

Financing Growth

If you currently are operating as a limited liability company (LLC), partnership or sole proprietorship, you may be in a situation in which you have plans for rapid growth, but you lack the funds to finance this growth. One way of quickly raising a large sum of capital for growth would be by incorporating. This allows a number of individuals to purchase stock in the company and thus contribute to company funds. Once they do so, you can finance your new growth and potentially cause an exponential growth of revenue. Even though incorporating requires you to share profits with the stockholders, it can result in a higher personal income for you in the end.

Reapportioning Responsibility

In an LLC or partnership, all members usually take part in the daily operations of the business, unless they are limited partners. In a corporation, being a stockholder does not mean that you need to take part in the company's actual business dealings. In fact, for most large corporations, shareholders gather only for an annual shareholders' meeting, after which the elected directors take care of the actual management of the company. Someone can own part of a corporation without ever meeting the people who actually run it.

Reapportioning Ownership

In the United States, owners of C Corporations (but not S Corporations) do not even need to be citizens or residents of the United States; the company may be headquartered domestically, but its shareholders can live abroad. A C Corporation is also flexible in the total number of shareholders that can own stock: a single shareholder can own the entire company, or shareholders can number in the thousands. Likewise, this far-off ownership is also easily transferable. Stocks in publicly traded companies can be easily traded on the stock market; some investors earn their living by repeatedly buying and selling stocks from various companies without ever having any dealings with the inner workings of those companies.

Differentiating Between Owners

In a C Corporation, companies also may offer different types of stock. The two basic categories of stock are common and preferred. While both types of stock bring income to shareholders in the form of dividends, preferred stock is different in that it accords certain privileges to shareholders. Depending on the situation, holding preferred stock may mean that you are guaranteed a certain value of dividend, while dividends for common stocks can vacillate according to profits. Also, if the corporation is liquidated, preferred shareholders receive payment before common shareholders do. This ability to differentiate between owners is what helps companies attract investors of preferred stock.