Free Money Resources Blog

Ten English councils awarded 6.5m in recycling grants (letsrecycle.com)
From: us.rd.yahoo.com

"Ten councils that narrowly missed out on Defra's National Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund have been told they are to receive 6.5 million in grants from the fund."

Crist sues St. Petersburg company promising "grants" (ABC Action News)
From: us.rd.yahoo.com

"ST. PETERSBURG - Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist on Tuesday sued a company that promised its customers government "grants" and charged them hundreds of dollars for information that easily could have been obtained for free."

Pierce Promotions, Specializing in Event Management and Experiential Marketing, Opens New York City Office
From: www.prweb.com

"Building on its extensive track record in producing large-scale mobile marketing, PR events, street marketing, sports marketing and retail events, Pierce Promotions of Portland, Maine, has opened a new Manhattan office to better serve clients in the New York metropolitan area. [PRWEB Nov 13, 2004]"

Embroidery Transfer Pattern
From: www.corporate-apparel-resources.biz

" Philosophical Views on Company Logos - part 2

Certainly, there is a continuum along which, at a certain point, it becomes

improper to take a gift from a company � free weekend getaways; free trips;

cases of whiskey � but I hardly see a slippery slope from 25-cent pens to

airline tickets and, thus, don't see the t-shirt- or hat-wearer as embarking on

the road to perdition.

A veterinarian colleague has argued to me that the issue here is one of

professionalism. If you are selling ivermectin to clients, it is odd to wear an

ivermectin t-shirt, implying that you are biased in favor of the company in

question. If you have a reason to believe that this is the message being

received by clients, by all means, discontinue dressing in such attire. But most

clients, I believe, are not paranoid and would recognize that you are wearing

one of the few, rather limited, veterinary perks that you got at a convention.

In any case, what is �professional� in attire varies with cultural change. Fifty

years ago, a male veterinarian or physician wearing a ponytail or tattoo would

stop conversation, and a nun without a habit was a miniscandal. Both clients and

practitioners should learn to look beyond external trappings. If you are nervous

about wearing such clothing, don't. Or ask clients what they think.

The Advantages of Cheap Promotional Products

Imprinting a message on a useful item of merchandise and giving it free to a customer, prospect

or other targeted audience has been agrowing promotional technique for more than

ahundred years. Recently, though, a major evolution has been to shift away from

the indiscriminate product �give-away.� More emphasis is on integrating promotionalproducts

into broader campaigns that meet specific communications objectives. When used in

that manner, promotional materials help to leverage a campaign�s impact, frequency,

goodwill, involvement, permanence, targeting, accountability, and activation. Businesses

and organizations, recognizingthe value of promotional products in their abilityto

carry a message to a well-defined audience, spent $16 billion in 2001 on this type

of advertising. The most popular category for promotional products sales was Wearables/Apparel -which

includes T-shirts, golf shirts, aprons, uniforms, headwear, neckwear, footwear, etc.-with

a market share of 29.3 percent of the total sales. Writing Instruments held the

second-largest category, with 10.6 percent of the total. Other top categoriesincluded

Desk/Office/Business Accessories, Bags, Calendars, and Glassware/Ceramics.

The use

of promotional products offers distinct advantages:

Activation - Promotional products

can get the prospect to respond in some manner. Perhaps by requesting additional

information from the advertiser or a visit by a sales representative.

Versatility

- The promotions can fit into most budgets, can be distributed without wasted circulation

and repeats the message without added cost each time the product is used. And it

often complements and enhances both mass and targeted media.

Staying Power -Because

promotionalproducts are tangible and useful to the recipient, they are kept, used

and appreciated - long after other elements of a campaign may have been discarded

or forgotten.

Packaging your Business - Part 9

Wear It Proudly

Would Cary Grant have attained such star status if he had stayed

Archie Leach? Would countless books have been written and a

special stamp created if Norma Jean Baker had refused to be

called Marilyn Monroe or not dyed her hair platinum blond? While

hindsight can be deceptively conclusive, if these cinematic

legends had not agreed to act out the roles and adopt the

identities so carefully contrived by their Hollywood promoters,

the answer to these questions is "probably not."

Don't underestimate the power of packaging. Successful

companies such as Starbucks are committed to coveting and

nurturing their identity, for they well understand its power as a

tool that strongly fortifies overall marketing strategies.

"Don't shortchange your product or company," urges Rita

Damore. "Think big and let your vision and uniqueness shine

through."

"

Ten English councils awarded 6.5m in recycling grants (letsrecycle.com)
From: us.rd.yahoo.com

"Ten councils that narrowly missed out on Defra's National Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund have been told they are to receive 6.5 million in grants from the fund."

Crist sues St. Petersburg company promising "grants" (ABC Action News)
From: us.rd.yahoo.com

"ST. PETERSBURG - Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist on Tuesday sued a company that promised its customers government "grants" and charged them hundreds of dollars for information that easily could have been obtained for free."

Lawn Mowing Business Start Up Guidance Available.
From: www.prweb.com

"Entrepreneurs seeking to start a Lawn Mowing Business finally have expert guidance at a reasonable cost. [PRWEB Nov 12, 2004]"

Clothing Design
From: www.corporate-apparel-resources.biz

" Packaging your Business - Part 13

WERK-BRAU CO., INC.: PRODUCT CATALOG

PACKAGES MANUFACTURER FOR SUCCESS

It was like white 1960s "go-go" boots paired with the latest

Armani creation. That's how ill-suited the old Werk-Brau image

looked in contrast to the company's totally modernized Findlay,

Ohio facility.

"We had been marketing almost on luck for a long time,"

admits Charlotte Cullum, marketing director for Werk-Brau Co.,

Inc., a manufacturer of tractor loader backhoe buckets founded in

1947 as a small blacksmith shop. "Our brand equity was pretty

strong around the U.S. so we didn't recognize we desperately

needed to change our look. It wasn't until we undertook a

complete facelift of our facility that the realization hit us --

it was time to modernize our identity as well.

For assistance, Cullum called upon one of her former

marketing professors from Bowling Green University. He

interviewed employees and developed a customer survey. The

answers he received provided the impetus for a new approach to

the marketplace and a more dynamic visual look incorporating an

updated logo and powerful signature colors.

"The survey asked customers what they wanted from Werk-Brau

and how we rated against the competition," notes Cullum. "It was

a real eye-opener. We learned that our customers were very busy

and didn't want their time taken up with salespeople. We

responded to their concerns by asking how they would feel if we

put the very best information at their fingertips and set up a

system by which they could handle business with us over the

phone."

Customer response to the idea was overwhelmingly positive.

Out of the process came an 80-page color catalog of Werk-Brau

products, complete with pictures, specifications, recommended

applications, and compatibility with major equipment -- even

photos of the firm's order desk employees. Each page bears Werk-

Brau's new red and black logo and can be used as a stand-alone

piece. Cullum also convinced company president Paul Balinger (who

is also her father) to write a letter, which appears on the first

page, accompanied by his photo. A final professional touch was

provided by including the firm's fax and 24-hour 800 order

numbers.

"We wanted to put Werk-Brau products and personnel in front

of every customer," Cullum emphasizes. "Not surprisingly,

therefore, when the final bill came in for printing of the

100,000 copies, it was a humdinger. My father was furious, so we

all wisely decided to stay out of his way. "At the end of this

volatile day, my father received a phone call from a customer,"

continues Cullum. The client said, "I didn't know who to contact

until I saw your photo and decided you were the best person. In

all the years I've been in business, I have never before been

provided with a more valuable, helpful product guide."

"My father was thrilled," Cullum remembers. "And that

customer's response was just the first of many such calls and

letters. The success of the catalog has been fantastic: our

customer base has increased 35 percent, while sales have gone up

41 percent. That's very gratifying proof of the validity of our

new market strategy."

Care Labels and Your Clothes - Part 2

What Should the Label Say? In addition to giving a safe cleaning method, care

labels must list any necessary warnings about that cleaning method. For example,

the label must say whether anystep of the care method � washing, bleaching,

drying, ironing, or dry cleaning �could harm the garment, or other items cleaned

with it. Does "Washable" Also Mean My Garment Can Be Dry Cleaned? Not

necessarily. Only one method of safe care has to be listed � regardless of how

many other safe methods could be used. The label does not have to warnabout

unsafe cleaning methods. For example, clothing labeled "washable" may not dry

clean well.

What About Trim? Care instructions apply to all permanently attached parts of

the garment, such as buttons, lining, or decorative trim. Labels that say "Dry

Clean Only, Exclusive ofDecorative Trim" do not meet legal standards because

they don�t explain that the trim must be removed before the garment is cleaned,

or give a separate care method forthe trim.

What If I Have Problems? If you followed the washing instructions and your

red-and-white shirt is nowpink or if your garment was dry cleaned according to

the care instructions and isdamaged, return it to the retailer and ask for an

exchange or refund. If the retailer won�t cooperate, ask for the manufacturer�s

name and address, and write to the company. Assignment:You just bought a new

shirt. You were careful to follow the care instructions but now it cannot be

worn. In your letter, describe the garment and list information from the labels

and tags. Estimate how many times you�ve washed the garment or had it dry

cleaned. Include the full name and address of the retailer. Your letter may

look something like the sample shown on the next page.

Patent Info for Business Logos and Products - Part 2

Another major focus of patent business e-Government activities was to reduce

internal USPTO administrative costs and enhance quality. Toward this end, a

development effort for an electronic patent application processing and workflow

system was initiated. Tools for Electronic Application Management (TEAM) is the

centerpiece of the electronic workplace environment for the paperless processing

of electronically submitted patent applications and follow-on papers throughout

their entire life cycle from authoring by patent business customers to patent

grant and publication and electronic records archival. TEAM will enable

customers and internal users to electronically access official and

work-in-process application content and track application status before and

after publication. TEAM also will enable the USPTO to conduct business

electronically with customers and business partners in a secure manner, and will

reflect the entire official prosecution history. The goal is to put TEAM into

production in FY 2004.

Patent business operations continued to enhance the following IT systems.

Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) System.

The PAIR system provides patent applicants with the ability to review the status

of their pending patent applications online, via the Internet, 24/7. PAIR

provides real time workflow tracking information, records communications sent

from the USPTO to applicants, and logs receipt of hard copy documentation from

applicants.

"

Crist sues St. Petersburg company promising "grants" (Miami Herald)
From: us.rd.yahoo.com

"ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist on Tuesday sued a company that promised its customers government "grants" and charged them hundreds of dollars for information that easily could have been obtained for free."

Crist sues St. Petersburg company promising "grants" (Miami Herald)
From: us.rd.yahoo.com

"ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist on Tuesday sued a company that promised its customers government "grants" and charged them hundreds of dollars for information that easily could have been obtained for free."

The Amie Jo Show Reaches the World Through Internet-Television
From: www.prweb.com

"The Amie Jo Show is featured inside Black Insight Magazine. [PRWEB Nov 10, 2004]"

Employee Stock Options?
From: alterslash.org

"

Posted by Cliff (29% noise) View

Evil Butters asks: "ComputerWorld has an interesting article regarding the decline of Employee Stock Options. Long gone are the days when companies would pass out stock options like toilet paper (as you were lucky if it was worth as much). Since most of us are probably in IT related fields, is anyone seeing any turn-around in compensation packages — especially for IT folk? Everywhere I look, companies are still cutting back and finding reasons why compensation does not need to be increased (except for CEO’s of course) no matter what your performance is like. But according to the article, 54% of the top S&P 250 companies are (at least) using restricted stock as performance perks, etc."

Run away screaming - by gelfling (Score: 4, Informative) Thread

Options ARE NOT, ARE NOT grants. 

 

Grants are GIFTS of stock outright. Options are the odds that the stock will sell at a lower price than the strike price when you exercise them. 

 

EVERY single person I know is underwater on their options. Every Single One. 

 

Options are essentially worthless in this market for the forseeable future. They were a useful tool to attract people by offering them a great deal of other peoples’s money in the future.

Beware of the 83(b) election! - by PeeAitchPee (Score: 5, Interesting) Thread

As one of many who briefly had a small fortune in stock options in the late ‘90s, I can tell you from experience:

ALWAYS take more cash before more options

Sell you options the nanosecond that you can, take the money, SMILE, and don’t obsess on the share price

Immediately set aside 40% (or whatever your financial advisor tells you) of the proceeds to PAY THE TAXES due on what you just made! If you don’t you are guaranteed to take it up the ass at tax time.

If you want to file an 83(b) election, make sure you do it at the beginning of the current year so you’ve got plenty of time (‘til the end of the current tax year) to decide whether and when to sell some or all of them.

Pay the money for a decent CPA / tax advisor, who knows more about this you’ll ever want to. AVOID the asshole "advisors" at the brokerages; all they want you to do is keep socking more funds into their firms and keep the commissions rolling in!

Incentive Structures - by debrain (Score: 5, Interesting) Thread

Programmers are a lot like lawyers, value-wise. Like lawyers, the value of programmers is, or traditionally has been, their creativity and intellect. Better tools have reduced the value of that personal asset in programmers, but not eliminated it. 

 

It is notably different from most engineering in that the products do not require large capital to distribute, once the creativity is complete. 

 

In this manner, I have often wondered if programmers would work better in limited liability partnerships rather than corporations. A small group of programmers who produce on contract to corporations would be, if well organized, very valuable. 

 

The corporate structure lends itself to growth in traditional economy, whereas a larger programming companies have, in my limited experience, not been efficient. There are exceptions, like Electronic Arts, I think. 

 

But the hierarchical view of corporations, looking down upon employees, is flawed in the programming world because the direction of the company is often better felt by the programmers themselves, and management has often had a terrible disconnect from the technical reality, and a tendency to dictate where they should listen. Good management isn’t necessarily this way, but many people cling to this management style. 

 

In a partnership, the partners would be responsible for bringing in clients, the design, the programming, and the effective reuse of code. In a corporation, they are typically responsible only for the programming. I believe savvy programmers would be much better at selecting appropriate clients and choosing the direction of the code. I believe, when it comes to the effective reuse of code, a partnership would have better structures adopted to accommodate it. 

 

This sort of delegation among partners has been very effective, in my opinion, in lawyer partnerships. I believe the effectiveness could translate into programmer partnerships. Mind you, moving programmers into management positions in companies may have the same effect, but I think the hierarchial structure inherently causes problems. The distinguishing feature being that in a partnership, management would also be programmers, and vise versa. There wouldn’t just be a "delegation to programmers" by management, so to speak. 

 

Just food for thought. 

Stock Options Can be a Good Thing - by Rathian (Score: 5, Interesting) Thread

Once upon a time I had several thousand shares of stock options with my old company. I shudder to think how much money I could’ve made had I blown the wad at the right time… Easily 10’s of thousands. 

 

Could’ve. 

 

Back in late 2000 it ran all the way up to 40-something, rung the bell, and then cratered. The whole time I made the mistake of holding onto them out of some odd form of loyalty. 

 

My biggest tip to those that have them, DO NOT hesitate to excercise them when the stock runs up. A sunnier day might come, it might not. 

 

As it stood, when I was laid off my options were underwater and not worth the paper they were printed on. I’ve since lost them, but last I checked they were still underwater. 

 

Easy come, easy go. I would not take them instead of a hard raise.

Makes sense from the company’s perspective - by FunWithHeadlines (Score: 5, Interesting) Thread

In the dot-com boom, stock options were thrown around like crazy. I had 3000 of them myself, once upon a career, and on that job I was just a peon. Didn’t wind up being worth anything because they kept delaying and delaying until the bust took over and made it a moot point. Then the company went under, making the point even mooter. (Mootest?)

Just as companies had to give in on a lot of employee demands back when you could flip jobs as easily as a hamburger, once the boom was over they had control again. And if there’s one thing you can count on in life, a company with control will use it:

"Many of these companies, looking for ways to reward service or pay executives their just perks, are favoring restricted stock, according to a study released last month. Restricted stock comes in a number of forms and with different names, but all versions require continued service by the employee. Stocks or cash tied to business performance are gaining prominence."

Yup, it’s the old ‘performance’ game. "Sorry, Smithers, you did good work, but the market hit us hard this year so your bonus will consist of this Burger King coupon and a pack of Doritos. Good job, son." When companies can tie things to performance, it’s good for the company. No random stock giveways so that even the slackers cash out while the company isn’t making a dime. Now if the company does well, you can do well, unless you’re poor Smithers.

"A U.S. accounting standard that requires companies to book stock options as an expense is expected to be made final before the end of the year by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). "

Aha! The other reason! Yeppers, one other immutable law of nature: A company will never do anything that costs them money. Everything they do, even the seemingly nice things, is designed to make them money. So stock options are costing them more? Buh-bye stock options.

"

Crist sues St. Petersburg company promising "grants" (Miami Herald)
From: us.rd.yahoo.com

"ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist on Tuesday sued a company that promised its customers government "grants" and charged them hundreds of dollars for information that easily could have been obtained for free."

Crist sues St. Petersburg company promising "grants" (Miami Herald)
From: us.rd.yahoo.com

"ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist on Tuesday sued a company that promised its customers government "grants" and charged them hundreds of dollars for information that easily could have been obtained for free."

The Amie Jo Show Reaches the World Through Internet-Television
From: www.prweb.com

"The Amie Jo Show is featured inside Black Insight Magazine. [PRWEB Nov 10, 2004]"

Employee Stock Options?
From: alterslash.org

"

Posted by Cliff (29% noise) View

Evil Butters asks: "ComputerWorld has an interesting article regarding the decline of Employee Stock Options. Long gone are the days when companies would pass out stock options like toilet paper (as you were lucky if it was worth as much). Since most of us are probably in IT related fields, is anyone seeing any turn-around in compensation packages — especially for IT folk? Everywhere I look, companies are still cutting back and finding reasons why compensation does not need to be increased (except for CEO’s of course) no matter what your performance is like. But according to the article, 54% of the top S&P 250 companies are (at least) using restricted stock as performance perks, etc."

Run away screaming - by gelfling (Score: 4, Informative) Thread

Options ARE NOT, ARE NOT grants. 

 

Grants are GIFTS of stock outright. Options are the odds that the stock will sell at a lower price than the strike price when you exercise them. 

 

EVERY single person I know is underwater on their options. Every Single One. 

 

Options are essentially worthless in this market for the forseeable future. They were a useful tool to attract people by offering them a great deal of other peoples’s money in the future.

Beware of the 83(b) election! - by PeeAitchPee (Score: 5, Interesting) Thread

As one of many who briefly had a small fortune in stock options in the late ‘90s, I can tell you from experience:

ALWAYS take more cash before more options

Sell you options the nanosecond that you can, take the money, SMILE, and don’t obsess on the share price

Immediately set aside 40% (or whatever your financial advisor tells you) of the proceeds to PAY THE TAXES due on what you just made! If you don’t you are guaranteed to take it up the ass at tax time.

If you want to file an 83(b) election, make sure you do it at the beginning of the current year so you’ve got plenty of time (‘til the end of the current tax year) to decide whether and when to sell some or all of them.

Pay the money for a decent CPA / tax advisor, who knows more about this you’ll ever want to. AVOID the asshole "advisors" at the brokerages; all they want you to do is keep socking more funds into their firms and keep the commissions rolling in!

Incentive Structures - by debrain (Score: 5, Interesting) Thread

Programmers are a lot like lawyers, value-wise. Like lawyers, the value of programmers is, or traditionally has been, their creativity and intellect. Better tools have reduced the value of that personal asset in programmers, but not eliminated it. 

 

It is notably different from most engineering in that the products do not require large capital to distribute, once the creativity is complete. 

 

In this manner, I have often wondered if programmers would work better in limited liability partnerships rather than corporations. A small group of programmers who produce on contract to corporations would be, if well organized, very valuable. 

 

The corporate structure lends itself to growth in traditional economy, whereas a larger programming companies have, in my limited experience, not been efficient. There are exceptions, like Electronic Arts, I think. 

 

But the hierarchical view of corporations, looking down upon employees, is flawed in the programming world because the direction of the company is often better felt by the programmers themselves, and management has often had a terrible disconnect from the technical reality, and a tendency to dictate where they should listen. Good management isn’t necessarily this way, but many people cling to this management style. 

 

In a partnership, the partners would be responsible for bringing in clients, the design, the programming, and the effective reuse of code. In a corporation, they are typically responsible only for the programming. I believe savvy programmers would be much better at selecting appropriate clients and choosing the direction of the code. I believe, when it comes to the effective reuse of code, a partnership would have better structures adopted to accommodate it. 

 

This sort of delegation among partners has been very effective, in my opinion, in lawyer partnerships. I believe the effectiveness could translate into programmer partnerships. Mind you, moving programmers into management positions in companies may have the same effect, but I think the hierarchial structure inherently causes problems. The distinguishing feature being that in a partnership, management would also be programmers, and vise versa. There wouldn’t just be a "delegation to programmers" by management, so to speak. 

 

Just food for thought. 

Stock Options Can be a Good Thing - by Rathian (Score: 5, Interesting) Thread

Once upon a time I had several thousand shares of stock options with my old company. I shudder to think how much money I could’ve made had I blown the wad at the right time… Easily 10’s of thousands. 

 

Could’ve. 

 

Back in late 2000 it ran all the way up to 40-something, rung the bell, and then cratered. The whole time I made the mistake of holding onto them out of some odd form of loyalty. 

 

My biggest tip to those that have them, DO NOT hesitate to excercise them when the stock runs up. A sunnier day might come, it might not. 

 

As it stood, when I was laid off my options were underwater and not worth the paper they were printed on. I’ve since lost them, but last I checked they were still underwater. 

 

Easy come, easy go. I would not take them instead of a hard raise.

Makes sense from the company’s perspective - by FunWithHeadlines (Score: 5, Interesting) Thread

In the dot-com boom, stock options were thrown around like crazy. I had 3000 of them myself, once upon a career, and on that job I was just a peon. Didn’t wind up being worth anything because they kept delaying and delaying until the bust took over and made it a moot point. Then the company went under, making the point even mooter. (Mootest?)

Just as companies had to give in on a lot of employee demands back when you could flip jobs as easily as a hamburger, once the boom was over they had control again. And if there’s one thing you can count on in life, a company with control will use it:

"Many of these companies, looking for ways to reward service or pay executives their just perks, are favoring restricted stock, according to a study released last month. Restricted stock comes in a number of forms and with different names, but all versions require continued service by the employee. Stocks or cash tied to business performance are gaining prominence."

Yup, it’s the old ‘performance’ game. "Sorry, Smithers, you did good work, but the market hit us hard this year so your bonus will consist of this Burger King coupon and a pack of Doritos. Good job, son." When companies can tie things to performance, it’s good for the company. No random stock giveways so that even the slackers cash out while the company isn’t making a dime. Now if the company does well, you can do well, unless you’re poor Smithers.

"A U.S. accounting standard that requires companies to book stock options as an expense is expected to be made final before the end of the year by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). "

Aha! The other reason! Yeppers, one other immutable law of nature: A company will never do anything that costs them money. Everything they do, even the seemingly nice things, is designed to make them money. So stock options are costing them more? Buh-bye stock options.

"

ZIMBABWE: Reserve Bank governor warns against grants (AlertNet)
From: us.rd.yahoo.com

"HARARE, 8 November (IRIN) - Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, Gideon Gono, has warned the government against awarding grants to former liberation war activists, saying this would throw plans to reduce inflation off course."

Montana receives grants to help jobless find work (Missoulian)
From: us.rd.yahoo.com

"HELENA - Montana is one of seven states selected to participate in a pilot project to help the unemployed get back to work more quickly through re-employment accounts."

Tax Partners Successfully Earns SAS 70 Type II Certification
From: www.prweb.com

"Tax Partners, the largest sales & use tax compliance service bureau in the US, earns SAS 70 Type II Certification [PRWEB Nov 8, 2004]"

Drug Might Become First for Specific Race The lar...
From: 4kevin.com

" Drug Might Become First for Specific Race The largest study ever done solely on blacks with heart failure raises the controversial prospect of the first drug that might be marketed to a specific racial group. The experimental drug, BiDil, dramatically improved survival and cut hospitalizations for heart failure, a problem that affects 5 million Americans, blacks 2 1/2 times more often than whites. Its maker, NitroMed, plans to seek federal approval for the two-drug combination pill by year's end. "It's a delight to see a trial that clearly shows a benefit of therapy in a particular racial group," said Dr. Augustus Grant, past president of the Association of Black Cardiologists, which supported the study. However, some specialists believe the pill also would help whites and say it should have been tested among them but wasn't for business reasons. "

ZIMBABWE: Reserve Bank governor warns against grants (AlertNet)
From: us.rd.yahoo.com

"HARARE, 8 November (IRIN) - Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, Gideon Gono, has warned the government against awarding grants to former liberation war activists, saying this would throw plans to reduce inflation off course."

Montana receives grants to help jobless find work (Missoulian)
From: us.rd.yahoo.com

"HELENA - Montana is one of seven states selected to participate in a pilot project to help the unemployed get back to work more quickly through re-employment accounts."

Tax Partners Successfully Earns SAS 70 Type II Certification
From: www.prweb.com

"Tax Partners, the largest sales & use tax compliance service bureau in the US, earns SAS 70 Type II Certification [PRWEB Nov 8, 2004]"

Dos Hair Homecoming Promm Wedding
From: www.fancy-prom-dresses.info

" Success Stories Jodi and Dan Bittick purchased One Hour Martinizing in Medford in 1998. The operation does dry cleaning, repairs, alterations, preservation and laundry. Both Jodi and Dan worked for big business in Utah and wanted to own their own business. Dry-cleaning was a natural choice since Jodi's grandfather and her father owned and operated a dry cleaning business. Jodi and her siblings often helped with the family business. In the four years as owners of the Medford store, the Bitticks had increased their market and wanted to expand by purchasing a new, larger capacity washer and dryer. The owners couldn't get a bank loan, because the loan request was too small. Roger Harding of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Grants Pass, and their instructor in the Rogue Community College Small Business Management Program, referred them to Dennis Davis, the Loan Fund Manager at Southern Oregon Women�s Access to Credit (SOWAC) Business Training and Lending in Medford, Oregon. "Dennis Davis was very helpful... we really enjoyed working with him," said the Bitticks. Davis assisted them to update their Business Plan and worked with them to get approval for the loan. After they were funded for the equipment, Davis encouraged them to take part in the SOWAC Marketing Roundtable program with Kimberly Ward. For six months, they met with other entrepreneurs, exchanged ideas and worked out a Marketing Plan with one-on-one instruction. The key to the new plan was to increase their customer base and maximize their new larger capacity washer and dryer. They chose to offer coupons to existing customers for a discount on dry cleaning larger items. The business is thriving. When they first opened in 1998, only Dan and Jodi worked full time. Now in 2003 they employ three full time people, plus themselves, a total of five full time and two part time. Yearly gross sales have more than tripled. When asked about obstacles they had overcome, Jodi laughed, "There are obstacles every day! Either equipment or management issues keep us busy." Their business strength, Jodi thought, was their exceptional customer service. They have recently made a unique addition to their business and contribution to the community with the "Prom Dress Bank." Jodi went to the school counselors and shared ideas about how to let students know about the stock of prom gowns that students could own by exchanging a can of food for the Food Bank. This stock of prom gowns, to be ready for distribution in March, is open to any student who is, for whatever reason, not able to afford a dress. Jodi felt that health issues, family issues, low income, etc. all qualified students to receive one of these dresses. Jodi initiated this project to give something back to the community that has helped their dry cleaning business thrive. Custom Threads for our Little TreasuresTiny Threads & Treasures offers exceptional clothing By Jean Doerr, SCORE New Haven -- From legal secretary to shop owner, how did it happen? Linda Fiore says it took a lot of patience and an overwhelming desire to create fashions to help realize her high school dream of owning her own business. "When I was trying to wrestle a pre-teen into an outfit she did not want to be caught dead in, I knew I had to find an outlet for my desire to create tiny clothes with bunnies and chickies on them," she states. Today you will find Linda at Tiny Threads & Treasures, a charming shop filled with baby and children's clothing on busy Route 5 (448 Washington Avenue) in North Haven. The entrepreneur bug bit Linda Fiore at the age of seven. She sold her mother the potholder she had just woven and earned ten cents. With this heady feeling in place, she went on to make more potholders and to sell to other relatives. By the age of eleven she had learned to crochet. In high school Linda took sewing classes because she wanted to create things. She made her own prom dress and began her career in the fashion world. Later her field became the specialized one of children's fashions. When Linda's own children and grandchildren came along, her creativity had free rein. She designed, sewed and crocheted clothes for them. Other people admired these small fashions and asked Linda to make clothes for their children. Life interrupted the direction of this remarkable seamstress. Needing to join the growing field of two income families, Linda went to Stone Academy and became a legal secretary. She followed this profession successfully for many years while sewing and crocheting for family and friends in her spare time, never giving up her high school dream of owning her own business . Two years ago with the encouragement of her husband and family, Linda decided to explore the possibilities of opening a shop dedicated to custom designed clothing for babies and small children. She attended several SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) workshops and took advantage of SCORE counseling to help her through the start up business process. Linda credits SCORE with giving her valuable advise regarding all aspects of starting and owning a business as well as instilling in her the confidence to turn her dream into a reality. Today Linda is living her dream. She has a devoted client following, and her store reflects her creativity and love for babies with its unusual d�cor and the variety of styles and fabrics from which to choose. She is especially well known for the christening outfits she designs for boys and girls. Linda shares her success with others. She works with the Tommy Fund Kids Center at Yale New Haven Hospital that benefits children with cancer. She also encourages other artisans by giving them space in her shop to display their work. Linda wishes she'd had this kind of support as a young woman to stimulate her creativity to build a business. Linda loves what she is doing now, and the quality of her products and her customer service show it. You can visit Tiny Threads & Treasures at 448 Washington Avenue in North Haven. Call 203-239-7644 for directions. Linda's clothes are also available in fashionable stores in Wilton, Woodbridge and Milford, Connecticut as well as on Block Island and Cape Cod. For a preview of Linda's fashions, visit www.tinythreads.com, and picture your child or grandchild as a featured model on this site. "

The College Search: How to Find the "Perfect" College
From: collegeapps.about.com

"This article gives confused college students a run down on which criteria to consider while choosing colleges so they too can find out which the the "perfect" college for them. A must read before beginning the college search!..."

Inflexxion, Inc. Showcases Study Results at National Public Health Exposition
From: www.prweb.com

" Three college health programs demonstrate the innovation of Inflexxion, Inc. as public health experts gather at national APHA forum to explore the latest research and best practices in the field [PRWEB Nov 7, 2004]"

Evangelia D. Souris, AICI, CIP, Certified Boston Image Consultant and President of Boston based Image Consulting Firm OPTIMUM, represents the Image Industry at Northeastern University's Fashion panel of experts. Souris is Boston's only Certified, (AICI,CIP) Image Consultant that offers exclusive time tested Image Consulting for Professional and Personal Image Enhancement.
From: www.prweb.com

"Evangelia D. Souris is the expert Boston Image Consultant representative at Northeastern University's panel discussion on Careers in the Fashion Industry (10/21/04). [PRWEB Nov 7, 2004]"

Madigan urges consumers to hang up if telemarketers promise government grants (Canton Daily Ledger)
From: us.rd.yahoo.com

"CHICAGO -- Attorney General Lisa Madigan recently warned consumers about an alleged new telephone scam making the rounds in Illinois in which recipients of phone calls are promised government grants in return for a one-time "processing fee.""

QualityMetric Forms Office of Grants and Scholarly Research to Support Use of Patient-Reported Health Outcomes Surveys (PR Newswire)
From: us.rd.yahoo.com

"Disease-specific and Dynamic Computerized (DYNHA(R)) Surveys Added to QualityMetric Royalty-Free Offerings for Scholarly Research LINCOLN, R.I., Nov. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- QualityMetric Incorporated, founded by the developer of the SF-36(R) Health Survey and other leading generic and disease-specific patient-reported health outcomes surveys, today announced formation of an Office of Grants and"

Business Email Servers & Email Deliverability Rates
From: www.prweb.com

"For years email marketers have studied email marketing and tried to determine how to boost open rates, clik rates, etc. The fact is that with standard email server technology, campaings will rarely get delivered effectively and will fail regularly. [PRWEB Nov 7, 2004]"

Dos Hair Homecoming Promm Wedding
From: www.fancy-prom-dresses.info

" Success Stories Jodi and Dan Bittick purchased One Hour Martinizing in Medford in 1998. The operation does dry cleaning, repairs, alterations, preservation and laundry. Both Jodi and Dan worked for big business in Utah and wanted to own their own business. Dry-cleaning was a natural choice since Jodi's grandfather and her father owned and operated a dry cleaning business. Jodi and her siblings often helped with the family business. In the four years as owners of the Medford store, the Bitticks had increased their market and wanted to expand by purchasing a new, larger capacity washer and dryer. The owners couldn't get a bank loan, because the loan request was too small. Roger Harding of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Grants Pass, and their instructor in the Rogue Community College Small Business Management Program, referred them to Dennis Davis, the Loan Fund Manager at Southern Oregon Women�s Access to Credit (SOWAC) Business Training and Lending in Medford, Oregon. "Dennis Davis was very helpful... we really enjoyed working with him," said the Bitticks. Davis assisted them to update their Business Plan and worked with them to get approval for the loan. After they were funded for the equipment, Davis encouraged them to take part in the SOWAC Marketing Roundtable program with Kimberly Ward. For six months, they met with other entrepreneurs, exchanged ideas and worked out a Marketing Plan with one-on-one instruction. The key to the new plan was to increase their customer base and maximize their new larger capacity washer and dryer. They chose to offer coupons to existing customers for a discount on dry cleaning larger items. The business is thriving. When they first opened in 1998, only Dan and Jodi worked full time. Now in 2003 they employ three full time people, plus themselves, a total of five full time and two part time. Yearly gross sales have more than tripled. When asked about obstacles they had overcome, Jodi laughed, "There are obstacles every day! Either equipment or management issues keep us busy." Their business strength, Jodi thought, was their exceptional customer service. They have recently made a unique addition to their business and contribution to the community with the "Prom Dress Bank." Jodi went to the school counselors and shared ideas about how to let students know about the stock of prom gowns that students could own by exchanging a can of food for the Food Bank. This stock of prom gowns, to be ready for distribution in March, is open to any student who is, for whatever reason, not able to afford a dress. Jodi felt that health issues, family issues, low income, etc. all qualified students to receive one of these dresses. Jodi initiated this project to give something back to the community that has helped their dry cleaning business thrive. Custom Threads for our Little TreasuresTiny Threads & Treasures offers exceptional clothing By Jean Doerr, SCORE New Haven -- From legal secretary to shop owner, how did it happen? Linda Fiore says it took a lot of patience and an overwhelming desire to create fashions to help realize her high school dream of owning her own business. "When I was trying to wrestle a pre-teen into an outfit she did not want to be caught dead in, I knew I had to find an outlet for my desire to create tiny clothes with bunnies and chickies on them," she states. Today you will find Linda at Tiny Threads & Treasures, a charming shop filled with baby and children's clothing on busy Route 5 (448 Washington Avenue) in North Haven. The entrepreneur bug bit Linda Fiore at the age of seven. She sold her mother the potholder she had just woven and earned ten cents. With this heady feeling in place, she went on to make more potholders and to sell to other relatives. By the age of eleven she had learned to crochet. In high school Linda took sewing classes because she wanted to create things. She made her own prom dress and began her career in the fashion world. Later her field became the specialized one of children's fashions. When Linda's own children and grandchildren came along, her creativity had free rein. She designed, sewed and crocheted clothes for them. Other people admired these small fashions and asked Linda to make clothes for their children. Life interrupted the direction of this remarkable seamstress. Needing to join the growing field of two income families, Linda went to Stone Academy and became a legal secretary. She followed this profession successfully for many years while sewing and crocheting for family and friends in her spare time, never giving up her high school dream of owning her own business . Two years ago with the encouragement of her husband and family, Linda decided to explore the possibilities of opening a shop dedicated to custom designed clothing for babies and small children. She attended several SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) workshops and took advantage of SCORE counseling to help her through the start up business process. Linda credits SCORE with giving her valuable advise regarding all aspects of starting and owning a business as well as instilling in her the confidence to turn her dream into a reality. Today Linda is living her dream. She has a devoted client following, and her store reflects her creativity and love for babies with its unusual d�cor and the variety of styles and fabrics from which to choose. She is especially well known for the christening outfits she designs for boys and girls. Linda shares her success with others. She works with the Tommy Fund Kids Center at Yale New Haven Hospital that benefits children with cancer. She also encourages other artisans by giving them space in her shop to display their work. Linda wishes she'd had this kind of support as a young woman to stimulate her creativity to build a business. Linda loves what she is doing now, and the quality of her products and her customer service show it. You can visit Tiny Threads & Treasures at 448 Washington Avenue in North Haven. Call 203-239-7644 for directions. Linda's clothes are also available in fashionable stores in Wilton, Woodbridge and Milford, Connecticut as well as on Block Island and Cape Cod. For a preview of Linda's fashions, visit www.tinythreads.com, and picture your child or grandchild as a featured model on this site. "