Flexible Spending Accounts - Often Forgotten and Misunderstood Eligible and Ineligible Items

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IRS regulations govern the eligibility of reimbursable flexible spending account items and we realize these rules can be confusing at times. As Flex Administrators, BASIC helps ensure that your FSA plan stays within these regulations. This is even more important now that President Obama has increased the budget for fraud and abuse investigations by 50% in 2010. To try to make Flex plan compliance simple, we compiled a list of the most surprising eligible items and also the ineligible items that are most commonly mistaken as eligible.

Often Forgotten Eligible Items

Mileage or Mass Transit Expenses To and From Office Visits
Most Flex plan participants are surprised that the mileage or transportation costs to visit a doctor or dentist are eligible expenses. The mileage on the plan participant's car and subway or bus passes to and from the visit are eligible for reimbursement.

Orthodontia Procedures
Orthodontia procedures can also be confusing. The best practice for claiming orthodontia expenses is to send in a copy of your paperwork from the orthodontist along with a copy of your contract for quick reference.

Over-The-Counter Medication
As a general rule, over-the-counter medications are eligible expenses. There are some that are not eligible. The rule for over-the-counter items is that it must treat a medical condition. Examples are Tylenol, Sudafed, etc.

Chiropractic Services
Chiropractic services are eligible expenses, though the claim and reimbursement process can be somewhat complicated. Many chiropractic services are prepaid and can only be reimbursed as the services are received rather than when they are prepaid. If you have prepaid for chiropractic services, the reimbursement is equal to a fair value of the service provided on a specific visit to the chiropractor. Make sure you ask for your bill to show the value of the service provided on that visit so you can receive the correct amount of reimbursement. While a massage from the chiropractor is eligible for reimbursement, it requires a letter of medical necessity.

Often Misunderstood Ineligible Items

Toiletries
Some Flex plan participants are also surprised to find that toiletries such as soap, shampoo, tooth paste, face wash, deodorant, etc are not eligible expenses. Toiletries are the most commonly claimed items that are ineligible for reimbursement.

Dental Procedures
While almost all procedures performed by a dentist are eligible expenses, teeth bleaching is one of the few that are ineligible.

Vitamins
Vitamins and similar supplements for general health are typically ineligible. For vitamins to be claimed as an eligible expense, a doctor must state in a letter what the patient's medical condition is and what specific vitamins are used to treat it. The doctor can then prescribe those vitamins which can be claimed as an eligible expense. Multi-vitamins are never available for reimbursement because they only promote general health, they do not treat a specific condition.

Based in Michigan with representation across the US, along with Payroll Outsourcing, BASIC also provides Benefit Administration, and HR Outsource services. Currently, over 9,000 employers nationally trust BASIC with a wide range of HR responsibilities as a way to manage risk, control cost and improve staff focus and effectiveness. BASIC is a privately held company that has developed a suite of solutions that can be offered independently or as part of a platform of outsource service including, Payroll, FMLA Administration, COBRA, Flexible Spending Account, HRA, single source billing and Dependent Audit Administration.

Chicago - Beginnings - Live in Denver 6/23/10

Chicago perform "Beginningss" live at Fiddler's Green on June 23, 2010. This song is owned and copyrighted by Chicago.

Complex Matters Involved in Bus Accident Cases

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Is traveling via mass transit more convenient for you? Do you much prefer regularly riding in buses when going to your place of destination instead of taking your own vehicle?

Then you should know the risks involved and the matters that you may become involved with if ever the public transportation vehicle you are riding on encounters an accident.

While mass transit may be a tad safer than driving in your own vehicle, especially if you are still an inexperienced and unfamiliar of the roads accidents may occur that could bring complicated matters.

Low speed accidents do not have such a big impact on the bus and its passengers due to its typical size and weight. However, if a high speed collision occurs then it may have a great impact on the passengers of the bus since their seats are usually unrestrained. Often, severe multiple injuries may even be sustained especially if the impact of crash or collision causes the bus to roll, go off the road, or catch fire.

If you become involved in a bus accident and file a claim for damages against those who may be liable for the incident, here are several of the complicated matters you may have to face up with.

o Governmental Immunity - often, buses are being operated behind a governmental authority, such as a public school or municipality.

Given this, even if it was identified that the bus driver was the one at fault, an attempt may be made in order to avoid you and the other injured persons during the accident from being compensated. Governmental immunity laws are protecting the liable person. These laws have considerable variations in every state and they can be difficult to understand.

If your case involves governmental immunity, make sure to consult with a vehicle accident lawyer with specialized knowledge in this matter and practicing on the jurisdiction where your accident happened.

o Accidents on School Buses

Serious injuries on school bus accidents may occur on situations such as:

- boarding and disembarking of passengers -passing motorists sometimes disregard the signals indicated in the school bus, unsafe way of crossing by the children from the bus, driver of the bus lost track of a child passenger and then prematurely turns off the vehicle's signals or accidentally hits the child with the bus itself.

- Collision accidents involving the school bus with other motor vehicles

- Highway and traffic accidents

Nowadays, the more modern designed school buses have a noteworthy element providing passive restraint on its seat design. The seats are made in such a way that injury will be minimized and avoid a child from being thrown out from the seat during a collision or be struck into the other seat in front of them.

If your child happens to become involved in such accidents on his / her school bus, make sure to talk with an attorney regarding the governmental immunity policy.

o Fifteen passenger vans - although, cannot really be considered a bus, since it is usually used as a public transportation vehicle, then if an accident happened, make sure that your vehicle accident lawyer investigate well on its causes. You may have a potential product liability case against the vans' manufacturer because of a rollover accident.

o Fraud concerns - pre-conditioned or scam accidents staged by con - artists. If this case is suspected, the accident is usually investigated of pre-existing elements. It would be difficult to establish claims in these cases.

Be more informed about the other matters involved in bus accidents with the help of California Vehicle Accident Attorneys and Los Angeles Lawyers.

Access Control Systems to Protect Your Business

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Are your assets secure? Has your business or home ever been broken into, or have you ever had people get into places they shouldn't be in? While a lock and key used to be the answer, advancements in technology have granted us several alternatives to carrying around giant, cumbersome key rings. Now automatic doors and security gates make entrances and exits much easier to use and more secure, and automating control of these systems has brought forth a plethora of access control technologies.

Keys themselves have changed quite a bit since their inception as the premiere method of access control. These days, hotels, businesses and even gated communities use key cards instead of metal keys to grant access to visitors, employees and residents respectively. But even the term key card is a little vague considering the different styles of key cards out there.

Magnetic stripe cards utilize a magnetic stripe (like that found on the back of a credit card) that is swiped through a reader to convey the information necessary to grant access to an area. This is typically done by having the reader release an electric or magnetic lock allowing the door to be opened, or having the "magstripe" reader activate an electric gate operator that will open a security gate granting vehicle access. These cards allow for more specific programming creating different levels of access and eliminating the need to worry about collecting keys from ex-employees or residents by giving you the ability to deactivate them from a central location.

Wiegland cards and proximity are similar except that the information is stored inside the card reducing the cards susceptibility to wear. These cards are placed next to a reader and the information is transmitted through airwaves.

Smart cards allow extra data to be stored on the card itself such as biometric information or key codes. These cards can be contact cards the require contact with the reading device or non-contact cards that don't even need to be removed from the wallet or purse to activate the reader. A bar code reader uses one or more lasers to read bar codes on plates or stickers allowing vehicles to pass freely through an entrance without even requiring the vehicle to stop.

Biometrics are the latest advancement in access control technologies, requiring person specific information from the person requesting entrance. Fingerprint readers read your fingerprints, iris readers scan your eye to find a match, and even facial recognition systems scan your entire face to make sure you have authority to proceed. Biometrics can be used in conjunction with other access control methods for maximum protection.

But let's say you just want something simple for your home residence. Automatic doors or electric gate operators can be activated through various methods, such as key pads, telephone entry systems, even remote control. Keypads can just require a certain sequence to be entered, while telephone entry systems dial into a network to contact someone with the power to grant you access. Remote control gate transmitters allow you to open a gate with the click of a button, and are available in various sizes from small key chain sized transmitters to clickers you can clip to the sun visor in your vehicle.

More basic methods of access control include pneumatic pads, motion detectors, and buttons. These methods are very low security and are more for convenience, air conditioning retention or one-way access control. Pneumatic pads are pressure sensitive and activate a door when weight forces air out of them. These are commonly found at grocery store entrances. Motion detectors activate when someone walks through a specified area. Buttons can be used to release a lock or activate a door opening sequence, based on the situation. Exit buttons are located inside a secure area and allow pedestrians to exit, but there is no way to reenter from the other side.

A final method of access control is the good old turnstile. Turnstiles are available for either access control or traffic control. Traffic control turnstiles would be waist high turnstiles or pedestrian barriers. They restrict access but don't necessarily prevent it. These would be the turnstiles you see at theme parks or mass transit stations. Full height turnstiles on the other hand are usually part of a fence or wall and allow access to only one person at a time. These are usually paired with an access control device of some sort to restrict access to government properties or corporate facilities. Another form of turnstile is an E-gate. These devices verify credentials (such as ID or passports) before granting access to pedestrians.

By securing your home or business with an access control system, you'll rest easier knowing that your property is safe and secure.

Glenn Harpold
Access Control Specialist & VP of FDC
http://fdc.com

Five Easy Steps to Repairing Your Credit

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Have you damaged your credit rating, and now need to repair it? It can be a long, tedious process, if you aren't sure of exactly what to do. And if you decide to work with an agency that specializes in this type of work, you're paying someone to do work that you can do yourself, for free. This article will discuss what options you can take to repair your credit, yourself, without having to pay a penny to do it.

If after the walk through in this article, you are still having problems with your credit repair, it is well advised that you talk to an experienced lawyer in this area. There may be no other way to get some unauthorized information off your report - but let's try these simple steps, first!

1. Credit Repair: Get Copies of Your Credit Reports

Send a letter to each of the major credit reporting agencies (TransUnion, Equifax, CSC, Innovax, and Experian), asking them for a copy of your credit records. Some states require that you send along a copy of a credit denial letter with this letter, or else they will levy a charge (somewhere between $3-10). If you are serious about trying to repair your credit, you'll need to do this manually, instead of online, for several reasons. First of all, many online credit repair companies are hit or miss; you may or may not get the information you require. Secondly, the printouts may be difficult to read (after having been scanned several times), and last of all, it is difficult to go back and find exactly where the information was located, if need be, again.

2. Credit Repair: Take a Good Look

Make a copy of all of the credit reports you receive, and highlight each and every person and company who has reviewed your credit history. Do you know who all of these people, and companies are? You should. Do some sleuthing, and try and figure out if every company listed is one that you have given access to. Don't forget that many agencies are allowed to access your credit rating reports, such as collection agencies, people trying to grant you credit, insurance underwriters, etc. Any entries that say "PRM" next to them are for promotional reasons, and are entirely legal. And finally, review all of your payment history with each credit agency to ensure it is all correct. If there is a discrepancy somewhere, write down the particulars. You'll need to go hunting for information confirming your case.

3. Credit Repair: Send a Letter

If applicable, send a letter to each of the credit agencies, letting them know there has been an error. Be specific; attach proof stating your case (a cancelled check stub, payment history printout, etc.) You may use the form that the credit repair agency sends you instead of writing out your own letter, but don't feel badly if you need more space to state your case. Make sure to keep a copy of everything that you send as well, just in case it gets lost in transit.

4. Credit Repair: Review

About 30 days after you've sent off your letters, you should receive responses from the credit repair agencies you have contacted. The letter will show clearly what has been changed, along with a new copy of your credit report, as well as any omissions, deletions, or additions to your credit repair file. If you still have an issue, you have up to two years to make changes on your file, as per the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

For more more information about repairing your credit please visit [http://www.moneytipsdaily.com/Money-Tips/Credit-Repair-Provider-Cautions-Against-Collection-Agencies.html]

The Opinion Show. (Ep.1-Sea.1)

This is my show, The Opinion Show. A show were You (the viewer) & me (the Host) can express opinion on People, Places and Things of Past & Present origins. You type down your Opinions and/or Commets for the subject on each episode. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Today Subject: "The Chicago CTA crisis". Chicago Transit Authority, also known as CTA, is the operator of mass transit within the City of Chicago, Illinois. It is the second largest transit system in the United States and fourth largest in North America. The Chicago Transit Authority offers bus and rapid transit routes throughout the city, as well as to some suburban destinations. The CTA is a municipal corporation that started operations on October 1, 1947 upon the purchase and combination of the transportation assets of the Chicago Rapid Transit Company and the Chicago Surface Lines streetcar system. In 1952, CTA purchased the assets of the Chicago Motor Coach Company, which was under the control of Yellow Cab founder John D. Hertz, resulting in a fully unified system. Today, the CTA is one of the three service boards financially supported by the Regional Transportation Authority.

Hit By A School Bus Or on Public Transit in Ontario? What You Need to Know

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It's a fact that many school age children ride buses every weekday. With 800,000 Ontario students riding school buses every day of the school year – and an added number using public transit to get there – it’s fair to expect some bumps and bruises along the way. There are undoubtedly also a large number of bus riding students in your jurisdiction. Their safety is a priority.

What you might not know about is your child's rights and benefits following a school bus, or city bus, injury. They can be substantial when you factor in all the different parties involved. According to 1990-1995 survey results published at the Ontario Ministry of Transportation’s School Bus Safety Resource Guide, a typical Ontario school year in the early 1990s saw more than 1000 road collisions involving school buses. Upwards of 100 students were injured, every school year, while inside a school bus.

Of course, injuries can occur on any bus, whether it’s a school bus or part of a public transit system. They can be caused by sudden stops, collisions, or even by unsupervised horseplay.

When a person – child or adult – is injured on a school or transit bus, that individual is unlikely to be entirely responsible for the injury. Many other parties are responsible for the safety of all the bus’s riders, and depending on the accident, they could be legally responsible to provide compensation:

• Government bodies (MTO, Transport Canada, etc.) are responsible for putting appropriate safety guidelines in place, in order to prevent bus accidents.

• School board officials are responsible for implementing and monitoring school transportation, and this includes making safety improvements.

• All bus operators must follow provincial safety regulations as outlined in the Highway Traffic Act and the Public Vehicle Act.

• Auto insurance companies may be required to pay accident benefits to someone injured on a bus.

• School bus drivers are also on the hook to ensure rider safety, and inspect the bus regularly.

• Other motorists must also obey traffic laws, particularly in dealing with school buses. Parents like you are responsible for educating their children about bus safety.

In my city, the Ottawa Student Transportation Authority offers free bus safety materials, and interactive bus safety seminars. Check with your local school board to see if similar materials are available where you live.

One of the best ways you can prevent school bus injuries is to be a smart motorist. When a school bus has stopped, give it 20 meters of space. Never attempt to pass a stopped school bus.

If your child does have an accident on the school bus or the city bus, make sure you notify the school and bus company of the accident right away. This is especially important if your child is injured inside the bus and the driver may not be aware of the injuries.

Getting appropriate and timely medical attention is vital in every personal injury situation. A bus accident is no different.

Finally, if the injuries are serious, consider getting advice from a personal injury lawyer. Most accident lawyers will provide a free consultation, with no obligation to assist you in getting any compensation to which you may be entitled.

Chicagoland Car Free Day Trailer - Active Transportation Alliance

TAKE THE PLEDGE: www.chicagolandcarfree.org The Active Transportation Alliance - in association with Pace Suburban Bus, Chicago Transit Authority, Metra, and the Regional Transportation Authority Present: CAR FREE DAY We challenge and encourage all Chicagoland drivers to go Car Free on Wednesday September 22, 2010. TAKE THE PLEDGE: www.activetrans.org

No Accident: CTA shuts down some accident claims

A little-known Illinois law that some say can double the pain of CTA accident victims. At issue here is an old law, written back in 1945 as a way to protect the Chicago Transit Authority from fraudulent lawsuits. Decades later, is that same law now also being used to shield the CTA from paying the claims of legitimate accident victims?

Atlanta Has Puppets, History and Chocolate Pecan Pie

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During the Civil War, Atlanta did indeed burn, but in the years since she has rebuilt, restored and in fact reinvented herself. Down but not out, she rose like the phoenix from the ashes of a bitter conflict to become queen of the American south. Multi-columned antebellum mansions rub shoulders with high rise office buildings and the musings of business are conducted at a slower pace with the pleasing purrs of the local accent. Atlanta, Georgia is the home of southern hospitality.

Traveling to Atlanta, Georgia by air brings you into one of the busiest airport hubs in the nation. An Automated People Mover (APM) System has been in service since 1980, carrying over 200,000 passengers daily between the main terminal and the six airside concourses. The user friendly system displays passenger information in eight languages; English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Arabic and Korean.

The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport recently opened a fifth runway to keep up with the demand and will soon open a new 12 gate international terminal. Part of the upgrade includes a new energy efficient car rental facility. In addition to rental cars, transportation options to downtown Atlanta include taxis, limos, shuttles and an extension of the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MARTA) which can have you in the city core in twenty minutes. Traveling beyond Atlanta? Greyhound Bus Lines has a pick-up point right at the airport and Amtrak provides a shuttle to its downtown station.

Visitors to Atlanta may choose from spending the night in the historic surroundings of a colonnaded mansion turned B&B, an old fashioned and perhaps themed boutique hotel or the most luxurious of resorts. Many accommodation choices are available within the downtown core and within walking distance of some of the best restaurants and shopping opportunities in the world.

One area in particular, known as Buckhead, is an upscale section of town that sometimes is referred to as the Beverly Hills of the East. Sporting a retail district similar to Rodeo Drive it is home to not only fashion from top designers, but to noted eateries such as Au Pied de Cochon (Intercontinental Hotel), Cassis at the Grand Hyatt and Seasons 52.

Baseball fans can follow the Braves as they chase the World Series Pennant and football lovers can watch the Atlanta Falcons vie for a Super Bowl Championship. Hockey anyone? See some ice action at an Atlanta Thrashers game. Golfers can tee off at a number of challenging courses in the area, some designed by such legends as Jack Nicklaus and Jim Fazio.

While in Atlanta, you'll have the chance to catch a performance of the country's oldest ballet company, the Atlanta Ballet, or the Grammy Award winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Museum lovers will find not only collections dedicated to local and Civil War history, but a unique Center for Puppetry Arts, which is the world's largest museum dedicated to the art of puppetry. After a busy day of exploring find yourself some buttermilk fried chicken and some chocolate pecan pie and relax as you contemplate the many facets of Atlanta, Georgia.

For more information on Atlanta, Georgia, visit http://www.relatedarticles.net/bl-georgia.cfm

CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY

RIDE THE CTA

Qatar Hotels

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Qatar as a nation is largely dependent on the revenue of foreign businesses as well as the industry generated by business visitors and tourists coming to see the multitude of attractions and unique features of the nation. As a result, there is a nigh on confusing level of hotels available for people to stay in while visiting, be it in the capital (and largest) city of Doha, or elsewhere in the nation.

Doha, of course, by its nature as the transportation, tourist, and business center of Qatar, is also the center of the vast and profitable hotel industry. There are numerous hotels in Doha, offering a variety of different services and several kinds of levels of amenities. The cheaper, lower end of hotels in Doha offer a full range of customary treatments for the customer, including restaurants in the lobby, swimming pools, Jacuzzis, hair salons, and assistance with booking any sort of event or participatory activity. Many hotels offer discounts for tourist packages, where you can save money with one hotel by pre-purchasing tickets for one activity or another, be it something in the harbor or something fun to do out in the desert.

The more expensive and better rated hotels in Qatar are where the nation really shines. With the Qatar Tourism Authority overseeing the accommodations nationwide, a five star hotel in Doha (or any other city, for that matter) has to really go above and beyond the call of duty in order to keep that recognition.

Take for examples, "Intercontinental Doha", a hotel on Al Istiglal road in Doha. It is close to any number of activities, and those that are not within walking distance can be reached in no more than ten minutes by taxi or bus. There are over five different restaurants inside of the hotel proper, and that is just the start of the star treatment available there.

Extra services offered by the staff are truly all inclusive, providing a number of amenities unseen and unheard of in most any other country. There are babysitters who will watch the children while you and your love enjoy an evening in Doha, and when you return, you can have alcohol delivered to your room. Travel to anywhere from your hotel is handled by a proprietary shuttle, and all rides in said transport are pre-paid when you make the reservation for your room.

Doha is not the only city to offer amazing places to stay; Al Khor has a number of resorts in its region, including the world famous Al Sultan Beach Resort. It is less than a mile from any of the attractions of the city, and is little more than a half hour outside of the capital city. Providing a number of the aforementioned travel / tourism packages for people staying in the hotel, the Al Sultan Beach Resort also features the largest pool in all of Qatar, as well a style of Jacuzzi that is not seen anywhere else in Qatar, and is certainly worth the experience.

Further outside the borders of the big cities are a number of other resorts and hotels, generally in the more naturally beautiful parts of the country. Many of these more rural hotels have stables on their grounds, providing visitors with the opportunity to ride horses or even camels throughout the sand dunes of the Inland Sea. These accommodations are far enough away from mainstream civilization to offer a fair deal of privacy as well, espoused by the number of private villas for rent and the beach houses scattered along the little coves of the Persian Gulf.

If you're staying in Qatar, there are a vast number of places to choose from when trying to pick where to stay. A good rule of thumb is that pricing is a relatively good indication of quality and features offered by the hotel, thanks to the regulation and oversight of the QTA. Places further outside of the big cities generally offer discounted rates because of lack of access to the mass transit of Doha. However, riding a horse through the desert certainly has its own appeal that is not easily discovered in the back of a bus. No matter your desire or intention, there is a place in Qatar for you and yours.

The author is simply an individual that stayed over in Doha Hotels during a tour and decided to write about his experience. To learn more about Qatar Hotels visit bestqatarhotels.com

Someday- Chicago

Nickelback concert in Chicago! Allstate Arena 3/12/09

The Recovery of Mis-Sold Payment Protection Insurance

Payment Protection Insurance is the latest problem to hit the UK financial services sector. In recent months lenders have been very heavily fined by the Financial Services Authority for mis-selling payment protection insurance.

It has come to light that many of the policies sold to customers who took out credit cards and loans with lenders were not paying out when the customer expected. As a result the process of selling the loans was looked at in greater scrutiny and it was discovered that many people were mis sold policies because:-

They were not told that the policy was available elsewhere from another provider

They were not told that the cover could be cheaper elsewhere

They were not told the details of the Policy

They were not told the exclusions in the policy

It was not investigated whether the cover was applicable to the applicant

It was not disclosed that commission would be earned by the lender

It was said that the loan and insurance came together

It was advised that the insurance was compulsory

In essence the insurance was not being sold as a benefit for the person taking the loan, but instead to earn huge commission for the lender.

Now this mis-selling has come to light and major lenders have been fined huge sums of money it is now possible to reclaim money for a mis-sold policy. Claims companies will professionally help you to recover your claim.

A professional claim company will often be a qualified solicitor, and will take on the case free of charge and only make a fee on recovery.

This is called no win no fee.

A success fee of up to 30% is only payable to the claims manager on recovery of a payment from the lender, so no recovery means no charge.

Money can be recovered in as little as 8 weeks. Imagine you could pay for Christmas this year on a recovered PPI insurance claim.

Information provided by Steve Thatcher of Help With Debt (UK) Limited and total debt solutions company. For all further reading see http://www.helpwithdebtuk.com
For personal contact email sthatcher@helpwithdebtuk.com
For Steve's thoughts see http://steves-debt.blogspot.com

If you have any debt problem whatsover either personal or corporate make Steve your first call all advice is free. Finally if in the UK and you need a friend to speak to call 01162171406.

Robert Lamm (Chicago)- Interview Outtakes ONE (1986)

Rare, unseen interview outtakes (from September 1986) where Robert Lamm of CHICAGO discusses varied topics including the recent departure of Peter Cetera, addition of Jason Scheff, Carnegie Hall, songwriting, technology, music videos, acting and a lot more. Interesting stuff. Enjoy! SUBSCRIBE, FRIEND, COMMENT, LOOK BOTH WAYS, EAT YOUR VEGGIES

Chicago Performs I'm A Man in 1993

This version of I'm a Man is from the Greek Theatre in 1993. Note that Bill Champlin is playing some really funky guitar licks in this version. Also note that Dawayne Bailey sings the 3rd verse. Enjoy!

A Chicago 'L' Train in "The Loop"

Downtown Chicago's famous "L" (elevated) trains in "The Loop" on a warm day in February 2006.

Move People With Your Mission Statement - Keep Customers With Your Vision Statement

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Large or small, new or old, a business with effective mission and vision statements galvanize their own success by the focus they bring. Businesses that are able to communicate a clear and well-defined mission shared with customers, suppliers and their marketplace can't help but lead in their fields. Employees who align themselves with the company mission and vision statements consciously move toward a common purpose that aides in forming superior strategic business decisions regardless of the size of the business.  

Recently, the Traverse City Record Eagle newspaper in Traverse City, Michigan (Sept.6, 2009)   reported on the local public transit agency, The Bay Area Transportation Authority where its board members adopted mission and vision statements as part of an effort to determine strategic plans for the public bus system. The move creates a foundation from which to build, officials said. "It really gives direction for the organization on all levels,' said the BATA board chairman Rob Bacigalupi.  

Its new mission statement is "BATA delivers safe, high quality, efficient and reliable transportation services in its region that link people, jobs and communities." Its new mission replaces an old Greyhound Bus Line mission statement.  "I think it was time for us to get this in line because it had never been done before," said Melinda Lautner, BATA board member. The agency had been in a year-long struggle to analyze its operations and finances.

They have their clear and well-defined mission statement and vision statement to share with their customers, suppliers, and communities. Their employees can easily align themselves and move toward a common purpose. Strategic plans can be created with confidence.  They now have a recipe for success.  

Chiropractor Steve Boshoff, found his business "changed dramatically; it improved things really fast: we got rid of a lot of clutter and non-essential stuff. It brought better focus. We started seeing what didn't match our statements. Things started streamlining faster and everything began to fall into place. It really helped me when patients started pointing to our mission and vision statement on our office wall and asked questions. All of a sudden it takes on meaning."  

In the current business climate businesses need more than ever the structure to deal with change. A vision statement provides direction, aligns key players and energizes people to achieve a common purpose. To see case studies, read examples, and learn more about mission statements and vision statements, go to www.missionvisionstatement.com now.

Don is the managing partner for the GenesisGroup, helping organizations and leaders discover their full potential. Don specializes in workshops on mission and vision, strategic planning, and team building. To begin your path to success, write your mission and vision statements! Need help? You can find it at http://www.missionvisionstatement.com - visit NOW - subscribe to our free newsletter, Mission Vision News, to learn more.

What to Look For in an International Shipping Company

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If you are on the verge of making an international move, you know it can be stressful to come up with a plan for transporting all of your belongings safely and efficiently. Packing your clothing, shoes, electronics, paintings, photos, and other items or memorabilia, not to mention preparing how to ship your furniture, can make moving abroad into stressful event. You want to make sure that when you are planning to relocate that you give yourself a window of time that allows you to effectively plan and prepare and research companies that can help to make your move a more pleasant one.

Once you have begun packing for moving abroad, one of the best places to begin searching for an international moving and storing company is the internet. It is a good idea to thoroughly research different companies and their backgrounds so you can get a feel for their service and efficiency. On the internet you are often able to access consumer reviews that will open your eyes to the pros and cons of different companies. You want to make sure the company you are choosing will get your items to your destination in a safe manner, a timely manner, and at an affordable price. By reading reviews about different companies, you will gain insight into their pricing plans as well as the ways in which they handle their tasks. You want to make sure your valued possessions are handled with care and that your items arrive at your new residence in pristine condition.

Considering you want to make sure your belongings are all transported with care, it is a good idea to look into the insurance policies that coincide with the shipping company you have chosen to use for your international move. You want to be sure that if you are shipping valuables overseas that there are policies insuring the well being of your items. Moving in itself can be a stressful time in your life, so it is important to have the peace of mind of knowing that there will be no damage done to your belongings in transit. If you put the necessary into packing for moving abroad and thoroughly researching moving companies, there is no question about the fact that your move will run smoothly and according to plan. Rest assured that the perfect international moving company for you is out there and willing to make your international move a great one.

Locations such as USA, Canada and australia are popular travel destinations, removals to Canada or any other destination can involve heirlooms, clothing even car shipping online can be arranged.

Get On Up - Custer's Last Band

Briefly known as The Chateaus before changing their name to Custer's Last Band, this Lancaster, PA group was primarily a soul band. This cover of The Esquires' classic dance tune, "Get On Up", is a perfect example of the material CLB played in their early days, before evolving to more progressive rock, such as Chicago Transit Authority, Three Dog Night, Santana, Joe Cocker, etc. The soaring falsettos of the 3 CLB singers still resonated with full force, 25 years later at their reunion show at the Host Resort in Lancaster, PA (USA) - March 18, 1995. Custer's Last Band includes: Tom Young - Vocals & Percussion Dick Reincke - Vocals & Percussion Don Hodgen - Vocals & Percussion Thom "Daddy C" Colson - Keyboards & Vocals Tim Miller - Drums Parke Shissler - Bass Steve "Zero" Wettig - Guitar Steve Weaver - Trumpet & Flute Leon Hillard - Trumpet & Trombone Phil Maxey - Saxophone & Very Loud Claves

A ride on the CTA Blue Line - Part 2 - Western to Addison

This part of the journey continues from Part 1, and travels from Western to Addison, with stops at California, Logan Square, Belmont and Addison.

What Type of Trucking Insurance Do You Need?

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Whether you've been in the trucking industry for years or are entering it for the first time, insurance is something you've probably thought about quite a bit. But understanding the different types of trucking is insurance is difficult, even for the most seasoned trucker. Once you understand the different kinds of insurance that truckers usually buy, consider, or are concerned about can help you better customize your insurance package.

1. Primary Liability Insurance

Primary liability insurance is the type of insurance needed for a driver in the United States to stay legal while on the road. Drivers with these types of policies have coverage for others' injuries and damage to others' vehicles as a result of an accident. For truck drivers to drive legally, they must have $750,000 worth of coverage. This means that their insurance will cover up to $750,000 of damage or injury to the other party in an accident. If the accident is determined to be your fault, and more than this amount of damage is caused, then the injured party's lawyers may seek further compensation from your personal wages and savings. For this reason, some truckers choose to purchase more than the minimum primary liability insurance. Truckers can also purchase greater degrees of liability insurance that will pay for the damages that occur to a trucker's own rig, in addition to the truckers' injuries in the event of an accident.

2. General Liability Insurance

Accidents don't just happen when truckers are on the highway. Truckers spend a great deal of time parked in truck stop lots, waiting in rest stops, or loading and unloading. While truckers are either in or away from their rigs, accidents can occur involving another vehicle and your parked vehicle. In addition, thefts and vandalism are also possible. Truckers who want insurance to cover damages in these conditions should consider general liability insurance, which covers the vehicle in conditions other than on-the-road driving. Different insurance companies offer different types of general liability insurance that cover truckers during different conditions. Truckers who are interested in this type of insurance should consult with different insurance companies to view their options.

3. Motor Truck Cargo Insurance

This type of insurance does not cover your vehicle, but instead the cargo that you're carrying. This offers both the transportation company and the client the assurance that the items will get to where they need to be, or their loss will be compensated. If you are an owner operator, your company may require that you carry this type of insurance, to a specific amount.

4. Non-Trucking Liability Insurance

Also called bobtail or deadhead insurance, this type of insurance covers your vehicle when you're not working. Typically, the company that you're working for covers your vehicle when you're on the job, but if the truck is parked in your driveway, getting it repaired, or otherwise not working. You might want to pick up this insurance to protect your investment in all circumstances.

5. Legal Requirements

Like any other job, truckers are not only tasked with meeting the requirements of their employers, but also they are required to meet legal requirements in order to stay on the road. Because driving can be a hazardous activity that causes death, injury, and damage, motorists must meet speed limits, safety equipment standards, and registration requirements. Like these legal conditions, insurance is mandated by all 50 states. This requirement is not devised simply to charge truckers more money. Instead, it is a way of protecting drivers who are involved in an accident that is not their fault. In addition, it also protects the driver of the vehicle that caused the accident by protecting personal property and funds from going to pay for accident damages.

But how can you find out what kinds of insurance requirements are necessary for your type of commercial vehicle, and if you're a fleet or company owner, how do you ensure that each of your drivers is properly insured?

Many private insurance companies contain information regarding what types of insurance truckers need to stay legal. For instance, the National Independent Truckers web site lists the insurance regulations needed for truckers to obtain ICC/ MC Authority. The requirements are separated into the following weight classes: "Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 10,000 pounds or more", and "Vehicles whose GVWR is less than 10,000 pounds"

Truckers need to meet these requirements, as ICC/MC Authority is necessary for any commercial vehicle. While truckers can certainly used the National Independent Truckers web site for research purposes, truckers can also visit more official sites to confirm the insurance requirements necessary. Regulations.gov, a government web site, allows truckers to find all sorts of federal regulations having to do with the transportation industry. Because government regulations can be difficult to understand, and insurance companies can stretch the truth in order to get your business, you can also call your local DOT and BMV representatives in order to ask questions.

When searching for legal requirements online, just remember that different types of vehicles require different types of truck insurance. Make sure you're getting the right type for all your needs, including weight, your cargo, and your company.

Commercial Truck Insurance quotes are available at Truckertotrucker.com which specializes in Trucks For Sale.

Infrastructure Makeover Changing the Face of Real Estate in Chennai

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Chennai has retained its traditional charm for long. The city is known for its booming movie industry. Flourishing industries include hand looms, furnishings, fine silks, and traditional and trendy merchandise. Investment on the real estate in Chennai has been on the rise. With the talk of satellite townships coming in the outskirts of the city, the avenue for investment in real estate has never been this good. The landscape of Chennai is all set for a makeover. When the Rs 32,700 core plans for the metro is completed as scheduled in 10 years, the city's skyline will be dotted with elevated highways, rapid transit ways for buses, truck terminals, mono-rail, a dozen more flyovers and several rail over/under bridges and multi-level car parks to accommodate the needs of an ever-growing populace.

With the impending infrastructure development plans in place Chennai property prices have already skyrocketed. Land prices in the industrial areas of Guindy and Ambattur are seeing climbing rates. In Central Chennai capital values of a multi storey apartment is in the range of Rs 7000-12000 per sq ft whereas West Chennai commands a price tag of Rs 2000-10000 per sq ft for the same. The IT Corridor of Chennai commands Rs 2500-5500 per sq ft for an apartment unit and in South Chennai it is between Rs 3500-10000 per sq ft. The apartment rental values are between Rs 10000-25000 per month in Central Chennai.

Many real estate developers are imminent in the city. L&T South City project is launching Eden Park. It is an integrated township and will be developed with an investment of over Rs 12 billion. The location of this massive project (around 100 acres) is near Siruseri on the OMR (Old Mahabalipuram Road). The project will be based on the concept of villa apartment, in which luxury and privacy of an independent villa is to be combined with the convenience, maintenance and security of an apartment. The project started on 18th January 2008 and will be completed in several phases.

Besides, another project Estancia is also an integrated township from L&T Urban Infrastructure Ltd in association with Arun Excello of Chennai. This project is coming up on 78 acres of land at an estimated cost of around Rs 1800/ crore. It will eventually house 2000 apartments, an IT Park, hotel, shopping mall and a school. L&T will provide the construction and project implementation for this Estancia venture.

The city of Chennai, though small in comparison to other metropolitan cities of India, has had an identity of its own that is unique, yet obvious. With proper infrastructure also in place Chennai real estate is all set to boom.

George Gonigal provides you the best and latest info on India Properties [http://www.magicbricks.com]. He would also let you know about Real Estate in Chennai. To know more, visit Chennai Real Estate [http://www.magicbricks.com/property/city/p/p~p!ct~5196!/Chennai.real-estate].

BlueStone Ivory in concert "Beginnings by Chicago"

BlueStone Ivory was in concert on March 27th at Princeton High School. This is their opening number...Beginnings by Chicago.

Know More About DGFT and Its Various Functionalities

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DGFT stands for Directorate General of Foreign Trade, which is a government organization responsible for framing all policies regarding export and import in India. They are entrusted with the responsibility of implementing various policies regarding trade for example, Foreign Trade Policy or the Exam Policy with the major objective of promoting export and import related activities in India.

This Directorate lays down the very framework upon which traders and companies can import or export within India. They issue the IEC which is the Importer Exporter Code, which is a primary requirement for any company or venture capitalist wanting to trade in India. The Directorate is currently headed by R S Gujral. Form for applying and becoming a recognized member are easily available at regional offices around the country and all notifications are updated on the internet from time to time.

DGFT has many functions which primarily include implementing various trade policies and introducing different schemes regarding trade benefits throughout the country. The Directorate allows and regulates Transit of Goods to various other countries in accordance with the trade treaties with the countries. They also grant the 10 digit IEC which is a primary requirement for any trader wanting to carry out import and export related businesses in India. They are also laying a lot of importance on Foreign Trade for it is gaining a lot of prominence in the recent times.

Whenever the organization makes any amendment or introduces a new clause to any preexisting policy or introduces a new policy, it brings about the notifications on the internet also. Recent notifications include prohibition on any milk or milk products being imported from China, amendments in the Exam policy, a new standard for import and export of radial tires, various other major amendments in ITC HC policies and standard code of conduct, prohibition on export of non-basmati rice and other major amendments. Other notifications include amendments regarding classification of imported and exported goods under the ITC HC and changes in the terms and standards of the trade process.

Directorate General of Foreign Trade - Export import data plays a very integral role in the development of trading relations with various other nations and thus help in improving not only the economic growth but also provides a certain impetus needed in the trade industry. This organization ably manages the trade process in and out of the country and helps the country in many ways.

Jayden is expert financial advisers and writes mainly about international trade, helps people by providing valuable information on export import data.

When Stanley Met Barry, Part One

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We'll never know exactly what went down when President Barack Hussein Obama met with General Stanley Allen McChrystal on Wednesday in the White House. All we do know is that the president was "furious" over the general's comments in the article to be published this week in Rolling Stone, "The Runaway General."

We do know that it wasn't a beer summit comparable to the one the president hosted last year to heal the damage he caused in the Crowley-Gates-Cambridge brouhaha. This-sit down ended up with the abstemious general submitting his resignation which is code for being threatened with a sacking unless he faded away quietly.

I have to concede that Obama was between that proverbial rock and hard place over the situation in which McChrystal bad mouthed the president and members of the administration. He was sort of damned if he did fire him and damned if he didn't.

If he didn't fire him, aka accept his resignation, Obama would have undercut his own authority, the office of the presidency, and the nation's tradition that the military is subject to civilian authority starting with the commander-in-chief. If that weren't the case, we would be no better than banana republics.

If he did fire him, aka accept his resignation, Obama would open himself up to a barrage of criticism that he was firing the battle-hardened commanding general in Afghanistan during wartime, firing the man who was one of the architects of the recent surge, and undermining our chances for success and victory in that war.

With the rules of engagement in place there, rules which discourage fighting by our soldiers and which offer medals for combat avoidance, there is little chance that we will emerge victorious, anyway.

However, Obama did fire McChrystal, aka accepted his resignation, and did so in a manner which preserves the dignity and authority of the office of the presidency at the same time it caused no great harm to our war effort.

He succeeded in doing that by replacing McChrystal with the only man who made sense as a replacement, another battle-hardened soldier, General David Petraeus, head of the United States Central Command. Petraeus was the object of the left's scathing and scurrilous attacks after the Iraq surge in 2007 in which the left of the left, Moveon.org stooped to labelling him "General Betrayus."

Incidentally, that massive increase in troops, the surge as ordered by President Bush and executed by Petraeus, proved the difference in Iraq and we are as close to victory in that war as is reasonable to assume of any war in the Mideast. Incidentally, too, the current vice-president Joe Biden opposed both surges.

Another incidental: Then-senator and presidential-wannabe Barack Obama strongly opposed the 2007 Iraq surge, saying it was problematic and, before it was fully implemented deemed it a failure, contending it was "not working." When the reverse turned out to be the case, all of that was scratched from his website and replaced with commendations for the troops: http://tiny.cc/kw30j

With all that as background known by General McChrystal as he flew the long hours from Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan to Washington Dulles International, one has to wonder what went through the general's mind.

He had already abjectly apologized for his Rolling Stone remarks without referencing any specific comments he had made. He had not reiterated his view that Obama and Biden were closet morons. He had already heard that Obama had said he exercised "poor judgment" and "immaturity."

If Barack Obama, a guy who came closest to having executive experience when he was a Chicago community organizer, who knew as much about the military as Jane Fonda or Snoopy, who has as much respect for our military as Bill Clinton who "loathed" it, who was about to end his long and illustrious career, could rip him, the general must have been thinking whether he would be within his rights to deck the commander-in-chief.

Instead, he obsequiously resigned but that fly on the wall recorded McChrystal's meeting with Obama. The recording isn't pretty but it is reflective of what Stanley was thinking when he met Barry.

More about those thoughts in Part Two.

http://genelalor.com

Lights-Out run through CTA State Street subway

Filmed during the Illinois Railway Museum's 2009 CTA Snowflake Special, this clip does not exemplify good videography (in fact, it's pretty bad!) but does show what it's like to blow by waiting passengers at 55 mph in a darkened "L" train.

Chicago I'm A Man Beat Club 1969

Chicago I'm A Man Beat Club 1969