CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHT CEREMONY WITH MAYOR DALEY & ACTRESS KERI RUSSELL
TODAY
NOON
DALEY PLAZA
UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES TIPS TO SAFEGUARD YOUR HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS:
--PLACE YOUR TREE IN A STURDY STAND WHICH IS FILLED WITH WATER AT ALL TIMES.
--CAREFULLY INSPECT DECORATIONS BEFORE USE. CRACKED SOCKETS, FRAYED
OR BARE WIRES, AND LOOSE CONNECTIONS MAY POSE FIRE OF SHOCK HAZARDS.
--POSITION YOUR TREE AT LEAST 3 FEET AWAY FROM FIREPLACES, RADIATORS AND OTHER HEAT SOURCES.
--DO NOT CONNECT MORE THAN 3 LIGHT STRINGS TOGETHER
--TURN OFF DECORATIONS BEFORE YOU LEAVE YOUR HOME OR GO TO BED.
--USE THE HOLIDAYS TO PRACTICE A FIRE ESCAPE PLAN WITH YOUR FAMILY.
--REMEMBER TO LOOK FOR UL WHEN PURCHASING ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS.
SEGMENT TOPIC: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE SHOPPING AT CLOSEOUT SALES.
1.) A CLOSEOUT SALE DOESN'T GUARANTEE YOU'LL GET THE BEST
PRICE
-RETAILERS WANT TO CONNIVE YOU INTO THINKING
YOU'RE GETTING THE SALE
OF THE CENTURY BUT YOU MAY FIND THE PRODUCT CHEAPER!
2.DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS NEED TO BE HANDLED
THRU THE MANUFACTURER WARRANTY
-CAN YOU RETURN A PRODUCT THAT IS DEFECTIVE - IN
MOST INSTANCES NO - BUT THAT IS UP TO THE COMPANY POLICY THAT YOU MUST ASK
BEFORE YOU BUY.
3. USE A CREDIT CARD
-YOU CAN DISPUTE A CHARGE IF GOODS ARE DEFECTIVE,
OR IF THERES SOME REASON THE PRODUCT IS NOT RECEIVED.
4.SHOP EARLY
-AS DISCOUNTS GET DEEPER THE PRODUCTS GET
SHALLOWER! USUALLY THE REMAINING ITEMS ARE OF A LESSER QUALITY!
IN-STUDIO
GUEST:
Stephanie D. Neely Treasurer, City of Chicago
SEGMENT: At the
Neighborhood Economic Summit you will learn basic principles on how to
effectively manage your personal finances and family budget during these
challenging and changing economic times.
1. WHY DID YOU
PUT THIS FINANCE SUMMIT
TOGETHER?
2. WHAT WILL
PEOPLE LEARN AT THE SUMMIT?
3. CAN YOU GIVE
US SOME FINANCIAL TIPS
· Pay yourself first!
· Set goals for your spending and
savings.
· Pay cash.
· Track your spending
www.chicagocitytreasurer.org
NEIGHBORHOOD
ECONOMIC SUMMIT:
Tonight
6:00 -7:00 P.M.
Mount Vernon Baptist
Center
2622 West Jackson Street
Thursday
6:00-7:00 P.M
Benito Juarez
Community Academy
2150 S. Laflin
PRESERVING HISTORY:
DAN COCHRANE, CONSERVATOR (HIS COMPANY IS CALLED DAN COCHRANE CONSERVATION ON WEST BELMONT)
--KEEP IN A COOL DRY PLACE
--KEEP IN A DARK SPACE
--IF ON DISPLAY, KEEP IT AWAY FROM THE SUN
--NEVER PUT TAPE OR STICKY NOTES ON THE PAPER
--KEEP IN BIG FOLDERS OR STORAGE BOXES MADE OF ACID-FREE MATERIAL
NOTE....DAN TEACHES A 2 DAY CLASS AT NEWBERRY LIBRARY ON HOW TO PRESERVE ITEMS
DAN'S NUMBER 773-279-1036
====================
Career Expert Marilyn Fettner
She's going to talk about warning signs you're about to be laid-off.
Her website is www.FettnerCareerConsulting.com
Here are our tips for tomorrow
RED FLAGS FOR YOUR COMPANY
1. IS YOUR COMPANY IN A SECTOR THAT'S IN DANGER? BUILDING, FINANCE, AUTOMOTIVE
2. BIG PROJECTS PUT ON HOLD?
3. IS THERE A HIRING FREEZE?
4. ARE THERE LAYOFFS ALREADY OCCURRING OR RUMORS?
5. HAS YOUR COMPANY GONE THROUGH A MERGER OF AQUISITION?
RED FLAGS FOR YOU
1. ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES BEING CUT OR RE-DISTRIBUTED?
2. ARE YOUR PROJECTS BEING PUT ON HOLD?
3. HAVE PEOPLE STARTED ACTING DIFFERENTLY?
4. YOU'RE AT THE TOP OF YOUR SALARY OR OTHERS CAN DO THE JOB FOR LESS
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO SAVE YOUR JOB
1. ASK WHAT'S GOING ON
2. BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH POWER BROKERS
3. IDENTIFY DEPARTMENTS THAT WILL SURVIVE
4. VOLUNTEER TO WORK IN THOSE DEPARTMENTS
Best Places for Seasonal Jobs
Big Box Retailers: Large discounters like Target and Wal-Mart will be
heavily favored by cost-conscious consumers this holiday season. Job
seekers may have to look beyond the sales clerk positions for available
spots such as in overnight stocking and back-office jobs.
E-Tailers: Online shopping continues to grow and could provide job
seekers with opportunities during the holidays. Last year, online
holiday sales increased 19 percent to $29 billion.
Shipping: Shipping and sorting companies such as FedEx or UPS generally
see an uptick in business over the holidays.
Restaurants/Caterers, Event Venues:
Even in this downturn, companies are going to have holiday parties.
They may not be as elaborate as previous years, but will still do
something.
ADVICE FOR HOLIDAY JOB SEEKERS
Start now: It is not too early to secure a position for the holidays.
Begin by determining what types of retailers are suited to your
experience and skills. If you are an avid golfer, that could be of help
in securing a job in a sporting goods store or with a golf merchandiser.
Become a fill-in: Some retailers put many of their full-time
back-office people on the sales floor during the holiday season. That
means temporary help will be needed to ensure that back-office work
continues. You can also get a foot in the door by offering to start
working now as an on-call fill-in for vacationing staffers.
Befriend store manager, staff: Retailers may not make any holiday hiring
decisions until late October. However, you can get a head start by
frequently visiting the stores where you might like to work. Befriend
employees, particularly the managers. Your enthusiasm about shopping
there will pay off later when you mention that you are looking for
holiday work. Let it be known you and your family like to shop there.
That could help secure a position.
Do not overlook behind-the-scenes jobs: Only a portion of the retail
jobs available are at the cash register or on the sales floor. There are
a wide array of opportunities in back-office positions, including
shipping, receiving, warehousing, accounting, information technology and
security. There are also countless job opportunities in areas related
to the support of retail, such as transportation, marketing, consumer
product manufacturing, etc.
Offer to be a floater: Chain stores with several locations in your area
may be interested in using you as a substitute for employees who call in
sick or are on vacation. Let the hiring manager know up front that you
are willing to be wherever the store needs you on any given day.
Promote computer skills: More and more stores are changing from
traditional cash registers to computer-based systems that allow stores
to manage inventory more efficiently. Being comfortable and skilled in
computer use should be a major selling point when applying for a
position.
Dress for success: Even though employees may not dress up for their
jobs, it is always a good idea to wear your nicest clothes to
interviews. If you own a suit, wear it. It will make you stand out
among all the applicants who come to interview in jeans and T-shirts.
Be available to work after the holidays: While stores need extra help
during busy seasons, many would still prefer to hire someone who plans
to stay longer. The cost of hiring and training someone who will be
there only for a few months is costly. So, by letting the employer know
that you would like to remain after the holiday season, you are sending
a message that you are committed and not just there for the discounts.
Source: Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.
FINANCIAL STRATEGIST MATTHEW PRESIDENT OF MATTHEW SAPAULA, INC.
"A 5 Step Plan for the Fiscally Fearful"
1. Focus on your financial fundamentals – Establish accounts that
will allow you to save/invest for your long-term, mid-range and
immediate goals
2. Create a plan to keep your cool – Develop a strategy for the
long haul and don't focus on the day to day changes of the economy
3. Stimulate your own economy – Stop giving Uncle Sam an interest
free loan by adjusting your employer tax withholding's (i.e. it has
nothing to do with how many dependents you have)
4. Set it and forget it – Automate your accounts by establishing
direct deposits and regular deductions from your income into your
savings vehicles
5. Decide then do – Make the decision to take personal
responsibility for your finances, then give yourself permission to take
the necessary action to reach your goals
----------------------------------------
Think Pink
Proceeds of all the pink
products benefit Chicago’s own Breast Cancer Network of Strength
(formerly known as Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization).
Network of Strength is celebrating their 30th
Anniversary this year. What makes Breast Cancer Network of Strength
organization so unique is their YourShoes™24/7 breast cancer support
center.
YourShoes is staffed
entirely by breast cancer survivors who provide immediate emotional
relief to all those touched by breast cancer. Interpretation is
available in 150 languages!
About YourShoes™: Call YourShoes™ 24/7 breast cancer support center at 1-800-221-2141 or go to www.networkofstrength.org
and email a peer counselor.
Pink Products by Breast Cancer Network of Strength:
alli® --
alli® and Breast Cancer Network of Strength™ are joining efforts to
improve women’s health with a limited edition pink package and carrying
case during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. alli®
donated $150,000 in support of Breast Cancer Network of Strength’s
efforts to provide emotional relief to all those touched by breast
cancer. Visit myalli.com for more information.
Before the Pink Ribbons DVD
-- Before the Pink Ribbons is a compelling documentary and companion
booklet hosted by Jaclyn Smith about the last 30 years of breast cancer
and how things have changed. It’s $10 and available at www.networkofstrength.org
Pink O-Cedar Mops and Brooms
– This month O-Cedar is offering consumers these adorable pink mops and
brooms to show their support to those touched by breast cancer. O-Cedar
is donating more than $100,000 to Breast Cancer Network of Strength™.
Go to www.ocedar.com/hope
for more info how to purchase these products.
Shopbop Celebrity Tees
– Shopbop.com teamed up with six of Hollywood’s most famous faces:
Nicky Hilton, Cindy Crawford, Hilary Duff, Jaime King, Denise Richards
and Sophia Bush to design a limited edition collection of breast cancer
awareness tees. 50% of the purchase price of the tees, retailing for
$88, will benefit the Breast Cancer Network of Strength™.
Big Tattoo Wine --
From now until the end of the month Big Tattoo Wines will donate $.50
from each bottle sold with a minimum donation of $30,000, to Network of
Strength. Traditionally, Big Tattoo Wines
donates a portion of proceeds from every bottle sold year-round to
charity. This year they are supporting Breast Cancer Network of
Strength™. To learn more visit, www.billingtonwines.com
Boston Tea Company
-- Bentley’s teas are available in two great pink tea tins and in yummy
gourmet green tea flavors including Oriental Treasure, Pomegranate,
Mango, Papaya, Raspberry and Blueberry. For each purchase, $1 from
every sale of Rectangle tin, as well as $.75 from every sale of the
48-Count Hexagon Tea Tin directly supports the Breast Cancer Network of
Strength™. You can get these tins at www.tealeavesforlife.com
or call 201-440-3004.
Lucy® --
lucy® active wear for women is supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month
with two new tee styles. lucy® will donate ten percent of these
specialty tee’s sales to Network of Strength. You can purchase a lucy®
tee at one of their 62 stores nationwide.
Beijo Inc. (bay-joe)
--Beijo Inc. joins Breast Cancer Network of Strength this October by
offering this oh so cute Pinky Promise bag. 5% of the purchase price
will be donated to Network of Strength with a minimum donation of
$25,000. For more information visit www.beijobags.com.
Ecomotional
– Starting October 1, 2008 – March 31, 2009 the eco-friendly company
Ecomotional will donate $5.00 for every Breast Cancer Awareness bag
sold with a minimum donation of $7,500. Visit www.charitycases.com for
more information.
Cline Cellars
-- This October, purchase a limited-edition Cashmere wine by Cline
Cellars and support Breast Cancer Network of Strength™. Cline is a
Sponsor of Breast Cancer Network of Strength’s Ride to Empower and has
made a $25,000 donation. To join Cline in helping to ensure no one
faces breast cancer alone, go to
www.networkforstrength.org/ride
Cole’s Garlic Bread
– If you’re a busy mom, pick up Cole’s Original Garlic Bread at your
grocer’s freezer until the end of the month and Cole’s will donate $.05
from the sale of its Original Garlic Bread and Zesty Garlic Bread to
Breast to Cancer Network of Strength™ with a minimum donation of
$25,000.
Build-A-Bear Workshop®
-- Join Build-A-Bear Workshop® as they launch a special breast cancer
awareness bear, Hopeful Wishes II, retailing at all Build-A Bear
Workshop® locations throughout the country for $25.00. For each bear
sold, Build-A-Bear Workshop® will donate $5.00 to breast cancer
charities including Breast Cancer Network of Strength™.
Travel Mom, Emily Kaufman
- October is National Cruise Vacation Month
Now
is the perfect time to book your family cruise. October is National
Cruise Vacation Month and October 16, today, is World’s Largest Cruise
Night, when cruise lines and travel agencies offer many great
incentives to book a cruise.
- A Cruise Is An Ideal Family Vacation
Many
CLIA lines offer facilities dedicated and designed specifically for
kids of all ages, including children’s clubs, teen programs, rock
climbing, ice skating and bowling.
- Choosing the Right Cruise for the Family
There are so many different types of ships and cruises it’s important to choose the right cruise for your family.
Visit CLIA’s website, cruising.org and the website also allows you to search for a certified CLIA travel
agent who can determine which cruise would be best suited for your
family.
For
Chicago residents, depending on where you want to go, you will have to
fly to a port city. LA is great to depart from for cruises to Mexico
and Alaska. NYC is great to catch cruises to Bermuda, Bahamas and
the Caribbean. From Florida you can embark on a cruise to anywhere in
the Caribbean. Cruises from Baltimore depart for Bermuda from April
through October.
Caribbean
is a classic Cruise destination and remains one of the most popular
cruise destinations. A typical family of four sharing a cabin will find
that five- to seven-night Caribbean cruises can cost somewhere between
$429 per person to $649, depending on the ship you select – and this
price includes all meals, entertainment and a variety of onboard
activities.
o Carnival
Cruise Lines has many deals through October and November - Five-day
Western Caribbean cruises start at $429 per person, double occupancy,
and offer discounted rates for 3rd or 4th passengers staring at $249.
o Carnival
Cruise Lines has special rates for children under12. Also, almost all
lines charge less for 3rd and 4th passengers staying in the same cabin.
o Deals for Thanksgiving and the holidays: Carnival Cruise Lines offers a 7 night Caribbean cruise starting at $349.
o You can also escape to Bahamas before the Holiday Rush on a 2-day cruise on the Carnival Splendor starting at $288 – sailing from Fort Lauderdale on Nov 15.
o Costa Cruises is offering something new this year.
Kids Sail For Free this winter to the Caribbean, and Costa is also
offering Holiday Sailings fares for parents starting from $669
This
is available on all 12 sailings – including Christmas and New Year’s –
aboard the Costa Fortuna, which departs from Ft. Lauderdale.
o In
addition, Disney Cruise Line has a greatly reduced year-round rates for
children under three, which is $99 for three- and four-night cruises
and $119 for seven-night cruises.
o Royal
Caribbean International has lowered rates on the Independence of the
Seas from Nov. 29 – Dec 7. Depart Ft. Lauderdale for an 8 night
Caribbean cruise starting at $499 per person.
o Norwegian Cruise Line allows children under two to sail free to the Caribbean and only pay port taxes and fees.
o In
the spring, take an exciting adventure to Alaska. Norwegian Cruise Line
offers a 7 night Alaskan journey departing from Los Angeles starting at
$499 per person.
