Pets

Show your true colors! Sports Fan Clothing Guide

Get your sports gear; Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Chicago, North Carolina, South Carolina, New York, Kansas, Washington, and Minnesota; the list goes on. All logos, colors, states, teams, sizes, and shapes are available. Of course, I’m talking about sportswear.

You can find hats, shoes, jerseys, caps, accessories, jerseys, and more near your local mall, sports store, or even on the Internet. Wearing sportswear is not a new concept but it is gaining ground. Even the smallest, least-known teams expect people to buy their products. Naturally, the great teams always have their fans and those who buy their equipment, but the lesser known teams are finding that they too can sell their products and people will buy them.

The interest in wearing sportswear continues to grow and grow. Sports are big business and so is sports equipment. Americans love their teams and there sure are plenty of teams out there. Shop online or at your local mall and you’ll probably find gear for computers you haven’t even heard of. Sports sell and sports equipment is no different. Men and women, young and old, usually have at least one sport-related item of clothing. MLB, NBA, NCAA, NHL and NFL; they all have their licensed gear in stores ready for fans to enjoy.

Everyone loves sports these days and even if they don’t, they probably still have sportswear. We love teams; we love the colors, the spirit and everything else. Many of the items are the same, but if you search you can find some unique sports equipment and accessories. It’s nice to be part of the crowd and have the same jersey or cap as everyone else, but it’s even better to be able to stand out and still show team spirit from time to time. No problem; you can even find Sox (and almost any other team) jerseys in pink or light blue or many other colors. The good thing about these is that not everyone wears them, but they are still in style.

Women’s sportswear is gaining popularity. Fortunately, there are more stores that cater to the shopping trends of sports-loving women. Accessories based on sports equipment, including bags and jewelry, are also making an increasing appearance. Not only in American football and baseball, but also in the NHL team, NCAA and more that give women more options in sports equipment.

Children are not left out either. Even babies have little cheerleading squads or jerseys that their parents proudly put on them. Whether you’re in Minnesota, Florida, Kansas, Nebraska, Ohio, or Colorado (or anywhere else), you can find local and national sports teams. Online stores also offer more options in sportswear. Part of it is getting downright creative and fun and not just the same old stuff.

No matter what your taste, there is sports equipment for you.

Pets

How to choose the best dog food

When are you going to buy dog ​​food?

You may be surprised who has been making and selling your dog food. Once upon a time, a pet food company was a pet food company, not a handy division that made profit from byproducts and waste from manufacturing other products under its ticker symbol.

Two of the most visible pet food manufacturers stand out as examples: Ralston Purina was sold to British Petroleum in 1986, to the Sterling Group in 1993, then acquired by Koch Industries in 1996 and is now a subsidiary of the Nestlé corporation. Waltham, a name that includes Pedigree, Nutro, Royal Canin and Cesar among its pet food catalogue, is owned by giant Mars Corporation. Mars was already the world’s largest dog food packer in 1968, when it acquired KalKan. Oh, and by the way, the Banfield veterinary hospital chain, the Pet Hospital, which operates clinics in many PetSmart stores, is now partially owned by Mars, Inc., since 2007 when the CEO sold his shares.

On the FundingUniverse site, Ralston Purina’s company perspective statement reads:

“Purina Mills’ corporate philosophy is to continue our tradition of providing both the necessary nutritional products and the value-added services that growers, processors and retailers need to meet the demands of a growing end-consumer market. We remain committed to expanding our research and development to enable American agricultural entrepreneurs to take advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead.

I don’t see anything there to take care of the consumer and deliver a safe, quality product…

So what do these mergers, acquisitions and subsidiaries mean to you? To your dog?

One of the areas with the greatest impact is marketing.

Consider all those Beneful ads on TV. “You just think you’re pampering yourself…” Well, that’s true. Every sponsorship from Pedigree to Eukanuba to Iams was included in every major canine sporting event; The inferences that “Top Breeders Recommend” are the power of marketing dollars. Stop and think about how many bags of dog food and packs of treats must be sold to pay for Westminster’s Pedigree sponsorship or Eukanuba’s AKC National Championship. By the year 2000, Mars, Inc. was spending more than $850 million a year advertising its brands. That’s a lot of kibble and bites to sell for those companies, and others like them, to keep delivering gravy trains.

But none of those ads give you concrete good reasons why you should feed their products to your pet. They don’t talk about protein sources or give you real information about digestibility. They show you a witty Border Collie or a chubby puppy rummaging through a bowl of his food like he hasn’t seen food in a week, or a Golden Retriever puppy, when a high-profile movie coincidentally comes on. Based on a best-selling book about a Golden Retriever: He breaks open a bag of kibble, then devours it as fast as he can. Ads give you the “Awwww” factor, what they don’t give you is the “Ewwww” factor. That is why it is so important to learn to understand what is on the label, and will be described as obscurely as legal regulations allow, for example*:

Eukanuba, First Dozen Ingredients: Chicken, chicken by-product meal (ground, parts removed from carcass, i.e. necks, feet, undeveloped eggs, intestines, etc.), cornmeal, ground whole sorghum (from low digestibility), whole ground barley grain meal, chicken fat, fish meal (whole dried ground tissue or fish cuts from unspecified fish sources), brewer’s rice (ground rice grain fragments), natural chicken flavor , Dried beet pulp (sugar beet residues removed during sugar manufacturing), , Dried egg product (obtained from egg breaking operations, hatchery operations, egg graders, etc., frozen, dried or liquid) , dried brewer’s yeast (by-product of brewing or brewing).

But wait! It gets more interesting!

Pedigree “Complete Nutrition”: Whole Ground Corn, Meat Meal/Meat and Bone Meal (referred to as the “product” of non-specified mammalian tissues, with or without bone, excluding hair, hoof horns, manure, etc., except in such amounts as may unavoidably occur under good processing practices), corn gluten meal, animal fat (obtained from non-specified mammals and/or poultry), ground wheat/flour, ground wheat, natural poultry flavor , wheat flour, salt, potassium chloride, caramel color, vegetable oil.

Where’s the meat? Oh wait, that was another catchy ad campaign…

*Information in parentheses not included in the packaging.

Pets

General Property Issues Related to Divorce and Family Law in California.

community property

California is a community property state. All property that is purchased or acquired during the marriage, or is transmuted (converted) into community property during the marriage is community property.

The husband and wife in a marriage each own an undivided share of one-half of all community property of the marriage.

Community property is not divided, unless a divorce proceeding is initiated or by the death of the husband or wife.

Community property can be real estate or personal property. Community assets can also be businesses, pension plans, or any other type of tangible thing that is acquired during the marriage.

Community property is normally one of the main issues involved in divorce actions.

Quasi-Community Ownership

Quasi-community property is property that was acquired outside of the state of California during the marriage. Although married couples may have purchased property in a state that is not a community property state such as California, the property will essentially be treated as if it were community property for purposes of division in a divorce action in the state of California.

Business

Businesses started during a marriage are community property.

In some cases, a person may have owned an existing business before marriage and continue the business after marriage. In a divorce action, the courts will assign a percentage of the value to the business “after the marriage” to determine how much of the business is community property.

If you owned an existing business before the marriage, it is extremely important that you consult with a lawyer in a divorce action as soon as possible.

pensions

Any portion of Pensions, IRAs, 401(k’s), retirement plans, etc., that were contributed during the marriage are community property.

Generally, pension plan funds cannot be obtained until the pension plan vests and expires. Therefore, special court orders are needed for each party to get their share of any retirement plan after it matures and vests. These orders are typically called qualified domestic relations orders, or QDROs for short.

Obviously, the parties to a divorce have a vested interest in making sure they get their fair share of any alimony or retirement plan after the divorce.

Community income, bank accounts, stocks and investments

All income earned during a marriage is considered community income. This is true even if one party to a marriage makes money in a business that was theirs before the marriage. Community income is the same as community property, in that each party owns one-half of an undivided interest in the community income.

Each party to the marriage has the right to spend and use the income from the community, even if they are not the one who earned the money. However, after legal separation or the initiation of divorce proceedings, the parties may only use the community property for the necessities of life and to pay their lawyer.

Likewise, bank accounts, shares and/or investments that are acquired during the marriage are also community assets. This is true even if the bank account, shares and/or investment are solely in the name of one of the parties.

Some parties try to hide money in separate bank accounts during the marriage and/or hide assets that were acquired during the marriage from the other party.

If you are a party to a divorce action, you have what is called a fiduciary duty of disclosure. What this means is that you must disclose all assets, bank accounts, and other investments that were acquired during the marriage to the other party. If you do not fully disclose your assets and/or income to the court and to the other party, the court could severely punish you.

You may have read about the case where a wife won the lottery and then filed divorce proceedings against her husband. She did not inform the court or her husband about the fact that she won the lottery. As punishment for not disclosing the fact that she won the lottery, the court awarded her husband the full amount of the lottery winnings.

Separate Property

Separate property is all property that was acquired before the marriage; during marriage by motto, testament or inheritance; and after legal separation. Proceeds from a personal injury judgment or settlement are also separate property, even if received during the marriage.

Once the court determines that the property is separate property, the person who owns the separate property will leave the couple with their separate property.

Separate property can be transmuted (converted) to community property by intent or inadvertence. For example, a party may have a separate bank account prior to the marriage that would be considered separate property. If the party then takes the income earned during the marriage and deposits that money into their separate bank account, they may have inadvertently turned that bank account into community property.

Obviously, the parties in a divorce proceeding will likely want to keep their own assets separate after the divorce is final. It is very important that you contact an attorney regarding the issue of separation of property to ensure that you can keep separate property from her after the divorce.

If you are considering filing for divorce or are currently involved in divorce proceedings, you can call our law firm for a free consultation at 818-739-1544 ext. 10, or visit our family law website at http://www.divorce-legal.net.

By Norman Gregory Fernández, Lic., © 2006

Pets

A Condescending Vernacular: The Language Problem of the Elderly

Many people naturally resort to something like baby talk when communicating with older people. More than just a way to adapt to the cognitive declines that the elderly can develop as they age, this trend is known as “elderly language.” It often involves using a singsong tone, exaggerating and prolonging words or syllables, speaking slower than necessary, limiting vocabulary, repeating statements over and over, making statements sound like questions, and using diminutives such as “honey,” “dear” and “darling”. While the language of the elderly may be common practice, studies consistently show that the elderly do not like to be spoken to in this way and that speaking in this way can even be harmful.

Susan Kemper, a distinguished professor of gerontology at the University of Kansas, received a grant from the National Institute on Aging to study the ways in which the young change their speech patterns when communicating with the elderly. For her study, Kemper paired older and younger people as conversation partners. What she found was that the younger speakers consistently reverted to the language of the older ones, even when the older listeners did not indicate that they had difficulty understanding the conversation. Kemper also concluded that the language of the elderly did not in any way help the older listeners to understand what was being communicated, but instead made the older listeners perceive themselves as cognitively disabled.

In fact, based on another study, Yale professor Becca Levy concluded that perceiving oneself as cognitively disabled actually leads to lower cognitive functioning. Levy says condescending and condescending phrases like “good girl” and “How are we feeling today?” it can be extremely damaging. “Those little insults,” she tells us, “can lead to more negative images of aging” and “those who have more negative images of aging have poorer functional health over time, including lower survival rates.”

However, the use of elder language is pervasive in the elder care industry, particularly in nursing homes and assisted living settings. A research team also from the University of Kansas, headed by Professor Kristine Williams, videotaped interactions between twenty staff members and residents of a nursing home. The tapes revealed that when staff members used elder language to speak to residents, the residents were invariably less cooperative and responsive to attention and more aggressive. Many expressed their frustration at being approached like babies by making faces, yelling, or refusing to respond to requests from staff members.

So why do health professionals use the language of the elderly? Williams suggests that many workers see it as a warm and caring way to connect with their patients, adding that they “don’t realize the implications” because “it’s also sending messages to older adults that they’re incompetent.” While a small number of caregivers are aware of these dangers, much remains to be done to raise awareness of the problem.

Not unlike the similar problem of child care professionals “sneering” at children, which also impedes cognitive development, the language problem of the elderly is endemic in part because the industry is not set up to support the long-term relationships with caregivers. Turnover rates in nursing homes and assisted living facilities can often be very high. Staff are often assigned to care for many residents without being primary caregivers for any of them, making it difficult to form lasting bonds. Home caregivers, on the other hand, typically care for only one patient at a time, and often for much longer periods of time, building relationships where each patient’s individual needs can be understood and supported.

Elderspeak also reflects broader cultural malaises around the subject of aging. As New York Times journalist John Leland notes, “As long as our culture is uncomfortable with the aging process, I suspect we will be uncomfortable with the language used to describe it.”

Pets

What you can do with your dog’s constant scratching

It’s yours the dog scratches constantly driving him, and you, crazy? If your dog licks himself, he scratches and bites himself continuously, Dry Skin may be the reason. But what causes dry, flaky skin on dogs? There can be a number of factors, including improper diet, allergies, and more. It may take some detective work to figure out the root cause of your dog’s illness. skin itchbut once you find it, you will also find the solution.

Start by watching your dog’s diet

If you’re feeding your dog a generic or supermarket brand dog food, he may not be getting enough of the nutrients and essential fatty acids to help keep his coat shiny and healthy. Many store brands do not contain the optimal balance of protein, vitamins, minerals, and omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids that help keep your dog’s skin soft, moist and healthy and his coat shiny.

Experiment with one of the many premium or ultra-premium brand name dog food brands available at pet supply stores. Premium dog foods often contain supplements such as flaxseed, salmon oil, or other fish oils, which contain essential fatty acids. These additional nutrients will benefit your dog’s skin and coat and soothe dry, itchy skin. The best dog foods are also made from whole products, like chicken, turkey, and lamb, and don’t contain by-products or fillers like cheaper foods. Some dogs are allergic to corn, soy, wheat, and eggs. If you suspect food allergies, look for a dog food that does not contain these ingredients.

Essential Fatty Acid Supplements

To give your dog a boost of essential fatty acids, try giving him a supplement rich in vitamins and fatty acids like Linatone or Lipaderm. You can even put a capsule or liquid of regular flax seed oil, salmon oil, or other fish oil in your food. Many people find that this simple addition to their dog’s diet helps reduce shedding, improves a dull coat, and soothes rough, flaky skin. It has certainly helped my dog’s itchy skin.

Common Canine Allergies

In addition to food allergies, dust mites, fleas, and flea bites are common reasons for constant scratching. Typical signs of allergies include scratching, paw licking, face rubbing, or watery eyes. If your dog is allergic to dust mites, vets suggest placing a plastic cover over your dog’s bed, which will prevent mites from entering the bed. Wash your dog’s bed cover frequently in very hot water. Do not let your dog climb on upholstered furniture and avoid playing with stuffed animals. Vacuum frequently to keep dust spots away.

If your dog is scratching miserably, check him for fleas. Some dogs are allergic to fleas and flea bites, which causes extremely inflamed and itchy skin. Use a flea control product on him. There are several topical flea control medications that are given once a month and they work very well. Avoid flea shampoos, which can be very drying and can exacerbate dry skin and make itching worse.

Avoiding allergens is the first line of defense. But if your dog needs relief now that he’s scratching, try bathing him with a mild, soothing shampoo like oatmeal shampoo. Hydrocortisone spray or shampoo can also help relieve itching. If your pet doesn’t get better soon, check with your vet to see if your dog may have another underlying condition.

Pets

20 ways to increase sales with direct mail letters

1. Tailor Letterhead

If you’re using company letterhead for direct mail, tailor it to your requirements. The name of the company and the sale benefit must be highlighted. If you want people to email you, the email address should stand out. If you want them to call, make the phone number prominent. Use the footer as a place to upsell by drawing attention to a trade association or quality control mark. Keep the legal information as small as possible.

2. Postal responses

Do you want potential customers to reply to you by email? Include a prepaid envelope.

3. Long letters

Don’t be afraid to write long letters (more than one page). No one will buy something without enough information to make a decision. Keep selling until you run out of outlets. Every word should be relevant, without rambling.

4. Be friendly

Address your letter to someone you know if possible because it shows you care who they are. Second best is to address them for their work or interest, for example. ‘Dear dog owner’. The worst greeting is ‘Dear Sir/Madam’.

Sign up friendly. Instead of having a secretary sign the letter on her behalf, sign it yourself. Include your first name and a friendly title. ‘Customer Services Manager’ says your company cares about its customers.

5. Powerful headlines

At the top of the letter, write a headline that communicates the main benefit of the product. It gives the potential customer a reason to keep reading. Keep it clear and simple – think communication, not clever wordplay.

6. Powerful openings

Grab your reader’s attention. Study magazine and newspaper articles. How do they do that? It works? Use your research. Here’s a list of letter openers to get you started: http://www.procopytips.com/sales-letter-openers

7. Subtitles

Subtitles make the lyrics digestible. Each subheading must sell the product.

8. Ask for what you want

Don’t beat around the bush. If you want your reader to buy your soap operas, tell them. If you want them to subscribe, ask them to sign up (and make it very easy). Ask right away, don’t leave it until the middle of the letter.

9. Talk about benefits

Learn the difference between features and benefits. Instead of saying ‘the X65 mower has a cylinder of sixty rotating blades’, say ‘the X65 mower develops a healthy lawn in a matter of weeks’. Decide what is the most important benefit and put it first. All other benefits follow.

10. Make it personal

Address the reader as if you were sitting next to him. Do it for them and not for you. Every time you type ‘we’ try to change it to ‘you’.

11. Emphasize important points

Emphasize important words using bold or underline, but don’t overdo it or you’ll lose power. Indentation to emphasize key paragraphs.

12. Make sure the lyrics flow

Guide the reader gently from one point to another. The sentences must be linked (‘what’s more…’, ‘but…’) and the ideas must be arranged in a logical order.

13. Prompt the reader to act

Your letter should end with a ‘call to action’. Now (hopefully!) you’ve convinced the reader to make it easier for them to act. Don’t complicate it by providing many alternatives that involve decisions. Give an incentive too: ‘respond before August 20 and you’ll receive a free watch’.

14. Provide reinsurance

Make sure the reader knows they can’t lose. For example, say that you won’t accept payment until the product has been shipped or that you won’t be charged for 60 days.

15. Use a PS

When you receive a letter, do your eyes go directly to the PS? The same goes for your reader’s. There should be a new ‘just remembered’ perk here to seal the sale.

16. Make it a package

You don’t have to send a letter by itself. A creative pack is likely to generate a higher response rate. You can include a sample of your product or a promotional item that will be a constant reminder of your company, for example. a coaster for drinks or a pen.

17. Includes a response device

Prepaid postcards with checkboxes make life easier for potential customers. If you can print your name and address for them, so much the better. Assure people that a salesperson will not call and that they are under no obligation to buy.

18. Includes a backrest

Feedback from satisfied customers is very helpful, as are market research statistics: “85% of our customers have used us for more than 2 years.” Always be truthful. Never be tempted to lie; doing so misleads your customers and undermines your reputation.

19. Engage the reader

Ask rhetorical questions: ‘What would you do if…? Write down questions potential customers might ask and answer them: ‘How much will it cost?’ Please provide an example of a company or individual who reaped the benefits of your product: ‘When James & Son bought our product, they halved their production costs in one week.’

20. Overcome objections

Make a list of all the possible reasons why your customer might not have to buy. Decide how you would respond to these objections and put them in your letter. For example: ‘I can’t afford it now’ could be solved with an easy payment plan. If you think people will want to compare offers with other providers, provide a comparison chart.

Pets

California Guardianships

Background

Definition. A guardianship is used in California when a person is unable to handle their own financial affairs or take care of themselves physically, so the court appoints someone else to handle these matters.

Since 1981, guardianship in California can only be obtained for a person under the age of 18. However, other states use the term “guardianship” for what California now calls a conservatorship.

Terminology. A guardianship must be established by a court. The person who needs the help is called a “guardian” and the person who is given the authority to handle the financial, medical, and/or other affairs of the person who needs the help is the “guardian.”

Types of Conservatories. There are two basic types of guardianships, a guardianship of the person and a guardianship of the estate. Often a conservator fills both roles, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Curator of the Person. A guardian of the person ensures that the ward has adequate food, clothing, housing, medical care, social contact, and sources of enjoyment.

estate curator. A conservator of the estate manages the ward’s finances.

A conservator of the estate must use the ward’s money and other assets to support (and educate, if applicable) the ward and any dependents.

If the proper court order is obtained, the guardian can handle not only the ward’s personal finances, but also his business affairs.

The process

Start of the process. A guardianship is initiated by filing documents with the Probate Court and serving copies on the proposed ward and his or her next of kin.

Obviously, this can be a painful process for the conservatee, who is required to give up their rights to manage their finances, make their own medical decisions, etc. Still, sometimes a guardianship is unavoidable.

court investigator. A short investigator should speak to the proposed ward and others who may know something about the situation.

Hearing. A hearing date is scheduled and at the hearing the judge decides if a conservator will be appointed and, if so, who it will be.

Unless the proposed ward is medically unable to attend, the proposed ward must be present at the hearing, as the judge will often want to question him or her.

Please note that it is possible that another person, usually a family member, may object to the proceeding or propose a different guardian.

Inventory and Appraisal. Within 90 days from the date the judge signs the order appointing the probate conservator, the conservator must file a report with the court listing the assets owned by the conservatee.

More specifically, the conservator prepares an Inventory and Appraisal form. If there are assets other than cash, the conservator must send the Inventory and Appraisal to the probate arbitrator, who is appointed by the Court. The probate arbitrator will appraise the non-cash items, complete the Inventory and Appraisal by inserting the value of those items, and return it to the conservator, who must file it with the Court. It usually takes four to six weeks for the probate referee to return the form.

The estate is charged a fee for the appraisal, generally 1/10 of 1% of the total value of the conservatee’s estate, with a maximum fee of $10,000. The probate arbitrator can also recover expenses, such as mileage, in addition.

judicial investigations. Once guardianship is established, the court conducts periodic inquiries to confirm that guardianship is still needed and that the ward is being treated appropriately.

Bonds and Periodic Accounting. If the conservator is managing the conservatee’s finances (which is usually the case), the conservator must post a bond and provide periodic itemized accounts to the court listing all income and expenses.

bail amount. The amount of the bond depends on the conservatee’s assets and annual income, as well as whether a professional bond company (rather than family or friends) provides the bond.

Bail Bond Companies. Keep in mind that most bond companies will not issue a bond unless an attorney is handling the guardianship proceedings.

Conservatee Status Reports. Often the conservator must also prepare periodic status reports indicating how the conservatee is doing and what the conservator is doing in regards to her duties.

Cost. Usually, the cost of guardianship comes from the ward’s income or other assets.

Conservator Fees and Reimbursements.

Bills. Generally, the guardian is entitled to reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred on behalf of the guardianship, including expenses to establish guardianship and sometimes money spent to support the ward prior to guardianship.

With the exception of court filing fees and bond premiums, the guardian must obtain court approval before receiving any refunds from the ward’s estate.

It is essential that the conservator keep receipts and records of all expenses (and reimbursements).

The conservator may hire help as needed, such as an accountant, as long as the expense is reasonable compared to the size of the conservatee’s estate.

Generally, the guardian cannot be reimbursed for postage, photocopying, mileage, or the cost of travel to the court.

Time Compensation.

It is crucial that a conservator who wishes to receive compensation for his or her time maintains a detailed written record of time spent in conservatorship, indicating the date, amount of time, and entry-by-entry work performed.

Courts generally allow a family member to recover only for time spent managing the estate’s finances, and not for time spent acting as a family member (such as visiting the ward) or acting as the person’s guardian .

Courts may not allow compensation for time if little time has been spent on financial matters or if the guardian has failed to follow court procedures, including timely filing of accounts.

Some courts have schedules establishing the compensation a guardian can receive for his or her time, often a percentage of the ward’s estate.

The curator can only request compensation from the Court for the time after the last of both:

90 days after the letters of guardianship were issued; and when the Inventory and Appraisal is presented.

Alternatives

Notary Powers. Unfortunately, the process of obtaining and maintaining a guardianship is expensive, so we strongly encourage people to sign powers of attorney designating who will handle their affairs if they become incapacitated. If the proposed ward is mentally competent, by far the best approach is to have him/her sign durable powers of attorney. There are two types of powers.

Durable Power of Attorney for Finance. One type of power of attorney is a durable power of attorney for finance, which designates who can handle the grantor’s financial affairs (such as paying bills) if the grantor becomes incapacitated.

Advance Health Care Directive. The other type is the durable power of attorney for health care. In California, this is now known as an Advance Health Care Directive. This is designed to allow the grantor’s designated agents to make health care decisions if the grantor is incapacitated.

officers. Often the spouse (or partner) is the primary agent, and then adult children or friends are successor agents in the event the primary (or subsequent) agent is unable (due to incapacity, etc.) or unwilling to Act.

medical decisions. Often, if a person is incapacitated, the medical staff will allow family members to make medical decisions if everyone agrees. It is also possible to obtain authorization from the court for specific medical procedures, but if authorization is needed on an ongoing basis, a conservatorship may be more effective.

Representative Beneficiaries. Most government agencies allow another person (a “paid representative”) to receive checks for the payee and spend that money on the payee’s behalf. Each agency has its own application procedures and requirements. Many agencies require the paid representative to provide them with periodic accounts.

community property. If one spouse becomes disabled, the other spouse can usually manage all of the community property they own.

This will not help if action needs to be taken with respect to any separate property owned by the incapacitated spouse.

Also, even with community property, the capable spouse may not be able to roll over Treasury bills, sell stocks, or sell or borrow against real property.

Again, it is possible for the court to authorize the spouse to carry out specific transactions, but it may be easier to obtain a guardianship if continuing authority is needed.

Pets

How to tell the difference between a real Route 66 sign and a fake one

Summer is here and many of us want to go on vacation and what comes to mind is the famous ‘Mother Highway’ or Route 66.

Although Route 66 was deactivated in favor of Interstate 40 in the early 1970s, portions of the Highway still exist, some in large sections that run parallel to the modern Highway.

After a cross-country trip, why not a poster to help you remember your vacation?

If you take a look on eBay you will see a lot of ‘Authentic Route 66 Signs’, when in reality few if any of these are real. Most are made from original molds and recast in tin or steel.

So a few things to look for. We have all seen modern road signs and they are quite large. most 24 x 24. If you see an ‘Authentic’ Route 66 sign smaller than that, it’s most likely a fake.

However some of the signs were smaller but they were 1930s shield type and made of heavy gauge steel and very few survived and if they did they are in collections.

When you find a sign that is 24×24, look at it. It’s worn? Jagged? A ‘shadow’ sign post on the back from years of sitting outside? Also look around the mounting holes. Road Crews went hard on these signs, as treating them as a collectible was the furthest thing from their mind.

The mounting holes should show signs of chips and scratches where the bolts holding the sign in place were installed and removed.

Don’t be fooled by the reflective paint, some signs had it, some didn’t.

When you look at the sign and the back, look at the edges, are they worn and dirty or are they shiny metal?

Other factors such as stains, drip marks should run downwards, this is especially important on Kansas Sunflower signs. There are many out there, but they are a 99 highway backwards. Note that Route 66 ran only 2.3 miles, so while Kansas signs do exist, they are rare.

So, if you can’t inspect the sign in person, ask the seller to show you the back or edges and closing of the mounting holes.

Sometimes people will sell ‘NOS’ which is New Old Stock, but don’t be fooled, finding a stash of Route 66 signs in a deserted Highway Department sign shop doesn’t happen anymore.

All of the tips above apply to most of the signs, some of the signs were mounted to the big green boards above the overpasses and may not have much sign of wear but over time and the elements of the part aluminum rear should have a cloudy type. appearance.

If you find an authentic sign, be prepared to spend some money, however most can be had for between $300 and $1000 and the competition on eBay can be fierce.

In my next article, I’ll go over how to spot a fake Route 66 reflective sign.

Pets

EFAs for Dogs – Essential Fatty Acids

Essential fatty acids control many systems in your pet, primarily the immune system and the inflammatory response. They form healthy cell membranes for your pets nervous system, adrenal glands, thyroid, skin, nails and hair. They build strong muscle mass, bones and teeth. They keep your dog’s mucous membranes lubricated. These acids are literally the building blocks of all cell membranes. Essential fatty acids are only obtained through dietary intake and this dietary fat is very important as a source of energy.

There are three main groups of acids, contained in the omega 3 chain: alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Omega 3 fatty acids cannot be synthesized in the body, so they must be supplemented in your pet’s diet. Making sure your pet gets its essential fatty acids depends on what you feed it. It is important to give him a very well balanced meal. Some low-fat dry foods may lack the necessary essential fatty acids. Other factors, such as certain diseases, can also affect absorption. Diseases of the pancreas and liver, especially, can cause malabsorption of fats, resulting in poor body utilization of these acids. The sources of omega 3 fatty acids are plants and cold-water fish.

Plant sources contain the fatty acids ALA, but flax seed oil is not assimilated or digested well in our pets, as ALA must be converted to DHA and EPA to be beneficial. The best sources of omega 3 fatty acids are oily cold-water fish such as salmon, halibut, herring, cod, and sardines. These contain DHA and EPA. DHA and EPA are the precursors of eicosanoids. Eicosanoids are formed in body tissues during self-healing responses to stimuli. These hormone-like substances act as natural anti-inflammatory agents.

Why are omega 3 fatty acids important as a nutritional supplement for dogs?

Originally, omega-3 fatty acids were known to help your pet have a more lustrous and shiny coat. Now, researchers are finding that the addition of omega-3 fatty acids helps with many other conditions, including allergies, autoimmune conditions, arthritis, colitis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and rheumatoid arthritis.

Other new conditions are also seeing the benefits of the addition of omega 3 fatty acids.

Pets with cancer may benefit from fish oil supplements. They have been shown to delay the development and metastasis of certain types of cancer. Heart problems such as ventricular arrhythmia have been prevented and high blood pressure reduced by adding fish oil supplements to your diet.

It has been found that in addition to the effects on the developing immune system, these fatty acids are also necessary for the development of healthy retinas and visual cortices.

Fungal infections are also treated with fish oil. Essential fatty acids appear to slow the growth of Malassezia pachydermatitis, which is a common fungal infection that affects the skin and ears of dogs and cats.

Animal Essentials Ocean Omega Supreme – is a super premium quality fish oil supplement that is made from ethically wild-harvested Alaskan salmon and whole-bodied Menhaden fish. This highest quality fish oil is tested for purity; Analyzed for heavy metals and other known contaminants. This supplement is made in the United States. Replenishes essential fatty acids that are vital to your pet’s daily health.

Animal Essentials Fish Oil Plus provides a well-balanced blend of essential fatty acids. The fish-shaped gelcaps are derived from wild-caught sardines, mackerel, and anchovies. These smaller fish are naturally higher in EPA/DHA levels than salmon oil. Essential fatty acids are necessary for healthy skin and coat, as well as helping to regulate blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and build strong joint tissue. Essential fatty acids are beneficial for the skin and coat, the heart and joints. Additionally, Omega 3 helps regulate inflammation in the body. Additionally, your dog will also be more tolerant of flea bites and other allergens.

Another great source is Grizzly Salmon Oil. Grizzly Salmon Oil provides a wide range of omega-3s, including the long chain omega 3s EPA and DHA.

As our pets age, they face an increased risk of heart disease, arthritis, dullness in their skin and coat, and a general lack of vitality and vigor. By supplementing your dog’s diet with these omega 3 EFA’s, you will help rebuild those systems in your best friend’s body.

Mickey’s Pet Supplies – http://www.mickeyspetsupplies.com

Pets

Top 10 Small Business Ideas for 2012

Starting a small business requires a lot of planning and the ability to execute your business plans. Although it does not require huge capital for a small business, however, you cannot lose your capital as this will cause a serious problem on the financial front at the same time as your future expansion plans. If you have knowledge on how to run a business successfully, you will not be able to make a wrong step that could affect your business plans. Before proceeding with small business ideas, check out tips for running a small business.

• Can you sustain your daily expenses and can it benefit you?

• Can you raise enough funds to keep it running for a long time and become a profitable business?

• Is it something that is needed every day and has constant selling appeal?

• Is it something you know how to do and can you do it well?

• Is it something you enjoy doing and you don’t mind doing it over and over again?

Now that we know our goal in starting a small business, let’s move on and see what are the best small business ideas for 2012.

1. Online business: this can include article/blog writing, virtual assistant, translator, copywriter or bookkeeper, data entry, etc. This is one of the ideal business ideas for beginners would be to take advantage of various online business opportunities. By doing online data entry jobs and online paid surveys, you can earn hourly money for your work. The more precision and consistency you show in your work, the more work you will get.

2. Mobile App Development: Almost every person nowadays owns a mobile phone and includes an application in the mobile phone that people always use. Calendars, alarm clocks, notepads are some examples of commonly downloaded apps. Whether you are a businessman, a politician, an artist, or just an ordinary person, you have many or even tons of mobile apps.

3. Makeup Artists or Beauty Salons – Providing makeup artist or beauty salon services is another interesting idea for a small business. Makeup artists are in high demand in the fashion and entertainment industry. If you have the skills and talent for makeup, you can start your own company and do makeup for movie and TV stars. By providing good service, you can get long-term contracts that will greatly increase your income. The good thing about beauty salons is that they are a sure thing. No matter how bleak the economic climate, women will still find the money to get their hair done, even if they have to get their nails done. Therefore, beauty salons with talented stylists and well-priced services will continue to be real money makers.

4. Cleaning services (pool, garden, garage, etc.) – A cleaning service is a good business proposal for a person who enjoys the idea of ​​cleaning apartments, houses and commercial establishments. Cleaning is an art, and people often get discouraged at the prospect of removing grease, tough stains, and odors from carpets, keeping the bathroom clean, and removing odors from the refrigerator. Therefore, a cleaning service can be a steady source of income, assuming there are no immediate competitors. Otherwise, one would have to spend money on advertising and this can affect your profit. Cleaning services can work 24 hours a day, as residential apartments are usually cleaned during the day, while commercial buildings are cleaned after office hours. With cleaning services gaining popularity and goodwill through word of mouth, a job well done will rarely go unnoticed.

5. Elderly Aide or Babysitter: Being a babysitter doesn’t require you to have a license, with more parents needing to work and offering in-home childcare can be a great way to start your own business while taking care of your own. kids too The growing number of older baby boomers also provides growing business opportunities for elder care. Home care and nursing homes are the obvious ones, but don’t forget all the related opportunities like driving, delivery, catering and cleaning services for seniors who want to stay in their homes. You can certainly develop your own business providing care for the elderly.

6. Recycle – The great thing about being a recycler is that you not only make your own money, but you also help the environment. The average homeowner doesn’t always know where or how to recycle the things he owns. A van is all he needs to start shopping or simply offer to pick up junk, old computers, electronics, ink cartridges and other recyclables.

7. Event Management/Party Planner: Event management or party planning can also be a good fit for a small business. Event planners must organize a particular event keeping in mind the suggestions of their clients. This job requires creativity, patience, and the ability to get people to get the job done on time. It can help you to be a successful event planner if you have a good team of creative professionals who can help you organize the event under you.

8. Online Sales – Whether it’s new or second-hand items, you can still make a lot of money. This is being popularized by e-bay. There are still some people who have a lot of money and are willing to spend it on the name products that matter. Luxury handbags, women’s scarves and shoes continue to sell well, for example.

9. Social Media Consultants – With the rise of the social media era and giant social networking sites, such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, companies have taken advantage of this to gain more exposure for their brands and products. With over 800 million active users on Facebook alone, business promotion on this leading social networking site is now a top priority for business owners and marketers. If you have the social media marketing skills that can outsource likes and followers for your client’s business, then this business can help you earn cash online.

10. Pet-Related Services Like Pet Sitting, Pet Grooming, and Cleaning Services: Most Canadians and Americans love pets, especially dogs, and feeding, grooming, and pampering their dogs are a spending priority. Kennels, doggy daycare, doggy treat bakeries, and doggy resorts are some of the things you can venture into.

These are not necessarily business ideas that anyone can start, however you may get an idea from the list above. But in my opinion, these are trading opportunities that will provide real chances to make money in 2012 and beyond. Businesses done right, in the right place, and for the right people can be profitable businesses for years to come. If you’ve been considering a sale in 2012, take your time and do it right. Plan ahead, research your market, and stand out from the competition. Knowing the sales process is half the battle. With the right preparation, you can ensure a stress-free transition and a financially successful exit from your business.