The Inofficial Chamber of Commerce Website

In spite of the increasing attention on how the Internet is changing the business landscape, many small business owners are still struggling to understand its influence. But unlike the ceaseless blinking of the home VCR, the impact of the Internet cannot be ignored.

The Internet provides an all-encompassing vehicle to connect us to the information and things we want. Browse for your desires through millions of pages of shopping, communications, entertainment, and business opportunities. Unfortunately, consumers are parked at the tail end of the Internet’s evolution and as these users arrive at any given website, a fierce battle to manipulate their purchasing habits is being pursued. The battle has barely begun.

The argument that the Internet is a fad or that it will never replace traditional commerce is redundant. It already has. Any invention that has the capacity to accelerate the delivery of products and services into the marketplace changes the economic and cultural landscape. The Industrial Revolution did it. The telephone did it. The automobile did it. The Internet will do it too. And because each technology builds on the momentum of its predecessor, the rate of acceleration intensifies. It is this intensification that many people find so disconcerting.

The Internet breeds new business processes in the same manner that the automobile gave birth to suburbia, shopping malls and salvage yards. Like parents fawning over their newborn infant, few inventors are able to envision the long-term consequences of their creations. Pioneering inventions, like human development, bring challenges and opportunities along their way to maturity. It is always risky to assume a rigid outcome. The Internet is still in its infancyits formative yearsand it’s during this phase that the greatest influence can be exerted.

The Internet has both the power to create or destroy economic communities. The present momentum is focused on centralizing economic activity, in other words, building colossal portals that will attract consumer activity away from traditional Main Street retailers to these centralized hubs. Amazon.com is the foremost example of this trend. While use of this technology is a natural process of business evolution, the consequences on local economies are enormous.

Economic activity, whether rural, urban or national, is the organizing backbone of our community structure. Removing or reorganizing a community’s economic activity has a consequential impact on the community’s well being. Historic examples abound from the microeconomics of a town built on the gold rush fever to the macroeconomics of communism. In both extremes, external forces created internal disintegration.

The organizing efficiency and cost effectiveness of the Internet economy will have an incomprehensible impact on both the local and global economy. And because the circulation of money is a primary activity of our society, it is essential that we actively participate in how and where that money flows. So while the momentum of Internet technology may deter intelligent participation, by not participating we relinquish our responsibility to direct its flow into the hands of a few willing advocates.

Small business in particular needs to participate in its development. The Internet is a major threat to the well being of the small business community, the backbone of our economy. While some predict the demise of these traditional brick and mortar businesses, it is not the Internet that will bury them but rather their unwillingness to use Internet technology intelligently. For small businesses to profitably compete in e-commerce, it is essential that this segment of the economy is empowered and provided with the tools and resources to understand, strategize and position themselves as viable competitors.

Luke Vorstermans owns and manages a successful publishing and communications company and is the Editor of Business Dynamics magazine and content contributor to IR Design.

When you go to a fertility doctor or clinic, they will more than likely begin by doing some basic diagnostic blood work and testing. One of the first tests typically performed is a Hysterosalpingogram or HSG. While you have to wait for results from other tests, the HSG is one the few fertility testing procedures that provides you with instant results. The Hysterosalpingogram is used to determine if there are any blockages in either of your fallopian tubes and it will also show if there are any uterus abnormalities or fibroids.

The HSG is usually done at a local hospital’s surgical/surgery center, although many fertility clinics have the necessary equipment to perform the test right in the clinic as it is a fairly common fertility test. The HSG is a quick procedure that typically takes less than 15 minutes from start to finish. During the procedure, you will like on your back on a table with your legs raised. The doctor will inject contrast die through your cervix into your uterus while simultaneously taking an x-ray of the area. The contrast die will spread through your uterus and tubes and will show if there are any abnormalities or blockages in the tubes. In many cases, you will be able to watch the die spreading on a TV in the room. I was able to watch the procedure and the doctor explained what was happening and what he saw as the die spread.

Your doctor or clinic will probably advice you that during the HSG you “might” feel a “slight discomfort”. I have found through talking with other women in my fertility support group, that the discomfort or pain associated with the procedure is different for every woman. A few women stated that the procedure did not bother them at all and one friend said she came up off the table when they inserted the die. I fell somewhere in between the two extremes. Because my tubes were blocked, the doctors said that added to the pain I felt and that women without any blockages typically feel less discomfort with the HSG. Most doctors will prescribe something like a prescription strength Tylenol for you to take before the procedure. I had a second HSG after I had surgery to unblock one tube and remove the other. My doctor let me take pain medication left over from my surgery before the second HSG. One of the girls in my support group was very scared to have the HSG done because of the uncertainty of the pain. She knew she would not be able to relax during the procedure, which is important, so her doctor prescribed one valium for her before the procedure.

You might experience slight uterine cramping for a few hours after the procedure and this is normal. You should also wear a panty liner for a few days as some of the die might come back out of your cervix.

The results of the HSG are very important in helping to determine your next steps or procedures in the fertility process. A normal HSG that shows no blockages or abnormalities rules out blocked tubes as a possible cause for your fertility problems and your doctor will begin further testing. If the HSG shows a blockage in one or both of your fallopian tubes, your doctor will discuss your alternatives with you. This boils down to two choices: you attempt to unblock the tubes through laparoscopic surgery which will increase your probability of pregnancy or your can choose to not have the surgery, keeping the blockages in place and decreasing the probability of pregnancy. Whether or not to have the surgery is obviously a personal decision and you need to take the time to decide what is right for you.

A blocked tube carries some risks and complications. First of all, when one or both of your tubes are blocked, you are at an increased risk for having an ectopic or tubal pregnancy. This is a very serious condition, especially if the tube ruptures. The second complication involved in a blocked tube is that most doctors will not do an IUI or IVF procedure when a tube is blocked as it will decrease your chances of a successful procedure and can actually work against it. For instance, when you do an IUI with a blocked tube and the sperm is injected directly into the uterus, the chances of the sperm and egg meeting are slim to none since the tube is blocked and the egg and sperm can’t get through it to meet. If you do an IVF with a blocked fallopian tube, the blocked tube can cause fluid to back up into the uterus which impedes the embryo from implanting in the uterus.

If you decide to have surgery to unblock the tubes, your doctor will likely schedule a second HSG once you have healed from the surgery. They do this to make sure that the tube is open and that the die passes through the way it should. This second HSG will help determine what your next step will be.

Having gone through the HSG, I want to pass two things that I learned on to you. First of all, take someone with you when you have the procedure done. When I went the first time, I insisted on going by myself because I felt like everything was going to be ok. My husband would have gladly gone, but I guess I was being stubborn. Anyway, when things weren’t ok, I really wished that I had had him come with me. Second of all, if your doctor offers you any pain medication before the procedure, take it. You never know what your pain or discomfort experience is going to be like with the HSG, so it is best to be prepared for anything.

For many, Hysterosalpingogram is the most important procedure that they have done during the fertility process. For me, it was the most important procedure done during our fertility journey as it gave us instant results and instant answers as to what was going on to prevent us from getting pregnant. Although, slightly uncomfortable, it is over quickly and you are able to walk away from the HSG knowing what your next step will be.

For more information about the fertility process Click On Our Fertility Help Site or go to our home page http://www.familyhopes.com.

Remember, rates change all the time, and it can be one or two months between the time you apply for a loan and when your sale closes… and rates can have jumped in that time.

A lock commits the lender to lend at a specified interest rate and points, provided the loan is closed within the specified “lock period.” For example, a lender agrees to lock a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage of $200,000 at 7.5 percent and 1 point for 30 days. The lock lapses if the loan doesn’t close within 30 days.

A lock imposes a cost on the lender, and the longer the lock period, the higher the cost. This cost is in the price quoted to borrowers. The lender who quotes 7.5 percent and 1 point for a 30-day lock, for example, might charge .875 points for a 15-day lock, and 1.125-1.25 points for a 60-day lock.

Some borrowers elect to “float” the rate, meaning not to lock it, as long as possible. If the market is stable, they expect to benefit from the declining lock price. They may also believe that market rates will decline.

It would be pretty silly for a home purchaser who barely qualifies at today’s rate to risk a rate increase - if rates jump they may no longer qualify for the loan. But even if qualification is not an issue, floating past the point where you can change loan providers is risky if you have no way to monitor the market price on the day you finally lock.

If the market price on the day you lock is what the loan provider says it is, you are at his mercy. (Some will pad the price just because you have nowhere to go.) On a refinance, you can always change loan providers, so it’s safer to delay the lock until shortly before closing.

Allowing the price to float on a purchase transaction is safe if you have a way to check the market price on the day you lock. If you originally shopped the lender’s website and found your price there, you can check it again on the lock day. Otherwise, don’t float, except in certain circumstances.

Borrowers who are refinancing can monitor the floating interest rate/points quoted to them by the broker against other market information, and if the quote appears out of line they can bail out - after all, you don’t have to refinance, you just want to. Home buyers with a scheduled closing, however, eventually reach the point of no return where it’s too late to start mortgage shopping all over again.

During a refinancing boom period, when loan processing takes longer, the point of no return might be 45 days rather than the 30 days that might be okay in a more normal market.

To protect yourself, just don’t float past the point where you can bail out and shop elsewhere. Or, you should pin down the lender or broker on an objective procedure for determining the market interest rate. One simple and fair rule is that the market rate will be the rate that the lender is quoting to potential new customers on the same day.

If you lock only a few days before closing, your rate should be the lender’s current float rate. If you lock 15 days before closing, your rate should be the lender’s 15-day lock rate on that day. And so on.

One advantage of dealing with an individual lender or broker who is internet savy is that they can provide you with the data you need to monitor the rate they give you when you lock.

Gus Skarlis is the only person in America that can get you the best loan program, get you any vehicle at dealer cost, show you how to correct your credit, beat any speeding ticket without using a lawyer and save you money at the Gas Pump everytime… You can find his infomational site at http://www.GusSkarlis.com or you can contact him directly at 702-491-7251

Pit Bulls and Heartworms
By: je Dunn

It is surprising how many people are still confused about heartworms and the effects that a heartworm can have on
your pit bull dog.

First lets look at what heartworms are and how your dog can become infected.

Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes into the dog’s blood stream. The immature heartworms called microfilaria
travel through the blood stream.

The microfilaria settle into the heart chambers and major pulmonary blood vessels. This causes a blockage of the
blood flow and pathological changes to the surrounding tissues.

This blockage happens when the larvae grow into adult worms. An adult female heartworm can grow up to fourteen
inches and can live as long as five years.

A female heartworm can produce thousands of microfilariae, which is transmitted into a mosquito when it bites an
infected dog, and subsequently injected into the next dog that that mosquito dines on.

What Are The Signs That A Dog May Have Heartworms?

Usually the first system is weight loss. The dogs’ hair may become dull and brittle.

The infected dog also may tier easily.

A persistent coughs and or labored breathing.

In more progressed cases victims may vomit blood from ruptured lungs.

If the disease is not prevented or caught in time the result will be a slow painful death from congestive heart
failure.

What Do I Do If My Pit Bulls Is Infected?

Treatment is available but it can cost hundreds of dollars, and may be ineffective depending on the degree of
infestation.

The best defense against heartworms is routine checkups with your vet. Giving your dog heartworm medication once
a month easily prevents heartworms.

Warning: You Must Have Your Dog Tested For Heartworms Before Starting Heartworm Medication!

About the Author

je Dunn has published several books on dogs and has free information all about dog training, health, and care at: Pit Bulls
Health Tips

How can we track the time? Our days are moving at the speed of light and over scheduled. Without calendars, we truly would not recognize what day it is. Made-to-order promotional calendars help us sort through the fuzz of time, keep appointments and meetings, not forget birthdays and anniversaries and essentially organize our lives and make us much more efficient. One calendar per family is not enough any longer. At home, custom calendars can be located in the kitchen, adjacent to a phone, in the bedroom, on the electric refrigerator, in a purse or billfold, the garage, or the home office. At the business workplace, on a advertising mousepad, desk blotter, a wall, a weekly planner - and the list runs on! We need one for work, for school, our social lives, and for our kid’s social lives! Cost effecient - Custom calendars are inexpensive, effective promotional tool. Quality calendars -gifts- gets more bang for the buck than TV, radio, or any other kind of advertising media when looking at price. Check it out - if it cost $5 and it is looked at twice a day in a business sector 250 days a year, that only costs you a penny of advertizing!

Without question, going to the hospital is teamwork from the time you arrive until you are wheeled out the front door. Everyone is working together for the common good of the patient, or at least a crack at his bank account. That is as it should be in such mercenary endeavors.

Spending a few days in the hospital recently reinforced this in my own mind. Although my time in the hospital was brief, I was given the full treatment.

The hospital staff left no bed unturned in the holy quest of my recuperation. No matter what time of night it was, each nurse cooperated in awakening me and asking, “And how do we feel tonight?”

Teamwork is good for a number of things in life. Peanut butter and jelly, ham and eggs, and bologna and cheese are a few things benefiting from cooperation. In each example, one element compliments the other and the combination is greater than each individual part. This is coordination at it finest.

There is a limitation to the so-called cooperation, especially in the environment of the hospital. I don’t want to complain, but now that I am out, I feel a little freer expressing my opinion, without fear of any needling from the hospital staff.

I will grant you, nurses are some of the most wonderful people in the world. The job they do is simply marvelous. It is absolutely true that patients could not get along without these nurses.

On the other hand, what would these nurses do without patients?

I don’t want to brag here, but if it were not for patients like me (if there are patients like me), nurses would not have a single thing to do in the hospital. Essentially, they owe their job to me. The level of their significance is in direct proportion to the patients they serve.

Not one to belabor a point, (it’s hard to do any labor in my condition right now) I think it’s about time someone stood up for patient rights. Since I have nothing to do for the next week except recuperate here at home, I am the perfect person to say something about this crucial issue.

The major complaint I have is with the “we-disease” rampant in hospitals across the nation. This “we-disease” syndrome has gotten out of hand and despite all the research, no cure seems looming in the hospital corridors.

Every morning, around 5 o’clock, my nurse came bouncing into my room with the cheeriest of dispositions, completely disregarding my condition at hand and boldly asked, “And how do we feel this morning?”

Even on my best day, 5 o’clock in the morning is not a good time to ask me any question, especially how I’m feeling. If there were any chance that I was feeling good, I certainly would not be in the hospital.

The thing most disturbing to me is the sense on the part of the nurse to personally identify with my pain. Hence, “And how do we feel this morning?”

I object to this vehemently. It is my pain, not “our” pain. I believe each nurse should go and get their own pain. I’m paying a lot for this pain and I deserve all the credit. I do not choose to share my pain with anyone, especially someone with a bubbly orientation so early in the morning.

It’s my ailment and I have the right to not only enjoy it but also tell everyone about it. One reason it’s so hard to tell people about my ailment is everybody wants to tell me about their own ailments instead.

My hospital room that I’m paying for should be the one place I can indulge my ailment. I should not have to compete with nurses concerning my prevailing ailment. From a casual perusal of medical journals while waiting in the doctor’s office, there are more than enough ailments to go around.

This is my ailment and I share it with no person, especially healthy nurses wielding needles and pain pills.

If I hear that phrase, “And how do we feel this morning?” one more time I’m going to throw some business to my favorite funeral home.

A related phrase brought just as much frustration. My good nurse came in one morning and quipped, “And are we having our breakfast this morning?”

Looking at the breakfast tray before me, with barely enough for me, I simply glared at her. If she had any designs of slicing in on my breakfast, blood would flow. I gripped my plastic knife menacingly.

This whole thing came to a head my last morning in the hospital. My evanescent nurse burst into my room and asked, “And are we ready for our bath this morning?” This was the straw that sipped the last drop of patience from my languishing body.

Nothing is more personal to me then “my” bath. I will share my tub with nobody except my rubber ducky.

Getting rest in the hospital is a challenge for the weariest soul. Just when you think you have snuggled down for a snooze, someone asks how you are.

The best rest comes from Jesus Christ who invites everyone to “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 KJV.)

His inquiry is always welcome and comes at the right time, like now.

Reverend Snyder is currently ministering at the “Family of God
Fellowship” in Ocala, Florida. More of his articles are available
for reprint at his website: http://www.godspenman.com/
Rev. Snyder is available as a guest speaker. He writes a weekly
column and is the author of “Romance Around a Parsonage
Fireplace” available at: http://www.jamessnyderministries.com/

It is at times a common mistake for web designers, especially
beginners, to create a website which is not optimised for
various screen resolutions. With over 40 different screen
resolutions, it is extremely important to optimise your web
pages for the most popular screen resolutions so that your web
pages can be viewed by a greater number of online visitors.

Here are some basic facts to consider when designing for screen
resolutions:

- 800×600 is the minimum resolution offered on most PCs and
notebooks. 800×600 is also the preferred viewing option for 14%
of internet users.

- The most popular resolutions used by approximately 60% of
online users is 1024 x 768, followed by 1280×1024 and other
resolutions, with 26% of internet users.

Designing for a wide spectrum of resolutions is therefore
essential. But how is this achieved?

The process of designing for all resolutions is achieved through
a “lowest-to-highest” resolution technique. Which ever image
editing or web building application you are using, it is
important to set your working area or table width to a
resolution within 800 x 600. A suitable area of 770 x 560 is
recommended for best viewing in a web browser on a 800 x 600
screen resolution. This recommended area will not only alleviate
horizontal page scrolling but will keep your pages user friendly
and easy to read.

Designing web pages for all resolutions is especially useful for
attracting and keeping visitors for a longer period of time on
your site. Easy to use and read websites are always more likely
to attract customers. A poorly designed and structured website
with irritable horizontal scrolling will only drive away
visitors and potential buyers.

Herbalife came out with the ideal breakfast! It is easy to make, tasty and what’s no less important, is healthy. Thinks about all the time you have to spend making yourself a decent breakfast, I’m not even talking about the energy of the very preparation and the time spent thinking about what to make. Herbalife, as usually, makes our life easier.

All you need is nutritional shake mix. You get to choose between four flavors: chocolate, wild berry, tropical fruit and vanilla. The cocktails you make can be standard and simple, but they can also be the fruit of your own imagination and creativity. For example, in order to make the vanilla shake, you need only : 2 big spoons of formula 1 (vanilla flavored powder), 250-500 mm of low cholesterol milk, 1 spoon of honey, ice (if you choose) and shade it all up in a mixer. Seems too easy? In less than five minutes you can present yourself with a nice, healthy drink. It is easy to digest in the morning, yet although the food seems relatively light; it would keep you full for a much longer time than a regular meal would.

The drink is full with vitamins, minerals and healthy herbs. It is a great breakfast that consists only 200 calories. You can add yogurts to the equation; you can chop all kind of fruits, use soya milk - then just throw it all into the mixer, and within a few minutes, a delicious breakfast is ready. Make your life healthier and easier. Now that it is so easy, everyone can do it! You can make a couple of different cocktail so all your family can enjoy something special that would keep you full until lunch. The drink actually contains the vitamins A, D, E, C, B1, B2, B3, B5 and many more. In short, it contains twice the vitamins serials have. Enjoy your breakfast, it’s not in vain called the most important meal of the day!

Our experts have executed a research to find the best nutrition and diet plans. Find the results on
Herbalife health nutrition #1 source.
Valuable nutrition info on Herbalife nutrition products on TiGilet.

Asbestos disposal refers to the process of getting rid of asbestos or other asbestos containing items in a safe way. Asbestos is natural fibrous mineral. Many corporations used it for building and insulation materials. Asbestos was also used widely in fireproofing, pipe covering, cement, refractory materials, gaskets, floor tiles and joint compounds between 1890 and 1970. Exposure to asbestos particles is the reason behind many diseases including life-threatening cancer called mesothelioma. Looking at the harmful effects of asbestos exposure, no one can underestimate the importance of safe removal and disposal of asbestos.

It is better to dispose off some asbestos containing appliances such as oven rather than trying to separate the asbestos from it for disposal because separation of asbestos may prove to be very expensive and it can be hazardous. In some cases instead of complete removal of asbestos, we can seal the exposed insulation. Sealing minimizes the further risk of formation of airborne particles. Experts believe that Inhalation of asbestos fibers is much more likely when the asbestos is fragmented and airborne. Therefore, only a specialist should handle the process of asbestos disposal.

If you are planning the asbestos disposal process, then you should read the detailed instructions called Asbestos Removal Procedures for Home Owners of Utah State Department of Environmental Quality. Following are some recommendations to make asbestos disposal safe.

1. You must wet the friable asbestos containing material and place it in properly labeled leak-tight containers before shipping.

2. Only certified asbestos personnel must handle the regulated asbestos containing material.

3. You should not carry on the process of asbestos disposal during the periods of high wind.

4. Entry of unauthorized personnel must be strictly prohibited during the asbestos disposal process.

5. Friable asbestos and Category II non- friable asbestos-containing material should be covered by the end of each operating day with at least six inches of non- asbestos containing material such as soil. Category 1 non- friable asbestos containing material may be spread prior to being covered, but shall be covered by the end of each operating day with at least six inches of compacted non-asbestos containing material such as soil

6. You must maintain the records and file them to notify future landowners or interested parties, the locations and quantities of the asbestos waste buried at the site. A notice on the deed to the property must state that the site is subject to regulation and should include precautions against any attempt to disturb that area.

Kirsten Hawkins is a asbestos and mesothelioma specialist from Nashville, TN. Visit www.asbestosblog.org/ for information on asbestos reform, mesothelioma lawsuit news, and more.

When people ask about my business, I tell them, “My company
offers GPS vehicle tracking systems.” Their response lets me
know whether they are an employee or a business owner.

The first words out of the mouth of an employee is: “Sounds like
‘Big Brother’ to me.” Oh no, not ‘Big Brother!’ Visions of
mind-controlled drones working like slaves come to mind and they
quickly walk away.

‘Big Brother?’ What is wrong with a business monitoring their
vehicles? Or making sure their employees are doing what they’re
being paid to do? Who owns these vehicles, anyway? Does the
owner have a right to know how they’re being used?

Now, don’t get me wrong. I believe employees should be trusted
and treated as adults. But, if you’ve ever driven a rental
vehicle differently than the car you own, then you understand
how an employee may mistreat a company vehicle.

Take the speeding employee, for example. Employees who drive too
fast waste your gasoline, wear out your vehicle prematurely and
sooner or later, drive up your insurance rates.

A GPS vehicle tracking system can alert you when someone exceeds
your pre-set speed limit. It’s your vehicle, your fuel and your
insurance premium; a tracking system helps you regain control of
them.

Who uses your vehicles after hours and on weekends? Is an
employee using your vehicle to moonlight? Is he using your gas
to move his brother-in-law into a new apartment? You’ll know if
you install a GPS vehicle tracking device in your vehicles.

How do you verify overtime claims? Maybe you can verify the work
was done, but when? With a GPS tracking system, you can
cross-check a vehicle’s location with the time of day it was
there.

Have you ever been tempted to take an extended lunch hour? Think
your employees might be tempted, especially if they’re out of
the boss’s sight? A GPS tracking system records how long each
vehicle remains at one location; use it to keep them honest.

Another benefit of GPS vehicle tracking systems: you’ll never
make another phone call to find out where your employees
are–you can just look on the map displayed on your computer
screen. Also, your GPS tracking system will remind you when it’s
time to rotate tires, change oil or perform other scheduled
maintenance. And, many insurance companies offer discounts of up
to 30% for vehicles protected with GPS tracking systems.

The employee also benefits when their company vehicle is
equipped with a GPS vehicle tracking system.

1. Hand-written driver logs are replaced with data from the
tracking system. 2. Using info from the gps tracking system,
each employee’s productivity can be quantified and compared; an
employee’s performance can be more objectively measured. 3. Your
dispatcher can look on a computer screen and locate all your
vehicles immediately.

Customers also benefit from GPS vehicle tracking systems.
Businesses can provide precise arrival or delivery estimates,
because the estimate is based upon the actual location of the
tracking device-equipped vehicle at the moment they call. If a
customer questions when your employee arrived or left –prove it
to them using data from your tracking system.

Still think GPS tracking systems are tools of ‘Big Brother?’ I
guess it depends upon your point of view.

The concept of ‘Big Brother’ never comes up with business
owners. The business owner will say: “How will tracking my
vehicles help my business make more money?” They want to know
what GPS vehicle tracking can do for them.

Are GPS vehicle tracking systems ‘Big Brother?’–You tell me.