Business News

We have all seen enough reality shows to know that the events, activities and transformations that occur during the participants journeys ultimately present the most positive and compelling outcomes, typically after experiencing the most demanding and grueling challenges.

Simply stated, staying the course doesn’t mean driving with blinders.  Investors should monitor their portfolios regularly to determine if they support and respond to their financial goals.

Nobody should tell you what your beliefs should be, but wouldn’t it be great to truly be able to act upon what it is that you’ve decided is important.  Regarding your investments, the first step is making the decision that you do indeed want to be sure that they don’t conflict with your values or beliefs.  At that point, find an advisor qualified in the area of Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) and allow them to show you what can be done.  Such an advisor will have the proper tools to screen your existing holdings and determine their suitability according to your expressed desires.

The Latest Firm to be Affected in IRS’s Push Against Tax Cheats and Tax Shelters

The Internal Revenue Service’s latest victim: Arnold & Porter, an international law firm.  A former Arnold & Porter partner pled guilty to charges that arose in connection with a government investigation of certain tax shelter transactions that took place in the time period 2000 to 2002.

Zonta Club provides grants to mature women who are at a crossroad and need assistance to make a new life.  The Virginia Wrage Memorial Fund was established to help these women achieve social and economic independence following a life-altering event.

The recently released 2008 California Retail Survey ranked the City of Santa Clarita among the “Top 25 City Retail Markets in California” based on analysis of 2006 annual retail sales volume.   The City of Santa Clarita continues to rank higher than the cities of Newport Beach, Pasadena, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica in this annual report covering 272 of the largest cities in California.

One of the important things in business or life is having the courage to try new, different or better things.  With all of the things impacting the business environment, this may be a factor in the significance of what you do in business.  This can be a factor for business owners, managers, employees and entrepreneurs.

In this era of caring and concern, it’s no surprise that more and more individuals, institutions, and organizations are looking to make sure that their investments are in line with their values.  Socially Responsible Investing, or SRI, now accounts for more than $2.7 trillion in assets or about one dollar out of every nine invested.  Whether it is based on social values, religious beliefs or a love for the environment, SRI allows you to put your money where your heart is.

We all know the importance of saving to reach our financial goals.  But how do you start saving?  The first step is putting your financial house in order.  Taking control of your finances takes some discipline, but the sooner it’s done, the greater the potential to reach your goals.  The following paragraphs contain some useful tips to help you get started.

Since opening our company this year our landlords have been absolutely thrilled and surprised to find that we can actually obtain more rent for their homes than trying to rent the home themselves.  Not only have we been able to obtain more rent, but we have also been able to obtain rent increases from current tenants.  This happens for a few different reasons which many landlords never consider. 

Joint and several liability is important in personal injury cases.  It applies in situations when multiple parties (defendants) can be held responsible for an injured person’s (plaintiff’s) injuries.  In such cases, each defendant is jointly [individually] responsible for all economic damages, regardless of the percentage of fault found against any particular defendant.  Here is an example:

Has the changed economy caused upheaval in your career?  Are you being forced to chart a new course, find a new direction and make a new match?  You just might discover that it’s the best thing that ultimately could have happened to you!  There’s opportunity in adversity!

You may be thinking, “Taxes?  But it’s not even the holidays yet!”  True.  But year-end tax planning starts long before April 15.  If you plan ahead, you may be able to reduce the amount of money you’ll owe “Uncle Sam” for 2008.

Everyone is anxious for news of tax refunds and economic stimulus payments, right? Scam artists obviously think so.

Clicking the link in an email that the IRS official apparently sent could be a costly mistake.  Scam artists are luring U.S. taxpayers with claims of information about refunds and payments to collect information they can use for identity theft.  These emails are known as “phishing” scams.

With the economy slowing down and many businesses taking a look at their expenses to find places to cut back a great place to look to spend a little more would be your website.  Why?  Cost mostly, but there are several reasons why your website should be an extension of your print advertising.

In today’s world, remarriage is often part of life and, as such, can impact an estate plan and the status of children’s future inheritance.  For example, if you have children from a previous marriage and your current spouse survives you, he or she could be the one who decides who will next inherit your assets.


Don’t give up.  To conduct a successful job search, you must plan out and carefully strategize every move you make in identifying and pursuing your new career position.  Research industries, identify organizations, find the key decision makers, and wiggle in the door.  Impress them with your carefully constructed case for why you’re the best possible answer to problems and opportunities they didn’t even know they had.

A tax break, that is.  The tax code does provide a few benefits to help parents (and students) pay for college.  However, taxpayers must meet certain requirements to qualify.