How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
Business News
- Details
- Written by: Editor
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly chamber dinner meeting on Tuesday, April 5.
The dinner will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Best Western El Grande Inn, 15135 Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake.
Meet other business leaders/owners and network your business.
Join them for an informative look at how to make the most of your current and future technology investment.
At this event you'll also get a firsthand look at Microsoft Office 2010 and Windows 7. They'll have live demos and a chance to win a great door prize. Plus, event attendees and members will receive a certificate that will allow them to register for complimentary online software training when they purchase Office 2010 and/or Windows 7.
Don't miss this fun and exciting event. Space is limited so be sure to RSVP today.
Call the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce at 707-994-3600 or e-mail
- Details
- Written by: Editor
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Lake County Websites and Computers is offering a beginning computer workshop on Saturday, March 26, beginning at 2 p.m.
It will be held at 15642 Armstrong St. in Middletown in the Jazzercise Center (two blocks behind the post office).
The workshop has a $10 admission fee to cover costs.
The workshop will feature hands-on learning using Microsoft Windows including how to backup important pictures and files, create new folders and update important Windows files you need.
You will learn simple maintenance tips to keep your computer running great.
The presenter, Mark Rudiger, is the owner of Lake County Websites and has over 18 years of experience installing, trouble-shooting and working with computers.
During the course of his daily work as a computer repair tech and Web site designer, he has been asked repeatedly to offer this kind of workshop.
Rudiger will share his special technique to keep passwords secure and easy to remember. He also will help you analyze your security software and provide money saving options.
If you have questions about running or maintaining a Microsoft Windows computer, you will get answers at this workshop. If you have a laptop, bring it along and connect to the high-speed Internet. If you don’t, you will still get all the same information as Rudiger’s laptop screen will be projected on a 70-inch screen so you can follow along.
Go to http://www.meetup.com/LCSMGroup to register for this and other upcoming workshops. You
can join the group for free with no obligation.
For more information, call Mark Rudiger at 707-987-1923.
- Details
- Written by: Editor
SACRAMENTO – The California State Board of Equalization (BOE) reminds the approximately 300,000 additional service businesses that have been registered with the Board of Equalization this year that their use tax returns are due along with income taxes on April 18, 2011.
While businesses and consumers have always been required to report use tax on their purchases, in 2009, a new law was added to the Revenue and Taxation Code (section 6225) by Assembly Bill x4-18 which requires businesses that meet the definition of a "qualified purchaser" to register with the BOE and to file returns by April 15 (April 18 in 2011) of each year, reporting all purchases subject to use tax from the previous calendar year.
A qualified purchaser is a business that:
Receives at least $100,000 in gross receipts per year from business operations;
Is not required to hold a seller's permit with BOE;
Is not a holder of a use tax direct payment permit;
Is not required to be registered with the BOE; and
Is not otherwise registered with the BOE to report use tax.
Businesses that do not meet the $100,000 gross receipts threshold are still required to report and pay use tax, but are not required to register with the BOE for that purpose.
Persons that have multiple businesses with the same ownership must register if the aggregate gross receipts of those businesses meet or exceed the $100,000 threshold.
To simplify the registration process, new applicants have been automatically registered to eFile their returns for 2008, 2009 and 2010.
Use tax, which has been the law since 1935, is the same rate for any California location as the sales tax rate.
Generally, California use tax is owed when individuals or businesses in California use, consume, give away or store tangible personal property (things you can see, weigh, feel or touch) that they purchased form an out-of-state vendor, including online, through the mail, or over the telephone.
If an out-of-state vendor does not collect California tax on your purchase, you must pay the use tax.
If you are not a retailer or service business currently required to register with the BOE, the easiest way to report and pay use tax is on the California state income tax return. You may also register with the BOE as a consumer to pay use tax.
BOE offers assistance to help taxpayers understand their use tax reporting obligations. BOE offers information on its Web site at www.boe.ca.gov to help educate taxpayers on their tax obligations so they can more easily voluntarily comply.
Information includes commonly asked questions and answers, video presentations and information regarding seminars taxpayers may attend to get more information.
The five-member California State Board of Equalization (BOE) is a publicly elected tax board. The BOE collects more than $48 billion annually in taxes and fees supporting state and local government services. It hears business tax appeals, acts as the appellate body for franchise and personal income tax appeals, and serves a significant role in the assessment and administration of property taxes.
For more information on other taxes and fees in California, visit www.taxes.ca.gov.
Use Tax Registration frequently asked questions: www.boe.ca.gov/sutax/useTaxRegFAQ.htm
Publication 126, Use Tax Registration for Service Enterprises: www.boe.ca.gov/pdf/pub126.pdf
Use tax eFile tutorial: www.boe.ca.gov/elecsrv/efiling/efile_demo/efile_use_tax.htm
- Details
- Written by: Editor
LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Professional and amateur pruners came together on Saturday, March 5, for Six Sigma Ranch’s fourth annual Pruning and Pastries event.
This year the winter pruning event was kicked-off by a spirited competition among Lake County’s top professional pruners.
Volunteering their time and expertise to judge the event were Glenn McGourty, UC Cooperative Extension Winegrowing and Plant Science Farm Advisor for Lake and Mendocino Counties, and Steve Tylicki, general manager and viticulturist, Steele Wines.
Joy Merrilees, assistant winemaker for Steele Wines, was the judging recorder.
In the professional category, first place went to Luis Fajardo, Shannon Ridge; second place, Arturo Martinez, Shannon Ridge; and third place, Adan Gonzales, Snows Lake.
Each winning pro received a cash prize provided by Six Sigma Ranch and a pair of professional pruning clippers donated by Kelseyville Lumber.
The event took place just inside the Six Sigma Ranch gate in Michael’s Vineyard where Sauvignon Blanc grapes are grown.
Moore Family Winery, Bella Vista Farming Company, Snows Lake Vineyard and Shannon Ridge were represented at the competition.
Winning amateur competitors included Dennis Fay, Kelseyville, first place; Jeffrey Wilmore, Novato, second place and Angie Arcaya, Walnut Creek, third place.
Prior to the competition, judges McGourty and Tylicki outlined the judging criteria, namely speed and pruning accuracy, and announced that each pro would be assigned six vines to prune.
Competition coordinator Christian Ahlmann of Six Sigma Ranch sounded the start, triggering a flurry of snipping and canes being tossed aside.
\
While the results of the professional competition were being judged, the “beginner” pruners gathered for a pruning demonstration lead by Six Sigma Ranch Winemaker Matt Hughes.
Following a hands-on practice session, those up to a challenge stepped forward and joined the amateur contest.
Based on the positive feedback from the pros and amateurs, Six Sigma Ranch has announced the competition will become a permanent part of its annual “Pruning and Pastries” event.
The 2012 event will be held on Saturday, March 3.