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- Written by: Tina and Tenae Stewart
A few simple tips will make your bridal show experience one of ease.
Come prepared
Bring:
Comfortable shoes;
Planning notebook;
Hand-held calendar;
One to two friends whose advice you trust;
Clear adhesive address labels (to quickly sign up for raffles, etc);
Pens.
Know what you need
The number one reason shows can be so overwhelming is that there is so much to look at.
Come with a list of what you already have taken care of and what you still need, that way you can focus, instead of merely being awed by the giveaways and displays from vendors you may not need. This saves time and energy.
Getting the most out of any bridal fair
Walk through first and get a first impression of each vendor you still need.
Make short notes about each one you wish to go back to.
Bring your checkbook. Many vendors will have “specials” good only at the show. Waiting will cost you money. Trust your instincts. If you meet a vendor that you immediately click with. Trust it and give them a holding deposit. Good vendors go fast.
Bridal shows are worth the trip as they save you money and expose you to lots of vendors and ideas. With a little preparation, they can even be a great deal of fun!
Tina and Tenae Stewart run Middletown Florist.
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- Written by: Editor
LAKE COUNTY – Nominations already are beginning to come in for the 13th annual Stars of Lake County Community Awards.
Stars of Lake County will be held on Saturday, April 10, at Robinson Rancheria Resort and Casino in Nice.
Lake County Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Melissa Fulton said the nominations are being received through the chamber's Web site, www.lakecochamber.com .
They may also be submitted in standard written form or sent to
To date the nominees are:
Yerba Santa Goat Dairy, Lakeport, Agriculture Award;
Peggy Alexander, Clearlake, for Volunteer Youth Advocate of the Year;
Soroptimist International of Clear Lake, Volunteer Organization of the Year;
Lulu's Ice Cream, Kelseyville, New Business of the Year;
Lake County Community Radio, Volunteer Organization of the Year;
Andy Weiss, Lakeport, Man of the Year;
Featherbed Railroad B&B, Nice, Small Business of the Year;
Denise Johnson, Kelseyville, Volunteer of the Year.
Nomination deadline is Friday, March 12, by 5 p.m. Any mailed nominations postmarked by that date will be accepted as well.
It is only through the nominations that the awards committee may know of these wonderful people, businesses and organizations. So look around you at those who do so much to make Lake County the wonderful place it is, and write your nomination for this 13th annual Community Awards Program.
To see what others have written in the past, stop by the chamber's office.
Tickets will be available to all nominees beginning Feb. 26 and ticket sales to the general public will begin on March 19.
Please contact the Lake County Chamber of Commerce at 707-263-5092 for more information.
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- Written by: Editor
MIDDLETOWN – The Calpine Geothermal Visitors Center invites the community to an open house on Saturday, Feb. 20.
The event, from 9 a.m. to noon, will include presentations on Calpine’s Geothermal Operations.
At The Geysers, there will be free power plant tours and continental breakfast.
Tour reservations are recommended: call 707-987-4270 or visit www.geysers.com .
The Calpine Geothermal Visitors Center is located at 15500 Central Park Road, Middletown.
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- Written by: Editor
Taxpayers who received unemployment benefits in 2009 are entitled to a special tax break when they file their 2009 federal tax returns. This tax break is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Here are five important facts the Internal Revenue Service wants you to know about your unemployment benefits.
1. Unemployment compensation generally includes any amounts received under the unemployment compensation laws of the United States or of a specific state. It includes state unemployment insurance benefits, railroad unemployment compensation benefits and benefits paid to you by a state or the District of Columbia from the Federal Unemployment Trust Fund. It does not include worker's compensation.
2. Normally, unemployment benefits are taxable; however, under the Recovery Act, every person who receives unemployment benefits during 2009 is eligible to exclude the first $2,400 of these benefits when they file their federal tax return.
3. For a married couple, if each spouse received unemployment compensation then each is eligible to exclude the first $2,400 of benefits.
4. You should receive a Form 1099-G, Certain Government Payments, which shows the total unemployment compensation paid to you in 2009 in box 1.
5. You must subtract $2,400 from the amount in box 1 of Form 1099-G to figure how much of your unemployment compensation is taxable and must be reported on your federal tax return. Do not enter less than zero.
For more information, visit www.irs.gov/recovery .