Brand New Booze, Business, and Banker Books

The Book of Gin: A Spirited World History from Alchemists’ Stills and Colonial Outposts to Gin Palaces, Bathtub Gin, and Artisanal Cocktails, by Richard Barnett

Gin has been a drink of kings infused with crushed pearls and rose petals, and a drink of the poor flavored with turpentine and sulfuric acid. Born in alchemists’ stills and monastery kitchens, its earliest incarnations were juniper flavored medicines used to prevent plague, ease the pains of childbirth, even to treat a lack of courage.

In The Book of Gin, Richard Barnett traces the life of this beguiling spirit, once believed to cause a “new kind of drunkenness.” In the eighteenth century, gin-craze debauchery (and class conflict) inspired Hogarth’s satirical masterpieces “Gin Lane” and “Beer Street.” In the nineteenth century, gin was drunk by Napoleonic War naval heroes, at lavish gin palaces, and by homesick colonials, who mixed it with their bitter anti-malarial tonics. In the early twentieth century, the illicit cocktail culture of prohibition made gin – often dangerous bathtub gin—fashionable again. And today, with the growth of small–batch distilling, gin has once-again made a comeback.

Wide-ranging, impeccably researched, and packed with illuminating stories, The Book of Gin is lively and fascinating, an indispensible history of a complex and notorious drink.

The Facebook Guide to Small Business Marketing, by Ramon Ray

If you have a small or local business, you can’t go wrong with the marketing advice in The Facebook Guide to Small Business Marketing.The number one social networking site offers the opportunity to reach more than 350 million registered users with your advertising message. Owners of small and local businesses will benefit from these tips and best practices provided by Facebook insiders. Learn new ways to attract customers, create a business profile, and take advantage of Facebook’s many marketing features. Packed with insider tips and creative marketing ideas, this guide to small business marketing on Facebook, is packed with information from Facebook’s staff

The Bankers’ New Clothes: What’s Wrong with Banking and What to Do about It, by Anat Admati and Martin Hellwig

What is wrong with today’s banking system? The past few years have shown that risks in banking can impose significant costs on the economy. Many claim, however, that a safer banking system would require sacrificing lending and economic growth. The Bankers’ New Clothes examines this claim and the narratives used by bankers, politicians, and regulators to rationalize the lack of reform, exposing them as invalid. Admati and Hellwig seek to engage the broader public in the debate by cutting through the jargon of banking, clearing the fog of confusion, and presenting the issues in simple and accessible terms. The Bankers’ New Clothes calls for ambitious reform and outlines specific and highly beneficial steps that can be taken immediately. They argue we can have a safer and healthier banking system without sacrificing any of the benefits of the system, and at essentially no cost to society. Theyalso demonstrate that banks are as fragile as they are not because they must be, but because they want to be–and banks and bankers get away with it. Whereas this situation benefits bankers, it distorts the economy and exposes the public to unnecessary risks. Weak regulation and ineffective enforcement allowed the buildup of risks that ushered in the financial crisis of 2007-2009. Much can be done to create a better system and prevent crises. The lessons from the crisis have yet to be learned.

 

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Scam Alert

DeWine warns of scammers posing as agents of his office

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine is warning consumers about a scam that exploits his office’s work as a collection agency for state departments.

DeWine said scammers posing as attorney general’s employees or state Bureau of Criminal Investigation agents try to trick consumers over the phone into providing personal information or payments for bogus debts. Scammers often demand that people pay the debt immediately using prepaid money cards or face arrest.

DeWine said his office does not pursue private debt, and any collection of money owed state agencies is done professionally.

The Columbus Dispatch Monday March 4, 2013 11:48 PM

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Nature Wars

Moose animal graphicsWe once had a friend whose house drainpipe had been smashed by a visiting moose,* we had another friend whose bird feeder pole had been bent to the ground by a passing bear,** and many of us are used to having our beautiful hostas eaten down to the ground by deer, so we are familiar with the explosion of wildlife in our own back yards. Those of us who are nature lovers are thrilled, but there are drawbacks as well. For instance, according to a November 11, 2011 article in USA Today, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that there are about 1 million car accidents with deer each year that kill 200 Americans, cause more than 10,000 personal injuries, and result in $1 billion in vehicle damage.

The new book, Nature Wars: the Incredible Story of How Wildlife Comebacks Turned Backyards into Battlegrounds by Jim Sterba, states that “It is very likely that more people live in closer proximity to more wild animals and birds in the eastern United States today than anywhere on the planet at any time in history.” (p. xiv) Coyotes, beavers, deer, turkeys, bears, raccoons, and geese are among the many beasts you might have visiting you these days. Sterba explains how things got this way, and how we have lost touch with our wild populations which in many cases have burgeoned out of control. He asserts that these wild animals are causing damage costing billions, degrading the ecosystem, and setting off disputes within communities.

In our attempts at creating mini wildlife habitats in our yards, we encourage the overgrowth of wildlife and its presence in urban and suburban areas. A visiting coyote or fox, or an unusual bird at the bird feeder often causes us to rejoice, but there may be a deeper affect on the environment. What can we do? Should we do anything? You may be thrilled to see the deer in your yard, and not be disturbed if they eat your plants, but your neighbor may not agree with you. This book is the story of the situation and the how we contributed to it.

Bears animal graphics

 

* in Alaska, not here!

** in Summit County – yipes!

Animated gifs courtesy of picgifs.com

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Certificate of Qualification for Employment

According to Senate Bill 337, the Collateral Sanctions Bill, the Certificate of Qualification for Employment loosens job restrictions for individuals with criminal records. For instance, an individual with a felony or misdemeanor applying for an employment opportunity or occupational license will not be automatically denied. Ohio law states that the employer or license holder must make a decision on an individual or case-by-case basis:

A certificate of qualification for employment issued to
an individual lifts the automatic bar of a collateral sanction,
and a decision-maker shall consider on a case-by-case basis
whether to grant or deny the issuance or restoration of an
occupational license or an employment opportunity.
Ohio Revised Code Ann. § 2953.25 (D).

The Court of Common Pleas grants the certificates (also called petitions). Returning citizens—those who served time in an Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction institution or program funded by the ODRC—may apply with the ODRC in which petitions will be forwarded to the court by Justice Reinvestment Officers on behalf of the citizen. Otherwise, the individual may file directly with the court.

The time to file is one year after incarceration or release from supervision for a felony, and six months after incarceration or release from supervision for a misdemeanor. The court has 60 days to decide whether to grant or deny a petition.

The certificate protects an employer from negligent hiring. The employer will still be held liable, however, if dangerous activity occurs after the person is hired and no action is taken by the employer.

Applicants must educate themselves on exceptions to the CQE. In other words, the certificate will not lift all sanctions: the sex offender registration requirement and notification law (R.C. 2950) is not lifted, for instance.

Click here to complete the online registration and petition Certificate of Qualification for Employment Petition. For more information concerning the application process, contact Sara Andrews, Deputy Director, Division of Parole and Community Services at 614.752.1235, or Michele Worobiec, Judicial Services Coordinator, Ohio Judicial Conference at 614.387.9750.

Visit this link SB 337, for more information about Senate Bill 337.

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African Americans in the White House

President Barack Obama is serving his second term in the White House as President of the United States.  He is not the first African American to run for the office of President.  George Edwin Taylor was the first African American selected by a political party to be a candidate for the presidency of the United States.  In 1904, the newly formed National Liberty Party nominated Taylor to run against Theodore Roosevelt.  How this came about is the subject of “For labor, race, and liberty: George Edwin Taylor, his historic run for the White House, and the making of independent black politics,” by Bruce L. Mouser.  In fact, blacks have always had a presence at the White House.  It was slave labor that helped build the White House in the 1790’s, from quarrying stone to carpentry.  African Americans have been in the White House as slaves and servants, entertainers and artists, and advisers and cabinet members.  In his book, “The black history of the White House,” Clarence Lusane describes their roles as “slaves, house servants, elected and appointed officials, Secret Service agents, advisers, reporters, lobbyists, artists, musicians, photographers, and family members.”  Through their stories the author traces the racial history of the White House and the struggles for emancipation, civil rights, and equality.  Another book which gives a historical perspective on blacks in the White House is “Family of freedom: Presidents and African Americans in the White House,” by Kenneth T. Walsh.  His focus in on the influence African Americans had on the presidents and their families.  Both books examine the history of the presidency from an African American perspective, thus giving the reader new insight into presidential politics and the racial attitudes influencing their policies.  Both books conclude with an African American holding the highest political position in the United States.

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Minimum Wage Madness

Among the topics that President Obama covered in his State of the Union address was the idea of raising the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $9.00 an hour in order to help the working poor achieve a better standard of living.  The last time the minimum wage had an increase was in 2009.  Proponants argue that if the minimum wage had been adjusted for inflation since the 1960s it would have climbed to around $10.00 today.  Critics claim that it will make labor too expensive and, as a result, cause a net loss in jobs which will hurt the very people the legislation is trying to help.  Some even recomend raising the Earned Income Tax Credit as an alternative.  Critics of the EITC option say that it wouldn’t help as much as a higher wage because the benefit would only be available when when the worker files his/her tax return, rather than seeing the effects of a higher wage in every paycheck.  Others claim both should be done to help families of poor and moderate means.  As the debate rages on, you can read about different angles on the issue from books from the Akron-Summit County Public Library.

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Tax Time

Here in the Business & Government Division of Akron Summit County Public Library, “Tax Season” is a very busy time of year.  The IRS now uses public libraries as a primary outlet for income tax information and forms.  Through the good graces of AARP tax preparation volunteers, Main Library and __ branches provide space for tax preparation.  Library staff books these appointments for tax counseling.

This tax season has gotten off to a rocky start, due to Congressional wrangling in the face of the fiscal cliff.  The American Tax Payer Relief Act was finally enacted on January 2, 2013 leaving the IRS to scramble to update many income tax forms.  Forms have just recently begun to arrive.  Feel free to call us at (330)643-9020 to check availability of forms.

Although we at ASCPL see a great demand for paper forms, the Internal Revenue Service reports that last year 80% of all individual forms were filed electronically.  E-filing is the quickest way to receive a refund, especially when combined with direct deposit to a bank account.

The IRS has long had an efficient and helpful website, IRS.gov, which it continually refines and improves.  As well as online tax forms and instructions and much helpful information, IRS.gov is a gateway to the FreeFile program.  FreeFile allows taxpayers with an Adjusted Gross Income of $57,000 or less to file online for free.  Taxpayers can choose from about fifteen tax services which provide this opportunity via the IRS.gov gateway.

As April 15 approaches, we in Business & Government hope that your tax preparation goes smoothly and that you qualify for a refund!

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Family Support Matters

Having trouble paying child support? A new program called Family Support Matters may help. The following quote is from the program brochure:

Family Support Matters is a program
designed to address non-payment of
of child support without relying on
formal court proceedings. The program
works on a case-by-case basis to
develop a solution that will work for
both parties.

Family Support Matters identifies the barriers to non-payment of child support and tries to find a remedy. Barriers may include lack of employment, transportation difficulties, and conflict between parents. The program tries to eliminate payment problems through fatherhood participation, community support mediation, education, and employment services.

Participants in the program must be referred by the Child Support Enfourcement Agency or the court. Clients receive an extensive explanation of the program’s services, as well as their responsibilities and rights, once selected

Funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families’ Special Improvement grant makes the program possible. In addition, there is collaborative effort from the following organizations: Community Legal Aid; Domestic Relations Court; Man 2 Man Fatherhood Initiative; the Department of Jobs and Family Services Workforce Development; the University of Akron; and the Summit County Child Support Enforcement Agency.

For more information call Lisa Dolan at 330-643-8463, or click here Summit County Child Support Enforcement Agency.

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News You Can Use

Paper checks will end.

The U.S. Department of Treasury began phasing out paper Social Security checks and other federal benefit checks on May 1, 2011. It required anyone applying for Social Security checks and other federal benefits on and after that date to receive their payments electronically. On March 1, 2013, the Treasury department will stop mailing paper checks to Social Security recipients. Retirees will be required to choose to have their Social Security payments either directly deposited into a bank or credit union account or loaded onto a prepaid Direct Express Debit MasterCard. “If you already have a bank account or credit union account, we encourage you and it’s our preference that you sign up for direct deposit,” says Walt Henderson, director of the electronic fund transfer strategy division at the Treasury Department. “The debit card is primarily for unbanked benefit recipients. We don’t want people who already have a bank account to feel that they have to get the debit card.” New Social Security beneficiaries have been required to choose an electronic payment option since May 2011, and approximately 93 percent of Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments are already being made electronically. Those who began receiving Social Security checks before May of 2011 have until March 1, 2013, to sign up for electronic payments, the Treasury Department announced. Those who don’t sign up to have their Social Security checks direct-deposited by that date would receive their benefits through the Direct Express card program.

Free Credit Reports.

You are entitled to a FREE credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) once every 12 months. You can request all three reports at once, or space them out throughout the year. It’s important to review your credit report to ensure that your personal information and financial accounts are being accurately reported and that no fraudulent accounts have been initiated in your name.

Pension Information.

Are you owed unclaimed pension money? According to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, more than 38,000 people haven’t claimed pension money they are owed, ranging in amounts from 12 cents to $1 million.

Find out if you’re owed pension money and learn about the process to get your benefits.

 

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Gun Control Controversy

It’s hard not to think about issues surrounding gun control when reading both national and local news.  Following the tragedy at an elementary school in Newton, Connecticut, the Obama administration set up a commission to study gun control regulations. On Wednesday, President Obama announced plans to introduce legislation which would include  a ban on assault weapons, limits on high-capacity ammunition magazines, criminal background checks for all gun purchases and new gun trafficking laws. The National Rifle Association has proposed putting armed guards in schools, a proposal the President has rejected.   It’s not only the mass shootings of Tucson, Aurora, Chardon, Newton  that grab the headlines and our emotions.  An Akron Beacon Journal story on January 5, 2013 noted there were 25 homicide victims killed in Akron in 2012.  Eleven remain unsolved.  One day later, on the morning of January 6, 2013, a 16 year old became Akron’s first homicide victim of the new year.  Most of the debate on gun control policy follows political lines.  However, for a twist on the usual polarization, read “Living with guns: a liberal’s case for the Second Amendment”, by Craig Whitney.  He gives a thoughtful and balanced argument in favor of responsible gun ownership. A historical examination of the controversy  over gun rights can be found in “Gunfight:  the battle over the right to bear arms in America”, by Adam Winkler.  Other informative books on gun control issues are available at the Akron-Summit County Public Library.  This could be a dominant issue in 2013.  There are organizations and politicians pressuring lawmakers on passing strict gun regulations.  There is the powerful National Rifle Association advancing  Second Amendment rights.  However you see this debate, the library can help you stay informed.

 

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