Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Congratulations!

We'd like to say congratulations to the Mentor High School Mock Trial teams on their accomplishments in competition this year! For the last two years, the junior and senior teams at the school have advanced through District competition and onto Regionals. Last year, the senior team went to State as well in Columbus. This year, the junior team advanced (it is the first year on the team for all 8 members)! They will compete on the 8th, 9th, and 10th...so wish them luck! Congratulations to both teams!

Articles:

Last year's District competition- http://mentor.patch.com/articles/mentor-high-school-dominates-mock-trial

This year's District competition- http://mentor.patch.com/articles/mentor-high-dominates-mock-trial-again

This year's Regional competition- http://mentor.patch.com/articles/mentor-high-mock-trial-team-advances-to-states



What an awesome group of young adults!

Quote of the Day 2-29-2012

"If you do not hope, you will not find what is beyond your hopes."
-St. Clement of Alexandra





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Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Quote of the Day 2-28-2012

"To be a great leader and so always master of the situation, one must of necessity have been a great thinker in action. An eagle was never yet hatched from a goose's egg."
-James Thomas


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Monday, February 27, 2012

Chardon High School

In light of this morning's catastophe at Chardon High School, we ask that everyone please keep the families involved in your thoughts throughout today and the next few weeks. We will be thinking strongly about the 5 children who were injured...and awaiting the good news that they are all stable. Our hearts break for the families who haven't heard anything yet, but wish them peace while they wait.

Quote of the Day 2-27-2012

"Never let life's hardships disturb you...no one can avoid problems, not even saints or sages."
-Nichiren Daishonen



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Thursday, February 23, 2012

Quote of the Day 2-23-2012

"Character is higher than intellect. A great soul will be strong to live, as well as strong to think."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson




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Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Quote of the Day 2-22-2012

"When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us."
-Helen Keller




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Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Quote of the Day 2-21-2012

"Divide the fire and you will soon put it out."
-Greek Proverb





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Monday, February 20, 2012

President's Day

To everyone with the day off today, we hope you enjoy your leisurely day. But please remember that kids are out of school today, and be careful driving around. With the weather as nice as it is, it is likely that there will be children out and about.

For those who are working, we are joining you! Have a wonderful Monday!

Quote of the Day 2-20-2012

"Never let life's hardships disturb you...no one can avoid problems, not even saints or sages."
-Nichiren Daishonen




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Friday, February 17, 2012

Before you leave for your long weekend

Safety on Family Roadtrips
By Staff writer State Farm™ Employee

With the weather improving, daylight increasing, and summer not too far away, you may be getting that old feeling: time to break the hold of cabin fever and hit the road for a vacation.
As most driving enthusiasts know, road trips can be a great way to experience our country’s vast expanses. But for young parents without much experience driving long distances with infants and toddlers along, knowing how to keep everyone entertained – and safe – presents its own unique challenges.
Here are a few suggestions of how to pass the time with the little ones without adding any undue risk to your trip.
The Old Standards
There’s a reason everyone knows what a sing-a-long is, and the same goes for classic, simple games like Eye Spy and Twenty Questions. These activities require nothing beyond curiosity and enthusiasm, and if your children are old enough to participate, these games can provide hours of fun and help stave off the doldrums.
Before you leave, think about packing a children’s songbook. An audio CD of children’s songs can also be extremely helpful in keeping the new tunes coming. And, finally, make sure to bring along enough notebooks and pencils for the younger passengers: you never know when a spontaneous game of Draw That Mountain or Which License Plates Have We Seen? might break out.
Favorite Toys
So long as they don’t create a distraction for the driver, there’s no reason not to pack a travel-sized basket of favorite toys. Any parent knows the endless fascination the right object, at the right time, can provide for a baby.
Technology is Your Friend
Many newer vehicles – especially family-oriented vehicles like minivans – come equipped with a built-in DVD player for the backseat passengers to watch. A favorite cartoon or movie can provide a nice break in the action of the road. And if your vehicle doesn’t come equipped with such technology, you might consider renting or purchasing a handheld DVD player or using a laptop to the same effect.
Just be sure to keep the volume at a safe and reasonable level that will allow the driver to stay focused on the road. Never try to watch a DVD or video monitor if you’re the one doing the driving.
Frequent Breaks
Road trips are all about the experience – when you’re traveling with infants and toddlers, take frequent breaks to stretch, rest, play, and take in the scenery. Diversity throughout the day will keep the driver alert and the passengers pleased. Try to concentrate less on the time you’re making and more on the journey itself. You never know: you may just enjoy yourself!

Quote of the Day 2-17-2012

"People with many interests live, not only longest, but happiest."
-George Matthew Allen






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Thursday, February 16, 2012

Quote of the Day 2-16-2012

“If someone laughs at you because you are different, laugh at them because they are all the same.
-Anonymous



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Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Quote of the Day 2-15-2012

"Don't waste your life in doubts and fears: spend yourself on the work before you, well assured that the right performance of this hour's duties will be the best preparation for the hours or ages that follow it."-Ralph Waldo Emerson




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Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Discussion to have with your Valentine

The Tough Conversation All Couples Should Have

By SFLearn State Farm™ Employee

If asked, most couples would say it's important to protect the financial future of their families in the event of a spouse's unexpected death.

Yet 74 percent of couples rarely or never discuss the topic of life insurance as part of their financial planning strategy, according to a 2010 State Farm® Life Insurance Study. A 2011 study from finance research firm LIMRA revealed that 41 percent of U.S. adults don't even have life insurance.

That doesn't mean it's not on their minds. Sixty-two percent of respondents said uncertainty in the economy makes having life insurance even more important than it had previously been.

Bringing up the subject can be difficult. It may be that discussing the unexpected death of a spouse is awkward. Or that one spouse already feels the pressure of being the primary wage earner. Or that a spouse who has recently lost a job will react negatively to the topic.

But whatever the obstacles, talking about life insurance is critical to both partners -- even if one earns substantially more than the other, or one doesn't earn an income. To start the discussion, try these tips:
  • Talk before you're in a financial crisis. Pick a time when you're not stressed, and treat the topic as you would any other aspect of your financial planning.
  • Make a plan that incorporates life insurance as a primary component of your overall financial strategy. Having a plan in place can be reassuring if your circumstances change.
  • Set a monthly budget and learn what options you can afford. Schedule follow-up evaluations and adjust your coverage as your needs, family situation and income changes.
  • Consult an insurance expert who can provide an outside perspective and make the discussion less stressful.
  • Focus your discussion on the love you have for your family and your desire to protect it from financial burdens, rather than on the possible death of a spouse.
Contact Wendy Doyle to learn more about the life insurance options that protect your family's future.
See more:
http://learningcenter.statefarm.com/insurance/life/the-tough-conversation-all-couples-should-have/

Quote of the Day 2-14-2012

"We are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery, guided each by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate. The world is all gates, all opportunities."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson




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Monday, February 13, 2012

Quote of the Day 2-13-2012

"Reputation is for time; character is for eternity."
-J. B. Gough




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Friday, February 10, 2012

Quote of the Day 2-10-2012

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."
-Henry David Thoreau



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Thursday, February 9, 2012

Don't Let Spring Weather Melt Away Your Safe Driving Habits

Don't Let Spring Weather Melt Away Your Safe Driving Habits
By Staff writer State Farm™ Employee

The snow and ice may be gone for much of the country, but it's important for drivers to stay “street smart” this spring. Spring showers may bring dangerous driving conditions along with the flowers.
In fact, wet roads can be just as slippery as ice-covered roads. Compounding matters, rainy weather can also affect driver visibility. As drivers hit the road this spring, here are a few tips to help ensure a safe journey to your destination:
Do not use cruise control during heavy rains or hail. Cruise control during low traction wet conditions could lead to hydroplaning or loss of vehicle control. Using the cruise feature also allows you to move your feet away from the pedals, and disengaging the cruise control may take crucial seconds during an emergency situation.
Replace worn tires. Your tires are what keep your car on the road. Worn out treads provide less traction. Also, make sure tires are inflated properly according to your vehicle owner's manual.
Replace worn wiper blades. Poorly maintained windshield wipers can hamper visibility in poor weather.
Clean windows. After a long winter salt and other road residue can build up on your windows. Wiper effectiveness and visibility can be greatly enhanced by just cleaning the glass and removing the residue. Cleaning the inside of the glass can also increase visibility and help the defroster clear you windows faster by reducing moisture buildup.
Check all lighting. Rain itself can also impact visibility so check all vehicle lighting including headlights, taillights, back-up lights, turn signals, parking lights and brake lights. These lights are important because they help you and other motorists to see each other in times of limited visibility.
See more at:

http://learningcenter.statefarm.com/safety-2/auto-2/dont-let-spring-weather-melt-away-your-safe-driving-habits/

Quote of the Day 2-9-2012

"Don't waste your life in doubts and fears: spend yourself on the work before you, well assured that the right performance of this hour's duties will be the best preparation for the hours or ages that follow it."-Ralph Waldo Emerson


***For more great quotes, call us at 440-951-2272***

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Quote of the Day 2-8-2012

"The future depends on what we do in the present."
-Mahatma Gandhi


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Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Tax Considerations

Employee Benefits 
Some of your employee benefits may be treated as taxable income. Generally, the IRS treats most fringe benefits as taxable income.
However, many of these benefits have dollar limits that may be excluded from your income. Fringe benefits are those benefits you receive without paying a fair market value for them. Box 1 of your W-2 statement shows your ordinary income. The value of any fringe benefits your employer gives you is included in the total for Box 1. Total value of your fringe benefits may also be shown separately in Box 12 or Box 14.
For more on understanding your W-2 statement, see the informational copy of the statement for 2010 at the IRS Web site.
As we've discussed, some employee benefits are excluded from your taxable income. For example, the first $5,250 of employer-paid educational assistance may be excluded. Here are some examples of the types of fringe benefits and their tax treatment:
Transportation expenses. For 2011, you may exclude the first $230 a month your employer pays for qualified car pool or mass-transit expenses, and the first $230 for qualified parking expenses, or a combination as long as the total isn't more than $230 per month. Amounts paid in excess of these must be included as taxable income.
Group term life insurance. Employers often provide group life insurance. Premiums paid on the first $50,000 of group term life insurance may be excluded. If you receive more than $50,000 in coverage, the amount of employer-paid premiums for the additional coverage must be included as taxable income.
Cafeteria plans. While there are no explicit limits on how much you may contribute to a health care reimbursement account using a cafeteria plan, your employer must limit contributions to a dependent care reimbursement account to $5,000. Generally, contributions that are less than the contribution limit may be excluded from your taxable income.
If an amount is shown in Box 10 of your W-2, you must complete Form 2441. These forms are used to calculate how much of your dependent care benefits must be included as taxable income.
Distributions from nonqualified retirement plans. Money that you receive from a nonqualified deferred compensation plan must be included in income. Examples of qualified retirement plans include 401(k), 403(b) and 457 plans.
Certain disability benefits. Disability benefits are generally taxable if either your employer paid the insurance premiums or you paid the premiums with pretax dollars (such as with a cafeteria plan). Disability benefits earned from most government disability pensions, including those from a VA pension, are excluded from income.
Long-term care benefits below a certain amount. Benefits you receive on a long-term care insurance policy are excluded from income.
Finally, it's worth mentioning taxation of stock options.
The two types of employee stock-options are nonqualified and incentive stock options. If you hold nonqualified stock options, you will have to include as income the difference between the fair market value of the shares and the exercise price when you exercise the options. With incentive stock options, you include this difference as income when you sell the shares you obtained from exercising your options.
For example, assume you were granted 500 nonqualified options. Each option can be exercised for 10 shares, for a total of 5,000 shares. If the share's market price is higher than the exercise price, you can exercise the shares and sell them at the higher market price for a profit.
If the exercise price on the nonqualified options was $20 and market price was $30, you would create a tax liability on $50,000 [5,000 shares * ($30 - $20)] of income when you exercise the options.
In fact, this is what some dot-com employees did during the Internet heyday of the late 1990s. A few unlucky employees exercised incentive stock options but didn't sell the shares in time to earn a large enough profit to pay the alternative minimum tax.
The above information should not be interpreted as financial advice. For advice that is specific to your circumstances, you may wish to consult a financial or tax adviser.

Quote of the Day 2-7-2012

"Fall seven times, stand up eight."
-Japanese proverb




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Monday, February 6, 2012

Quote of the Day 2-6-2012

"The fact is, that to do anything in the world worth doing, we must not stand back shivering and thinking of the cold and danger, but jump in and scramble through as well as we can."
-Robert Cushing


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Saturday, February 4, 2012

Quote of the Day 2-3-2012


"Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing."
-Theodore Roosevelt






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Thursday, February 2, 2012

Quote of the Day 2-2-2012

"Genius produces great ideas and concepts. Hard work produces the results."
-Zig Ziglar


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Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Quote of the Day 2-1-2012

“All our dreams can come true – if we have the courage to pursue them.”
-Walt Disney


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