More Than A Number

You’ve found a talented person to ghost write your book. The research, writing, editing, and revising are done. The manuscript is formatted and looks great—now what? Many people who hire a ghost writer have trouble with the next steps: publishing and marketing. Admittedly, it’s a complex, tricky process that ghostwriters generally do not attempt, leaving the author to navigate the publishing world by him or herself. This can be almost impossible in the hands of a new author who does not possess sufficient media contacts to effectively promote his or her book.

At the cusp of the publishing and marketing world is where a publishing company can come in handy. According to Bowker, the company responsible for ISBNs in the U.S., more than 276,000 new book titles were published in the U.S. alone in 2007. Additionally, more than 134,000 “On Demand” and short-run books were also published that year. Clearly, the competition for new books is stiff.

Full-service companies like Arbor Books will typeset, print, and copyright your book, as well as assist with getting endorsements and handle all marketing needs. Having a company take over marketing can mean the difference between speaking engagements, a book tour, media interviews, and sales and having your book get lost in the shuffle.

The start of a new Algarve vacation can be such a thrill. But before visiting the car rental, Faro tourists should review the U.S. Department of State’s tips for driving abroad safely:

• Carry both an IDP and a valid U.S. driver’s license at all times.
• Observe the country’s minimum driving age; in Portugal, the minimum age is 18, though some Portugal car hire companies may require drivers to be older in order to rent a car.
• Wear your seatbelt. Some countries penalize drivers who violate this law.
• Obtain liability insurance.
• Do not pick up strangers or hitchhikers.
• Be aware of your surroundings when getting in and out of your vehicle.
• Chart your course before you begin. Make sure that you have a good map.
• Brush up on local traffic laws. Some countries require you to honk your horn before driving around a sharp corner or signal before passing by flashing your lights. You can learn more about Portugal’s traffic laws by visiting the website for the Portuguese Directorate-General for Traffic at www.dgv.pt.

Unfortunately, Portugal has a very high rate of auto-related accidents and fatalities. But by following these tips and using extreme caution at all times, touring the country by car can be a pleasant and safe experience.

The practice of babywearing, carrying your baby in a Mei Tai sling or wrap carrier, has increased in popularity over the years in part because more parents have embraced the “attachment parenting” philosophy of creating a strong bond with your child while they are still young. Although babywearing has been around for centuries and is associated with a safe and nourishing practice, it is still important for parents to realize the associated risks. The following is a brief look at the possible dangers of babywearing and how to avoid them.

Risks: Even the best baby carrier can have complications. This is because, according to Consumer Reports, there are no safety standards for slings. Statistics from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission state that within the last five years at least four babies have died and there have been many reports of serious injuries associated with the use of sling-type carriers. Serious injuries include skull fractures, head injuries, contusions, and abrasions. The majority of these injuries occurred when the child fell out of the sling.

Precautions: If you are still interested in purchasing a sling, wrap, or baby carrier, then it is important to follow these precautions. Make sure you read the instructions and learn how to use the sling properly. Many of the accidents associated with slings were due to improper assembly, improper wearing, or failure of hardware. For example, the Ergo baby carrier comes with written instructions, as well as an instructional video, that are both equally important. In addition, make sure that the model you are about to purchase has not been recalled. In March of 2008, for instance, the Ellaroo infant sling carrier was recalled because the aluminum rings on the carriers would bend or break. In this example, the fabric would slip through the rings and the child would fall out. Although no injuries were reported, about 1,200 were recalled. The recall has ended, and as of today it is ok to purchase, Maya, Ergo, Ellaroo, Mei hip carrier, and many other popular brands, as long as you check with Consumer Reports.org first.

It’s easy to put one’s electrical safety at risk without even realizing it. But with a little caution and awareness of certain hazards, residential electrical safety becomes an easy proposition.

• Don’t overload circuits. Whether getting a little too overzealous with Christmas decorations or simply plugging too many devices into the same outlet, this one is a common mistake. Circuits can handle only so much, typically 15 to 20 amps in most homes. Overloading a circuit with a load that’s greater than 80% of the circuit’s capacity creates a hazard—not to mention the danger posed by the mass of cords protruding from a single outlet. The easiest way to prevent this is to purchase a surge protector as well as avoid plugging several devices into one circuit.
• When working on an electrical device, be sure to shut off the power to the circuit before beginning. Once the circuit is turned off, it is even advisable to test it to ensure that it is off and eliminate the possibility of electrical shock.
• Avoid wet areas. This one’s a no-brainer. The impurities in water such as dust and salts are excellent conductors of electricity. As a result, even touching a frayed cord with wet hands could be dangerous. If you must work in wet conditions, however, be sure to don rubber boots/gloves and use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). GFCIs work much like Cutler Hammer circuit breakers and other types of circuit breakers, sensing differences in an electrical current and shutting off power to a circuit to prevent shock. 

For more information about electrical safety, contact the experts at All Breakers, supplier of new and reconditioned GE circuit breakers, Square D breakers, Westinghouse breakers, and more. In addition to handling circuit breakers, we can also test electrical equipment for functionality and safety.

Governor Mitch Daniels of Indiana recently signed a new bill into law that gives teachers near-total immunity from lawsuits as a result of disciplinary actions against students provided that the teachers act “reasonably and in good faith.” Under the new law, for which State School Superintendent Tony Bennett campaigned, judges can now dismiss lawsuits at the beginning of the legal process.

The bill was Gov. Daniels’ top non-economic priority for the 2009 legislative session. Daniels said, “As of today, Indiana has the nation’s strongest law protecting teachers against unruly students, unreasonable parents, and lawyers of all kinds. But the new law is just a start. We need to change old habits and liberate teachers from a culture of resignation to unacceptable student behavior.”

Under current law, a background check is optional. However, the bill will require tougher screening in the form of an employee check of every teacher before he or she is hired. A public database of teachers convicted or drug and/or sex crimes will be created as well. Additionally, the bill will require school districts to conduct checks in counties where a teacher has lived previously, and school officials can elect to perform a national online employee check on potential hires.

National Apartment Association Projects Increase in U.S. Renting Population

A new report by the National Apartment Association (NAA) predicts that there will be $1.1 trillion in demand for new apartment buildings by 2030. Furthermore, the association foresees U.S. home ownership declining by eight percentage points or more as apartment living rises to accommodate a growing immigrant population, Generation Y housing needs, and a shift towards urban living that will require high-density residential options. According to the report, the U.S. renting population will grow by more than 10 million in the next 10 years. Christopher E. Lee, president of CEL & Associates, Inc. and special advisor to the NAA, said, “A number of factors are aligning to create a significant shift in U.S. housing trends, bringing us nearer to a European model, where homeownership tends to be below 60%.”

The new data highlights the need for vigilant renter screening in the future. With an increase in the number of renters, screening for landlords and property managers will become an even more valuable service to ensure that units are being rented to responsible tenants.

Vacancies on the Rise

Anecdotal evidence from around the country suggests that as the number of foreclosures rises, rent prices continue to drop to entice displaced families and other previous homeowners. Although the National Apartment Association predicts that the renting population will grow by 10 million renters in the next 10 years, many local news sources have reported current and short-term increases in apartment vacancies as would-be tenants elect to move in with family and friends to save money rather than rent their own apartments. A renter criminal check will be an important step for any landlord or property manager once vacancy levels begin to subside, but they shouldn’t be overlooked now, either. A renter eviction search and background check can provide crucial information about prospective tenants. When every unit counts, it pays to screen and make sure that the best possible applicants are selected.

As the economy slows down, businesses need every dime they earn. Many companies are calling on debt collectors to help them collect payment for products and services that remain unpaid. A debt collection agency is a business that actively collects debts that individuals or companies owe. Most collection agencies work on behalf of the party that is awaiting payment for a percentage of the total owed. The debtor is the person or business that owes money for products or services.

Types of Agencies

• A first-party collection agency is part of the creditor company, so these agencies tend to be invested in collecting on the balance owed.
• Third-party agencies are those that are not affiliated with the creditor, but are hired to collect debt on its behalf. Typically, creditors retain accounts for about six months with first-party agency, and then hand it over to a third-party agency.
• Some agencies specialize in commercial collections owed for business-related services, and others focus on consumer and retail collections owed for purchases related to personal and household use.

Often, successful collection calls can be attributed to the skill and understanding of the collector making the call. For this reason, most companies opt to contract with experienced collectors such as PSI Collect. This Los Angeles collection agency has been in business for several years and has an excellent staff retention rate, allowing employees to gain experience that some agents lack.

Summer’s just around the corner, and before you can say “barbeque,” it’ll be over. This summer, enjoy the longer days, balmy nights, and travel opportunities. Call Amaidzing, and we’ll keep your home spic and span so that you can enjoy the things that matter most. People are often surprised at the size of the area in which we offer our cleaning services: Glendale to Playa Del Ray to Highland Park to Malibu. If you’re located almost anywhere in the greater Los Angeles area, you’re eligible to contract with our maids. Los Angeles is the perfect city in which to have summer fun. Don’t spend all of your time cleaning. Instead, let Amaidzing do the work!

Whether you’re searching for Cayman Islands condos because you want to relocate to the island or you’re simply interested in acquiring a vacation home in paradise, you’ll find that Grand Cayman has a lot to offer. Almost 50% of the gross domestic product is based on tourism. The western side of the island features a variety of resorts, night clubs, restaurants and more, including the island’s airport. While the eastern portion of the island isn’t as well developed as the western side, there are still a number of wonderful spots for both vacationers and residents to enjoy, including the opportunity to sample native Caymanian cuisine at your choice of restaurants.

While Grand Cayman is the most populated of the three islands that make up the Cayman Islands, don’t be quick to disregard the opportunities that the smaller sister islands have to offer as well. Purchasing Little Cayman or Cayman Brac property can be a rewarding experience.