Journal Gazette from Mattoon, Illinois • Page 13

WWW.JG-TC.COM FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013 COME BACK TOMORROW For a trip with Scott Crawford: A cozy and captivating corner of England, Malvern, Worcestershire Lake Land, North American Lighting team to give students fast-track to jobs Smart business, lean business, green business pj4 Lake Land College NAL plus an additional nine CINDY if.v. Ti WHITE facturing facilities in Flora, Salem and Paris. All interested applicants must have their high school diploma or GED and apply to the program. A background check and drug screening are required for all applicants. The cost of the program is $1,724, but it is eligible for financial aid.

Interested students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA at www.FAFSA.gov as soon as possible to learn if they qualify for financial aid. Additional course fees could apply. Lake Land also offers a FACTS payment plan for students, which allows them to spread their tuition payments out over the course of the program as opposed to paying the bill in full at one time. The plan offers flexible, monthly payments with no interest. More information about the program or applications are available by contacting Becky Earp, administrative assistant for academic services, at MATTOON Lake Land College and North American Lighting have partnered to create the NAL Fast-Track Tech Program, an eight-week training course that guarantees employment at North American Lighting upon completion of the program.

A Lake Land press release reported that the first session of the training is scheduled to begin Oct. 7 and will be held at the Lake Land College Eastern Region Center, 224 South Sixth in Marshall. Classes will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

An informational meeting has been scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Eastern Region Center. "There is a manufacturing boom throughout our region, and the college, together with North American Lighting and area legislators, has developed this program in order to respond to this immediate need quickly and effectively," said Jim Hull, vice president for academic services at the What is your lean business strategy? Would you like to learn i more about low-to-no-cost green practices that can be implemented without a lot of hassle? If you are ready to start saving money and learning how to integrate social and environmental responsibility into your daily operations, I mark your calendar for next Thursday, Sept. 26. The Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce and the Illinois Green Business Association have partnered to offer an exciting new pro- i gram to businesses of all sizes in the Charleston area.

Let us help you get started i managing your resources, implementing smart green practices and saving money today! The informational meeting i will be held from 8 to 9 a.m. at the Charleston Chamber j. office, 501 Jackson Ave. All area businesses, not-for-profit organizations and individuals are welcome to attend. "Greening your Business i with IGBA" will introduce representatives from IGBA and outline the programs and services that they offer.

This is a special opportunity that is being offered to businesses i in the Charleston area, i The two primary tracks that will be introduced are the "Connect-in Green" pro- gram and the more in-depth green certification process, i The "Connect-in Green" Samuel Music Co. of Effingham acquires Thompson-Kramer Music Co. of Decatur EFFINGHAM Samuel Music Co. of Effingham recently acquired Thompson-Kramer Music Co. of Decatur.

A Samuel Music press release reported that this acquisition allows for the companies to have a stronger, more unified presence in the world of school music. With their combined sales force and industry knowledge, the two companies have the ability to offer schools and other customers a larger variety of instruments, better service, and continued repair service. Samuel Music, a long-time BUSINESS BRIEFS college. The program will provide students with a variety of industrial technology skills, including shop safety, applied mathematics, and robotics and automation control. Additionally, the 16 credit hours earned upon completion of the program count toward an associate degree from Lake Land.

To that end, North American Lighting will offer educational benefits to employees who choose to complete the associate degree program. "This is a fantastic opportunity for the right person," said Steve Duval, corporate general manager at North American Lighting. "By successfully completing an eight-week concentrated training program at Lake Land, the student will receive a paid position with provider and retailer in Central Illinois music, made the decision earlier this year to close its retail stores in order to focus on its core mission of school band music. The company now rents, sells and services items related specifically to school bands, concentrating in the area of Central and Southern Illinois. Thompson-Kramer has been serving the needs of school bands in the Decatur and Springfield areas for more than 50 years, offering their customers sales and service along with everything from planned from 6 to 9 p.m.

Oct. 17 in the Washington Room at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center's Lumpkin Family Center for Health Education, located lODO Health Center Drive, Mattoon. The workshops are designed to help guide those considering starting a business through needed and practical business concepts. Covered concepts will consist of evaluating a business think you are going to find that you will have to pay this. That being said, you should consult a CPA or an attorney who specializes in matters of this kind to be certain that what I am telling you is correct.

DEAR BRUCE: I would like to know what a limited liability corporation (LLC) is. 1 BRUCE iti WILLI AMN weeks of training in the facility. Furthermore, they can continue their education with tuition assistance from NAL. In return, these students will not only have a full-time paid position with insurance and retirement benefits, but they will also have a skill they can build upon and use for a lifetime." The organizations are grateful to Illinois Congressman John Shimkus for initiating the partnership. Upon completion of the LLC program, students will enter into a nine-week paid training program at North American Lighting.

Entry-level employees earn between $16 and $18 an hour, plus benefits, depending on skill level. NAL has technician positions available at all of three Illinois manu band rentals to professional-grade instruments. Thompson-Kramer also has specialized in orchestral stringed instruments and concert percussion. "With their industry and area knowledge, similar values and adjacent territory, Thompson-Kramer was a natural acquisition for Samuel Music," said Amanda Moloney, general manager of Samuel Music. "We feel that together we will be more effective and responsive in meeting the changing needs of the music community." The two companies will concept, understanding a business plan and financial statements, analyzing a personal financial situation, obtaining necessary funding, establishing operational strategies, key points to making a small business successful, and skills that an entrepreneur must possess.

The material fee for this program is $25 per person and $35 per couple. Registration is open until noon the day of the event, and What are the advantages and disadvantages of it with respect to taxes and liability? Who do I talk to a lawyer, an accountant or both? Bob, via email DEAR BOB: You have essentially three choices. One, you can operate unincorporated. Second, you can incorporate as a Subchapter corporation, or third, as a limited liability company. On balance, the advantages of an LLC for the single proprietor are reasonably attractive in terms of taxes and liability limitations.

You should talk to a lawyer as to the distinction between the LLC and the program is designed to get businesses started implementing sustainability practices in a relatively short period of time. Businesses that are ready to take the next step in green business success can learn more about the IGBA Certification program. The IGBA is a not-for-profit organization that is committed to improving sustainable practices in Illinois businesses through education and engagement. They provide hands-on services and customized support to fit the unique culture and needs of each business. IGBA also sponsors an annual Green Business Summit.

This year's summit will be held on Oct. 15 at the Tin-ley Park Convention Center. Call the Charleston Chamber office at 217-345-7041 for more information or to reserve your seat at the meeting. Registration can also be done online at www.charlestonchamber.com via the link on the homepage. There is no cost to attend.

Cindy White is executive director of the Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce. More information is available by contacting Nicole Weigand at 217-932-4074 or nweigandmchsi.com, or going online to www.clark-countyilnow.com. Bryan Godden marks milestone MATTOON Bryan Godden celebrated his 25th service anniversary with R.R. Donnelley Sons Co. on Aug.

23. In 1987, Godden was hired as part-time task force. He became a full-time material handler in the patent bindery in 1989. He was promoted to back-end utility relief in 1991 and to his current position as saddle-wire bindery operator in 1996. Godden resides in Mattoon and has two children.

Sowers graduates NEOGA Susan Sowers, an assistant cashier with First Neighbor Bank in Neoga, has graduated from Community Bankers School. This school is sponsored by Independent Community Bankers of America, Community Bankers Association of Illinois, and other banking organizations. Held in Bloomington at Illinois Wesleyan University, the school consisted of a two-week intensive course that was offered in a two-year timeframe, one week each year. 'How to Start a Business' workshops slated Thursday in Dieterich, Oct. 17 in Mattoon service the needs of schools in an area that stretches from Champaign, Decatur and Springfield south through Mat-toon and Effingham to Southern Illinois.

Jim Kramer of Samuel Music Band has accepted the post of school band representative and will continue to be based in Decatur. He can be reached at 217-877-1832. Samuel Music will remain based in Effingham and can be reached at 217-342-9221. More information can be found online at www.samuel-music.com and on Samuel Music's Facebook page. checks can be made payable to the Business Solutions Center.

The workshop flyer may be viewed online at www.eiu.edubscnewHTSAB 8262013.pdf. To register online, visit For more information on these or other workshops, contact 217-581-2913 or jegarreneiu.edu. Generally speaking, a single-proprietor company, in my opinion, would be better served to operate as an LLC. The least-attractive choice is to operate as an individual. Send questions to brucebrucewilliams.com.

Questions of general interest will be answered in future columns. Owing to the volume of mail, personal replies cannot be provided. The Bruce Williams Radio Show can now be heard 247 via iTunes and at www.taera-dio.com. It is also available at www.brucewilliams.com. Bruce Williams' column is distributed by the Newspaper Enterprise Association.

CHARLESTON The Business Solutions Center at Eastern Illinois University has scheduled two "Entrepreneur-ship: How to Start a Business" workshops. A Business Solutions Center press release reported that the first workshop is planned from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Dieterich Community Civic Center, located at 102 W. Virginia St. The second workshop is Carson's helping Goodwill Industries I MATTOON The semi- I annual Goodwill Sale, taking place through Oct.

5, will reward shoppers for donating gently used clothing to Car- son's or other Bon-Ton-affili- I ated retailers. For each donation, donors i will receive a coupon. The Carson's store in Mattoon is located within the Cross i County Mall. Bon-Ton also 1 owns Bergner's, Boston Store, i Elder-Beerman, Herberger's and Younkers stores, i Customers will receive dis- i counts of up to 25 percent on nearly everything in the I store, such as all apparel, i shoes, handbags home items and luggage, plus 15 percent i off cosmetics and fragrances. Bon-Ton donates all items received to Goodwill Indus- tries, where they will be sold at local Goodwill stores.

The revenue will help fund job training and community- i based services. Mattoon's Goodwill store is along i Broadway Avenue East. Business Expo scheduled CASEY The third annual Clark County Business Expo has been slated for Nov. 3. Participants are invited to promote their businesses county wide from 1 to 4 p.rn.

that day at the Roosevelt Community Center in Casey. Businesses that register by Sept. 27 will be included in event promotions. Question about late husband credit card debt DEAR BRUCE: My husband recently passed away. I now face our financial obligations alone.

He has an outstanding balance of $15,000 on a credit card in his name alone. Is this my responsibility? Reader, via email DEAR READER: The likelihood is that you will be obliged to pay the $15,000. Even though the credit card was in his name alone, the $15,000 was credit that was granted to him during your marriage. There are some circumstances where this would not be your responsibility, but unless you have more informa- tion that you didn't share, I Edvi'ardBies MAKING SENSE OF INVESTING w.euw: Member SIPC 1 rt' nn A. 5.

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