Daily Archives: 11/27/2013

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Small Business – Happy Entrepreneurship Month


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Celebrating America‘s Entrepreneurs

It’s National Entrepreneurship Month!

SBA is excited to work with the  White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to support  and celebrate National Entrepreneurship Month. At SBA and OSTP, we’re focused on the intersection of private  enterprise finance, capital investment, technology-driven innovation,  and high-growth small businesses.

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Inspiring the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs 

SBA introduced a video in recognition of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), to encourage and inspire entrepreneurs to collaborate, innovate, and  explore international business opportunities. Every November, GEW brings together  innovators and job creators who launch startups that bring ideas to  life, drive economic growth and expand human welfare.

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Nominate a Business for the 2014 National Small Business Week Awards

Are you a small business owner with an  amazing success story to tell? If so, submit your nomination today for  the 2014 National Small Business Week Awards. Nominations are currently being accepted online at http://nationalsmallbusinessweek.sba.gov/.

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Link Detroit: A Small Business Matchmaking Summit

To provide the tools and resources small businesses need to become effective suppliers, the SBA is collaborating with other agencies and companies on the American Supplier Initiative, which includes a series of supply chain events across the country – continuing in Detroit.

  • WHAT: Link Detroit: A Small Business Matchmaking Summit
  • WHERE: Wayne State University – Community Arts Auditorium
  • WHEN: Tuesday, December 10 | 12:00-6:00 PM ET

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Free Affordable Care Act 101 webinar covering healthcare reform and your small business hosted by SBA and Small Business Majority. Click to RSVP today

Affordable Care Act 101 Webinars – December Dates

With new health insurance marketplaces open, the SBA and Small Business  Majority are excited to announce the  next set of dates for our free Affordable Care Act 101 weekly webinars  so small business owners can learn the basics of the Affordable  Care Act and how they can enroll in health insurance  marketplaces.

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TIP! BusinessUSA’s health care tool can help you better understand what you need to know about the Affordable Care Act and your health insurance options.

Webinar Series—How Small Businesses Can Gain Competitive Advantage through HUBZone Certification

Are you a small business owner located in or relocating to an  economically distressed urban or rural community? Is your company  seeking a competitive advantage in the federal contracting arena? Then the HUBZone certification may be for you. Learn more with this webinar series.

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5 Tax Rules for Year-End Bonuses

If 2013 has been a profitable year for your business, you may want to share your good fortune with your staff – perhaps with year-end bonuses. Before you cut a check, understand what these  bonuses mean to your business and your employees as well as some  alternatives to cash bonuses.

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The Washington State Dept. & The NAACP… the Other Washington


NAACP: State needs to fire biggest viaduct contractor

by SUSANNAH FRAME / KING 5 News

Posted on November 7, 2013 at 10:27pm

The NAACP is calling on the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to take drastic action and terminate a $1.4 billion contract with its biggest contractor on the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Project.

The civil rights organization is making the demand after a U.S. Department of Transportation investigation found the contractor, Seattle Tunnel Partners (STP), has violated federal regulations by intentionally cutting small, struggling businesses out of work on the project.
“The Washington State Department of Transportation as well as the leadership of this state needs to terminate the contract with STP because their history has been egregious, it’s been documented … At what point is enough enough?” said Gerald Hankerson, president of NAACP’s Alaska Washington Oregon State Area Conference. “We can no longer trust them.”
The KING 5 Investigators were the first to expose that STP was failing miserably on the tunnel project in terms of meeting federal requirements to hire disadvantaged businesses.
Because the project is partly funded with federal dollars, the STP contract came with a string attached: 8 percent of the work, $91 million worth, was to go to small, struggling businesses in the area. But public records obtained by KING show only $7 million, less that 1 percent of the contract value, has been paid to small contractors so far.
On Thursday Washington Secretary of Transportation Lynn Peterson said a special investigator is helping WSDOT decide what to do with STP.
“We will take whatever steps are necessary based on his recommendations (including termination of the contract). All options are on the table, but we’re reviewing our options, looking at the contract and seeing what applies,” said Peterson.
The U.S. DOT report out last week found STP created “artificial barriers” and “hardships” on small businesses and gave the work to much bigger companies instead.  The federal agency also found WSDOT was “hands-off” when they knew what was happening and “failed to intervene.”
“This is a solid piece of evidence that this is happening in Washington state and the concern is this is what’s happening across the country,” said Dedrick Asante-Muhammad, Sr. Director of NAACP Economic Department.
The U.S. DOT says if WSDOT doesn’t fix the problems with STP, the state could lose federal funds for highway projects.

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Fracking: who protects us?


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ACTION ALERT Keep us safe. Stop this bill.

When it comes to hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) for oil and natural gas, who is making sure our water free of contamination? Who reduces the chance of spills, leaks, or other public health risks? And who holds those responsible for damage to our land and harm to our health?
With the rapid expansion in fracking comes an increased risk to our land, safety, and well-being, which must be addressed. Communities must know the answers to these questions in order to keep their health and security protected.
That is why you need to tell your representative to vote NO on H.R. 2728, the “Protecting States’ Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act”.
This deceivingly-named bill puts the security of communities throughout the country at jeopardy. If passed, the federal government would be prohibited from regulating fracking operations on federal land if a state has already issued regulations or even simply “guidance” on operations—regardless of the adequacy, effectiveness, and level of enforcement of the state regulations.
H.R. 2728 will likely be up for a vote this week: Now is our chance to stop this dangerous bill from becoming law. Let’s make sure all levels of government work together to adequately consider and mitigate fracking-related risks to our health and safety.
Sincerely, Danielle Fox Danielle Fox Outreach Coordinator Center for Science and Democracy

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FDA Alerts & Recalls ~~ Nov 2013


English: Logo of the .
English: Logo of the . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
11/27/2013 04:38 PM EST
Flat Creek Farm and Dairy of Swainsboro, GA has recalled 200 pounds of Heavenly Blue cheese, because of potential contamination. As of November 27, 2013 at 11:00am, according to Flat Creek records, all of the purchasers have been notified and more than 90% of the product has been collected or destroyed.

Zip International Group LLC Recalls Herring Fillet in Oil Due to Potential Health Risk

11/27/2013 10:07 AM EST
ZIP INTERNATIONAL GROUP LLC, 160 Raritan Center Parkway #6, Edison, NJ 08837, is recalling herring fillet in oil (FOSFOREL, ATLANTIKA) 400 gram in plastic packaging due to Listeria contamination.

CLR Medicals International Inc. Issues Nationwide Recall of Viscoelastic Products

11/25/2013 07:39 PM EST
CLR Medicals International Inc., initiated a nationwide recall of Viscocel and Viscocel Plus, in response to FDA inspectional findings of deficiencies in the Quality System regulations for Medical Device Manufacturers, 21 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) Part 820 and lack of Premarket Approval (PMA) for devices sold or distributed in domestic commerce. The Viscoelastic products, intended for human and animal use, have been determined to be a public health concern due to distribution in the US without FDA approval, which evaluates the safety and efficacy of the product, and violations of the QSR regulations related to sterility, and biocompatibility that may result in the release of contaminated products.

Jayone Food Issues Voluntary Alert on Undeclared Peanuts in Dried Seaweed Salad

11/23/2013 09:18 PM EST
Jayone Foods, inc. of Paramount, CA is voluntarily recalling All date codes of Trader Joe’s Dried Seaweed Salad with Spicy Dressing (SKU 97677), because it may contain traces of peanuts. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to peanuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

Recall expanded to include: Raspberry Lemonade OxyELITE Pro Super Thermo Powder

11/19/2013 08:44 PM EST
USPlabs LLC, Dallas, TX is voluntarily conducting a national recall of all lots and sizes of the OxyElite Pro dietary supplement products listed below. These products contain Aegeline, a synthesized version of a natural extract from the Bael tree.
11/19/2013 03:49 PM EST
Blount Fine Foods of Fall River, MA is recalling a single lot code of Wegman’s branded refrigerated New England Clam Chowder in 16 ounce retail cup pack size because of undeclared crab allergen. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to crab run the risk of suffering serious or life-threatening reactions if they consume this product.
11/18/2013 01:00 PM EST
FDA used new enforcement tools provided by the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act to act quickly in the face of a potential danger to public health.
 Following FDA actions, USPLabs on Nov. 9, 2013 recalled certain OxyElite Pro dietary supplements linked to dozens of cases of acute liver failure and hepatitis, including one death and illnesses so severe that several patients required liver transplants. Additionally, FDA will oversee the destruction of warehouse stocks of the supplement, with a retail value of about $22 million.
While FDA’s investigation is still ongoing, the agency continues to warn consumers to avoid using OxyElite Pro and VERSA-1. Both products contain a new dietary ingredient for which the company did not provide evidence of safety.
11/15/2013 08:59 PM EST
La Boulange Cafe & Bakery voluntarily initiated a product recall of 75 Soft Caramel Jams in 8.4 oz. jars with lot number 822713 as a precautionary measure. This product was sold exclusively in 20 La Boulange Café & Bakery stores in the San Francisco Bay Area.
11/15/2013 03:18 PM EST
S&M Enterprise of Bayonne, NJ is recalling all lots of Fruit of Wolfberry in 12 oz plastic bag packages. People who have allergies to sulfites run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.
11/14/2013 11:45 PM EST
Crunch Pak of Cashmere, Washington is voluntarily recalling 5,471 cases of Crunch Pak Apple Slices due to a possible health risk from Listeria monocytogenes.
11/07/2013 10:50 AM EST
Bailey’s Choice LLC. in Waleska, GA is recalling its 5 oz. packages of chicken treats because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
11/13/2013 04:52 PM EST
3 Fellers LLC is voluntarily initiating a product recall of 3 Fellers Chocolate Cream Pies with the UPC# 891796002732 as a precautionary measure. The recall was initiated after it was discovered by the company that the product may contain undeclared almonds.
11/12/2013 05:13 PM EST
Whole Foods Market’s Northern California region is recalling ready-to-eat Artichoke Wheatberry Salad and Southwest SooFoo®* Salad in response to a recall issued today by Glass Onion Catering. The salads are being recalled as a preventive measure because they have the potential to be contaminated with E. coli O157:h7, a bacteria that may cause illness.
11/08/2013 10:04 PM EST
Sequel Naturals Inc., dba “Vega,” announced today that it has taken the precautionary measure of voluntarily withdrawing a limited quantity of its Vega One Nutritional Shakes and Sports Performance Protein products due to finding trace amounts of chloramphenicol (CAP), a naturally occurring antibiotic. Chloramphenicol is a prescription drug commonly used to treat typhoid fever and eye infections around the world. It should only be used under medical supervision.
11/10/2013 08:27 PM EST
Athertone Foods, Inc. of Richmond, CA is voluntary recalling “Best Buy” dates 9-23-13 through 11-14-13 of ready to eat salads and wraps because they may be contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 bacteria (E. coli O157:H7). E. coli O157:H7 causes a diarrheal illness often with bloody stools.
11/11/2013 01:43 PM EST
Palmer Candy Company of Sioux City, IA is recalling 102 cases of HyVee Chocolate Caramel Clusters and 90 cases HyVee Chocolate Covered Caramels because they may contain undeclared peanuts. People who have an allergy to peanuts run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.
11/09/2013 03:27 PM EST
Plum Organics is voluntarily recalling pouch products within its Baby Stage 2, Tots Mish Mash and Kids lines after discovering a manufacturing defect that may cause spoilage in some pouches. Recalled products can be identified by the “Best By” dates ranging from 08/05/14 to 12/08/14 and the letters “AT.”
11/05/2013 03:59 PM EST GOURMET EXPRESS, LLC VOLUNTARILY RECALLS 32 OUNCE PACKAGES OF “FUSIA CHICKEN LO MEIN” AND 21 OZ PACKAGES OF “BREMER 3 CHEESE CHICKEN” AND “BREMER GARLIC SHRIMP SKILLET MEALS DUE TO POSSIBLE UNDECLARED. People who have allergies to egg, run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products
11/04/2013 01:32 PM EST
October 30, 2013 – Garden-Fresh Foods is initiating an expansion to our voluntary recall on various ready-to-eat salads, slaw, and dip products sold under various brands and code dates (see attachment). The products included in the expanded recall were produced between the dates of September 5, 2013 through October 16, 2013.
11/05/2013 03:59 PM EST
GOURMET EXPRESS, LLC VOLUNTARILY RECALLS 32 OUNCE PACKAGES OF “FUSIA CHICKEN LO MEIN” AND 21 OZ PACKAGES OF “BREMER 3 CHEESE CHICKEN” AND “BREMER GARLIC SHRIMP SKILLET MEALS DUE TO POSSIBLE UNDECLARED. People who have allergies to egg, run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

Teens and Steroids: A Dangerous Combo

11/04/2013 11:00 AM EST Teens are particularly at risk for adverse effects associated with anabolic steroids—possible mood swings, aggressive behavior, heart and liver disease, shrinkage of the testes in males, and menstrual irregularities in women. Ali Mohamadi, M.D., a medical officer in the Food and Drug Administration’s Division of Metabolism and Endocrinology Products, warns teens and parents about the dangers of steroid use.

11/04/2013 01:32 PM EST
October 30, 2013 – Garden-Fresh Foods is initiating an expansion to our voluntary recall on various ready-to-eat salads, slaw, and dip products sold under various brands and code dates (see attachment). The products included in the expanded recall were produced between the dates of September 5, 2013 through October 16, 2013.
11/04/2013 01:07 PM EST
Reser’s Fine Foods, Inc. of Beaverton, Oregon is voluntarily expanding its October 22, 2013 recall of refrigerated ready-to-eat products because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria is an organism which can cause serious and sometime fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and individuals with weakened immune systems.
11/04/2013 12:33 PM EST
Ghiringhelli Specialty Foods of Vallejo, California is voluntarily recalling one specific lot of Trader Giotto’s Caesar Salad (SKU 05161) with a “Use By 11/03” date, because it may not list wheat, soy and fish (anchovy) in the ingredients. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat, soy and/or anchovy run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.
11/01/2013 05:53 PM EDT
Following the Reser’s Fine Foods (“Reser’s”) recall where select Reser’s products were recalled due to the potential of being contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, Dutch Treat Salads, LLC, of Zeeland, MI, is voluntarily recalling one product, Mexicali Dip, that contains one ingredient recalled by Reser’s.
11/01/2013 10:18 PM EDT
The Perrigo Company (NYSE: PRGO; TASE) announced today that it has initiated a voluntary, nationwide product recall to the retail level of 18 batches of its acetaminophen infant suspension liquid, 160 mg/5 mL, sold in 2 oz. and 4 oz. bottles with syringes in a box under the store brand products listed below. The recall is being initiated because of the remote potential that a small number of packages might contain an oral dosing syringe without dose markings.
11/01/2013 04:07 PM EDT
Winn-Dixie today announced an immediate recall in all Winn-Dixie stores of the Taylor Farms Broccoli Crunch Salad sold in the full-service case in the deli department. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the reason for the recall is the potential that the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recall is part of a larger recall issued by Taylor Farms Tennessee, Inc. and Taylor Farms Maryland, Inc. as a result of a recall of Reser’s Fine Food Inc. products.
11/01/2013 04:10 PM EDT
Winn-Dixie today announced an immediate recall of the Taylor Farms Spinach Antipasta Salad in all Winn-Dixie stores. This recall is an expansion of an earlier recall announced by Reser’s Fine Foods, Inc.
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It Gets Worse


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Sequestration About To Go From Bad To Worse

Between the government shutdown and the rollout of HealthCare.gov, you probably haven’t heard too much about sequestration lately. Unfortunately, these painful and damaging spending cuts are still here, still hurting people across the country, and are about to get a whole lot worse.

Early next year, another round of cuts kicks in on top of the cuts put in place this year. And many agencies won’t be able to use some of the tactics they did this year to blunt some of the impact of the current round of cuts.

Our Center for American Progress colleague outlines in a new report and this video exactly why and how sequester cuts get worse in 2014 unless Congress fixes them.

Click on the graphic and Check it out:

SequesterGetsWorse