Black Smoke
Smoke Monster from Lost
Random Thought: Black Smoke was reported at the Vatican again today.
Black Smoke hasn’t gotten this much press since Lost went off the air!
I Hate DST (Daylight Saving Time)
I am one of the groggy people you met on the road this morning. My internal clock is harder to reset than the digital clock on my oven. I grumbled yesterday resetting my watch and various clocks, but the fact that my alarm clock and cell phone reset automatically was almost as annoying! How dare they make it seem so easy!
If you want to commiserate with me, maybe we could meet for brunch sometime. By then it will be light out and I will be more civil…
Retractable Receptacle
Often it’s after the fact that you realize where you need an electrical outlet on a work surface. Thomas & Betts has come up with a retrofit solution with their Carlon Retractable Work Surface Receptacle. The receptacle comes as a kit. It is pre-wired with a six foot cord to plug into an existing outlet and a hole saw that can be used with a standard drill to make the necessary cut. (See an installed picture at Galesburg Electric here.)
“Electronics and other powered devices, such as phone chargers, laptops and small appliances, are used mostly on work surfaces,” said Chad Smith, director, product management for Thomas & Betts. “Outlets, on the other hand, are typically located underneath. The Carlon® Retractable Work Surface Receptacle offers the convenience and safety of placing the outlet on the work surface.”
Caution: Care should be taken to plug the receptacle into a GFI protected circuit if the receptacle is to be installed in a potentially wet location.
Cigarette Addiction is a Tough Mistress
I’ve never been a smoker, so I can’t speak from experience, but from what I’ve seen, quitting cigarettes is hard. I will always remember a conversation about cigarettes with my grandfather. He said, “I haven’t smoked in 30 years. I still get cravings for them. If I knew I was going to die in 6 months, I would start smoking again today…”
Lifeplex in Plymouth sent out a sign up program for a smoking cessation program. It is an 8 week program. The cost is only $40. As an additional carrot, the program included two free months of membership in Lifeplex.
I thought the Lifeplex program was a good one. One I was willing to promote with ECC employees, of which we had four smokers that I knew of. To sweeten the pot, I added the following incentives:
- The class fee would be paid up front by ECC and deducted at $10 per week as a payroll deduction.
- The class fee would be refunded when the employee completed the course, plus an additional $20 bonus. (Where else do you get a 50% return on your investment?)
- If the employee remains smoke free for 6 months, he will receive an additional $50 bonus.
MCEDC on the Radio
Tune in to WTCA “The Chief” 1050 AM
“What’s Your Opinion?”
Spotlight on Industry in Marshall County
9:45 a.m. Friday, March 8th
Featuring guests:
Don Coblentz, Director of Operations
Bremen, Indiana
Derek Spier, AICP, Economic Development Specialist
