Are You Throwing a Clone of Bessie On The Barbie?

While doing some research this morning, I came across a Reuters article about cloned meat and dairy products coming to a store shelf near you! I am a huge beef eater. My favorite foods are Barbied steak (not to be confused with Barbie dolls) and prime rib. I love a T-bone steak that's about an inch thick marinated in red wine and garlic. Would I eat it if it were a cloned animal? eeeeew--don't think so. I know intellectually that a cloned animal is probably no different than a traditionally raised animal and the Food and Drug Administration is saying that cloned animals are just as safe and they have even approved the clones for sale. How do they know that it's safe? They reviewed available scientific reports. Cloned cattle, pork, and goats all got the executioners green light to be sold in the meat and dairy section. For me it's the Frankenstein image---that and the memory of mad cow disease (not that it's related-- I just have a wee bit of a trust issue there.)

It will be a while before they sell Bessie1 and Bessie2 because of the costly nature of cloning and weeding out the extra legs that are produced (just kidding).

60% of people surveyed have said that would not eat cloned meat because of religious, ethical or squeamish reasons and many food manufacturers such as Kraft and Tyson have said that won't use cloned meat or dairy in their products not because of health concerns but, because of the public perception and non-acceptance of the practice.

I wonder if they will try to clone and pass of a race horse? I think that the Jockey Club would have an issue with that!

The cattle in the picture are Idaho free range cattle and not cloned.

Dollar Cost Averaging---Is It A Good Idea?

The concept of dollar cost averaging is that you take an amount of money say $200 and invest it at the same time every month or every quarter, what ever! You just invest the same amount at the same interval. When the market is low you pick up more shares of a particular stock or mutual fund. Over a long period of time like several years this technique helps to reduce market risk and effectively helps you to save and invest. If you invest in a mutual fund this will also help you to reduce the risk of a particular company as well.

If you have a gigantic amount of money to invest like an inheritance, I would invest the whole enchilada at once rather than eek it out over time using the dollar cost method. I think that a sound portfolio over the same period of time would give you a better return. I mean, I would never let a large chunk sit in a savings account slacking off like a loser when it can be working for me! A good mix for a portfolio is to take 100 and subtract your age--put this percentage into stocks, take %10 and keep it in cash and put the rest in a bond fund or Treasury bonds, or corporate bonds.

If you are struggling to save and invest I would go with the dollar cost averaging technique. You can set up a good stock mutual fund for about $2500 and add the $200 at the same day of each month. You can have the amount automatically transferred into your investment account.

If investing is new to you, select a brokerage house that has a good reputation and that has been around for a long period of time. My favorite is Fidelity Investments. They have excellent customer service and management.

The Merger of XM and Sirius Radio

Fox news is reporting that the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Kevin Martin is recommending the approval of the $5 billion merger of the two satellite radio companies XM and Sirius. Mr. Martin agreed to the merger after the two companies provided concessions that would benefit consumers. The provisions offer:

• Turning over 24 channels to non-commercial and minority programming


• "Open radio" standard to create competition among satellite radio manufacturers


• A three year price freeze on services for consumers and an "a la cart menu" system to choose from.

The merger was approved by the Justice department in March and has had an expensive and intense war leveled against it from the National Association of Broadcasters, land based radio groups, and consumer groups who fear a monopoly.

Torinos Cheesecakes & Tortes

My mom came up with her idea for a small business about a year ago selling flavored cheesecake. It took her a little over a year to develop the cheesecake recipes, get all of her licences and food handling training, and find a commercial kitchen that she could rent to bake the many different flavors of cheesecake. Together we created a website for Torinos Cheesecakes and Tortes --being a creative person she designed the logo. We finally opened the online cheesecake store this week.

I was talking to her recently about the many different cheesecake flavors and she mentioned offhand that she can make a great many of flavored cheesecakes safe for diabetics or glucose intolerant diets and you can't taste the difference! I have a serious problem with my blood sugar and keeping it in control and I love it when I come across something that I can eat, that tastes good and won't throw me into a coma at the end of the day! She said she is going to work on a list of cheesecakes that she can make safe for glucose intolerant diets and we will add it to her web store. I think I will request a Macaroon toasted coconut cheesecake or a Marco De Plaza Mocha--you know just to taste test.

The picture is of my friendly neighborhood moose cow. She is still a baby--less then a year old. She doesn't look too healthy, you could count every rib but, then again we had a harsh winter this year.

On Wolves and Men

It is finally starting to look like Spring here. The wild flowers are starting to pop up among the sage brush in the hills where I go out to run in the morning and occasionally I will see a herd of antelope out there. The cows have their calves in the pasture in front of my house and here and there you can see new born foals laying along side of their mamas. I had a young moose cow run down the road in front of my house a couple of days ago!

I read a report in the paper a bit ago about a young rancher that lives down south of Yellowstone Park and he said he had a pack of wolves come on to his ranch up by his house and into his corrals and started after his horses. He shot and killed two wolves to protect his horses and his family! legally, he has the right to do this but, he said he is getting it pretty hard from the pro wolf folks. According to the Idaho Fish and Game report for April 2008, the number of livestock kills aren't high but, they look like they are doubling every year and becoming a problem. Between the end of March and the end of April 2008, twenty wolves were killed either by ranchers for livestock(3),USDA Wildlife services for depredation of livestock(12), illegal kills(2) or vehicles(2). With that many wolves being killed due to depredation on private ranches I think it's starting to look a wee bit like Jurassic Park here!

I'm not an anti-wolf person, I had two wolf buddies for a long time until they died of old age and cancer. I think they are beautiful beings full of intelligence and wonder but, I know them well enough that I wouldn't want to come face to face with a wild pack out in the woods either!

I understand that the rangers up in Yellowstone are using rubber bullets to deter the wolves. Some of the wolves are losing their fear of humans and have been getting to close to them on the roads. If you ever visit Yellowstone remember to stay in your car when you are around dangerous animals and keep plenty of distance between you and the animals. One time I was up there and a man and his children were out of their car standing about ten feet away from a pair of grizzly cubs taking a picture and eating ice cream cones(I'm not joking!) The mother couldn't have been far away so, I started yelling at him to get his kids in the car and protect them! They didn't speak English so, they just looked at me like I was a crazy person. The ranger came by shortly after and put them back in their car.

I found a great map of Idaho that shows where the wolves are hanging their hats. I'm out closest to the copper basin pack. I have heard them early in the morning while walking out there but, haven't seen any yet. http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/wildlife/wolves/state/07_activity_map.pdf

A while back I wrote a post Called The lovers and Haters of Wolves. If you would like to read it you can at http://pennyrielly.blogspot.com/2008/04/Lover_and_haters_of_wolves.html/ The post was about a website called http://saveourelk.org/

This website is kind of an anti-wolf pro--maybe--pro elk hunter or elk lover site, I can't tell which. They do come out and say that the wolves are decimating the elk herds in Idaho and back up their reports with rather graphic photos. I believe that elk is the favorite diet of wolves so the site doesn't phase me too much.

I recently had a comment from Onward about that post that read;

"and, according to Joy Gold of the Smithsonian Institutes's Zoology Department there's not a significant difference between the wolves reintroduced into Idaho and the non-viable population and the remnant that was there."

I don't know about that. It seems to me that the population is increasing significantly and depredation of livestock is becoming a problem. I think to a pack of wolves--that slow moving animals in a corral or range is probably the equivalent of the drive thru at Mcydees!

I looked Ms. Gold up on the net and I think she must be an extraordinary person. She seems to have a strong interest in the same animals that I love especially whales and dolphins.

Also, my favorite skate shop Five-O is hosting a skateboard contest. It will be a giant game of Sk8 in their parking lot this Saturday on May 17 at 7pm-ish. If you like to skateboard and you are in the Idaho Falls,Idaho area, stop by it's always a fun time.

I always appreciate and welcome all comments. Check out the wolf map though, It's totally fascinating!

The Many Splended Forms of Legal Business Ownership

When you have come to the conclusion to start your own business, one of the first decisions that you will need to make is how you will set it up as a legal entity. Whether you are thinking about a Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, Incorporating or forming a Legal Liability Company, there are considerations with each legal entity.

Sole proprietorship

This is probably the easiest form to set up. Sole proprietorship is good if you want to have complete control over your business. Legally, you and your business are the same entity. You own all of the assets and all of the revenue generated by it. You are however, completely liable for any debts or legal judgments against your business and it places your personal assets at risk as well. In addition, being a Sole Proprietorship could put you at a disadvantage if you need any financing.

Partnership

In this form of legal entity two or more people share in the ownership of the business. As a partner, you are jointly and individually responsible for the actions of your partner. Also you will have to share the profits with your partner. The good things about partnerships is that it might be easier to raise money and your partner might bring needed skills.

Incorporation

A corporation is legally, an entity all of it's own so, any debt or liability is tied to the business itself and not the original owner. With this form of business you will have to give up control--the shareholders own the business and will elect a board of directors. A corporation can be taxed ,sued or enter into a legal agreement. It generally costs more to set up then other forms of ownership and will result in higher taxes. Also , it will be regulated by the state and will result in more paperwork. The good points of Incorporation is that shareholders have limited liability. Also you can raise capital by issuing shares of stock and if the original owner dies the corporation lives on.

The Limited Liability Company

With the Limited Liability Company the owners are members and the duration of the company is determined when the paperwork is filed. The LLC has the limited liability features of a corporation and it also has the tax efficiencies and flexibility of a partnership.

Starting Up A Small Business

So many great businesses have been started in the garages or kitchens of American Entrepreneurs. Hewlet-Packard developed their first computer in a garage. The same thing can be said about Google--although I understand there was a hot tub involved as well! What does a garage do to inspire so many entrepreneurs? Probably, just the large empty inexpensive space that can be filled with tables, boxes of wiring and junk and what ever. If you think you have the next greatest smoothie or cookie-- If you have a dream(usually it is more like an obsession) of starting your own business there are a few simple steps that you can take to get started.

• Write up a business plan detailing your venture, use this as a road map of how to go from start to success. It can be a simple plan of what you think you will need to get started and become competitive or it can be formal and detailed. You will also need a formal business plan if you think you will need financing.


• Check with your state to file an application for a business license.


• If you live in a state that has state income tax you will need to apply for an employee identification number (EIN).


• If you have any employees so far, then contact your state Department of Labor and file with them as well.


• Also you will need to find out if the name you have picked out for your business is already being used or a similar name is being used so that you don't get into trouble with trade mark infringement. You can do this through your Secretary of State Department.


• If you plan on making any food products you will need to check with your city's Department of Health for a food handling licence and find a commercial kitchen to work out of. You can look for a commercial kitchen through your Small Business Administration, Business Incubation Centers, and even your Parks Department.


• You can develop your recipes and ideas in your own kitchen--just go formal with a food handling licence when you plan to sell your food items.

As you plan your business keep in mind that it can take many months and in some cases years to make your dream into a profitable business. Make sure that you have a stream of income during that time while you are working on your new business. Also perseverance, hard work and believing in yourself and your idea are the keys to making it a reality. Never give up!