A lot of people make a big stink about gift tax valuation, and for good reason. It can certainly seem pretty complicated. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be.

This article is just a quick guide for individuals & businesses that need help with valuing gift taxes. While we’re going to make every attempt to keep this piece as fun as possible, gift tax valuation is not exactly the most fun topic in the world.

Regardless, we’ll give it a shot.

Quick Gift Tax Overview

The IRS defines gift tax as ‘a tax on the transfer of property by one individual to another while receiving nothing (or less than full value) in return.’

Basically when you give something away without the expectation of getting something back, that’s a gift. Just like we do on holidays J

If you give somebody a loan that has really good terms, or if you sell something for way less than it’s worth (i.e. sell your new Lexus for $500) that could be qualified as a gift. In the event that your gifting is NOT a qualified exemption, you’ll have to complete IRS Form 709.

You can gift up to $13,000 per year to anyone and not have to pay any taxes on it. Pretty cool, right? But there’s something even cooler… In 2011 and 2012 you can gift out up to $5,000,000 ($10,000,000 if you’re married) and not have to pay a DIME in taxes!

Crazy times. But if you’re looking to save on taxes, NOW is a good time to do it.

Important Limitations on Gift Tax Valution

You need to “adequately” define & disclose the value of your gifts. Find more info on adequate disclosure here. Stocks & bonds, other equity investments, cash, even houses and cars are easily valued. But things that are tougher to value are less straight-forward investments like businesses you own, investments in wells or mines, artwork, and so on.

This is where a ‘gift tax valuation’ comes into play. That’s what the IRS orders in order to determine the value of these things in the event that you give them away. That’s where things can get a bit sticky.

If you’re not well-versed on the subject, it’s always best to get professional help. This piece was inspired by a similar piece written by SPARDATA, a Maryland Business Valuation Company that specializes in gift tax valuation among other things. I’d recommend checking them out if this is something you need help with.

Let me paint you a picture.  A potential customer is shopping online and stops on your site.  He notices your price is close to the competitor.

Your competitor has live chat. They can answer questions and make the process of buying smoother.  Your site actually has a lower price, but no live chat!

Bottom line is that customer is going to choose the company with good customer service.

Keep on reading for more interesting information about the power of live chat.

Why you need live chat software: Instant gratification!

Think about it, if something was a little bit more expensive but you would have instant gratification instead of dealing with a company that you need to email and won’t hear back from in a week, who would you choose?

Staying in touch with your customers is huge now in days, the more connected you are the better chance you are of making a sale.

Adding live chat software to your site will increase your monthly conversions (sale purchases) and you will immediately see a boost of 20% conversion rate in the first month!

To see a list of live chat software companies that placed top 10 for the current year 2012 and years prior as well as an index of the features and prices click the link above.

Velaro is one of these top ten and have been for several reoccurring years.  They are known for adding value to huge companies such as DELL, General Motors, Pfizer, and many more!

If that’s not enough to steer you to get live chat then just remember this…

Instant customer satisfaction is necessary now in days!

Live chat is easy to use, and the results are phenomenal.

You will need a couple of operators to handle the customer’s questions and concerns.

These operators will have to be trained to handle customers and represent your business.

What follows is very important and I can’t stress it enough.  Poor support / customer service is the last thing you want to be known for.

You want word of mouth to spread that your business is trustworthy and easy to get along with.

Live chat is the easiest way to accomplish this!

Alright, I’m sold on adding live chat software…. What else do I need to know?

You will need to test different live chat software’s and find one that you like.  After you have found an easy to use software that you enjoy using you will continue to start testing it.

You will need to continue to test until you have set up all the options and you’re confident with handling the software.

You need to train your operators to be on their best behavior at all times.  But this is not all. Below is how to train your operators to be successful when dealing with customers.

Live chat software allows your operators to have an infinite amount of windows (customers) open at once.

Your operators need to be speedy when it comes to dealing with customers and questions.

The whole point to having live chat is to be quick and smooth with customers.

Your operator should never forget about a customer window.  If you forget about that window then there goes your potential sale to the competitor.

Next, your operators need to be trained to gather information.  You need to be smooth and always gather the most important information first.

After gathering information you should always make an opportunity to move your chat on to sales.

A well trained operator will bring you sales, and a poorly trained one will cost you them.

Keep in mind you are putting your trust in another person to represent your business and your products.  You must thoroughly train them until you feel confident in letting them go on their own.

Thank you for reading and I hope this article can be of use to you.

Spring has sprung here in Maryland, but summer will be here sooner than you can say, “Look! A robin!”

In Baltimore, the season brings with it a full calendar. From music festivals to marathons, there will be no lack of things to do in and around the city during the next few months.

Check out the special Baltimore summer events listed below!

JUNE

• Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower Centennial Celebration: June 2, 5:30 – 9 p.m., 21 S. Eutaw Street, Baltimore, MD 21201

The Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower is a famous Baltimore landmark that has been transformed into studio spaces for visual and literary artists. This year, the tower will observe its 100^th birthday with a centennial celebration featuring art displays, live music, refreshments, and guided tours. Admission is free. For more information, visit the Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower website.

• Capital Jazz Fest: June 3-5, Meriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD

Join music lovers for a three-day, multi-stage outdoor jazz festival. Enjoy live entertainment on two stages, arts and crafts, food, workshops and late-night after-parties. Ticket prices vary. Visit the Capital Jazz Fest website for pricing and additional information.

• Starscape Festival: June 4, noon to June 5, 6 a.m., Fort Armistead Park, Baltimore, MD

The thirteenth annual Starscape Festival will feature five stages of live music and visual performances all night long. Visit the vendor village, dance, grab a drink at one of the many bars on site, browse the art tent or get creative at the graffiti wall. Tickets are on sale and range from $69.50 to $169.50. You must be over the age of 16 to attend.

• 2011 Eco Ride: Bike for a Greener Maryland and Eco Fair: June 5, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Kayam Farm at Pearlstone Conference and Retreat Center, Reisterstown, MD

Join fellow cyclists for EcoRide 2011, a fundraising ride through the winding Maryland countryside. Riders can choose from 6, 18, 30, 50 and 62-mile routes.  Following the ride, participants are invited to the EcoFair, a family-friendly event including food, games, a moon-bounce, a green marketplace and a “tike-ride” for children. All proceeds will benefit Kayam Farm, a non-profit farm promoting Jewish agricultural education. For registration information, visit their website or call 410-429-4033.

• ZOOMA Annapolis Half-Marathon and 10K: June 5, 7 a.m. – noon, Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, MD

Run a course through historic Annapolis and over the Severn River. Then celebrate with other racers at a free After-Party Expo in Navy Stadium, featuring live music, wine, massages, demos and shopping. Proceeds will be donated to local charity organizations. For registration costs and race information, visit Zooma Annapolis online.

• · St. Nicholas Greek Folk Festival: June 9-12, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 520 S. Ponca Street, Baltimore, MD

This festival will showcase the Greek community with dancing, costumes, traditional dishes, and tours of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Times are Thursday 3 – 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., and Sunday, noon – 11 p.m.  This event is free. Visit the Greek Folk Festival’s website to learn more.

• Honfest: June 10-12, Hampden, Baltimore, MD

Honfest is a local tradition, an annual celebration of all things Baltimore. The festival covers four city blocks on 36^th Street in Hampden and features a “Best Hon” contest, live music, local art displays, food and beverages, and more. This event is free, but parking costs $5.

• Baltimore Pride Festival: June 17-19, Mount Vernon and Druid Hill Park, Baltimore, MD

Baltimore Pride is a three-day celebration of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.  Festivities kick off Friday night at 7 p.m. with Twilight on the Terrace at Gertrude’s Restaurant. Saturday, enjoy a high heel race, parade and block party beginning at 3:30 p.m., along Charles and Eager streets. At 11 a.m. on Sunday, Druid Hill Park will host the Pride Festival. For details, visit Baltimore Pride online.

• LatinoFest: June 25, noon – 10 p.m., and June 26, noon – 9 p.m. , Patterson Park, Baltimore, MD

Experience a lively weekend celebrating Hispanic arts and culture. The festivities will feature musical performances, dances, food and more. Admission costs $5 for adults. Children under 12 are free. Proceeds will benefit Education Based Latino Outreach. Visit http://www.latinofest.org/ or call 410-563-3160.

• Baltimore Women’s 5K: June 26, 8 a.m. – 10 a.m., Rash Field, Federal Hill, Baltimore, MD

The Baltimore Women’s Classic 5K is the second oldest all-women’s 5K in the Unites States. The event raises money to benefit women recovering from gynecological cancers. Registration costs $30 for the all-women 5K and $10-15 for Co-Ed Kids Fun Run. For a schedule, parking and registration information, visit them online.

JULY

• African American Festival: July 2, noon – 10 p.m., and July 3, noon – 9 p.m., M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD

The Baltimore African American Festival is an annual festival celebrating African-American ancestry. It is a family-friendly event highlighting celebrity entertainment on three stages, 150 vendors, contests and educational exhibits. Admission is free.

• Picnic at the Top: July 4, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Top of the World Observation Level, 401 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD

Celebrate Independence Day with music, food and a great view of the fireworks. Tickets cost $75 per person. For information, call 410-837-VIEW or visit www.viewbaltimore.org.

• Ports America 4^th of July Celebration: July 4, 9:30 p.m., Baltimore Inner Harbor

Take part in Baltimore’s biggest 4^th of July celebration! Enjoy live entertainment at the Amphitheater and a spectacular fireworks display. This event is sponsored by Ports America Chesapeake and the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts. Call 1-877-BALTIMORE or visit them online.

• Artscape: July 15-16, noon – 10 p.m., July 17, noon – 8 p.m., Boulton Hill Neighborhood, Mount Royal Avenue and Cathedral Street

This year is the 30^th anniversary of Baltimore Artscape. This free arts festival, celebrating the visual and performing arts, features over 150 artists, fashion designers and craftspeople; exhibits; live concerts on outdoor stages; a schedule of performing arts; film; family events; competitions and demonstrations; and an international menu of food. For more information, call 410-752-8632 or pay them a visit online.

AUGUST

• International Festival: August 6 and 7, noon – 9 p.m. , Baltimore Polytechnic and Western High School

This festival is a celebration of Baltimore’s cultural diversity. It will feature music, dancing and a variety of ethnic foods. Admission is free. Call 410-396-3141 for more information.

• Baltimore Fashion Week: August 18-21, “The Tent,” Harbor East, Baltimore, MD

Baltimore Fashion Week is an event showcasing independent designers such as Ann Boland, Ariana Kaiser, Reanna Jacobs, Johnathan Alexander Pope, and more. Tickets prices vary and can be purchased online. You may also contact them at 443-708-7886.

• Baltimore Summer Antiques Show: August 25-28, Baltimore Convention Center

The Baltimore Summer Antiques Show, the largest indoor antique show in the country, is returning for its 31^st year. Over 500 exhibitors will display fine art, furniture, Asian art, American and European silver, jewelry, porcelain, glass, textiles, American folk art and more. Enjoy a free public lecture series, and a 70-dealer Antiquarian Book Fair featuring rare books and first editions. Admission is $12.00.

• Maryland State Fair: August 28-September 7, Maryland State Fairgrounds, Timonium

Slated as the “11 Best Days of Summer,” the Maryland State Fair is a celebration of the end of summer. Visitors enjoy livestock demonstrations,pony rides, carnival rides, bull riding and barrel racing, jousting demonstrations, thoroughbred racing and live entertainment. This year’s featured artists are Selena Gomez, and Blake Shelton with Chris Young. Admission is $8 for adults and $6 for seniors. Kids 6-11 are just $3 and those under 6 are free

Other Events You Don’t Want to Miss!

• Baltimore Grand Prix: Labor Day Weekend , Baltimore Inner Harbor

The IZOD IndyCar Series and the American Le Mans Series are coming to the streets of Baltimore September 2-4. This three-day weekend event will feature world-class motorsports competitions and the high-speed thrills of IndyCar racing in Baltimore. Enjoy live entertainment, exhibits and activities for the whole family! For tickets, visit www.BaltimoreGrandPrix.com.

• Baltimore in the Civil War: Daily

Multiple locations

2011 marks the 150^th anniversary of the start of the Civil War. Learn about the role Baltimore and the state of Maryland played in the conflict by visiting Civil War exhibits and attractions throughout the state of Maryland.

Whew! Are you tired yet? There’s a lot more going on this summer than what was mentioned here. Be sure to keep your eyes and ears open for the latest happenings around Baltimore in the coming months!

The royal wedding has been the talk of the town since the couple announced their engagement last year.

The prince popped the big question during a trip to Africa in October 2010. He sealed the deal by placing the diamond-and-sapphire ring belonging to his mother, the late Princess Diana, on Kate’s hand.

Now, ten years after they first met as undergraduates at St. Andrew’s University, the couple is preparing to exchange wedding vows in an extravagant ceremony that will be almost certainly be watched by millions of people around the world.

Kate will make her grand entrance at Westminster Abbey at exactly 11 a.m. (6 a.m. Eastern Standard Time). 1,900 guests, including British politicians and celebrities like Rowan Atkinson, David and Victoria Beckham, and Sir Elton John, will be present to welcome her into her new life of royalty.

Kate’s maid of honor, sister, Philippa “Pippa” Middleton, and William’s best man, younger brother Prince Harry, along with four bridesmaids and two pages, will all accompany her to the altar.

According to the 28-page royal wedding program, released this week, the future princess will walk down the aisle to the choral anthem “I Was Glad,” composed by Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry for the coronation of William’s great-great-great grandfather, Edward VII, in 1902.

All musical selections, including include the hymn “Jerusalem” by William Blake and the Welsh rugby anthem, “Bread of Heaven,” will be presented by two choirs, one orchestra and two fanfare teams: The Choir of Westminster Abbey, the Chapel Royal Choir, The London Chamber Orchestra, the Fanfare Team from the Central Band of the Royal Air Force and the State Trumpeters of the Household Calvary.

The service, in its entirety, should last under an hour. After the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, officially marries William and Kate, the celebration will move the streets in the form of an extravagant parade.

The newlyweds will travel to Buckingham Palace in a 1902 State Landau horse-drawn carriage, accompanied by a Captain’s Escort of the Household Cavalry. They will be followed by the Queen’s own procession.

Once the wedding party and invited guests reach their destination, the couple and the Queen will then make an appearance on the palace balcony around 1:25 p.m. (8:25 a.m. EST).

Following the festivities, 600 guests will attend a lunch hosted by the Queen, and 300 will enjoy an exclusive reception held Friday night.

The details of the honeymoon have not yet been revealed.

As for their post-wedding life together, Prince William and Kate will live on Anglesey, Wales, where he works as a Royal Air Force search and rescue helicopter pilot.

Anyone wishing to send wedding gifts to the couple should instead make a charitable donation. Visit www.royalweddingcharityfund.org for more information.

Coverage of the royal wedding begins at 4 a.m. EST Friday morning and will continue throughout the day.

You can also watch the live stream online.

WTOP Photo/Andrew Mollenbeck

Community members and civil-rights advocates are speaking out against violence in the wake of a brutal assault on a transgender woman inside a Baltimore McDonald’s earlier this month.

On Monday, more than one hundred supporters gathered outside the restaurant on Kenwood Avenue in Rosedale to conduct a public demonstration against violence and discrimination.

Organizers took donations for Chrissy Polis, 23, the latest victim of what they deem as a vicious hate crime.

The beating happened on April 18. A McDonald’s employee captured the incident on a cell phone camera. The horrifying footage was posted on YouTube and the video went viral, despite being promptly removed by site administrators.

The employee who recorded the incident has since been fired.

In the footage, two teenage girls attack Polis as she tries to enter the women’s restroom. For several minutes, they repeatedly punch and kick Polis, and pull her across the floor by her hair.

Both an employee and restaurant patron named Vicky Thoms are the only two onlookers who intervene. Thoms is punched in the face as she tries to shelter the victim from the blows. Meanwhile, the rest of the bystanders can be heard, laughing and cheering in the background.

Towards the end of the clip, Polis receives a devastating blow to her head and she appears to succumb to a seizure. An unidentified man then tells the suspects to run away because the police are on their way.

Polis’ injuries were treated at Franklin Square Hospital Center.

Investigators have identified Polis’ attackers as Teonna Monae Brown, 18, and a 14-year-old girl whose name has not been released.

Brown was charged with first-degree assault and two counts of second-degree assault. She was ordered held without bail. Her companion was charged as a juvenile with second-degree assault.

Baltimore County State’s Attorneys have not ruled out adding charges of committing a hate crime to the case.

During Monday’s rally, Polis’ mother, Renee, publicly expressed her gratitude to Thoms, 55, for her heroic actions.

“I’ll never forget you for this,” she said.

Caroline Temmermand, a local advocate for the transgender community, also addressed the crowd, saying the video was “shocking to all of us.”

“Violence against anybody just shouldn’t be.”

The chairman and CEO of 1^st Mariner Bancorp, Baltimore’s largest independently owned bank, announced last week he will be stepping down.

Edwin F. Hale Sr., who founded 1^st Mariner Bank in 1995, agreed to relinquish his position as part of a deal to secure $160 million of desperately-needed funds for the company.

Priam Capital Fund, a private New York investment firm, agreed to provide $36.4 million for the struggling bank if 1^st Mariner can raise the remaining $123.6 million through other investors.

Priam can walk away from the agreement if the bank fails to raise $70.3 million by July 18, or the full amount by Sept. 1.

If successful, this deal could potentially bring financial stability to a bank that has all but collapsed under the weight of the recent economic crisis.

Bad commercial and real estate loans issued by 1^st Mariner Bank, along with plummeting stock prices, resulted in a net loss of $46.6 million last year and $22.3 million the year before.

In September 2009, federal and state regulators ordered 1^st Mariner to deal with problem loans and to raise capital to meet federal regulatory-mandated levels.

In response, the bank sold its consumer finance unit and raised $10.9 million through public campaigns. Hale also invested $2 million of his own money in the rescue plan.

In spite of erasing over $20 million in debt, 1^st Mariner was unable to fulfill the capital requirements, so Priam stepped in to rescue the institution.

“We see a unique opportunity to invest in 1^st Mariner, which, following the recapitalization, will play an instrumental role in the ability of the Baltimore metropolitan area to continue to develop and prosper,” Howard Feinglass, senior partner of Priam and Baltimore-native, said in a statement.

“Following the recapitalization, 1^st Mariner will have one of the highest capital ratios of any Maryland bank, allowing it to continue to serve the community.”

Under the conditions of the agreement, Priam will also obtain ownership of nearly 25 percent of the company. Shareholders will be offered $15 million in stock at 50 cents per share.

Though Hale is preparing to relinquish his leadership at the company, he will remain the company’s largest shareholder and is considering an offer to keep his seat on the board until the annual meeting in 2012.

“It’s fantastic hearing that the local bank is taking measures to save itself” say’s local business Keane Unclaimed Property – unclaimed property reporting company.

Hale will likely remain a fixture in the community. He owns the Baltimore Blast soccer team, owns exclusive naming rights to the downtown arena, and chairs the Tourism and Convention Board.

Priam will appoint a successor or successors to the positions of Chairman and CEO before the transaction is finalized Oct. 16.

Results of Japan Earthquake and Tsunami 2011

An 8.9-magnitude earthquake hit Japan Friday afternoon, subsequently churning up a 23-foot-high tsunami that slammed into the northeast coast. Hundreds have been confirmed dead and tsunami warnings are in effect for more than 50 countries, including Hawaii and western United States.

The earthquake occurred off the east coast of Japan near Honshu, an island about 230 miles northeast of Tokyo, at a depth of about 17 miles below the earth’s surface. According to the U.S. Geologic Survey, it is the biggest to hit Japan since scientists first began keeping record in the late 1800s.

After the quake, a tsunami rushed ashore at speeds of almost 500 miles per hour, comparable to those of a jumbo jet. The water swept cars, fishing boats and ships, and homes miles inland. Highways have buckled and communication lines are down. The earthquake and tsunami also broke gas lines, sparking fires in at least 80 locations up and down the coastline.

So far, the number of casualties is unconfirmed, but so far, 200 to 300 people have been found dead in the coastal city of Sendai alone. Countless are injured or missing, and officials say the death toll is expected to rise.

Meanwhile, millions of buildings in Tokyo and its suburbs are without power, travel service has been suspended, and many residents have been left stranded or homeless. Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated.

Four nuclear power plants directly in the tsunami’s path have been safely shut down, but residents near a plant in Onahama were evacuated after a backup generator failed, compromising the plant’s cooling system. Two other plants experience problems, but no radiation leaks have been reported.

More than 80 aftershocks have been felt throughout the region since the quake.

“The earthquake has caused major damage in broad areas in northern Japan,“ said Prime Minister Naoto Kan.

President Barack Obama offered his condolences in a statement this morning, stating that the United States is prepared to offer whatever assistance Japan may need. He also put the Federal Emergency Management Agency on alert in the event that Hawaii or western states are affected by the tsunami.

In Hawaii, seven-foot surges reached the shores of Maui midmorning Eastern Standard Time. Waves are also expected to affect Alaska, Oregon and California.

Worldwide, tsunami warnings are still in effect throughout the day in Southeast Asian and Latin American nations, Japan, Russia, Chile, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand.

New Zealand is still recovering from a 6.3-magnitude earthquake the rocked the city of Christchurch February 22.

Friday’s earthquake is the latest of several that have hit the Pacific region this week. Two were recorded off the coast Thursday, the first at a magnitude of 7.2 and the second at 6.3. It was the fifth strongest in the world since 1900.

Japan lies on the “Ring of Fire,” a highly volcanic zone arcing through the Pacific Ocean. It is here than about 90 percent of the world’s earthquakes occur.

If you are a member of the Navy, or want to learn more about how you can help somebody who is, then keep reading this article to find out how Navy Tuition Assistance can cover 100% of your education.

What Is Navy Tuition Assistance?

Navy Tuition Assistance is a way for members of the Navy to cover their entire educational costs. By applying for the program, you are eligible to have 100% of your education paid by the government, while learning what you want, when you want.

Am I Eligible for Navy Tuition Assistance?

Navy Tuition Assistance is available to both Naval Officer and Enlisted active duty personnel and Naval Reservists on continuous active duty. It is also available to enlisted Naval Reservists ordered to active duty 120 days and to Naval Reservist Officers ordered to active duty for 2 years or more.

To qualify, service members must:

• Be on active duty for the whole length of the course.
• Attend an institution accredited by a regional, national, or professional accrediting agency recognized by the Department of Education.
• Receive counseling from a Navy College Office
• Provide all grades from previously funded TA courses and reimburse all W and F grades. (Withdrawals for involuntary reasons may be granted with command verification.)
• Agree, if an officer, to remain on active duty for at least two years upon completion of courses funded by TA. This obligation runs concurrently with remaining obligated service time. Those who fail to serve the obligation must repay the TA funds expended on their behalf during the last two years of active duty on a pro rated basis.

How to Apply for Navy Tuition Assistance

Follow these instructions listed on the Navy’s website to help you get started on obtaining your tuition assistance:

• First, you need to contact your Navy College Office so that you can receive educational counseling in person, by phone or email. This will help you determine what courses you will be using the funding for.
• Next, you have to complete a TA Application form NETPDTC 1560/3 listing your course(s) and fee(s). Check with the institution you are applying at to make sure the amounts for tuition and fees that you list are correct. Allowable fees that can be funded under Tuition Assistance are:
  • Fees directly required for course enrollment may be combined with tuition. Navy will pay fees that are published, mandatory, and charged for course enrollment.
  • Mandatory non-reimbursable fees meeting the criteria listed above may be funded with TA. However, if the course is canceled and the tuition is refunded, the student is responsible for paying the non-reimbursable fee.
  • Sailors requesting payment of fees with tuition are responsible for providing accurate fee information to their Navy College Office when applying for TA.
• You should carefully read the second page of the TA Application, the Tuition Assistance Application Agreement, and complete the requested information at the bottom of the page. Your signature on this form indicates you understand the current rules relating to Tuition Assistance funding. Receive command approval signature to enroll in the course(s).
• Your command approved Tuition Assistance Application must be submitted to your supporting Navy College Office for processing.
• Once received by your Navy College Office and authorized, your supporting Navy College Office will prepare a TA Authorization Voucher for you to provide to the school. Keep a copy for your records.
• TA participants may submit a copy of a grade report obtained through their student account. The simplest way to submit a grade would be electronically as an attachment via email to SFLY_TA.NAVY@NAVY.MIL.  After submitting through email, wait 7 days then go to https://smart.navy.mil to verify the grade has been processed. Please wait the allotted time before taking any further action.

How to Use your Navy Tuition Assistance

Navy Tuition Assistance provides members of the Navy with an excellent way to fund their entire education by allowing them to use the NTA on any school that is regionally or nationally accredited.

Attending a college and university has been a popular choice in the past, but an increasing trend has been to use NTA for a trade school.

To help you make your decision, here are several things to consider when deciding where to use your NTA:

• Cost of Education – Are you willing to spend extra money or take out large loans to pay the extra amount of money needed to attend a top college or university?
• Time Spent in Program – How long will it take you to finish the program you are enrolling in? Will you be spending months or years in the program?
• Placement Rate – Does the school offer you services to help place you in a job after you graduate? What are the other career services that they offer their students?

A trade school offers many advantages over a four year program at a college or university. Attending a vocational school allows you to learn a valuable skill that is immediately applicable in the real world.

A trade school education also costs significantly less than a four year college or university, so you can be certain that your Navy Tuition Assistance will help you cover your costs.

Additionally, the time you will spend in a trade school will be significantly less than any other type of school, teaching you only the skills you want to learn and getting you out the door and into the real world quickly.

Sitting in a classroom and reciting Shakespeare may be an activity that some will enjoy, but learning a trade that you can put into use to help the world around you is a choice that many are making.

Most importantly, your entry into the job market will be remarkably easier than it would be with your other options. Alongside your military service, you will have training from professional tradesmen that will help you get ahead of the competition and started on a rewarding career.

Instead of spending four years to earn a degree in literature, you can learn a valuable skill that you can immediately put into use and start earning more money with a satisfying career.

Use your Navy Tuition Assistance and invest in your future with an education that will teach you what you need so that you can get the job that you want.

By weighing factors like health care coverage, child care provided, promotion of work-life balance, telecommuting options, allowed lengths of sabbaticals and unusual perks, the publication compiled a list of employers from all over the country whose employees have been surveyed as being among the happiest in the work force.

While the 100-strong list doesn’t contain any businesses that originate from the Maryland area, there are several entries in the magazine’s collection whose headquarters are located throughout Maryland, DC and Virginia. Likewise, several entries on Fortune’s list have branches of operation that are prominent throughout the MD/DC/VA region.

Among companies who are headquartered nearby, Delaware-based W.L. Gore and Associates and Bethesda, MD-headquartered Marriot International were two distinct entries on Fortune’s list.

Gore and Associates, which manufactures products derived from fluoropolymers to be used in a number of different industries, was cited at 31 among the best companies to work for because its corporate culture makes for “a lack of hierarchy and few traditional job titles”. Employees of the manufacturing firm possess a tolerance for ambiguity that makes that unique culture possible.

Marriott International, the hotel chain with locations all throughout the region, came in at number 71 (up from 82 the previous year) on the list due to the health care policy that it implemented in the midst of the economic downturn.

When a drop in business made it so that employees of the hotel giant were moved from full time status to part time, leaders within the organization changed the policy so that those employees wouldn’t lose that coverage and the policy remains in effect to this day.

Other area businesses made the list too. With regional and national chains that have locations in the area, the MD/DC/VA area was represented well when it came to the best companies to work for.

Here are some of the notable local entries on the list and why they were included:

• Wegmans Food Market – This company, with more than 75 stores across the Mid-Atlantic, has one location in Hunt Valley and another opening this summer in Frederick. It came in at number 3 on the list for, among other things, giving free health screenings to its employees that included vaccination for both the flu and the H1N1 virus
• Build-A-Bear Workshop – This retailer, which specializes in customized teddy bears and other stuffed animals, has six locations in Maryland and ten in Virginia. It came in at number 48 on the list of best places to work, citing perks like health, dental and vision coverage for part time employees among the benefits that it provides.
• PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) – This consulting firm has offices in Maryland and offers a number of professional services related to things like taxes and human resources. It landed at number 73 on Fortune’s list due to the many telecommuting options available to its employees. PwC is also noted for training that makes for endless opportunities within its organization.
• KPMG – This consulting firm has an office in Baltimore and ranked number 86 on the list of best places to work. The reason for its ranking came partially in thanks to the fact that KPMG employees get 12 paid hours each year to volunteer and are allowed to leave at 3pm on Fridays during the summer.

With the number of companies that are headquartered or operating in the MD/DC/VA area being named as ideal work environments, there are some bright spots for job seekers to look for as the economy recovers and companies across a diverse number of sectors post increasing revenue as time goes on.

At the time of this writing, many of the companies that made Fortune’s list of 100 are hiring as they look to expand their operations.

The event and will take place from Monday, February 21^st to Sunday February 27^th this year and will include over 30 restaurants across Annapolis, a full list of which can be found here.

The deals that these restaurants will offer include three-course meal selections at fixed prices, with lunch costing $15.95 and dinner costing $29.95 per person. These wallet friendly deals are being offered at a time of the year when restaurant traffic is traditionally lower than usual, so area restaurants aim to buck the trend and entice both residents and travelers to visit their locations in order to take advantage of the savings.

Now in its third year, Annapolis Restaurant Week has always proven successful for the participants involved, as evidenced by the fact that the number of restaurants that participate in the yearly promotion has steadily grown since its inception.

With the number of establishments participating this year, people interested in taking part of the promotion have even more dining options open to them over the course of the week, presenting them with the opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of food at a fraction of its normal costs.

Diners can visit places like Tsunami if they want to enjoy sushi and other types of seafood, The Melting Pot for a unique dining experience that centers on fondue or the John Barry Restaurant and Bar at the O’Callaghan hotel, which offers a unique blend of local flavors as well as food from the parent company’s native Ireland.

Having first been established in 2002, the O’Callaghan Hotel in Annapolis is the first of its brand in the United States and sits in the heart of historical Annapolis, just a few minutes from the city’s docks.

Besides the hotel’s restaurant offering people participating in Annapolis Restaurant Week a chance to save on good meals, it also offers daily happy hour specials, 24 hour in-room dining and a full menu available to its guests from 6:30 in the morning until 10:00pm.

In keeping with the theme of “Irish Hospitality” that the hotel builds its philosophy of customer service around, O’Callaghan hotel boasts of 120 uniquely styled rooms with European furniture, marble bathrooms and free high speed internet access for its guests as well as 24 hour business and fitness centers.

Guests at the O’Callaghan hotel who choose to take place in Annapolis Restaurant Week can also benefit from the hotel’s close proximity to many of the city’s other restaurants and attractions such as the Naval Academy, boutique shopping on Maryland Avenue and Main Street or the cruises that take tourists onto the Chesapeake Bay.

Hotel staff can help guests make the most of their visit to the area and the hotel even goes so far as to offer a complimentary shuttle to its guests so that those who are taking part in Annapolis Restaurant Week can take in other attractions around Annapolis such as the thriving community theater scene, the Maryland State House and the various museums and historical sites that make up the state capital’s personality.

With a pleasant atmosphere and Guinness on tap, the John A. Barry restaurant at the O’Callaghan hotel is just one of many area businesses that thrive by giving its customers everything that they want and providing a memorable experience.

The success that the restaurant has seen in the past and the certain increase in foot traffic that it will see once Annapolis Restaurant Week starts later in the month are definite indicators that Maryland area businesses like the O’Callaghan Hotel, Under Armour and WebMechanix SEO are a sure sign of the fact that an economically prosperous 2011 is ahead.