The History of Labor Day

Here is a little history lesson for everyone:

Labor Day: How it Came About; What it Means

"Labor Day differs in every essential way from the other holidays of the year in any country," said Samuel Gompers, founder and longtime president of the American Federation of Labor. "All other holidays are in a more or less degree connected with conflicts and battles of man's prowess over man, of strife and discord for greed and power, of glories achieved by one nation over another. Labor Day...is devoted to no man, living or dead, to no sect, race, or nation."

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

Founder of Labor Day

More than 100 years after the first Labor Day observance, there is still some doubt as to who first proposed the holiday for workers.

Some records show that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, was first in suggesting a day to honor those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold."

But Peter McGuire's place in Labor Day history has not gone unchallenged. Many believe that Matthew Maguire, a machinist, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday. Recent research seems to support the contention that Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J., proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. What is clear is that the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic.

From the U.S. Department of Labor Website

So apparently Labor Day has nothing to do with Picnics, the Beach or great Sales at the stores, but I hope you have a wonderful weekend anyway. We will be back on Tuesday, so enjoy the long weekend ahead!

Alex

Coming Next Year

This is coming next year to our area!!

Food Network and Share Our Strength Announce Network's First-Ever Original Charitable Platform, 'Good Food Gardens' to be Unveiled at Slow Food Nation

Gardens Will Be Built By Teich Garden Systems in Schools, Community Centers

Last update: 11:23 a.m. EDT Aug. 25, 2008

NEW YORK, Aug 25, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Food Network and charitable partner, Share Our Strength(R), will unveil a new original platform called Good Food Gardens on August 28 in San Francisco at Slow Food Nation, the largest celebration of American food. The launch of Good Food Gardens delivers on one of the core goals of the relationship -- to create a completely original, Food Network-specific platform that will continue the mission to raise awareness for childhood hunger and its surrounding issues. The gardens are a tangible way to teach kids where food comes from, and encourage them to take pride and learn by growing fresh fruits and vegetables from start to finish. The gardens will be built by Teich Garden Systems (http://www.teichgardensystems.com), of South Salem, NY, who build fully sustainable gardens for local schools, organizations and homeowners. Each Good Food Garden will be completely customized and can be built on any surface with a full irrigation system, top quality organic soil, raised planting beds and support for trellising vines.

A sample Good Food Garden built by Teich will be unveiled on August 28 adjacent to the Victory Garden at Slow Food Nation, located on Civic Center Plaza in front of City Hall. The garden is 10 ft x 16 ft, built out of cedar wood, protected with heavy duty fencing, making it an enclosed space with a sturdy door that can be locked. The garden will be filled with seasonal fruits, vegetables and herbs; event-goers will be able to walk around, tour the garden and see how it works. The San Francisco garden will then be donated to the Boys & Girls Club of Treasure Island after the close of Slow Food Nation on September 2. Food Network and Share Our Strength plan to launch the next garden in New York City in early 2009, followed by a third garden in Washington, DC.

"Good Food Gardens is a new mission for Food Network and Share Our Strength, and represents Food Network as a voice at the table on these food issues affecting our communities," said Carrie Welch, Vice President, Public Relations, Food Network. "It is the right message at the right time -- what better event than Slow Food Nation to talk about kids learning where their food comes from and why that is important."

"For more than 20 years, Share Our Strength has been leading the fight against childhood hunger in America by supporting local hunger-relief organizations," said Chuck Scofield, Chief Development Officer, Share Our Strength. "With the launch of Good Food Gardens, we are educating children on the importance of fruits, vegetables and other nutritious foods -- key ingredients to ending childhood hunger. The gardens will offer children fun, hands-on experiences that we hope will inspire healthy eating habits for life."

Food Network's partnership with Share Our Strength gives a national voice to the fight to end childhood hunger and helps increase awareness of the issues surrounding this complex problem, including the link between hunger and obesity, the need for nutrition education, the challenge of "food deserts" (areas of the country where fresh foods are not available), the need for more widely available farmers' markets, the state of farming and agriculture, and more. Food Network also supports Share Our Strength's existing programs by including them in relevant Food Network shows, through public service announcements with network stars, and by hosting fundraising events.

Slow Food Nation is the largest celebration of American food in history, bringing together tens of thousands of visitors to San Francisco during Labor Day weekend, August 28 - September 1, to experience an extraordinary range of activities highlighting the connection between the plate and the planet. Slow Food Nation will feature tastings, chef demonstrations, a major conference on food values, social justice and the environment, an urban farm, a music festival and workshops, forums, films and interactive exhibits.

From Market Watch

New York Road Runners

The New York Road Runners have a whole Blog dedicated to the Olympics. I know it is a little late, but click here to read some of the articles.

Enjoy,
Alex

Christmas Gifts

As you all know, unfortunately, Christmas is right around the corner. I know what you are thinking, she is crazy, right? But really you want to start planning to make sure that you don't waste time and money.

You want to make sure and thank your customers for their business, so you have to pick the right type of gift to send out at the holidays. Here are some items that I have found online, and sent out myself, that I think customers really enjoy.

Customized Cookies with your company Logo by A Dozen Eggs

Personalized M & M's with your company's logo or your company's colors
Gift Baskets from Stew Leonards (We have done these before and they are always a hit!)

The ever popular Harry and David Tower of Treats. These come in a lot of different varieties and prices.

Sending out Christmas Gifts to customers does take some time and planning. You want to make sure that you send something special to your biggest customers, while not forgetting the smaller but very loyal customers. Also remember that some customers, like the government, can't except gifts, so it is more appropriate to send cards.

As we get closer to the holidays, I will be sure to post more items as I find them. Also, if you have any suggestions be sure to pass them on.

Happy Giving,
Alex

Not good for the fish...

Coast Guard policing potties

By ROBERT NAPPER - rnapper@bradenton.com

Several boaters found the U.S. Coast Guard on their vessels Wednesday morning for a check of their toilets.

In an operation with Bradenton Beach Police and the Manatee County Sheriff's Office marine unit, Coast Guard sailors boarded boats anchored off the Bradenton Beach City Pier and Coquina Beach after reports from divers who recently saw toilet paper piled up on the coral reef at Leffis Key.

It is illegal to flush waste from boat toilets into state waters within nine miles of the coast, according to Brandon Irons, with the Coast Guard.

gjefferies@bradenton.com - U.S. Coast Gua

CLICK FOR MORE PHOTOS

• 
• 
  

Boaters must have their toilets flow into a receiving tank on their vessel, then dump the contents at a marina or other site approved to receive waste, Irons said.

Coast Guard officials used dye pellets Wednesday to check if boaters toilets were hooked properly to a receiving tank on board.

"We put the pellets in the tank and flush. If we see dye enter the water, we know they are illegally dumping," Irons said.

A violation can be costly. A first-time offender can face a fine of $375 from the Coast Guard, a second-time offender $1,125, and a third time $2,250.

After several check of boats Wednesday, boaters were either in compliance or had left their boats before law enforcement arrived.

"They see them coming and take off," said one boater who passed the Coast Guard test Wednesday. "I can tell you, I see people dumping waste out here all the time. I hate to see it."

Bradenton Beach Officer Tom McGill said Wednesday's operation was just the first in an ongoing effort to clean up the waters around Bradenton Beach.

"We are going to be out here doing this quite a bit. I swim here; my kids swim here," said Bradenton Beach Officer Tom McGill. "So this is a public safety issue, and we are very serious about keeping these waters clean."

James Williams, who lives on his boat anchored at the Bradenton Beach City Pier, said he is happy law enforcement is making checks.

"This is my backyard, basically," he said. "So I am happy they are out here. When people do that kind of thing, it gives all of us a bad name, and I have a hard time with that."

McGill said Bradenton Beach will also begin checking boats using the dye pellets, but he also hopes to see violators having to face federal citations.

"When the Coast Guard gets involved, people will find themselves in federal court," he said.

Report item as: (required) X

Obscenity/vulgarity Hate speech Personal attack Advertising/Spam Copyright/Plagiarism Other

Comment: (optional)

New Business

I found this online. This is a short, funny story from The Press of Atlantic City.

Flush with cash

Got a flush of money you want to spend for the public good? How about sponsoring a Port-A-Potty?

Yes, for only $85 a month you, too, can have your name or business logo plastered on an outdoor toilet at the Lakes Bay Preserve, a 24-acre parcel in Egg Harbor Township. The waterfront site is open to the public and a popular place for windsurfers, kayakers and other outdoor activities.

The portable toilet was set up for visitors in March and it has been working great, said Laurie Walters, a recreation association member. Walter said the association plans to continue renting the Port-A-Potty until November.

The current toilet sponsor is Extreme Windsurfing. Past sponsors include Adams Perfect Funeral Homes and By the Sea Dentistry.

Yeah!

Pumper Magazine Article

In the Race

By Judy Kneiszel (page 68)

Marathon training provides portable sanitation company manager Alex Townsend with a great fitness fix

---

Alex Townsend, manager of regional sales and marketing at the Washington, D.C., office of A Royal Flush, has worked the New York City Marathon for years. Her family’s company — which also has locations in the Bronx, N.Y.; Springfield, Mass., and Bridgeport, Conn. — has provided portable restrooms for this premier U.S. road race for 13 years. The past three years, Townsend also helped out as a volunteer handing out blankets to runners at the end of the race.

But it wasn’t enough. She wanted to be IN the marathon … as in running … all 26 miles. And on Nov. 2, she will be.

GOING THE DISTANCE

Townsend, 25, had been running since her days on the high school track team when she was, of her own admission, “by no means a track star.”

“But I had a good coach so I stuck with it,” she says. Years after high school she got into a few 5k’s.

“5k’s are just fun because afterward you feel great and you can hang out with your friends,” Townsend says. “I still do 5k’s.”

A full marathon, however, takes the sport to a much higher level, which is why when she mentioned it at a meeting of her book club, she didn’t quite believe it when her friend Rachel Collins piped up and offered to train for and run a marathon with her.

“She was not a runner at all,” Townsend says with a laugh. “She was a cheerleader.”

As it turned out, Collins became a runner and Townsend’s cheerleader. Together they ran both the Baltimore Half-Marathon and the full Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C., in October 2007, and another half-marathon in Sedona, Ariz., this past February.

“I was so nervous those last couple of weeks of training for the Marine Corps Marathon,” Townsend says. “Toward the end, she (Collins) was what kept me going.”

While Collins, 27, had not been a runner, her father was. He supplied the two with tips throughout their 11 months of training for the full marathon. This helped them stay motivated and on schedule, because they found fitting an ordinary workout into a hectic work schedule is challenging enough, but finding time to train for a marathon is even more of a challenge.

“I work from home so I could work my schedule around it,” Townsend says. “But it does take a lot of time. I get up early, especially in summer, so I can run before it gets too hot outside.”

RUNNING FOR SUCCESS

Townsend says rather than taking focus away from her work, running actually improves her job performance.

“If I’m having a bad morning, I will run at lunchtime,” she says. “I’ll come back totally refreshed and ready. If I don’t run, I can’t get past it. I can’t shake I off. If I run, I can start fresh.”

Townsend believes people who have physically demanding jobs, including drivers for restroom companies like A Royal Flush, also benefit from physical activity outside of work.

“It’s important for anyone to do stuff outside of their job,” she says. “A job shouldn’t be our source of fitness. Especially when a job is very physical, it benefits a person to work out because not being in shape is how people hurt themselves on the job.”

In the months prior to a marathon, Townsend runs three to 10 miles a day on weekdays, but longer 15- to 20-mile runs are necessary too.

“The longer runs take three or more hours,” she says. “So they have to be on the weekends, especially in winter when it gets dark early, because I don’t want to run in the dark.”

Running isn’t the only exercise that prepares Townsend for marathons. She does weightlifting a couple of times a week and yoga once a week.

“Yoga is especially good for runners,” she says. “I even went to yoga the day after my last marathon because the more you sit, the tenser your muscles get and the more pain you’re in.”

DIET MATTERS

Preparing for a marathon isn’t just about physical training for Townsend, it’s about diet too.

“I pay attention to the way I eat because everything I put in my body is fuel,” she says. “Every day I try to get five different colors of fruits and vegetables. I don’t eat a lot of carbs, but when I do they are all whole wheat. I also drink tons of water because you dehydrate really quickly.”

Townsend says she bikes and kayaks a bit for recreation, but as for racing, she’s sticking to running.

“Running is an easy sport because there’s no equipment other than shoes,” she says. “I enjoy the people too. With the longer distances you get more camaraderie with other runners and the crowds are just fantastic. Before you know it you’re on mile 15. It’s hard to talk when you are biking, and in yoga you have to be quiet too … you can’t chitchat, which is what I love.”

After Hours is an occasional feature that describes how business owners reconcile work life with family, leisure time, charitable pursuits, and personal interests and passions. Pumper welcomes story ideas. If you take part in something interesting outside work, or if you know someone in the pumping business who does, please send a note to editor@pumper.com.

Very Cool!

I found this article on the Environment News Service website!!

Big Apple Goes Car-Free

NEW YORK, New York, August 8, 2008 (ENS) - New York City will clear a stretch of clogged Manhattan streets for the next three Saturdays so that bicyclists, runners, walkers and dancers can enjoy a car-free and noise-free experience.

Hip-hop star Jay-Z joined Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan yesterday to publicize the pilot program called Summer Streets that will close seven miles of city streets from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park.

An enthusiastic bicyclist, Jay-Z hailed the events as opportunities for teens to get involved in positive activities.

From left: Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, and Mayor Michael Bloomberg invite New Yorkers and visitors to enjoy Summer Streets. (Photo courtesy Office of the Mayor)

Mayor Bloomberg sees the Summer Streets program as a new way to enjoy the city. "We're going to embark on a grand experiment that could dramatically alter the way we use and look at the streets of New York," he said. "Streets that are normally tied up with cars and trucks will be turned over to the public - so that we can experience this city as never before."

"We're inviting New Yorkers and visitors to come out and enjoy the city by foot or by bike, and for a few hours, allow people to enjoy it free of vehicles," said Commissioner Sadik-Khan. "Come out and move around, people watch, or just enjoy your morning coffee without the stress of noise and traffic. Enjoy the streets you've been up and down 100 times before, in a whole new way."

For the next three Saturdays, August 9th, 16th and 23rd, from 7 am to 1 pm, vehicle traffic will be replaced along seven miles of City streets by New Yorkers and visitors taking leisurely strolls, going for a bike ride or taking part in organized activities such as aikido, salsa dancing, tai-chi, running, rollerblading and hopscotch.

Summer Streets will be open from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park along Lafayette Street, 4th Avenue, Park Avenue and 72nd Street.

Three rest stops will be located along the route in addition to a main stage at 24th Street, which will feature music performances and other programs. The rest stops, located at Spring, 24th and 51st streets, will also feature art, fitness, dance and cultural activities.

New York Road Runners will be leading running groups for all ages and ability levels, and Bike New York will be holding bike riding classes for children and adults.

The Department of Transportation will provide free bike helmets at 24th Street for adults and children from 9 am to noon, as supplies last.

All of the rest stops will have water stations, bike maps and first aid stations. Participants are encouraged to bring their own fitness mats and water bottles, which can be refilled at the water stations. Emergency services will be present along the length of the route.

There will be opportunities to rent or test ride bikes along the route. For people who come with bikes there will be bike repair provided at each rest stop to ensure everyone can keep rolling along smoothly.

Bicycle Habitat will be providing bike repair along the route, and bike sharing will be provided by Bike and Roll. Bike New York and the 5 Boro Bike Club will be leading classes and sharing tips about how to ride safely in New York City.

Police will redirect traffic to nearby streets and emergency vehicles will have unfettered access to the Summer Streets.

Residents on streets adjoining the route will have local access and be able to receive deliveries during Summer Streets hours. Working with the Mayor's Community Affairs Unit, the DOT has conducted an extensive community outreach operation to inform and educate the public, and address any potential concerns.

The entire route is easily accessible by subway on the Lexington Avenue line.

"If the program works, we'll strongly consider doing it again; maybe we'll try it in other parts of the city," said Mayor Bloomberg. "If it doesn't work, we won't, but we can't be afraid to find out."

To see more information on Summer Streets, including a full list of activities, click here.

Nike Human Race- 8/31/08

The Nike Human Race 10k will be held on 8/31 all around the world. Proceeds from the race go to one of three charities, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, Ninemillion.org which is the UN Refuge Agency and the WWF, formerly known as the World Wildlife Fund.



There are two ways to participate. You can either run with Nike at Randall's Island in New York, which is one of the 25 locations around the world where the race will be held on 8/31. If you can't make it to New York, you can run with Nike+. All you need is a Nike+ SportBand or the Nike+ iPod and sport kit. Just sign up online, run a 10k on 8/31 and sync your run online.

Either way, sign up at Nikeplus.com and help support a cause that is important to you.

Starbucks New Offer

This article has absolutely nothing to do with our industry, but it is interesting to see how companies are dealing with the economic crunch right now.

Starbucks Announces $2 Afternoon Drink Deal

Tue, 08/05/2008 - 11:16am by partysugar

Starbucks has announced its plan to offer an afternoon discount to morning customers. Present a receipt of your morning beverage after 2 p.m. and you can order any iced grande coffee drink (including Frappuccinos!) for just $2. The promotion begins on Tuesday and runs until Sept. 2. According to Brad Stevens, the vice president of customer relationship management, the discount is a no-brainer:

I think we've kind of hit the nail on the head. It's easy for baristas to implement and it's easy for customers to understand.

Since Starbucks's iced drinks are a little pricey the concept is quite clever. However, I rarely order two Starbucks drinks in one day, so I don't know how often I will be able to use the discount. How about you? Will you use the discount?

National Night Out

Get out and support your community! The "25^th Annual National Night Out" (NNO), a unique crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW), has been scheduled for Tuesday, August 5, 2008. We cordially invite you and your community to be a part of our NIGHT OUT 2008 team.

Last year's National Night Out campaign involved citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from over 10,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide. In all, over 35 million people participated in National Night Out 2007.

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT is designed to:

• Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
• Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs;
• Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and
• Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

Here is a list of local towns/cities that are participating in our tri-state area:

Connecticut

Douglas Co., Fairfield, Greenwich, Groton, Hamden, Hartford, Manchester, Meriden, Naugatuck, New Britain, Newport Beach, Newton, Norwalk, Norwich, Plainfield, Seymour, Shelton, Stonington, Stratford, Torrington, Vernon Rockville, Weathersfield, Westbury, West Hartford, Willimantic, Windsor.

New York
Afton, Albany, Akron, Amherst, Ardsley, Astoria, Baldwinsville, Batavia, Beacon, Binghamton, Blasdell, Bloomfield, Brentwood, Brighton, Bronx, Brooklyn, Buffalo, Carmel, Cheektowaga, Cicero, Clifton Park, Collins, Columbia Co., Coxsackie, Depew, Deposit, Dolgeville, Dunkirk, East Aurora, Edison, Erie County Medical Center, Farmingdale, Forest Hills, Fort Drum, Fredonia, Freeport, Garden City, Glen Cove, Glens Falls, Gloversville, Grand Island, Greece, Guilderland, Hempstead, Hicksville, Highland, Jamestown, Kingston, Lackawanna, Little Falls, Lockport, Lyons, Mineola, Monticello, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, New Windsor, New York, Newburgh, Newfield, Niagara Twp., North Tonawanda, Ogden, Orangetown, Owego, Peekskill, Pelham, Port Chester, Port Jefferson, Port Jervis, Queensbury, Riverhead, Rochester, Schenectady, Sleepy Hollow, Sony Point, Spencerport, Staten Island, Tompkins Co., Tonawanda, Troy, Tuckahoe, Ulster, Vestal, Wallkill, Warren Co., Yonkers

New Jersey
Abescon, Asbury Park, Atlantic City, Atlantic Co., Avalon, Avenel, Basking Ridge, Belleville, Bellmawr, Bergenfield, Bernards Twp., Bloomfield, Bloomsbury, Bogota, Bordentown Twp., Bound Brook, Branchburg, Bridgeton, Burlington, Burlington Co, Butler Boro., Camden, Cape May, Carteret, Cedar Grove, Chatham Twp., Cherry Hill, Clayton, Clementon, Cliffside Park, Clifton, Collinswood, Deptford Twp., East Greenwich, East Orange, East Windsor Twp., Egg Harbor Twp., Elizabeth, Englewood Cliffs, Ewing, Fair Haven, Fair Lawn, Fairfield, Fairview, Fanwood, Farmingdale, Flemington Boro., Florham park, Franklin Twp., Freehold Twp., Galloway Twp., Garfield, Gibbsboro, Gladstone, Glen Ridge, Gloucester Twp., Greenwich Twp., Guttenburg, Hackensack, Haddon Heights Boro., Haddon Twp., Haddonfield, Hamilton, Harrison, Harrison Twp., Helmetta, Highland Park, Highlands, Hightstown, Hoboken, Holmdel, Howell Twp., Jackson, Jersey City, Kearny, Kendall Park, Kenilworth, Lakehurst Boro., Lawnside, Lawrence Twp., Leonia, Little Ferry, Long Beach Twp., Long Branch, Lopatcong Twp., Lower Twp., Madison, Madison Boro., Magnolia, Manahawkin, Mansfield Twp., Mantua, Maplewood, Marlton, Matawan, Mays Landing, Maywood, Mendham Boro., Merchantville, Metuchen, Middle Twp., Millville, Monmouth Co., Monroe Twp., Montclair, Montville Twp., Morris Co., National Park, Neptune, New Brunswick, New Hanover Twp., New Milford, Newark, Newfield, North Arlington, North Bergen, North Brunswick, North Wildwood, Northfield, Nutley, Oaklyn, Ocean City, Old Tappan, Orange, Palisades Park, Paramus, Park Ridge, Paterson, Paulsboro, Peapack, Pemberton Twp., Pennington, Pennsville, Perth Amboy, Phillipsburg, Pine Hill, Pisatinny Arsenal, Plainfield, Plainsboro Twp., Pleasantville, Port Norris, Princeton Twp., Rahway, River Vale, Rockaway Boro., Roselle, Roselle Park, Rumson, Runnemede, Rutherford, Saddle Brook, Salem Co., Scotch Plains, Sea Girt, Sewell, Sicklerville, Somerdale, Somers Point, Somerville, South Brunswick, South Hackensack, South Orange, Spotswood, Springfield, Stafford, Summit, Swedesboro, Toms River, Trenton, Union Twp., Ventnor City, Verona, Wall Twp., Wallington, Warren Co., Washington Twp., Watchung, Westampton, West Deptford, West Long Beach, West Orange, West Windsor, Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, Winslow Twp., Woodbury, Woodlynne

Funny Story

I found this one online and thought everyone would enjoy it. Have a fantastic Friday and a great weekend!


I had been doing Tech Support for Hewlett-Packard's DeskJet division for about a month when I had a customer call with a problem I just couldn't solve. She could not print yellow. All the other colors would print fine, which truly baffled me because the only true colors are cyan, magenta, and yellow.

For instance, green is a combination of cyan and yellow, but green printed fine. Every color of the rainbow printed fine except for yellow. I had the customer change ink cartridges. I had the customer delete and reinstall the drivers. Nothing worked. I asked my coworkers for help; they offered no new ideas.

After over two hours of troubleshooting, I was about to tell the customer to send the printer in to us for repair when she asked quietly, "Should I try printing on a piece of white paper instead of this yellow paper?"