sgusers3的部落格

　　■有所思　　放假請關機　　□李建 職員 天秤座　　長假歸來，存倉辦公室里各路人馬都顯現出了疲憊之態，眼角、嘴角恨不得耷拉到地上，明顯的假期綜合徵的反應。　　我本以為這全都是對早起上班的不適應，若是聊到藍天碧海的旅遊，或者合家歡聚的團圓，大家肯定會回光返照那麼一下。誰知，這話匣子不打開還好，一開口，全都是抱怨。　　辦公室年齡最長的徐姐先開了口。徐姐愛旅遊，九月初，她就在某旅行社定好了雙飛五日游。為了這次出行，徐姐精心準備了一個來月，我們想著徐姐的假期一定過得不錯。可事實證明，遠不是我們想象的那樣。徐姐說到達的第一天晚上，她與先生剛要上床休息，電話響起。徐姐想，親朋好友都知道她出來旅遊，而且她也在微信里曬出了自己平安抵達的照片，誰會打電話呢？拿起電話發現是當地號碼，徐姐更納悶了。按下接聽鍵，電話里傳來了一個柔美聲音，百般噓寒，千般問暖，然後開始向徐姐介紹當地一處樓盤，那話語客氣得讓你都不好意思掛斷電話。徐姐強忍著聽完了介紹，歎了聲無奈，睡覺了。　　第二天一早，一干人等登上了去往第一個目的地的大巴車。導遊說路途要兩個小時，可以小憩一下。徐姐養精蓄銳，可還沒等大家閉上眼睛，又有手機接二連三響起，其中也包括徐姐的。套路和昨晚的完全一致，柔美的聲音，客氣的話語，不過這次不是樓盤，而是一個大型的娛樂場所，餐飲、洗浴、酒吧、舞廳一應俱全。說來也巧，娛樂城打折的時段剛好是旅行團行程的空閑時段。遊客們面面相覷，明白了其中奧妙。　　接下來的幾天，每天都有電儲存不停地騷擾。從賣保險到租汽車，從購物中心到養生會館，甚至還有一個婦科醫院的。徐姐連連叫苦，好端端的旅遊，都被這電話毀了。　　聽徐姐說完，大齡單身男青年小馬也按捺不住了。小馬家在外地，每年也只能在國慶與春節兩個長假里回家看望父母，與親人團聚。小馬說這次回家除了闔家團圓，還有就是要參加一個中學同學的聚會。從畢業到現在，十幾年了，彼此都非常想念。聚會安排在了小馬到家的那天晚上。大家推杯換盞，回憶青蔥歲月，聊那些年他們追過的女孩，一起度過了一個不醉不歸的夜晚。散席前，彼此都留了電話，說要常聯繫。　　第二天開始，小馬的電話就再也沒有消停過。“喂，小馬，我是強子，十幾年沒見了真想你，昨晚沒喝夠，正好明天我兒子辦滿月，你可一定要來啊！”“喂，小馬，我是莉莉，前天晚上你要不說我還不知道初中時你喜歡過我三年。不過，緣分天注定，後天我就要結婚了，我特別希望得到你的祝福，你能來嗎？”“喂，小馬，我是大壯，這些年都沒聯繫，你小子死哪去了！5號我喬遷新居，不來就不是哥們兒！”　　就這樣，小馬的長假被手機綁架了，他的荷包也被紅包套牢了。　　聽他們哭訴完這些，我暗自慶幸，幸虧這個假期我一沒去旅遊，二沒回老家，算是躲過一劫吧。可是，就是宅在家也不一定能幸免。長假第二天，我正與老公在廚房鑽研美食，手機鈴聲忽然響起，一看是老闆的電話，頓時心覺不妙。　　“喂，小李，出去旅遊了嗎？”“沒有。”“回老家了嗎？”“沒有。”“那正好，他們都走了，我找不到人，有份報表你幫我做一下。”迷你倉

自存倉 為應對迅猛增長的中國旅遊者和投資者，正在此間訪問英國財政大臣喬治·奧斯本14日宣佈簡化中國訪客赴英簽証手續的一系列措施。允許一些指定的中國旅行社在申請英國簽証時，只需提交歐洲申根簽証申請表，而無需另行提交兩份單獨的申請表格。迷你倉

　香港文匯報訊（記者 陳遠威）金管局重申，儲存聯匯制度行之有效毋須改制。但至於是否有優化空間推出技術措施令制度更具彈性，包括重訂與美元掛�的水平或擴大兌換區間，金管局表示，會因應市場環境變化不時檢視制度運作，不排除在有需要時推出措施優化機制，但不認為目前有這個需要。　金管局指出，重訂與美元掛�的水平或擴大匯率波動區間，無助遏止資金流入或控制資產價格上升，此舉反而會引起市場猜測當局日後可能再擴大兌換區間或重訂掛�水平，嚴重削弱聯匯制的公信力及引致更多投機性資金流入或流出港元。過往兩度改善聯匯　回顧過去30年，金管局曾兩度對聯匯作出技術性優化：亞洲金融危機以mini storage發大量資金炒作，聯匯自動調節機制的壓抑力度不足，對維持聯匯造成威脅，因此當局在1998年9月推出7項技術措施，以鞏固貨幣發行局制度，減低港元受到炒家操控的機會。主要措施包括提供弱方兌換保證及調整貼現窗機制。　此外，2004年及2005年間美元轉弱而本港經濟走勢強勁，誘發大量資金湧入，金管局在2005年5月推出三項優化聯匯制運作的措施，以消除有關港元匯率在聯匯制下可轉強程度的不確定性。措施包括提供強方兌換保證、將弱方兌換保證的匯率移至每美元兌7.85港元匯率水平，以及允許金管局在兌換範圍內進行符合貨幣發行局（currency board）原則的市場操作。self storage

本報訊 （記者劉勇） 10月14日晚，儲存省委書記強衛在南昌會見了前來出席“海峽媒體井岡山峰會”的台灣“中央社”、中國時報、旺報、中天電視台等台灣媒體和《新聞戰線》等大陸媒體的嘉賓。省領導趙智勇、姚亞平參加會見。強衛向客人介紹了江西的省情與發展態勢。他說，江西是距離台灣最近的內陸省份，贛台兩地交流日益頻繁。今年我們成功舉辦了第六屆海峽兩岸客家高峰論壇和第十一屆贛台經貿文化合作交流大會等兩地交流盛會，增進了共識，促進了合作。“海峽媒體峰會”在江西舉辦已是第mini storage次，希望大家以這次參會為契機，多瞭解江西，多關注江西，多向海內外推介江西，幫助江西進一步以新一輪的大開放促進新一輪的大發展，也希望兩岸媒體攜手共進，共同促進兩岸的和平發展、深度合作，共同弘揚中華文化，為實現中華民族偉大復興的中國夢作出媒體人的貢獻。台灣報業公會理事長、中視公司董事長林聖芬表示，江西綠色資源得天獨厚，文化資源古樸深厚，與台灣在發展旅遊、文化等產業的交流合作前景廣闊，空間巨大，贛台兩地媒體要創新互動手段，促進雙方產業間的全面交流，深度合作。self storage

URL:.chinanews.com.cn/gn/2013/10-15/5378829.shtml　　隨著習近平主席從巴厘島歸來，mini storage李克強總理結束對越訪問，新一屆領導集體年內的外事活動暫告一段落。從今年的國際交往中，世界可以看到中國領導人的個人魅力、獨特風采，可以領會到未來中國外交的戰略構想。這裡，我們試著梳理一下：在和世界大國、周邊國家、發展中國家的交往中，有哪些區別于前的新思路和新態勢？“中國大外交”在處理爭議問題上又有怎樣的原則和底線？又是以怎樣的理念來統攝外交思路？　　關鍵詞1：“中國夢”　　“中國夢是和平、發展、合作、共贏的夢，與世界各國人民的美好夢想相通。”這是習近平主席在與奧巴馬總統會晤時，對中國夢和世界夢的完美注解。十八大報告的關鍵詞“互利共贏”，成為本屆國家領導人外交活動中最為重要的理念。　　實現中華民族偉大復興中國夢，需要和平與發展的外部環境。但“中國夢”與世界的聯動遠不止此。英國《金融時報》文章稱：“中國夢是與世界各國擴大利益匯合點，構建起利益共同體。”中國夢與世界夢，命運相關，心意相連。　　“中國夢”被帶到中國的外交實踐中，推向世界。習近平在APEC會議上分享了四個願景，“亞太地區應該謀求共同發展、開放發展、創新發展、聯動發展”，高屋建瓴的思想，贏得了與會各國的一致讚譽。　　“中國夢”指導思想下的中國外交，在安全觀上也有新的理解。李克強總理出席第八屆東亞峰會時做了一個生動比喻，“一根筷子很難吃著東西，兩根筷子一起用才能夾起食物，一把筷子綑在一起就不容易折斷，每個峰會成員國都對地區安全穩定負有責任”。　　泰國《亞洲時報》稱，“中國夢對於世界來說意味著發展的新機遇”。正如習近平所說，“世界繁榮穩定是中國的機遇，中國的發展也是世界的機遇”，中國機遇和世界機遇正空前緊密地聯繫在一起。同一個世界，同一個夢想，一個持久和平、共同繁榮的新世界，這就是中國夢唱響在世界舞台的呼聲。　　關鍵詞2：新型大國關係　　國務委員楊潔篪在《新形勢下中國外交理論和實踐創新》一文中指出：“構建新型大國關係，實現中國與各大國關係的良性互動、合作共贏，是新一屆領導人關於運籌大國關係的重要理念。”避免大國對抗和零和博弈的歷史覆轍，中國領導人在構建新型大國關係方面走出一條新路，用習近平的話說，“前無古人，後�來者”。　　什麼是新型大國關係？習奧莊園會上，習近平用三句話對新型大國關係內涵進行了精闢概括：一是不衝突、不對抗，二是相互尊重，三是合作共贏。兩場會晤，一場晚宴，一起散步，既談合作，也不迴避分歧。互動的時間和質量、交流的深度和廣度，都是前所未有的。奧巴馬也積極回應新型大國關係的構想。克里表示，“兩國合作遠大於分歧，美方期待同中方樹立大國對話典範”。　　而在今年3月，習近平履新後將俄羅斯作為首訪第一站，加強了中俄經貿、能源和戰略安全合作，在戰略互信、能源項目和全面戰略協作伙伴關係上取得新發展。俄新社政治評論員德米特里·柯西廖夫稱，習近平此訪的意義不僅在於深化中俄雙邊關係，還在於確立兩國的“全球策略”。　　新一屆領導人也重視對歐關係，訪問多個歐洲國家，還接待了法國總統奧朗德等歐洲國家領導人訪華。在中歐合作領域，李克強以完成中瑞自貿區談判拉開序幕，全方位推進中德合作，進一步拓寬中歐戰略合作關係水平。正如李克強所說：“世界需要一個團結、繁榮、強大的歐洲。中國一貫從戰略角度看待中歐關係，支持歐洲作為世界一極的重要地位。”　　關鍵詞3： 重點在周邊　　李克強日前在中國—東盟博覽會開幕式上講到，“周邊地區始終是我國外交的重點”；而今年7月，王毅出席東盟外長會時稱，“中國將繼續把周邊作為外交優先對象”。　　中國是世界上擁有鄰國最多的國家：漫長的陸海邊界線，與多個國家陸地接壤或隔海相望，複雜的周邊國情時刻考驗著中國的外交策略和實力。因此，“與鄰為善、以鄰為伴”一直都是中國奉行的周邊外交策略。　　習近平9月出訪中亞四國，並出席G20峰會和上合組織峰會。德國之聲電台網站稱，此舉在於應對“阿富汗撤軍之後可能帶來的社會動蕩波及中國西部地區”。在納扎爾巴耶夫大學演講中，習近平提出建立惠及30億人口的“絲綢之路經濟帶”的構想，升級能源合作、物流網絡，並推動“本幣結算”。英國皇家三軍研究所專家潘圖奇稱，“解決地區民族矛盾就要讓新疆繁榮，而要讓新疆繁榮，就需要一個與之頻繁貿易往來的地區”。　　一直以來，中印關係被冠以“龍象之爭”而備受爭議。今年4月，人們還在為中印“帳篷對峙”捏一把汗；而5月，李克強履新後出訪第一站就選擇了印度，這次“增加互信之旅、深化合作之旅”中，兩個發展中大國緊握雙手——“我代表13億人民問候12億人民”、“中印是合作伙伴，不是競爭對手”，這是中國外交的胸懷和擔當。　　香港中通社稱，中國頻繁的鄰國外交表明已告別曾經的“反應式外交”；北京大學南亞研究中心主任姜景奎認為，“中國外交不再著重向西看”。中國大外交，從耳目一新的外交戰略布局開始。　　關鍵詞4：命運共同體　　中國是世界上最大的發展中國家，非洲是世界上發展中國家最集中的大陸。今年3月25日，國家主席習近平在坦桑尼亞尼雷爾國際會議中心發表演講稱，“中非從來都是命運共同體”，“風雨同舟，患難與共”。習近平首訪4個國家，3個是非洲國家——坦桑尼亞、南非、剛果共和國，也開創了我國國家元首首次出訪就訪非的先例。據悉，中非貿易儲存均增長30%以上，去年已達近2000億美元，而2007年以來中國對非投資年增長率也高達28%。　　拉美地區成為對發展中國家外交中新的熱點。西班牙中國政策觀察網站文章指出，習近平履新不久即出訪拉美三國，表明中國希望與拉美地區建立更緊密的關係。2013年中國和拉美的貿易額有望增長到3000億美元，經濟領域的長足發展將助推中國拉美關係更加順風順水。　　以金磚國家為代表的新興市場國家也成為中國和平發展的重要伙伴。在南非出席金磚國家領導人會晤期間，習近平引領了新形勢下金磚合作的新勢頭。他在接受金磚國家媒體採訪時稱，中方期待德班會晤向國際社會傳遞團結、合作、共贏的積極信息。　　習近平以“真、實、親、誠”形容中非關係，更可成為與發展中國家關係的4字箴言。王毅外長在77國外長會議上稱，“我們將繼續增加對發展中國家特別是最不發達國家不附加任何條件的援助，幫助他們實現自主發展和可持續發展。我要告訴發展中國家的兄弟姐妹，我們是一家人，當你們需要中國時，中國就在你們的身邊。”這是中國傳遞給世界發展中國家的聲音，鏗鏘有力。　　關鍵詞5：“兩個決不”　　“我們要堅持走和平發展道路，但決不能放棄我們的正當權益，決不能犧牲國家核心利益。”這“兩個決不”，出自習近平在今年1月政治局集體學習時的重要講話。中國將“堅定不移做和平發展的實踐者、共同發展的推動者、多邊貿易體制的維護者、全球經濟治理的參與者”。　　“決不犧牲國家核心利益”，在處理爭議問題上更加突出。英國《金融時報》評論稱，過去的大部分時間里，中國的外交政策立場恪守“和平發展”口號，而通過添加有關權益和核心利益的表述，似乎在暗示中國將在國際舞台上展現更有原則和底線的姿態。　　《香港經濟日報》稱，在日本將釣魚島進行所謂國有化之後，中國擺出強硬姿態，包括派出公務船前往釣魚島執行公務，借此宣示主權。不過在強勢之下，中國仍維持了一定靈活性，如上周習近平在北京會見日本公明黨黨魁，並接受安倍晉三的親筆信。　　中歐光伏爭端，經過雙方談判，中國光伏產業代表與歐委會達成價格承諾，體現了中方絕大多數企業的意願，繼續對歐盟出口，並保持合理市場份額。美聯社文章指出，中國總理李克強對於中歐光伏摩擦的關注，對中歐雙方談判成功起到了決定性的作用。　　楊潔篪曾總結稱，在外交實踐中不迴避矛盾和問題，妥善處理同有關國家的分歧和摩擦。處理問題既要朝好的方向努力，也要做最壞的打算。這可以作為“強勢而不強硬”的外交態度的最佳注解。　　外交足跡　　自今年3月履新以來，中國國家主席習近平先後4次出訪，國務院總理李克強先後2次出訪，為中國外交開�了新局面。　　★3月22日至30日，習近平偕夫人彭麗媛開�任內首訪，訪問俄羅斯、坦桑尼亞、南非、剛果共和國四國，並出席在南非德班舉行的金磚國家領導人第五次會晤。　　訪非期間，習近平宣佈了一系列支持非洲的措施，包括加強對非援助、投融資合作、職業人才培訓等，並鼓勵中資企業積極履行社會責任，造福當地人民。　　3月22-23日 俄羅斯　　3月24-25日 坦桑尼亞　　3月25-28日 南非　　3月29-30日 剛果共和國　　★5月19日至27日 李克強出訪亞歐四國，加強與印度互信，推動中巴務實合作的誠意，完成中瑞自貿區談判，推動中德關係邁上新台階，展現了大國總理的魅力和風采。　　5月19-22日 印度　　5月22-23日 巴基斯坦　　5月23-25日 瑞士　　5月25-27日 德國　　★5月底6月初，習近平首次訪問特多以及英語加勒比國家，為中國同三國及拉美和加勒比國家關係的未來發展指明瞭方向，確定了我國與三國及拉美和加勒比地區合作的重點領域，加深了三國及拉美和加勒比人民對中國的瞭解和友誼。　　5月31日-6月2日特多　　6月2-4日 哥斯達黎加　　6月4-6日 墨西哥　　★今年6月在美國安納伯格莊園上演的“習奧會”無疑是重要而獨特的一筆。莊園之會，把酒言歡，在看似輕鬆中談論中美關係的未來，其及時性和非正式性，令人耳目一新。　　6月7-8日 美國　　★中亞四國之行，習近平沿古絲綢之路一路西行，其間還赴俄羅斯聖彼得堡參加G20峰會。習近平系統闡述了中國新一屆政府的中亞政策，強調尊重中亞各國人民自主選擇發展道路，在涉及國家主權、領土完整、安全穩定等重大核心利益問題上堅定相互支持，提出共同建設“絲綢之路經濟帶”的戰略構想。　　9月3-4日 土庫曼斯坦　　9月5-6日 俄羅斯　　9月6-7日 哈薩克斯坦　　9月8-9日 烏茲別克斯坦　　9月10-13日 吉爾吉斯斯坦　　★東南亞之行，習近平對印尼、馬來西亞進行國事訪問，在巴厘島APEC會議發表重要演講，充分展現了中國與東盟國家以及亞太各國攜手合作，推動地區及全球經濟發展的決心和遠見，受到國際社會高度評價。　　10月2-3日 印度尼西亞　　10月3-4日 馬來西亞　　10月5-8日 印度尼西亞(巴厘島)　　★中國國務院總理李克強10月9日至15日出席在文萊斯里巴加灣市舉行的東亞領導人系列會議，並對文萊、泰國、越南進行正式訪問。李克強提出中國—東盟未來十年合作框架的七點建議，包括�動中國—東盟自貿區升級版談判。兩位中國領導人相繼叩開東南亞的大門，中國從未像現在這樣對東南亞展示大國魅力。　　10月9-11日 文萊　　10月11-13日 泰國　　10月13-15日 越南　　張 紅 任一丁 高雙驥 李 安迷你倉

「賭王」何鴻燊在澳門的博彩生意人盡皆知，存倉但是他在過去20 年已於葡萄牙建立起地產王國，卻較少曝光。最近他以澳門旅遊娛樂公司名義，推出葡國首都里斯本北部上城區樓盤「葡京濠珀」，配合該國推出的「黃金居民權」，讓投資滿50 萬歐元房地產的人可申請取得居留權，招攬內地人移民入市。明報記者陳偉燊、甄佳佳何鴻燊在葡國的投資幾乎是其澳門的生意王國縮影。他在該國的3間賭場在2012 年佔當地博彩收入64%，更經營地產生意，涉足銀行投資，以至借道打進非洲葡語系國家市場。澳娛是次在港澳及內地推介距里斯本機場10 分鐘車程的Casas do Parque 現樓，中文命名為「葡京濠珀」增加叫座力同時，更令他在葡國的投資曝光。最細開放式單位18 萬歐元透過澳娛安排，以購買價值50 萬歐元物業為例，買家可申請「黃金居留權」，並獲贈首5 年管理費、首次往葡萄牙5000 歐元旅遊津貼、13,888 歐元家具回贈，以及當地華語大使接待。若申請居留權被拒，在扣除3%行政費後便獲退款。「葡京濠珀」的最細的開放式單位參考價18 萬歐元至最大的四房戶參考價72 萬歐元。整項目平均每平方米售270儲存 至3750 歐元。售價遠高於首都平均估值Global Property Guide 指出，葡國樓市到今年第二季連跌11 個季度，但是今年6 月份里斯本都會區樓價平均每平方米1197 歐元，比5 月份回升2.5%，顯示谷底反彈。里斯本面積約50 平方米及逾200 平方米的單位，租金回報率則分別達6.31%及5.29%。葡國統計局數據顯示，里斯本樓市在8 月份的銀行平均估價每平方米1217 歐元。多內地澳門客查詢美聯移民顧問鄭小姐表示，比起葡國的中、小型發展商，澳娛較具規模， 「葡京濠珀」佔地有如15 個維多利亞公園，發展形同社區，附近更有哥爾夫球場，她接觸到的內地客戶會有信心亦偏向購樓。澳門安世地產曾先生則指出，頗多內地及澳門客查詢， 卻未見成交。內地民眾反應葡萄牙不夠吸引來自東莞的張小姐表示，不了解葡萄牙，不會考慮去葡國買房，認為該國吸引力不夠。（黃志東攝）方便去歐洲旅遊來自四川的王小姐表示有七成興趣去葡國買房，因為可以不需要簽證，去25 個歐洲神根公約國旅遊。（黃志東攝）價格太貴不考慮來自上海的沈小姐覺得50 萬歐元的價格還是太貴，不會考慮。（黃志東攝）迷你倉

國銀申請大陸第二家分行進度受阻，儲存金管會官員透露，已接至銀監會回應，希望國銀在大陸授信業務能夠更積極，尤其是放款客戶方面，除參與聯貸也可支持一些中小企業，如此一來，才能讓成立第二家分行更顯有其需要性。彰化銀行、合作金庫在大陸的支行據點，上週同時開業，持續拓展對岸布局，但包括第一銀行的成都分行、華南銀行的上海分行、國泰世華銀行的青島分行，以及合作金庫、土地銀的天津分行等，至今都尚待銀監會審批。金管會官員認為，無論分行、子行、支行的申設案，金管會一直和銀監會保持溝通，獲准開業是時間早晚的問題，像是華南銀行、國泰世華銀行的支行，以及另外兩家國銀申請的子行，最快今年底都會審批完成。據瞭解，國銀目前在大陸的10家分行，截至最新統計，都有獲利表現，但主要來源是參與大型的聯貸，以及將吸收到的存款，轉存至其他迷你倉銀，賺取更高的利率。金管會官員指出，這樣的獲利結構，銀監會認為有改善空間，如果維持相同經營方式，在聯貸案中扮演角色也非主辦行，等於國銀在大陸分行幾乎是零風險，成立第二家分行的必要性不夠顯著。金管會官員表示，銀監會有提到，希望未來國銀在大陸分行，也能支持一些中小企業、非國企的微型企業，在放款業務上，能夠展現更積極作為。事實上，國銀西進設立分行，第一年必須想辦法獲利，才能進一步向銀監會申請承作台商的人民幣業務，在風險考量下，放款業務會相對保守，否則要提列過高的呆帳準備，就會影響盈餘表現。金管會官員強調，對外商銀行要求業務改善，是每個監理機關的職責，銀監會要求並非不合理，相對來說，陸銀想要來台設立第二家分行，銀行局也會關切相同問題，所以現在最重要是，國銀要設法強化在對岸的風控能力，積極拓展放款業務。儲存倉

Source: The Indianapolis StarOct.迷你倉 11--When Thomas Howard sees an automatic gratuity on a restaurant bill, one thing is for certain: His server won't be getting any more than that amount.If restaurants tack on the charge to his bill, the Indianapolis resident said he doesn't think servers should expect any more. But when it comes to leaving less, he thinks that's not even allowed."I don't think you can, can you?" Howard said. "You've got to go by whatever their policy is."He's confused -- and a little put off -- by the whole "automatic gratuity" practice, and he's not alone.Even with automatic tipping, customers have always faced a decision over how much to leave a server. Now, thanks to an IRS ruling, restaurants are being thrown into the debate -- and are faced with a decision of their own: Should tipping for large parties be left solely to the customer or should the restaurant tack it on to the bill?The new IRS ruling that takes effect in January will treat automatic gratuities as service charges, rather than tips. The switch means servers will no longer be responsible for reporting those automatic tips as income. And it also means automatic gratuities will be considered a part of a server's wages, making that money subject to payroll tax withholding and delaying receipt of those automatic tips until an employee's next paycheck.Understandably, many servers aren't happy about the tax policy, but neither are restaurant owners. The IRS change will create additional accounting and bookkeeping work for restaurants, because automatic gratuities will have to be factored into hourly pay rates that could vary depending on the number of large parties served by the employee."Some may be equipped to deal with that additional accounting," said Patrick Tamm, president and CEO of the Indiana Restaurant and Lodging Association. "Some may not."The IRS policy change could also mean the loss of an income tax credit, which restaurants receive for paying Medicare and Social Security taxes on employees' reported tips. Service charges are not eligible for the credit. Industry officials say the change could have a great impact on Indiana, where restaurants are projected to register $9.2 billion in sales in 2013. Restaurants account for 296,100 jobs in the state -- 10 percent of the work force."It's a big deal because it impacts in one way or another 10 percent of the work force in the state of Indiana," Tamm said. "Not all employees in restaurants are tipped employees, but they could still pay for it."Restaurant hiring also could take a hit as a result of the IRS ruling, Tamm said."It could affect hiring if restaurants continue to be faced with additional costs and burdens to comply with government mandates and regulations," he said. "That cost has to be paid for in some fashion and it may be paid for by not hiring as many people as they would like."Some dropping practiceSeveral restaurants are wondering whether the right course of action might be to eliminate automatic gratuities altogether.The Melting Pot on Indianapolis' Northeastside no longer puts an 18 percent automatic gratuity for parties of six or more on checks, owner Bennet Ackerman said."It's going to hurt us as employers, because now I'd be paying taxes on that as a wage which in the past I haven't," Ackerman said. "Between that and the health-care reform, it's adding one more burden to employers."Still, it's a change he is not completely opposed to."I think some servers tend to get a little lazy when they know they already have that automatic gratuity," Ackerman said.After The Melting Pot stopped automatic gratuities, server Michael Turney noticed a decrease in the amount of tips he received."I feel like larger parties don't tip as well as they should for the amount that they spend at the restaurant," said Turney, who has been a server at The Melting Pot for two and a half years. "When they spend $200 and leave $20, you're losing out on about $16 or $17 when we already pay a tip out to a host, bartender and bussers. It really makes the income of a server go down."The change also has made many servers reluctant to take on large parties of customers, Turney said."They don't feel like the time that they dedicate to a large party, which does take up a lot of time, is actually rewarded," he said. "They could make more money off smaller parties."Darden -- which operates Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse, Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52, The Capital Grille, Eddie V's and Yard House -- is testing a new concept that eliminates 18 percent automatic gratuities for parties of eight or more and instead leaves tip percentage calculations at the end of a bill.The restaurant group is experimenting with the tip suggestions in 100 restaurants in four markets across the country -- none in Indiana -- and will decide whether to keep the automatic grauity or do away with it at all locations by the end of the year."What we have seen so far is that guests appreciate the convenience factor," said Darden spokesman Rich Jeffers, "and our employees appreciate the fact that we're seeking to preserve those tips for them."Cunningham Restaurant Group, which operates Bru Burger Baself storage, Mesh, Stone Creek Dining Company and other Indiana and Ohio restaurants, hasn't yet decided how it will handle transactions come Jan. 1.The most challenging aspect, says chief operating officer Mike O'Donnell, is figuring out a way to pay employees different wages if automatic gratuities are kept."That's the tricky part," he said. "Logistically, it becomes a challenge for us."O'Donnell said he will talk with other restaurant owners and see how they plan to handle the ruling."There's no real clear-cut direction on which way to go," he said. "Either way, there's some rewards and some risks."Industry experts say the ruling was updated because of a concern that automatic gratuities have become charges that feel compulsory to customers, when they are supposed to be voluntary.Indianapolis resident Summer Jones likely would agree. She believes servers sometimes don't deserve the automatic gratuity that she sees as compulsory."I know I've encountered servers before that haven't been pleasant or attentive," she said. "But off of my party, they might get $40. It's a little disheartening."Worries about coercion"The IRS has signaled its intent to scrutinize auto gratuity patterns to determine whether they are tips or if there has been more coercion so it becomes more of a service charge," said Marianna Dyson, a Washington, D.C.-based lawyer who represents restaurant chains.Industry experts say the ruling may also be a way for the IRS to combat the fact that many servers do not fully report their tips."I don't think we can always assume it's a perfect system and every dollar that is being tipped is being reported," said Judith Hack, an associate professor of hospitality and tourism management at Purdue University-Calumet. "Maybe this is the first in a series of tightening up."Servers, who make $2.13 an hour in Indiana, are likely to be the most affected by the change, experts say. Rather than receiving automatic gratuities at the end of the night, under the new IRS rule those payments would be tacked onto paychecks as wages. That could adversely impact servers who have come to depend on that extra cash at the end of each shift.But, on the flip side, it could also mean fewer headaches and less anxiety when it comes time to file taxes. Some servers also prefer receiving tips on their paychecks because it makes budgeting -- and saving -- easier.For some servers, automatic gratuities provided a layer of protection against customers who might not have been so generous with their wallets without the practice.As workers in the restaurant service industry try to make sense of the effects of the ruling, Dyson, the attorney for restaurant chains, said the IRS needs to create clearer guidelines to erase the confusion that exists now."How far can a restaurant go to suggest an appropriate tip amount, before it is converted to a service charge?" she said. "What does a check need to say? How do you have the discussion with the guests? That's where I think the next frontier is with the IRS, having those discussions."What was your best tip ever?We asked several servers for their best tipping tales.-- Michael Turney, a server at The Melting Pot, remembers last Valentine's Day when he thinks of his best tip. Turney received $100 on a $160 bill from two couples that were on a double date and ordered a five-course meal.-- Jewele Edwards, manager of the Front Page Sports Bar & Grill, can't recall an exceptional tip, but says she has a few regulars who make her breathe a sigh of relief when they walk in the door. She knows they will tip her $40, but she is also glad for the opportunity to catch up with them.-- Andre White, owner of the Panache Day Spa salon in Indianapolis, remembers a customer who tipped his masseuse $50 on an $80 bill. "It was kind of unexpected, and the lady was just really happy," White said, "and she was one of those people that just tip really well." Most people, however, are not that generous. "I think people try to save that money for something else," he said.-- For Valerie Vincent, a hair stylist at A Do Hair Design, last Christmas brought an extra surprise. An eight-year client unexpectedly gave her $100. "It made me cry because I had been out of work for six weeks (with a broken arm), so it was very much appreciated," she said.-- Tattoo artist Anthony Wheeler once completed a tattoo on a woman who thought her Disney character was going to cost a lot more than $70. She tipped him $210. Wheeler said people might not realize that tattoo artists only take home a portion of what a design costs and buy their own supplies. From a $100 tattoo, he might see about $35. A tattoo artist since 1996, he has seen tips become less and less generous. Back then, he might get $100 in tips in an eight-hour day. Now, he's lucky to get $30. "With the way the economy is, a lot of people don't have the extra money for a tattoo to begin with," he said. And big tips are rare, especially in a challenging economy. "It's a luxury item," Wheeler said. "Whatever extra money they have, they keep."Copyright: ___ (c)2013 The Indianapolis Star Visit The Indianapolis Star at .IndyStar.com Distributed by MCT Information Services迷利倉

John Greenwood, the architect of the currency peg, tells the Post of the turbulent lead-upto ‘Black Saturday’ that forced a radical fixThere was quite an extended background of instability in the Hong Kong dollar.迷你倉 The currency had been weakening for a couple of years, the main background to that being the Sino-British negotiations over the future of Hong Kong after 1997.But in the summer of 1983, particularly in August and September, the depreciation of the Hong Kong dollar accelerated sharply, to the point where there were runs on the supermarkets. There was a serious anxiety among ordinary people and wages had completely lost touch with the rises in the cost of living, so people were being very seriously affected by those price rises.In a personal sense, just homing down to that weekend, the financial secretary was out of Hong Kong at a Commonwealth finance ministers’ conference and he was going on to the World Bank/IMF meetings in Washington. That was John Bremridge and he was not available to make any major decision, so the person who was left in charge, at least on the monetary side, was Douglas Blye.The view of the Hong Kong government had been that the floating system was working fine, that exports were doing OK, so they weren’t going to change anything. But clearly things got out of control. The acceleration in the depreciation and the rapid rise of inflation really forced a decision on them and I worked very intensively on a revision of a paper that I had done some time before.Over the previous two years, I had analysed the Hong Kong monetary system and said essentially that because there wasn’t a central bank, they couldn’t control either the price of money or the stock of money, and so the appropriate thing to do was to introduce a central bank and either control the exchange rate or set about controlling the quantity of money. Both of those things had been rejected.In August, when I went on holiday, I had this sort of brainstorm when I realised that you didn’t need a central bank to control the exchange rate, you could have a currency board mechanism which would require minimal institutional changes in Hong Kong.One of the reasons for opposing a central bank was that it would mean big institutional changes at a difficult time and the authorities were understandably reluctant to do that.I came back in August and spent the last part of August and early September working on this paper to propose now three possible schemes – the third scheme being to change the system slightly to create this currency board that would effectively control the exchange rate.When I published this paper in mid-Sept儲存mber, it was titled something like “Three Possible Schemes to Rescue the Hong Kong Dollar”.I was on the phone to people like Milton Friedman and Alan Walters and Maxwell Fry, getting their endorsement of the paper because I knew how important it would be and that the scheme would have to work. Then I got a call from the Hong Kong government to come in and meet with them on the Saturday morning, I think it was, or even the Sunday morning. I had been working through the night and I was completely exhausted.I remember going out to try to play hockey on the Sunday and after a few minutes on the field I had to say to my captain that I couldn’t play at my normal strength – without explaining the reasons!All three of them (Friedman, Walters and Fry) had such a very good knowledge of such systems that they were each monetary scholars and they were therefore confident that if we got the basic mechanism right that it would work.Alan Walters was particularly supportive and put the scheme to Margaret Thatcher.Milton Friedman was a great supporter and as he said, he had a front-row seat in the process – I would speak to him three or four times a week at night in San Francisco.And Maxwell Fry was extremely valuable because he crystallised some of the technical elements of the paper. He reviewed it in detail and came back to me with some suggestions that I incorporated into the paper and credited him with that.What I tried to do was to go to the highest academic authorities that I could find and get their endorsement, and all three of them gave me their endorsement, which boosted my confidence to promote the system enormously.Ididn’t invent it (the currency board concept). Currency boards were widely used in colonial times and currency boards are essentially an adaptation of the gold standard or the silver standard. I promoted it and applied it in the circumstances of Hong Kong and it has worked.But I think huge credit has to go to Hong Kong’s monetary officials – notably Joseph Yam Chi-kwong and Norman Chan Tak-lam and others – who refined the system and made the technical changes necessary to make it more robust and appropriate to a financial system where capital movements are now made at the touch of a keyboard electronically, where in the old days that was not the case.I would not over-estimate my particular role. I promoted it and put in a lot of effort at the time, but a lot of the credit has to go to Hong Kong monetary officials and those in the Treasury who have nurtured the system and made it as robust and resilient as it is.Read John Greenwood’s analysis of the biggest risks to the peg in Thursday’s edition.mini storage

Source: The Philadelphia InquirerOct.儲存倉 14--The disappearing bog turtle, newly distinguished among endangered species, has found a friend in the lowly cows that graze on marshy New Jersey farmlands.The unlikely relationship between the two creatures is being nurtured under the year-old federal Working Lands for Wildlife program, which identifies seven critically endangered and threatened species across the country for special attention. The bog turtle, one of America's tiniest turtles and a native of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, joins several birds, a tortoise, and a rare rabbit whose survival has become a priority."The bog turtle is the rarest turtle in the Northeast," said Brian Zarate, a state Department of Environmental Protection zoologist in charge of monitoring the species in New Jersey.Though the turtles, which can be held in the palm of the hand, are usually found in small pockets throughout the area, a significant colony of 30 lives near a stream on a 300-acre dairy farm in Salem County. Under the federal program, new measures are being taken to help this population flourish.On a recent crisp morning, 40 cows on that farm unwittingly participated by mowing down and munching on red maple saplings, sedges, ferns, and tangled weeds that might deprive the turtles of the sunshine they need for basking and warming their bodies. Keeping the vegetation in check also allows the turtle eggs to get the sun they need to incubate, according to Bill Pitts, a DEP zoologist who keeps an eye on the Salem turtles.In March, the farmer had received a $4,000 federal grant to erect fences and gates to manage the cows' grazing habits to meet the turtles' needs. For six months each year, the cows will freely roam in the wetlands portion of the pasture, and in the remaining months, they will be funneled to another field.Though the turtles need sun, they also need vegetation for their nests and for foraging during the nesting and breeding season in the spring, Pitts said. The fence strategy also allows the turtles to move about during that season without the risk of being stepped on."It's a recovery plan," said Pitts, who visits periodically, marking the turtles to maintain a count and to chart their health. "The ultimate goal is to remove them from the list of endangered species" the way the American bald eagle was delisted when it began to thrive on its own.To find the black-shelled, roughly four-inch-long critters, Pitts hunts among the sedges or pokes a stick repeatedly into the muck to see whether he hits something hard. He requested the farm's exact location be withheld to prevent possible poaching of the rare creatures.The greatest threats to the turtles are development, invasive and native over-growth of plants in their habitat, and illegal trade and collecting, according to a website of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which provides funding for the program. The USDA could not be reached for comment because o迷你倉最平 the federal government shutdown.The website said two-thirds of the lands occupied by endangered species are privately owned. By cooperating with the landowners, the website says, the survival rates of these turtles can be improved. Sheep and goat farmers also participate.Because the turtles are so reclusive, hiding in the muck during much of their lives, it is difficult to estimate the total population. But the DEP has counted and marked roughly 1,000 statewide since 1974, Pitts said. Other states, he said, have far fewer, and the numbers are declining.The turtles, known by the distinctive orange patches on the sides of their heads, live mostly in wetlands. To survive, they require a "mosaic of habitats" with spring-fed streams, muck, and some dry land for breeding and nesting cycles, Pitts said. "They don't travel far -- they're homebodies," he said.Smaller pockets of the critters have been identified in Burlington and Gloucester Counties, Pitts said.But the Salem colony is "a showcase project," according to Zarate. "Turtle-wise, 30 is a fairly good number."At some other non-dairy farms, Zarate said, the DEP is recommending the landowners introduce grazing animals to help the bog turtles thrive. When there are no cows to control vegetation, the DEP sometimes has to cut down trees or do controlled burns to removed unwanted overgrowth.Pitts said sometimes other measures must be taken to keep predators -- foxes, raccoons, and hawks -- from stealing the bog turtles' eggs. The nests are covered with wire mesh.Farmers who don't participate in the program still must avoid jeopardizing the survival of the bog turtles. The DEP has the authority to file complaints against any landowners who violate endangered-species laws.Last year, a Burlington County flower farmer was fined for chopping down a row of trees and blocking up a stream, which led to the deaths of bog turtles that lost their critical water source. The DEP said the farmer had been warned against clearing land so close to the turtle habitat.Developers also must do environmental assessments to check for bog turtles and other endangered species before they can proceed with a project. If turtles are found, the developers must take measures to protect their habitat and include a 350-foot buffer."We really need to give these turtles the habitat they need to persist," Pitts said. "They are a species whose numbers are dropping precipitously."Bog TurtleWhere found: From Massachusetts to GeorgiaHabitat: Forested wetlands, marshesSize: 3-4 inchesColor: black shells, orange patches on its headLifespan: 40-50 yearsEggs: 3-5 in a clutchFood: Snails, slugs, invertebrates, insects, vegetationHabits: Hiding in the mudScientific Name: Glyptemys muhlenbergiijhefler@phillynews.com856-779-3224 @JanHefler.inquirer.com/burlcobuzzCopyright: ___ (c)2013 The Philadelphia Inquirer Visit The Philadelphia Inquirer at .philly.com Distributed by MCT Information Services迷你倉

與朋友吃晚飯，迷你倉結帳前一刻，他打開隨身的皮包，赫然發現袋�空無一物。他想了想，準是在巴士上沒為意皮包未扣好，錢包、身分證、信用卡，統統都丟了。那夜，他就逐一打電話登記截卡、補領身分證，唯獨不肯親到警署報案遺失證件，說九成九都找不回，免得浪費時間。我沒有賣力地勸他好歹都到警署走一趟，大概當時心底�都認同，香港沒幾多個路不拾遺的人。幾個月前，我在地鐵車廂遺下了傘，只不過是幾分鐘，我心愛的傘從此杳無音信，職員說失物處沒出現過一把藍色直傘。我不認為，這是我太死心眼，對陌生人毫不信任。至少我在外地的經驗不是如此，不論在英國旅行時遇到的亞洲人或洋人，抑或在台灣公幹時遇到的香港人，都讓我打從心底�感恩人生�充滿奇妙的相遇。我曾經問朋友，為什麼外地四處都是好人，唯mini storage在香港才會頭頭碰�衰人？直至前幾天。朋友在電話�說，他要到警署認領身分證。我聽得一塌糊塗，沒報案也能尋回嗎？事情原來是這樣的，有天他再向銀行職員仔細問如何補領信用卡的事，銀行職員說曾經聯絡警署，才知道他的失物，有人早已送到警署。銀行不知道失物�除了身分證，其他東西是否完好，而他也沒抱多大期望，能找回身分證，已很幸運。他走進警署，簽好文件，警員找來用幾個證物袋封好的失物，逐一讓他點算：身分證一張、信用卡一張、提款卡一張、布織錢包一個、現金九百八十六元。這個有心人，不單沒取一分一毫，撿到財物，乘車歸家前中途還專程下車走到警署，盼望物歸原主。我聽了好驚訝，又自慚形穢。好人、好事，其實一直都在，只是有時我們並不相信，關上了無法讓自己遇見它們的大閘。星期二見報儲存

高雄市農業局最近積極推廣的農村旅遊，文件倉其中有一處「仙埔山莊」，是甲仙游姓阿公阿嬤親手打造整理的民宿，許多遊客住過「阿嬤的家」都很感動。游姓阿嬤看著甲仙從繁華到冷清，加上阿公身體不好，原本打算賣掉民宿，但因高雄市政府農業局推動一日農夫系列二日遊行程，遊客藉由當地人介紹，才曉得甲仙有這麼一間民宿，紛紛鼓勵阿嬤繼續經營。知道將有遊客來入住，60幾歲的游阿嬤把每個房間整理得乾乾淨淨，讓每個遊客都像回到家一樣舒服。遊客說，在阿嬤身上看到甲仙人勤奮樸質的精神。存倉業局長蔡復進說，為融入當地生活，住在阿嬤經營的民宿，當然要吃當地特色。像電影「拔一條河」中知名「漾廚房」，運用高雄甲仙在地食材製作晚餐，獨特的「說菜」方式讓遊客邊吃邊聽著每道南洋菜故事。參加農遊的遊客可以邊享用美食、邊了解漾廚房從創立到營運的艱辛過程，深刻感受新移民女性族群的韌性。這種混合南洋及平埔文化的活動，讓遊客們體驗不一樣的夜晚。蔡復進說，10月是小林村平埔夜祭活動，即將在10月26 、27日安排一次農村之旅，與小林居民夜遊甲仙，拜訪阿嬤的家。儲存