hAPPY 26TH BIRTHDAY CUSTOM COMPANIES!!

Happy 26th
25
Birthday
Years
Custom
Companies!!
/
VOL V No. 1 Apr. 2011
May 2011
VOL V No. 6 Feb. 2012 / Mar 2012
Hello Readers
Can you believe that Custom is
26 years old? (and doesn’t
Custom looks great for its
age!) We’ve reached this milestone because of everyone’s
hard work and dedication.
Your commitment to always,
always, always, put the
‘Customer First’ is the major
reason for our success. Let us
all keep the high energy going
and make 2012 the best year
ever!
And don’t forget to “Find
Perry’s Moustache” hidden
within. Make sure to forward
your answer to
[email protected] no
later than Friday, February 17th
for your chance to win a $50.00
gift card.
HAPPY 26TH ANNIVERSARY
CUSTOM FAMILIES!!
Sincerely,
NEWSLETTER
COMMITTEE
CGL Enhancements
1&4
CDN Driver Appreciation
2-3
Black Gold & Green
5
Sports Corner
6-7
Bears Future
8
Retire Where?
9
Sleep Apnea Testing
10
Safety Bill
11
Lift Trucks in LA
12
HR Corner
13
Treasure Hunt
14
Isn’t Love Grand
15
Coupons and More
16
Custom Global Logistics Rolls Out New Software Enhancements
by Matt Foley and Mark Schiele
Custom Global Logistics, the air freight and expedited arm of The
Custom Companies has recently transitioned to a new operating system that allows us more
flexibility to meet our customer’s ever expanding transportation needs. Under the leadership of
Adam Baltz, Executive Vice President of Logistics and Supply Chain, and Bernie Boudrow, Assistant Vice President of Air Freight, Custom Global is poised to have a banner year in 2012. Bernie
returns to CGL after stints with two other expedited transportation companies and brings a
fresh perspective to a system and business model that he is intimately familiar with. To take
CGL to the next level, Adam and Bernie have spearheaded a project to build a robust operating
software from the ground up that encompasses all of the positives of the previous system, while
integrating more fluidly with the other divisions of our company. Custom Global’s new system is
based on the CLI framework that underpins the local cartage, less-than-truckload (LTL) and
truckload computer system(s). By integrating both systems, Custom Global will have increased
efficiencies that will allow the ability to maintain the high level of service they are renowned for
and continue to grow their business into the future.
In both Chicago and Los Angeles, Custom Global has a few new faces. In case you have not met
everyone, take a moment to introduce yourself. Marie Podolak, who has been with the company for 18 years, remains the cornerstone of the night operation in Chicago. Marie handles the
routing of all shipments that come back to our dock and ensures timely, cost effective and expeditious movement to maintain Custom Global’s stellar service. William Ehrl oversees the CGL
dock operation and has been with the company for 3 years. William maintains a critical position
of constantly monitoring the air freight “cage” which segregates air cargo from non air cargo. If
you have been on the dock in the last year, you may recognize an expansion to the cage. Now
all Custom Global freight is segregated, and a cage within the cage further protects freight that
will be travelling on passenger aircraft. Lucas Hills, one of the new faces you may have seen
around, works a split shift to bridge the day and night shifts. Lucas joins the company with
many years of expedited transportation experience and assists the day operation with operations, quoting and trade show opportunities. Lucas further assists Marie and William with the
Continued on page 4
The Custom Companies, Inc. - 317 W Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com
DID YOU KNOW…
VOL V No. 6 Feb. 2012 /
That more than 100
million roses, the
majority red, will be
sold and delivered
within a three-day
period ending on
Valentine’s Day.
Page 2
Mar. 2012
CDN DRIVER APPRECIATION WEEK by Carol Guarino
CDN started 2012 off by honoring our team of Over-The-Road drivers with daily luncheons and raffle prizes to show our appreciation for their hard-work and dedication.
California produces
60% of American
roses.
George Washington
was the only founding father to free his
slaves.
The badger was the
original ‘spring barometer’ but the job
was reassigned to
the groundhog when
the German’s immigrated to Pennsylvania in the 18th century.
Before they became
famous, these people all worked as
truck drivers:
Stephen J. Cannell,
Robert Conrad, k.d.
lang, Gregory Peck,
Sidney Poitier, Desi
Arnez, James Cameron and Elvis
Presley.
Pittsburgh is the
only city where all
major sports teams
have the same colors: BLACK and
GOLD.
Larry Charnot and Don Weiner hosted the daily events and we
wish to thank them for making this a success!
The Custom Companies, Inc. - 317 W Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com
VOL V No. 6 Feb. 2012 / Mar 2012
Page 3
Leap Year 2012
by Lisa Ludwikowski
This year will have an extra day in February
due to it being a Leap Year. Leap Years are
needed to keep our calendar in alignment
with the earth’s revolutions around the Sun.
They occur every four years and without
them after 100 years we would be more than
24 days ahead of the season, which is not
desirable or accurate. February 29, the leap
day, has been associated with age-old traditions, superstitions and folklore:
Leap Year has been the traditional time that
women can propose marriage. In many of
today's cultures, it is okay for a woman to
propose marriage to a man. Society doesn't
look down on such women. It is believed this
tradition was started in 5th century Ireland
when St. Bridget complained to St. Patrick
about women having to wait for so long for a
man to propose.
According to English law, February 29th was
ignored and had no legal status. So a crime
on the day is no crime at all.
There is a Greek superstition that claims
couples have bad luck if they marry during a
leap year. Apparently one in five engaged
couples in Greece will avoid planning their
wedding during a leap year.
A law once existed in Scotland forbidding a
man to refuse a proposal made to him on
February 29th. Punishment for such an offense was a large fine.
In Scotland it is thought unlucky to be born
on a Leap Years Day.
According to astrologers, those born under
the sign of Pisces on February 29 have unusual talents and personalities reflecting their
special status.
The following rules decide which years are
leap years:
Every year divisible by 4 is a leap year.
But every year divisible by 100 is not a leap
year
Unless the year is also divisible by 400, then it
is still a leap year.
This means that year 1800, 1900, 2100, 2200,
2300 and 2500 are not leap years, while year
2000 and 2400 are leap years. This actually
means year 2000 is kind of special, as it is the
first time the third rule is used in many parts
of the world. The longest time between two
leap years is 8 years. Last time was between
1896 and 1904. The next time will be between
2096 and 2104.
The Custom Companies, Inc. - 317 W Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com
VOL V No. 6
Feb. 2012 / Mar.2012
Page 4
Custom Global Logistics Rolls Out New Software Enhancements
Continued from page 1
night routing operations. Anthony Roldan, who has been with Custom Global for one year assists in
Ignacio Molina
Darrell Nelson
Joe Klikas
John Villescas
Tom Mroz
Adalberto Franco
German Melendez
Christopher Moran
Aroldo Velazquez
Glenn Castillo
Albert Gjata
Mark Larson
Tom Dunaj
John Sarlo
Oscar Colindres
Claudia Mendoza
Peter Mudiyappan
Elvis Vargas
Rosendo Padilla
Malcolm Watson
John Santoro
Pedro Antunes
Jose Lara
George Maciel
Robert Reynolds
Francisco Huerta
Ron Pearce
Bruce Laracuente
Thomas Keegan
2-1
2-1
2-2
2-2
2-3
2-4
2-5
2-7
2-7
2-11
2-11
2-12
2-15
2-15
2-16
2-16
2-16
2-16
2-19
2-20
2-21
2-22
2-22
2-22
2-22
2-24
2-24
2-27
2-28
day operations and also handles several dedicated accounts. Another new face is Dan Lanzito, who
also joins CGL with many years of expedited transportation experience. In addition to general operations, Dan has been trained and appointed as Custom Global’s security coordinator and liaison with the
TSA. Dan works closely with The Custom Companies’ security team to ensure the safety of all employees, associates, customers, and their valuable cargo. Angy Guarino, who has also been with CGL for a
year is involved in tracking and tracing and assists Marie Huff with charges and billing. Marie Huff has
been with The Custom Companies for 9 years, spending the last few with Custom Global. Marie has
experience in several departments within the company, most notably working with our largest customers as a dedicated customer service rep and liaison.
In Los Angeles Mark Schiele manages all aspects of the Sales and Operational responsibilities for Custom Global’s Carson California Office. Mark brings 30+ years of transportation management experience to Custom Global. In addition to Mark’s Custom Global responsibilities, he also manages the
Sales efforts for all the various service products that are available to our Los Angeles CA clients. Roger
Peralta is the Night Air Freight Operations Manager. Roger brings many years of air freight operations
experience to our Los Angeles team. Roger manages the physical movement of all Custom Global Logistics Los Angeles clients’ shipments. Roger has both international and domestic air freight experience. Petra Gumieniak is in air freight operations and pricing. Petra also develops pricing and costing
models for large customer roll outs and distributions. Petra has been with the Custom Companies, Inc.
for over 2 years and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. Jim Garroutte comes to
us with over 25 years of freight forwarding experience. His diverse career in transportation includes
warehousing, airfreight, ocean freight and sales. Previous to Custom Global Logistics, Mr. Garroutte
was the General Manager of sales and strategic planning of the logistics division of the Kawasaki group
of companies, K-Line Logistics.
Team members in both cities are excited about the new system. Anthony Roldan states “It’s nice that
we are all in the same system. I have already heard positive feedback from both our customers and
territory managers about how easy the new system is to use.” Bernie continues, “Tracing is significantly improved and small features such as imaging are now as easy as a click of a button. The biggest
benefit is to our customers in that we are no longer constrained in terms of unique programming requests. The system is organic and will continue to grow and evolve with our customer’s needs making
us the most agile expedited transportation provider in the industry.” Roger says “This new software far
exceeds the capabilities of any previous software platforms I have used in the past”. Mark states “This
new technology will make it simple for our clients to manage their expedited business by giving them
better tools and information capabilities via the internet and through cell phone applications.” Jim said
“This software brings a new level of sophistication as well as ease of use for our valued customers.”
Petra said, “I believe utilizing all available resources to perfect CLI Graphic User Interface will increase
efficiency and revenue with the ability to focus more on the satisfaction of our customers”.
CHI Team: Front Row: Marie Huff, Dan Lanzito Back Row: Mickey Scialabba,
Brad Berndt Jr., Anthony Roldan, Bernie Boudrow, Lucas Hills, William Ehrl
Roger Peralta—LAX
Not Pictured: Angy Guarino and Marie Podolak
The Custom Companies, Inc. - 317 W Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com
Petra Gumieniak
LAX
Jim Garroutte—LAX
VOL V No. 5
Dec. 2011 / Jan 2012
Page 5
Black, Gold and Green by Carol Guarino
10 EASY WAYS TO BE GREEN
Almost half of all the home energy used, is well, lost. In
other words, no productive energy was used. Here are some simple ways
of reversing this:
Each degree you turn down the heat saves 3 percent of heating costs,
while each degree you raise the temperature of your air conditioner
saves 3-4 percent of cooling costs. By changing the temperature by
2 degrees all year, you can save over 25% a year.
Cook with a slow cooker or toaster oven whenever possible to reduce
the electrical use from kitchen appliances. An electric oven uses
about 4 times as much energy as a slow cooker; 3 times as much as a
toaster oven and about 6 times as much as a microwave.
Switch to a laptop instead of a desk computer and cut three-quarters of
your electrical use. Turn off the laptop at the end of the day.
Switch to cold water washing and save 80 percent on energy used for
laundry and an estimated $60.00 savings per year.
Plug anything that can be powered by a remote control or that has a
power cube transformer into a power strip and turn it off or unplug
when not in use. Power cubes are about 75% inefficient.
Turn off the lights when not in use and avoid using halogen lamps
(which can be a fire hazard) because they produce additional heat.
Install motion sensor lights outdoors.
Switch to compact fluorescent lights from
regular incandescent bulbs and you
will automatically use 60 percent less
energy.
Wrap your water heater in an insulation
blanket and wrap your hot water pipes
for additional energy savings.
Use public transportation whenever possible and shop locally.
Keep your tires inflated to improve your
gas mileage by 3 percent.
The Custom Companies, Inc. - 317 W Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com
Erick Lucena
Jayne Pakosta
Enoch Palacios
Jim Mazeika
Milton Ayala
Steven Bartolone
Lisa Smith
Simon Tapia Sandoval
Michael Shipinski
Tina Miner
Armando Ortiz
Tony Crespo
Paul Dunn
Marie Podolak
Jose Garcia
Guy Anspach
Osmond Joseph
James Campbell Jr.
Richard Nielsen
Araceli Arballo
Jose Fabian
Jose Gualito
Zachary Ruther
Jon DuJardin
Jim Schnur
Waclaw Jarzabek
Ruben Medina
Manolito Roman
Oscar Bolanos
Agostino Chiaramonte
Mentor Elezi
Adam Baltz
Mary Holowicki
Silvester White
Ramon Badea
Ethan Jones
Pedro Escanio
Eduardo Cisneros
Chris Guerrero
3-1
3-1
3-1
3-2
3-3
3-4
3-4
3-5
3-6
3-6
3-7
3-9
3-10
3-10
3-12
3-14
3-14
3-16
3-17
3-18
3-19
3-19
3-20
3-21
3-21
3-22
3-22
3-22
3-24
3-25
3-25
3-26
3-26
3-27
3-28
3-28
3-29
3-30
3-30
VOL V No. 6
Page 6
Feb. 2012 / Mar. 2012
FILLING IN THE BLANKS with Chris Guerrero
SPORTS CORNER by Jeff Guthman
Name:
Years:
Perry Mandera
26
Jim Kunce
15
Gail Abdallah
12
Andrzej Kolodziejczyk 10
Karl Mozina
10
Waclaw Jarzabek
8
Pedro Antunes
8
Victor Gurrola
7
Rob Catanese
6
Alfredo Rodriguez
6
Efrain Rivera
5
Eric Domingo
5
Adam Gonzales
5
Steve Holowka
4
Jim Mazeika
4
Danielle Pitsenbarger
4
Angel Rodriguez
4
Vincente Sanchez
4
Don Weiner
4
Tomasz Biskup
2
Rocco Abbinante
2
Juanito De Guzman
1
Alan DePena
1
Mickey Scialabba
1
Kevin Conte
1
Cesar Lievano
1
Francisco Ramos
1
In the era of Michael Jeffery Jordan, the Bulls were
a force in the NBA. When he left Chicago many of
the fans (myself included) thought we would never
see the days of Bulls dominance again. But we did
not count on last year’s MVP Derrick Rose. Now I
know it is still too soon to compare Derrick Rose to
Michael Jordan. However one can not dispute that
the excitement is back at the United Center. Back
to back MVP titles have only happened 11 times by
ten different players in the history of the NBA. Michael Jordan did it in the 1991 and
1992 seasons (5 MVP awards in all).
Can Derrick repeat his MVP performance of last season? It would seem that he is on his
way to do just that. If he can play at the level that he did last year; and with a healthy
Carlos Boozer, the addition of Richard Hamilton, along with the play of Luol Deng and
Joakim Noah; he may have the players around him to get past the super team that is
down in Miami. LeBron James and Dwayne Wade beat the Bulls in the Eastern Finals last
year to keep the Derrick Rose led Bulls from their first championship since the Jordan
days but this year could be different . This is Rose’s third year in the league and each
year he has improved to where he is feared and respected throughout the league. It
took 7 years for MJ to win his first of 6 titles with the Bulls. There is still a lot of basketball to play in this shortened NBA season and there are many years for Derrick Rose to
continue to reach for the consistent playing level to be thought of in the same breath as
“His Airness”. He appears to have the talent and the drive to start that journey. Another
similarity between the two is both always handled the pressure and the fame with the
utmost professionalism and grace.
Rose, as a hometown favorite, may be on his way to greatness. But standing in his way
is the Miami Heat that, last year, took the biggest free agent that ever hit the market,
LeBron James, added Chris Bosh to compliment Dwayne Wade to make a team that
most said could not lose. Last year they beat the Bulls in the Eastern finals, only to lose
to the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA finals. The Bulls and the Heat look to be on a collision
course again this year with both playing dominant basketball. It should be great sport. I
am looking forward to watching Rose’s career as I watched Jordan’s. It is kind of a funny
turn of fate that the team standing in the way of Derrick Rose’s dominance is the only
other team to retire Jordan’s jersey, Number 23, even though he never played a single
game for the Heat. (Please see the side panel to see what Derrick Rose is up against
when striving to match Michael Jordan’s career).
The Custom Companies, Inc. - 317 W Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com
VOL V No. 6
Feb. 2012 / Mar. 2012
Page 7
FILLING IN THE BLANKS with Malcolm Watson
As a side note I had the honor of running into (#99) Dan Hampton of the ‘85 bears the other day. All I can say is it looks like he
could still get out there and play. I’ll say this, if I was a Quarterback and I saw him charging me I would hand him the ball and
point to the opposite goal. Hampton, who missed 23 games in
his career due to severe knee injuries, was a positive force on
the Bear defense. From 1983-90, in games Hampton missed
the Bears only won 33% of the time. In games he played they
won 75%. Is there more that needs to be said?
Thank you Mr. Hampton.
Michael Jordan’s Career Accomplishments
6× NBA Champion (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998)
5× NBA Most Valuable Player (1988, 1991–1992, 1996, 1998)
14× NBA All-Star (1985–1993, 1996–1998, 2002–2003)
6× NBA Finals MVP (1991–1993, 1996–1998)
10× NBA scoring champion (1987–1993, 1996–1998)
3× NBA steals champion (1988, 1990, 1993)
NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1988)
10× All-NBA First Team (1987–1993, 1996–1998)
All-NBA Second Team (1985)
9× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1988–1993, 1996–1998)
NBA Rookie of the Year (1985)
NBA All-Rookie First Team (1985)
3× NBA All-Star Game MVP (1988, 1996,
1998)
2× NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion
(1987–1988)
NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
#23 Retired by Chicago Bulls and Miami
Heat
NCAA Champion (1982)
2× Consensus NCAA All-American First
Team (1983–1984)
ACC Player of the Year (1984)
Oscar Robertson Trophy (1984)
Naismith College Player of the Year (1984)
John R. Wooden Award (1984)
The Custom Companies, Inc. - 317 W Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com
Name:
Years:
Marc Inman
24
Bruce Schaller
23
John Angelopoulos
23
Donna Robinson
20
Erin Pocius
20
Russ Krezel
14
Mircea Dulgheriu
14
Michael Duncan
11
Thomas Boyle
10
Dale Burt
9
Walter Gustafson
8
Francisco Pelayo
8
Franklin Osborne
7
Peter Schmit
7
Jeff Dayton
7
Stephen Coffey
6
Silvester White
5
Murray Bannerman 4
Enoch Palacios
4
Tomasz Jedynak
3
Izabella Czarnewicz 2
Sean McLaughlin
2
Scott Ten-Broeck
2
Felix Torres
2
Oscar Aceves
2
Rosendo Padilla
2
Mentor Elezi
1
Miguel Gutierrez
1
Geraldo Solis
1
Guy Anspach
1
Agostino Chiaramonte 1
Juan Luna
1
Dan Mason
1
Yolanda Wilczewski 1
Bernie Boudrow
1
Justin Major
1
Shawn Struchen
1
Orlando Manimtim
1
VOL V No. 6
February
Holidays,
Special Days,
Weeks & Month
1 National Freedom Day
2 Ground Hog Day
2 Candlemas
3 The Day the Music Died - Buddy
Holly, Richie Valens and the Big
Bopper died in a plane crash in
1959.
4 Create a Vacuum Day
4 Thank a Mailman Day
5 National Weatherman's Day
6 Lame Duck Day
7 Wave All Your Fingers at Your
Neighbor Day
7 Send a Card to a Friend Day
8 Boy Scout Day - celebrates the
birthday of scouting
8 Kite Flying Day - in the middle of
winter!?!
9 Toothache Day
10 Umbrella Day
11 Don't Cry over Spilled Milk Day
11 Make a Friend Day
11 White T-Shirt Day
12 Abraham Lincoln's Birthday
12 Plum Pudding Day
13 Clean out Your Computer Day second Monday of Month
13 Get a Different Name Day
14 Ferris Wheel Day
14 National Organ Donor Day
14 Valentine's Day
15 Candlemas - on the Julian Calendar
15 National Gum Drop Day
15 Singles Awareness Day
16 Do a Grouch a Favor Day
17 Random Acts of Kindness Day
18 National Battery Day
19 National Chocolate Mint Day
20 Cherry Pie Day
20 Love Your Pet Day
20 President's Day - third Monday of
month
21 Card Reading Day
22 George Washington's Birthday
22 Be Humble Day
22 Walking the Dog Day
22 International World Thinking Day
23 International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day
23 Tennis Day
24 National Tortilla Chip Day
26 Carnival Day
26 National Pistachio Day
26 Tell a Fairy Tale Day
27 Polar Bear Day
28 Floral Design Day
28 National Tooth Fairy Day - and/or
August 22
29 Leap Day - 2012, once every
four years
Feb. 2012 / Mar. 2012
Page 8
Thoughts on Bears Future: Room for Optimism?... by Daniel Leach
I’ve been a Chicago Bears season ticket holder for a decade. I’ve
shared in some of Chicago’s greatest gridiron moments. Every
pick-six, lame duck challenge, offensive miscue, wasted timeout
and puzzling press conference in the past 10 years has been
presented to me in a stainless steel serving tray. Understandably, when incidents like these tend to repeat to the point of
being typical, change had to happen. And it did when General
Manager Jerry Angelo was fired. But what about everybody
else?
Some have felt that the Bears needed to completely clean
house. In this case, I lean away from the opinion of the typical
Grabowski. I don’t believe the Chicago Bears should reboot their entire program. Despite the Bears being competitive
for the last 7 years with 3 Division Championships and 1 Super Bowl appearance; we only seem to focus on the negative aspects of the organization. By starting over, I fear that the Bears would throw the baby out with the bathwater
and that taking the most tempting option, to satisfy the knee-jerk reaction of sports fans, is far from wise. Permit me
to explain:
I’ll start by boldly stating that I’m a staunch Lovie Smith supporter. Never have I witnessed an NFL head coach, in the
modern era, have a winning record and manage to, somehow, be treated with contempt by the fan base. Trust me, I
understand how his ability to use his verbal gymnastics, his effectiveness in dodging direct questions, can drive anybody crazy. Yet, whether you like him or not, Lovie Smith has made something happen with the limited talent Jerry
Angelo gave to him. Fans of the 46 Defense need to wake up and realize that with the league becoming more conscientious about player safety, the Cover 2 has been able to work wonders in the past decade despite these changes.
Lovie has done enough to keep his job…for now.
The Chicago Bears don’t need to start over; they only need to fine tune. And, so far, they have with Jerry Angelo being
shown the door. However, in the midst of the Chicago Bears searching for an apt replacement, my stance becomes
more difficult to defend when challenged by not only the fan base but from established sports media commentators.
Daniel Bernstein, co-host of 670 AM WSCR’s “Boers and Bernstein Show”, commented on his article What Are The
Bears Doing? asking the question of why they would fire then General Manager Jerry Angelo without having a replacement already in mind. Mr. Bernstein comments on how other organizations, like the St. Louis Rams, have been
open to having their next GM reshape their respected, though failing, franchises. The Chicago Bears aren’t willing to
be that lenient; the next Bears GM will be unable to hire a head coach until Lovie Smith’s contract is up next year. A
General Manager position in the NFL won’t appeal much to anybody unless they can begin making their mark on the
team right away, which is something the Mr. Bernstein argues that the Bears are hesitant to do.
I admit that finding a GM that complements a pre-established system is an unorthodox move. But, I don’t think it’s a
dumb one. This current system, though flawed, has helped the Bears be competitive. Many fans clamoring for a big
name signing, like Theo Epstein was for the Chicago Cubs, are asking for an expectation that’s unrealistic. It’s true
that big names will likely be passing up on the Bears GM vacancy. But Brian Billick, Former Baltimore Ravens Head
Coach and current Fox Sports Commentator, argues that “the
NFL’s market for General Managers doesn’t have a lot of big
names. Whoever the Bears, Eagles, Colts or Rams get won’t
be somebody that fans recognize but will simply be the best
fit for their organizations.”
Whoever the Bears end up getting; let’s at least agree that a
change was needed. And that time will tell if that change will
benefit the Monsters of the Midway, as they prepare for the
upcoming NFL Draft.
The Custom Companies, Inc. - 317 W Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com
VOL V No. 6
Feb. 2012 / Mar. 2012
RETIRE WHERE? Here are some of your choices:
Page 9
You can retire to Phoenix , Arizona where...
1. You are willing to park 3 blocks away because you found shade.
2. You've experienced condensation on your hiney from the hot water in the toilet bowl.
3. You can drive for 4 hours in one direction and never leave town.
4. You have over 100 recipes for Mexican food.
5. You know that "dry heat" is comparable to what hits you in the face when you open your oven
door.
6. The 4 seasons are: tolerable, hot, really hot, and ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!!
You can retire to California where...
1. You make over $250,000 and you still can't afford to buy a house.
2. The fastest part of your commute is going down your driveway.
3. You know how to eat an artichoke.
4. You drive your rented Mercedes to your neighborhood block party.
5. When someone asks you how far something is, you tell them how long it will take to get there
rather than how many miles away it is.
6. The 4 seasons are: Fire, Flood, Mud, and Drought.
You can retire to New York City where...
1. You say "the city" and expect everyone to know you mean Manhattan .
2. You can get into a four-hour argument about how to get from Columbus Circle to Battery Park, but
can't find Wisconsin on a map.
3. You think Central Park is "nature."
4. You believe that being able to swear at people in their own language makes you multi-lingual.
5. You've worn out a car horn. (Ed. Note: if you have a car).
6. You think eye contact is an act of aggression.
You can retire to Minnesota where...
1. You only have four spices: salt, pepper, ketchup, and Tabasco .
2. Halloween costumes fit over parkas.
3. You have more than one recipe for casserole.
4. Sexy lingerie is anything flannel with less than eight buttons.
5. The four seasons are: winter, still winter, almost winter, and construction.
You can retire to the Deep South where...
1. You can rent a movie and buy bait in the same store.
2. "Y'all" is singular and "all y'all" is plural.
3. "He needed killin" is a valid defense.
4. Everyone has 2 first names: Billy Bob, Jimmy Bob, Mary Sue, Betty Jean, Mary Beth, etc.
5. Everything is either "in yonder," "over yonder" or "out yonder." It's important to know the difference,
too.
You can retire to Colorado where...
1. You carry your $3,000 mountain bike atop your $500 car.
2. You tell your husband to pick up Granola on his way home and so he stops at the day care center.
3. A pass does not involve a football or dating.
4. The top of your head is bald, but you still have a pony tail.
You can retire to the Midwest where...
1. You've never met any celebrities, but the mayor knows your name.
2. Your idea of a traffic jam is ten cars waiting to pass a tractor.
3. You have had to switch from "heat" to "A/C" on the same day.
4. You end sentences with a preposition: "Where's my coat at?"
5. When asked how your trip was to any exotic place, you say, "It was different!"
FINALLY You can retire to Florida where:
1. You eat dinner at 3:15 in the afternoon.
2. All purchases include a coupon of some kind -- even houses and cars.
3. Everyone can recommend an excellent dermatologist.
4. Road construction never ends anywhere in the state.
5. Cars in front of you often appear to be driven by a headless person.
The Custom Companies, Inc. - 317 W Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com
March
Holidays,
Special Days,
Weeks & Month
1 National Pig Day
1 Peanut Butter Lovers' Day
2 Employee Appreciation Day first Friday in
March
2 National Salesperson Day - first Friday in the
month
2 Old Stuff Day
3 I Want You to be Happy Day
3 If Pets Had Thumbs Day
3 National Anthem Day
3 Peach Blossom Day
4 Holy Experiment Day
4 Hug a GI Day
5 Multiple Personality Day
6 Dentist's Day
6 National Frozen Food Day
7 National Crown Roast of Pork Day
8 Be Nasty Day
8 International (Working) Women's Day
8 Popcorn Lover's Day second Thursday
9 Panic Day
10 Middle Name Pride Day
11 Johnny Appleseed Day
11 Worship of Tools Day elate
12 Girl Scouts Day
12 Plant a Flower Day
13 Ear Muff Day
13 Jewel Day
14 Learn about Butterflies Day
14 National Potato Chip Day
14 National Pi Day- Why today? Because
today is 3.14, the value of Pi.
15 Everything You Think is Wrong Day
15 Ides of March
15 Incredible Kid Day
15 Dumbstruck Day
16 Everything You Do is Right Day
16 Freedom of Information Day
17 National Quilting Day - third Saturday of
month
17 Submarine Day - the hero sandwich or the
boat??
17 Saint Patrick's Day
18 Goddess of Fertility Day
18 Supreme Sacrifice Day
19 Poultry Day
20 International Earth Day
20 Extraterrestrial Abductions Day
20 Proposal Day
21 Fragrance Day
23 National Chip and Dip Day
23 Near Miss Day
24 National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day
25 Pecan Day
25 Waffle Day
26 Make Up Your Own Holiday Day
27 National "Joe" Day
28 Something on a Stick Day
29 National Mom and Pop Business Owners
Day
29 Smoke and Mirrors Day
30 National Doctor's Day
30 I am in Control Day
30 Take a Walk in the Park Day
31 Bunsen Burner Day
31 National Clam on the Half Shell Day
VOL V No. 6
Feb. 2012 / Mar. 2012
Page 10
Taffy Apple Salad
by Jeff Guthman
Proposal Would Tie Sleep Apnea Testing with Body
Mass Index
A proposal that would tie sleep apnea screening with body mass index
emerged from a meeting Wednesday, Dec. 7, of Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration safety and medical groups.
Under a guidance supported by FMCSA’s Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee and Medical Review
Board, medical examiners would refer for evaluation for obstructive sleep apnea any interstate commercial
driver with a BMI measurement of 35 or above. A 6-foot-tall 258-pound driver has a BMI of 35.
The guidance comes on the heels of three separate sets of recommendations the agency has received in
recent years with varying screening specifications, typically involving a BMI measurement between 30 and
35 and other criteria, including several risk factors.
1 can Pineapple tidbits
2 cups miniature marshmallow
Half cup sugar
One egg
1 tbsp flour
1 tbsp vinegar
1 tub of Cool Whip
Two apples, diced
Handful of peanuts
The day before:
Drain one can of pineapple
tidbits into a container and
mix with marshmallow.
Cook the pineapple juice with
sugar, egg, flour & vinegar
until boil, stir often. Overnight in refrigerator. This
makes a custard.
Next day:
Mix the custard, pineapple
mixture with apples, peanuts
& Cool Whip.
Enjoy!
A second guidance immediately would disqualify drivers meeting any of five criteria: 1. Having reported
excessive daytime sleepiness. 2. Having had an accident associated with falling asleep. 3. Exhibiting apnea
-hypopnea index (AHI) scores of 20 or greater until they’ve had effective treatment. 4. Having had surgery
to correct apnea and awaiting post-operative evaluation. 5. Individuals who have been found to be effectively noncompliant with their treatment.
Both short-term guidances are intended as stopgaps until further new rulemaking officially codifies sleep
disorders into the regulations, with a draft to emerge from a MCSAC and MRB joint subcommittee as early
as February.
Medical experts at the daylong meeting made a case for the correlation between drivers with moderate to
severe sleep apnea and increased crash risk.
Todd Spencer, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association executive vice president, noted the wide
prevalence of risk factors for apnea among commercial drivers. “If these staggering numbers have some
real live applications,” Spencer asked, “why don’t highways all over America look like war zones today?”
Charles Czeisler, director of Harvard Medical’s Division of Sleep Medicine, argued that “it is actually a war
zone out there.” He cited statistics for all drivers – not just truckers – showing that 20 percent of all
crashes are related to drowsy driving, with two million drivers a week in the United States nodding off and
falling asleep at the wheel. With fatalities related to drowsy driving occurring once every 70 minutes on
average, “that’s equivalent to two 9/11 events every year,” he said.
Czeisler was a member of the Medical Expert Panel to FMCSA on the OSA condition. None of the group’s
recommendations has been acted upon by FMCSA, and Czeisler chided the agency for its lack of action on
the condition after nearly 30 years of recommendations that it move forward.
Czeisler recommended BMI of 30 or greater as a better ultimate screening requirement and would require
drivers with moderate to severe apnea to be disqualified from driving until being treated and proving that
treatment is working.
Chicago-based Sleep Specialist Andrew Mouton presented an alternative point of view on screening requirements, emphasizing the variability in individual apnea cases. Mouton believes the current respiratory
regulation 391.41(b)(5) provides a decent model for a possible sleep disorder regulation.
“The individual has to be referred to a specialist if an examiner detects a dysfunction,” Mouton said. “It
doesn’t specify that you have to have a particular test. I think you could switch a few words around to get
an excellent guide of how to pursue sleep disorders.”
Both Spencer and American Trucking Associations’ Rob
Abbott took issue with some of the data presented. Abbott, characterizing some of the data’s potential to be
inaccurate or misleading and in need of further study,
stressed the need to “hash that out in a public comment
period.”
The proposed guidance ultimately would be put up for
public comment, said FMCSA’s Larry Minor.
HNI Truck Group 1621 Colonial Parkway
Inverness IL 60067 847.330.5000
The Custom Companies, Inc. - 317 W Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com
VOL V No. 6
Feb. 2012 / Mar. 2012
Page 11
Bus, truck safety bill introduced in U.S. Senate
December 8, 2011
WASHINGTON—A new bus and truck safety bill was introduced in the United States
Senate to improve commercial motor vehicle safety standards.
The Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Enhancement Act—introduced by U.S. Sens.
Frank R. Lautenberg, D-N.J., chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, and John D. Rockefeller, D-W.Va., chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee—reauthorizes the Department of Transportation's Federal Motor
Carrier Safety Administration and includes additional safety requirements for commercial truck and bus carriers, the senators said in a statement Thursday.
“We must do more to make sure large trucks and buses are not a threat on our roadways and are only operated by the most qualified drivers,” said Sen. Lautenberg in the
statement. “This bill will give the Department of Transportation the tools to kick unsafe drivers and carriers out of the industry and keep America's roadways safe.”
Onboard recorders required
The bill would require onboard recorders to be used on all trucks and buses used in
interstate commerce, along with a registration process requiring applicants to pass a
safety proficiency exam and a submission of a safety management plan as a precondition for operating authority.
The bill also would increase enforcement tools for the FMCSA to remove unsafe and
unfit drivers and carriers from the industry, according to the statement.
“We need to make sure that only the safest people are allowed to operate large trucks
and buses, and give the Department of Transportation the tools it needs to improve its
oversight of the industry,” Sen. Rockefeller said in the statement. “I look forward to
working with my colleagues as we continue to work to get this important bill enacted
into law.”
HNI Truck Group 1621 Colonial Parkway Inverness IL 60067 847.330.5000
INTERNATIONAL
FOODS OF LOVE
by Carol Guarino
On Valentine’s Day, the most traditional
romantic dishes and their complimentary
desserts around the world are:
UNITED KINGDOM: Seared duck breasts and
Valentine cookies
FRANCE: Duck a l’Orange and a chocolate
heart cake
GERMANY: Steak and frosted heart cookies
BRAZIL: Brie Fondue and truffles
MEXICO: Clams with chorizo and chocolate
mousse
AUSTRALIA and NEW ZEALAND: Garlic
chicken and Crème Brulee
UNITED STATES: Any entrée will work as
long as there are chocolate covered strawberries for dessert!
CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES
Makes about 20
16 oz. milk chocolate chips
2 Tbs. shortening
1 lb. fresh strawberries with leaves
DIRECTIONS:
1. Insert toothpicks into tops of strawberries.
2. In double boiler, melt chocolate and
shortening, stirring occasionally
until smooth.
3. Holding the strawberries by the
toothpicks, dip each one into the
chocolate mixture.
4. Place strawberries on waxed paper
and let the chocolate cool.
The Custom Companies, Inc. - 317 W Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com
VOL V No. 6
Feb. 2012 / Mar. 2012
Page 12
Toyota Lift Truck of Los Angeles & The Custom Companies
by Mark Schiele
New Hires
David Alvarez
The Toyota Lift Truck Company of Los Angeles Service Team visited Rick Bulaon at
The Custom Companies Carson California Location. The meeting was to develop the
groundwork for a strong working relationship between the two companies. Rick
Bulaon of Custom and Jim McManus, General Sales Manager for Toyota Lift of Los
Angeles surveyed the fleet of recently purchased lift trucks. We are excited about
this new lift truck purchase and will continue to upgrade our equipment as needed.
This new equipment will enable Custom to be more productive and better service
our clients needs.
Clarence Cross
Erik Diaz
Erik Goff
Roger Peralta
CDN OFFICE
Andy McDonald
Don’t forget
to Spring
Ahead on
March 11th!
The Custom Companies, Inc. - 317 W Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com
VOL V No. 6
Feb. 2012 / Mar. 2012
Page 13
HR CORNER by Michele Marek
ASSOCIATES
AT WORK
Values are traits or qualities that are considered
worthwhile; they represent your highest priorities and deeply held driving forces.
When you are part of any organization, you bring your deeply held values and beliefs
to the organization. There they co-mingle with those of the other members to create
an organization or family culture.
Value statements are grounded in values and define how people want to behave with
each other in an organization, an institution, a company, or a family. They are statements about how the organization will value customers, suppliers, and the internal
community. Value statements describe actions which are the living enactment of the
fundamental values held by most individuals within the organization.
The following are examples of values. You might use these as the starting point for
thinking about and articulating your values as a human being.
CHI INTERMODAL
Jeff Paolello
Examples of Values
ambition, competency, individuality, equality, integrity, service, responsibility, accuracy, respect, dedication, diversity, improvement, enjoyment/fun, loyalty, credibility,
honesty, innovativeness, teamwork, excellence, accountability, empowerment, quality, efficiency, dignity, collaboration, stewardship, empathy, accomplishment, courage, wisdom, independence, security, challenge, influence, learning, compassion,
friendliness, discipline/order, generosity, persistency, optimism, dependability, flexibility
Why Identify and Establish Your Values?
Your values are made up of everything
that has happened to you in your life and
include influences from: your parents and
family, your religious affiliation, your
friends and peers, your education, your
reading, and more. Effective people recognize these environmental influences
and identify and develop a clear, concise,
and meaningful set of values/beliefs, and
priorities. Once defined, values impact
every aspect of your life.
 You demonstrate and model your values in action in your personal and work behaviors, decision making, contribution, and interpersonal interaction.
 You use your values to make decisions about priorities in your daily work and
home life.
Your goals and life purpose are grounded in your values.
Choose the values that are most important to you, the values you believe in and that
define your character. Then live them visibly every day at work and at home. Living
your values is one of the most powerful tools available to you to help you be the person you want to be, to help you accomplish your goals and dreams, and to help you
lead and influence others. Don't waste your best opportunity.
The Custom Companies, Inc. - 317 W Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com
CHI SAFETY
Mark Dannhauser
CHI TRUCKLOAD
Scott Ten-Broeck
VOL V No. 6
Feb. 2012 / Mar. 2012
Page 14
Treasure Hunting for Adults: The Bare Bones of Tax Sales… by Daniel Leach
SPRING
EQUINOX
The Sun is at its
lowest path in the
sky on the Winter
Solstice. After
that day the Sun
follows a higher
and higher path
through the sky
each day until it is
in the sky for exactly 12 hours. On
the Spring Equinox the Sun rises
exactly in the east
travels through
the sky for 12
hours and sets exactly in the west.
On the Equinox
this is the motion
of the Sun
through the sky
for everyone on
earth. Every place
on earth experiences a 12 hours
day twice a year
on the Spring and
Fall Equinox.
Tax Sales have become the highest marketed investment opportunity in the past 2 years.
Annual Tax Sales that would normally draw 20% capacity are now turning people away at
the door. With stocks and bonds failing to deliver to investors the same rate of returns, Tax
Sales have become very popular. And what’s funny is that despite its recent surge in popularity, Tax Sales have been one of the oldest methods of investing in the United States for
the past 200 years.
As stated before Tax Sales are commonly held once a year. Oftentimes they are held either in the county courthouse or county treasurer’s office. Depending on the county, you
can either purchase Tax Deeds or Tax Liens. And to any savvy investor, it’s important to
note the difference:
Tax Deeds allow you to purchase the home outright. The bid for the property starts with
the taxes that are due. With no redemption period, if you have the means to purchase, you
can buy a home for pennies on the dollar. However, with multiple people and investment
groups bidding on the same piece of property, it’s easy to have the property’s value be
driven up to the standard market value. Plus, examining a home’s interior is not allowed
until after the property is yours. Meaning you could very well buy a gem on the outside,
and have it be junk on the inside.
On the other hand, Tax Liens allow individuals that don’t have excessive means to participate in the Tax Sale. Tax Liens allow you to purchase delinquent taxes on a home to gain
interest. What happens is that the delinquent property taxes are auctioned off to private
citizens and banks, with the promise of large interest (sometimes 9-25%). The homeowners are given a deadline to payback the delinquent taxes and interest. If they don’t, then
the home is yours once title clears. But, remember, interest is measured per year. So if you
purchase a $1,000 lien, and if the homeowner pays back in 1 month, then you only make
$10 off your investment. Take into account the fees to register, and price per parcel purchased, and there goes more than the money you made.
All these things, plus specific rules and regulations of individual counties, make Tax Sales a
big risk-big reward. Yet, regardless of economic status, there is something for everybody
at a Tax Sale. Just remember though, as the old proverb states: “Let the buyer beware.”
The Custom Companies, Inc. - 317 W Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com
VOL V No. 6
Feb. 2012 / Mar. 2012
Page 15
ISN’T LOVE GRAND? ...by Marcelo Domingo
It happened when I was 16 years old,
when you do everything yourself except
when your parents help you. I had done
something incredibly stupid to my girlfriend.
Remember dating when you were sixteen?
That person was the most important thing in
the world except when you broke up with
them. It was Valentine’s Day and I totally forgot. My girlfriend showed up at my locker
with a card and a kiss and looked at me expectantly. I felt the panic in my face
and saw the anger and disappointment in hers. Then, silence. Remember the
“silent treatment” when you weren’t supposed to talk to her at all but she got
even angrier because you wouldn’t say anything?
I was sitting in my house after school, miserable and my mom walked
into the room. She saw the look on my face and the card from my girlfriend
in my hand. Then she walked upstairs and brought down a golden box
marked “GODIVA.” “Your father forgot too,” she said. Mothers, they never
knew anything except when they knew everything.
I thought it would never work. And when I showed up at my girlfriend’s
door, box in hand, her face still looked like murder, but she took the box. I sat
there in silence and she opened it. I couldn’t believe it. The first chocolate and
her scowl softened, another and she looked me in the eye. Then another and
then another, pretty soon it was a good Valentine’s Day.
So what is it with this magic good mood stuff? Why does it work?
There’s a science to it. Chocolate contains phenethylamine (PEA), which
stimulates the nervous system, triggering the release of endorphins that give
a sense of well being. Also chemicals in chocolate increase the activity of dopamine, a neurotransmitter directly associated with pleasure. Finally, chocolate can boost brain levels of serotonin, the “happy” neurotransmitter. Useful
facts for when you’re in the romance doghouse.
So millions of couples are rejoicing in love in a storm of endorphins, dopamine and serotonin; isn’t love grand? And you can feel secure in the knowledge that the science of chocolate is there to rescue your special relationship…unless they’re into diamonds. Love, it’s so simple, even when it gets
complicated.
The Custom Companies, Inc. - 317 W Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com
INTERMODAL
WATCH
Don’t expect
trailers-onflatcars to go
away anytime
soon, but expect
it to increasingly
be via 53-foot
trailers, says an
FTR senior consultant, who
called them “a
major conduit
by which new
trucklines get
into using rail intermodal.”
Page 16
The Custom Companies, Inc.
317 W. Lake Street
Northlake, IL
60164
CUSTOMER SERVICE, SUPPORT AND CARE
Phone: 708-338-8888
Fax: 708-338-9550
E-mail: [email protected]
At The Custom Companies, our main objective is to deliver your goods
on time and in perfect condition. We understand the importance of a
great customer/vendor relationship. Our customer service center is just a
phone call away to provide a rate quote, track a shipment, schedule a
pickup or access accurate documentation. In today’s fast paced environment, we work to provide transportation solutions that fit every economic
situation.
The Full Service Transportation Company
www.customco.com
Our “Customer First” program ensures that your shipments will be delivered on time, and with the highest degree of care. In order to maintain
these standards, we measure performance levels on every shipment. As a
result, our internal operational systems are constantly improving to provide better, more accurate service, allowing our transportation specialists
to meet your growing needs.
Newsletter Committee Members
Marcelo Domingo
Lisa Ludwikowski
Matt Foley
Michele Marek
Carol Guarino
Dan Mason
Petra Gumieniak
Tom Mroz
Jeff Guthman
Mark Schiele
Daniel Leach
Crafts by Ruth
All items shown below are handmade by Ruth Cecconi. If you have
any questions or would like to place
an order, please contact Ruth at
815.409.0431 or CHI Driver Chuck
Cecconi.
Prices range from $2.00 for ornaments to $20.00 for the jewelry and
candle holders. She also makes vintage crystal rosaries for $50.00
StoneEdge
MARBLE & GRANITE INC.
DESIGN FABRICATION & INSTALLATION
Pete Wilczewski
cell: 773.457.4721
STONE EDGE, INC.
office: 312.243.4143
2020 W. Hubbard St.
fax: 312.243.4145
Chicago, IL 60612
COUPONS
8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
AND
MORE
For more details
contact Jim
Mazeika in CHI
Customer Service
Are you looking for a safe alternative to burning scented candles? Well, then I have the product for you!
Please contact me or check out my website if you are interested in a safe, wickless, no flame, no
smoke way to fragrance your home.
www.scentstooremember.scentsy.us
Michele Marek, your preferred Scentsy provider
Ask to see my new Spring/Summer Catalog!