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News You Can Use January 11, 2008 Gym & Health Club Memberships Carry Consumer Protections Consumers are frequently drawn to gyms and health clubs with the start of the New Year and resolutions to improve one's physical fitness. According to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, it may also be the time when consumers rush into contracts that could prove problematic. The PA Health Club Act works to prevent consumer rip offs. Consumer protections and club responsibilities were first established in Act 87 of 1989, originating with Senate Republicans and signed into law on December 21, 1989. Gyms and health clubs must register with the Office of Attorney General to offer contracts and sell memberships. Clubs selling 12-month memberships must be bonded or carry a letter of credit. In addition to the "three day cooling off period" covering the signing of a health club contract, provisions also exist providing for a club's closure, consumer relocations and injuries preventing the use of one-third or more of the club's equipment. Know your rights and what to do if you believe your club is in violation of the Health Club Act: Health Club Consumer Rights; Club Registration Requirements; file an online consumer complaint; Act 87 of 1989; PA Health Club Act. Nominations for 13th Annual Best 50 Women in Business Awards Time is running out to make nominations for the Best 50 Women in Business Award conducted by the PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). For the thirteenth year, Pennsylvania will recognize businesswomen who are business owners or partners or hold senior executive management positions. Nominees will be judged on their professional accomplishments, community involvement, and advocacy on behalf of women. Entries must be received at the following address for consideration: DCED, Center for Entrepreneurial Assistance, Brenda J. Scott, Coordinator, PA Best 50 Women in Business Program, 400 North Street, 4th Floor, Commonwealth Keystone Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120-0225. No fax or emailed entries will be accepted and all entries must be submitted by 5 p.m. Thursday, February 7, 2008 for the May 19, 2008 Awards Luncheon to be held at the Whitaker Center in Harrisburg, PA. For full nomination guidelines, go to Best 50 Women in Business 2008 Nomination Guidelines or contact DCED's Center for Entrepreneurial Assistance at 1-800-280-3801. New PA Career Guide Available Students and job seekers will want to check out the 2007-08 edition of the Pennsylvania Career Guide to help them explore educational and career opportunities in the Commonwealth, according to the Departments of Agriculture and Labor & Industry. Agriculture and manufacturing are spotlighted in the latest edition of the annual publication. The guide contains information about a wide range of careers, including those in advanced materials & diversified manufacturing; agriculture & food processing; building & construction; business & financial services; education; information & communication services; life sciences & health care; logistics & transportation; lumber, wood & paper; and other industries. The Guide is divided into 3 parts: The Road, the Map and the Destination. Content goes beyond education to writing cover letters, posting online resumes, and developing interview strategies and executing appropriate follow-up. A portion of the content is also devoted to those thinking of starting a business. You may obtain a copy through your local school district and PA CareerLink Offices or by clicking here. PA Department of Banking Conducting Survey on Workplace Financial Education The Office of Financial Education is conducting a survey of nearly 7,000 business leaders and human resource managers to gain information about financial education in Pennsylvania workplaces, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Banking. The Department wants to gauge businesses' awareness of the benefits of financial education for workers and provide related resources to strengthen Pennsylvania's business community and support its employees. Higher productivity, lower health care costs, and reduced absenteeism can be a by-product of financial education. One in four working adults is suffering from serious financial distress. The impact of these problems can result in workers devoting time to their financial matters and an increase in health-related problems. Survey results will provide PA with the necessary information to update financial education in schools, communities and workplaces. The survey is available at Money's Best Friend until March 14, 2008. Consult the Office of Financial Education for information, tools and services. PA Seeking Input for State's Aging Plan During the next three months, the Pennsylvania Department of Aging will conduct seven town meetings to gather input for the state's next four-year Plan on Aging. The resulting state- and federally-mandated plan will guide the state's aging agenda from October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2012. The Department is seeking public participation to help develop new services and enhance existing programs for older Pennsylvanians. Issues to be addressed include public awareness of health care and long-term living options; enabling individuals to live in the setting of their choice; empowering individuals to stay active and healthy; and ensuring the rights of individuals to prevent abuse, neglect, exploitation and abandonment. Meetings will be conducted from 9 a.m. to Noon as follows: Elizabethtown January 31 Clarion February 7 Pittsburgh February 8 Nanticoke February 21 West Chester March 14 Williamsport March 17 Huntingdon County March 28 If you are unable to attend, written comments may be submitted to the PA Department of Aging, c/o the Division of Systems Planning and Consultation, 555 Walnut Street, 5th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17101. For more, click here. Kicking Cabin Fever in PA Don't let cabin fever get you down. VisitPA.com wants to help you get geared up for winter fun in 2008. Find places to go and things to see and do in Pennsylvania's winter wonderland. While you are at it, book one night's lodging and get the second free during January or Cabin Fever Month in PA. Scattered across the state are cottages, motor inns, historic hotels, Victorian mansions, and modern hotels with convention centers participating in the January 2008 promotion. Consult the list of participating accommodations or use the interactive map. If you plan to get the skis out, get the latest on the state's slopes through the PA Ski Areas Association website. Find snow reports and direct links to all your favorite PA ski slopes. If your cure isn't on the slopes,
VisitPA.com has everything from romantic getaways to galleries to zoo
adventures. Enjoy winter with polar bears in PA. The
Pittsburgh Zoo is home to three young polar bears, Koda, Nuka, and Marty,
welcoming visitors this winter. If you want to warm up, slip over to the Zoo's
Tropical Forest Complex where a steamy indoor rainforest houses more than 90
primates from all parts of the globe and 150 different plant species from three
equatorial regions of the world to create the exotic jungle environment. |
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