Here’s a great example from http://www.churchofcustomer.com/2009/12/how-to-create-a-1page-strategic-plan.html

The whole story is available here (http://www.finextra.com/fullstory.asp?id=20454). Here are a few lines…

A US couple who had thousands of dollars stolen from their online account have been given the go-ahead by a court to sue their bank for failing to provide adequate security.

In 2007 Marsha and Michael Shames-Yeakel fell victim to an ID thief who gained access to their Citizens Financial Bank online account and stole $26,500 from a home equity credit line.

The money was transferred, via a bank in Hawaii, to a financial institution in Austria. The Austrian bank refused to return the funds, prompting Citizens to inform the couple that they would be liable for the loss.

The Shames-Yeakel’s refused to pay, leading the bank to report their account as delinquent to the national credit bureaus and threaten to foreclose on their residence.

In response, the couple sued the bank on several grounds, claiming violations of the Electronic Funds Transfer Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act, in the northern district of Illinois.

http://www.finextra.com/fullstory.asp?id=20454

While I would prefer gifts of chocolate, ZoomInfo is giving anyone and everyone unlimited access to their database of 45M people at 5M companies for one day only.

Individuals and businesses interested in participating in this promotion can sign up via the following website – http://go.zoominfo.com/content/2427ZoomInfoDay

finishing the dessert wine

I normally don’t write about my love of food but Wednesday’s Winemaker’s dinner at SugarToad (www.sugartoad.com) was fantastic. If you are located in the Chicago area, don’t mind driving the suburbs and haven’t tried this treasure, I highly recommend it. Bring your appetite.

The next winemaker’s dinner is August 4. For more information, watch Chef Jimmy Sneed’s blog at http://www.productpassionandsalt.com/

The evening started with a Barboursville Brut N.V. with a passed appetizers. I tried all three: blackened tuna bite with yellow pepper sauce, garden zucchini rolls with fresh mozzarella and redneck risotto with house made chorizo.  The Redneck risotto, grits prepared risotto style, was my absolute favorite, made tangy and smoky with the chorizo.

The fun part of the evening was my lovely date, Laura Baloun. I’ve known Laura since sophmore year of high school. My wife, Kim, and Laura’s husband, Mike, don’t enjoy wine or seafood. So we didn’t invite them.

Laura and I started drinking in the small reception area on the 12th floor of the Hotel Arista then moved the the 12th floor outdoor terrace. The weather was perfect. There was a great breeze, no bugs and a wonderful view of the splendor of Naperville’s Rt. 59.

Once seated, the first course was local sweet corn soup with crayfish and crispy morels. The soup was hard to explain because I’ve never tasted anything like it. I’d like to compare it to a warm corn flavored savory ice-cream but that doesn’t do the amazing flavors justice. (In fact, it sounds gross.) When paired with two nice glasses of Viognier Reserve 2007, I was ready to get my eat on.

Served with the Pinot Grigio was a beautiful heirloom tomato terrine with baby argugula, Edward’s bacon (Edward must have been upset that I got his bacon) and a poached farm egg. I now know what wine to drink with breakfast.

The Pinot was by far the stand-out wine for the evening. Winemaker Luca Paschina had quite a bit to say about it and I wish I listened but I didn’t because I was too busy licking my plate clean. I’m not a wine guy. I love to drink and can tell good wine from bad wine but if you ask me to talk about it, I lose interest quickly. I don’t want to know the history of wine, I just want to drink it.  

The third course was a soft shelled crab and SugarToad’s signature crabcake. Paired with Chardonnay Reserve 2008, fanfreakingtastic is all I have to say about that.

The entre was Jamison Farm lamb chop with stewed peppers and anchovy butter. The lamb was great but the Cabernet Franc 1998 Special Cellar Selection left me wanting something else. Maybe my taste buds are immature but this wine had a little too much going on to be enjoyable. Don’t get me wrong, I’m nit picking. I still drank two glasses and enjoyed it.

The cheese course rocked my world. The bread pudding for dessert was amazing. I’ll definitely go back.

Appeals http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch05.doc

Board of Veteran’s Appeals http://www.va.gov/vbs/bva/ 
 

CARES Commission http://www.va.gov/vbs/bva/   

CARES Draft National Plan http://www1.va.gov/cares/page.cfm?pg=105

Center for Minority Veterans http://www1.va.gov/centerforminorityveterans/

Center for Veterans Enterprise http://www.vetbiz.gov/default2.htm

Center for Women Veterans http://www1.va.gov/womenvet/  

Clarification on the changes in VA healthcare for Gulf War Veterans http://www.gulfwarvets.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000016.html

Classified Records – American Gulf War Veterans Assoc http://www.gulfwarvets.com/ubb/Forum18/HTML/000011.html

Compensation for Disabilities Associated with the Gulf War Service http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/part6/ch07.doc

Compensation Rate Tables, 12-1-03

http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Rates/comp01.htm

Department of Veterans Affairs Home Page http://www.va.gov/

Directory of Veterans Service Organizations http://www1.va.gov/vso/index.cfm?template=view

Disability Examination Worksheets Index, Comp http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Benefits/exams/index.htm

Due Process http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch02.doc

Duty to Assist

http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch01.doc

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations http://www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr/   

Emergency, Non-emergency, and Fee Basis Care http://www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/fedben.pdf

Environmental Agents http://www1.va.gov/environagents/ 

Environmental Agents M10

http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1002

Establishing Combat Veteran Eligibility

http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=315

EVALUATION PROTOCOL FOR GULF WAR AND IRAQI FREEDOM VETERANS WITH POTENTIAL EXPOSURE TO DEPLETED URANIUM (DU) http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/DUHandbook1303122304.DOC

and 

http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1158

and 

Depleted Uranium Fact Sheet

http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/DepletedUraniumFAQSheet.doc

and 

EVALUATION PROTOCOL FOR NON -GULF WAR VETERANS WITH POTENTIAL EXPOSURE TO DEPLETED URANIUM (DU) http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/DUHANDBOOKNONGW130340304.DOC

Fee Basis, PRIORITY FOR OUTPATIENT MEDICAL SERVICES AND INPATIENT HOSPITAL CARE

http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=206

Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependants 2005 http://www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/fedben.pdf

OR, http://www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/current_benefits.htm

Forms and Records Request http://www.va.gov/vaforms/

General Compensation Provisions

http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/partii_chapter11_subchaptervi_.html

Geriatrics and Extended Care http://www1.va.gov/geriatricsshg/
 

Guideline for Chronic Pain and Fatigue MUS-CPG http://www.oqp.med.va.gov/cpg/cpgn/mus/mus_base.htm

Guide to Gulf War Veteran’s Health

http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/VHIgulfwar.pdf

Gulf War Subject Index

http://www1.va.gov/GulfWar/page.cfm?pg=7&template=main&letter=A

Gulf War Veteran’s Illnesses Q&As

http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/GWIllnessesQandAsIB1041.pdf

Hearings http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch04.doc

Homeless Veterans http://www1.va.gov/homeless/   

HSR&D Home http://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/ 
 

Index to Disability Examination Worksheets C&P exams http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/benefits/exams/index.htm

Ionizing Radiation http://www1.va.gov/irad/ 
 

Iraqi Freedom/Enduring Freedom Veterans VBA http://www.vba.va.gov/EFIF/ 
 

M10 for spouses and children

http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1007

M10 Part III Change 1

http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1008

M21-1 Table of Contents http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/M21_1.html

Mental Disorders, Schedule of Ratings

http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKC/PART4/S4_130.DOC

Mental Health Program Guidelines

http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1094

Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Centers http://www.mirecc.med.va.gov/

MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Centers of Excellence http://www.va.gov/ms/about.asp

My Health e Vet http://www.myhealth.va.gov/ 
 

NASDVA.COM <http://nasdva.com/>  National Association of State Directors 
 

National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention http://www.nchpdp.med.va.gov/postdeploymentlinks.asp

Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders, Schedule of Ratings http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38cfr/bookc/part4/s4%5F124a.doc

OMI (Office of Medical Inspector) http://www.omi.cio.med.vagov/

Online VA Form 10-10EZ https://www.1010ez.med.vagov/sec/vha/1010ez/

Parkinson’s Disease and Related Neurodegenerative Disorders http://www1.va.gov/resdev/funding/solicitations/docs/parkinsons.pdf

and http://www1.va.gov/padrecc/ 

Peacetime Disability Compensation

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=browse_usc&docid=Cite:+38USC1131

Pension for Non-Service-Connected Disability or Death http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/partii_chapter15_subchapteri_.html

and,http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/partii_chapter15_subchapterii_.html

and, http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/partii_chapter15_subchapteriii_..html

Persian Gulf Registry

http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1003

This program is now referred to as Gulf War Registry Program (to include Operation Iraqi Freedom) as of March 7, 2005:

http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1232

Persian Gulf Registry Referral Centers

http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1006

Persian Gulf Veterans’ Illnesses Research 1999, Annual Report To Congress http://www1.va.gov/resdev/1999_Gulf_War_Veterans’_Illnesses_Appendices.doc

Persian Gulf Veterans’ Illnesses Research 2002, Annual Report To Congress http://www1.va.gov/resdev/prt/gulf_war_2002/GulfWarRpt02.pdf

Phase I PGR

http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1004

Phase II PGR

http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1005

Policy Manual Index http://www.va.gov/publ/direc/eds/edsmps.htm

Power of Attorney

http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch03.doc

Project 112 (Including Project SHAD) http://www1.va.gov/shad/ 
 

Prosthetics Eligibility

http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=337

Public Health and Environmental Hazards Home Page http://www.vethealth.cio.med.va.gov/

Public Health/SARS http://www.publichealth.va.gov/SARS/

Publications Manuals

http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/publications.cfm?Pub=4

Publications and Reports

http://www1.va.gov/resdev/prt/pubs_individual.cfm?webpage=gulf_war.htm

Records Center and Vault Homepage

http://www.aac.va.gov/vault/default.html

Records Center and Vault Site Map

http://www.aac.va.gov/vault/sitemap.html

REQUEST FOR AND CONSENT TO RELEASE OF INFORMATION FROM CLAIMANT’S RECORDS

http://www.forms.va.gov/va/Internet/VARF/getformharness.asp?formName=3288-form.xft

Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans Illnesses April 11,

2002 http://www1.va.gov/rac-gwvi/docs/Minutes_April112002.doc

Research Advisory Committee on Gul f War Veterans Illnesses http://www1.va.gov/rac-gwvi/docs/ReportandRecommendations_2004.pdf

Research and Development

http://www.appc1.va.gov/resdev/programs/all_programs.cfm

Survivor’s and Dependents’ Educational Assistance http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/partiii_chapter35_.html

Title 38, Pensions, Bonuses & Veterans Relief (also A 3.317 Compensation for certain disabilities due to undiagnosed illnesses found here)

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/textidx?c=ecfr&sid=

<http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=1b0c269b510d31

57fbf8f8801bc9b3dc&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfr3_main_02.tpl>

1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8801bc9b3dc&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfr3_main_02.

tpl

<http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=1b0c269b510d31

57fbf8f8801bc9b3dc&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfr3_main_02.tpl> 

Title 38, PART 4–SCHEDULE FOR RATING DISABILITIES, Subpart B–DISABILITY RATINGS

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=9985b26004e8ebf

8c3e67466ffb6fde1&rgn=div6&view=text&node=38:1.0.1.1.5.2&idno=38

Title 38

A 4.16 Total disability ratings for compensation based on unemployability of the individual. PART 4a “SCHEDULE FOR RATING DISABILITIES Subpart Aa”General Policy in Rating

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/textidx?c=ecfr&sid=

<http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=1b0c269b510d31

57fbf8f8801bc9b3dc&rgn=div8&view=text&node=38:1.0.1.1.5.1.96.11&idno=38>

1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8801bc9b3dc&rgn=div8&view=text&node=38:1.0.1.1.5.1.

96.11&idno=38

<http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=1b0c269b510d31

57fbf8f8801bc9b3dc&rgn=div8&view=text&node=38:1.0.1.1.5.1.96.11&idno=38>

U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims http://www.vetapp.gov/   

VA Best Practice Manual for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) http://www.avapl.org/pub/PTSD%20Manual%20final%206.pdf

VA Fact Sheet http://www1.va.gov/opa/fact/gwfs.html

VA Health Care Eligibility

http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility/home/hecmain.asp

VA INSTITUTING GLOBAL ASSESSMENT OF FUNCTION (GAF) http://www.avapl.org/gaf/gaf.html 
 

VA Life Insurance Handbook a” Chapter 3

http://www.insurance.va.gov/inForceGliSite/GLIhandbook/glibookletch3.htm#310

VA Loan Lending Limits and Jumbo Loans

http://valoans.com/va_facts_limits.cfm

VA MS Research http://www.va.gov/ms/about.asp
 

VA National Hepatitis C Program http://www.hepatitis.va.gov/ 

VA Office of Research and Development http://www1.va.gov/resdev/

VA Trainee Pocket Card on Gulf War

http://www.va.gov/OAA/pocketcard/gulfwar.asp

VA WMD EMSHG http://www1.va.gov/emshg/

VA WRIISC-DC http://www.va.gov/WRIISC-DC/

VAOIG Hotline Telephone Number and Address http://www.va.gov/oig/hotline/hotline3.htm

Vet Center Eligibility – Readjustment Counseling Service http://www.va.gov/rcs/Eligibility.htm

Veterans Benefits Administration Main Web Page http://www.vba.va.gov/

Veterans Legal and Benefits Information http://valaw.org/

VHA Forms, Publications, Manuals http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/

VHA Programs – Clinical Programs & Initiatives

http://www1.va.gov/health_benefits/page.cfm?pg=13

VHA Public Health Strategic Health Care Group Home Page http://www.publichealth.va.gov/ 
 

VHI Guide to Gulf War Veteransa(tm) Health http://www1.va.gov/vhi_ind_study/gulfwar/istudy/index.asp

Vocational Rehabilitation http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/ <http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/> 

Vocational Rehabilitation Subsistence

http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/InterSubsistencefy04.doc

VONAPP online http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp

WARMS – 38 CFR Book C http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/bookc.html

Wartime Disability Compensation

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=browse_usc&doc

id=Cite:+38USC1110

War-Related Illness and Injury Study Center – New Jersey http://www.wri.med.va.gov/ 
 

Welcome to the GI Bill Web Site http://www.gibill.va.gov/

What VA Social Workers Do http://www1.va.gov/socialwork/page.cfm?pg=3

WRIISC Patient Eligibility http://www.illegion.org/va1.html

But sometimes transparency can go too far. Don’t ask how the sausage gets made.

As communicators, we believe that rational people appreciate a look at the inner workings of a process or a negotiation. We think this transparency helps others understand the various give and take necessary to reach agreement.

But I’m starting to think that transparency has limits. In fact, I’m starting to think that somethings are better left unknown.

http://www.elliottkember.com/spreadtweet.html

Ten countries ruled by nasty people control 80 percent of the planet’s oil reserves—about 1 trillion barrels, currently worth about $40 trillion. If $40 trillion worth of gold were located where most of the oil is, one could only scoff at any suggestion that we might somehow persuade the nasty people to leave the wealth buried. They can lift most of their oil at a cost well under $10 a barrel. They will drill. They will pump. And they will find buyers. Oil is all they’ve got.

Read the rest here…

At MaconRaine we’re well known Epicureans when it comes to our appetites. After hearing about Quizno’s new Torpedo sandwich I decided to treat the office to what I hoped would be a delicious diversion. Unfortunately the Torpedo turned out to be more of a limp toothpick than the sub-sinking terror promised in the advertisements. 

 What I received wasn’t the robust sandwich I’d hoped for. I could have dealt with its floppiness if it had come through with the promise of “over a foot of Quizno’s flavor”.  At $4 dollars that’s 3 inches of delicious taste per dollar and I can accept extra cost if the quality is there. However, unless Quizno’s has partnered with DuPont to manufacture its ingredients there’s something seriously wrong with this sandwich.

As you can see from the picture below, amidst the scant scattering of lettuce lies a single layer of ham and some vagrant tomato chunks. A small, limp, sandwich deserves something to bolster its reputation; unfortunately it seems Quizno’s has gone to great pains to put quality behind them.

The amount of plasticized taste they were able to pack into such a small sandwich, with so few ingredients, should be the real tag line on their ads. Not only does it have the consistency of a Tupperware container it also tastes like the manufacturing floor where the containers are made. I guess that’s the value proposition on this inedible disappointment.