Nevada Title’s Family of Companies Collects School Supplies for At-Risk Students

To help hundreds of Southern Nevada students have the supplies they need for the upcoming school year, Las Vegas-based Nevada Title Company and its affiliate Nevada Construction Services are hosting their first back-to-school supply drive to benefit the Clark County School District Focus School Project.

“Statewide budget cuts have reduced funding for needed school supplies,” said Jeff Harris, president of Nevada Title Company. “We’re hoping to gather as many school supplies and toiletries as possible to provide assistance for the staff and students involved in the program.”

From now until Friday, Aug.14, Nevada Title Company and Nevada Construction Services offices will serve as drop-off points for any member of the Southern Nevada community who would like to donate school supplies and travel-size toiletries to the Focus School Project.

Much-needed school supplies included:

• Backpacks
• Paper
• Pencils
• Crayons
• Markers (washable)
• Scissors
• Erasers
• Glue sticks
• Tissue (small)
• Colored pencils
• Pocket folders
• Rulers
• Binders

Additional travel-size toiletries that are needed include:

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Toothbrushes
• Toothpaste
• Mouthwash
• Deodorant
• Bar Soap
• Body Wash
• Lotion

Nevada Title Company is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information on the school supply drive or the Focus School Project, contact Lisa Brown at (702) 251-5252. Collection boxes are located at the following Nevada Title Company locations:

• 2500 N. Buffalo Drive, Ste. 150, Las Vegas, NV 89128
• 9500 Hillwood Drive, Ste. 110, Las Vegas, NV 89134
• 10000 W. Charleston Blvd., Ste. 180, Las Vegas, NV 89135
• 1000 Nevada Highway, Ste. 104, Boulder City, NV 89005
• 701 N. Green Valley Parkway, Ste. 120, Henderson, NV 89074
• 6010 S. Rainbow Blvd., Ste. A2, Las Vegas, NV 89118

For more than 14 years, Nevada Title’s Family of Companies has been involved in the Focus School Project which matches Clark County schools with business, organizations, agencies, and individuals to bring needed resources to students. The project, which began in 1989, is an important part of the district’s School-Community Partnership Program. The Focus School Project participants build programs based on the partnership mission, which is to “Unify business and community resources to enhance the educational experience.”

Nevada Title Company has six locations in Southern Nevada providing title insurance, underwriting, escrow and closing services to residential, commercial and industrial clients through its nationwide network of affiliates since 1979. The company has become an innovative industry leader with local, national and international clients. Nevada Title Company is headquartered at 2500 N. Buffalo Drive, Suite 150, Las Vegas, Nevada 89128. For more information, contact (702) 251-5000 or visit www.nevadatitle.com.

How the Decisions Made During the 2009 Nevada Legislative Session May Affect Your Business

During the 2009 Nevada Legislative session, lawmakers were faced with several challenges – a looming budget deficit; a high unemployment rate amidst a national economic crisis; the highest foreclosure rate nationwide; residual concerns from the Hepatitis C exposure scandal in Las Vegas; and additional decreases in Medicaid reimbursement while health care costs remain on the rise. The budget, job creation, renewable energy, homeowner foreclosure relief and health care reform were key issues in the public policy spotlight for the 120-day session that adjourned on June 1, 2009.

So what do the new taxes that were passed by the Legislature mean for your business? Let’s review the new taxes that were passed in Senate Bill 429 and Assembly Bill 146:

- For all businesses that must have a license in the state of Nevada, license registration and renewal fees will increase by $100.
- The modified business tax (MBT), or payroll tax, was amended so if your business’s calendar quarterly payroll total $62,500 or less, your payroll tax has been decreased from 0.63 percent to 0.5 percent. If your calendar quarterly payroll is over $62,500, then the business pays $312.50 plus 1.17 percent of the amount by which the sum of those wages exceeds $62,500.
- The governmental services tax (GST), or auto registration tax, has been modified by extending the depreciation schedule on automobiles, and increasing the minimum tax to $16.
- The sales and use tax rate imposed by the Local School Support Tax Law has been increased by 0.35 percent.

All taxes captured by SB 429 and AB 146 begin July 1, 2009, with the exception of the GST tax, which begins September 1, 2009, and sunsets on June 30, 2011. Additionally, early in the session, Legislators passed a measure previously approved by Nevada voters in Clark and Washoe Counties to increase the hotel room tax by 3 percent.

Before the 2011 session begins, the Interim Finance Committee will have an opportunity to review the current revenue structure and with an appointed Vision Stakeholder Group comprised of community and state groups and industries, develop short- and long-term strategic plans for improving the state’s quality of life. We can expect to see legislative proposals for the 2011 session come from this group.

RENEWABLE ENERGY

In an effort to increase and attract new renewable energy businesses to Nevada, several laws were passed creating incentives. For example, the property and sales and use tax abatements for renewable energy projects, scheduled to sunset this year, were extended. Additionally, the program offering rebates for households and businesses that install solar panels on rooftops was expanded.

Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford was successful in passing his Green Jobs Initiative legislation which, with the help of federal stimulus funds, establishes training and certification programs geared toward job training and creation in the renewable energy industry.

Additionally, a new change in the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) requires that, of the total amount of electricity sold, 25 percent of it must be generated from renewable energy by 2025.

FORECLOSURE RELIEF

Homeowner assistance with foreclosed properties was on the forefront of several bills that affected financial institutions. Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley’s AB 149 requires mortgage lenders to allow borrowers an opportunity to discuss possible loan modifications through mediation. The mediation process will be guided by rules established by the judiciary. In response to the rise in lack of tenant notification with respect to defaulted and foreclosed properties, a new law will require sufficient and direct notification to tenants, and not just property owners. Additional legislation was passed in response to the negative impact foreclosed and abandoned properties have on overall property and neighborhood values.

HEALTH CARE

Hospitals were successful in staving off an additional 5 percent cut in Medicaid reimbursement cut, which could have negatively impacted already rising health care costs. The trickle down effect was likely to have resulted in increased health insurance costs for employers. Other bills that passed require increased transparency and accountability among health care facilities; mandatory insurance coverage for autism screening, diagnosis and treatment; and the adoption of new regulations to recalculate the formula for the disproportionate share payments to hospitals throughout the state.

With several study committees, new commissions needing appointments, and ongoing regulatory work, the 2009-2010 interim session will perhaps be one of the busiest the state has ever seen in decades. Stay tuned to future newsletters from The Ferraro Group for updates.

Fifth Annual ‘Christmas in July’ Food Drive

CORE Construction has kicked off its fifth annual ‘Christmas in July’ food drive benefiting Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada. CORE has also partnered with local businesses for the first time to increase the number of drop-off sites as well as donations. With the current economy, CORE is expecting less donations this year even though Catholic Charities has seen an increase in demand. Catholic Charities provides about 1,500 free meals every day and recently shut down its two area thrift stores because of operating costs.

From now until Wednesday, July 29, CORE Construction will serve as a drop-off point for any members of the Southern Nevada community who would like to donate canned foods and other non-perishable items to Catholic Charities. The contractor’s office is at 7150 Cascade Valley Court, near the intersection of Tenaya Way and Peak Drive, and open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, contact Carol Browning at (702) 794-0550.

CORE is partnering with several local businesses to increase donations. Collection boxes are situated at the following locations:

Advanced Information Systems

4270 Cameron St., Suite 1

Telephone:       (702) 360-2266

Hours: M-F – 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Colours, Inc.

241 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 145

Telephone:       (702) 233-1333

Hours:              M-Th – 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Fridays – closed

EJM Development

3550 E. Post Road, Suite 200

Telephone:       (702) 597-1852

Hours:              M-F – 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The Ferraro Group

9516 W. Flamingo Road, Suite 310

Telephone:       (702) 367-7771

Hours:              M-Th – 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

F – 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Greenspun Media Group

2360 Corporate Circle, Fourth Floor

Telephone:       (702) 990-2550

Hours:              M-F – 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Nevada Commerce Bank

6795 Edmond St., Suite 160

Telephone:       (702) 257-7777

Hours:              M-Th – 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

F – 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

3200 S. Valley View Blvd.

Telephone:       (702) 257-7777

Hours:              M-Th – 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

F – 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Nevada Pools

5581 Cameron St., Suite A

Telephone:       (702) 876-6554

Hours:              M-F – 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Orgill/Singer & Associates

8360 W. Sahara Ave., Suite 110

Telephone:       (702) 796-9100

Hours:              M-F – 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

SH Architecture

7373 Peak Drive, Suite 250

Telephone:       (702) 363-2222

Hours:              M-Th – 7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Fridays – closed

Chiropractic Healing Center

7250 Peak Drive, Suite 106

Telephone:       (702) 215-2090

Hours:              M – Noon – 6 p.m.

Tu – Noon – 7 p.m.

W – 9 a.m. – Noon

Th – Noon – 7 p.m.

F – 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Sat – 9 a.m. – Noon

Steiner’s Pub

8410 W. Cheyenne Ave., Suite 107

Telephone:       (702) 395-8777

Hours:              Open 24 Hours

8168 Las Vegas Blvd. South

Telephone:       (702) 214-6700

Hours:              Open 24 Hours

1750 N. Buffalo Drive, Suite 115

Telephone:       (702) 304-8084

Hours:              Open 24 Hours

Thai Wasabi

7365 West Sahara Ave.

Telephone:       (702) 838-5773

Hours:              M-Sat – 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Whittlesea-Bell Transportation

2000 Industrial Road

Telephone:       (702) 386-7435

Hours:              Open 24 Hours

Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada provides services to sustain the human dignity of all persons, including charitable work in the fields of religion, education and social welfare. For more information, visit www.catholiccharities.com.

'Christmas in July' 2008

Witness a Guinnes World Record in the Making and Support a Great Cause

In 2 days, Brian Esposito from Soil-Tech and Chris Cain from UNLV PGA Golf Management are going to set a Guinness World Record.  The challenge is to golf 1000 holes of golf in a 12 hour period (70 – 80 seconds a hole) to raise money for the UNLV golf program and Par for the Cure. We have asked our friends who have SCCA and NASCAR experience to drive our high powered golf carts to help us achieve this amazing record.

Esposito and Cain are playing at the Las Vegas Golf Club (Muni) on Decatur and Washington.

Currently, Channel 13 news (sports) is airing the story at 6:45pm nightly.  You can get more info on the event by going to www.1000holesofgolf.com, or contact Chris Cain Christopher.Cain@unlv.edu or espo@soil-tech.com.  This is a great event and a great cause.  All we are asking for is $1 from you and all of your friends.  You can pledge online or in person at the event.

Please come out to watch and bring your friends, family and neighbors.

You may also like the other events that are going on.  They are:

1. Demo Day with 8 golf companies: 1-6pm

2. Hot Air Balloon Packages

3. Richard Petty Driving Experience Packages

4. Free golf instruction from golf management students and local PGA professionals: 7am to 7pm

5. Food and beverage: all day at the Hospitality Tent

6. Long drive competition: all day

7. Live Performance by past American Idol contestant Casey Lee Moore www.caseyleemoore.com : 530pm-630pm

Opportunity Village’s Thrift Store Gets Revamped

During the past two weekends, Southern Nevada business and community leaders as well as Bishop Gorman High School students united together for a common, greater goal – to repaint Opportunity Village’s thrift store. The 10,000-square-foot store has been open for 50 years and hasn’t received a facelift in over 20. Interior design firm Colours, Inc. led the project by recruiting dozens of volunteers and soliciting material donations. Several businesses and organizations enthusiastically agreed to pitch in and do their part, including Carpenter Sellers Architects, R&R Partners, The Ferraro Group, Denko Drywall & Painting, the National Charity League and Bishop Gorman High School. We are proud to report that the project is ahead of schedule and will be finished after one more weekend of painting. This is the type of project that displays the power of heart and charity. Let’s hope that we’ll see many more projects of this kind in Las Vegas.

Bishop Gorman students painting away

Bishop Gorman High School students and Colours President Leslie Parraguirre

Our fearless leader, Leslie Parraguirre

Dr. Jeong Named 2009 Health Care Headliner

Dr. Mike Jeong, medical director of the skilled nursing facility at Las Ventanas retirement community, was named one of 11 Health Care Headliners for 2009 by In Business Las Vegas. The honorees were chosen based on the important impacts they’ve made on the Southern Nevada health care industry. Dr. Jeong swept the “Physician” category based on his contributions to geriatric medicine and the medical care of residents and patients at Las Ventanas. He assists in developing and implementing policies, procedures and guidelines pertinent to patient care to ensure they receive high-quality and comprehensive services. Working with the elderly has allowed Dr. Jeong to educate his patients and their families/caregivers about how to live with chronic illnesses or disabilities and access to appropriate medical care and rehabilitative and support services available at Las Ventanas.

Way to go, Dr. Jeong! This award is well deserved.

Dr. Jeong making his acceptance speech at In Business' Health Care Headliners event

Desperate Times, Sensible Measures: Why your business should market in an unstable economy

For many businesses, the economy has dictated marketing strategies. However, if you are not marketing your company because of the economy, you should be. The biggest mistake a business can make when things get rough is to cut all advertising and marketing. Even during tough economic times, your clients need to remember who you are and what you offer. Business simply doesn’t work by hoping that existing customers will be loyal or that new clients will stumble upon you.

An unstable economy is an opportune time to market your company. Instead of pulling back from public relations and marketing, smart businesses are pushing forward. Organizations that gain market share during downturns historically keep that increased share when the economy bounces back. In fact, a McGraw-Hill study showed that four years after an economic downturn, companies that maintained or increased marketing communications during the slowdown typically experience 14 times more growth than companies that cut back.

“As an advertising and marketing professional, I understand the value of having a visible presence in the marketplace,” said Marla Letizia, president of Big Traffic Mobile Billboards Worldwide(R). “Instead of pulling back from public relations and marketing during this economic downturn, we’re pushing forward. It would be detrimental to my business to ignore PR and marketing strategies, no matter what the current economy dictates to us.”

Another great reason to market your business now is visibility. Your competitors, like many companies, are probably not advertising. Right now your marketing dollars face less competition and therefore go further. Additionally, low competition means lower ad costs. Media outlets are offering significant advertising discounts to attract new advertisers.

Even if you can’t afford premium ad space or fancy mailers, other creative tactics can be used to let customers know you are ready for their business. Forward-thinking firms can help you create a marketing plan that leverages inexpensive and powerful social technologies. As newspapers fold and more consumers turn their attention to online media sources, your business can’t ignore the impact the Internet has on consumer decisions.

As you move forward with marketing, understand that economic circumstances have prompted a growing cultural shift. Consumers not only look for value, but also make choices that embrace their core principles. It’s not enough to just have good prices. People want to invest in products and services that are good for their families, their communities and the environment.

Keeping a corporate image alive and credible in the current economy is instrumental in the well-being and growth of any organization. Even if your marketing budget is tight, look at it as an investment in the future profits of your business.

The Ferraro Group offers a range of ideas, strategies and experience with a proven record of success for helping businesses brand their name among target audiences. Aggressive marketing, public relations and advertising will provide some dividends now, and will certainly manifest returns down the road.

(Re)presenting the Rising Stars of Las Vegas

Doing business with talented companies is a source of pride for us. Working with Las Vegas’ brightest and most hard-working executives allows us to create satisfying relationships. So, imagine our delight when we found out that the Las Vegas Business Press chose not one, not even two, or three, but FOUR associates of ours for its third annual Rising Stars of Business Awards.  Only ten people are recognized each year.  TEN.  And we snagged four of those honors, including our very own TFG partner, Holly L. Silvestri.  Have you ever heard that saying “You are known for the company you keep”?  If that is true, then TFG is certainly proud to be among the ranks of such esteemed colleagues.

Check out their stories here:

Holly L. Silvestri, The Ferraro Group: http://tinyurl.com/crr3yg

Jake Joyce, Applied Analysis: http://tinyurl.com/d4jcu8

Nikki Giroux, Nevada Commerce Bank: http://tinyurl.com/cbx7bd

Ben Cornwall, Crisci Builders: http://tinyurl.com/cg22qs

Rising Stars 2009 - Susan Dons and Holly Silvestri

Rising Stars 2009 - Latoya Bembry and Krista Blaisdell

There’s no hospitality like Las Ventanas hospitality

Last night The Ferraro Group Southern Nevada office was treated to a wonderful time by the board of trustees of Las Ventanas. We were served hors d’oeuvres, drinks and enjoyable conversation throughout the night, and it was a great opportunity to get to know all of the board members.  Las Ventanas is a retirement community that facilitates engaged, fulfilling lifestyle expereicens for its residents.  The facility is gorgeous, the staff friendly and the residents happy. Our office (mainly in our 20s and 30s) are already planning ways to pay our fees once we are ready to live at Las Ventanas because there’s really no comparison!

We’d like to thank all of the Las Ventanas board members for being so hospitable and showing us a great time.  We’d especially like to recognize David Dahan of Orgill/Singer Insurance (our longtime client) and June Connelly, executive director of Las Ventanas, for making this possible. Thanks for everything!

State Budget Shortfall Hinders Federal Funding

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/feb/11/two-nevadans-house-press-restore-aid-state/

Congresswomen Dina Titus and Shelley Berkely voted in favor of the economic stimulus package proposed by President Obama. The House-approved bill called for Nevada to receive $312 million for educational operations funding. When it reached the Senate, that number was slashed to $250 million.

Despite the significant reduction, $250 million is still a hefty sum that would greatly aid the Nevada school system and our future. But nothing falls into our laps without strings attached, especially $250 million.

In order to receive this government funding, states are required to maintain the level of school funding in 2006 to qualify. With the dire economic crisis and state budget shortfall facing us today, it seems unlikely we’ll be able to receive the funding we desperately need.