40 Clipperton angelfish, Holacanthus limbaughi, seized!

[JakeAdams]

40 Clipperton angelfish were illegally imported into the US and they have been seized by the Fish and Wildlife Service. These extremely rare fish have not been collected since 2001, the full story and additional pics are on http://www.reefbuilders.com.

[kueytoc]

Ooops ! Which company ???

[Digiman]

Ooops ! Which company ???

Cortez Marine, the guy steve who brought in 300 clarions. Apparently the fish was seized not becos it's illegal to export becos it was not named correctly (named Blue Passer Angels on the box) and as such deemed as smuggling.

[Digiman]

Many LFS worldwide like Japan, HK and Thailand has been promised these clippertons few months back and only to wait upon the sad news of the fishes being seized and at the end to be distributed for free to public aquariums. Hope Cortez Marine will not be saddened and will try again to bring these true holy grail angels into the hobby.

[JakeAdams]

Because of the hurricane season the journey will likely not be repeated until April 2010.

[janeraph]

For decades, the Twin Ports' economic landscape was planted firmly in big business such as manufacturing, shipping, and mining. Although these trades are still vital to our economy, today's technological advances are sowing the seeds of a new entrepreneurism that is allowing more people to jump the corporate ship and test the waters of going into business for themselves. Home-based businesses in our region have emerged from the shadows in recent years and proven that they can have a measurable impact on a local economy. We spoke with several area home-based business people about why this impact will continuewow power leveling, to grow in coming years. In addition to offering tips on how to start a home-based business, they also explain why membership in the Chamber of Commerce is even more important to those who go it alone. Mark Anthony, president of the Home-Based Business Association of Minnesota, operates an extremely infon-native web site on the subject (www.hbba.org). Anthony believes that Duluth is ripe for more home-based businesses. He says, "Duluth and the Iron Range are explosive right now in regard to this trend. We've had a lot of inquirie from the area." Anthony says that a bias once attached to this type of business is eroding.

"There is still a stigma with home-based businesses among dyed in the wool corporates," begins Anthony. "Just five years ago, it was like pulling teeth to get someone to admit that they worked out of the home. Now, it's become almost a status symbol." Perhaps the image of home-based busi ness is improving because more people are realizing that its contribution to the community is no nickel and dime matter. "Home-based business people spend their money locally and it adds up to thousands annually," says Anthony. "Cities need to encourage these businesses, because they help sustain a local tax base." One local entrepreneur who agrees that these businesses are vital to the economy's health is Ken Nebel, of K.H. Nebel Associates, d/b/a Nebel Financial Services. "If you look at the statistics, businesses that employ one to five people represent a huge segment of the economy," he states. "A lot of these businesses are home-based. We are lucky here, because we don't have the zoning restrictions and other obstacles that home-based business faces in the Cities." Nebel affirms that home-bworld of warcraft power leveling, ased business people are strongly committed to their communities and prove that with their spending habits. He says, "I've found that Samls Club has terrific deals on office equipment. Sam's Club is the home-based-business supplier for Duluth. Its manager, Jim Caesar, another Chamber memher, is very supportive of the small businessperson." John Pegg started the Entrepreneurs' Connection organization in Duluth two years ago. "We are definitely growing," Pegg says. "We have about 100 people on our mailing list and I continue to meet more people who are looking for more options." Home-based businesses are also changing how larger companies operate. Mary Smestad owns Positive Solutions, and is a customer service consultant. She points out that more corporations are turning to contract services to protect their bottom line. "It's a great selling point for my business," explains Smestad, "To tell a company that, by hiring me on a short-term basis, they save money on taxes, annual salary and benefits. I think home-based businesses in Duluth will really take off when more companies learn the benefits of using their services." All of our contacts agree that Chamber membership is not just for storefront businesses and large corporations. "The smaller the business, the more important Chamber participation is," says Ken Nebel. "My best clients came from referrals from other Chamber members." Mary Smestad adds, "The networking is so important, and so is the education about other companies. It's also a great morale boost for me - the Chamber is sort of my cheerleader." If you are considering starting your own business, heed the seasoned advice of those who have gone before you: get informed and be prepared. "You're going to be blindsided some months, no matter how good your business plan looks on paper," says Smestad who attended classes at The University of Minnesota Duluth's (UMD) Center for Business Development before starting Positive Solutions. "All of the freedom - flexible schedule, being in wow power leveling, charge of my own destiny - comes with a price; you're giving up the security of that monthly paycheck. Discipline and selfmotivation are key. For every day you take off, there's an 18-hour day to make up for it. Know there's a big learning curve at first; learning when the slow months will occur, so the next year, you can plan ways to fill those gaps." Smestad says that the classes at UMD and at Lake Superior College provided her with excellent preparation and support. Beth Travis-Betts, owner of Art Direction and Advertising agrees. "I took small-business classes at UMD and at Lake Superior College. You learn how to determine profit and loss statements, how to mark-up a product, how to register with the State as a business, and how to handle tax issues. In fact, the instructor actually comes to your house once a month for the first year to assist you with start-up." Travis-Betts explains why education is so important to a home-based business. "One gets pretty isolated working at home, and these days you have to keep up with new technology to stay competitive." She also offers a little advice on how to create a business image without spending a lot of money. "The phone company has resources such as market extension lines. They allow you to have two numbers, world of warcraft power leveling, a residential and business phone number, with only one phone line. That way, you r business can be listed in the Yellow Pages. Home-based businesses have sparked entire industries that cater to them. Use the Internet to find better rates on fax lines, phone systems, and other tools." Marge Johnson has operated a management consulting firm out of her North Shore home for four years. She stresses the importance of research to would-be entrepreneurs. "Be sure there is market demand for what you're doing. Does the market need your service?" asks Johnson. "I interviewed other consultants and potential customers before starting my business." Again, all of our contacts concur that involvement with the Chamber is crucial to building business. Says Johnson, "The Chamber provides the most current, succinct information about the local business climate. It's a critical place to meet potential clients." Beth Travis-Betts notes, "It's where I get most of my business." In addition to referrals from Chamber members, Mary Smestad started building a clientele with a letter-writing campaign. "I wrote a lot of letters to past contacts from my previous job and asked for referrals." "People buy from people they know," quips Arlene Soden, a local business development consultant and home-based business owner. Entreprenuerism is part of America's heritage and today's technology-based economy is allowing more people to realize their dream of working for themselves. Many believe that the future of the home-based business culture in Duluth is taking shape right before our eyes on a construction site located in the old downtown. Mark Anthony comments, "With the new Soft Center coming to Duluth, home-based businesses will be called upon to help develop software that will place businesses, both large and small, on the cutting edge of technology and help transform this area into a major telecommuting center." [9 Julie Munson is a freelance writer in Duluth.

Home-based businesses take root in the Northland