It seems that she knows how to travel “in style” as well, seen here on the subway with her MICHE prima base with the FARRAH shell!

Video and photo from ABCnews–Click photo to view video

Want yours? Come visit my personal website HERE to see all the beautiful Miche shells–choose a Miche base in a size that meets your needs, and choose the shells you’d like. Bundle pricing available when purchasing a base with two shells or any two-shell combination! You’ll be able to change your handbag to match your outfit, mood, or personality within seconds without ever having to move your belongings from one bag to another!

Yes, my purse “does tricks”!!

The Miche FARRAH SHELL can be viewed HERE

All of these creditors have insurance to protect against fire and flood on their equipment, land, etc, but very few probably took the steps to insure their accounts receivables. Why would they? Some may have conducted business with Golden Guernsey for the full 80 years always with payment…until now. Now they have to wait for the proceedings and the liquidation to begin where they may hope to get pennies on the dollar back in a year(s) time; unless.

Unless, these suppliers HAD insured their accounts receivables with trade credit insurance, which offers a guarantee of payment in cases of insolvency or slow pay. For a fraction of 1% of insured sales, catastrophic losses are avoided. When compared to fire and flood insurance, what is more likely to happen, a building to burn down or someone not paying an invoice? The obvious answer is the latter, however that is usually the only major asset on a balance sheet not secured.

There are many reasons that the closing is disappointing, but the impact may be larger than the initial 100 job losses because of how many businesses are affected, which is the greatest shame. Is it worth paying $20 dollars for every $10,000 of goods shipped to insure that you get paid on those goods? Just ask the unsecured suppliers of Golden Guernsey ringing in this New Year.

All of these creditors have insurance to protect against fire and flood on their equipment, land, etc, but very few probably took the steps to insure their accounts receivables. Why would they? Some may have conducted business with Golden Guernsey for the full 80 years always with payment…until now. Now they have to wait for the proceedings and the liquidation to begin where they may hope to get pennies on the dollar back in a year(s) time; unless.

Unless, these suppliers HAD insured their accounts receivables with trade credit insurance, which offers a guarantee of payment in cases of insolvency or slow pay. For a fraction of 1% of insured sales, catastrophic losses are avoided. When compared to fire and flood insurance, what is more likely to happen, a building to burn down or someone not paying an invoice? The obvious answer is the latter, however that is usually the only major asset on a balance sheet not secured.

There are many reasons that the closing is disappointing, but the impact may be larger than the initial 100 job losses because of how many businesses are affected, which is the greatest shame. Is it worth paying $20 dollars for every $10,000 of goods shipped to insure that you get paid on those goods? Just ask the unsecured suppliers of Golden Guernsey ringing in this New Year.

WAUKESHA — More than 100 workers at the Golden Guernsey plant in Waukesha are demanding answers after the plant was unexpectedly shut down on Saturday, January 5th.

Employees spent Monday afternoon in the Golden Guernsey parking lot. They hoped their former employer would let them in to get their belongings.

Across the street, milk distributor Al Gruenwald pointed to the trailer his employer, Lasky’s Service, used during its partnership with Golden Guernsey.

“I was scheduled to work Saturday morning. Got here about 8 in the morning and they had security there and they said ‘you’re not allowed in.’ I saw the plant manager and asked him what happened and they said they shut the plant down,” said Gruenwald.

The shutdown also came as a surprise to state officials. Wisconsin requires large employers to provide a 60-day written notice when it plans to execute a mass layoff. The plant’s owner, a Los Angeles investment firm, told no one — not state officials, employees, or the union.

Gruenwald is upset with the firm. But he says someone else shares even more of the blame — the federal government. He says the government forced Dean Foods to sell Golden Guernsey in 2011 in an effort to “restore competition” among school milk providers in Wisconsin and Illinois.

“Sometimes the government, maybe I don’t know a whole lot, but I believe sometimes the government shouldn’t get involved in certain things,” said Gruenwald.

The U.S. Department of Justice says it has no comment, at least for now.

FOX6 News left multiple messages with the L.A.-based company, OpenGate Capital and never got a response.

The state Department of Workforce Development is planning workshops to specifically help the Golden Guernsey employees find work.

The DWD and its regional workforce partner, the Waukesha-Ozaukee-Washington (WOW) Workforce Development, Inc., have scheduled Rapid Response orientation sessions for affected workers in the WOW region on Wednesday, January 16, and Thursday, January 17, at the WOW Workforce Development, Inc., offices at the Workforce Development Center, 892 Main Street, Suite A, Pewaukee.

Affected workers are asked to pre-register by calling 262-695-8041.

The Rapid Response services are part of the DWD-administered Dislocated Worker Program, which serves workers who become dislocated when a business cuts positions or ceases operations entirely. The goal is to help them find work at new jobs that pay as well or better than their previous employment.

Related stories:

• Golden Guernsey Dairy closes doors unexpectedly

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Contact your local dentist for a consultation or to learn more.

1. Rooftop gardens.  They attract tourists, improve air quality, offset energy demands and the list goes on.  Seriously, why aren’t we doing this?
2. Expanded Farmer’s market hours.  Have you been to our Farmer’s market lately?  It is insane!  As much as I love it, and am thrilled for its success, it’s gotten to the point where it’s so crowded it’s almost not worth the while.  In a city this size, 5 hours a week is clearly pathetic.  Let’s get on that!
3. A real salad bar in each elementary school.  Do you know what my daughter told me a “side salad” is at her school?  Plain lettuce.  Nothing else.  That is absurd!  This is the wealthiest county in the state, so why are our children eating cheap garbage for lunch?
4. An elected official that isn’t a rich, white republican.  I’m not a die-hard democrat but I’m definitely not represented.  And neither are you if you’re still reading this list, I’m guessing.
5. Roundabouts.  Never do I spend so much time wasting away at red lights, or worse, waiting in purgatory to turn left at some odd intersection, as I do here in Waukesha.  Roundabouts are cheaper, safer, and prettier.  What’s the holdup?

This hopeless idealist could continue such a list forever.  What do you want to see added to it?

As Milwaukee and Waukesha small businesses and their accountants and other advisers are preparing for year-end tax preparation, Here are five tips for payroll taxes.
1. Verify tax IDs.
A small-business owner should collaborate with his or her accountant or payroll service provider to ensure each tax ID number on payroll reports are correct and current. Any mistake should be fixed prior to processing the company’s last payroll of 2012.
2. Confirm W-2 and 1099 information with employees.
Before the end of the year, employees should review and confirm their W-2 and 1099 information. Small-business owners are responsible for providing accountants with updated employee W-2 information before the last payroll report in 2012. If a W-2c form must be filed with the IRS to correct information on a W-2, the accountant should be notified immediately.
3. Know your filing responsibilities.
Depending on the situation, the small-business owner or the company’s accountant must file the company’s taxes, and that responsibility should be confirmed with the accountant or tax advisor.
4. Submit payroll adjustments.
All employee payroll adjustments, including voided or manually issued employee checks, are to be submitted to the accountant or payroll service provider prior to the final 2012 payroll report. The deadline for this is Dec. 28.
5. Report all missing wages or miscellaneous income and tax credits.
Missing wages and miscellaneous income and tax credits are required to be reported to the accountant or payroll service provider before the final 2012 payroll report. These wages, income and tax credits include fringe benefits, tips, COBRA payments, employee moving expenses and unsubstantiated employee expense reimbursements.

photo from familysearch.org

Fred, Henrietta and their children were in the Village of Mapleton, Town of Oconomowoc, Waukesha, Wisconsin when they were enumerated for the 1885 Wisconsin State Census in June of 1885.

This census shows 4 males and 5 females living in the household. Here is my breakdown:

Males: Frederick, Ernest, Ferdinand, Charles, Edward

Females: Henrietta, Emma, Helena, Anna

I have an extra male in Edward, not sure if he was still living at this point as I have not found his death information.

Also, I am missing a female, Unless perhaps, Mathilda was born in May 1885 and not 1886.
This census also says that only 2 people were born in Germany, and as far as I can tell both parents and the two oldest children were born in Germany.

I believe this is the right family because Charles Fred Quast was born in Mapleton, Wisconsin and this is where this family is located in this census record.
There are a few differences like the ones listed above that still make me want to further research this census.

Next up: Look for them in the 1895 Wisconsin Census.

WAUKESHA — There was a battle going on in the streets of Waukesha Thursday night, December 20th. Snow plow drivers were battling their way down the roads — doing everything they could to move the heavy, wet, slushy snow out of the way.

Since 1:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon, Waukesha County responded to 23 property damage accidents, five personal injury accidents, 57 cars in the ditch on the side of the road, and 22 disabled vehicles.

As the evening wore on, the wind whipped through the city. Visibility deteriorated quickly. The brunt of the blizzard which was forecast blew in after the skies went dark.

Daring dog owners managed to find some time to take their pets out for a walk in the snow. But even they knew there’s be nothing all that playful about the tail end of the storm.

WAUKESHA — People living in Waukesha County have seen it all on Thursday, December 20th. The day started out with light snow. It changed to rain, then sleet and back to snow again.

Plow drivers in Pewaukee cleared several inches of snow to start their day. That snow, turned to slush.

Nick Kuspa woke up at 4:30 a.m. to start plowing. But he wasn’t making much progress by mid-morning.

“It’s just never-ending,  you’re pushing the slush around, it just seems like you are never going to end,” said Kuspa.

In the city of Waukesha, Felicia Froschmeyer was left to clean up the snow by hand. And to make matters worse, her teenage son is not available to pitch in.

“His back hurt and he’s cold,  typical 18-year-old.  His real motivation was to get back inside and play video games,” said Froschmeyer.

Trying to move the heavy wet snow was not Froschmeyer’s only challenge. While clearing her own driveway, she had to be on the lookout for flying slush as other vehicles drove by.

WAUKESHA — The bigger amounts of snow are expected north and west of Milwaukee. But that doesn’t seem to be phasing those making purchases at Mark Tomchek’s Waukesha Ace Hardware.

“They’re buying salt shovels and whatever else they need for the storm,” said Tomchek.

Among those in to buy some last-minute items is Dorothy Klatt. She’s having Tomchek’s crew load up six bags of salt.

Meanwhile, Waukesha County Sheriff’s Deputies are glad shoppers are preparing. They hope they’re also prepared to not drive. Capt. Michelle Larsuel says extra patrols will be on the highways. 

“Because the call volume will be so high, we will try to stop to make sure there are no serious injuries. But the response I may be a little bit slower because of the high call volume,” said Capt. Larsuel.

Officials are warning drivers to be patient and not take risks when they’re behind the wheel. They say conditions on the surfaces could change within minutes even after roadways have been treated.

“We want them to slow down in the winter conditions, meaning reduce speed to half the posted speed limits or less,” said Capt. Larsuel “And also give themselves enough room between them and the vehicle in front of them, and give themselves enough time to get to their destination And really if they don’t need to be on the roads at all, we suggest that you stay home.”

Getting there is simple: from Milwaukee, take I-94 west toward Madison and exit Hwy 67, heading South for about 6 miles, then turn East on Cty Road ZZ. After about a half mile, the entrance to the trail will be on your left. For directions from your area click here…or just use your GPS.

This park, like all others in the Wisconsin State system requires a park pass. We hesitantly bought a yearly park pass not knowing if we would get our money’s worth and if we would use it very often. After the first month of having the pass, we more then got what we paid for. In fact, we should be paying additional fees to the Wisconsin State park system for all of the enjoyment we have gotten from it. If you don’t own one yet, here’s the link. I’d recommend purchasing the yearly pass since you’ll be saving money over the daily pass if you visit a park just four days in the year, but that will depend how often you plan to take trips to the spots we’re recommending. Oh, and it’s recommended that you follow our trip recommendations, they are certified awesome.

As you enter the trail, you’ll notice there’s plenty of parking. We went on an unseasonably beautiful day in December (48ºF and sunny) and pretty much had the trails to ourselves, as you can see by this picture.

There are three rows for parking, plenty to accommodate whatever crowd may be there on the day of your visit. The trail also provides a newer bathroom with pit toilets.

It’s not the Trump Plaza but it beats taking a dump in the woods, unless you have some strange fetish about wiping your butt with pine cones.

There are three options for hiking through this system. The red loop is 2.3 miles, the orange is 4.2 miles and the green is 5 miles. Here’s a shot of the map at the trail head for your references. (And a link to print out a map, if you’d like to have it before you venture out.)

As you can see, the trails overlap each other, so if you want to jump around you’ll have that option. Each of the trails is fairly up and down, but nothing that’s extremely difficult. The trails were built with cross-country skiing in mind, so they’re wide, well groomed and easy to navigate. While we’re on the subject, be aware that the trails are open to hiking in spring, summer and fall but closed to hiking when there is snow on the ground, at which time it transfers to a cross-country skiing trail set. Also, biking isn’t allowed on this trail system, but the nearby John Muir trail system is very good for biking (and will be reviewed at a later date). The trails are all clearly marked, as shown here:

The forest boasts plenty of tall pines, so visibility is excellent while you’re tromping through the woods. There are also several lookout points that give you a great view of the surrounding forest. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I’d like to display a series of images to give you an idea of what you’ll see on your hike through this area. Obviously there’s more shrubbery in the middle of summer than during the middle of December, but you’ll have to use your imagination for that.

All in all, this is a great set of trails. If you’re looking for an easy hike in a picturesque setting, Scuppernong is a wonderful spot. If you’ve visited before, or if you intend to go in the future, leave some comments and let us know about your experience with Scuppernong.

WAUKESHA — A man who kept Waukesha police at bay for four hours was a “no show” in court on Wednesday, December 12th. But he may have a good reason.

The courtroom on Wednesday was filled with attorneys and the court commissioner. But when Kelly Shaw’s case came up, he wasn’t there. It was the understanding of the court, he had been hospitalized.

Shaw was out on bail. In court Wednesday, the person who posted the bail, through his attorney, asked the court to refund the $2,000 because he no longer supports Shaw.

“He wasn’t aware of the details at all at the time that he posted that bail. We’re asking that that be refunded to the poster. If Mr. Shaw has the ability to post the bail, he can do so. It’s a very serious case. My client believes Shaw poses a serious risk to the community and he’s not prepared to support him financially,” Anthony Cotton, lawyer for the bail poster said.

58-year-old Shaw faces two domestic abuse misdemeanor charges of “pointing a firearm at another” and disorderly conduct, use of a dangerous weapon.

According to the criminal complaint, it all came to a head December 5th in Waukesha. Police were sent to do a well-being check at Shaw’s residence. They were advised that “Shaw had put a gun to his wife’s head, and stated that if police were called, he would kill his wife and shoot the police.”

Police negotiated with Shaw for four hours before he came out of his East View Court home. The criminal complaint says he told officers, “I wish I knew you were outside, I would be dead and hopefully two or three cops would be dead.”

Police found several guns inside Shaw’s home.

His wife, who was with a relative in Pewaukee, stated that “he threatened her with a gun after an argument over a pillow cover he demanded that she make.” She also stated Shaw’s anger issues have escalated and she was afraid he would harm himself and make good on his threats to others.

The court commission allowed the person who posted bail to get that money back. She also issued a warrant for Shaw for failure to appear in court.

Kelly Shaw

WAUKESHA — 58-year-old Kelly Shaw of Waukesha has been charged in connection with a standoff incident in Waukesha. 

Shaw faces one count of pointing a firearm at another (domestic abuse) and two counts of disorderly conduct (domestic abuse, use of a dangerous weapon).

Police were dispatched to Shaw’s residence on East View Court in Waukesha early Wednesday morning, December 5th. Police had been advised Shaw had reportedly put a gun to his wife’s head and stated that if police were called he would kill his wife and shoot the police — according to the criminal complaint in the case.

Over the course of several hours, Shaw refused to exit his residence. 

Four hours later, Shaw exited his home an reportedly told police he was trying to contact Mental Health, but “the police beat him to it.” According to the criminal complaint, Shaw told police “I wish I knew you were outside. I would be dead, and hopefully two or three cops would be dead. I would have shot you if I knew you were outside. Put me in front of a firing line and just kill me. Just shoot me in the head.” Shaw also threatened to kill his wife, Fay Shaw.

Police were initially unable to locate Fay Shaw, but later found her unharmed at a relative’s house in Pewaukee. Fay Shaw told police she and her husband had gotten into an argument the night before, during which time Kelly Shaw had reportedly but a gun to his head. Fay Shaw told her husband he needed help, and Kelly Shaw told her he was going to eat, then go to the Mental Health facility for treatment. 

Fay Shaw then left the residence.

In the criminal complaint, Fay Shaw told police her husband’s anger has been getting worse, and he doesn’t answer the door without a gun in his hand. Fay Shaw told police her husband has a concealed carry permit and carries a gun at all time. Fay Shaw also indicated there are several weapons kept in their home.

Fay Shaw told police she was fearful of calling police when her husband’s anger escalated because he has threatened there would be a shootout and he would kill all the officers. 

She told police she is worried her husband would come to her workplace and “do something to her and other employees where she works.” Shaw told police her husband has threatened to do this in the past — according to the criminal complaint.

Kelly Shaw is expected in court on Wednesday, December 12th.

Related stories: 

• Woman found unharmed after Waukesha tactical situation

This is a product photo of items produced from disarmed and recycled nuclear weapon systems. Photo taken 12/8/12

The group product shot was for BrightandBold.com. The product line is made from a unique copper alloy created from disarmed and recycled nuclear weapon systems. Bottle openers and jewelry make up this group shot. One of the more unique freelance web product photos I’ve done. The company deems the products are safe to handle but it was still a little odd to handle items that were once a part of a nuclear weapon.

WAUKESHA — Vandalism in Waukesha has put a damper on Christmas for some residents. They have reported damage to holiday decorations, and are now hoping for help catching the Grinch responsible.

The holiday decorations around a Waukesha apartment complex appear every season, as two dozen families try to spread Christmas cheer. Manager Gary Baran sets the mood, but this year his holiday spirit isn’t the only thing deflated.

Two of his inflatable holiday lawn decorations were damaged — and even Santa was slashed!

“It’s a heartbreak. It was cut in several places — was just cut from his belly button to his chin,” Baran said.

Baran isn’t sure who would do something like this, but he says he believes the damage was done with a knife. Baran says his decorations are about $80 a piece.

Dick Mazurek says three of his inflatable decorations were vandalized as well. 

“Big money. 60 bucks, 70 bucks, 80 bucks, whatever. I was like, come on, that’s just bad,” Mazurek said.

For 20 years, Baran has decorated problem free, but this year, he’s out about $160 and running low on holiday cheer.

“I hope the person gets caught and he rots in hell later, and on the other hand, if it’s a child or teen, then there’s a way of God getting back at him, or Santa Claus,” Baran said.

FOX6′s media partners at the Waukesha Patch report the following incidents involving Christmas decorations were reported to the Waukesha Police Department over the weekend:

• A person reported at 1:30 a.m. Saturday finding a neighbor’s Christmas decorations smashed in the 100 block of North Hine Avenue.
• A man reported at 6:10 a.m. Saturday that an unknown person ripped off his lights during the middle of the night in the 100 block of North Hine Avenue. The man told police he’s been having problems in the neighborhood and planned to install a camera to catch the vandal.
• Christmas lights were reported damaged at 8:36 p.m. Saturday in the 1100 block of School Road.
• Christmas decorations were reported slashed at 9:31 p.m. Saturday in the 1900 block of Marliz Drive.
• An inflatable Christmas decoration was slashed at 10:38 p.m. Saturday in the 200 block of Macarthur Road.
• Christmas decorations were slashed at 10:52 p.m. Saturday in the 500 block of North West Avenue.
• Decorations were reportedly cut at 8:55 a.m. Sunday in the 1700 block of Oakdale Drive.
• Six Christmas decorations were slashed at 2:45 p.m. Sunday in the 400 block of Central  Avenue.
• A person reported at 6:09 p.m. Sunday in the 400 block of Estberg Avenue that two inflatable Christmas decorations were “knifed.”
• A person reported at 8:04 p.m. Sunday that an inflatable Christmas decoration was slashed in the 100 block of Rivera Drive.

The program is one of the requirements of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and affects all public water systems that serve more than 10,000 people, Northern Lake Service said in a statement. The total value of the contract is $8.5 million. The contract involves analysis of drinking water samples collected from 800 randomly selected public water systems.

Northern Lake Services was born out of Wisconsin’s Inland Lake Renewal Program in 1974. The company provides environmental testing services to clients wishing to test drinking water, wastewater, groundwater, surface water, soil and other biomatrices. They have a dedicated staff of 35 analysts, technicians, and support staff with an average tenure of more than ten years within the company.