VOL IV No. 5 Dec. 2010 / Jan. 2011

Did You Know??? Many species of butterflies fly Hello Readers, south for the winter just like Tis the Season for spreading good cheer and thinking of those less fortunate than you. birds. Whether you are donating an item for our annual Toy Drive or serving meals at your local Your hair grows slower in the shelter, helping others is what makes this time of the year so gratifying. winter than in summer. We would like to thank all of the people that “Make It Happen” at the Custom Companies On average, one inch of rain is for our continued success! Your dedication is greatly appreciated. equivalent to 10 inches of snow. And don‟t forget about „Finding Perry‟s Moustache‟ and your chance to win a $50.00 gift th The number one forgotten thing card. Please send your answer to [email protected] no later than Friday, December 17 . to buy during the holidays – The committee wishes everyone a Holiday filled with joy and a New Year of good health and wealth! batteries! Happy Holidays, Jingle Bells is the most fre- The Newsletter Committee quently played holiday song. White Christmas is second. Of the 1300 species of mistletoe, only two are native to America; Custom Global’s New Cargo Security Measures by Matt Foley the American Mistletoe and the Dwarf Mistletoe. In an era with packages containing explosives, pat down procedures that are considered intrusive and The Romans named the first the looming air of 9/11 in the not too distant past it appears that even more stringent TSA regulations month of the year after Janus, are not only likely but inevitable. the god of beginnings and the guardian of doors and en- In the last issue we reviewed the mandatory 100% screening that went into place August 1. While Cus- trances. tom Global has been engaged in “known shipper” procedures and is completely compliant with all TSA regulations, we too went a step further to ensure the safety of our associates, customers and the entire nation. To alleviate any potential con- In December 1901, Walt Disney cerns, each and every employee within The Custom Companies was given a security threat assessment (STA). This is an was born in a cottage built by extension of the previous program which was limited to those who had access to air cargo shipments (all Custom Global his father located at 2156 N. Tripp Ave., . Logistics associates, all drivers and select dock personnel). Each associate has also been trained in security risk assess- ment, training that will be refreshed annually. Each associate has also been issued an emergency whistle and has been At age 35, Martin Luther King Jr. trained on the proper use of the whistle should someone who does not display a Custom or CDN ID badge be seen on the was the youngest person to win premises. the Nobel Peace Prize. Our cargo handling procedures have been revised as well. For more than 5 years, many of you have been aware of our air TSA Screening 1 freight “cage.” The purpose of that cage has not been to segregate or store high value cargo, but rather is to ensure that PSP 2 known shipper cargo that may travel on passenger planes is segregated from unknown shipper cargo. The procedures that are followed with known shipper cargo that will be travelling on passenger aircraft have been unwavering. All drivers that Auto-track 3 pick up this freight have STA’s and have been properly trained to accept cargo only from “known” individuals. To qualify a HR Corner 4 shipper as “known” is far more stringent that to simply “know” someone. It requires three ground shipments on non- consecutive days as well as a site verification form to be completed by a Custom Global representative. Once the ship- Black, Gold & Germs 5 ment is recovered, it is transported in a locked and secured vehicle either directly to the airport or to our facility. If it is Filling in the Blanks 6-7 dropped at our facility, it is then placed inside the “known shipper” cage until it is re-loaded on another secured and locked vehicle and taken directly to the airport. These procedures have never been compromised or deviated from. USA Cares 8 To take our process and procedures to the next level, you may notice that we have installed a WCPF 9 secondary cage “around” the original cage. What this means is that “ALL” Custom Global freight, deferred, expedited ground and true “air” freight is completely segregated from the Woods & Water 10 rest of the facility. The original cage has been maintained and even within the “outside” cage Mark’s Music Corner 11 the known shipper freight is still segregated from the unknown shipper freight inside the Custom Sports Center 12 “inside” cage. We are excited about the additional steps that have been taken by Custom Global and confident that we will continue to protect the nation’s security one shipment at a Halloween Contest 14 time.

Recipes 15

The Custom Companies, Inc. - 317 W Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com VOL IV No. 5 December 2010 / January 2011

Page 2 PSP (Pre-Employment Screening Program) by Bruce Lenau

Full implementation of CSA 2010 (CSMS) Carrier Safety Management System is just around the corner, it will be replacing the current SafeStat Carrier Safety Evaluation System (SEA’s) with Behavioral Analysis Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs).

Following the rollout of the CSMS, another system the (DSMS) Driver Safety Management System will be implemented, estimates on time line for the complete roll-out of this system place it later in 2011. The DSMS will assign point values and scores to individual drivers based on their performance in the same BASICS that the carrier system. Another part of the new program that FMCSA has made available to carriers and drivers but that is not rolled out completely as of yet is called the (PSP) Pre-Employment Screening Program. I have included a link to the portal that has the methodology for scoring in this new system which is important to drivers (starting at page A.4 of the document). Carriers have access to driver PSP’s already and are using them to make more informed hiring decisions. We pay to obtain a prospective driver’s PSP which includes:

DOT Recordable Accidents (Crash Indicator): Accidents and their scores remain on a driver’s (PSP) for a five year period. So if you have a DOT recordable accident here, and leave our company, that accident remains visible on your PSP to prospective employers for 5 years.

Violations are based by category (BASIC) which include: Unsafe Driving (traffic citations) Fatigued Driving (hours of service violations) Driver Fitness (Suspensions, revocations, medical disqualifications, not possessing proper license or endorsement, etc.), Controlled Substance and NEW HIRES Alcohol (failed drug /alcohol test, refusal to test, etc.), Vehicle Maintenance (Any equipment violation cited during a roadside inspection), and Im- proper Loading /Cargo Securement (No or insufficient securement, wrong type or number of tie downs etc.) Violation severity weight is the number of points assigned to the Driver and Carrier Safety score for each violation. Violation in the DSMS “Y” indicates the violation the points will be as- sessed to the Driver’s Safety score as well as the Carriers. Violations that results in an Out Of Service will be assessed 2 additional points for each infraction. Scores are also weighted by time, a specific violation that happened within the last year has a multiplier of x3, within 1-2 years has a multiplier of x2, within 2-3 years ago the multiplier is x1 Robert Barbosa Joshua Beckman Francisco Hernan- dez Matt Howard Eric Inman Jasson Lansdown Jacklyn Mandera Gerald McPherson German Melendez Marcus Molina Raldo Moralde Christian Olsen Arturo Perez Angel Rodriguez Jose Scott Elesa Tofi The table above shows a violation of texting while driving (line 2); for this violation the driver would be assigned 10 points, plus 2 additional points Joel Vences would be added if the driver was placed Out of Service, making the total 12 points. For the first year after it occurred the driver point count would equal 36 points due to the x3 multiplier, the second year total would be 24 points, the third year total 12 points. After 3 years it falls completely off Jim Welsh the driver PSP. Violations that increase the risk of accidents are scored higher point severity weights, which is why speeding and texting while driv- ing are higher point values than the others. They create a higher risk factor for being involved in an accident than the others. Only one violation on the above table would be assessed only against the carrier, and not the driver as indicated by the “N” in the far right column.

PSP profiles are requested after obtaining a signed release by the prospective driver, but must be ordered prior to making any offer of employment. A fee of $10.00 is charged for each order submitted. The profile contains basic driver information, 5 years of crash information, all roadside information data for 3 years including the date/location/inspection level and details of any violations cited, and a summary of all violations cited for the previous 3 year period. This provides an accurate picture for recruiters and hiring managers of the applicants’ compliance (or lack of) with the Federal Regulations. Trucking companies are not being required to obtain PSP’s at this point but many companies like ours are finding it to be an invaluable tool in helping to identify if potential drivers are qualified or unqualified for employment. With the changes instituted by CSA 2010 more carriers will be using this as a tool for basing their hiring deci- sions. All drivers need to understand that violations that are driver controllable will have a profound impact on their scores, employability, and future livelihood as Commercial drivers. Drivers interested in learning more about the PSP program, or who wish to see how their safety profile looks can contact me at x4766.

The Custom Companies, Inc. - 317 W Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com VOL IV No. 5 December 2010 / January 2011

Page 3 AUTO-TRACK OR BUST! By Daniel Leach It’s 1:32 A.M. Danny, donning a signature Chicago Bears sock cap and sunny disposition, greets the 2nd shift associ- ates echoing how tonight, like every night, is a “fine evening for trucking”. Pulling a ballpoint pen from the side shelf and a clipboard from his briefcase, Dan gets the latest scoop on the freights tracked during the 2nd shift as he jots everything down. While waiting for the computer to load, Dan rips a Lysol sanitary wipe and begins cleaning his work station. A sip of coffee, and a brief moment to reflect, is all the time Dan needs before 2:00 AM strikes and the baton is passed. Dan, like all of us in the Auto-track department, is but one of many pieces of the puzzle dedicated to the persistent NEW ARRIVALS! task of tracking and tracing freight. But what many aren’t aware of are our department’s other contributions. Whether it’d be account management, internal customer service, external customer service or assisting drivers, Congratulations go out to Laura The Custom Companies’ vision of ‘meeting shippers' needs by providing top quality service’ has manifested, and Montanez and Dennis on their will continue to manifest, here. bouncing baby boy! Jacob Jo- th Louie Clemente, Head Supervisor of the Auto-track department, looks forward each morning to tackling the unique seph was born October 28 at problems that occur during a normal work day. 8:58 pm, weighing in at 8lbs “We are resolution-ists!” says Louie, “Everyday we’re dealing with problems. If we didn’t have problems with our 10oz. Jacob will be welcomed shipments, there’d be no reason to track and trace them. Getting the opportunity to showcase one’s problem solv- home by big sister Ashley! ing skills is what motivates me to do this job.” And, during the 1st shift, there are enough issues for all. Alfonso Reyes Jr. can hear the roosters’ crow when he starts making check calls and updating CLI. Danielle Pitsenbarger handles Quad Graphics, one of CDN Logistics promi- nent customers, by acting as a liaison to their customer service department, informing them of shipments, pick ups, freight occurrences and more. And, when he isn’t showcasing his impressive swing on the golf course, Scott Ten-Broeck works with Custom’s dispatchers and carriers to update both regarding their truckload shipments. There’s a lot of activity that occurs in just a brief moment. Felix Torres, working close with Louie to wrestle pick ups and carriers breakdowns throughout the day, tears a post-it with a list of evening pickups for me to check. Alonzo Blanco quickly follows with his thorough report on the day’s check calls for Expeditors, Ropak and RR Donnelley. Then Oscar Aceves, after Congratulations go out to Louie assisting CDN dispatchers, rummages to- (CHI Auto-track) and Madonna gether all the information regarding Alberto Clemente on the birth of their Culver before entrusting me with the responsi- second son Jaden Tristan. Jaden bility of updating these shipments throughout rd the evening. All happening moments before I was born November 23 , weigh- take a seat across from Louie, who welcomes ing in at 8lbs even, 21 inches me with a quick joke to lighten the mood. long. Big brother Vincent wel- To me, humor is a necessity when working in comes Jaden home. any customer service position. Knowing that each of us must deal with situations, where emotions quickly rise, is an operational reality Front row: Alonzo Blanco, Felix Torres, Al Reyes, Danielle Pitsenbarger Back in any business. Yet, even through adversity, row: Louie Clemente, Scott Ten-Broek, Oscar Aceyes Not Pictured: Johnathan the Auto-track department has shown tremen- Kofoed and Raul Soto dous competence and perseverance. With tons of shipments to track, lots of carriers to call and many customers to care after, Auto-track demonstrates how a dedicated staff of professionals can promote integrity, professional courtesy and sound business judgment with class. Johnathan Kofoed having worked both 3rd and weekend shifts can testify to how diverse, yet adverse, each sched- ule can be. “During the weekends, it’s a whole different beast.” He says, “The phones do not stop ringing at all.” Congratulations go out to Jo- Having to work 12 hour shifts to cover the whole weekend with incoming calls, and having to make outbound calls seph Santos (CHI dock) and his as well, can be overwhelming. Fortunately, Johnathan Kofoed and Raul Soto step up to the challenge each week- wife Migdalia on the birth of end and make it happen. Al Mendoza, weekend dispatcher, witnesses their stellar teamwork in covering check their son, Gianni Joseph. calls, using key moments to help maximize outbound call coverage while tending to incoming requests. This is but Gianni was born on November one of many examples of how Auto-track demonstrates their commitment to providing the best in customer satis- 9th weighing in at 7lbs, 10 oz., faction and support. Though we are the new kids on the block, in just a short period of time, this department has grown into a focused 21 inches long. Big brother community of impact players firm in its goal of keeping The Custom Companies a leader in the transportation field. Anthony welcomes Gianni We are resolute in our belief that we are a shining ex home. ample of how this business continues to design crea tive solutions to face shipping challenges headstrong. So next time you see us; whether it be talking to truckers, updating customer web pages or troubleshooting freight issues; be no stranger! Stop on by, extend a hand, we will always be lending ours!

The Custom Companies, Inc. - 317 W Lake Street Northlake, VOL IV No. 5 December 2010 / January 2011

Page 4 HR CORNER by Tom Kennedy Flu shot: Your best bet for avoiding influenza Getting a flu shot often protects you from coming down with the flu. And while the flu shot doesn't always provide total protection, it's still worth getting. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the

vaccines that will be available this fall to protect people against several seasonal flu (influenza) viruses expected to be in circulation this fall and winter. The annual flu shot won't contain protection against the pandemic swine flu (novel H1N1) vi- rus. A separate vaccine has been developed for the swine flu virus; however Rich Quinn 12/4 some providers have combined both the flu shot and the HINI shot in one shot. It Ramir Sison 12/5 is important that you check with your provider. Ronnie Jenkins 12/8 Laura Montanez 12/9 Influenza is a respiratory infection that sickens millions of people each year and Juan Morales 12/13 can cause serious complications, especially in children and older adults. Fortu- John Severino 12/13 nately, the flu vaccine is available in the form of a flu shot or a nasal spray that Sylwia Wozniak 12/13 offers protection against the flu. Richard Vitez 12/14 Jason Montgomery12/17 Marco Solorio 12/17 Here are the answers to common questions about flu shots. Stephen Coffey 12/19 Petra Gumieniak 12/20 When is the flu vaccine available? Dale Majcina 12/20 The flu vaccine is generally offered between September and mid-December, Jason Miner 12/28 which is typically before the late-fall to early winter start of flu season. However, Todor Kalemov 12/30 getting a flu shot even later in the flu season may still protect you. It takes up to two weeks to build immunity following a flu shot.

Why do I need to get vaccinated every year?

You need annual flu protection because the influenza virus changes from year to year. The flu vaccine you got last year wasn't designed to fight the virus strains in circulation this flu season. Influenza viruses mutate so quickly that they can ren- der one season's vaccine ineffective by the next season. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advisory committee meets early in the year to esti- mate which strains of influenza virus will be most prevalent during the upcoming flu season, and manufacturers produce vaccine based on those recommenda- tions. How to survive a Blizzard

The secret to staying warm in any emergency cold-weather situation is to breathe through your nose, not your mouth, say survivor experts. Gulping cold, dry air will chill and dehydrate you, but taking in air through your mucous-lined nasal passages warms and humidifies the air before it reaches your lungs.

The Custom Companies, Inc. - 317 W Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com VOL IV No. 5 December 2010 / January 2011

Page 5 Black, Gold, and Germ Protection by Tom Kennedy, Bruce Lenau and Carol Guarino

So you think the germiest place you’ll ever encounter is a public toilet? Think again! In one study, 80% of the grocery carts sampled had E. coli on the handle. But they are not the only microbe mag- nets, listed here are the top five most germ-filled places in your world and the best way to clean them.

PHONES: Cell phones carry 500 times more bacteria than a public toilet seat. Many disease-causing microbes can survive for weeks on your rarely cleaned office or cell phone. Clean with a disinfecting wipe daily. SOAP DISPENSERS: Ironically, this germ-fighting tool is a hot spot for E. coli and other fecal bacte- ria. But if you wash your hands properly after every time you finish using the facilities, you will get rid of the bugs. KEYBOARD & MOUSE: Your co-worker’s germs can linger on your computer longer than any virus Jonathan Kofoed 1/1 sent. Many bacteria can survive for hours to days on surfaces similar to keyboards. Wipe tech equip- Ezequiel Ortega 1/1 ment and accessories down weekly with a disinfectant, even if you are the only one using the com- David McAlpin 1/5 puter. Arturo Ortega 1/5 LOBBY-LEVEL ELEVATOR BUTTONS: These little knobs are teeming with germs. Wait for someone Luis Tirado 1/5 else to press the button, use your gloved finger or use your knuckle then clean your hands with a Ivan Aguirre 1/7 hand sanitizer. Rommel Camahalan 1/9 SHOPPING CART HANDLES: Since up to 8 in 10 carts most likely have E. coli, take advantage of the free disinfectant wipes the store provides or use your hand sanitizer after Jose Cedeno 1/9 shopping. Vicente Sanchez 1/9 Don Weiner 1/14 And don’t skip these surfaces – door knobs, remote controls, Gregorio Montoya 1/17 game controllers, light switches and banisters are often forgot- ten but touched frequently. Swipe them weekly with an antibac- Guillermo Moreno 1/17 terial wipe. Also, the bottom of a purse or handbag touches Chris Nicholson 1/18 many germy surfaces so wipe this down every few days. Francisco Felix 1/22

OTHER GERM FIGHTING TIPS: John Skiba 1/23 Take your shoes off and put them on a rack or in a closet. The Juan Mata 1/25 germs and other contaminants collected on shoes can be Rich Ross 1/25 tracked throughout your house. Tina Petrovic 1/29 Keep your toothbrush and paste in the medicine cabinet. Flush- ing the toilet disperses microbes up to six feet away and many collect on the bathroom sink.

Congratulations to Sharon Zych (CHI Biller) and Steve Klomfar as they tied the knot on October 16th, 2010. We wish them many years of marital bliss!!

DRIVER APPRECIATION WEEK SEPTEMBER 20th - 24th Drivers were provided lunch for the week and enjoyed many handouts!

The Custom Companies, Inc. - 317 W Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com VOL IV No. 5 December 2010 / January 2011

Page 6 FILLING IN THE BLANKS with Dave Gale

I love Transportation because:...I enjoy a challenge. The qualities that make a “GRADE A” Dockhand are...Accuracy, common sense, speed and quality work ethic. The qualities that make a “GRADE A” City Driver are...Same as a Dockhand but with a better sense of direction. It’s hard to get lost on dock.

When having a line haul trailer loaded it is important to...Count your freight like you count your money because you’ll know if you come up short, read the labels and load a maximum average of 800lbs per foot of floor space. I say “God Bless You” to the operations people. I feel that our fleet in California is...top notch just like our drivers. Using Bar scan technologies...improves accuracy and information

flow. Juan Mata 16 I kind of have a feeling the future of transportation will hold...Many innovations. Steven Laue 15 As you get older...Financial security becomes more important. Clete Janik 13 Custom Culture means...Customer First to me. Jose Rentas 10 In my opinion the top three things that separate The Custom Companies from our competi- tors...Technology, Services Offered, We Will Make It Happen Attitude Ramone Dino 6 I think that the government should do...less regulating of the industry to improve trucking. Elizabeth Gonzalez 6 New technologies means to me...improved efficiencies. Gerald Coleman 5 I feel that I make a difference by...offering common sense solutions to day to day issues. Andy Mc Donald 5 I would rather praise someone for a job well done then reprimand them for doing a poor job. What does “World Class Transportation provider” mean to you...One that provides a great ser- Richard Vitez 5 vice for fair price. German Delgado 4 The word Team means...“one for all and all for one common goal success” to me. Fransisco Pelayo 4 Mutual Respect is the most important synergy between Sales and Operations. The surest sign that the economy is improving are...That the transportation of goods and prod- Juan Espinoza 3 ucts is on the rise. Lech Mruk 3 The strangest transportation move that I was involved in was...When a shipment of live turtles Mark Schiele 3 escaped the liquid soaked boxes that they were shipped in. It seems that boxes split open over Eli Azzo 1 night on the dock and we had a turtle round-up in the morning. In my career in transportation, the wheel caused the most profound change in the industry. Jason Miner 1 As Perry Mandera used to say...“MAKE IT HAPPEN” My father had good advice about...Fast cars and women but I didn’t listen. I don’t know...but I’ve been told if you never grow up you never grow old??? You wonder sometimes...Where did the last twenty years go? The biggest difference between when I started in the Transportation Industry and now is...the trailers are 13’ longer. You can’t stop...on ice quickly! Customers love...aggressive FAK structures and deep discounts. The best things that children teach you...are the simplest things that you are too busy to see. I would like to...retire financially set and early enough to enjoy it. I never did, but some day I will...figure out why I knew so much more about everything when I was 19 years old. I hope this cleared up some of the mysteries of the Transportation Industry and Dave Gale. REMEMBER TO SMILE AND BRIGHTEN SOMEONES DAY!

The Custom Companies, Inc. - 317 W Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com VOL IV No. 5 December 2010 / January 2011

Page 7 FILLING IN THE BLANKS with Lynn Koclanis

I love Transportation because...it is fast paced and always chal- lenging. Only the strong survive! When looking for agents to represent us in different areas the first thing that I look for is...carriers that will represent Custom and are interested in a true, long term partnership. It is an in vestment in our future and theirs. When starting a relationship with a line haul carrier the factors that I look for to grade them are...reliability, honesty and loyalty. I kind of have a feeling the future of transportation will hold… if I only had the answer to that! One thing is for sure, transportation will always be a very unique industry. As you get older...family becomes more important. Robert Eldridge 14 Custom Culture means making things happen...Custom stands apart from many of our com- Martin Bolanos 9 petitors as a service oriented company. We go above and beyond to insure we perform to our customers expectations. No employees work harder than Custom employees to ser- Julio Renteria 9 vice the freight. Gregory Robinson 9 In my opinion top three things that separate The Custom Companies from our competitors: Mark Dannhauser 6 The employees of Custom- hands down, Cutting edge technology and forward thinking of Ron Boyles 5 technology based solutions to answer our customer’s needs, our ability to handle our Ruben Calvo 5 customers demands not just in the LTL arena, but in every facet of transportation. Again Larry Charnot 5 we set ourselves apart from our competition: we offer a broad portfolio of services to our Tom Dunaj 5 customers, we are the complete package. Tim Gowin 5 I think that the government should do...rethink to improve trucking: As an industry, with David Herrera 5 governmental support, we need to find a way to make driving a truck much more desirable. Jeff Howard 5 The backbone of our business is our drivers. With current and upcoming regulations in re- gards to driving, the government has made it harder than ever to want to become a truck Erick Lucena 5 driver. The driver is the heart of what we do, it is why we are all here. Milly Rodriguez 5 I feel that I make a difference...I enjoy what I do as an operator. I get the most satisfaction Ruben Medina 4 in helping to find solutions to issues and working as a team player with my peers. Armando Ortiz 4 I would rather cook then eat out…I love to cook and spend most of my weekends in the Blake Sterling 4 kitchen. Arturo Abasta 3 The word Team means... a group of people with a shared vision. Rick Bulaon 3 Communication is the most important synergy between Sales and Operations. Eric Wiencek 3 The strangest transportation move that I was involved in was...way too many to list. It is a Rich Ross 2 daily exercise in strange! There is no industry like it…. In my career in transportation the most profound change in the industry is...truly technolo- Milton Ayala 1 gy. Twenty years ago we did not have a Blackberry, email, or computer technology that Borislav Savic 1 would allow us to analyze and improve our business. I have no idea how we got things done, but we did! As Perry Mandera says...Make it happen! It is not just a saying at Custom, it is a culture. The biggest difference between when I started in the Transportation and now...technology. It has made our industry so much more efficient and productive. You can’t stop Murphy’s Law in transportation. …it is the governing force….when things go wrong, they typically go really wrong. It is how you react that sets you apart. Customers love...integrity and the understanding that you care as much about their business as they do. The best things that children teach you...is unconditional love. I never did, but some day very soon I will...run the Chicago marathon. I al- most did three years ago, and tore my ACL training!

The Custom Companies, Inc. - 317 W Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com

VOL IV No. 5 December 2010 / January 2011

Page 8

Sept. 2010

MVP Winners October 13, 2010

Dock Associate The Custom Companies, Inc P.O. Box 2850 Northlake, IL 60164

Dear Friend of USA Cares:

Thank you for your generous gift of $15000 to USA Cares. Your commitment to helping post-9/11 military families weather their financial crises is appreci- Elias Sandoval ated by those who help them and, most importantly, by those who benefit CHI Office Associate from our services.

Founded in 2003, USA Cares help bear the burdens of service by providing post -9/11 military families and veterans with financial and advocacy support in their time of need. Assistance is provided to all branches of service, all components and all ranks while protecting the privacy and dignity of those military families and veterans who request help.

USA Cares has helped families in all 50 states and has received over 23,000 re- Steve Paxton quests for assistance. It has responded with over $7,000,000 in direct grants LAX Office Associate providing “A Hand Up not A Hand Out”.

USA Care was able to provide financial assistance to this family in Moore, Okla- homa who wrote:

USA Cares was great… Very helpful and respon- sive to our needs. Without the care that we re- ceived, we would have lost our home. To all of those who were instrumental in the help we re- ceived, Thank you so much and God Bless!!! Petra Gumieniak Driver Associate Frankly, we could not do what we do without donors such as you. We, and those we serve, deeply appreciate your generosity.

Sincerely,

Bill Nelson Executive Director Earl Hahn USA Cares, Inc.

The Custom Companies, Inc. - 317 W Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com VOL IV No. 5 December 2010 / January 2011 Page 9

Oct. 2010

Walter and Connie Payton Foundation Mission Statement: MVP Winners We are dedicated to the emotional healing of neglected, abused and underprivileged children by providing tools and opportunities to build self esteem and encourage a better family unit giving hope for a brighter future. Dock Associate

What is the Walter and Connie Payton Foundation (WCPF)? Our foundation is about helping abused, neglected & underprivileged children in the state of Illi- nois. We strive to help boost these children’s self esteem and give them a reason to believe that tomorrow can be different ….. That tomorrow can be better

WCPF Annual Holiday Giving Program: Our foundation is committed to giving new gifts to as many in-need children as we can each De- cember for the Holiday season. We work closely with the Department of Children and Family Service (DCFS) to ensure that the neediest children in the state of receive these gifts. We also respond to the needs of individual families throughout Chicago, as well as the surrounding area. Each year WCPF provides for approximately 16,000 children. These children are in great Steve Coffey need and would possibly not receive any holiday gifts without our help and the donations of the generous community around them. This is our largest program we have at the present Office Associate

How Does The Holiday Giving Program Work? WCPF collects new, unused and un-wrapped toys. We rely on the help of businesses and indi- vidual people to host WCPF Toy Drives. Once Toy Drives are complete we collect all the dona- tions and bring them to our warehouse in Wood Dale to be sorted and distributed according to a report from DCFS. We provide to DCFS Agency’s and if we have extra items after filling the mandatory lists from DCFS, we then are able to lend a helping hand to individual families that contact us.

Specifics On Toy Donations: All toys must be new in original packaging non-violent and un-wrapped. Donations are needed for children ages newborn up to 18 years old. Toys are asked to be donated un-wrapped to en- sure guidelines are met Ron Boyles

How can you Or Your Business Get Involved? Driver Associate Host a Toy Drive! At your work/ health club / on your own/ ANTWARE! To host a WCPF Toy Drive simply complete the registration form and fax it to WCPF at 630-552-7618 as soon as pos- sible

“Gifts during the Holidays for abused and neglected children may not seem like a lot, but in terms of establishing self-worth confidence, and a feeling of pride, I believe it may mean every- thing. I want them to feel good about themselves and to have self-esteem and self-respect. They deserve just as much as the kid down the street. Can you imagine the impact this has on these kids?.... Can you imagine-Walter Payton

Complete our Toy Drive Registration form to participate! Contact Nancy Wilson (WCPF Event Coordinator) With any questions or for further information [email protected] Earl Hahn

The Custom Companies, Inc. - 317 W Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com VOL IV No. 5 December 2010 / January 2011

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Bows by Eric Pocius The sport of archery has grown significantly since the first recurve bow was Whitetail Deer Facts A Whitetail has a top speed used. Since that time, compound bows, released in 1970, have changed the between 35 to 40 miles per game by utilizing new lightweight materials, but recurve bows have also hour. evolved with improved technology. Main differences between a recurve and compound bows: Deer do not have a gall bladder on their livers. This allows them  Recurve bows are typically made from wood and / or fiberglass composite. Compound bows are typi- to eat vegetation that would kill cally made from state-of-the-art materials like carbon and aluminum. domestic animals.  The tips of a recurve bow will curl away from archer while compound bows will have limbs that curve back to the archer. The members of the deer fam- ily are ruminants, having a four-  Compound bows utilize technology to shoot faster, more accurate arrows at long distances. Recurve compartmented stomach, bows shoot arrows with more arc and at shorter distances. which allows the deer to feed Compound bow advantages very rapidly. As the bow is drawn, the draw weight increases to a peak and then "lets off". The

About one deer in 30,000 is an let-off is usually between 65% and 80% of the peak weight. This enables the albino. archer to hold the bow fully drawn and take more time to aim. When a compound bow is drawn, the limbs are pulled in toward each other, unlike A Whitetail buck will shed his a recurve where the limbs flex in the direction of the bow string. This difference antlers every year, usually sometime in late December allows modern compounds to have limbs that are horizontal instead of angled. through February. The horizontal limb configuration minimizes the amount of vibration felt by the shooter when the arrow is released. Antler growth is usually com- The compound bow is resilient to temperature and humidity changes giving the plete by the end of August. The speed, at which antlers bow superior accuracy, velocity, and distance in comparison to a recurve bow. grow, also makes them the The pulley system usually will include some rubber-covered blocks that act as fastest growing structures in draw-stops. These provide a solid "wall" that the archer can draw against. These the animal kingdom. draw stops can be adjusted to suit the archer's optimum draw-length. This helps

A doe giving birth in areas of the archer achieve a consistent anchor point and a consistent amount of force imparted to the good food will often have arrow on every shot, further increasing accuracy twins. Compound archers usually use a mechanical release aid to hold and release the string. The use of a release aid gives a more consistent release than the use of fingers on the string and improves According to scientists there are 38 Sub-species of Whitetail accuracy. Deer. Compound archers usually equip their bows with a sighting system. Traditional archers, who use recurve bows, do not typically use sights. Whitetail bucks usually weighs Compound disadvantages 130 to 220 pounds, but have The relatively low holding weight of a compound bow compared to a recurve bow makes the compound been recorded at well over 350 More sensitive to certain form faults when the archer is at full draw. In particular, it's easier for the archer pounds. to torque the bow around the vertical axis, leading to left-right errors. Takes more effort to maintain and Deer need 10 to 12 pounds of difficult to do your own repairs and Cost. food per day to satisfy their needs. Recurve advantages The Whitetail Deer is the most Recurve bows are much less expensive than abundant Big Game animal in compound bows. This is mostly due to their North America. simplicity and the limited labor that is re- A deer can clear an 8-foot hur- quired in making one. Many of these bows are just a piece of shaped wood with a string that is attached to dle from a standing position. both ends. Deer swim well and at a good There is very little maintenance that a recurve bow requires because of its lack of complicated parts and pace. They have been clocked pieces. There is also no adjusting to be done like there is for a compound bow. There is only one string. at speeds up to 13 miles per That string already has the tension that is needed and cannot be changed unless another string is added hour. to the bow. By the time the fawns are Another advantage of hunting with this type of bow is the marksmanship required. You must only rely on twenty minutes old, they can your own judgment when you are shooting a recurve bow. walk slowly on very shaky legs. Recurve disadvantages Slow speed Low impact Decreased accuracy at distances

The Custom Companies, Inc. - 317 W Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com The Custom Companies, Inc. - 317 W Lake Street Northlake IL 60164 - www.customco.com VOL IV No. 5 December 2010 / January 2011

Page 11 ASSOCIATES By Mark Schiele This is a new column that will provide upcoming concert dates in Chicago and Los Angeles. AT WORK December is going to be an exciting and busy music month in both cities. I have provided a list of my top concert events in Chicago and Los Angeles. **(Please check with the venues listed below to make sure the shows aren’t sold out)** My December Concert Picks for Chicago The Bodeans at – Chicago - Friday 12/3/10 at 8:00 P.M. Usher at the – Rosemont - Friday 12/3/10 at 8:00 P.M. Better Than Ezra at the House of Blues – Chicago - Friday 12/3/10 at 9:00 P.M. Brendan Bayliss & Jake Cinninger at the – Chicago - Saturday 12/4/10 at 8:00 P.M. Michael Buble at the Allstate Arena – Rosemont - Saturday 12/4/10 at 8:00 P.M. Dave Koz at the – Chicago - Saturday 12/4/10 at 8:00 P.M. Roger McGuinn (Former Byrds Frontman) at Old Town School of Folk Music – Chicago - Saturday 12/4/10 at 8:00 P.M. Indigo Girls at the House of Blues – Chicago - Tuesday 12/7/10 at 8:00 P.M. Pedro Escanio Todd Rundgren at the Park West – Chicago - Thursday 12/9/10 at 7:30 P.M. Rick Springfield at Joe’s on Weed Street – Chicago – Friday 12/10/10 9:00 P.M. CHI Driver Killing Joke at the Empty Bottle – Chicago – Friday 12/10/10 10:00 P.M. Justin Bieber and Others at the Allstate Arena – Rosemont – Saturday 12/11/10 Dweezil Zappa (Frank Zappa’s son) at the Congress Theatre – Chicago – Saturday 12/11/10 at 8:00 P.M. Alter Bridge & Sick Puppies at the House of Blues – Chicago – Saturday 12/11/10 at 8:30 P.M. New Riders of The Purple Sage at Mayne Stage – Chicago – Wednesday 12/15/10 at 7:30 P.M. My Chemical Romance at the House of Blues – Chicago – Wednesday 12/15/10 at 8:30 P.M. John Legend at the Horseshoe Casino – Hammond – Friday 12/17/10 at 8:00 P.M. George Winston (Charles Schultz Peanuts Piano Player) - Waukegan – Friday 12/17/10 at 8:00 P.M. Ludacris at the Allstate Arena – Rosemont – Sunday 12/19/10 at 6:00 P.M. Joe Satriani at the Chicago Theatre – Chicago - Sunday 12/19/10 at 8:00 P.M. Shemekia Copeland (Daughter of Blues Legend Johnny Copeland) at the Space – Evanston – Friday Amaury Garcia 12/31/10 at 10:00 P.M. My December Concert Picks for Los Angeles CHI Driver Jon Anderson (Yes Frontman) at the Orpheum – Los Angeles - Wednesday 12/1/10 at 8:00 P.M. Faith No More at the Hollywood Paladium – Hollywood - Wednesday 12/1/10 John McLaughlin (Miles Davis and Mahavishnu Orchestra Guitarist) at UCLA Royce Hall - West Los Ange- les - Wednesday 12/1/10 Charlie Hunter Trio at the Mint – Los Angeles – Friday 12/3/10 at 9:00 P.M. The Dead Kennedys at the House of Blues – West Hollywood – Friday 12/3/10 at 8:00 P.M. The Posies at Club Nokia – Los Angeles – Friday 12/3/10 Wu Tang Clan at Club Nokia – Los Angeles – Sunday 12/5/10 Roger Waters performing The Wall at the Staples Center – Los Angeles – Sunday 12/5/10 Clint Black at the Grove of Anaheim – Anaheim – Wednesday 12/8/10 Natalie Cole at the Walt Disney Concert Hall – Los Angeles - Wednesday 12/8/10 The Dandy Warhols at Club Nokia – Los Angeles – Friday 12/10/10 Moises Avila Andrea Bocelli at the Staples Center – Los Angeles – Friday 12/10/10 Al Stewart at the Coach House – San Juan Capistrano – Saturday 12/11/10 CHI Dock George Thorogood at the Grove of Anaheim – Anaheim – Sunday 12/12/10 Michael Buble at the Staples Center – Los Angeles – Monday 12/13/10 Roger Waters performing The Wall at the Honda Center–Anaheim–Monday 12/13/10 & Tuesday 12/14/10 Leon Russell at the Coach House–San Juan Capistrano–Wednesday 12/15/10 Adam Lambert at Club Nokia–Los Angeles–Thursday 12/16/10 Killing Joke at the Wiltern Theatre–Los Angeles-Saturday 12/18/10 Rob Halford at the Grove of Anaheim–Anaheim–Sunday 12/19/10 The Tubes at the Coach House–San Juan Capistrano–Friday 12/31/10 Flock of Seaguls at the Canyon Club-Agoura Hills– Friday 12/31/10 9:00 P.M.

The Custom Companies, Inc. - 317 W Lake Street Northlake IL 60164 - www.customco.com SPORTS CORNER VOL IV No. 5 December 2010 / January 2011 by Jeff Guthman Page 12 CUSTOM SPORTS CENTER by Jeff Guthman Before every prediction of any sporting event, there is always the disclaimer Welcome to our newly created Custom Sports Center. We are going to try to feature “fun facts” about our local sports teams. If you have any “fun barring injuries. But sport injuries are facts” that you might know, thoughts, ideas or suggestions that you would like to see in the future please contact us at [email protected]. not for professionals alone. In the We would appreciate any suggestions you may have. Thank you from The Custom Communicator. United States, about 34 million children and teens participate in some form of The Chicago Bears are one of the oldest teams in professional football today. They adopted their current organized sports with more than 3.5 name back in 1922, when the Chicago Staleys changed their name to the "Bears." The current team mascot’s million injuries each year experienced name is “Staley.” They were the first football team in the country to: by the participants. Almost one-third of Practice daily. all injuries incurred in childhood are Film games to study for strategies. sports-related injuries… Obviously, Have their own team band and team song. some sports are more dangerous than Publish and distribute a club newspaper. others. For example, contact sports such Broadcast games over the radio. as football can be expected to result in a Have a homecoming dinner for all former Bears. higher number of injuries than a non- The Chicago Cubs have a World Series record of 2 wins, 8 losses. Their last World Series appear- contact sport such as swimming. How- ance was in 1945 in which they fell to the Detroit Tigers in seven games, 4-3. Their last World Se- ever, all types of sports have a potential for injury, whether from the trauma of ries Championship was in 1908, or over 100 ago. To put that in perspective, since 1908: contact with other players or from over- Radio was invented. Two atomic bombs were dropped. use or misuse of a body part. There are Television was invented. more head and spinal injuries from The US participated in two world wars, and four major armed conflicts. cheerleading than from all other high The NFL was founded. school and college sports combined Man landed on the moon. (New York Times). According to ab- Harry Carey was born and died. cnews.go.com, there are about 16,000 was built, which now is oldest park in the NL. serious injuries from cheerleaders per- Lights were installed at all the other baseball stadiums, before Wrigley Field. forming stunts and tumbles. Even Ten teams have been added to the major leagues. though most common injuries are Halley's Comet passed twice. strains and sprains (52% of injuries), Communism was born, resulted in a Cold War, the Berlin Wall and the eventually demise of. cheerleading injuries extend beyond A space station was developed, built and has orbited the Earth millions of times. sprains to include concussions, frac- A robotic Lander has traveled the surface of Mars. The Titanic was built, sank, was found and tourists can now visit the wreck. tures, and more. The following statistics are the latest Chicago Softball was invented in 1887, by George Hancock, a journalist for the Chicago Board of available from the National SAFE Trade. He designed the game as a form of indoor baseball on a cold winter day inside the warm KIDS Campaign and the American Farragut Boat Club. Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): Harlem Globetrotters got their start in Chicago as the "Savoy Big 5." They played their first game  More than 3.5 million children at Chicago's Savoy Ballroom in 1926 and became the Harlem Globetrotters in 1927. ages 14 and under get hurt annually Chicago White Sox in 1906 defeated the Cubs 4 to 2 to win their first World Series. No starting player hit playing sports or participating in recrea- tional activities. over .280 in that season. 1917 would see the ball club win their last World Series of the 20th cen- tury.  Although death from a sports Albert Belle was the first White Sox player to drive in 150 runs in a single season. He had 152 RBIs in 1998 injury is rare, the leading cause of death After 81 years at Comiskey Park they opened U.S. Cellular field on April 18 1991 by losing to the Detroit Tigers 16 to 0. from a sports-related injury is a brain The Chicago Bulls have won every championship that they were in, a perfect 6 for 6. Of course a injury. certain player with the initials MJ was in every one as well.  Sports and recreational activities They won 72 games in 1995-96 and followed it up with 69 wins, setting a new mark for the best back to back seasons in contribute to approximately 21 percent NBA history. of all traumatic brain injuries among The Chicago Blackhawks American children. Bobby Hull and Stan Makita led them to their first Stanley Cup in 1961.  Almost 50 percent of head injuries Glenn Hall was known as Mr. Goalie. He was also known for getting physically sick prior to each game. He played in 502 sustained in sports or recreational ac- consecutive games during a time when goalies did not wear masks (he never missed a start for seven seasons, two with Detroit and five with Chicago). tivities occur during bicycling, skate- boarding, or skating incidents. The LA Angels of Anaheim played their first game on April 11th, 1961 at Baltimore's Memorial Stadium. They played their inaugural season at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles, and finished with a 70  More than 775,000 children, ages 14 and under, are treated in hospi- -91 win-loss record, the most wins by any expansion team. In 1965, they became the California An- tal emergency rooms for sports-related gels, and after four years as tenants at Dodger Stadium, moved to the newly constructed Anaheim injuries each year. Most of the injuries Stadium near Disneyland in 1966. They started the 1997 season as the Anaheim Angels, and then occurred as a result of falls, being adopted the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim name in 2005. struck by an object, collisions, and Gene Autry was the original team owner when they started in 1961. overexertion during unorganized or Don Baylor of the Angles became the first designated hitter to win the American League Most Valuable Player award. informal sports activities. The Los Angeles Kings Sports played by all ages are an impor- On the night of January 19 2006 Lucky Luc Robitaille surpassed Marcel Dionne on the kings all time scoring list tant part of the fabric of American In 2006-07, Michael Cammalleri and Alexander Frolov became the first pair of Kings teammates to score more than 30 goals society. The values that we teach our in the same season since 2000-01. children through sports, such as team The LA Lakers work , sportsmanship and the value of The franchise actually was nicknamed the Lakers in its days in Minneapolis, and decided to keep the name when it moved to fair play as well as the physical well LA. being of the athletic are all great rea- The Lakers have been represented in the All-Star game sons to have our children playing almost every season since the first game in 1951. The only sports . To be in the best physical shape games without a Laker were in 1978, 1993, 1994 and we can be in is a great reason for all of 1996. us to continue playing sports. Sport Former player, Coach and General Manager Jerry West was safety equipment has come a long way used as a model for the current NBA logo. from when football players used leather helmets. So play but play safely.

The Custom Companies, Inc. - 317 W Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com VOL IV No. 5 December 2010 / January 2011 Page 13 ASSOCIATES Divine Intervention? By Mark Schiele AT WORK Saul Deluna works in the Accounting Department at The Custom Com- panies, Inc. Chicago office in Northlake, IL. Every day, Saul makes a trip from Northlake to the Melrose Park, IL Post Office to pick up the company mail from the PO Box. On Tuesday November 9th, 2010 Saul made his routine scheduled trip to the Post Office to pick up the mail. He parked his car and entered the Post Office. He walked over to the PO Box, unlocked it and gathered the company mail. He closed the PO Box door, locked it and walked out of the Post Office. Seconds after Saul exited the building; two Nuns from a local church lost control of their car and crashed through the front of the Cesar Aguirre Post Office. The car entered the Post Office directly where the PO CHI Dock Boxes were located causing serious damage to the building and PO Boxes. Had Saul not exited the building when he did he would have been hit by the Nun’s car and been injured. Fortunately there were no serious injuries and Saul was unhurt, delivering the mail back to the Corporate Office. Could Divine Intervention have played a part in the timing of this accident? Hector Alonzo Building Gingerbread CHI Dock

Servings: 30 Prep Time: 30 min. Cook Time: 15 min.

INGREDIENTS: DIRECTIONS:

 5 cups all-purpose flour 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  1 teaspoon baking soda 2. Melt shortening in a saucepan large enough  1 teaspoon salt for mixing the dough. Mix in sugar and  1 teaspoon ground nutmeg molasses. Combine flour, salt, baking soda,  1 cup shortening nutmeg & ginger; gradually stir into the pan,  1 tablespoon ground ginger using your hands to work in the bit. Dough  1 cup white sugar should be stiff. Jose Rentas  1 cup molasses 3. On a floured surface, roll the dough out to CHI Dock  2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar 1/4” thickness, and cut out as desired.  1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar Place pieces onto cookie sheets.  2 egg whites 4. Bake for 13 to 15 minutes in the preheated  1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract oven. Let cool for several minutes on the cookie sheet, then remove to racks to finish cooling. 5. Once the gingerbread has cooled, make the frosting cement. In a medium bowl, mix together confectioners’ sugar and cream of tartar. Add egg whites and vanilla. Beat on high speed until frosting holds its shape. If necessary, add more confectioners’ sugar to thicken the icing. Cover frosting with a damp cloth to pre- vent drying.

The Custom Companies, Inc. - 317 W Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com VOL IV No. 5 December 2010 / January 2011 December Page 14 Holidays Halloween Winners!! 2010 This year we had (3) random judges choose the winners for each category: 2nd – First Day of Chanukah Individual Costume and Department Theme. th 7 – Pearl Harbor Day Thank you to our judges: Osmond Joseph, Alonzo Blanco and Mike Cruz 21st – First Day of Winter 24th – Christmas Eve The winners of the costume contest are: 25th – Christmas Day 26th – First Day of Kwanza 1st Place – Louie Clemente 31st – New Year’s Eve 2nd Place – Kate Dmitrieva

3rd Place – Dianna Ryan WEIRD DECEMBER The winners for the department theme: OBSERVANCES 3rd Place – CDN as The 70’s Disco st 2nd Place – 1 Floor as The Roman Theme 1st – National Pie Day 1st Place – 2nd Floor as The Haunted 4th – National Dice Prison Day 5th – Bath Tub Party Day 7th – National Cotton Candy Day 11th – Day of the Horse 18th – National Re-gifting Day 20th – Games Day 21st – Humbug Day 26th – National Whiners Day 31st – Make Up Your Mind Day 31st – No Interruptions Day

And that’s not Perry’s hidden moustache! ->

The Custom Companies, Inc. - 317 W Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com VOL IV No. 5 December 2010 / January 2011 Page 15 Garlic Prime Rib Serves: 15 January Holidays Prep Time: 10 min. Cook Time: 1 hr. 30 min. 2011

1st – New Year’s Day Ingredients Directions th  1 (10 pound) prime rib roast 1. Place the roast in a roasting pan with 18 – Martin Luther King Day  10 cloves garlic, minced the fatty side up. In a small bowl,  2 tablespoons olive oil mix together the garlic, olive oil, salt, JANUARY MONTH  2 teaspoons salt pepper and thyme. Spread the mix- National  2 teaspoons ground black pepper ture over roast, and let the roast sit  2 teaspoons dried thyme out until it is at room temperature, Eye Care Month no longer than 1 hour. 2. Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C). National 3. Bake the roast for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, then reduce the tempera- Thank You Month ture to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) and continue roasting for an additional 60 to 75 minutes. The internal temperature of the roast should be at least 145 National Volunteer degrees F (53 degrees C) for medium rare. Blood Donor Month 4. Allow the roast to rest for 10 or 15 minutes before carving so the meat can re- its juices. National Book Month WEIRD JANUARY OBSERVANCES 2nd – Happy Mew Year to Almond Meringue Cookies Cats th Servings: 36 4 – Trivia Day th Prep time: 15 min. 5 – Bean and Bird Day Cook time: 15 min. 6th – Cuddle Up Day th INGREDIENTS 8 – Bubble Bath Day 11 ounces ground almonds 11th – National Clean Off 3 egg whites Your Desk Day 1 cup confectioners’ sugar 14th – Dress Up Your Pet Day 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest 16th – National Nothing Day 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon th 17 – Bald Eagle Apprecia- tion Day DIRECTIONS th 1. Preheat the oven to 325 °. Grease and lightly flour cookie sheets. 20 – Penguin Aware- 2. In a large bowl, whip egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually ness Day sprinkle in the sugar and keep whipping until the egg whites can 21st – National Hugging Day hold a stiff peak, this will take about 5 minutes. Set aside about 1/2 24th – Belly Laugh Day cup of the egg whites. Add the lemon zest and cinnamon to the rest 25th – Bubble Wrap Appre- of the meringue, and fold in the almonds until everything is evenly blended. ciation Day th 3. Drop mounds by spoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheets. Top 28 – Fun At Work Day each cookie with a smaller dollop of the reserved meringue. 4. Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown. Re- move cookies from the baking sheets to cool on wire racks.

The Custom Companies, Inc. - 317 W Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164 - www.customco.com The Custom Companies, Inc. Page 16

317 W. Lake Street Northlake, IL 60164

Phone: 708-338-8888 CUSTOMER SERVICE, SUPPORT AND CARE Fax: 708-338-9550 At The Custom Companies, our main objective is to deliver your goods E-mail: [email protected] on time and in perfect condition. We understand the importance of a great customer/vendor relationship. Our customer service center is just a The Full Service Transportation Company phone call away to provide a rate quote, track a shipment, schedule a pickup or access accurate documentation. In today’s fast paced environ- www.customco.com ment, we work to provide transportation solutions that fit every economic situation.

Our “Customer First” program ensures that your shipments will be deliv- ered on time, and with the highest degree of care. In order to maintain these standards, we measure performance levels on every shipment. As a result, our internal operational systems are constantly improving to pro- vide better, more accurate service, allowing our transportation specialists to meet your growing needs.

Newsletter Committee Members

Matt Foley Daniel Leach

Carol Guarino Bruce Lenau Lisa Ludwikowski Petra Gumieniak Tom Mroz Jeff Guthman Eric Pocius Thomas Kennedy Mark Schiele

Looking for love

3.5 foot Iguana needs COUPONS new digs

Eats fruits and vegeta- AND bles, very healthy! Free to a good home MORE Contact Tom at 630.347.8825 In recognition of the Black and Gold, Dr. Taglia would like to offer Custom associates and their families 50% off whitening. This is a great way to get to know us and brighten that smile! Please visit our website at www.tagliadentistry.com or call us at 708-456-1188.