Don Sabinske, Sabinske & Associates Inc.

With the year winding down, I wanted to wish everyone on Active Rain the very best of the season.

So many of you are participating in the blogging challenge, and it has been great to see how busy you all are in spite of the demands of the season for your attention and care.

It has been an interesting 2011, and now as we head into 2012, the promise of even more entrepreneurship and wise investment seems certain.

And, since I hadn't stopped by to write anything recently, I wanted to say hello and wish you all the best in the new year.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Winter parking restrictions are now in force in Elk River Minnesota. Beginning November 15 through April 15, no vehicle may be left parked on a public roadway in the city of Elk River between the hours of 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. The purpose of this restriction is to allow for the safe and efficient overnight removal of snow and ice as well as other seasonal road maintenance work.

Since some snow and ice events are unforecast, these restrictions apply regardless of past, current or future weather conditions.

The fine for a winter parking ticket is $30. The police understand that sometimes special situations occur which may necessitate leaving a vehicle on the street overnight. It is the responsibility of the vehicle owner to contact the police department (763-635-1200), before leaving a vehicle parked in violation of the ordinance, according to Brad Rolfe, Elk River police chief.

So stay safe and make sure your vehicle is not towed, and you don't get a fine to boot!

Elk River police and citizens alike are urging people — particularly senior citizens — to not fall victim to scams.

The police have taken several reports in recent weeks from people who have received phone calls from people claiming to be a grandson and in need of money to get out of jail.

I know many of you here on ActiveRain have had similar incidents. But, these scammers keep working this one to death.

In other instances people have been told they have won a sweepstakes, but first they need to wire a large sum of money to claim the prize. Don't we all know better than this by now.

NEVER wire money to any one to claim a prize. Lori Swanson has been telling Minnesotans that for years.

In one case, an 84-year-old woman went to a local bank to withdraw funds to a “Canadian Sweepstakes” but was advised by a bank employee to talk to the police first. No funds were withdrawn, thankfully.

“In these economic times, some people will do whatever it takes to make a buck or two,” said Elk River Police Capt. Bob Kluntz. “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”

It was a 76-year-old Elk River woman who reported receiving a fraudulent phone call where the caller claimed to be her grandson, and he needed money because he was in jail in Peru. No money was transferred to Peru.

Community members have brought forward other instances of attempted fraud, including the type that call for using “Western Union” to wire money.

“Please inform everyone that you can about these ‘Western Union’ scams,” said Raphael Kraljic. “They have made two efforts to scam me.”

Kraljic said the first involved sending a check for a couple thousand dollars so he could begin a job as a mystery shopper. The recipient was to cash the $2,000 Wells Fargo (Faribault branch) check, then immediately send $1,000 back via Western Union.

“I turned the check over to my bank and they confirmed the check was bogus.” Kraljic said. “Had I followed their request I would be out $1,000.”

The second was a request from a friend, using her email address requesting money in England, as her purse had been lifted, Kraljic said.

Guy On Phone by Andy Newson

Reports are showing according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune slow growth in manufacturing.

What does that mean? More jobs being sent overseas? Possibly.

Everyone has to cut costs, and, apparently American workers are far too well paid.

Manufacturing hourly compensation costs in the United States in 2009 were
lower than in 12 European countries and Australia, but higher than in 20
other countries covered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (see chart 1).
U.S. hourly compensation costs rose about 4 percent from the previous year
to $33.53.

The 8 countries with the highest costs in Europe were 30-60 percent higher
than the U.S. level, but costs in Canada and Japan were about 10 percent
lower than the United States.

This is an interesting chart, I think.

And, we seem to think German goods are well-made.

Hmm.....

We have had the opportunity to have really great teachers in the Elk River School District, and Tim Larson was one of them.

Tim had recently been working in the St. Michael-Albertville School District for three years before this incident occurred. He will be remembered not only by staff, faculty and students in both districts as a great human being, but also a great addition to those with special needs. He had been in the Elk River School District for four years prior to accepting the position in STMA.

His funeral service was held today. He was only forty-three years old.

The educator is being remembered locally for his kind heart, a passion for running marathons and helping lift other people up.

Larson was shot and killed on Oct. 8 about 15 miles west of Paynesville in an apparent dispute over $50 and farm parts. Two men are being held in his death, including Delbert Huber, 81, of Paynesville, who was charged this past Tuesday with second degree murder. His son, Timothy Huber, 45, also of Paynesville, has been charged with aiding his father.

Word of Larson’s death made its way to Elk River and Otsego this past Sunday, leaving former colleagues shocked and saddened.

“It was hard to believe,” said Otsego Principal Erin Talley. “It’s still is hard to believe. Tim was not a confrontational man. He was a peacemaker and someone who would have looked for solutions.