I was telling someone about being disappointed that my latest volunteer gig has not turned out to be a “this is it” experience. I don’t dislike it, but I’d rather be doing something else.

She (let’s call her Carol) said that I have the mistaken impression that we’re supposed to enjoy volunteer work.

Her comment took me aback. All of the articles in the AARP magazine about people who love their volunteer roles, who feel they get back more than they give, must have brainwashed me into thinking that volunteering should be an enjoyable experience.

It’s nice if that happens, Carol said, but don’t expect it. She believes that fulfillment in volunteering comes not from the activity itself but from knowing that you’ve done good. Think of it like housework: you don’t like to do it, but you feel good about having a clean house.

A few years ago, I was hearing the opposite opinion from friends after I quit a volunteer role I didn’t like. Volunteering is not supposed to be self-sacrifice, they reassured me. You’re entitled to like it.

I thought so, too, but was disappointed in myself for disliking nearly everything I’d tried. That’s not entirely true; I have been a happy Chicago Greeter for 14 years, and I like writing this blog. But I believe that I should be doing something for underprivileged people, and I’ve not found a suitable activity that I like.

I don’t deserve all the blame for disliking what I’ve tried. A food pantry assigned me to stocking shelves alone. A mentoring organization said that I could work with students on their college application essays but then used me in the same coaching role as every other mentor. An immigrant support group had me remotely watch court hearings to support people who couldn’t see me — an activity whose usefulness escaped me.

“A lot of people go into a volunteer experience with the best of intentions. But they wind up disappointed by something that should be making them feel good,” writes Ronnie Ann on her website Work to the Wise. Boredom, not using one’s particular skills, and not seeing how one’s time is making a difference are among the complaints on Ronnie Ann’s list of why people don’t like volunteer work. At least I know that I’m not unusual.

When I learned that the League of Women Voters of Chicago was looking for volunteer issue reporters, it seemed a good fit for a retired editor and journalist: Interesting subjects. Researching and writing at home on my own schedule. No deadlines.

But as time goes on, I find myself procrastinating about my current LWV project.

Maybe I’m not connecting my efforts with making a difference for the underprivileged. Or maybe I just don’t want to sit inside at a computer when it’s warm outside.

I’ll give it the winter and then reevaluate. I don’t want to search again for something else, however, so I may stick with it as long as I don’t dislike it. As Carol said, “don’t dislike it” is better than expecting to love it; it’s less likely to lead to disappointment.

Are you looking to boost morale in your workplace? Maybe you’ve tried happy hours or team meet-ups, but so far, nothing has seemed to work. Many employers are finding great success with office sports leagues, as they provide opportunities for healthier workplaces and team-building efforts. Try these seven tips to get your own game on today.

Ask People to Sign Up

As we well know, exercise is crucial for individuals to remain healthy throughout their lives. Doing exercise at work offers excellent benefits to all who participate. Researchers have found long-term health benefits associated with team sports. Office leagues also help employees form bonds with co-workers, boosting morale and building cohesion among staff. 

The first step of getting any office sports league started is asking interested people in your workplace to sign up. In your introductory email, make sure to ask people to select a preferred form of communication. Whether through text, Facebook Messenger or other means, ensure everyone knows how you will spread the news. 

Choose Your Practice Location and Time

Additionally, choose a location where all your practices will take place. If your workplace is large enough and has a gym on campus, have your employees practice there. If you need additional space or must practice outside, select a field that’s as close to your office as possible. 

Due to familial and life responsibilities, not all your workers will be able to dedicate their entire evenings to the office sports league. It’s wise to be respectful of their time by scheduling your practices right after work. 

Select Your League Sport

Choose a sport based on the current season or expressed interest from employees. Basketball is often a popular pick, as it’s pretty simple to play – all you need is a ball and a minimum of three people on a team to start. 

Beginning your office league with a sport like basketball is wise because it introduces your employees to the concept of a work league. It shows them how much commitment is necessary and may lead them to consider forming other leagues, such as ultimate frisbee or baseball.  

Create Your Teams

Determine how you want to form your league teams. Do you want players to choose their own? Do you want to allow departments to compete against each other, such as HR vs. IT? Would you perhaps prefer for the league to provide the opportunity to break down some of the barriers in your office? If so, consider giving the guidance that players may pick their teams, but diversify the units to your specifications. 

Another option is to choose to play against another office or organization entirely. There are active adult sports leagues in most large cities that your workplace could easily join. 

Create Your Schedule

Now that you’ve got your teams, practice fields, and sport, you’re ready to set your league schedule. Remember, it’s best to keep practice times consistent and right after the workday ends to honor your employees’ additional commitments. Some leagues offer practice times before the workday begins. You can ask your players what they prefer. 

Regarding the game schedule itself, consider arranging some of the matches for Friday afternoon, depending on how large your league is. Allow additional members of your workforce the option to cheer on their preferred team. What better way to start the weekend, and what a great way to boost morale. If Friday afternoons aren’t an option for your workplace, Thursday evenings may work well for people.   

Rent Proper Equipment

Some of your employees might already have athletic equipment. However, because this is your office league, you’ll want to ensure you provide proper athletic equipment for all participants. You don’t want to risk anyone getting hurt because they weren’t correctly equipped. It’s also an excellent idea to get league T-shirts made up for your employees to boost morale and team spirit.

Give a Reward

Make sure the league knows what they’re playing for. Is it lunch out at a local restaurant? A trophy and bragging rights? Maybe you’ll want to keep with the fitness theme and offer your winners a smart water bottle. Think it through and make sure you consider the implications, as the reward you give from the start will likely set a precedent for future leagues.

Start an Office Sports League Today

Now that you know how to begin an office league in your workplace, you’re just a few steps away from starting your own. Whether your workers are active participants or prefer cheering from the sidelines, it’s the ultimate win-win. Let the fun and games begin.

School Choice is a moral issue, says GOP GOV Cand Jesse Sullivan.

Tonight’s City of Chicago edition of Public Affairs features millennial Alter Global CEO & GOP GOV candidate Jesse Sullivan (R-Petersburg)

Part 1 of our two part Jesse Sullivan interview airs on cable in Chicago tonight at 8:30 pm and midnight on Ch 21 (CAN TV).

You can also watch the show 24/7 by clicking here.

The show repeats in Chicago on:

–Tuesday, 9 pm on Cable Ch 21

-Saturday, 9 am, Cable Ch 21

-Sunday, 8:30 am, Cable Ch 19 and

-in Rockford and surrounding areas this Thursday, 8:30 pm on Cable Ch 17 and

-around the State this week on the Illinois Channel (Check your local listing)

-The show will also air next week in the Chicago metro N & NW suburbs, Aurora and Highland Park (See details here later this week)  

Part 2 of the Gov Candidate Jesse Sullivan interview airs next week in Chicago and Rockford at the same times and on the same channels as Part 1 is airing this week, as indicated above. ***********************************

In tonight’s show, we begin with a clip of Jesse Sullivan, GOP GOV candidate and Alter Global Venture Capital CEO,  giving his take on School Choice and Q & A with show host Jeff Berkowitz on his background and guiding values.

Then, GOV candidate Sullivan responds to probing questioning as to how he would deal with fiscal, budget and other problems caused by:

(1) IL’s $420 billion pension shortfall;

(2)  Relatively, very high IL professors’, K-12 teachers’ and state government worker salaries and pensions,

(3) IL being an outlier on K-12 education spending with sub-par results and

(4) IL’s shrinking population and large scale out-migration.

GOP Gov Candidate Jesse Sullivan also discusses his approach to achieving reforms of State Government in a heavily, Democrat dominated state, where the Democratic Party holds power and generally opposes most if not all reforms candidate Sullivan is likely to favor.

You can also watch the show 24/7 by clicking here.

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Qua Brown earned second-team All-American honors during the spring season for SIU, which included a playoff berth for the Salukis. (Photo by SIUSalukis.com)

While Nick Hill was building his first recruiting class as the head coach at Southern Illinois, he said he was “lucky” that safety Qua Brown chose SIU.

“We got him on a trip (to Carbondale), and it was for the Wichita State basketball game,” Hill said at the time. “I called him up to my office at halftime and he committed right there. He didn’t take any other official visits, so we lucked out.”

Six years and a global pandemic later, Hill and Brown are still together. Brown has developed into an All-American safety and Hill has led the Salukis back to the FCS playoffs and built a team ranked in the Top 10 nationally.

“It’s been cool to watch him grow as a coach as I’ve grown as a player,” Brown said. “He’s always been pretty positive about everything, and he continues to get better every year.”

For Prairie State Pigskin’s Moving the Chains feature, Brown discussed Hill’s best traits during a Q&A interview. The sixth-year senior also talked about avoiding cookie dough ice cream, how he uses social media to celebrate others, his favorite superhero, what he misses about his home state of Florida and how he would love to learn to play the piano.

Learn more about Qua Brown in our Moving the Chains Q&A:

You use Twitter to encourage and cheer on others, such as teammates, coaches and your former high school. What’s your approach on social media?

Mostly, I just want to congratulate my teammates and friends on any successes they have that I notice. Especially during the season, I try to stay off social media and put my time toward other things like watching film and studying game plans. When I am using it, I typically scroll on my feed and like or retweet a message to let them know I recognize what they’re doing.

In the football offices at SIU, there’s a wall that includes photos of NFL players and former Salukis such as Jeremy Chinn, Madre Harper and others. Next to that is a mirror with the message, “Who’s Next?” How many times have you looked in that mirror?

I look at that mirror just about every single week because I walk past it every week. The last four or five guys on that (NFL) chart, I was able to play with them over the last few years at Southern. So, it’s pretty cool to see them transition into the professional game and have successful careers. That’s pretty motivational and inspiring. When I look at that, it inspires me to go even harder at everything I do so I can be on that wall alongside those guys as well.

Last season, SIU had four former defensive backs playing in the NFL. What traits have set those players apart?

Their work ethic and the people they are both on and off the field. I like to consider (Seattle safety) Ryan Neal a mentor of mine. My freshman year, he took me under his wing and taught me everything he knew. I knew he was a pretty smart player because when I got here, he already had two years of starting experience under his belt. Even better, he was a great guy off the field. I took that from him and implemented that into the person I am. I learned how to work hard from those guys. And if you put your focus and your time and effort into school, then you’ll do well on the football field too. I picked that up from those guys.

You grew up in Deland, Fla., between Orlando and Daytona Beach. How many times have you been to Disney or to NASCAR races at Daytona?

(Laughs) This is crazy, but I’ve been living there my whole life and I’ve never been to either. I always go to Daytona Beach around the time of the Daytona 500. There are always so many tourists visiting, so it’s pretty crowded. But it’s a lot of fun, and there are a lot of things to do. But I’ve never been to an actual race. I’d like to do that very soon. (As for Disney) I’m more of a Universal Studios or Busch Gardens type of guy. In Florida, there are just so many places to go.

Being a Universal fan, who is your favorite superhero?

I’m a huge fan of Batman. Those Marvel fans don’t like to consider him a superhero, but I like his heroism in spite of him not having superpowers. I think it’s pretty cool and unique.

How do you balance your goal of playing in the NFL with maintaining your focus on the FCS season?

I just focus on what’s going on during the season. In the end, my production this season is what’s going to matter. I do everything I can to prepare myself as much as possible for every single game because all those scouts who come out to practice want to see what you’re going to do come game time.

You’ve been around SIU head coach Nick Hill for your entire six-year career. What three words would you use to describe him?

Competitive, hard-working and resilient. He’s been able to overcome some pretty tough circumstances. Some years, we haven’t had the best results. But he’s always been pretty positive about everything, and he continues to get better every year. It’s been cool to watch him grow as a coach as I’ve grown as a player.

What three words describe you best?

I would also use resilient for myself and competitive as well. The other one would be driven. I’m very self-motivated to be the best I can as a person and as an athlete.

As an athlete, you have to stay in great shape. Is there a food that you avoid these days?

I try to cut out ice cream. It’s so hard to give up. Especially during the season, I have to make some sacrifices to keep my body in top-notch shape. Ice cream is something I cut out every season. Cookie dough (is my favorite).

Choose only one: Do you want to make a big hit or an interception on a gameday?

Interception all the way. You can have a big hit, but if the ball doesn’t come out, the other team is still going to have a chance to score. An interception gives your offense an opportunity to score points for your team.

Former Salukis DeAnna Price and Gwen Berry both competed in the Summer Olympics in Tokyo in track and field. Is there an Olympic sport you would like to compete in?

I love to watch curling (in the Winter Olympics). It looks pretty fun. I like the concept of it, and those guys make it pretty competitive.

Around campus, is there a Saluki athletic team that you like to watch and support?

I like to go and watch the women’s soccer games as much as possible. I find soccer pretty interesting. I like the competitiveness and the difficulty of it. It’s pretty tough to score a goal. Seeing the ways they create plays is intriguing to me.

What’s the biggest thing you miss about living in Florida?

There’s so much to do in Florida. There are great restaurants, and as far as entertainment, you can go to Disney, Universal, Busch Gardens. There are nice beaches all over the state.

Coach Hill has hosted players to do some fishing at his home. What’s your favorite outdoor activity?

I wasn’t much of an outdoors guy in Florida because it’s so hot and humid all the time. Coming up here to better weather in the Midwest – especially in the fall – I really enjoy hiking. I try to do that whenever possible out at Giant City State Park (in Makanda). Whenever I go to Coach Hill’s, we do fish a little bit. Unfortunately, I never have any luck when it comes to fishing. (Laughs) It’s something I don’t really enjoy much.

Which opposing team has the best uniforms in the Missouri Valley Football Conference?

I’d probably have to go with South Dakota State. I like the combination of the blue and yellow. I like that they also have all-black uniforms with the blue and yellow.

Other than Saluki Stadium, what’s your favorite spot on campus?

Right outside of Morris Library. There’s a nice sitting area. It’s pretty shaded there during the hottest part of the day. It’s typically a busy area, but it’s not too busy where there’s a lot of noise. You get to see students walking around.

Who is your most inspirational teammate?

(Offensive lineman) ZeVeyon Furcron, just with his situation and all he’s gone through the past few years (with the deaths of his mother and sister). To see the way he’s dealt with it at such a young age is pretty inspiring. I feel like it’s something that would have broken down a lot of guys. He dealt with it so well and it’s helped him become the person and man he is today.

Who’s the funniest person on the team?

(Laughs) I’d have to say (linebacker) Bryce Notree. He’s a talker. He’s just a character. You never know what to expect out of him every single day. He’s just so funny.

You have an undergraduate degree in sport management, and you’re now studying interior design. What’s your dream job after football?

I want to be real estate mogul. I’d love to have multiple properties all over the nation and own some huge apartment complexes and commercial properties. I’d like to work my way up in real estate and learn more about it. I’d like to be known for my success in real estate.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of people turned to streaming movies and TV shows for entertainment. What’s the best thing you binged on during that time?

There’s a show called Ozark that I found pretty interesting. It was based in Chicago at first and then they moved over to the Ozarks in Missouri. Being here in Southern Illinois, it’s cool that we’re not that far from Chicago or the Ozarks. It was cool to see them shoot the show in those areas.

If you could only pick one musical artist to get you ready on gamedays, who are you listening to?

I’m probably going with Drake.

If you could learn a musical instrument, what would it be?

Piano. I’ve heard people say that once you learn, it’s something you never forget. It’s something I’d love to learn. I’d like to learn some Beethoven and older classical music. I attempted playing a guitar once, but I didn’t get much into it. That’s another instrument I’d like to learn to play.

SIU linebacker Bryce Notree (54) celebrates a tackle during the Salukis’ 55-3 victory Saturday against Dayton in Carbondale. (Photo by SIUSalukis.com)

After posting its most lopsided win since 2017, the Southern Illinois football team jump one spot in both FCS national football polls Monday.

The Salukis, who beat Dayton 55-3 in their home opener Saturday, moved up to No. 7 in the STATS Perform media poll and to No. 8 in the American Football Coaches Association rankings.

After limited-capacity crowds amid the COVID-19 pandemic during the spring FCS season, a crowd of 7,338 greeted the Salukis in Carbondale over the weekend. Players encouraged students and fans to attend throughout the week, and the Salukis delivered on the field.

“We got those fans in the stands rocking,” linebacker Makel Calhoun told SIUSalukis.com. “It was amazing seeing our fans … supporting us in our first game back (after the spring COVID season).

In a social media post Monday, Hill thanked the student body “for creating an awesome atmosphere. … I can’t tell you how much the coaching staff and players appreciate you!”

SIU opens the Missouri Valley Football Conference play this weekend with a 2 p.m. Saturday kickoff against Illinois State (2-1).

In the media poll, Sam Houston is ranked No. 1 this week, followed by South Dakota State, James Madison, Montana, North Dakota State and Eastern Washington.

The coaches’ poll has the same top six teams, but ranked James Madison at No. 2 and South Dakota State at No. 3.  Villanova is ranked one spot ahead of the Salukis.

The coaches poll lists 19 teams in the others receiving votes category and includes Illinois State with six votes.

Sampson’s career day

Western Illinois senior quarterback Connor Sampson enjoyed the best passing day of his career Saturday in Macomb and earned MVFC Offensive Player of the Week honors for his efforts.

Sampson was 31-for-46 with a career-high 425 yards in the Leathernecks’ 62-56 loss to No. 7 Eastern Washington.

The Leathernecks rallied with 35 second-half points thanks to four TD passes from Sampson. His four TD throws in the game also ranks as a career best.

Impact defender at ISU

Illinois State junior defensive lineman Braydon Deming was named MVFC Defensive Player of the Week after his 10-tackle performance in the Redbirds’ 31-24 victory at Eastern Illinois in the 109th Mid-America Classic rivalry game.

Deming, a transfer from Montana, had four tackles for loss and a sack in the game. He was part of a Redbird defense that stopped EIU on fourth down three different times in the second half. One of the fourth-down stops led to the game-winning touchdown with less than 2 minutes remaining in the game.

Chicago comedians in the news:

Janice Rodriguez and Colleen Brennan announced the second season of their podcast Defending Indiana following a very successful debut.

The innovative, ingenious Chicago comedian Steve Gadlin will appear on You Bet Your Life with Jay Leno on WFLD on Wednesday, Sept. 22.

Brian Babylon, the Prince of Bronzeville, is now the late night host on Tavis Smiley’s Los Angeles radio station KBLA.

“Trevor Noah Presents Josh Johnson’s #Hashtag” was named one of the “best comedy specials of 2021 (so far)” by Vulture. Josh Johnson is currently on tour with Trevor Noah. They will appear at the United Center on November 20.

The North Shore Record confirmed rumors that the former Wilmette Baker’s Square will indeed become the newest Murray Bros Caddyshack Restaurant. Look for the opening in March 2022. Bill Murray and his brothers grew up in Wilmette.

Did you know that many Chicago comedy venues offer discounted tickets when you sign up for emails? You’ll also get first notice of upcoming shows. Some recommended sign-ups: Zanies, The Improv, Las Locas, Laugh Factory, Comedians You Should Know, The Comedy Shrine. Please let me know who I missed!

Following is just a small sample of all the great original comedy happening in Chicago this week. Please confirm all details! All shows are in person unless otherwise stated. Also, my constantly updating giant list of advance ticket alerts is here.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

CAMP A Comedy Show at Lincoln Lodge, 8:00 p.m. IN PERSON AND ONLINE Livestream begins at 7:45. “CAMP was created by Tessa Orzech and the late, great Samantha Berkman. Sam was an artistic tour-de-force with an incredible spirit who left this Earth on May 17, 2021. The show is now run by Tessa, with love and gratitude for the years of creative partnership and best friendship she shared with Sam.” This iconic show, as always, has a fabulous line-up.

Chris Kattan at Zanies Chicago, 7:00 p.m. Tonight and tomorrow night.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

Ladylike at Lincoln Lodge, 8:00 p.m. This popular show, which very often sells out, stars “Funny Women. Gross Stories.”

Best Night Ever at Lincoln Lodge, 8:00 p.m. “We guarantee you’ll have a great time with our hilarious, outrageous and diverse slate of awesome comics. There will also be changes to win some cool prizes like free drinks and SWAG if you simply tell us about your day.”

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

Masters of Comedy Showcase at Zanies Rosemont, 8:00 p.m. Tim Benker hosts this rare opportunity to see master headliners Larry Reeb, Mike Toomey, John Caponera, Jeanie Doogan, and Jim Flannigan all in one night.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

Happy to Be Here at Second City, 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. The Second City 109th Revue.

Still Not Friday at Two Brothers Roundhouse, Aurora, 8:00 p.m.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

Taneshia “Just Nesh” Rice at Zanies Chicago, 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Also Sunday at 7:00 p.m.

Stir Friday Night at Second City, 7:30 p.m. “America’s most established all-Asian comedy and improv ensemble.”

Damon Williams at Riddles, 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.

Napoleon Dynamite: A Conversation with Jon Heder, Efren Ramirez & Jon Gries at Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, 7:30 p.m.

The Blackout Diaries at Lincoln Lodge, 10:00 p.m. The critically acclaimed show created by Sean Flannery where “standup comedians, plus ‘regular’ people (cops, firefighters, teachers, etc) tell incredible true drinking stories. Then you, the audience, can dive even deeper by asking questions.”

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

Bonnie McFarlane at North Bar, 9:00 p.m. With Alex Kumin and Aaron Putnam.

Jim Jefferies at The Chicago Theatre, 7:00 p.m.

Sexy Unique Podcast at Sleeping Village, 8:00 p.m. A podcast about “people being messy on TV.”

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

Slice of Comedy at Salerno’s Pizza, Oak Park, 7:00 p.m. Patti Vasquez, Paul Farahvar, Tyler Fowler, Kendall Relf, Lele Mason, Bridget Mcguire, Dane Arden, special guests and more TBA.

Deep Schwa at The Annoyance Theatre, 8:00 p.m. This famous improv group can now be seen at The Annoyance.

Customer Appreciation Comedy at Riddles, Alsip, 8:00 p.m. Hosted by Robert Kane.

Restaurant management can be just like any other kind of management: tricky yet rewarding. Managing other people and a whole building can cause crazy amounts of stress, so it’s essential to know what you’re doing and become an authority on all things having to do with your business.

Managing a restaurant is more than just overseeing waitstaff and cooks. It involves analyzing your restaurant at its core and making the right decisions for yourself, your business, and the people who work there. With so many factors in play, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. While you can never feel fully prepared before you start, you can take a few measures to ensure that your management accomplishes what you need it to.

5 Crucial Parts of Managing a Restaurant

When managing a restaurant, you have to juggle multiple responsibilities and communicate with around a dozen people at once. If you’re new to the management life, you should learn a few key aspects that fit seamlessly into any managerial style that you should emulate.

1. Set Goals and Monitor Progress

When you set goals for your business, make sure they’re SMART goals. These goals are attainable and realistic, so you can feel a sense of accomplishment once you achieve them, no matter how small they may be. Make sure your goals are realistic for the time you’ve allotted to complete them, else you may find your restaurant falling a bit short.

Next, you’ll need to find ways to measure if you’re stepping closer toward your goals. For example, analyzing what your break-even point is can be essential to know when an item on your menu will ultimately become profitable, helping you plan future specials.

2. Establish a Consistent Foundation

You should always be consistent in your rules and your treatment of others. Favoring any one person can reflect negatively on you and damage others’ self-confidence and respect toward you. You set an example for your entire restaurant. How can you expect your employees to outperform you?

One way to set an excellent example for everyone you work with is to ensure you always present your best self. Ironing a shirt can make a big difference in your presentation and change your style from lax to professional in just a couple of minutes. Minor changes to your appearance can set you apart as an authority figure who takes your business seriously. 

3. Guide Your Employees

You are responsible for how well your employees perform. With the proper guidance, they’ll better understand their jobs and work harder if they respect and love the workplace they’re a part of. Reward your employees for jobs well done and remind them often how much you appreciate them.

Also, you should encourage your employees to be open with you about how they feel. Your employees are a way for you to see what’s happening on every rung of the ladder that you may not be able to see from your position. You should demonstrate leadership and initiative to set an excellent example for everyone who works there.

4. Listen to Your Customers

Your Customers offer you a window into your service. No one on the inside of the restaurant can provide you with that insight. Also, don’t underestimate the power of reviews and word of mouth. Potential customers use reviews to gauge whether a restaurant is worth their time and money. Having poor reviews could negatively impact your business, so you should consider making your customers’ experience as positive as possible.

Similarly, good reviews will have a positive impact on your business. Suppose potential customers see that other patrons have enjoyed the food, service and atmosphere. In that case, they may be more likely to purchase from you or visit your restaurant.

5. Strive for Excellence

Don’t settle for a procedure or routine just because it works. Look for something that can improve over time, and always aim to do your best. Set new goals continuously. Once you’ve found a flow that works for you, you can challenge yourself and your employees to do better and accomplish more.

Use Experience to Become a Better Manager

It’s tough to determine the most essential part of being a manager because so much of it changes by the day. You have to mold yourself to fit multiple roles and ensure that you’re supporting and encouraging your team to the best of your ability. Once you’ve done all you can and have come up with procedures that ensure your restaurant is operating at peak performance, you can take a step back and admire all you’ve accomplished alongside your employees.

The Game of Life-the box top I remember.

Pink and blue pegs in a tiny plastic car. A pathway that took you to college and a job. A spinner that made a great, whirring, sound but needed it frequently oiling. Stock and insurance certificates. And $100,000 bills with Art Linkletter’s picture on it. It was all in The Game of Life.

I grew up in the mid-’60s playing Life with my family. It was faster-paced than Monopoly, less cerebral than Scrabble or Chess, and harder to cheat at than Go to the Head of the Class (yes, I memorized all the questions). And it was fun, twirling the spinner and hoping for the career with the highest salary. You could wind up a millionaire, or you could wind up in the poorhouse.

By the time we were raising our kids, Life had fallen well down the list of treats on family game night, far below our favorite, Sorry. Still, our first thought for the theme at Laury’s Bat Mitzvah was to base the celebration on Life. Only when the party designer couldn’t grasp the concept did we switch to an Animal Kingdom idea.

This morning I learned that Reuben Klamer, the man who invented The Game of Life, passed away on September 14th. He was 99 years old–almost making it to that ultimate life marker of a century.

It feels like another little bit of my childhood is seeping away. As the sole survivor of my first nuclear family, I have no one to share that time of my life with. There is no one who remembers the nightly dinner table (always starting with Campbell’s Soup, always including dreadful canned vegetables); who remembers the Sunday night’s watching What’s My Line (me peaking around my bedroom door into the living room); who remembers the weekly walk down Morse Avenue to Ashkenaz for kreplach soup, a toasted bagel, and a Coke.

So you see Mr. Klamer, the end of your days has made me nostalgic and a bit sad. I don’t know how you lived your life, but I know your Life was part of a wonderful time in mine. Wherever you are now, your spinning wheel will never stop whirring for me.

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Whether you’ve been to your destination or not, business trips are always exciting because you have the unique opportunity to see a new place through fresh eyes. 

Even if you’ve been there before, there’s always more to explore — and you might find that more opportunities are available to you because you’re representing your company.

5 Things to Remember on a Business Trip

It’s normal to be excited about your first business trip. After all, your expenses are paid for by your company — for the most part, at least. Just keep in mind these crucial tips when you’re traveling for business for the first time.

1. Get Enough Sleep

Adults need roughly eight hours of sleep to function well the next day. Booking a red-eye flight or staying out too late to enjoy the sights can get you into trouble before a meeting. You need to attend your meetings while awake and alert. Staying out all night to explore the city can wait until after the business part of your trip is done.

2. Keep Your Receipts

In case your company decides to reimburse you for what you spend while you’re on a business trip, having the receipts can be handy to keep track of your expenses and offer proof if asked in the future. You should also educate yourself on how much your company allots for meals, travel and lodging so that you can budget accordingly without spending too much of your own money.

3. Take Safety Precautions

Protecting yourself is vital, especially when you’re in an unfamiliar area. It’s a good idea to share information like your flight and meeting details with trusted friends and family members back home so they know where you are and when they can check on you. Knowing the local laws can also help you protect yourself, as can making yourself seem like a resident instead of a tourist. Also, leave your expensive items at home, just in case.

4. Learn Language Skills

Suppose you’re traveling somewhere abroad where a language you don’t know is common. In that case, you should acquire a baseline knowledge of that language before you go. You can’t expect everyone to know your language, especially if they aren’t the people you’ll be dealing with on the business end of your trip. Learn enough of the language to recognize and speak common phrases. You never know when or who you’ll need to ask for directions or find a bathroom.

5. Have Fun

It’s okay to pencil in some time to explore new areas. Once you have everything business-related figured out, take a day or a few hours to do something you know you’ll enjoy and explore the city. Think of it as a treat for doing so well on your first business trip!

5 Things to Avoid on a Business Trip

Hoping for the best is excellent, but you should also be prepared for the worst. Sometimes, things just happen, and even though a little setback here and there may be inevitable, being ready for preventable ones can make a world of difference.

1. Looking Messy

On your trip, you want to look prepared and presentable at all times. Making a good first impression is vital. Minor changes, like tailoring your clothes to fit correctly, can go a long way in improving your appearance and impressing other people.

2. Waiting to Book

Don’t wait to book flights and hotels until the last minute. You want to ensure that everything you have planned can play out just as you imagined it. Having nowhere to stay or missing a flight can drastically alter your trip and leave a lasting bad impression on your responsibility level.

3. Coming in Unprepared

Look up addresses before you leave. Learn the names of the people you’ll be meeting, if applicable. Arm yourself with knowledge of your company and what you can do for potential customers and clients. Preparing a pitch can help you feel more confident about your abilities and leave a good impression on potential clients. 

4. Forgetting to Register for Rewards

If you sign up with an airline, car company or hotel as you use their services, you can start earning points toward other trips. You’re missing out on free and valuable points that you can redeem for later trips if you don’t take advantage of these programs. Using extra points for something like a future room upgrade or complimentary breakfast would be nice, especially if you’ll be traveling a lot for work from here on out!

5. Being Negative

While plenty of things could go wrong on a business trip, you may just find that you have the time of your life in a new area. Explore all there is to offer, and keep the work-life balance going strong. Keep your emotions in check, and remember that there’s always a chance you’ll have an even better time next trip.

When in Doubt, Plan It Out

The most significant takeaway you can know about traveling for business is that you should always be prepared. Plan out your routes in advance and write down your meeting times until they’re seared into your brain. 

Then, once all the work is out of the way, you can start planning for leisure activities and destinations you’d like to experience on your trip. Safe travels, and have fun!

Last week MMJ made my Release Radar with their incredibly creative Metallica cover, “Nothing Else Matters.” Now they announce a new, self-titled album, due out on October 22nd, with the first single, “Love Love Love.” Damn, it sounds good, and after two listens I find myself singing, “The more you give yeah, the more you get now/Go tell it to the world.”

It seems Walker Hayes has brought in the big guns, putting Kesha on his latest version of “Fancy Like.” It works, as the pop princess puts this already fun song over the top. Kesha’s last two albums have seen her mature and move into adult-ish territory with songs like “Resentment.” But, on this remix of “Fancy Like,” we get the bluesy, carefree girl we’ve come to know and love.

Half Alive release their third single of 2021 on the same weekend that they perform live at the Life Is Beautiful Music & Art Festival. Not sure about the state of the new album yet, but “Make Of It” is an upbeat and soulful journey, driven by keyboards and breakbeats.

“Pot Of Gold” is the latest in a line of Felly singles, that ebb, and flow. Now playing and programming, Fel has found his freedom to create whatever the fuck he wants, and with each new single I find myself saying, “This might be the best thing he’s ever done?”

The level of comfortability The Beatles have as a group is evidenced in this version of “Get Back.” Only family spends this much time together and for this reason, there’s a carefree vibe that makes you feel like you’re in the room, with your family, when Paul says, “Let’s do it once more.”

A few weeks back Tony Bennet and Lady Gaga were selected as my Jazz Cut Of The Week, for their cover of “I Get A Kick Out Of You.” It was at that time that I mentioned their new album “Love For Sale,” due out October 1st. I loved this duo’s first collaboration, and can’t wait for the return of Tony and the Lady.

Your Jazz Cut Of The Week is from jazz master Chick Corea, alongside Eliane Elias, and Chucho Valdes. Rain or shine, “Mirror Mirror” is an introspective listen, that will have you searching your soul for answers while finding some much-needed inner peace.

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