Welcome & Introduction
Summer time with S4SB! This month's blog features our Summer Slow Down, information on CalSavers, Pan Dulce Steel Orchestra Arts Alive! event information, Mental Health Crisis Center for children and adolescents, male victims of domestic abuse, and school shootings in America.
What’s going on with S4SB?
Summer Slow Down
Katherine Almy
At S4SB, we’re usually pretty busy all the time, but if we have a slow season, it’s summer. I know that for some businesses, the opposite is true, but if your business eases up a bit during the warmer months, it’s a great time to make an appointment to come in and review your financials with us. Got any concerns about your cash flow? Want to know if this is a good time to invest in some new equipment? Need to check on how recent changes have affected your income? There are a lot of questions that could be informed by a review of your financial statements. And if you’re one of our regular clients, it’s included in your monthly fee, so come take advantage of it. We’re happy to meet with you in person or on Zoom.
CalSavers
Katherine Almy
We’ve been talking to clients about CalSavers, but if you’re not sure what we’re talking about, it’s time to read up on it. If you employ more than 5 people and you don’t already have a plan in place, you will need to offer this state mandated retirement savings plan. But don’t panic! Not only are we here to help you with the set-up and maintenance of this payroll plan, it’s actually VERY easy to use. And there’s no financial obligation (sorry to sound like an infomercial). It doesn’t cost you anything to register or use the state system, and you are not required to match your employees contributions. If you are required to offer this plan, we will be contacting you about it. If you have questions, please refer to calsavers.com, or give us a call.
Get Your Groove Back!
Our very own Kate runs the Pan Dulce Steel Orchestra. They’re putting on a performance on June 4th at Arts Alive on the Gazebo! I’m a little sad that I’m out in Colorado and can’t see them perform. Kate taught our team one time and it was so much fun! Are you interested in classes? Check out http://www.panartsnetwork.com or call 707-407-8998 to register.
Katherine: “I started taking classes a few years ago, and now I’m in the orchestra. I had seen the band play on the plaza and the music sounded so great, and it looked like a lot of fun to play. Kate is an amazing teacher, and the steel drums are such a democratic instrument to play. You really can play a tune on your first day of class!”
Kate:
After 2 years, we are excited to be offering community classes again at Pan Arts!
Starting June 6th, we’ll be opening our doors again to beginners. We teach in the “rote” style of the community bands of Trinidad and Tobago - the birthplace of the steel drum. This allows people of all ages and abilities to join in and make music together. Students are often amazed that they can play music as a group the very first night of class! Over the past 23 years of teaching in our community, I never tire of seeing the delight on people’s faces as they discover the joy of playing steel pan. Come join us and find your groove!
DEI Discussions & Community Opportunities
New Mental Health Crisis Center
Charlie Maupin
One of our clients, Sorrel Leaf Healing Center, is a mental health crisis facility. In fact it’s the first of its kind in Humboldt. It’s designed specifically to treat children and adolescents, and it will be the only mental health facility for children and teens for about 150 miles. Currently the closest options for treatment are in either Santa Rosa or Redding, and those centers are frequently at capacity.
I am so grateful for S4SB providing our services to clients like these who help others. This is a resource that has been greatly needed in Humboldt County. I worked in the Arcata School District for a little while during my time in college, and I wish this had been there then! There were many kiddos that I know could have benefited from this, but now that it’s opening I’m hopeful that they’ll have this resource.
Male Victims of Domestic Abuse
Charlie Maupin
As I’m sure many of you have seen, the trial recently between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard has been all over the media lately. What I think is most of note in this trial is that male victims of domestic abuse are finally being shown in the media. This is rare in society still to this day, as men are expected to be the tough ones. If you or someone you know is a man (or women or any gender) who is being abused or even thinks they are being abused, I encourage you to seek help or offer your support to the victim. Domestic abuse is something that can happen to anyone, regardless of gender. Here is a resource that may be helpful in understanding what this means:
School Shootings in America
Charlie Maupin
So far in America, there have been 27 school shootings with injuries or death this year alone. Recently, one that devastated the media was the Robb Elementary School massacre in Uvalde, Texas. During this shooting, a brave 11 year old survivor “feared the gunman would come back for her so she smeared herself in her friend’s blood and played dead”. (CNN). The rest of this story gave me chills, and I encourage you to read it. Stories like these that happen over and over again make it clear to me that gun control in America is something that is not taken seriously enough. Politicians offer respect and prayers, but little action is done after every massacre. I do hope this changes, for the future safety of children in schools.
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