Plenty of companies have offered a million bucks for that perfect March Madness bracket.
But how does a billion dollars sound? (Go ahead, say it in your best Dr. Evil voice.)
Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway and Dan Gilbert’s Quicken Loans are teaming up for the ultimate free bracket pool for the men’s NCAA Tournament in March.
Not only will a perfect bracket win $1 billion (or split it if there’s somehow more than one, if any), but the top 20 imperfect brackets will each receive $100,000 for their efforts.
If you win the contest, you’ll have to accept either 40 annual payments of $25 million or a $500 million lump sum payout. Hope that won’t be a problem.
“We’ve seen a lot of contests offering a million dollars for putting together a good bracket, which got us thinking, what is the perfect bracket worth? We decided a billion dollars seems right for such an impressive feat,” said Jay Farner, President and Chief Marketing Officer of Quicken Loans, in the press release. “It is our mission to create amazing experiences for our clients. This contest, with the possibility of creating a billionaire, definitely fits that bill.”
Buffett’s company is underwriting the contest.
“Millions of people play brackets every March, so why not take a shot at becoming $1 billion richer for doing so,” said Buffett, Chief Executive Officer of Berkshire Hathaway. “While there is no simple path to success, it sure doesn’t get much easier than filling out a bracket online. To quote a commercial from one of my companies, I’d dare say it’s so easy to enter that even a caveman can do it.”
Quicken Loans will also be donating $1 million to inner city schools and programs in Detroit and Cleveland as part of the promotion.
The contest is free to enter, but does have some stipulations. It’s open to the first 10 million people who pre-register (you’ll get your bracket on Selection Sunday) and is limited to one per household. The registration period starts on March 3 and runs through the 19th, or until it’s full. Also you must be at least 21 years old and a United States citizen.
Just a note, before you start spending that $1 billion — you have a 1 in 9.2 quintillion chance of winning.
Now, start watching hoops on FOX Sports 1 and studying up!
Content provided by http://msn.foxsports.com/college-basketball/story/march-madness-indeed-buffett-gilbert-offering-up-1-billion-in-prize-money-for-perfection-012114
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Scurich Insurance Services has been serving the Monterey Bay Area since 1924. Our mission is to partner with our customers and provide them superior service and value. We are a member of United Valley Insurance Services, Inc., a cluster of over 70 California Independent Insurance agencies, which produced over $530,000,000 of annual premium last year.
At Scurich Insurance Services we understand your business and our community. Our customers look to us for comprehensive solutions. We have established relationships with more than 40 of the nation’s leading insurance providers, which allows us to deliver multiple, competitively-priced options and a team of experts to guide you through the process.
When you need to file a claim, change a policy or process a certificate you can depend on Scurich Insurance Services to respond quickly to your request.
Give us a call today to see what we can do for you!
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In the construction world, we’re often quick to reprimand our workers about safety violations. Such phrases as “Hey, put your helmet on!”, “Seriously, do you really think this is a good idea?” and “Get off that ladder now!” come to mind. All too seldom, do we say, “Thanks. You’re doing a great job in keeping the site safe!”
As you walk your work sites or wander the shop, it’s important to search out potential hazards and people who are not following what’s expected. However, don’t forget to recognize and acknowledge the workers who are doing their jobs right. When you recognize the power of thanking those who do well, their peers pay attention. That’s the reason why merit badges work.
Whether you’re a supervisor, foreman, or project manager, your job is to encourage safe behavior by motivating – not threatening – your workers as often as possible. Showing gratitude goes a long way in forming your crew and your friends. Take the time, and you’ll soon be surrounded by people who want to work for you. When you recognize this, you will understand the power of thanks.
Without trust, there’s little chance of success in any business – including yours. Your role is to help your workers stay out of trouble and eliminate acts and conditions on the job that can harm them. Whenever possible, it’s better to work with them, rather than acting as an obstacle.
Help your construction crews understand the hazards of the work they do and how to get them corrected. Establish a level of trust, and say “Thanks!” more often than “Stop!”
Remember, you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.
Content provided by Transformer Marketing.
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If you’ve been to our office, chances are. Mary Myrick-Sunkler, CISR, CPIW is a central California coast native. Mary has been in the insurance business since 1988 giving her 26 years of experience. Mary has worked with Scurich Insurance Services for 15 of those years, starting in 1998.
Mary graduated from Monterey High School and went onto graduate from Monterey Peninsula College. Mary is a member of the Insurance Professionals of Monterey Bay which is a local chapter of National Association of Insurance Women.
In Mary’s spare time, she is an avid walker, loves bicycling, gardening, camping and cooking.
Stop by our office to say, “Hi,” to Mary today.
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PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. —Studies show the number of monarch butterflies making their annual migration is dwindling. So much so, experts are worried they are in danger of disappearing altogether.
Although there has been a drop in the number of monarchs migrating through Pacific Grove over the years, die hard butterfly fans are hopeful the monarchs will make a comeback.
The Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary in Pacific Grove acts as a temporary home to hundreds of Monarchs, all migrating from the U.S. to Canada.
Experts say their numbers have dropped severely.
The number of butterflies wintering in Mexico is the lowest level ever recorded, too, but butterfly fans in Pacific Grove remain optimistic that they will continue to show up.
Migration is an inherited trait and although no butterflies live to make the full round trip, it’s unclear how they remember the route back to the same patch of forest each year.
Scientists theorize they may rely on magnetic fields, the position of the sun, polarization of the sun’s rays, scenting or pure genetic instinct.
Content provided by: http://www.ksbw.com/news/central-california/monterey/monarch-butterfly-population-dwindles/-/5738820/24238720/-/rc821rz/-/index.html#ixzz2sHWUeyo6
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An ever increasing number of people in the labor force are contractors. As the owner of a business you normally use contractors to ensure that they have contractor insurance.
An ever increasing number of people in the labor force are contractors. As the owner of a business you normally use contractors to ensure that they have contractor insurance. This type of insurance is useful in the event of injury or damage caused by the contractors on any of your property. As a contractor you will need contractor insurance to protect yourself from any claims made against you directly and/or any legal expenses incurred even if you are wrongfully sued by the company, organization or party’s involved.
There are several people who are possible candidates for contractor insurance. This is an option for anybody who is a limited company contractor. Most companies are more likely to make use of you if you have a contractor insurance policy in place to protect them from any arising issues. Contractor insurance cover is mandatory if you want to contract for a governmental institution of a state, federal or even on a city level. Without contractor insurance you do not have a chance of being contracted to supply services to any governmental institution. You essentially have a responsibility over the work you provide to your customer and contractor insurance protects you and the other party from any issues that may result from it.
A contractor insurance policy generally has three parts; it covers you, the person or company you are contracted to and member of the public who may be affected directly by your job as a limited company contractor. In each of these groups, it is necessary to have additional full protection available from your provider against accidental destruction or damage caused to property and equipment and full liability protection covering legal, medical and compensation costs.
Contractor insurance does not cover negligent actions or deliberate errors. They will also not provide prolonged cover if you show a pattern of consistent and negligent behavior. Other than these two main exclusions, contractor insurance is a very complete cover since it gives you and the company a safety net that would otherwise not be available.
There are more insurance products and services that the policy holder could take out in this range. Contractor insurance is mostly designed to include professional indemnity and public liability features. It also covers property and equipment to a large extent. If you need additional coverage in these areas as you realize the volume of business you will produce in a year it will be prudent for you to apply for a separate cover to have protection to a larger extent.
A limited company contractor’s work may be used several years after he has completed his work. Therefore, contractor insurance may only be active many years after a contract has been completed. Contractor insurance will ensure that you are still covered for liability long after you retire as you will need to be covered in the event of any consequent legal action. This may take the form of an extension of the liability clause to your contractors insurance or a run-off insurance policy.
Content provided by Transformer Marketing.
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Plenty of companies have offered a million bucks for that perfect March Madness bracket.
