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Dear Peter,
Welcome to the MRA's February eNewsletter issue of "On the Table." Winter is still here, but the MRA is keeping things hot! It's all "On the Table" - enjoy! |
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Letter from the Chairman
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Tom Galligan | The new legislative session has just begun, and already there are proposals to increase the sales tax on meals. The Patrick administration announced that it supports a one percent increase in the sales tax on meals and a one percent local meals tax option because the state is having an extremely difficult year and will be forced to cut local aid to cities and towns.
read more
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The MRA Opposes A Hike on the Sales Tax on Meals
This would actually create a new tax. Currently in Massachusetts we have no such thing as a "meals tax". All meals eaten away from home are subject to the state sales tax, and the restaurant industry strongly opposes any legislation that would single-out one industry for an additional tax.
Once we allow our industry to be excluded for a new tax, there is no telling where it will stop. It may begin with 1 or 2%, but it paves the way for a downward spiral of further hikes in years to come.
A meals tax increase is a tax increase on local citizens to bail out the big cities. This proposal will not help the majority of towns in Massachusetts. Only large cities will benefit from this type of proposal. read more
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Take Stock of Your Website and Grow Your
Business Online
Today's restaurant owners are not the restaurateurs of years past. To compete in this fast-paced world, they must be savvier and more technically-versed in order to generate a continually positive cash flow. In today's technically oriented world, more and more people are using the Internet as a fast, effective way to find the restaurant of their choice.
Dan Green, president of The Green Internet Group and an active MRA associate member, said there are ways in which a restaurateur, no matter how big or small, can help to build his or her restaurant's awareness through social networking, optimizing your website, and making sure you have a strong presence in local directories. read more
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Health Insurance Reminder:
Quarterly Filing Due February 15th
 All employers with at least 5,500 payroll hours from 10/01/08 - 12/31/08 should complete their quarterly online Fair Share Contribution Report at https://fsc.detma.org.
The updated requirements for 2009 became effective as of January 1st. Under the latest rules, employers with 50+ full-time equivalents (FTEs) will have to offer a 33% premium contribution AND have 25% of their full-time employees enrolled on their health plan. There is no change for employers with 11 - 49 FTEs. Click here to review the MRA's Health Care Law Summary.
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Legal Reminders
 In 2008, the MRA continued to provide its members with timely and relevant reports of legal developments, including the following:
- A change in a Massachusetts wage law provides that an employee who prevails in a lawsuit against his/her employer for nonpayment of wages, tips, service charges and other such payments due shall be entitled to three times the amount of any such payments, plus costs and attorneys' fees. read more
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Get to know Nick Spidalieri - MRA Director of Membership Services
 What makes up the Massachusetts Restaurant Association? It's members! And no one is better equipped to represent the MRA to its members than the MRA's Director of Membership Services, Nick Spidalieri. Nick heralds from New York, but is a graduate of Endicott College in Beverly, Mass., making him one of our own. If you haven't gotten to know Nick yet, you can be sure you'll be hearing from him soon. Keep reading to find out just who Nick Spidalieri is! read more
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Boosting Restaurant Profits with Energy Efficiency and Solar Power  Square-foot for square-foot, restaurants rank among the most energy-intensive commercial spaces in Massachusetts. It's not just the cooking equipment that's to blame - heating, cooling, and lighting each account for major portions of the average restaurant's electricity, natural gas, and fuel oil consumption. As you might guess, all that energy use means there's a lot of room for saving. read more |
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More Seminars from the MRAEF this February...
 The MRAEF's February Educational Seminar Series is coming up quickly. Register today to reserve your seats - you don't want to miss these exciting industry seminars!
Attendees will learn the true meaning of service and why it is so important in today's economy, how to attract and keep customers, and estate planning and protection for restaurateurs. Each seminar is presented by industry experts, and promises to be informative while offering tangible, realistic goals to implement in your everyday business. read more
Interested in presenting a future seminar? Click here to share your seminar proposal with the MRAEF.
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The New England Food Show is Right Around the Corner!  The 2009 New England Food Show is coming up quickly, Sunday, March 22nd through Tuesday, March 24th at the Boston Exhibition & Convention Center. This year's seminar line-up promises to showcase the topics you care most about, and are presented by some of the most knowledgeable experts in our industry. Click here to preview the 2009 Seminar schedule, and we hope to see you at the Show!
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Attention
Culinary and Foodservice Students: The
MRAEF is Awarding Scholarships up to $2,000
 The MRAEF, with its partner the NRA Educational Foundation
(NRAEF), will award scholarships of up to $2,000 to high school seniors and
graduates, college undergrads, and GED credential holders who are planning to
continue their education in culinary arts or restaurant management.
It's simple, download an application to see if you meet the criteria, and apply by the deadline.
You may be eligible to receive up to $2,000 toward your tuition! The
scholarship awards are made possible through generous donations from our MRA
members and from the NRAEF.
Click here to download an application, or call the MRAEF office at 800-852-3042.
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Nantucket High School Wins Second ProStart Student Invitational 
On January 16, the MRAEF held its second ProStart Student Invitational at Le Cordon Bleu, Boston Campus. Seven teams from high schools across the state competed in the culinary competition demonstrating their creative abilities through the preparation of a three-course meal in 60 minutes. read more |
ProStart
Spotlight: Student of the Month!
Tim Merrifield is a senior
enrolled in the ProStart program at Mashpee High School (MHS), where he also
plays on the football and basketball teams.
Tim is a "people person" who
truly enjoys working in the hospitality industry.
read more
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2009 ServSafe® Class Schedules Now
Available from the MRAEF ServSafe® Sanitation is the highest standard in food safety training and certification and is recognized more than any other sanitation training program. Click here for the 2009 ServSafe® Sanitation training class schedule, which prepares managers for the ServSafe® Food Protection Manager Certification exam.
ServSafe® Sanitation is also offered in Portuguese. Click here for more information!
Does your certification expire soon? Learn more about the MRAEF's 4-hour Recertification classes!
The ServSafe Alcohol® Program outlines effective and responsible alcohol service practices for all of your front-of-the-house staff. Schedule a class offered by the MRAEF to help ensure every drink served is a safe one.
The ServSafe Alcohol® Fundamentals of Responsible Alcohol Service is now available in English & Spanish. You can call the MRA to order products at 800-852-3042, or you can order online. Remember, MRA members receive a discount when ordering ServSafe® products from the MRA. |
MRA Food Handlers' Course Online (only $10!)
 The MRA is pleased to offer a Food Handlers' Course online for only $10. This course should not be confused with the ServSafe® certified food protection manager-required certification. Instead, this course is aimed at your hourly employees, who spend a great deal of their time handling food.
Click here for more information. |
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Welcome to the MRA's Newest Members!  The MRA is proud to announce 16 new regular members, and 15 new associate members who have recently joined. Won't you extend a warm welcome to the MRA's newest members? read more
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MRA Membership Through the Years  The MRA is proud to recognize all of our members who are celebrating a 5-year to 10-year membership anniversary in 2009. We acknowledge your accomplishments as restaurateurs in this tough industry, and we salute you. Here's to many more successful years! read more
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Calling All Restaurateurs! 
The MRAEF Education Committee is looking to expand its team. The Committee is seeking restaurateurs to meet three times a year to improve the RFP Seminar process and to review proposals to fulfill the MRAEF mission in providing professional development for the industry.
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Thank
you!
Thank you for keeping up with the MRA! As always, visit www.marestaurantassoc.org for member
news, legal and industry updates, and exciting, upcoming events.
Sincerely,
Peter Christie
Massachusetts Restaurant
Association |
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