By Adam Fishman
December 6, 2008
WINTER PARK, Fla—Remember the days when gas was 99 cents per gallon? You could actually afford to fill your gas tank. It seems so long ago, according to Motor Club AAA energy figures, gas was 97 cents per gallon in March of 1999. For one Winter Park 7-Eleven store owner, gas for a dollar could be a reality again.
Nathaniel Rodriguez, 31, is senior store manager at the 7-Eleven off lee road in Winter Park. The cost of gas per gallon is influenced by many factors, supply and demand being at the forefront. “The more consumers drive the higher the demand, which leads to higher gas prices,” stated Rodriguez. The price of gas is like riding a roller-coaster, up and down. Factors that determine prices range from the cost of crude-oil, refining costs, taxes, distribution, weather, location, production and station markup.
“My responsibility is to compile data that accounts for usage at my store; I report these figures to a regional manager who then reports to their managers. It’s a chain going up, figures across the country are put together to determine the added markup for a profit based on location and usage,” stated Rodriguez. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, service stations will add anywhere from a few cents to a dime, but there is no set markup limit. Rodriguez was unable to state the average markup for his store because it would jeopardize the integrity of the company.
“We do stay competitive in this type of market,” Rodriguez said. So can gas come down to that magic number? Rodriguez thinks it can happen. According to the Financial Times, the cost of oil is currently $46.82 a barrel. “The cost of oil has to come down a little more, at least by $10. The area we service could see $1.05 to a $1.10 per gallon,” Rodriguez stated. Those numbers are very close to one dollar.
Rodriguez is accurate in his statement. According to U.S. Department of Energy statistics, the cost of oil was $35 in 1999 when gas was floating around a dollar. The single most important entity that impacts the world’s oil supplies is the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). OPEC consists of 13 countries including Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela. According to the Energy Information Administration, when OPEC wants to raise the price of oil they simply reduce production. In return, this causes gas prices to jump because of the short supply.
If gas prices come down to a dollar per gallon, business at Rodriguez’s store would increase. “It’s pretty obvious, as gas prices come down people travel more. Hopefully, they come to my store to fill up their tanks.” Rodriguez is optimistic about the possibility of even lower gas prices, but what about consumers?
Customers at Rodriguez’s 7-Eleven shared their opinions. Karen DeMarco from Eatonville stated, “I doubt gas prices will be a dollar a gallon ever again, not with the way the economy is now.” Riley Harrell of Winter Park stated, “God I hope the price can come down that low, if production levels can stay consistent I think it’s a real possibility.”
A real possibility it may be. There are still so many contributing factors that determine the cost of gas. The trend taking place right now is certainly a step in the right direction, but gas for a dollar a gallon again? Let’s keep our fingers crossed.
More information can be found about 7-Eleven at www.7-eleven.com. Information about OPEC can be found at www.opec.com.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
LPGA Tour Member Sarah-Jane Kenyon
By Adam Fishman
November 11, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla—Sarah-Jane Kenyon, 24, the newest member of the LPGA Tour, spoke to the Valencia Voice during a press conference Monday evening. Kenyon will play full-time on the LPGA Tour starting next year. “It’s the best place in the world to play, it has the best tour,” Kenyon stated.
Kenyon came to America in 2005 from Australia to begin her golf career. “Professionally, it was a struggle for the first couple of years,” Kenyon stated. Kenyon plans on playing golf for at least five to ten years. It was Kenyon’s dad who originally got her interested in golf. “He was basically the main reason I started playing,” Kenyon said.
Kenyon embraces the demands golf has on a player. “We have to drive the whole country,” Kenyon stated. From 2005 to July 2007 she was lent a 1991 Honda Accord with 240,000 miles. Kenyon advised patience and hard work is what you must have when pursuing golf. There are a lot of rewards you can attain.
In addition to starting the LPGA Tour next year, Kenyon is getting married in Australia on January 10th to professional golfer Duane Smith. Kenyon met Smith through the sport of golf. Unfortunately, Kenyon will only be able to take a few days off for her wedding. “It’s called a mini moon, were just going away for a couple of days,” Kenyon said while laughing.
Kenyon is looking to settle down with her current fiancé in Florida. They’re currently waiting on banks to see if they can secure a home in Orange County where she practices.
Kenyon has a couple of upcoming pro-am tournaments in Australia, the New Zealand Open, and her debut on the LPGA Tour will be February 2009 in Hawaii.
Kenyon is looking forward to her career as a member of the LPGA Tour. You can find more information about the LPGA Tour and Sarah-Jane Kenyon at http://www.lpga.com/.
November 11, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla—Sarah-Jane Kenyon, 24, the newest member of the LPGA Tour, spoke to the Valencia Voice during a press conference Monday evening. Kenyon will play full-time on the LPGA Tour starting next year. “It’s the best place in the world to play, it has the best tour,” Kenyon stated.
Kenyon came to America in 2005 from Australia to begin her golf career. “Professionally, it was a struggle for the first couple of years,” Kenyon stated. Kenyon plans on playing golf for at least five to ten years. It was Kenyon’s dad who originally got her interested in golf. “He was basically the main reason I started playing,” Kenyon said.
Kenyon embraces the demands golf has on a player. “We have to drive the whole country,” Kenyon stated. From 2005 to July 2007 she was lent a 1991 Honda Accord with 240,000 miles. Kenyon advised patience and hard work is what you must have when pursuing golf. There are a lot of rewards you can attain.
In addition to starting the LPGA Tour next year, Kenyon is getting married in Australia on January 10th to professional golfer Duane Smith. Kenyon met Smith through the sport of golf. Unfortunately, Kenyon will only be able to take a few days off for her wedding. “It’s called a mini moon, were just going away for a couple of days,” Kenyon said while laughing.
Kenyon is looking to settle down with her current fiancé in Florida. They’re currently waiting on banks to see if they can secure a home in Orange County where she practices.
Kenyon has a couple of upcoming pro-am tournaments in Australia, the New Zealand Open, and her debut on the LPGA Tour will be February 2009 in Hawaii.
Kenyon is looking forward to her career as a member of the LPGA Tour. You can find more information about the LPGA Tour and Sarah-Jane Kenyon at http://www.lpga.com/.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
A Cause for Autism
Adam Fishman
Jou1100
A Cause for Autism
Jeff Rupp is a representative from Delaney Financial Services, an organization that assists in financial planning for special needs. Autism Speaks is an organization dedicated to finding effective treatments and a cure for autism. The autism spectrum is broad, but living with any form of autism from mild to disabling can be difficult.
Whole Foods Market was host to both of these influential organizations Saturday for 5% Day for Autism Speaks. Whole Foods donated 5% of their net sales for the day to both groups. Autism Speaks had representatives handing out informational flyers to help educate people about Autism. There was also a panel group of people living with autism who answered questions.
Jeff Rupp, a towering clean cut gentleman lectured to a small intimate audience on the patio of the market. The focus of Mr. Rupp’s lecture was to inform us of the financial demands and how to plan for someone living with special needs. Raising a child in general is expensive but raising a child with a disability is even more straining. Mr. Rupp introduced himself as a financial advisor from Delaney Financial Services.
Mr. Rupp stated that “out of approximately 72.3 million families, two in every seven of them have a child with special needs.” Mr. Rupp explained that caring for a child with special needs will involve planning in education, medical, guardianships, wills, and special needs trusts. The current federal law states that inheritance of more than $2,000 to a disabled individual disqualifies them from federal based assistance. Special Needs Trusts (SNT) is a means of protecting a disabled person’s eligibility for federal assistance. This program acts as a direct gift privately or professionally managed by a corporate trustee, assets in the trust do not actually belong to the beneficiary; therefore it does not cause the disabled to be disqualified from government assistance.
Mr. Rupp stated that “government benefits are paid to a disabled child (under 18) based on family income.” “Once a child turns 18 they’re awarded benefits based on their own assets and income.” In addition to receiving benefits from the federal government, you can also receive “financial aid” from state programs, community resources, social security benefits, and private foundations.
Mr. Rupp suggested getting a life insurance policy and investing in mutual funds and stock. “Investing in mutual funds or stock over the long-term will provide returns that a disabled individual can live off of for their adult life.” Life insurance policies are tax free as long as an estate is not named beneficiary.
Education is the most important aspect to planning for a special needs future. The Individuals with a Disability Education Act requires free public education ages 3-21. It allows education to be provided for a disabled person as close to home as possible with children who do not have disabilities. The act provides supplemental services such as speech therapy or aide and requires assessments during the child’s educational journey.
Mr. Rupp has been with Delaney Financial Services for six years. I asked what made him get into this type of work. “I started out as a financial consultant for MetLife; I decided I wanted to help families with special needs children because my own son is disabled.” “I find the work to be more rewarding.” Do you think what you’re doing truly helps and benefits the children and their families? “I’ve seen firsthand families whose lives have been turned around completely because of our assistance.” “Most families aren’t aware of all the programs they have access to, I feel privileged to help them.”
Joshua Nagle is a 15 year old boy living with Asperger Syndrome, a form of autism where the disabled lack social interaction and empathy. His mother Karen Nagle said “it’s great to have the support of the community and organizations like Autism Speaks, a lot of people don’t understand what autism is, hopefully this will enlighten them.”
Kevin Shelton is the father of a seven year old boy living with autism. I asked him how he felt about Mr. Rupp’s lecture. “I was already aware of a lot of the programs and assistance provided by the government, I came out today to support the cause.” Treatments and a cure for autism is still an ongoing process. Stay active in your community and see what you can do to help.
Jou1100
A Cause for Autism
Jeff Rupp is a representative from Delaney Financial Services, an organization that assists in financial planning for special needs. Autism Speaks is an organization dedicated to finding effective treatments and a cure for autism. The autism spectrum is broad, but living with any form of autism from mild to disabling can be difficult.
Whole Foods Market was host to both of these influential organizations Saturday for 5% Day for Autism Speaks. Whole Foods donated 5% of their net sales for the day to both groups. Autism Speaks had representatives handing out informational flyers to help educate people about Autism. There was also a panel group of people living with autism who answered questions.
Jeff Rupp, a towering clean cut gentleman lectured to a small intimate audience on the patio of the market. The focus of Mr. Rupp’s lecture was to inform us of the financial demands and how to plan for someone living with special needs. Raising a child in general is expensive but raising a child with a disability is even more straining. Mr. Rupp introduced himself as a financial advisor from Delaney Financial Services.
Mr. Rupp stated that “out of approximately 72.3 million families, two in every seven of them have a child with special needs.” Mr. Rupp explained that caring for a child with special needs will involve planning in education, medical, guardianships, wills, and special needs trusts. The current federal law states that inheritance of more than $2,000 to a disabled individual disqualifies them from federal based assistance. Special Needs Trusts (SNT) is a means of protecting a disabled person’s eligibility for federal assistance. This program acts as a direct gift privately or professionally managed by a corporate trustee, assets in the trust do not actually belong to the beneficiary; therefore it does not cause the disabled to be disqualified from government assistance.
Mr. Rupp stated that “government benefits are paid to a disabled child (under 18) based on family income.” “Once a child turns 18 they’re awarded benefits based on their own assets and income.” In addition to receiving benefits from the federal government, you can also receive “financial aid” from state programs, community resources, social security benefits, and private foundations.
Mr. Rupp suggested getting a life insurance policy and investing in mutual funds and stock. “Investing in mutual funds or stock over the long-term will provide returns that a disabled individual can live off of for their adult life.” Life insurance policies are tax free as long as an estate is not named beneficiary.
Education is the most important aspect to planning for a special needs future. The Individuals with a Disability Education Act requires free public education ages 3-21. It allows education to be provided for a disabled person as close to home as possible with children who do not have disabilities. The act provides supplemental services such as speech therapy or aide and requires assessments during the child’s educational journey.
Mr. Rupp has been with Delaney Financial Services for six years. I asked what made him get into this type of work. “I started out as a financial consultant for MetLife; I decided I wanted to help families with special needs children because my own son is disabled.” “I find the work to be more rewarding.” Do you think what you’re doing truly helps and benefits the children and their families? “I’ve seen firsthand families whose lives have been turned around completely because of our assistance.” “Most families aren’t aware of all the programs they have access to, I feel privileged to help them.”
Joshua Nagle is a 15 year old boy living with Asperger Syndrome, a form of autism where the disabled lack social interaction and empathy. His mother Karen Nagle said “it’s great to have the support of the community and organizations like Autism Speaks, a lot of people don’t understand what autism is, hopefully this will enlighten them.”
Kevin Shelton is the father of a seven year old boy living with autism. I asked him how he felt about Mr. Rupp’s lecture. “I was already aware of a lot of the programs and assistance provided by the government, I came out today to support the cause.” Treatments and a cure for autism is still an ongoing process. Stay active in your community and see what you can do to help.
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