www.ushalonbank.com  1.800.433.1751                                         December 2014 - Vol 2, Issue 38                   
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The Air Up There: Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Clause

December 2014

By John Demeter

In the spirit of the season, we bring you, without commercial interruption, a letter written by eight year old Virginia O'Hanlon to the New York Sun and the response to that letter printed in an editorial on September 21, 1897. The work of newsmen Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history's most reprinted newspaper editorial. We hope you find in it, as we did, a bit of comfort and inspiration.

"Dear Editor:
I am eight years old.
Some of my friends say there is no Santa Claus.
Papa says, "if you see it in The Sun it's so.
Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?
Virginia O'Hanlon, 115 West Ninety-Fifth Street"

VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! He lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

 

 

 

 


WE

BUY

HALON

Shannon Esopenko
Vice President of Sales and Marketing
West/Mid-West Regional Sales Manager
817-779-3087
Karen Zukarfein
National Sales Manager 732-590-2219 karen@ushalonbank.com


hfcCanada to Control HFCs

12/15/14
Halon Alternatives Research Corporation

On December 6, the Canada Department of the Environment published a notice of intent to develop regulations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act to control the manufacture, import and use of HFCs and products containing HFCs.  The proposed measures outlined in the notice are based on the US EPA's SNAP proposed delisting rule that was published in August, and would impact commercial refrigeration, motor vehicle air conditioning, foam blowing and consumer aerosols.

The Ministry of Environment will initiate a stakeholder consultation process as part of development of the regulations.  As a first step in the consultation process, interested parties can provide comments to Environment Canada by January 16.

Click here for the notice and here for the press release.

 


aircraftUnknown Object 'Likely' Aircraft Fire Suppression Bottle, Claim Experts

The unknown object that was found washed up on Baarah beach.
3/26/14
Haveeruonline

By Ali Naafiz

The unknown object found in Baarah in Haa Alif Atoll of the Maldives is "very likely" to be a fire suppression bottle from an aircraft, local aviation experts said on Wednesday.

Residents of the island have assumed the object, which was found washed up at the beach on Monday, to be bomb or sea mine, but the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) on Wednesday said it was not an explosive device. But the army did not specify the nature of the object.

An experienced local aircraft engineer, who wished to remain anonymous, told Haveeru that the object is "very likely" to be a fire suppression bottle from an aircraft.

"But I'll have to see it in person and cross check the part number on it. Then only I'll be able to say which type of aircraft it belongs to," the aircraft engineer said.

Click here to read the rest of the article.

 


utcUTC Plots Sales and Margin Growth

12/18/14

By Lee Samaha
The Motley Fool

The sudden departure of United Technologies Corporation CEO Louis Chenevert must have baffled investors, but anyone expecting more color on the subject, or a change of strategic direction from the company, would have been disappointed by last week's investor meeting. Instead, newly appointed CEO Gregory Hayes outlined a set of targets consistent with the company's previous guidance. In this context, it's time for a refresh on United Technologies' strategic objectives and why the stock might be attractive for your portfolio.

Ever since the abrupt departure of Chenevert at the end of November, investment analysts have been speculating on potential changes in strategy. However, Hayes wasted no time in revealing that the company wouldn't be splitting its aerospace and building systems operations. Furthermore, Hayes said, "We are not going to sell Sikorsky" -- America's leading helicopter maker and, currently, the company's least profitable unit.

Click here to read the rest of the article.

 


epaEPA Proposes to De-List Certain Halon Alternatives - Fire Suppression NOT Impacted!

The EPA has proposed a rule, published on August 6, 2014, that would de-list from SNAP certain high global warming HFCs (GWP) in specific end uses. These end uses are: consumer aerosols, foam blowing, commercial refrigeration and auto air conditioning. Public hearings were held on August 27, 2014 and the open comment period ended on October 20, 2014.

Two of the agents being proposed to be de-listed for consumer aerosols are HFC-227ea and HFC-125. However, the EPA is not proposing to change the SNAP status of any fire protection agents in this proposal. HFC-227ea and HFC-125 would continue to be SNAP listed for use in fire suppression.

 


harcHARC Adopts HFC Recycling Code of Practice

The HARC Board of Directors recently adopted a Code of Practice for Use of Recycled Halogenated Clean Agents. This voluntary code of practice is intended to provide basic guidelines for companies engaged in the recovery and recycling of halogenated clean agents in order to:
  • Adhere to the US EPA and NFPA 2001 requirements.
  • Ensure the quality of recycled clean agent.
  • Promote the safe handling of clean agents.
  • Prevent the contamination of available supplies of recycled clean agent.
  • Minimize emissions to the atmosphere during recovery of clean agents.
The code was also developed to provide assurance to the public that companies subscribing to the code are committed to recovering and recycling halogenated clean agents in a safe and environmentally sound manner that meets the required quality standards.

To read the entire voluntary code click here.

 


gabbySpotlight On: Gabriela Corrochano
gabby
Gabriela Corrochano

Position at Wesco HMB, Inc.: Accountant

Length of Time Employed at Wesco: 5 years

Education: B.S. in Accounting, St. Peters University

Experience: General Accounting, Payroll, Taxation, Human Resources

Five Things You Should Know about Gabriela:

1.    Nickname is Gabby.
2.    Born and raised in Peru.
3.    Moved to the United States in March of 1996.
4.    Served in the United States Army for 8 years.
5.    Roots for Ohio State Buckeyes (and no one knows why).

What People are saying about Gabby: "Responsible, thorough and professional, beyond her years!"

 


macMackenzie Patton, Daughter of Shannon Esopenko, Awarded Bachelor of Science in Biology
Mackenzie Patton

No one can accuse Mackenzie Patton, daughter of Wesco's Shannon Esopenko, of being lazy. "Driven" might be a more appropriate description.

Having finished high school in 3 years (we wrote about her high school accomplishments here), Mackenzie, now 21 years old, has just been awarded her B.S. degree in Biology from the University of Texas (Tyler). And, true to form, she did it in 3 ½ years and while maintaining a 3.47 grade point average and being inducted into Beta Beta Beta, the biology honor society.

Not one to let subjects like Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry and Calculus bog her down, Mackenzie used whatever spare time she had to: take up the study (on her own time) of vascular taxonomy and physiology; win the Entomological Society of America (SW Branch) Poster Contest; intern at Iowa State University where she was involved in a program to, in the easiest way, explain hybrid corn; and to hold down a part time job at Blake Bextine Labs, working as a research assistant.

But when asked what she is most proud of, it is the leadership role she took in holding fundraisers on behalf of those suffering from Crohn's and Colitis. In back-to-back years, Mac led the Tri-Beta team in a Crohn's and Colitis Walk that raised over $1,000.

Mackenzie's plan is to pursue her PhD in Plant Pathology. Schools that she is considering are Cornell, University of Tennessee, Iowa State, and University of California - Davis.

 


briBriana Zukarfein Lozano, Daughter of Karen Zukarfein, Wins Airman of the Year Award
Brianna Zukarfein (Lozano)

Senior Airman Brianna Zukarfein (Lozano), United States Air Force, and daughter of Wesco's Karen Zukarfein, was selected Airman of the year for 2014 from the San Antonio Military Medical Center Surgical Services based on her superior performance and military bearing both on and off duty.

Briana was also promoted to Staff Sergeant and graduated from the Joint Base-San Antonio,  Airman Leadership School (ALS) at Lackland AFB, Texas. The ALS is an Air Force educational and training program that prepares Senior Airmen for positions of greater responsibility. It provides many of the leadership skills required of supervisors and reporting officials throughout the Air Force. ALS enhances the development of Senior Airmen by strengthening their ability to lead, follow, and manage while they gain a broader understanding of the military profession. The program consists of 192 hours of classroom academics, experiential activities and exercises, and case studies.

In November 2014, she completed the course work to receive her two-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) from the Community College of the Air Force in association with Air University. In September 2014 SrA Zukarfein deployed to Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras where she participated in a humanitarian mission to provide the full spectrum of medical services to the people of Honduras. Her team of doctors, nurses, technicians, and residents screened Honduran patients and performed pediatric and adult reconstructive procedures and surgeries. The deployment provided the team with hands-on training in an austere environment in a focused time period with a high volume of patients, which sharpens their skills while enhancing the United States' relationship with Honduran medical professionals and host nation citizens.

In February 2015, Briana and her husband Carlos Lozano will be stationed at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, where she will serve as the Non-Commissioned Officer-in-Charge of the Surgical Services Section at the Incirlik Air Base, Clinic.

 


jesseJessica Hubert, FPE, Daughter of Dan Hubert, an Inspiration on Many Levels
Jessica Hubert

Jessica Hubert graduated from the University of Maryland with an engineering degree in Fire Protection; she then went on to complete her MBA.

After graduation, she was employed by UTC and took part in a new initiative in which UTC would rotate new engineers through different companies in order to gain a better understanding of the company as a whole. In her three years with UTC, Jesse worked as an engineer for Chemetron Fire Systems, National Foam and Detector Electronics. In March of 2008, Jessica left UTC to take part in the formation of Janus Fire Systems located in Crown Point, Indiana. In the Summer of 2012, she became an independent consultant in order to dedicate more quality time to her two year old son, Oliver.

On July 31st of 2013, Jesse was working out at a local health club when the weight machine she was using fell over on her, crushing her back. She was instantly paralyzed, losing all feeling and control below her waist.

This past Spring, she presented a motivational and uplifting TED talk at the Illinois Institute of Technology. That video can be seen here.

She gives her heartfelt thanks to all the individuals and companies that have supported and funded her in her fight to get "back on her feet." She is currently being assisted and funded by WALKING WITH ANTHONY. Their mission "is to forever change the recovery outcome of spinal cord injury, currently perceived as unchangeable." Click here to see the article that was written about Jesse's current status.

 


nafedNAFED Announces 2015 Conference Schedule
NAFED logo
  • March 5 - 6, 2015 Las Vegas, Monte Carlo Casino and Resort

 

  • April 9 - 10, 2015 Atlantic City, Caesars Atlantic City

 

  • May 14 - 15, 2015 New Orleans, LA, Astor Crowne Plaza

 


Most Popular Stories from November 2014 

   

 
If you have any questions, comments, would like to be featured in a future Halon Herald, or would like to be added to our mailing list for this newsletter, please contact Kari Buser at kbuser@ushalonbank.com.

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