Some local sales taxes increased on April 1. The range statewide is from 7.5% to 10%. The state collects 6.5%. The California Taxpayers Association has a chart showing the cities and counties whose rates have risen. The State Board of Equalization shows local tax rates on its website.

 

Read the article from The Sacramento Bee

 

To commemorate ASCCA's 75th Anniversary and help grow our members, our Board of Directors just approved a limited offer to new members: $75 membership, starting now! Help us grow the association by recruiting new members! Chapters can sweeten the pot by adding their own incentive. Fine print: $55 application fee applies; Canceled members in the last 12 months are not eligible; No point/spiff for One Member Can! campaign; Regular (ARD) members only.

 

Rory Balmer of Twin Peaks Auto Service in Twin Peaks is ASCCA's Member of the Month. Rory is a past ASCCA Chapter 14 President and a past ASCCA Membership Committee Chair. While working full-time at his business, he also attends De Vry University, where he is completing a BA degree in technical management. He will be attending Washington State University, entering into the Executive MBA program. ASCCA Past President Mary Kemnitz says Rory is "One of the most effective committee members I have ever had the pleasure to work with. He has won the "One Member Can Campaign" twice. He has had a significant impact on the growth and energy within Chapter 14.

 

Read about past members of the month here.

 

A Springfield, Virginia woman was not happy with a dog obedience class she took with her dog, so she posted a negative review on Yelp. The owner of the business responded by filing a $65,000 defamation lawsuit. Do you think this is the best way for small businesses to respond to negative reviews on social media?

 

Read the article "Negative Yelp, Angie's List reviews prompt dog obedience business to sue" from The Washington Post

 

Can you help us reach $2,500 before the end of this week? Our overall goal is to reach $30,000.

 

Donate here

Spring is here and it is time for your customers to give their car some extra attention. Results from community car care events revealed that 84 percent of vehicles need service or parts, up 5 percent from the previous year. National Car Care Month in April is the perfect time to focus on your customers' vehicle's maintenance needs and make sure they are ready for the upcoming spring and summer travel seasons. For more information, click here. 

 

We are extending the early bird cut off for registering for the ASCCA Summer Conference to April 24. That means you can still register and save up to $100! The full conference rate for Management is $299 now and will be $399 after April 3. Conference details can be found at our summer conference web page. Questions? Contact Rachel Hickerson in the ASCCA office (rhickerson@amgroup.us or 800-810-4272)

 

Order Raffle Tickets Here

 

Seminar courses are normally $149.95. ASCCA members pay only $95 per attendee -- a savings of almost $55 per class! Service writer courses are normally $1,500. ASCCA members pay only $950 per attendee!

 

Click here to take advantage of this offer

 

G&K Services offers several first aid kits and cabinets for mobile units and shops, which exceed all industry regulations, including OSHA and ANSI standards. Other new products include blood borne pathogen kits and a first aid responder eye wash station. For more information, email Leslie Kipnis or call 949-877-2750, or email Kathryn Kuskie or call 562-246-3022.

Skyline College in San Bruno is hosting the Spring CAT 2015 Conference held April 24-25. Eleven hours of training are planned to meet NATEF requirements. On Friday and Saturday, there will be technical seminars, exhibitors, and door prizes. RSVP by April 13, 2015.

 

More info and to register