Fun Homemade Gift for the Holidays for Kids

I was looking on line and came across this great craft to do with kids. Isn't it adorable? It is totally doable too! Instructions and Supplies are listed below or follow the link to Amazing Moms. Have fun!

Here is the link: http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/christmas-crafts-for-kids-reindeer-pots.htm

Reindeer Craft Treat Holder

Supplies you will need:

• Scissors


• Craft glue, glue sticks or glue dots


• Terracotta clay pots; 2" - 5"


• Plastic eyes


• Red pom-poms


• 3 shades of brown craft foam, cardstock paper or construction paper

First, with one shade of brown, cut the antlers to match the size of your pot. If you are making the larger reindeer, use a child's handprint as pattern. Then, cut the ears with the other brown. We used a lighter shade of brown to add yet another layer to the ears but that's not necessary.Attach they ears to the back of the pot. Then add the antlers. Glue the eyes and nose the front. Fill the pot with candy, nuts or other goodies. It's that simple!

FurstStaffing is hiring for GENERAL MILLS!!!!

FurstStaffing is hiring for GENERAL MILLS!

Looking for work? No experience required!!!

All 3 shifts plus there are 12 hour shifts available.

Come to our OPEN HOUSE!

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17th, 2008

9:00am to 4:00pm

For your convenience we are having the open house at 2 locations.

BELVIDERE
915 E. Pleasant Street. In the back of the General Mills
Credit Union at the FurstStaffing office.

ROCKFORD
2580 Charles Street. FurstStaffing office.

Job Requirements

• No experience required.
• Must have ability to stand the entire shift.
• Must have the ability to lift 50 lbs on a regular basis.
• Must successfully pass a drug and background screen.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU ON NOVEMBER 17th!!!

Assemblers in Stockton, IL (2nd & 3rd shift)

Full Time, Furst-to-Hire opportunities for Assemblers in Stockton, IL. Assembly of seat slides for growing company that makes parts for numerous automakers. Basic assembly using hand tools, spot welding, checking parts for quality, putting parts in and taking them out of machines and working on the paint line. Must be flexible to work where needed.

Location: Stockton, IL

Number of Opportunities: 11

Shift: 2nd shift, 3pm to 11pm.
3rd shift is 11pm to 7am.
Some Overtime is required.

Pay: $9.60/hr

Type of Placement: Furst-to-Hire. Eligible for full benefits upon hire by the client company. If all goes well and client is impressed with performance and attendance, hire would occur after 500 hours.

Start Date: ASAP

Minimum Experience: 6 months

Schooling: HS Diploma or GED
Job Requirements
Must have the ability to lift 20 lbs repetatively.
Must be able to stand for duration of shift.
Must have a minumum of 6 months assembly or manufacturing experience with proven solid attendance record.
Must be able to pass a basic math test.
Must have reliable transportation.
Must successfully complete a drug and background screening.
Please submit resumes to: stockton@furststaff.com or contact FurstStaffing - Stockton directly @ 815.947.3377.

To view all of the opportunities available through FurstStaffing and FurstProfessionals, visit: www.furststaff.com/jobs

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer - October 25th

Many of us at FurstStaffing have been touched by cancer. Practically everyone can name someone in their circle who has been effected by this disease. This October, during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, FurstStaffing is hosting a number of in office events to raise awareness and FUNdraise towards a cure.

Won't you join us? October 25th @ 5600 Park Ridge Road in Loves Park, IL @ 8am.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is more than just the name of a walk; it describes the progress we're making in the fight against breast cancer. Nothing can describe the hope that is inspired by walking with others who share a passion for ending this disease. Because nearly everyone has been touched by breast cancer in some way, hope for a world without the disease starts with us. We've decided to show our support and make a difference by walking as a team in the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

Hope starts with one walker and one dollar at a time. Hope starts with our team. And hope can start with you.

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/MakingStridesAgainstBreastCancer/MSABCFY09Illinois?pg=team&fr_id=11688&team_id=343066

Assemblers in Stockton, IL (2nd & 3rd shift)

Excellent Assembly positions available in Stockton, IL. These opportunities are Furst-to-Hire (hire-on). They are 2nd and 3rd shift. 8 hour shifts with OT required. Some Saturdays necessary. $9.60/hr.

Must be able to pass DT and have a clean background check.

Location: Stockton, IL

Shift: 2nd and 3rd (OT)

Pay: $9.60/hr.

Type of Placement: Furst-to-Hire

Job Requirements
Call FurstStaffing-Stockton @ 815.947.3377 for more details.

To view all of the opportunities available through FurstStaffing & FurstProfessionals, visit: www.furststaff.com/jobs

Open House - Packers @ General Mills in Belvidere

FurstStaffing is hosting an OPEN HOUSE for opportunities currently available at General Mills!

When: Friday, September 19th, 2008

Time: 9:00am to 3:00pm

Where: The General Mills/Green Giant Credit Union Building @ 915 E. Pleasant Street in Belvidere, IL. Use the door in the back of the building with the FurstStaffing name on it.

Positions: Packers & Packaging

Experience: Minimum of 1 to 3 years of industrial experience

Type of Placement: These positions are both short term projects and long term projects.Job

Requirements:

• Must be able to lift 30-50 lbs on a regular basis
• Ability to stand for 4 to 6 hours at a time
• Work in a fast paced environment
• Attention to detail
• Ability to work in a team setting

Please come to our OPEN HOUSE to complete the application. Any questions please call FurstStaffing - Belvidere @ 815.547.1101.

To view all of the opportunities available through FurstStaffing & FurstProfessionals, visit: www.furststaff.com/jobs.

FurstStaffing at the Rockford Chamber of Commerce's Regional Business Expo

Come visit FurstStaffing & FurstProfessionals at the Rockford Chamber of Commerce's Regional Business Expo.

When: September 25, 2008

Where: Indoor Sports Center
8800 E. Riverside Road
Loves Park, IL 61111

Schedule of Events:
1pm to 7pm Expo Floor Open
1:30pm to 6pm Business FEUD Game Show (cheer on the Furst Team!)
3pm Speed Networking
5pm to 7pm Business After Hours

FurstStaffing & FurstPerson gearing up for Alzheimer's Memory Walk

FurstPerson & FurstStaffing-Chicago are gearing up to participate in the Alzheimer's Memory Walk on September 14th, 2008. If you would like to join our team or donate to our team, please visit:
http://ChicagoMemoryWalk.Kintera.org/2008/teamfurst

Tool & Die Maker

Tool & Die Maker

Excellent opportunity for an experienced Die Maker. Our client recently had a long term employee retire. Ideal candidate will have been through an apprentice program at some point in their career. Must be able to look at a print and build a die from that print.

Location: Rockford, IL

Shift: 1st shift. Flexible with 30 to 40 hours per week. Start time will be 7am.

Type of Placement: Furst-to-Hire (temp-to-hire or hire on opportunity).

Pay: Pay is based on experience (flexible)

Experience Minimum: Must have experience building stamping dies.

Do you have experience building dies? Can you read blueprints? Are you looking for a part time or full time position? Can you successfully pass a drug screen and background check?

Send your resume to: furst.krm@furststaff.com or contact Karrie directly @

FurstStaffing - Rockford @ 815.229.7810.

To view all of the opportunities available through FurstStaffing & FurstProfessionals,
visit: www.furststaff.com/jobs

Stock Attendants - 2nd shift work

2nd shift work hiring now! 2:30pm to 10:30pm.

Earn $15.24 per hour worked.

Special project with Rockford client is expected to last 4 to 8 weeks & possibly longer. Great for summer job or to fill in while you are looking for that next long term position or career.

FurstStaffingis looking for 10 + individuals to start next week (week of July 28th)! A resume and a brief interview are required. Must be able to lift 40lbs and have steel toed shoes. Good work history and prior forklift experience is highly preferred. Drug screen and background check will be conducted.

Additional duties:

• Using the physical inventory worksheet, counts the quantities of each part number listed and writes the quanitity on the inventory worksheet.
• Unloads incoming shipments using material handling devices and places into storage racks. Moves material as necessary throughout manufacturing area to appropriate machines.
• Uses company truck to pick up and/or deliver production parts and supplies as needed.
• Operates manual/power lifting equipment (which is required for goods and pieces greater than 40lbs) to move in-process goods, chips, scrap, muck pot, finish and bulk material, etc. Attaches power lift equipment to battery charger at the end of each shift, inspects manual/power lifting equipment for defects before each shift reporting all problems for repairs.
• As directed by supervisor, operates manual or mechanized equipment necessary to located, stock, pick, pack products, transport to staging or packing area, pack and/or stage kits using shipping to shop order documents, taking care to avoid errors in mis-shipment.
• Properly identify shipments as to destination and proper quantity to ensure maximum shipment. Ability to locate stock by number or bin designation, operating of manual and automatic equipment, completion of paperwork as necessary, proper packaging procedures.
• Ability to use marking device and basic computer skills.
  

Interested in applying for this job in Rockford? For immediate consideration, submit your resume to: furst.jmn@furststaff.com or contact FurstStaffing - Rockford and ask to speak with Karrie, Jesika or Nicole @ 815.229.7810.

FurstStaffing - Stockton OPEN HOUSE at Dura Automotive

OPEN HOUSE!

Join FurstStaffing for an OPEN HOUSE for Dura Automotive

Friday, July 25th 9am to 12pm

301 S. Simmons
Stockton, IL 61085

Jobs available now:
2nd shift Assemblers
3rd shift Assemblers

Requirements for jobs with Dura:
Able to use hand tools
Ability to stand throughout the entire shift
Ability to lift 30 lbs on a repetitive basis
Good Math Skills
Ability to successfully pass a drug and background screen

Any questions? Call FurstStaffing - Stockton @ 815.947.3377

Goodwill/Abilities Summer Camp for 6th-8th graders

Paula with FurstProfessionals is on the Job Placement Advisory Board for TechWorks and also on the Board for Women of Today’s Manufacturing which sponsors one of the Manufacturing camps in Rockford. Paula asked to share the following information about a great summer program!

Goodwill/Abilities is seeking 10-12 students to fill up spaces for our summer manufacturing camps at TechWorks. If you know of any 6th-8th graders who may be interested in the camp, please have them contact Sam Schmitz or Courtney Geiger @815-965-3795. The camps are scheduled for the afternoons of the week of July 28th and mornings of August 4th.

Pierce Laminated Celebrates 50 Years in Business

On June 27th, Pierce Laminated Products celebrated 50 years in business with an Open House from 1pm to 7pm. Public officials, customers, vendors and employees enjoyed an afternoon filled with games, prizes, food and tours through the facility. Suzanne and Karrie from FurstStaffing attended the event. Suzanne shared, "It was an amazing event. The staff and ownership at Pierce Laminated Products display incredible pride in their products, services and people. It was an honor to be included in such a joyful celebration. Our sincere congratulations on 50 successful years!" Karrie and Suzanne were also able to say hello to a favorite FurstStaffing employee, Herman, during the event. Herman started working for FurstStaffing in 1988. He will celebrate his 91st birthday this November! Herman is well known at Pierce for his ability to fix absolutely anything! Congratulations to Pierce Laminated on 50 great years! FurstStaffing wishes you many more years of success.

FurstStaffing and FurstPerson join Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk 2008

https://www.kintera.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=265838&team=2837034

FurstStaffing - Chicago and FurstPerson have created Team Furst and will participate in the 2008 Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk, September 14th @ Montrose and the Lakefront @ 10am.

The Alzheimer's Association, the world leader in Alzheimer research and support, leads the quest for better treatments, preventions and care and is urging Americans to do something now so Alzheimer's will be a part of our history, not our future! To learn more please visit: www.alz.org/illinois or to donate to Team Furst, please follow the link listed below. Many thanks for your support!

https://www.kintera.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=265838&team=2837034

Email Etiquette Suggestions from Furst

Be concise and to the point

Do not make an email longer than it needs to be. Remember that reading an email is harder than reading printed communications and a long email can be very discouraging to read. When emails are poorly written, the reader has to spend more time deciphering the meaning or sending follow-up emails to question or clarify. Try to keep your sentences to a maximum of 15-20 words. Email is meant to be a quick medium and requires a different kind of writing than letters.

Use proper spelling, grammar & punctuation

Most programs include a spell check for a reason; please use it. Even the best writers overlook errors. This is not only important because improper spelling, grammar and punctuation give a bad impression of your company, it is also important for conveying the message properly.

Read the email before you send it

A lot of people don’t bother to read an email before they send it out. Reading your email through the eyes of the recipient will help you send a more effective message and avoid misunderstandings and inappropriate comments. Emails that are poorly written, use poor grammar or have inappropriate business language wastes precious time. Even worse are unprofessional emails containing content the author would never say to a person face-to-face.

Reply to All

Only use “Reply to All” if you really need your message to be seen by each person who received the original message. It’s all too easy to copy too many recipients or, worse, entire workgroups or all employees. Focusing on email distributions can help eliminate more than 10% of email received per day. At a savings of three minutes spent reading and addressing each message.

Answer swiftly

Customers send an email because they wish to receive a quick response. Reply to each email within at least 24 hours, and preferably within the same working day. If the email or request is complicated, just send an email back saying that you have received it and that you will get back to them. This will put the customer’s mind at rest and usually customers will then be patient.

Do not overuse the high priority option

We all know the story of the boy who cried wolf. If you overuse the high priority option, it will lose its function when you really need it. If a message is flagged as “high priority,” you will come across as slightly aggressive. Reserve this function for situations where it is absolutely necessary.

Answer all questions, and pre-empt further questions

An email reply must answer all questions, and pre-empt further questions. If you do not answer all the questions in the original email, you will receive further emails regarding the unanswered questions, which will not only waste your time and your customer’s time but also cause considerable frustration. Moreover, if you are able to pre-empt relevant questions, your customer will be grateful and impressed with your efficient and thoughtful customer service.

Do not write in CAPITALS

WHEN YOU write IN CAPITALS IT SEEMS AS IF YOU ARE SHOUTING. This can be highly annoying and might trigger an unwanted response.

Take care with abbreviations and emoticons

In business emails, try not to use abbreviations such as BTW (by the way) and LOL (laugh out loud). The recipient might not be aware of the meanings of the abbreviations and in business emails these are generally not appropriate. The same goes for emoticons, such as the smiley J.

Do not use email to discuss confidential information

Sending an email is like sending a postcard. If you don’t want your email to be displayed on a bulletin board, don’t send it. Moreover, never make any libelous, sexist or racially discriminating comments in emails, even if they are meant to be a joke.

Use active instead of passive

Try to use the active voice of a verb wherever possible. For instance, ‘We will process your order today’, sounds better than ‘Your order will be processed today’. The first sounds more personal, whereas the latter, especially when used frequently, sounds unnecessarily formal.

Use a meaningful subject

Try to use a subject that is meaningful to the recipient as well as yourself. For instance, when you send an email to a company about turnover information for 1st shift, it is better to mention the exact title e.g. ‘1st shift turnover report’ as opposed to saying ‘turnover report’ or the company’s name in the subject. Avoid using the words urgent or important on the subject line. Putting the subject of the e-mail in the Subject line will be helpful when sorting or looking for an e-mail that was previously sent. This is also helpful in prioritizing opening e-mails when you have received a number of them

FurstStaffing (Furst Staffing) has collected this information from various sources on the internet.

Jobs in Rockford - Jobs in Northern Illinois - Jobs in Stockton - Jobs in Belvidere - Jobs in Freeport - Jobs in DeKalb - FurstStaffing is Hiring! Check out all of the jobs available through FurstStaffing and FurstProfessionals @ www.furststaff.com/jobs and apply on-line 24/7 @ www.furststaff.com/apply.

New Kind of Serving Others...way to go Sue!!

Sue and her youngest daughter are spending this week with the United Methodist Church Work Camp in Michigan. They are working to restore residences for the under priviledged. Sue will be building cement stairs and rewiring light fixtures. Way to go ladies! WHOOHOOO! We hope you experience a new kind of serving others.

Sue is a 17 year FurstStaffing veteran and was my first boss when I joined the company.

10 Easy Ways to Conserve Energy

In your car:

• Have your car tuned regularly. An engine tune-up can improve car fuel economy by an average of one mile per gallon.
• Keep tires properly inflated. Underinflated tires can decrease fuel economy by up to one mile per gallon.
• Slow down. Driving 65 miles per hour rather than 55 miles per hour reduces fuewl economy by about 2 miles per gallon.
• Avoid jackrabbit starts. Abrupt starts require about twice as much gasoline as gradual starts.
• Pace your driving. Unnecessary speedups, slowdowns, and stops can decrease fuel economy by up to 2 miles per gallon.
• Avoid lengthy engine idling. Turn your engine off when you are delayed for more than a few minutes.
• Plan trips carefully. Combine short trips into one to do all of your errands.
• Air Conditioning & Windows. The use of air conditioning can reduce fuel economy by as much as 2 miles per gallon under certain speeds & operating conditions. In stop & go traffic, shutting off the AC and opening the windows can lighten your fuel use. AC can lower your fuel economy by 10% to 20%. However, at highway speeds, keep windows closed. Open windows cause air drag, reducing your mileage by 10%.
• Could you walk or bike? Just burn calories. Pay attention to why, where, and when you drive.
• No rough stuff: Riding on dirt or gravel will rob you of up to 30% of your gas mileage.

At Home:

• Set your thermostat to save power. Use a programmable thermostat to adjust the temperature of your home while you are sleeping or away. You may be able to save as much as $100 each year.
• Change your light bulbs to new energy efficient models.
• Letting sunlight in by opening curtains, blinds & shades over windows facing the sun helps you keep your home warm & reduces heating needs. At night or when the sky is overcast, keeping drapes and curtains closed will help keep the warmth indoors. And vice-versa for warm days to keep your home cool.
• Regular maintenance will insure that your air conditioner operates efficiently throughout the summer. Check the filter once a month by holding it up to a bright light. If you can't see through it, replace it or clean it.
• 90% of the energy your washer uses goes towards heating water. You can save energy dollars by using hot water only for heavily solied laundry.
• Remember to check the lint filter before each load. Lint buildups block air flow & lengthen drying time, costing you energy dollars.
• A microwave oven is an energy efficient alternative to a conventional oven. It cooks more quickly and it uses 70-80% less electricity than a regular oven.

Information gather from: http://www.chevron.com/, http://www.treehugger.com/, http://www.reupower.com/.

Fun Facts for the Fourth

On this day in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental congress, starting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation.

The 13 colonies are: Connecticut, New York, Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey.

The Declaration of Independence was part of the war between Great Britain and the American colonies called the American War of Indpendence or the Revolutionary War (1775-83).

George Washington was the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.

Thomas Jefferson, at age 33, drafted the Declaration of Independence for the Continental Congress. Future Presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were 2 of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the only U.S. Presidents to have signed the Declaration of Independence, died on July 4, 1826 at their homes. President Monroe died on July 4, 1831.

Calvin Coolidge was born on July 4, 1872 in Plymouth, Vermont. He was the 30th President of the United States (1923-29).

The American national anthem, the "Star Spangled Banner", is set to the tune of an English drinking song ("To Anacreon in Heaven").

The patriotic poem "American the Beautiful" was published on July 4, 1895 by Wellesley College professor Katharine Lee Bates.

The first two versions of the Liberty Bell were defective and had to be melted down and recast. The third version rang every Fourth of July from 1778 to 1835, when, according to tradition, it cracked as it was being tolled for the death of Chief Justice John Marshall.

Have a Happy and Safe Fourth of July!!

Now Hiring! Check out the jobs available via FurstStaffing @ www.furststaff.com/jobs & apply on-line 24/7 @ www.furststaff.com/apply

FurstStaffing...not a revolving door....

At FurstStaffing, you not only will find a friendly face but hopefully a familiar face. FurstStaffing's internal staff is a loyal and dedicated group.

• 11 of our team members have been with Furst at least 5 years
• Another 9 team members have been with Furst at least 10 years
• Yet another 3 team members have been with Furst at least 15 years
• And 3 team members have been here over 20 years!!!

WOW! Need a job? Our great team is here to help you with your career decisions. Check out our jobs openings @ www.furststaff.com/jobs and apply on-line 24/7 @ www.furststaff.com/apply or visit your nearest FurstStaffing office.

FurstStaffing...working for you!

Teresa is top ten fundraiser for Relay for Life

Way to go, Teresa! Teresa participated in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life on June 21st. She took a personal role in the fight against cancer and demonstrated her fundraising success as she was recognized as a top ten fundraiser for the event! WHOOHOO!! To find out more about the American Cancer Society or how you can support this wonderful organization visit: www.cancer.org

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Jacki who will celebrate her 5th anniversary as a part of the FurstStaffing team on June 23, 2008. Jacki is an Assignment Coordinator at the Stockton office. Jacki is a city girl originally from San Diego, CA. who moved to the rural community in northwest Illinois a number of years ago.Jacki has an extensive background in the newspaper publishing business doing typesetting, paste-up, camera and some editing. Most of you would probably not believe that quiet, reserved Jacki had a background of part-time jobs early in her career that include doing phone sales for Mills Photography and Kirby Vacuum Co. in California. She has also operated a corn shelling machine, inspected lima beans for leaf debris and insect parts and watched for damaged cans of vegetables at Jolly Green Giant Co. Her varied background and customer service experience is invaluable.Please join me in congratulating Jacki on her fifth anniversary. Darlene FurstCEO & President.