THREE BALLS CHRONICLE VOLUME 6 / ISSUE 12 December 2023
IN THIS ISSUE Letter from the President Letter from the General Manager Loyalty Pawn Family Security Awareness Store Manager Updates Golden 1 Center Events Monthly Sales Monthly Birthstone Guide Monthly Birthdays and Anniversaries and New Hires Loyalty Pawn’s Core Goals, Values and Visions Employee Services Corner
Team Loyalty! Happy Holidays to everyone in the Loyalty Pawn family!! We hope that everyone has a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year going into 2024 with their friends and loved ones! We still have many events and a few King’s games that are available so be sure to check that out starting on page 10 and we have many events for you and your families to enjoy, so be sure to get your requests in. We have also added new section learning about security awareness that will be updated monthly with new information, so be sure to read up on that information. And don’t forget to share our electronic newsletter with your friends and families on the Issuu App. Keep doing an amazing job Team Loyalty and we can’t wait to see what 2024 will bring!!
President’s Letter Happy December Loyalty Pawn Family, I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving Day and is looking forward to this Holiday Season. The company had a good November, and Loyalty Pawn is looking forward to this final month of 2023. Loan balances keep growing and while sales are struggling a little bit, which is to be expected in these economic times, I am certain December will be a great month for all of us; not to mention gold is on the rise. Let us kick butt in sales this month as they are always a substantial portion of our annual sales. Excellent job teams! Ok enough with that stuff. To me these Holiday times are especially important. Some of the greatest moments of my life. My mother loved Christmas and truly did her best to make sure everyone around her had a great Holiday Season, from the cookies and food, decorations in her house, music (she loved Christmas Elvis music) to all the school Christmas programs and of course midnight Mass. I will have a lot to reflect on this year and I will be missing my mother very much. I mention this because the Holidays and New Years are great times for all of us to reflect on the past year of our life all the good that has happened and even some of the negative, we can all grow from the different life experiences we have had. We must also do the best we can to stay healthy. I know many of us have gone through COVID again this past year. We all just need to do the best we can stay healthy for ourselves and our friends and of course families. I wish the best Holiday Season for all the Loyalty Pawn Family, a Happy New Year and again Thank you for everything you have done for Loyalty Pawn. Happy Holidays Stan Lukowicz, III
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Letter from the General Manager Holiday Greetings to Everyone! We are thrilled to share exciting updates from November 2023 that embody the spirit of our core values and showcase the excellent achievements of our team. 1. Impressive PSC growth Reflecting Loyalty: Since November 2022, our PSC has witnessed growth, surpassing $13,000 per month (on average). This excellent progress not only demonstrates our clients’ loyalty but also reflects the dedication and hard work of each team member. We truly cannot do this without all hands-on deck servicing our clients. 2. Growing Layaway Balances with Dedication: In November 2023, our layaway balances have increased and our average layaways across 4 locations is $95,700.00. This layaway metric is a testament to our team's continued dedication and commitment, highlighting our pursuit of “value to every customer in our Loyalty Pawn Family”. The concept of layaways has helped many of the Loyalty Clients secure items that seem far out of reach. We strive to increase this average as it is a benefit to our client's ability to secure valuable products with ease! 3. Recognizing Top Performers aligned with Creativity. Let's applaud the tremendous efforts of our top three salespeople for November 2023. -1st place: Dominic T -2nd place: Norma B -3rd place: Josh B Their creativity in approaching challenges and dedication to delivering outstanding results truly embody our core values. The continuing success of the top 5 salespeople equates to, repeat, consistent contact, and engagement with clients. Professional interactions have a great amount of responsibility for their success. Good luck in December! 4. Aiming for December success. As we celebrate these achievements, let's infuse our December goals with our core values. We aim to achieve a minimum 10% increase in sales compared to December 2022, fueled by the loyalty we inspire, the dedication we bring, and the creativity we employ. The advantage that a team member has in harnessing these values bears fruit every week. No matter what position we’re in at Loyalty Pawn, we all get to take charge, lead, and be excellent! In the words of Winston Churchill, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” Wishing you all a joyous holiday season and looking forward to a prosperous December! Sincerely, Wayne Silliman, General Manager
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Loyalty Pawn Family Dear Team, I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the current challenges we are facing with light sales and revenue. While these circumstances may seem discouraging, I am reminded of the incredible journey chronicled in the book "Shoe Dog" by Phil Knight, the founder of Nike. As we delve into this inspiring story, we can draw parallels to our own journey with Loyalty Pawn. Just like Knight, who started Nike as a small operation, we too had humbled beginnings when we branched off from a bigger organization. We shared a common vision - to build something bigger than ourselves. We understood that success would come through hard work, dedication, and the unwavering support of key team members. In "Shoe Dog," Knight faced numerous obstacles and setbacks, but he never lost sight of his passion and determination. He believed in his dream and persisted, even when the odds seemed insurmountable. Similarly, we have faced our fair share of challenges, but let us not forget that we possess the same resilience and drive. One of the most inspiring aspects of Knight's journey is the importance he placed on his team. He understood that success is not achieved alone but through the collective efforts of a dedicated and united group of individuals. Each team member played a significant role in building one of the biggest athletic brands in the world. As we navigate through this challenging period, let us remember the strength of our team and the potential that lies within each of us. Together, we have the power to overcome any obstacle and achieve greatness. Let us embrace the lessons from "Shoe Dog" and apply them to our own journey, knowing that success is not guaranteed overnight, but through perseverance and a shared vision. In the words of Phil Knight himself, "The cowards never started, and the weak died along the way. That leaves us, ladies, and gentlemen. Us." This quote reminds us of our strength and resilience as a team. Let us rise above the current circumstances, believing in our ability to create something extraordinary. I have absolute faith in each and every one of you. Let us continue to work together, support one another, and strive for greatness. Our journey may be challenging, but I am confident that we will emerge stronger than ever before! This month we are going to get to know Paul Molina, the Assistant manager of the Florin location. 1. What’s your favorite way to spend a day off? catch up on sleep or have people over for a grill out and drinking but mainly babysitting, she’s only 2 years old and such a blessing to have around. 2. Where’s the next place on your travel bucket list and why? Malaga in Spain, explore the beaches out there or Japan is another. 3. What was your favorite age growing up? Highschool years or college weren’t bad times, felt quick though right now though my 20’s is about average. 4. Do you have a favorite holiday? Why or why not? Christmas would be my favorite holiday. I enjoy cooking and seeing my close family all together. I could do without the full house of uninvited people though 5. What was the last thing you read? American Prometheus 6. What was the last TV show you binge-watched? Yellowstone 7. Are you into podcasts or do you only listen to music? I only listen to music. 8. What's one thing that can instantly make your day better? Coffee and all green lights 9. What’s one goal you have for this year personally and professionally? The year is almost over but I’d say to have my store end the year in first place with a $100,000 in sales and 2 million in loan balance. 10. Ideally, how would you spend your birthday? Hangout with friends and family either go out to eat or have some drinks at home honestly just to try and have a relaxing day off. 11. What's your favorite board game? Scrabble and chess I’m honestly very competitive. 12. What’s the best way the company can celebrate you and your team for success? Taking the team out for dinner or a team activity to be shown a form of noticing our hard work.
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13. What causes are you passionate about? Been had insomnia since I was 8 years old, I’d have to say anything involving mental health awareness I’m not involved in any of their programs though, but I know for a fact that its very straining to be living with low hours of sleep on the day-to-day routine. 14. What’s an essential part of your daily routine? coffee and watching soccer or highlights. 15. Who or what inspires you in your career? The people that inspire me in my career are my parents, both are hardworking and taught their children at a young age what it is to have a job. 16. What’s something an outsider wouldn’t know about your industry? Most don’t know about our ability to authenticate high end purses with the use of entrupy. 17. What’s the career highlight you’re most proud of? Going up position from SLA to Assistant Manager. 18. Do you believe in having a "five-year plan"? No, I do not. 19. What’s the best piece of advice a family member has given you? Someone once told me when I got my first job “Don’t work for them work for yourself they’re not the ones who need it, you do.” This is my mentality when I work, I’m the one who must commit to what I’m doing not the other way around. 20. What is your definition of success? Finally, being able to relax and not having to worry about anything, having your loved ones close and being able to support them financially.
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Security Awareness Enhancing Security Awareness during the Holiday Season As the holiday season approaches, it is crucial to prioritize security measures within our store to protect our staff, customers, and valuable assets. This report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of security practices and emphasize the importance of remaining vigilant. Additionally, it highlights the use of e-commerce to showcase high-end jewelry, directing clients to Loyaltypawn.com for an updated inventory. 1. Knowing Who We Let In: To ensure the safety of our store, it is essential to be cautious about who we allow entry. Implementing the following practices can help mitigate potential risks: - Reiterate the importance of staff stationed on the showroom floor at all times, particularly during busy holiday periods. - Encourage the use of the buddy system to enhance security and provide mutual support. - Be aware of snatch-and-grab incidents and store scouting activities. Report any suspicious behavior to the authorities. 2. Jewelry Display and Customer Interaction: To safeguard our valuable jewelry and provide a secure environment for both staff and customers, we recommend the following measures: - Collect identification from customers before showing any jewelry. - Display only one piece of jewelry at a time to prevent theft or loss. - Remain vigilant by monitoring the entrance and surroundings for any suspicious activity. - Request clients to remove hats, hoods, masks, and glasses upon entry to facilitate identification and enhance security. 3. Security Awareness during the Holidays: The holiday season can be particularly vulnerable to security threats. By raising awareness among our staff, we can minimize risks and maintain a secure environment: - Conduct regular security refresher training sessions to reinforce the importance of security protocols. - Emphasize the significance of adhering to established procedures during busy periods. - Encourage staff to report any security concerns promptly. 4. Leveraging E-commerce for High-End Jewelry: To enhance our business and reach a wider audience, we can utilize our online platform, Loyaltypawn.com, to showcase our high-end jewelry. This can be done through: - Utilizing tablets and computers to showcase the jewelry available for purchase online. - Directing customers to Loyaltypawn.com, which provides updated inventory and changes daily. - Encourage staff to promote the benefits of online shopping to customers, highlighting the convenience and security it offers. By implementing these security measures and reinforcing awareness among our staff, we can create a safer and more secure environment for our store and customers during the holiday season. Additionally, leveraging our ecommerce platform can help us showcase our high-end jewelry and attract a broader customer base. Remember, small efforts in security can prevent significant losses and contribute to a successful holiday season. 6
Shop Talk Manager Updates El Camino Our Team Loyalty, rapid growth is undeniable, a direct result of a downhill slope of the economic framework. We see it on the front lines of our workstations, and with a staggering $1.7 million loan balance, the need for capital becomes paramount to sustain and further fuel our success. To fortify our position in the industry, we recognize by offering affordable inventory and implement flexible payment plans that align with our customer’s needs. This strategic approach not only ensures the capture of sales but also funding the growth of Loyalty Pawn. In the pursuit of excellence, Team El Camino acknowledges that falling short of our $70,000 goal stings. A hearty congratulations to Florin for clinching the top spot. I trust everyone had a splendid Thanksgiving with friends and family as myself had a humble and relaxing evening. As we plunge into the chaotic retail season being December, Team El Camino stands eagerly and ready! Our eyes are fixed on a new goal this year, an ambitious $95,000 a 10% increase from the previous year. We've devised a range of strategies to achieve this goal. Which I share for everyone to interact at their locations, Festive games to energize and challenge the team, Such as Mystery Box filled with an abundance of prizes for the team members and creating an atmosphere of motivation. We personally reach out to clients, understanding their desires and needs. As well as our social media campaign, featuring a toy drive and canned food as for Elf on the shelf is set to captivate our audience for the extra percentage off. QR codes are strategically placed around the El Camino location aim to seamlessly guide customers to our online store, enhancing our ecommerce presence. Notably, layaways proved instrumental in November, generating 50% of our sales. That it for me this year. Let's channel that extra energy and demonstrate to Santa that Loyalty Pawn and Lux has it all at a fraction of the retail price. I’m wishing each member of the Loyalty Pawn family a safe, joyous holiday season and a prosperous New Year! Cheers to success! Cheers, Tony Mora
Roseville Hello Team Loyalty, As we dive into the festive spirit of December, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each one of you for your unwavering dedication throughout the year. Your hard work has been the driving force behind our success. As we approach the final stretch of 2023, Roseville is going to rally together to achieve our December sales goal of $115,000. It’s a big goal but together we can achieve anything and showcase the true spirit of Team Loyalty Pawn. This month let's channel our collective energy, we need to focus on posting to Offer-up and Facebook Marketplace. We need to continue delivering exceptional service and make the most of the opportunities that come into our store. Thank you for your outstanding contributions, and here's to finishing the year on a strong note! Justin Martinez 7
Broadway Hello Team, Can you believe it, it's already December and the end of the year. We have some lofty goals of hitting 65k in sales this month. We are excited to welcome back Lola this month and we had our team celebration where we went to midget wrestling. We want to end 2023 with a bang and we can't wait for the new year to get here. John Mark
Florin Mall Hello Everyone, I hope everyone had a wonderful time with your families and friends for Thanksgiving. Wow one more month and 2023 is over. For November Team Florin sales goal was to hit $85k for the month in sales. We push hard to try and achieve that goal but unfortunately Team Florin fell short, we did a total of $75.4k for November. We are still holding onto a very strong loan balance at $1.9million. One of our goals and our morning topic that we discussed about every morning is to focus on layaways. For November we locked in 57 new layaway. Our layaway goals is to hit 400 active layaway or over $100k in layaway balance. Last month Team Florin had a total of $19.6k in layaway pickups. We are still focusing on listing out inventory up on buy and other online marketing area to help us hit our sales goal. I looked at last December sales and we did $71.6k, Team florin will be focusing on hitting our sales goal of $75k for this December and a stretch goal of $90k that is about 25% increase from last December sales. We have the air freshener up and running and it smells great in the store. Team Florin also have our Christmas decorations and we are exciting for this holiday. We will be doing Secret Santa here at Florin and I will be doing a sales challenge here to see if anyone can hit it. Well wish everyone a Merry Christmas and push those sales. Let’s end 2023 with a strong month. Mark Xiong
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Top Performers in November 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
Sales
Productivity
Phys Transactions
Dominic Tognolini (Roseville #3)
Dominic Tognolini (Roseville #3)
David Palomares (Florin #2)
Norma Bobadilla (El Camino #1)
David Palomares (Florin #2)
Dominic Tognolini (Roseville #3)
Josh Bonton (Broadway #4)
David Palomares (Florin #2)
Johnathan Thao (Florin #2)
Stephanie Salfaro (Florin #2)
Ah Xiong (Florin #2)
Norma Bobadilla (El Camino #1)
Danni Robinson (Roseville #3)
Johnathan Thao (Florin #2)
Ah Xiong (Florin #2)
November End of Month Balances Loyalty Pawn #1 El Camino Loyalty Pawn #2 Florin Loyalty Pawn #3 Roseville Loyalty Pawn #4 Broadway
Loan Balance
Purchases
Layaway Balance
$1,750,792.00 $1,936,587.00 $1,188,883.00 $1,138,896.00
$19,468.00 $21,643.30 $22,337.25 $24,194.00
$108,456.47 $77,066.86 $84,227.45 $113,155.01
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Golden 1 Center Upcoming Events Below is the list of events that are posted as of right now and we will be adding events to this list each month as they get posted! The events in green are available and the events in red have already been spoken for. If you would like to request tickets send you ticket request forms to lauren.l@loyaltypawn.com so that I can get your requests in and if you need a request form email lauren.l@loyaltypawn.com and I can send you a copy! With the Golden 1 Center opening back up there is a limited number of tickets available, so for every event you are only allowed to request and receive 4 tickets per event!
Event
Day
Date
Time
V 101.1 Holiday Jam
December 9th
Saturday
8:00 PM
For King & Country
December 10th
Sunday
7:00 PM
Stevie Nicks
December 12th
Tuesday
7:00 PM
Harlem Globetrotters
January 15th
Monday
1:00 PM
Harlem Globetrotters
January 15th
Monday
6:00 PM
Cody Johnson
January 19th
Friday
8:00 PM
Monster Jam
January 26th
Friday
7:00 PM
Monster Jam
January 27th
Saturday
1:00 PM
Monster Jam
January 27th
Saturday
7:00 PM
Monster Jam
January 28th
Sunday
1:00 PM
PBR
February 2nd
Friday
7:45 PM
PBR
February 3rd
Saturday
6:45 PM
PBR
February 4th
Sunday
1:45 PM
Toby Mac
February 8th
Thursday
7:00 PM
Gloria Trevi
February 10th
Saturday
8:00 PM
Disney on Ice
February 15th
Thursday
TBA
Disney on Ice
February 16th
Friday
TBA
Disney on Ice
February 17th
Saturday
TBA
Disney on Ice
February 18th
Sunday
TBA
Disney on Ice
February 19th
Monday
TBA
Madonna
February 24th
Saturday
8:00 PM
Playpoi Carti
February 25th
Sunday
8:00 PM
Marca MP
March 1st
Friday
7:30 PM
Bad Bunny
March 5th
Tuesday
8:00 PM
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Fall Out Boy
March 3rd
Sunday
6:30 PM
Nate Bargatze
April 5th
Friday
8:00 PM
Luis Miguel
April 7th
Sunday
8:00 PM
Gabrial Iglacias
April 20th
Saturday
8:00 PM
Kane Brown
May 10th
Friday
7:00 PM
Kane Brown
May 11th
Saturday
7:00 PM
NF
June 8th
Saturday
8:00 PM
Tim McGraw
June 29th
Saturday
8:00 PM
Pepe Aguilar
July 29th
Saturday
8:00 PM
Los Temerarios
August 24th
Saturday
8:00 PM
Zach Bryan
November 29th
Friday
8:00 PM
Zach Bryan
November 30th
Saturday
8:00 PM
Day
Date
Time
Kings Games Warriors vs. Kings
Sunday
October 15th
6:00 PM
Jazz vs. Kings
Thursday
October 19th
7:00 PM
Warriors vs. Kings
Friday
October 27th
7:00 PM
Lakers vs. Kings
Sunday
October 29th
6:00 PM
Trail Blazers vs. Kings
Wednesday
November 8th
7:00 PM
Thunder vs. Kings
Friday
November 10th
7:00 PM
Caveliers vs. Kings
Monday
November 13th
7:00 PM
Warriors vs. Kings
Tuesday
November 28th
7:00 PM
Clippers vs. Kings
Wednesday
November 29th
7:00 PM
Nuggets vs. Kings
Saturday
December 2nd
7:00 PM
Nets vs. Kings
Monday
December 11th
7:00 PM
Thunder vs. Kings
Thursday
December 14th
7:00 PM
Jazz vs. Kings
Saturday
December 16th
7:00 PM
Wizards vs. Kings
Monday
December 18th
7:00 PM
Celtics vs. Kings
Wednesday
December 20th
7:00 PM
Suns vs. Kings
Friday
December 22nd
7:00 PM
Timberwolves vs. Kings
Saturday
December 23rd
7:00 PM
Hornets vs. Kings
Tuesday
January 2nd
7:00 PM
Magic vs. Kings
Wednesday
January 3rd
7:00 PM
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Raptors vs. Kings
Friday
January 5th
7:00 PM
Pelicans vs. Kings
Sunday
January 7th
3:00 PM
Pacers vs. Kings (2 Available)
Thursday
January 18th
7:00 PM
Hawks vs. Kings
Monday
January 22nd
7:00 PM
Pistons vs. Kings
Wednesday
February 7th
7:00 PM
Nuggets vs. Kings
Friday
February 9th
7:00 PM
Spurs vs. Kings
Thursday
February 22nd
7:00 PM
Heat vs. Kings
Monday
February 26th
7:00 PM
Bulls vs. Kings
Monday
March 4th
7:00 PM
Spurs vs. Kings
Thursday
March 7th
7:00 PM
Rockets vs. Kings
Saturday
March 10th
3:00 PM
Bucks vs. Kings
Tuesday
March 12th
7:00 PM
Lakers vs. Kings
Wednesday
March 13th
7:00 PM
Knicks vs. Kings
Saturday
March 16th
7:00 PM
Grizzlies vs. Kings (2 Available)
Monday
March 18th
7:00 PM
76ers vs. Kings
Monday
March 25th
7:00 PM
Mavericks vs. Kings
Tuesday
March 26th
7:00 PM
Mavericks vs. Kings
Friday
March 29th
7:00 PM
Jazz vs. Kings
Sunday
March 31st
6:00 PM
Clippers vs. Kings
Tuesday
April 2nd
7:00 PM
Pelicans vs. Kings (2 Available)
Thursday
April 11th
7:00 PM
Suns vs. Kings
Friday
April 12th
7:30 PM
Trailblzers vs. Kings
Sunday
April 14th
7:30 PM
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December Sales Flyer
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Monthly Birthstone Guide This will help educate you about some of the more popular semi and precious stones we come across and it will also help you close some more sales. The idea is to educate you on each month’s birthstone as you can arrange your cases properly and make suggestions to our clients that may be browsing or even looking for a gift. Let’s think outside the box when utilizing this information.
JANUARY – Garnet
FEBRUARY -- Amethyst
MARCH – Aquamarine
APRIL – Diamond
MAY – Emerald
JUNE –Pearl & Alexandrite
JULY – Ruby
AUGUST – Peridot
SEPTEMBER – Sapphire
OCTOBER – Opal & Tourmaline
NOVEMBER – Citrine & Topaz
DECEMBER – Topaz & Turquoise
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Anniversaries, Birthdays and New Hires December Anniversaries We have no anniversaries this month.
December Birthdays Mark Xiong December 2nd Kirby Erlanger December 13th Najah Islam December 30th
November New Hires We don’t have any new hires this month.
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Loyalty Pawn’s Goals, Values, and Visions “The Leader in Local Lending” Company Wide Goals • To Offer Immediate Relief with a Short-Term Loan. • To Develop, Recruit and Inspire an Elite Work Force, Driven by
Loyal Business Practices. • To Provide the Highest Standard of Quality, Commitment and Value to Every Customer in Our Loyalty Pawn Family!
Core Values • Loyalty • Dedication • Creativity
Company Vision • Loyal People Committed to Everyday Satisfaction
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Loyalty Pawn Employee Services Corner December … White Eyes In winter all the singing is in the tops of the trees where the wind-bird with its white eyes shoves and pushes among the branches. Like any of us he wants to go to sleep, but he's restless— he has an idea, and slowly it unfolds from under his beating wings as long as he stays awake. ~ Mary Oliver 1935-2019
Did you know…that… December is National CAR DONATION Month? National Car Donation Month: During National Car Donation Month, people are encouraged to donate their used cars to charities. This act of kindness can help someone access a vehicle who couldn't otherwise afford one, or even help a charitable organization.
If you’re looking for a worthy charitable organization, consider Vehicles for Veterans MONTHLY MOVES - 4 Easy exercises that can be done during your lunch break… If you do not like to wake up early in the morning to get a workout in or you feel too tired after work to even function, then try to squeeze a super quick workout in during your lunch break. Incorporating a workout in to your lunch break can be brief, try fitting in a 5 to 30 min workout to begin. The workouts provided in this blog can be done anywhere. If you do not have time to go home or to the gym and the only way of getting a workout in is by staying at the office, these workouts will work for you. The only thing you will need is your exercise clothes and shoes. If you ever forget your shoes all of these exercises can be done barefoot too. Do as many reps as possible in 2 minutes: 1.Bodyweight squats Start standing with feet just slightly wider than hip-width apart. Sit your butt back into a squat, without letting your knees go past your toes. Make sure your weight is in your heels and keep your chest up. 2. Push ups Start in high plank with your hands about shoulder-width apart. Bend your arms and lower your chest as close to the floor as you can. Push back up to a plank. 3. High knees (you can either do jumping high knees or stationary) Start in high plank with your feet hip-distance apart. Now rotate your entire body to the right into a side plank with your left shoulder above your left wrist. Extend your right arm to the ceiling and continue to drive your hips up. Return your right arm down to high plank.
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4. Standing oblique crunches Stand with your feet hip-width apart and hands behind your head and elbows wide. Lift your left knee toward your left elbow while you bend your torso up and over to the left. Bring your left foot back to standing and repeat on the other side, lifting your right knee towards your right elbow.. Check out this website for keeping fit and pumping lymph while at work: https://www.fittherapyoftexas.com/post/4-easyworkouts-that-can-be-done-during-your-lunch-break
December…Celebration Days • • • • • •
• • • • • •
December 3 is the First Sunday of Advent, marking the beginning of the Advent season. December 6 is Saint Nicholas Day. The patron saint of children is the model for St Nick and gift-giving. December 7 marks the beginning of Hanukkah this year, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights. December 7 is also National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. December 8 is Bodhi Day in the Buddhist calendar, celebrating Buddha’s enlightenment December 13 is St. Lucia’s Day, which has long been associated with festivals of light. Before the Gregorian calendar reform in 1752, her feast day occurred on the shortest day of the year (hence the saying “Lucy light, Lucy light, shortest day and longest night”). December 15 is Bill of Rights Day. December 17 is Wright Brothers Day. December 21 is the Winter Solstice—the astronomical day when the Earth is farthest away from the Sun. Starting in ancient times, people celebrated the rebirth of the Sun event through Yule. December 25 is Christmas Day, a Christian holiday with different meaning and celebrations for all. December 26 is Boxing Day (Canada and the UK) and the first day of Kwanzaa. On the last evening of the year, December 31, kiss the person you hope to keep kissing!
December… Just for Fun Days Here are some more wacky celebrations to look forward to: • Dec. 11: International Mountain Day • Dec. 13: National Violin Day • Dec. 13: National Day of the Horse • Dec. 16: Underdog Day • Dec. 26: National Candy Cane Day Why December’s NOT the 10th Month … December is the 12th month (and last month) in our modern-day Gregorian calendar (as it was in the preceding Julian calendar). However, it was initially the 10th month of the Roman calendar (until 153 BC). Hence, “December” comes from the Latin decem, meaning “ten.”
December Astronomy The Cold Moon! December’s full Moon is most commonly known as the Cold Moon—a Mohawk name that conveys the frigid conditions of this time of year, when cold weather truly begins to grip us. December’s full Cold Moon rises on Tuesday, December 26, 2023. This means that it will appear high and full on Christmas Day! How beautiful! Learn more about this special Moon. When to See December’s Full Moon December’s Cold Moon reaches peak illumination on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at 7:33 P.M. EST. It will be the first full moon after the winter solstice and falls right during Christmastime this year! We all know the classic poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (often called “The Night Before Christmas”), which was first published in 1823. The narrator looks out his bedroom window for St. Nick, proclaiming, “The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow gave the luster of mid-day to objects below.”
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Citrus-Champagne Punch Inspired by old-school 7-UP sherbet punch, this grown-up version is spiked with piney gin, tart lemon sorbet, and a generous splash of fizzy Champagne. This punch is only as good as the Champagne you use, so splurge for the good stuff! Try this with Wilson Creek’s Almond Champagne! Ingredients and Directions ½ cup fresh pink grapefruit juice, strained (from 1 large grapefruit) ½ cup fresh orange juice, strained (from 2 large oranges) ½ cup fresh lemon juice, strained (from 4 large lemons) ¼ cup sugar Now for the coup de gras… 750ml bottle champagne or sparkling wine, chilled. Mix all juices and sugar in a pitcher and stir until sugar dissolves. Cover and chill at least 2 hours or up to overnight. Divide juice among flutes and top with champagne. Serve immediately and enjoy!
401K-Loyalty Pawn Retirement $avings Program Are you saving for retirement? Why not start today? If you have completed 12 months of service with Loyalty Pawn, you’re eligible to participate and start putting away those pretax (or post tax Roth) dollars into your very own 401k account. To enroll, send me an email and I’ll help you get started. Contact Employee Services at employeeservices@loyaltypawn.com Start saving for retirement’s tomorrow, today! Special thanks to the almighty, Old Farmer’s Almanac that provides us with amazing “earthly” info and wholesome team entertainment!
If you need HR, Payroll, Benefits, or Family support, Loyalty Pawn’s Employee Services is only a phone call, text message, or email away, on demand, anytime! 916-752-2255 employeeservices@loyaltypawn.com
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Loyalty Pawn Corporate Office: 1708 Broadway Sacramento, Ca 95818
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