It is with great joy that I announce I have closed the post office mailbox I have had since I started by business. After years of mail being jammed into the box – especially items marked “Do Not Bend” – and slips for packages that could not be located, I have stopped the insanity.

If you are a regular reader of The Hot Iron you know I have my business mailing address at The UPS Store in Chicago’s Loop, which just so happens to be right across the street from the Loop post office where my box was. One day last year after getting frustrated from more damaged mail, I literally saw the light – the illuminated sign of The UPS Store, and I promptly moved my address there. After I submitted several change of address notices – apparently it takes several attempts for a postal employee to process them – all my mail is coming to its new home, as well as UPS, FedEx and all other packages, which are not accepted by the post office.

Recently it was announced Chicago has the worst mail deliver service now 2 years in a row. Around that same time an article in the Chicago Tribune said service has improved, according to an “independent survey” whose source was not cited. Where this is good to hear, in the meantime life and business must go on. I could not bear the loss or damage of any more mail.

Where it appears the common citizen can do little against the behemoth post office, I did what I could do – vote with my wallet.

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Yesterday we lost Robert Craig “Evel” Knievel. For anyone like myself who grew up in the 1970’s, you knew all about the great American daredevil known for jumping buses and cars on his motorcycle, not to mention his attempt to jump the Snake River Canyon. Though he retired in the early 1980’s, he remained a pop culture icon with instant name recognition.

Evel was unique. His name alone – he was “Evel” but not “evil!” He was patriotic in his stars and stripes jumpsuit without being overtly patriotic. He was being himself, yet had a huge following in the US and around the world. But foremost – he tried. Kids didn’t care he didn’t make it completely across the Snake River Canyon. The fact he did it alone was cool, and that’s why kids wanted his wind-up motorcycle and car toys.

When I first heard about his passing, like many others I talked to yesterday I had a loud sigh. Then in the usual fashion of my brain swirling random thoughts came to mind, such as how popular would he be today with the Internet? But the point is moot – the Internet was still being developed and tested when he was out there doing his jumps. He was a man of his time, and our fondness for him also includes those days.

Evel’s own Web site is a well-done tribute to all that he was, and John Wall has a fitting tribute to him using his artistic talents. Now I’ll go see how much his wind-up cycles are on eBay.

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Have you ever wondered about working in real estate? Or would you simply like to learn more about the industry and how you could profit from it? Then there’s no time like the present to get an education from American Real Estate Academy in Waltham, Mass., who is one of my clients.

The Academy, or AREA for short, has been educating real estate professionals for over 35 years. They offer the courses to become a real estate salesperson, broker, mortgage lender, property appraiser and home inspector, as well as continuing education courses to maintain your salesperson and broker licenses. Thousands over the years have taken courses from AREA all across Massachusetts and New England and have enjoyed a successful real estate career.

Many people also take courses from AREA to learn more about the real estate industry, and use this knowledge for the purchase of their own home or to become a real estate investor.

Check out their Web site for more information and to register for their courses. AREA also offers a complete line of books, software, audio and accessories to compliment your real estate education.

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Virtual Hosting has compiled a list of 100 blog posts on the topic of domain names and domaining. They have organized them under the category of Parking, Buying and Selling, Value and Appraisal, For Beginners, Questionable Practices, Making Money, Management, Search Engines and Traffic and Miscellaneous. I am proud to have 2 posts on the list - Know Who Manages Your Domain Name (#74) and Who Should Own a Domain Name? (#96).

I am still going through the list, but the people represented are the leaders in this area. The list also shows the breadth and depth of aspects and issues with regards to domain names. I recommend this list to fellow entrepreneurs as well as those in the domain name business.

Updated 9/5/2017 - Changed links to their new site at HTML.com

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This is from The Hot Iron, a journal on business and technology by Mike Maddaloni.

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Announcements • Blogging • Domain Names • Strategize • (3) Comments • Permalink

If there is a man on your gift list in the Chicago area, there’s no better gift than a visit to The 316 Club. I have written about them before as I am a member of this men’s spa in the Loop next to the Chicago Board of Trade.

As the “oasis with premium grooming services” for men, you can get a blade shave – even your head for bald guys like me – or a haircut, massage, etc. – check out their menu of services for complete details. They feature a bar with fine scotches, a pool table, WiFi and you can even get a shoe shine. Gift cards are available both at the Club or online, so you can treat someone to a single visit or a membership for a year of services.

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