May 4th, 2010
Ok, so now that all the dust has settled and there has been some time to calm down, I thought I might inform those here assembled on the news of the last week.
As we all know, the smoking ban went into effect last Saturday. What you may not have heard is that the Atrium our (now former) home was one of the casualties. We were all told throughout the course of the last four months that this was not to be the case. We were informed directly, more than once, that David was going to keep the smoking lounge open and do as much as he could to keep it that way. Also on more than one occasion, we were told that this had been actually taken care of. That all the exemption paperwork had been handled and all was well.
For reason not made clear to us, it appears that this was never true. That paperwork was not filed. And as a result, the Atrium did not receive its exemption and is now a no-smoking establishment. Also as a result, the Grand Rapids Cigar Society does not currently have a home.
But fear not, gentle reader – all is not lost. For we do have places where we can meet. For the time being, the regular meetings will be held at individual homes. Mark Gilhespy has graciously offered his home for the May meeting – either on his deck or in his garage should the weather turn against us. The meetings for the rest of the summer will be held in like manner, with locations to be announced later. Starting in September, our regular meetings will be moved to the first Wednesday of the month, and will be held at the Indian River Tobacco Traders Outpost #2, which is on 28th ST SW, between Clyde Park and 131. Peter and I had a conversation with the owners there, and they are more than happy to have us.
For those who are regulars of the Friday afternoon get-togethers, those are also to be held at Outpost #2.
This will be a trying time for the next few months, as the dust clears and the full extent of the outrage becomes clear. If you hear news about how other places are dealing with the ban, please share it. As always, it is better to support the people who support us than it is to lay down with the sheeple who refuse to see the oncoming train for what it is.
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April 22nd, 2010
ooo lookie! A new Post. And this one informative as well.
We are all aware of the new law going into effect on May 1 (if you are not, Bad Baby!) What has not been clear is exactly what the law entails and how it will effect us as individuals and as a group. The question came up at work today, and as a result, I came across this FAQ from the Socialist State of Michigan that gives some answers to some questions.
This is the page that the material comes from. This is the FAQ.
FAQMISmokeFreeFINAL_314723_7 And this is a version of the FAQ that I have highlighted some of what I thought were the most important areas pertaining to us and the Atrium. There is still not a good answer to the question of whether we can smoke outside, but the indications are that as long as there are no food and beverages being served out there (may we serve ourselves??) then smoking outside would be allowed, barring a local ordinance that we are not aware of. Maybe one of the lawyerly types can answer that.
Food for thought – join us on Friday at the Atrium, where we will solve all the world’s problems – or at least drink enough so that we don’t feel feeling anymore.
John
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December 25th, 2009
Here is hoping for Good People, Good Smokes, and Good Cheer! Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!
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October 1st, 2009
It has been a while, hasn’t it? No excuses really, just a lack of focus and input.
The gathering last night for the month of September went really well, considering the short notice and confusion. Dinner was held at Graydon’s Crossing on Plainfield. The dinner was an Oktoberfest celebration, five courses with different beers for each, and was very very good. The host give short descriptions of all the beers and the cook described each course. For only $29.00 it was well worth it and we might have to take advantage of more opportunities like that.
Afterwards several went over to the Atrium to finish the evening and watch the last of the Tigers game (they won.) All in all, and excellent evening.
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March 19th, 2009
You know, the American people once went to war with the most powerful empire on the planet over idiocies just like this one:
If approved by the Legislature, state taxes on non-cigarette tobacco items would jump from 32% of wholesale price to 64% next year. Combined with the new federal tax, the average price of a one-pound bag of popular Gambler tobacco would skyrocket from $19 to $70 in Michigan.
I am beginning to wonder if we are not going to have to do it again.
The Granholm administration is attempting to double down on the SCHIP tax atrocity that was passed without a backward glance earlier this year. We are approaching the point where 75% or more of the price to the consumer for tobacco products is going to be taxes collected by the government – not profit collected by the manufacturer. Much like gasoline, by far the largest profiteer in the tobacco industry is going to be the government, not the private business.
Economics 101 is if you want to reduce or stop an activity, get the government to tax it. If the taxes are high enough, the people will stop participating – because they will not be able or willing to afford it anymore.
The bad part about this is that the government is using this money that they think they are going to be getting to balance the budget and/or make welfare handouts. When the money from the tobacco taxes dries up, the Government is going to do two things: Claim victory in the war on tobacco, and then complain about how they don’t have anymore money and need to find something else to tax into oblivion. My guess would be fat – as that appears to be the next big health bugaboo.
What they never seem to want to accept is that if they were to lower the taxes on these products, they would have more money and the people that use these products would have more money, which in turn would mean more spending, more commerce, and more taxes to the government as a result of that increased commerce.
CRA – Cigar Rights of America
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