“Some kids won't be kids when HST kicks in - The Province” plus 1 more

Some kids won't be kids when HST kicks in - The Province

Posted: 10 May 2010 04:53 PM PDT

You say you have a 14-year-old "child" at home who's part teenager, part refrigerator-raiding eating machine? You say this rapidly growing "child" is tougher to buy clothes for than Dustin Byfuglien, back when he was the biggest net-blocker in peewee hockey history?

Then you may be one of many B.C. parents who buys adult-sized clothes and shoes for their kids.

And I'm not just talking about big-boned boys who make the football team. I talked to a mom the other day who's been buying adult-sized clothes and shoes for her daughter since she was 11.

in the house

If you're a parent who falls into this category, I have two things to say to you: I think I'll be joining you in a few years, because my own five-year-old, real-life version of Bam Bam is growing faster than an HST petition.

And you'd better get your lovable teenage Gigantor down to the mall and buy some new clothes before July 1 -- the day the government slaps that HST on your kid's clothes.

That's right : The harmonized sales tax will apply to adult-sized clothes and shoes, even if you buy those clothes or shoes for a kid who's under age 15. The price you pay will rise by seven per cent.

It's just one more sneaky way this brutal consumer tax is going to hurt B.C. families. Here's how it's being done:

Currently, adult-sized clothes are taxed with both the five-percent GST and the seven-per-cent provincial sales tax. But buyers of adult-sized clothes for kids can fill out a form called the "Certificate of Exemption for Children's Clothing and Footwear" and they won't be charged the PST. Copies of these forms are usually kept on hand by the store, and the consumer receives the PST rebate right at the cash register.

Those forms -- and those seven-per-cent, point-of-sale rebates -- are being eliminated when the combined HST comes in.

Under the HST, only clothing in child sizes up to Size 16 for girls and Size 20 for boys will receive a seven-per-cent rebate. Ditto for children's shoes up to kids' Size 6, and non-numerical-sized clothing and footwear marked "small," "medium" or "large."

If you need "extra large" clothes or shoes for a child -- or you need to buy adult-sized clothes or footwear for that kid -- get set to cough up the entire 12-per-cent HST.

No more form to fill out. No more rebate. Just shut up and pay up. Even if you're buying those clothes or shoes for a child.

In other words, the government is changing the definition of a "child" under its tax laws. No longer will a child be defined according to age, but according to size.

How much more will this cost B.C. parents? The government won't say, and told me it doesn't keep records of how much PST is rebated now.

But, on Monday, I heard Finance Minister Colin Hansen brag once again that children's clothing and footwear will be exempted from the provincial portion of the HST. What he always fails to mention is that big kids who don't meet his new definition of "children" will be taxed extra.

Hey, Mr. Hansen: A child is a child, no matter what size. You are going to tax clothes and shoes purchased for kids that were not taxed before. Your new tax is unfair.

Even a child -- even a great big one -- could understand that.

msmyth@theprovince.com

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100 Years and 200,000 Babies Later: Swedish, Microsoft and Nordstrom ... - Forbes

Posted: 06 May 2010 03:25 PM PDT

BusinessWire - Swedish, one of the region's largest and most comprehensive non-profit health-care providers, today announced that Microsoft Corp. and Nordstrom have joined them in celebration of Swedish's 100th anniversary this year. All three Seattle brands have teamed up to expand the 'I'm a Swedish Baby' Photo Contest in an effort to recognize some of the many babies born in Swedish's health-care system over the past 100 years.

"Swedish delivers more babies than any other hospital in the state," said Melissa Tizon, Swedish's communications director. "People in the community often tell us how proud they are to have been born at Swedish, so we wanted to celebrate all of our Swedish babies as part of our 100th anniversary. We are very excited to work with Microsoft to create an interactive photo album using the latest multi-touch computing platform. And given the historical ties, it's a natural connection to put these Surface tables on display in the Kids' Shoes departments at local Nordstrom stores."

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This week, Microsoft Surface units were installed in three Nordstrom locations including Downtown Seattle on May 3, Bellevue Square on May 4 and Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood on May 5. They will be on display throughout the month. Microsoft Surface will provide an interface for Nordstrom shoppers to learn more about the 'I'm a Swedish Baby' Photo Contest, browse submitted photos, search for Swedish babies and read their personal stories. Using stamps, children will also be able to create virtual art work of stars, dogs and hearts on Surface as a fun activity while shopping. POP, a Seattle-based digital agency, developed the interactive Surface application for Swedish.

Microsoft Surface is an innovative computing platform that responds to touch, natural hand gestures and real-world objects placed on the display, providing effortless interaction with information and digital content in a simple and intuitive way. With a large, 360-degree, horizontal user interface, Surface offers a unique gathering place where multiple users can collaboratively and simultaneously interact with content and each other. In addition, Surface provides businesses with unique value in delivering information and services in a more friendly way allowing better engagement with their customers.

"Microsoft Surface provides an ideal forum for showcasing Swedish contest entries with its multi-user, multi-touch capabilities and massive touch screen," said Panos Panay, general manager of Microsoft Surface. "The custom application from POP enables regular content updates and takes advantage of the collaborative, intuitive and social nature of Surface ensuring Nordstrom shoppers stay apprised of what's happening with the photo contest and have some fun at the same time."

Swedish and Nordstrom have a longstanding connection since the medical center opened its doors in 1910. Katharine J. 'Kitty' Nordstrom was the daughter of Dr. Nils Johanson -- the surgeon and Swedish immigrant who founded Swedish. Kitty Nordstrom was married to Elmer Nordstrom, former co-chairman of Nordstrom and son of John W. Nordstrom, founder of the store.

Third-generation family member and former co-chairman, John N. Nordstrom, the son of Elmer Nordstrom, is also a member of the medical center's Board of Trustees.

"With our local roots in the community and our historic connection with Swedish, partnering to celebrate all the babies born at the hospital since its inception was a natural fit for us," said Kendall Ault, spokesperson for Nordstrom.

How to Enter the 'I'm a Swedish Baby' Photo Contest

Entries for the baby photo contest will be accepted online through June 1, 2010 in six categories including craziest hair, biggest sports fan, trick-or-treat, my first birthday, most adorable and I love my pet.

Each contest category will have a grand-prize, second-prize and third-prize winner. Grand-prize winners will receive a two-night stay for four people to Great Wolf Lodge and a $300 gift card to spend at the lodge during their stay (approximate retail value of prize is $1,000). Second-place prize winners will receive a $500 Nordstrom gift card and third-place winners will receive a $250 Amazon.com gift card. Winners will be notified on or about June 21, 2010.

Visit www.swedish100.org for full contest rules. Swedish partnered with POP to design and create the commemorative site.

About Swedish

Established in 1910, Swedish has grown to become the largest, most comprehensive non-profit health-care provider in the Greater Seattle area over the last 100 years. It is comprised of three hospital campuses (First Hill, Cherry Hill and Ballard), a freestanding emergency department and specialty center in Issaquah, Swedish Visiting Nurse Services and Swedish Physicians -- a network of 14 primary-care clinics. In addition to general medical and surgical care, Swedish is known as a regional referral center, providing specialized treatment in areas such as neurological care, cardiovascular care, oncology, orthopedics, high-risk obstetrics, pediatrics, organ transplantation, and clinical research. For more information about Swedish, visit www.swedish.org and www.swedish100.org.

About Nordstrom

Nordstrom, Inc. is one of the nation's leading fashion specialty retailers, with 192 stores located in 28 states. Founded in 1901 as a shoe store in Seattle, today Nordstrom operates 114 full-line stores, 75 Nordstrom Racks, two Jeffrey boutiques and one clearance store. Nordstrom also serves customers through its online presence at www.nordstrom.com and through its catalogs. Nordstrom, Inc. is publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol JWN.

Microsoft Surface

Microsoft Surface is an innovative computing platform that responds to touch, natural hand gestures and real-world objects placed on the display, providing effortless interaction with information and digital content in a simple and intuitive way. With a large, 360-degree, horizontal user interface, Microsoft Surface offers a unique gathering place where multiple users can collaboratively and simultaneously interact with content and each other. In addition, Microsoft Surface provides businesses with unique value in delivering information and services in a more friendly way allowing better engagement with their customers.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq:MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

About POP

POP is a leading digital agency that crafts experiences for the web, mobile devices and emerging digital platforms for Fortune 1000 brands, including Target, Amazon, Electronic Arts, Microsoft, and Epson. Founded in 1996, POP has 120 employees with offices in Seattle and New York. To learn more about POP, visit www.pop.us.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6281628&lang=en

SOURCE: Swedish

Swedish Ed Boyle, 206-386-2748 ed.boyle@swedish.org or Nordstrom Kendall Ault, 206-373-3031 kendall.ault@nordstrom.com or Edelman, for Microsoft Surface Vanessa Whorley, 206-268-2276 vanessa.whorley@edelman.com or Reidy Communications, for POP Jen Reidy, 415-891-8300 jen@reidycommunications.com

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Kids Shoes

Wednesday, May 12, 2010