Have you ever awakened suddenly at 3:00 AM with a dire need to read the latest issue of Prez Press? I thought not. But perhaps, like me, you have discovered late in the evening that you forgot to print an important message from the office email system. Or perhaps you have been one block from home when you realized that you never did read that new insurance policy addendum that was sitting in your office mail slot with the words IMPORTANT - READ IMMEDIATELY emblazoned on its cover. Or maybe, as one of our out of state or international employees, you've been unable to place an order or book a tour because of time zone differences or busy phone/fax lines.

If any of these scenes sound familiar to you (and even if they don't), you'll be happy to hear that Surf 'n Turf now has its own company intranet. This new intranet will help to ensure that important information is available to all employees at all times. A password-protected link to our Internet home page will give employees in other states and countries access to the intranet any time of the day or night.

The implementation of the intranet will also make it easier for me to share with you our quarterly booking statistics (no more battling with the copier or racing to the mail room before the final pickup!) and to announce the tour guide of the month. In the weeks to come, you'll also find HR/Admin information and expanded email capabilities through our intranet.

Well, an entire year has passed and it is almost time for the annual Surf 'n Turf Family Roundup! For those of you who have joined the Surf 'n Turf team in the past 12 months and wonder what on earth I am talking about, the Family Roundup is an annual event during which all Surf 'n Turf employees and their families gather in one location for a day of great food, fellowship, and loads of fun! This year's Roundup will be May 11.

This year, Tom and Julie Stafford have graciously offered to host the event at their beautiful family ranch, just 15 miles north of the Surf 'n Turf main office. We now need volunteers to help with cooking (Surf 'n Turf will pay for the food), clean up, and entertainment (I just came across my accordion the other day…).

For international and out of state employees, Surf 'n Turf will pick up the cost for transportation expenses. In order to plan appropriately, we will need to know from each employee how many family members will be attending and how many will need overnight accommodations. Please submit this information to Chris Lee via email no later than April 30. Expense reports for reimbursement of travel expenses should be received by May 21.