Prep: 30 min., Stand: 15 min., Cook: 50 min. Champagne lends this dish delicate flavor, but you could use white wine also. Ask your butcher to bone the chicken breasts, which offer the best results, or use skinned and boned breasts.

1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 6 skin-on, boned chicken breasts 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 cup minced shallots (about 3 medium) 2 (3.5-ounce) packages shiitake mushrooms, stems removed and sliced 3 garlic cloves, minced 2 cups Champagne or sparkling wine 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme 1/2 cup whipping cream Salt and pepper to taste

Stir together first 3 ingredients in a shallow bowl. Dredge chicken in flour mixture; place on a wire rack. Let stand 15 minutes. Dredge chicken in flour mixture again; return to rack. Melt butter with olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken, in batches, 5 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Remove chicken to a plate. Add shallots to skillet; cook, stirring often, 2 minutes or until golden brown. Add mushrooms and garlic, and cook, stirring often, 10 minutes or until mushrooms are tender. Stir in Champagne and thyme; bring to a boil, stirring to loosen browned particles from bottom of skillet. Reduce heat, and return chicken to skillet. Cover and simmer 10 minutes or until done. Transfer chicken to a serving platter. Stir cream into mushroom mixture. Cook 5 to 6 minutes or until thickened. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve sauce immediately over chicken.

Do you have a favorite recipe you'd like to share? Email it to: OSSJournal@officesupplyservices.com. If your recipe is chosen you'll receive a Free "Thank You" gift so be sure to include your name and address!

The following article was reprinted with permission from the publisher. It speaks directly about the economic impact of the Big Box office (national chain) supply vendors and how they negatively effect your local economies. Point your Web browser to www.AndersonvilleStudy.com, home of a remarkable study that confirms what most of use have known instinctively for years—big box operations aren’t good for the economic well-being of local communities.

Andersonville is a long-established neighborhood on the north side of Chicago with a commercial district known for its quaint facades and greenery, its history as a Swedish settlement, its current diversity, and, for now at least, a notable absence of big box outlets. However, disposable income in the community has been increasing, and that has drawn growing interest from national chains that see a potentially attractive new market. So far, nothing too much to get excited about. It’s a pattern that’s been seen in literally thousands of suburbs and small town communities across America. The big guys move in with a barrage of advertising and promotion that drowns out their local, small business competition. And that local competition, battered by the onslaught and the accompanying increase in commercial rental rates, either moves on or closes its doors entirely.

What makes Andersonville different is how the local business community reacted to this threat. A coalition of the local business groups banded together and retained Civic Economics, an economic analysis and strategic planning consulting firm, to conduct a study aimed at determining the impact of big box operations on the local economy compared to homegrown companies. The results were eye-opening to say the least: - For every $100 in consumer spending with a local firm, $68 remains in the Chicago economy - For every $100 in consumer spending with a chain firm, only $43 remains in the Chicago economy - For every square foot occupied by a local firm, the local economic impact is $179 - For every square foot occupied by a chain form, the local economic impact is only $105 The bottom line: Locally owned businesses generate a substantial local premium in terms of their value to the overall economic health of their communities—58 percent more in terms of raw dollar value and a whopping 70 percent more in terms of space occupied!

Another study in Austin, Texas, three years ago, found a similar pattern. For every $100 in customer spending at Borders, the total economic impact uncovered by the study was only $13 The same amount spent with a local merchant yielded more than three times the local economic impact at $45 Given the financial and marketing muscle of the national chains and their expertise and experience in opening locations, it’s not hard to figure out why they’re so successful in penetrating new markets. But each time one of our customers spends a dollar, that represents a decision made about the future direction of his or her community

Most of those decisions are made on the spur of the moment, with scant consideration to their long-term implications. Now, however, there’s an opportunity to educate customers and prospects and show them that buying locally is about a whole lot more than just being nice to a neighbor. Bog box chains operate very efficient retail machines. But they also operate equally efficient export businesses, rapidly moving local dollars out of local communities and into the coffers of corporate giants literally thousands of miles away. The folks in Andersonville and Austin deserve all the credit in the world for throwing the spotlight on the impact the big box presence has on the long-term health and viability of their communities. It’s happening in your market, too; but most of your customers and prospects are blissfully unaware. Now, you’ve got the chance to do something about it.

Copyright Simon De Groot, "Office Dealer" Editorial Director - Reprinted with Permission from the Office Dealer May/June 2005 Issue -"Study Points to Big Box Impact on Local Economies and It's Not Good!"

As the summer arrives many of us take shorter vacations and often spend less time traveling than in years past. The rising cost of gasoline has caused some to reexamine the need to travel hundreds of miles just to get away. If you are looking for a quick getaway for a day or two let me encourage you to consider visiting one of the many wineries located here in North Carolina. Located within a short drive of the Charlotte metro area is a plethora of Wineries some of which are recognized nationally for their outstanding quality wines. North Carolina ranks 10th nationally in grape production and 12th for wine production. There are more than 350 individually owned grape vineyards across the state covering more than 1,350 acres. North Carolina has over 55 wine producers in 31 counties and five more are expected to open by December 2006. The Yadkin Valley located about an hour north of Charlotte is North Carolina’s first federally recognized American Viticultural Area. There are currently fourteen wineries in this area.

Raffaldini Vineyards is located off Exit 73A and Hwy 421. This Italian Style Vineyard and Winery is a unique stop on your journey into the North Carolina wine country and should be among your first stops as you begin your journey. A wine tasting room and walk through the rose garden is sure to bring a sense of calmness and relaxation. Nestled in the rolling hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains the vineyard offers outstanding views and cool breezes. You can get more information about Raffaldini Vineyards events and tours online at www.raffaldini.com. Located within a few miles are the vineyards of Buck Shoals Winery, Windy Gap Vineyard (the smallest vineyard and winery in the Yadkin Valley), Laurel Gray Vineyard and Swan Creek Vineyard. Bring your bicycles and make a day of visiting and enjoying the incredible scenery and tastes of some of North Carolina’s finest wines and vineyards. North Carolina’s largest family owned vineyard is also nearby, Shelton Vineyards. Shelton Vineyards is a nationally recognized leader and producer in fine quality wines and a required stop on your wine country tour. The estate is over 383 acres and the vineyard encompasses 200 acres. Bring a picnic basket or enjoy a meal at the Harvest Grill located on the property. Wine tastings and tours are offered daily. You can find out more information, directions and events online at www.sheltonvineyards.com.

If you would like to continue reading about North Carolina Vineyards & Wineries and get more information about where to find them on the web, please follow the link below.

Many of the same principles involved in organizing your office space are also applicable to keeping a well-ordered desk. Here you'll find specific tactics you can employ to keep your desktop in top shape. Here is the first of 10 tactics, go to our website and read the complete article by following the link below.

1. In most offices, paper is the number one enemy of a neat, highly functional desk. Which, of course, makes your waste basket its best friend. Use it liberally to rid your desk and files of unneeded documents, magazines, mail and any other paper that ties up your desktop. (And remember to recycle.) Follow the link below to Continue Reading this article!