Sooz, the best thing to do is get you an Insurance Agent who specializes in this kind of insurance. If you know of any caterers that would be willing to speak to you about it, see if they have an agent. The agent is not the same as the insurance company. The agent will go find you an insurance company with the best price, do all the leg work, and most importantly, know the rules. And here in Georgia, a contracted person you do not have to pay social security, taxes on. You pay them a flat salary and they take care of their own taxes. But you would need an I9 (think that's the #) to show citizenship or work visas. Simple, have a copy of their driver's license and SS card and have them fill/sign a one page form that you keep in your files. This is a form you can find online and print out. A lawyer can fix you up with corporate papers that would protect your personal assets in the case of any law suits. I personally would start with the lawyer even though they're going to cost you some big bucks. They'll keep you going in the right direction. Good luck with this - it sounds great! Beth

I've never sprung for a Honey Baked ham, although I'm told they're good. The closest available is 60 miles or so away, but I got on their website and it looks like they are all "bone-in" although you can also buy halves. If they have a bone, you'll definitely need two. Here deli ham is mostly what LindaC described, salty and watery pieces of some kind of smoky flavored stuff. I have a sneaking suspicion, though, that if I went to Grand Rapids or Ann Arbor and to a higher end grocery, I'd probably get much better stuff. Grandma used to bake a ham with root beer. We thought it was a great treat, although truthfully, it didn't taste like root beer at all, it still just tasted like ham. I'm guessing that the soft drinks mostly add the sweet note to the salty ham, and not the flavor of the soft drink itself. Annie

I've found them to do better in plastic, but I grow indoors only. That MAY be a factor. Clay may help keep the roots cooler (outdoors), but since this plants are not for full sun (more partly shaded or bright, indirect light), that may not matter. Am curious what others will suggest, interesting question.

I think the prices sound pretty good. I am in the DMV though and things are more expensive here and I imagine the LA burbs are comparable if not a little pricier. Having said that most parties I have or attend are fairly casual with the occasional work associated or wedding that is more high end. I have never seen a tip jar at any catered party I have attended. At open bar weddings I do normally tip. Last wedding we attended at the beginning of the evening I tipped each of the two bartenders 20 dollars each. It probably covered the cost of my & DH's drinks by far. They didn't have a jar out. I have been at parties at a home or at a "country" club where there was a sign that said, No tips, you are here as our guests. I would presume in that case the party hosts had taken care of the servers. I don't know what is proper etiquette as far as that type of sign. I don't know about tipping the owner but I probably would. I have the same dilemma with my hairstylist who owns the salon. I tip her and give her gifts for holiday's and her birthday. I personally would give the bartender 50 dollars and the owner 100 with the request he share it with anyone who helped prep the food or did set up and clean up if they had additional help. I understand you don't know if he will but that is on him and how he sleeps at night.