Agenda 07/05

This year, a major Sarbanes-Oxley reminder may promise more fireworks than the Fourth fo July. That's just one of the key dates, tips, and suggestions we offer business owners in the debut of this new column.

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July 1

Though the yammering public may not be aware of it, it's National Cell Phone Courtesy Month. The folks at Austin-based Traq will help you reduce your employees' mobile phone bills by as much as half. The initial cost: $3,500 per 500 wireless lines (Traq.com).

July 3

Alcoholics Anonymous marks its 70th birthday. By seeing a need and filling it, founder Bill W. was one of the unsung entrepreneurs of the 20th century. To learn more, go to www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.

July 8

John D. Rockefeller was born on this day. The Standard Oil founder (left) was an early advocate of balance: "I know of nothing more despicable and pathetic than a man who devotes all the hours of the waking day to the making of money for money's sake," he once said. Pick up Titan, Ron Chernow's engrossing biography, or Memoirs by David Rockefeller -- John D.'s grandson and the former head of Chase Manhattan Bank -- which is also packed with company-building insights.

July 12

Baseball's All-Star game is played at Detroit's new Comerica Park. If tickets to the major leagues are too rich for your blood, treat your staff to a minor league game (www.minorleaguebaseball.com).

July 14

It's Bastille Day. Merci to the French for the word entrepreneur, which derives from the Old French word entreprendre, which means "to undertake." (We got this little gem from Tripod founder Bo Peabody.)

July 15

One year from today, small and midsize public companies have to comply with Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404. Companies with market caps of $75 million or less will need to file reports on the effectiveness of their internal controls for the fiscal year ending on or after July 15, 2006.

July 15

Partnerships that got an extension on their 2004 calendar year tax return (form 1065) must file today.

July 15

Capitalism at its most delicious: The Charlie and the Chocolate Factory remake, starring Johnny Depp as the greatest entrepreneur in children's literature, hits theaters today. Take your kids.