Reuters | Lone gunman kills at will on Norway's darkest day Sydney Morning Herald Campers crouch behind a w » |
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Lone gunman kills at will on Norway's darkest day - Sydney Morning Herald
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Thursday, July 21, 2011
Lantech CEO says recession will make strong companies stronger - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
martaemimbzini.blogspot.com
From its headquarters at 11000 Bluegrass Parkwaygin Jeffersontown, Lantech sells pallet-wrapping equipment costing between $10,000 and $300,00 each to some of the world’x largest companies. “Eighty percent of what your readersx buy comes across one of my machines on its way to the said Lancaster, who is CEO of Lantech. Customera include international consumer companies suchas , and giant “We touch a huge percentage of producte that move as any sort of packaged and we were hit like all the othe r capital equipment companies,” he Yet, Lancaster sees not only his but all strong American businesses, coming out of this recessiom more efficient and ready to invesf in capital equipment after having been on cruise controlo during boom times.
“j feel better about the prospectds ofthis country’s competitiveness than I did three, four or five yearw ago,” he said. “I’m not the only one thinkinfg about getting the cost structure of my compantunder control. People are focused on their making what happens in their fourwalls “You take that times a bunchb of business, and it’s a big deal in terms of the competitiveness of this country.” Not that it’sx been fun. And not that the economy is back.
Lancaster said 2008 started out well on pace to tophis 37-year-old company’s best year ever, 2007, when Lantech had about $120 million in gross As of May 2008, orderd were up 17 percent over May 2007. But in mid-2008, business slowes dramatically, first in the United States, then in Europed and Asia. “When Asia dropped, it didn’y just drop. It stopped,” Lancaster Companies that were leveraged and took 5 percent to 50 percentf revenue hitsare dead, or they’re in the process of Lancaster said. Companies with manageable suchas Lantech, suddenly had the time and incentivde to start restructuring and investing in their businesses.
Lantecgh has no impetus to keep cash in the bank drawing 1 he said. “We’re making way bigget investments in our businessthan (before the downturn). This is not money-managemengt time. This is the time to invesf in productdevelopment … to improve long-term competitiveness.” But last fall, it was time to cut stafc so that Lantech didn’t start losing Lantech has had to cut its local staff to about 300 people, Lancaster Lancaster declined to say how many people he was forcec to cut, but the company had 350 employeesa in Louisville last according to Business First’s Aug. 29 list of the area’s larges t manufacturing firms.
“We just dropped (the work to break even,” Lancaster said. “We didn’t want to (lose and set ourselves up for beinh weaker againstthe competition. We cut not to hold our profitabilitu percentage, but just to break even.” Remaining staff started rethinking how Lantechis run, “making hundred s if not thousands of he said. Lantech saved $2,500 per montn by buying out leases for dumpsters and trash compactors and buyingits own. Renegotiatint phone services savedanother $2,500. Consolidating off-sitw storage areas saved $9,000 per month.
The moneyy saved —hundreds of thousands of dollarsw per monthin non-payroll expensews — kept the company from drastically cutting its work force, Lancaste r said.
From its headquarters at 11000 Bluegrass Parkwaygin Jeffersontown, Lantech sells pallet-wrapping equipment costing between $10,000 and $300,00 each to some of the world’x largest companies. “Eighty percent of what your readersx buy comes across one of my machines on its way to the said Lancaster, who is CEO of Lantech. Customera include international consumer companies suchas , and giant “We touch a huge percentage of producte that move as any sort of packaged and we were hit like all the othe r capital equipment companies,” he Yet, Lancaster sees not only his but all strong American businesses, coming out of this recessiom more efficient and ready to invesf in capital equipment after having been on cruise controlo during boom times.
“j feel better about the prospectds ofthis country’s competitiveness than I did three, four or five yearw ago,” he said. “I’m not the only one thinkinfg about getting the cost structure of my compantunder control. People are focused on their making what happens in their fourwalls “You take that times a bunchb of business, and it’s a big deal in terms of the competitiveness of this country.” Not that it’sx been fun. And not that the economy is back.
Lancaster said 2008 started out well on pace to tophis 37-year-old company’s best year ever, 2007, when Lantech had about $120 million in gross As of May 2008, orderd were up 17 percent over May 2007. But in mid-2008, business slowes dramatically, first in the United States, then in Europed and Asia. “When Asia dropped, it didn’y just drop. It stopped,” Lancaster Companies that were leveraged and took 5 percent to 50 percentf revenue hitsare dead, or they’re in the process of Lancaster said. Companies with manageable suchas Lantech, suddenly had the time and incentivde to start restructuring and investing in their businesses.
Lantecgh has no impetus to keep cash in the bank drawing 1 he said. “We’re making way bigget investments in our businessthan (before the downturn). This is not money-managemengt time. This is the time to invesf in productdevelopment … to improve long-term competitiveness.” But last fall, it was time to cut stafc so that Lantech didn’t start losing Lantech has had to cut its local staff to about 300 people, Lancaster Lancaster declined to say how many people he was forcec to cut, but the company had 350 employeesa in Louisville last according to Business First’s Aug. 29 list of the area’s larges t manufacturing firms.
“We just dropped (the work to break even,” Lancaster said. “We didn’t want to (lose and set ourselves up for beinh weaker againstthe competition. We cut not to hold our profitabilitu percentage, but just to break even.” Remaining staff started rethinking how Lantechis run, “making hundred s if not thousands of he said. Lantech saved $2,500 per montn by buying out leases for dumpsters and trash compactors and buyingits own. Renegotiatint phone services savedanother $2,500. Consolidating off-sitw storage areas saved $9,000 per month.
The moneyy saved —hundreds of thousands of dollarsw per monthin non-payroll expensews — kept the company from drastically cutting its work force, Lancaste r said.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Stimulus funds lag health woes - Austin Business Journal:
paramonaxogilozi.blogspot.com
That’s the view of the eight-member panel of industrty and medical experts who were invited by the Soutn Florida Business Journal to share theie views of whatthe $787 billion federal stimulusz package means to the health care sector. What emergedr was a broad discussion of how stimuluxs legislation is just one piece of chang needed in an industry that has run financially amok due to an overrelianc eon specialists, shortfalls in informatiojn technology and patients who are undereducated.
The Congressional Budget Office has projected that total nationalo spending on health care could hit 48 percent of grosw domestic product by 2050 if left To solve this problem will takemore money, though, in the shory term. The Obama administration’s $59 billion for health care stimulus spendingincludes $19 billion for electronicc health care records. Starting in doctors who can show meaningful use of electronic medicao records will getincentivew – and those who don’t will get declining Medicare payments.
But, the old-fashioned generaol practitioner may also have a big Linda Quick, president of the , said health care reforj legislation that coincides with the stimuluws calls for individuals to have a home locationm or a primary care provider. She said that allowse for “a community location close to home and gettinh more done ina non-institutional, actually high clinical technologt setting.” That, in turn, will also translatre into a less costly location, the panelists Rachel Sapoznik, CEO of , said: “The reasonj I believe in the last 25 yeards of seeing health care costs rise dramaticalluy is we have moved away from the primaryg care physician knowing the patient to Patients go from specialist to specialis t to get each ailmenft treated, but an overview of their condition and familyg history is lacking.
George Foyo, executived VP and chief administrative officerat , said: “Piggybacking on primaruy care is absolutely right. All thesde specialties are adding thousands and thousands of One problem is that specialists tend to overdpo tests because they are so worried about legalliability issues, he said. Dr. Tony Prieto, a familyy practitioner and president of the Broward County Medical said reimbursement issues for tests done in his office alsofrustrate him. A hospitakl might get $2,000 for a test from but he can onlyget “I don’t think it’s anything that’z going to work unless we use some commonb sense,” he said.
Foyo said primargy care physicians historically put an emphasis on healthjprevention efforts, but the lack of it these days is contributinbg to an epidemic of diabetes and heart issues. Baptisf Health, which is well known for hospitala in Kendalland Homestead, is pushing forward with outpatienr centers – and even venturinv into Broward County. One reason is emergency rooms are and providing care there is more costly than at anoutpatieny center. “Rather than have patient s cometo us, the hospitala are going out to them,” Foyo said.
Florida’ss 51 nonprofit community health centers aregetting $28 million in competitive grants under the stimulus legislation, whichy will also keep patients out of expensive hospitakl settings for treatment. House Speaker Nancyg Pelosi highlighted that during an April visi t to a community health center in Hollywood that willget $1.5 million to open a satellite health centert in West Park. One of the advantagex for these types of centers is that they are fundedc with the assumption that their doors will be open to all who which is important because of the number of uninsuredSouthj Floridians, including undocumented Quick said. Dr.
Welby, meet Bill Gates Mark administrative partner at the law firm of in said electronic medicalrecords (EMR) fall underr the category of “shovel-ready” projectes in the world of stimulus – meaning the technologyy exists and can be adopted rapidly to put moneg in the economy.
That’s the view of the eight-member panel of industrty and medical experts who were invited by the Soutn Florida Business Journal to share theie views of whatthe $787 billion federal stimulusz package means to the health care sector. What emergedr was a broad discussion of how stimuluxs legislation is just one piece of chang needed in an industry that has run financially amok due to an overrelianc eon specialists, shortfalls in informatiojn technology and patients who are undereducated.
The Congressional Budget Office has projected that total nationalo spending on health care could hit 48 percent of grosw domestic product by 2050 if left To solve this problem will takemore money, though, in the shory term. The Obama administration’s $59 billion for health care stimulus spendingincludes $19 billion for electronicc health care records. Starting in doctors who can show meaningful use of electronic medicao records will getincentivew – and those who don’t will get declining Medicare payments.
But, the old-fashioned generaol practitioner may also have a big Linda Quick, president of the , said health care reforj legislation that coincides with the stimuluws calls for individuals to have a home locationm or a primary care provider. She said that allowse for “a community location close to home and gettinh more done ina non-institutional, actually high clinical technologt setting.” That, in turn, will also translatre into a less costly location, the panelists Rachel Sapoznik, CEO of , said: “The reasonj I believe in the last 25 yeards of seeing health care costs rise dramaticalluy is we have moved away from the primaryg care physician knowing the patient to Patients go from specialist to specialis t to get each ailmenft treated, but an overview of their condition and familyg history is lacking.
George Foyo, executived VP and chief administrative officerat , said: “Piggybacking on primaruy care is absolutely right. All thesde specialties are adding thousands and thousands of One problem is that specialists tend to overdpo tests because they are so worried about legalliability issues, he said. Dr. Tony Prieto, a familyy practitioner and president of the Broward County Medical said reimbursement issues for tests done in his office alsofrustrate him. A hospitakl might get $2,000 for a test from but he can onlyget “I don’t think it’s anything that’z going to work unless we use some commonb sense,” he said.
Foyo said primargy care physicians historically put an emphasis on healthjprevention efforts, but the lack of it these days is contributinbg to an epidemic of diabetes and heart issues. Baptisf Health, which is well known for hospitala in Kendalland Homestead, is pushing forward with outpatienr centers – and even venturinv into Broward County. One reason is emergency rooms are and providing care there is more costly than at anoutpatieny center. “Rather than have patient s cometo us, the hospitala are going out to them,” Foyo said.
Florida’ss 51 nonprofit community health centers aregetting $28 million in competitive grants under the stimulus legislation, whichy will also keep patients out of expensive hospitakl settings for treatment. House Speaker Nancyg Pelosi highlighted that during an April visi t to a community health center in Hollywood that willget $1.5 million to open a satellite health centert in West Park. One of the advantagex for these types of centers is that they are fundedc with the assumption that their doors will be open to all who which is important because of the number of uninsuredSouthj Floridians, including undocumented Quick said. Dr.
Welby, meet Bill Gates Mark administrative partner at the law firm of in said electronic medicalrecords (EMR) fall underr the category of “shovel-ready” projectes in the world of stimulus – meaning the technologyy exists and can be adopted rapidly to put moneg in the economy.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Equifax: Small biz bankruptcies double in March - Los Angeles Business from bizjournals:
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Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton, Ore.-Wash. Commercial bankruptcies nearlh doubled in March 2009 from March Equifax noted. "The March numbers provide a snapshotrof what's been happening to the smalll business sector during this period of economic said Reza Barazesh, head of Equifax'w North American Commercial Analytical Services in a news release. "Not surprisingly, the highes t number of small-business bankruptciesd are in those parts of the country where home prices havedecreasecd dramatically, unemployment has increased significantly, and credit has becomd tighter." For the analysis, Equifad analyzed both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings.
Chapte 7 is a liquidation proceedinhg in which a debtor receives a discharge of all while Chapter 13 is a reorganization bankruptcyh enabling filers to pay off debt over a set perioof years. Equifax reviewed and analyzed small business data for the most recent monthg for which complete datais available.
Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton, Ore.-Wash. Commercial bankruptcies nearlh doubled in March 2009 from March Equifax noted. "The March numbers provide a snapshotrof what's been happening to the smalll business sector during this period of economic said Reza Barazesh, head of Equifax'w North American Commercial Analytical Services in a news release. "Not surprisingly, the highes t number of small-business bankruptciesd are in those parts of the country where home prices havedecreasecd dramatically, unemployment has increased significantly, and credit has becomd tighter." For the analysis, Equifad analyzed both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings.
Chapte 7 is a liquidation proceedinhg in which a debtor receives a discharge of all while Chapter 13 is a reorganization bankruptcyh enabling filers to pay off debt over a set perioof years. Equifax reviewed and analyzed small business data for the most recent monthg for which complete datais available.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Bernanke Says Fed Has No Plans 'at This Point' to Make More Bond Purchases - Bloomberg
zlatkopaisley1275.blogspot.com
msnbc.com | Bernanke Says Fed Has No Plans 'at This Point' to Make More Bond Purchases Bloomberg “We just want to make sure that we have the options when they become necessary,†Bernanke said. “But, at this point, we're not proposing to undertake that option.†Bernanke said the Fed faces conditions that are different today than they were last ... Bernanke: Failure To Make Debt Deal Would Be “Calamity†Highlights: Bernanke's semiannual testimony to Senate panel Bernanke: Debt ceiling breach 'calamitous' |
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
DFJ, Cisco name business plan finalists - Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal:
mesiaipuhuni1981.blogspot.com
The finalists, whose business plan address a diverse group of issues from efficient andaffordable Web-scaler computing to early cancer detection, will be competin from their respective geographic areass and the winning team will receive a minimum seed investmengt of $250,000. The plans of the 16 finalists, many of whicuh have already won localuniversityt competitions, were selected from thousandw of eligible business plans in nine countriess across the globe. The selection was based on various criteriaz including quality ofmanagement team, technical innovation, addressablde market size, competitive positioning, barriers, capital efficiency, and financiakl projections.
The majority of the finaliste are still in the early stagews ofbusiness development. In addition to the financial investment awarded to the bothMenlo Park-based DFJ and San Jose-based Cisco (NASDAQ:CSCO) will assis the winner and finalists in leading the next wave of disruptivw technologies by providing mentorship and professional assessments regarding their submissions. Finalists hail from 15 differengt schools insix countries.
They includde two entries from Stanford Universityg and one each fromRice University, the University of Michigan, UC San Cornell University, University of Southernj California, Fudan University in China, University of Virginia's Dardenj School of Business, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology in LBS College of Engineering in India, Universituy of Chicago's Booth School of Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, Universityg of Maryland, Tel-Aviv University in Israel and UC Irvine.
The finalists, whose business plan address a diverse group of issues from efficient andaffordable Web-scaler computing to early cancer detection, will be competin from their respective geographic areass and the winning team will receive a minimum seed investmengt of $250,000. The plans of the 16 finalists, many of whicuh have already won localuniversityt competitions, were selected from thousandw of eligible business plans in nine countriess across the globe. The selection was based on various criteriaz including quality ofmanagement team, technical innovation, addressablde market size, competitive positioning, barriers, capital efficiency, and financiakl projections.
The majority of the finaliste are still in the early stagews ofbusiness development. In addition to the financial investment awarded to the bothMenlo Park-based DFJ and San Jose-based Cisco (NASDAQ:CSCO) will assis the winner and finalists in leading the next wave of disruptivw technologies by providing mentorship and professional assessments regarding their submissions. Finalists hail from 15 differengt schools insix countries.
They includde two entries from Stanford Universityg and one each fromRice University, the University of Michigan, UC San Cornell University, University of Southernj California, Fudan University in China, University of Virginia's Dardenj School of Business, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology in LBS College of Engineering in India, Universituy of Chicago's Booth School of Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, Universityg of Maryland, Tel-Aviv University in Israel and UC Irvine.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Charlene Begley Executive Profile
http://my3strands.com/marriage/Christian-Poems-on-Marriage.html
GE Enterprise Solutions elevates customers' productivity and profitability with integratef solutions using sensorsand non-destructive testing; securitt and life safety technologies; power systemk protection and control; and plant automationj and embedded computing Enterprise Solutions' high-tech, high-growth businesses include Sensing & Inspectio n Technologies, Security, Digital Energy, and GE Fanuc Intelligentf Platforms. The business has 17,000 problem-solving employeess in more than 60 countries arounsthe world. Begley begaj her career at GE in 1988.
She has held a varietg of leadership roles within the company including vice presidentt of operations at GE Capital Mortgage quality leader and chiet financial officer at GETransportation Systems, director of financ for GE Plastics-Europe, vice presidengt of the Corporate Audit Staff and chief executive officer at GE FANUC In January 2003, she was appointede president and chief executive officer of GE Transportation. In July she was named president and chief executivr officer ofGE Plastics. Begley serves on the World Economifc Forum's Young Global Leaders, the GE FANUC Boarr of Directors and the boars of the National Associationof Manufacturers.
She is a graduatw of the Universityof Vermont. She and her husbane have three daughters. **All Executive profile data provided byDow
GE Enterprise Solutions elevates customers' productivity and profitability with integratef solutions using sensorsand non-destructive testing; securitt and life safety technologies; power systemk protection and control; and plant automationj and embedded computing Enterprise Solutions' high-tech, high-growth businesses include Sensing & Inspectio n Technologies, Security, Digital Energy, and GE Fanuc Intelligentf Platforms. The business has 17,000 problem-solving employeess in more than 60 countries arounsthe world. Begley begaj her career at GE in 1988.
She has held a varietg of leadership roles within the company including vice presidentt of operations at GE Capital Mortgage quality leader and chiet financial officer at GETransportation Systems, director of financ for GE Plastics-Europe, vice presidengt of the Corporate Audit Staff and chief executive officer at GE FANUC In January 2003, she was appointede president and chief executive officer of GE Transportation. In July she was named president and chief executivr officer ofGE Plastics. Begley serves on the World Economifc Forum's Young Global Leaders, the GE FANUC Boarr of Directors and the boars of the National Associationof Manufacturers.
She is a graduatw of the Universityof Vermont. She and her husbane have three daughters. **All Executive profile data provided byDow
Thursday, July 7, 2011
YRC says it will shut USF Holland centers in 11 markets - Kansas City Business Journal:
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YRC Regional Transportation, a unit of the Overlandx Park-based trucking company (Nasdaq: includes brands USF and . The unit told customers Thursday abour the changesto Holland, YRC said in a Fridauy filing with the Securitiesd and Exchange Commission. The moves are expectes to increase annual operating incomeby $25 milliojn to $30 million, and to result in one-time costs of abouf $8 million to $10 million for employeew severance, lease terminations and other facilities costs. The charge s are expected in thecurrent quarter. The closings affectg about 350 employees, including abouyt 20 in Wichita, the company said in a Employees may be placed in open positions withibnthe company.
YRC will take over Hollande workin Wichita, Kan., and Va., and the Holland service centers will close. New Penn will take over Hollandd work from nine service centers in the marketssof Baltimore; Albany and N.Y.; and Allentown, Bedford, Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Customers will get the same pricing and servicwe performance with theHolland partners, the company This isn’t the only integration the compan y has been doing. On March 1, the company finishedx , operating under new brand name YRC. The move was expectee to save $200 million this year. The company estimated that the 37,000-person work force wouldf be cut byroughly 2,000 workers, or about 5.
4 concluding in the In many cases, the units were operatinyg out of different parts of the same facility. The integratiomn is expected to mean about in the second and third YRC Worldwide has been struggling under the weight of a freightr recession that began inlate 2006. On Jan. 29, YRC reporteed a loss of $974.4 million in 2008 and a 7 percentt drop in revenue comparedwith 2007. Last year, it cut more than 12 percenft of itswork force, going from 63,000 employees at the end of 2007 to abouyt 55,000 at the end of 2008. YRC, whicu has about 2,000 local workers, also has implementexd across-the-board compensation reductions in exchange for ownershi inthe company. YRC ranksx No.
2 on the Kansas City Business Journal’s list of area publivc companies.
YRC Regional Transportation, a unit of the Overlandx Park-based trucking company (Nasdaq: includes brands USF and . The unit told customers Thursday abour the changesto Holland, YRC said in a Fridauy filing with the Securitiesd and Exchange Commission. The moves are expectes to increase annual operating incomeby $25 milliojn to $30 million, and to result in one-time costs of abouf $8 million to $10 million for employeew severance, lease terminations and other facilities costs. The charge s are expected in thecurrent quarter. The closings affectg about 350 employees, including abouyt 20 in Wichita, the company said in a Employees may be placed in open positions withibnthe company.
YRC will take over Hollande workin Wichita, Kan., and Va., and the Holland service centers will close. New Penn will take over Hollandd work from nine service centers in the marketssof Baltimore; Albany and N.Y.; and Allentown, Bedford, Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Customers will get the same pricing and servicwe performance with theHolland partners, the company This isn’t the only integration the compan y has been doing. On March 1, the company finishedx , operating under new brand name YRC. The move was expectee to save $200 million this year. The company estimated that the 37,000-person work force wouldf be cut byroughly 2,000 workers, or about 5.
4 concluding in the In many cases, the units were operatinyg out of different parts of the same facility. The integratiomn is expected to mean about in the second and third YRC Worldwide has been struggling under the weight of a freightr recession that began inlate 2006. On Jan. 29, YRC reporteed a loss of $974.4 million in 2008 and a 7 percentt drop in revenue comparedwith 2007. Last year, it cut more than 12 percenft of itswork force, going from 63,000 employees at the end of 2007 to abouyt 55,000 at the end of 2008. YRC, whicu has about 2,000 local workers, also has implementexd across-the-board compensation reductions in exchange for ownershi inthe company. YRC ranksx No.
2 on the Kansas City Business Journal’s list of area publivc companies.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Study shows San Antonio is nation's best-performing city in recession - Wichita Business Journal:
qozadaunu.blogspot.com
The Washington, D.C.-based think tank has begun analyzing the impact of the recessionthroughout America’s metropolitamn areas. In the first of a seriex of quarterlyMetroMonitor reports, Brookings ranked San Oklahoma City, Austin, Houston and Dallas as the top five metrl areas in the country in economic performance in the wake of the Brookings ranked the top 100 metropolitam areas based on six key indicators employment, unemployment rates, wages, gross metropolitan product, housingh prices and foreclosure rates. This initial MetroMonitoer report covers the first quartereof 2009.
The five worstf metropolitan areas in the country impacted by the indescending order, are Jacksonville, Fla.; Lakeland, Tampa, Fla.; Bradenton, Fla.; and Detroit. “Alll metropolitan areas are feeling the effects ofthis recession, but the distress is not shared equally,” says Alan Berube, research directoer of the Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings and co-author of the “While some areas of the country have experiencedr only a shallow downturn, and may be emerging from the recessionh already, people living in metro area s that are now performing weakest economicalluy should prepare themselves for a long recovery period.
” Howard Wial, director of the Metropolitan Economy Initiative at Brookings and anothef co-author of the argues that the report shows that a nationa fiscal and monetary policy will not be enough for stimulatintg the economy. “Many (metro) areas will need targetee assistance, and since statea have no funds available, the federal governmentg will have to step up to fill the Concentrations of industry activity have both helped and hurtse some regional economies duringthe recession. For metropolitan areas in states with specializationws in energy and governmentemploymenrt — such as New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana have largely been insulated by the recession.
However, metropolitan area in states like Michigan and Ohio that depende heavily on the automotive industry have been impacted by the downturn in the thereport shows. San Antonio is home to Randolph Air Force FortSam Houston, Lackland Air Forc e Base and Brooks The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure decisionm alone is providing a significant economic puncn to the Alamo City’s economy throughu the consolidation of high-paying military healtb care jobs and more than $2 billio n worth of new construction activity. A separate report releasedx by LLC outlining the impact of BRAC showee that Fort Sam Houston alonse would experiencea 11,50o increase of personnel.
The Army post will also gain 7.9 millionh square feet of space. Construction activity due to BRAC alone shouldrcreate 46,000 construction jobs durinfg the course of the building programs, the DiLuzi report showed.
The Washington, D.C.-based think tank has begun analyzing the impact of the recessionthroughout America’s metropolitamn areas. In the first of a seriex of quarterlyMetroMonitor reports, Brookings ranked San Oklahoma City, Austin, Houston and Dallas as the top five metrl areas in the country in economic performance in the wake of the Brookings ranked the top 100 metropolitam areas based on six key indicators employment, unemployment rates, wages, gross metropolitan product, housingh prices and foreclosure rates. This initial MetroMonitoer report covers the first quartereof 2009.
The five worstf metropolitan areas in the country impacted by the indescending order, are Jacksonville, Fla.; Lakeland, Tampa, Fla.; Bradenton, Fla.; and Detroit. “Alll metropolitan areas are feeling the effects ofthis recession, but the distress is not shared equally,” says Alan Berube, research directoer of the Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings and co-author of the “While some areas of the country have experiencedr only a shallow downturn, and may be emerging from the recessionh already, people living in metro area s that are now performing weakest economicalluy should prepare themselves for a long recovery period.
” Howard Wial, director of the Metropolitan Economy Initiative at Brookings and anothef co-author of the argues that the report shows that a nationa fiscal and monetary policy will not be enough for stimulatintg the economy. “Many (metro) areas will need targetee assistance, and since statea have no funds available, the federal governmentg will have to step up to fill the Concentrations of industry activity have both helped and hurtse some regional economies duringthe recession. For metropolitan areas in states with specializationws in energy and governmentemploymenrt — such as New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana have largely been insulated by the recession.
However, metropolitan area in states like Michigan and Ohio that depende heavily on the automotive industry have been impacted by the downturn in the thereport shows. San Antonio is home to Randolph Air Force FortSam Houston, Lackland Air Forc e Base and Brooks The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure decisionm alone is providing a significant economic puncn to the Alamo City’s economy throughu the consolidation of high-paying military healtb care jobs and more than $2 billio n worth of new construction activity. A separate report releasedx by LLC outlining the impact of BRAC showee that Fort Sam Houston alonse would experiencea 11,50o increase of personnel.
The Army post will also gain 7.9 millionh square feet of space. Construction activity due to BRAC alone shouldrcreate 46,000 construction jobs durinfg the course of the building programs, the DiLuzi report showed.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Monaco Royal Wedding (Photos) - OregonLive.com
http://thesparkcentre.com/five-advantages-of-neurofeedback-therapy.html
Telegraph.co.uk | Monaco Royal Wedding (Photos) OregonLive.com (15 total photos) 1 of 15 Link to this photo | Comments about this photo essay (0) Guests arrive at the Monaco palace for the religious wedding ceremony of Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charlene Princess of Monaco, Saturday, July 2, 2011. ... A heady mix of stars, royals and world leaders at Monaco wedding Charlene Wittstock and Prince Albert II Monaco Royal Wedding Mystery |
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Paper industry exec joins Northwestern Mutual board - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
isexufehub.wordpress.com
Balboni previously served as chairmanj ofNorthwestern Mutual's policyowners' examining committee, an independent grouo appointed each year to take an impartiak and unrestricted look at the company's operations, management and strategic planning. "John's expertise in strategic information as well as hisstrong management, finance and analytical background, makes him a solid additionh to the Northwestern Mutualo board," said Edward Zore, chairman and chief executive officer of Northwesternj Mutual.
"His career also demonstrates a great dealof flexibility, a skilp that is particularly crucial now as all companieds find themselves adapting to new Balboni has held various roles over a 21-year careeer with Memphis, Tenn.-based International Paper IP), the world's largesgt paper and packaging company.
Balboni previously served as chairmanj ofNorthwestern Mutual's policyowners' examining committee, an independent grouo appointed each year to take an impartiak and unrestricted look at the company's operations, management and strategic planning. "John's expertise in strategic information as well as hisstrong management, finance and analytical background, makes him a solid additionh to the Northwestern Mutualo board," said Edward Zore, chairman and chief executive officer of Northwesternj Mutual.
"His career also demonstrates a great dealof flexibility, a skilp that is particularly crucial now as all companieds find themselves adapting to new Balboni has held various roles over a 21-year careeer with Memphis, Tenn.-based International Paper IP), the world's largesgt paper and packaging company.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
younkinesagugad1746.blogspot.com
And, as more peopler lose their jobs, that hidden cost is on the The organization defines the hidden health tax as the undisclosedc insurance premium surcharge paidby America’w businesses and insured families when they purchase health insurance. That surcharge subsidizes the uncompensated health care cost ofthe uninsured, according to the which is pushing for healthcare reform. During 2007 and one-third of non-elderly Americans – 86.7 millionh people – went without health insurance for some perioedof time, according to Families USA.
"Today, 46 millio uninsured Americans turn to emergency rooms when they needmedicakl care, and the cost of that care is paid for by everg American with insurance,” said Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., chairman of the Senated Finance Committee, in a news Families USA contracted with actuarial firm to calculate the costd of unpaidhealth care. The report foun uninsured people are less likely to get the care they need when theyneed it, and they are more likelt to delay seeking care as long as possible. When they do receivwe care, it is paid for in several Morethan one-third (37 of that care is paid by the uninsured themselves out of theird own pockets.
Third-party sources, such as government programss and charities, paid for an additional 26 percentg ofthat care. The remaining amount, about $42.6 billion in 2008, is considered uncompensated care. Those costs are shifted onto the health care billas ofinsured people, ultimately resulting in the hidden healthb tax through higher
And, as more peopler lose their jobs, that hidden cost is on the The organization defines the hidden health tax as the undisclosedc insurance premium surcharge paidby America’w businesses and insured families when they purchase health insurance. That surcharge subsidizes the uncompensated health care cost ofthe uninsured, according to the which is pushing for healthcare reform. During 2007 and one-third of non-elderly Americans – 86.7 millionh people – went without health insurance for some perioedof time, according to Families USA.
"Today, 46 millio uninsured Americans turn to emergency rooms when they needmedicakl care, and the cost of that care is paid for by everg American with insurance,” said Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., chairman of the Senated Finance Committee, in a news Families USA contracted with actuarial firm to calculate the costd of unpaidhealth care. The report foun uninsured people are less likely to get the care they need when theyneed it, and they are more likelt to delay seeking care as long as possible. When they do receivwe care, it is paid for in several Morethan one-third (37 of that care is paid by the uninsured themselves out of theird own pockets.
Third-party sources, such as government programss and charities, paid for an additional 26 percentg ofthat care. The remaining amount, about $42.6 billion in 2008, is considered uncompensated care. Those costs are shifted onto the health care billas ofinsured people, ultimately resulting in the hidden healthb tax through higher
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Continental makes most-delayed list - Denver Business Journal:
aryrej.wordpress.com
Houston-based Continental (NYSE: CAL) flights were on time 72 percenyt of the time duringthe month, followefd by with a 69.4 percent on-timre arrival rate and with 68.6 percent. Best for on-time arrivals was whose flights were ontime 91.1 percentt of the time, followed by at 86.2 percent and at 85.8 according to the Air Travel Consumerr Report, compiled by the DoT’s Bureau of Transportatiobn Statistics. Figures also showed that Continentaol had a problem getting its daily afternoonb flight from Clevelandto Newark, N.J.
to arrive on time in The Houston-based airline’s flight 1567 from Clevelands to Newark’s Liberty International Airport was late 90 percentf of the time duringthe month, according to the Overall, the flight was the fifth-most-delayed duringt April. Leading the list was flight 803 from Atlantato Honolulu, whicgh was late 96.6 percent of the according to the report. The 19 carriers reportesd an overall on-time arrival rate of 79.1 percenft in April, up from 78.4 percent the previous month, and 77.7 percentt in April 2008. Carriers reported that aviation system problemsxdelayed 7.4 percent of flights in up from nearly 7.3 percentr the previous month.
Other common problems includesd late-arriving aircraft and maintenance or crew Weather was to blamefor 44.4 percenty of late flights, up from 37.9 percent for the same montbh in 2008.
Houston-based Continental (NYSE: CAL) flights were on time 72 percenyt of the time duringthe month, followefd by with a 69.4 percent on-timre arrival rate and with 68.6 percent. Best for on-time arrivals was whose flights were ontime 91.1 percentt of the time, followed by at 86.2 percent and at 85.8 according to the Air Travel Consumerr Report, compiled by the DoT’s Bureau of Transportatiobn Statistics. Figures also showed that Continentaol had a problem getting its daily afternoonb flight from Clevelandto Newark, N.J.
to arrive on time in The Houston-based airline’s flight 1567 from Clevelands to Newark’s Liberty International Airport was late 90 percentf of the time duringthe month, according to the Overall, the flight was the fifth-most-delayed duringt April. Leading the list was flight 803 from Atlantato Honolulu, whicgh was late 96.6 percent of the according to the report. The 19 carriers reportesd an overall on-time arrival rate of 79.1 percenft in April, up from 78.4 percent the previous month, and 77.7 percentt in April 2008. Carriers reported that aviation system problemsxdelayed 7.4 percent of flights in up from nearly 7.3 percentr the previous month.
Other common problems includesd late-arriving aircraft and maintenance or crew Weather was to blamefor 44.4 percenty of late flights, up from 37.9 percent for the same montbh in 2008.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
What beer do you serve with an ice cream dessert? - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle):
http://www.soundsoftheuniverse.info/abc/asp/training.html
Chef Ethan Stowell is equap tothe task. On the evening of Aprio 12, Union Restaurant in downtown Seattle will servesa seven-course meal that pairs each dish with a Belgian-styles beer. The unusual dining experience likelty willattract convention-goers attending the weeklonv Brewers Association's Craft Brewery Conference and Worl Beer Cup held this year in starting on April 10. Oysters on the half shelkl withcucumber dressing, paired with Blanche de a beer described as slightly sweeft with wheat and coriander notes; Fluke tartares with ginger and green apple, paired with Ephemere a beer noted for its subtle balanc of malt sweetness and tart fruit Grilled branzino with chickpea salac and salsa verde, paired with La Fin du a beer that combines fruit, malt and spics notes; Roasted squab with pear mustard and saba; and Don de a nutty beer that's slightlgy sweet with sake-like notes; Grillec beef loin with morel mushrooms and shallot ragout, servedr with Trois Pistoles, a dark malt beer redolent of ripe fruit and full-bodied spices; Pecorino Toscano with fig marmalade, complemented by Editionb 2004, a richly malty, sweet beer with minty undertone; and, in the pairingv we are finding most difficult to Chocolate terrine with malt ice cream, with a side of a complex beer with a remarkably dry, oaky The beers are from Canadian brewer Unibroue Inc.
, locateed in Chambly, Quebec. Take that, SEC! Normally, filings with the Securities and Exchang Commission are filled with some pretty dry But then, Seattle shipping firm slips in some colorfupl stuff, like this excerpt from its Form 8-K filecd this week. The company trieed to answer a questioj about stock option expense impacts for2006 (related to new Financiall Accounting Standards Rule 123). Its "This simple question, asked in many different ways, is part of the reasohn this Form 8-K was less than In the name offull disclosure, the Form 8-K is also late becauses of the absurd time compression and additionalk effort that now goes into a year-en closing in the Sarbanes-Oxley era, but this has nothinf to do with the answetr to the question.
As a complete aside, we take comfort in knowingg that those who pushed hardest for optiomexpensing ('If it is not compensation, then what is went the cry) will likely get theidr own dose of sunshine next year with new compensatiob disclosures pending before the SEC." Expeditorse officials concluded: "There is currently a great deal of ink and wood pulp beiny devoted to FAS 123R. Much of what is availablw ... is primarily theory at this and a pretty bizarre theory atthat ... As the famoux American philosopher Yogi Berraonce observed, 'Ijn theory there is no difference between theory and In practice there is.
' As we finishe this answer, we realized that Yogi could have done it better." How much is a Pugeg Sound pilot worth? Few would dispute the notiohn that anybody who parallel-parks a ship three times the lengthj of a football field shouled be well paid. But how well paid is anothefr question. And therein lies a wage dispute betweenb Puget Sound Pilots andthe . Pilotws are considered a waterfrony elite, which is why they've always commandesd among the highest wages onthe waterfront. On a dailh basis, they board ships offshore from Port Angelews and guide them into theirf berths at the container ports of Tacomand Seattle.
To win their licenses they must train for many memorizing every foot of their including nearly 200 docks and more than 400 aids to As shipsget bigger, the challengse gets more rigorous. That's one reason Puger Sound Pilots President Richard McCurdy wantse a 28 percent increase in base pay for the 51 pilots who work onPugety Sound, the biggest jump in a decade. McCurdyu contends that the current "targetefd net income" for the $214,665, is 29 percent lowed than the income of other West Coast pilots. He adds that one reasojn the organization needs a raise is to attract already skilled mariners to be trainedas pilots.
"We'rwe in a problem situation right now in whichwe don't have enough pilots. We'rw so strapped for manpower," he "Attracting the proper caliber of marinetr into the system is become very But toMike Moore, vice presidenr of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, that's too much of a Moore's organization represents ocean carriers and terminal operators on the West and he's filing a much-lower request with the Washingtoh State Pilotage Commission, which decides the rate Moore contends the local pilots' pay is given the higher cost of living at some othefr ports. He's proposing a 1.59 percent increase in base pay.
"We think our definition of fair and reasonable is a lot more logicalk and supportable than their definition of fair and he said aboutthe "They do very, very Expect more dueling between the two organizationz in the coming weeks. The commissioh is to decide on a new rateMay 11.
Chef Ethan Stowell is equap tothe task. On the evening of Aprio 12, Union Restaurant in downtown Seattle will servesa seven-course meal that pairs each dish with a Belgian-styles beer. The unusual dining experience likelty willattract convention-goers attending the weeklonv Brewers Association's Craft Brewery Conference and Worl Beer Cup held this year in starting on April 10. Oysters on the half shelkl withcucumber dressing, paired with Blanche de a beer described as slightly sweeft with wheat and coriander notes; Fluke tartares with ginger and green apple, paired with Ephemere a beer noted for its subtle balanc of malt sweetness and tart fruit Grilled branzino with chickpea salac and salsa verde, paired with La Fin du a beer that combines fruit, malt and spics notes; Roasted squab with pear mustard and saba; and Don de a nutty beer that's slightlgy sweet with sake-like notes; Grillec beef loin with morel mushrooms and shallot ragout, servedr with Trois Pistoles, a dark malt beer redolent of ripe fruit and full-bodied spices; Pecorino Toscano with fig marmalade, complemented by Editionb 2004, a richly malty, sweet beer with minty undertone; and, in the pairingv we are finding most difficult to Chocolate terrine with malt ice cream, with a side of a complex beer with a remarkably dry, oaky The beers are from Canadian brewer Unibroue Inc.
, locateed in Chambly, Quebec. Take that, SEC! Normally, filings with the Securities and Exchang Commission are filled with some pretty dry But then, Seattle shipping firm slips in some colorfupl stuff, like this excerpt from its Form 8-K filecd this week. The company trieed to answer a questioj about stock option expense impacts for2006 (related to new Financiall Accounting Standards Rule 123). Its "This simple question, asked in many different ways, is part of the reasohn this Form 8-K was less than In the name offull disclosure, the Form 8-K is also late becauses of the absurd time compression and additionalk effort that now goes into a year-en closing in the Sarbanes-Oxley era, but this has nothinf to do with the answetr to the question.
As a complete aside, we take comfort in knowingg that those who pushed hardest for optiomexpensing ('If it is not compensation, then what is went the cry) will likely get theidr own dose of sunshine next year with new compensatiob disclosures pending before the SEC." Expeditorse officials concluded: "There is currently a great deal of ink and wood pulp beiny devoted to FAS 123R. Much of what is availablw ... is primarily theory at this and a pretty bizarre theory atthat ... As the famoux American philosopher Yogi Berraonce observed, 'Ijn theory there is no difference between theory and In practice there is.
' As we finishe this answer, we realized that Yogi could have done it better." How much is a Pugeg Sound pilot worth? Few would dispute the notiohn that anybody who parallel-parks a ship three times the lengthj of a football field shouled be well paid. But how well paid is anothefr question. And therein lies a wage dispute betweenb Puget Sound Pilots andthe . Pilotws are considered a waterfrony elite, which is why they've always commandesd among the highest wages onthe waterfront. On a dailh basis, they board ships offshore from Port Angelews and guide them into theirf berths at the container ports of Tacomand Seattle.
To win their licenses they must train for many memorizing every foot of their including nearly 200 docks and more than 400 aids to As shipsget bigger, the challengse gets more rigorous. That's one reason Puger Sound Pilots President Richard McCurdy wantse a 28 percent increase in base pay for the 51 pilots who work onPugety Sound, the biggest jump in a decade. McCurdyu contends that the current "targetefd net income" for the $214,665, is 29 percent lowed than the income of other West Coast pilots. He adds that one reasojn the organization needs a raise is to attract already skilled mariners to be trainedas pilots.
"We'rwe in a problem situation right now in whichwe don't have enough pilots. We'rw so strapped for manpower," he "Attracting the proper caliber of marinetr into the system is become very But toMike Moore, vice presidenr of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, that's too much of a Moore's organization represents ocean carriers and terminal operators on the West and he's filing a much-lower request with the Washingtoh State Pilotage Commission, which decides the rate Moore contends the local pilots' pay is given the higher cost of living at some othefr ports. He's proposing a 1.59 percent increase in base pay.
"We think our definition of fair and reasonable is a lot more logicalk and supportable than their definition of fair and he said aboutthe "They do very, very Expect more dueling between the two organizationz in the coming weeks. The commissioh is to decide on a new rateMay 11.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
CSC reorganization aimed at improving efficiency - Rapid City Journal
yvejodo.wordpress.com
CSC reorganization aimed at improving efficiency Rapid City Journal Chadron State College is making changes to its academic and service organizational structure to improve efficiency and better serve students and faculty members. Dr. Randy Rhine, CSC vice president for enrollment management and student services, ... |
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Fuel volatility remakes South Florida
cahijisebi.wordpress.com
Miami-based , the world’s largest marine fuel marketer, has displaceed , the nation’s largest auto retailer, as the biggest compant in South Florida according toannual revenue. The very thinbg that caused turmoil for AutoNation – $4-a-gallon gasoline, followed by frozenm credit markets – is exactly what drove more demands for World Fuel’s businesa model. World Fuel CEO Paul Stebbins said his company isdoiny well, but its $18.5 billion in revenue last year was also heavilg influenced by the sheeer cost of fuel. AutoNation fell to fiftu on theBusiness Journal’s list, with $14.1 billioh in revenue for 2008. In 2007, World Fuel had $13.
y7 billion in revenue, while AutoNatiob reported $17.7 billion. Others in the top five were Juno Beach-basedf energy company , with $16.4 billionb in revenue; Miami-based cruise company and PLC, with $14.6 and Delray Beach-based , with $14.5 Another big mover on the listwas Miami-based homebuilde , which dropped to eightb place after its revenue slipped to $4.6 billioh from $10.2 billion. “The revenue number can be somewhat misleading,” World Fuel’sw Stebbins said. “Like a grocery store, we have huge amountws of revenue going throughour operations, but gross profift line is more our sales line than is revenue.
” Worldx Fuel is not as well known as AutoNatio n or South Florida’s other large It is basically a fuel middleman, handling the details and logisticsw of fuel purchasing for marine and aviation companies around the world. The company handlesz some alternative fuelslike biodiesel, but only in smallk quantities. The fact that a fuel service company displaces AutoNation is notwithout irony. AutoNation CEO Mike Jacksomn has made a second careee out of lobbying and speaking abouft the need forfuel alternatives, possibly fundex by an additional tax on the price of Jackson has formed a friendship and informa alliance with energy tycoon T.
Booner Pickens, author of the self-publicized Pickens Plan for energy Crude oil was generallyunder $25 a barrel from the mid-1980x to 2003. The price rose to $30 in 2003 and to $60 by peaking at $147 in July 2008. The economi c crash of late 2008 sent the pricetumblinfg again. “May of 2008 was a catastrophic event for the auto Jackson told the Business Journal latelast “It did bring about the largest chang in consumer sentiment in the history of the That’s what I was trying to staver off – unsuccessfully.
” Doral-based World Fuel has 44 offices in 23 It has about 1,20 employees worldwide, including 400 in Soutn Florida, but Stebbins said that number has been growing “Strategic procurement of fuel …. It used to be just callinb suppliers and placingan order, but now it’xs this huge cost center and highlhy volatile,” Stebbins said. “It can really ruin your day ifyou don’ft get it right.” Others have noticed Worlf Fuel’s rising prominence.
Analyst Tanjilaa Shafi of Standard & Poor’sa recently told Investor’s Business Daily that customerz believe World Fuel has the expertise in gettingy the right type of oil at the right analyst Alexander Brand said World Fuel also gets good credit terms from the major oil World Fuel recently reported its fourth quarter net incom was up 56 percent fromthe prior-year Fourth quarter earnings rose, even as revenued dropped sharply, to $2.9 billion from $4.1 billiomn in the fourth quarter of 2007. Fuel prices skyrocketed throughout much of 2008 before plummetingt inthe fall. Stebbins describes Worled Fuelas “not really an oil just a pass-through company.
I don’tr have tank farms and barges and refineries, I just have a bunchu of people.” The company is focused on a particuladr areaof knowledge, or “domain expertise.” Stebbinz said people turn to World Fuel becausr he has acquired experts on fuel procuremeng in many markets.
Miami-based , the world’s largest marine fuel marketer, has displaceed , the nation’s largest auto retailer, as the biggest compant in South Florida according toannual revenue. The very thinbg that caused turmoil for AutoNation – $4-a-gallon gasoline, followed by frozenm credit markets – is exactly what drove more demands for World Fuel’s businesa model. World Fuel CEO Paul Stebbins said his company isdoiny well, but its $18.5 billion in revenue last year was also heavilg influenced by the sheeer cost of fuel. AutoNation fell to fiftu on theBusiness Journal’s list, with $14.1 billioh in revenue for 2008. In 2007, World Fuel had $13.
y7 billion in revenue, while AutoNatiob reported $17.7 billion. Others in the top five were Juno Beach-basedf energy company , with $16.4 billionb in revenue; Miami-based cruise company and PLC, with $14.6 and Delray Beach-based , with $14.5 Another big mover on the listwas Miami-based homebuilde , which dropped to eightb place after its revenue slipped to $4.6 billioh from $10.2 billion. “The revenue number can be somewhat misleading,” World Fuel’sw Stebbins said. “Like a grocery store, we have huge amountws of revenue going throughour operations, but gross profift line is more our sales line than is revenue.
” Worldx Fuel is not as well known as AutoNatio n or South Florida’s other large It is basically a fuel middleman, handling the details and logisticsw of fuel purchasing for marine and aviation companies around the world. The company handlesz some alternative fuelslike biodiesel, but only in smallk quantities. The fact that a fuel service company displaces AutoNation is notwithout irony. AutoNation CEO Mike Jacksomn has made a second careee out of lobbying and speaking abouft the need forfuel alternatives, possibly fundex by an additional tax on the price of Jackson has formed a friendship and informa alliance with energy tycoon T.
Booner Pickens, author of the self-publicized Pickens Plan for energy Crude oil was generallyunder $25 a barrel from the mid-1980x to 2003. The price rose to $30 in 2003 and to $60 by peaking at $147 in July 2008. The economi c crash of late 2008 sent the pricetumblinfg again. “May of 2008 was a catastrophic event for the auto Jackson told the Business Journal latelast “It did bring about the largest chang in consumer sentiment in the history of the That’s what I was trying to staver off – unsuccessfully.
” Doral-based World Fuel has 44 offices in 23 It has about 1,20 employees worldwide, including 400 in Soutn Florida, but Stebbins said that number has been growing “Strategic procurement of fuel …. It used to be just callinb suppliers and placingan order, but now it’xs this huge cost center and highlhy volatile,” Stebbins said. “It can really ruin your day ifyou don’ft get it right.” Others have noticed Worlf Fuel’s rising prominence.
Analyst Tanjilaa Shafi of Standard & Poor’sa recently told Investor’s Business Daily that customerz believe World Fuel has the expertise in gettingy the right type of oil at the right analyst Alexander Brand said World Fuel also gets good credit terms from the major oil World Fuel recently reported its fourth quarter net incom was up 56 percent fromthe prior-year Fourth quarter earnings rose, even as revenued dropped sharply, to $2.9 billion from $4.1 billiomn in the fourth quarter of 2007. Fuel prices skyrocketed throughout much of 2008 before plummetingt inthe fall. Stebbins describes Worled Fuelas “not really an oil just a pass-through company.
I don’tr have tank farms and barges and refineries, I just have a bunchu of people.” The company is focused on a particuladr areaof knowledge, or “domain expertise.” Stebbinz said people turn to World Fuel becausr he has acquired experts on fuel procuremeng in many markets.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Poll finds many types of vacation stress - Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal:
http://chatboutbelize.com/natlsmbls.htm
About 27 percent who took the onlinr survey between May 26 and June 2 said havingv too much to do befores taking off caused them themost anxieties. Aboutr the same number checked off theincredulous response, "What One in five said there is always too much to do when you Only about 12 percent worried about lettintg somebody else take over their duties while they were Another 12 percent said they don't feel stressed out about theitr vacations.
"A vacation is just doing work somewherew else," wrote reader Clinton "Today's gadgets make you available and able to do work any any place andyour 'customers' usually expect Another reader, Andy Zorio, "Your list of answers isn't You should have included 'Planning/coordinating Vacations aren't usually taken in a either. Unless you're single, a true (rather than vacation has to considera spouse's and perhapas children's schedules — not a stress-free exercise.
" "Sincre most working people have been asked to do more take on greater responsibility and multitask there is no "clean" way to turn it all off for 10-14r days and simply walk away from wrote David Dennard. "So, you have PDAs, laptopsd and the constant use of cell phones to checkm inon 'how things are going' back at work and to be availabler to 'put out fires,' " he continued.
"It'xs no way to actually take a which is in itself is oftema big, stressful production and coordination project similar to a traded show, only with your family as the client instead of with your
About 27 percent who took the onlinr survey between May 26 and June 2 said havingv too much to do befores taking off caused them themost anxieties. Aboutr the same number checked off theincredulous response, "What One in five said there is always too much to do when you Only about 12 percent worried about lettintg somebody else take over their duties while they were Another 12 percent said they don't feel stressed out about theitr vacations.
"A vacation is just doing work somewherew else," wrote reader Clinton "Today's gadgets make you available and able to do work any any place andyour 'customers' usually expect Another reader, Andy Zorio, "Your list of answers isn't You should have included 'Planning/coordinating Vacations aren't usually taken in a either. Unless you're single, a true (rather than vacation has to considera spouse's and perhapas children's schedules — not a stress-free exercise.
" "Sincre most working people have been asked to do more take on greater responsibility and multitask there is no "clean" way to turn it all off for 10-14r days and simply walk away from wrote David Dennard. "So, you have PDAs, laptopsd and the constant use of cell phones to checkm inon 'how things are going' back at work and to be availabler to 'put out fires,' " he continued.
"It'xs no way to actually take a which is in itself is oftema big, stressful production and coordination project similar to a traded show, only with your family as the client instead of with your
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Critics call out Cincinnati Yellow Pages deal - San Antonio Business Journal:
obofym.wordpress.com
, a Denver company that has owned the rightas tothe region’s largest Yellow Pages producty since 2002, blames the delag on printer changes and organizational About 140 of its 900 directories are being delayed nationwide. Cincinnati is the largest market affected. “It’s a stinking deal,” said Brenda controller for inClermont County. Hacker was planninh to downsizeher company’s ad in a directory she though t would be published in June. When she called the company in May to confirm the she was told it was exercising its contractuakl right to extendlast year’s Hacker said it will cost her company an extrs $700 each month.
“It’s just not right, what they’rw doing to people,” she said. Local Insight spokeswoman Pat Nichols said 75 percent ofits 10,0090 local customers will be unaffected by the Those are companies that plan to maintain the same ads they had last year or Local Insight CEO Scott Pomeroy is askint business owners angered by the delay to call the company’w customer service line, (888) 237-8570, although it’zs not clear what steps the company will take to address “If the product’s not delivering valuw to them, our customedr service department is prepared to talk to those Pomeroy said.
“I think it’s evaluated on a case-by-case The directory delay comes at a time of turmoik for Yellow Pagespublisherds nationwide. The recession is accelerating a trendc that has long threatened theindustryh – the shift of so-called “directional from print publications to online searc h engines and mobile phones. The , a subsidiargy of , is projecting total revenue will shrinkto $11 billiojn for Yellow Pages publishers by down from $14.4 billion in 2008. A year ago, the Kelsegy Group was forecasting a compoun annual growth rate for the industryof 4.5 Now, it’s minus 5 percent.
“The recession has driven print sodeeplu negative,” said Charles Laughlin, senior vice president and prograj director of the Kelsey Report. Laughlin said growth in digital revenue might never make up for salesa lost inprint publications. “Those who downsize, will they start spending agaimn once thesmoke clears? It’s probably next year before we know,” he Laughlin said most of the nation’ largest Yellow Pages markets are seeing revenud dips of more than 20 percent this year. Pomero y declined to reveal numbers for Cincinnat i but said the revenued dropis “nowhere near” 20 perceny here.
He said companywide revenue was flat in standing atroughly $700 million. Laughlin declinec to reveal Kelsey’s future outlook for Cincinnati, which is dominated by Local Insightt but includes asecond directory, the Yellow Book, published by of England. The industry’s major players, includinbg spinoff Idearc andthe better-known , are strugglinf through the recession with heavt debt loads.
Local Insight also has leverag issues, but its focus on smaller markete has helped temper the impactr of the recession onthe company, said Emile a credit analyst for “Idearc has filed for bankruptcy, and Donnelley has misseds interest payments on debt with various Local Insight has not. From a strictt financial-metrics point of view, they’re the healthier of the Courtney said. S&P revised to its outlook on Local Insight but retained a rating on its corporate debt in a March 31 At least one ofthe company’s local customers has a less positivd outlook.
“I think they’re really in The phone book isa dinosaur, and nobody’s usint it any more,” said Vicky exclusive marketing agent for Bezak estimated the directory delay woulr cost her company $300 a month if she pays it. “I’j going to call Cincinnati Bell and tell them that my contracrwith (Local Insight) terminates on June 1, and I’mj not paying the ad costs listed on my curren bill because I didn’t renew it,” she said. Cincinnati Bell servees as the billing agent for Local Insighg and permits the use of its brand name as part of a rightds agreement signed when it sold its YellowPages , in 2002.
But Cincinnatj Bell is not involved inthe company’s operations otherwise, according to Lisa McLaughlin, a public relations consultant for
, a Denver company that has owned the rightas tothe region’s largest Yellow Pages producty since 2002, blames the delag on printer changes and organizational About 140 of its 900 directories are being delayed nationwide. Cincinnati is the largest market affected. “It’s a stinking deal,” said Brenda controller for inClermont County. Hacker was planninh to downsizeher company’s ad in a directory she though t would be published in June. When she called the company in May to confirm the she was told it was exercising its contractuakl right to extendlast year’s Hacker said it will cost her company an extrs $700 each month.
“It’s just not right, what they’rw doing to people,” she said. Local Insight spokeswoman Pat Nichols said 75 percent ofits 10,0090 local customers will be unaffected by the Those are companies that plan to maintain the same ads they had last year or Local Insight CEO Scott Pomeroy is askint business owners angered by the delay to call the company’w customer service line, (888) 237-8570, although it’zs not clear what steps the company will take to address “If the product’s not delivering valuw to them, our customedr service department is prepared to talk to those Pomeroy said.
“I think it’s evaluated on a case-by-case The directory delay comes at a time of turmoik for Yellow Pagespublisherds nationwide. The recession is accelerating a trendc that has long threatened theindustryh – the shift of so-called “directional from print publications to online searc h engines and mobile phones. The , a subsidiargy of , is projecting total revenue will shrinkto $11 billiojn for Yellow Pages publishers by down from $14.4 billion in 2008. A year ago, the Kelsegy Group was forecasting a compoun annual growth rate for the industryof 4.5 Now, it’s minus 5 percent.
“The recession has driven print sodeeplu negative,” said Charles Laughlin, senior vice president and prograj director of the Kelsey Report. Laughlin said growth in digital revenue might never make up for salesa lost inprint publications. “Those who downsize, will they start spending agaimn once thesmoke clears? It’s probably next year before we know,” he Laughlin said most of the nation’ largest Yellow Pages markets are seeing revenud dips of more than 20 percent this year. Pomero y declined to reveal numbers for Cincinnat i but said the revenued dropis “nowhere near” 20 perceny here.
He said companywide revenue was flat in standing atroughly $700 million. Laughlin declinec to reveal Kelsey’s future outlook for Cincinnati, which is dominated by Local Insightt but includes asecond directory, the Yellow Book, published by of England. The industry’s major players, includinbg spinoff Idearc andthe better-known , are strugglinf through the recession with heavt debt loads.
Local Insight also has leverag issues, but its focus on smaller markete has helped temper the impactr of the recession onthe company, said Emile a credit analyst for “Idearc has filed for bankruptcy, and Donnelley has misseds interest payments on debt with various Local Insight has not. From a strictt financial-metrics point of view, they’re the healthier of the Courtney said. S&P revised to its outlook on Local Insight but retained a rating on its corporate debt in a March 31 At least one ofthe company’s local customers has a less positivd outlook.
“I think they’re really in The phone book isa dinosaur, and nobody’s usint it any more,” said Vicky exclusive marketing agent for Bezak estimated the directory delay woulr cost her company $300 a month if she pays it. “I’j going to call Cincinnati Bell and tell them that my contracrwith (Local Insight) terminates on June 1, and I’mj not paying the ad costs listed on my curren bill because I didn’t renew it,” she said. Cincinnati Bell servees as the billing agent for Local Insighg and permits the use of its brand name as part of a rightds agreement signed when it sold its YellowPages , in 2002.
But Cincinnatj Bell is not involved inthe company’s operations otherwise, according to Lisa McLaughlin, a public relations consultant for
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Fairfax Co. OKs Springfield Mall, affordable housing project - Kansas City Business Journal:
hustenuejib1630.blogspot.com
(NYSE: VNO) can now move forward with its massive transformatiobn ofthe 30-year-old Springfield Mall. The developer will add 175,00p0 square feet of new retail space, 2,200 homese near the Franconia-Springfield Metro and VRE station, a 225-roo hotel and about 1.1 millioj square feet of new office space tothe 80-acr site. The new mall, to be knownj as Springfield Town Center, will also includse parks, courtyards, bike lanes, farmer’s market spaces and outdoor recreational courts. Construction could begin as soon as permitare secured, but it’zs likely Vornado will move slowly givemn the economy. It is expected to take 10 to 15 yearse to completethe redevelopment.
LLC, the new venture by formetr JPI officials Greg Lamb and Jim Butz andAkridger executives, will develop the Fair Lakes project, an affordabler housing development that will sit next to the Fairfasx Government Center. The county will hand over 9 acresof county-owned land to the developef for 270 moderately-priced units known as The Residences at the Government But some criticized the deal, saying the rentapl income limits, which range from $50,000 a year to $100,000 a were too high and, therefore, not consistent with the board’ds mission to offer affordable housing to the poor and No timetable for construction of the apartments was
(NYSE: VNO) can now move forward with its massive transformatiobn ofthe 30-year-old Springfield Mall. The developer will add 175,00p0 square feet of new retail space, 2,200 homese near the Franconia-Springfield Metro and VRE station, a 225-roo hotel and about 1.1 millioj square feet of new office space tothe 80-acr site. The new mall, to be knownj as Springfield Town Center, will also includse parks, courtyards, bike lanes, farmer’s market spaces and outdoor recreational courts. Construction could begin as soon as permitare secured, but it’zs likely Vornado will move slowly givemn the economy. It is expected to take 10 to 15 yearse to completethe redevelopment.
LLC, the new venture by formetr JPI officials Greg Lamb and Jim Butz andAkridger executives, will develop the Fair Lakes project, an affordabler housing development that will sit next to the Fairfasx Government Center. The county will hand over 9 acresof county-owned land to the developef for 270 moderately-priced units known as The Residences at the Government But some criticized the deal, saying the rentapl income limits, which range from $50,000 a year to $100,000 a were too high and, therefore, not consistent with the board’ds mission to offer affordable housing to the poor and No timetable for construction of the apartments was
Friday, June 10, 2011
Blagojevich Retrial Nears Conclusion - NPR
budimirukaovyril.blogspot.com
Politico | Blagojevich Retrial Nears Conclusion NPR CONAN: A whopper is one of the conclusions. PEARSON: Yeah, very much so. And re » |
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Report: Local hospitals make the grade - The Business Review (Albany):
loxezop.wordpress.com
area received passing grades from both their patients and anonprofit coalition, but some were told they had room for improvement. The Niagarza Health Quality Coalition released its seventh annual Hospital Report CardJune 21. The Buffalo-basee group compared a wide range of safety and utilization data for individual institutionas acrossthe state. The data, based on administrativd reports filedfor 2007, was risk-based to reflectr each hospital’s patient mix. Hospitalsa were then ranked asbeing at, above, or below the state average in each of the 42 categories.
Bruce Boissonnault, presideny and CEO of the coalition, said the 2009 report showas that statewide, the risk-adjustes mortality rate for nearly all procedures and conditions improved fromprevious years. He attributedf this, at least in part, to the reporty card’s existence. “When hospitalds know that the public will be lookinyg at reports on how they are they make a big effor t to improve the qualityg oftheir outcomes,” he said. For the most local hospitals operated in line with theier peers acrossthe state.
Boissonnault said that sincd the level of care in the stat eis “pretty darn good,” that meana hospitals as this level are solid There were some hospitals that stood out. St. Peter’s in Albany, had better-than-average outcomex when dealing withhearg attacks, strokes and congestive heart and had a low occurrence of post-operative “We generally do very well because we work very hard at said Elmer Streeter, spokesman for St. Peter’s. “Our staff looks very hard at this data.
” Schenectady’s , too, did well with congestivew heart failurepatients and, along with , rankexd above average in preventing patients from developing blood clotsd after surgery. St. Mary’s Hospitalk in Amsterdam and both receive high marks foravoiding post-operativwe respiratory failures. There also were a few hospitalx rated as needing improvement inspecific , for example, did statistically worse than the statee average in preventing post-operative blood clots—although its risk-adjusted occurrencs rate was less than 1 , in Hudson, and Glens Fallsw Hospital both had more accidental punctures and lacerationzs than their peers, although again, the numbers remain And despite St.
Mary’s succesz in avoiding respiratory failures, a highert percentage of its patients suffered collapsed lungw than thestate average. Greg McGarry, spokesman for Albant Med, said the hospital values reporyt cards and doesits own, tracking about 400 conditione and procedures including post-operative clots. “Ther was a blip that year,” he “We looked at all the medical and physical interventions to preventg embolisms and we do feel we addressed it For thefirst time, the report also included the opinions of hospital When asked how they would rate their local hospital on a scale of “0” to “10”, an averagde of 60 percent of area residents gave theif local hospital a nine or 10.
This comparedr to a statewide average of56 percent, and a national average of 65 percent. Individual scoreds ranged from 56 percent at Albany Med to 67 perceny at ofSchoharie County. (See infobox below) An averagde of 66.5 percent of locap people gave their hospital of choicd high marks for how well their pain was This was right in the middle of the state and national Despite St. Peter’s good showing, Streetetr said no one should selec or reject a hospital based on one A few statewide and national groups issue annualp report cards and the results can sometimesbe contradictory.
“Peoples should look at several,” Streeter “And they should talk to their doctofr and to people who have been to the and they should ask questionws andbe informed, and then make theit decision.” The full report can be viewerd at .
area received passing grades from both their patients and anonprofit coalition, but some were told they had room for improvement. The Niagarza Health Quality Coalition released its seventh annual Hospital Report CardJune 21. The Buffalo-basee group compared a wide range of safety and utilization data for individual institutionas acrossthe state. The data, based on administrativd reports filedfor 2007, was risk-based to reflectr each hospital’s patient mix. Hospitalsa were then ranked asbeing at, above, or below the state average in each of the 42 categories.
Bruce Boissonnault, presideny and CEO of the coalition, said the 2009 report showas that statewide, the risk-adjustes mortality rate for nearly all procedures and conditions improved fromprevious years. He attributedf this, at least in part, to the reporty card’s existence. “When hospitalds know that the public will be lookinyg at reports on how they are they make a big effor t to improve the qualityg oftheir outcomes,” he said. For the most local hospitals operated in line with theier peers acrossthe state.
Boissonnault said that sincd the level of care in the stat eis “pretty darn good,” that meana hospitals as this level are solid There were some hospitals that stood out. St. Peter’s in Albany, had better-than-average outcomex when dealing withhearg attacks, strokes and congestive heart and had a low occurrence of post-operative “We generally do very well because we work very hard at said Elmer Streeter, spokesman for St. Peter’s. “Our staff looks very hard at this data.
” Schenectady’s , too, did well with congestivew heart failurepatients and, along with , rankexd above average in preventing patients from developing blood clotsd after surgery. St. Mary’s Hospitalk in Amsterdam and both receive high marks foravoiding post-operativwe respiratory failures. There also were a few hospitalx rated as needing improvement inspecific , for example, did statistically worse than the statee average in preventing post-operative blood clots—although its risk-adjusted occurrencs rate was less than 1 , in Hudson, and Glens Fallsw Hospital both had more accidental punctures and lacerationzs than their peers, although again, the numbers remain And despite St.
Mary’s succesz in avoiding respiratory failures, a highert percentage of its patients suffered collapsed lungw than thestate average. Greg McGarry, spokesman for Albant Med, said the hospital values reporyt cards and doesits own, tracking about 400 conditione and procedures including post-operative clots. “Ther was a blip that year,” he “We looked at all the medical and physical interventions to preventg embolisms and we do feel we addressed it For thefirst time, the report also included the opinions of hospital When asked how they would rate their local hospital on a scale of “0” to “10”, an averagde of 60 percent of area residents gave theif local hospital a nine or 10.
This comparedr to a statewide average of56 percent, and a national average of 65 percent. Individual scoreds ranged from 56 percent at Albany Med to 67 perceny at ofSchoharie County. (See infobox below) An averagde of 66.5 percent of locap people gave their hospital of choicd high marks for how well their pain was This was right in the middle of the state and national Despite St. Peter’s good showing, Streetetr said no one should selec or reject a hospital based on one A few statewide and national groups issue annualp report cards and the results can sometimesbe contradictory.
“Peoples should look at several,” Streeter “And they should talk to their doctofr and to people who have been to the and they should ask questionws andbe informed, and then make theit decision.” The full report can be viewerd at .
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Ford sales climb to highest level since July - Dallas Business Journal:
azajir.wordpress.com
But sales were down 24.2 percent compared with May when the companysold 213,23 units. For the first five months of Dearborn, Mich.-based Ford (NYSE: F) sold 620,303 compared with 981,150 units during the same period a year a 36.8 percent decline. In a sign that buyer s might be coming back to the luxuryvehicle Ford’s Lincoln division reported that it sold 8,56 6 units in May, a 2.2 percent increase over May when it sold 8,36 units. Sales of Ford Explorer declined 34.6 percent, to 5,315 unitsw from 8,122 units a year ago. Salezs of the Mercury Mountaineerdroppec 45.2 percent, to 402 from 734 units a year Sales of F-Series pickup trucks dropped 22.
3 to 33,381 units, from 42,973 units in May 2008. Sales of Ford Expedition SUVs declineed40 percent, to 3,150 units from 5,252q units a year earlier. Sales of the Lincoln Navigatortdropped 40.6 percent, to 790 units from 1,32 9 units a year earlier. Ford saw year-over-year gainz in some of its car categories. The companty sold 19,786 Fusion sedans in May, up 9.4 perceny from the year-earlier period when it sold 18,088 units. Lincoln sold 1,553 Town Cars in May, up 103.3 percent from May when it sold 764 of theluxuryy vehicles.
Ford’s Volvo division sold 590 of its S60 up 9 percent fromMay 2008, when it sold 542 Also Tuesday, Ford announced a summed promotion to draw more consumers to dealerships. Through June 30, the automake r will cover as much as three monthe of payments up to and its Ford Credit subsidiary will offer zero percenr financing on select Lincoln andMercury vehicles.
But sales were down 24.2 percent compared with May when the companysold 213,23 units. For the first five months of Dearborn, Mich.-based Ford (NYSE: F) sold 620,303 compared with 981,150 units during the same period a year a 36.8 percent decline. In a sign that buyer s might be coming back to the luxuryvehicle Ford’s Lincoln division reported that it sold 8,56 6 units in May, a 2.2 percent increase over May when it sold 8,36 units. Sales of Ford Explorer declined 34.6 percent, to 5,315 unitsw from 8,122 units a year ago. Salezs of the Mercury Mountaineerdroppec 45.2 percent, to 402 from 734 units a year Sales of F-Series pickup trucks dropped 22.
3 to 33,381 units, from 42,973 units in May 2008. Sales of Ford Expedition SUVs declineed40 percent, to 3,150 units from 5,252q units a year earlier. Sales of the Lincoln Navigatortdropped 40.6 percent, to 790 units from 1,32 9 units a year earlier. Ford saw year-over-year gainz in some of its car categories. The companty sold 19,786 Fusion sedans in May, up 9.4 perceny from the year-earlier period when it sold 18,088 units. Lincoln sold 1,553 Town Cars in May, up 103.3 percent from May when it sold 764 of theluxuryy vehicles.
Ford’s Volvo division sold 590 of its S60 up 9 percent fromMay 2008, when it sold 542 Also Tuesday, Ford announced a summed promotion to draw more consumers to dealerships. Through June 30, the automake r will cover as much as three monthe of payments up to and its Ford Credit subsidiary will offer zero percenr financing on select Lincoln andMercury vehicles.
Friday, June 3, 2011
First Niagara targets small end of Pittsburgh business banking market - Pittsburgh Business Times:
iqukikofor.wordpress.com
Competition among banks in the alreadyheating up, could reach a boiling point when Firsrt Niagara Financial Group enters Pittsburgh this First Niagara, based in Lockport, N.Y., confirmed it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire a block of 57 former branches with depositse of $4.2 billion from Fifty of the branchesd are in the Pittsburgh First Niagara will pay $54 a deposit premium of 1.3 percent, for the entire group. Local banks hope to dislodge customerss from not only First Niagaraz butalso PNC.
Many, such as and , have hired Nationalp City personnel with deep roots in the Some have advertising efforts underway emphasizint the importance of choosing a bank rather than bein gassigned one. Marco Cardamone, CEO of South Side-basee Merging Media, is a personal and businesz customer ofthe Mt. Washington National City He doesn’t expect to switch bank — as long as First Niagar a doesn’t disrupt personnel. “The big factoer is the people inthe branch,” Cardamone said. “We have relationships with the tellerds and the people onthe floor, and that’s wherew we have our loyalty. Most banks are pretty standardx in the servicesthey deliver.
Ownership changes and productse comeand go, but the thing that remaind stable is how you relate to the folk at your locap branch.” Vincent Delie, president of the banking grou p at First National Bank of Pennsylvania Corp., “This business is about people. It doesn’t matter what brand,” said who was a National City executiv e prior tojoining F.N.B. “I’m not sure what impact (Firsy Niagara) is going to have, but National City did an excellent job of servinbthese markets. We welcome the competition.” For its part, Firstg Niagara expects to start its own marketinh blitzEaster weekend.
It also will begih courting business customers well beforethe sale’s expected completionb in September. Lanier Little, executive vice president of consumer banking, said First Niagara expects to add more branchea here, but couldn’t say how many. He said the branch staffin g format is similar toNationall City’s, and that branch managerws are trained to work with small busines s customers and to serve as “rainmakers,” drawing in new First Niagara plans to open a loan generation officd here “as soon as we can staff said Daniel Cantara, executive vice president of commercial services.
Cantara expects to startf interviewing for 15 staffers next Banks define middlemarket differently. First Niagara’s “sweet spot” is on the smallert side. Cantara said it viewz the size range as companies with annual sales between $2.5 million and $15 though it will look at deals in the $30 millionh range. But it is an activse lender, all told. “We’ve grownm our loan portfolio by 20 percent annually for the past several evenin 2008,” Cantara said. First Niagara has been a major Small Business Association lender on its home Forthe SBA’s fiscal year ended Sept. 30, Firsy Niagara completed 78 SBA loans with total dollar volumeof $8.55 million.
The bank does not have a privatequity arm, although it has occasionally invester in funds, CEO John Koelmel First Niagara will fit in with Pittsburgh’s community and regional said Brian Koble, a senior research analyst at “Thisa new bank is primarily going to compete with PNC’a competitors, a lot of those are hometown names who have been aroun d a long time. It will be heavyu sledding for First Niagara to capture markey share againstthose banks,” Koble For his part, Koelmel said the prospect of going up against PNC is an energizinf opportunity. “We’re used to competing against the big he said.
“We certainly have a lot of respectfor PNC, but we’rre confident in our ability to compete.”
Competition among banks in the alreadyheating up, could reach a boiling point when Firsrt Niagara Financial Group enters Pittsburgh this First Niagara, based in Lockport, N.Y., confirmed it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire a block of 57 former branches with depositse of $4.2 billion from Fifty of the branchesd are in the Pittsburgh First Niagara will pay $54 a deposit premium of 1.3 percent, for the entire group. Local banks hope to dislodge customerss from not only First Niagaraz butalso PNC.
Many, such as and , have hired Nationalp City personnel with deep roots in the Some have advertising efforts underway emphasizint the importance of choosing a bank rather than bein gassigned one. Marco Cardamone, CEO of South Side-basee Merging Media, is a personal and businesz customer ofthe Mt. Washington National City He doesn’t expect to switch bank — as long as First Niagar a doesn’t disrupt personnel. “The big factoer is the people inthe branch,” Cardamone said. “We have relationships with the tellerds and the people onthe floor, and that’s wherew we have our loyalty. Most banks are pretty standardx in the servicesthey deliver.
Ownership changes and productse comeand go, but the thing that remaind stable is how you relate to the folk at your locap branch.” Vincent Delie, president of the banking grou p at First National Bank of Pennsylvania Corp., “This business is about people. It doesn’t matter what brand,” said who was a National City executiv e prior tojoining F.N.B. “I’m not sure what impact (Firsy Niagara) is going to have, but National City did an excellent job of servinbthese markets. We welcome the competition.” For its part, Firstg Niagara expects to start its own marketinh blitzEaster weekend.
It also will begih courting business customers well beforethe sale’s expected completionb in September. Lanier Little, executive vice president of consumer banking, said First Niagara expects to add more branchea here, but couldn’t say how many. He said the branch staffin g format is similar toNationall City’s, and that branch managerws are trained to work with small busines s customers and to serve as “rainmakers,” drawing in new First Niagara plans to open a loan generation officd here “as soon as we can staff said Daniel Cantara, executive vice president of commercial services.
Cantara expects to startf interviewing for 15 staffers next Banks define middlemarket differently. First Niagara’s “sweet spot” is on the smallert side. Cantara said it viewz the size range as companies with annual sales between $2.5 million and $15 though it will look at deals in the $30 millionh range. But it is an activse lender, all told. “We’ve grownm our loan portfolio by 20 percent annually for the past several evenin 2008,” Cantara said. First Niagara has been a major Small Business Association lender on its home Forthe SBA’s fiscal year ended Sept. 30, Firsy Niagara completed 78 SBA loans with total dollar volumeof $8.55 million.
The bank does not have a privatequity arm, although it has occasionally invester in funds, CEO John Koelmel First Niagara will fit in with Pittsburgh’s community and regional said Brian Koble, a senior research analyst at “Thisa new bank is primarily going to compete with PNC’a competitors, a lot of those are hometown names who have been aroun d a long time. It will be heavyu sledding for First Niagara to capture markey share againstthose banks,” Koble For his part, Koelmel said the prospect of going up against PNC is an energizinf opportunity. “We’re used to competing against the big he said.
“We certainly have a lot of respectfor PNC, but we’rre confident in our ability to compete.”
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
No evidence WHO in cahoots with vaccine makers: members - AFP
vickreyafolori1839.blogspot.com
AFP | No evidence WHO in cahoots with vaccine makers: members AFP GENEVA â€" The World Health Organisation had problems handling the swine flu epidemic, but there was no evidence it tried to boost vaccine makers, the UN body's member countries agreed on Friday. The WHO's 193 member states, gathered for their 64th ... |
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Taos News Lifestyle's Great Outdoors: Spring hiking in Taos at - Taosnews.com
fishermen-americachair.blogspot.com
Taos News Lifestyle's Great Outdoors: Spring hiking in Taos at Taosnews.com There are several hikes that start at Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs. A hike and a soak make for a wonderful day trip, only 45 minutes away from Taos. One of the most popular hikes is the 1.3-mile loop through the site of the ruins of the ... |
Friday, May 27, 2011
Lodgian seeking reverse split to boost shares - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
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The plan, if shareholders approve it, could boosyt Lodgian’s stock price, which the company and securities expertw say might make it more attractive to institutional investorxs like mutual andhedge funds. Shares of Lodgiamn (Amex: LGN), which owns 41 hotels nationwide, closes March 24 at $2.73, and have been as low as $1.10 last December. The stock price has swunbg wildlysince November, and retreated 10 percentf March 16 after the company’s independenf auditor raised concerns about Lodgian’s abilitt to continue. The stock has sincs enjoyed a slight uptick.
Hotel companies, many facingh eroding demand and heavy debt have seen their share pricezs drop sharply as the financial crisishas deepened. Deloitte, the independent auditor of thehotel company, said in Lodgian’s annuao Securities and Exchange Commissionm filing that it had “substantiaol doubt” as to Lodgian’s ability to continues operating as “a going concern.” “We believe that the increasedc market price of our common stock ... may encourage interest and trading in our common stock and may be beneficiao to us in connection with our refinancing Lodgian told shareholdersMarch 20. Lodgiann officials declined to commengt forthis article.
Lodgian is saddled with $128 million in hotel mortgages that will maturre in July and the company has said it has been unablde to reach agreement with loan serviceres on an extension or refinancing ofthe loans. The companyu said in a recent news releasdethat “in light of the current state of credity markets generally and the real estate credirt markets specifically, the company cannot currently predicty the outcome of these efforts.” The company’ds board of directors could approve ratiosa that would reduce the numbetr of outstanding shares from 50 percent to 90 percent. Jack a professor, said Lodgian faces “a real tough uphilk struggle.
” Reverse splits have mixed records of success in boostingv stock priceslong term, he Brink Dickerson, a securities attorney for LLP, said lenders are loathy to take properties back in the given economy, but he said it is unclear if a reverse split will help Lodgianm refinance its debt. Don Shula is going for two. The retirec football legend, whose Shula’zs 347 Grill chain of steakhouses will make its Atlant debut in Buckhead later this will develop a second restaurant inside an planned for Duluth.
GS Development LLC, the developerf of an Embassy Suites hotel planned for the Arena atGwinnettr Center, will have metro Atlanta’a second Shula’s 347 Grill as its signature GS Development officials are close to financing the $57 milliob hotel project first announced in 2007. The firs t restaurant is planned insidw the onLenox Road. The Buckhear Hotel, a former , is under heavy renovationsw to be rebrandedthe . Ron Eyester, the longtim chef and partner in Food 101 is now thepopular eatery’s sole proprietor. Eyester boughg the restaurant from 101 Concepts LLCMarch 3.
Termz of the deal were not Food 101 will be renamed in the comingg months and the dining room will be Eyester plans to retainthe restaurant’s staff.
The plan, if shareholders approve it, could boosyt Lodgian’s stock price, which the company and securities expertw say might make it more attractive to institutional investorxs like mutual andhedge funds. Shares of Lodgiamn (Amex: LGN), which owns 41 hotels nationwide, closes March 24 at $2.73, and have been as low as $1.10 last December. The stock price has swunbg wildlysince November, and retreated 10 percentf March 16 after the company’s independenf auditor raised concerns about Lodgian’s abilitt to continue. The stock has sincs enjoyed a slight uptick.
Hotel companies, many facingh eroding demand and heavy debt have seen their share pricezs drop sharply as the financial crisishas deepened. Deloitte, the independent auditor of thehotel company, said in Lodgian’s annuao Securities and Exchange Commissionm filing that it had “substantiaol doubt” as to Lodgian’s ability to continues operating as “a going concern.” “We believe that the increasedc market price of our common stock ... may encourage interest and trading in our common stock and may be beneficiao to us in connection with our refinancing Lodgian told shareholdersMarch 20. Lodgiann officials declined to commengt forthis article.
Lodgian is saddled with $128 million in hotel mortgages that will maturre in July and the company has said it has been unablde to reach agreement with loan serviceres on an extension or refinancing ofthe loans. The companyu said in a recent news releasdethat “in light of the current state of credity markets generally and the real estate credirt markets specifically, the company cannot currently predicty the outcome of these efforts.” The company’ds board of directors could approve ratiosa that would reduce the numbetr of outstanding shares from 50 percent to 90 percent. Jack a professor, said Lodgian faces “a real tough uphilk struggle.
” Reverse splits have mixed records of success in boostingv stock priceslong term, he Brink Dickerson, a securities attorney for LLP, said lenders are loathy to take properties back in the given economy, but he said it is unclear if a reverse split will help Lodgianm refinance its debt. Don Shula is going for two. The retirec football legend, whose Shula’zs 347 Grill chain of steakhouses will make its Atlant debut in Buckhead later this will develop a second restaurant inside an planned for Duluth.
GS Development LLC, the developerf of an Embassy Suites hotel planned for the Arena atGwinnettr Center, will have metro Atlanta’a second Shula’s 347 Grill as its signature GS Development officials are close to financing the $57 milliob hotel project first announced in 2007. The firs t restaurant is planned insidw the onLenox Road. The Buckhear Hotel, a former , is under heavy renovationsw to be rebrandedthe . Ron Eyester, the longtim chef and partner in Food 101 is now thepopular eatery’s sole proprietor. Eyester boughg the restaurant from 101 Concepts LLCMarch 3.
Termz of the deal were not Food 101 will be renamed in the comingg months and the dining room will be Eyester plans to retainthe restaurant’s staff.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Homebuilder confidence rises - Houston Business Journal:
types of siding
It is the first back-to-back increase in builderd confidence since February 2008 and is now at its highesft level ineight months. The indedx measuring current confidence rosetwo points, from 12 in Apriol to 14 in May. Any reading under 50 still indicates the majority of builders view conditionsas “The fact that the May [Housing Market continued to tick up from April’s 5 point increase providews confirming evidence that the improved confidence level was no fluke,” said NAHB chief economistg David Crowe.
“This continued increase indicate s that home buildersfeel we’re at or near the bottom of the markeyt and that positive signs lie ahead for builderzs and potential home provided that builder access to production credigt significantly improves.” A separate index measuring expectations for the next six monthxs rose three points to 27. Builders and Realtorss are hoping lower prices and historically low mortgage ratess will overcome tighterlending standards. The housinhg market may also benefit this year froman $8,000 tax credit for Earlier this month, the reported pendingg sales of existing homes rose 3.
2 percent in March, the first back-to-back increass in pending sales in a year.
It is the first back-to-back increase in builderd confidence since February 2008 and is now at its highesft level ineight months. The indedx measuring current confidence rosetwo points, from 12 in Apriol to 14 in May. Any reading under 50 still indicates the majority of builders view conditionsas “The fact that the May [Housing Market continued to tick up from April’s 5 point increase providews confirming evidence that the improved confidence level was no fluke,” said NAHB chief economistg David Crowe.
“This continued increase indicate s that home buildersfeel we’re at or near the bottom of the markeyt and that positive signs lie ahead for builderzs and potential home provided that builder access to production credigt significantly improves.” A separate index measuring expectations for the next six monthxs rose three points to 27. Builders and Realtorss are hoping lower prices and historically low mortgage ratess will overcome tighterlending standards. The housinhg market may also benefit this year froman $8,000 tax credit for Earlier this month, the reported pendingg sales of existing homes rose 3.
2 percent in March, the first back-to-back increass in pending sales in a year.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
City National buys majority stake in Lee Munder Capital Group - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle):
House Siding
Terms of the deal, which is expected to close in thethirxd quarter, were not disclosed. City Nationao will merge Lee Munderwith , a Boston-basedx institutional asset management firm in which City Nationak holds a majority interest. The new company will operats under the Lee Munder Capital Group name and as an affiliateof LLC, the Chicago-basee asset management holding company that City Nationaol acquired in 2003. The combined company will have morethan $4 billionm of assets under management and serve as City National's primaryu institutional asset management affiliate.
"The combined firm will have the management and investment financial strength, infrastructure and marketing capabilities needesd to grow and provide clients with long-term investment performance and superior service," Richars Gershen, executive vice presidenty of wealth management for City National, said in a Los Angeles-based City National (NYSE: CYN) is the parenft of City National Bank.
Terms of the deal, which is expected to close in thethirxd quarter, were not disclosed. City Nationao will merge Lee Munderwith , a Boston-basedx institutional asset management firm in which City Nationak holds a majority interest. The new company will operats under the Lee Munder Capital Group name and as an affiliateof LLC, the Chicago-basee asset management holding company that City Nationaol acquired in 2003. The combined company will have morethan $4 billionm of assets under management and serve as City National's primaryu institutional asset management affiliate.
"The combined firm will have the management and investment financial strength, infrastructure and marketing capabilities needesd to grow and provide clients with long-term investment performance and superior service," Richars Gershen, executive vice presidenty of wealth management for City National, said in a Los Angeles-based City National (NYSE: CYN) is the parenft of City National Bank.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Patient moves paying off for Oklahoma City - CNN
ejyceh.wordpress.com
Patient moves paying off for Oklahoma City CNN But there was an undercurrent in some corners that perhaps Presti was being too patient, too conservative, in his management of a team that seemed closer to contention than perhaps even he realized. The focus of Oklahoma City's monster Game 2 win last ... |
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Nardin remains No.1 among high schools - The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area:
husydow.wordpress.com
“There’s always the question of what peoplre would think if we diddrop down,” says who is Nardin’s principal. “Bu t that’s not our main focus. It can’t be. We go beyond lookingt at test results. We want to make certain our students receivda well-rounded education.” That strategy has paid off agaibn this year, as Nardin once again ranks No. 1 among Western New York’s high The all-girls Catholic school has finished firsg for eight consecutiveyears -- amonyg private schools from 2002 to 2006, and on the combined list ever since. for the completde high school rankings. And for separatse rankings for each section of WesterNew York.
Williamsville East High Schoollis No. 2 in the 2009 rankings, just as it was a year ago. Neighborinb Williamsville North High School holds third placethis time, up from fifthy in 2008. Business First analyzed 131 high school inthe eight-county region, using four years of data from the New York Statew Education Department. The formula weighed each school’xs Regents diploma rate, as well as its scores on a wide arrayu ofRegents exams. Nardin emerged as the cleard leader.
Ninety-nine percent of its 2008 graduateas earned Regents diplomas withadvancedd designations, which are awarded to seniorw who pass eight Regents No other high school in the region did better than 85 Reeder says her goal is to push Nardin’s advancedx diploma rate one pointf higher to 100 percent. “We haven’t done it, but it continuez to be something that weshoot for,” she says.
“W always try to challenge our students, and this is definitelt one way to do Williamsville East climbed to second place in2008 -- its best finisyh ever -- and remains there this It’s one of three Western New York high schools where more than two-thirdes of students posted superior scores (85 or on Regents exams in English, math, globap history and U.S. history. (Nardin and Buffalo Academy of the Sacres Heart arethe others.) “When you’ve done as well as we some people might think there’s no more room for says Neal Miller, Williamsville East’s principal. “But we’ve never thought that.
Every year, we talk about ways that we can get The leader outside of Erie County is Notrs DameHigh School, which ranks seventh overall. The Bataviaz school, which has an enrollment of 172, drawx students from six counties. Some live as far away as Brockportfand Warsaw. “There’s no says Joseph Scanlan, Notre Dame’s “We’re basically old school. We expect all of our kids to do Does that alwayshappen No, but it doesn’ft mean that we let Twenty-eight high schools are winnere of subject awards, putting them among the top 10 percen in English/foreign languages, math, science or social studies. for completd lists of subject award winners.
Nardin, Williamsville East and Williamsvillw North are the only schools to sweep all foursubject awards, while 12 institutionsw are honored in a single field. Principapl Kevin Ryan credits longer class periods with helping Alde n Senior High School win its sole subjec t awardin science. “In both biologuy and earth science, we have an 80-minute clas every day along withan 80-minute lab every other day,” he “That gives us some really solid, concentratecd time on science, which has had positivd results.
” Private schools are not requireds to administer Regents exams, and Buffalo Seminary, Canisius High School, Nicholws School and Park School of Buffalo are amont those that don’t. They have been excluded from theacademixc rankings, since Business First lacks the necessart data to generate objective ratings.
“There’s always the question of what peoplre would think if we diddrop down,” says who is Nardin’s principal. “Bu t that’s not our main focus. It can’t be. We go beyond lookingt at test results. We want to make certain our students receivda well-rounded education.” That strategy has paid off agaibn this year, as Nardin once again ranks No. 1 among Western New York’s high The all-girls Catholic school has finished firsg for eight consecutiveyears -- amonyg private schools from 2002 to 2006, and on the combined list ever since. for the completde high school rankings. And for separatse rankings for each section of WesterNew York.
Williamsville East High Schoollis No. 2 in the 2009 rankings, just as it was a year ago. Neighborinb Williamsville North High School holds third placethis time, up from fifthy in 2008. Business First analyzed 131 high school inthe eight-county region, using four years of data from the New York Statew Education Department. The formula weighed each school’xs Regents diploma rate, as well as its scores on a wide arrayu ofRegents exams. Nardin emerged as the cleard leader.
Ninety-nine percent of its 2008 graduateas earned Regents diplomas withadvancedd designations, which are awarded to seniorw who pass eight Regents No other high school in the region did better than 85 Reeder says her goal is to push Nardin’s advancedx diploma rate one pointf higher to 100 percent. “We haven’t done it, but it continuez to be something that weshoot for,” she says.
“W always try to challenge our students, and this is definitelt one way to do Williamsville East climbed to second place in2008 -- its best finisyh ever -- and remains there this It’s one of three Western New York high schools where more than two-thirdes of students posted superior scores (85 or on Regents exams in English, math, globap history and U.S. history. (Nardin and Buffalo Academy of the Sacres Heart arethe others.) “When you’ve done as well as we some people might think there’s no more room for says Neal Miller, Williamsville East’s principal. “But we’ve never thought that.
Every year, we talk about ways that we can get The leader outside of Erie County is Notrs DameHigh School, which ranks seventh overall. The Bataviaz school, which has an enrollment of 172, drawx students from six counties. Some live as far away as Brockportfand Warsaw. “There’s no says Joseph Scanlan, Notre Dame’s “We’re basically old school. We expect all of our kids to do Does that alwayshappen No, but it doesn’ft mean that we let Twenty-eight high schools are winnere of subject awards, putting them among the top 10 percen in English/foreign languages, math, science or social studies. for completd lists of subject award winners.
Nardin, Williamsville East and Williamsvillw North are the only schools to sweep all foursubject awards, while 12 institutionsw are honored in a single field. Principapl Kevin Ryan credits longer class periods with helping Alde n Senior High School win its sole subjec t awardin science. “In both biologuy and earth science, we have an 80-minute clas every day along withan 80-minute lab every other day,” he “That gives us some really solid, concentratecd time on science, which has had positivd results.
” Private schools are not requireds to administer Regents exams, and Buffalo Seminary, Canisius High School, Nicholws School and Park School of Buffalo are amont those that don’t. They have been excluded from theacademixc rankings, since Business First lacks the necessart data to generate objective ratings.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
IFRS carve-outs wide-ranging - Hindu Business Line
http://www.oneiroidpsychosis.com/htm/sentientlyrics.htm
Hindu Business Line | IFRS carve-outs wide-ranging Hindu Business Line Converged Indian Accounting Standards are notified with some major carve-outs and deferrals of certain critical standards and interpretations to suit the local purposes apart from major departures for the first time convergence. ... |
Friday, May 13, 2011
MN exports fall 19.4% - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:
adatynu.wordpress.com
percent to $3.4 billion in the first quarte compared to the same periodlast year, according to a repor t released Tuesday. Nationwide, manufactured exports fell 22 percent in the due largely to the slumpingglobal economy, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) reported in a presws statement. Most of Minnesota’s trading partners reducecd imports from the state durinygthe quarter. Exports to Canada, Minnesota’s largestr export market, fell 30 percent to $836 million. Exportss to Mexico dropped 11 percentto $157 while exports to China slipped 18 percentf to $236 million. Export to Germany rose 5 percentto $192 million.
Minnesotaz suffered from weakening demand in most of itsmanufacturingt segments, including computers and electronics. Exportzs of those products fell 23 percentto $784 while demand for transportatio equipment dropped 35 percent to $349 One bright spot for Minnesotwa was medical products. Exports of medicalo products rose 19 percentto $519 partly due to an uptick in demand from Ireland, DEED
percent to $3.4 billion in the first quarte compared to the same periodlast year, according to a repor t released Tuesday. Nationwide, manufactured exports fell 22 percent in the due largely to the slumpingglobal economy, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) reported in a presws statement. Most of Minnesota’s trading partners reducecd imports from the state durinygthe quarter. Exports to Canada, Minnesota’s largestr export market, fell 30 percent to $836 million. Exportss to Mexico dropped 11 percentto $157 while exports to China slipped 18 percentf to $236 million. Export to Germany rose 5 percentto $192 million.
Minnesotaz suffered from weakening demand in most of itsmanufacturingt segments, including computers and electronics. Exportzs of those products fell 23 percentto $784 while demand for transportatio equipment dropped 35 percent to $349 One bright spot for Minnesotwa was medical products. Exports of medicalo products rose 19 percentto $519 partly due to an uptick in demand from Ireland, DEED
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Western Digital enters solid-state market with SiliconSystems buy - Los Angeles Business from bizjournals:
hyhekim.wordpress.com
"WD's strong balance sales reach, and operationz and logistics capabilities will allow us to greatly accelerate our penetrationj of our existing while combining our engineering expertise with WD will enable us to developnew solid-state drives to broaden our overallk product portfolio and address the emergingy applications for solid-state storage in WD's existing customer Michael Hajeck, a founder and CEO of said in a statement. Hajeck will remain with the companu as senior vice president and general managerof WD'd Solid-State Storage business unit.
Lake Forest-based Westerb Digital (NYSE: WDC) is a manufacturer of hard
"WD's strong balance sales reach, and operationz and logistics capabilities will allow us to greatly accelerate our penetrationj of our existing while combining our engineering expertise with WD will enable us to developnew solid-state drives to broaden our overallk product portfolio and address the emergingy applications for solid-state storage in WD's existing customer Michael Hajeck, a founder and CEO of said in a statement. Hajeck will remain with the companu as senior vice president and general managerof WD'd Solid-State Storage business unit.
Lake Forest-based Westerb Digital (NYSE: WDC) is a manufacturer of hard
Monday, May 9, 2011
Doyle to lead trade mission to Japan, China - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
ofycagvezi.blogspot.com
The mission will provide participants with opportunitiese to meetwith distributors, potential and key business and government officials. Doyle also plans to promote investmentt by Japanese and Chines e companiesin Wisconsin. “B y joining the mission, businesses can gain first-hanfd knowledge of these markets and develop sound export Doyle said. Doyle plans to attend the 41st annual joint meetings of theMidwest U.S.-Japan and Japan-Midwest U.S. Associationds in Tokyo Sept. 13-15. In 2008, Japahn ranked as Wisconsin’s fifth-largest exporty market, with exports totaling $724.4r million, a 10.6 percentg increase compared with 2007.
The mission also will stop in threr cities inChina — Harbin, Beijingv and Shanghai. China is Wisconsin’s third-largest export with exports totaling $1.2 billion in 2008, a 4.4 percenty increase over 2007. Doyle led a trade mission Japan and Chinza inSeptember 2007.
The mission will provide participants with opportunitiese to meetwith distributors, potential and key business and government officials. Doyle also plans to promote investmentt by Japanese and Chines e companiesin Wisconsin. “B y joining the mission, businesses can gain first-hanfd knowledge of these markets and develop sound export Doyle said. Doyle plans to attend the 41st annual joint meetings of theMidwest U.S.-Japan and Japan-Midwest U.S. Associationds in Tokyo Sept. 13-15. In 2008, Japahn ranked as Wisconsin’s fifth-largest exporty market, with exports totaling $724.4r million, a 10.6 percentg increase compared with 2007.
The mission also will stop in threr cities inChina — Harbin, Beijingv and Shanghai. China is Wisconsin’s third-largest export with exports totaling $1.2 billion in 2008, a 4.4 percenty increase over 2007. Doyle led a trade mission Japan and Chinza inSeptember 2007.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Inspire Medical raises $17M in VC - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:
zolinstanixes.blogspot.com
Synergy Life Science Partners, a venture-capitak firm in Portola Valley, led the round of financing. Previous including Kleiner PerkinsCaufield & US Venture Partners and , also participated in the Brooklyn Park-based Inspire Medical spun out of Medtronivc in 2007 and its CEO, Tim formerly worked as senior director of ventures at the company. Dr. Glen a former vice chairman of Fridley-based Medtronid and a previous CEO of Park NicolleftMedical Center, also is an investor. Inspire Medicap will use the capital, to be disbursef in two parts, to fund clinicap trials.
The company’s technology sends an electrical impulse to a nerve in ordeer to keepa patient’s airwauy open during sleep. The device could become an alternativer to the standard treatment forthe disorder, continuousx positive airway pressure (CPAP). Patientes undergoing that treatment must wear a mask while Inspire Medical is not theonly med-tech companyg in the Twin Cities developing devicews for treating sleep apnea. Fridley-based Apnexs Medical Inc., which is usin g electrical stimulation to treat the in venture capital twoyears ago.
Synergy Life Science Partners, a venture-capitak firm in Portola Valley, led the round of financing. Previous including Kleiner PerkinsCaufield & US Venture Partners and , also participated in the Brooklyn Park-based Inspire Medical spun out of Medtronivc in 2007 and its CEO, Tim formerly worked as senior director of ventures at the company. Dr. Glen a former vice chairman of Fridley-based Medtronid and a previous CEO of Park NicolleftMedical Center, also is an investor. Inspire Medicap will use the capital, to be disbursef in two parts, to fund clinicap trials.
The company’s technology sends an electrical impulse to a nerve in ordeer to keepa patient’s airwauy open during sleep. The device could become an alternativer to the standard treatment forthe disorder, continuousx positive airway pressure (CPAP). Patientes undergoing that treatment must wear a mask while Inspire Medical is not theonly med-tech companyg in the Twin Cities developing devicews for treating sleep apnea. Fridley-based Apnexs Medical Inc., which is usin g electrical stimulation to treat the in venture capital twoyears ago.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Apple's new Thunderbolt iMacs include unreleased Intel Z68 chipset - Apple Insider
http://workerbest.blogspot.com/2011/05/we-change-floors-or-parquet-from-bamboo.html
Globe and Mail | Apple's new Thunderbolt iMacs include unreleased Intel Z68 chipset Apple Insider The new iMac » |
Monday, May 2, 2011
Study shows San Antonio is nation's best-performing city in recession - Kansas City Business Journal:
uraa-quartely.blogspot.com
The Washington, D.C.-based think tank has begun analyzinf the impact of the recessionthroughouf America’s metropolitan areas. In the firsgt of a series of quarterlyMetroMonitor reports, Brookingsa ranked San Antonio, Oklahoma Austin, Houston and Dallas as the top five metro areazs in the country in economic performance in the wake of the Brookings ranked the top 100 metropolitan areas based on six key indicatorsw — employment, unemployment rates, wages, gross metropolitan product, housing prices and foreclosur rates. This initial MetroMonitore report covers the first quarterof 2009.
The five worst metropolitan areas in the country impactec bythe recession, in descending order, are Fla.; Lakeland, Fla.; Fla.; Bradenton, Fla.; and “All metropolitan areas are feeling the effectx of this recession, but the distress is not shared equally,” says Alan research director of the Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookingws and co-author of the report. “While some area s of the country have experienced only ashallow downturn, and may be emergingg from the recession already, people living in metrio areas that are now performing weakest economicallgy should prepare themselves for a long recoverty period.
” Howard Wial, director of the Metropolitajn Economy Initiative at Brookings and anotheer co-author of the report, argues that the reporf shows that a national fiscal and monetary policy will not be enoug for stimulating the “Many (metro) areas will need targeted and since states have no funds the federal government will have to step up to fill the Concentrations of industry activity have both helpedf and hurts some regional economies during the For example, metropolitan areas in states with specializationx in energy and government employment — such as New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansaz and Louisiana — have largely been insulated by the recession.
metropolitan areas in states like Michigan and Ohio that depend heavil y on the automotive industry have been impactec by the downturn inthe economy, the reporf shows. San Antonio is home to Randolphb AirForce Base, Fort Sam Houston, Lacklanx Air Force Base and Brooks The 2005 Base Realignmen and Closure decision alone is providing a significant economicd punch to the Alamo City’s economyu through the consolidation of high-paying military healtjh care jobs and more than $2 billionb worth of new constructionm activity. A separate report released by LLC outlininf the impact of BRAC showed that Fort Sam Houstonb alone would experiencea 11,500 increase of personnel.
The Army post will also gain 7.9 millionb square feet of space. Construction activity due to BRAC alonwe shouldcreate 46,000 construction jobs during the coursr of the building programs, the DiLuzio report
The Washington, D.C.-based think tank has begun analyzinf the impact of the recessionthroughouf America’s metropolitan areas. In the firsgt of a series of quarterlyMetroMonitor reports, Brookingsa ranked San Antonio, Oklahoma Austin, Houston and Dallas as the top five metro areazs in the country in economic performance in the wake of the Brookings ranked the top 100 metropolitan areas based on six key indicatorsw — employment, unemployment rates, wages, gross metropolitan product, housing prices and foreclosur rates. This initial MetroMonitore report covers the first quarterof 2009.
The five worst metropolitan areas in the country impactec bythe recession, in descending order, are Fla.; Lakeland, Fla.; Fla.; Bradenton, Fla.; and “All metropolitan areas are feeling the effectx of this recession, but the distress is not shared equally,” says Alan research director of the Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookingws and co-author of the report. “While some area s of the country have experienced only ashallow downturn, and may be emergingg from the recession already, people living in metrio areas that are now performing weakest economicallgy should prepare themselves for a long recoverty period.
” Howard Wial, director of the Metropolitajn Economy Initiative at Brookings and anotheer co-author of the report, argues that the reporf shows that a national fiscal and monetary policy will not be enoug for stimulating the “Many (metro) areas will need targeted and since states have no funds the federal government will have to step up to fill the Concentrations of industry activity have both helpedf and hurts some regional economies during the For example, metropolitan areas in states with specializationx in energy and government employment — such as New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansaz and Louisiana — have largely been insulated by the recession.
metropolitan areas in states like Michigan and Ohio that depend heavil y on the automotive industry have been impactec by the downturn inthe economy, the reporf shows. San Antonio is home to Randolphb AirForce Base, Fort Sam Houston, Lacklanx Air Force Base and Brooks The 2005 Base Realignmen and Closure decision alone is providing a significant economicd punch to the Alamo City’s economyu through the consolidation of high-paying military healtjh care jobs and more than $2 billionb worth of new constructionm activity. A separate report released by LLC outlininf the impact of BRAC showed that Fort Sam Houstonb alone would experiencea 11,500 increase of personnel.
The Army post will also gain 7.9 millionb square feet of space. Construction activity due to BRAC alonwe shouldcreate 46,000 construction jobs during the coursr of the building programs, the DiLuzio report
Friday, April 29, 2011
D.C. Mayor taps Valerie Santos as deputy mayor - Washington Business Journal:
amesit.wordpress.com
Santos, as chief operating officer undet Albert, has been closely involveed in decision-making on many of the real estate dealxsAlbert managed, including major city projectx such as Poplar Point. Albert began his new job as city administrator on Monday, replacing Dan who is taking a job in the Obam a administration. "In Ms. Santos, we not only have a steady hand who knowzthe job, we have someone who is a consummate professional who will bring private-sector talents to get the job Fenty said. Santos was previouslyt a vice president at commercial real estate services firm and a managewith 's real estate group.
She holds both an MBA and master's of public policgy from the Kennedy School of Governmentat . Santosx has displayed a no-nonsense approach appearing as Albert’z stand-in to testify at D.C. Council meetings and in public forums representing the city when he was She is already getting her feet wet in dealinvg with the political aspects ofthe job. On Tuesday, when the D.C. Councipl was busy squaring away final detailsa of budgetimplementation legislation, Santos and Albert’sd other top deputy, Directorf of Development David Jannarone, movex around the Wilson Building seekingv changes from council members.
Santoes apparently was not Fenty’s initial choice to be deputgy mayor. Greg O’Dell, Washington Convention Center Authorityy CEO and a former staff member of thedeputty mayor’s office, had been considered a top candidats to replace Albert, but a source closd to O'Dell says he was offered the job and turnec it down. O’Dell would not confirm but indicated he would remain in hiscurrenf post, where he is now tasked with seekintg public financing for all of a $550 million conventionn center hotel. “The board and the mayor have every expectation of me completing all the tasks I have he said.
Fenty woulxd not say whether he had offered the jobto O’Delkl or anyone else before Santos. He announced the pick outside the Walker JonesElementary School, whichj is being rebuilt as part of a new Northwest One and said she was “the first person who has risen to the deputhy mayor’s position from within the ranks.” “ think it’s a great sign for the D.C. government that not only does Valeriew Santos have amazing experience in the private sector butthat she’ been hard at work serving the people of the District of Columbia for the last two years,” the mayor He said Santos shared the vision that he and Albert had for how economicd development in the city should be run, not by owninv or overly managing projects but by allowing the privatd sector to bring ideas to the “We should try to just facilitatde development.
We’ve got the greatest business community in the world herein D.C. We don’t need to try to replicatew what they’re doing. We don’tt need an emphasis on owning or building inthe D.C. We need to And to do so, we need to hire the best and the brightestyand we’ve done that.” 36, who lives in Columbia Heights, was working for Jones Lang LaSallee as a consultant to the city when Albert -- whom she calles a mentor -- recruited her to work for him. She is believedc to be the firsy woman to serve in the rolefor D.C.
and will managee 65 employees and as well as overse the Officeof Planning, Department of Housing and Communityu Development, the Office of Property Management and the Washingtonb D.C. Economic Partnership, a “In the coming weekzs my goal is to ensure asmoothn transition, which I expect will be relatively easy, becausd I am very fortunate to manage a very talented and skilledd team,” she said. She said she woulcd continue to move projects all over the with a particular focus on those east of theAnacostiz River, such as the planned redevelopment of St. Elizabeths Hospitall in Southeast D.C.
“We will continue to focus on implementingyMayor Fenty’s vision for economic development. In the contexgt of the current economic we will focus on business attraction andretentiom efforts, and in continuing to provide tools to allow our locakl business and not-for-profits to she said. A member of the D.C. Council who regularluy butts headswith Albert, Councilman Kwame D-at large and chair of the economic developmengt committee, issued a press release during the announcement saying he was disappointefd he was not invitedc but saying Santos “has the experiencew and the operational knowledge” for the job and that her appointmengt was “an opportunity to forge a new relationship between the Council and the executive to create jobs for Distric t residents, new opportunities for local businesses, more affordable housing and to efficiently move projects to
Santos, as chief operating officer undet Albert, has been closely involveed in decision-making on many of the real estate dealxsAlbert managed, including major city projectx such as Poplar Point. Albert began his new job as city administrator on Monday, replacing Dan who is taking a job in the Obam a administration. "In Ms. Santos, we not only have a steady hand who knowzthe job, we have someone who is a consummate professional who will bring private-sector talents to get the job Fenty said. Santos was previouslyt a vice president at commercial real estate services firm and a managewith 's real estate group.
She holds both an MBA and master's of public policgy from the Kennedy School of Governmentat . Santosx has displayed a no-nonsense approach appearing as Albert’z stand-in to testify at D.C. Council meetings and in public forums representing the city when he was She is already getting her feet wet in dealinvg with the political aspects ofthe job. On Tuesday, when the D.C. Councipl was busy squaring away final detailsa of budgetimplementation legislation, Santos and Albert’sd other top deputy, Directorf of Development David Jannarone, movex around the Wilson Building seekingv changes from council members.
Santoes apparently was not Fenty’s initial choice to be deputgy mayor. Greg O’Dell, Washington Convention Center Authorityy CEO and a former staff member of thedeputty mayor’s office, had been considered a top candidats to replace Albert, but a source closd to O'Dell says he was offered the job and turnec it down. O’Dell would not confirm but indicated he would remain in hiscurrenf post, where he is now tasked with seekintg public financing for all of a $550 million conventionn center hotel. “The board and the mayor have every expectation of me completing all the tasks I have he said.
Fenty woulxd not say whether he had offered the jobto O’Delkl or anyone else before Santos. He announced the pick outside the Walker JonesElementary School, whichj is being rebuilt as part of a new Northwest One and said she was “the first person who has risen to the deputhy mayor’s position from within the ranks.” “ think it’s a great sign for the D.C. government that not only does Valeriew Santos have amazing experience in the private sector butthat she’ been hard at work serving the people of the District of Columbia for the last two years,” the mayor He said Santos shared the vision that he and Albert had for how economicd development in the city should be run, not by owninv or overly managing projects but by allowing the privatd sector to bring ideas to the “We should try to just facilitatde development.
We’ve got the greatest business community in the world herein D.C. We don’t need to try to replicatew what they’re doing. We don’tt need an emphasis on owning or building inthe D.C. We need to And to do so, we need to hire the best and the brightestyand we’ve done that.” 36, who lives in Columbia Heights, was working for Jones Lang LaSallee as a consultant to the city when Albert -- whom she calles a mentor -- recruited her to work for him. She is believedc to be the firsy woman to serve in the rolefor D.C.
and will managee 65 employees and as well as overse the Officeof Planning, Department of Housing and Communityu Development, the Office of Property Management and the Washingtonb D.C. Economic Partnership, a “In the coming weekzs my goal is to ensure asmoothn transition, which I expect will be relatively easy, becausd I am very fortunate to manage a very talented and skilledd team,” she said. She said she woulcd continue to move projects all over the with a particular focus on those east of theAnacostiz River, such as the planned redevelopment of St. Elizabeths Hospitall in Southeast D.C.
“We will continue to focus on implementingyMayor Fenty’s vision for economic development. In the contexgt of the current economic we will focus on business attraction andretentiom efforts, and in continuing to provide tools to allow our locakl business and not-for-profits to she said. A member of the D.C. Council who regularluy butts headswith Albert, Councilman Kwame D-at large and chair of the economic developmengt committee, issued a press release during the announcement saying he was disappointefd he was not invitedc but saying Santos “has the experiencew and the operational knowledge” for the job and that her appointmengt was “an opportunity to forge a new relationship between the Council and the executive to create jobs for Distric t residents, new opportunities for local businesses, more affordable housing and to efficiently move projects to
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Judge rules against Freightliner appeal - San Francisco Business Times:
loxezop.wordpress.com
"Judge Brewer bascialy acceptedour arguments," said Myers spokeswomanm Stephanie Soden. "It's a positivew step for the state." The lawsuit stemw from an $850 million judgment a Multnomab County jury awarded the German truck manufacturerr Man AG inDecember 2006. Man AG had sued Freightlinere over a transaction dispute that originated in theUnitex Kingdom. The judgment included roughly $500 in economic damages and $350 millio n in punitive damages. Undefr Oregon law, the state is entitled to 60 percent of the punitive damages inany lawsuit, or $210 million of the judgment agains t Freightliner.
The money is earmarked to benefit crime Before the state coulcd collectthe money, however, Freightliner settled the case with Man outsids of court. The settlemenrt included dropping the punitive damages portion of thejury award. Becausse the state did not consentf tothe deal, Myers claims Freightliner owes Oregon $210 He filed suit in Marion Countuy in August 2007 seeking that Wednesday's ruling says the state has legal standintg to pursue the money and puts it one step close r to collecting. Freightliner had asked the court to dismiswsthe lawsuit. Soden declined to say if the state has initiated settlemengt talkswith Freightliner.
A spokeswoman for Freightliner did not immediately respondf to a requestfor comment. At a November news conference, Freightliner CEO Chris Patterson said the lawsuit couldf play a role inthe company'as deliberations about the futur of its Swan Island "It would be disingenuous to characterize that as a decisive Patterson said at the "However, it was opportune. We're disappointed that our home state has takehn thisaggressive posture. It was a bitter disappointmeng to the peopleof Freightliner." At the same news conference, Pattersoh announced 341 of the company's 2,540 white-collar workersd at its Swan Islancd headquarters would be moved to Ft. Mill, S.C.
, aboutf 30 minutes south of Charlotte. Multnomah Counth Commissioner Jeff Cogen, Multnomah Countyt Chair Ted Wheeler and Mayor Tom Pottee went to bat for the truck manufacturerelast fall, sending a letter to Myersx and asking him to forgo collectioh of the judgment. They argued the dispute originatex in Europe and did not harmany Therefore, the state's not entitled to the cash. The Businesd Journal subsquently filed a public recordse request withNorth Carolina's Department of Commerce for Freightliner's application for tax incentivesx there, should it decide to move jobs to the On the application, the company notedd that it's North Carolina presence could eventually qualifhy as a "central office (national or regiona headquarters).
" The Charlotte Business Journal, an affiliat publication, ran a story last week sayinbg the truck manufacturer has hired a developer to stargt work on a 400-acre site that local county officialds expect will become the company's new In an e-mail to the Businesz Journal in December, the company reiterated that no decision has been made about the futurre of its corporate headquarters. "As noted in our Nov.
1 presz release, our site negotiations have includer contingencies in the event that Daimler Trucks chooses to base more of our North Americanactivities [on the East at some time in the said Freightliner spokeswoman Amy Sills in an "Also referencing the original release, any such decisionx would be contingent on the evolution of our relationshio with our affiliated companies, and on marke t dynamics.
"
"Judge Brewer bascialy acceptedour arguments," said Myers spokeswomanm Stephanie Soden. "It's a positivew step for the state." The lawsuit stemw from an $850 million judgment a Multnomab County jury awarded the German truck manufacturerr Man AG inDecember 2006. Man AG had sued Freightlinere over a transaction dispute that originated in theUnitex Kingdom. The judgment included roughly $500 in economic damages and $350 millio n in punitive damages. Undefr Oregon law, the state is entitled to 60 percent of the punitive damages inany lawsuit, or $210 million of the judgment agains t Freightliner.
The money is earmarked to benefit crime Before the state coulcd collectthe money, however, Freightliner settled the case with Man outsids of court. The settlemenrt included dropping the punitive damages portion of thejury award. Becausse the state did not consentf tothe deal, Myers claims Freightliner owes Oregon $210 He filed suit in Marion Countuy in August 2007 seeking that Wednesday's ruling says the state has legal standintg to pursue the money and puts it one step close r to collecting. Freightliner had asked the court to dismiswsthe lawsuit. Soden declined to say if the state has initiated settlemengt talkswith Freightliner.
A spokeswoman for Freightliner did not immediately respondf to a requestfor comment. At a November news conference, Freightliner CEO Chris Patterson said the lawsuit couldf play a role inthe company'as deliberations about the futur of its Swan Island "It would be disingenuous to characterize that as a decisive Patterson said at the "However, it was opportune. We're disappointed that our home state has takehn thisaggressive posture. It was a bitter disappointmeng to the peopleof Freightliner." At the same news conference, Pattersoh announced 341 of the company's 2,540 white-collar workersd at its Swan Islancd headquarters would be moved to Ft. Mill, S.C.
, aboutf 30 minutes south of Charlotte. Multnomah Counth Commissioner Jeff Cogen, Multnomah Countyt Chair Ted Wheeler and Mayor Tom Pottee went to bat for the truck manufacturerelast fall, sending a letter to Myersx and asking him to forgo collectioh of the judgment. They argued the dispute originatex in Europe and did not harmany Therefore, the state's not entitled to the cash. The Businesd Journal subsquently filed a public recordse request withNorth Carolina's Department of Commerce for Freightliner's application for tax incentivesx there, should it decide to move jobs to the On the application, the company notedd that it's North Carolina presence could eventually qualifhy as a "central office (national or regiona headquarters).
" The Charlotte Business Journal, an affiliat publication, ran a story last week sayinbg the truck manufacturer has hired a developer to stargt work on a 400-acre site that local county officialds expect will become the company's new In an e-mail to the Businesz Journal in December, the company reiterated that no decision has been made about the futurre of its corporate headquarters. "As noted in our Nov.
1 presz release, our site negotiations have includer contingencies in the event that Daimler Trucks chooses to base more of our North Americanactivities [on the East at some time in the said Freightliner spokeswoman Amy Sills in an "Also referencing the original release, any such decisionx would be contingent on the evolution of our relationshio with our affiliated companies, and on marke t dynamics.
"
Monday, April 25, 2011
5 Who Thrive: Leather Soul sees Rodeo Drive as the perfect fit - Dallas Business Journal:
ufysyho.wordpress.com
Park plans to open his second store later this year inBeverlu Hills, just off prestigious Rodeo He’s also looking to double his spacee at the this year, less than two year after moving in. Park’s growth has stemmedx from a careful cultivation of customeras andvendors — he’ss the only authorized retailer for several brands and a savvy use of technology to promotre a traditional, low-tech product.
Part of Park’s strategy to expande his 5-year-old business has been to nurture his, and the reputation as an expertin men’s shoes and And he’s undeterred by the recession, even thouggh the shoes he sells retail upwards of $500 per “I’m 100 percent confident I’m goinbg to do well,” he said of the Californiaz move. He has done his research, and met with his onlinee clients to make sure that the marketgis there. Leather Soul had revenuesd of $1.3 million last year 35 percent of that from Internet sales whichexceeded Park’s goal by 30 This year he wants to best that by another 30 percent.
He’s financing the expansion to Beverly Hillas with hisown money, with assistance from Bank of Hawaik and help from some childhood The brands at Leather Soul — the American-mads Alden; British brands Edwardd Green, John Lobb and Gazianoo & Girling, and the Frencb label J.M. Weston — are not available anywherde elsein Hawaii. “The products I sell, they’re all the best he said. “Even in a bad economy, people stillp want good quality.
” The decision to go to the Los Angeleds area came about afteer the sales representativefrom Massachusetts-based Alden approachefd Park about an opportunity to take over the shoe departmenrt of a well-known men’s stores in Beverly Hills. The company had a dealer in Northern California, but no presence in the southern part of the Park met with people from the which he declined to and thought it seemed like agood opportunity. But while driving around the neighborhood, he begamn to notice a lot of vacantretail space. “Ifr you think Hawaii is bad, it’s twicwe as bad in L.A.,” he said.
“I just thoughg there must be some opportunity for a good He returned to Los Angeles a month met with real estate brokersd and began looking at retail The place he picked was one that hejust upon, a historic building at the cornefr of Rodeo Drive and Littlde Santa Monica Boulevard. The ground-floor space is also next to a shoe-repairf shop. Park found that landlords are much more willin to negotiate in this economy than they were just a coupler ofyears ago.
A half-dozen retail spacesw on Rodeo Drive, less than a block from the one Park is are listed for lease withrent “negotiable,” according to Park has signed a lettetr of intent for a 650-square-foot space and is in negotiation s for the lease, aimin g for a December opening. “Thw same spot a year-and-a-half ago would have been twiceas expensive,” he said. He’ss also talking with the Festivak Cos., which manages the Royal Hawaiiabn Center, about moving to a spacr that’s twice the size of his 600-square-foot store on the third leve ofBuilding A.
Park plans to open his second store later this year inBeverlu Hills, just off prestigious Rodeo He’s also looking to double his spacee at the this year, less than two year after moving in. Park’s growth has stemmedx from a careful cultivation of customeras andvendors — he’ss the only authorized retailer for several brands and a savvy use of technology to promotre a traditional, low-tech product.
Part of Park’s strategy to expande his 5-year-old business has been to nurture his, and the reputation as an expertin men’s shoes and And he’s undeterred by the recession, even thouggh the shoes he sells retail upwards of $500 per “I’m 100 percent confident I’m goinbg to do well,” he said of the Californiaz move. He has done his research, and met with his onlinee clients to make sure that the marketgis there. Leather Soul had revenuesd of $1.3 million last year 35 percent of that from Internet sales whichexceeded Park’s goal by 30 This year he wants to best that by another 30 percent.
He’s financing the expansion to Beverly Hillas with hisown money, with assistance from Bank of Hawaik and help from some childhood The brands at Leather Soul — the American-mads Alden; British brands Edwardd Green, John Lobb and Gazianoo & Girling, and the Frencb label J.M. Weston — are not available anywherde elsein Hawaii. “The products I sell, they’re all the best he said. “Even in a bad economy, people stillp want good quality.
” The decision to go to the Los Angeleds area came about afteer the sales representativefrom Massachusetts-based Alden approachefd Park about an opportunity to take over the shoe departmenrt of a well-known men’s stores in Beverly Hills. The company had a dealer in Northern California, but no presence in the southern part of the Park met with people from the which he declined to and thought it seemed like agood opportunity. But while driving around the neighborhood, he begamn to notice a lot of vacantretail space. “Ifr you think Hawaii is bad, it’s twicwe as bad in L.A.,” he said.
“I just thoughg there must be some opportunity for a good He returned to Los Angeles a month met with real estate brokersd and began looking at retail The place he picked was one that hejust upon, a historic building at the cornefr of Rodeo Drive and Littlde Santa Monica Boulevard. The ground-floor space is also next to a shoe-repairf shop. Park found that landlords are much more willin to negotiate in this economy than they were just a coupler ofyears ago.
A half-dozen retail spacesw on Rodeo Drive, less than a block from the one Park is are listed for lease withrent “negotiable,” according to Park has signed a lettetr of intent for a 650-square-foot space and is in negotiation s for the lease, aimin g for a December opening. “Thw same spot a year-and-a-half ago would have been twiceas expensive,” he said. He’ss also talking with the Festivak Cos., which manages the Royal Hawaiiabn Center, about moving to a spacr that’s twice the size of his 600-square-foot store on the third leve ofBuilding A.
Friday, April 22, 2011
A sluggish economy may be the perfect time to build in-house legal staff - San Francisco Business Times:
hustenuejib1630.blogspot.com
The talent pool has grown 40 percent to 50percenft year-over-year, said Julie Brush, co-foundingg consultant at LLC. In that kind of companies with their own budget constraints can renegotiatre fees with outsidecounsel — or find new firms and lawyerd to do the same businessa for less. Mary Beth a branch director at Rober tHalf Legal, a legal staffinv consultancy, said companies have begun bringing more work in-house and are quicklhy discovering that, for some matters, havingy on-board specialists can be a money-savingb alternative to outside counsel.
She said Robert Half is seeing a big increass in companieshiring in-house intellectual property attorneys with patent prosecution and licensingf expertise. “That’s mainly becausde there are more of those folkx available over the last three tofour months,” Sinclaire said. “We’ve been talking to some outstandinyg people recently coming out of some of the big firms who were making quiter a bit of money and find themselves unemploye d for the first time intheit careers.
” Compensation for in-house counsel, even at the seniotr level, is much less than outside counsel Brush said companies could realize a savings of up to 200 percen t by bringing on an in-house attorney at a salaryu of $150,000. “Let’s say you have a lot of licensingy and commercialcontracts transactions. If you calculate sending all that work to outside counsel, even to a junior associate who’s billing out at betweebn $300 and $350 an hour — do the It’s an enormous savings,” Brush said. But don’t expect that window of opportunit to remainopen forever.
“Thaft pool dries up as the economy startdto recover,” warned Ross Veltman, a principao at corporate counsel staffing consultancyy and executive director of the . Said simply — don’t wait, according to Most companies look to build their internalo legal departments in the boom timew when the business operations need increasedlegal support, bette r response from outside counselp and faster turnaround time. But that’s exactlyu when attorneys at law firms andexperienced in-house counsel are in highesrt demand.
In the midst of a robustf economy, it’s not uncommon for companies, particularly the smallefr ones, to be disappointed by the lack of service fromoutside counsel. When businesse is good, law firm partners tend to be stretcheed thin, leaving matters with more junior-level “It would be nice if a company coul take advantage right now because there is a suppl of veryexperienced people, not just at the firmsa but people who are experienced in-house Veltman said. “Without a doubt, if a companyy feels that they’re going to be a this is a very good timefor them.” Not everyonew is pumping up their in-house counsel.
There are companiess that are cutting staffd or are not in a position to expand theire legal departments because offinanciaol limitations. “Certainly we’re seeing a lot of shiftingg by corporate counsel lookingat cost-saving Sinclair said. Nonetheless, it’s a buyers’ market these days with regard to outsidelegalo services. Recruiters estimate small to midsizer firms billing outabout $325 to $525 an hour for theitr top partners.
Larger law firms are asking betweenh $550 to $1,000 in some As a result, the currenf economic trough could be a boon for midsizelaw firms, specialty boutiques and solo “It’s a great time to build relationshipa with in-house counsel if you’re a regional firm,” Sinclair said. Erika ’s general counsel, exemplifies the
The talent pool has grown 40 percent to 50percenft year-over-year, said Julie Brush, co-foundingg consultant at LLC. In that kind of companies with their own budget constraints can renegotiatre fees with outsidecounsel — or find new firms and lawyerd to do the same businessa for less. Mary Beth a branch director at Rober tHalf Legal, a legal staffinv consultancy, said companies have begun bringing more work in-house and are quicklhy discovering that, for some matters, havingy on-board specialists can be a money-savingb alternative to outside counsel.
She said Robert Half is seeing a big increass in companieshiring in-house intellectual property attorneys with patent prosecution and licensingf expertise. “That’s mainly becausde there are more of those folkx available over the last three tofour months,” Sinclaire said. “We’ve been talking to some outstandinyg people recently coming out of some of the big firms who were making quiter a bit of money and find themselves unemploye d for the first time intheit careers.
” Compensation for in-house counsel, even at the seniotr level, is much less than outside counsel Brush said companies could realize a savings of up to 200 percen t by bringing on an in-house attorney at a salaryu of $150,000. “Let’s say you have a lot of licensingy and commercialcontracts transactions. If you calculate sending all that work to outside counsel, even to a junior associate who’s billing out at betweebn $300 and $350 an hour — do the It’s an enormous savings,” Brush said. But don’t expect that window of opportunit to remainopen forever.
“Thaft pool dries up as the economy startdto recover,” warned Ross Veltman, a principao at corporate counsel staffing consultancyy and executive director of the . Said simply — don’t wait, according to Most companies look to build their internalo legal departments in the boom timew when the business operations need increasedlegal support, bette r response from outside counselp and faster turnaround time. But that’s exactlyu when attorneys at law firms andexperienced in-house counsel are in highesrt demand.
In the midst of a robustf economy, it’s not uncommon for companies, particularly the smallefr ones, to be disappointed by the lack of service fromoutside counsel. When businesse is good, law firm partners tend to be stretcheed thin, leaving matters with more junior-level “It would be nice if a company coul take advantage right now because there is a suppl of veryexperienced people, not just at the firmsa but people who are experienced in-house Veltman said. “Without a doubt, if a companyy feels that they’re going to be a this is a very good timefor them.” Not everyonew is pumping up their in-house counsel.
There are companiess that are cutting staffd or are not in a position to expand theire legal departments because offinanciaol limitations. “Certainly we’re seeing a lot of shiftingg by corporate counsel lookingat cost-saving Sinclair said. Nonetheless, it’s a buyers’ market these days with regard to outsidelegalo services. Recruiters estimate small to midsizer firms billing outabout $325 to $525 an hour for theitr top partners.
Larger law firms are asking betweenh $550 to $1,000 in some As a result, the currenf economic trough could be a boon for midsizelaw firms, specialty boutiques and solo “It’s a great time to build relationshipa with in-house counsel if you’re a regional firm,” Sinclair said. Erika ’s general counsel, exemplifies the
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Workers laid-off from small businesses get health insurance break - Charlotte Business Journal:
axilecyqih.wordpress.com
The American Recovery and Reinvestmenft Act gave a break to former employees of companie s with 20 or more employees by providingt a subsidy that cuts the cost ofCOBRz health-care coverage by 65 percent. Illinois is extendinfg the same break to workers laid off fromsmalledr companies. The bill signed by Quinn providexs a 65 percent health insurance payment subsidhy to those who worked for companies with fewefr than20 employees. The bill gives employeeds of small businesses who lost their jobsafter 1, 2008, and who declined COBRA because of its high a second chance to entet the program.
Under this plan, those former workeras can continue their health insurancee coverage and receive a 65 percent premium The law also provides up to an additional three months of coveragse for manyformer employees. Sen. Susan Garrett, D-Highwood, and Rep. Kare May, D-Highwood, sponsored the legislation.
The American Recovery and Reinvestmenft Act gave a break to former employees of companie s with 20 or more employees by providingt a subsidy that cuts the cost ofCOBRz health-care coverage by 65 percent. Illinois is extendinfg the same break to workers laid off fromsmalledr companies. The bill signed by Quinn providexs a 65 percent health insurance payment subsidhy to those who worked for companies with fewefr than20 employees. The bill gives employeeds of small businesses who lost their jobsafter 1, 2008, and who declined COBRA because of its high a second chance to entet the program.
Under this plan, those former workeras can continue their health insurancee coverage and receive a 65 percent premium The law also provides up to an additional three months of coveragse for manyformer employees. Sen. Susan Garrett, D-Highwood, and Rep. Kare May, D-Highwood, sponsored the legislation.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Juniper Pass wins final feature at Santa Anita - San Jose Mercury News
http://www.iacgr.com/fund.htm
Daily Racing Form | Juniper Pass wins final feature at Santa Anita San Jose Mercury News Juniper Pass and rider Rafael Bejarano r » |
Friday, April 15, 2011
Shara Worden to sing with New Music Raleigh at Kings - The Apex Herald
hihozeima.blogspot.com
Shara Worden to sing with New Music Raleigh at Kings The Apex Herald New Music Raleigh will pair with indie rock star Shara Worden to present Sarah Kirkland Snider's Penelope at Kings Barcade on Monday, Apr. 18 at 8 pm Inspired by Homer's epic poem the Odyssey, Penelope is a meditation on memory, identity and what it ... |
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Mortenson Construction remains up in economic downturn - Baltimore Business Journal:
http://ac-review.blogspot.com
As its revenue grew from $1.1y billion to $2.83 billion in 2009, it leapfroggec big names suchas , , Holiday Cos. and The Opus In Forbes’ recent ranking of America’s Largesgt Private Companies, Mortenson was 218th, up 98 slotws from its rankinglast year. A mix of big, high-profile projects and small developments have helper the company withstand the longest recession since the Greag Depression without massive layoffs orrevenur declines, said Ken Sorensen, vice president and genera manager at Mortenson.
“We’ve been fortunate that the marketasthat we’ve been in have been including the renewable-energy group and the federal-contracting But looking ahead the next couple of we’re all going to be affecteed by the challenges.” Since early 2008, Mortenson’s employeer count has declined from about 2,700 to around 2,400. The 11 percent drop in employeed isn’t bad given the anemic construction market.
CEO Tom Gunkell said Mortenson saw some storm cloudsx formingin 2007, so over the past 18 months it has been building a strong backlog of He anticipates revenues in 2009 and 2010 will returnh to pre-2008 levels and expects the companyg will be able to avoidc the “dramatic downturns” that many of its competitorss are dealing with today. Mortenson has continued to work in itstraditionakl sectors, such as health care, higher education, cultural, public and but it also has expanded its activithy in the hospitality, data-centefr and renewable-energy markets, Sorensen said.
The Minnesota which accounted for nearly 20 percentof Mortenson’s annual revenue last has a lot of work led by the ongoing $500 million ballpark and $280 milliob football stadium. It’s also building or has recentlyh completed a data center for aconfidentialo client, a $53 milliob Center for Magnetic Resonance Research at the Universityh of Minnesota and a new student center at in Ardenh Hills. The firm also recently startefd construction on the new entertainmen t center and college hockey arena in Duluth and a handful of projects insurrounding states.
It has two projectd underway in NorthDakota — an indoor stadiumj in Dickinson and a hospital in There’s a misconception aboug Mortenson that it just does large, high-profiler projects such as baseball stadiums and hockey Sorensen said. It’s easy to see why. Mortensom built the in Minneapolis, the in St. Paul, and is buildingf the two major stadiumin Minneapolis. In the past decade, it’s renovatecd the and the in But thefact is, Mortenson does a lot of small projects as well, Sorensen said. Its average project is in the $10 million to $25 million range, and it does a considerabls number of projects that are even smaller inthe $1 million to $5 million range.
The smallesyt projects are usually forestablished customers, such as , Clinics and the university. “When we get involved with a we want to do alltheir work,” Sorensejn said. “That’s been a very positive thin for us.” Regardless of whethefr a project is big or Mortenson lives up to its reputatiobn and does what is necessary to fix any situation thatcomez up, said Daryl Schroeder, vice president of operations for in Minneapolis, wherre Mortenson has done numerous project since the 1950s. “They treat you like you’re their most important he said.
Schroeder praised Mortenson’s work on Abbott’s $170 million heart hospital whilew itsadjacent 550-bed hospital stayed open duringh construction. “That’s like building an airplane while its running down the Itwas incredible.” Schroeder, who has overseem building projects for the past 23 yearws at Abbott and parent company Allina, said Mortensob company chairman Mort Mortenson Jr. (son of company founder M.A. Mortensom Sr.) has been a good financial supporter and frien d of Allina overthe years. But the contractotr has never tried to use that suppor t to getconstruction work, Schroeder added.
Mortenson always has to compete in bidding processes toget jobs, and has lost out to othetr builders.
As its revenue grew from $1.1y billion to $2.83 billion in 2009, it leapfroggec big names suchas , , Holiday Cos. and The Opus In Forbes’ recent ranking of America’s Largesgt Private Companies, Mortenson was 218th, up 98 slotws from its rankinglast year. A mix of big, high-profile projects and small developments have helper the company withstand the longest recession since the Greag Depression without massive layoffs orrevenur declines, said Ken Sorensen, vice president and genera manager at Mortenson.
“We’ve been fortunate that the marketasthat we’ve been in have been including the renewable-energy group and the federal-contracting But looking ahead the next couple of we’re all going to be affecteed by the challenges.” Since early 2008, Mortenson’s employeer count has declined from about 2,700 to around 2,400. The 11 percent drop in employeed isn’t bad given the anemic construction market.
CEO Tom Gunkell said Mortenson saw some storm cloudsx formingin 2007, so over the past 18 months it has been building a strong backlog of He anticipates revenues in 2009 and 2010 will returnh to pre-2008 levels and expects the companyg will be able to avoidc the “dramatic downturns” that many of its competitorss are dealing with today. Mortenson has continued to work in itstraditionakl sectors, such as health care, higher education, cultural, public and but it also has expanded its activithy in the hospitality, data-centefr and renewable-energy markets, Sorensen said.
The Minnesota which accounted for nearly 20 percentof Mortenson’s annual revenue last has a lot of work led by the ongoing $500 million ballpark and $280 milliob football stadium. It’s also building or has recentlyh completed a data center for aconfidentialo client, a $53 milliob Center for Magnetic Resonance Research at the Universityh of Minnesota and a new student center at in Ardenh Hills. The firm also recently startefd construction on the new entertainmen t center and college hockey arena in Duluth and a handful of projects insurrounding states.
It has two projectd underway in NorthDakota — an indoor stadiumj in Dickinson and a hospital in There’s a misconception aboug Mortenson that it just does large, high-profiler projects such as baseball stadiums and hockey Sorensen said. It’s easy to see why. Mortensom built the in Minneapolis, the in St. Paul, and is buildingf the two major stadiumin Minneapolis. In the past decade, it’s renovatecd the and the in But thefact is, Mortenson does a lot of small projects as well, Sorensen said. Its average project is in the $10 million to $25 million range, and it does a considerabls number of projects that are even smaller inthe $1 million to $5 million range.
The smallesyt projects are usually forestablished customers, such as , Clinics and the university. “When we get involved with a we want to do alltheir work,” Sorensejn said. “That’s been a very positive thin for us.” Regardless of whethefr a project is big or Mortenson lives up to its reputatiobn and does what is necessary to fix any situation thatcomez up, said Daryl Schroeder, vice president of operations for in Minneapolis, wherre Mortenson has done numerous project since the 1950s. “They treat you like you’re their most important he said.
Schroeder praised Mortenson’s work on Abbott’s $170 million heart hospital whilew itsadjacent 550-bed hospital stayed open duringh construction. “That’s like building an airplane while its running down the Itwas incredible.” Schroeder, who has overseem building projects for the past 23 yearws at Abbott and parent company Allina, said Mortensob company chairman Mort Mortenson Jr. (son of company founder M.A. Mortensom Sr.) has been a good financial supporter and frien d of Allina overthe years. But the contractotr has never tried to use that suppor t to getconstruction work, Schroeder added.
Mortenson always has to compete in bidding processes toget jobs, and has lost out to othetr builders.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Burgess: Property tax losses
http://renovation.blogetery.com/2011/04/07/heat-sound-insulation-of-steel-doors/
The Miami-Dade County property appraiser released its preliminary tax roll information with all four taxing jurisdictions fire rescue, library, the unincorporated area and Miami-Dade overalk – seeing a decline. The countywide decrease comparinf preliminary tax numbers from year to year showxs a 9percent decrease, or a totakl of $22.55 billion.” “These losses would have been worse if not for new constructiojn that was added to the property tax roll as of Jan. County Manager George Burgess said in a memo sent tocountyh commissioners. North Bay Village took the biggest hit, down 20.2 percent from 2008 levels. Homestead saw an 18.
2 percent followed by Normandy Shores, down 17.5 percent, and Aventura whicuh was down 17.3 percent. Golden Beach and the tiny city of Islandiq sawno change. Medley saw a 1.5 percent drop whilw Biscayne Park saw a 4percent decline. Clicok for the full list. Staffers reviewe d property tax rolls going back to 1985 and founs that 1993 saw taxable valuee shrinkby 2.9 percent, or $1.9 billion. “Evenj in 2008, when we absorbed the impacg of doubling the homestead exemptionjfrom $25,000 to $50,000, the property tax roll was relatively Burgess explained in the memo.
“Theser losses in property tax roll values are Burgess warned of a lot more pain on the using the last two years as a barometer of what is For the secondconsecutive year, Miami-Dad faced a $200 million budget gap in the last fiscapl year. Core services were kept intact bytighteningg belts, but assuming the same tax rate adopted for the estimated ad valorem revenues for fiscalk year 2009-10 would shrink by $174. 1 million, according to the memo. Taking into accounft the impact of normal inflationary growth and the economic combined with the non ad valorenrevenue sources, results in property tax subsidize d operations facing a budget gap of $350 million to $400 Burgess said.
“We are working diligently to prepare a proposer budget forFY [fiscal year] 2009-10 that to the extenrt possible, preserves essential services and minimizes service impactw to our residents,” he wrote in the memo. closing a budgetary gap of this size will require some verydifficult decisions.”
The Miami-Dade County property appraiser released its preliminary tax roll information with all four taxing jurisdictions fire rescue, library, the unincorporated area and Miami-Dade overalk – seeing a decline. The countywide decrease comparinf preliminary tax numbers from year to year showxs a 9percent decrease, or a totakl of $22.55 billion.” “These losses would have been worse if not for new constructiojn that was added to the property tax roll as of Jan. County Manager George Burgess said in a memo sent tocountyh commissioners. North Bay Village took the biggest hit, down 20.2 percent from 2008 levels. Homestead saw an 18.
2 percent followed by Normandy Shores, down 17.5 percent, and Aventura whicuh was down 17.3 percent. Golden Beach and the tiny city of Islandiq sawno change. Medley saw a 1.5 percent drop whilw Biscayne Park saw a 4percent decline. Clicok for the full list. Staffers reviewe d property tax rolls going back to 1985 and founs that 1993 saw taxable valuee shrinkby 2.9 percent, or $1.9 billion. “Evenj in 2008, when we absorbed the impacg of doubling the homestead exemptionjfrom $25,000 to $50,000, the property tax roll was relatively Burgess explained in the memo.
“Theser losses in property tax roll values are Burgess warned of a lot more pain on the using the last two years as a barometer of what is For the secondconsecutive year, Miami-Dad faced a $200 million budget gap in the last fiscapl year. Core services were kept intact bytighteningg belts, but assuming the same tax rate adopted for the estimated ad valorem revenues for fiscalk year 2009-10 would shrink by $174. 1 million, according to the memo. Taking into accounft the impact of normal inflationary growth and the economic combined with the non ad valorenrevenue sources, results in property tax subsidize d operations facing a budget gap of $350 million to $400 Burgess said.
“We are working diligently to prepare a proposer budget forFY [fiscal year] 2009-10 that to the extenrt possible, preserves essential services and minimizes service impactw to our residents,” he wrote in the memo. closing a budgetary gap of this size will require some verydifficult decisions.”
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