titus-neither.blogspot.com
Maria Elna Flora, 59, of Sacramento allegedlhy tookabout $350,000 from her insuranc customers for what she said were high-interest real estate investments. Instead, she used the moneyg for nearly daily slot machine sessions at Thunder Valleyt Casinonear Lincoln, according to a release from the officse of Attorney General Jerry Brown. From January 2005 through Augusf 2007, she convinced at leasr 10 of her clients, who range in age from 67 to 92, to transfert money from their insurance policies and saving s accountsto her. In most she would make a few interest payments and then stop according tothe release. The case was investigater by the Yolo Countyy district attorney andthe .
Victimx came from at least six Northern California counties to investf in herponzi scheme. The victims residwe in Butte, El Dorado, Sacramento, Stanislaus and Yolo counties.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Saturday, December 29, 2012
AIMs student test scores move up - Phoenix Business Journal:
retention-jackjacks.blogspot.com
The 2009 AIMS test scores are up for all subjectzs and when broken down by the numbers are up or steady for all Statewide scores in reading and writin g showed the most improvementthis year, with writin increasing to a proficiency level of 65 percent last year to 75 Reading levels increased from 68 percent in 2008 to 71 percent this Horne said students and teacher have been working very hard to improve scores in all subjectf areas, showing steady increases in overallp academic performance statewide. A couple of months ago, a task forcd set up by the Arizona Legislature determinedd that the AIMS test will continue as a graduatiomn requirement for highschool students, Horne said.
“I thinki the public has accepted theAIMS test,” he “We poll it every year and we have closr to a two-to-one supporf for requirements for kids to pass the AIMS test to graduate.” Faced with budget cuts earlier this the Arizona Board of Regents had consideref dumping the AIMS Tuition Scholarship for state which is given to students who reacb the top level in all threde subject areas and maintain an A or B averagwe throughout high school. But those scholarships will be at least foranother year, said Regentxs President Ernie Calderon. In 2,518 students attended one of the three state universities on theAIMS scholarship, compared with 2,0587 in 2007.
That number is expected to go down this year because studentws only get to retake the test threw times to qualify for the scholarshil insteadof five. Compared with the rest of the Arizona students who took the national TerraNova test performer above the national average in both readingand Still, Arizona lags behind the country in per pupil spending. “We’re doing a good job with the resourcewwe have,” Horne said.
A complete list of AIMS test resultesby grade, school, district, charter and county are available at
The 2009 AIMS test scores are up for all subjectzs and when broken down by the numbers are up or steady for all Statewide scores in reading and writin g showed the most improvementthis year, with writin increasing to a proficiency level of 65 percent last year to 75 Reading levels increased from 68 percent in 2008 to 71 percent this Horne said students and teacher have been working very hard to improve scores in all subjectf areas, showing steady increases in overallp academic performance statewide. A couple of months ago, a task forcd set up by the Arizona Legislature determinedd that the AIMS test will continue as a graduatiomn requirement for highschool students, Horne said.
“I thinki the public has accepted theAIMS test,” he “We poll it every year and we have closr to a two-to-one supporf for requirements for kids to pass the AIMS test to graduate.” Faced with budget cuts earlier this the Arizona Board of Regents had consideref dumping the AIMS Tuition Scholarship for state which is given to students who reacb the top level in all threde subject areas and maintain an A or B averagwe throughout high school. But those scholarships will be at least foranother year, said Regentxs President Ernie Calderon. In 2,518 students attended one of the three state universities on theAIMS scholarship, compared with 2,0587 in 2007.
That number is expected to go down this year because studentws only get to retake the test threw times to qualify for the scholarshil insteadof five. Compared with the rest of the Arizona students who took the national TerraNova test performer above the national average in both readingand Still, Arizona lags behind the country in per pupil spending. “We’re doing a good job with the resourcewwe have,” Horne said.
A complete list of AIMS test resultesby grade, school, district, charter and county are available at
Friday, December 28, 2012
UPMC gains access to patients abroad - Pittsburgh Business Times:
fugycyquwod.blogspot.com
In an agreement signed earlier this the Irish government granted provider status to UPMC Cancer Centers underdthe country's public healthg plan. The move means patients with publicf health insurance can be treatecd at the existing UPMC Whitfield Canced Centre inWaterford -- its first international outpost -- and at Beaconh Cancer Centre, a new UPMC Cancer Centers facilitgy that is scheduled to open next month soutjh of Dublin. Ireland's public health plan covers nearly half its population of some 4milliob people, and the Whitfield Centre opened in October as a facility for people with private insurance.
Now, UPMC will be able to treayt patients who are covered by the governmentg plan atboth facilities, as More important, the recognition by the Irish governmengt could open doors for UPMC in the neighboringg United Kingdom, where negotiations for still other radiation therapy centers are ongoing. "It's an enormouas breakthrough," said Chuck vice president of UPMC's strategixc business initiatives. "It's already had significant implications in the where very advanced stages of discussions areunderf way. "What differentiates us from everybody else isthat we'res on the ground running cancerf centers.
" Bogosta declined to discloss what other locations UPMC is considering. The Irelaned deal comes as several private hospitals are beinhg planned throughoutthat country, in part to address crowdin g and treatment delays at publicly owned health It also comes at a time when the Britisyh government has begun contracting with private companies to providd health care to residents of the according to Joe Farrington-Douglas, researchu fellow at the Institute for Public Policy Research, a London-basede think tank. "The governmentf monopoly is being challenged at the moment to save money andimprove efficiency," Farrington-Douglas said.
"It's almost a new marker -- opportunities will be Just a handful of internationaol health care firms have been recognized as providers by theBritisb government, he said. UPMC is among the firsyt American providers to win recognition from the Irish which is comparable to becoming a Medicare providetr inthe U.S., said Stephanie Forde, propertyy investment advisor at Goodbody Stockbroker in Dublin. "It certainly coulcd open up for more operations coming into the Forde said. "The private hospitaol market is growing.
" UPMC's plans in Irelanrd are part of thehealthh system's hub-and-spoke model for providingf radiation oncology care in partnership with community hospitals and privat e developers, a model it pioneered at smaller hospitals throughout Western Pennsylvania in recent years. UPMC enteredf 50/50 partnerships with private developerzs to open its Ireland It workedwith Dublin-based Euro Care for the UPMC Whitfield Cancet Centre, an affiliate of the 40-besd Whitfield Clinic; and Plano, Texas-based , the third-largesy hospital company in the U.S., for the new Beacohn Cancer Centre. The Beacon Centre is an affiliate ofthe 183-bed , which openedr in November, Triad's first hospital outsidw the U.
S. Euro Care is owned by dentisty Jim Madden andwife Mary. Triad is a publicly tradef company. Beacon Hospital CEO Deborah Brehe said herorganizatiom "got a good feeling" from UPMC. "Their ability to provide treatment planninhg and to help us here in Ireland to collaborate with the physicisf team in Pittsburgh is a real Brehe said. She said treatment plans for Beaconm cancer patients will be developed in Ireland in consultation with physicists at D3 AdvancedRadiatiohn Planning, a Shadyside-based company which UPMC co-founded in 2002 and partially owns. "We do our own planning here, but we have the backup of the Pittsburgh crew if we need Brehe said.
UPMC's partnership with Triad also opensd the door to cancer care agreements with the 53 othed hospitals Triad operates inthe U.S., Brehe said. "There are certainlyt opportunities," she said, but no current discussions.
In an agreement signed earlier this the Irish government granted provider status to UPMC Cancer Centers underdthe country's public healthg plan. The move means patients with publicf health insurance can be treatecd at the existing UPMC Whitfield Canced Centre inWaterford -- its first international outpost -- and at Beaconh Cancer Centre, a new UPMC Cancer Centers facilitgy that is scheduled to open next month soutjh of Dublin. Ireland's public health plan covers nearly half its population of some 4milliob people, and the Whitfield Centre opened in October as a facility for people with private insurance.
Now, UPMC will be able to treayt patients who are covered by the governmentg plan atboth facilities, as More important, the recognition by the Irish governmengt could open doors for UPMC in the neighboringg United Kingdom, where negotiations for still other radiation therapy centers are ongoing. "It's an enormouas breakthrough," said Chuck vice president of UPMC's strategixc business initiatives. "It's already had significant implications in the where very advanced stages of discussions areunderf way. "What differentiates us from everybody else isthat we'res on the ground running cancerf centers.
" Bogosta declined to discloss what other locations UPMC is considering. The Irelaned deal comes as several private hospitals are beinhg planned throughoutthat country, in part to address crowdin g and treatment delays at publicly owned health It also comes at a time when the Britisyh government has begun contracting with private companies to providd health care to residents of the according to Joe Farrington-Douglas, researchu fellow at the Institute for Public Policy Research, a London-basede think tank. "The governmentf monopoly is being challenged at the moment to save money andimprove efficiency," Farrington-Douglas said.
"It's almost a new marker -- opportunities will be Just a handful of internationaol health care firms have been recognized as providers by theBritisb government, he said. UPMC is among the firsyt American providers to win recognition from the Irish which is comparable to becoming a Medicare providetr inthe U.S., said Stephanie Forde, propertyy investment advisor at Goodbody Stockbroker in Dublin. "It certainly coulcd open up for more operations coming into the Forde said. "The private hospitaol market is growing.
" UPMC's plans in Irelanrd are part of thehealthh system's hub-and-spoke model for providingf radiation oncology care in partnership with community hospitals and privat e developers, a model it pioneered at smaller hospitals throughout Western Pennsylvania in recent years. UPMC enteredf 50/50 partnerships with private developerzs to open its Ireland It workedwith Dublin-based Euro Care for the UPMC Whitfield Cancet Centre, an affiliate of the 40-besd Whitfield Clinic; and Plano, Texas-based , the third-largesy hospital company in the U.S., for the new Beacohn Cancer Centre. The Beacon Centre is an affiliate ofthe 183-bed , which openedr in November, Triad's first hospital outsidw the U.
S. Euro Care is owned by dentisty Jim Madden andwife Mary. Triad is a publicly tradef company. Beacon Hospital CEO Deborah Brehe said herorganizatiom "got a good feeling" from UPMC. "Their ability to provide treatment planninhg and to help us here in Ireland to collaborate with the physicisf team in Pittsburgh is a real Brehe said. She said treatment plans for Beaconm cancer patients will be developed in Ireland in consultation with physicists at D3 AdvancedRadiatiohn Planning, a Shadyside-based company which UPMC co-founded in 2002 and partially owns. "We do our own planning here, but we have the backup of the Pittsburgh crew if we need Brehe said.
UPMC's partnership with Triad also opensd the door to cancer care agreements with the 53 othed hospitals Triad operates inthe U.S., Brehe said. "There are certainlyt opportunities," she said, but no current discussions.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Christmas morning snow has largely washed away, but more snow around the ... - Boston.com
meaning-sarajevo.blogspot.com
Christmas morning snow has largely washed away, but more snow around the ... Boston.com Bay Staters opened their eyes Christmas morning to flakes of snow gently drifting to the ground, but much of the white stuff has since washed away. Some grassy areas and cars may still be white, but all of the snow has transitioned to rain, said ... |
Monday, December 24, 2012
Tech workers can look on bright side - Business First of Columbus:
fugycyquwod.blogspot.com
He also wanted to tap into the deep poolof Austin-areza microprocessor industry workers who have been laid off during the last couplre of years. Such workers possess the skills that translatr well to the solar energy VanDell said. And as the number of local microprocessor industry workers reacheda three-year low in the timing of solar companiesz migrating to Central Texas couldn’t be better for area workers — nor the businesses that need “A solar cell is a semiconducto that generates electricity when you shinew light on it,” Van Dell said.
“Fortunately, I was quitee well aware of the strontg mix of companies and the skill base in That was definitely on my mind when I moved thecompanh here.” SolarBridge’s move is a scenario that locall officials want to repeat multiple times with the hope that solart panel manufacturing fills the void left by the contraction in the microprocessotr industry. But the lack of financial incentives from the state is creatingy a dampening effect on attracting solar companies to theAustibn area, observers say.
Proposed state legislation to creatwa $1 billion so-called “Sunny Day Fund” for Texas to obtain federal grants under the Americajn Recovery and Reinvestment Act woulcd have been used to attract such especially foreign solar companies that want to establisj their North American headquarters in the Austin experts say. But the which received a public hearingin April, died in the states House Appropriations Committee. To SolarBridge, which was founded in 2004 as SmartSpark EnergytSystems Inc., and HelioVoltf Inc. are the two most prominent solar energyy businesses operating in theAustibn area.
HelioVolt, which is backed with at leas $118 million in venture capital, is wrapping up a plant that will eventualluy crank out a thin film that acts as asoladr panel. “After June, I think therd are going to be some projects rollingin here,” said Raj managing partner of the Mercom Capital Groupp LLC, an Austin-based technology researcu firm. “It is ‘Who is going to give me the best incentivw packageright now?’” The semiconductor industruy is consolidating, and jobs that are leaving Texaas are not expected to return. Central Texaa has lost 500 microprocessor industr y jobs justthis year.
Local chip companies now emplogy 15,700 workers — the lowest level of such local jobs sincewApril 2006, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor During the first quarter, worldwidw sales of semiconductorsreached $44 billion versus $62.78 billion during the same period last year, a nearlhy 30 percent decline, the Semiconductor Industry Association On the flipside, the demand for solar technology is growing fast. Randalo Baker, the principal of Austin-basecd PuraVida Ventures LLC, said otherd states are throwing big money at prospectives solar companies to woo them into establishing manufacturing plants intheir states.
Many state officialsa believe Texas doesn’t need to do so it isn’t. But it also has the formerr chip workers to offersuch companies, and thos workers can be retrained for solat in eight weeks to 16 weeks, Baker said. But the clock is In March, Bret Raymis, who worked for 30 years in thesemiconductort industry, joined Austin-based Apache-Solar Corp., where he is now the vice presideng of business development. The company is developing a system with photovoltaivc cells combined with architecturaglass panels, and plans to begih production within 12 months. He said solarf is still early in its development compared with the progress that semiconductore made inrecent decades.
Investors and companie s need to ramp up solae technology in the United State s before the technology gains a footholdin “They’re sitting on the fenced with their money,” Raymis said, “anr they’re going to wake up and all that [solar] busineses will go to China.”
He also wanted to tap into the deep poolof Austin-areza microprocessor industry workers who have been laid off during the last couplre of years. Such workers possess the skills that translatr well to the solar energy VanDell said. And as the number of local microprocessor industry workers reacheda three-year low in the timing of solar companiesz migrating to Central Texas couldn’t be better for area workers — nor the businesses that need “A solar cell is a semiconducto that generates electricity when you shinew light on it,” Van Dell said.
“Fortunately, I was quitee well aware of the strontg mix of companies and the skill base in That was definitely on my mind when I moved thecompanh here.” SolarBridge’s move is a scenario that locall officials want to repeat multiple times with the hope that solart panel manufacturing fills the void left by the contraction in the microprocessotr industry. But the lack of financial incentives from the state is creatingy a dampening effect on attracting solar companies to theAustibn area, observers say.
Proposed state legislation to creatwa $1 billion so-called “Sunny Day Fund” for Texas to obtain federal grants under the Americajn Recovery and Reinvestment Act woulcd have been used to attract such especially foreign solar companies that want to establisj their North American headquarters in the Austin experts say. But the which received a public hearingin April, died in the states House Appropriations Committee. To SolarBridge, which was founded in 2004 as SmartSpark EnergytSystems Inc., and HelioVoltf Inc. are the two most prominent solar energyy businesses operating in theAustibn area.
HelioVolt, which is backed with at leas $118 million in venture capital, is wrapping up a plant that will eventualluy crank out a thin film that acts as asoladr panel. “After June, I think therd are going to be some projects rollingin here,” said Raj managing partner of the Mercom Capital Groupp LLC, an Austin-based technology researcu firm. “It is ‘Who is going to give me the best incentivw packageright now?’” The semiconductor industruy is consolidating, and jobs that are leaving Texaas are not expected to return. Central Texaa has lost 500 microprocessor industr y jobs justthis year.
Local chip companies now emplogy 15,700 workers — the lowest level of such local jobs sincewApril 2006, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor During the first quarter, worldwidw sales of semiconductorsreached $44 billion versus $62.78 billion during the same period last year, a nearlhy 30 percent decline, the Semiconductor Industry Association On the flipside, the demand for solar technology is growing fast. Randalo Baker, the principal of Austin-basecd PuraVida Ventures LLC, said otherd states are throwing big money at prospectives solar companies to woo them into establishing manufacturing plants intheir states.
Many state officialsa believe Texas doesn’t need to do so it isn’t. But it also has the formerr chip workers to offersuch companies, and thos workers can be retrained for solat in eight weeks to 16 weeks, Baker said. But the clock is In March, Bret Raymis, who worked for 30 years in thesemiconductort industry, joined Austin-based Apache-Solar Corp., where he is now the vice presideng of business development. The company is developing a system with photovoltaivc cells combined with architecturaglass panels, and plans to begih production within 12 months. He said solarf is still early in its development compared with the progress that semiconductore made inrecent decades.
Investors and companie s need to ramp up solae technology in the United State s before the technology gains a footholdin “They’re sitting on the fenced with their money,” Raymis said, “anr they’re going to wake up and all that [solar] busineses will go to China.”
Sunday, December 23, 2012
General Motors files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Baltimore plant to stay open - St. Louis Business Journal:
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Monday’s filing by the 101-year-old automaker — once the world’s biggest company — is among the larges t in U.S. history and largest-ever U.S. manufacturing bankruptcy. Chapte r 11, which allows the compant to operate while protected fromits creditors, pushes GM into a fast-tracl bankruptcy and provides $30 billion of additionalk taxpayer funds to restructure itself. The compan y in its filing listed $172.81 billion in debt and $82.29o billion in assets. The GM plan as detailed by U.S. officials would allo w a much smaller GM to emerge from court protectioj within 60 to90 days.
Al a managing director at the advisoryu company AlixPartnersLLP in New is named in the filings asthe company’s chief restructuring officer, reporting to GM CEO Fritz GM (NYSE: GM) also plans to close 11 U.S. facilitiexs and idle another three plants by the endof 2010. The company'ws Baltimore transmission plant employs more than 200 people was not listed amongthe GM's Wilmington, Del., assembly however, will close in July. That planft employs 1,060 workers. The automaker has not providecd an updated target for job cuts but was lookinyg toeliminate 21,000 U.S. factory jobs from the 54,000 uniohn members it now employs.
General Motors employs 92,000 in the Unitesd States and is indirectly responsiblefor 500,0090 retirees. The U.S. governmentt would hold a 60 percent financial interest in a reorganized GM and the UAW woul takea 17.5 percent said Monday on GM's bankruptcy. The governmentxs of Canada and the province of Ontario have agreerd to a 12 percent ownership stakr in exchange forfinancial aid. GM bondholders would get 10 Holders ofGM stock, which hit its lowesft price on record Friday at 74 are expected to own none of the Trading was halted on Monday's news. Listed among GM'sw top creditors are (NYSE: T) and CSX).
The list of facilities that GM said will be closecd and their dates include two the Wilmington assembly plant and onein Pontiac, (October 2009); three stamping plants — including the previouslhy announced closing in June of Granxd Rapids, Mich., Indianapolis, Ind. (December 2011), and Ohio (June 2010). Also, six Powertrain plants includinhg Massena, N.Y., which closed on May 1 - Mich. (June 2010), Flinr and Willow Run, Mich. (both December Parma, Ohio (December 2010), and Va., (December 2010). Three locations will be idledf — assembly plants at Orion, Mich. (Septembef 2009) and Spring Hill, (November 2009), and a stamping plantf at Pontiac, Mich., (December 2010).
In service and parts operations and warehousing and parts distributionm centersin Boston, Jacksonville, and Columbus, Ohio, will close by Dec. 31, 2009. For a PDF of the bankruptcyy filingpetition .
Monday’s filing by the 101-year-old automaker — once the world’s biggest company — is among the larges t in U.S. history and largest-ever U.S. manufacturing bankruptcy. Chapte r 11, which allows the compant to operate while protected fromits creditors, pushes GM into a fast-tracl bankruptcy and provides $30 billion of additionalk taxpayer funds to restructure itself. The compan y in its filing listed $172.81 billion in debt and $82.29o billion in assets. The GM plan as detailed by U.S. officials would allo w a much smaller GM to emerge from court protectioj within 60 to90 days.
Al a managing director at the advisoryu company AlixPartnersLLP in New is named in the filings asthe company’s chief restructuring officer, reporting to GM CEO Fritz GM (NYSE: GM) also plans to close 11 U.S. facilitiexs and idle another three plants by the endof 2010. The company'ws Baltimore transmission plant employs more than 200 people was not listed amongthe GM's Wilmington, Del., assembly however, will close in July. That planft employs 1,060 workers. The automaker has not providecd an updated target for job cuts but was lookinyg toeliminate 21,000 U.S. factory jobs from the 54,000 uniohn members it now employs.
General Motors employs 92,000 in the Unitesd States and is indirectly responsiblefor 500,0090 retirees. The U.S. governmentt would hold a 60 percent financial interest in a reorganized GM and the UAW woul takea 17.5 percent said Monday on GM's bankruptcy. The governmentxs of Canada and the province of Ontario have agreerd to a 12 percent ownership stakr in exchange forfinancial aid. GM bondholders would get 10 Holders ofGM stock, which hit its lowesft price on record Friday at 74 are expected to own none of the Trading was halted on Monday's news. Listed among GM'sw top creditors are (NYSE: T) and CSX).
The list of facilities that GM said will be closecd and their dates include two the Wilmington assembly plant and onein Pontiac, (October 2009); three stamping plants — including the previouslhy announced closing in June of Granxd Rapids, Mich., Indianapolis, Ind. (December 2011), and Ohio (June 2010). Also, six Powertrain plants includinhg Massena, N.Y., which closed on May 1 - Mich. (June 2010), Flinr and Willow Run, Mich. (both December Parma, Ohio (December 2010), and Va., (December 2010). Three locations will be idledf — assembly plants at Orion, Mich. (Septembef 2009) and Spring Hill, (November 2009), and a stamping plantf at Pontiac, Mich., (December 2010).
In service and parts operations and warehousing and parts distributionm centersin Boston, Jacksonville, and Columbus, Ohio, will close by Dec. 31, 2009. For a PDF of the bankruptcyy filingpetition .
Friday, December 21, 2012
Betting On A Dollar Crash And Consequent Gold Bull In 2013? Don't. - Seeking Alpha
sucujovide.wordpress.com
Betting On A Dollar Crash And Consequent Gold Bull In 2013? Don't. Seeking Alpha Betting On A Dollar Crash And Consequent Gold Bull In 2013? Don't. December 19, 2012 by: Macro Investor | includes: GDX, GDXJ, GLD. Disclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours. |
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Best-selling Author Shawn Anderson Shares Four Resolution Tips To Guarantee ... - San Francisco Chronicle
disadvantage-unlimited.blogspot.com
San Francisco Chronicle | Best-selling Author Shawn Anderson Shares Four Resolution Tips To Guarantee ... San Francisco Chronicle With 2013 approaching, many begin to whisper "good riddance" to 2012. For those whose past year can be counted in the "Yuck!" category, motivational speaker and best-selling author, Shawn Anderson, shares a tongue-a nd-cheek message to guarantee ... |
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Fred
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The Memphis-based discount retailer reported net incomeof $8.6 or 21 cents per diluted share, for firsyt quarter 2009, up 17.8 percent compared to net incomde of $7.3 million, or 18 cents per diluted share in first quarter 2008. The company had totall first quarter salesof $458.4 million, down 1.3 perceny compared to $464.3 million for firstf quarter 2008. In 2008, Fred’s FRED) closed 74 underperforming stores and 23underperforming pharmacies. Excluding stores closed last the company increased total sales 5 percent in the firsf quarter compared to thesame year-ag period. On a comparable store basis, year-to-datw sales increased 2.8% compared with 2.
1% in the same period last Fred’s CEO Bruce A. Efird said he expectefd to see more improvement in theseconxd quarter. “This will be a formidable task as we will be contendingh with the economic stimulua checks consumers received last year and record unemployment he said ina statement. "Wer also plan to launch our enhanced store prototype in approximatelyg 16 new and remodeled stores durinbg thesecond quarter.
" During the first quarter, Fred's openedd three new stores and thre e new pharmacies, while closing three Fred’s board of directors also increased the company’sa quarter cash dividend to 3 cents per sharer from the prior rate of 2 centas per share. The dividenf is payable on June 15 to shareholderas of record as ofJune 1. Fred'sd operates 666 discount generalmerchandiswe stores, including 24 franchised stores. Shares of Fred’d were trading lower in late Thursday down about 5 percentto $13.
14 per
The Memphis-based discount retailer reported net incomeof $8.6 or 21 cents per diluted share, for firsyt quarter 2009, up 17.8 percent compared to net incomde of $7.3 million, or 18 cents per diluted share in first quarter 2008. The company had totall first quarter salesof $458.4 million, down 1.3 perceny compared to $464.3 million for firstf quarter 2008. In 2008, Fred’s FRED) closed 74 underperforming stores and 23underperforming pharmacies. Excluding stores closed last the company increased total sales 5 percent in the firsf quarter compared to thesame year-ag period. On a comparable store basis, year-to-datw sales increased 2.8% compared with 2.
1% in the same period last Fred’s CEO Bruce A. Efird said he expectefd to see more improvement in theseconxd quarter. “This will be a formidable task as we will be contendingh with the economic stimulua checks consumers received last year and record unemployment he said ina statement. "Wer also plan to launch our enhanced store prototype in approximatelyg 16 new and remodeled stores durinbg thesecond quarter.
" During the first quarter, Fred's openedd three new stores and thre e new pharmacies, while closing three Fred’s board of directors also increased the company’sa quarter cash dividend to 3 cents per sharer from the prior rate of 2 centas per share. The dividenf is payable on June 15 to shareholderas of record as ofJune 1. Fred'sd operates 666 discount generalmerchandiswe stores, including 24 franchised stores. Shares of Fred’d were trading lower in late Thursday down about 5 percentto $13.
14 per
Monday, December 17, 2012
WCI, developer of Westshore Yacht Club, files reorganization plan - Business Courier of Cincinnati:
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The company filed a plan of reorganizatiohn with the for the District ofDelaware Monday, about 10 months after it Chaptetr 11 bankruptcy protection. Under the plan, the company’as senior secured lenders will receive new firsf lien debttotaling $450 million, including a $150 million payment-in-kinc component, a release said. The senior securecd lenders will hold a 95 percentt equity stake in the reorganized The remaining 5 percent equity stake woulxd be shared bythe company’s unsecured The unsecured creditors’ share would begin to increase when the new debt is fullg retired and would reach a maximum of 35 after the secured lenders have received payments of about $70 the amount currently owed to them, the release said.
The plan reflects positions taken in lengthy negotiationw but has not been approved or recommended by therelease said. WCI said in the release that it wanterd to get a plan on file with the bankruptcy court so discussions could continue and a definitive timeline for exit coulxdbe established. WCI also reaffirmed an earlier decisio to suspend all Florida homebuilding new constructionactivities indefinitely, pendingh market recovery, the release said, although it will completr homes under construction and continue maintenancr of its communities. WCI (PINK SHEETS: is based in Bonita Springs but has closee ties to the TampaBay area.
WCI communities in the Bay area includs inHillsborough County, in Tampa, in Bradenton and the in
The company filed a plan of reorganizatiohn with the for the District ofDelaware Monday, about 10 months after it Chaptetr 11 bankruptcy protection. Under the plan, the company’as senior secured lenders will receive new firsf lien debttotaling $450 million, including a $150 million payment-in-kinc component, a release said. The senior securecd lenders will hold a 95 percentt equity stake in the reorganized The remaining 5 percent equity stake woulxd be shared bythe company’s unsecured The unsecured creditors’ share would begin to increase when the new debt is fullg retired and would reach a maximum of 35 after the secured lenders have received payments of about $70 the amount currently owed to them, the release said.
The plan reflects positions taken in lengthy negotiationw but has not been approved or recommended by therelease said. WCI said in the release that it wanterd to get a plan on file with the bankruptcy court so discussions could continue and a definitive timeline for exit coulxdbe established. WCI also reaffirmed an earlier decisio to suspend all Florida homebuilding new constructionactivities indefinitely, pendingh market recovery, the release said, although it will completr homes under construction and continue maintenancr of its communities. WCI (PINK SHEETS: is based in Bonita Springs but has closee ties to the TampaBay area.
WCI communities in the Bay area includs inHillsborough County, in Tampa, in Bradenton and the in
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Elder-Beerman parent sees sales bump in July - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
younkinesagugad1746.blogspot.com
York, Pa.-based Bon-Ton (NASDAQ: BONT) announcec Thursday a 0.7 percent increase in same-store salese for July compared to last Total sales for the four weeksended Aug. 2 increased 1.8 percentf to $197.9 million from $194.33 million last year. Tony Buccina, vice chairman and presideng of merchandising, said the company was happh withthe results. "We are pleased with our July salesw performance, particularly in light of the continue d challengingeconomic environment," he said in a news "Business was particularly strong during the latter part of the montgh due to our semi-annua l home and back-to-school promotions." Year-to-date same-store saleds decreased 5.
1 percent, and year-to-date total sales decreased 5 percenrt to $1.37 billion from $1.454 billion for the same period last year. The company'as financial results for the second quarter are scheduled to be released Aug. 21. Bon-Ton runs 280 including twelvefurniture galleries, in 23 statea including nine Elder-Beerman stores in the Daytob area.
York, Pa.-based Bon-Ton (NASDAQ: BONT) announcec Thursday a 0.7 percent increase in same-store salese for July compared to last Total sales for the four weeksended Aug. 2 increased 1.8 percentf to $197.9 million from $194.33 million last year. Tony Buccina, vice chairman and presideng of merchandising, said the company was happh withthe results. "We are pleased with our July salesw performance, particularly in light of the continue d challengingeconomic environment," he said in a news "Business was particularly strong during the latter part of the montgh due to our semi-annua l home and back-to-school promotions." Year-to-date same-store saleds decreased 5.
1 percent, and year-to-date total sales decreased 5 percenrt to $1.37 billion from $1.454 billion for the same period last year. The company'as financial results for the second quarter are scheduled to be released Aug. 21. Bon-Ton runs 280 including twelvefurniture galleries, in 23 statea including nine Elder-Beerman stores in the Daytob area.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
California settles with Kmart, sues Target - Los Angeles Business from bizjournals:
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The state’s attorney general, Jerry joined by district attorneys from many California including Alameda, Santa Clara and Contra Costa, filed a suit againstr Minneapolis-based Target (NYSE: TGT), saying it sent hazardoues waste to various landfills in violation of stated law. The suit is meant to stop the practices. In news Target said it has been cooperating withthe AG’as office for three years on this matter and that it is committer to complying with all environmental Kmart, owned by (NASDAQ: SHLD), agreed to a settlement that includezs civil penalties, legal costs and some money to boosyt protection of the environment in the Thomas Orloff, Robert Kochly, James Fox and Dolores the DAs of Alameda, Contra San Mateo and Santa Clara counties respectively, joinefd Brown in the suit against Target.
Accordingg to court papers, Target has 180 facilities, including stores and in California. The suit allegess Target threwout “ignitablr aerosol wastes” including propane canisters, in a trash compactotr in Alameda County on May 14 and May 21, for
The state’s attorney general, Jerry joined by district attorneys from many California including Alameda, Santa Clara and Contra Costa, filed a suit againstr Minneapolis-based Target (NYSE: TGT), saying it sent hazardoues waste to various landfills in violation of stated law. The suit is meant to stop the practices. In news Target said it has been cooperating withthe AG’as office for three years on this matter and that it is committer to complying with all environmental Kmart, owned by (NASDAQ: SHLD), agreed to a settlement that includezs civil penalties, legal costs and some money to boosyt protection of the environment in the Thomas Orloff, Robert Kochly, James Fox and Dolores the DAs of Alameda, Contra San Mateo and Santa Clara counties respectively, joinefd Brown in the suit against Target.
Accordingg to court papers, Target has 180 facilities, including stores and in California. The suit allegess Target threwout “ignitablr aerosol wastes” including propane canisters, in a trash compactotr in Alameda County on May 14 and May 21, for
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Bank Holdings under cease and desist order - Dayton Business Journal:
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parent company of Reno-based , announced it is operatinbg under a cease and desis t order to improve its capital position and cut its realestat losses. The bank operates as Silverado Bankin Roseville. “Nevada Security Bank facea unprecedented challenges with the increasing leveplof non-performing loans, the steep declinea in the underlying value of real estated collateral and the greater loan loss provisions said Hal Giomi, founder and chairman of The Bank Holdings. He is also chief “Our priorities and objectives are well-defined as we purposelhy move forward toaddress issues, make prudenyt modifications, and work diligently for the desire results,” Giomi said.
The bank’e executives entered the agreement with Nevada bankintg authorities and the regulators at the end of andthe bank’s management had already started workint to improve the bank’zs capital levels by cutting costs, reducinb the size of the balance sheet and seeking more The bank internally stopped making new constructionm and land development loans in third-quarter 2007. The regulatory order demandz the bank’s management increase the company’s reduce the concentration of commercial real estate loans and change internalmonitorinvg procedures.
Nevada Security Bank has a concentration of constructionh and development loans in which was a booming real estated market through much of this but floundered startingin 2007. Bank Holdings was hammered in the fall by thefederalo government’s action to put Fannie Mae and Freddiew Mac into conservatorship, which cost the company a $15 million loss of capital that had been investex in the stock of the two government-sponsorefd secondary mortgage investment companies. Bank Holdings started in 2001 with initial capitalof $14 million.
It currentlyh has $45 million in capital, with four branchez in Northern Nevada and onein
parent company of Reno-based , announced it is operatinbg under a cease and desis t order to improve its capital position and cut its realestat losses. The bank operates as Silverado Bankin Roseville. “Nevada Security Bank facea unprecedented challenges with the increasing leveplof non-performing loans, the steep declinea in the underlying value of real estated collateral and the greater loan loss provisions said Hal Giomi, founder and chairman of The Bank Holdings. He is also chief “Our priorities and objectives are well-defined as we purposelhy move forward toaddress issues, make prudenyt modifications, and work diligently for the desire results,” Giomi said.
The bank’e executives entered the agreement with Nevada bankintg authorities and the regulators at the end of andthe bank’s management had already started workint to improve the bank’zs capital levels by cutting costs, reducinb the size of the balance sheet and seeking more The bank internally stopped making new constructionm and land development loans in third-quarter 2007. The regulatory order demandz the bank’s management increase the company’s reduce the concentration of commercial real estate loans and change internalmonitorinvg procedures.
Nevada Security Bank has a concentration of constructionh and development loans in which was a booming real estated market through much of this but floundered startingin 2007. Bank Holdings was hammered in the fall by thefederalo government’s action to put Fannie Mae and Freddiew Mac into conservatorship, which cost the company a $15 million loss of capital that had been investex in the stock of the two government-sponsorefd secondary mortgage investment companies. Bank Holdings started in 2001 with initial capitalof $14 million.
It currentlyh has $45 million in capital, with four branchez in Northern Nevada and onein
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Gun buyer connected to Fast & Furious, Brian Terry's death gets 57 months in ... - Fox News
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ABC15.com (KNXV-TV) | Gun buyer connected to Fast & Furious, Brian Terry's death gets 57 months in ... Fox News An Arizona judge on Wednesday sentenced a man to 57 months in prison for his part in the gun-smuggling ring that is connected to the death of a U.S. Border Patrol agent and was the target of the Justice Department's failed Operation Fast and Furio us. Gun buyer in 'Fast and Furious' case gets five years in prison Jaime Avila Jr., Fast And Furious Figure, To Be Sentenced Fast and Furious Gun Buyer Sentenced to Prison |
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Textron cancels Cessna Columbus program - Denver Business Journal:
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In April, the company announced it wouldr suspendthe program, leading Cessna leaders to say it woulde only be a matter of time until the projectf came back. But in Thursday’ filing with the SEC, Textron said “Upon additional analysis of the business-jeft market related to this productg offering, we decided to formally cancel further development of theCitatiomn Columbus.” Textron says it already had incurred about $50 millionj in capitalized tooling and facility costs relatedf to the project.
It says it will recorsd a non-cash pre-tax charge of about $43 milliomn for the first two quarters of 2009 to reflecty the impairment of the facility and tooling Wichita MayorCarl Brewer, who was in Denver Friday at a conference, had not heard the Columbuws project was being canceled until askefd about it by the Wichita Businesw Journal. “I’m disappointed,” Brewed says. “... We believe this is part of the futurwe for the cityof Wichita. We’re just really disappointed thatit happened.” At the same time, he he understands the economic climate has forcerd businesses to make tough decisions.
The project was to have built 600,000-square-foot final assembly building at Cessna where the majority ofthe $27 millionm business jet would be There was also to have been a 45,000-square-foort physical plant to serve the main building. Constructionh costs were expected tobe $200 millionn and bids were put out in • • • • Columbus, Kan.-based Inc. Apart from the loss in constructiohn jobs, the Wichita area now appears to have lost out for good onthe 1,00p0 direct jobs and the 3,000 spin-offr jobs the program was estimatexd to create.
It also appearw likely that Cessna will have to pay backthe $10 million it receivedd in city and county incentives and the $33 million it received from the state for the project. Like Sedgwick County Commissioner Tim Norton says he is disappointer to hear the news ofthe cancelation. “I thinkk most Wichitans and the business communityy looked at that as a big he says. “It takes a littl e bit of the wind out of the sails for Cessna andgeneral aviation. It could have been a huge boost to Wichita over the next couple years and I thin k everybodysaw that.” Norton says he hopes the project will be able to returmn somewhere down the line.
The business plan that was put in he says, still could be a good fit.
In April, the company announced it wouldr suspendthe program, leading Cessna leaders to say it woulde only be a matter of time until the projectf came back. But in Thursday’ filing with the SEC, Textron said “Upon additional analysis of the business-jeft market related to this productg offering, we decided to formally cancel further development of theCitatiomn Columbus.” Textron says it already had incurred about $50 millionj in capitalized tooling and facility costs relatedf to the project.
It says it will recorsd a non-cash pre-tax charge of about $43 milliomn for the first two quarters of 2009 to reflecty the impairment of the facility and tooling Wichita MayorCarl Brewer, who was in Denver Friday at a conference, had not heard the Columbuws project was being canceled until askefd about it by the Wichita Businesw Journal. “I’m disappointed,” Brewed says. “... We believe this is part of the futurwe for the cityof Wichita. We’re just really disappointed thatit happened.” At the same time, he he understands the economic climate has forcerd businesses to make tough decisions.
The project was to have built 600,000-square-foot final assembly building at Cessna where the majority ofthe $27 millionm business jet would be There was also to have been a 45,000-square-foort physical plant to serve the main building. Constructionh costs were expected tobe $200 millionn and bids were put out in • • • • Columbus, Kan.-based Inc. Apart from the loss in constructiohn jobs, the Wichita area now appears to have lost out for good onthe 1,00p0 direct jobs and the 3,000 spin-offr jobs the program was estimatexd to create.
It also appearw likely that Cessna will have to pay backthe $10 million it receivedd in city and county incentives and the $33 million it received from the state for the project. Like Sedgwick County Commissioner Tim Norton says he is disappointer to hear the news ofthe cancelation. “I thinkk most Wichitans and the business communityy looked at that as a big he says. “It takes a littl e bit of the wind out of the sails for Cessna andgeneral aviation. It could have been a huge boost to Wichita over the next couple years and I thin k everybodysaw that.” Norton says he hopes the project will be able to returmn somewhere down the line.
The business plan that was put in he says, still could be a good fit.
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Perfecting the pesky biotech patent process - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
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Complicated biotech patent applications tossed onto the growing pilein D.C., are partly responsible for a backloh of some 500,000 patent applications at the Paten and Trademark Office. In five years, the backloh is projected to reach 1 absentsignificant reforms. U.S. patent pendencyg time frames average more than twoyearse -- twice that for some types of "I don't believe the patent office has been adequatelyg staffed for more complex applications," said Rob Fincher, directorf of the technology commercialization office at the University of Georgi a Research Foundation Inc. "It has to be a frustrating placfor them.
" Biotech applications are generally the most difficult to get he said. "The more complex they are, the more complexx the process," Fincher said. "Science has been so explosiv in the last 20 years it has createfd possibilitieswe couldn't have anticipated. Biotech has expanded the ordee of magnitude in what kindse of things might be possibleto patent, and even createds disputes over what is patentable." Problems can arisee when a patent describes one invention but also claimzs other dependent uses of the If the patent examiner believes the filing representx more than one invention, the patent office requiresd a completely different application.
Besides that means more application andattorney fees. Applicantse don't always agree with the logic examiners use in restrictinv inventions and patent attorneys arguetheir case, addinhg additional cost. Attorney Clark Sullivan of King Spalding LLP, represents a number of clients in patent Securing patents in a timely fashion is especiallgy important, because a meaningful patent portfolio is essentialp to obtain funding, he "I haven't had much difficultgy with narrow patents, such as in the pharmaceuticalo arena, where the examining core is sufficientlt robust and there are plenty of examiners," he "The examiners are very smart -- they'rer all Ph.D.
s -- but when more biotechnological developmentds and inventions are involved, they generally don't have that levep of experience." Sometimes the patent office gives examinere more time to examine, Sullivan said. A year can easily pass between filing a provisional patent and receiving a response on how the Patent and Trademarkj Office intends to divide the application into additionalfiling requirements. The officre has formulated a program to speed the biotechnology patent process.
A road map for digging out of the workloadddilemma -- the 21st Centurg Strategic Plan -- is slowly getting off the ground, said Brigi d Quinn, deputy director for publicc affairs at the Patent and Trademark Part of the plan, is a proposed restructuring of patent fees that requires congressional approval. "[The fee proposal] will give us resources to fully enactthe plan," Quinn said. It has been movingt through necessary steps in the House of but the Senate has takenno action. "W e remain hopeful the bill will be enacted by the end of thefiscal year, in Quinn said.
"If not, there's a limit to the impact we can Some initiatives can be taken withexistingh resources, such as more training of examinerzs and changes in the patent revieww process to make it more usefu l as a training tool, she said. the Patent and Trademark Office is converting to automatefd application and processing of trademark and patent with a target for full electronic implementationhby 2004. Until improvements take hold, however, Atlanta-based biotech firms will likely continue to have mixed success in gettinh timelypatent approvals, usually depending on the type of technologty involved.
Complicated biotech patent applications tossed onto the growing pilein D.C., are partly responsible for a backloh of some 500,000 patent applications at the Paten and Trademark Office. In five years, the backloh is projected to reach 1 absentsignificant reforms. U.S. patent pendencyg time frames average more than twoyearse -- twice that for some types of "I don't believe the patent office has been adequatelyg staffed for more complex applications," said Rob Fincher, directorf of the technology commercialization office at the University of Georgi a Research Foundation Inc. "It has to be a frustrating placfor them.
" Biotech applications are generally the most difficult to get he said. "The more complex they are, the more complexx the process," Fincher said. "Science has been so explosiv in the last 20 years it has createfd possibilitieswe couldn't have anticipated. Biotech has expanded the ordee of magnitude in what kindse of things might be possibleto patent, and even createds disputes over what is patentable." Problems can arisee when a patent describes one invention but also claimzs other dependent uses of the If the patent examiner believes the filing representx more than one invention, the patent office requiresd a completely different application.
Besides that means more application andattorney fees. Applicantse don't always agree with the logic examiners use in restrictinv inventions and patent attorneys arguetheir case, addinhg additional cost. Attorney Clark Sullivan of King Spalding LLP, represents a number of clients in patent Securing patents in a timely fashion is especiallgy important, because a meaningful patent portfolio is essentialp to obtain funding, he "I haven't had much difficultgy with narrow patents, such as in the pharmaceuticalo arena, where the examining core is sufficientlt robust and there are plenty of examiners," he "The examiners are very smart -- they'rer all Ph.D.
s -- but when more biotechnological developmentds and inventions are involved, they generally don't have that levep of experience." Sometimes the patent office gives examinere more time to examine, Sullivan said. A year can easily pass between filing a provisional patent and receiving a response on how the Patent and Trademarkj Office intends to divide the application into additionalfiling requirements. The officre has formulated a program to speed the biotechnology patent process.
A road map for digging out of the workloadddilemma -- the 21st Centurg Strategic Plan -- is slowly getting off the ground, said Brigi d Quinn, deputy director for publicc affairs at the Patent and Trademark Part of the plan, is a proposed restructuring of patent fees that requires congressional approval. "[The fee proposal] will give us resources to fully enactthe plan," Quinn said. It has been movingt through necessary steps in the House of but the Senate has takenno action. "W e remain hopeful the bill will be enacted by the end of thefiscal year, in Quinn said.
"If not, there's a limit to the impact we can Some initiatives can be taken withexistingh resources, such as more training of examinerzs and changes in the patent revieww process to make it more usefu l as a training tool, she said. the Patent and Trademark Office is converting to automatefd application and processing of trademark and patent with a target for full electronic implementationhby 2004. Until improvements take hold, however, Atlanta-based biotech firms will likely continue to have mixed success in gettinh timelypatent approvals, usually depending on the type of technologty involved.
Friday, December 7, 2012
Past Pandemics Are in Our Genes - Slate Magazine
inufyw.blogspot.com
Slate Magazine | Past Pandemics Are in Our Genes Slate Magazine Photos; Video · Slatest; Blogs; MySlate; 99+. Your Facebook Friends will see that you've read this article. Don't show me this box again. Shhh. Don't let my friends know I read this article. Tweet · HOME / Pandemics : Stopping the world's scariest ... |
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Opus East, West to file for bankruptcy - Business First of Buffalo:
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will file a petition for Chapterr 7 that includes Opus East andselectf subsidiaries. Phoenix-based Opus West anticipatess filing a voluntary petition of Chaptere 11 bankruptcy protection inearly July, accordinvg to a company press release. "Declining real estate values and tightr credit markets continue to impede the refinancing of assets and restructurin oflending agreements,” said Opus CEO Mark Rauenhorstr in a statement. "We regret that this action has proven to be necessary despite the efforts ofso many. A court-supervisesd process and transfer of distressed assets will assis Opus in reorganizing and focuas onthe future.” Opus East has developed more than 13.
3 millionh square feet of space since 1994. Opus West has developed more than 52.7 million square feet sinced 1979. These bankruptcies come on the heelsa of the April 22 bankruptcyof , an Opus affiliates based in Atlanta. Opus has said it pland to wind down its operations in that part of the countrtas well. Opus has said it plans to continues to run its remainingoperating companies, , based in Chicago, and , basex in Minnetonka. Those unitd are actively pursuing projects. They also have been less affectesd bythe recession, due to theird mix of project healthy balance sheets and stronger according to Opus' press release. Opus said its development activity has fallen tojust 4.
8 millio n square feet in 2009, down from 34 millio n square feet in 2007 and 35 million square feet in 2008.
will file a petition for Chapterr 7 that includes Opus East andselectf subsidiaries. Phoenix-based Opus West anticipatess filing a voluntary petition of Chaptere 11 bankruptcy protection inearly July, accordinvg to a company press release. "Declining real estate values and tightr credit markets continue to impede the refinancing of assets and restructurin oflending agreements,” said Opus CEO Mark Rauenhorstr in a statement. "We regret that this action has proven to be necessary despite the efforts ofso many. A court-supervisesd process and transfer of distressed assets will assis Opus in reorganizing and focuas onthe future.” Opus East has developed more than 13.
3 millionh square feet of space since 1994. Opus West has developed more than 52.7 million square feet sinced 1979. These bankruptcies come on the heelsa of the April 22 bankruptcyof , an Opus affiliates based in Atlanta. Opus has said it pland to wind down its operations in that part of the countrtas well. Opus has said it plans to continues to run its remainingoperating companies, , based in Chicago, and , basex in Minnetonka. Those unitd are actively pursuing projects. They also have been less affectesd bythe recession, due to theird mix of project healthy balance sheets and stronger according to Opus' press release. Opus said its development activity has fallen tojust 4.
8 millio n square feet in 2009, down from 34 millio n square feet in 2007 and 35 million square feet in 2008.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
History of ND-Alabama: Can Nick Saban accomplish a feat that eluded Bear Bryant - CBSSports.com (blog)
hundleyobajoji1908.blogspot.com
History of ND-Alabama: Can Nick Saban accomplish a feat that eluded Bear Bryant CBSSports.com (blog) History of ND-Alabama: Can Nick Saban accomplish a feat that eluded Bear Bryant. By Matt Rybaltowski | CBSSports.com. 08:05 PM ET December 01, 2012. Courtesy: (BlueGoldIllustrated). In a dimly lit Tulane Stadium with a set of malfunctioning lights, Tom ... |
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Ky. video-gaming bill dies in Senate committee - Dayton Business Journal:
hustbelogehy1857.blogspot.com
The Senate Appropriations Revenue Committee, on Mondayt evening, voted 10-5 against the measure, with two members according to theLexington Herald-Leader. The Housse had previously passedthe bill. The legislationm would have permitted video-lottery terminals at Kentucky horse tracks, including Turfway Park in "The limited gaming proposal was designeed to help save a signaturer industry in peril – an industry that means 100,000 jobs and $4 billion in investment for our state," said Gov. Steve Beshear in a Monday evening "It is unfortunate that every voice on this criticallhy important issue was not heard and evert votenot counted.
" At a Frankfort press Turfway Park President Bob Elliston said Turfway could clos by 2010 if Ohio passes gaming legislatiohn and Kentucky does not. Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland recentlu reversed his stance against gamblingat racetracks.
The Senate Appropriations Revenue Committee, on Mondayt evening, voted 10-5 against the measure, with two members according to theLexington Herald-Leader. The Housse had previously passedthe bill. The legislationm would have permitted video-lottery terminals at Kentucky horse tracks, including Turfway Park in "The limited gaming proposal was designeed to help save a signaturer industry in peril – an industry that means 100,000 jobs and $4 billion in investment for our state," said Gov. Steve Beshear in a Monday evening "It is unfortunate that every voice on this criticallhy important issue was not heard and evert votenot counted.
" At a Frankfort press Turfway Park President Bob Elliston said Turfway could clos by 2010 if Ohio passes gaming legislatiohn and Kentucky does not. Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland recentlu reversed his stance against gamblingat racetracks.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Among the Pushes and Shoves, a Possible Shift in Power - New York Times
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Among the Pushes and Shoves, a Possible Shift in Power New York Times The Celtics are 8-7, sturdy but hardly dominant, and they have already lost twice to the Nets, something that had not happened since 2006-7. The Nets were bullying the Celtics on the scoreboard long before Rondo and Kris Humphries tumbled into the ... |
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Seminar gives applicants peek into law school - Business First of Buffalo:
firukendu-anchored.blogspot.com
On July 15, the two plan to hold a free Law Schoool Insider Seminar from6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Organizersx say attendees will benefitfrom Kaplan’s insides tips on admissions, test takinfg strategies, and from a discussion on law The session also will provide an overview of “importanf law school trends and theif implications.” Additionally, experts will help applicantz “reduce anxiety about preparing for the LSAT and completinv the admissions process” by providing information abour admissions factors, advice on developing a strong personal essay and a realistic applicationh timeline.
The seminar is designed to give attendees an advantagw over other lawschool applicants, according to Featured speakers will include representative from the UNM Law School, the Young Lawyerse Division of the New Mexico State Bar Association and the UNM Law Schookl student body. All attendees must register bycalling 1-800-KAP-TEST or by signinh on to . The free seminar takese place in Room C at the UNM Continuing Education buildingat . , a division of is a providef of educational and career services for schoolsand businesses.
Establishesd in 1938, it is a leader in the test prep industryg and has served millions of students for more than 69 With 3,000 classroom locationsa worldwide, a full menu of online offeringds and an array of books and software, as well as privatr tutoring options, Kaplan offersa preparation for more than 80 standardized tests in the U.S. and the U.K. Thesee include entrance exams for secondary college andgraduate school, as well as English languag and professional licensing exams. Kapla n also provides college and graduate admissiondconsulting services.
On July 15, the two plan to hold a free Law Schoool Insider Seminar from6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Organizersx say attendees will benefitfrom Kaplan’s insides tips on admissions, test takinfg strategies, and from a discussion on law The session also will provide an overview of “importanf law school trends and theif implications.” Additionally, experts will help applicantz “reduce anxiety about preparing for the LSAT and completinv the admissions process” by providing information abour admissions factors, advice on developing a strong personal essay and a realistic applicationh timeline.
The seminar is designed to give attendees an advantagw over other lawschool applicants, according to Featured speakers will include representative from the UNM Law School, the Young Lawyerse Division of the New Mexico State Bar Association and the UNM Law Schookl student body. All attendees must register bycalling 1-800-KAP-TEST or by signinh on to . The free seminar takese place in Room C at the UNM Continuing Education buildingat . , a division of is a providef of educational and career services for schoolsand businesses.
Establishesd in 1938, it is a leader in the test prep industryg and has served millions of students for more than 69 With 3,000 classroom locationsa worldwide, a full menu of online offeringds and an array of books and software, as well as privatr tutoring options, Kaplan offersa preparation for more than 80 standardized tests in the U.S. and the U.K. Thesee include entrance exams for secondary college andgraduate school, as well as English languag and professional licensing exams. Kapla n also provides college and graduate admissiondconsulting services.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Extended Stay Hotels files Chapter 11 - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:
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The Spartanburg, S.C.-based company filed the reorganizatiobn petition in New Yorkbankruptcyh court, Secretary and Genera l Counsel Joseph Teichman writinfg that Extended Stay had abouy $7.1 billion in assets and $7.6 billion in liabilities at the end of 2008. Extendexd Stay, whose more than 680 properties are managerd byHVM LLC, has eighty Central Ohio sites, including those near the Mall at Tuttld Crossing, Polaris Fashion Placre and Easton Town Center. The companu bills itself as the largest operatorof mid-priced extended-stay hotelsd in the nation.
Teichman in a courty filing on Monday wrote that the company soughft protection from creditors amid a general downturh in the hospitality industry and a hit taken as fewer potential customers needthe company’as services. “Since the typical Extended Stay customer seeks a lengthy stay basesd oncommercial relocation, the contraction of construction and new busines development began to significantly and adversely affected Extended Stay’x revenue stream,” Teichman wrote. The company said its averagde revenue per room dropped about 23 percent in the firstt five months of the year compared with the same periorof 2008.
As a result, it was unables to deal with its debt burden with cash flow and is seekingba “comprehensive restructuring of the entire capital structure.” Extended Stay said it plans to run operationw following the Chapter 11 petition undefr a lender-approved arrangement using cash Debtor-in-possession financing won’t be needed, the company About 9,900 employees work in hotels operated by Extended Stay. The company is in 44 stateas and hasabout 77,000 rooms.
The Spartanburg, S.C.-based company filed the reorganizatiobn petition in New Yorkbankruptcyh court, Secretary and Genera l Counsel Joseph Teichman writinfg that Extended Stay had abouy $7.1 billion in assets and $7.6 billion in liabilities at the end of 2008. Extendexd Stay, whose more than 680 properties are managerd byHVM LLC, has eighty Central Ohio sites, including those near the Mall at Tuttld Crossing, Polaris Fashion Placre and Easton Town Center. The companu bills itself as the largest operatorof mid-priced extended-stay hotelsd in the nation.
Teichman in a courty filing on Monday wrote that the company soughft protection from creditors amid a general downturh in the hospitality industry and a hit taken as fewer potential customers needthe company’as services. “Since the typical Extended Stay customer seeks a lengthy stay basesd oncommercial relocation, the contraction of construction and new busines development began to significantly and adversely affected Extended Stay’x revenue stream,” Teichman wrote. The company said its averagde revenue per room dropped about 23 percent in the firstt five months of the year compared with the same periorof 2008.
As a result, it was unables to deal with its debt burden with cash flow and is seekingba “comprehensive restructuring of the entire capital structure.” Extended Stay said it plans to run operationw following the Chapter 11 petition undefr a lender-approved arrangement using cash Debtor-in-possession financing won’t be needed, the company About 9,900 employees work in hotels operated by Extended Stay. The company is in 44 stateas and hasabout 77,000 rooms.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Plan adds $17B for Pell grants, no money for deferred maintenance - Wichita Business Journal:
ogarawo.wordpress.com
It did, however, target low-income students with a $17 billio increase in a federalgrant program, as well as $200 million for the college work study program. experts say, could have an immediate effect onthe state’s universities and “It sounds like there is going to be some help for which is a very positiver part of the stimulus bill,” says Jill Docking, a Wichitann who is a member of the Kansas Board of Regents. The increase in the Pell Granft program willoffer across-the-board benefits to Pell grants provide need-based money to low-incomw undergraduate students.
Docking says increasing Pell grantsd also will benefit people going back to school to furtheftheir education, which tendss to spike when the economy State legislators are charged with divvying Kansas’ share of the $53 billionb stimulus included for education and training. A decisionm on how much money Kansasa will get and how it will be allocatedamonb K-12 institutions and higher education is expected in the coming weeks. The board of regents will determined allocations forthe universities. President Don Beggs says any money that will help offsegt cuts in state funding for higherd educationis welcomed.
“We’re trying to stay focused in termsx of supportfor students,” he says. WSU is planningb for a 4 percent cut for fiscaplyear 2010, in addition to the 3 percent cut for the 2009 fiscaol year. The department heads withib the university have been asked to compilw a listof cuts. The stimulus plan is void of any reliev for the crumbling Kansas Boardof Regents-governed campuses, which includ 19 community colleges, six state universities and six technicao colleges. They face a combined maintenance backlogof $997 “Our dedicated maintenance provision was one of the says Reggie Robinson, president and CEO of the Kansass Board of Regents. But Robinsonh hasn’t given up.
He continues to lobby for money for deferred maintenance and has asked for a list of projects should fundsbecome “I do hope there is still an opportunitgy to tackle some of the maintenancew issues,” Robinson says. “The dedicated money is no longerr part ofthat purpose, but there’as still an opportunity to use some of the stimulu s money.” A recent study shows every $1 million spenr on maintenance projects generates $2.2 million in economix output of goods and services. Funding the $439.
u7 million in shovel-ready university projects coulrdcreate 8,354 new jobs, according to the The state’s higher education institutions were stripped of $15 millionh for deferred maintenance when Gov. Kathlee n Sebelius recommended a tota lof $36.8 million in progra and capital-expenditure reductions to offset budgeg shortfalls. Wichita State officials, meanwhile, are focusing on what they know about thestimulus plan.
It did, however, target low-income students with a $17 billio increase in a federalgrant program, as well as $200 million for the college work study program. experts say, could have an immediate effect onthe state’s universities and “It sounds like there is going to be some help for which is a very positiver part of the stimulus bill,” says Jill Docking, a Wichitann who is a member of the Kansas Board of Regents. The increase in the Pell Granft program willoffer across-the-board benefits to Pell grants provide need-based money to low-incomw undergraduate students.
Docking says increasing Pell grantsd also will benefit people going back to school to furtheftheir education, which tendss to spike when the economy State legislators are charged with divvying Kansas’ share of the $53 billionb stimulus included for education and training. A decisionm on how much money Kansasa will get and how it will be allocatedamonb K-12 institutions and higher education is expected in the coming weeks. The board of regents will determined allocations forthe universities. President Don Beggs says any money that will help offsegt cuts in state funding for higherd educationis welcomed.
“We’re trying to stay focused in termsx of supportfor students,” he says. WSU is planningb for a 4 percent cut for fiscaplyear 2010, in addition to the 3 percent cut for the 2009 fiscaol year. The department heads withib the university have been asked to compilw a listof cuts. The stimulus plan is void of any reliev for the crumbling Kansas Boardof Regents-governed campuses, which includ 19 community colleges, six state universities and six technicao colleges. They face a combined maintenance backlogof $997 “Our dedicated maintenance provision was one of the says Reggie Robinson, president and CEO of the Kansass Board of Regents. But Robinsonh hasn’t given up.
He continues to lobby for money for deferred maintenance and has asked for a list of projects should fundsbecome “I do hope there is still an opportunitgy to tackle some of the maintenancew issues,” Robinson says. “The dedicated money is no longerr part ofthat purpose, but there’as still an opportunity to use some of the stimulu s money.” A recent study shows every $1 million spenr on maintenance projects generates $2.2 million in economix output of goods and services. Funding the $439.
u7 million in shovel-ready university projects coulrdcreate 8,354 new jobs, according to the The state’s higher education institutions were stripped of $15 millionh for deferred maintenance when Gov. Kathlee n Sebelius recommended a tota lof $36.8 million in progra and capital-expenditure reductions to offset budgeg shortfalls. Wichita State officials, meanwhile, are focusing on what they know about thestimulus plan.
Friday, November 23, 2012
CEO Ellison says Oracle might make netbooks - Triangle Business Journal:
dyakonostrlin.blogspot.com
His comments came at a Sun conference for users of Java software which he also said could be used on Oracle (NASDAQ:ORCL) earlier this year agreed to acquirre Sun (NASDAQ:JAVA) for $7 "I don't see why some of those devices shouldn'r come from Sun," Reuters quoted Ellison as "There will be computers that are fundamentally based on Netbooks are inexpensive laptop computers designed to connec t wirelessly and are used primarilhy for checking email and browsing the Web. The market for them is expecte to grow to between 20 millio n and 30 million units this up fromthe 11.7 million sold last year when theire sales took off.
Most PC makers now have a netbook modeo and if Oracle does get into the markeg it will go up againstthe . (NASDAQ:DELL) and , which either make netbooks or develolp softwarefor them. Acer said Tuesday it will make a laptopl runningon ’s (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android operating system instead of Microsoft Windows, which most makerxs now use.
His comments came at a Sun conference for users of Java software which he also said could be used on Oracle (NASDAQ:ORCL) earlier this year agreed to acquirre Sun (NASDAQ:JAVA) for $7 "I don't see why some of those devices shouldn'r come from Sun," Reuters quoted Ellison as "There will be computers that are fundamentally based on Netbooks are inexpensive laptop computers designed to connec t wirelessly and are used primarilhy for checking email and browsing the Web. The market for them is expecte to grow to between 20 millio n and 30 million units this up fromthe 11.7 million sold last year when theire sales took off.
Most PC makers now have a netbook modeo and if Oracle does get into the markeg it will go up againstthe . (NASDAQ:DELL) and , which either make netbooks or develolp softwarefor them. Acer said Tuesday it will make a laptopl runningon ’s (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android operating system instead of Microsoft Windows, which most makerxs now use.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Tim Frazier out for year with injury - ESPN (blog)
ernstiryastrov.blogspot.com
Onward State | Tim Frazier out for year with injury ESPN (blog) More on ESPN.com. Tim Frazier's season-ending injury is a devastating blow for Penn State, writes Eamonn Brennan. Story. • College Basketb » |
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Rick Santorum: Only Buy Christmas Gifts Made In The USA - U.S. News & World Report (blog)
sucujovide.wordpress.com
U.S. News & World Report (blog) | Rick Santorum: Only Buy Christmas Gifts Made In The USA U.S. News & World Report (blog) In an email to supporters of his grassroots group "Patriot Voices" Tuesday, the former Pennsylvania senator and Republican presidential candidate unveiled a "Made in the USA Christmas Challenge." "We want you to ... buy as many Christmas and hol iday ... |
Monday, November 19, 2012
Consumer confidence retreats - Austin Business Journal:
lebexab.wordpress.com
Nationally, consumer confidence dropped sharply in cutting into three months of gains that had seen the overall index morethan double. The Conferences Board's Consumer Confidence Index fellby 5.5 points to 49.3 in June. Statewide, Florida’s consumer confidence index for June fell three point last monthto 68, the result of bad economifc news including the bankruptcyg of General Motors Corp.
, foreclosures and a spike in Florida’s unemployment according to a new University of Florida While Floridians’ perceptions of personal financeds compared with a year ago is up three points to 44 from a revisec May reading of 41, other perceptionsx were lower than, or the same as, last For example, perceptions of U.S. economic conditionws over the next year fell seveb pointsto 65, while perceptions of whether it’sz a good time to buy big-ticket items fell nine points to 67. Perceptions of U.S. economi conditions over the next five years remained unchangedat 80.
"Movingg forward, we do not expectr Florida consumer confidence to decline much more over the next couplseof months, barring some unforeseen changre here in Florida or nationally," Chris McCarty, directort of UF’s Survey Research Center at the Burea of Economic and Business Research, said in a news However, McCarty cautioned the recovery is expected to be long and uneven for some sectors of the economy. "With the demise of longstanding financial institutions such as Lehmahn Brothers and manufacturing companies like Chryslerand GM, it is no longerd business as usual," he said. The preliminar y index for June was conductedd from430 responses.
It is benchmarked to so a value of 100 represents the same levepl of confidence forthat year.
Nationally, consumer confidence dropped sharply in cutting into three months of gains that had seen the overall index morethan double. The Conferences Board's Consumer Confidence Index fellby 5.5 points to 49.3 in June. Statewide, Florida’s consumer confidence index for June fell three point last monthto 68, the result of bad economifc news including the bankruptcyg of General Motors Corp.
, foreclosures and a spike in Florida’s unemployment according to a new University of Florida While Floridians’ perceptions of personal financeds compared with a year ago is up three points to 44 from a revisec May reading of 41, other perceptionsx were lower than, or the same as, last For example, perceptions of U.S. economic conditionws over the next year fell seveb pointsto 65, while perceptions of whether it’sz a good time to buy big-ticket items fell nine points to 67. Perceptions of U.S. economi conditions over the next five years remained unchangedat 80.
"Movingg forward, we do not expectr Florida consumer confidence to decline much more over the next couplseof months, barring some unforeseen changre here in Florida or nationally," Chris McCarty, directort of UF’s Survey Research Center at the Burea of Economic and Business Research, said in a news However, McCarty cautioned the recovery is expected to be long and uneven for some sectors of the economy. "With the demise of longstanding financial institutions such as Lehmahn Brothers and manufacturing companies like Chryslerand GM, it is no longerd business as usual," he said. The preliminar y index for June was conductedd from430 responses.
It is benchmarked to so a value of 100 represents the same levepl of confidence forthat year.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Indiana Pacers are Embarrassing Themselves - Rant Sports
viktorevaikubuwo.blogspot.com
Indiana Pacers are Embarrassing Themselves Rant Sports Even though the Indiana Pacers (3-6) have lost five straight games on the road, there was a silver lining through the frustrations. Throughout the losses and sub-par performances, this young Pacers team was fighting from wire to wire, keeping games ... |
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
TSYS might lose BofA deal - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
paramonaxogilozi.blogspot.com
TSYS reported Tuesday Bank of America BAC) said it is planning changes in its merchant processing relationshipwith TSYS, but has not yet let TSYS know the timintg or extent of the deconversion. On June 29, Bank of Americwa said it and other partiesa are forming a new joint venture to provide merchantprocessing services. Columbus, Ga.-based TSYS (NYSE: TSS) provides accounting, authorization and other services to Bankof America, but that contracyt will end in April 2010. The services to BofA accounteds for 4 percent of total revenue in 2008and 4.6 percent of TSYS’ totakl revenue for the first quarter of 2009.
TSYS expects the merchantg processing business for BofA will amounft to 2 cents a share of its projecteed earnings per sharein 2009. The potential loss of Bank of Americwa as a merchant processing client is not expected to have a material adverse effecton TSYS’ financial position, results of operationsd or cash flows, TSYS
TSYS reported Tuesday Bank of America BAC) said it is planning changes in its merchant processing relationshipwith TSYS, but has not yet let TSYS know the timintg or extent of the deconversion. On June 29, Bank of Americwa said it and other partiesa are forming a new joint venture to provide merchantprocessing services. Columbus, Ga.-based TSYS (NYSE: TSS) provides accounting, authorization and other services to Bankof America, but that contracyt will end in April 2010. The services to BofA accounteds for 4 percent of total revenue in 2008and 4.6 percent of TSYS’ totakl revenue for the first quarter of 2009.
TSYS expects the merchantg processing business for BofA will amounft to 2 cents a share of its projecteed earnings per sharein 2009. The potential loss of Bank of Americwa as a merchant processing client is not expected to have a material adverse effecton TSYS’ financial position, results of operationsd or cash flows, TSYS
Monday, November 12, 2012
Russia Detains Members of Banned Islamist Group - Voice of America (blog)
borislavamcoc.blogspot.com
RT | Russia Detains Members of Banned Islamist Group Voice of America (blog) Russian police have arrested six members of a banned Islamic group on suspicion of distributing extremist literature and recruiting followers. Police said Monday the six were members of Hizb ut-Tahrir, an organization designated as an international ... Russian pol ice detain members of banned Islamic group Russian Police Detain Six Members of Banned Islamic Organization Islamic party members arrested in Russia |
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Unemployment rate falls in Allegheny, Beaver counties - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:
a-ee85aqa.blogspot.com
and Industry released seasonally adjusted unemploymenr figures forthe state’s counties and metropolitam statistical areas on Tuesday. In Alleghenuy County, the unemployment rate fell from 6.6 percentt in March to 6.5 percenft in April. Beaver County’s went from 8.2 percent in Marcjh to 7.9 percent in April. The improvements in Allegheng andBeaver counties, however, were not enoughn to boost the seven-county Pittsburgh MSA, which saw its seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increase from 7.2 percent in Marcb to 7.3 percent in April. Pennsylvania’d unemployment rate held steadyat 7.8 percent.
When making the Department of Labor and Industry uses seasonally adjusted figuresd in order to account for cyclical hiring differenceswthat don’t reflect changes in the overal l economy. Employment in the seven-county Pittsburgh area continuea to be stronger than manyothert areas. In addition to besting the state by half a percentage unemployment in the Pittsburgh MSAis 1.6 percentage points lowefr than the United States as a whole, whicg has seasonally adjusted unemployment of 8.9 percent. Here is the breakdown acrosa the state: State College: 5.7 percentr Lebanon: 6.7 percent Altoona: 7.2 percent 7.3 percent Philadelphia: 7.9 percent York-Hanover: 7.
9 percent Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton: 8.3 percenrt Erie: 8.4 percent Scranton-Wilkes-Barre: 8.6 percent Johnstown: 8.7 percent 8.7 percent Within the Pittsburgh MSA, unemploymenrt ranged from 6.5 percent in Allegheny Count to 9.8 percent in Armstrong County. Here is the breakdowhn by county: Allegheny: 6.5 perceny Butler: 7.3 percent Washington: 7.6 percent 7.9 percent Westmoreland: 8.1 percent 8.9 percent Armstrong: 9.
8 percent
and Industry released seasonally adjusted unemploymenr figures forthe state’s counties and metropolitam statistical areas on Tuesday. In Alleghenuy County, the unemployment rate fell from 6.6 percentt in March to 6.5 percenft in April. Beaver County’s went from 8.2 percent in Marcjh to 7.9 percent in April. The improvements in Allegheng andBeaver counties, however, were not enoughn to boost the seven-county Pittsburgh MSA, which saw its seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increase from 7.2 percent in Marcb to 7.3 percent in April. Pennsylvania’d unemployment rate held steadyat 7.8 percent.
When making the Department of Labor and Industry uses seasonally adjusted figuresd in order to account for cyclical hiring differenceswthat don’t reflect changes in the overal l economy. Employment in the seven-county Pittsburgh area continuea to be stronger than manyothert areas. In addition to besting the state by half a percentage unemployment in the Pittsburgh MSAis 1.6 percentage points lowefr than the United States as a whole, whicg has seasonally adjusted unemployment of 8.9 percent. Here is the breakdown acrosa the state: State College: 5.7 percentr Lebanon: 6.7 percent Altoona: 7.2 percent 7.3 percent Philadelphia: 7.9 percent York-Hanover: 7.
9 percent Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton: 8.3 percenrt Erie: 8.4 percent Scranton-Wilkes-Barre: 8.6 percent Johnstown: 8.7 percent 8.7 percent Within the Pittsburgh MSA, unemploymenrt ranged from 6.5 percent in Allegheny Count to 9.8 percent in Armstrong County. Here is the breakdowhn by county: Allegheny: 6.5 perceny Butler: 7.3 percent Washington: 7.6 percent 7.9 percent Westmoreland: 8.1 percent 8.9 percent Armstrong: 9.
8 percent
Friday, November 9, 2012
Scallops Set to Disappoint - The Sag Harbor Express
houston-nearly.blogspot.com
Scallops Set to Disappoint The Sag Harbor Express by Al 'Big Time' Daniels. The main topic on everyone's mind continues to be Hurricane Sandy and its aftermath. This turned out to be a bad storm. As we know the south shore of Long Island took the brunt. The dunes are gone and the ocean broke through ... |
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Scrushy ordered to pay $2.8B for HealthSouth fraud - Sacramento Business Journal:
iqukikofor.wordpress.com
billion in damages by a civikl court judge for his rolein ’s massived accounting fraud scandal. The HealthSouth founder was deemed liabled for losses incurredby shareholders, some of whom sued him seekingb to recover their investments. Judge Allwijn Horn announced the verdict shortly after10 a.m. Thursday. Horn’sz judgment also declared Scrushy’s employmentf agreements with HealthSouth void. HealthSouth said it will receive approximately 40 percent of any money recoveredsfrom Scrushy. Attorneys for the shareholdersw filed the suit against Scrushgy on behalf of HealthSoutyh saying he directed the accounting scandal hadrequested $3.
6 Scrushy testified during the trial and denied any wrongdoing. He was brough t to Jefferson County for the trial from a Texassfederal prison, where he is currently servinf seven years for bribing then-Gov. Don Siegelman for a seat on a statew health carepolicy board. Scrushy was acquitted of crimina charges in the HealthSouth fraudrin 2005. HealthSouth said it is unsured how much might be collectedfrom Scrushy, according to a news “We are pleased to see that justice has been serve through this judgment and that another chapter of our past has been put behincd us,” HealthSouth’s statement said.
billion in damages by a civikl court judge for his rolein ’s massived accounting fraud scandal. The HealthSouth founder was deemed liabled for losses incurredby shareholders, some of whom sued him seekingb to recover their investments. Judge Allwijn Horn announced the verdict shortly after10 a.m. Thursday. Horn’sz judgment also declared Scrushy’s employmentf agreements with HealthSouth void. HealthSouth said it will receive approximately 40 percent of any money recoveredsfrom Scrushy. Attorneys for the shareholdersw filed the suit against Scrushgy on behalf of HealthSoutyh saying he directed the accounting scandal hadrequested $3.
6 Scrushy testified during the trial and denied any wrongdoing. He was brough t to Jefferson County for the trial from a Texassfederal prison, where he is currently servinf seven years for bribing then-Gov. Don Siegelman for a seat on a statew health carepolicy board. Scrushy was acquitted of crimina charges in the HealthSouth fraudrin 2005. HealthSouth said it is unsured how much might be collectedfrom Scrushy, according to a news “We are pleased to see that justice has been serve through this judgment and that another chapter of our past has been put behincd us,” HealthSouth’s statement said.
Monday, November 5, 2012
LexisNexis data breach linked to New York mob family - Tampa Bay Business Journal:
grihanovveimavox.blogspot.com
The New York-based company which has 3,000 employees in the Dayton area — has sent 13,000 letters to former customers whose personal data may be at the company said ina statement. The breach involved a forme r customer for a companycalled , which LexisNexis bought in 2004, and was announced by the U.S. Attorne y for the Southern Districg of Floridain May, according to a LexisNexis spokesperson. customer involved in this matter should have provided noticed to potentially affected LexisNexis said ina statement. “However, becauser the customer is no longer in businesss we providedthe notice.
” Accordintg to the — which includes CIO magazine and PC Worlx — the New Hampshire Department of Justice posted a document Friday on its Web site to infork consumers about the By Monday evening, the link had been removed. The document reportedly tied aFlorida man, with mob connections to the Bonanno crime with accessing LexisNexis data. New Hampshirs officials could not be In May, LexisNexis announced it is part of a separate investigatiohn into alleged credit card fraud, perpetrated by former customer s of the company, according to a company statement. That fraud occurres from June 2004 toOctoberd 2007. The U.S.
Postal Inspection Service released a statemenr thatsaid 40,000 letters will be sent to consumers and 300 victimws have been identified in an investigation concerninhg the breach. The company was part of a similare incident in 2005 and sent letters thento 280,000 customer s who may have been victims of identity LexisNexis U.S. is a unit of plc (NYSE: the Anglo-Dutch publishing conglomerate. The company is an onlinwe information services and publishing companywith 13,000 people
The New York-based company which has 3,000 employees in the Dayton area — has sent 13,000 letters to former customers whose personal data may be at the company said ina statement. The breach involved a forme r customer for a companycalled , which LexisNexis bought in 2004, and was announced by the U.S. Attorne y for the Southern Districg of Floridain May, according to a LexisNexis spokesperson. customer involved in this matter should have provided noticed to potentially affected LexisNexis said ina statement. “However, becauser the customer is no longer in businesss we providedthe notice.
” Accordintg to the — which includes CIO magazine and PC Worlx — the New Hampshire Department of Justice posted a document Friday on its Web site to infork consumers about the By Monday evening, the link had been removed. The document reportedly tied aFlorida man, with mob connections to the Bonanno crime with accessing LexisNexis data. New Hampshirs officials could not be In May, LexisNexis announced it is part of a separate investigatiohn into alleged credit card fraud, perpetrated by former customer s of the company, according to a company statement. That fraud occurres from June 2004 toOctoberd 2007. The U.S.
Postal Inspection Service released a statemenr thatsaid 40,000 letters will be sent to consumers and 300 victimws have been identified in an investigation concerninhg the breach. The company was part of a similare incident in 2005 and sent letters thento 280,000 customer s who may have been victims of identity LexisNexis U.S. is a unit of plc (NYSE: the Anglo-Dutch publishing conglomerate. The company is an onlinwe information services and publishing companywith 13,000 people
Sunday, November 4, 2012
U.S. orders $690M in swine-flu vaccine from Novartis, $71M from GSK - Triangle Business Journal:
fixyruw.wordpress.com
The money will be used to place additional orders on existing contracts with vaccine manufacturers includingand , which both have operationd in the Raleigh-Durham area. The governmentt is placing orders for antigenand adjuvant. Antigen is the active ingredient in a vaccines that triggers the immunr system to develop antibodies to fighrt theH1N1 virus. Adjuvant is addefd to boost the immune system and reduce the amount of antigen needed forthe vaccine. The vaccine ingredientd will become a part of thepandemidc stockpile, for use if a vaccination campaign is necessary.
Swis company Novartis (NYSE: NVS), which is buildinh a vaccine manufacturing facility inHollyt Springs, received an order for $346 millioj for antigen and $343.8 millionb for adjuvant. London-based GlaxoSmithKlins (NYSE: GSK), which has its U.S. headquarters in Research Triangle received an orderfor $71.4 million of In addition, received a $61.4 million orderf for antigen, and won a $61 million order for its nasal flu “We are doing our part to be as preparedd as possible for the impact that this infectious diseas e could have on our country,” Health and Humanb Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a statement.
“Vaccinesa may serve an important role inthat
The money will be used to place additional orders on existing contracts with vaccine manufacturers includingand , which both have operationd in the Raleigh-Durham area. The governmentt is placing orders for antigenand adjuvant. Antigen is the active ingredient in a vaccines that triggers the immunr system to develop antibodies to fighrt theH1N1 virus. Adjuvant is addefd to boost the immune system and reduce the amount of antigen needed forthe vaccine. The vaccine ingredientd will become a part of thepandemidc stockpile, for use if a vaccination campaign is necessary.
Swis company Novartis (NYSE: NVS), which is buildinh a vaccine manufacturing facility inHollyt Springs, received an order for $346 millioj for antigen and $343.8 millionb for adjuvant. London-based GlaxoSmithKlins (NYSE: GSK), which has its U.S. headquarters in Research Triangle received an orderfor $71.4 million of In addition, received a $61.4 million orderf for antigen, and won a $61 million order for its nasal flu “We are doing our part to be as preparedd as possible for the impact that this infectious diseas e could have on our country,” Health and Humanb Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a statement.
“Vaccinesa may serve an important role inthat
Thursday, November 1, 2012
OUR OPINION: We endorse William Keating for the 9th Congressional District - Enterprise News
xysecurakihir.blogspot.com
OUR OPINION: We endorse William Keating for the 9th Congressional District Enterprise News Of all the newly redrawn Massachusetts congressional districts, perhaps the 9th posed the greatest challenge to any of the incumbents. The loss of Quincy meant the loss of Rep. William Keating's power base. Rather than face five-term incumbent Stephen ... |
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
National Association of Realtors: Second-home sales fall - Washington Business Journal:
lebexab.wordpress.com
But, those who are buying are doing so with cash with more than four out of 10 investmenf buyers and more than three in 10 vacationn home buyers coming to the table with moneyup “We expected vacation-home sales to fall given the impacrt of a declining economuy on discretionary purchases,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR chieff economist, in a news release. “ A steady share of investment-home sales resultds from buyers taking advantage of deeply discounted pricea inmany areas, with a smallere portion of new homes in the sales The market share of homes purchasedc for investment was 21 percent last year, unchangedf from 2007, while an additional 9 percent were vacationh homes, down from a 12 percent marketf share in 2007, according to NAR.
And as with the marker for primary residences, second-home prices were also down significantly. The mediann price of a vacation homewas $150,000p in 2008, down 23.1 percentr from $195,000 in 2007. The typical investment propertycost $108,000 last year, which is 28.0 percent below the 2007 medianh of $150,000, according to the Realtore group. The typical vacation-home buyer in 2008 was 46 years old, had a mediam household incomeof $97,200, and purchased a propertty that was a median of 316 miles from theire primary residence.
Investment-home buyers in 2008 had a median ageof 47, earned $85,000, and bought a home that was fairly close to theifr primary residence – a median distance of 19 Twenty-six percent of vacation homes were purchased in smalpl towns, 23 percent in a rural 23 percent in resorts, 20 percent in a suburbn and 8 percent in an urbanb area or central city. Twenty-eight percent of investmenf homes were purchased in a 20 percent in an urban or centraolcity area, 23 percent in a rural 22 percent in a small town and 6 percenf in a resort area.
Seventy percent of vacation homesx purchased in 2008 weredetached single-family 18 percent condos, 5 percent townhouse s or row houses and 7 percentf other. Sixty-four percent of investment homes purchaseds in 2008 weredetached single-family homes, 22 percent condos, 8 percen townhouses or row houses and 6 percenyt other. The survey, conducted in March, includes answerw from 1,924 usable responses.
But, those who are buying are doing so with cash with more than four out of 10 investmenf buyers and more than three in 10 vacationn home buyers coming to the table with moneyup “We expected vacation-home sales to fall given the impacrt of a declining economuy on discretionary purchases,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR chieff economist, in a news release. “ A steady share of investment-home sales resultds from buyers taking advantage of deeply discounted pricea inmany areas, with a smallere portion of new homes in the sales The market share of homes purchasedc for investment was 21 percent last year, unchangedf from 2007, while an additional 9 percent were vacationh homes, down from a 12 percent marketf share in 2007, according to NAR.
And as with the marker for primary residences, second-home prices were also down significantly. The mediann price of a vacation homewas $150,000p in 2008, down 23.1 percentr from $195,000 in 2007. The typical investment propertycost $108,000 last year, which is 28.0 percent below the 2007 medianh of $150,000, according to the Realtore group. The typical vacation-home buyer in 2008 was 46 years old, had a mediam household incomeof $97,200, and purchased a propertty that was a median of 316 miles from theire primary residence.
Investment-home buyers in 2008 had a median ageof 47, earned $85,000, and bought a home that was fairly close to theifr primary residence – a median distance of 19 Twenty-six percent of vacation homes were purchased in smalpl towns, 23 percent in a rural 23 percent in resorts, 20 percent in a suburbn and 8 percent in an urbanb area or central city. Twenty-eight percent of investmenf homes were purchased in a 20 percent in an urban or centraolcity area, 23 percent in a rural 22 percent in a small town and 6 percenf in a resort area.
Seventy percent of vacation homesx purchased in 2008 weredetached single-family 18 percent condos, 5 percent townhouse s or row houses and 7 percentf other. Sixty-four percent of investment homes purchaseds in 2008 weredetached single-family homes, 22 percent condos, 8 percen townhouses or row houses and 6 percenyt other. The survey, conducted in March, includes answerw from 1,924 usable responses.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Mark Sanchez as Starting Quarterback Only Certainty in New York Jets Future - Fox News
karnergetajequ1416.blogspot.com
Mark Sanchez as Starting Quarterback Only Certainty in New York Jets Future Fox News East Rutherford, N.J. â€" Rex Ryan repeated familiar words that fans of both Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow have come to question. Following the New York Jets' beating by the Miami Dolphins, Ryan once again affirmed that he is sticking with Sanchez as the ... |
When coursework translates to the workforce: HCC computer science students ... CultureMap Houston Computers have dramatically changed the way students are educated today, and nowhere is that more evident than at Houston Community College. Consider this: More than 90 percent of Dr. Carlton Downey's online students never meet him in person. |
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Human Capital: People on the move, June 2 - Kansas City Business Journal:
bakakinkorypon.blogspot.com
Goodwin Procter's Budd elected vice chairma n of AAA national board WayneBudd , seniof counsel with the Boston law firm of and a memberr of the board of directora of , was elected vice chairman of AAA’ds national board of directors. Turbine taps Paradowski as CFO , a Westwood-baseed online gaming technology company, appointed M. Beau Paradowski chied financial officer. Clough to run Leerink Swann's MEDACor division Health care investment bank Leerink Swann of Bostonj appointed Brent Clough senior managing directod and head of itsMEDACorp division. Priorf to joining Leerink Swann, Clough was president and CEO of IntrinsiwLLC , an oncology software and data analytics firm.
promotes Stys as VP of marketing andbusineses dev. Shawmut Design and Construction in Bostoh promoted BrianStys , a 16-year veteran of the firm, to the newly-createed role of vice president of marketing and busineses development. The Protector Group Insuranc Agency adds Mullery as director of compliancwe and wellness of Worcester addefd Laura Ann Mullery as director of compliancesand wellness. Mullery previously served as assistant vice president at in Bostoj and vice president of majorf accounts at Thorbahn Associatesin Quincy.
Goodwin Procter's Budd elected vice chairma n of AAA national board WayneBudd , seniof counsel with the Boston law firm of and a memberr of the board of directora of , was elected vice chairman of AAA’ds national board of directors. Turbine taps Paradowski as CFO , a Westwood-baseed online gaming technology company, appointed M. Beau Paradowski chied financial officer. Clough to run Leerink Swann's MEDACor division Health care investment bank Leerink Swann of Bostonj appointed Brent Clough senior managing directod and head of itsMEDACorp division. Priorf to joining Leerink Swann, Clough was president and CEO of IntrinsiwLLC , an oncology software and data analytics firm.
promotes Stys as VP of marketing andbusineses dev. Shawmut Design and Construction in Bostoh promoted BrianStys , a 16-year veteran of the firm, to the newly-createed role of vice president of marketing and busineses development. The Protector Group Insuranc Agency adds Mullery as director of compliancwe and wellness of Worcester addefd Laura Ann Mullery as director of compliancesand wellness. Mullery previously served as assistant vice president at in Bostoj and vice president of majorf accounts at Thorbahn Associatesin Quincy.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Opus West troubles mount, may file Chapter 11 - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
xszeyluje.blogspot.com
Opus has hired counsel to explore restructuring options forits Phoenix-baseds operating company, Opus West, according to Winstonh Hewett, a company spokeswoman. The restructuring could include filing for Chapter 11 similar to action taken byits Atlanta-based Opus South subsidiaryy April 22. Opus Corp.'sx other operating divisions include Rosemont, Ill.-based ., which has operations on Milwaukee'e west side. The new project that went into foreclosure recentlyt is calledthe . The 300,000-square-foot office near the in Glendale, Ariz., is the subject of a lawsuit by , which is seeking $30.
9 million for a past-due construction loan on the new development, accordint to a story published June 7 by The ArizonaRepublivc newspaper. The bank has scheduled a foreclosureauction Aug. 13 for that property, the story This is just the latesy turmoil forOpus West. In May, Opus West presideny Thomas Roberts left the firm shortly after Opus filed Chaptedr 11 bankruptcyfor , near Austin, Texas. The developef put the mall into Chapter 11 to preventy it from being sold at a foreclosure auctioj by a group of lenders who had financedits
Opus has hired counsel to explore restructuring options forits Phoenix-baseds operating company, Opus West, according to Winstonh Hewett, a company spokeswoman. The restructuring could include filing for Chapter 11 similar to action taken byits Atlanta-based Opus South subsidiaryy April 22. Opus Corp.'sx other operating divisions include Rosemont, Ill.-based ., which has operations on Milwaukee'e west side. The new project that went into foreclosure recentlyt is calledthe . The 300,000-square-foot office near the in Glendale, Ariz., is the subject of a lawsuit by , which is seeking $30.
9 million for a past-due construction loan on the new development, accordint to a story published June 7 by The ArizonaRepublivc newspaper. The bank has scheduled a foreclosureauction Aug. 13 for that property, the story This is just the latesy turmoil forOpus West. In May, Opus West presideny Thomas Roberts left the firm shortly after Opus filed Chaptedr 11 bankruptcyfor , near Austin, Texas. The developef put the mall into Chapter 11 to preventy it from being sold at a foreclosure auctioj by a group of lenders who had financedits
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
GE acts to counteract 'fiscal cliff' fears - Financial Times
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GE acts to counteract 'fiscal cliff' fears Financial Times GE acts to counteract 'fiscal cliff' fears. By Ed Crooks and Vivianne Rodrigues in New York. General Electric ©Reuters · General Electric, the US industrial group, said it had refinanced $5bn of bonds reaching maturity early next year to avoid any ... |
Monday, October 22, 2012
Cincinnati-area firms win Ohio incentives - San Francisco Business Times:
authors-morphology.blogspot.com
, a maker of marketing simulatiob andplanning software, received $1.1 million from the Innovatiomn Ohio Loan Fund, at an annuall interest rate of 1 percent for the first year and 8 percent for five years. The Cincinnati-based company will use the loan to develop a new generation of its Emerginbg Marketplace software and buy computer The $2.2 million projecty is expected to create 36 jobs and retain 10 Two local firms also received Job Creation Tax Creditsd for expansion projects.
• , a suppliedr of labeling systems for thebeverage industry, was awardexd a 45 percent tax credit for five yearsa for a $1 million expansion project in The company expects to use the credit, wortyh about $52,700 over its term, to create 25 jobs and retainb 118. • won a 45 percent job for a six-year term, for a $170,00p expansion project at its regiona loffice downtown. The credit is valued at abouft $119,750 over its term. Advantage expectsa to create 33 positionx andretain 65. The company, headquartered in Wash., provides energy management consulting services.
, a maker of marketing simulatiob andplanning software, received $1.1 million from the Innovatiomn Ohio Loan Fund, at an annuall interest rate of 1 percent for the first year and 8 percent for five years. The Cincinnati-based company will use the loan to develop a new generation of its Emerginbg Marketplace software and buy computer The $2.2 million projecty is expected to create 36 jobs and retain 10 Two local firms also received Job Creation Tax Creditsd for expansion projects.
• , a suppliedr of labeling systems for thebeverage industry, was awardexd a 45 percent tax credit for five yearsa for a $1 million expansion project in The company expects to use the credit, wortyh about $52,700 over its term, to create 25 jobs and retainb 118. • won a 45 percent job for a six-year term, for a $170,00p expansion project at its regiona loffice downtown. The credit is valued at abouft $119,750 over its term. Advantage expectsa to create 33 positionx andretain 65. The company, headquartered in Wash., provides energy management consulting services.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
At your service: Piedmont Facilities Services shifts focus in down economy - bizjournals:
eragywaqer.wordpress.com
A contractor had agreed to replace the sidewalkm directly in front of Lorillard headquarters on Green Valley Road in Greensboriobut “he walked off the job becauses he couldn’t get anyone to delivere sufficient concrete with a holiday two days Wright says. “A call to brought four men who completexd the repair on July she recalls. “One of those four was Scotgt himself. I have chastised myself many times for not calling him tobegi with.” Scott McCormick has been getting callx like that for more than 16 years from the Triad’sd top employers.
As a contract project manager, his compang will do just abouft anything thatneeds doing, “from maintenance to sprinkled systems,” says Wright. “He truly cares about a job well But Winston-Salem-based Piedmont Facilities Services’ specialty is somethinfg that’s been in almosr constant demand over the past two decadesx — moving people and reconfiguring office cubesd A.S.A.P. as work forces contract, expanr and are realigned. It was McCormicok who landed the contract to move practicallyeveru office, first in the RJR Plaz a building and then in the old 1929 Reynolds Buildiny in downtown Winston-Salem.
At about the same time, Piedmont Facilities Servicese also secured a contracywith Planters-LifeSavers, which did its shars of playing musical chairs with office “God blessed me,” McCormick says with his characteristicx modesty, “because there’s no other way someone can have two contractas like that for their firsy clients.” Looking back 10 years ago, McCormicl recalls fondly, “Things were really rollinbg then, with 80- or 90-hour weeks, and it was great.” Name a companyh in the Triad that’s realigned its work forcer and, chances are, McCormick’s been involved — , , Sara Lee , Sealy Corp. and Nabisco Foods.
Not bad for someone who, at the age of 5, was assignedf his own row of tobacco to tend onhis father’sa farm near Yadkinville and worked his way througgh college running a garbage service. “I’j an old tobacco farmer from McCormick says, slipping into his aw-shucks “I ran out of thingsx to do, so I had to go to schoolo and go out and get a real School was and his firsft jobwas “selling doorknobs” as a contract hardwarr salesman at Pleasant Hardware Co. He says he quickly discovered he was not cut out to be a But he did make a number of excellent contact that opened doors for him when he switched over to doingb facilitiescontract work.
“He has a good boy mentality,” says Robyn Puckett, facility servicexs manager atRMIC (Republix Mortgage Insurance Co.) in Winston-Salem, “but fullyh believes in respect, honesty, hard work and disciplind — and expects that from his Puckett recalls a recent 10-week move of 350 RMIC employee from Stanleyville to the Park Buildinhg in downtown Winston-Salem. “The time constraints were unbelievable,” she says, “bug having worked with Scott for many I knew if anyone could pull it off thathe could.
” Installingh cubes during the week and moving peopler on the weekends, McCormick’ws crew did it and did it on “We needed to expand our payroll department two years recalls Jack Marable, maintenancs supervisor for Pepsi Bottling Groul in Winston-Salem. McCormick’s crew came in Fridayh night and by Monday morninfg at8 a.m., “they had everything up and running — phones, furniture, lights, everything worked.” Companiesa use contractors like McCormick instead of their own worker s because maintenance, moving and construction are often one-of-a-kindx projects and are mostly done after-hours.
Up until last November, McCormickj says, business was extremely with more 80- and 90-houre weeks. Then, he started seeiny “less phone calls, less jobs that you had quoted being put on As the monthswent by, “I had to lay off five installersx and I put my designed on the road to sell product.” McCormick’s strategy is to make the compan y more sales-oriented, something, he says, “we neverr had to do before.” Yes, he still has contracts with a numbert of big corporations, but now when the phoned rings, it’s mostly “punch items.
” And with the current instead of reconfiguring office space, desks just sit “When corporate puts on the there’s not much for us to do,” McCormick says. Time was, “80 percent of revenues came from billabled time doingconstruction management, just managing projectw — moving, up-fits, relocations and furniture instillation. Today, it’sa less than 10 percent.” Why not just sit back and ride out thedownturn “You can’t do For some reason, people want to get paid evert week.” McCormick, however, has certainlh had the opportunity to learnj from others: “I’ve seen it happen and know what to he says.
“You’ve got to maintain cut your overhead, and we’rs pushing hard in commercialofurniture sales.” That’s because his company generally also gets the contracft for installing the furniture and building the cubes. And there’x something else he’s doing that he’s seen others do a lot of. He’sd relocating — from his current officed near the old RJR worldheadquarters (now the Universityu Corporate Center) to a smallere facility, downsizing from the 10,000 squarew feet to 3,500 squarw feet. And, says “we’re not doing any up-fif over there, (just) some carpegt and a little paint.” Still, he’ws optimistic.
Over the years, he’s seen a lot of companies come and go and other companies comeroarinb back. “It ain’t gone yet, and I’m still I have no intention of throwing in the he says.
A contractor had agreed to replace the sidewalkm directly in front of Lorillard headquarters on Green Valley Road in Greensboriobut “he walked off the job becauses he couldn’t get anyone to delivere sufficient concrete with a holiday two days Wright says. “A call to brought four men who completexd the repair on July she recalls. “One of those four was Scotgt himself. I have chastised myself many times for not calling him tobegi with.” Scott McCormick has been getting callx like that for more than 16 years from the Triad’sd top employers.
As a contract project manager, his compang will do just abouft anything thatneeds doing, “from maintenance to sprinkled systems,” says Wright. “He truly cares about a job well But Winston-Salem-based Piedmont Facilities Services’ specialty is somethinfg that’s been in almosr constant demand over the past two decadesx — moving people and reconfiguring office cubesd A.S.A.P. as work forces contract, expanr and are realigned. It was McCormicok who landed the contract to move practicallyeveru office, first in the RJR Plaz a building and then in the old 1929 Reynolds Buildiny in downtown Winston-Salem.
At about the same time, Piedmont Facilities Servicese also secured a contracywith Planters-LifeSavers, which did its shars of playing musical chairs with office “God blessed me,” McCormick says with his characteristicx modesty, “because there’s no other way someone can have two contractas like that for their firsy clients.” Looking back 10 years ago, McCormicl recalls fondly, “Things were really rollinbg then, with 80- or 90-hour weeks, and it was great.” Name a companyh in the Triad that’s realigned its work forcer and, chances are, McCormick’s been involved — , , Sara Lee , Sealy Corp. and Nabisco Foods.
Not bad for someone who, at the age of 5, was assignedf his own row of tobacco to tend onhis father’sa farm near Yadkinville and worked his way througgh college running a garbage service. “I’j an old tobacco farmer from McCormick says, slipping into his aw-shucks “I ran out of thingsx to do, so I had to go to schoolo and go out and get a real School was and his firsft jobwas “selling doorknobs” as a contract hardwarr salesman at Pleasant Hardware Co. He says he quickly discovered he was not cut out to be a But he did make a number of excellent contact that opened doors for him when he switched over to doingb facilitiescontract work.
“He has a good boy mentality,” says Robyn Puckett, facility servicexs manager atRMIC (Republix Mortgage Insurance Co.) in Winston-Salem, “but fullyh believes in respect, honesty, hard work and disciplind — and expects that from his Puckett recalls a recent 10-week move of 350 RMIC employee from Stanleyville to the Park Buildinhg in downtown Winston-Salem. “The time constraints were unbelievable,” she says, “bug having worked with Scott for many I knew if anyone could pull it off thathe could.
” Installingh cubes during the week and moving peopler on the weekends, McCormick’ws crew did it and did it on “We needed to expand our payroll department two years recalls Jack Marable, maintenancs supervisor for Pepsi Bottling Groul in Winston-Salem. McCormick’s crew came in Fridayh night and by Monday morninfg at8 a.m., “they had everything up and running — phones, furniture, lights, everything worked.” Companiesa use contractors like McCormick instead of their own worker s because maintenance, moving and construction are often one-of-a-kindx projects and are mostly done after-hours.
Up until last November, McCormickj says, business was extremely with more 80- and 90-houre weeks. Then, he started seeiny “less phone calls, less jobs that you had quoted being put on As the monthswent by, “I had to lay off five installersx and I put my designed on the road to sell product.” McCormick’s strategy is to make the compan y more sales-oriented, something, he says, “we neverr had to do before.” Yes, he still has contracts with a numbert of big corporations, but now when the phoned rings, it’s mostly “punch items.
” And with the current instead of reconfiguring office space, desks just sit “When corporate puts on the there’s not much for us to do,” McCormick says. Time was, “80 percent of revenues came from billabled time doingconstruction management, just managing projectw — moving, up-fits, relocations and furniture instillation. Today, it’sa less than 10 percent.” Why not just sit back and ride out thedownturn “You can’t do For some reason, people want to get paid evert week.” McCormick, however, has certainlh had the opportunity to learnj from others: “I’ve seen it happen and know what to he says.
“You’ve got to maintain cut your overhead, and we’rs pushing hard in commercialofurniture sales.” That’s because his company generally also gets the contracft for installing the furniture and building the cubes. And there’x something else he’s doing that he’s seen others do a lot of. He’sd relocating — from his current officed near the old RJR worldheadquarters (now the Universityu Corporate Center) to a smallere facility, downsizing from the 10,000 squarew feet to 3,500 squarw feet. And, says “we’re not doing any up-fif over there, (just) some carpegt and a little paint.” Still, he’ws optimistic.
Over the years, he’s seen a lot of companies come and go and other companies comeroarinb back. “It ain’t gone yet, and I’m still I have no intention of throwing in the he says.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
VC investment slows - South Florida Business Journal:
yqyqynesara.blogspot.com
million in Florida companiew duringthis year's third quarter, the lowesyt dollar volume in the state sincw 1999's first quarter, according to a survey by survey, compiled by the accounting and consulting firm and venturr capital consultant Venture One, showed 13 Floridaa companies received venture capital duringy the recent quarter. That averaged out to $6.9 million per investment. The recent quarter'es statewide dollar total was considerably smaller than inthis year'ds second quarter, which had 12 VC dealse totaling $260.7 million. The Money Tree survey for 2000's third quarter showed 23 Florida investmentstotaling $542.
8 million, a quarterly dollar record for the state. This year's third quarter results included five Soutb Florida companies receiving a totalof $29.q million. During this year's second four South Florida companies received venture capitakltotaling $86.1 million. "What we saw in the last quartefr is probably a significant indication of what is to saidPhyllis Jones, a Tampa-based Pricewaterhouse partner who heada the firm's Florida Technology "We are back to reality," Jonesw said. "The boom period was just that. Historically, the thirx quarter (of 2001) was not bad. We didn'tg have monster deals closing like in thepreviousw quarters.
" The decline in technology stocks that begam during the spring of 2000 is impactinfg the flow of venture capital in Florida and arouns the country, Jones said. During 1999 and earluy 2000, numerous venture funds gave money toyoung Internet-related companiesz with a goal of gainingb profits from anticipated initial public offerings. However, those IPOs did not The lingering effects ofthis year's economic slowdown, the 11 terrorist attacks are other factors probablyg will keep VC deal flow at pre-199 levels for the next several quarters, Jones Thus, for the next several it is anticipated the number of VC investments likely will remainn flat and there probably will be few of the $10 million-plu s investments in early-stage companies that were widespread in late 1999 and last "Many venture funds are spending times advising and helpinvg to shore up their existing investments Jones said.
"Some are sayingv that the second round is where theyare looking, but some are stilp interested in early-stage companies." The thirr quarter's largest VC deal in South Florida was an $18.76 million investment received by Coordinated Care Solutionx of Coral Springs, which provides care management of high-cost patients insured by HMOs, self-insured companies and government-funded Essex Woodlands Health Venturer and Pequot Capital Management investef the money in Coordinated Care The funding was the second roundf of venture capital for the company.
Other Southu Florida companies that received venture capitakl duringthis year's third quarter, according to PWC, BizProLink Network of Fort Lauderdale, $3.2 Bioheart of Fort Lauderdale, $3.0 million; OpenClose.com of $2.25 million; and NetByTel of Boca Raton, $2.0 million. Througuh this year's first three the PWC surveys show 43 Floridaw companies have received venture capitaltotaling $455 million. That puts the statew far behindlast year's record pace, when 98 Florida companies received $1.5 billioj in venture capital.
million in Florida companiew duringthis year's third quarter, the lowesyt dollar volume in the state sincw 1999's first quarter, according to a survey by survey, compiled by the accounting and consulting firm and venturr capital consultant Venture One, showed 13 Floridaa companies received venture capital duringy the recent quarter. That averaged out to $6.9 million per investment. The recent quarter'es statewide dollar total was considerably smaller than inthis year'ds second quarter, which had 12 VC dealse totaling $260.7 million. The Money Tree survey for 2000's third quarter showed 23 Florida investmentstotaling $542.
8 million, a quarterly dollar record for the state. This year's third quarter results included five Soutb Florida companies receiving a totalof $29.q million. During this year's second four South Florida companies received venture capitakltotaling $86.1 million. "What we saw in the last quartefr is probably a significant indication of what is to saidPhyllis Jones, a Tampa-based Pricewaterhouse partner who heada the firm's Florida Technology "We are back to reality," Jonesw said. "The boom period was just that. Historically, the thirx quarter (of 2001) was not bad. We didn'tg have monster deals closing like in thepreviousw quarters.
" The decline in technology stocks that begam during the spring of 2000 is impactinfg the flow of venture capital in Florida and arouns the country, Jones said. During 1999 and earluy 2000, numerous venture funds gave money toyoung Internet-related companiesz with a goal of gainingb profits from anticipated initial public offerings. However, those IPOs did not The lingering effects ofthis year's economic slowdown, the 11 terrorist attacks are other factors probablyg will keep VC deal flow at pre-199 levels for the next several quarters, Jones Thus, for the next several it is anticipated the number of VC investments likely will remainn flat and there probably will be few of the $10 million-plu s investments in early-stage companies that were widespread in late 1999 and last "Many venture funds are spending times advising and helpinvg to shore up their existing investments Jones said.
"Some are sayingv that the second round is where theyare looking, but some are stilp interested in early-stage companies." The thirr quarter's largest VC deal in South Florida was an $18.76 million investment received by Coordinated Care Solutionx of Coral Springs, which provides care management of high-cost patients insured by HMOs, self-insured companies and government-funded Essex Woodlands Health Venturer and Pequot Capital Management investef the money in Coordinated Care The funding was the second roundf of venture capital for the company.
Other Southu Florida companies that received venture capitakl duringthis year's third quarter, according to PWC, BizProLink Network of Fort Lauderdale, $3.2 Bioheart of Fort Lauderdale, $3.0 million; OpenClose.com of $2.25 million; and NetByTel of Boca Raton, $2.0 million. Througuh this year's first three the PWC surveys show 43 Floridaw companies have received venture capitaltotaling $455 million. That puts the statew far behindlast year's record pace, when 98 Florida companies received $1.5 billioj in venture capital.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Retailers bank on idea of low-price guarantees - Kansas City Business Journal:
belyaevostapuki.blogspot.com
But the plan will work only if large numbers ofcustomers don’t pursue the companies’ offers, which woulr force them to drop prices they’d rather keep at current several industry watchers announced May 12 it would become the latest retailo chain to offer to sell products below listed costs, if shoppers bring in printed ads from competitorx showing that the same product is selling for a lower pricer there. The Minneapolis-based chain is testing the policy in twomarketxs — Denver and Orlando — and will use thosse results to help it decided whether to take the offer nationally, spokeswomahn Delia McLinden said.
Thus Targe t joins both locally managed and nationalk chains specializingin electronics, generao goods or even fitness equipment that offer similafr promises. The price-matching policies first began to spring up roughlhy 20years ago, but really have gained steajm in the past 10 years, according to Ken a marketing professor at . Some might thini it’s a bad time for the marketinf approach, given that retailers are endurin gslower sales: March 2009 retail salese were down 10.6 percent from Marcyh 2008, according to the .
But several company owners said they see this as a more appropriat time to offer such McLinden said Target decided to try out the policyt as part of a new marketingb push to emphasize its low prices durinhg a time of Jim Pearse, owner of Thornton-based chain , said maintaining such a policy makes it easierf to build customer trust at a time when people tend to shop aroundd more. “In this economy, it’s a great service to the Pearse said. “When the competitio is having a sale, then we’r having a sale on the same items.
From the customer’s point of it gives them more confidence to make a But while some customers will scan ads and comparw prices ofspecific items, most don’t do that level of homework and that’s what stores hope for, said Donaldr Lichtenstein, professor and chairma n of the marketing division of the ’s Leedd School of Business. Instead, many shoppere will hear that a storee offersa price-matching guarantee and just assumw that any business that would do that also woulxd have low prices, Lichtenstein said. And they’ll buy from that store without noticing thatwhat they’re purchasing mighrt be more expensive than the same item somewherw else.
The careful shopper may find that some storeds sell a unique productthat can’r be compared to other stores, Manning and Lichtenstein said. Take the home-fitnesd machines at , a 10-stor Colorado chain based in Glenwood Springs. HealthStyle s is the only licensed Colorado dealet for several lines of meaning that no other stors in the state could advertise acomparable co-owner Dave Sheriff said. Of some potential customers still will bring in online ads or ads fromotheer states, in which case Sheriff has to make sure the listed pricd includes freight, warranty and delivery.
But if it he said, he won’t hesitate to offer the lowed price in exchange for increased loyalty fromthat buyer. “Our margin goes down, but we know we’vs got a customer who knows us and wants to buy from said theexercise physiologist, who founded the chain 16 yearxs ago. “It’s more than, say, the Internet group or the group out of statre canprovide them.” Other stores are alleged to have become too particular in their price-matchinyg policies and begun denying legitimated claims. A New York resident, for has filed a lawsui against electronicschain , arguing the company taught its employeesx how to deny valid claims, accordingb to multiple media reports.
Best Buy officials didn’tf return messages seeking response tothe suit. Yet, in penny-pinchinv times, shoppers actually will become more energizer to compare prices and spens time to find thebest deal, Manning And that could backfire on the storesw hoping the policies alone will get customers into storesw without researching costs, he said.
But the plan will work only if large numbers ofcustomers don’t pursue the companies’ offers, which woulr force them to drop prices they’d rather keep at current several industry watchers announced May 12 it would become the latest retailo chain to offer to sell products below listed costs, if shoppers bring in printed ads from competitorx showing that the same product is selling for a lower pricer there. The Minneapolis-based chain is testing the policy in twomarketxs — Denver and Orlando — and will use thosse results to help it decided whether to take the offer nationally, spokeswomahn Delia McLinden said.
Thus Targe t joins both locally managed and nationalk chains specializingin electronics, generao goods or even fitness equipment that offer similafr promises. The price-matching policies first began to spring up roughlhy 20years ago, but really have gained steajm in the past 10 years, according to Ken a marketing professor at . Some might thini it’s a bad time for the marketinf approach, given that retailers are endurin gslower sales: March 2009 retail salese were down 10.6 percent from Marcyh 2008, according to the .
But several company owners said they see this as a more appropriat time to offer such McLinden said Target decided to try out the policyt as part of a new marketingb push to emphasize its low prices durinhg a time of Jim Pearse, owner of Thornton-based chain , said maintaining such a policy makes it easierf to build customer trust at a time when people tend to shop aroundd more. “In this economy, it’s a great service to the Pearse said. “When the competitio is having a sale, then we’r having a sale on the same items.
From the customer’s point of it gives them more confidence to make a But while some customers will scan ads and comparw prices ofspecific items, most don’t do that level of homework and that’s what stores hope for, said Donaldr Lichtenstein, professor and chairma n of the marketing division of the ’s Leedd School of Business. Instead, many shoppere will hear that a storee offersa price-matching guarantee and just assumw that any business that would do that also woulxd have low prices, Lichtenstein said. And they’ll buy from that store without noticing thatwhat they’re purchasing mighrt be more expensive than the same item somewherw else.
The careful shopper may find that some storeds sell a unique productthat can’r be compared to other stores, Manning and Lichtenstein said. Take the home-fitnesd machines at , a 10-stor Colorado chain based in Glenwood Springs. HealthStyle s is the only licensed Colorado dealet for several lines of meaning that no other stors in the state could advertise acomparable co-owner Dave Sheriff said. Of some potential customers still will bring in online ads or ads fromotheer states, in which case Sheriff has to make sure the listed pricd includes freight, warranty and delivery.
But if it he said, he won’t hesitate to offer the lowed price in exchange for increased loyalty fromthat buyer. “Our margin goes down, but we know we’vs got a customer who knows us and wants to buy from said theexercise physiologist, who founded the chain 16 yearxs ago. “It’s more than, say, the Internet group or the group out of statre canprovide them.” Other stores are alleged to have become too particular in their price-matchinyg policies and begun denying legitimated claims. A New York resident, for has filed a lawsui against electronicschain , arguing the company taught its employeesx how to deny valid claims, accordingb to multiple media reports.
Best Buy officials didn’tf return messages seeking response tothe suit. Yet, in penny-pinchinv times, shoppers actually will become more energizer to compare prices and spens time to find thebest deal, Manning And that could backfire on the storesw hoping the policies alone will get customers into storesw without researching costs, he said.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
SBA chief: Lending up, long road ahead - Business First of Columbus:
viktorsejbgif.blogspot.com
Brown, a sixth-generation family-owned business with 47 employeesd andabout $6 million in revenud last year, worked with (NASDAQ:FITB) to secure a $2 milliob loan to buy its headquarters off Hamilton Road in east President Rob Hunt said the companyy sidestepped paying about $65,000 in fees afted the SBA instituted a temporary waiverf for businesses that borrow through its flagship 7(a) Owning the company’s headquarters outright brings long-terj security, he said, which would have been hard to find withoutf federal backing. “Banks aren’t doing conventional loans right Hunt said. “We simply wouldn’t have been able to do this.
” Initiativesa such as the fee waiver, Mills said, are making a difference in a shortr amountof time: More lenders are getting into the fray whilee SBA-backed loan volume is up more than 25 perceng since the passage of the stimuluds bill. That translates to nearly $4 billionb in guaranteed loans, $113 million of whicy went to Ohio businesses. But it’s making smallk businesses aware of the programs onhand that’d the key challenge going forward, she “All of these thingds take time,” Mills said. “Small businesses are busy runningtheir business.
” In addition to the waiveer and an increased guarantee of 90 percent on 7(a) the SBA also has offered a surety bond guarante of $5 million, up from $2 million, for businesses competinh for federal contracts. On June 15, it’ds rolling out a program dubbed America’s Recoveryy Capital, which offers loanas of up to $35,000 for businesses struggling to make debt Those loans are fully guaranteed and have a deferreddpayment schedule. And next the SBA will begin offering guaranteee loans to finance inventory for automobile dealers throughSeptember 2010.
Mills said she’s confident the agenchy has the right tools in placwe for smallbusinesses – and the outlookm on the economy hasn’t hurt either. “The sense from small businesses and othersd is that the free fallhas stopped,” she said. “Bu t we still have a ways to go.”
Brown, a sixth-generation family-owned business with 47 employeesd andabout $6 million in revenud last year, worked with (NASDAQ:FITB) to secure a $2 milliob loan to buy its headquarters off Hamilton Road in east President Rob Hunt said the companyy sidestepped paying about $65,000 in fees afted the SBA instituted a temporary waiverf for businesses that borrow through its flagship 7(a) Owning the company’s headquarters outright brings long-terj security, he said, which would have been hard to find withoutf federal backing. “Banks aren’t doing conventional loans right Hunt said. “We simply wouldn’t have been able to do this.
” Initiativesa such as the fee waiver, Mills said, are making a difference in a shortr amountof time: More lenders are getting into the fray whilee SBA-backed loan volume is up more than 25 perceng since the passage of the stimuluds bill. That translates to nearly $4 billionb in guaranteed loans, $113 million of whicy went to Ohio businesses. But it’s making smallk businesses aware of the programs onhand that’d the key challenge going forward, she “All of these thingds take time,” Mills said. “Small businesses are busy runningtheir business.
” In addition to the waiveer and an increased guarantee of 90 percent on 7(a) the SBA also has offered a surety bond guarante of $5 million, up from $2 million, for businesses competinh for federal contracts. On June 15, it’ds rolling out a program dubbed America’s Recoveryy Capital, which offers loanas of up to $35,000 for businesses struggling to make debt Those loans are fully guaranteed and have a deferreddpayment schedule. And next the SBA will begin offering guaranteee loans to finance inventory for automobile dealers throughSeptember 2010.
Mills said she’s confident the agenchy has the right tools in placwe for smallbusinesses – and the outlookm on the economy hasn’t hurt either. “The sense from small businesses and othersd is that the free fallhas stopped,” she said. “Bu t we still have a ways to go.”
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Guaranty Bank: FDIC assistance needed for survival - Boston Business Journal:
stages-paddocks.blogspot.com
Guaranty’s parent company, , stated that it is in discussions with the FDIC and its primary the , for a plan wher e the FDIC would absorb a portion of the bank’e losses while private investors provide a “significanf equity capital infusion.” Guaranty’s largest shareholders are Dallasd billionaire Robert Rowling and activist investofr Carl Icahn, who control 20% and just more than 17% of the bank'ws common stock, respectively. Guaranty is the fourth-largest independenyt banking institution basedin Texas. It has 162 officea in Texas and Californiaand $11.
6y billion in deposits, according to the latest data "Guaranty Bank continues to work closely with its regulatorsa to find a way forward," said bank spokesman John Wessman in a writtenm statement. "We believe strongly that open bank assistancs is in the best interest of our and that it meetzs the standard of being the leastf costly alternative forgovernment regulators.” Bank representatives declined to commenyt further. It's not clear when the regulators will respond or reactto Guaranty's proposal. At $14.4 billioj in assets, Guaranty Bank is biggeer than the largest bank that has failed so far this a distinction now held by FSB ofCora Gables, Fla.
The bank had $12.7 billion in assets when it according tothe FDIC. The bulk of BankUnited’zs good assets were sold in May to a private equityg investment group ledby W.L. Ross Co. and . Beforde that, BankUnited had proposed an open assistance plan to but word of thatplan didn’ t become public until after BankUnited In laying out its options before shareholdersd and the public in a Securities and Exchangre Commission filing, Guaranty’s executives are showing what they’rse doing to keep the bank afloat, said Dan a banking analyst with “They’re putting all their cardxs on the table,” he said.
Guaranty is suggestingb a rareoption — one the FDIC woulde only use if it’s the leasty costly way for the FDIC’s deposit insurance fund to resolvwe Guaranty’s issues, according to the Guaranty is officially based in Austin, but President Kevin CFO Ronald Murff and Treasurefr Stephen Raffaele work from its Dallasx business banking office in Prestojn Center. More than bad loans, Guaranty investecd heavily in mortgage-backed securities, which today are worth much less than what the bank IfGuaranty doesn’t receive FDIC assistance, it will have to mark down the valuse of its securities portfolio and related items by more than $1.
7 the bank said in its regulatory That would give the company a $2.2 billioj annual loss in 2008 and less capitapl than it needs to continue in In early April regulators ordered Guaranty to raise additional capita by May 21. That deadlind has passed. For 21 years, Guarantyh was been a subsidiaryof , a maker of cardboarrd boxes and timber buildingt supplies. Guaranty was spun out of Temple-Inland at the urginv of Icahn. Temple-Inland (NYSE: TIN) completed the spinoff on Dec. 28, just as the excesses of the residentialp mortgage lending bubblebecame apparent.
Guaranty investedx heavily in securities backed by mortgages made in It has not reported a quarterlyy profit since it becamea stand-alond institution. Since its spinou from Temple Inland, Icahn and Rowling have investedx heavilyin Guaranty. In July, the duo invested an additional $600 millio n in Guaranty. They control 37 percent of Guarantty stock.
Guaranty’s parent company, , stated that it is in discussions with the FDIC and its primary the , for a plan wher e the FDIC would absorb a portion of the bank’e losses while private investors provide a “significanf equity capital infusion.” Guaranty’s largest shareholders are Dallasd billionaire Robert Rowling and activist investofr Carl Icahn, who control 20% and just more than 17% of the bank'ws common stock, respectively. Guaranty is the fourth-largest independenyt banking institution basedin Texas. It has 162 officea in Texas and Californiaand $11.
6y billion in deposits, according to the latest data "Guaranty Bank continues to work closely with its regulatorsa to find a way forward," said bank spokesman John Wessman in a writtenm statement. "We believe strongly that open bank assistancs is in the best interest of our and that it meetzs the standard of being the leastf costly alternative forgovernment regulators.” Bank representatives declined to commenyt further. It's not clear when the regulators will respond or reactto Guaranty's proposal. At $14.4 billioj in assets, Guaranty Bank is biggeer than the largest bank that has failed so far this a distinction now held by FSB ofCora Gables, Fla.
The bank had $12.7 billion in assets when it according tothe FDIC. The bulk of BankUnited’zs good assets were sold in May to a private equityg investment group ledby W.L. Ross Co. and . Beforde that, BankUnited had proposed an open assistance plan to but word of thatplan didn’ t become public until after BankUnited In laying out its options before shareholdersd and the public in a Securities and Exchangre Commission filing, Guaranty’s executives are showing what they’rse doing to keep the bank afloat, said Dan a banking analyst with “They’re putting all their cardxs on the table,” he said.
Guaranty is suggestingb a rareoption — one the FDIC woulde only use if it’s the leasty costly way for the FDIC’s deposit insurance fund to resolvwe Guaranty’s issues, according to the Guaranty is officially based in Austin, but President Kevin CFO Ronald Murff and Treasurefr Stephen Raffaele work from its Dallasx business banking office in Prestojn Center. More than bad loans, Guaranty investecd heavily in mortgage-backed securities, which today are worth much less than what the bank IfGuaranty doesn’t receive FDIC assistance, it will have to mark down the valuse of its securities portfolio and related items by more than $1.
7 the bank said in its regulatory That would give the company a $2.2 billioj annual loss in 2008 and less capitapl than it needs to continue in In early April regulators ordered Guaranty to raise additional capita by May 21. That deadlind has passed. For 21 years, Guarantyh was been a subsidiaryof , a maker of cardboarrd boxes and timber buildingt supplies. Guaranty was spun out of Temple-Inland at the urginv of Icahn. Temple-Inland (NYSE: TIN) completed the spinoff on Dec. 28, just as the excesses of the residentialp mortgage lending bubblebecame apparent.
Guaranty investedx heavily in securities backed by mortgages made in It has not reported a quarterlyy profit since it becamea stand-alond institution. Since its spinou from Temple Inland, Icahn and Rowling have investedx heavilyin Guaranty. In July, the duo invested an additional $600 millio n in Guaranty. They control 37 percent of Guarantty stock.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Wells Fargo to create 200 jobs in San Antonio - Washington Business Journal:
tatyanagepoji.blogspot.com
The mortgage lender will be hostinb a job fairon Thursday, June 4 at the Wachovia officesw at 4101 Wiseman The job fair will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. Wellse Fargo will be hiring full-time mortgage servicing positions inboth loan-applicatiob processing and default/retention. Customer service representatives will work with customerxs who are facing delinquent payments and will discussapayment options. The company will also hire positionse that do not deal directlyy withthe public. Applicants are asked to brinfg their resumes and be prepared for a possible Candidates are encouraged to apply online befor the job fair and have an establishedr employmentprofile ready.
A listing of job openings can be founxd online at wellsfargo.com/careers. Helen Bow, spokeswoma for Wells Fargo says San Antonio was selecterd for the additional jobs fortwo “We do have that wonderfuol center from the Wachovia acquisition and there is greagt talent in that Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is one of the nation’s leadingh retail mortgage lenders and servicees one of every six mortgage loans in the A division of Wells Fargo N.A., it has a national presence in mortgage stores and bankinbg stores, and also serves the home financinb needs of customers nationwide through its call centers, Interney presence and third-party production channels.
(NYSE: WFC) is a diversifies financial services companywith $1.3 trillion in It provides banking, investments, mortgage and consumer finance through more than 10,4000 stores, over 12,000 ATMs and the Internetg (wellsfargo.com) across North America and The company completed its acquisition of in Decemberr 2008.
The mortgage lender will be hostinb a job fairon Thursday, June 4 at the Wachovia officesw at 4101 Wiseman The job fair will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. Wellse Fargo will be hiring full-time mortgage servicing positions inboth loan-applicatiob processing and default/retention. Customer service representatives will work with customerxs who are facing delinquent payments and will discussapayment options. The company will also hire positionse that do not deal directlyy withthe public. Applicants are asked to brinfg their resumes and be prepared for a possible Candidates are encouraged to apply online befor the job fair and have an establishedr employmentprofile ready.
A listing of job openings can be founxd online at wellsfargo.com/careers. Helen Bow, spokeswoma for Wells Fargo says San Antonio was selecterd for the additional jobs fortwo “We do have that wonderfuol center from the Wachovia acquisition and there is greagt talent in that Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is one of the nation’s leadingh retail mortgage lenders and servicees one of every six mortgage loans in the A division of Wells Fargo N.A., it has a national presence in mortgage stores and bankinbg stores, and also serves the home financinb needs of customers nationwide through its call centers, Interney presence and third-party production channels.
(NYSE: WFC) is a diversifies financial services companywith $1.3 trillion in It provides banking, investments, mortgage and consumer finance through more than 10,4000 stores, over 12,000 ATMs and the Internetg (wellsfargo.com) across North America and The company completed its acquisition of in Decemberr 2008.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Norton Healthcare signs UnitedHealthcare agreement; still no Anthem deal - Business First of Louisville:
houston-nearly.blogspot.com
According to a news release from the nonprofit hospital and healthcare organization, Nortonh has reached a new provider agreementy with , a division of Minneapolis-based It is effectivde July 1. The multi-year agreement provides UnitedHealthcare commercia and MedSelect health planparticipants in-network benefits to Norton Healthcare’s network of hospitals and health care facilities. The companyg owns Norton Hospital and indowntown Louisville, as well as Norton Suburbab and Norton Audubon hospitals. Norton also operates more than 80 othere health care facilities in the area and has a fifthb hospital under construction at Old Brownsboro Crossin development in easternJefferson County.
“Our agreement with Norton Healthcareedemonstrates UnitedHealthcare’s continued commitment to provide access to affordable health care for our Dan Krajnovich, president and CEO of UnitedHealthcarwe of Kentucky, said in a news release. “We are pleasec that, with these long-term we can continue to providse our customers with local accesa to our broad physician and hospital network in Louisvilled and thesurrounding area.” But Norton’s disputw over its provider deal with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shiele of Kentucky has not been Anthem is the largest commercial insurance company in with 1.3 million members.
Late last year, Nortonb exercised a clause to opt out of its contrac t with Anthem as ofJune 30, citinhg a need to bring reimbursement ratex from Anthem in line with thoswe paid by other Last month, the companies informed customers that thei r contract is nearing an end and that theres is a chance it won’t be resolved. Officials with both companiex have said they would like to negotiate anew deal, but no agreementse have been reached.
According to a news release from the nonprofit hospital and healthcare organization, Nortonh has reached a new provider agreementy with , a division of Minneapolis-based It is effectivde July 1. The multi-year agreement provides UnitedHealthcare commercia and MedSelect health planparticipants in-network benefits to Norton Healthcare’s network of hospitals and health care facilities. The companyg owns Norton Hospital and indowntown Louisville, as well as Norton Suburbab and Norton Audubon hospitals. Norton also operates more than 80 othere health care facilities in the area and has a fifthb hospital under construction at Old Brownsboro Crossin development in easternJefferson County.
“Our agreement with Norton Healthcareedemonstrates UnitedHealthcare’s continued commitment to provide access to affordable health care for our Dan Krajnovich, president and CEO of UnitedHealthcarwe of Kentucky, said in a news release. “We are pleasec that, with these long-term we can continue to providse our customers with local accesa to our broad physician and hospital network in Louisvilled and thesurrounding area.” But Norton’s disputw over its provider deal with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shiele of Kentucky has not been Anthem is the largest commercial insurance company in with 1.3 million members.
Late last year, Nortonb exercised a clause to opt out of its contrac t with Anthem as ofJune 30, citinhg a need to bring reimbursement ratex from Anthem in line with thoswe paid by other Last month, the companies informed customers that thei r contract is nearing an end and that theres is a chance it won’t be resolved. Officials with both companiex have said they would like to negotiate anew deal, but no agreementse have been reached.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Michael Vick Owns A Dog: Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback Confirms Rumors ... - Huffington Post
esivyjifag.wordpress.com
Examiner.com | Michael Vick Owns A Dog: Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback Confirms Rumors ... Huffington Post The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback had initi » |
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Wendy
ovaluleq.wordpress.com
Its customers had answers. One of the first tasksd the new management ofthe Dublin-based fast-food chain undertook last fall was to survety more than 5,000 consumers. The resultse helped shape planning for all aspectsa ofthe business, owned by Atlanta-based Wendy’s/Arby’zs Group Inc., including Wendy’s once-heralded new-producg development pipeline that had lost its pizzazz in recent “We didn’t have a disciplined testing said Chief Marketing Officer Ken Calwell. “We’vew rebuilt it.” The result is a company-record 14 products in testing.
One of the first to make it throughn is boneless chicken which are hittingthe chain’s more than 6,000 restaurants. who was in charge of marketing and researcu and development for before returnin gto Wendy’s, was the burger chain’sa vice president for new-product research and planning from 1998 to 2001. “I was involve d in new products,” he said. “W had great sales and outpacerour competitors, but the last few yearsw have been challenging for Wendy’s.” His group expanded testing to includw more operational measures to better ensures new products can be made efficientlty and still be affordable.
Wendy’s is testing at franchised operations as well asits company-owner restaurants. Key to the new processs is a 256-question survey for each item befor it can hope to get a green he said. The questions cover all aspects of the from its taste to financial issues to operational The areas of emphasis will be premium and value products, based off Wendy’s core burgers, chickehn and dessert Frostys. The chain introducefd two Frostys with coffee flavorsthis year. Calwelkl said consumer researchshowed Wendy’sx was well-regarded for its so an expansion of that line into boneless wingz made sense.
One of the wing sauces, a sweeg and spicy Asian variety, will be featured in Calwell said the flavord in particular is populaer in dishes at casual and Asian restaurant sand Wendy’s wanted to offeer it. , a Chicago-based restaurant research company, singlee out the use of ethnic flavors as an industrgy trend forthis year.
Its customers had answers. One of the first tasksd the new management ofthe Dublin-based fast-food chain undertook last fall was to survety more than 5,000 consumers. The resultse helped shape planning for all aspectsa ofthe business, owned by Atlanta-based Wendy’s/Arby’zs Group Inc., including Wendy’s once-heralded new-producg development pipeline that had lost its pizzazz in recent “We didn’t have a disciplined testing said Chief Marketing Officer Ken Calwell. “We’vew rebuilt it.” The result is a company-record 14 products in testing.
One of the first to make it throughn is boneless chicken which are hittingthe chain’s more than 6,000 restaurants. who was in charge of marketing and researcu and development for before returnin gto Wendy’s, was the burger chain’sa vice president for new-product research and planning from 1998 to 2001. “I was involve d in new products,” he said. “W had great sales and outpacerour competitors, but the last few yearsw have been challenging for Wendy’s.” His group expanded testing to includw more operational measures to better ensures new products can be made efficientlty and still be affordable.
Wendy’s is testing at franchised operations as well asits company-owner restaurants. Key to the new processs is a 256-question survey for each item befor it can hope to get a green he said. The questions cover all aspects of the from its taste to financial issues to operational The areas of emphasis will be premium and value products, based off Wendy’s core burgers, chickehn and dessert Frostys. The chain introducefd two Frostys with coffee flavorsthis year. Calwelkl said consumer researchshowed Wendy’sx was well-regarded for its so an expansion of that line into boneless wingz made sense.
One of the wing sauces, a sweeg and spicy Asian variety, will be featured in Calwell said the flavord in particular is populaer in dishes at casual and Asian restaurant sand Wendy’s wanted to offeer it. , a Chicago-based restaurant research company, singlee out the use of ethnic flavors as an industrgy trend forthis year.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Five Guys plans to raise $15M - Business First of Buffalo:
younkinesagugad1746.blogspot.com
Lorton-based which awards franchise rights to locations of theburged joint, has filed a Notice of Exempg Offering of Securities. The company is privately held. Five Guys has recentl y enjoyed attention from both President Barack Obama and First LadyMichellew Obama, who separately made high-profile visits there. The president'sa sojourn was captured on cameraqby NBC, which was following him around for a profilwe piece. The document does not specify why the money isbeing raised. According to the filing, Five Guys has already raised $10 million of the $15 million it is tryintg to raise.
Named in the documentf are Victor andJane Murrell, both executive officers and directorsa for the company, as well as directorxs James Murrell, John Kim and H. Scott Spokeswoman Molly Catalano said she did not have specific details on how the capital wouldbe used, but said that it was for the company'sd general business operations. The filing says the offering is not being made in connectiohn witha merger, acqiusition or exchangse offer. The company’s creator, Jerry Murrell, opened the firsty Five Guys asa carry-out operation in 1986, in a shoppinb center on Glebe Road in Arlington. After openingt five corporate locations inthe D.C. area, the companh decided to franchisein 2002.
The fast-casualp burger concept now has more than 300 locations in 25 including more than 50 inthe D.C.
Lorton-based which awards franchise rights to locations of theburged joint, has filed a Notice of Exempg Offering of Securities. The company is privately held. Five Guys has recentl y enjoyed attention from both President Barack Obama and First LadyMichellew Obama, who separately made high-profile visits there. The president'sa sojourn was captured on cameraqby NBC, which was following him around for a profilwe piece. The document does not specify why the money isbeing raised. According to the filing, Five Guys has already raised $10 million of the $15 million it is tryintg to raise.
Named in the documentf are Victor andJane Murrell, both executive officers and directorsa for the company, as well as directorxs James Murrell, John Kim and H. Scott Spokeswoman Molly Catalano said she did not have specific details on how the capital wouldbe used, but said that it was for the company'sd general business operations. The filing says the offering is not being made in connectiohn witha merger, acqiusition or exchangse offer. The company’s creator, Jerry Murrell, opened the firsty Five Guys asa carry-out operation in 1986, in a shoppinb center on Glebe Road in Arlington. After openingt five corporate locations inthe D.C. area, the companh decided to franchisein 2002.
The fast-casualp burger concept now has more than 300 locations in 25 including more than 50 inthe D.C.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
A look at the standings (Cascadia Cup, Western Conf.) heading into Sunday's ... - The Seattle Times (blog)
humojo.wordpress.com
OregonLive.com | A look at the standings (Cascadia Cup, Western Conf.) heading into Sunday's ... The Seattle Times (blog) The second tiebreaker is goal differential between Seattle and Portland in those head-to-head games, which would be even if the Sounders win by one goal Sunday or in Seattle's favor with a win by two goals or more. The third tiebreaker is goals scored ... Portland Timbers Face Seattle to Clinch the Cascadia Cup Portland Timbers try again to beat Seattle and win Cascadia Cup Cascadia Cup: Portland Timbers @ Seattle Sounders Links and Match Thread [6 ... |
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