awipekyhila.blogspot.com
The deadline to eliminate smoking in virtuallh all workplaces arriveson Jan. 1 and is beingh met with a sense of coupled with angst for venues that couplre smoking withvideo poker. Proponents of the law say going smoke-frer is typically good for They say it brings in more nonsmokin customers and cuts down on cleaninfg andmaintenance costs. “What has been consistentg is that most people are nonsmokers and even most smokerdlike smoke-free areas,” said Karen Girard, tobacck prevention and education program manager for the . “Thisw can be a real benefitr to the bottom lineof business.
” Ninety-one percen of Oregon businesses know about the new rules and nearly half of the businesse s licensed by the have made the switch, accordinf to a survey commissioned by the tobacco program earlierf this year. Joe Benetti, a Coos Bay restaurant ownerf and outgoing chair ofthe , bannexd smoking in his Italian eatergy five years ago after he constructed a new lounge. Takinbg the nonsmoking approach madebusiness sense, he said. But as an venues with video lottery machinezs are bracing for a drop in If smokers have to leavethe premises, they won’gt return, according to Benetti. “With a they stay longer,” he said.
“We know that the revenuezs are going tobe down.” Restaurateur Danny Sandoval, who brough t his anti-smoking bias with him when he moved to Oregonm from California in disagreed. He operates five Sandoval’sw Fresh Mexican Grills around Portland. He’sa getting ready to open a in a former store inthe Ladd’e Addition neighborhood. Video poker already is down, but he blamese economic jitters. Sandoval has fond memoried of the skepticism that greeted his plansw to keep smoking out of his festivde salsa venue more than adecadr ago.
People who thought he was nuts were shockede to see his business packedto “I’m kind of selfish in that I’ve neve liked smoking,” Sandoval said. The Ambassador, a Northeast Sand Boulevard karaoke venue, is another entertainmentf destination that made theswitchb early. It celebrates its one-year anniversart of going smoke-free in December. Managed Amelia Schildmeyer made the decisiom afterinvesting $500,000 to remodekl the twin lounges with new carpet, paint and other updates. “Wee decided to go early because we did not want to damagwe all ofthat work,” she said. The results have been Food sales are up and sois business. Even the clientelew has changed.
“It’s more upscale now than a year she said. “More people don’t smoke than Her advice: If possible, offer smokers a lega place to go The law requiresa 10-foot setbackm from doors, windows and ventilation The Ambassador is moving its existing patio.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Dublin AmeriSuites becomes Hyatt Place - East Bay Business Times:
vanbeekdulejos1771.blogspot.com
million conversion to the HyatyPlace brand. The nine-year-oldx hotel, owned by Gemma Hwang and located at the Hacienda Crossingsshopping center, has addedx modern touches in its 127 suitesa and lobby. “The traditional fronyt desk agents no longer saidKelli Vlahos, director of sales for the hotek since it opened in June 1999. guests are greeted by “gallery hosts,” employeess who direct arriving guestsz toelectronic self-check-in kiosks or provide check-inb assistance but also now prepare food and tend bar. To take on the added work the hotel has added four new lobby bringing its total lobby stafft countto 13.
“The idea in many smallere hotels today is to make them feel more like adding moreintimate decor,” said Thomas Callahan, presidenty and CEO of Thus, lobbies becomwe “great rooms” and large forbidding check-in deskse become smaller “pods” he Vlahos is particularly excited about ability of the Hyattg name to open doors to new corporatd accounts at companies such as , Chevron and , . Hotell guests will also be able to usea touch-screenh ordering system to order food and beverages from another which offers a new limitex menu of hot breakfast, lunch and dinnef foods.
Each of the hotel’s suites has been outfitted witha 42-incn plasma screen television and a panel of audio and video ports. Hyatt pillow-top mattresses and “cozy corner” oversized sofa-sleeperd have also been added. The suite conversions begam in February and were completedc inlate July, Vlahos said. A new fitness room was also joining existing amenities such asthe hotel’d heated pool and its 1,200 squarde feet of meeting space.
Room ratew range from $129 to $210 per depending on demand and day of the This is the second East Bay Hyatft conversion completedthis year, after the February transformation of a formert Wyndham extended-stay hotel in Pleasan t Hill, which became a Hyatt Summerfield Suites.
million conversion to the HyatyPlace brand. The nine-year-oldx hotel, owned by Gemma Hwang and located at the Hacienda Crossingsshopping center, has addedx modern touches in its 127 suitesa and lobby. “The traditional fronyt desk agents no longer saidKelli Vlahos, director of sales for the hotek since it opened in June 1999. guests are greeted by “gallery hosts,” employeess who direct arriving guestsz toelectronic self-check-in kiosks or provide check-inb assistance but also now prepare food and tend bar. To take on the added work the hotel has added four new lobby bringing its total lobby stafft countto 13.
“The idea in many smallere hotels today is to make them feel more like adding moreintimate decor,” said Thomas Callahan, presidenty and CEO of Thus, lobbies becomwe “great rooms” and large forbidding check-in deskse become smaller “pods” he Vlahos is particularly excited about ability of the Hyattg name to open doors to new corporatd accounts at companies such as , Chevron and , . Hotell guests will also be able to usea touch-screenh ordering system to order food and beverages from another which offers a new limitex menu of hot breakfast, lunch and dinnef foods.
Each of the hotel’s suites has been outfitted witha 42-incn plasma screen television and a panel of audio and video ports. Hyatt pillow-top mattresses and “cozy corner” oversized sofa-sleeperd have also been added. The suite conversions begam in February and were completedc inlate July, Vlahos said. A new fitness room was also joining existing amenities such asthe hotel’d heated pool and its 1,200 squarde feet of meeting space.
Room ratew range from $129 to $210 per depending on demand and day of the This is the second East Bay Hyatft conversion completedthis year, after the February transformation of a formert Wyndham extended-stay hotel in Pleasan t Hill, which became a Hyatt Summerfield Suites.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Prince William County executive to step down - Washington Business Journal:
sucujovide.wordpress.com
His last day with the counthy government will beJuly 3. Gerhart is moving on as an independent contractorfor Amtrak, advising the vice president of policgy and development. “This decision came after a lot of though and consideration as to what is best for me and my said Gerhart. “The opportunity at Amtrak allowds me the chance to work with a nationa l company in a meaningful way doing things that I reallyyenjoy doing.” He has acted as the county government’s chieg administrative officer since and has helped create a historic preservatio n program and neighborhood servicez function for the county.
Before his county executive role, Gerhart held various positionsa in the Prince WilliamCounty government. Before that he held postds in Montgomery County andPrince George’s Countty governments. The news comes weeks after Prince Williamn County Attorney Ross Horton said he will step downJune 30.
His last day with the counthy government will beJuly 3. Gerhart is moving on as an independent contractorfor Amtrak, advising the vice president of policgy and development. “This decision came after a lot of though and consideration as to what is best for me and my said Gerhart. “The opportunity at Amtrak allowds me the chance to work with a nationa l company in a meaningful way doing things that I reallyyenjoy doing.” He has acted as the county government’s chieg administrative officer since and has helped create a historic preservatio n program and neighborhood servicez function for the county.
Before his county executive role, Gerhart held various positionsa in the Prince WilliamCounty government. Before that he held postds in Montgomery County andPrince George’s Countty governments. The news comes weeks after Prince Williamn County Attorney Ross Horton said he will step downJune 30.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Theragenics lands new line of credit - Triangle Business Journal:
lihung-associations.blogspot.com
The new credit agreement includesa $30 millionn revolving credit facility and a $10 million term Maximum borrowings under the revolving credit facility can be increased to $40 millio under an accordion feature. The new credit deal replace and refinancesa $40 million revolvinhg credit facility with Wachovia that was set to expiree in October 2009. Borrowings of $32 milliomn were outstanding under the oldcredit facility. The financia l covenants in the new credit agreement are similar to the previouscredity agreement, except the requirement to maintain at least $20 millio n in liquid assets has been reduce d to $10 million.
The terms also requirw the maintenance of certain minimujfinancial covenants, including a minimu fixed charge coverage ratio and a maximum debt to tangible net “Obtaining our new credit agreement is a significant said M. Christine Jacobs, chairman and CEO of Theragenics, in a “We believe that our abilituy to obtain this new credir agreement is a testament to our our focus on quality cash flowsd and the strength of our balance With our new credit agreementin place, we can continue to focus on organic growth and buildinvg momentum towards 2010 in the shortg term, and continue our long-term strategy of Buford, Ga.
-based Theragenics (NYSE: TGX) is a surgica products and cancer treatments company. Its f .
The new credit agreement includesa $30 millionn revolving credit facility and a $10 million term Maximum borrowings under the revolving credit facility can be increased to $40 millio under an accordion feature. The new credit deal replace and refinancesa $40 million revolvinhg credit facility with Wachovia that was set to expiree in October 2009. Borrowings of $32 milliomn were outstanding under the oldcredit facility. The financia l covenants in the new credit agreement are similar to the previouscredity agreement, except the requirement to maintain at least $20 millio n in liquid assets has been reduce d to $10 million.
The terms also requirw the maintenance of certain minimujfinancial covenants, including a minimu fixed charge coverage ratio and a maximum debt to tangible net “Obtaining our new credit agreement is a significant said M. Christine Jacobs, chairman and CEO of Theragenics, in a “We believe that our abilituy to obtain this new credir agreement is a testament to our our focus on quality cash flowsd and the strength of our balance With our new credit agreementin place, we can continue to focus on organic growth and buildinvg momentum towards 2010 in the shortg term, and continue our long-term strategy of Buford, Ga.
-based Theragenics (NYSE: TGX) is a surgica products and cancer treatments company. Its f .
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Louisville fares poorly in Brookings economic study - Business First of Louisville:
ogarawo.wordpress.com
The MetroMonitor study, conducted by the Washington, D.C.-based independenyt research andpolicy institute’s Metropolitan Policy Program, ranked the Louisvillre area No. 65 among the largest 100 metropolitan According tothe study, the San Antonioi metropolitan area was the strongest performing area in the firsrt quarter. It was followed by Oklahomaz City; Austin, Texas; Dallas; McAllen, Little Rock, Ark.; Baton Rouge, La.; Tulsa, Okla.; and Neb. The 10 weakesf cities were: Youngstown, Ohio; Providence, R.I.; Toledo, Stockton, Calif.; Fresno, Calif.; Modesto, Calif.; Fla.; Lakeland, Fla.; Tampa, Bradenton, Fla.; and Detroit.
The study looked at unemployment rate, wages, grosds metropolitan product — the total valuee of goods and services produced within a metropolitan housing prices and the number of foreclosed properties ownec bylending institutions. The percentage of employmenr change comparedthe area’ peak quarter to the firsyt quarter of 2009. Change in unemployment rate comparee March 2009 toMarch 2008. Percentage of gross metropolitan producr was measured from the peak quarter to the first quartereof 2009. The percentage of changee in the house price index compares the first quarter of 2009 to the first quarterof 2008.
The Brookings Institution began conducting quarterly examinations of those categoriezs as a means of understandingvhow U.S. metropolitan areas are being affectedr bythe recession, according to a news According to the Louisville ranked No. 95 out of 100 in percentage of change in averags wage between the fourth quarter of 2008 and the first quartetof 2009. It had a 0.7 percenrt decline during that period. The top areasx in the category, Phoenix/Mesa/Scottsdale, and Tulsa, Okla., each had a 2.6 perceny increase. The lowest city in the category, N.Y., experienced a 2.
3 percent According to the Brookings report, average wages typicallh do not decline in arecessioj “because it can be difficult for employers to cut Louisville also fared poorl in the gross metropolitan product category. It was 86th out of 100 when comparingy the first quarter of 2009 to thepeak quarter. Brookingd did not specify the date of thepeak quarter, whichu was 5.2 percent higher than the first quarterr of 2009. When comparing the fourth quarter of 2008 to the firsg quarterof 2009, Louisville experienced a 2.4 percentr decline, which ranked it No. 99 on the ahead of only Detroit.
According to Brookings, all 100 metropolitan areas have experienceed declines in gross metropolitan product fromthe pre-recessionary periods. Nine of the 15 worsft metropolitan areas were locatedin Florida, Michigan and
The MetroMonitor study, conducted by the Washington, D.C.-based independenyt research andpolicy institute’s Metropolitan Policy Program, ranked the Louisvillre area No. 65 among the largest 100 metropolitan According tothe study, the San Antonioi metropolitan area was the strongest performing area in the firsrt quarter. It was followed by Oklahomaz City; Austin, Texas; Dallas; McAllen, Little Rock, Ark.; Baton Rouge, La.; Tulsa, Okla.; and Neb. The 10 weakesf cities were: Youngstown, Ohio; Providence, R.I.; Toledo, Stockton, Calif.; Fresno, Calif.; Modesto, Calif.; Fla.; Lakeland, Fla.; Tampa, Bradenton, Fla.; and Detroit.
The study looked at unemployment rate, wages, grosds metropolitan product — the total valuee of goods and services produced within a metropolitan housing prices and the number of foreclosed properties ownec bylending institutions. The percentage of employmenr change comparedthe area’ peak quarter to the firsyt quarter of 2009. Change in unemployment rate comparee March 2009 toMarch 2008. Percentage of gross metropolitan producr was measured from the peak quarter to the first quartereof 2009. The percentage of changee in the house price index compares the first quarter of 2009 to the first quarterof 2008.
The Brookings Institution began conducting quarterly examinations of those categoriezs as a means of understandingvhow U.S. metropolitan areas are being affectedr bythe recession, according to a news According to the Louisville ranked No. 95 out of 100 in percentage of change in averags wage between the fourth quarter of 2008 and the first quartetof 2009. It had a 0.7 percenrt decline during that period. The top areasx in the category, Phoenix/Mesa/Scottsdale, and Tulsa, Okla., each had a 2.6 perceny increase. The lowest city in the category, N.Y., experienced a 2.
3 percent According to the Brookings report, average wages typicallh do not decline in arecessioj “because it can be difficult for employers to cut Louisville also fared poorl in the gross metropolitan product category. It was 86th out of 100 when comparingy the first quarter of 2009 to thepeak quarter. Brookingd did not specify the date of thepeak quarter, whichu was 5.2 percent higher than the first quarterr of 2009. When comparing the fourth quarter of 2008 to the firsg quarterof 2009, Louisville experienced a 2.4 percentr decline, which ranked it No. 99 on the ahead of only Detroit.
According to Brookings, all 100 metropolitan areas have experienceed declines in gross metropolitan product fromthe pre-recessionary periods. Nine of the 15 worsft metropolitan areas were locatedin Florida, Michigan and
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Free Chick-fil-A meal on July 10 - Los Angeles Business from bizjournals:
exceeding-commissioner.blogspot.com
The giveaway is part of the Atlanta-based chain’ds fifth-annual Cow Appreciation Day, which honors its "Eat Mor Cows. In a related parents can enter photos oftheir cow-clad childrem as part of a "Shows Us the Cow" online photo contest, for a chance to win a $1,009 U.S. Savings Bond. Between now and Aug. 31, childrenb ages 10 and younger are encouraged to work with an adultf to submit creative photos of themselves dressed as The contestWeb site, www.CowAppreciationDay.com, has details about uploadint photos for the contest. Once the pictures are uploaded, the publicc can vote for their favorite photothrougu Aug. 31.
The 20 photographs that get the most Internegt votes will benamed semifinalists. From the Chick-fil-A will select five finalists and one grand prizer winner based onoverall appearance, originality, creativity and skill. The entrant's age will be takenn into accountfor judging, Chick-fil-A The grand prize winner will receiv a U.S. Series EE Savingsx Bond with a maturity valueof $1,000, a catered party for theidr classroom, free Chick-fil-A Kid's Meals for a year and a digitall camera, among other gifts.
Also each Kid's Meal from June 22 to July 25 will includ e miniatureCow figurines, while supplies One out of every 100 of the cows will have gold spotas instead of the traditional black spots and will be packagedr with a card redeemable for a free Ice cream.
The giveaway is part of the Atlanta-based chain’ds fifth-annual Cow Appreciation Day, which honors its "Eat Mor Cows. In a related parents can enter photos oftheir cow-clad childrem as part of a "Shows Us the Cow" online photo contest, for a chance to win a $1,009 U.S. Savings Bond. Between now and Aug. 31, childrenb ages 10 and younger are encouraged to work with an adultf to submit creative photos of themselves dressed as The contestWeb site, www.CowAppreciationDay.com, has details about uploadint photos for the contest. Once the pictures are uploaded, the publicc can vote for their favorite photothrougu Aug. 31.
The 20 photographs that get the most Internegt votes will benamed semifinalists. From the Chick-fil-A will select five finalists and one grand prizer winner based onoverall appearance, originality, creativity and skill. The entrant's age will be takenn into accountfor judging, Chick-fil-A The grand prize winner will receiv a U.S. Series EE Savingsx Bond with a maturity valueof $1,000, a catered party for theidr classroom, free Chick-fil-A Kid's Meals for a year and a digitall camera, among other gifts.
Also each Kid's Meal from June 22 to July 25 will includ e miniatureCow figurines, while supplies One out of every 100 of the cows will have gold spotas instead of the traditional black spots and will be packagedr with a card redeemable for a free Ice cream.
Friday, December 21, 2012
Bryant weighs in on tort lawsuit - Jackson Clarion Ledger
ogarawo.wordpress.com
Bryant weighs in on tort lawsuit Jackson Clarion Ledger Gov. Phil Bryant says scrapping Mississippi's tort reform laws would hinder economic development and cost the state the jobs it brings. He makes the argument in new court papers that ask a federal court to uphold the constitutionality of a $1 million ... |
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Aurora Health Care cuts corporate affairs executive's job - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
erofeyporgrinin.blogspot.com
“Friday is my last day,” Welch said. Welch, whosr title is senior vice president ofcorporate affairs, held a meetinvg with her 12 department heads Tuesday to tell them she was leavingf the system and told the almost 300 other employeez who report to her via e-mail. Welchu would not say how long she has knowm her job was being eliminatedd but said Aurora gaveher “plenty of time to help “Aurora has been fantastic and I’ve really enjoyecd working here,” Welch said. “Now I’m going to startf my job search and look for my next Jeff Squire, Aurora spokesman, said Welch's responsibilities will be handledf by the people who were reporting to her.
"Ww took a broad look at the structures of the organization and decidee to consolidate responsibilities and eliminate her Squire said. Squire said he is not awarre of any other senior positions that willbe Welch, 46, was hired by Aurora in Augusyt 2007. Her position was created when Dr. Nick Turkal took over as the Milwaukeehospital system’s chief executive officer Oct. 1, 2006. She has been responsiblwe for communications, government and community relations, and philanthropy all of which were separate departments before shewas Welch’s arrival at Aurora was met with some resistance by the long-timde department heads she was Within a few months of her appointment threw vice presidents and several other managera were laid off from Aurora.
Thoses included Paul Nannis, vice presidentg of government andcommunity relations; Mary Alice vice president of communications; and Nancy vice president of philanthropy. Welch purchased a condominium in downtowhn Milwaukee when she took the position at Aurora but has gone home to Michigabn every other weekend to spendf time with herelderlh mother. She said Tuesdayg she’ll likely search for a job in Aurora Health Care has 13 hospitals located in easternb Wisconsin and more than 100 clinicszand pharmacies.
“Friday is my last day,” Welch said. Welch, whosr title is senior vice president ofcorporate affairs, held a meetinvg with her 12 department heads Tuesday to tell them she was leavingf the system and told the almost 300 other employeez who report to her via e-mail. Welchu would not say how long she has knowm her job was being eliminatedd but said Aurora gaveher “plenty of time to help “Aurora has been fantastic and I’ve really enjoyecd working here,” Welch said. “Now I’m going to startf my job search and look for my next Jeff Squire, Aurora spokesman, said Welch's responsibilities will be handledf by the people who were reporting to her.
"Ww took a broad look at the structures of the organization and decidee to consolidate responsibilities and eliminate her Squire said. Squire said he is not awarre of any other senior positions that willbe Welch, 46, was hired by Aurora in Augusyt 2007. Her position was created when Dr. Nick Turkal took over as the Milwaukeehospital system’s chief executive officer Oct. 1, 2006. She has been responsiblwe for communications, government and community relations, and philanthropy all of which were separate departments before shewas Welch’s arrival at Aurora was met with some resistance by the long-timde department heads she was Within a few months of her appointment threw vice presidents and several other managera were laid off from Aurora.
Thoses included Paul Nannis, vice presidentg of government andcommunity relations; Mary Alice vice president of communications; and Nancy vice president of philanthropy. Welch purchased a condominium in downtowhn Milwaukee when she took the position at Aurora but has gone home to Michigabn every other weekend to spendf time with herelderlh mother. She said Tuesdayg she’ll likely search for a job in Aurora Health Care has 13 hospitals located in easternb Wisconsin and more than 100 clinicszand pharmacies.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
China's Xiaomi to sell smartphones directly from Sina Weibo microblogging service - The Next Web (blog)
judonebolayb1394.blogspot.com
The Next Web (blog) | China's Xiaomi to sell smartphones directly from Sina Weibo microblogging service The Next Web (blog) Xiaomi, the up-and-coming Chinese smartphone maker that has been compared to Apple, has announced a new partnership with Sina Weibo, the country's top microblogging platform, to test a new strategy of selling its handsets dir ectly on Weibo. As noted by ... |
Monday, December 17, 2012
Southwest boosts on-time performance in 1Q - Jacksonville Business Journal:
inufyw.blogspot.com
The in its Air Travel Consumer Reportr released Tuesday saidthat 85.2 percent of all flights for Dallas-basedf (NYSE:LUV) arrived on time in the first quarter. That’s up from 74.8 percent a year ago. Southwest’e on-time arrival rate also is the second-highest amongv 19 major carriers the Transportation Department led by withan on-time rate of 91.2 The second- and third-busiest carrier at Port Columbus registered marginally better on-timw rates last quarter. (NYSE:DAL) reported an on-time arrival rate of 77.8 up from 75.8 percent last while (NYSE:LCC) reported an on-time rate of 79.6 up from 78.3 percent a year ago.
a snapshot of on-time flights at Port Columbus in Marcyh showed significant improvement compared with ayear ago. At the 82.9 percent of flights arrived on-time that month, up from 66.8 percent a year ago. That boost in on-timed performance, however, came along with fewer Traffic dropped 23 percent in Marc compared with ayear ago, according to data from the .
The in its Air Travel Consumer Reportr released Tuesday saidthat 85.2 percent of all flights for Dallas-basedf (NYSE:LUV) arrived on time in the first quarter. That’s up from 74.8 percent a year ago. Southwest’e on-time arrival rate also is the second-highest amongv 19 major carriers the Transportation Department led by withan on-time rate of 91.2 The second- and third-busiest carrier at Port Columbus registered marginally better on-timw rates last quarter. (NYSE:DAL) reported an on-time arrival rate of 77.8 up from 75.8 percent last while (NYSE:LCC) reported an on-time rate of 79.6 up from 78.3 percent a year ago.
a snapshot of on-time flights at Port Columbus in Marcyh showed significant improvement compared with ayear ago. At the 82.9 percent of flights arrived on-time that month, up from 66.8 percent a year ago. That boost in on-timed performance, however, came along with fewer Traffic dropped 23 percent in Marc compared with ayear ago, according to data from the .
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Measuring Dispersal: How Well Are Soft-Sediment Invertebrate Communities ... - Science Daily (press release)
sucujovide.wordpress.com
Measuring Dispersal: How Well Are Soft-Sediment Invertebrate Communities ... Science Daily (press release) Dec. 13, 2012 â€" Different types of disturbances to the seafloor can affect both the invertebrates inhabiting them and the critical ecosystem functions they provide us (e.g. nutrient cycling, oxygenation, food for fish). Sebastian Valanko working at ... |
San Francisco Chronicle | Smithsonian Dom Pedro Aquamarine Gem Goes On Display Huffington Post This undated handout photo provided by the Smithsonian Institution shows the obelisk-shaped Dom Pedro gem. The world's largest cut aquamarine gem will soon go on display in its new home at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History in ... Listen now, children, to the legend of Dom Pedro Hope Diamond, make room for 'Dom Pedro' Largest single piece of cut-gem aquamarine in the world to go on display at ... |
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Pending home sales jump; construction spending rises - Philadelphia Business Journal:
ogarawo.wordpress.com
Pending sales of existing homes, or contractd signed but not closed, rose 6.7 percent in Apri l from March, the National Association of Realtors said. April’zs pending sales were up 3.2 percenf from a year earlier. The biggest increase in April was in the where pending salesjumped 32.6 percent from the previouz month. The NAR’s pending home sales index is a forward-lookingh gauge, and the group cautions that it is more volatilre than actualclosed sales.
“The relationship between contractes on pending home sales and closinges on existing home sales is taking longer than in the past forseveralk reasons,” NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun “Mortgage processing time has increased, it is taking many monthx to close on those homes requiring shor t sales with lender approval, and some saleas are falling through at the last The NAR’s housing affordability index was also at its second-highestf level on record in Along with pending sales of existing total U.S. construction spending rose 0.
8 percentr in April from March, the biggesft one-month increase since and was led by a jump in privatre andresidential construction, the U.S. said. A Bloombergf survey of 45 economists had projected a median dropof 1.5 percent. The Commerce Department report from the said that spendinyg on private construction was at a seasonally adjusted annuapl rateof $657.3 billion, up 1.4 percen from the revised March estimate of $648.2 billion. Residential construction rose 0.7 percenft to a seasonally adjusted annual rateof $249.w billion. Nonresidential construction rose 1.8 percenft to an annual rate of $408.2 billion.
Totap public construction fellin April, though spending on highwauy projects rose nearly 1 percent from the previoua month. A separate reporyt from the Commerce Department last week showed constructiojof single-family homes rose 2.8 percent in the second consecutive monthly Gains in single-family construction were overwhelmec by a 46 percent drop in apartment and condi buildings, bringing total housing starts down 13 percen t in April.
Pending sales of existing homes, or contractd signed but not closed, rose 6.7 percent in Apri l from March, the National Association of Realtors said. April’zs pending sales were up 3.2 percenf from a year earlier. The biggest increase in April was in the where pending salesjumped 32.6 percent from the previouz month. The NAR’s pending home sales index is a forward-lookingh gauge, and the group cautions that it is more volatilre than actualclosed sales.
“The relationship between contractes on pending home sales and closinges on existing home sales is taking longer than in the past forseveralk reasons,” NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun “Mortgage processing time has increased, it is taking many monthx to close on those homes requiring shor t sales with lender approval, and some saleas are falling through at the last The NAR’s housing affordability index was also at its second-highestf level on record in Along with pending sales of existing total U.S. construction spending rose 0.
8 percentr in April from March, the biggesft one-month increase since and was led by a jump in privatre andresidential construction, the U.S. said. A Bloombergf survey of 45 economists had projected a median dropof 1.5 percent. The Commerce Department report from the said that spendinyg on private construction was at a seasonally adjusted annuapl rateof $657.3 billion, up 1.4 percen from the revised March estimate of $648.2 billion. Residential construction rose 0.7 percenft to a seasonally adjusted annual rateof $249.w billion. Nonresidential construction rose 1.8 percenft to an annual rate of $408.2 billion.
Totap public construction fellin April, though spending on highwauy projects rose nearly 1 percent from the previoua month. A separate reporyt from the Commerce Department last week showed constructiojof single-family homes rose 2.8 percent in the second consecutive monthly Gains in single-family construction were overwhelmec by a 46 percent drop in apartment and condi buildings, bringing total housing starts down 13 percen t in April.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Study: Colorado government faces fiscal crisis - Baltimore Business Journal:
shemwellmygalej1291.blogspot.com
The report from the Center for Colorado’s Economif Future at DU is titlecd “Colorado’s State Budget Tsunami.” It is to be formallg released Tuesday. “There is simply not enough monegy to pay for the government wehave created,” the reportr says. “Barring a quick and dramatic turnaround of the it appears that the current fiscal systek cannotbe sustained.” In announcing the report’sz findings, DU noted that “anticipated fiscapl demands for K-12 education, prisons and Medicaid will swamp today’s revenue-generating tax and fee in Colorado.
The report recommendz a review of the statebudget “It is once again time to take a criticakl look at where we are and staryt the process of a much-needed it says. Colorado lawmakers this year made steeo cuts in state programs and drew on federal stimuluas funds to balancethe budget, and then that the stater faces a $384 million revenue shortfall for next year. “The budgetary tsunami that washed over Coloradio government last fall and winter was likely just thefirstr wave. More tidal waves in [fisca year] 2010-11 threaten to keep the general fund underwatedr and lawmakers struggling to findnew lifelines.
” • “The largesg departments of state government are growing more than twice as fast as tax dollarsa are coming in, leaving a lot less moneuy available for other needs.” • prisons and health care consumerd about 54 cents of every generao fund dollar a decadwe ago. They now eat up nearly 76 centws of every generalfund dollar, and that figure will jump to 91 cents in five years if the average growt rate continues. Eventually, at this rate, thers would be no money for other programs.
” • “There is little question the financial difficulties facedby Colorado’s state governmengt during this decade’s two recessions will continue into the future. The proble m is mathematical – there is simplu not enough money to pay for the government we have created and the services many of us have come to Center director CharlesBrown co-authored the report with Jeffrey Roberts. The full report is to be releasefd Tuesday at a10 a.m.
MDT news and Brown is slated to testify on its findingxs before thestate legislature’s Fiscal Stabilization Commission on The Center for Colorado’ss Economic Future describes itself as “an nonpartisan organization that conducts research on matters relateed to Colorado’s fiscal health, trends affectingv the state’s economy and proposer legislation relating to taxation and public spending.
”
The report from the Center for Colorado’s Economif Future at DU is titlecd “Colorado’s State Budget Tsunami.” It is to be formallg released Tuesday. “There is simply not enough monegy to pay for the government wehave created,” the reportr says. “Barring a quick and dramatic turnaround of the it appears that the current fiscal systek cannotbe sustained.” In announcing the report’sz findings, DU noted that “anticipated fiscapl demands for K-12 education, prisons and Medicaid will swamp today’s revenue-generating tax and fee in Colorado.
The report recommendz a review of the statebudget “It is once again time to take a criticakl look at where we are and staryt the process of a much-needed it says. Colorado lawmakers this year made steeo cuts in state programs and drew on federal stimuluas funds to balancethe budget, and then that the stater faces a $384 million revenue shortfall for next year. “The budgetary tsunami that washed over Coloradio government last fall and winter was likely just thefirstr wave. More tidal waves in [fisca year] 2010-11 threaten to keep the general fund underwatedr and lawmakers struggling to findnew lifelines.
” • “The largesg departments of state government are growing more than twice as fast as tax dollarsa are coming in, leaving a lot less moneuy available for other needs.” • prisons and health care consumerd about 54 cents of every generao fund dollar a decadwe ago. They now eat up nearly 76 centws of every generalfund dollar, and that figure will jump to 91 cents in five years if the average growt rate continues. Eventually, at this rate, thers would be no money for other programs.
” • “There is little question the financial difficulties facedby Colorado’s state governmengt during this decade’s two recessions will continue into the future. The proble m is mathematical – there is simplu not enough money to pay for the government we have created and the services many of us have come to Center director CharlesBrown co-authored the report with Jeffrey Roberts. The full report is to be releasefd Tuesday at a10 a.m.
MDT news and Brown is slated to testify on its findingxs before thestate legislature’s Fiscal Stabilization Commission on The Center for Colorado’ss Economic Future describes itself as “an nonpartisan organization that conducts research on matters relateed to Colorado’s fiscal health, trends affectingv the state’s economy and proposer legislation relating to taxation and public spending.
”
Saturday, December 1, 2012
bizjournals: Enter the dragon
sucujovide.wordpress.com
They're not top-quality automobiles, and the Chinese aren'y the best drivers in the world, so in a few many of them will be headed to the Whenthey do, Al-Jon Inc., an Iowa manufacturerr of recycling equipment, will be ready. The company is already lining up distributora in China forits $300,000 car-crusher, whicu can process a load of automobiles in just 30 "We're going to have a good market somewherde down the road," says Al-Jonm CEO Kendig Kneen. So will lots of other Americanh companies. U.S. exports to China were up 22 percenytlast year, and this growthn rate will continue for the foreseeable future, says Craibg Allen, the U.S.
Commercial Service's senior office r in Beijing. (See .) The economy of China -- the world's most populous country -- is growing by a robusf 9 percenta year. "Growth like that sucks in a ton of imports in all Allen says. Every week, another American company opens itsfirstf branch, store or franchise in Allen says. American companied have a good reputation in Chinsa as sellers that stand behindtheid products, says Jim president of the Small Business Exporters Association. This helps open doorsx to new business. Several areas hold particulafr promise: Developing China's information technology industry is a top priorityg for theChinese government.
That may creatwe problems for American IT companies in the butfor now, it's an opportunity. China has surpassed Japahn as the second-largest producer of electronics and IT producta behind theUnited States, but it stillp has to import most of the core technologies, includintg computer chips, used in these "We see nothing but growt in front of us there," says Phil Pompa, a vice presidenft at SigmaTel Inc., an Austin, Texas-based manufacturer of integrated circuits used in MP3 personal computers and DVD players. China and Hong Kong alread y account for more than halfof SigmaTel'z sales.
The company recently opened an engineeringf center in Hong Kong to provide applicationw and technical support to itsChinese customers. China also is intenft on developing its ownsoftwared industry, but American companies are finding loadas of opportunities there for products at the high end. Northwestt Analytical of Portland, Ore., for is selling its manufacturing process analysis softwarew to a growing number of customerzin China. The company recently signed a partnershiop dealwith China's largest softwarr company. Multinational companies that alreadyused NWA's softwares -- Nike, for example -- were the company's first customers in China.
But NWA CEO Cliff Yee says Chinesse manufacturers are beginning to pay attention to improving their industrial processes becausethey don't want to just be low-cost "Their nationalistic goal," Yee "is to be the best manufacturers anywhere in the China is one of the fastest-growing markets in the world for medical devices, and American technology is viewed as the Alliance Medical, a 12-employes endoscope repair company based in Bel Camp, Md., is lookingb to double its sales by enterinbg the Chinese market.
They're not top-quality automobiles, and the Chinese aren'y the best drivers in the world, so in a few many of them will be headed to the Whenthey do, Al-Jon Inc., an Iowa manufacturerr of recycling equipment, will be ready. The company is already lining up distributora in China forits $300,000 car-crusher, whicu can process a load of automobiles in just 30 "We're going to have a good market somewherde down the road," says Al-Jonm CEO Kendig Kneen. So will lots of other Americanh companies. U.S. exports to China were up 22 percenytlast year, and this growthn rate will continue for the foreseeable future, says Craibg Allen, the U.S.
Commercial Service's senior office r in Beijing. (See .) The economy of China -- the world's most populous country -- is growing by a robusf 9 percenta year. "Growth like that sucks in a ton of imports in all Allen says. Every week, another American company opens itsfirstf branch, store or franchise in Allen says. American companied have a good reputation in Chinsa as sellers that stand behindtheid products, says Jim president of the Small Business Exporters Association. This helps open doorsx to new business. Several areas hold particulafr promise: Developing China's information technology industry is a top priorityg for theChinese government.
That may creatwe problems for American IT companies in the butfor now, it's an opportunity. China has surpassed Japahn as the second-largest producer of electronics and IT producta behind theUnited States, but it stillp has to import most of the core technologies, includintg computer chips, used in these "We see nothing but growt in front of us there," says Phil Pompa, a vice presidenft at SigmaTel Inc., an Austin, Texas-based manufacturer of integrated circuits used in MP3 personal computers and DVD players. China and Hong Kong alread y account for more than halfof SigmaTel'z sales.
The company recently opened an engineeringf center in Hong Kong to provide applicationw and technical support to itsChinese customers. China also is intenft on developing its ownsoftwared industry, but American companies are finding loadas of opportunities there for products at the high end. Northwestt Analytical of Portland, Ore., for is selling its manufacturing process analysis softwarew to a growing number of customerzin China. The company recently signed a partnershiop dealwith China's largest softwarr company. Multinational companies that alreadyused NWA's softwares -- Nike, for example -- were the company's first customers in China.
But NWA CEO Cliff Yee says Chinesse manufacturers are beginning to pay attention to improving their industrial processes becausethey don't want to just be low-cost "Their nationalistic goal," Yee "is to be the best manufacturers anywhere in the China is one of the fastest-growing markets in the world for medical devices, and American technology is viewed as the Alliance Medical, a 12-employes endoscope repair company based in Bel Camp, Md., is lookingb to double its sales by enterinbg the Chinese market.
Friday, November 30, 2012
What the Colonel and JAL Taught Me about Japan - Seattle Post Intelligencer (blog)
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Seattle Post Intelligencer (blog) | What the Colonel and JAL Taught Me about Japan Seattle Post Intelligencer (blog) Back in 1974, when Colonel Sanders first brought his fried chicken to Japan, residents might have thought Kentuckians wore white suits, white beards and black bolo ties, while standing over the fry pot cooking chicken. Okay, so it was a narrow peak ... KFC Takes the Colonel's Classic to the Skies Japan Airlines serves up the Colonel's secret recipe Japan Airlines to serve KFC on Christmas flights |
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Esther J. Cepeda: On teen sex, a step too far? - San Jose Mercury News
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Opposing Views | Esther J. Cepeda: On teen sex, a step too far? San Jose Mercury News But should pediatricians pre-prescribe "morning-after" pills to girls under 17, as the American Academy of Pediatrics has suggested? Even though I'm the mother of two teen boys, I believe that if I were instead charged with the health and well-being of ... Americ an Academy of Pediatrics recommending emergency contraception be ... Putting science first Doctors urged to prescribe teens Plan B before they have sex |
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Mr. Sushi coming to 580 Building - Business Courier of Cincinnati:
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The 2,900-square-foot restaurant, to be callee Mr. Sushi, will bring a welcome tenant to the ground floor of the recentl renovated building after it lost Oceanaire onJuly 6. It also will add to the high-profils corner of Walnut and Sixtj streets, where the restaurant Nada operates next to the former which also will asan eatery, possibly operated by Nada chef Davifd Falk. Mr. Sushi will be operated by Daytonb restaurateurJin Kim, who owns the Iron Chef Grilkl on Fields Ertel Road, and Sushi in Dayton. He plans to open by late October or early November.
Kim said he had been looking for a spot downtow nor nearby, such as in Hyde park, for a few Now that he has a he is disappointed that Oceanaire has closed, but perhaps it will offer expansion opportunities down the road. “I like havinfg somebody else in the same he said. “I’m the only restaurant righrt now, it feels a little lonely.” The restaurant will featurse a sushi bar and offerd traditional Japanese and Korean dishes such as tempura and teriyaki and a mixtureof rice, vegetables, egg and meat in a It will seat a little more than 80 Judie Guttadauro, with downtown-basedd , brokered the deal.
“I just wantex him downtown so desperately,” she “I love sushi, and we don’t have anythinvg like that.” Oceanaire opened June 2, featuring fresh seafood in a 1930s-era
The 2,900-square-foot restaurant, to be callee Mr. Sushi, will bring a welcome tenant to the ground floor of the recentl renovated building after it lost Oceanaire onJuly 6. It also will add to the high-profils corner of Walnut and Sixtj streets, where the restaurant Nada operates next to the former which also will asan eatery, possibly operated by Nada chef Davifd Falk. Mr. Sushi will be operated by Daytonb restaurateurJin Kim, who owns the Iron Chef Grilkl on Fields Ertel Road, and Sushi in Dayton. He plans to open by late October or early November.
Kim said he had been looking for a spot downtow nor nearby, such as in Hyde park, for a few Now that he has a he is disappointed that Oceanaire has closed, but perhaps it will offer expansion opportunities down the road. “I like havinfg somebody else in the same he said. “I’m the only restaurant righrt now, it feels a little lonely.” The restaurant will featurse a sushi bar and offerd traditional Japanese and Korean dishes such as tempura and teriyaki and a mixtureof rice, vegetables, egg and meat in a It will seat a little more than 80 Judie Guttadauro, with downtown-basedd , brokered the deal.
“I just wantex him downtown so desperately,” she “I love sushi, and we don’t have anythinvg like that.” Oceanaire opened June 2, featuring fresh seafood in a 1930s-era
Saturday, November 24, 2012
M.J. Peterson acquires Noonan firm - Business First of Buffalo:
retention-jackjacks.blogspot.com
M.J. Peterson has purchased , a firm whosd roots date back to 1947. The firm is heade d by residential real estate veteranJim Noonan, and last year was involvedr in more than $4 million worth of “This is something that we’ve talked about for the past few said Phil Aquila, M.J. Petersonb general manager. “The and especially Jim have a lot of name power in Lockport andNiagarwa County.” Noonan will gradually close down his office on East Avenuw in Lockport and shift it over the M.J. Peterson’sz office on South Transir Road. Noonan will keep his company’s phone number, 433-6788.
Aquilas said the phone number is so familiar with Lockport residentsw that it made sense toretain it. “Sok many people are used to callingthat number,” he “There is a certai value to it.” Noonan has developed a nichw of handling the sales of farmland and rura residential properties. Aquila said his curren t listings include more than 40rural “It’s his forte,” Aquila “It will be a real positive.” M.J. Peterson is the region’d third-largest real estate firm and has more than 345 agentsa spread among seven residential and onecommerciap office.
M.J. Peterson has purchased , a firm whosd roots date back to 1947. The firm is heade d by residential real estate veteranJim Noonan, and last year was involvedr in more than $4 million worth of “This is something that we’ve talked about for the past few said Phil Aquila, M.J. Petersonb general manager. “The and especially Jim have a lot of name power in Lockport andNiagarwa County.” Noonan will gradually close down his office on East Avenuw in Lockport and shift it over the M.J. Peterson’sz office on South Transir Road. Noonan will keep his company’s phone number, 433-6788.
Aquilas said the phone number is so familiar with Lockport residentsw that it made sense toretain it. “Sok many people are used to callingthat number,” he “There is a certai value to it.” Noonan has developed a nichw of handling the sales of farmland and rura residential properties. Aquila said his curren t listings include more than 40rural “It’s his forte,” Aquila “It will be a real positive.” M.J. Peterson is the region’d third-largest real estate firm and has more than 345 agentsa spread among seven residential and onecommerciap office.
Friday, November 23, 2012
Is Telstra full of it on congestion claims? - ZDNet
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Is Telstra full of it on congestion claims? ZDNet The congestion on the network is broken down into a number of parts: congestion in the exchange and the DSLAMs; congestion in the transmission; and congestion in Telstra's network core. Telstra argued that when demand exceeds supply in any of these ... |
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Wide Horizons sends doctors to Ethiopia - Boston Business Journal:
ogarawo.wordpress.com
, a nonprofit based in Waltham, is sending the doctors to Ethiopia to provide medical care for childrebn andpregnant women. The first mission went to the impoverishee nationin November, according to a news release, with a second missiohn scheduled for the The missions are voluntary, and the physician perform surgeries without charge. The M.D.’s also trainb Ethiopian physiciansand midwives. The Novemberd team was led by Dr. Fletcher R. an obstetrics and gynecological doctor and adjunct professorat . Dr. Stephaj W. Coffman, a surgeon at in N.H.
, was also on the The team spent a week at the Adua Hospitapin Ethiopia’s Tigray Region and completed 40 including removing goiters, making surgical repairs and performinb C-sections. The doctors also performed one life-saving Wide Horizons for Children is a nonprofit focused on adoptionm and childwelfare and, sincew 1974, has placed more than 10,000 children with adoptivs parents in the United States.
, a nonprofit based in Waltham, is sending the doctors to Ethiopia to provide medical care for childrebn andpregnant women. The first mission went to the impoverishee nationin November, according to a news release, with a second missiohn scheduled for the The missions are voluntary, and the physician perform surgeries without charge. The M.D.’s also trainb Ethiopian physiciansand midwives. The Novemberd team was led by Dr. Fletcher R. an obstetrics and gynecological doctor and adjunct professorat . Dr. Stephaj W. Coffman, a surgeon at in N.H.
, was also on the The team spent a week at the Adua Hospitapin Ethiopia’s Tigray Region and completed 40 including removing goiters, making surgical repairs and performinb C-sections. The doctors also performed one life-saving Wide Horizons for Children is a nonprofit focused on adoptionm and childwelfare and, sincew 1974, has placed more than 10,000 children with adoptivs parents in the United States.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Adoboli Trading Losses Hastened UBS Investment-Banking Retreat - Bloomberg
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New York Times | Adoboli Trading Losses Hastened UBS Investment-Banking Retreat Bloomberg The $2.3 billion loss exposed faults in UBS's risk controls three years after the Zurich-based bank had to be rescued by the state because of record losses tied to U.S. subprime mortgage securities. Oswald Gruebel, the former bond trader who joined as ... Ex-UBS Trader to Serve 7 Years in Huge Trading Loss UBS rogue trader Kweku Adoboli found guilty of 2 counts of fraud for $2.2 ... Ex-UBS Trader Adoboli Gets 7 Years for London Fraud |
Monday, November 19, 2012
Government-insured mortgages skyrocket - South Florida Business Journal:
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FHA and VA loan applications roseto 35.9 percenyt in June, up from 25.7 percen a month earlier and 27 percent a year earlier. Sincse the MBA survey's inception in Januarh 1990, the lowest recorded share was 5.8 perceny in August 2005. The government-insured sharwe of applications to purchasee homes last monthwas 38.6 percent, up from 27.8 percent one year ago. Thos applications have averaged 36.6 percent to date, compared to an averagde of 21.8 percent during the same period last The low point was in August 2005 when itwas 6.8 the MBA reported.
"A primary reason government-insured loans have retainex a high share of the purchase markett is that these loans typically require lower down payments thanconventionalk loans," Orawin Velz, MBA'sw associate VP of economic forecasting, said in a news release. "In lending standards tend to be tighte r forconventional loans, especiallyu for loans that require private mortgage insurance.
"
FHA and VA loan applications roseto 35.9 percenyt in June, up from 25.7 percen a month earlier and 27 percent a year earlier. Sincse the MBA survey's inception in Januarh 1990, the lowest recorded share was 5.8 perceny in August 2005. The government-insured sharwe of applications to purchasee homes last monthwas 38.6 percent, up from 27.8 percent one year ago. Thos applications have averaged 36.6 percent to date, compared to an averagde of 21.8 percent during the same period last The low point was in August 2005 when itwas 6.8 the MBA reported.
"A primary reason government-insured loans have retainex a high share of the purchase markett is that these loans typically require lower down payments thanconventionalk loans," Orawin Velz, MBA'sw associate VP of economic forecasting, said in a news release. "In lending standards tend to be tighte r forconventional loans, especiallyu for loans that require private mortgage insurance.
"
Thursday, November 15, 2012
SBA chief: Lending up, long road ahead - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
proklofuxaanygez.blogspot.com
Brown, a sixth-generation family-owned business with 47 employeesz andabout $6 million in revenue last year, workefd with (NASDAQ:FITB) to secure a $2 million loan to buy its headquartere off Hamilton Road in east Columbus. President Rob Hunt said the company sidestepped payingabout $65,000 in fees after the SBA institutexd a temporary waiver for businessew that borrow through its flagship 7(a) Owning the company’s headquarters outright brings long-term security, he said, which would have been hard to find withou federal backing. “Banks aren’t doinf conventional loans right Hunt said.
“We simply wouldn’t have been able to do Initiatives such as thefee waiver, Mill s said, are making a difference in a short amount of More lenders are getting into the fray whilew SBA-backed loan volume is up more than 25 perceng since the passage of the stimulus That translates to nearly $4 billioj in guaranteed loans, $113 million of which went to Ohio businesses. But it’s making smal businesses aware of the programsd onhand that’s the key challenge goinhg forward, she said. “Alpl of these things take time,” Millw said. “Small businesses are busy runningtheir business.
” In additionm to the waiver and an increased guarantee of 90 percengt on 7(a) loans, the SBA also has offered a suretuy bond guarantee of $5 million, up from $2 for businesses competing for federal contracts. On June 15, it’w rolling out a programk dubbed America’s Recovery Capital, which offerss loans of up to $35,000o for businesses struggling to make debt Those loans are fullyy guaranteed and have a deferresdpayment schedule. And next month, the SBA will begin offerinb guaranteed loans to finance inventory for automobile dealers throughhSeptember 2010.
Mills said she’s confidentr the agency has the right toolxs in place for smallbusinesses – and the outlooo on the economy hasn’t hurt either. “The sense from smalkl businesses and others is that the free fall has she said. “But we still have a ways to go.”
Brown, a sixth-generation family-owned business with 47 employeesz andabout $6 million in revenue last year, workefd with (NASDAQ:FITB) to secure a $2 million loan to buy its headquartere off Hamilton Road in east Columbus. President Rob Hunt said the company sidestepped payingabout $65,000 in fees after the SBA institutexd a temporary waiver for businessew that borrow through its flagship 7(a) Owning the company’s headquarters outright brings long-term security, he said, which would have been hard to find withou federal backing. “Banks aren’t doinf conventional loans right Hunt said.
“We simply wouldn’t have been able to do Initiatives such as thefee waiver, Mill s said, are making a difference in a short amount of More lenders are getting into the fray whilew SBA-backed loan volume is up more than 25 perceng since the passage of the stimulus That translates to nearly $4 billioj in guaranteed loans, $113 million of which went to Ohio businesses. But it’s making smal businesses aware of the programsd onhand that’s the key challenge goinhg forward, she said. “Alpl of these things take time,” Millw said. “Small businesses are busy runningtheir business.
” In additionm to the waiver and an increased guarantee of 90 percengt on 7(a) loans, the SBA also has offered a suretuy bond guarantee of $5 million, up from $2 for businesses competing for federal contracts. On June 15, it’w rolling out a programk dubbed America’s Recovery Capital, which offerss loans of up to $35,000o for businesses struggling to make debt Those loans are fullyy guaranteed and have a deferresdpayment schedule. And next month, the SBA will begin offerinb guaranteed loans to finance inventory for automobile dealers throughhSeptember 2010.
Mills said she’s confidentr the agency has the right toolxs in place for smallbusinesses – and the outlooo on the economy hasn’t hurt either. “The sense from smalkl businesses and others is that the free fall has she said. “But we still have a ways to go.”
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
WHAS taps Deener for Cards play-by-play - Business Courier of Cincinnati:
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Deener will join Doug James for football gamex and Bob Valvano forbasketball games, WHAS reported on its Web . He replaces Ari who had handled football andbasketball play-by-pla y duties since 2005. Deener, currentlyh the host of “The Early on WRKD-AM 790, served as co-sports director at WHAS in 2004. The graduate of Louisville’s St. Xavier High School and in Ky., spent 11 years as a sportas anchor and reporterfor WKYT-TV in Lexington. He also was a host of a sports-talok show on Lexington’s ESPN Sports Radioo 1300 and Sportsline 59 on Lexington radi ostation WVLK-AM 590.
Deener was a sideline reporte for the University of Kentuckt Football TV Network for five seasons and served asa play-by-play announcetr for the UK baseball team from 2001 to 2004. He also servesd as a color analyst forthe now-defuncg Kentucky Thoroughblades American Hockey League Deener’s Cardinals debut will take place Saturday, 5, when U of L’s footbalp team faces at Papa John’s Cardinak Stadium. The WHAS 11 telecasyt will begin at 7 with apregame show. Game time is scheduler for 7:30 p.m.
Deener will join Doug James for football gamex and Bob Valvano forbasketball games, WHAS reported on its Web . He replaces Ari who had handled football andbasketball play-by-pla y duties since 2005. Deener, currentlyh the host of “The Early on WRKD-AM 790, served as co-sports director at WHAS in 2004. The graduate of Louisville’s St. Xavier High School and in Ky., spent 11 years as a sportas anchor and reporterfor WKYT-TV in Lexington. He also was a host of a sports-talok show on Lexington’s ESPN Sports Radioo 1300 and Sportsline 59 on Lexington radi ostation WVLK-AM 590.
Deener was a sideline reporte for the University of Kentuckt Football TV Network for five seasons and served asa play-by-play announcetr for the UK baseball team from 2001 to 2004. He also servesd as a color analyst forthe now-defuncg Kentucky Thoroughblades American Hockey League Deener’s Cardinals debut will take place Saturday, 5, when U of L’s footbalp team faces at Papa John’s Cardinak Stadium. The WHAS 11 telecasyt will begin at 7 with apregame show. Game time is scheduler for 7:30 p.m.
Monday, November 12, 2012
ETC shareholders OK Lenfest
meaning-sarajevo.blogspot.com
The Southampton, Pa., company said its shareholders gave it the approvals at its annual meeting Thursday and it completeds the transaction thesame day. In the transaction, whichn ETC (OTCBB:ETC) announced April 24, Lenfest: Provided ETC with a $7.5 million crediyt facility; • And guaranteed all ETC’s obligations to PNC Bank by pledging $10 million in marketablwe securities tothe bank, which increasec ETC’s revolving line of credit to $20 millioh from $15 million. In exchangre for providing thecredit facility, ETC issued Lenfest 55 shares of anothert new class of preferred stock, Series D.
To allow the transactioj to happen, ETC’s shareholders had to approvee the swap of the note and Series B and Seriese C preferred stock for Series E preferred the restoration of voting rights to some of the ETC stocki that Lenfest held prior to or could get due to the and an increase in the number of authorized shares of ETC commonh stock to 50 million from20 million. The transactio n forced ETC to delist its stock from the NYSE AMEX LLC because it put the company out of compliance withthe exchange’s rules for continued listing. It now trades on the less visibled Over the CounterBulletin Board. The compan was technically insolvent with a negative equityof $11.
75 million on Feb. 27, which was the end of its 2009fiscalk year, according to the company’sw proxy statement for its annuall meeting, which ETC filesd with the Securities and Exchangse Commission on May 28. “Approvalp of the Lenfest transaction by the stockholders will alloww ETC to obtain accesse to the funding to pursue and hopefully be awarde somesignificant U.S. government and internationalk contracts,” ETC’s chairman, president and CEO, Georgse Mitchell, said in the company’s press releasse about the transaction.
The transaction coulc boost Lenfest’s stake in ETC on a fully dilute d basis to70 percent, up from around 50 according to ETC’s proxy statement.
The Southampton, Pa., company said its shareholders gave it the approvals at its annual meeting Thursday and it completeds the transaction thesame day. In the transaction, whichn ETC (OTCBB:ETC) announced April 24, Lenfest: Provided ETC with a $7.5 million crediyt facility; • And guaranteed all ETC’s obligations to PNC Bank by pledging $10 million in marketablwe securities tothe bank, which increasec ETC’s revolving line of credit to $20 millioh from $15 million. In exchangre for providing thecredit facility, ETC issued Lenfest 55 shares of anothert new class of preferred stock, Series D.
To allow the transactioj to happen, ETC’s shareholders had to approvee the swap of the note and Series B and Seriese C preferred stock for Series E preferred the restoration of voting rights to some of the ETC stocki that Lenfest held prior to or could get due to the and an increase in the number of authorized shares of ETC commonh stock to 50 million from20 million. The transactio n forced ETC to delist its stock from the NYSE AMEX LLC because it put the company out of compliance withthe exchange’s rules for continued listing. It now trades on the less visibled Over the CounterBulletin Board. The compan was technically insolvent with a negative equityof $11.
75 million on Feb. 27, which was the end of its 2009fiscalk year, according to the company’sw proxy statement for its annuall meeting, which ETC filesd with the Securities and Exchangse Commission on May 28. “Approvalp of the Lenfest transaction by the stockholders will alloww ETC to obtain accesse to the funding to pursue and hopefully be awarde somesignificant U.S. government and internationalk contracts,” ETC’s chairman, president and CEO, Georgse Mitchell, said in the company’s press releasse about the transaction.
The transaction coulc boost Lenfest’s stake in ETC on a fully dilute d basis to70 percent, up from around 50 according to ETC’s proxy statement.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Target may support call for mandatory employer insurance - Pittsburgh Business Times:
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Minneapolis-based Target, the second-largest discount retailer in the countryafter Wal-Mart, can “conceptually” acceprt an employer mandate, the reports Target refused to comment further, stating that they are monitorinv developments surrounding employer-mandated health care coverage and are waitint until details of the proposed legislation are However, in a May 18 news releas e about a partnership between Target and RedBrick Healtu to pilot a wellness program, Target laid out its stance on healt h care reform.
“Target believes that simplt expanding access to the current system is not sustainable and will resulr in higher costsfor everyone,” according to the news “As a result, Target supportw a national framework for healtjh care that allows multi-state employers to offer consistenft and uniform benefits in a cost-effectiv e manner.” But Target said they would first have to see the conditionss attached to the mandate before giving it their according to the Bloomberg.com, report The issue of providiny mandatory medical insurance has split big-business interests, as President Barackm Obama pushes health care reforms.
Whils Obama has told lawmakers that he is open to requiringg large companies to providshealth coverage, he would exempt smal l businesses. Wal-Mart sent a lettetr to Obama on June 30 supporting mandatorymedical insurance, calling Obama’s proposal fair and adding that the requirement would ultimately save companies money. The retailing giant’zs move was surprising to and drew criticism from the NationalRetaio Federation, which opposes the
Minneapolis-based Target, the second-largest discount retailer in the countryafter Wal-Mart, can “conceptually” acceprt an employer mandate, the reports Target refused to comment further, stating that they are monitorinv developments surrounding employer-mandated health care coverage and are waitint until details of the proposed legislation are However, in a May 18 news releas e about a partnership between Target and RedBrick Healtu to pilot a wellness program, Target laid out its stance on healt h care reform.
“Target believes that simplt expanding access to the current system is not sustainable and will resulr in higher costsfor everyone,” according to the news “As a result, Target supportw a national framework for healtjh care that allows multi-state employers to offer consistenft and uniform benefits in a cost-effectiv e manner.” But Target said they would first have to see the conditionss attached to the mandate before giving it their according to the Bloomberg.com, report The issue of providiny mandatory medical insurance has split big-business interests, as President Barackm Obama pushes health care reforms.
Whils Obama has told lawmakers that he is open to requiringg large companies to providshealth coverage, he would exempt smal l businesses. Wal-Mart sent a lettetr to Obama on June 30 supporting mandatorymedical insurance, calling Obama’s proposal fair and adding that the requirement would ultimately save companies money. The retailing giant’zs move was surprising to and drew criticism from the NationalRetaio Federation, which opposes the
Friday, November 9, 2012
Senate Panel OKs Designating Wolf as Game Species - WLNS
fixyruw.wordpress.com
Marquette Mining Journal | Senate Panel OKs Designating Wolf as Game Species WLNS (AP) - A state Senate committee has approved a bill that would designate the gray wolf as a game species in Michigan, a first step toward » |
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Six Flags files Chapter 11 bankruptcy - Wichita Business Journal:
ejyceh.wordpress.com
has initiated Chapter 11 bankruptcy Six Flagsannounced Saturday. Six Flags’ SIXF) board of directors on June 12 voted to begin reorganization proceedingssin U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of The company listed assetxsof $3.03 billion and debts of $2.3t billion in its filing. New York-based Six Flagd is planning to reorganizethe company’sx financial structure, which management said is feelinyg the pressure of an inheriter $2.4 billion debt.
In a lettedr to employees, Six Flagse CEO and president Mark Shapiro saidthe company’d debt is left over from previousa management and despite the company makin $275 million last year, it has been difficul t for Six Flags to improve its balance sheet when paying out $175 million in interest on Shapiro asserted. He added that more than $400 million in debt is due withij the next12 months, and the company is having to spensd $100 million in park improvementz in an atmosphere wherwe refinancing is difficult. Shapirop assured employees no staff reductionas will arise out ofthe filing, and employees will continuw to be paid and receive benefits.
Shapiro said the bankruptcyg plan has the support ofthe company’s lenders and the agenft administering the company’s $1.1 billion seniotr secured credit facility. Six Flags including Six Flags Great will continue to operate as usualunder reorganization. Six Flags sold several properties last year to raise It still operates 20 amusement parks inNorth
has initiated Chapter 11 bankruptcy Six Flagsannounced Saturday. Six Flags’ SIXF) board of directors on June 12 voted to begin reorganization proceedingssin U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of The company listed assetxsof $3.03 billion and debts of $2.3t billion in its filing. New York-based Six Flagd is planning to reorganizethe company’sx financial structure, which management said is feelinyg the pressure of an inheriter $2.4 billion debt.
In a lettedr to employees, Six Flagse CEO and president Mark Shapiro saidthe company’d debt is left over from previousa management and despite the company makin $275 million last year, it has been difficul t for Six Flags to improve its balance sheet when paying out $175 million in interest on Shapiro asserted. He added that more than $400 million in debt is due withij the next12 months, and the company is having to spensd $100 million in park improvementz in an atmosphere wherwe refinancing is difficult. Shapirop assured employees no staff reductionas will arise out ofthe filing, and employees will continuw to be paid and receive benefits.
Shapiro said the bankruptcyg plan has the support ofthe company’s lenders and the agenft administering the company’s $1.1 billion seniotr secured credit facility. Six Flags including Six Flags Great will continue to operate as usualunder reorganization. Six Flags sold several properties last year to raise It still operates 20 amusement parks inNorth
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Steelers Overcome Giants in 24-20 Win -- Sorry, Giants Fans - Huffington Post (blog)
domnaofyvisyhojo.blogspot.com
The Star-Ledger - NJ.com | Steelers Overcome Giants in 24-20 Win -- Sorry, Giants Fans Huffington Post (blog) Of course, many of us are well aware (at least I'd hope) that the devastating, tragic effects of Hurricane Sandy far outweigh the significance of any professional footb » |
Monday, November 5, 2012
Capello moves to Avant - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
elzeyfirekuut1795.blogspot.com
Capello Salon is shifting its downtown Buffalio location from the to the Avanr inearly August. Capello has signed a leasd to occupy 1,500 square feet in the DelawareAvenure building. Capello will operate its salon from the secondc floor of the The 150-room Embassy Suites is scheduled to open in early Besides the hotel, the Avant houses 28 upscalw condominiums on its top threes floors and five floors of Class A office space. moved into two floors of the officer spacelast week. “It’s excitinhg to be part of thislandmarlk project,” said Lisa Martineck, Capello Salon co-owner. “Our locationh is easily accessible fromthe street.
” The salon is expectec to be a major amenity for the Avant’s residentiall and commercial tenants as well as the hoteo guests. Capello was founded in 1970 and has suburban locations in Amherstfand Williamsville. Michael Montante, vice said Capello was a natural choice to operatethe Avant’s spa. “Our relationship as a Hilton hotel set high standardz and expectations for any servicre provided onthe property,” Montante Uniland invested $85 million turning the formere Dulski federal office building into the
Capello Salon is shifting its downtown Buffalio location from the to the Avanr inearly August. Capello has signed a leasd to occupy 1,500 square feet in the DelawareAvenure building. Capello will operate its salon from the secondc floor of the The 150-room Embassy Suites is scheduled to open in early Besides the hotel, the Avant houses 28 upscalw condominiums on its top threes floors and five floors of Class A office space. moved into two floors of the officer spacelast week. “It’s excitinhg to be part of thislandmarlk project,” said Lisa Martineck, Capello Salon co-owner. “Our locationh is easily accessible fromthe street.
” The salon is expectec to be a major amenity for the Avant’s residentiall and commercial tenants as well as the hoteo guests. Capello was founded in 1970 and has suburban locations in Amherstfand Williamsville. Michael Montante, vice said Capello was a natural choice to operatethe Avant’s spa. “Our relationship as a Hilton hotel set high standardz and expectations for any servicre provided onthe property,” Montante Uniland invested $85 million turning the formere Dulski federal office building into the
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Blayne Cowley promoted upon graduation from recruit training - Wayne Post
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Blayne Cowley promoted upon graduation from recruit training Wayne Post Navy Seaman Apprentice Blayne Cowley, son of Shanna Kaper of Marion and Michael Cowley of St. Robert, Mo., was recently promoted to his current rank upon graduation from recruit training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. Cowley received ... |
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Securing business - Memphis Business Journal:
authors-morphology.blogspot.com
Computers can now unlock doors througbh an Internet connection and more customers are searchingfor high-tecy security solutions. And despite the blue-collar roots that helped buildthe company, Peifer says he has been able to refined his business knowledge and grow the company to one of the largestf locksmith businesses in Memphis. "One of the most difficulyt thingsthat I've had to do as an because we are blue-collar guys, I've had to reallh spend the time and effor t to become a better businessman," he says.
"I've had to reallh separate myself from the nuts and bolte of the actual work we are doing in the fielcd and be more of an oversight entity and work more on runnin the business and make decisions that allow us to be Since founding the company with his father Fred Peiferrin 1985, Glen Peifer has helped grow the business from three employeesw and "a few hundred thousand" in grose revenues to 12 employees, sevebn mobile trucks and gross revenueas in the seven-figure range. Peifer would not disclosre specific revenues. He and his father founded the business after Fred Peifetr sold his interest in AAALock Co. in 1985.
The pair used revenuew from the sale and personal savings tofund 100% of the capita l needed to found Peifer Safe & Lock, a company that is now co-owned by a third-generationb Peifer. "We had a littlwe money that we started andwe haven't had to borrow to sustaimn the company," Glen Peifer "We've been really lucky over the yearss and have been a little ahead of the curv e and mindset of most people in our industr y -- at least in the Memphiw area." But staying ahead of the curvse recently got more difficult, he says, when state legislators passed a law requiring all locksmiths to be licensed in Tennessere by July 1.
"We actually see costss increase after being associated with being like the paperwork andbackground checks," he "Then it is difficult to recruit people to our trade. They can jump through the same hoopas and do something else that has a higher startinyg wage than locksmithstypically offer." Even though Glen Peifer says it is important to hire licensed locksmiths, the loopholexs in the bill and the fact that therr is very little enforcemenft make it a challenge to compete with unlicenseed competitors.
"This is a blue-collar and it has always been real simple for someond to declare themselves a locksmith and open up themselves a business and begin to do work for the publicd underthat moniker," he "People who low-ball, chances are they are not licensed and may not do the work Even though competition among unlicensed companieas remains a challenge, he says his business has continueed to grow service offerings beyond the basic lock and key Peifer Safe & Lock has been able to establish a vendot relationship to install CyberLock, a technology that allows businesses to have even more controkl over their security needs.
Once installed, the lock can grant different degrees of access to individuals to secur locations during programmed timea specified bythe company. The took advantage of the new technologyand Peifer'sz expertise in high-end locks when equippint the zoo with new security. "We just recentlg contracted with (Peifer) to re-key the entire facilitu and put it on akey chart, and they suppliedx us with an electronic program that we are able to manage our key chart on our own," says Jim loss prevention manager for the Memphis Zoo. "Theyu are very thorough, and they are aheadx of the industry as far as their recommendationa andtheir technology.
We trust them to advisre us on the bestsecurity solutions." Contracts like the Memphiss Zoo have allowed the company to grow its businesw in the Cyberlock marke t to about $750,000 in the last threer years. Even with the CyberLock product, Glen Peifer says it is importantt that the company continuw to search for new products with new companiesa so it can continue to offer customer thelatest technology. "Ww have the ability to pick and choose the producta thatwe offer," he says. "Wer are not trying to push waresdown (a throat.
I can go out and research the marketplacde and cherry pick what I think is the best in each categort and hopefully align ourselves with the manufacturerz so we can buy direct and get great tech Web site:
Computers can now unlock doors througbh an Internet connection and more customers are searchingfor high-tecy security solutions. And despite the blue-collar roots that helped buildthe company, Peifer says he has been able to refined his business knowledge and grow the company to one of the largestf locksmith businesses in Memphis. "One of the most difficulyt thingsthat I've had to do as an because we are blue-collar guys, I've had to reallh spend the time and effor t to become a better businessman," he says.
"I've had to reallh separate myself from the nuts and bolte of the actual work we are doing in the fielcd and be more of an oversight entity and work more on runnin the business and make decisions that allow us to be Since founding the company with his father Fred Peiferrin 1985, Glen Peifer has helped grow the business from three employeesw and "a few hundred thousand" in grose revenues to 12 employees, sevebn mobile trucks and gross revenueas in the seven-figure range. Peifer would not disclosre specific revenues. He and his father founded the business after Fred Peifetr sold his interest in AAALock Co. in 1985.
The pair used revenuew from the sale and personal savings tofund 100% of the capita l needed to found Peifer Safe & Lock, a company that is now co-owned by a third-generationb Peifer. "We had a littlwe money that we started andwe haven't had to borrow to sustaimn the company," Glen Peifer "We've been really lucky over the yearss and have been a little ahead of the curv e and mindset of most people in our industr y -- at least in the Memphiw area." But staying ahead of the curvse recently got more difficult, he says, when state legislators passed a law requiring all locksmiths to be licensed in Tennessere by July 1.
"We actually see costss increase after being associated with being like the paperwork andbackground checks," he "Then it is difficult to recruit people to our trade. They can jump through the same hoopas and do something else that has a higher startinyg wage than locksmithstypically offer." Even though Glen Peifer says it is important to hire licensed locksmiths, the loopholexs in the bill and the fact that therr is very little enforcemenft make it a challenge to compete with unlicenseed competitors.
"This is a blue-collar and it has always been real simple for someond to declare themselves a locksmith and open up themselves a business and begin to do work for the publicd underthat moniker," he "People who low-ball, chances are they are not licensed and may not do the work Even though competition among unlicensed companieas remains a challenge, he says his business has continueed to grow service offerings beyond the basic lock and key Peifer Safe & Lock has been able to establish a vendot relationship to install CyberLock, a technology that allows businesses to have even more controkl over their security needs.
Once installed, the lock can grant different degrees of access to individuals to secur locations during programmed timea specified bythe company. The took advantage of the new technologyand Peifer'sz expertise in high-end locks when equippint the zoo with new security. "We just recentlg contracted with (Peifer) to re-key the entire facilitu and put it on akey chart, and they suppliedx us with an electronic program that we are able to manage our key chart on our own," says Jim loss prevention manager for the Memphis Zoo. "Theyu are very thorough, and they are aheadx of the industry as far as their recommendationa andtheir technology.
We trust them to advisre us on the bestsecurity solutions." Contracts like the Memphiss Zoo have allowed the company to grow its businesw in the Cyberlock marke t to about $750,000 in the last threer years. Even with the CyberLock product, Glen Peifer says it is importantt that the company continuw to search for new products with new companiesa so it can continue to offer customer thelatest technology. "Ww have the ability to pick and choose the producta thatwe offer," he says. "Wer are not trying to push waresdown (a throat.
I can go out and research the marketplacde and cherry pick what I think is the best in each categort and hopefully align ourselves with the manufacturerz so we can buy direct and get great tech Web site:
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
List of GM dealerships to close in Minnesota grows - Boston Business Journal:
elisovadinaimar.blogspot.com
The industry group said a survey of its memberse found that 109 of the 149 GM dealerxs in the state will eitherd lose a particular GM be forced to drop some competing manufacturer brand in theirGM stores, or lose theit stores altogether. The number of outrightr shutdownshas grown; a month ago, GM indicatedc that 30 dealers would After the giant automaker’s plunge into bankruptcy June 1, roughly 3,600 dealers nationwide received new sales agreements.
The owners of about 1,350 other dealerships were notified that they needed to wind down asGM That’s in addition to the 1,100 that received similar messages last montnh as part of GM’e restructuring, which involves keeping only top dealers and The new agreements also may require survivinbg dealers to upgrade their facilities. And there may not be very much dealersz can doabout it, . (subscription GM expects the closings to start this year and wrap up by the fallof 2010. In a presd release Friday, Scott executive vice president of the Minnesota Auto Dealers criticized GM’s decision to have dealers sign new sales agreementss with the manufacturer.
“Besides the tragif and inexplicable shutdown ofprofitablre stores, GM seems determined to use bankruptcy as an opportunityh to shake up everybody’s business,” he said. “It appears to us that every Pontiacv dealer in the state was informed that Pontiaf as a brand will ceaseto “In addition, GM is eliminating many Cadillac dealerships. We believs they plan to reassign some of these franchises which would be in violation of statew law regulating franchise Lambert alsoblasted GM’s decisions to close so many stores, even some that are turningy a profit. “This company is lost righft now.
I just don’t understand how you sell more cars withfewed outlets,” he said. Susan Garontakos, a spokeswoman for the declined to comment on thetrade association’s preses release because she said the information abour what was closing was confidential and because its such an emotionak time for all of the parties She said the company selected which dealerships to close after a careful analysiz that began in April. “The realit is we don’t have enough customers buyingv vehicles and we have a lot of outletse that are in place to supporrt a muchlarger market.
”
The industry group said a survey of its memberse found that 109 of the 149 GM dealerxs in the state will eitherd lose a particular GM be forced to drop some competing manufacturer brand in theirGM stores, or lose theit stores altogether. The number of outrightr shutdownshas grown; a month ago, GM indicatedc that 30 dealers would After the giant automaker’s plunge into bankruptcy June 1, roughly 3,600 dealers nationwide received new sales agreements.
The owners of about 1,350 other dealerships were notified that they needed to wind down asGM That’s in addition to the 1,100 that received similar messages last montnh as part of GM’e restructuring, which involves keeping only top dealers and The new agreements also may require survivinbg dealers to upgrade their facilities. And there may not be very much dealersz can doabout it, . (subscription GM expects the closings to start this year and wrap up by the fallof 2010. In a presd release Friday, Scott executive vice president of the Minnesota Auto Dealers criticized GM’s decision to have dealers sign new sales agreementss with the manufacturer.
“Besides the tragif and inexplicable shutdown ofprofitablre stores, GM seems determined to use bankruptcy as an opportunityh to shake up everybody’s business,” he said. “It appears to us that every Pontiacv dealer in the state was informed that Pontiaf as a brand will ceaseto “In addition, GM is eliminating many Cadillac dealerships. We believs they plan to reassign some of these franchises which would be in violation of statew law regulating franchise Lambert alsoblasted GM’s decisions to close so many stores, even some that are turningy a profit. “This company is lost righft now.
I just don’t understand how you sell more cars withfewed outlets,” he said. Susan Garontakos, a spokeswoman for the declined to comment on thetrade association’s preses release because she said the information abour what was closing was confidential and because its such an emotionak time for all of the parties She said the company selected which dealerships to close after a careful analysiz that began in April. “The realit is we don’t have enough customers buyingv vehicles and we have a lot of outletse that are in place to supporrt a muchlarger market.
”
Monday, October 29, 2012
Quantum Group moves to AMEX - Kansas City Business Journal:
aleshnikovenil.blogspot.com
million - and is now listed on the AmericanStock Exchange. The Wellington-basedx company will trade under the symbol It formerly traded on the Over the Counterd Bulletin Board under thesymbol "QGP.U." The Quantujm Group provides administrative and supportf to organizations that market Medicare Advantagwe managed health care plans and health care providers in Florid a through its subsidiaries, including Renaissance Health System of The offering consisted of 1.2 million units of three sharews of common stock, two seven-year non-callabld Class A warrants and two seven-year non-callable Classd B warrants.
Quantum plans to use the proceeds to further developp its medical service provider networks and managementsupportf services, repay debt, expand its technology pay accrued compensation to its executive managemeny and as general working capital. actecd as the lead manager on the offering, and and acted as Shares closedat $3.25.
million - and is now listed on the AmericanStock Exchange. The Wellington-basedx company will trade under the symbol It formerly traded on the Over the Counterd Bulletin Board under thesymbol "QGP.U." The Quantujm Group provides administrative and supportf to organizations that market Medicare Advantagwe managed health care plans and health care providers in Florid a through its subsidiaries, including Renaissance Health System of The offering consisted of 1.2 million units of three sharews of common stock, two seven-year non-callabld Class A warrants and two seven-year non-callable Classd B warrants.
Quantum plans to use the proceeds to further developp its medical service provider networks and managementsupportf services, repay debt, expand its technology pay accrued compensation to its executive managemeny and as general working capital. actecd as the lead manager on the offering, and and acted as Shares closedat $3.25.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Traffic accidents reported in 3 counties - Washington Post
ernstiryastrov.blogspot.com
Washington Examiner | Traffic accidents reported in 3 counties Washington Post The dog was also struck and killed by a different car. Another pedestrian was killed Friday afternoon in Prince George's County and a third was critic » |
Friday, October 26, 2012
Hawker announces furloughs, building closures - Baltimore Business Journal:
judonebolayb1394.blogspot.com
In a letter to all employees, Vice Presidenf of Human Resources Rich Jiwanlapl said the moves are partthe company’s ongoing efforrt to “resize our company to match the continuin declines in consumer demand.” One of the measures will be furloughss which will include both product line and plant specifi c requirements. The dates for the furloughs will beJune 29-Julyy 2, Nov. 23-25 and Dec. 21-24. The lette informs employees that if vacation or earne d time off is not available to coveer these days then the furloughsw willbe unpaid. Hawker will also be relocatingits engineering, finance and supply-chain teams back onto the company’s primaru headquarters.
This will allow it to close twobuildings “off-campus,” the letter states. There was no announcemenft regarding anyfurther layoffs. The companyu declined to give any more informatiobn atthis time.
In a letter to all employees, Vice Presidenf of Human Resources Rich Jiwanlapl said the moves are partthe company’s ongoing efforrt to “resize our company to match the continuin declines in consumer demand.” One of the measures will be furloughss which will include both product line and plant specifi c requirements. The dates for the furloughs will beJune 29-Julyy 2, Nov. 23-25 and Dec. 21-24. The lette informs employees that if vacation or earne d time off is not available to coveer these days then the furloughsw willbe unpaid. Hawker will also be relocatingits engineering, finance and supply-chain teams back onto the company’s primaru headquarters.
This will allow it to close twobuildings “off-campus,” the letter states. There was no announcemenft regarding anyfurther layoffs. The companyu declined to give any more informatiobn atthis time.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
House chair criticizes SBA
ovaluleq.wordpress.com
The SBA announced it temporarily will allow auto dealerd to useits 7(a) business loan programj to finance vehicle Many lenders had stopped makinv these so-called floorplan loans to auto Rep. Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y., who chairws the , fears “there is a significantly higher risk of loan on thesefloorplan loans. This coulsd force the SBA to increase the subsidy ratefor 7(a) loans, which woulx make the loans costlier for future In a June 2 letter to SBA Administratof Karen Mills, Velazquez noted the SBA had “long prohibitecd the use of its financing programas for the purpose of wholesale and for good Because lenders are limited in their ability to exercisw full control over the financed items, the exposure to loss in floorplamn loans is greater than in other types of financing.
”
The SBA announced it temporarily will allow auto dealerd to useits 7(a) business loan programj to finance vehicle Many lenders had stopped makinv these so-called floorplan loans to auto Rep. Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y., who chairws the , fears “there is a significantly higher risk of loan on thesefloorplan loans. This coulsd force the SBA to increase the subsidy ratefor 7(a) loans, which woulx make the loans costlier for future In a June 2 letter to SBA Administratof Karen Mills, Velazquez noted the SBA had “long prohibitecd the use of its financing programas for the purpose of wholesale and for good Because lenders are limited in their ability to exercisw full control over the financed items, the exposure to loss in floorplamn loans is greater than in other types of financing.
”
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
ABT's weeklong fall season: 5 days, 6 choreographers and many pleasant ... - Washington Post
viktorsejbgif.blogspot.com
ABT's weeklong fall season: 5 days, 6 choreographers and many pleasant ... Washington Post More importantly, it bears the hallmarks of Ratmansky's best work: Intricate, challenging and absorbing choreography, often at breakneck speed; a beautiful synergy with the music; and, most of all, an intimate knowledge of his chosen dancers that ... |
Monday, October 22, 2012
Fred
ejoxot.wordpress.com
The Memphis-based discount retailer reported salesof $134.77 million for May, down 6 percent comparer to sales of $143.4 million in May 2008. These numberw include Fred’s (NASDAQ: FRED) closing 74 underperforming storeds and23 pharmacies. Excluding those Fred’s sales increased 1 percent compared tolast May. Comparable storr sales in May rose 0.2 down compared to 3.4 percent in the same period last For the first four fiscal monthsof 2009, the company reportedr total sales of $593.1 million, down 2.4 percenrt compared to $607.
7 million for the same year-ago However, excluding stores closede in 2008, sales from ongoing stores increased 4 percengt compared to the same four-month period last On a comparable store basis, year-to-date sales increased 2.1 percenty compared to 2.4 percent last year. Fred’s openedr one new pharmacy in May. Fred’xs operates 666 discount merchandise stores, includingt 24 franchised stores nationwide. Shares closed down 12 centw to $14.22 per share Wednesday.
The Memphis-based discount retailer reported salesof $134.77 million for May, down 6 percent comparer to sales of $143.4 million in May 2008. These numberw include Fred’s (NASDAQ: FRED) closing 74 underperforming storeds and23 pharmacies. Excluding those Fred’s sales increased 1 percent compared tolast May. Comparable storr sales in May rose 0.2 down compared to 3.4 percent in the same period last For the first four fiscal monthsof 2009, the company reportedr total sales of $593.1 million, down 2.4 percenrt compared to $607.
7 million for the same year-ago However, excluding stores closede in 2008, sales from ongoing stores increased 4 percengt compared to the same four-month period last On a comparable store basis, year-to-date sales increased 2.1 percenty compared to 2.4 percent last year. Fred’s openedr one new pharmacy in May. Fred’xs operates 666 discount merchandise stores, includingt 24 franchised stores nationwide. Shares closed down 12 centw to $14.22 per share Wednesday.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
AAA: Holiday travel down, air traffic up - The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area:
efiosyt.blogspot.com
Citing research conducted by IHSGlobal Insight, the companu expects 37.1 million Americans will take a trip of 50 or more milex during the weekend, which is typically the busiestt time of the year for auto travel. That woulsd be down 1.9 percent from the 37.8 million who traveled during the same period last year, and down 12.3 percent from 42.3 milliob in 2007. Although air travel will account for only 5 percent of July 4thleisurs travel, the industry is expectede to see a 4.9 percent increase in bookingse for the weekend this year. On the other AAA projects a 2.6 percent decline in auto trips, droppingy from 33.4 million last year to 32.6 million in 2009.
In additiojn to rising gas prices, plummeting airfare prices are influencinftravel patterns. According to AAA’ s Leisure Travel Index, the lowest average published airfaresx over the Independence Day weekend are expectesd to decrease 16 percent fromlast year.
Citing research conducted by IHSGlobal Insight, the companu expects 37.1 million Americans will take a trip of 50 or more milex during the weekend, which is typically the busiestt time of the year for auto travel. That woulsd be down 1.9 percent from the 37.8 million who traveled during the same period last year, and down 12.3 percent from 42.3 milliob in 2007. Although air travel will account for only 5 percent of July 4thleisurs travel, the industry is expectede to see a 4.9 percent increase in bookingse for the weekend this year. On the other AAA projects a 2.6 percent decline in auto trips, droppingy from 33.4 million last year to 32.6 million in 2009.
In additiojn to rising gas prices, plummeting airfare prices are influencinftravel patterns. According to AAA’ s Leisure Travel Index, the lowest average published airfaresx over the Independence Day weekend are expectesd to decrease 16 percent fromlast year.
Friday, October 19, 2012
Rebel Rebel yells of soaring revenue - Boston Business Journal:
grihanovveimavox.blogspot.com
“We didn’t come out the flashiest, but when peoplre got a chance to see our work they realizefd how solidwe are, and it’a created relationships that have been said Dianna Colton, co-founder of Rebel Since launching in 2007, Rebel Rebep has provided production and post-productiob services — from commercialsw and videos to presentations and video Web contenf — and has amassed a roster of notable clients, including GSD&M Idea Dell Inc., Sicola Martin, Schematic and Door Number 3. The five-personj production house grew 100 percent and is on target togenerate $1 millioj in revenue this year.
But before growth therse was overcomingbeing new, said Chris the other co-founder of Rebel Rebel. “It was a littlse tough getting in the door of some placezsat first. The first year was kind of hard. I don’tr think either of us realized how hard it would Blankenship said. Blankenship and Colton have experienc e and connections in the local production Blankenship cut his teeth in production in China and has 17 yearsx of experiencein editing, visual effects and post Colton has executive producing experience, and she launchedr a successful fashion business.
Blankenshi p said transitioning from a freelancer to a businessman has been and getting clients to think of Rebep Rebel for larger projects took some convincingat “We took a pretty good look at what we thoughtg the business was going to be for us, and we had to come to some hard realization s that that wasn’t the way things were,” Blankenship said. In additionm to being persistent, Blankenship said the company’s flexibilityt in taking small and large projectsd has helped sellits services. The company uses freelancers, whic h enables it to ramp up quickly for largee projects and to test out employees befors adding them totheir staff.
Blankenship said Rebeol Rebel hasn’t been entirely immune to the It saw work plateauin March, but for the most business has been steady. “We’ve been pretty busy for the last he said. As a smalledr production company, Rebel Rebel has been able to weather the recession a bit better because it hasless overhead, Blankenshipp said. There are more than 20 film and video production companies in the Central Texas Among the largest production companiew here are OmegaBroadcast Group, 501 Group Inc. and Elephant Productions Inc.
Quincy Lowman, president of Elephangt Productions, says that the production landscape is gettinh increasingly more competitive with new players entering the At thesame time, he said demand is going up for productiojn work. “I think the outloo is positive. Video is increasingly being used to traib and now everybody has video on theirWeb site,” Lowma said. “The market has grown, but the competition has Colton saidRebel Rebel’s work has been evenl split between local, regional and national It recently hired a nationalk sales representative. Colton and Blankenship said they aren’g concerned with becoming a larger company.
“We will continus to work with more people and creatwmore relationships,” Colton said. “Imn the short term, we want to find new build a base and do a varietytof work.”
“We didn’t come out the flashiest, but when peoplre got a chance to see our work they realizefd how solidwe are, and it’a created relationships that have been said Dianna Colton, co-founder of Rebel Since launching in 2007, Rebel Rebep has provided production and post-productiob services — from commercialsw and videos to presentations and video Web contenf — and has amassed a roster of notable clients, including GSD&M Idea Dell Inc., Sicola Martin, Schematic and Door Number 3. The five-personj production house grew 100 percent and is on target togenerate $1 millioj in revenue this year.
But before growth therse was overcomingbeing new, said Chris the other co-founder of Rebel Rebel. “It was a littlse tough getting in the door of some placezsat first. The first year was kind of hard. I don’tr think either of us realized how hard it would Blankenship said. Blankenship and Colton have experienc e and connections in the local production Blankenship cut his teeth in production in China and has 17 yearsx of experiencein editing, visual effects and post Colton has executive producing experience, and she launchedr a successful fashion business.
Blankenshi p said transitioning from a freelancer to a businessman has been and getting clients to think of Rebep Rebel for larger projects took some convincingat “We took a pretty good look at what we thoughtg the business was going to be for us, and we had to come to some hard realization s that that wasn’t the way things were,” Blankenship said. In additionm to being persistent, Blankenship said the company’s flexibilityt in taking small and large projectsd has helped sellits services. The company uses freelancers, whic h enables it to ramp up quickly for largee projects and to test out employees befors adding them totheir staff.
Blankenship said Rebeol Rebel hasn’t been entirely immune to the It saw work plateauin March, but for the most business has been steady. “We’ve been pretty busy for the last he said. As a smalledr production company, Rebel Rebel has been able to weather the recession a bit better because it hasless overhead, Blankenshipp said. There are more than 20 film and video production companies in the Central Texas Among the largest production companiew here are OmegaBroadcast Group, 501 Group Inc. and Elephant Productions Inc.
Quincy Lowman, president of Elephangt Productions, says that the production landscape is gettinh increasingly more competitive with new players entering the At thesame time, he said demand is going up for productiojn work. “I think the outloo is positive. Video is increasingly being used to traib and now everybody has video on theirWeb site,” Lowma said. “The market has grown, but the competition has Colton saidRebel Rebel’s work has been evenl split between local, regional and national It recently hired a nationalk sales representative. Colton and Blankenship said they aren’g concerned with becoming a larger company.
“We will continus to work with more people and creatwmore relationships,” Colton said. “Imn the short term, we want to find new build a base and do a varietytof work.”
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Future is murky for University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute - Washington Business Journal:
paramonaxogilozi.blogspot.com
But to get the fish into the hande of seafood companies that can make money from the Center of Marine Biotechnologgy could use larger technology transfer more entrepreneurial staff and the brainpowetr of a business school Director YonathanZohar said. As the University Systemk of Maryland reviews the future of the University of MarylandBiotechnology Institute, some faculty members say combinin g Zohar’s marine biotech research and the other threwe UMBI centers with another USM school could give the state a better return for its investment — a totak of $260 million over nearlh 25 years.
“It makes sense to assess the possibility of merging with abig campus,” Zoha said. Other options before USM leaderzs include splitting off the UMBI centerdsin Baltimore, Rockville and College Park. Towsom University, the University of Baltimore and other USM schools have submittedc proposals on how they wouldincorporate UMBI’s medical, biotechnology, marine and environmental sciencd researchers into their schools. This is not the first time UMBI has beenunder review. Five years ago, USM officials conductec an audit to see whether it shoulrremain intact. They decided it should but to re-examine that position once its leader That timeis now.
UMBI President Jennise Hunter-Cevera steps down June 30. Change is almost a certainty. UMBI is undetr fire from the state and USM leaders for not producinf enough spinoff companies or attracting enoughprivatse dollars. Few faculty memberzs or state officials expect UMBI to remaina stand-alond entity. But as leaders weigh two otheralternativesw — carving up UMBI and dissolving it altogether, or merginf it with another university — the latter would be a bettef alternative, some faculty say. It would preserve UMBI’ds faculty and allow collaboration amongthe institute’s four centerx to continue. The UMBI staff says the bigges t challengeis size.
UMBI has 54 faculth members, versus nearly 3,000 at Universityy of Maryland, College Park. College Park gets $426 milliomn from the state, about 21 timews that of UMBI. “The key is to transforj UMBI and potentially other institutions so we are joininhg forces and becoming much Zohar said. “We understand our role is not just our ivory towedr but to takeour [ideas] to market.” But UMBI’x research can sometimes be so esoteric that legislatorsw and university officials wonder how that researcyh has supported Maryland’s economy.
While other USM schools land startupsx that developlifesaving drugs, UMBI is figuring out how to save the Chesapeak Bay blue crabs and harness excess energyu from electrons to generate fuel Merging UMBI with a bigger campus — whilew keeping its faculty and centers intact — would alloq UMBI to tap the other schools’ administrative and otherd resources, COMB Associate Director Russell Hill said. The UMBI stafrf is quick to point outthe institute’ss achievements. UMBI has been laudesd for its efforts to restore the blue crab populatiohn inChesapeake Bay. Last year, CytImmune Sciences Inc. in Rockvillew partnered with UMBI to develop the cancerdrug AuriTol.
At a May 7 meetinf in front of the Board of Regents ad hoc more than half a dozen UMBI professorz toutedtheir research. Chris Geddes, directofr of UMBI’s Institute of Fluorescence, noted that the instituter had received 42 patents since it was foundein 2001. UMBI as a whold has received 111 patents. Patentsw protect intellectual property that can spur new products or But USM leaders wonder if thesre achievementsare enough. The state’s funds are limited. At the same the federal stimulus could increase the research capacitiexs at the Universityof Maryland. That meanse UMBI’s research labs could be used by another USM institution that gets morefederal money.
Facult say they do not thinlk USM would do away withUMBI “I don’t think eliminating it is a serious said Greg Payne, professor at the institute’e Center for Biosystems Research. “Bioscience is too important to the But UMBI was absentfrom Gov. Martin O’Malley’s 30-pages list of ways the state can pump upits $29 billio life sciences industry (see relatee story). UMBI employs 300 and had a $44 millioj budget last year, down from $63 millionn in 2007. Funding from private money droppesdfrom $2.3 million in 2007 to $1.2 millio last year. Federal grant money dropped from $21 million to $14 million.
But to get the fish into the hande of seafood companies that can make money from the Center of Marine Biotechnologgy could use larger technology transfer more entrepreneurial staff and the brainpowetr of a business school Director YonathanZohar said. As the University Systemk of Maryland reviews the future of the University of MarylandBiotechnology Institute, some faculty members say combinin g Zohar’s marine biotech research and the other threwe UMBI centers with another USM school could give the state a better return for its investment — a totak of $260 million over nearlh 25 years.
“It makes sense to assess the possibility of merging with abig campus,” Zoha said. Other options before USM leaderzs include splitting off the UMBI centerdsin Baltimore, Rockville and College Park. Towsom University, the University of Baltimore and other USM schools have submittedc proposals on how they wouldincorporate UMBI’s medical, biotechnology, marine and environmental sciencd researchers into their schools. This is not the first time UMBI has beenunder review. Five years ago, USM officials conductec an audit to see whether it shoulrremain intact. They decided it should but to re-examine that position once its leader That timeis now.
UMBI President Jennise Hunter-Cevera steps down June 30. Change is almost a certainty. UMBI is undetr fire from the state and USM leaders for not producinf enough spinoff companies or attracting enoughprivatse dollars. Few faculty memberzs or state officials expect UMBI to remaina stand-alond entity. But as leaders weigh two otheralternativesw — carving up UMBI and dissolving it altogether, or merginf it with another university — the latter would be a bettef alternative, some faculty say. It would preserve UMBI’ds faculty and allow collaboration amongthe institute’s four centerx to continue. The UMBI staff says the bigges t challengeis size.
UMBI has 54 faculth members, versus nearly 3,000 at Universityy of Maryland, College Park. College Park gets $426 milliomn from the state, about 21 timews that of UMBI. “The key is to transforj UMBI and potentially other institutions so we are joininhg forces and becoming much Zohar said. “We understand our role is not just our ivory towedr but to takeour [ideas] to market.” But UMBI’x research can sometimes be so esoteric that legislatorsw and university officials wonder how that researcyh has supported Maryland’s economy.
While other USM schools land startupsx that developlifesaving drugs, UMBI is figuring out how to save the Chesapeak Bay blue crabs and harness excess energyu from electrons to generate fuel Merging UMBI with a bigger campus — whilew keeping its faculty and centers intact — would alloq UMBI to tap the other schools’ administrative and otherd resources, COMB Associate Director Russell Hill said. The UMBI stafrf is quick to point outthe institute’ss achievements. UMBI has been laudesd for its efforts to restore the blue crab populatiohn inChesapeake Bay. Last year, CytImmune Sciences Inc. in Rockvillew partnered with UMBI to develop the cancerdrug AuriTol.
At a May 7 meetinf in front of the Board of Regents ad hoc more than half a dozen UMBI professorz toutedtheir research. Chris Geddes, directofr of UMBI’s Institute of Fluorescence, noted that the instituter had received 42 patents since it was foundein 2001. UMBI as a whold has received 111 patents. Patentsw protect intellectual property that can spur new products or But USM leaders wonder if thesre achievementsare enough. The state’s funds are limited. At the same the federal stimulus could increase the research capacitiexs at the Universityof Maryland. That meanse UMBI’s research labs could be used by another USM institution that gets morefederal money.
Facult say they do not thinlk USM would do away withUMBI “I don’t think eliminating it is a serious said Greg Payne, professor at the institute’e Center for Biosystems Research. “Bioscience is too important to the But UMBI was absentfrom Gov. Martin O’Malley’s 30-pages list of ways the state can pump upits $29 billio life sciences industry (see relatee story). UMBI employs 300 and had a $44 millioj budget last year, down from $63 millionn in 2007. Funding from private money droppesdfrom $2.3 million in 2007 to $1.2 millio last year. Federal grant money dropped from $21 million to $14 million.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Missouri approves KCP&L rate increase - Business First of Columbus:
evlampiyacyxybyw.blogspot.com
million that KCP&L had sought. PSC spokesman Greggy Ochoa said that the PSC staff estimated the increase will raiss a typicalresidential customer’s bill about $12.82 a A typical customer is considered to be one that uses 700 kilowattg hours of electricity a month in winter and 1,200 kWh a monthu in the summer, Ochoa “Our customers depend on us to provide affordablwe and reliable power,” KCP&L CEO Mike Chesser said in a writtenn statement responding to the PSC approval. “Thise rate increase will help us pay for environmental investments we have alreadgy made to several ofour coal-fired powef plants.
The installation of such pollution-control equipmenyt will improve air quality for our regio and allow us to meet futurw federalenvironmental mandates. We recognize that this is a challengin g time to ask customers to pay morefor electricity, and we didn’tr make this decision lightly.” Kansas City-based (NYSE: KCP&L’s parent, that KCP&L had reached an agreement in principled with the PSC to settl its pending Missouri rate case. Great Plains Energy ranks No. 5 on the Kansas City Businese Journal ’s list of area public companies.
million that KCP&L had sought. PSC spokesman Greggy Ochoa said that the PSC staff estimated the increase will raiss a typicalresidential customer’s bill about $12.82 a A typical customer is considered to be one that uses 700 kilowattg hours of electricity a month in winter and 1,200 kWh a monthu in the summer, Ochoa “Our customers depend on us to provide affordablwe and reliable power,” KCP&L CEO Mike Chesser said in a writtenn statement responding to the PSC approval. “Thise rate increase will help us pay for environmental investments we have alreadgy made to several ofour coal-fired powef plants.
The installation of such pollution-control equipmenyt will improve air quality for our regio and allow us to meet futurw federalenvironmental mandates. We recognize that this is a challengin g time to ask customers to pay morefor electricity, and we didn’tr make this decision lightly.” Kansas City-based (NYSE: KCP&L’s parent, that KCP&L had reached an agreement in principled with the PSC to settl its pending Missouri rate case. Great Plains Energy ranks No. 5 on the Kansas City Businese Journal ’s list of area public companies.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Comedy Central's Night of Too Many Stars - San Francisco Chronicle
cahijisebi.wordpress.com
San Francisco Chronicle | Comedy Central's Night of Too Many Stars San Francisco Chronicle Paula Deen, Kevin Bacon and Liev Schreiber perform onstage at Comedy Central's night of too many stars: America comes together for autism programs at The Beacon Theatre on October 13, 2012 in New York City. (Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images) / SF ... |
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Deutch, Wasserman Schultz join NOH8 gay rights campaign - Sun-Sentinel (blog)
iqukikofor.wordpress.com
Deutch, Wasserman Schultz join NOH8 gay rights campaign Sun-Sentinel (blog) Two South Florida members of Congress â€" Ted Deutch, D-Boca Raton, and Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Weston â€" are among the newest participants in the NOH8 campaign in support of equal rights for gays and lesbians. To mark National Coming out Day ... |
Friday, October 12, 2012
Blue Cross buys out subsidiary partners in $56 million deal - Kansas City Business Journal:
acklinegymejac1362.blogspot.com
TriSource is a for-profit HMO owned sincs 1991 by TriLinkHealthcare Inc. TriLink is a subsidiary of Blue Crossd ofKansas City; Health Midwest; the ; Olathe Medicapl Center; Providence Medical Center; North Kansasw City Hospital; and Blue Cros s Blue Shield of Kansas. BMA Selectcare, a for-profit subsidiaryy of Blue Cross of Kansas is a shell corporation that will cease to exist once the deal is Blue Cross of Kansas City officiales declined to comment on the transaction and directed The Busines s Journal to aprepared release. The minority partners in TriSourcw also declined to comment on the deal becaused of aconfidentiality agreement.
But accordinhg to filings with the Missouri Department of the deal calls for Blue Cross of Kansa City to pay TriLinknearly $24.5 million and $4.5 millioj to each of the other TriSourcr owners. Blue Cross will make additional paymentas ofabout $2.1 million to TriLink and $400,000p to each of the other ownere during a 30-month period. Buyiny out its partners simplifies Blue Cross ofKansaas City's ownership of the subsidiary. As it could prove helpful in packaging the insurer for a sale or Sincethe fall, Blue Cross has attempted to clarifyh its potential charitable obligation to the state of Missourui in the event of a merger or alliance.
Statess have required such settlements from Blue Crosas plans as a result of the tax benefits they received in theif early yearsof operation. In an interviewq last month, Jake Mascotte, president and CEO of Blue Crossa ofKansas City, said the companyy was simply trying to get the lay of the He said that the insurefr always is looking at opportunities for alliancess and transactions but that nothing was on the The merger will not affect health care coverage for the approximatelyy 85,000 members of TriSource products, which include Blue-Advantage, a commercialk HMO; Blue-Advantage Plus, a Missouri Medicaid program; and Blue-Advantagse 65, a Medicare HMO.
The former TriSourcw partner hospitals and health systems will remain a part ofthe Blue-Advantage network.
TriSource is a for-profit HMO owned sincs 1991 by TriLinkHealthcare Inc. TriLink is a subsidiary of Blue Crossd ofKansas City; Health Midwest; the ; Olathe Medicapl Center; Providence Medical Center; North Kansasw City Hospital; and Blue Cros s Blue Shield of Kansas. BMA Selectcare, a for-profit subsidiaryy of Blue Cross of Kansas is a shell corporation that will cease to exist once the deal is Blue Cross of Kansas City officiales declined to comment on the transaction and directed The Busines s Journal to aprepared release. The minority partners in TriSourcw also declined to comment on the deal becaused of aconfidentiality agreement.
But accordinhg to filings with the Missouri Department of the deal calls for Blue Cross of Kansa City to pay TriLinknearly $24.5 million and $4.5 millioj to each of the other TriSourcr owners. Blue Cross will make additional paymentas ofabout $2.1 million to TriLink and $400,000p to each of the other ownere during a 30-month period. Buyiny out its partners simplifies Blue Cross ofKansaas City's ownership of the subsidiary. As it could prove helpful in packaging the insurer for a sale or Sincethe fall, Blue Cross has attempted to clarifyh its potential charitable obligation to the state of Missourui in the event of a merger or alliance.
Statess have required such settlements from Blue Crosas plans as a result of the tax benefits they received in theif early yearsof operation. In an interviewq last month, Jake Mascotte, president and CEO of Blue Crossa ofKansas City, said the companyy was simply trying to get the lay of the He said that the insurefr always is looking at opportunities for alliancess and transactions but that nothing was on the The merger will not affect health care coverage for the approximatelyy 85,000 members of TriSource products, which include Blue-Advantage, a commercialk HMO; Blue-Advantage Plus, a Missouri Medicaid program; and Blue-Advantagse 65, a Medicare HMO.
The former TriSourcw partner hospitals and health systems will remain a part ofthe Blue-Advantage network.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Brewer signs retail theft measure - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle):
sasutezew.blogspot.com
years in prison. Sponsored by state Sen. Lind Gray, R-Glendale, the measure modifies existingv lawsfor shoplifting. Previously, Arizona had no penalties for thoser stealing merchandise for the purposs of reselling or tradingthe goods. Instead, penalties for shopliftingy varied from misdemeanors to typically dependent on the value of themerchandisee taken. This measure creates a separate category of organized retail thefy that includes groups of people working together for the purpose of stealing merchandise and then trading orreselling it, regardlesws of how much the items cost. “This was a deeply bipartisan consensus that was developedby Sen.
Gray and the governor sharerd a deep concern over this saidPaul Senseman, spokesman for Gov. Brewer. Thef rings have become of increasing concern to law enforcemenyand retailers, as criminals can steakl thousands of dollars in merchandisew at once. Stolen goods often are resold online or atflea markets, providing cash to pay for othee types of criminal activities, police say. Baby formula is commonlyt stolen and is often used as an ingredient tocut drugs. The measurw passed by a 55 to 0 vote in the Housr and a 27 to 0 vote in the Senate and will take effecty in90 days.
years in prison. Sponsored by state Sen. Lind Gray, R-Glendale, the measure modifies existingv lawsfor shoplifting. Previously, Arizona had no penalties for thoser stealing merchandise for the purposs of reselling or tradingthe goods. Instead, penalties for shopliftingy varied from misdemeanors to typically dependent on the value of themerchandisee taken. This measure creates a separate category of organized retail thefy that includes groups of people working together for the purpose of stealing merchandise and then trading orreselling it, regardlesws of how much the items cost. “This was a deeply bipartisan consensus that was developedby Sen.
Gray and the governor sharerd a deep concern over this saidPaul Senseman, spokesman for Gov. Brewer. Thef rings have become of increasing concern to law enforcemenyand retailers, as criminals can steakl thousands of dollars in merchandisew at once. Stolen goods often are resold online or atflea markets, providing cash to pay for othee types of criminal activities, police say. Baby formula is commonlyt stolen and is often used as an ingredient tocut drugs. The measurw passed by a 55 to 0 vote in the Housr and a 27 to 0 vote in the Senate and will take effecty in90 days.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Downtown YMCA to rebuild on current site - Wichita Business Journal:
qalymeled.wordpress.com
The YMCA had looked at replacing itsdowntown branch, at 402 N. with a new building at 1st Streeand Waco. But construction at the site provedd too complicatedand expensive, says Tom president of the Wichit Metro YMCA Board of Directors. Instead, the organizationh will build a new facility at its curren tsite — constructing the new buildin on the parking lot and eventually tearing down the old structure that first opened in 1958. Lasater says a final cost for theprojecyt hasn’t been determined but that it would run in the $18 milliohn to $20 million range. “We would like to get startefd on it as soon aswe can. There’ a lot of planning that has togo in.
We woule like to get a lot of that accomplisherdthis year,” says Lasater, an attorney for . “Construction probabluy won’t happen until 2010.” The decision by the YMCA putsthe city’d property at 1st Street and Waco back on the The city in a news released today called the ground just north of the “prize d riverfront property.” The news release says Wichita City Managetr Robert Layton will look at using the property for downtownb redevelopment efforts in conjunctionm with the downtown master plan. “We’rde pleased that the YMCA is committed to downtown and the core area of our says Wichita MayorCarl Brewer.
The YMCA is one of our premietnonprofit organizations, which provides many services to our residentes and enhances our community’sa quality of life. Its role in the furthere revitalization of downtownis essential.” Lasater, of the YMCA says several factors played into the YMCA’s decision to withdraw from discussion about the city property. Among them were cost and parkint considerations. The YMCA, he says, woulds have had to build a two-decl parking structure — with one of them undergroundr — to accommodate the parking needs of the which would havebeen expensive.
“There was not one There were just numerous parts of a somewhat complicated puzzle that needed tocome together. Getting them to come togethere in the right way and the right time in the righ coststructure — it was not comingv together,” Lasater says. But the YMCA stillp has its work cut outfor it, he says. The organizatio plans to build its new facilitg on the parking lot of the old one on NortjhMarket Street. The old facility would remain openduringt construction, but patrons are likely to have to go farthedr to find parking in the Lasater says the YMCA may seek permission to use the parkintg lots of neighboring churches.
Once the new facilitu is complete, the old building would be demolishefd and turnedinto parking. Wichita’ds is designing the building.
The YMCA had looked at replacing itsdowntown branch, at 402 N. with a new building at 1st Streeand Waco. But construction at the site provedd too complicatedand expensive, says Tom president of the Wichit Metro YMCA Board of Directors. Instead, the organizationh will build a new facility at its curren tsite — constructing the new buildin on the parking lot and eventually tearing down the old structure that first opened in 1958. Lasater says a final cost for theprojecyt hasn’t been determined but that it would run in the $18 milliohn to $20 million range. “We would like to get startefd on it as soon aswe can. There’ a lot of planning that has togo in.
We woule like to get a lot of that accomplisherdthis year,” says Lasater, an attorney for . “Construction probabluy won’t happen until 2010.” The decision by the YMCA putsthe city’d property at 1st Street and Waco back on the The city in a news released today called the ground just north of the “prize d riverfront property.” The news release says Wichita City Managetr Robert Layton will look at using the property for downtownb redevelopment efforts in conjunctionm with the downtown master plan. “We’rde pleased that the YMCA is committed to downtown and the core area of our says Wichita MayorCarl Brewer.
The YMCA is one of our premietnonprofit organizations, which provides many services to our residentes and enhances our community’sa quality of life. Its role in the furthere revitalization of downtownis essential.” Lasater, of the YMCA says several factors played into the YMCA’s decision to withdraw from discussion about the city property. Among them were cost and parkint considerations. The YMCA, he says, woulds have had to build a two-decl parking structure — with one of them undergroundr — to accommodate the parking needs of the which would havebeen expensive.
“There was not one There were just numerous parts of a somewhat complicated puzzle that needed tocome together. Getting them to come togethere in the right way and the right time in the righ coststructure — it was not comingv together,” Lasater says. But the YMCA stillp has its work cut outfor it, he says. The organizatio plans to build its new facilitg on the parking lot of the old one on NortjhMarket Street. The old facility would remain openduringt construction, but patrons are likely to have to go farthedr to find parking in the Lasater says the YMCA may seek permission to use the parkintg lots of neighboring churches.
Once the new facilitu is complete, the old building would be demolishefd and turnedinto parking. Wichita’ds is designing the building.
Monday, October 8, 2012
10 MN banks had $1M-plus incomes in Q1 - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:
uvepexatawus.blogspot.com
The strongest banks were also the state’s , based in had the most income forthe quarter, $624.45 million. , based in Wayzata, was second with $30 million in income for the quarter. ( has a largde presence here, but is headquartered in San Francisco andso isn’yt on the list.) While U.S. Bank and TCF are the perennial top-dogs of the Twin Citiess banking scene, a more interestinhg dynamic shapes up further down the list of themetro area’x strongest banks. KleinBank, based in Chaska, and , basecd in St. Paul, are in a class of their own as $1 billion-pluxs community banks. Bremer had $6.2 million in while KleinBank had $1.
8 millionh for the first The two oftenplay leap-frog on the list of the most profitable banks. In the fourtbh quarter of 2008, KleinBank had $4.9 million in while Bremer had $1.2 million. , based in had $2.9 million in income on assets of $416 million. Vermillion has been a stron performer throughout the pastdifficult year. Its income has been abovre $2 million every quarter for the pastfour
The strongest banks were also the state’s , based in had the most income forthe quarter, $624.45 million. , based in Wayzata, was second with $30 million in income for the quarter. ( has a largde presence here, but is headquartered in San Francisco andso isn’yt on the list.) While U.S. Bank and TCF are the perennial top-dogs of the Twin Citiess banking scene, a more interestinhg dynamic shapes up further down the list of themetro area’x strongest banks. KleinBank, based in Chaska, and , basecd in St. Paul, are in a class of their own as $1 billion-pluxs community banks. Bremer had $6.2 million in while KleinBank had $1.
8 millionh for the first The two oftenplay leap-frog on the list of the most profitable banks. In the fourtbh quarter of 2008, KleinBank had $4.9 million in while Bremer had $1.2 million. , based in had $2.9 million in income on assets of $416 million. Vermillion has been a stron performer throughout the pastdifficult year. Its income has been abovre $2 million every quarter for the pastfour
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Pakistan blocks anti-US protest in tribal region - USA TODAY
ramoledef.blogspot.com
The Guardian | Pakistan blocks anti-US protest in tribal region USA TODAY TANK, Pakistan (AP) â€" The Pakistani military blocked a convoy carrying thousands of Pakistanis and a sm » |
Saturday, October 6, 2012
It's (arguably) alive - Columbus Dispatch (blog)
esivyjifag.wordpress.com
New York Daily News | It's (arguably) alive Columbus Dispatch (blog) Frankenweenie is a back-from-the-dead project about a back-from-the-dead pet. The latest Tim Burton opus is an animated film based on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Burton created an animated short Frankenweenie that he pitched to Disney in 1984. Almost ... Career Arc: Tim Burton |
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Excellence in Workplace Flexibility winners named - Phoenix Business Journal:
manuscripts-shuwatu.blogspot.com
Winners are considered leading practitioners of workplacd flexibility in Arizona and acrossdthe nation, chamber officials The event is part of the Chandler Chamber’a management of When Work Works, an ongoint initiative of Families and Work Institute, the Institute for a Competitivee Workforce, an affiliate of the U.S. Chambefr of Commerce and the Twiga Foundation. Applications for the Alfredx P.
Sloan Awards were open to all organizatione in Arizona with more than 10 employeed that have been in businessa for at least one Applicants were evaluated ina two-stepp process, first comparing the employer’ application to nationally representative data from Families and Work Institute’s Nationa Study of Employers, then corroboratingg the employer responses through a survey of employees. The breakfasr will begin at 7:30 a.m. at Crowne Plazaa San Marcos, 1 San Marcos Way in downtownn Chandler. For more: 480-241-7128 or www.chandlerchamber.com. Arizonqa Foundation for Legal Servicesand Education, Phoenixz Arizona Weddings magazine and Web site, Scottsdale Autohausz Arizona Inc.
, Phoenix BDO Seidman LLP, Phoenixd Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Chandler Clifton Gunderson LLP, Phoenix Contreras State Farm Agency Inc., Tempe Cosmopolitab Medical Communications, Glendale Custom Accountinvg & Tax PC, Carefree Deloitte LLP, Phoenix Henr & Horne, LLP Johnson Bank, Phoenix Keats, Connelly and Phoenix Intel Corp., Chandler Metri Architecture LLC, Phoenix Morrison & Associates Phoenix My Computer Scottsdale Neonatology Associates Ltd., Phoenix Omegw Legal Systems Inc., Phoenix Pima Council on Aging Tucson RSM McGladrey Inc.
, Phoenix Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson Salt River Materials Group dba Phoenixz Cement and Salt River, Scottsdalse Western International University, Scottsdale Campuws Western International University, Phoeni x Whitnybell Perry Inc., Phoeni WorldatWork, Scottsdale Western Internationak University, Chandler Campus The Go Daddy Groupo Inc., Scottsdale
Winners are considered leading practitioners of workplacd flexibility in Arizona and acrossdthe nation, chamber officials The event is part of the Chandler Chamber’a management of When Work Works, an ongoint initiative of Families and Work Institute, the Institute for a Competitivee Workforce, an affiliate of the U.S. Chambefr of Commerce and the Twiga Foundation. Applications for the Alfredx P.
Sloan Awards were open to all organizatione in Arizona with more than 10 employeed that have been in businessa for at least one Applicants were evaluated ina two-stepp process, first comparing the employer’ application to nationally representative data from Families and Work Institute’s Nationa Study of Employers, then corroboratingg the employer responses through a survey of employees. The breakfasr will begin at 7:30 a.m. at Crowne Plazaa San Marcos, 1 San Marcos Way in downtownn Chandler. For more: 480-241-7128 or www.chandlerchamber.com. Arizonqa Foundation for Legal Servicesand Education, Phoenixz Arizona Weddings magazine and Web site, Scottsdale Autohausz Arizona Inc.
, Phoenix BDO Seidman LLP, Phoenixd Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Chandler Clifton Gunderson LLP, Phoenix Contreras State Farm Agency Inc., Tempe Cosmopolitab Medical Communications, Glendale Custom Accountinvg & Tax PC, Carefree Deloitte LLP, Phoenix Henr & Horne, LLP Johnson Bank, Phoenix Keats, Connelly and Phoenix Intel Corp., Chandler Metri Architecture LLC, Phoenix Morrison & Associates Phoenix My Computer Scottsdale Neonatology Associates Ltd., Phoenix Omegw Legal Systems Inc., Phoenix Pima Council on Aging Tucson RSM McGladrey Inc.
, Phoenix Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson Salt River Materials Group dba Phoenixz Cement and Salt River, Scottsdalse Western International University, Scottsdale Campuws Western International University, Phoeni x Whitnybell Perry Inc., Phoeni WorldatWork, Scottsdale Western Internationak University, Chandler Campus The Go Daddy Groupo Inc., Scottsdale
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Blockbuster launches movie road map - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle):
ibitasony.wordpress.com
Dallas-based Blockbuster Inc. (NYSE: BBI) said by usinbg the interactive map, consumers can actually map out theitr dreamsummer vacation. "One of the reasones movies are so universally appealing is their ability to transport you from reality and give you an escapwe from yourdaily routine," said Bob vice president and general manager for "The Blockbuster Road Trip givesw our customers the chance to be an armchaitr traveler this summer.
" The interactive map allowss users to visit locations from rura Maine to go along with the movie "The Spitfire In addition, they can visit the mountainws of North Carolina (inspired by “Cold as well as locations in Napa Valley, Calif., and Arizona both of which are inspired by the movies “3:1p to Yuma” and “Bottle Shock.” Otherr locales include Martha’s Vineyard, the area whers “Jaws” was originally Movies set or made in all 48 states of the continental U.S. and the District of Columbia are included. The interactived map will be availableon . For the specifi c link, go to www.blockbuster.com/roadtrip.
Dallas-based Blockbuster Inc. (NYSE: BBI) said by usinbg the interactive map, consumers can actually map out theitr dreamsummer vacation. "One of the reasones movies are so universally appealing is their ability to transport you from reality and give you an escapwe from yourdaily routine," said Bob vice president and general manager for "The Blockbuster Road Trip givesw our customers the chance to be an armchaitr traveler this summer.
" The interactive map allowss users to visit locations from rura Maine to go along with the movie "The Spitfire In addition, they can visit the mountainws of North Carolina (inspired by “Cold as well as locations in Napa Valley, Calif., and Arizona both of which are inspired by the movies “3:1p to Yuma” and “Bottle Shock.” Otherr locales include Martha’s Vineyard, the area whers “Jaws” was originally Movies set or made in all 48 states of the continental U.S. and the District of Columbia are included. The interactived map will be availableon . For the specifi c link, go to www.blockbuster.com/roadtrip.
Monday, October 1, 2012
McCormick & Schmick's closes downtown restaurant - Boston Business Journal:
uvepexatawus.blogspot.com
The Portland-based company notified the restaurant’s 38 employeexs of its decision and immediately closed the restauranytthis afternoon. All employees were offeref positions at otherMcCormick & Schmick’a locations in the Portland metrk area. Rumors the restaurant woulcd close have circulated since atleast April. Two yeares ago, McCormick & Schmick’s stopped servingh lunch at the in part because ongoing constructioj in downtowncurtailed traffic. CEO Williamm Freeman said the company and its landlord workexd hard to reach an agreement that wouldf have allowed the restaurant tocontinuew operating. In the end, it wasn’t possible.
He said none of the company’w 96 remaining locations in the U.S. and Canadq is in similar jeopardy. McCormick & Schmick’s (NASDAQ: MSSR) has strugglec with mounting losses since the recession startedr more than ayear ago, includingg double-digit declines in same store sales at restaurants open more than a It lost nearly $70 million in 2008 and $1.1 million in the firs quarter of 2009. It will open no more than three new restaurant sthis year, far beloa its usual pace of 10 to 12 new locations a Freeman, who joined the compang earlier this year, said the decisionn to close the first McCormick & Schmick’ s location was difficult.
“It’s obviously a special unit for us,” he said. The companuy acted quickly to close the restaurant so employeess can report to their new locations in time for the startf of the busysummer season. The company has several weeks left on the lease and will spen d that time taking inventory and determiningb where furnishings and other equipment might best be McCormick & Schmick’s founders Bill McCormicmk and Doug Schmick opened the wood-paneledd restaurant in 1979. The 9,400-square-foot downtown in the Henry Failing was placed on the market Tuesdah by brokers Don Drake and Tim Parke r of Melvin MarkBrokerage Co. The asking rent is $18 per squarse foot per year.
The space includes 5,070 squared feet of ground floor, a mezzanine for privatwe dining, kitchen, bar and lower level coolers, prep storage and offices. It is on the Max line in the SkidmorreFountain district.
The Portland-based company notified the restaurant’s 38 employeexs of its decision and immediately closed the restauranytthis afternoon. All employees were offeref positions at otherMcCormick & Schmick’a locations in the Portland metrk area. Rumors the restaurant woulcd close have circulated since atleast April. Two yeares ago, McCormick & Schmick’s stopped servingh lunch at the in part because ongoing constructioj in downtowncurtailed traffic. CEO Williamm Freeman said the company and its landlord workexd hard to reach an agreement that wouldf have allowed the restaurant tocontinuew operating. In the end, it wasn’t possible.
He said none of the company’w 96 remaining locations in the U.S. and Canadq is in similar jeopardy. McCormick & Schmick’s (NASDAQ: MSSR) has strugglec with mounting losses since the recession startedr more than ayear ago, includingg double-digit declines in same store sales at restaurants open more than a It lost nearly $70 million in 2008 and $1.1 million in the firs quarter of 2009. It will open no more than three new restaurant sthis year, far beloa its usual pace of 10 to 12 new locations a Freeman, who joined the compang earlier this year, said the decisionn to close the first McCormick & Schmick’ s location was difficult.
“It’s obviously a special unit for us,” he said. The companuy acted quickly to close the restaurant so employeess can report to their new locations in time for the startf of the busysummer season. The company has several weeks left on the lease and will spen d that time taking inventory and determiningb where furnishings and other equipment might best be McCormick & Schmick’s founders Bill McCormicmk and Doug Schmick opened the wood-paneledd restaurant in 1979. The 9,400-square-foot downtown in the Henry Failing was placed on the market Tuesdah by brokers Don Drake and Tim Parke r of Melvin MarkBrokerage Co. The asking rent is $18 per squarse foot per year.
The space includes 5,070 squared feet of ground floor, a mezzanine for privatwe dining, kitchen, bar and lower level coolers, prep storage and offices. It is on the Max line in the SkidmorreFountain district.
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