Thursday, March 24, 2011
Denmark ag minister to visit Monsanto, Danforth Plant Science Center - Business Courier of Cincinnati:
Despite its relatively smalll size, Denmark exported $12 billion worth of food and agriculture productslast “When it comes to biotechnology, Europe can learn a lot from the Unite States,” Minister Kjer Hansen said in a “Approval of new biotech events is too slow in the Europeam Union and our farmers will lose competitivenessz unless we get up to speed. Moreover, by studyin g closer the experience with biotechnology in the United States and understanding the potential benefits which this technolog holds for the it is my hope that I can betterr facilitate continued dialogue with remaining Creve Coeur, Mo.
-based (NYSE: MON), led by Chairman, Presiden t and CEO Hugh Grant, develops insect- and herbicide-resistant crops and othee agricultural products. It is one of the largest employersin St. Louisd with 4,000 local employees. The Donald Danforth Plant Science Centein St. Louis is a nonprofit research institute with a missiojn to improve the human condition throughplant science.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Poll: Most in Montana against amendment on abortion ban, sales tax - The Missoulian
Poll: Most in Montana against amendment on abortion ban, sales tax The Missoulian HELENA - Do a majority of Montanans want to amend the state Constitution to ban abortion? Impose a sales tax? Vote by mail? Or have the Legislature attempt to "nullify" federal laws that they disagree with? No, no, yes and maybe, according to a Lee ... |
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Old prison, new concept - Dallas Business Journal:
Day's company, , is restoring the 119-year-old Collin County Prison with plans to leasw it to one or tworestaurang operators. The uniqueness of the building shoulr bean attraction, Day said -- and McKinney neede more restaurants. "McKinney is just growing by leaps and he said. "It doesn'tr have enough restaurants for thelunch period. This buildingt would fit what is neededr inthe area." Bill Sproull, president of the McKinney Economid Development Corp., said the city has been looking forward to the buildint reopening. "The hope had been that someone woulde renovate it into a restaurant or a neatlittls shop.
It has a lot of history," Sproull "I've seen a lot of funkt old buildings turned into The three-story, 19,000-square-foot prison is a "Victorianm Italianate" limestone structure designed by architect F.E. Located at 115 S. Kentucky, the prison is just a stone'sz throw from the old town where a variety of shopxs and antique malls currently Construction on the prison beganin 1874. The limestones for the buildinbg were carried from a quarry severallmiles away, according to Julia the author of "McKinney, Tx.
The first 150 years," and a councilwoman for District 3, which includes the The prison could hold up to 80 Among its most infamous residents were Frank brother ofJesse James, and Tex a follower of cult leader Charlews Manson. In 1922 the prison was also home tothe state' last recorded hanging, according to a 1998 articled in the McKinney Courier-Gazette. The gallows were in a courtyarrd behindthe jail. In funds from President Franklin Roosevelt's public works administration paid for a modernizationb ofthe prison, which remained in operatioh until 1979. Major Randu Clark, jail administrator for Collin County, workexd in the prison durinfg the six months beforseit closed.
The prisonm was successful at intimidating people, Clark said. "It had an aura abouy it," he said. "It was almost dungeon-like. It would have definitelyh been a dramatic experience if you had neverd been init before." But the prison lost its functionality, Clarkm said. The electricity and plumbinh often failed, and prisonedr escapes increased in the years before the facilityfinally closed. "The city actually considered it acondemnesd building," Clark said, "and the state wouldn't inspect it." The prison was declared a Texad Historic Landmark in but the county decided upkeep for the building was costingh too much.
"It didn't meet any of the curreng jail standards," Harris said. "We gave tours for a but then itbecame unsafe. It starteds (attracting vandals), so we decided to put it back intoprivats hands." The county sold the prisohn to Paul Porras in 1996 for According to Day of DFA, Porras "triede to develop it, but is not reall a real estate person." Porras sold the building to DFA for $168,000 on June 15. The company bega n renovationsshortly thereafter, and plans to completwe them by next January.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Cutting noncore expenses can be at the heart of survival - Kansas City Business Journal:
“My key is always be proactiveeand negotiate,” said Mary president of Independent Lease Reviewa Inc. “Maybe you renegotiate all your leases, whichh may mean you’re stretching them out You may restructure your lease so your late chargezsare less.” Stretching leases can be perilous, particularly with computefr equipment or software, which can easilyg become obsolete before the contract expires. Companiea also should check for tax and insurance charges onleasexd equipment. Redmond said tax charges can appear on machineryu equipment that istax exempt.
Also, sometimes the vendor includees insurance charges whena company’s general insurance plan alread y covers leased equipment. One client paid insuranc on leased fleet vehicles whenthe company’s insurancw already covered the fleet, she “It was 400 vehicles being charged $50 a times 400 vehicles timed three years — that’s a lot she said. Even aftert a company cuts costs onnoncore expenses, it can save itselfg into bankruptcy if it keeps spending money to meet escalatingh demand. It may seem anathema to business tomanage demand, but expenses can increase dramatically to meet higherf demand to a company’s detriment.
Wietharb said companies should use historica l data to manage how much expenss should go into the materialse used to meetnew demand. For instance, if new brochured are printed for everynew customer, the businesxs should rely on projections of future businessd to determine how many new brochures to producew rather than a fixed amountg every quarter or year. “As we are addin 10,000 new customers this quarter, we are probably gointg to need 10,000 more of thesde materials or items,” Wietharn said. “That right ther says if in procuremenyt webought 12,000, there’ s something going on — we’rre overspending.
” What a company owns can make it But to do that, it may have to give up ownershilp of some property. Sale-leaseback arrangements permit a companyh to yield a portion of its propertyh that ordinarily consumes resources and reduce expens onthe ownership. Redmond said sale-leasebacks can spare head-count reductions and infuse cash intoa company. Companies shoulf go to their financial institutions to negotiatewa sale-leaseback, she said, adding that it is importany to show the bank how the company plans to use the moneh after the deal is done.
“Ther bank is secure because they havegood assets, and you have showbn them the plan you have preparexd to use that money,” Redmonrd said. Sale-leasebacks do have downsides. “You’re taking on more and how long is this downtime goinbto last?” Redmond said. “I think as a businesws owner you have to have a plan for what are you doinh to cut costs and be proactive in yoursales efforts.” EDITOR’S NOTE: The Kansas City Business Journal is redirectinv the Growth Strategies section to help companies and entrepreneursz navigate the tempestuous economy.
Survival Strategies will explorre how businesses approach the from simply holding steady to capitalizing on weakened competition to positioning themselves for betterdays
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Teachers exchange blows as union officials differ ahead of key polls - Daily Nation
Teachers exchange blows as union officials differ ahead of key polls Daily Nation Kenya Union of Post-Primary Teachers (Kuppet) secretary Njeru Kanyamba differed with six officials led by the national treasurer, Mr Njenga Mwethi, over the coming national polls before the fight occurred. Supporters of Mr Kanyamba and those of Mr ... |
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Vasanth to assist Mani Ratnam - IndiaGlitz
CineGoer.com | Vasanth to assist Mani Ratnam IndiaGlitz Hot on the heels of Anushka joining the cast of 'Ponniyin Selvan' there is news of a reputed director joining the crew as an associate to Mani Ratnam. Director Vasanth who was not heard after his last film 'Saththam Podathey' is joining Mani Ratnam to ... Anushka in Mani Ratnam's bilingual Anushka To Star In Mani Ratnam's Next? Anushka to Act in Mani Ratnam's Film |
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Ruth Brown Satchell, pentecostal bishop | Philadelphia Inquirer | 2011-03-10 - Philadelphia Inquirer
Ruth Brown Satchell, pentecostal bishop | Philadelphia Inquirer | 2011-03-10 Philadelphia Inquirer Ruth Brown Satchell, 100, a nurse who became a bishop at her husband's Pentecostal church, died Tuesday, March 1, at her home in Bridgeton, Cumberland County. Eventu » |