понедельник, 31 декабря 2012 г.
Fred
The Memphis-based discount retailer reported salesof $134.7 millioh for May, down 6 percentt compared to sales of $143.4 milliomn in May 2008. These numbers include Fred’ (NASDAQ: FRED) closing 74 underperforming stores and 23 Excludingthose stores, Fred’se sales increased 1 percent comparefd to last May. Comparabled store sales in Mayrose 0.2 down compared to 3.4 percent in the same period last year. For the first four fiscal monthsof 2009, the company reported total salesx of $593.1 million, down 2.4 percenrt compared to $607.7 million for the same year-ago period.
excluding stores closed in sales from ongoing storeas increased 4 percent compared to thesame four-month period last On a comparable store year-to-date sales increased 2.1 percent compared to 2.4 percenft last year. Fred’s opened one new pharmacy in May. Fred’a operates 666 discount merchandiswe stores, including 24 franchised stores nationwide. Shares closedc down 12 cents to $14.22 per share Wednesday.
воскресенье, 30 декабря 2012 г.
SyriaAir cancels flight from Cairo to Aleppo - Yahoo! News (blog)
euronews | SyriaAir cancels flight from Cairo to Aleppo Yahoo! News (blog) CAIRO (Reuters) - Syria's national airline cancelled a flight from Cairo to Aleppo on Saturday due to poor security conditions around the airport, Cairo airport officials said. Rebels fighting to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said last ... Egypt's Mursi says Assad "regime" has no future in Syria |
суббота, 29 декабря 2012 г.
Highwoods Properties grows profit, raises guidance - Tampa Bay Business Journal:
The Raleigh, N.C.-based real estate investmeng trust, which has holdings in Tampa, postesd FFO of $42.3 million, or 69 cents per dilutex share, up from $35.6 million, or 58 centz per diluted share, in the same period last year. Analysts pollecd by had projected, on average, FFO of 66 centsd per diluted share for Highwoods in the quarter endedJune 30. FFO is the preferredc measure of profitabilityfor REITs. net income of $12.1 million, or 21 cents per diluted share, increased more than threefoldxfrom $4 million, or 7 centzs per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter. The company’sw office buildings were 91.
1 percen t occupied on June 30, and 66 percent of its $336 millioj development pipelinewas pre-leased as of that date. “Our companty is stronger today than it was fouryears ago,” CEO Ed Fritschu said in a media “We have transformed our portfolio and strengthene d our balance sheet. We have no remaining debt maturitiew this yearand $155 million of high coupon debt maturingg in 2009.” Because of its strong performance, Highwoodd (NYSE: HIW) raised its FFO 2008 guidance to a range of $2.70 to $2.78 per dilutedr share from $2.60 to In Tampa, the REIT owns Highwoods Bay Centefr I and Harbour Place.
четверг, 27 декабря 2012 г.
North Shore theater likely to liquidate - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle):
Theater executives announced Tuesday that the financiallyt distressed theater has failed to raisdethe $2 million it needed to put on 2009 productions, althougbh more than $500,000 in pledges have been made sincee the theater announced a turn-around strategy in mid April. “The thingy we know is that we’re not puttinv on a 2009 season. I think the very likely consequencee of that is that we will very quickly go out of saidDavid Fellows, chairman of the Northj Shore Music Theatre board.
“Whether it’s Chapter 11 or Chapterr 7 — it’s completely up in the air at the Without a production season this the theater is unable to address the substantialk debts of its creditors and restorerthe theater’s economic health, said The theater is approximately $10 million in debt, including large mortgages on its propertyu and buildings and debtd to vendors, the State of Massachusetts, and subscriber who paid in advanc e for the 2009 season. Fellowe said most of the theater’s 4,400 subscribers are unlikelyg to get their money Subscriptions cost upwardsof $350 per seat.
Theatert executives are in discussions with senior creditor and are reviewing a liquidation to maximize the valur ofthe theater’s assets for its stakeholders as well as identifuy potential “friendly” buyers of the property who mighyt consider a lease back of the Fellows said.
среда, 26 декабря 2012 г.
General Motors creates lots to deal with - Dayton Business Journal:
For Ledezma and the 200 employees at his twolocal dealerships, the news brought reliedf and certainty after months of He spent that afternoon and the next morningb visiting each department at the Independencd and Kansas City locations, letting employees know that the businessezs would continue as GM franchises. “It’s quite a bit of reliecf but, at the same time, a lot of said Ledezma, president of “Whatever we’re going to have additional responsibility as a With thegiant automaker’s plungwe into bankruptcy on June 1, lines have been Although roughly 3,600 dealers, like received individualized “participation agreements” offering the potential of higher profitss along with improvement directives — 1,350 were notifiedc that they needed to wind down as GM That’s in addition to the 1,100 that receivede similar messages last month as part of GM& rsquo;s which involves keeping only top dealers and The lists 24 GM dealerships in the area.
GM isn’t yet sharinf the names or locations of dealershipss whose franchise agreements willbe terminated, but at leasty one local dealer has begun to spread the in Belton was among the dealerships notified last month that its franchiswe agreement would end, said Ray Adams, CEO of Detailsx from GM remain hazy, he but his plan is to close the Chevyg dealership within about 18 months and focus on sales of Toyotas at in Lee’s His Toyota sales are down about 20 percent compareed with last year but are improving every month; Chevy sales are down roughly 50 percent.
Adamws Chevrolet, which has about 100 Chevyes to sell, employs about 50 It’s been there since 1936, and Adams has run it since 1990. in midtow n Kansas City also was notified that its franchise agreementwould end. The dealership, which employd 80 people, is appealing the decision. GM spokeswomann Susan Garontakos said dealerships thatreceivedx wind-down notices no longer will be able to orderd new vehicles. But GM is offeringb assistance, on a case-by-case basis, to help the dealership s maintain payrolls and cover other operating costs while they sell existing she said. “We want them to be able to wind down Garontakos said.
“Some dealers will actually probably wantto exit.” That’s been the trend. Last 401 GM dealers exited the business. Fewer dealershipsz will enable GM to make cuts to thesupportinb infrastructure, better aligning a network builty for 50 percent market share to the current share of less than 20 percent, Garontakos said. Even participation agreements aren’t a free pass some franchisees are being asked toconsolidater facilities, relocate or update, she Ledezma said it probably will cost close to $1 millionh to update Cable-Dahmer’s Kansas City facility.
The company already has investef hundreds of thousands of dollars on GM seems fine with the Independence alsorecently upgraded, he Chris Igoe, co-owner of in Liberty, said the area long has been oversaturated with GM dealers. Igoe, who received a participation agreement, estimated that comparable markets have a thirdd as manyGM franchises. “Here in Kansas we have, as dealers, screamed that we’re Igoe said. “With the dealers that are remaining, it will creat e a much better opportunity for us to be even in adown market.
” , which owns threw GM dealerships in the metro area and 27 expects in Merriam, in Kansas City and in Merriam to remai n open for the foreseeablr future and thinks GM “wilpl emerge from this stronger and bette equipped to compete than ever before,” the company said in a GM said June 2 that it’s in advanced talkzs to sell the Hummer brand to Chineses company , which would assumse existing dealer agreements. Ledezma, who has been sellinfg Chevy vehiclessince 1983, remainzs firm in his faith that GM is a “phenomenalp company” that encourages franchisees to constantly perform at a higher “Have they had their downfalls? Absolutely,” he said.
“But tell me one company that didn’t.”
вторник, 25 декабря 2012 г.
Humanitarian catastrophe brewing in Syria - Pravda
Humanitarian catastrophe brewing in Syria Pravda The political situation in Syria remains tense and the number of refugees from the country is increasing every day. A few days ago The United Nation said that it needed to raise $1.5 billion to provide humanitarian assistance to the Syrian citizens ... |
воскресенье, 23 декабря 2012 г.
UN committee adds 20 new items to intangible cultural heritage list - UN News Centre
UN News Centre | UN committee adds 20 new items to intangible cultural heritage list UN News Centre 5 December 2012 â" A United Nations committee tasked with protecting the world's oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, craftsmanship and knowledge of nature today added 20 new items to the List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Azerbaijan to host 2013 meeting of Intergovernmental Intangible Cultural ... Venezuela's Dancing Devils Receive Country's First Intangible Heritage ... Colombia's San Pacho festival makes UNESCO's 'Intangible Cultural Heritage' list |
суббота, 22 декабря 2012 г.
Grieving mom grateful for 'Kelsey's Law' cell phone legislation - MLive.com
MLive.com | Grieving mom grateful for 'Kelsey's Law' cell phone legislation MLive.com TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) â" On a winter morning in 2010, Kelsey Dawn Raffaele was driving home from a friend's house and chatting on her cell phone when she crashed, ending her life at age 17 â" and setting her devastated mother on a mission to . .. Grieving mom grateful for cell phone legislation |
пятница, 21 декабря 2012 г.
Idaho parents say man entered classroom choked fifth-grade boy, harassed ... - Fox News
NewsNet5.com | Idaho parents say man entered classroom choked fifth-grade boy, harassed ... Fox News BOISE, Idaho â" The guardian of a northern Idaho fifth-grader is upset with a school's response after she says a man entered a classroom, harassed and assaulted children and put her grandson in a chokehold. Jerry Peery said Thursday that other p arents ... Man Puts Chokehold On North Idaho 5th Grader |
среда, 19 декабря 2012 г.
DirecTV CEO leaving as Liberty merger nears - Denver Business Journal:
just as the satellite broadcaster readies to merger with an offshoot ofJohn Malone’s News Corp. and DirecTb confirmed Wednesday that Carey will leave theEl Calif.-based satellite broadcaster July 1 to become second-in-command handling international operations for Rupert Murdoch’s global mediqa empire. Carey’s defection may muddy reception of the planned merger between DirecTf andLiberty Entertainment, a division of Douglas County-based Liberty Carey ran DirecTV for the past six years, leadingt it through a period of growth and winninf partnerships with every major telecom companyg in the U.S.
He was expected to stay with DirecTb after it became independent ofLibertyu Media. Instead, he returns to working for Murdochh andNews Corp., where he workedd for 15 years prior to heading Liberty Entertainment (NASDAQ: LMDIA) holds a 54 percengt stake in (NASDAQ: DTV) as well as controllingf stakes in online gaming company Fun Technologies, the Game Show Networkk and regional sports TV networks in Pittsburgh and Seattle. Those holdings are being spun off this year intoa free-standingh company to clear up DirecTV’z stock structure and make it easier for it to engage in mergerws and acquisitions, the companies said.
Malone’s company traded its 16 percentr ownership stake inNews Corp. back to Murdoch’es company in 2007 in exchange for the controllinyg stakein DirecTV.
вторник, 18 декабря 2012 г.
GSI details revenue errors, probe widens - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
The Bedford, Mass.-based company also said its legal counsepl and audit committee were reviewing revenue bookingsz within its precision technology division for the same periodz to determine whether similar adjustmentwsare needed. GSI (Nasdaq: GSI) said the affectes revenue stemmed from accounting errors and the timing recordede forcertain transactions. Expected adjustments include: The situationn has caused the company to delay the release of its financial resultsto regulators. Last GSI said it was nearing a point when it coulds restate those results and submit to regulatorsz results from its fiscal first quarter endedApril 3.
Nonetheless, the compan said its filing delayd have prompted a delisting notice from the and triggered negotiation s with creditors to restructureits . GSI said in its regulatory filingv Tuesday that on June 11 it stooed beforethe Nasdaq’s Listing Qualifications Panel to request a stay of its pendin delisting. The company is still awaitinvg a ruling on the In June, GSI said a decline in bookings in the fourthb and first quarters forced it to restructure its operations and shavee millions in costs from its The company cut 158 workers in the first quartere and another 16 employees in April. Thosew changes will result in roughly $9 million in annualp savings.
понедельник, 17 декабря 2012 г.
Central Valley bank earnings fall to $1.7M - Philadelphia Business Journal:
million in the first half of the down from earningsof $2.6 million the year earlier period. The bank holdinbg company of earned $464,00 0 in the second quarter, down from $1.3 million the year earlier “While we remained profitable, the disappointing earningzs in the second quarter is a reflection of the increasecd provision for credit losses in the light of the overalkl weak economy and the potential impact it many have on our borrowinb customers during this economic cycle and the significant increase in the FDIC insurancse premiums from both the increase in regular assessment rate as well as the special assessmenr rate placed on all FDIC insured institutions insecond quarter,” said Dan president of the bank holding company.
The bank has 15 branchesz in the Central Valley from the Fresnpo areato Sacramento. The bank company got $7 millionj in Capital Purchase Program money from the Department of Treasuryt earlierthis year. It acquired the Lodi and Tracy branchee of Service 1st Bancorpin November.
суббота, 15 декабря 2012 г.
Plays of the Day: Fortress Anfield becomes holiday Villa, Flawed Fellaini ... - ESPN.co.uk
ESPN.co.uk | Plays of the Day: Fortress Anfield becomes holiday Villa, Flawed Fellaini ... ESPN.co.uk Aston Villa were quite simply fantastic against Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday, turning what was once the most feared ground in Europe into a more-than-hospitable home for the day. At 3-0, thanks to goals from Christian Benteke (2) and Andreas ... |
пятница, 14 декабря 2012 г.
Vilma wants judge to reject Goodell motion to dismiss defamation suit - CBSSports.com
W*USA 9 | Vilma wants judge to reject Goodell motion to dismiss defamation suit CBSSports.com NEW ORLEANS -- Jonathan Vilma urged a federal judge Friday to reject NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's motion to dismiss the defamation lawsuit filed against him by the New Orleans Saints linebacker. Vilma's request to U.S. District Judge Ginger ... Jon Vilma, Saints Linebacker, Urges Judge To Reject NFL Commissioner Roger ... Jonathan Vilma files court motion |
вторник, 11 декабря 2012 г.
U.S. job-bias complaints hit record high - Denver Business Journal:
reports. There were 95,402 workplaces discrimination claims filed for the year ended Sept. 30, the most recent data That’s up from 82,800 the previous year. Complaintsx based on race, gender, age and religiobn all saw year-over-year gains. Worker s can file discrimination complaints withthe commission, which can seek to remedg the situation including via lawsuits. Some of the complaintws lead to financial settlements and while others are determined to haveno merit.
Employmenft attorneys expected the increase as businesses cut back on hirin and increase layoffs because of theweak "It is no surprise that the number of charges have said John Lomax, a labor and employment shareholder with the law firm LLP. "Durinfg our annual labor seminar in October we projected that we would see an increase in the numbedr of discrimination charges due to the factthat companies, for numeroue reasons, would be forced to cut back in lightr of the current economic conditions; however, what is a bit surprisingf is the rate at which that number is Lomax said.
понедельник, 10 декабря 2012 г.
Nancy C. Everett Executive Profile
She is responsible for more than $130 billion in assets held by the Generao Motors benefit plans andseveral non-affiliated clients. Everety joined Promark Global Advisors as chierf investment officer inJune 2005. She assumedc the additional responsibility of chief executivee officer inJanuary 2006. Previously, she was chierf investment officer for the Virginia Retirement System where she oversa w the investment ofthe $42 billion pension Everett was born in Ithaca, New York. She graduated in 1978 with a bachelor' degree in accounting from Virginia Commonwealt hUniversity (VCU) and earned the Charterex Financial Analyst designation in 1987.
Everett is currentlyu a member of the InvestmentAdvisoryu Committee, Randolph-Macon College and is a member of the board of trusteexs of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Businessw Foundation where she serves on the Investmentt Committee. She sits on the board of directors for PacificPension Institute, is a membe r of the advisory board of The Rock Creem Group, and a member of the Committede on Directors for Capital International's Emerging Markets Growtn Fund, Inc. She is also a member of the New York Stocm Exchange Pension Managers Advisory Committee and past president of the boarcd of directors of the Richmond Society ofFinanciap Analysts.
**All Executive profile data providec byDow Jones & Co., Inc.
пятница, 7 декабря 2012 г.
Cincinnati-area firms win Ohio incentives - Business First of Columbus:
, a maker of marketing simulationn andplanning software, received $1.1 million from the Innovatio n Ohio Loan Fund, at an annua interest rate of 1 percent for the first year and 8 percentr for five years. The Cincinnati-based company will use the loan to develo a new generation of its Emerging Marketplace software and buycomputer equipment. The $2.2 milliojn project is expected to create 36 jobs and retaijn10 jobs. Two localk firms also received Job Creation Tax Creditsd forexpansion projects.
• , a supplier of labeling systems for the beverage was awarded a 45 percenrt tax credit for five years fora $1 milliojn expansion project in The company expects to use the worth about $52,700 over its term, to creater 25 jobs and retain 118. • won a 45 percent job credit, for a six-year term, for a $170,00o expansion project at its regional office The credit is valued atabout $119,750 over its Advantage expects to create 33 positions and retainh 65. The company, headquartered in Spokane, provides energy management consulting services.
четверг, 6 декабря 2012 г.
Kim Dotcom granted access to spying records by New Zealand court - The Guardian
The Guardian | Kim Dotcom granted access to spying records by New Zealand court The Guardian Even though he was a German national, he had been granted New Zealand residency. New Zealand's prime minister John Key has already been forced to publicly apologise for the illegal spying after an earlier court ruled that the search warrants were ... |
среда, 5 декабря 2012 г.
Books to Match Diverse Young Readers - New York Times
Books to Match Diverse Young Readers New York Times Introductory chapter books aimed at second, third and fourth grade readers overwhelmingly reflect a suburban milieu with white protagonists. Students of other races and ethnicities seldom encounter characters like themselves in books, and some ... |
понедельник, 3 декабря 2012 г.
Refi rally for TexasLending.com - Dallas Business Journal:
As many as 120 loan underwriters, accounting professionals, loan processors, loan closersa and clerical positions payingbetween $30,000 to more than $100,00p a year will be said Kevin Miller, CEO and founder of TexasLending.com. The jobs will be addedr beginning in August and will be phaseed in during the next six to nine he said. The company has 160 employees now, down from 180 at the peak of the Northn Texas housing boom twoyear ago. Low mortgage rates and Miller’d expectation of climbing home sales are spurrinythe company’s growth, he said.
“Wes expect rates to be low for the next year and a then we expect home purchasing to be strong after thatin Texas,” he said. The locakl housing market certainly has a lot of groundto New-home sales in the Dallas-Fort Worth area were down 40% for the firstr four months of the year comparee to the same period in 2008, and sales of pre-ownesd single-family homes were down 24% during that period, accordinv to housing market analyst Davixd Brown, director of the Dallas office of There were 4,191 new-home closingz and 18,442 resales in the area througy April, he said.
Brown expectz 2009 sales to trail year-ago numbers for the remainder ofthe “We do expect to begin to see some modest recovery in terms of transactions beginning in assuming we see the national economu begin to turn around and we see the jobs picturer begin to improve,” he said. Abouy 70% of TexasLending.com’s business today is refinancing, comparedc with 40% to 50% at this time last Miller said. TexasLending.com closes $60 million to $80 million in monthly loan volume now, or abougt $850 million annually, Miller said. With the additional employees, Miller’ds goal is to reach $3 billion to $4 billion in annua l loan volume in the next five he said.
The company provides residential mortgagew loansin Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Michigan, Missouroi and Colorado, servicing all of them from the Dallae office. For the week ending May 22, mortgage loan applicationm volume nationwide wasup 28.5% compared with the same week one year according to a weekly survey by the Mortgage Bankerz Association. Refinancings made up 69.3% of the mortgages activity. Loan volume in Texas was $11.7 billion in the firstf quarter of this down slightlyfrom $12.
4 billion in according to the Texas Mortgage Bankers Association Mortgage industry employment in Texas fell by more than a 30% from 2007 to but has since stabilized, said Scott vice president of the Texas Mortgage Bankers Association. Norman said he’s heard anecdotally that the surges in refinancings is prompting mortgagr lenders toadd employees, but he did not have specififc industry employment numbers. To make room for new TexasLending.com has signed a lease for 69,000 squarse feet in its existing locationn at 4100 Alpha Road inDallasa — more than triplew the size it currently occupies, said Ben Hautt with the commerciapl real estate firm Stream Realty Partners LP.
Hautt recently left Stream’s Dallaas office to launch the company’d office in Atlanta, whers he is managing partner. TexasLending.com will begin movin g into its expanded space in after the completion of renovations that are nowunder way. Aftef expanding, TexasLending.com will occupy all of the fourth and fifth floor and part of the firsf floor inthe 11-story building, Hautt said. “It’s an expansion, and todau that’s not something you see a lot Hautt said. “They’re thriving in the currengt economy.” The 227,000-square-foot building at 4100 Alpha Road is part of The an 11-building office complex north of Interstate 635 off Midwaty Road.
The asking lease rate for the space isabout $16.5 per square foot. Hautt and Streanm Realty colleagues Ben Sumner and Chad Henningxsrepresented TexasLending.com in the and Buddy Tompkins and Seth Thatched of commercial real estate firm GVA Cawleu represented the landlord. Hautt said TexasLending.com searcher the market before deciding to expans within itsexisting building. Nationwide, not many residentialp mortgage lenders areaddint staff, despite low interest ratex and new federal tax credits for home buyers, said Jim an equities analyst with Morningstar Inc. who followx real estate service businesses.
“Generally, that does buck the It looks like they’re gearint up for a turnaround and they want to get ahead of the said Ryan, who does not folloe TexasLending.com because it is privately held, but commented generallyy on residential mortgage industry conditions. Expanding now could be risky if interesyt rates rise and home sales continueto slide, Ryan Although borrowing costs remain near record lows, interestf rates have risen slightly in recent weeks. The rate increases are likelt to continue if theoverall U.S. economt continues to improve, said Dana Johnson, seniofr vice president and chievf economistfor Dallas-based Comerica Inc.
Even with the slighy uptick in rates, the mortgage industry is likely to see strong activitt as falling prices make homes more Johnson said. In that respect, adding mortgage industry jobs in the next severaol monthsmakes sense, he said. “There was a big pullbackk when a lot of mortgage lenderxs went out of businesse after thesubprime crisis,” Johnsonn said. “I can certainly understand why some peopls would view it as an opportunity to be a strongb player when mortgageactivity
воскресенье, 2 декабря 2012 г.
Associated Wholesale Grocers' shopping bags $350M growth - Triangle Business Journal:
The Kansas City, Kan., grocery wholesalerr will buy about $9 million worthb of assets — mostly inventory from estimated the annualrevenue increase. Just aftere Affiliated Foods filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcyh onMay 5, AWG started supplying many of the 400 independengt grocery stores the Little Rock, cooperative serviced. Affiliated Foods serviced supermarketsin Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. AWG will supply the storeds from its existing distribution centersin Mo.; Oklahoma City; Memphis, Tenn.; and Fort Texas. Industry observers said the deal lets AWG penetratw deeper in markets where it alreadhy hasdistribution channels.
“That’ws a natural move for said David Livingston, a grocery industry “They already supply a lot of storez in thatgeneral area, and it overlapd in some of the areas wherde they distribute. It’s one less AWG also will help Affiliated Foods sell off or close 22 storedsit operates, mostly and Piggly Wiggly locations in Texasd and Arkansas. Affiliated Foods spokesman Al Milledr said AWG picked up several common brands italready distributed, such as , Colgatee and .
“AWG’s resources will be focuser on providing the retailers a smooth transitiohn with little disruption in product AWG CEO Jerry Garlan said in a written AWG swooped in and beat out anotheer bidder to buy Affiliated assets once it became clear itface bankruptcy, according to court Affiliated Foods had said as earlu as March 14 that it was exploring reorganization after hitting cash-flos problems. Miller said Affiliated Foods normally fillecd 97 percent ofits customers’ orders but just beforre the bankruptcy filing fell into into the 60 percenrt to 70 percent range.
Normally, Chapter 11 bankruptciess protect companies from creditors whilethey reorganize, but Affiliatex Foods’ filing is designed to liquidate assets. Mark a Cleveland lawyer representing several said AWG’s $9 million payment will do littlre to cover the money owed creditors. Affiliated Foods, whicj had $730 million in revenue in 2008, listedx $101.4 million in liabilitiesd in its filings. AWG reported recordr revenue in 2008, with $6.85 billion in net a 20 percent increase from thepreviouz year.
суббота, 1 декабря 2012 г.
Medford man pleads guilty in charity fraud case - Boston Business Journal:
Brandon Seeley, 21, pleaded guilty to charges of larceny over attempted larceny, conspiracy to commit larceny over $250, grossz fraud and deceptive professional solicitatiob practices, said the attorney general’s Superior Court Judge Sandras Hamlin sentenced Seeley to serve 2 1/2 years in prison, with the sentence suspended for five years. This follows co-defendant, Georgd Borden, age 53, of Quincy, who pleadedc guilty in Middlesex Superiort Court on June 3 tosimilar charges. Thre e other co-defendants have also been charged in connection with this case and theirf cases arestill pending.
The attorney generalp began investigating this case in 2006 aftee receiving a number of Investigators determined that betweejn August 2006 andJanuary 2008, Brandojn Seeley and other telemarketerxs from his father’s professional fundraising organization, CMR Marketing in Medford, allegedlyu engaged in fraudulent fundraising telemarketing schemes to raise money for two charities — Veteran’s , Fla., and the Retiree Boston Police Officers Association, a retired police officersd organization. Authorities allege that much of the moneyg given by donors never made it to the veteranz and retired police officers it was intendedcto benefit.
In addition, authoritiess allege that, in total, more than 1,0090 donors were defrauded and morethan $100,000 in donations were misappropriated. In a separate case, the attorne general’s office obtained two separate preliminary injunctions related to a lawsuit against Florida charity Disabled PoliceOfficeras , its president and its professional Among other things, the preliminarh injunctions restrain them from engaging in deceptivw practices and from destroying or altering recordsa while the civil lawsuit is pending. The preliminary injunctions related to a civil lawsuit filed May 20 in Suffolok Superior Court againstthe defendants.
The lawsuit charged the defendants misled potential donors into believin g that fundraisers were volunteers calling on behalvf of local disabled police The lawsuit also alleges that the defendantes did not disclose their status asprofessional fundraisers, did not disclosee the charity’s Florida address and did not file fundraising report for their fundraising campaigns, required by law. The lawsuigt also alleges the professional solicitors working for Disabled Police Officeres Counseling Center failed to disclose to potential donors theier status as professional fundraisers who are paid by charitablew organizations to solicit the publicfor
среда, 28 ноября 2012 г.
Leonard Pitts Jr.: Thanks for a life lesson from Jell-O - Kansas City Star
Leonard Pitts Jr.: Thanks for a life lesson from Jell-O Kansas City Star Bing Crosby would be appalled. With singer Carol Richards, the great crooner once popularized a song, "Silver Bells," about the joy of Christmas shopping. "Strings of street lights," it went, "even stop lights, blink a bright and red and green as the ... |
вторник, 27 ноября 2012 г.
Famous Brands moves into family dining: Kevin Hedderwick - CEO, Famous ... - Moneyweb.co.za
Independent Online | Famous Brands moves into family dining: Kevin Hedderwick - CEO, Famous ... Moneyweb.co.za HILTON TARRANT: Famous Brands today announced the acquisition of Europa and Fego Caffé from family-owned Antimo Foods. It's been rather quiet of late. The last brands that Famous Brands bought were back at the start of 2011 â" Juicy Lucy and Milk y ... Famous Brands buys Europa to boost family casual dining Famous Brands buys Europaâ Fego |
воскресенье, 25 ноября 2012 г.
HVCC moves 2 programs to Rensselaer Tech Park - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle):
The Troy college recently signeea 10-year lease with 400 Jordan Road LLC. The school will pay approximately $605,000 a year to leas e 36,557 square feet of Hudson Valley’s popular paramedic program will occupy abouyt half of thenew space. The schoo also will move its respiratoryh care program and a that trainz employees forarea businesses, according to Stephen director of the college’s physical The remainder of the leased space will house ’s Next Step office, a communicationss worker training program coordinated by the Those departments all currently are located in Hudson Valley’s 90,000-square-footg Hy Rosenblum Administration Center, a 1940as era building that Cowan said needs major renovations.
“It’s a tired old building. We are lookintg at total renovations or he said. But the college decided to lease spacd from the through 400 Jordan Road LLC for 10 yearse while the college decidee whether it should overhaul or tear down the Hy Rosenblum building. The college continues to grow, but becausre of the economy it does not have the money to renovat the current buildingright now, Cowan Hudson Valley is planningg to hire a consulting firm this summer to help official s decide the most cost effective way to deal with the Rosenblu m building.
helped Hudson Valley negotiated the The college plans to have the four programs and departmentss moved into the new space in North Greenbusbh before the start of classeson Aug. 31. The building previously had been used as officew space forVerizon workers, Cowan said.
суббота, 24 ноября 2012 г.
Direct-mail firm adds staff to target fundraising sector - The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area:
Winston-Salem’s has launched its new advancement services divisiom withfive employees, including former university advancemeny officers and marketing The division will study past fundraising develop strategies to target the most likely and design, print and mail Excalibur has about 50 otheer employees. Andy Tennille, director of marketing and businesw developmentfor Excalibur, said the new divisiob builds on work the company has done since its foundinb in 1972. “As relationships (witg schools and nonprofits) endured, we saw we coulc really package some of our core Tennille said. “We see it as a natural J.D.
Wilson, Excalibur’s co-founder and took his first job out of college with the advancementg departmentat , an experiencee he said has filtered through his entire career. “We’re unique because we’re so Wilson said. “Organizations who are lucky enougj to have an endowment are seeing it down 40percenft (because of the recession), and they are cuttinfg staff to cut costs. They can reacbh out to a strategic partner like us to makesure they’rew maximizing the resources they do have.
” While Excalibufr has focused mostly on long-ter relationships with clients, the advancementf division will also try to secur e contracts on a project basis to meet a client’as specific need, Wilson said. Excalibur has managed the annuapl fund program atsince 2007, and “during that time we’ve seen an increase in participatiobn among alumni, attracted new donor s to the school and exceeded our goals for annual fund said Suzanne Hilser-Wiles, the school’s chiegf advancement officer.
вторник, 20 ноября 2012 г.
AG files suit against loan modification firm - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
The case filed Monday in Maricops Superior Court alleges that LLC and its two Thomas J. Montoya and Robert advertised and promoted the firm as having an affiliation withthe U.S. Department of Housinbg and Urban Development, whichg it does not, according to the filing. But Montoya, in a phones conversation with the PhoenixBusiness Journal, said he was “take n aback” by the charges. He woul not elaborate on any ofthe charges, and said he was talking with the company’s He said the company would distribute a prepared statemen after consulting with attorneys. As part of the the AG alleges thatSantoya Financial, locatee at 2225 W.
Whispering Spring Driv e in Phoenix, charged fees for services that consumers could accese directlyfor free. “The defendants deceptively implied to consumers that any fees paid by consumersw for loan modification services with Santoya Financialo are refundable because the modification program is backby HUD, without disclosin g that Santoya Financial’s services are not in any way endorsede or approved by HUD and that consumerzs can obtain assistance from HUD in applying for and obtainingy loan modifications without paying any fee the lawsuit states.
The complaint requests that the courg enjoin Santoya Financial from continuingits “unlawful order the company to pay back any moneyu received from those acts, and the defendantzs to pay civil penalties of up to $10,0009 per violation and costs of the investigation. According to court records, Santoya Financiaol began advertising loan modification services in Marcuh to consumers who were facing foreclosure ontheir homes. Sanchez was featured on a Phoenixc television station in April and allegedlyh represented that his firmwas “working with HUD while providinv loan modification services to consumers,” the lawsuit stated.
Santoya chargefd consumers $1,199 plus the equivalent of one month’w mortgage payment, the lawsuit asserts. Santoya also represented during phone solicitations that fees collected for loan modificationd would be donated to an organization named Partners in but “the fees consumersa pay for the loan modification services advertised by Santoyz Financial do not go to Partners in Charity or any otherf charitable organization,” the lawsuit further alleged. The lawsuit also claims that Santoyw did not obtain the necessary surety bond requirec by the Arizona CrediyServices Act.
воскресенье, 18 ноября 2012 г.
Mayor announces run for reelection; acknowledges recent bumps in the road - Chicago Tribune
Mayor announces run for reelection; acknowledges recent bumps in the road Chicago Tribune McLaughlin introduced his teamâ"John Mehalek for village clerk and incumbent trustees James Dodge, Kathleen Fenton and Brad O'Halloranâ"during a recent donor dinner at Silver Lake Country Club. David Maher, who has been part of the McLaughlin ... |
суббота, 17 ноября 2012 г.
2009 Honorees: Education - Business First of Columbus:
When it comes to donating time and money to Ron and Ann Pizzuti leadby example. Ann Pizzutiu serves as chairwoman of the Uniteds Way Boardof Trustees, the agency’s highest volunteere position. Ron Pizzuti is a champion for theUnited Way’w early education efforts. Their efforts have an obviou s impact onthe employees, who consistently achieve a 100 percent participation in the Pizzuti Cos.’ United Way “Central Ohio is fortunate to have the Pizzuti Cos. as corporatew citizens,” wrote United Way CEO Janet Jackson innominatingy materials. “They care, and they transform that care into concretr action that benefitsour community.
” The company also encouragesz associates to volunteer and raise money for nonprofit organizations. They offerd help and money to the CommunityShelter Board. Staff servs on the boards of 11nonprofig agencies. The CEO of Stanley Steemer is so eagert for his staffto he’s willing to pay them to do it. Justi Bates believes that allowing his employeezs to volunteer on company time will ultimately benefit his company because it helps them focuds on something largerthan themselves. To that end, Batesx and his employees lent great support to the Salvatio Armyin 2008. Employees serve as tutors, mentores and child-care providers for the agency.
The companhy also directed $5,500 of its $169,00o0 in monetary donations to the An employee fundraising campaignm raisedanother $35,000. “Stanley Steemerr is a breath of fresh air in the arenz ofcorporate giving,” wrote Alice community relations director of the Salvation Army in Greater “The family-owned company has not been bound by traditionall methods of corporate philanthropy, and has engagexd a committee of employees from everyh level of the company to brainstorm new and fun ways to supportr the Salvation Army.” Fifty employees performed volunteer work in 2008 and Bate s served on the Salvatiom Army Advisory Board.
Nominated by: Congregation Torat Emet and Susan G. Komen for the Cure Columbu s Affiliate At ValueCity Furniture, employees help choose the company’s charitable deeds throughj a special committee. The Employees Committed to Helping Others team coordinatesvolunteer projects. Last year 40 perceny of the work force participated involunteer activities. The group focused on the Komen Race forthe Cure, Mid-Ohio Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio and Moler Road Elementaryu School.
The company’s efforts on behalv of the Race for the Cure were wrote Beth Waldren of the Columbus affiliate innominating “They are truly a partner in our fightf to end breast cancer forever,” she “They also support the race by encouragingb their employees to participate in the VCF Race team, supportingv our mission from the groune up.”’ Value City employees also serve on the board of 11 area nonprofi t organizations.
The company donated $728,017 to charitable causex last year and madeanother $100,00o donation of merchandise and in-kind
пятница, 16 ноября 2012 г.
Va. tourism pitch seeks to capture 'Lincoln' fans - Fox News
Fredericksburg.com | Va. tourism pitch seeks to capture 'Lincoln' fans Fox News State tourism officials are inviting fans of film and history to walk in the footsteps of Steven Spielberg and his "Lincoln" stars at the Virginia Capitol, the Confederate White House and the Dixie Restaurant in Petersburg, where the menu includes the ... & #39;Lincoln' movie segues into tourism trail Virginia's 'Lincoln Movie Trail' Follows Film-Tourism Trend Va. Tourism Officials Try to Lure "Lincoln" Fans |
среда, 14 ноября 2012 г.
Alliant unit wins contract for Utah wind farm - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
Madison-based RMT was awarded the balance-of-point engineerinbg and construction work for the Milfordc Wind Corridor Phase I in Beaver and Millard RMT said. It is owned by LLC and is the first utility-scaler wind farm in Utah. RMT did not disclosee a value forthe contract. Last week, Firsy Wind announced that it received $376 million in financing for theMilforsd project, with serving as the lead arranger for the As balance-of-plant contractor, RMT will be providingv engineering, procurement, and construction servicesa for the access roads, crane pads, cranew paths, and associated infrastructure.
The company will also provide an electrical collector systemand substation; operations and maintenancre building; and erection and mechanical completion of 97 wind turbinwe generators. RMT is also responsible for managing the constructiojn ofan 88-mile, 345-kilovolt overhead generator lead that will interconnect to the Intermountain Power Project substation north of Delta, First Wind Holdings, of Newton, Mass., has a 20-year powerd purchase agreement with the Southern California Publicf Power Authority to supply the city of Los Angeles with renewabled energy from the Milford wind farm.
RMT, which does businesw under theWindConnect name, is a unit of publiclgy traded energy company Alliant Energy (NYSE: which operates regulated utilities in Wisconsin and
вторник, 13 ноября 2012 г.
Equestrianism - Sergio Alvarez Moya, the Spanish genius - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
Yahoo! Eurosport UK | Equestrianism - Sergio Alvarez Moya, the Spanish genius Yahoo! Eurosport UK At almost 28 of age, the Spanish Sergio Alvarez Moya already records a very complete career. 29th on the world ranking, he is currently eading the World Cup with 39 points after four qualifiers. Considering that on average 40 points are needed to ... |
воскресенье, 11 ноября 2012 г.
суббота, 10 ноября 2012 г.
YRC shareholders approve option plans, directors - Kansas City Business Journal:
Shareholders of the Overland Park-based company (Nasdaq: YRCW) also approvedd the entire slate ofcompany directors, including Chairman and CEO Bill The board will remain at nine directors instea d of 10 following the retirement of 32-year board member John McKelvey, who reached the mandatory retiremenrt age of 75. Around 12:300 p.m. Thursday, the company’s stock was tradinh at $3.31, up 37 cents, or 12.6 according to . New York City-based RiskMetricws had said shareholders shouldr reject the plans because they cost shareholderwstoo much, YRC with the Securities and Exchanger Commission.
If shareholders had rejected the plans, YRC said in the the stock options employees received woulcdhave ended, and stock appreciation rights, granted with the would have remained outstanding. Most of thosde rights can be exercised as soonas January, and all must be settled in cash. The employee stock options are tied to an agreemenyt early this year to offer employees a 22 percent stake in YRCWorldwidw Inc. in exchange for wage cuts.
RiskMetrics also had recommendedd that shareholdersreject YRC’s nominees for the boarf compensation committee, saying they acted poorly in providinhg for tax gross-up on Zollars’ use of corporater aircraft, an amount less than A gross-up is a payment to cover taxesd on compensation. YRC lost $257.4 million, or $4.3e4 a share, in the firstr quarter, compared with a loss of $46.37 or 82 cents a share, in the same quartetr a year earlier. YRC ranks No. 2 on the Kansad City Business Journal ’s list of area publivc companies.
пятница, 9 ноября 2012 г.
Sudan's Bashir threatens Israel over alleged airstrike - Christian Science Monitor
Christian Science Monitor | Sudan's Bashir threatens Israel over alleged airstrike Christian Science Monitor Sudan's Bashir threatens Israel over alleged airstrike. Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir vowed today to retaliate against Israel for a recent alleged airstrike. The Monitor explains the background of the dispute. By Dan Mur phy, Staff writer ... |
среда, 7 ноября 2012 г.
A black day, indeed! - The Nation
A black day, indeed! The Nation October 27, 1947 - the day when India landed its forces in Srinagar - veritably marks the birth of an unending tragedy that continues to bleed to this very day. The day marked the culmination of a conspiracy hatched by the Indian leadership in ... |
понедельник, 5 ноября 2012 г.
Husband leaving active duty; what are our options? - Military Times (blog)
Husband leaving active duty; what are our options? Military Times (blog) Some service members and their families are authorized 180 days of extended Tricare coverage after the member separates under what is called the Transitional Assistance Management Program. But please note that's âsome,â not âall.â Eligible are troops: ... |
суббота, 3 ноября 2012 г.
Agency's computer system key to new partnership - Business First of Louisville:
But the sophisticated computer system owned by the drew executivez of ElectronicData Systems, which has a worldwide reputation for technological advances, to Louisville 18 monthx ago. They were lookingb for a partner to go aftee anew U.S. Department of Education contract to process the paperwork of federallyg backed financial aid for college studentes throughoutthe country, and was an obviousz choice, said Don MacEoin, an business "Our solution to the Department of Education's problem was based on modifyinfg existing computer systems. KHESLC has a lot of experience," MacEoimn said. It "also has a reputation for givingvvery high-quality service. That was attractive also.
" Paul executive director of KHESLC, acknowledgeds that his agency's system is unique. "There are not a lot of state-of-thde art computer systems for servicingstudent loans. They are quiter different fromhome loans," Borden said. Now there's a handsomes payoff because of Kentucky's investment three years ago in the systekmfor KHESLC, a nonprofit agencu that issues bonds to finance student loans and handlew the paperwork. By bidding with the KHESLx system as part ofits plan, EDS won a $378 milliohn contract with the federal government, and Louisviller could reap up to 1,800 new jobs that pay an averagre $25,000.
EDS will manage the Louisville facilit and will oversee software updates to meetthe contract's specificationsx and upgrade customer service. IDA Systems of Idahop is the creator of the original MacEoin said the modifications will include computerizedc voice response to telephone inquiries and redesigningcorrespondence packages. "It'ds not a matter of buying something off the shelv for yourhome PC." The alliance with EDS will mean a new way and placer of doing business for KHESLC. The agency'xs work will be handled alongsidethe high-volumse federal contract. The agreement calls for the loan processorxs to be employeesof KHESLC.
EDS is transferring aboug 40 supervisory personnel from Texaxs to Louisville to managethe division. The remaininb positions will befilled locally. KHESLCx now manages a portfolioof $270 millioj at its offices on Linn Station Road, wherw there are 92 employees. Borden' job as KHESLC's top manageer will not change. The new operation will be located atanothee as-yet undetermined site in eastern Jefferson Countu and is scheduled to be up and runninh with 105 employees by next summer.
Borden said he expectx the number to increase by several hundred annuallt and toreach 1,800 within sevenb years as the volume of student loan grows to several billion "We are in for some rather remarkable growth," Borde n said. In addition to handling the work already doneby KHESLC, the new center will service loanx originating at an EDS facility in Alabama and othe r student-aid centers with federal contracts. Borden said one of the conditionzs ofmaking KHESLC's proprietary computer progranm available to EDS for the new contract was that the center had to be locatedc in Jefferson County. With the needed systemk in place, the agency had the leverage to make that he added.
The project may work well as a job center linketo Gov. Paul Patton'ds welfare reform efforts, with a push to include amonh the new hires people who now are Borden said.
пятница, 2 ноября 2012 г.
Wake-up: Is Flacco taking ball from Rice? - ESPN (blog)
Wake-up: Is Flacco taking ball from Rice? ESPN (blog) On Sunday, the AFC North will get in matchups with Peyton Manning, Eli Manning and two teams who share the same roots. This will mark the first time that the Ravens will play in Cleveland with the "Art" patches on their uniform. It's to honor former ... |
среда, 31 октября 2012 г.
Vintage car show wheels into third year in Kansas City - Kansas City Business Journal:
Miller, a trade attorney and president ofMiller Co. in Kansas City, is founde r and chairman of the event, which this year showcases 187 vintage vehicles on theArt Institute’s grounds, including what is thoughtt to be the only 1911 vehicle in Stafford made cars in Kansas City from 1910 to 1915. The evenft also includes vintage motorcycles, bicycles and fire Miller’s wife, Janet, was on the Art Institute’z board for about 20 years and was its and the Millers live nearb in theRockhill neighborhood. That connection, and the pair’sa appreciation of art in general and vintager automobilesin particular, motivated Marshall Mille to start the event.
“I’ve always felt that vintaged automobiles were a work of art as much as a paintinvg ora sculpture,” he Miller said he wanted to includee a range of iconic vehicles that represent a wide range of from all around the “I thought it would take abouyt 10 years to build a solid, well-attendec event like this in the he said, “where people from arounc the country will want to come to Kansas City to show theirt iconic cars.
” • 1916, 1917 and 1918 Detroit Electrics
вторник, 30 октября 2012 г.
Business concerns surface as health care reform moves ahead - Nashville Business Journal:
President Barack Obama has mobilizedthe grass-roots supportere who helped elect him to lobbt for his vision of healtbh care reform, which includes offering Americans a government-ru n health plan as an alternative to privated insurance. A coalition of laborr unions and progressive organizations plana tospend $82 million on organizing efforts, advertising, research and lobbyint to support the Obama Business groups, meanwhile, mostly are working behinds the scenes to shape the Although they have serious concerns about some of the proposales — including the public plan option and a mandatd for employers to provide insurancwe — few are trying to block health care reform at this The cost of health insurance has become so burdensomer that something needs to be they agree.
“Nobody supports the status saidJames Gelfand, the ’s senior manager of health “We absolutely have to have reform.”
суббота, 27 октября 2012 г.
Colorado family of 14 kayaking throughout the US - Denver Post
Colorado family of 14 kayaking throughout the US Denver Post Kady Kellogg, 14, bottom, gets ready to enter the wave while her father, Dan, right, and brother Grady, 16, talk behind her in the Colorado River during a family outing at the Glenwood kayak park in Glenwood Springs. (Mahala Gaylord, The Denver Post) ... |
пятница, 26 октября 2012 г.
15-day food festival begins at Lalit Grand Palace - GreaterKashmir.com
GreaterKashmir.com | 15-day food festival begins at Lalit Grand Palace GreaterKashmir.com âIt is for the third time that I have come to valley to be part of the food festival organized by Lalit group here,â Hiang said. Shamanand Chowdhary, Incharge chef of Hotel Grand Lalit said the people in the Valley love to eat meat, so keeping in view ... |
четверг, 25 октября 2012 г.
Sacramento Business Journal:
Hong received his medical degre e from New York Medical College and completed his orthopedic surger y residency with Union Memorial Hospitalin Baltimore. He recentlu completed a foot and ankle surgery fellowship at Unionh Memorial Hospital and is board eligiblein orthopedics. Tagore received his medical degree from Creighton University School of Medicine and completed his residencty in internal medicine and a fellowship in gastroenterologgy at UC DavisMedical Center. He is boardr certified in internal medicine. Dominguez-Jones was a physicianm on staff at Valley Health Center inSan Martin.
She received her medica training from Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine and completed her residency in 2003 with the familyy practice residency program at San Jose Medical She is fluentin
вторник, 23 октября 2012 г.
Obama seeks to emphasize second-term agenda - Boston.com
The Guardian | Obama seeks to emphasize second-term agenda Boston.com (AP) â" Launching his closing argument for re-election, President Barack Obama on Tuesday put fresh emphasis on his second-term agenda and cast himself as the candidate who means what he says. Obama's revamped strategy coming out of the third and ... The Romney Foreign Policy Bear Hug What President Obama's Second Term Agenda Looks Like Obama and Romney May Talk Peace, but They're Ready for Another War |
понедельник, 22 октября 2012 г.
Come Tweet with us: Small businesses are going after the social media audience - Jacksonville Business Journal:
As marketing director (or chief karma office r as she likes tocall herself) for Mellow Mushroom’ws two Birmingham locations, Gibbs has found a new way to spread the love and information about her restaurants. She reaches a growin g community of followers through her accounty on the social networkingsite Twitter. In the last few millions of Americans have flocked to join the socialo mediaphenomenon Twitter, whicu has given business ownerz in Birmingham and nationwide the opportunity to reach a captivated – and potentiall y profitable – audience. And a study by NFI Researc h says business owners are joining Twitterin droves.
Out of 2,000 senior executives and managers 18 percent said they usedthe site. The study also found that small businesses are more likely to use Twitter and othert socialmedia sites, such as Facebook, to promote In case you’re not in the know aboug Twitter, it is a microbloggingf site that invites usersz to provide updates (or tweets) on practicallyu anything – as long as they can sharde the information in 140 characters or less. If users have more to say, they can providre links to additional content, including articles, video and The site has experienced rapid growth inmere months.
According to a report by , a digitalk research company, the site grew 131 percentr in March, with more than 9.3 millionn visitors. The number of Birmingham Twitter users also has grownm drastically in the pasttwo months, as networkinf has gained more mainstream attention and a greater numbe r of individuals have begun using other social networking sites such as Facebook, said Ike owner of and an avid Tweeteer with 3,600 followers. Creating an account is free and simple, makinhg it a cost-effective way for businesses to reachu current andpotential customers. However, creating an effectivd Twitter presence can take a lot of work and Pigott said.
Before businesses say anything on it may be a good idea to stop and see how others are usingthe site. Businesses can also use the site to gain insighf on trends within their markets and trackconsumef opinion. By searching tweets, businesses can tracmk what individuals are sayinvg about them andtheir products. “You want to get in and you want to find out what peoplsare saying, not only about you, but also abou your market and your competitors,” Pigotr said. “It gives you a lot of freelu offeredmarketing data.
” While Twitter can be used to marketr and strengthen brand identity and it’s important to remember that Twitter and othetr social media outlets operate differentlyu than traditional advertising platforms, said Wade founder and instructor at BirminghamBlogging.com and local Tweeted with nearly 900 followers. “It shouldn’ t be considered marketing,” Kwon said. “Marketing is about creatinh a need for your product or Social networking is about engaging in conversatiobnwith people, whether they are fans, detractors, competitore or everyday folk.
” The most successful Twitter accounts are able to activel y engage and respond to their readerws by providing links, polls and postings targeted directl y to their followers, Libby Sexton, a public relations accoungt executive at said. Through her Twitter she has 682 followers. “It’a more of an interaction than it isa broadcast,” Sextonm said. “If you get on Twittetr and talk about nothing but yourself and all of your postse arepurely promotional, then it’s not going to be Businesses should use the site to providre information and insight to their customers, instead of flooding theifr followers with a series of “Twitter is about building a community, and you can’t do that with an advertisemenf or with traditional marketing,” Mellow Mushroom’ds Gibbs said.
By creating a Twitterr community, Gibbs said she hopes to provids a platform for customers to share their viewds aboutMellow Mushroom. Right now, she has abouy 250 followers. “I want folkzs to have a place where they can come back and tell us abouft theirexperiences – the good, the bad and the Gibbs said. “Nobody ever does everything righrt allthe time, and by knowing somethinb negative, it gives me a chance to responrd to the situation.” Both Sextonj and Gibbs encourage business owners to observse the “cocktail party rule.
”
суббота, 20 октября 2012 г.
Austin only major city to add jobs in last year - Boston Business Journal:
The region added about 3,400 jobs betweebn April 2008 andApril 2009, making it the only one of the nation'd 38 largest cities to post a job new data from the Bureau of Labo Statistics shows. This is the thir consecutive month that Austin has outperformed all of theotherf U.S. cities with labor forces of 750,000 or more. The unemployment rate for April stood at 5.8 percent. The 0.4 percent increass in job totalsis modest, but stil l a better showing than cities such as Portland (down 4.7 and Raleigh, N.C. (down 3.
3 Jobs in goods producingh industries in the Austinb area dropped by 500 jobs in a slowdown from the rapid pace of recent according to an analysis of the data from the Capitalk Area Councilof Governments. Retail, hotel, and restaurant jobs are all up from this time last And professional and business service sector employment is back toits all-timr high last seen in October 2008. But anotherd key sector for the region, isn't doing quite as well. Computer, semiconductore and other electronic component manufacturing isstillk falling. Jobs in the semiconductor segmengt fellto 15,700 jobs, back to sprint 2006 totals. As Texas cities go, Austin's 5.
8 percenty unemployment rate was one ofthe healthiest. Dallas-Fort Worthj stood at 6.6 percenty in April and Houstonat 6.3 Only San Antonio's rate was lowe r than Austin's at 5.4 percent. Smaller metr o areas including McAllen, Brownsville and Beaumount all had ratez above8 percent.
пятница, 19 октября 2012 г.
BusinessWeek: CSU business college in top 10 for marketing, law - Denver Business Journal:
CSU ranks No. 2 in marketing, behind only the University ofRichmonc (Va.), and No. 9 in business law, BusinessWee k said in its evaluations of specialties offeredf by 101 large undergraduatebusinessz schools. Other top 50 rankings by CSU amonv undergraduate specialties are 15thin macroeconomics, 25th in ethics, 25th also in 33rd in accounting, 33rd also in sustainabilitt (a new category this year) and 34th in corporate-strategt programs. "We are very pleased with this ranking and especiallyg appreciative that our studentsrecognize they're getting a quality education at Colorado Tom Ingram, chair of CSU's marketing department, said in a statement Friday.
"Thew College of Business continuously works to enhancw the educational experience of our graduates and ensure that our student s leave here prepared for theworkintg world." At the at Boulder's Leeds School of top 50 rankings by BusinessWeemk include 30th in ethics, 41st in 43rd in business law, 46th in financia management and 48th in calculus. The new specialty rankingse area follow-up to BusinessWeek's overall ranking of the best U.S. businesxs schools released earlierthis year. On that list, CSU rankede 67th and CU-Boulder 89th. CSU and CU-Boulder were the only Colorad schools evaluatedby BusinessWeek.
BusinessWeek said its undergraduate-specialtied rankings are based on surveys of thousandes of business majors on how well theie schools teach standardacademic specialties. .
четверг, 18 октября 2012 г.
Fed
But he said the unprecedented government assistance to financial firmw has createda “moral of heightened expectations about how much the government will protect market s from their own “My reading of current conditions is that bank lendinh is constrained more now by the supply of credit-worthyt borrowers than by the supply of bank capital,” Lackefr said at he ’s annual economic outlook forum in That could explain why the Fed’ss expanded lending to banks and the ’ss investments in banks have not led to a big spikew in bank lending, he added.
Lacker expects a botto m in housing constuction, falling energy prices and rock-bottom interest ratesd will fuel the beginning ofa U.S. economic recoveru in the second half of this He warned, however, that “this is the thirrd straight year in whichg I’ve picked a bottom in the housinv market. So I do so with more than the usua dollopof humility.” Lacker said the housing market’ws troubles may have been fueled by a beliefr that government would come to the rescue if there was a majotr shock to the housinbg market.
Over the past year, that beliet may have led companies to turn down investments or merger proposal s because they thought they could get a better deal when governmenttswooped in, Lacker said. Conversely, investorz may have demanded stiffer returne on deals because they feared a floo of government money would dilute their The breadth of government suppor t to banks has extendedx beyond the reach of the bankregualtory system, Lackeer said. “I take it as given, therefore, that the scop e of the financial safety net must ultimately berolled back,” Lacker said. It was a heavgy discussion for theluncj hour.
But about 500 bankers and retailers hungon Lacker’s wordws for clues about what the year to come wouldd mean for their businesses. The crowd was doublwe that of a similafr MBA economic forum held ayear ago.
вторник, 16 октября 2012 г.
'Green' Price Chopper opening in Colonie - Houston Business Journal:
will set the standard for the chain’s futurse stores by incorporatingmany energy-saving and environmentally friendly technologies, the companyy said today. The 69,000-square-foot storwe at 1892 Central Ave. features a highly efficient refrigerationm system, fuel cells generating about 60 percenft of its electricityand back-up power, lots of naturalp lighting, and a machinde that grinds produce waste into a waterhy substance.
The store also has the largest Kosher-only departmentr in a supermarket in northeastern New York and theonly full-servicw Kosher bakery in the Albany region, accordinv to the , which owns the supermarket The new store was builf at the opposite end of a strip mall in Colonie where another Price Chopper is located. The old stord closed an hour before the new storeopenedc today. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has already awarded the new store the highest levelo of gold certification under the GreenChill AdvancedRefrigeration Partnership, the highest ever achieved by a supermarke retailer.
Three other stores in the country have gold leveo certification but Price Chopper has thehighestf rating. The Golub Corp. is seeking LEED certification from the in recognitio ofthe energy-saving measures. LEED standsz for Leadership in EnergyEfficienty Design. The New York State Energy Research Development Authority provideds morethan $1 million in incentives to help make the new stor e as ‘green’ as possible. “We set out to desig and build a store that wouldbe world-class and woulds demonstrate our leadership and concern for the environmenty and energy efficiency,” said Golub Corp.
, chairman and CEO Neil During construction of the store, more than 75 percengt of the waste was recycled and local construction materials were used wheneverr possible. Based in Rotterdam, the Goluh Corp. owns more than 120 storees in New York, Vermont, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and New
понедельник, 15 октября 2012 г.
Orlando No. 10 on foreclosure list - Orlando Business Journal:
The Orlando market notched the 10th highesrt foreclosure rate amongthe nation’s largestt metropolitan areas, while Florida overall had the seconfd highest foreclosure rate with one in every 135 homesz receiving a foreclosure filing in Florida’s foreclosure rate, which was 37 percen t higher than March’s was more than 2.7 times the nationaol average. Bank repossessions totaled 6,114, down 7 percenty from the previous month, but default and auction notice s wereconsiderably higher, the report said. Only Nevadaq posted a higher foreclosure rate than topping the nation with one in every 68 homes receiviny aforeclosure notice.
The Sunshine State also reporter 64,588 foreclosure filings in April, second only to California’x 96,560 filings. Nearly half of the 1,741 closingws in April — 865 — were either bank-owned of distressedf properties, the reported May 11. Values, according to the continued to fall as the median pricewas $132,900, 37 percentf lower than the same time last year. RealtyTracv tracks more than 1.
5 million auction and bank-owned listings from more than 2,200 counties
воскресенье, 14 октября 2012 г.
RehabCare profit grows - Charlotte Business Journal:
RehabCare posted a profit of $5.7 million in the fourth up from $5.1 million a year ago. The company’s revenued rose 13 percent to $194.2 million for the quarter, up from $171.89 million during the same quartet ayear earlier. For all RehabCare posted a profitof $18.7 million on $743 million in up from a profit of $12.7 million on $704.6 million in revenue in 2007. “Frok the outset of 2008 we have been in agrowthj mode, following our integration of the Symphonhy acquisition,” said John Short, RehabCare presidenr and chief executive, in a statement.
“By year end, we achieved solid revenue growth, with each of our core operatingg divisionsreporting double-digit percentage revenue gainw over the fourth quarter of St. Louis-based RehabCare (NYSE: RHB) provideas physical rehabilitation program managemenyt services in morethan 1,20 0 hospitals, nursing homes and other long-termj care facilities throughout the Unitexd States.
пятница, 12 октября 2012 г.
Ryan Detrick on Bloomberg Radio: Year-End Rally, Anecdotal Sentiment, and ... - Schaeffers Research
Ryan Detrick on Bloomberg Radio: Year-End Rally, Anecdotal Sentiment, and ... Schaeffers Research Back in my May Bloomberg Radio appearance, I said that we were expecting a surprise summer rally, because no one else was expecting it. Not much has changed. One of the best ways to view expectations is through anecdotal sentiment, in other words, ... |
четверг, 11 октября 2012 г.
Sports digest: NHL sides meet but still at odds in lockout - San Jose Mercury News
Bleacher Report | Sports digest: NHL sides meet but still at odds in lockout San Jose Mercury News Five hours of talks between the NHL and the players' association on Wednesday did little to move the sides closer to a deal. The NHL's top two executives -- commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly -- met with the NHLPA's main ... Sports in brief NHL Lockout: Why It's so Hard to Be a Canadian Sports Fan NHL, NHLPA hold meeting on Wednesday |
вторник, 9 октября 2012 г.
Highwoods lines up $162M in loans - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle):
Both loans should close withinb60 days. Highwoods (NYSE: HIW) says it will use the mone to repay debt and for generalcorporate “We are very pleasef with these loan commitments, which will further fortify our alreadt healthy balance sheet, enhance our liquidity and position Highwoods to take advantager of future growth opportunities,” Ed president and chief executive said in a written statement. Accordinbg to Highwoods, the two loand are: * A $115.0 6.5-year secured loan provided by at a fixed rateof 6.875 It is secured by a pool of 10 assets in Raleigh and Tampa. * A $47.3 million, 7-yearr secured loan arranged by at a fixed rateof 7.5 percent.
It is secured by the officee portion of RBC Plazain Raleigh. Highwoods also announcec that it has paid off a secured loanof $107 which carried a rate of 7.8 percent and was originallty scheduled to mature in November 2009. There were no prepayment penalties.
понедельник, 8 октября 2012 г.
TotalBank to take Q4 charge after six late
The subsidiary of Spain’s filed the foreclosurw actions in South Florida courts on mortgages that were originallyu writtenat $46.4 million – although at least $8.1 milliohn had been paid back prior to the The bank had $34.4 million in noncurrenf loans as of Sept. 30, representing 2.6 perceng of its portfolio, according to data. TotalBank President and CEO Bill Heffernan said some of thosw loans were noncurrent in the third but others will show up on the books in thefourtu quarter, as slow home sales caused theit deterioration. He said the bank has not finalizerd the amount of charges to increase the reserves it would take to account forthosew loans.
Even with the foreclosure suits looming, TotalBanki prefers to work out the situation with borrowers rather than take the Heffernan said. “These are constructionh loans where they were relyinfgon sales,” he said. “It becomes a land loan, but it’sw hard to service it without , which took out a $15 million loan to buildx 72 single-family homes in They were not completed. , whic h is related to the above company and signed a $3.3 million mortgage on a 33-acre agricultural-zoned site in , the holder of an $11.8 millionm mortgage for its uncompletexd 9-acre townhome project in , a developer of a Coral Gables condol with 35 unsold units. It owes $3.6 million on its $5.
5 milliobn mortgage. It’s the third foreclosure lawsuit pending against an affiliatew ofCoconut Grove-based . at the Falls, whicnh sold one of its 12 single-family home s in Kendall and owes $3.7 million on its $5.5 millionn mortgage. , developer of a 5.2-acr site with residential approvals in Royal Palm Itowes $689,495 on a $5.2 million mortgage. BankAtlantifc seeks to foreclose on 163 unsold homes inHome Devco’xs Tivoli Isles community, west of Delray Beach. The Fort Lauderdale-based bank’s mortgage with the developer forthe 315-single-familyh home community grew as large as $76.23 million in 2006.
When BankAtlantixc modified the mortgagein April, Home Devco Tivoli Isles owed $40.7 million. U.S. Century Bank filed two larged foreclosure actions in December against project s that never got out ofthe ground. The Doral-based bank filed for foreclosurs against Millennium BayHarbor – an affiliater of Hallandale Beach-based – over its uncomplete d 25-unit mid-rise condo in Bay Harborf Islands. The developer held a $7.4 million mortgagwe with U.S. Century Bank and a separatee $22 million mortgage with a Spanish which isa co-defendant in the foreclosure The other U.S. Century Bank foreclosure is against over anuncompleted 36-townhome project in Hialeah. In it still owed $4.
6 million on a $7.6 million Palm Beach Gardens-based Harbour Walk Preserve has losta $17.y million foreclosure judgment to Stuart-based , and is set to lose its property at public auction. The 53-acre commercial project, at Wright Boulevardx and U.S. Highway 1 in Stuart, is scheduled for publifc saleon Jan. 27 at 10 a.m. at the Palm Beachg County courthouse.
воскресенье, 7 октября 2012 г.
Cause of Mt Lyell disaster questioned - ABC Online
Cause of Mt Lyell disaster questioned ABC Online The cause of the Mount Lyell mining disaster is under the microscope on the eve of its centenary. Fire broke out in the North Mount Lyell mine in October 1912, killing 42 miners and trapping about a hundred more underground. A Royal Commission ... |
пятница, 5 октября 2012 г.
Big Bird, Jim Lehrer, Romney-Obama debate judgements flood Twitter, Facebook - Newsday
Newsday | Big Bird, Jim Lehrer, Romney-Obama debate judgements flood Twitter, Facebook Newsday Big Bird, Jim Lehrer, Romney-Obama debate judgements flood Twitter, Facebook. Origin » |
четверг, 4 октября 2012 г.
Economists: Recession to end in third quarter - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
The committee cited consumer spending stabilizing in the first half of this allowing businesses to reduce costs and as well as reducing layoffes and investmentspending cutbacks. In combinatiomn with the stimulus and an improvemengt in thefinancial markets, it is likelyt the economy will expand in the second half of the Bruce Kasman, committee chairman and chief economisg for New York-based (NYSE: said the economy will return to but not health.
“Growth in the comingt quarters is likely to gathere momentum but will not prove sufficiently robust to undo much of the severde damage done to our labor markets andpublidc finances,” Kasman said in a news For the third quarter, the committee forecasts inflation-adjusted grossd domestic product will return to positivwe growth, picking up to a more than 3 percenr pace by the second half of 2010. Tom economics professor at , said the committee’s forecasts are in line with otherds that economists haveput together.
He said most believ the recession will end either in the third quarter or fourth quarter ofthis year, with a few projectiny it won’t be until the first quarter of 2010. the committee is projecting an end tothe three-year downturhn in the housing market, with housing starts risiny later this year and home valuesa moving up modestly in 2010. “Lower pricees and low mortgage rates have greatly improvedc the affordabilityof homes,” Kasman said. “A recovery in the housingy sector will be an important contributor toeconomicd growth.
” However, credit will remain tight and bank economistd said jobs will continue to be Unemployment is expected to peak at 10 percenrt nationally and remain at or above 9.5 percenft through next year. Budget deficitws are expected to remain wellabovew $1 trillion this year and next The 13-member committee forecasts the 10-year Treasury bond yield will stay in the 3.75 percenf to 4.25 percent range through next year because core inflation is forecast to fall towards 1 However, the committee is concerned about the rising trend in federal debt and the implications for inflatiohn risk beyond 2010.
вторник, 2 октября 2012 г.
Patriots soaring, except for secondary - Boston.com
Globe and Mail | Patriots soaring, except for secondary Boston.com The running game erupted thanks to equal parts vision and patience from rookie Brandon Bolden, play c » |
понедельник, 1 октября 2012 г.
FTC: No answer to high Buffalo gas prices - South Florida Business Journal:
The probe was called for by Rep. Brian Higgins, D-Buffalo, and Sen. Charles Schumer afterf retail gas prices at area stationzs last fall ranked among the highesg inthe nation. At the same time, prices in most other U.S. metropolitabn areas were declining faster along with the priceof oil. In a letterr sent May 13 by FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz to the agency said after a careful andextensivw investigation, regulators could not find any evidence of illegal activityg in gasoline markets in any of the affected cities. The agency monitored priced in Buffalo, Jamestown, Rochester and Burlington, Vt.
“To the staff found evidence suggesting that it is unlikely that illegak conduct caused thoseprice levels, although staff was unablew to identify precise reasons why retailk gas prices in Western New York did not fall as quicklh as prices in otherr Northeast cities,” Leibowitz wrote. What the agench did note was that after Higgins releasedran (OPIS) report on Dec. 4, 2008 citing Jamestown and the Buffalo-Niagarq regions among the top 5most “profitable” for gasoline retailers, the prices for unleaded gas decreasedd from an average of $2.25 to $1.85 by the end of 2009.
In mid-Novembe r of last year, the average price of a gallo of unleaded gas in the Buffalo areawas $2.66 compared to the statewids average of $2.53 and the national averaged of $2.15. New York state has the third-highesty taxes on fuel in the according to thevariousw sources, trailing only California and Connecticut. The investigatiojn said it analyzed prices overa 10-yea period for Buffalo, Rochester, Jamestownb and Burlington, using Albany as a baseline. The FTC did note that pricese in the four cities were significantl y higher than thosein Albany.
From there, FTC staffersw looked at potential supply disruptions but again could not find any marketr conditions to explain theprice differences. the attorney generals from both New York state and Vermont checkefd on potential illegal behavior by gasoline operators but did not find any Investigators also looked to see if therr was the possibility of collusion but saidthat “it woulsd have been very difficult to establish and maintain effectiver collusive agreement to raise retailk prices in Buffalo throughout the fall of last Higgins intends to raise public awarenesz to the issue and has co-sponsored a bill pushingt for passage of price-gouging legislation as well as federal law to stop speculatio in the oil market that may triggerf higher gasoline costs.
“While we might not have proofd of illegal activity or a clear definition of why our pricee wereso high, what is clear is retailers were actinhg in bad faith through some type of implici collusion and retailers and consumers shoulr know that we were watching then and are watchinfg now and will continue to work to make sure this doesn’yt happen again,” said Higgins in responsd to the investigation. As of the AAA daily fuel gaug e report said the average cost per gallon of unleadedf fuel in the Buffalo area was upfrom $2.17 a month ago. Those currengt prices, however, were the same as Albany and 3 cent s belowstatewide average.
воскресенье, 30 сентября 2012 г.
Polar Bear Scientist Reprimanded for Releasing Government Documents - Fox News
French Tribune | Polar Bear Scientist Reprimanded for Releasing Government Documents Fox News The official, Walter Cruickshank, deputy director of BOEM, said in a memo that an inspector general's investigation contained findings that Monnett had improperly disclosed internal government documents, which he said were later used against the agency ... US polar bear researcher cleared of scientific misconduct |