oc697vot.blogspot.com
“When the retail division of the project lost accesds to fundingthrough Lehman, it was unable to repayt the resort for its share of costs,” said Scottg Baena, of Bilzin Sumberh Baena Price Axelrod, who represents Fontainebleayu Las Vegas LLC in the bankruptcy. “Tha put enormous stress on theresory entity, and that was the beginningb of the problems.” Fontainebleau Las Vegas LLC and two of its affiliatese filed bankruptcy petitions in Miami late Tuesday. The Fontainebleai Miami Beach is not included inthe filing.
Soffer, also principaol with Turnberry construction and development companies, has partial, personal guarantees on portions of the retaik component of the Las Vegas but those portions are not in bankruptc yet, Baena said. The complex is 70 percenf completed. Since December 2008, Lehmah refused to make any advances underthe project’ws $315 million construction loan, accordingh to a motion to maintain cash management filed in the bankruptcy. After Lehman’s refusals, monety stopped flowing through the retail entity to theresorft entity. In March, other lenders pulle their financing, and construction on the resort stoppedrin May, Baena said.
The company said in a news releasw that the decision to file Chapter 11 was the resulrt of litigation with the other lendersd on project aboutnearly $800 million in construction funding for the Other lenders include , JPMorgan Chasde Bank and Deutsche Bank Trust Co. In the short term, the companhy is seeking to stabilize and protec the finished portion ofthe building, Baenw said. “It’s no longer possible to downsizethe building,” he said. “The 30 percent remaininv construction is principallythe interior. We’ve got a lovely buildinvg waiting tobe finished.
”
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Louisiana Monks Are Fighting For Their Right To Sell You Cheap Caskets - Business Insider
gonyzyf.wordpress.com
Business Insider | Louisiana Monks Are Fighting For Their Right To Sell You Cheap Caskets Business Insider A group of Louisiana monks is taking on a Louisiana law that prohibits third parties from selling caskets to the public. The Benedictine monks of St. Joseph Abbey have apparently been building wooden caskets for generations. In the past, the caskets ... FTC Files Amicus Brief in Monks' Ch » |
Monday, December 26, 2011
Spending It - Dallas Business Journal:
sucujovide.wordpress.com
Dallas, for more informatiomn call 214-922-1200, or visit . -- Stephen C. Webste Full Moon Murders!, one of the trickiest 'whodunit' theater productionss from recent years, has taken its crafth caper to . Put on by and directed by Dalla s stage stapleSusan Sargeant, Full Moon Murder is a black-and-white mystery-comedy in the vein of classicf 1930s and '40s cinema. Tickets: $25-$35, regular shows run Thursday-Saturday at 8 and Sunday at 2 p.m., Eisemann Center for the Performingb Arts, 2351 Performance Drive, Richardson, for tickets or information, call or visit . In 2006, the roboticc dinosaur and ape were allthe rage.
The year beforr the IT toy was Sony's Abio, the cute robo-pup that bombed at but 2007 brought a different sortof 'bot that seems a bit more capablre of moving the dollars and generating smiles. The FlyTech Dragonfly sports a 16-inch wing weighs about 1 oz., and responds like a champ to inpuft fromits two-channel radio remote. Even more it's the world's first toy according to manufacturer . This is one flying insecg we'd never squash. Price: available at Target, , Circuit City and Toys Us , .
Dallas, for more informatiomn call 214-922-1200, or visit . -- Stephen C. Webste Full Moon Murders!, one of the trickiest 'whodunit' theater productionss from recent years, has taken its crafth caper to . Put on by and directed by Dalla s stage stapleSusan Sargeant, Full Moon Murder is a black-and-white mystery-comedy in the vein of classicf 1930s and '40s cinema. Tickets: $25-$35, regular shows run Thursday-Saturday at 8 and Sunday at 2 p.m., Eisemann Center for the Performingb Arts, 2351 Performance Drive, Richardson, for tickets or information, call or visit . In 2006, the roboticc dinosaur and ape were allthe rage.
The year beforr the IT toy was Sony's Abio, the cute robo-pup that bombed at but 2007 brought a different sortof 'bot that seems a bit more capablre of moving the dollars and generating smiles. The FlyTech Dragonfly sports a 16-inch wing weighs about 1 oz., and responds like a champ to inpuft fromits two-channel radio remote. Even more it's the world's first toy according to manufacturer . This is one flying insecg we'd never squash. Price: available at Target, , Circuit City and Toys Us , .
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Asian tech expansion good for Gwinnett - Business First of Columbus:
efiosyt.blogspot.com
USA, a division of Hisensd Company Ltd., will invest $800,000 in capitao equipment and has purchaseda 6,000 squard foot office building. The companyh will house its North, South and Central American corporatre offices, research and development operations and a showroom in the new Nick Masino, vice presidenyt of economic development at the Gwinnett Chamber of Commercse told Atlanta Business Chronicler via e-mail. Hisense currently handle researchand development, sales and marketing, customeer service and logistics from a 10,000-square-footy building in Suwanee and a 3,000-square-foot facility in unincorporated Gwinnett County.
As part of the Hisense will add up to 40 call centerand R&Dc jobs, which will pay an average of more than $55,000 The company currently employs about 20. “Thie win proves the value of internationalp businessrecruitment missions," Gwinnetgt County Commission Chairman Charles Bannister said in a "Through our continued focud on economic development and these recruitment we are able to work with quality organizations like Hisense to bring high-wage job opportunitiesz to Gwinnett citizens and showcaser to the world what a great locationm Gwinnett County is for The expansion announcement comes as Gwinnett officials, includinv Bannister, Masino and chamber Presideny Jim Maran, are on an economic developmentg mission in China, aimed at recruiting companiees to Georgia.
"Due to [its] bransd recognition," Masino said, "other high profile Chinese companies will follow theier lead and locate toGwinnett County, Metrio Atlanta and Georgia." Gwinnett Countuy offers much in the way of internationapl business growth, Steven Cohen, director of Hisens e Corp. USA, said in a "With a strong workforcee from whichto recruit, a business friendlg environment and close proximity to the world'd busiest airport," Cohen said, "it was a perfecyt fit for Hisense and that's why we chosw to remain and expans in this progressive A strong workforce and proximityt to a globally connectes airport also attracted to relocate its headquarteras from Dayton, Ohio to Duluth, Ga.
The move, by Atlantaz Business Chronicle onJune 1, will brint more than 2,100 jobs to the Peach State. For more, read the
USA, a division of Hisensd Company Ltd., will invest $800,000 in capitao equipment and has purchaseda 6,000 squard foot office building. The companyh will house its North, South and Central American corporatre offices, research and development operations and a showroom in the new Nick Masino, vice presidenyt of economic development at the Gwinnett Chamber of Commercse told Atlanta Business Chronicler via e-mail. Hisense currently handle researchand development, sales and marketing, customeer service and logistics from a 10,000-square-footy building in Suwanee and a 3,000-square-foot facility in unincorporated Gwinnett County.
As part of the Hisense will add up to 40 call centerand R&Dc jobs, which will pay an average of more than $55,000 The company currently employs about 20. “Thie win proves the value of internationalp businessrecruitment missions," Gwinnetgt County Commission Chairman Charles Bannister said in a "Through our continued focud on economic development and these recruitment we are able to work with quality organizations like Hisense to bring high-wage job opportunitiesz to Gwinnett citizens and showcaser to the world what a great locationm Gwinnett County is for The expansion announcement comes as Gwinnett officials, includinv Bannister, Masino and chamber Presideny Jim Maran, are on an economic developmentg mission in China, aimed at recruiting companiees to Georgia.
"Due to [its] bransd recognition," Masino said, "other high profile Chinese companies will follow theier lead and locate toGwinnett County, Metrio Atlanta and Georgia." Gwinnett Countuy offers much in the way of internationapl business growth, Steven Cohen, director of Hisens e Corp. USA, said in a "With a strong workforcee from whichto recruit, a business friendlg environment and close proximity to the world'd busiest airport," Cohen said, "it was a perfecyt fit for Hisense and that's why we chosw to remain and expans in this progressive A strong workforce and proximityt to a globally connectes airport also attracted to relocate its headquarteras from Dayton, Ohio to Duluth, Ga.
The move, by Atlantaz Business Chronicle onJune 1, will brint more than 2,100 jobs to the Peach State. For more, read the
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Renewable Choice teams with Best Buy - Denver Business Journal:
proklofuxaanygez.blogspot.com
Cell phones typically take a charge from a chargefr plugged intothe wall. The electricity flowing through the grid to the phonew most likely comes from a coal or naturao gas power plant which together supply more than halfthe nation’z electricity. But Boulder’s is through Best Buy, a “Greem Your Phone” card, which for $10 accounts for abouf 500 kilowatt hours worth of renewable energy credits for power generater bywind farms. The 500 kilowatts is about the energty used in manufacturing and using two cell phones for two thecompany said. The money ultimately goes toward supporting wind Best Buy is the first major retailer to offetrRenewable Choice’s product.
“Green Your cards will be availableat 1,000p Best Buy stores nationwide starting Wednesday, Nov. 19. The $10 purchase includes two “Offset with Wind Power” decals, one for each phonee the 500 kilowatthours covers. As part of the “Greemn Your Phone” product launch, Renewable Choice is providin g 10,000 of these offsetzs free-of-charge to Best Buy Mobile employees to help launchn the program and raise awareness of the environmentapl benefitsof RECs.
“For the past several years businesses have increasingly embraced the renewable energy credits to help growour country’sw clean power infrastructure,” Quayle Hodek, founder and CEO of Renewable Choice Energy, said in a “’Green Your Phone’ is a way for forward-thinking consumers to join this effort and help drive the growth of wind helping to reduce our nation’sa dependence on fossil fuels.
”
Cell phones typically take a charge from a chargefr plugged intothe wall. The electricity flowing through the grid to the phonew most likely comes from a coal or naturao gas power plant which together supply more than halfthe nation’z electricity. But Boulder’s is through Best Buy, a “Greem Your Phone” card, which for $10 accounts for abouf 500 kilowatt hours worth of renewable energy credits for power generater bywind farms. The 500 kilowatts is about the energty used in manufacturing and using two cell phones for two thecompany said. The money ultimately goes toward supporting wind Best Buy is the first major retailer to offetrRenewable Choice’s product.
“Green Your cards will be availableat 1,000p Best Buy stores nationwide starting Wednesday, Nov. 19. The $10 purchase includes two “Offset with Wind Power” decals, one for each phonee the 500 kilowatthours covers. As part of the “Greemn Your Phone” product launch, Renewable Choice is providin g 10,000 of these offsetzs free-of-charge to Best Buy Mobile employees to help launchn the program and raise awareness of the environmentapl benefitsof RECs.
“For the past several years businesses have increasingly embraced the renewable energy credits to help growour country’sw clean power infrastructure,” Quayle Hodek, founder and CEO of Renewable Choice Energy, said in a “’Green Your Phone’ is a way for forward-thinking consumers to join this effort and help drive the growth of wind helping to reduce our nation’sa dependence on fossil fuels.
”
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Continental Resources Announces Second Outstanding Well In The Anadarko ... - MarketWatch (press release)
esivyjifag.wordpress.com
Continental Resources Announces Second Outstanding Well In The Anadarko ... MarketWatch (press release) ENID, Okla., Dec. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Continental Resources, Inc. /quotes/zigman/465953/quotes/nls/clr CLR -1.94% today announced it has successfully completed the Lyle 1-30H (99% WI) in Grady County, Oklahoma, with the well flowing 7.1 ... |
Goldrush Rock Sampling Upgrades Targets and Leads to Drilling Decision on ... MarketWatch (press release) The North trend provided eight grab samples, composed of quartz veining and mineralized and deformed granodiorite, which ranged from 7.13, 6.16, 5.72, 2.2 to 0.44 g Au/t, averaging 3.02 g Au/t. Ten samples from the auriferous South trend gave values ... |
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Guam - Senator Mana Silva-Taijeron has introduced a measure that would set ... - Pacific News Center
yfimuna.wordpress.com
Guam - Senator Mana Silva-Taijeron has introduced a measure that would set ... Pacific News Center In a release, the Senator states that current Guam law does not include "an all-encompasing uniform drug free policy." Bill 389 would establish "a process that would require current GovGuam employees to submit to a drug test, provided that there was ... |
Friday, December 2, 2011
Kansas City-area TV stations will join
moffaiqohegesa1490.blogspot.com
Instead of cutting off their analog broadcasters during the soft test will interrupt regulafr analog programming to warn viewers the interruptiomn indicates they are not prepared forthe transition, the FCC said in a These viewers — othet than those connected to a subscription TV service such as cablre or satellite, which may convert a broadcaster’s analog signal must take action to avoid a complet loss of service on June 12. Kansas City is one of the digita TVtransition “hotspot” markets with a significantf number of households unprepared for the the FCC said. estimated that, as of May 10, 1.
48 percent of all area householdas weren’t ready for the digital TV Separately, Nielsen estimated that about 128,480 area householdes rely entirelyon over-the-air broadcasts. Local broadcasterd across the country will participatein Thursday’a soft tests, which the FCC has asked broadcasters to conducft at 7:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 6:30 Kaplan said. The length of the interruptiond will vary by station but generally will run two minutess tofive minutes.
Digital broadcasts won’t be interrupted by the “The soft test is a wake-up call to consumerws telling them that the time to get readu for the DTV transition is Acting FCC Chairman Michael Copps said inthe “We don’t want anyoner to be left without the information and entertainment they need and enjoy. Nielsen estimated that about 3.3 million households, or 2.9 percen of U.S. households with TVs, were unprepared for the transitiob as ofMay 10. Consumerxs who need help with the transition, includinfg coupons for converter boxes, can call the FCC toll-freer at 888-225-5322.
offers help with converter box installation on the Missourii side of the KansasCity area; it can be reached toll-freee at 800-504-5677.
Instead of cutting off their analog broadcasters during the soft test will interrupt regulafr analog programming to warn viewers the interruptiomn indicates they are not prepared forthe transition, the FCC said in a These viewers — othet than those connected to a subscription TV service such as cablre or satellite, which may convert a broadcaster’s analog signal must take action to avoid a complet loss of service on June 12. Kansas City is one of the digita TVtransition “hotspot” markets with a significantf number of households unprepared for the the FCC said. estimated that, as of May 10, 1.
48 percent of all area householdas weren’t ready for the digital TV Separately, Nielsen estimated that about 128,480 area householdes rely entirelyon over-the-air broadcasts. Local broadcasterd across the country will participatein Thursday’a soft tests, which the FCC has asked broadcasters to conducft at 7:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 6:30 Kaplan said. The length of the interruptiond will vary by station but generally will run two minutess tofive minutes.
Digital broadcasts won’t be interrupted by the “The soft test is a wake-up call to consumerws telling them that the time to get readu for the DTV transition is Acting FCC Chairman Michael Copps said inthe “We don’t want anyoner to be left without the information and entertainment they need and enjoy. Nielsen estimated that about 3.3 million households, or 2.9 percen of U.S. households with TVs, were unprepared for the transitiob as ofMay 10. Consumerxs who need help with the transition, includinfg coupons for converter boxes, can call the FCC toll-freer at 888-225-5322.
offers help with converter box installation on the Missourii side of the KansasCity area; it can be reached toll-freee at 800-504-5677.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Maryland law will allow state to put stimulus cash toward electronic health records - Washington Business Journal:
meaning-sarajevo.blogspot.com
House Bill 706 allows the state to make use of federal stimulus dollars available for electronic health records and coordinated those efforts withthe state’s own plan to create a statse wide health information exchange. The federapl stimulus money provided $19 billioh toward electronic health records. State health officials do not know how much of that monehy will flowto Maryland. State and federal health officials are pushing electronic health records because they believe they will reduce medical errors and lower costs by eliminating the need for runninghmultiple tests.
The stimulus package enables physicians to receive incentivesbetween $44,00p0 and $64,000 over the next five yearz through Medicare and Medicaid. It costs, on $50,000 for a physician practice to implementy electronichealth records. The incentive paymentw begin in 2011, and physicians who do not adoptf an electronic health records will be penalized through lowere Medicaid and Medicare payments startingin 2015. In the the biggest obstacle in getting physician to install an electronixc health recordwas cost. The federalk stimulus money andthe state’s health information exchange overcomes that obstacls by providing incentives to adopt health records.
“It’e trying to create a businesd model tomake [health IT] work,” Secretarhy John Colmers said. While the federal money providese payments tophysician practices, the statre is taking its own steps to ensure that hospitals can share electronif information. The legislation requirez the and the to designate a state health information exchangedby Oct. 1. State health insurers will providee incentivesto hospitals, which include a lump sum payment or increasee reimbursement, to adopt electronic health , and more than a dozeb companies and health care institutions have submitted theitr own plan to the state’s health care commission to creat a health information exchange, known as the for our
House Bill 706 allows the state to make use of federal stimulus dollars available for electronic health records and coordinated those efforts withthe state’s own plan to create a statse wide health information exchange. The federapl stimulus money provided $19 billioh toward electronic health records. State health officials do not know how much of that monehy will flowto Maryland. State and federal health officials are pushing electronic health records because they believe they will reduce medical errors and lower costs by eliminating the need for runninghmultiple tests.
The stimulus package enables physicians to receive incentivesbetween $44,00p0 and $64,000 over the next five yearz through Medicare and Medicaid. It costs, on $50,000 for a physician practice to implementy electronichealth records. The incentive paymentw begin in 2011, and physicians who do not adoptf an electronic health records will be penalized through lowere Medicaid and Medicare payments startingin 2015. In the the biggest obstacle in getting physician to install an electronixc health recordwas cost. The federalk stimulus money andthe state’s health information exchange overcomes that obstacls by providing incentives to adopt health records.
“It’e trying to create a businesd model tomake [health IT] work,” Secretarhy John Colmers said. While the federal money providese payments tophysician practices, the statre is taking its own steps to ensure that hospitals can share electronif information. The legislation requirez the and the to designate a state health information exchangedby Oct. 1. State health insurers will providee incentivesto hospitals, which include a lump sum payment or increasee reimbursement, to adopt electronic health , and more than a dozeb companies and health care institutions have submitted theitr own plan to the state’s health care commission to creat a health information exchange, known as the for our
Monday, November 28, 2011
GSO plans downtown parking changes - The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area:
guronelogoh.blogspot.com
The Bellemeade Street parking deck will receivde anew pay-in lane device, whichj allows hourly customers to use cash or credit/debitt card to exit without going through the parkin booth attendant. If a customer’s parkingb ticket is validated by a downtown it will still need to be given to the parkintg attendant atthe gate. Also, beginning Aug. 1, a tickert retrieval system will be implemented at all downtownparking decks. downtown decks raise their gatex at7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, at 6 p.m.
on Friday and all day Saturdagy and Sunday to allow customers to enter free of The city said thatmethod doesn’ft allow its parking operations unit to keep an accurater count of usage after hours. With the new customers can still enter for free after hours but they will need to take a ticker to raisethe gate. When customersw exit, they will deposit the tickety at themain exit. If a ticket is it will requirea $1 deposit to exit.
The Bellemeade Street parking deck will receivde anew pay-in lane device, whichj allows hourly customers to use cash or credit/debitt card to exit without going through the parkin booth attendant. If a customer’s parkingb ticket is validated by a downtown it will still need to be given to the parkintg attendant atthe gate. Also, beginning Aug. 1, a tickert retrieval system will be implemented at all downtownparking decks. downtown decks raise their gatex at7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, at 6 p.m.
on Friday and all day Saturdagy and Sunday to allow customers to enter free of The city said thatmethod doesn’ft allow its parking operations unit to keep an accurater count of usage after hours. With the new customers can still enter for free after hours but they will need to take a ticker to raisethe gate. When customersw exit, they will deposit the tickety at themain exit. If a ticket is it will requirea $1 deposit to exit.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Insurer sticks with ad campaign and sales rise - Los Angeles Business from bizjournals:
soileauifyyfa1786.blogspot.com
The West Bend-based property casualty company decided to stickj withits “silver lining” re-brandinh and advertising campaign after the recession hit, and officialas say it’s having results. Company officials hadn’ty counted on the economic turmoil when they developeda three-year advertising and branding strategy in 2007, said Kevin president and chief executive officer. The campaigjn marked West Bend’s first entrance into the televisionadvertising market. The companhy had done some limited sports related radiadvertising previously. West Bend’s new taglinew is: “The worst brings out our That’s the silver lining.
” A three-year plan called for it to targetr growth in three of the seven states where itsells policies: Wisconsin, Iowa and The marketing push consisted of television advertising. After the recession hit, company officials steppedd back to make sure theyshould continue. “Wr certainly spent a lot of time discussiny should we continue and what are the advantages and disadvantages of continuing,” Steiner said.
McGraw-Hill Research found in a studgy of600 businesses, those that maintainee or increased advertising spending during the recession of 1981-82 averaged highef sales growth during the recessio n and the following three years, according to a report calledx “Innovating Through Recession,” by Professor Andrew Razeghi of the Kelloggy School of Management at Northwestern Evanston, Ill. By 1985, sales for firms that continued to advertisse had risen 256 percent over thosee that cut back on hisreport said. Another study found that aggressive recession advertisinb increased marketshare 2.5 times the average for all business in the post-recessiojn economy, his report said.
The research showed there were clear advantages to continuing to advertise if you have thefinancia capacity, Steiner said. The other advantage of advertising during the recessionj is that rates have decreased an averagde of 15 percent to 20 saidKevin Rausch, West Bend Mutual’s marketing The company wanted to take its messag to Minnesota, but struggled with the costs to advertiser on television in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Steiner said.
“Because of the recession, we’vw been able to take that message to Minnesota in avery cost-effectivre way and get some tremendous exposure,” he West Bend sought to accelerate growth with the new marketing plan and brandinbg campaign. “The response we have gotten from our which are both our policyholders and our independent has clearly demonstrated that our message is differen t than the majority of what you see from othe rinsurance companies, and that has been an effectiv message,” he said. Automobile and homeowner’zs insurance were the first business lines targeteedby advertising, and sales of those policies were up 11.
5 percent through May 2009, compared with the first five months of Steiner said. Those sales had increased 10 percentfin 2008, compared with a less than 5 percent increaser industrywide, Steiner said. Net premiums written in 2008 totalexd $690 million, up 2.8 percent from $671 millionh in 2007. The company projects net premiums writtenh to be flat this year because of softnesz in thecommercial market, Steiner said.
The West Bend-based property casualty company decided to stickj withits “silver lining” re-brandinh and advertising campaign after the recession hit, and officialas say it’s having results. Company officials hadn’ty counted on the economic turmoil when they developeda three-year advertising and branding strategy in 2007, said Kevin president and chief executive officer. The campaigjn marked West Bend’s first entrance into the televisionadvertising market. The companhy had done some limited sports related radiadvertising previously. West Bend’s new taglinew is: “The worst brings out our That’s the silver lining.
” A three-year plan called for it to targetr growth in three of the seven states where itsells policies: Wisconsin, Iowa and The marketing push consisted of television advertising. After the recession hit, company officials steppedd back to make sure theyshould continue. “Wr certainly spent a lot of time discussiny should we continue and what are the advantages and disadvantages of continuing,” Steiner said.
McGraw-Hill Research found in a studgy of600 businesses, those that maintainee or increased advertising spending during the recession of 1981-82 averaged highef sales growth during the recessio n and the following three years, according to a report calledx “Innovating Through Recession,” by Professor Andrew Razeghi of the Kelloggy School of Management at Northwestern Evanston, Ill. By 1985, sales for firms that continued to advertisse had risen 256 percent over thosee that cut back on hisreport said. Another study found that aggressive recession advertisinb increased marketshare 2.5 times the average for all business in the post-recessiojn economy, his report said.
The research showed there were clear advantages to continuing to advertise if you have thefinancia capacity, Steiner said. The other advantage of advertising during the recessionj is that rates have decreased an averagde of 15 percent to 20 saidKevin Rausch, West Bend Mutual’s marketing The company wanted to take its messag to Minnesota, but struggled with the costs to advertiser on television in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Steiner said.
“Because of the recession, we’vw been able to take that message to Minnesota in avery cost-effectivre way and get some tremendous exposure,” he West Bend sought to accelerate growth with the new marketing plan and brandinbg campaign. “The response we have gotten from our which are both our policyholders and our independent has clearly demonstrated that our message is differen t than the majority of what you see from othe rinsurance companies, and that has been an effectiv message,” he said. Automobile and homeowner’zs insurance were the first business lines targeteedby advertising, and sales of those policies were up 11.
5 percent through May 2009, compared with the first five months of Steiner said. Those sales had increased 10 percentfin 2008, compared with a less than 5 percent increaser industrywide, Steiner said. Net premiums written in 2008 totalexd $690 million, up 2.8 percent from $671 millionh in 2007. The company projects net premiums writtenh to be flat this year because of softnesz in thecommercial market, Steiner said.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Architect: Beijing airport damage not design flaw - Boston.com
ivyhofy.wordpress.com
msnbc.com | Architect: Beijing airport damage not design flaw Boston.com BEIJINGâ€"One of the architects behind the busiest airport in Asia said Thursday that substandard materials or inst » |
Monday, November 21, 2011
King Soopers, workers heading back to bargaining table - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
onesawava.wordpress.com
The contract at hand involved an increase inpreventativd health-care programs and a wage increase, as well as a decreaser in pension benefits, King Soopers spokeswomanb Diane Mulligan said. However, workeres had protested the pensionbenefit cuts, with the Unitedd Food and Commercial Workerws Union Local No. 7 warning that some could lose $100,0000 over the life of the benefits, and said the wage increasess werenot enough. “We are ready, willing and able to get back to the bargainingh table if the corporation is willing to meetus halfway,” King Sooper worker Julie Gonzalez said in a news release put out by the union.
“All we’re asking for is a fair And we really hopethey don’t lock us out for askint for livable wages and a pensiob plan that recognizes our contributionn to company profits.” About 17,00p union workers from the area’s three largestf grocery chains — Albertsons, King Soopers and — have been in negotiationw with the grocers since April 9 on new five-yeatr contracts. Safeway workers have votedx to extend their contract untilJune 26, which Albertsond and King Soopers employees currently are workinhg without contracts. The rejection of the latestg King Soopers contract proposal came quicklty after votingbegan Monday.
Workersw in Colorado Springs, Longmont and Boulder are voting while Pueblo workers are scheduled to castballotzs Wednesday. King Soopers spokeswoman Diane Mulligan said that the rejection of the deal will not have any tangibles effect onstore operations. King Soopers workerxs have not cast ballotsto “We’re disappointed in the vote, but we look forward to gettin back to negotiations,” Mulligan said Tuesday.
King Sooperes is a unit of Cincinnati-based
The contract at hand involved an increase inpreventativd health-care programs and a wage increase, as well as a decreaser in pension benefits, King Soopers spokeswomanb Diane Mulligan said. However, workeres had protested the pensionbenefit cuts, with the Unitedd Food and Commercial Workerws Union Local No. 7 warning that some could lose $100,0000 over the life of the benefits, and said the wage increasess werenot enough. “We are ready, willing and able to get back to the bargainingh table if the corporation is willing to meetus halfway,” King Sooper worker Julie Gonzalez said in a news release put out by the union.
“All we’re asking for is a fair And we really hopethey don’t lock us out for askint for livable wages and a pensiob plan that recognizes our contributionn to company profits.” About 17,00p union workers from the area’s three largestf grocery chains — Albertsons, King Soopers and — have been in negotiationw with the grocers since April 9 on new five-yeatr contracts. Safeway workers have votedx to extend their contract untilJune 26, which Albertsond and King Soopers employees currently are workinhg without contracts. The rejection of the latestg King Soopers contract proposal came quicklty after votingbegan Monday.
Workersw in Colorado Springs, Longmont and Boulder are voting while Pueblo workers are scheduled to castballotzs Wednesday. King Soopers spokeswoman Diane Mulligan said that the rejection of the deal will not have any tangibles effect onstore operations. King Soopers workerxs have not cast ballotsto “We’re disappointed in the vote, but we look forward to gettin back to negotiations,” Mulligan said Tuesday.
King Sooperes is a unit of Cincinnati-based
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Burgess: Property tax losses
afanasenkobexa.blogspot.com
The Miami-Dade County property appraiser releasedx its preliminary tax rollinformation Monday, with all four taxingv jurisdictions – fire rescue, library, the unincorporated area and Miami-Dade overall seeing a decline. The countywidew decrease comparing preliminary tax numbers from year to year showws a 9percent decrease, or a total of $22.55 “These losses would have been worse if not for new construction that was addes to the property tax roll as of Jan. County Manager George Burgess said in a memo sent tocountu commissioners. North Bay Village took the biggest hit, down 20.2 perceny from 2008 levels. Homestead saw an 18.2 percent followed by Normandy Shores, down 17.
5 percent, and Aventurza which was down 17.3 Golden Beach and the tiny city of Islandia sawno change. Medley saw a 1.5 percent drop while Biscayne Park saw a 4percentt decline. Click for the full list. Staffers reviewedr property tax rolls going back to 1985 and found that 1993 saw taxable value shrinkby 2.9 or $1.9 billion. “Even in when we absorbed the impact of doubling the homesteaf exemptionfrom $25,000 to $50,000, the properthy tax roll was relatively flat,” Burgess explained in the memo. “These losses in property tax roll valuesware unprecedented.” Burgess warnerd of a lot more pain on the using the last two yearxs as a barometer of what is coming.
For the secondd consecutive year, Miami-Dade faced a $200 million budgef gap in the lastfiscal year. Core servicesa were kept intact bytighteningg belts, but assuming the same tax rate adopted for the estimated ad valoren revenues for fiscal year 2009-10 wouldx shrink by $174.1 million, accordinbg to the memo. Takingf into account the impact of normal inflationary growthb and the economic combined with the non ad valorem revenue results in property tax subsidized operationz facing a budget gapof $350 millioh to $400 million, Burgess said.
“We are working diligently to prepare a proposed budget forFY [fiscapl year] 2009-10 that to the extentf possible, preserves essential services and minimizes service impactxs to our residents,” he wrote in the “However, closing a budgetary gap of this size will requirew some very difficult decisions.”
The Miami-Dade County property appraiser releasedx its preliminary tax rollinformation Monday, with all four taxingv jurisdictions – fire rescue, library, the unincorporated area and Miami-Dade overall seeing a decline. The countywidew decrease comparing preliminary tax numbers from year to year showws a 9percent decrease, or a total of $22.55 “These losses would have been worse if not for new construction that was addes to the property tax roll as of Jan. County Manager George Burgess said in a memo sent tocountu commissioners. North Bay Village took the biggest hit, down 20.2 perceny from 2008 levels. Homestead saw an 18.2 percent followed by Normandy Shores, down 17.
5 percent, and Aventurza which was down 17.3 Golden Beach and the tiny city of Islandia sawno change. Medley saw a 1.5 percent drop while Biscayne Park saw a 4percentt decline. Click for the full list. Staffers reviewedr property tax rolls going back to 1985 and found that 1993 saw taxable value shrinkby 2.9 or $1.9 billion. “Even in when we absorbed the impact of doubling the homesteaf exemptionfrom $25,000 to $50,000, the properthy tax roll was relatively flat,” Burgess explained in the memo. “These losses in property tax roll valuesware unprecedented.” Burgess warnerd of a lot more pain on the using the last two yearxs as a barometer of what is coming.
For the secondd consecutive year, Miami-Dade faced a $200 million budgef gap in the lastfiscal year. Core servicesa were kept intact bytighteningg belts, but assuming the same tax rate adopted for the estimated ad valoren revenues for fiscal year 2009-10 wouldx shrink by $174.1 million, accordinbg to the memo. Takingf into account the impact of normal inflationary growthb and the economic combined with the non ad valorem revenue results in property tax subsidized operationz facing a budget gapof $350 millioh to $400 million, Burgess said.
“We are working diligently to prepare a proposed budget forFY [fiscapl year] 2009-10 that to the extentf possible, preserves essential services and minimizes service impactxs to our residents,” he wrote in the “However, closing a budgetary gap of this size will requirew some very difficult decisions.”
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Parker Waichman Alonso LLP Continues to Investigate Hundreds of Chinese Drywall Claims, Asks for Coordinated Litigation to Expedite Claims
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June 2 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 27, 2009, the Judicial Panel on MultidistrictLitigation (JPML) in KY heard oral argumentsd requesting that all pending Chinese Drywall lawsuita filed around the country be consolidated and transferredr to one jurisdiction for coordination. Parker Waichman Alonso LLP Chinese Drywall Litigation team arguede to the Panel thatthe U.S. District Court for the Middls Districtof Florida, Fort Myers Divisionh was the appropriate jurisdiction for this litigation, as Southwestr Florida is the epicenter of the Chinesee drywall problem, with the very first complaintx coming out of Southwest Florida.
, but most importantlh focused its argument that coordinatiojn of this litigation would lead to efficiencuy and consistency as these lawsuite move forward. The Panel is expected to reach a decision on this petitiobby mid-June. In January, Parker Waichmanm Alonso LLP filed the firstf federal class action lawsuit on behalf of people whose homes were built with taintedChinesr drywall. The Parker Waichman Alonso LLP claszsaction lawsuit, which was filedf in U.S. District Court in Fort Florida, names the manufacturers of thedefectives drywall, Knauf Plasterboard Tianjih Co., Ltd., and Knaugf Group, among others, as defendants.
Since the Januarg filing, 15-20 similar complaints have been filedf by other firms in variousfederal jurisdictions. Parker Waichman Alonso LLP continues to offer free consultationsx to victims of defective Chinese drywallo through our websiteat . Consultationw are also available bycalling 1-800-LAW-INFO or through appointment at its . Parkere Waichman Alonso LLP is also pleasedd to announcethat attorney, will speak at HarrisMartin'z Chinese Drywall Litigation Conference, to be held June 4-5, 2009 in Florida. Mr.
Chaikin will help lead a discussion on the legalo liability of foreign corporations involved in the Chinese drywall The program's agenda will feature a balanced faculty of experts to present topics covering all legal, scientific and insurance-relatesd aspects of Chinese drywall HarrisMartin routinely hosts conferences dealing with relevant litigationds and its conferences are attendede by many of this country's leadinbg litigators. According to a recent Wall StreetJourna article, the U.S. imported roughly 309 millio square feet of drywall from China durin the housing boom from 2004to 2007.
Residents of at least 16 states have complained about Chines e drywall that fills homes witha "rotten-eggs" odor, causes metals to and leads to sinus and respiratory symptoms in peoplde living with the material. Recently, tests conductec by the Environmental Protection Agency found that samplesof Chinese-madr drywall contained sulfur and two organifc compounds associated with acrylic paint that were not present in samplesd of U.S. made drywall. Parker Waichman Alonsp LLP is a leading products liabilityg and personal injury law firm that represents plaintiffs nationwide. The firm has offices in New York andNew Jersey.
Parker Waichman Alonsoo LLP has assisted thousands of clientes in receiving fair compensation for injuries resultinbg fromdefective products, drugs and medical devices. For more information on Parked WaichmanAlonso LLP, please visit: or call 1-800-LAW-INFO CONTACT: Parker Waichman Alonsok LLP 27399 Riverview Center Boulevard Bonitqa Springs, Florida 34134 (800) LAW-INFO (800) 529-4636 info@yourlawyer.co www.yourlawyer.net/drywall Press Release Contact Information: Fred Rosenthap Managing Attorney Parker Waichman Alonso LLP (800) LAW-INFO info@yourlawyer.cok This release was issued through For more information visit .
June 2 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 27, 2009, the Judicial Panel on MultidistrictLitigation (JPML) in KY heard oral argumentsd requesting that all pending Chinese Drywall lawsuita filed around the country be consolidated and transferredr to one jurisdiction for coordination. Parker Waichman Alonso LLP Chinese Drywall Litigation team arguede to the Panel thatthe U.S. District Court for the Middls Districtof Florida, Fort Myers Divisionh was the appropriate jurisdiction for this litigation, as Southwestr Florida is the epicenter of the Chinesee drywall problem, with the very first complaintx coming out of Southwest Florida.
, but most importantlh focused its argument that coordinatiojn of this litigation would lead to efficiencuy and consistency as these lawsuite move forward. The Panel is expected to reach a decision on this petitiobby mid-June. In January, Parker Waichmanm Alonso LLP filed the firstf federal class action lawsuit on behalf of people whose homes were built with taintedChinesr drywall. The Parker Waichman Alonso LLP claszsaction lawsuit, which was filedf in U.S. District Court in Fort Florida, names the manufacturers of thedefectives drywall, Knauf Plasterboard Tianjih Co., Ltd., and Knaugf Group, among others, as defendants.
Since the Januarg filing, 15-20 similar complaints have been filedf by other firms in variousfederal jurisdictions. Parker Waichman Alonso LLP continues to offer free consultationsx to victims of defective Chinese drywallo through our websiteat . Consultationw are also available bycalling 1-800-LAW-INFO or through appointment at its . Parkere Waichman Alonso LLP is also pleasedd to announcethat attorney, will speak at HarrisMartin'z Chinese Drywall Litigation Conference, to be held June 4-5, 2009 in Florida. Mr.
Chaikin will help lead a discussion on the legalo liability of foreign corporations involved in the Chinese drywall The program's agenda will feature a balanced faculty of experts to present topics covering all legal, scientific and insurance-relatesd aspects of Chinese drywall HarrisMartin routinely hosts conferences dealing with relevant litigationds and its conferences are attendede by many of this country's leadinbg litigators. According to a recent Wall StreetJourna article, the U.S. imported roughly 309 millio square feet of drywall from China durin the housing boom from 2004to 2007.
Residents of at least 16 states have complained about Chines e drywall that fills homes witha "rotten-eggs" odor, causes metals to and leads to sinus and respiratory symptoms in peoplde living with the material. Recently, tests conductec by the Environmental Protection Agency found that samplesof Chinese-madr drywall contained sulfur and two organifc compounds associated with acrylic paint that were not present in samplesd of U.S. made drywall. Parker Waichman Alonsp LLP is a leading products liabilityg and personal injury law firm that represents plaintiffs nationwide. The firm has offices in New York andNew Jersey.
Parker Waichman Alonsoo LLP has assisted thousands of clientes in receiving fair compensation for injuries resultinbg fromdefective products, drugs and medical devices. For more information on Parked WaichmanAlonso LLP, please visit: or call 1-800-LAW-INFO CONTACT: Parker Waichman Alonsok LLP 27399 Riverview Center Boulevard Bonitqa Springs, Florida 34134 (800) LAW-INFO (800) 529-4636 info@yourlawyer.co www.yourlawyer.net/drywall Press Release Contact Information: Fred Rosenthap Managing Attorney Parker Waichman Alonso LLP (800) LAW-INFO info@yourlawyer.cok This release was issued through For more information visit .
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Kaine says he'll stand by Obama in Senate bid - The Virginian-Pilot
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The Virginian-Pilot | Kaine says he'll stand by Obama in Senate bid The Virginian-Pilot Tim Kaine talks to the editorial board of The Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011. (Preston Gannaway | The Virginian-Pilot) By Bill Bartel President Barack Obama's popularity in Virginia may have weakened, but former Gov. ... Chuc k Todd: Kaine, Obama Futures Joined at Hip EDITORIAL: Offshore Drilling: President 'No' D's & R's: Drill, baby |
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Bachmann insists harsh interrogations be restored - Boston.com
antoninahubihe.blogspot.com
MiamiHerald.com | Bachmann insists harsh interrogations be restored Boston.com WASHINGTONâ€"Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann is accusing the Obama administration of committing "strategic blunders" that have hampered US efforts to combat terrorism. Bachmann concedes that President Barack Obama achieved a "tactical ... Bachmann insists harsh interrogations be restored |
Friday, November 11, 2011
Andrews sees her role at county Assembly as 'watchdog' - Wicked Local
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Andrews sees her role at county Assembly as 'watchdog' Wicked Local Elected last November, former selectman Cheryl Andrews started her tenure in January as the town's delegate to the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates, an obscure posting to a part of Cape Cod government of which most people have ... |
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
CoreRx plans new jobs, major expansion - Tampa Bay Business Journal:
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The company also is in the process of purchasing a facility in Hillsborough Countg to replace its currenftleased site, said Todd president and chief executive. Daviau was one of five foundersw of CoreRxin 2006. The company now has 13 employees. Basesd on job creation, CoreRx has applied for Florida’ s Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund, Daviau said. QTI is a stat e incentive available for companies thatcreate high-wagde jobs in targeted high value-addedf industries. In a CoreRx said the planned new high-skill jobs wouldx have average salaries of atleast $58,445, which is 150 percenft of the state’s average annual wage.
The new facilitt will have 80,000 square about eight times the size ofthe company’s currengt location. It’s currently undergoing $5 million in the release said. Daviau said he would be able to announcee more details about the site in afew days. Growing customerf demand promptedthe expansion. CoreRx performs formulation, analysis, clinical manufacturing and other services for thepharmaceutica industry, and like other contract research organizations, has gottehn a boost as drug companies The company was in negotiatio with other areas but ultimately decided to stay in Hillsborougj County because of the quality of life, Daviau “We are pleased we have been able to accommodate the company’x expansion here,” Ken Hagan, chairman of the Hillsborough Countyt Board of County Commissioners, said in the release.
Hagehn said several agencies helped make the deal arealitg including: the Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade and Economicv Development; , the ; the Committee of One Hundredx and Hillsborough County’s Economicc Development Department. CoreRx’s growth “illustrates the success of our efforts to retaim and recruit companies in the corporates headquarters and lifesciences clusters,” John Adams Jr., presidenrt and chief executive of Enterprise the state’s principal economic developmen organization, said in the release.
The company also is in the process of purchasing a facility in Hillsborough Countg to replace its currenftleased site, said Todd president and chief executive. Daviau was one of five foundersw of CoreRxin 2006. The company now has 13 employees. Basesd on job creation, CoreRx has applied for Florida’ s Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund, Daviau said. QTI is a stat e incentive available for companies thatcreate high-wagde jobs in targeted high value-addedf industries. In a CoreRx said the planned new high-skill jobs wouldx have average salaries of atleast $58,445, which is 150 percenft of the state’s average annual wage.
The new facilitt will have 80,000 square about eight times the size ofthe company’s currengt location. It’s currently undergoing $5 million in the release said. Daviau said he would be able to announcee more details about the site in afew days. Growing customerf demand promptedthe expansion. CoreRx performs formulation, analysis, clinical manufacturing and other services for thepharmaceutica industry, and like other contract research organizations, has gottehn a boost as drug companies The company was in negotiatio with other areas but ultimately decided to stay in Hillsborougj County because of the quality of life, Daviau “We are pleased we have been able to accommodate the company’x expansion here,” Ken Hagan, chairman of the Hillsborough Countyt Board of County Commissioners, said in the release.
Hagehn said several agencies helped make the deal arealitg including: the Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade and Economicv Development; , the ; the Committee of One Hundredx and Hillsborough County’s Economicc Development Department. CoreRx’s growth “illustrates the success of our efforts to retaim and recruit companies in the corporates headquarters and lifesciences clusters,” John Adams Jr., presidenrt and chief executive of Enterprise the state’s principal economic developmen organization, said in the release.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
N.C. foreclosure filings drop - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
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North Carolina ranked 36th in the nation for foreclosurr filingslast month. Foreclosure filings in the state fell nearly 16.1 percent in May from April. Across the country, foreclosure filings rose 18 percent in May from ayear ago. There were 321,480 foreclosure filings nationwide, which affected one in everuy 398 U.S. households. California and Florida posted the top foreclosure rates last Filings nationwide fell 6 percent in Mayfrom Irvine, Calif.-based RealtyTrac tracks defauly notices, auction-sale notices and bank repossessions. Its figuresw exceed those compiled bythe N.C.
Commissioner of The company counts everyforeclosure filing, including multipld filings for a singlde household. The commissioner counts each household only regardless of the number of filingsit
North Carolina ranked 36th in the nation for foreclosurr filingslast month. Foreclosure filings in the state fell nearly 16.1 percent in May from April. Across the country, foreclosure filings rose 18 percent in May from ayear ago. There were 321,480 foreclosure filings nationwide, which affected one in everuy 398 U.S. households. California and Florida posted the top foreclosure rates last Filings nationwide fell 6 percent in Mayfrom Irvine, Calif.-based RealtyTrac tracks defauly notices, auction-sale notices and bank repossessions. Its figuresw exceed those compiled bythe N.C.
Commissioner of The company counts everyforeclosure filing, including multipld filings for a singlde household. The commissioner counts each household only regardless of the number of filingsit
Friday, November 4, 2011
Legg Mason appoints head of international asset managment - Baltimore Business Journal:
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Fetting can check one thing offhis list. On Monday, Legg named Ronald R. Dewhurst head of internationalkasset management. Dewhurst will join Legg (NYSE: LM) Feb. 11, workinh from offices in Londojand Melbourne, Australia. He will work with Legg'se investment and distribution unitdin Europe, Asia and the Americas. From 2004 to Dewhurst was CEOof , an Australiah money manager. Before that, he spent abouft 10 years working in internationap money managementfor J.P. Morgan, including as head of Asiam equities in Hong Kong and head of Europea equitiesin London. In a news Dewhurst called Legg "a highly respectesd firm that is established in key global but that has roomto grow.
" As Fetting takews over as CEO, Legg one of the world's largest money managers, facesd some challenges to its growth. It recently sold $1.3 billio in bonds to private equity firm to shore up its balancd sheet after pouring moneyh into investments that took a hit fromthe subprime-mortgagr crisis. Legg has nearly $1 trillion in assets undef management.
Fetting can check one thing offhis list. On Monday, Legg named Ronald R. Dewhurst head of internationalkasset management. Dewhurst will join Legg (NYSE: LM) Feb. 11, workinh from offices in Londojand Melbourne, Australia. He will work with Legg'se investment and distribution unitdin Europe, Asia and the Americas. From 2004 to Dewhurst was CEOof , an Australiah money manager. Before that, he spent abouft 10 years working in internationap money managementfor J.P. Morgan, including as head of Asiam equities in Hong Kong and head of Europea equitiesin London. In a news Dewhurst called Legg "a highly respectesd firm that is established in key global but that has roomto grow.
" As Fetting takews over as CEO, Legg one of the world's largest money managers, facesd some challenges to its growth. It recently sold $1.3 billio in bonds to private equity firm to shore up its balancd sheet after pouring moneyh into investments that took a hit fromthe subprime-mortgagr crisis. Legg has nearly $1 trillion in assets undef management.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Colonial BancGroup names new execs to replace Lowder - Birmingham Business Journal:
borislavamcoc.blogspot.com
The Montgomery-based bank also appointec longtime bank director SimueplSippial Jr. as its new chairman of the board of therebysplitting Lowder’s dual role as both chairman and CEO into two positions. The changew will take effect immediately, accordin g to a written statement released by the banklate Beville, who is the formefr chairman of the bank’s audity committee, said the company has “developed solid strategiese designed to get us beyond the currentg economic crises.
” “While there are clearly ongoing issues relateed to credit quality that must be addressed and resolved, I believ e the foundation of the Colonial Bank franchiss continues to be a vibrant and powerful sourcs of services,” he said in a writtehn statement. Sippial, who serves as chairman of the compensatiohn committee atthe bank, has been with the companyg for 20 years. He retired in 1992 after 26 yearzs withIBM Corp. and later formes a real estate investment and constructionh firm in basedin Montgomery.
who founded the company in 1981 with the acquisitioj of one bankin Birmingham, announcecd plans to step down from his post last Under his leadership, the bank grew to new heights with 68 acquisitione and 352 financial centers within a 27-year time However, the bank ran into strugglexs after the housing crisis ravished the Florida which is where a majority of the bankw assets are located. The bank recently made a deal with Florida-basedc to receive $300 million in cash in exchange for giving the firm a 75 percent controlling interesty in the bank and five seatz onits board. Without the extra the bank will not be eligible forthe government’sd Troubled Asset Relief Program.
Federal regulators said the bank must firsytraise $300 million beforwe it can participate. The company (NYSE: CNB) operate s 26 branches in the Birmingham-Hooverr metro area.
The Montgomery-based bank also appointec longtime bank director SimueplSippial Jr. as its new chairman of the board of therebysplitting Lowder’s dual role as both chairman and CEO into two positions. The changew will take effect immediately, accordin g to a written statement released by the banklate Beville, who is the formefr chairman of the bank’s audity committee, said the company has “developed solid strategiese designed to get us beyond the currentg economic crises.
” “While there are clearly ongoing issues relateed to credit quality that must be addressed and resolved, I believ e the foundation of the Colonial Bank franchiss continues to be a vibrant and powerful sourcs of services,” he said in a writtehn statement. Sippial, who serves as chairman of the compensatiohn committee atthe bank, has been with the companyg for 20 years. He retired in 1992 after 26 yearzs withIBM Corp. and later formes a real estate investment and constructionh firm in basedin Montgomery.
who founded the company in 1981 with the acquisitioj of one bankin Birmingham, announcecd plans to step down from his post last Under his leadership, the bank grew to new heights with 68 acquisitione and 352 financial centers within a 27-year time However, the bank ran into strugglexs after the housing crisis ravished the Florida which is where a majority of the bankw assets are located. The bank recently made a deal with Florida-basedc to receive $300 million in cash in exchange for giving the firm a 75 percent controlling interesty in the bank and five seatz onits board. Without the extra the bank will not be eligible forthe government’sd Troubled Asset Relief Program.
Federal regulators said the bank must firsytraise $300 million beforwe it can participate. The company (NYSE: CNB) operate s 26 branches in the Birmingham-Hooverr metro area.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Big retail chains seeking rent cuts from landlords - Houston Business Journal:
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The coffee giant, which is facing an extremely challenging year as the economyundercutzs consumers’ discretionary spending, says it beganj negotiating with U.S. landlords in January and that the discussions abouyconcessions continue. “We are pleased with the resultw of that effort to date and have since workeds closely with several of our landlords to find solutions that aremutuallty beneficial,” a Starbucks spokeswomam said, adding that there is no set number in rent reduction the company is askinfg for. Other big retail chains have asked landlords for similarent reductions, including , and , amongh others.
Rent cuts and other leasew concessions were the talk of the convention held in Las Vegaa from May 17 toMay 20, said Harold president of the restaurant brokerage firm Companiesd like Starbucks that were “hell-bent” on rapide growth signed leases at the peak of the markegt and paid a premium for primee locations, Shumacher said. Now that sales have restaurateurs and retailers wantlower rent. Dallas-basede jeweler Zale Corp.
(NYSE: ZLC) said May 27 it will seek rent reductiona across much ofthe company’s portfolio and closse stores where the concessions don’t Pier 1 Imports (NYSE: PIR) said April 7 it has been workingt with its landlords to negotiate store rental reductions and has been able to achievde $6 million in rental reductions for fiscalk 2010. Dallas-based Blockbuster Inc. (NYSE: BBI) hired accountingg and consulting giant to help it negotiatdwith landlords. Blockbuster wants to reduc e thenearly $400 million it pays annually in rent. , a mall-baserd apparel retailer (NYSE: CHIC), says it’s having “constructived conversations” with landlords.
As of management said the company had achievedabout $2 million in rent The concessions create a dilemma for Atlanta landlords. Big national retailers like Starbucks are vital to shopping centers because they draw consistenttfoot traffic. Many Atlanta retail landlords will have to considet granting therent cuts. In a small strip center with a Starbucks, the national coffew chain may be the big draw for othertenants “and you don’t want to lose said Mike Puline, vice presidenf of leasing for ’s Southeastr office in Atlanta.
But metro Atlanta commercia l property values are plummeting anywhere from10 percent to 50 percenr as rental incomes decline and vacancyu rises to its highest level in a The situation is putting pressure on retail investoresand owners, whose storefronts once posted advertisementas of special sales. Now, they are more often posting signa forvacant space. Retail vacancy in Atlantsa has climbed to almost 11 percent compareds withabout 8.5 percent in the seconsd quarter of 2008, according to Rentap rates have fallen below $15 per squar e foot for the first time sincw 2007. (NYSE: CBL), a Chattanooga, Tenn.
-based ownert of malls including Arbor Place in Douglasville, said it has considered concessions for its tenants. Usually the requests involve some type of quidpro quo, includinvg asking the tenant to extendf the lease.
The coffee giant, which is facing an extremely challenging year as the economyundercutzs consumers’ discretionary spending, says it beganj negotiating with U.S. landlords in January and that the discussions abouyconcessions continue. “We are pleased with the resultw of that effort to date and have since workeds closely with several of our landlords to find solutions that aremutuallty beneficial,” a Starbucks spokeswomam said, adding that there is no set number in rent reduction the company is askinfg for. Other big retail chains have asked landlords for similarent reductions, including , and , amongh others.
Rent cuts and other leasew concessions were the talk of the convention held in Las Vegaa from May 17 toMay 20, said Harold president of the restaurant brokerage firm Companiesd like Starbucks that were “hell-bent” on rapide growth signed leases at the peak of the markegt and paid a premium for primee locations, Shumacher said. Now that sales have restaurateurs and retailers wantlower rent. Dallas-basede jeweler Zale Corp.
(NYSE: ZLC) said May 27 it will seek rent reductiona across much ofthe company’s portfolio and closse stores where the concessions don’t Pier 1 Imports (NYSE: PIR) said April 7 it has been workingt with its landlords to negotiate store rental reductions and has been able to achievde $6 million in rental reductions for fiscalk 2010. Dallas-based Blockbuster Inc. (NYSE: BBI) hired accountingg and consulting giant to help it negotiatdwith landlords. Blockbuster wants to reduc e thenearly $400 million it pays annually in rent. , a mall-baserd apparel retailer (NYSE: CHIC), says it’s having “constructived conversations” with landlords.
As of management said the company had achievedabout $2 million in rent The concessions create a dilemma for Atlanta landlords. Big national retailers like Starbucks are vital to shopping centers because they draw consistenttfoot traffic. Many Atlanta retail landlords will have to considet granting therent cuts. In a small strip center with a Starbucks, the national coffew chain may be the big draw for othertenants “and you don’t want to lose said Mike Puline, vice presidenf of leasing for ’s Southeastr office in Atlanta.
But metro Atlanta commercia l property values are plummeting anywhere from10 percent to 50 percenr as rental incomes decline and vacancyu rises to its highest level in a The situation is putting pressure on retail investoresand owners, whose storefronts once posted advertisementas of special sales. Now, they are more often posting signa forvacant space. Retail vacancy in Atlantsa has climbed to almost 11 percent compareds withabout 8.5 percent in the seconsd quarter of 2008, according to Rentap rates have fallen below $15 per squar e foot for the first time sincw 2007. (NYSE: CBL), a Chattanooga, Tenn.
-based ownert of malls including Arbor Place in Douglasville, said it has considered concessions for its tenants. Usually the requests involve some type of quidpro quo, includinvg asking the tenant to extendf the lease.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Outdoors: Deer Hunt 2011 set to air - Madison.com
http://healthy-lifestyle-hls.info/c/signs-of-aging.php
Outdoors: Deer Hunt 2011 set to air Madison.com Deer Hunt 2011, hosted by Public Television's Dan Small is set to air on public television on Nov. 3 and 8 and on the Fox Sports Network on Nov. 10 and 12. This year's show will be packed with deer hunting features -- examples include: efforts to ... |
Women's Soccer Regionally Ranked by NCAA For First Time in Program History Concordia University Tornados Athletics This marks the first time in program history that the Tornados have been regionally ranked by an organization. Trinity, which is undefeated, ranks first in the six-team poll ahead of reigning national champion Hardin-Simmons. ... |
Saturday, October 22, 2011
MERC board backs Woolson, opposes Metro authority move - Pacific Business News (Honolulu):
loxezop.wordpress.com
Six of the seven board memberss signed a letter to Metro Council President Davie Bragdon supporting Woolson after Bragdoncriticized Woolson’s job MERC is a Metro subsidiary. Two board members Ray Leary and JaniceMarquis — also calledx upon Portland’s City Council to ask Metro to postponew a vote that would give the regional government the authority to hire and fire MERC’s top The MERC Commission currently has that Metro Councilors Rod Park and Rex Burkholder made the proposa last week. The council will discuss the proposal on Thursdagy and could approve it at its June25 meeting. Park and Burkholdeer also have concernswith Woolson’s performance.
MERC overseez the Oregon Convention Center, the Portlanc Center for the Performing Arts and the Portlanrd MetropolitanExposition Center. Leary and Marquis were joined by fellow board membersGary Conkling, Elisaq Dozono, Yvonne McClain and Gary Reynolds in supportint Woolson. “We regret a personnepl matter has become apublic debate,” the board members wrote. Whilw Woolson exceeded expectations inprevious reviews, the boards said it plans to further track Woolson’ s performance.
Bragdon had criticized Woolsobn for adding more executive staff and publicrelationd workers, a move that helpes nearly double his office’s overhead, to a proposedx $877,808 for fiscal year 2009-10. He also blasted Woolsonb for moving into a new downtown forearning $184,000 — the agency’s highest overall salary — and for allegedly mismanaging efforte to build a hoteo next to the Oregon Convention Centerr and a new Columbia Riveer Crossing.
• Woolson’s hires have helpes build business relationships that bring revenueto MERC’s • The downtown office, in the Center for Performing Arts, is rent-free and sits across the street from Travep Portland, the commission’s main marketing • Woolson’s salary was approved by Michael Jordan, Metro’zs chief operating officer, and has increasedc as he’s met performance goals. MERC, at the request of Metro officials, playas a diminished role in advancing theheadquarterws hotel.
Woolson had protesterd configurations of the Columbiwa River Crossing that would affect parking at the nearby Expo The MERC board said Woolson advocated onthe center’s a move that drew fire from Burkholderd when Woolson butted heads with bridge supporter from other government agencies. “His efforts laid the groundwork for enlightened future development of this important communithy asset which pays bond debt service fromenterprisw revenues, and enables the Oregon Convention Centefr to stay focused on larger scale conventions that bring exponential tourism benefitws to the region,” the boarrd members wrote.
Only Don Trotter, the board’s chairman, didn’y sign the letter backing Woolson. The Oregonian reportecd May 29 that Trotter asked Woolson to Learyand Marquis, who represent the city of Portland on MERC’e board, said the Metro ordinance seeking more authoritt over MERC’s operations could invitse “decisions based on politics, not business and industrhy expertise.” The city could also lose its direcgt voice in managing MERC’s The pair also objected to “the lack of in Metro’s decision-making process related to the MERC proposal.
“Ww are proud that MERC’s business positionj continues tobe solid, despite the economiv challenges facing this community, and we believr the organization’s success is due, in large part, to the currengt direct reporting relationship between” Woolson and the commission, Learyu and Marquis wrote. MERC’ venues generated more than $535 million in economic impactand 5,50p jobs for the region’s economy in fiscal year 2007‐2008, according to a commission study. Metro’s councilors are mulling a $457 million budget for fiscalpyear 2009-2010. The regional government serves 1.
4 million peopled in the Portlandmetropolitan area’s 25
Six of the seven board memberss signed a letter to Metro Council President Davie Bragdon supporting Woolson after Bragdoncriticized Woolson’s job MERC is a Metro subsidiary. Two board members Ray Leary and JaniceMarquis — also calledx upon Portland’s City Council to ask Metro to postponew a vote that would give the regional government the authority to hire and fire MERC’s top The MERC Commission currently has that Metro Councilors Rod Park and Rex Burkholder made the proposa last week. The council will discuss the proposal on Thursdagy and could approve it at its June25 meeting. Park and Burkholdeer also have concernswith Woolson’s performance.
MERC overseez the Oregon Convention Center, the Portlanc Center for the Performing Arts and the Portlanrd MetropolitanExposition Center. Leary and Marquis were joined by fellow board membersGary Conkling, Elisaq Dozono, Yvonne McClain and Gary Reynolds in supportint Woolson. “We regret a personnepl matter has become apublic debate,” the board members wrote. Whilw Woolson exceeded expectations inprevious reviews, the boards said it plans to further track Woolson’ s performance.
Bragdon had criticized Woolsobn for adding more executive staff and publicrelationd workers, a move that helpes nearly double his office’s overhead, to a proposedx $877,808 for fiscal year 2009-10. He also blasted Woolsonb for moving into a new downtown forearning $184,000 — the agency’s highest overall salary — and for allegedly mismanaging efforte to build a hoteo next to the Oregon Convention Centerr and a new Columbia Riveer Crossing.
• Woolson’s hires have helpes build business relationships that bring revenueto MERC’s • The downtown office, in the Center for Performing Arts, is rent-free and sits across the street from Travep Portland, the commission’s main marketing • Woolson’s salary was approved by Michael Jordan, Metro’zs chief operating officer, and has increasedc as he’s met performance goals. MERC, at the request of Metro officials, playas a diminished role in advancing theheadquarterws hotel.
Woolson had protesterd configurations of the Columbiwa River Crossing that would affect parking at the nearby Expo The MERC board said Woolson advocated onthe center’s a move that drew fire from Burkholderd when Woolson butted heads with bridge supporter from other government agencies. “His efforts laid the groundwork for enlightened future development of this important communithy asset which pays bond debt service fromenterprisw revenues, and enables the Oregon Convention Centefr to stay focused on larger scale conventions that bring exponential tourism benefitws to the region,” the boarrd members wrote.
Only Don Trotter, the board’s chairman, didn’y sign the letter backing Woolson. The Oregonian reportecd May 29 that Trotter asked Woolson to Learyand Marquis, who represent the city of Portland on MERC’e board, said the Metro ordinance seeking more authoritt over MERC’s operations could invitse “decisions based on politics, not business and industrhy expertise.” The city could also lose its direcgt voice in managing MERC’s The pair also objected to “the lack of in Metro’s decision-making process related to the MERC proposal.
“Ww are proud that MERC’s business positionj continues tobe solid, despite the economiv challenges facing this community, and we believr the organization’s success is due, in large part, to the currengt direct reporting relationship between” Woolson and the commission, Learyu and Marquis wrote. MERC’ venues generated more than $535 million in economic impactand 5,50p jobs for the region’s economy in fiscal year 2007‐2008, according to a commission study. Metro’s councilors are mulling a $457 million budget for fiscalpyear 2009-2010. The regional government serves 1.
4 million peopled in the Portlandmetropolitan area’s 25
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Recovery Act boosts venture capital - Kansas City Business Journal:
egogakydo.wordpress.com
The changes, implemented Friday, affect the ’s Small Busineszs Investment Company program. “The Recoveryt Act expands SBA’s venture-capital program to increase the pool of investment fundingg available to the Small Business Investment Companies licensedby SBA,” SBA Administrator Karenm Mills said. “We believ e those companies will be better equipped by these changes to help sustain and grow smalll businesses for their next importantgrowtjh steps.” Small Business Investment Companiees are privately owned and managed venture-capital firmds licensed and regulated by the SBA.
They use a combinatiob of money from private sources and money raisedd through the use of SBA guaranteesa tomake equity- and mezzanine-capital investments in small Small Business Investment Companies number 338 and have $17.e4 billion in combined capitakl under management. The Smallp Business Investment Companies program was create d in 1958 to boost the growth of smalol businesses by supplementingthe long-term debt and private-equity capital availabled to them.
• Small Busineses Investment Companies are eligible forgreater SBA-guaranteede financing and required to invest 25 percent of thei investment dollars in “smaller” Also, the amount of money a Small Business Investmenr Company may invest in a singler small business is set at 10 percent of its totakl capital, rather than the previous limit of 20 percent of its private capital That translates to an effective 50 percent increass in financing available to a single businessa by a Small Businesss Investment Company.
• Maximum SBA financinbg levels to Small Business Investmenr Companies will increase as much as three timex the private capital raised by the Small BusinessInvestmeng Company, to a maximum of $150 millioh for a single Small Businesa Investment Company, or to $225 million for multiple companies under common The cap for all licensees had been set at $137.1q million before the Recovery Act. Changese made to the Small Business Investmenrt Company program under the Recoveru Actare permanent.
The changes, implemented Friday, affect the ’s Small Busineszs Investment Company program. “The Recoveryt Act expands SBA’s venture-capital program to increase the pool of investment fundingg available to the Small Business Investment Companies licensedby SBA,” SBA Administrator Karenm Mills said. “We believ e those companies will be better equipped by these changes to help sustain and grow smalll businesses for their next importantgrowtjh steps.” Small Business Investment Companiees are privately owned and managed venture-capital firmds licensed and regulated by the SBA.
They use a combinatiob of money from private sources and money raisedd through the use of SBA guaranteesa tomake equity- and mezzanine-capital investments in small Small Business Investment Companies number 338 and have $17.e4 billion in combined capitakl under management. The Smallp Business Investment Companies program was create d in 1958 to boost the growth of smalol businesses by supplementingthe long-term debt and private-equity capital availabled to them.
• Small Busineses Investment Companies are eligible forgreater SBA-guaranteede financing and required to invest 25 percent of thei investment dollars in “smaller” Also, the amount of money a Small Business Investmenr Company may invest in a singler small business is set at 10 percent of its totakl capital, rather than the previous limit of 20 percent of its private capital That translates to an effective 50 percent increass in financing available to a single businessa by a Small Businesss Investment Company.
• Maximum SBA financinbg levels to Small Business Investmenr Companies will increase as much as three timex the private capital raised by the Small BusinessInvestmeng Company, to a maximum of $150 millioh for a single Small Businesa Investment Company, or to $225 million for multiple companies under common The cap for all licensees had been set at $137.1q million before the Recovery Act. Changese made to the Small Business Investmenrt Company program under the Recoveru Actare permanent.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
RDU styling up Terminal 2 with new canopy - Triangle Business Journal:
iwegasely.wordpress.com
The work is part of the $570 milliob redevelopment of the facility, the firstf phase of which opened last Crews now are buildingthe terminal’s southu concourse, central atrium and additional airline check-inh and baggage-claim areas. The canopy is designed to protecy pedestrians from the elements as they walk betweehn the parking garageand terminal, RDU says. Crews will use a largd crane to install thehuge mast, whicyh is more than 90 feet tall and weighes 150,000 pounds. Workers then will install three large trusses that will carry the roofliner 90 feet beyond theterminal building, RDU says.
Large towerd will provide temporary structural support for the trusse duringcanopy construction. Installation of the canophy trusses and mast will take placeat night. The work will last six to eighty months.
The work is part of the $570 milliob redevelopment of the facility, the firstf phase of which opened last Crews now are buildingthe terminal’s southu concourse, central atrium and additional airline check-inh and baggage-claim areas. The canopy is designed to protecy pedestrians from the elements as they walk betweehn the parking garageand terminal, RDU says. Crews will use a largd crane to install thehuge mast, whicyh is more than 90 feet tall and weighes 150,000 pounds. Workers then will install three large trusses that will carry the roofliner 90 feet beyond theterminal building, RDU says.
Large towerd will provide temporary structural support for the trusse duringcanopy construction. Installation of the canophy trusses and mast will take placeat night. The work will last six to eighty months.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Arent Fox nabs former D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams - Washington Business Journal:
lehoquvuhu.wordpress.com
where he will create and directt a new practice surrounding state and municipal financ eand management. Williams served two termd as Mayorof D.C. from 1999 to 2007. Many credit Williams with turning D.C. into a model of economic stabilityand development. “It is tremendously excitint that Mayor Williams is joining our growing governmenytrelations practice,” said Arent Fox Chairman Marc Fleischaker. “Citiesz and states across the countr will have access to the most innovativw thinking on municipal finance and management Williams will advise clients inthe fiscal, managemenr and economic relationships between the federal, state and local governments.
Mayor Williams has often said the American Recovery and Reinvestmen t Act has in many ways fundamentallyy altered the relationship betweenb the national and local Williams pointed out that his experiencw as mayor and president of the of the National League of Cities will help clients understand how levels of governmengt cross and how that affects businessedand citizens. The new practice will work with othert existing groups atthe firm, including the real estate practicse and financial restructuring team.
He returned to privatr life in early 2007 byfoundinf , a wholly owned subsidiary of Billings, Ramsey Group, that focused on government and not-for-profit real The graduate of Harvard Law Schooll holds a Master of Publicd Policy degree from the John F. Kennedhy School of Government atHarvard University. Arent Fox, with 350 lawyers nationwidw and about 240 in also has offices in New York andLos
where he will create and directt a new practice surrounding state and municipal financ eand management. Williams served two termd as Mayorof D.C. from 1999 to 2007. Many credit Williams with turning D.C. into a model of economic stabilityand development. “It is tremendously excitint that Mayor Williams is joining our growing governmenytrelations practice,” said Arent Fox Chairman Marc Fleischaker. “Citiesz and states across the countr will have access to the most innovativw thinking on municipal finance and management Williams will advise clients inthe fiscal, managemenr and economic relationships between the federal, state and local governments.
Mayor Williams has often said the American Recovery and Reinvestmen t Act has in many ways fundamentallyy altered the relationship betweenb the national and local Williams pointed out that his experiencw as mayor and president of the of the National League of Cities will help clients understand how levels of governmengt cross and how that affects businessedand citizens. The new practice will work with othert existing groups atthe firm, including the real estate practicse and financial restructuring team.
He returned to privatr life in early 2007 byfoundinf , a wholly owned subsidiary of Billings, Ramsey Group, that focused on government and not-for-profit real The graduate of Harvard Law Schooll holds a Master of Publicd Policy degree from the John F. Kennedhy School of Government atHarvard University. Arent Fox, with 350 lawyers nationwidw and about 240 in also has offices in New York andLos
Friday, October 14, 2011
Text: Obama's speech in Green Bay - San Francisco Business Times:
http://www.bulafiji-au.com/2001/rosie-dmc.html
"Laura’s story is incredibly moving. it is not unique. Everuy day in this country, more and more Americanes are forced to worry not simplyy aboutgetting well, but whether they can affordd to get well. Millions more wonder if they can afforxd the routine care necessary to stay Even for those who have health rising premiums are straining their budgetsd to the breakingpoint – premiumsz that have doubled over the last nine years, and have grownn at a rate three times faster than Desperately-needed procedures and treatments are put off becauss the price is too high. And all it takese is a single illness to wipe out a lifetimrof savings.
"Employers aren’t fariny any better. The cost of health care has helpecd leave big corporations like GM and Chrysler at a competitive disadvantage with their foreign Forsmall businesses, it’s even worse. One month, they’r forced to cut back on health care Thenext month, they have to drop coverage. The montnh after that, they have no choice but to start layinyoff workers. "For the the growing cost of Medicare and Medicaid is one of the biggest threats to ourfederalp deficit. Bigger than Social Security. Bigger than all the investments we’ve made so far.
So if you’re worried abouy spending and you’re worried about deficits, you need to be worrierd about the cost ofhealth "We have the most expensive health care system in the We spend almost 50% more per person on health care than the next most costlty nation. But here’s the Green Bay: we’re not any healthier for it. We don’tf necessarily have better outcomes. Even within our own country, a lot of the placese where we spend less on healty care actually have higher quality than places wherwe wespend more. Right here in Greeb Bay, you get more quality out of fewer healtgh care dollars than many othef communities acrossthe country.
And yet, across the spending on health care goes up and up and up dayafter day, year afteer year. "I know that there are millionsa of Americans who are content with their healtbh carecoverage – they like theie plan and they value their relationship with their And no matter how we reform health we will keep this If you like your doctor, you will be able to keep your If you like your health care plan, you will be able to keep your healtg care plan. "But in order to preservse what’s best about our health care system, we have to fix what doesn’g work.
For we have reache d a point where doing nothing about the cost of health care is no longer an The status quois unsustainable. If we do not act and act soon to brinfdown costs, it will jeopardize everyone’s health care. If we do not act, every American will feel the consequences. In highet premiums and lower take-home pay. In lost jobs and shuttered businesses. In a rising number of uninsured and a risingf debt that our children and theifr children will be paying off for If we do within a decade we will spending one out of every five dollars we earn onhealtjh care. In thirty years, it will be one out of everu three.
That is that is unacceptable, and I will not alloe it as President of theUnited "Health care reform is not part of some wish list I drew up when I took It is central to our economic future central to the long-term prosperity of this In past years and decades, there may have been some disagreemen on this point. But not anymore. Today, we have alreadyh built an unprecedented coalition of folkw who are ready to reform our health care physicians andhealth insurers; businessesa and workers; Democrats and Republicans.
A few weeksw ago, some of these groups committed to doing somethinghthat would’ve been unthinkable just a few yearw ago: they promised to work together to cut nationall health care spending by two trillion dollars over the next That will bring down costs, that will bring down and that’s exactly the kind of cooperatioj we need. "The question now is, how do we finisu the job? How do we permanentlh bring down costs andmake quality, affordable health care availabls to every American? "My view is that reform should be guided by a simple principle: we fix what’z broken and build on what "In some cases, there’s broad agreement on the stepx we should take.
In the Recoveryg Act, we’ve already made investments in health IT and electronic medicalo records that will reducemedicakl errors, save lives, save and still ensure privacy. We also need to invest in prevention and wellness programs that help American slive longer, healthier lives. "But the real cost savingsd will come from changing the incentivesz of a system that automatically equates expensivwe care with bettercare – from addressing flaws that increasd profits without actually increasing the qualitgy of care.
"We have to ask why placed like the Geisinger Health systekm inrural Pennsylvania, Intermountain Healtb in Salt Lake or communities like Green Bay can offer high-qualityg care at costs well below but other places in America can’t. We need to identifty the best practices acroszthe country, learn from the success, and replicatw that success elsewhere. And we should changde the warped incentives that reward doctorse and hospitals based on how many tests or procedureszthey prescribe, even if those testes or procedures aren’t necessary or result from medical Doctors across this country did not get into the medicall profession to be bean counters or paper pushers; to be lawyersx or business executives.
They becamde doctors to heal people. And that’s what we must free them to do. "Wed must also provide Americanswho can’r afford health insurance with more affordable options. This is both a moral imperative and aneconomic imperative, because we know that when someone withougt health insurance is forced to get treatment at the ER, all of us end up payint for it. "So what we’re working on is the creationn of something called a Healtu InsuranceExchange – which wouled allow you to one-stop shop for a healtbh care plan, compare benefits and and choose the plan that’s best for you.
None of theser plans would be able to deny coverags on the basis ofa pre-existintg condition, and all should include an affordable, basic benefit package. And if you can’t affordr one of the we should provide assistance to make sureyou can. I also strongly believe that one of the optionsa in the Exchange should be a publif insuranceoption – becausse if the private insurance companies have to competse with a public option, it will keep them honest and help keep pricess down.
"Now, covering more Americanse will obviously cost a good deal of moneyy at a time wherewe don’t have extra to That’s why I have already promised that reform will not add to our deficitg over the next ten years. To make that we have already identified hundredzs of billions worth of savings in ourbudger – savings that will come from stepd like reducing Medicare overpayments to insurancde companies and rooting out waste, fraud and abused in both Medicare and I will be outlining hundreds of billionsx more in savings in the days to come. And I’l l be honest – even with these savings, reform will requirr additional sourcesof revenue.
That’s why I’ve proposefd that we scale back how muchthe highest-incom e Americans can deduct on their taxez back to the rate from the Reagan yearss – and use that money to help financer health care. "In all these our goal is simple: the highest-quality health care at the lowest-possiblw cost. We want to fix what’s broken and build on what As Congress moves forward on health care legislatiojn in thecoming weeks, I understandd there will be different ideas and disagreements on how to achievs this goal.
I welcome those ideas, and I welcome that But what I will not welcome is endlesas delay or a denial that reform needs to When it comes to health this country cannot continue on itscurrenty path. I know there are some who believe that refork istoo expensive, but I can assure you that doin nothing will cost us far more in the cominy years. Our deficits will be higher. Our premiume will go up. Our wages will be lower, our jobs will be and our businesseswill suffer. "So to those who criticize our efforts, I ask, “What is the What else do we say to all those families who now spenc more on health care than housingor food??
What do we tell those businesses that are choosiny between closing their doors and letting their workersd go? What do we say to all thosse Americans like Laura, a woman who has workerd all her life; whose family has done everythinh right; a brave and proudd woman whose child’s school recently took up a penny drive to help pay her medicao bills? What do we tell them? "j believe we tell them that after decadess of inaction, we have finally decided to fix what is brokenm about health care in America. We have decidex that it’s time to give every Americann quality health care at anaffordable cost.
We have decidecd that if we invest in reforms that will bringv downcosts now, we will eventually see our deficits come down in the And we have decided to changew the system so that our doctors and healtb care providers are free to do what they trainer and studied and worked so hard to do: make peopls well again. That’s what we can do in this that’s what we can do at this moment, and now I’s like to hear your thoughts and answer your questions about how we get it Thank you.
"
"Laura’s story is incredibly moving. it is not unique. Everuy day in this country, more and more Americanes are forced to worry not simplyy aboutgetting well, but whether they can affordd to get well. Millions more wonder if they can afforxd the routine care necessary to stay Even for those who have health rising premiums are straining their budgetsd to the breakingpoint – premiumsz that have doubled over the last nine years, and have grownn at a rate three times faster than Desperately-needed procedures and treatments are put off becauss the price is too high. And all it takese is a single illness to wipe out a lifetimrof savings.
"Employers aren’t fariny any better. The cost of health care has helpecd leave big corporations like GM and Chrysler at a competitive disadvantage with their foreign Forsmall businesses, it’s even worse. One month, they’r forced to cut back on health care Thenext month, they have to drop coverage. The montnh after that, they have no choice but to start layinyoff workers. "For the the growing cost of Medicare and Medicaid is one of the biggest threats to ourfederalp deficit. Bigger than Social Security. Bigger than all the investments we’ve made so far.
So if you’re worried abouy spending and you’re worried about deficits, you need to be worrierd about the cost ofhealth "We have the most expensive health care system in the We spend almost 50% more per person on health care than the next most costlty nation. But here’s the Green Bay: we’re not any healthier for it. We don’tf necessarily have better outcomes. Even within our own country, a lot of the placese where we spend less on healty care actually have higher quality than places wherwe wespend more. Right here in Greeb Bay, you get more quality out of fewer healtgh care dollars than many othef communities acrossthe country.
And yet, across the spending on health care goes up and up and up dayafter day, year afteer year. "I know that there are millionsa of Americans who are content with their healtbh carecoverage – they like theie plan and they value their relationship with their And no matter how we reform health we will keep this If you like your doctor, you will be able to keep your If you like your health care plan, you will be able to keep your healtg care plan. "But in order to preservse what’s best about our health care system, we have to fix what doesn’g work.
For we have reache d a point where doing nothing about the cost of health care is no longer an The status quois unsustainable. If we do not act and act soon to brinfdown costs, it will jeopardize everyone’s health care. If we do not act, every American will feel the consequences. In highet premiums and lower take-home pay. In lost jobs and shuttered businesses. In a rising number of uninsured and a risingf debt that our children and theifr children will be paying off for If we do within a decade we will spending one out of every five dollars we earn onhealtjh care. In thirty years, it will be one out of everu three.
That is that is unacceptable, and I will not alloe it as President of theUnited "Health care reform is not part of some wish list I drew up when I took It is central to our economic future central to the long-term prosperity of this In past years and decades, there may have been some disagreemen on this point. But not anymore. Today, we have alreadyh built an unprecedented coalition of folkw who are ready to reform our health care physicians andhealth insurers; businessesa and workers; Democrats and Republicans.
A few weeksw ago, some of these groups committed to doing somethinghthat would’ve been unthinkable just a few yearw ago: they promised to work together to cut nationall health care spending by two trillion dollars over the next That will bring down costs, that will bring down and that’s exactly the kind of cooperatioj we need. "The question now is, how do we finisu the job? How do we permanentlh bring down costs andmake quality, affordable health care availabls to every American? "My view is that reform should be guided by a simple principle: we fix what’z broken and build on what "In some cases, there’s broad agreement on the stepx we should take.
In the Recoveryg Act, we’ve already made investments in health IT and electronic medicalo records that will reducemedicakl errors, save lives, save and still ensure privacy. We also need to invest in prevention and wellness programs that help American slive longer, healthier lives. "But the real cost savingsd will come from changing the incentivesz of a system that automatically equates expensivwe care with bettercare – from addressing flaws that increasd profits without actually increasing the qualitgy of care.
"We have to ask why placed like the Geisinger Health systekm inrural Pennsylvania, Intermountain Healtb in Salt Lake or communities like Green Bay can offer high-qualityg care at costs well below but other places in America can’t. We need to identifty the best practices acroszthe country, learn from the success, and replicatw that success elsewhere. And we should changde the warped incentives that reward doctorse and hospitals based on how many tests or procedureszthey prescribe, even if those testes or procedures aren’t necessary or result from medical Doctors across this country did not get into the medicall profession to be bean counters or paper pushers; to be lawyersx or business executives.
They becamde doctors to heal people. And that’s what we must free them to do. "Wed must also provide Americanswho can’r afford health insurance with more affordable options. This is both a moral imperative and aneconomic imperative, because we know that when someone withougt health insurance is forced to get treatment at the ER, all of us end up payint for it. "So what we’re working on is the creationn of something called a Healtu InsuranceExchange – which wouled allow you to one-stop shop for a healtbh care plan, compare benefits and and choose the plan that’s best for you.
None of theser plans would be able to deny coverags on the basis ofa pre-existintg condition, and all should include an affordable, basic benefit package. And if you can’t affordr one of the we should provide assistance to make sureyou can. I also strongly believe that one of the optionsa in the Exchange should be a publif insuranceoption – becausse if the private insurance companies have to competse with a public option, it will keep them honest and help keep pricess down.
"Now, covering more Americanse will obviously cost a good deal of moneyy at a time wherewe don’t have extra to That’s why I have already promised that reform will not add to our deficitg over the next ten years. To make that we have already identified hundredzs of billions worth of savings in ourbudger – savings that will come from stepd like reducing Medicare overpayments to insurancde companies and rooting out waste, fraud and abused in both Medicare and I will be outlining hundreds of billionsx more in savings in the days to come. And I’l l be honest – even with these savings, reform will requirr additional sourcesof revenue.
That’s why I’ve proposefd that we scale back how muchthe highest-incom e Americans can deduct on their taxez back to the rate from the Reagan yearss – and use that money to help financer health care. "In all these our goal is simple: the highest-quality health care at the lowest-possiblw cost. We want to fix what’s broken and build on what As Congress moves forward on health care legislatiojn in thecoming weeks, I understandd there will be different ideas and disagreements on how to achievs this goal.
I welcome those ideas, and I welcome that But what I will not welcome is endlesas delay or a denial that reform needs to When it comes to health this country cannot continue on itscurrenty path. I know there are some who believe that refork istoo expensive, but I can assure you that doin nothing will cost us far more in the cominy years. Our deficits will be higher. Our premiume will go up. Our wages will be lower, our jobs will be and our businesseswill suffer. "So to those who criticize our efforts, I ask, “What is the What else do we say to all those families who now spenc more on health care than housingor food??
What do we tell those businesses that are choosiny between closing their doors and letting their workersd go? What do we say to all thosse Americans like Laura, a woman who has workerd all her life; whose family has done everythinh right; a brave and proudd woman whose child’s school recently took up a penny drive to help pay her medicao bills? What do we tell them? "j believe we tell them that after decadess of inaction, we have finally decided to fix what is brokenm about health care in America. We have decidex that it’s time to give every Americann quality health care at anaffordable cost.
We have decidecd that if we invest in reforms that will bringv downcosts now, we will eventually see our deficits come down in the And we have decided to changew the system so that our doctors and healtb care providers are free to do what they trainer and studied and worked so hard to do: make peopls well again. That’s what we can do in this that’s what we can do at this moment, and now I’s like to hear your thoughts and answer your questions about how we get it Thank you.
"
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Kaleida gets busy on new project - Business First of Buffalo:
hustenuejib1630.blogspot.com
The prep work is takingh place along Goodrich Street near and is being done in anticipation of GVI receiving one of its final reviews next The , on May 19, will go over developmen plans for the 10-story, 600,000-square-foot building that will house both Kaleida’sa Global Vascular Institute and a companiohn medical research and teaching facility run by the Universith at Buffalo. The project, including the UB component, carriesd a $275 million development price tag, and is one of the largestt in Buffalo’s economic development pipeline. The , later this will consider a height varianc forthe building.
While some pre-constructio n prep work is underway, a formal ground breakintg won’t take place until June. “This is a major for the better, for healthcare in Westerj New York,” said James Kaskie, Kaleida presidenf and chief executive officer. The GVI, whicj will be connected to BuffaloGeneral Hospital, is part of a sweepinvg series of developments Kaleida has planned for the medicalo campus, including shifting the current operationsx from Millard Fillmore Gates Circle Hospitak and the Deaconess Center to the downtownj Buffalo campus within the next few Millard Fillmore Gates Hospital is expectec to be fully incorporated into the medical campua by October 2011, Kaskie The Millard Fillmore transition is one of the recommendations from the state-appointex Berger Commission that looked at streamlining medical serviced around New York state.
“This is all part of the new futurr forhealth care,” Kaskie As part of the GVI project, Kaskie said negotiationes are wrapping up with Buffalio officials that will see the city transfer a small portiohn of Goodrich Street, beginning at Ellicotty Street, to Kaleida, a move that will alloew for smoother pedestrian access to the various medicalk campus buildings and to handlee some logistical concerns with regards to the GVI. That sliverr of Goodrich Street is rarelyh used by the general public and is primaril y forBuffalo General-bound vehicles. The GVI is expected to take at leasf two yearsto construct.
The prep work is takingh place along Goodrich Street near and is being done in anticipation of GVI receiving one of its final reviews next The , on May 19, will go over developmen plans for the 10-story, 600,000-square-foot building that will house both Kaleida’sa Global Vascular Institute and a companiohn medical research and teaching facility run by the Universith at Buffalo. The project, including the UB component, carriesd a $275 million development price tag, and is one of the largestt in Buffalo’s economic development pipeline. The , later this will consider a height varianc forthe building.
While some pre-constructio n prep work is underway, a formal ground breakintg won’t take place until June. “This is a major for the better, for healthcare in Westerj New York,” said James Kaskie, Kaleida presidenf and chief executive officer. The GVI, whicj will be connected to BuffaloGeneral Hospital, is part of a sweepinvg series of developments Kaleida has planned for the medicalo campus, including shifting the current operationsx from Millard Fillmore Gates Circle Hospitak and the Deaconess Center to the downtownj Buffalo campus within the next few Millard Fillmore Gates Hospital is expectec to be fully incorporated into the medical campua by October 2011, Kaskie The Millard Fillmore transition is one of the recommendations from the state-appointex Berger Commission that looked at streamlining medical serviced around New York state.
“This is all part of the new futurr forhealth care,” Kaskie As part of the GVI project, Kaskie said negotiationes are wrapping up with Buffalio officials that will see the city transfer a small portiohn of Goodrich Street, beginning at Ellicotty Street, to Kaleida, a move that will alloew for smoother pedestrian access to the various medicalk campus buildings and to handlee some logistical concerns with regards to the GVI. That sliverr of Goodrich Street is rarelyh used by the general public and is primaril y forBuffalo General-bound vehicles. The GVI is expected to take at leasf two yearsto construct.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Panattoni buys Brentwood office building - Austin Business Journal:
martaemimbzini.blogspot.com
The building is at 5200 Marylanfd Way off Old Hickory Boulevard and houses tenants including AmericanHome Patient, , Rayburn Bates and Fitzgeralxd accounting firm and . “We'r interested in diversifying our holdingwin Tennessee,” Hayne Hamilton, senior development managet for Panattoni, says in a press release. “We'ree well known for our industrial properties, but we also have developesd and own a large number of office buildinge outside of Tennessee and want to continue to expanx our local portfolio to include moreofficr space.
” Terms of the purchase were not Crews Johnston and Perry Gooch of Colliers Turleh Martin Tucker served as “We raised a new fund last year for value-adds acquisitions, and the Parklane Building was a perfect fit,” says Whitfield Hamilton, regional partner of the Easter region for Panattoni. “This is the third deal we have closedr inthis fund, and we feel very fortunatee in the current environment to be able to pursuse and close new opportunities in the region.” In Panattoni’s office holdings already include the Metroplez office park, a 121,000-square-foot buildingv at I-24 and Harding Road.
The building is at 5200 Marylanfd Way off Old Hickory Boulevard and houses tenants including AmericanHome Patient, , Rayburn Bates and Fitzgeralxd accounting firm and . “We'r interested in diversifying our holdingwin Tennessee,” Hayne Hamilton, senior development managet for Panattoni, says in a press release. “We'ree well known for our industrial properties, but we also have developesd and own a large number of office buildinge outside of Tennessee and want to continue to expanx our local portfolio to include moreofficr space.
” Terms of the purchase were not Crews Johnston and Perry Gooch of Colliers Turleh Martin Tucker served as “We raised a new fund last year for value-adds acquisitions, and the Parklane Building was a perfect fit,” says Whitfield Hamilton, regional partner of the Easter region for Panattoni. “This is the third deal we have closedr inthis fund, and we feel very fortunatee in the current environment to be able to pursuse and close new opportunities in the region.” In Panattoni’s office holdings already include the Metroplez office park, a 121,000-square-foot buildingv at I-24 and Harding Road.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Top priorities for the Chicago Cubs in the 2011-12 MLB offseason: Fan's take - Yahoo! Sports
http://www.sublimesvn.com/blog/2010/12/sublimes-sponsors-this-developers-life/
Top priorities for the Chicago Cubs in the 2011-12 MLB offseason: Fan's take Yahoo! Sports Here are some of the top priorities that I'd like to see tackled during the 2011-12 MLB offseason. These aren't in any order of preference. Tampa Bay Ray's general manager Andrew Friedman would be my top choice. Theo Epstein would be an interesting ... |
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Feds approve Regions' $2.5B capital plan - Orlando Business Journal:
http://www.pipexpharma.com/links6.htm
billion capital buffer – was recently accepted by the FederalReserve System, according to a statement released June 8. The U.S. governmeng ordered the Birmingham-based bank to raise the extra capital aftert results ofthe “stress tests” predicted $9.2 billionj in future loan losses if the economy worsens within the next two So far, Regions has raised more than $2.09 billion by sellingg 460 million shares of its commojn stock at $4 per share and 10 percent of its preferre stock, series B. The bank expects to rais additional funds since all purchasers of its common and preferredx shares were given another 30 days to buy up an additionalp 15 percentof shares.
Birmingham-based Regionss also plans to raise extra capitaol by selling certain initiating apossible debt-to-equity swap and converting its trustf preferred securities into common stock. While Region’s capital plan was it was not amongf theTreasury Department’s roster of financial institutions allowed to leave the Troublerd Asset Relief Program, or TARP. The bank, whicgh borrowed $3.5 billion in taxpayer capital, stilpl faces certain restrictions mandated by thefederal However, raising the fresh capital “should position Regions well for eventual TARP CPP the bank said in a Securities and Exchangr Commission filing. Regions Financial Corp.
(NYSE: RF) is a $142 billionm company that is the sixth largest bank in the Orlando area with 56 branchew andnearly $1.16 billion in deposits as of June 30, accordingv to the
billion capital buffer – was recently accepted by the FederalReserve System, according to a statement released June 8. The U.S. governmeng ordered the Birmingham-based bank to raise the extra capital aftert results ofthe “stress tests” predicted $9.2 billionj in future loan losses if the economy worsens within the next two So far, Regions has raised more than $2.09 billion by sellingg 460 million shares of its commojn stock at $4 per share and 10 percent of its preferre stock, series B. The bank expects to rais additional funds since all purchasers of its common and preferredx shares were given another 30 days to buy up an additionalp 15 percentof shares.
Birmingham-based Regionss also plans to raise extra capitaol by selling certain initiating apossible debt-to-equity swap and converting its trustf preferred securities into common stock. While Region’s capital plan was it was not amongf theTreasury Department’s roster of financial institutions allowed to leave the Troublerd Asset Relief Program, or TARP. The bank, whicgh borrowed $3.5 billion in taxpayer capital, stilpl faces certain restrictions mandated by thefederal However, raising the fresh capital “should position Regions well for eventual TARP CPP the bank said in a Securities and Exchangr Commission filing. Regions Financial Corp.
(NYSE: RF) is a $142 billionm company that is the sixth largest bank in the Orlando area with 56 branchew andnearly $1.16 billion in deposits as of June 30, accordingv to the
Monday, October 3, 2011
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Contracting unit receives alert for possible mobilization - DVIDS
buluhofuce.wordpress.com
Contracting unit receives alert for possible mobilization DVIDS BISMARCK, ND â€" A Bismarck-based North Dakota Army National Guard unit received an alert notification for possible mobilization this week. If mobilized, the 1919th Contingency Contracting Team is expected to depart in the Dec. 2012 timeframe. ... Army guard unit welcomes new commander |
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Swaim-Staley named acting Md. transportation secretary - Jacksonville Business Journal:
guronelogoh.blogspot.com
Swaim-Staley had been deputy secretarg to Porcari after he was named to the slotby O’Mallehy in 2007. Porcari will be swornh in June 1 asthe No. 2 official for the . Swaim-Stalet is no stranger to Maryland’s transportation needs. She also servedf as the transportation’s deputy secretary for the state from 1999 to while also serving in interim rolesat Baltimore/Washingtonj International Thurgood Marshall Airport and the . From 1993 to Swaim-Staley served as chief financiaol officer forthe .
O’Malley said in a statement Swaim-Staley “ha s the deep knowledge of along with the management and financial expertise that are necessary for us to move A spokesmanfor O’Malley said the governoe is still conducting interviews for a permanent successor to There is no timeline in place to fill the position, spokesman Shaun Adamec said in an The “criteria is to find the best persojn for the job,” he said.
Swaim-Staley had been deputy secretarg to Porcari after he was named to the slotby O’Mallehy in 2007. Porcari will be swornh in June 1 asthe No. 2 official for the . Swaim-Stalet is no stranger to Maryland’s transportation needs. She also servedf as the transportation’s deputy secretary for the state from 1999 to while also serving in interim rolesat Baltimore/Washingtonj International Thurgood Marshall Airport and the . From 1993 to Swaim-Staley served as chief financiaol officer forthe .
O’Malley said in a statement Swaim-Staley “ha s the deep knowledge of along with the management and financial expertise that are necessary for us to move A spokesmanfor O’Malley said the governoe is still conducting interviews for a permanent successor to There is no timeline in place to fill the position, spokesman Shaun Adamec said in an The “criteria is to find the best persojn for the job,” he said.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Grede Foundries files for bankruptcy protection - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:
gonyzyf.wordpress.com
Wayzata Investment Partners LLCof Wayzata, an SEC-registered investment adviser and manager of privats investment funds with more than $5 billiomn in assets, has offered to provide a $45 million temporary loan facility to allow time for an orderlg sale under the supervision of the Bankruptcy Court. Since 1992, Wayzata has invested more than $12 billion in more than 600 investments. The filing, made Tuesday in the U.S.
Bankruptcg Court for the Western District of was driven by the impact of the currentr economic downturn on the company and its particularly theautomotive industry, said Richard Koenings chairman of the boarc of directors for Wauwatosa-based The reorganization and assett sale is expected to position the company for a turnaround as the country emerges from the most difficuly economic period it has seen in generations, he said. “The significanr deterioration in the automotive and construction industries and the resultingv impact on our company and the foundry industry in general require that we take this strategic Koenings said.
“We have carefully exploreed many options, and believe a sale to a strong financiapl backer like Wayzata is the best way to effectively proceeed in what has been an exceedingluydifficult marketplace.” Koenings stressed that Gredre Foundries remains in business and that jobs will remain durint the transition. “This move gives us the time to restructurd while we continue to do business and operate our he said. “Grede will continue to buy goodws and services from its support its work force and provide its customers with the same qualituy products andservice they’vee come to expect from us.
Our goal is to preserv e and strengthen our business so that we can competer successfully inthe future.” Wayzata has also agree d to make the first bid, oftenb called a “stalking bid, for Grede. “Wayzata’s commitment shows their belierf in the strength of the Grede name and its respected position in thefoundry industry,” Koenings Sales of businesses in bankruptcyh proceedings are often structured wherwe one company makes the initial bid for anothere company’s assets. Under rulesd approved by the court, higher offers from thirdd parties can be submitted ascompeting bids.
The “stalkingg horse” arrangement helps ensure that Gredee receives the best value for its assetsz and allows for offers that are best for the creditora while preserving the business companymanagement said. Grede said that it has alreaduy received inquiries from other partiess that are interestedin Grede’xs production capacity. Koenings said Grede expectzs the sale and related bidding process to move steadilyu through thecourt system. “We are deeply committed to doingb everything necessary to put our company on solifd footing as the nation begins to rise out of the worstf economic conditions since theGreatr Depression,” he said.
“Our customers very clearluy want us to succeed and have been very Grede announced in May that it had laid off 81 employees from its foundr in Wauwatosa since the endof January. In April, the companyu revealed plans to close its foundryin Greenwood, S.C.
Wayzata Investment Partners LLCof Wayzata, an SEC-registered investment adviser and manager of privats investment funds with more than $5 billiomn in assets, has offered to provide a $45 million temporary loan facility to allow time for an orderlg sale under the supervision of the Bankruptcy Court. Since 1992, Wayzata has invested more than $12 billion in more than 600 investments. The filing, made Tuesday in the U.S.
Bankruptcg Court for the Western District of was driven by the impact of the currentr economic downturn on the company and its particularly theautomotive industry, said Richard Koenings chairman of the boarc of directors for Wauwatosa-based The reorganization and assett sale is expected to position the company for a turnaround as the country emerges from the most difficuly economic period it has seen in generations, he said. “The significanr deterioration in the automotive and construction industries and the resultingv impact on our company and the foundry industry in general require that we take this strategic Koenings said.
“We have carefully exploreed many options, and believe a sale to a strong financiapl backer like Wayzata is the best way to effectively proceeed in what has been an exceedingluydifficult marketplace.” Koenings stressed that Gredre Foundries remains in business and that jobs will remain durint the transition. “This move gives us the time to restructurd while we continue to do business and operate our he said. “Grede will continue to buy goodws and services from its support its work force and provide its customers with the same qualituy products andservice they’vee come to expect from us.
Our goal is to preserv e and strengthen our business so that we can competer successfully inthe future.” Wayzata has also agree d to make the first bid, oftenb called a “stalking bid, for Grede. “Wayzata’s commitment shows their belierf in the strength of the Grede name and its respected position in thefoundry industry,” Koenings Sales of businesses in bankruptcyh proceedings are often structured wherwe one company makes the initial bid for anothere company’s assets. Under rulesd approved by the court, higher offers from thirdd parties can be submitted ascompeting bids.
The “stalkingg horse” arrangement helps ensure that Gredee receives the best value for its assetsz and allows for offers that are best for the creditora while preserving the business companymanagement said. Grede said that it has alreaduy received inquiries from other partiess that are interestedin Grede’xs production capacity. Koenings said Grede expectzs the sale and related bidding process to move steadilyu through thecourt system. “We are deeply committed to doingb everything necessary to put our company on solifd footing as the nation begins to rise out of the worstf economic conditions since theGreatr Depression,” he said.
“Our customers very clearluy want us to succeed and have been very Grede announced in May that it had laid off 81 employees from its foundr in Wauwatosa since the endof January. In April, the companyu revealed plans to close its foundryin Greenwood, S.C.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Charles Rangel, censured in 2010, gets official House portrait - Los Angeles Times
opexibu.wordpress.com
Politico | Charles Rangel, censured in 2010, gets official House portrait Los Angeles Times Charles B. Rangel (DN.Y.), a former chairman of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, was unveiled in the committee's hearing room today before a cheering crowd. That's the same 81-year-old Rangel who was censured by his colleagues last year ... Rangel's House portrait unveiled Censure briefly forgotten as House leaders honor Rep. Charles Rangel Distinguished portrait ceremony honors distinguished legislator |
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Rockdale daycare shooting victims in serious condition - Atlanta Journal Constitution
omagyvoham.wordpress.com
MyFox Atlanta | Rockdale daycare shooting victims in serious condition Atlanta Journal Constitution The victims are said to be in serious condition at Atlanta-area hospitals. Their » |
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Anchor BanCorp amends credit pact - Los Angeles Business from bizjournals:
haygoodfoafyga1359.blogspot.com
Under the terms of the the maturity dateon Anchor’s balance of the $116.3 millioj loan has been extended for a full and is now May 31, 2010, and no principal payment is due priofr to the maturity date, Madison-based Anchor ABCW) said Friday. “The significanft additional time afforded by the amended terms of the loan agreemenrt provides us an opportunity to work our financialp strategy to achieve fulfillment of the conditionws of our line of saidDoug Timmerman, chairmam and CEO. Timmerman said Anchor executives believe the amendmentgwith U.S. Bank will assisyt Anchor with plans to raiseadditional capital.
Anchor BanCorp in March had reachedd an agreement to extend the due date for the crediwith U.S. Bank until near the end of May. The extension reliever Anchor BanCorp from reducingits $116.3 million debt on the line of credity to $60 million to meet an automaticd principal reduction of the loan commitment. If Anchod had not paid the U.S. Bank, could have seized Anchor BanCorp in aforeclosure proceeding.
AnchorBankl fsb has 74 full-service offices and two loan origination-only offices, all in
Under the terms of the the maturity dateon Anchor’s balance of the $116.3 millioj loan has been extended for a full and is now May 31, 2010, and no principal payment is due priofr to the maturity date, Madison-based Anchor ABCW) said Friday. “The significanft additional time afforded by the amended terms of the loan agreemenrt provides us an opportunity to work our financialp strategy to achieve fulfillment of the conditionws of our line of saidDoug Timmerman, chairmam and CEO. Timmerman said Anchor executives believe the amendmentgwith U.S. Bank will assisyt Anchor with plans to raiseadditional capital.
Anchor BanCorp in March had reachedd an agreement to extend the due date for the crediwith U.S. Bank until near the end of May. The extension reliever Anchor BanCorp from reducingits $116.3 million debt on the line of credity to $60 million to meet an automaticd principal reduction of the loan commitment. If Anchod had not paid the U.S. Bank, could have seized Anchor BanCorp in aforeclosure proceeding.
AnchorBankl fsb has 74 full-service offices and two loan origination-only offices, all in
Friday, September 16, 2011
Hand-drawn St. John's Bible completed, on display - Seattle Post Intelligencer
ukatekexo.wordpress.com
Boston Globe | Hand-drawn St. John's Bible completed, on display Seattle Post Intelligencer The Benedictine monks at St. John's Abbey and St. John's University in Collegeville, Minn., commissioned the Bible in 1998 to celebrate the beginning of a new millennium. The first words were written on Ash Wednesday 2000 and finished on May 9, 2011. ... Final pages of 1st handwritten Bible unveiled Hand-drawn St. John's Bible completed, on display Amen! Historic St. John's Bible is finished |
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Bay Area biotechs get a blast of cash - Birmingham Business Journal:
oryucyjofec1482.blogspot.com
Biotech financings like public offerings and venture fundin through early June are ahead oflast What’s more, several companies have inked licensing deals with significanft upfront payments and the lure of billions of dollaras overall. “The companies getting financed represenrtbig breakthroughs,” said Larry Blatt, CEO of Aliows BioPharma, a 3-year-old South San Francisco company that recentluy raised $32 million. “The incremental ones are tendingt not toget funded.” Biotechs raisef $5.9 billion through June 4, with public offerings in May alonew more than doubling those in the first four months of the according to the trade publication BioWorled Insight.
That compares with $5.4 billiobn in the same period last year. That’sz not a huge increase — it coulds be only a blip — but the numbers are significantt if only because the chas m separating profitable biotechsand struggling, R&D-stagee companies has widened over the past 18 Some 44 percent of U.S. biotecgh companies operated with less thana year’se worth of cash on hand compared with 25 percent in 2007 — accordinf to a recent report. That financinyg struggle has been exacerbated by the globalfinanciao crisis, which has forced many traditional biotech investorsx to retrench.
“It’s more difficult for companies lookingv to raise additional roundsof There’s a higher said Gautum Jaggi, a senior manager with Ernst & Young. “That’s not to say some of them can’t reach Indeed, among the deals so far, Alzheimer’s and prostatd cancer drug developer last month priceda follow-on publivc offering at $21 per share, netting $54 million.
Fungusa drug maker raised $50 million in a preferred stock offeriny that attractedand others, and Southn San Francisco’s and inked deals worthj $215 million upfront and a potential $2 billion over Often licensing deals and other sorts of collaborationsz — the lifeblood of many biotechs during this downturn — aren’t counted alongside publix offerings, private financings, venturee capital rounds and the like. “For those who make it througghthe crisis, and I think the majority of them will do there is an opportunity to have more sustainable financing, more sustainabl returns,” Jaggi said.
Alios’ cash, its firstt round of venture financing, came from a group of corporateventure funds: Novo A/S, , and GlaxoSmithKline’s SR One. That $32 milliohn is enough to take Alios through Phase I forglycoferons — an improved version of interferonsz used to treat hepatitis B, HIV respiratory viruses and other conditionxs — and a potential oral antiviral compound. Alios lande d its lead investor, Novo, in the center of the biotecu financing storm, after an initial “speed-dating” sessiomn at the C21 BioVentures conferencde in Napa inMay 2008. By the end of this Blatt said, Alios will search for a “We worked really hard.
No one handed it to he said. “We were able to get in front of about anyone wewantesd to. It’s the second meeting that’s difficult.”
Biotech financings like public offerings and venture fundin through early June are ahead oflast What’s more, several companies have inked licensing deals with significanft upfront payments and the lure of billions of dollaras overall. “The companies getting financed represenrtbig breakthroughs,” said Larry Blatt, CEO of Aliows BioPharma, a 3-year-old South San Francisco company that recentluy raised $32 million. “The incremental ones are tendingt not toget funded.” Biotechs raisef $5.9 billion through June 4, with public offerings in May alonew more than doubling those in the first four months of the according to the trade publication BioWorled Insight.
That compares with $5.4 billiobn in the same period last year. That’sz not a huge increase — it coulds be only a blip — but the numbers are significantt if only because the chas m separating profitable biotechsand struggling, R&D-stagee companies has widened over the past 18 Some 44 percent of U.S. biotecgh companies operated with less thana year’se worth of cash on hand compared with 25 percent in 2007 — accordinf to a recent report. That financinyg struggle has been exacerbated by the globalfinanciao crisis, which has forced many traditional biotech investorsx to retrench.
“It’s more difficult for companies lookingv to raise additional roundsof There’s a higher said Gautum Jaggi, a senior manager with Ernst & Young. “That’s not to say some of them can’t reach Indeed, among the deals so far, Alzheimer’s and prostatd cancer drug developer last month priceda follow-on publivc offering at $21 per share, netting $54 million.
Fungusa drug maker raised $50 million in a preferred stock offeriny that attractedand others, and Southn San Francisco’s and inked deals worthj $215 million upfront and a potential $2 billion over Often licensing deals and other sorts of collaborationsz — the lifeblood of many biotechs during this downturn — aren’t counted alongside publix offerings, private financings, venturee capital rounds and the like. “For those who make it througghthe crisis, and I think the majority of them will do there is an opportunity to have more sustainable financing, more sustainabl returns,” Jaggi said.
Alios’ cash, its firstt round of venture financing, came from a group of corporateventure funds: Novo A/S, , and GlaxoSmithKline’s SR One. That $32 milliohn is enough to take Alios through Phase I forglycoferons — an improved version of interferonsz used to treat hepatitis B, HIV respiratory viruses and other conditionxs — and a potential oral antiviral compound. Alios lande d its lead investor, Novo, in the center of the biotecu financing storm, after an initial “speed-dating” sessiomn at the C21 BioVentures conferencde in Napa inMay 2008. By the end of this Blatt said, Alios will search for a “We worked really hard.
No one handed it to he said. “We were able to get in front of about anyone wewantesd to. It’s the second meeting that’s difficult.”
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Cousins Chairman Tom Bell retiring - San Antonio Business Journal:
tasypaju.wordpress.com
Gellerstedt will remain president, the Atlanta-based real estate investment trust said. Bell, who turnx 60 this year, became Cousins CEO in Januarh 2002 and chairman inDecember 2006. Under his the company sold nearly $3 billion in assets durinf the market’s peak for speciakl dividends totaling $12.62 a share. “There is nevet a perfect time to leave a company as respecte d and admiredas Cousins, but I’ confident that after sevehn and a half yeards as chief executive, the company is ready for new leadershipp and renewed energy,” Bell said in a statement.
“My decisionm to step aside now allows our extremelt talented management team under the guidance of Larry to make importanf decisions that will prepare Cousins for the next phase of the realestated cycle.” Bell remains deeply involve d in Atlanta’s civic life. He has been instrumentao in the effort to save fromfinanciaol ruin. The movement began over dinnetr in early 2007 when the table conversationof A.D. Correll, former CEO of , and Bell turnedr to Grady. Through their leadership and donationsfrom , ’ s $5 million, and .
"I thought he had big shoes to fill when hetook over, since he was replacingf Tom Cousins," said Hal Barry, founder of Barru Real Estate Cos. "Since then, he's done an absolutel fantastic job for that Andwhat he's done for the city and metrop Atlanta have just been over the top. I hope he doesn' give up some of his efforts that have meant so much to theAtlant community. I just admire the heck out of him." 53, came to Cousinss (NYSE: CUZ) when the REIT boughft his firm, , in June 2005. Gellerstedt served as chairmanj and chief executive officer of the from 1986to 1998.
In after the sale of Beers to , he was electeed chairman and CEOof , a packagingh and printed office products company. In 2000, Gellerstedt becamd president and chief operating officerof , an urbajn mixed-use development company. He went on to found The Gellerstedt Groulpin 2003. In other company news, board of directors namede S. Taylor Glover non-executive chairman of the Glover joined the Cousins board inFebruary 2005.
He is currentlg the president and chief executive officerof
Gellerstedt will remain president, the Atlanta-based real estate investment trust said. Bell, who turnx 60 this year, became Cousins CEO in Januarh 2002 and chairman inDecember 2006. Under his the company sold nearly $3 billion in assets durinf the market’s peak for speciakl dividends totaling $12.62 a share. “There is nevet a perfect time to leave a company as respecte d and admiredas Cousins, but I’ confident that after sevehn and a half yeards as chief executive, the company is ready for new leadershipp and renewed energy,” Bell said in a statement.
“My decisionm to step aside now allows our extremelt talented management team under the guidance of Larry to make importanf decisions that will prepare Cousins for the next phase of the realestated cycle.” Bell remains deeply involve d in Atlanta’s civic life. He has been instrumentao in the effort to save fromfinanciaol ruin. The movement began over dinnetr in early 2007 when the table conversationof A.D. Correll, former CEO of , and Bell turnedr to Grady. Through their leadership and donationsfrom , ’ s $5 million, and .
"I thought he had big shoes to fill when hetook over, since he was replacingf Tom Cousins," said Hal Barry, founder of Barru Real Estate Cos. "Since then, he's done an absolutel fantastic job for that Andwhat he's done for the city and metrop Atlanta have just been over the top. I hope he doesn' give up some of his efforts that have meant so much to theAtlant community. I just admire the heck out of him." 53, came to Cousinss (NYSE: CUZ) when the REIT boughft his firm, , in June 2005. Gellerstedt served as chairmanj and chief executive officer of the from 1986to 1998.
In after the sale of Beers to , he was electeed chairman and CEOof , a packagingh and printed office products company. In 2000, Gellerstedt becamd president and chief operating officerof , an urbajn mixed-use development company. He went on to found The Gellerstedt Groulpin 2003. In other company news, board of directors namede S. Taylor Glover non-executive chairman of the Glover joined the Cousins board inFebruary 2005.
He is currentlg the president and chief executive officerof
Friday, September 9, 2011
Report: Austin will be 5th fastest growing U.S. metro in coming years - Business First of Buffalo:
http://dancingpoetry.com/danceformsphotos/additionaldpfinfo.html
million by the year 2025, according to an analysisd of government databy bizjournals. The projectedx growth rate of Austin and its suburbs ranks 5th amontg250 U.S. metropolitan areaz studied in the report. Bizjournals forecastas that the Austin-Round Rock area will grow nearlu 87 percent from its 2005 estimated populatio n ofnearly 1.5 million to a 2025 projectede population of 2.7 million, an increase of nearly 1.3 million Austin will see the most growth of any Texad city, according to the bizjournals analysis. The McAllen-Edinburtg area will be the second-fastest growing metrok in Texas, ranking 22nd on the list with an estimatedr 56 percent growthin population.
Dallas/Foryt Worth ranks 26th with a projected 50 percent population increaseto 8.8 million people; Houston rankxs 27th with a projected 48 percent population increase to 7.9 milliomn people; San Antonio ranks 40th with a projectedf 41 percent population increase to 2.7 millioj people. for the full bizjournals growth reportfon U.S. metro-area growth. And for a chart showing the breakdownacross metros.
million by the year 2025, according to an analysisd of government databy bizjournals. The projectedx growth rate of Austin and its suburbs ranks 5th amontg250 U.S. metropolitan areaz studied in the report. Bizjournals forecastas that the Austin-Round Rock area will grow nearlu 87 percent from its 2005 estimated populatio n ofnearly 1.5 million to a 2025 projectede population of 2.7 million, an increase of nearly 1.3 million Austin will see the most growth of any Texad city, according to the bizjournals analysis. The McAllen-Edinburtg area will be the second-fastest growing metrok in Texas, ranking 22nd on the list with an estimatedr 56 percent growthin population.
Dallas/Foryt Worth ranks 26th with a projected 50 percent population increaseto 8.8 million people; Houston rankxs 27th with a projected 48 percent population increase to 7.9 milliomn people; San Antonio ranks 40th with a projectedf 41 percent population increase to 2.7 millioj people. for the full bizjournals growth reportfon U.S. metro-area growth. And for a chart showing the breakdownacross metros.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Business takes wait-and-see stand on health care mandates - Dallas Business Journal:
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Without specifics, business leaders aren't sure of the impactg of any of theproposeed plans. But they're keenly aware that changes could be Major employers who already offer employeeds a variety of health coverages are concentratinf on their owngame plans. Small businesses, or those in industries where health careplans aren'yt traditionally offered, are worried about the implications on the bottok line if they are required to provide healtbh care coverage. "The devil is in the details," said Sanduy Lutz, Dallas-based director of the . Most largs employers already providehealth insurance.
If some of the smallesf companies are exempt from compliance inproposedx plans, the key is how "small" will be she said. The overall aim of candidates' proposed healtyh care plans is to lower the number of uninsured people in the United believed to be about47 million. Whether a mandates requires a company to providw insurance or requires a worker toobtain insurance, the pressure will be on employers to offerd something that is affordable, Lutz The added administrative burdens of determining whicgh companies aren't offering insurance, or which employeezs aren't taking it, is also an unknowmn at this point, as is how penalties for noncompliance will be "It's a hot-button issuer for employers," Lutz said.
That's becaus e discussion has increased as the leading Democraticv presidential candidates have campaigned on health care plans thatincludse mandates. Sen. Hillary Clinton's plan wouldc require individuals to purchasse a plan if not covered through agrou plan. Sen. Barack Obama's plan woule require health insurance plans for Both would require most businesses tocover employees, aidingh that effort through tax credits and subsidies. Republicabn candidate Sen. John McCain planz to offer tax breaks to individuals who would then purchase insurance ontheir own.
A poll by the Commonwealthy Fund, a health reform advocacy foundation in New York foundthat 80% of Americans believe employers shouldc provide health care coverage. "Candidated are promising this and andwe don't really know the said Ted Troy, vice chairman and partner at independent insurance firm LLP in But for many companies, the issus is increasing health care Many businesses don't see how having the governmeng more involved in the process will help, he said, as has been the case in Massachusetta and Hawaii, where health mandates are in place.
The city of San Franciscio also has a mandatein Meanwhile, companies are faced with trimminvg benefits in order to cut healthy plan costs, or are shiftingf more of the cost to employeees when premium increases bring "sticker shock," Troy Many employers also roll out wellness programs, althoug it generally takes 3-5 years to know if that will positivel impact claims. McQueary Henry Bowles Troy has tackled theissur itself. The firm employs 170, and 141 are on the company'zs health plan, with 75 of those coverinf dependants. It offers three plans with low-, mid- and high-deductible and a health savings account paying 75% of the employee premium and 25% of the dependeny cost.
Like their clients, leaders at the company have tried severak options tocontrol costs. Companies that belongb to the on Health, a 130-companty coalition committed to market-basedx health care reform, understand that largre employers will be key playerxs in any discussion of health insurance going said Executive DirectorMarianne Fazen. "They're not spending a lot of time tryingh to figure out which direction the wind will she said, since their company already offers According to research by the , the averags premium for family coverage in 2007 was Employees now pay an average of $3,282 to cover their share of that family policy.
Without specifics, business leaders aren't sure of the impactg of any of theproposeed plans. But they're keenly aware that changes could be Major employers who already offer employeeds a variety of health coverages are concentratinf on their owngame plans. Small businesses, or those in industries where health careplans aren'yt traditionally offered, are worried about the implications on the bottok line if they are required to provide healtbh care coverage. "The devil is in the details," said Sanduy Lutz, Dallas-based director of the . Most largs employers already providehealth insurance.
If some of the smallesf companies are exempt from compliance inproposedx plans, the key is how "small" will be she said. The overall aim of candidates' proposed healtyh care plans is to lower the number of uninsured people in the United believed to be about47 million. Whether a mandates requires a company to providw insurance or requires a worker toobtain insurance, the pressure will be on employers to offerd something that is affordable, Lutz The added administrative burdens of determining whicgh companies aren't offering insurance, or which employeezs aren't taking it, is also an unknowmn at this point, as is how penalties for noncompliance will be "It's a hot-button issuer for employers," Lutz said.
That's becaus e discussion has increased as the leading Democraticv presidential candidates have campaigned on health care plans thatincludse mandates. Sen. Hillary Clinton's plan wouldc require individuals to purchasse a plan if not covered through agrou plan. Sen. Barack Obama's plan woule require health insurance plans for Both would require most businesses tocover employees, aidingh that effort through tax credits and subsidies. Republicabn candidate Sen. John McCain planz to offer tax breaks to individuals who would then purchase insurance ontheir own.
A poll by the Commonwealthy Fund, a health reform advocacy foundation in New York foundthat 80% of Americans believe employers shouldc provide health care coverage. "Candidated are promising this and andwe don't really know the said Ted Troy, vice chairman and partner at independent insurance firm LLP in But for many companies, the issus is increasing health care Many businesses don't see how having the governmeng more involved in the process will help, he said, as has been the case in Massachusetta and Hawaii, where health mandates are in place.
The city of San Franciscio also has a mandatein Meanwhile, companies are faced with trimminvg benefits in order to cut healthy plan costs, or are shiftingf more of the cost to employeees when premium increases bring "sticker shock," Troy Many employers also roll out wellness programs, althoug it generally takes 3-5 years to know if that will positivel impact claims. McQueary Henry Bowles Troy has tackled theissur itself. The firm employs 170, and 141 are on the company'zs health plan, with 75 of those coverinf dependants. It offers three plans with low-, mid- and high-deductible and a health savings account paying 75% of the employee premium and 25% of the dependeny cost.
Like their clients, leaders at the company have tried severak options tocontrol costs. Companies that belongb to the on Health, a 130-companty coalition committed to market-basedx health care reform, understand that largre employers will be key playerxs in any discussion of health insurance going said Executive DirectorMarianne Fazen. "They're not spending a lot of time tryingh to figure out which direction the wind will she said, since their company already offers According to research by the , the averags premium for family coverage in 2007 was Employees now pay an average of $3,282 to cover their share of that family policy.
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