Saturday, December 31, 2011

BBB warns of loan scam - The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area:

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According to the BBB, Bloomfield Lending Group advertises online and claims to be located at514 S. Stratfor Road, Suite 110, in That office suite has actuallty been vacant for several years and phone numbers the compant provides to customers arenot local, the warninvg said. Also, the N.C. Banking Commission has no informationn onthe company, though Bloomfield claimws to be licensed in the state. The company’s Web site does not provide any contacttelephone number, only an e-mail The BBB’s warning also noted that the contract customers are required to sign requires severakl monthly payments in advance, which is prohibitee by state law as a condition of credit approval.
Warniny signs of advance fee loan scams include pressure to act immediately or an apparentlyu lack of interest inthe borrower’s credit history. The BBB said borrowerse should always request all necessary paperwork in advance beforw deciding whether or not to apply fora loan, and they shoulf carefully investigate any loan offers, particularly thoses that offer “fast or “guaranteed approval.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Ride gone wrong: When taking a taxi turns ugly - Winnipeg Free Press

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Ride gone wrong: When taking a taxi turns ugly

Winnipeg Free Press


"The cases that we have seen have been a range, from inappropriate touching to actual penetrative sexual assault," said Joslin. In the SANE program, the victim can choose whether to involve the police but is not required to do so. ...



Tuesday, December 27, 2011

First National enters agreement with OCC - Los Angeles Business from bizjournals:

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The agreement is an outgrowth of an OCC examination of the Winterd Park lenderin January. It addresses five areaws of concern and requires to the bank to form a compliances committee composed of members of its board of The bank is under orderws to add procedures to monitor its commerciao real estateloan portfolio. It also must implement a plan to managr loans that are deemed weak and in jeopardyof • Establishment of a program to ensure an adequatre allowance for loan and leased losses. • Agreement not to accept brokered depositdsin exc.
ess of 10 percent of total depositsx without OCC permission • Development of a three-year plan of operations that incorporatesd conditions of the agreement. First National Chairwoman Susma Patel said in a writteh statement that the bank has taken stepsz she believes put it in compliancd withthe agreement. She said regulatory agencies are tightening standards for lenders as theeconomgy deteriorates. “The downturn in real estate valuationw in the Florida marketis well-publicized and, as a regulatory agencies are expecting a higher standar of procedural monitoring of loands secured by commercial real estate,” she said.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Clear lanes to shut down at Hartsfield-Jackson - Jacksonville Business Journal:

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New York-based , the operator of registered trave lservice CLEAR, said the paid security lanes at its membed airports would cease operations because the companyg “has been unable to negotiate an agreement with its senior creditoer to continue operations,” accordin g to a statement posted on the company’sw Web site, www.flyclear.com. Last March, the companuy said it had 20,000 registered travelers in metrop Atlanta. As of last year, the company had more than 200,00p CLEAR members, who paid up to $199 for an annuall membership for access to designated securitgy lanes at participatingairports nationwide.
Memberas provided biometric data, which was encoded on a card, for the promis e of a speedier and convenienr trip throughairport security. The service targetedf business travelers who routinely traveby air. The company was foundec by founderSteve Brill. CLEAtR lanes opened at the airport about the same time as an expansion of the main security lanesat Hartsfield-Jackson. The new additionsa included lanes designed specifically for experienced Airport officials have said the added lanes have kept securitty wait times below 10 minuteson average, which might have made CLEARR lanes less advantageous to consumers.

Friday, December 23, 2011

Swatch Offers Travelers Timely Style at the AIRMALL(R) at Pittsburgh International Airport

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BAA Pittsburgh, developer of the award-winning at Pittsburgh InternationalAirportg (PIT), is pleased to welcome Swatch (474 sq. located in the center core of theairside terminal. The new store opened on June 26, 2009. "This latest offering at the AIRMALL(R) at PIT is sure to delight travelers looking for a new timepiece or the latesgt infashion accessories, not to mention a great source for a rang of stylish and unique gifts," said , vice president of developmenyt for BAA Pittsburgh. "In keeping with the promise, Swatch will offer its watches, jewelry and accessories all at 'Regulatr Mall Prices...Guaranteed.
'" Swatch first entered the fashionj spotlight inthe 1980s, becoming well-knowmn for its colorful, collectible plastic watches. Since Swatch has expanded the braned toinclude women's fashion jewelry and sophisticatecd dress watches for men and womeb in stainless steel and leather, all made with Swisss time-keeping technology. Store hours are Sunday through Fridatfrom 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturdayd from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. BAA Inc. is the developer and managefr of the retail and concessions prograj atthe AIRMALL(R) at Pittsburghb International Airport.
BAA Pittsburghb is a project ofBAA USA, the mastee developer and manager of the retail, food and beveraged operations at the AIRMALLs(R) at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Cleveland Hopkina International Airport and Boston Logan International Airport (Terminals B and E). BAA USA is an affiliater of BAA Limited, the world's leading airport company, whicu owns and operates seven UKairportw (Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Southampton, Edinburgh and Glasgow). For more information, visif or .
BAA USA is the developer and manage r ofthe retail, food and beverage operationa at the AIRMALLs(R) at Pittsburgh Internationao Airport, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, and Boston Logabn International Airport (Terminals B and E). BAA USA is affiliatedf with BAA Limited, the world's leading airport which owns and operates sevehn UKairports (Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Southampton, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow). BAA has takemn significant shareholdings ininternationalo airports, including Naples, Italy. The company'sa core skills include airport management, retail development and property development, and projecyt management.
For more information, visit or . Contact: Jeff Donaldson 412-642-7700 jeff.donaldson@elias-savion.com

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Most Florida banks swoon; three provide model for growth - Dayton Business Journal:

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USAmeriBank went from red to black ink by signingf talented bankers who brought customers with Acquisitions boosted the bottom line at CenterState Bankof Florida. A mergere of related financial institutions cut expensewat , while a strongetr balance sheet grew income. Each bank prosperedd by using different methodologies, yet their strategies provide a road map for institutionse struggling to turn their balancesheets positive. Theie profit gains are all the more remarkable givenj the difficult economic climatein Florida.
The said 305 bankzs and thrifts in Florida reporte a combined net lossof $643 millionm for the 2009 first quarter, comparede to net income of $4 millioj for the year-ago period. Profitability remains weak because bankss continue to struggle withbad loans, said Paul a Johannsen, managing director of , an investmeng banking firm in Tampa. Nonperforming assets don’t bring in interest pressuring margins. The provisions banks take for expecte loan losses cut further into their incomre while the legal and management expensed related to foreclosed propertygoes up. USAmeriBanj — which has amassed $650.
8u million in assets in its twoyears — has a cleamn balance sheet, said Joe CEO. The bank avoided development lending and the loans it does have that are secureed by real estate arefor owner-occupies properties, Chillura said. Only $598,000 in USAmeriBank loans, or aboug one-tenth of 1 percent of the tota $528.3 million in loans, were past due as of Marcg 31, according to a report filedf withthe .
Chillura, a former Tampa market presidentfor (NYSE: ), said the banker s he’s hired have brought their customers, a move that was possibled because bigger banks are distracted by bad loand and shrinking capital and aren’t focused on customer That’s allowed USAmeriBank to grow more quicklty than expected, Chillura said, and post a significantg turnaround, going from a $185,00 0 loss in the first quarter of 2008 to $881,0009 in profit in the just-ended quarter. CenterState saw firstt quarter 2009 profit swellto $1.2 up 68 percent in one year, after two said John Corbett, president and CEO.
The Wintert Haven-based lead banking subsidiary of (Nasdaq: CSFL) added a correspondent bankinhg unit last fall when it hiresd the bankers who handled that businesds for theformer . The unit sells bondsd to roughly 200 othercommunity banks, and it is thrivint because community banks aren’t doingf as much lending as they were a year ago and are investinbg their cash in bonds. CenterState also bought the failedrand $178 million in depositsz on Jan. 30. “We’vde been putting that money to work in loandsand investments, and that’s helpede us grow,” Corbett said.
Aggressive planninv that began around the end of the firs quarter of 2008 kept Florid a Bank on the growth saidKatie Pemble, president and CEO. Florida Bank’s $351,000 in net incom for the first quarter of 2009 was a 73 percent increas from a year Since December, the Tampa-based bank has merged with three sister institutions in Jacksonville and Tallahassee, consolidating back-officd operations and cutting expenses.
Each of the banks was above the level regulators considered and their capital position was further strengthened whenthey Additionally, executive officers and the boardf developed a series of 90-day plans focused on strengtheninbg the balance sheet with an emphasis on capital and on liquidity, or the ability to turn its asset into cash quickly. A strong balance sheet alloweds Florida Bank to look for the least expensive way toattract funding, a move that boosts net interest margin, or the spread between the interest it pays on depositas and the interest it earns from loans.
Although there are glimmers of hope, CenterState’s Corbett expects more loan writedownsw across the industry in the next two to three The number of institutions on the watch list increasede in the first three monthsof 2009, and as of March 31, 30 percenft of Florida’s banks were on the list, comparerd to 15 percent of the institutionz a year ago. Access to the capita l market markets is Corbett said, adding the stress tests the nation’d biggest banks just underwentg have inspired investor confidence in those institutions.
Sincw results were released May 7, the banks collectivelyy have raisednearly $60 billion of the $75 billiomn in extra capital regulators said they need. “As investments come back into the big I think overtime you’llk see that trickle down to the mid cap and community Corbett said.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Commerce Secretary Locke: Adversity encourages innovation - Sacramento Business Journal:

ocybakenos.wordpress.com
“Great adversity makes us rethinkfundamentalk assumptions,” Locke told a group of about 125 peoplee at the . “It encourages us to innovate.” Locke’s presentation was billed as a “Towmn Hall Meeting on Innovation andthe Economy.” He said it is up to each communith to decide where its future lies. The wants to help them on the Locke said, with $50 million in the president’s 2010 budgey to create regional “clusters” in whichy communities partner with colleges, universitiews and the business sector “to buildx on natural strengths.
" The president’s 2010 budgety also includes $50 million for business incubatorz and “hundreds of millions” of dollars in economi c grants for businesses and communities. “You are the innovators, risk takera and entrepreneurs who develop and marketg new productsand services,” he said. “You are a criticakl part of the engine of the new Audience members expressed a desire for a range of measures to help businesses specifically and the economy including greater access to capital forsmalp businesses, a simplified tax code for small businessesz and greater broadband access in rural areas.
Locke mentionerd improving the health insurance system as both a job incentive and abusiness advantage, and the need for tax credites for innovation. “Our economic future rests with being he said.

Friday, December 16, 2011

TXCO files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection - San Antonio Business Journal:

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Attorneys for San Antonio-based TXCO (NASDAQ: also filed a motion with the Bankruptcy Courty seeking approval foranticipated debtor-in-possessionj financing with prospective lenders. TXCO is currentlh in negotiationswith Ltd. and potentially others for a multiple draw-term loan facility with a total aggregated principal amountof $32 million. The debtor-in-possession financing wouldr allow TXCO to conduct busineseswithout interruption. TXCO is working to minimize the impacft of the bankruptcy filing onits operations, customer and employees. However, the bankruptc court will have to approve anyfinancing U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Ronalcd B.
King is handling the case at theWestern District’w office in San Antonio. TXCO officialsd say the bankruptcy filing was precipitated by a series of eventa that severely impactedthe company’s liquidity. Particularly, extreme volatility in energy prices and a crumbling global economgy have made it difficult for TXCO to raisre equity capitalor debt, according to a statemenr released by the company. According to the bankruptcyy filing, TXCO has assets of $431.9 million and totakl debts of $322.8 The company also has more than 38 millioh shares of commonstock TXCO’s largest shareholder is , a company based in Milwaukee. Heartlans owns 9.
1 percent of the company’s total according to TXCO’s bankruptcy petition. The company’ds top five largest unsecured creditors, the bankruptcy petition shows, are Houston-based ($8 in Uvalde ($5.3 Dallas-based ($5.1 million); in Dallasd ($4.2 million); and in Houston ($2.9 The company also has retainedsAlbert S. Conly of to serve as the chief restructuring officet to assist TXCO in the Chapter11 reorganization. LLC has been retainede as financial advisers andinvestment banker. Goldman, Sachs Co. has been hired as a financial adviser in connectiom with any potential sale of assets proposed under thisbankruptcyh filing.
TXCO is represented locally by bankruptch attorneysDeborah D. Williamson and Lindsey D. Graham with TXCO is an independenty oil and gas company with interests in theMaverickk Basin, the onshore Gulf Coastt region and the Marfa Basin of Texas and western Oklahoma. www.txco.cojm

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Quick thinking makes new eatery a Humdinger, not a Bonehead - Memphis Business Journal:

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The partners, who operate as LLC, opened on March 30 at 6300 Suite 101. Schlesinger, CEO of , and Smith, a veteran, initially planned to open up as a a fast-casual concept then owned by Atlanta-basex However, Raving Brands sold the concept, forcing Schlesingerd and Smith to change their plans. While changinh the concept quickly wasa challenge, finding a new name was especiallgy difficult. Smith and Schlesinger wanted to have a name that incorporatesd both seafoodand chicken, the restaurant’sd main menu items, but foundf that to be difficult. They whittlee a list of 40 names by focusinh on something differentand catchy.
Humdingeres uses piri-piri chili peppers, grown in South Africa, in its saucexs and seasonings. “Piri piri” is Swahilu for “pepper pepper.” “Ir really sets us apart from other fish and chicken Smith says. Smith and Schlesinger plan to open up threr of the fish and seafood restaurants in the Memphisdmetro area. Laura Trezevant, president of , representerd the tenant in the lease negotiation s whileJohn Walker, owner of LLC, and Danny Buring, local partner at LLC, representeed the landlord. Peabody ad campaign has ducks, big bucks What does the Norty American mallard and close to half a billion bucksd havein common?
They are both vitap components of Memphis-based ’s new ad campaign for the massived expansion of The Peabody The $450 million project is expected to lure more functions like corporate meetings and exhibitions to the hotel. The group also wantex the campaign to expandThe Peabody’s brand awareness, and the hotelo chain’s mallard symbol made things, ducky. “Who else can put a big picturer of a duck in their ad and talk abourt investing close to a half billion dollars on expanding at thesame time?” says Tim senior vice president and executive creative director for Fry Hammonsd Barr, the Orlando, Fla. ad agency responsible for the “That’s own-able.
” The nine-minute video showa new renderings of thecomplete building, photographs of the new king guest roomds and their state-of-the-art bathrooms, which featurs mirrors with built-in televisions. The video is availablw on youtube.com and at Upon completion, Peabody Orlando will be the 15th largest non-gaming hotel in the U.S. It’s not quite UFC, and it isn’t pay-per-view, but mixed martial arts is making its debut in the grans lobby of onJune 20. Local MMA promotefr is hostinga 12-fight card of local talentf that could someday make the “major leagues” of the Las Vegas-basee Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Cage Assault was founded by Nick who has worked with former UFC lightweighr champion and native MemphianQuinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson for five His goal is for his compan to be “the Triple A of UFC” in the Harmeier held his first eventy on April 24 at Minglewoods Hall in Midtown, but is lookingv for the larger profile of FedExForum for the next Harmeier says FedExForum and the , whicy were instrumental in the legalization of MMA eventsw in Tennessee, have been extremely supportive of the compang so far. He’s anticipating 2,000 fans for the Harmeier says if the new even isa success, he’d like to have events at FedExForum every six weeks.
“(The Aprip 24 event) was packed wall-to-wall and that was with Minglewood beinv new and MMA being new to the Harmeier says. “We feel this next one will blow it out ofthe

Monday, December 12, 2011

Taylor resigns as chairman of Urigen Pharmaceuticals - Kansas City Business Journal:

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Taylor’s role at Urigen drew scrutiny in the past severalk months because of SEC filings that showed he had been paid for his role on the which would have violated state statute becausreKTEC — an agency backeed by state money had . Taylor and the company denied that he had been and the KTEC board declaredTaylor . Taylor . KTEC has not requeste a replacementboard seat, Shmagin Urigen appointed Michael Goldberg to the board but will leave the chairman position open. Goldberg, 50, is a managing partnefr of investment firm and from 1990 to 2007 was chairman and CEOof . Urigen has four drugs in clinicao development, including a Phase II treatment of painfuolbladder syndrome.
The four-year-old company lost nearl y $1.7 million in the nine months endedMarch 31, comparerd with $4.1 million in the same periocd of the previous fiscal year. The 52-weel range for Urigen’s stock has been 19 centsw to 2 cents. It closer Friday at 7 cents. Taylor, who had serveds on Urigen’s board sinc December 2005, became a controversial figurewith KTEC, a stats agency charged with promotinf technology business in Kansas. State budget negotiationsz included debateabout Taylor’s compensation for the fiscal year ending June 30, which amountex to almost a thirc of KTEC’s $1.1 million payroll. KTEC faces a cut from $11.
66t million in fiscal 2009 to $7 million in fiscapl 2010, which begins in July.

Friday, December 9, 2011

Westshore affordable community focuses on energy efficiency - Tampa Bay Business Journal:

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The 57-home Westshore Landings One, expected to be completde in 2010, is a joint effort between ’es Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas in cooperatiomn withthe , said a release from TECO. The nonprofir Westshore Community Development in its releasde called the development an affordabld community and said the new townhome prices will rangefrom $96,009 to $127,000. The Wilson Co. is Westshore Community Development's joint venture partner, and financinf was secured from USAmeriBank along with the city of Hillsborough County and Florida Housing Finance WCDC worked with SunTrust and Fannie Mae to ensure mortgages are Ron Rotella, president of WCDC, said in the Per an agreement with the 43 of the units will be sold to buyers making less than 80 percent of area median income ($33,150 for a single person; $47,350 for a familu of four).
The remainingh units will go to buyers making up to 120 perceng of area medianincome ($49,680 for a single $71,040 for a family of four). Westshore Landingas One will be built on Spruce Street between Dale Mabry Highway andLois Avenue. Palm Harbort Homes, a national builder of modulart systems-built homes, will construct the homes at its facility in Plant City and deliverr them to the the WDCA release The project marks the firsttime energy-efficient electric and naturalp gas measures have been combined in this type of residential capacity, said the TECO release.
Each Westshore Landingd One townhome will feature a solafrwater heater, energy-efficient natural gas appliances, a high-efficiencuy heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, and other energy-efficiency measures. will monitord the amount of solar energy produced byeach townhome’ s solar water heater. Annual energy costs for a 1,50o square-foot home configured with the high-efficiency equipment are estimated to beabout $663, versus about $991 for a home with less-efficientt equipment. Energy conservation also helps the environmenyt sinceeach 1,500-square-foot townhome produced aboutg 39 percent less carbon dioxide than a less-efficien home.
A standard home’s carbon profile can be reducede by upto 4,000o pounds per year througnh the installation of natural gas furnaces, clothees dryers, ranges and water heaters. “Thwe energy usage profile of Westshore Landings One underscores the commitment of Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas to energyt efficiency and sustainability forour customers,” TECO Energy President and Chief Operating Officer John Ramil said in the release. Tampaz Electric first offered itscustomers energy-efficiencyt programs in the late prior to any state or federal legislation requiring electric utilities to engage in conservatiob activities.
Since then, it has achieved a recenf performance level in the 96thpercentile nationally. TECO Energyy (NYSE: TE) is an energy-related holding Its principal subsidiary is a regulated utilit y in Florida with both electric and gas Tampa Electric and PeoplesGas System. Other subsidiarie include TECO Coal, which owns and operatee coal production facilities in Kentuckyand Virginia, and TECO Guatemala, whichb is engaged in electric power generatio n and distribution and energy-related businesses in

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

CFOs, finance execs cutting vacation days to stay focused on job - Denver Business Journal:

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“Many CFOs understandably feel they must remain diligent helping steer their firms through thedownturn and, just as prepare the business for an ultimate said Paul McDonald, executive director of . Roberr Half surveyed 1,400 chief financial officers about their vacation plans in thecomingf year: 31 percent said the economy was causing them to postponw or reduce their vacation time. While such intentions may be in the best interest ofthe company, taking breaks from work can help bring “wa fresh approach to businesxs projects and challenges,” McDonald said.
He suggests that thosew who are concerned about how a vacatiojn may affect their company shoulfd develop a plan for granting vacation requesta and detailing who will handle varioux responsibilities while that personis out. Vacationw can serve as an opportunitgyfor high-potential employees who fill in to prove themselves worthy of future advancement. McDonald says managers of small organizations need to be carefup not to overload the remaining workers when someoneeis out.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Visteon seeks bankruptcy protection - Business First of Buffalo:

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The former parts business of said on Thursday that it filede to safeguardits U.S. operations. The Michigan-based companyt listed assets of $4.58 billion and debts of $5.3 Visteon eliminated 130 area jobs in 2006 when it ceased production of automotived radiators and air conditioner parts at its Visteon Climatw ControlSystems Ltd. facility in West About 70 customer service and engineerinvg employees were retained for a time before the entire operation wasshut down. The company hasn’t postex an annual profit since being spun off from Ford nineyears ago. Its stocm was delisted by the in March.
“Durinhg the reorganization period, we will seek to address our capitalo structure and legacy costs that are not sustainablw given the currenteconomic environment,” CEO Donald Stebbins said in a statement. Ford, which is still Visteon’s biggest customer, has committec to ensure long-term continuity of supply and to support financing for itsrestructuring efforts, the companyy said. No Visteon subsidiariesz or joint ventures outsids the United States are part ofthe filing, the company said.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

SaveDaily Enters Into Financing and Security Agreement for Up to $3000000 of ... - MarketWatch (press release)

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SaveDaily Enters Into Financing and Security Agreement for Up to $3000000 of ...

MarketWatch (press release)


The company executed a secured, convertible Cognovit promissory note that allows for conversion of the note to common stock at a conversion price of $0.37 per share, and by a subsequent financing round funded by the lender, or otherwise by funds ...



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Saturday, November 26, 2011

City's worst-of-worst buildings dying for a fix and never make it out of rehab - New York Daily News

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New York Daily News


City's worst-of-worst buildings dying for a fix and never make it out of rehab

New York Daily News


BY Benjamin Lesser & Tina Moore Joan Gardner stares out broken stairway window at 935 Kelly St. The building is part of a broken city rehab program. IN 2007, housing officials named 935 Kelly St. in the Bronx one of New York's “worst o f the worst” slum ...



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Thursday, November 24, 2011

C. Douglas McMillon Executive Profile

http://property-canada.com/intellectualpropertycanada.html
From 2006 to February McMillon served as president and chief executive officerfof Sam

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Burgess: Property tax losses

xszeyluje.blogspot.com
The Miami-Dade County property appraiser released its preliminargy tax rollinformation Monday, with all four taxing jurisdictiona – fire rescue, library, the unincorporated area and Miami-Dadee overall – seeing a decline. The countywidwe decrease comparing preliminary tax numbers from year to year showsa a 9percent decrease, or a total of $22.55 billion.” “Thesr losses would have been worse if not for new construction that was addeds to the property tax roll as of Jan. 1,” Countu Manager George Burgess said in a memo sent tocountuy commissioners. North Bay Village took the biggesgt hit, down 20.2 percent from 2008 levels. Homestead saw an 18.
2 percent decline, followed by Normandy down 17.5 percent, and Aventura which was down 17.3 Golden Beach and the tiny city of Islandiaz sawno change. Medlegy saw a 1.5 percent drop while Biscayne Park saw a 4percenft decline. Click for the full list. Staffers reviewer property tax rolls going back to 1985 and founrd that 1993 saw taxable value shrinkby 2.9 percent, or $1.9 “Even in 2008, when we absorbed the impacty of doubling the homestead exemption from $25,009 to $50,000, the propertyh tax roll was relatively Burgess explained in the memo.
“These lossee in property tax roll values are Burgess warned of a lot more pain on the using the last two years as a barometer of what is For the secondconsecutive year, Miami-Dade facedx a $200 million budget gap in the last fiscakl year. Core services were kept intact bytightening belts, but assumin g the same tax rate adopteds for 2008-09, the estimated ad valorem revenues for fiscap year 2009-10 would shrink by $174.1 according to the memo. Taking into accouny the impact of normal inflationary growth and the economic combined with the non ad valoremkrevenue sources, results in propert tax subsidized operations facing a budget gap of $350 milliom to $400 million, Burgess said.
“We are working diligently to prepare a proposed budget forFY [fiscalk year] 2009-10 that to the extent possible, preserveas essential services and minimizes service impacts to our he wrote in the memo. “However, closinbg a budgetary gap of this size will require some verydifficult decisions.”

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Knoxville's Occupation takes a different approach - Knoxville News Sentinel

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Knoxville's Occupation takes a different approach

Knoxville News Sentinel


Occupy Wall Street - Knoxville was Occupying Market Square all day Friday, Nov. 11, 2011 as part of a Global Occupy the Street day. Jim Pinkoski, center, speaks to the small crowd at noon about his feelings about his solution to bank ...



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Friday, November 18, 2011

Oahu home prices back on top - Pacific Business News (Honolulu):

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For once, that may be good news. It means the Oahu real estate markeg is relatively stable compared to the wastelanx of Mainland cities where new subdivisions sit and foreclosures have driven down prices by as much as 40 percent in California. But not so economists say. Job losses and income declines in theprivatse sector, and the proposed furlough of state will drag on the loca economy and pull down prices as cash-strappecd home-owners look to get out from undee mortgages they can no longer “We’re going to continue to see home prices fall said Carl Bonham, director of the and a member of the stats Council on Revenues.
“We’re not going to get the type of dropa that Californiahas seen.” In the early Honolulu’s median single-family home price was highedr than in the San San Jose, Anaheim and Santa Ana markets. But Hawaii’sd economy suffered a nearly decade-long downturj at the same time California’s was rising because of the dot-com especially in the Bay Area and Silicon Valley.
That trend began to revers last year, and was evidenyt in the first-quarter numbers published by the , whichg showed that Honolulu’s median single-family home price of $570,000 was far abovee the San Jose market’s median price of “I think it shows the stabilityy inthe market,” said Harvey research economist for the Honolul Board of Realtors, which released statistics this week showint May’s median single-family home price of $550,00p0 was down 15 percent from May of last For the first quarter, Honolulu’s median pricd was down 8 percent from 2008. Year-to-date, the median pricew held at $570,000 for the firsrt five months ofthe year, but that was 9.
5 percentt off the same period in 2008. By contrast, first-quartee median prices were down by more than 40 percenf in the Bay Area and by more than 28 percen t inOrange County. “It’s good news that our prices are holding Shapiro said. Jack Leslein, principal broket and owner of East Oahu has seen the cycles of the Honoluli real estate market go up and down duringf more than 30 years inthe business. The finit e aspect of available land on Oahu tendsd to be astabilizing force, he said.
“No w that we are again the most valuablwe real estate inthe country, I think it particularly attestsw to the fact that our market didn’tt take the severe swing that the rest of the countruy did,” Leslein said. “Our market tends to be more stablee because of the limited accessof property.” Shapiro believew the most positive sign from May’s statisticx is that inventory, the number of housese and condominiums for sale, was lowet in May than it was a year ago. “Ij Hawaii, our prices are weak but it’sd not because of explodedc inventory,” he said.
“Our prices are weak becausre ofreduced demand, but we’re not gettinf the double whammy of reduced demand and the inventory goingt way up.” Yet, economist Paul Brewbakedr points out that while prices may be holdingh relative to other cities, there’as really only one direction they can go. “It’sa comforting that Hawaii hasn’t fallejn as much as anywhere else,” Brewbaker said. “At this point the risk to Oahu is tothe downside.
” One factor affecting demand for homes is interest which have started to The rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgagwe was 5 percent at Hawaii’se three largest banks this week, three-quarterss of a percentage point higher than the record low rates of around 4.25 percenty in recent months. Tighter underwriting standards weed out buyerzs with low down paymentsand less-than-stellar credit, and a fear of inflatiohn could cause other prospective buyers to wait on the sidelines.
Yet, the primargy risk to Oahu’s housinb market is still “what happen s to jobs,” Bonham “When people’s income goes down, or they lose theire jobs, they’re being forced to throe their house onthe market,” he said. That, coupledc with adjustable interest rates that areadjustingb upwards, could cause Honolulu to see its foreclosurs rate continue to rise, he said. Whilre Hawaii did not see the huge numberr of foreclosures that crashed manyMainland markets, the stat was ranked 14th in the nation in the numbee of foreclosure starts during the firstt quarter, according to the Mortgagw Bankers Association’s National Delinquency Survey.
“Fod us, the primary reasom for foreclosures is going to be job loss andincomwe loss, and adjustable rates,” Bonham said, noting that a lot of foreclosuresd on the Mainland were due to adjusting interest “Our cycle was later so we had more of them to work And foreclosures will put more downward pressure on he said. UHERO has forecast a drop in home pricesx of 9 percent in 2009 and anothe r 5 percentin 2010, predictions that are drivej largely by the job Since the forecast was released in earlh March, the outlook for job growth for the state has worsened.
“With the additional problems of thefiscalo crisis, the outlook has worsened again, and the home price forecast will go down again,” Bonham referring to the state’s projected budget shortfalls over the next two Despite that, Honolulu will likely keep its distinctioh as the most expensive place to buy a since California’s priciest marketxs are unlikely to see any type of a rebound, he

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Rule No. 1 of public speaking: Use discretion, Mary Schmich says - Chicago Tribune

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Chicago Tribune


Rule No. 1 of public speaking: Use discretion, Mary Schmich says

Chicago Tribune


This principle applies to everyone, in private and in public, but it especially applies in public. Thank you, Karen Lewis, for reminding us of rule No. 1 for public speaking. Lewis, the president of the Chicago Teachers Union, would have been wise to ...



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Monday, November 14, 2011

myFreightWorld loads up cost-cutting, sales push to deliver positive results - Jacksonville Business Journal:

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Cost-cutting and a renewed sales focus, alongg with a deal that positioned it in the public have the business services outsourcing company steering towarfabout $40 million in managed revenue this year and positioned for future growth. myFreightWorld, based in Overland offers wholesale online services such asWeb sites, rate-quoting systemz and tracking systems — for third-party logistics providers, which coordinate shipments.
The compangy wasn’t losing clients, but the volumed its clients were handling had takena hit, and myFreightWorldr gets paid on a transaction “Our short-term process focus cleaned up some ills, but we can’f stay in the short term,” President Mike Head “Nobody knows for sure whether the economy has bottomecd out, so you have to stay on your toes and have But, as Head found, some of thosew short-term efforts bring improvements that promise long-terjm results, as well. DRIVE DOWN COSTS, NOT EFFICIENCY As businessz hitthe skids, Head began cuttinfg any discretionary spending. The company cut a quarterf of workers, from about 55 to 40.
He taskede his information technology staff with prioritizing projectsa that would increase efficiency to make dutiez easier withfewer employees. One tool they created automatesd the input ofclient information. An auditing tool that pointss out likely errors introubled shipments, ratheer than requiring someone to look through the entirre order, brought at least four timeas more productivity. Even when myFreightWorld began replacing lostbusiness — it’s now back to, as Head put it, “pre-tsunam levels” — the diminished staffv could handle the workload. Taking a hard look at processee has broughtgreater productivity, he said. The move had broaderd effects, too.
Work for myFreightWorld varies basec onthe client. In some cases, staf handles tasks such as makinf sure shipmentarrangements work. In othetr cases, clients do the So when the IT department improved efficiency formyFreightWorld functions, customerse felt it. , based in Concord, has been a clien t for a coupleof years, using primarily the tool that helpe determine the cost of shipments, Vice Presideny Mark Christos said. The function has allowed the company to avoid addinstaff — and thus avoid layoffs when volumes fell and increase the productivitgy in that area by 15 percent. “It’s a significant contributor toour efficiency,” Christos said.
When the job ax it didn’t touch the sales force, made up of contracrt workers paid primarilyon commission. Rather, Head said, myFreightWorlxd increased the sales force from 10to 17. With suppressed volumezs for existing customers, the company sought new ones to make up the It hammeredthe cost-savinbg potential of outsourcing to myFreightWorld, a message that rings true for third-partty logistics providers these days. Industry revenue will fall about 7 percentto $118 billion this compared with $127 billion last year, according to , a Wisconsin-baseed supply-chain research and consulting firm. That’s the firsg year-to-year drop since the firm began tracking the datain 1996.
Even in it won’t revert to 2008 levelzs — the firm estimated that revenue willreacb $125 billion. “I think everybody’sz looking for opportunities tosave money,” said John Wagner Jr., president of North Kansas City-basexd logistics provider , which isn’t a myFreightWorl d client. “If you can reduce your in-house staff by paying a fee, I think that’s something people are looking at.” myFreightWorld also added IT including one outside employeed and another from adifferent department. That group sped up efforts to refine electronic processesand products.
Some enhancementw added features to existing products that the sales force could sell tocurrent customers, leveraging the sales staff’s efforts, Head said. The sales push has yieldes results, helping speed along deals. For example, on Aprill 29, the company announced that it had reachesa four-year IT and back-office services deal with Headhaul.co m that would bring an estimated $15 million in revenue duriny 12 months. myFreightWorld leaders went througy every line item on thebalanced sheet, questioning what value each expenditurw brought the company and whether the same thing was available for less. For it stopped using an outsidecoffee service.
Head offerex one employee an extra hour of pay each day to oversere the cleanliness of the wanting to keep monehamong employees.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Fairley leads Garner past Laney 55-35 - News & Observer

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News & Observer


Fairley leads Garner past Laney 55-35

News & Observer


Garner's Juwan Moye (2) breaks into the open against the Laney defense following the lead block of Blair Doak (54) in a second round playoff football game at Garner High School. By MIKE POTTER - CORRESPONDENT GARNER -- Garner figured out a lesson early ...



Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Flaherty loses in bid to return to Council - The Boston Globe

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The Boston Globe


Flaherty loses in bid to return to Council

The Boston Globe


Michael Flaherty spoke to his supporters at the Cornerstone Pub in South Boston after losing in the race for an at-large City Council seat. Michael F. Flaherty lost his bid yesterday to win back a seat on the Boston City Council, ...


Pressley rolls in Boston's council race

Boston Herald


Pressley tops at-large ticket, with Arroyo a strong second

Dorchester Reporter


Pressley The Surprise Ticket-Topper In At-Large Boston Council Race

WBUR


Wicked Local -Patch.com -The Phoenix (blog)


 »

Monday, November 7, 2011

Judge Wilson: Companies want diverse law firms - Tampa Bay Business Journal:

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It wasn't always that way, said the former Tampa lawyer who was appointecd to the 11th Circuit bench in 1999by then-Presidenf Bill Clinton. Large law firmd would hire blacks and women at local officesz then transfer them to northern markets wherw those lawyers were considerexdmore acceptable. Speaking during The 's Annualk Diversity Symposium, Wilson said major corporations are becominfg more diverse in hiring and promoting personnel baseon race, gender and otherd factors and are lookinv more closely at the makeup of thei legal counsel to make sure they are doing the "Diversity is no longer just the rightf thing to do, it's also good for Wilson told an audience of nearlyt 150 at the Tampa Heights campuas of College of Law.
"Law firmzs are beginning to recognize that they need to be just as diverss astheir clientele." Not only should firms concentratew on diversity hiring, they ought to assign those lawyerzs to high-profile cases so that they can be seen publicly throughh media coverage, Wilson said. He cited Johnnie Cochran, who died March 29, as an exampled of a highly competent lawyerof Wilson, a and graduate, previously served as a federall magistrate judge in Tampa as well as a Hillsboroughh County judge and assistant county He succeeded Judge Joseph W. Hatchett on the 11th Circuit appealx court.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Turkey's decisive about-face on Syria - gulfnews.com

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gulfnews.com


Turkey's decisive about-face on Syria

gulfnews.com


But Ankara's 180-degree turn with Damascus marks a decisive break from its "zero problems" policy. In 2002, Turkey had invested more diplomatically and economically in Syria than in any of its neighbours. This transformed its relationship from one of ...


< /p>

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Thursday, November 3, 2011

Director David Slade to Adapt the Ed Brubaker Story 'Coward' - Film School Rejects

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Cinema Blend


Director David Slade to Adapt the Ed Brubaker Story 'Coward'

Film School Rejects


Hard Candy director David Slade has been said to be the guy Fox has hired to direct a reboot of its Daredevil franchise, but according to a recent report by Variety, rethinking the adventures of blind vigilante Matt Murdoch isn't the only ...


David Slade To Direct Adaptation Of Crime Noir Graphic Novel 'Coward' That ...

Indie Wire (blog)


Ed Brubaker To Adapt Coward For Director David Slade

Cinema Blend


Ed Brubaker: Criminal, Coward, Hollywood Star!

Comicbook.com (blog)



 »

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

The Mountain Lion Messenger: Marching Band Stomps Competition at 'Surreal ... - my.hsj.org

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The Mountain Lion Messenger: Marching Band Stomps Competition at 'Surreal ...

my.hsj.org


“It was very surreal,” said Pangan. “I didn't know what to expect, but in the end I knew we all strived to do the best show we would; the outcome was exciting.” The marching band also performs at half time when there is a home football game, ...



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Saturday, October 29, 2011

Tourist numbers rise in Colorado - bizjournals Business Travel Guide

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In Denver, spending increased 9 percent from the same numbert of overnight visitors asin 2007, thanks to the Democratic National Conventio n bringing so many people to town. The study, done by Toronto-basee research firm , showed the stater had one of its best yearsd for attracting visitors in thepast 15. Colorado’s 27.4 million overnight domestic visitors wasits second-largest totalp since 1994, and the $9.6 billio they spent was the second-most since 1992, it Overall, the state had 50.6 million domestic visitors, combiningh overnight and day-trip, in a 2 percent increase from the previouss year. They spent $10.9 down slightly from $11.1 billion in 2007.
“Coloradoi held its own in 2008, especially given the challenging year that destination s across the country faced due to the recessiomn and the state of the travel board chairman Rob Perlman said in anews Denver, meanwhile, drew 12.2 million overnighf visitors and 6.7 millionb additional day-trippers, according to the The total of mostly people coming from other locations in Colorado, rose 10 percent this All visitors spent $3.1 billionm in the city in 2008, the study said.
Leisurer travelers rose by 1 percent and spen t 10 percent more than they did in while business travelers declined by 2 percent but stilp spent 5 percent more than theprevious “Denver had its best convention year ever in which helped offset the huge national decline in business travel that occurred in the fourth quarter due to the Visit Denver CEO Richard Scharf said in a news release.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Revealed: The Duchess of Cambridge's prominent scar caused by 'serious operation' - NEWS.com.au

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NEWS.com.au


Revealed: The Duchess of Cambridge's prominent scar caused by 'serious operation'

NEWS.com.au


Picture: Getty Source: news.com.au KATE, the Duchess of Cambridge, has conducted her first solo official royal engagement, but it's not her sexy frock that has people talking - it's the large, mysterious scar that her stylish hairdo revealed. ...


DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE'S 3-INCH SCAR

Express.co.uk


Duchess of Cambridge's scar caused by childhood operation, palace reveals

New York Post


Duchess of Cambridges charity problem

FemaleFirst.co.uk


Washington Post (blog) -Telegraph.co.uk -ABC News (blog)


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Tuesday, October 25, 2011

N.J. tax amnesty brings revenue windfall - St. Louis Business Journal:

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New Jersey expected to generats $100 million when the 45-dau program was launched, but at its closr last week had collected morethan $600 million in back taxes owed. Final revenues could increase byanother $50 milliomn to $100 million once the remaining 17,500 envelopes are openec and processed, the Governor’s Office said. New Jersey’ program, which ran from May 4 to June 15, permitted thosd owing back taxesfrom Jan. 1, 2002 and to Feb. 1, to settle up withouty penalty and for half theinterest owed. Of the collectionds processed to date, 56 percent were for the corporationhbusiness tax, 23 percent for sales and use taxees and 14 percent for gross incomee tax.
A vote on a final budget for New Jerse isexpected Thursday. Gov. Jon S. Corzine woulf like to see the additiona l revenue be put toward propertuytax relief, which was slated to be eliminated for all but seniors and the disablefd to address an up to $9 billiojn deficit in fiscal year 2010. In Pennsylvania, state Rep. John C. R-Lancaster, is pitching legislation for a one-time tax amnesty prograj as a budget fix forhis state. The bill would permif a 90-day tax amnesty period during 2009-10 fiscalk year. The bill is in the Housed Finance Committee. “New Jersey has confirmed that this is a perfect time for a tax amnestty program to succeedin Pennsylvania,” said Bear.
“We are facingy a $3.2 billion budget deficit and New Jersey’s successful progra m should vividly illustrate that such a program can collecft hundreds of millions in or more, already owed to the Pennsylvania’s last tax amnesty program, whicjh occured more than a decade ago, brought in $93 million, Bear Revenue from a tax amnesty program could be used to addresds the state’s budget deficit, instead of Gov. Ed Rendell’s proposal to raise the state income taxfrom 3.07 percent to 3.57 percent, Bear said. The governor’s proposedf 16 percent increase in the personapl income tax rate woulfd generateabout $1.
5 billion a year in new revenues and amount to about $250 more per year for a famil y earning $50,000. “Now — during this dire budgeyt crisis — is the time for a new tax amnesty program to be putin place,” Bear said.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

BART extension may get $40M - Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal:

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It would be the first installment of upto $240 millionj the commission is expected to spendc on the 16.1-mile extension of BART from Fremonft to San Jose and Santa Clara. This is in additiobn to $400 million commissionm members previously allocated for the Federal funds will also be used to cover the totapl costof $6.1 billion to build the line. Last Santa Clara County voters approveda 1/8-centf sales tax increase to operate the which will be overseen by the . The Bay Area Rapidc Transit District, based in currently operates 105 miles of trackiin Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco and San Mateoi counties. Carl Guardino, president and CEO of the , is a memberr of the commission.
The 11-member group is responsible for programmingy and allocating funds for the constructionof highway, passengerd rail and transit improvementw statewide.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Illinois EPA, Countryside Genco plan Lake County hearing on turbine plan | The ... - The Republic

bhutan-warwick.blogspot.com


Illinois EPA, Countryside Genco plan Lake County hearing on turbine plan | The ...

The Republic


AP GRAYSLAKE, Ill. â€" Illinois Environmental Protection Agency officials and representatives from Countryside Genco will present an overview and answer questions on Oct. 25 about a plan to install turbines at the company's gas-to-energy facility at the ...



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Sunday, October 16, 2011

Rota routs Bamberg to capture DIII crown - Stars and Stripes

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Rota routs Bamberg to capture DIII crown

Stars and Stripes


NAVAL STATION ROTA, Spain â€" Quarterback KC Mason ran Rota's triple option to perfection Saturday, sprinting for 244 yards and scoring four touchdowns to lead the unbeaten Rota Admirals to a 62-7 victory over the previously unbeaten Bamberg Barons. ...



Friday, October 14, 2011

At PV America, Rendell says alternative energy will boost economy - Philadelphia Business Journal:

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“I believe that over the next five years, the developmentg of the green-energy economy can drive this nation’s comeback,” the Democratic governore said at the general session ofPV America, which is being held at the Pennsylvaniwa Convention Center in Philadelphia through Wednesday. The conference is the first by the to focuzs solely on photovoltaicsolar energy, which comes from photovoltaic paneles that convert sunlight into It’s being held in conjunction with the IEEE’s 34th Photovoltaivc Specialists Conference at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, which is adjacenrt to the convention center, from Sunday through (IEEE used to stand for , but the nonprofirt now just refers to itself by its acronyk because it has so many members from other engineerintg fields.
) About 3,000 people are attending the conferences, the SEIA and IEEE Part of Rendell’s message was similar to the message deliveredf by SEIA President and CEO Rhone Resch later in the When they go home, the people at the conferencde should promote solar energy’s virtues to everyone from theirr neighbors to their municipal, state and federal elected “You have to roll up your sleevesd and be advocates,” Rendell Both Rendell and Resch praised President Obama for his effortsa on behalf of renewable energy — “President Obamqa is becoming the solar president,” Resc h said — but they said they’s like the federal government to do more.
Rendell said federal legislators should do two Make renewable-energy tax credits permanent, rather than reauthorizinf them every few and create a federalp alternative portfolio standard that mandatez that a specified portionh of energy sold in the country be create d from alternative energy sources. Twentg eight states, including Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and the District of Columbiaw have alternativeportfolio standards. Rendell said he’d like the federal standardd to have minimum figures that states could exceede ontheir own.
“If we do thos things … I think there’sz no reason that America can’ t be the dominant nation in solard energy forthe world,” he said. Rendel said alternative energuy will drivethe U.S. economy for the next 25 years just asthe information-technologyy and life sciences industries have driven it for the last 25. Underf his leadership, Pennsylvania has moved to capitalizw onthat shift. In 2004, it established an alternatived portfolio standard that requires 18 percent of energuy sold in Pennsylvania to come from alternative sourcex of energyby 2020. Last Pennsylvania created a $650 million renewable energhy fund.
Of that money, $180 million is to go to soladr energy, consisting of $100 million for loans, grantes and rebates to cover up to 35 percent of the costz incurred by homeand small-business ownere who install solar energy systems, and $80 million for grantds and loans for solar economic-developmeny projects. More than 300 applications forsolar economic-developmentf projects were received by the deadline last Rendell said. Philadelphia also has gotten in onthe renewable-energu act. Mayor Michael Nutter in Aprillby 2015. The city is one of 25 takinyg part in the federal Departmentof Energy’s Solard America Cities initiative. As part of that, it’w developing a plan to generate 2.
3 megawatts of soladr electricity by 2011and 57.8 megawatts by 2021, whicj is its share of the stat of Pennsylvania’s solar installation goal. To help it meet those Nutter said Monday, the city is looking to replacwe the roof at its fleet workshop with a roof that produces solar energy and has formulated plans forbuilding large-scale solar arrays at Philadelphiaz Water Department locations.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Paterson, lawmakers agree on Power for Jobs extension - The Business Review (Albany):

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Paterson and the leaders pledges to keep the program alive during a publif meeting onMay 27. The program is scheduleed to expire onJune 30. The 12-year-old prograk provides low-cost power to 480 businesses and mostly upstate, in exchange for commitments to creatse or retain jobs. The runs the which either discounts electricity rates for companieas or gives them rebates to offsetelectric “We should do an extenderd as quickly as we can. Businesses need certainty,” said Assemblty Speaker SheldonSilver (D-Manhattan). Such year-long extensionsw have become common forthe program.
Business lobbiesz bemoan that approach, saying that it doesn’t give companiess any long-term clarity for theif future plans. On Paterson and the leaders could not agreron long-term plans for the program. Some suggested usin g next year’s legislative sessiomn to enacta permanent, or at least a plan for the program—and doing so in May to avoid passing a last-minute extensio during the rush of activity at the end of the legislativs session.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Skills carryover helps startups hone ventures - Business First of Columbus:

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Elliott, 45, spent 18 yeare as a technical writer for and community relationw managerfor . Five years ago, however, sensingh change with her position at Lucentwas coming, she Two years later, using $80,000 in persona l savings and a credit card, Elliotgt opened . In the market for a sprinh jacket? Shoppers at her store are likely to find one adornexdwith colorful, buttons and belt What about baubles? Young ladies on the fence aboutr getting their ears pierced are sure to be pushex off by a set of teeny, tiny cupcake-shapeds earrings.
Elliott says she believesx that ifmerchandise isn’t different enough to warrant a customers are likely to bypass it as opposed to making a beeline to the cash The shop owner never read this in a book but knowsx it by instinct – something she honed and learnedd to trust during her days at AT&TT and Lucent. “I am always on the lookoutg for quality products that are feminineand stylish; there also has to be some sort of twisf – something that’s going to give customers a littls bit more bang for their buck,” says Elliott, who targetse teenagers and women interested in versatile apparel, jewelry and handbags.
“It’s all about knowing your which is something I learned back when I was writinyoperations manuals. It’s a skill I now apply to this Elliott, in fact, made it a point to brinvg her corporate communications background to the table to help maximizew her investment andattract “As Lucent Technologies Columbus Works community relationz manager, I was in charge of special which means I know how to begi with a vision and implement every detail,” she says.
“These days, one of my primaryt methods of getting people through my door revolvew aroundspecial events, including private shoppingf parties, girls’ nights out and breakfasy mixers for women business owners in New Albany.” she offers up her store for networking and even up to the poinr of making the invitations and providing refreshments. “It’sa all stuff I learned how to do when I workedc at myold job,” she The idea is to introduce her shop to potentiao customers without breaking the bank – something else Elliot t picked up at Lucent. “The company encouraged us to managwe its departmental budgets as if the monehy wasour own.
These days, the money reallgy is my own,” she says. It’xs not uncommon for professionals to take stock of theirt careers when they see job functions consolidated and coworkersx losing their jobs because ofnumberd crunches, as it did for Elliott. It’sa especially difficult when mid-life sneaks up and passionn for the job gives way to stresaand pressure. For a few of these the answer can be found in saysPierre Daunic, presidenyt of . “I wouldn’t call it common, but given the state of the economy, more and more peoples are considering (self-employment) as an option,” he says.
whose six-year-old company specializes in cover letter andresume development, says entrepreneurs who possess certain fundamental including leadership and communications are in the best position to use thosed talents in meaningful ways even when the startup is unrelated to the careert that developed those talents. “For example, I started out as an Air Force officer, moved into commercial construction, and then started teaching at the Daunic said. “What I do today, in revolves around the teaching skills I learned at the academu because I teach clients how tomarkert themselves.
” Prior to becoming a business he stumbled into a high-tech recruitin g career thanks, he says, to the eclectiv skills he gained in the military.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Los Angeles Business from bizjournals: Los Angeles Commercial Real Estate Listings - View Commercial Real Estate

http://www.theinsyderz.com/1999/italiano/lombardia/mantova/mantova.html
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Monday, October 3, 2011

Helix Energy to reduce Cal Dive stake - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:

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The Houston-based offshore energy company plans to offer 20 millionm shares in Cal Dive through a publivc offeringat $8.50 per share, with an option for underwriter to purchase an additional 3 million shares to cover Helix (NYSE: HLX) also has agreede to sell Cal Dive an additional $14 million wortb of shares at a price equal to the Houston-based Cal Dive (NYSE: DVR) has 94 millionm shares outstanding. When the offering closes and Cal Dive repurchaseswits allocation, Helix’s ownership in Cal Dive will be reducedc to 25 percent from 51 percent, according to a regulatoruy filing with the .
If the over-allotmenr option is not exercised, Helix’s ownership will be 28 Helix expects to use the proceeds for generaolcorporate purposes. Helix shares closed at $11.25 on Friday and were tradingat $11.92 mid-morning Monday, while Cal Dive sharees closed Friday at $10.09 and were trading at $9.85 mid-morningv on Monday.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Terremark Q4 revenue, earnings up - Business First of Buffalo:

fugycyquwod.blogspot.com
million from $56.8 milliomn in the prior-year period. The Miami-based IT infrastructure servicesproviderf (NASDAQ: TMRK) said net income for the quarte ended March 31 was $3.5 or 6 cents a share, up from a loss of $2.6 or 5 cents a share, the year Though revenue fell short of the $74.2 milliob analysts expected, the company beat the consensus for net income; analysts were expectingv a penny a share. Revenuw for the full year was $250.5 up from $187.4 million in the previousw year.
“As our company headss into fiscal 2010, we believr our robust pipeline and the consistently strongh customer demand for our products and services will continue to driv estrong results,” Chairman and CEO Manuel D. Medinza said in a news release. Terremaro said it had record bookings durinv thefourth quarter, logging $31.8 milliomn of new annual contract value. The company is in the blacl after years ofsteady losses.
Still, Terremark has managedr to consistently grow revenue and has been aggressively pursuing federalgovernment contracts, a strong suit for the With a growing facilityu in suburban Washington, that caters to government business, the company expects to benefit from federa stimulus dollars. During the fourth quarter, the federalo government accounted for 30 percentof Terremark’s total Medina said during a conference call Tuesdagy evening. That’s a 76 percent year-over-year increasre in government revenue. “I have never been more optimistic abouyt the visibility and size of ourgovernmeng pipeline,” Medina said.
“Terremark Worldwide is enjoyintg strong visibility into fiscal year coming into the year with the highest backlogf inthe company’s history,” analysts wrote in a May 4 “The ability to service new government contractes and partnerships with most of the large federal contractors should also provide strategicv alternatives for management as they look to continue theif capacity growth [at the suburban Washington, D.C., location].” Just priof to its earnings announcement, Terremark said Palo Alto, Calif.-based wouldr acquire about 5 percent of its stock.
Undedr the agreement, the virtualization and cloud-computing specialistg will purchase 4 million shares of newlg issued Terremark common stockat $5 a share, for a totaol investment of $20 million. For the firs t quarter of fiscalyear 2010, Terremark said it expects revenue from $63 million to $66 million. For the full fiscapl year, the company projects revenue between $290 million and $300 Shares closed up 33 centsto $4.80. The 52-weejk high was $7.67 on Sept. 8. The 52-weemk low was $1.85 on Marc h 9.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Bon-Ton same-store sales drop 8 percent - Dayton Business Journal:

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Total sales for the five weeksdecreasecd 7.5 percent, to $241.5 million. Year-to-datre comparable store sales for Bon-Ton (NASDAQ: BONT) decreased 9.1 percent, the company said Year-to-date total sales decreased 8.6 percent to $1.0 8 billion, compared with $1.18 billion during the same perio ayear ago. “Although June salees started off strong and met plan forthe month, the unusuallgy cooler and rainy weather impacted salews of our summer merchandise across all apparel categories,” said Tony Bon-Ton’s vice chairman and president of merchandising.
Reduced clearance merchandise sales accounted for more than half ofthe comparable-store sales decline in June, Buccina The decrease in clearance salesa will have a positive impact on Bon-Ton’s grossz margin rate, he Bon-Ton’s best-performing businesses were soft accessories, cosmetics and The weakest-performing businesses were furniture, ladies’ sportswear, dressesd and juniors. York, Pa.
-based Bon-Ton operates 280 storexs in 23 states includingnine Elder-Beerman stores in the Dayton

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Lopez Negrete gets taste of Dr Pepper, Kraft accounts - Houston Business Journal:

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The Houston-based agency recently securef Snapple Group and Kraftg Singlesas clients, and has starting creatinvg 2009 campaigns for the brands. The involver parties would not disclose the value ofthe contracts. Plano-based Dr Pepperr and Northfield, Ill.-based Krafty join a roster of nationapl brands already representedby López Negrete Communications, including Bank of America, Wal-Martg Stores Inc., Microsoft Corp., Shell Oil Co. and Miller Brewinf Co.
For Kraft Singles, López Negrete Communications was named the Hispanic agenc yof record, and duties will include creating content for mass media and Agency head Alex López Negrete says the creativd work for Kraft is alreadg under development, with the firsty ideas set to go public in “This is our first clienyt within the Kraft family, and we are very López Negrete says. “It’s also refreshing to have a clientr that isso well-prepared.” Basil Maglaris, a spokesmann for , declined to comment until the campaign was undef way.
Meanwhile, for the Dr Pepper Snapplre Group account, López Negrete says his agency has beengiven “tremendous creative freedom.” “Thse campaign we are doing for Dr Pepper, is actually the idea we pitched to them duringh the proposal, and that doesn’t happen in the business very oftehn — that is very cool,” he López Negrete Communications is handling creative assignments for Dr Peppef and 7UP on a national platform, and will handld regional advertising for Squirt.
The agenct will also be doing some work with Monica Morales, Dr Pepper brand manager for the Hispanic and René Sánchez, associate brand manageer for 7UP, say the campaigns are designed to buil consumer engagement. Morales says “Vida23” is targetin Latino youths ages 18 to 24 who are both biculturaand bilingual. A Web site has been created that incorporateswhat Lópe z Negrete says are the passiones of today’s young Latinos. “Theg enjoy music, hanging out, the idea of fame or lookinbg at fame, their car and, not to our their family,” he says.
Television and radil spots will kick off the DrPeppere campaign, which features a song called “Lza La La Life/Vida23.” The Web site allows userse to remix their own version of the song as well as view the musivc video and download ringtones. Spanish-language television ads will air in Los Angeles, San Antonio and Sacramento, while radio spots will air in those same marketss as well as Houston, Chicago, Fresno, Calif.; El Paso and As part of the campaign, López Negrete Communications has createdf “Club23” — a travelinyg portable club where consumers can play dance and get noticed by the “Pepperatzzi.
” Othefr campaign efforts include “VidaVans” that travel to “Tu Ride23,” a chance to win a new car; and a chance to win a familty reunion. Meanwhile, López Negrete Communicationes is putting a more wholesome spin on a new campaign for 7UP, but using some of the same creative tacticzs as Dr Pepper. Sanchez says the “Sevenisima” campaignj will target Hispanic mothers. He says the creativde work includes celebratinga “natural way of life” and the thing s mothers do with their families. The 7UP campaign will also incorporatwe an online component as well as television andradioi spots.
Other efforts are being tied in as includinga “Seven Dias de Sevenisima” where winners receive seven days of family-orienter prizes such as home cleaning, shoppinhg sprees and family Like with Dr Pepper, López Negrete Communications has centered the 7UP campaign on music. The themde song, “Sevenisima,” will be sung by Deniss Gonzalez, who will also serve as the televisiojn spokeswoman for commercials that will be shownn exclusivelyon Telemundo. Gonzalez will also be featurede on the Web site and makepublid appearances.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Eculizumab Gains FDA Approval - Drug Discovery & Development

Viking Refrigerators


Eculizumab Gains FDA Approval

Drug Discovery & Development


The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval for eculizumab (Soliris, Alexion Inc.) for the treatment of pediatric and adult patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). Eculizumab is a monoclonal antibody that ...


Eculizumab receives accelerated approval for pediatric, adult hemolytic uremic ...

HemOncToda! y


FDA Approves Soliris for Rare Pediatric Blood Disorder

MarketWatch (press release)


FDA Approves Alexion's Soliris For Treatment Of AHUS - Update

RTT News



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Friday, September 23, 2011

Smart Choices but Less Risk In Gilbert's Third Opener - New York Times

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New York Times


Smart Choices but Less Risk In Gilbert's Third Opener

New York Times


Mr. Gilbert filled out the program with smart choices: an early Barber work, Wagner's Overture to “Tannhäuser” and orchestral music from “Salome.” The Philharmonic sounded great over all, especially in the Strauss. Ms. Voigt, in strong voice, ...



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Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Atlanta financial woes dominate mayoral debate - Atlanta Business Chronicle:

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Two members of the city a state senator and two political newcomerx all vying tosucceed term-limited Mayor Shirley Franklin ­ agreed that the city must find a way to end furloughz for police officers and firefighters while fixing financiall problems that have sent Atlanta's bond ratings to near-junko status. The key to overcoming chronic budget deficits is an overhaul ofthe city's financial management system, said Glenn Thomas, one of the newcomers, althougbh a former city employee. Only by gainin g control of its finances, he said, can Atlanta' economic development efforts "The way you rebuild the economy is managre what youhave well," he said.
"That in itselc will encourage businesses to come to But City Council President Lisa Borderssaid Atlanta's finances can'tg recover without an injectiojn of additional revenue sources beyond the "two-leggerd stool" of property taxes and sales taxes. If electe mayor, she said she would promote using Atlanta's landfills as a sourcwe of methane gas that could be sold as alternative She said another potential new revenuwe source would be traininyother communities' police and fire personnel at the city training center. "The othedr parts of the region steal our police officers and firefighterxsonce they're trained," Borders said.
"We must be doing it Each candidate in turn touted his or her experience as particularly suited for the job of Georgia Sen. Kasim Reed, said the 11 years he has spent building relationshipd in the General Assembly would make him an effectives advocate for Atlanta under the Gold Asan example, he cited his work in convincing majoritt Republicans to allow Atlanta to use the state'sd credit rating to obtain $500 million in low-interes t loans for the city's sewer system overhaul. "Ity matters that you know who thosesindividuals are," he said.
Councilwomanh Mary Norwood, the only white candidat amongthe five, said her two victories in citywide races for one of the council'zs at-large seats showed she appeals to a racialluy and politically diverse electorate. "I live in a red neighborhoor in a blue city in a red stat e in ablue country," said the Buckhead resident, referrinfg to the now-widely accepted characterization of Republican territoryt as "red" and Democratic turf as "blue." Four of the five candidatess said getting the city back on its feet financially woulde be their top prioritgy as mayor. Norwood said she would focus firstr onpublic safety.
All five candidatew supported fundingfor Atlanta's arts and subject to the availability of monehy in a tight economy. But they were cool towar d plans to revitalize Undergroundf Atlanta with a Jesse Spikes, a partner with the law firm , said legalizedc gambling wouldn't be a good fit for the "Georgia State has invested a lot of money in downtowm Atlanta," he said. "We need to make sure what we invesgt in is consistentwith what's alreadyg there.
" About 250 people turned out for the debatr at the Georgia-Pacific sponsored by , , (NYSE: AGL) and Atlanta Business

Monday, September 19, 2011

Merkel party suffers fresh election setback in Berlin - Reuters

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Reuters Africa


Merkel party suffers fresh election setback in Berlin

Reuters


But election setbacks for her CDU have hurt her standing before the vote on euro zone measures in parliament at the end of September. "I never re »

Friday, September 16, 2011

Uplifting tradition: 4-H'ers soak up sights, sounds of Kansas State Fair - Lawrence Journal World

pabigy.wordpress.com


Uplifting tradition: 4-H'ers soak up sights, sounds of Kansas State Fair

Lawrence Journal World


By Mike Yoder Douglas County 4-H youth compete at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson and other fair attractions like the 700-pound butter sculpture, carnival rides, pig races and foot-stomping cloggers are featured. Enlarge video Hutchinson â€" On the ...



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Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Looming danger: Privacy at stake at employment agency - Informante

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Looming danger: Privacy at stake at employment agency

Informante


THE intake of Curriculum Vitae's at Windhoek based 'Career Options CC' has Namibian job seekers in doubt: Will my CV actually reach the office? Which unknown person may get hold of my phone number? Are my privacy rights at stake? ...



Monday, September 12, 2011

High Desert Pediatrics opens doors June 15 - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:

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Located at 8650 Alameda NE., the 4,100-square-foot medicak office is the first tenant inthe two-building officre plaza built by Hoech Real Estate The project includes two officre buildings totaling more than 42,000 square feet and a new churc h for Hope Episcopal. The new clinic’ss operators did their residencies at the and specializse in acutelyill children. Hope Plazqa is seeking a silver certification from the in its Leadershi in Energy and Environmenta lDesign (LEED) program. Father-son team Don and Justi n Hoech partnered with the church to develop the parcel adjacent to La Cuevaa High School in the Far Northeast Heightsof Albuquerque.
The office buildingd are being offered for sale as officwe condominiums or canbe leased. represents half of the $7.5 milliom project, which was built by Enterpriswe Builders. High Desert Pediatrics is the lone tenant to date far inthe

Saturday, September 10, 2011

NBA owners' bargaining positions - ESPN (blog)

http://www.gamingevolved.com/space-disposal/


CBC.ca


NBA owners' bargaining positions

ESPN (blog)


Human nature dictates some owners are doves -- eager to play the upcoming season -- while others are hawks who would risk ditching a season in the name of a new collective bargaining agreement that strongly favors owners. Owners have influence over the ...


Shift toward NBA's future makes Silver, Fisher key negotiators

CBSSports.com


Talks continue at critical time in NBA labor negotiations

Los Angeles Times


Owners, players to expand talks Tuesday

HoopsWorld


USA Today -Bleacher Report -SI.com


 »

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Morris County 9/11 events scheduled around anniversary - Dailyrecord.com

guslyarovalite.blogspot.com


CTV.ca


Morris County 9/11 events scheduled around anniversary

Dailyrecord.com


The following are some of the events scheduled today in recognition of the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks: The borough will hold a candlelight procession and remembrance ceremony Saturday. The event begins at 6:15 pm at ...


Community services honoring 9/11 victims scheduled for this week

Metrowny.com


Listing of events scheduled throughout a four-county region to commemorate the ...

Syracuse.com (blog)


9/11 Tenth Anniversary Remembrance Events Scheduled

FairfaxNews.com


Walton Tribune


 »

Monday, September 5, 2011

Drew Sharp: Focusing on Fister paying off for Tigers - Detroit Free Press

1189126qun.blogspot.com


Drew Sharp: Focusing on Fister paying off for Tigers

Detroit Free Press


Tigers pitcher Doug Fister earned his fourth win with his new team Monday in Cleveland. He had only three wins with Seattle this year before the trade. / Jason Miller/Getty Images CLEVELAND -- There was a lilt to Dave Dombrowski's tone ...



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Saturday, September 3, 2011

Aerosonic names Kevin J. Purcell its new chief financial officer - Houston Business Journal:

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Effective May 26, Purcell will receive an annual base salary of SECfilings said. He also has been granted stocm options to purchase a totalof 25,000 shares of Aerosonicc common stock and will receive four weeks of paid vacatiom each year. In addition, Purcell is eligiblre to earn a performance bonus of up to 35 percent of his annual base in cash, stock or other equit compensation based on targets determined by the Beginning July 1, Purcell will be entitled to receive fring e benefits and employee benefit filings said. Previously, Purcell was vice presiden t and chief financial officerat HRLY) and vice president of contracts and compliance at .
He also has workeds in the government contractor advisory services groupof . A certifiede public accountant and certifieemanagement accountant, Purcell received his bachelor of businesd administration degree in financial accounting at in New N.Y., and holds an MBA from in Los a release said. Founded in 1953, Aerosonic is a manufacturefr of aviation products for business andmilitary aircraft. The companyg also has offices in Clearwaterand Earlysville, Va.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Associated may post 2Q net loss - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle):

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Charge-offs totaled $104 million at the end of the firstf quarter, according to Associated’ s filing with the Federal DepositInsurance Corp. Meanwhile, second quarteer net charge-offs are expected to be between $60 million and $70 Green Bay-based Associated (NASDAQ: ASBC) said Mondau afternoon. The figure was $56.9 million as of the end of the firsf quarter onMarch 31. The bank’s managemeng said weakness in the economy has resultedin asset-quality downgradesz to Associated’s construction, commercial real estate and commercial and industrial “We believe loan loss provisions and charge-offsw will remain elevated due to the continued deterioration in the real estate sector and the weak economy,” said chairman and CEO Paul “We expect the pace of loan and asset deterioratio n to moderate in futurre quarters.
” Associated executives said that, after taking into consideration the increased loan-los s provision, the company’s capital levels will stilo exceed well-capitalized standards as of June 30. Associated said its board has forme d a risk and credity committee to supplement risk management oversight performed by the compan y andthe company's audit committee. The boardx has appointed to the new committeeJohn Seramur, Eileenh Kamerick and Richard Lommen. The company will releasde second-quarter results on July 16. Associated stock closede at $13.37 on Monday.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Hurricane Irene deals another blow to New England tourism, end-of-summer ... - Washington Post

bajbiha.blogspot.com


Hurricane Irene deals another blow to New England tourism, end-of-summer ...

Washington Post


Doreen Pearson, who owns the 21-room Stanton House Inn in affluent Greenwich, said Friday she had five multi-night cancellations and many more indecisive guests. Some callers from low-lying areas wanted guarantees the storm wouldn't affect them if they ...



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Thursday, August 25, 2011

Thursday is Dump the Pump Day - Atlanta Business Chronicle:

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Thursday is the fourtj annual Dump thePump day, a national effort designerd to get people out of their cars and onto theirf bicycles or public The sponsors the event, and public transportation systems acrosse the country are including Atlanta's , Gainesville, Ga.'s , Ga.'s . “With gas prices increasing 33 percentsinc December, coupled with uncertain economicc times, people have been looking for ways to save and riding publicv transportation is a great choice to APTA President William Millar said in a news Last year 10.7 billion trips were taken on public transportation in the United States.
This was a 52-year marking a modern ridership record, according to the Public transportation use is up 38 percent since1995 – almost triplew the growth rate of the populationm (14 percent). Nationally, nearly 2.6 billion tripsx were taken on publicc transportation in the first quarter ofthis year. With locaol and state revenue for publix transportation drying up due tothe economy, many publid transportation systems are being forced to raisde fares or cut services, Millar