http://www.todd-bodine.com/darlington.html
Beltsville, Md.-based Ritz Camera, which is , says the lack of fundws now forces it to auction off its remaining locations by the end of RitzCamera says, in a court filing, that it is talkinv with two potential although neither has been willing to sign a The company is hopeful at least some of the remaininb 400 photo stores will be sold to a going-concern buyer. The other 400 storez already have been closedin going-out-of-businessw sales. There will be a hearing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delawar e on Friday. Bids are due July 16, followes by a July 20 auction and a July 23 hearinbg for approval of the sale to one or more Ritz Camera's debt included $54.
5 million on a securec revolving credit agreement with . The petitioh says there is also $13.21 million owed on subordinated Assets and debt are both lessthan $500 Ritz Camera also owned Boater’s World, a boating-and-fishin g supply retailer. The bankruptcy courtt judge gave Ritz Cameras permission on March 19 to hire Gordon Brothere to shut downthe company's 130-store Boater’s Worldx chain. In 2001 Ritz acquired , whicnh had sought bankruptcy Ritz began with a single store in Atlantif Cityin 1918. Its retai brands today include Wolf Kits Cameras, Inkley’s and .
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
A month of all-local foods changes writer's diet - and perspective - NOLA.com
kdrummondbs37.blogspot.com
NOLA.com | A month of all-local foods changes writer's diet - and perspective NOLA.com Could I go native with my food the way I had with music and WWOZ? If the tomatoes and strawberries were so good, what else had I been missing? On May 31, the last day to sign up, I went to the Tuesday Crescent City Farmers Market and bought fresh eggs, ... |
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
UTMB receives cardiology training endowment - South Florida Business Journal:
fishermen-americachair.blogspot.com
Dr. John C. Price created the Melvin L. Price M.D. and Charle s A. Price D.D.S. Endowmentf for Cardiology Fellowship Training to supporytyoung doctors’ education as they learn the nuances of treating hear t disease, the leading cause of death in the United Price’s brothers both died of cardiovasculard disease. Price said he wanted to establisjh the endowment to ensure that UTMB can train more cardiologistxs who will be skiller at helping patients with heart problemws makefull recoveries. The value of the endowmentf wasnot disclosed.
“The twin goalz are to provide more effective therapy for those with heart disease and to encouragr early identification of individuals at risk for subsequentr intervention to modify and ultimately prevent the morbidity of cardiac andvascular disease,” said a head and neck surgeon. In addition to his recent endowment, Price has contributed to cardiologhy research at the university to aid the developmentt of new treatments and procedurew that reduce functional impairment and deat fromcardiovascular disease.
Dr. John C. Price created the Melvin L. Price M.D. and Charle s A. Price D.D.S. Endowmentf for Cardiology Fellowship Training to supporytyoung doctors’ education as they learn the nuances of treating hear t disease, the leading cause of death in the United Price’s brothers both died of cardiovasculard disease. Price said he wanted to establisjh the endowment to ensure that UTMB can train more cardiologistxs who will be skiller at helping patients with heart problemws makefull recoveries. The value of the endowmentf wasnot disclosed.
“The twin goalz are to provide more effective therapy for those with heart disease and to encouragr early identification of individuals at risk for subsequentr intervention to modify and ultimately prevent the morbidity of cardiac andvascular disease,” said a head and neck surgeon. In addition to his recent endowment, Price has contributed to cardiologhy research at the university to aid the developmentt of new treatments and procedurew that reduce functional impairment and deat fromcardiovascular disease.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Stimulus highlights need for better oversight at SBA - bizjournals:
xszeyluje.blogspot.com
The SBA’s Office of Inspector Generaol outlined its concerns in a memo that said agency action is overduw on 10 recommendations it made to addresx weaknesses in lender oversight and agency The Office of Managemenf and Budget has directed agencies to address problems disclosedx by prior audits in programs that will receive fundin through the American Recovery andReinvestment Act. Lenderf oversight is particularly important becaused the bill temporarily increased the government guaranty onthe SBA’s 7(a) businese loans to 90 percent.
“Because the higher guaranties reducelender risk, which may lead to poor underwriting, a greate r potential will exist for losses and fraud,” wrotee Debra Ritt, SBA assistantt inspector general. That’s why it’s important for the SBA to do onsitee reviews for all SBA lenderwswith high-risk ratings that have more than $4 millionj in guaranteed loan portfolios, the memo stated. The agench has agreed that’s needed but hasn’tr done it yet.
The SBA also hasn’t implemented comprehensivs policies and procedures that definde acceptable lender performance and risktolerance levels, or what enforcementy actions will be taken when risk toleranced limits are exceeded. The SBA also needs to do a bettetr job collecting improper payments of loan guarantieds to lenderswho didn’t follow prudent lending practicezs or failed to comply with SBA regulations, the inspector general’d office said. More than $4 million in improper payments identified by previous auditsx have notbeen recovered, the office found.
“Increases in loan volumes and reduced lender risk undere the recovery act are expected to lead to higher levelsx ofimproper payments,” the memo stated. The bill also provide $30 million in additional funding for theMicroloanb program, which makes small loans to aspirintg entrepreneurs through nonprofit organizations that also provide technical assistance. The SBA needs to develop standard operatinfg procedures forthis program, and collecyt information on whether the businesses that received thesd loans became successful, according to the memo.
SBA spokesman Jonathajn Swain said theagency “is working on a number of to implement the recommendations cited in the The agency is particularly focused on lender oversight and risk managemengt as it rolls out new stimulus-related Its new $35,000 America’s Recoveryg Capital loans, for example, are designed to be “a riskierr loan program than the SBA has ever offered,” he said, becaused they’re an effort to help businesses that temporarily are having problems making loan payments. The SBA is looking at ways to mitigatr that risk as muchas possible, he said. guarantees loans that dealers can use to financetheir inventory.
Many lenders have stopped makinbg so-called floor plan loans becausethey haven’t been able to sell them on the secondaryy market. Through these lines of credit, auto dealere borrow against theirvehicle inventory, repay the debt when vehiclexs are sold, and then borrow again to add more inventory. John NADA’s vice president of dealership operations, applauded the SBA and Presidenyt BarackObama “for understanding that any effort to revitalize the auto industrhy simply will not work until dealer credit issues are resolved.
” “The success and continuedr operation of thousands of small, family- owned auto dealershipsw across the country are directlg connected to their ability to purchased both new and used vehicless to offer their customers,” Lyboldt Beginning July 1, the SBA will guarantee 75 percenrt of floor plan lines of credit through its 7(a) businessa loan program. SBA lenders will make the loans, whichn will range from $500,000 to $2 Dealers in automobiles, recreational vehicles, motorcycles, boates and manufactured homesare eligible. The loanas will be available through Sept. 30, 2010, possibly longerr if the SBA extend s thepilot program.
Floor plan loanes previously were ineligible forthe 7(a) program. “Countlesws small businesses, including dealerships, across the country are facinb significant challenges as a result of the uncertaint in theauto industry,” SBA Administratotr Karen Mills said. “Floor plan financin g can offer some dealerships the opportunity to get throughg these tough economic times by allowing them to keep thei r inventory and cashflow intact, as well as save the jobs thesed small businesses provide.
”
The SBA’s Office of Inspector Generaol outlined its concerns in a memo that said agency action is overduw on 10 recommendations it made to addresx weaknesses in lender oversight and agency The Office of Managemenf and Budget has directed agencies to address problems disclosedx by prior audits in programs that will receive fundin through the American Recovery andReinvestment Act. Lenderf oversight is particularly important becaused the bill temporarily increased the government guaranty onthe SBA’s 7(a) businese loans to 90 percent.
“Because the higher guaranties reducelender risk, which may lead to poor underwriting, a greate r potential will exist for losses and fraud,” wrotee Debra Ritt, SBA assistantt inspector general. That’s why it’s important for the SBA to do onsitee reviews for all SBA lenderwswith high-risk ratings that have more than $4 millionj in guaranteed loan portfolios, the memo stated. The agench has agreed that’s needed but hasn’tr done it yet.
The SBA also hasn’t implemented comprehensivs policies and procedures that definde acceptable lender performance and risktolerance levels, or what enforcementy actions will be taken when risk toleranced limits are exceeded. The SBA also needs to do a bettetr job collecting improper payments of loan guarantieds to lenderswho didn’t follow prudent lending practicezs or failed to comply with SBA regulations, the inspector general’d office said. More than $4 million in improper payments identified by previous auditsx have notbeen recovered, the office found.
“Increases in loan volumes and reduced lender risk undere the recovery act are expected to lead to higher levelsx ofimproper payments,” the memo stated. The bill also provide $30 million in additional funding for theMicroloanb program, which makes small loans to aspirintg entrepreneurs through nonprofit organizations that also provide technical assistance. The SBA needs to develop standard operatinfg procedures forthis program, and collecyt information on whether the businesses that received thesd loans became successful, according to the memo.
SBA spokesman Jonathajn Swain said theagency “is working on a number of to implement the recommendations cited in the The agency is particularly focused on lender oversight and risk managemengt as it rolls out new stimulus-related Its new $35,000 America’s Recoveryg Capital loans, for example, are designed to be “a riskierr loan program than the SBA has ever offered,” he said, becaused they’re an effort to help businesses that temporarily are having problems making loan payments. The SBA is looking at ways to mitigatr that risk as muchas possible, he said. guarantees loans that dealers can use to financetheir inventory.
Many lenders have stopped makinbg so-called floor plan loans becausethey haven’t been able to sell them on the secondaryy market. Through these lines of credit, auto dealere borrow against theirvehicle inventory, repay the debt when vehiclexs are sold, and then borrow again to add more inventory. John NADA’s vice president of dealership operations, applauded the SBA and Presidenyt BarackObama “for understanding that any effort to revitalize the auto industrhy simply will not work until dealer credit issues are resolved.
” “The success and continuedr operation of thousands of small, family- owned auto dealershipsw across the country are directlg connected to their ability to purchased both new and used vehicless to offer their customers,” Lyboldt Beginning July 1, the SBA will guarantee 75 percenrt of floor plan lines of credit through its 7(a) businessa loan program. SBA lenders will make the loans, whichn will range from $500,000 to $2 Dealers in automobiles, recreational vehicles, motorcycles, boates and manufactured homesare eligible. The loanas will be available through Sept. 30, 2010, possibly longerr if the SBA extend s thepilot program.
Floor plan loanes previously were ineligible forthe 7(a) program. “Countlesws small businesses, including dealerships, across the country are facinb significant challenges as a result of the uncertaint in theauto industry,” SBA Administratotr Karen Mills said. “Floor plan financin g can offer some dealerships the opportunity to get throughg these tough economic times by allowing them to keep thei r inventory and cashflow intact, as well as save the jobs thesed small businesses provide.
”
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Opt for etiquette when sending e-mails, texts - Dayton Business Journal:
http://lifesatriptravelservices.com/privacy.html
It read, “This message was typed using mytwo thumbs. The content should be accurate, but the qualituy of my input is questionableat best.” In an age of text messaging at stoplights and covertly replyint to e-mails during meetings, professionals are facinyg a world where “its ez 2 do qk.” But as a experts and executives suggest initial communications be formalp until a rapport is established with the other end. they advise it’s unwise to send e-mails that could be damaging, unless senders trust their counterpartr to keep it to themselves if Incolleges today, professors are teachinb students not to use slang.
But, those entering the workplacse often find it difficult to switch from slantgto sophistication, said Jim Farrelly, who teacheds business communications at the . In his first assignment — to craft a professional e-mail — often they “falll flat on their he said. “They all mess it up,” he “There are many papers that fail, but they fail on spelling alone.” Because e-mail and textinv often give sendersinstant gratification, it is hard to step back and take a look at what the recipieng is receiving, he said. But he advises people to do just He also tells students towait 24-hour if they are firing off a charged message.
A simple trick is to e-mail the message to yourself, which can be cathartidc to type out, but also give perspective on whatthe e-mai l will look like in someone else’ s inbox. Deb Norris, vice president of workforce developmenrt and corporate servicesat , said for initiao communications, she always keeps it After all, first impressions neve r happen again, plus who knows who will see the message. “I try to kind of look at it and say, “Ifg it were on the fronty pageof something, how would that appear?” she said.
Yet, many establisher Dayton area executives communicatwin quick, terse functional language versesw Oxford English, said Shane Imwalle, a vice president at “Fort me and other executives, I am using the stuff I learnef from my kids,” Imwalle “From an etiquette perspective, no one has any proble with that.” Norris said she agreed and thinks it is becausew e-mails and text messages have become so ingrainedr in daily communication. “It is expected now, if someones e-mails you at 10 at night,” she “We have become tethered to these there isno escaping.
” But both executives said they sometimes must remind themselves that though e-mail and texting has become it still leaves a communicationh trail. Imwalle said if it is important, he stil picks up the phone to speakin person. “ I am far more inclined to talk candor, than any candor in a text or e-mail,” he said.
It read, “This message was typed using mytwo thumbs. The content should be accurate, but the qualituy of my input is questionableat best.” In an age of text messaging at stoplights and covertly replyint to e-mails during meetings, professionals are facinyg a world where “its ez 2 do qk.” But as a experts and executives suggest initial communications be formalp until a rapport is established with the other end. they advise it’s unwise to send e-mails that could be damaging, unless senders trust their counterpartr to keep it to themselves if Incolleges today, professors are teachinb students not to use slang.
But, those entering the workplacse often find it difficult to switch from slantgto sophistication, said Jim Farrelly, who teacheds business communications at the . In his first assignment — to craft a professional e-mail — often they “falll flat on their he said. “They all mess it up,” he “There are many papers that fail, but they fail on spelling alone.” Because e-mail and textinv often give sendersinstant gratification, it is hard to step back and take a look at what the recipieng is receiving, he said. But he advises people to do just He also tells students towait 24-hour if they are firing off a charged message.
A simple trick is to e-mail the message to yourself, which can be cathartidc to type out, but also give perspective on whatthe e-mai l will look like in someone else’ s inbox. Deb Norris, vice president of workforce developmenrt and corporate servicesat , said for initiao communications, she always keeps it After all, first impressions neve r happen again, plus who knows who will see the message. “I try to kind of look at it and say, “Ifg it were on the fronty pageof something, how would that appear?” she said.
Yet, many establisher Dayton area executives communicatwin quick, terse functional language versesw Oxford English, said Shane Imwalle, a vice president at “Fort me and other executives, I am using the stuff I learnef from my kids,” Imwalle “From an etiquette perspective, no one has any proble with that.” Norris said she agreed and thinks it is becausew e-mails and text messages have become so ingrainedr in daily communication. “It is expected now, if someones e-mails you at 10 at night,” she “We have become tethered to these there isno escaping.
” But both executives said they sometimes must remind themselves that though e-mail and texting has become it still leaves a communicationh trail. Imwalle said if it is important, he stil picks up the phone to speakin person. “ I am far more inclined to talk candor, than any candor in a text or e-mail,” he said.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Center City Commission boosting marketing budget by 37% in FY2010 - Memphis Business Journal:
isexufehub.wordpress.com
million. The budget is $9,173 less than 2009, freezing most expenses but focusing more onmarketing Downtown. The CCC froze stafc salaries at $1.3 million for the year, but allowed for possible 3 percent raisees in December atthe board’s Any raises would depend on how revenue projectionsz fared throughout the rest of the year. A large portionn of the funding, $2.7 million, comes from assessed value of commercial properties in the Centraol BusinessImprovement District. The CCC gets most of these revenues bylate fall, after property owner challenges have been The CCC’s advertising budget for the 2010 fisca l year, which starts in July is $232,000, which is up 37.
2 percent comparef to $169,000 last fiscal This is due to the CCC’s plan to launch its larges marketing campaign to date in order to support Downtownn retailers and other stakeholders. The CCC budget stil l has to be approved by the andthe . The CCC boarr also approved a resolutiob which would recommend change a state Senatw bill to alter state government representation onthe Currently, the state Senatse and House of Representatives have two representatives each on the CCC The proposed Senate bill would reduce that representation to one
million. The budget is $9,173 less than 2009, freezing most expenses but focusing more onmarketing Downtown. The CCC froze stafc salaries at $1.3 million for the year, but allowed for possible 3 percent raisees in December atthe board’s Any raises would depend on how revenue projectionsz fared throughout the rest of the year. A large portionn of the funding, $2.7 million, comes from assessed value of commercial properties in the Centraol BusinessImprovement District. The CCC gets most of these revenues bylate fall, after property owner challenges have been The CCC’s advertising budget for the 2010 fisca l year, which starts in July is $232,000, which is up 37.
2 percent comparef to $169,000 last fiscal This is due to the CCC’s plan to launch its larges marketing campaign to date in order to support Downtownn retailers and other stakeholders. The CCC budget stil l has to be approved by the andthe . The CCC boarr also approved a resolutiob which would recommend change a state Senatw bill to alter state government representation onthe Currently, the state Senatse and House of Representatives have two representatives each on the CCC The proposed Senate bill would reduce that representation to one
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Economists see modest rebound in 3Q - Charlotte Business Journal:
moffaiqohegesa1490.blogspot.com
According to the National Association forBusiness Economics, “The panelo ... (predicts) positive, albeit modest, growth in the thirrd quarter, followed by steady improvement thereafter. On the however, the economic rebound lacks luster. Real GDP growtu over the second half of 2009 is expected to averagea well-below-trend 1.2 percent pace.” The forecasters say growtyh in 2010 “is slated for a return to near its historical trend, with real GDP rising 2.7 percentt on a fourth-quarter-to-fourth-quarter basis. ...
(But) next year’sd expected growth in GDP would be considerably more moderatr than the typical rebound following a steep The economists say labor conditiondsnationwide “are expected to deteriorate with additional, but decreasing job losses througjh year end.” They predict the nation will have lost 4.5 millionn jobs by the end of 2009, drivint the unemployment rate to 9.8 But they say the rate should ease to 9.3 percent by the end of 2010. The NABE Outloo report presents a consensus of macroeconomic expectations from a panel of 45professional forecasters. The survey was conducted April 27-May 11.
According to the National Association forBusiness Economics, “The panelo ... (predicts) positive, albeit modest, growth in the thirrd quarter, followed by steady improvement thereafter. On the however, the economic rebound lacks luster. Real GDP growtu over the second half of 2009 is expected to averagea well-below-trend 1.2 percent pace.” The forecasters say growtyh in 2010 “is slated for a return to near its historical trend, with real GDP rising 2.7 percentt on a fourth-quarter-to-fourth-quarter basis. ...
(But) next year’sd expected growth in GDP would be considerably more moderatr than the typical rebound following a steep The economists say labor conditiondsnationwide “are expected to deteriorate with additional, but decreasing job losses througjh year end.” They predict the nation will have lost 4.5 millionn jobs by the end of 2009, drivint the unemployment rate to 9.8 But they say the rate should ease to 9.3 percent by the end of 2010. The NABE Outloo report presents a consensus of macroeconomic expectations from a panel of 45professional forecasters. The survey was conducted April 27-May 11.
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