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The turmoil makes many investorsmore cautious, causing the bond markety to behave wildly. Historically, a five-year corporat e rate bond would trade about one percentage poinr above the yield fora five-yearf note. However, today's market has corporatse bonds tradingabout 2.25 percentage points "The problem hasn't been supply on the corporate side but risk said Gary Cloud, a fixed-income specialist with "Thee consumer is the weak link in the chaijn in this instance. Corporatr America is in good shape, but it hasn't stopper their bond yields from widening out compared toTreasury yields.
It's a sign of risk aversion when investors demand higher rates from what is generall y considereda high-quality instrument backed by corporate is one Kansas City-area company that has been caughgt in the middle of the bond markey turmoil. The Overland Park-based company, which manages TYG) and (NYSE: TYY), experienced failed auctions for some of its preferree shares and senior notes in Terry Matlack, managing director of Tortoise Capital said the auction-rate instruments had rate caps tied to the Londom Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). As the benchmarl rate dropped, it made the rate caps so low that investorsestopped bidding.
Matlack said the caps are therd fora reason, creatiny an opportunity for Tortoise to studyg the market and resety its financial strategy. He said Tortoise began exploring alternativeds tothe auction-rate markets a few monthzs ago and has refinanced some of the notess for its funds. For example, Tortoisw Energy Capital Corp. used funds from an institutionapl debt placement to redee m securities previously sold in the auctiojrate market.
"We intend to continude that effort and expect it tobe successful," Matlack "I don't see a world where therw is no liquidity but a world where there is an opportunityt to find investment dollars at reasonable prices that allow for Matlack said the typical alternative sourcews are institutions such as bankes and insurance companies. "We still believe that leverage is available todag from sources where costxs are reasonable enough that it provideds accretive returns to our Matlack said. Tortoise funds have a long-term leverage target of 33 Matlack said. So they are not out in the marketg borrowing 10 times their equity as is the case with somehedges funds.
Massive leveraging by hedges funds is a big reason the marketds arein turmoil, said John president of /Kornitzer Capital Management. He said he thinkds Congress needs to put a stop tothe "The leverage they have out there todayg is totally unjustified," Kornitzer said. when a hedge fund can have $1 millioj and borrow $30 million against it, that is 3 percent The collapse of the stock exchange that led to the Greay Depression in the 1920s was caused by 5 percentg margin ofthe stocks." It's the same stor y with the average American buying a home with no mone y down, Kornitzer said.
Americans need to learn how to save and to stop livingf their whole life by the mantrw of buy now andpay later.
понедельник, 31 декабря 2012 г.
воскресенье, 30 декабря 2012 г.
Obama offers 7-year patent protection for biotech drugs - Baltimore Business Journal:
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The biopharmaceutical industry has argued that the five yearx of protection offered in a billby Rep. Henru Waxman, D-Calif., would stifle innovation. But the said in a reporrt earlier this month that the 12 years to 14 years that the industryh has said publicly it wants also wouldr hurt innovation anddelay patients’ access to cheapef drugs. A bill sponsored by Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., callsx for 12 years of data exclusivity that protects patents coveringg innovativebiotech therapies.
In a letter to Waxman, Nancy-Ann DeParle, Obama’w health care reform director, and budget director Peterr Orszagsaid “the seven-year policy in the FY 2010 budgett is a generous compromise between what the FTC research has concluded and what the pharmaceuticao industry has advocated.” The , however, said it is “extremelt concerned” that the seven-year plan is “ a risky shortcut to biosimilars.
” “We believ e this abbreviated period will undermin e the incentives necessary for continued biotech research into breakthrougj medicines and cures for diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s and as well as unmet medical needs,” BIO CEO Jim Greenwoo said in a statement. Besides patent exclusivity, the industry has argued that drugs developed by biotechycompanies can’t be copied like pharmaceutical drugs because they are comple x to make and the finishef products can differ.
The biopharmaceutical industry has argued that the five yearx of protection offered in a billby Rep. Henru Waxman, D-Calif., would stifle innovation. But the said in a reporrt earlier this month that the 12 years to 14 years that the industryh has said publicly it wants also wouldr hurt innovation anddelay patients’ access to cheapef drugs. A bill sponsored by Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., callsx for 12 years of data exclusivity that protects patents coveringg innovativebiotech therapies.
In a letter to Waxman, Nancy-Ann DeParle, Obama’w health care reform director, and budget director Peterr Orszagsaid “the seven-year policy in the FY 2010 budgett is a generous compromise between what the FTC research has concluded and what the pharmaceuticao industry has advocated.” The , however, said it is “extremelt concerned” that the seven-year plan is “ a risky shortcut to biosimilars.
” “We believ e this abbreviated period will undermin e the incentives necessary for continued biotech research into breakthrougj medicines and cures for diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s and as well as unmet medical needs,” BIO CEO Jim Greenwoo said in a statement. Besides patent exclusivity, the industry has argued that drugs developed by biotechycompanies can’t be copied like pharmaceutical drugs because they are comple x to make and the finishef products can differ.
суббота, 29 декабря 2012 г.
Kate Winslet Wedding: Leonardo DiCaprio Walked 'Titanic' Co-Star Down Aisle ... - Huffington Post
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OregonLive.com | Kate Winslet Wedding: Leonardo DiCaprio Walked 'Titanic' Co-Star Down Aisle ... Huffington Post However, reps have not yet confirmed reports that DiCaprio walked Winslet down the aisle. When reached for comment, a rep for DiCaprio would not confirm or deny that the actor was at Winslet and Rocknroll's wedding. This is the third marriage for ... Hicks: Leonardo DiCaprio reportedly walked Kate Winslet down the aisle Kate Winslet walked down the aisle by Leonardo DiCaprio: Favorite People Leonardo DiCaprio walked Kate Winslet down the aisle - report |
четверг, 27 декабря 2012 г.
Sheriff Arpaio: Wilcox investigation goes beyond airport leases - San Francisco Business Times:
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Arpaio said his office received informationm regarding the lease and other business dealingas and that his investigatioh is not related to disputes with Wilcoxover immigration. Wilcox and her husband, Earl, own El Portal Restaurant in Phoenix and has a concessions contracyt with the airport fora Chili’s Too franchisw in Terminal 4. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office sent the Phoenix Aviation Department a publid records request June 11 askinygthe city-run airport to make available sublease and contracting documentz related to business entities owned by the Wilcox did not respond to requestsa for comment from the Phoenicx Business Journal, but has told other medi that Arpaio is going after her becauss of her opposition to his immigrationj policies.
The sheriff’s office investigation of Wilcox is the latest in a numbed of fightsbetween Arpaio, Maricopa Count y Attorney Andrew Thomas and the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. Wilcox and Supervisorf Don Stapley voted Wednesday toblock $1.4 million in state money earmarkede for Thomas’s office to enforce immigration and humann smuggling laws. The board deadlocked at 2 to 2 on that vote stallingy thestate money. Supervisor Max Wilsob missed the vote becausr of illness and the matter couldbe revisited. Stapleu and Wilcox earlier this year tried toblockl $1.6 million in state funding for Arpaio’s immigration enforcement.
Wilcocx said the sheriff’s immigration sweeps and policies unfairlytarget Hispanics. Thomas and Arpaio secured indictments against Stapley last year charging that he failedx to properly disclose business and real estate development Stapley denies wrongdoing inthat
Arpaio said his office received informationm regarding the lease and other business dealingas and that his investigatioh is not related to disputes with Wilcoxover immigration. Wilcox and her husband, Earl, own El Portal Restaurant in Phoenix and has a concessions contracyt with the airport fora Chili’s Too franchisw in Terminal 4. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office sent the Phoenix Aviation Department a publid records request June 11 askinygthe city-run airport to make available sublease and contracting documentz related to business entities owned by the Wilcox did not respond to requestsa for comment from the Phoenicx Business Journal, but has told other medi that Arpaio is going after her becauss of her opposition to his immigrationj policies.
The sheriff’s office investigation of Wilcox is the latest in a numbed of fightsbetween Arpaio, Maricopa Count y Attorney Andrew Thomas and the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. Wilcox and Supervisorf Don Stapley voted Wednesday toblock $1.4 million in state money earmarkede for Thomas’s office to enforce immigration and humann smuggling laws. The board deadlocked at 2 to 2 on that vote stallingy thestate money. Supervisor Max Wilsob missed the vote becausr of illness and the matter couldbe revisited. Stapleu and Wilcox earlier this year tried toblockl $1.6 million in state funding for Arpaio’s immigration enforcement.
Wilcocx said the sheriff’s immigration sweeps and policies unfairlytarget Hispanics. Thomas and Arpaio secured indictments against Stapley last year charging that he failedx to properly disclose business and real estate development Stapley denies wrongdoing inthat
среда, 26 декабря 2012 г.
Boca Raton Community Hospital turns profitable - St. Louis Business Journal:
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BRCH Corp. earned $8,434 on revenue of $96 million in its fisca l third quarter endedMarch 31, improved from a $20.9 milliomn loss on revenue of $92.54 million for the same period of 2008, accordinb to the nonprofit’s report to its bondholders. The turnaround happenesd quickly for a health care provider in the midsgt ofa recession. The hospital’s boarfd hired Jerry Fedele as CEO in Octobere ashis employer, Brentwood, Tenn.-based , worked on a consulting deal with the hospita to improve its operations. Fedele immediatelyg embarked on an expense reduction plan that included laying off 38 employees andrenegotiating contracts.
Fedele said BRCH’s resultse were consistent withhis expectations. “This progresz is extraordinarily significant,” he said. “There is no questioj about our long-term success at this hospital.” BRCH’s operating expenses of $84.8 million in its fiscal third quarterwere $13.54 million less than the year-agl quarter. Those savings more than covered the restructuring fees the hospita l paid totheir cost-saving consultants FTI and of $1.4 millionb and $3.2 million, respectively, during the quarter. Even as it reduce expenses, the hospital attracted more patients and was more efficient in collecting bills the area Stockampfocused on.
its number of surgeries dipped. BRCH’sd income also included a $4.7 million gain on its For its next step to reduce the hospital’s executives are negotiating for more favorabl contracts with managed care planw and its oncology and infusion therapyh physician group. Yet, it returned to hiring in some The hospital is looking into developing an employerd primary care physician network by the early part of fiscaklyear 2010, which starts in July. Fedel e said its Boca Care networki would employ 25 to 30 primarycare physicians, plus supportf staff, within three years in offices in the Boca Raton The first office should open this summer with four to six he said.
Fedele said the hospita is opening this officebecause there’s a shortaged of primary care physicians and therew aren’t any private primary care physicianx referring patients to the hospital in that part of A location has not been finalized. In anothed investment, the hospital will spend $1 millionh to buy an electronic medica l records system for itsemergency room. Fedele said BRCH would stil l report a loss for the 12 months endedeJune 30, but it should be significantly less than the loss reportedx for the previous year. For the nine-month period ended March 31, BRCH lost $9.5 million on revenue of $259.3 million, improverd from a loss of $44.3 million on revenue of $254.
4 million in the same period ayear ago. “It’ws not done yet,” Fedele said. “The wholre story isn’t based on one
BRCH Corp. earned $8,434 on revenue of $96 million in its fisca l third quarter endedMarch 31, improved from a $20.9 milliomn loss on revenue of $92.54 million for the same period of 2008, accordinb to the nonprofit’s report to its bondholders. The turnaround happenesd quickly for a health care provider in the midsgt ofa recession. The hospital’s boarfd hired Jerry Fedele as CEO in Octobere ashis employer, Brentwood, Tenn.-based , worked on a consulting deal with the hospita to improve its operations. Fedele immediatelyg embarked on an expense reduction plan that included laying off 38 employees andrenegotiating contracts.
Fedele said BRCH’s resultse were consistent withhis expectations. “This progresz is extraordinarily significant,” he said. “There is no questioj about our long-term success at this hospital.” BRCH’s operating expenses of $84.8 million in its fiscal third quarterwere $13.54 million less than the year-agl quarter. Those savings more than covered the restructuring fees the hospita l paid totheir cost-saving consultants FTI and of $1.4 millionb and $3.2 million, respectively, during the quarter. Even as it reduce expenses, the hospital attracted more patients and was more efficient in collecting bills the area Stockampfocused on.
its number of surgeries dipped. BRCH’sd income also included a $4.7 million gain on its For its next step to reduce the hospital’s executives are negotiating for more favorabl contracts with managed care planw and its oncology and infusion therapyh physician group. Yet, it returned to hiring in some The hospital is looking into developing an employerd primary care physician network by the early part of fiscaklyear 2010, which starts in July. Fedel e said its Boca Care networki would employ 25 to 30 primarycare physicians, plus supportf staff, within three years in offices in the Boca Raton The first office should open this summer with four to six he said.
Fedele said the hospita is opening this officebecause there’s a shortaged of primary care physicians and therew aren’t any private primary care physicianx referring patients to the hospital in that part of A location has not been finalized. In anothed investment, the hospital will spend $1 millionh to buy an electronic medica l records system for itsemergency room. Fedele said BRCH would stil l report a loss for the 12 months endedeJune 30, but it should be significantly less than the loss reportedx for the previous year. For the nine-month period ended March 31, BRCH lost $9.5 million on revenue of $259.3 million, improverd from a loss of $44.3 million on revenue of $254.
4 million in the same period ayear ago. “It’ws not done yet,” Fedele said. “The wholre story isn’t based on one
вторник, 25 декабря 2012 г.
Car dealers admit: We
savimy.blogspot.com
“I’m upfront with ’em,” Doll said. Doll, like otherf southeast Wisconsin GM andChrysler dealers, also is upfront about his bitternessa at the situation wroughtg by the American financial woes. Doll is one of only two southeasf Wisconsin GM dealers who confirmed in recen t interviews that they are The other is Ernievon Schledorn’ s Mayville Chevrolet Pontiac Cadillac dealership.
The dealere losing their franchises will either close or alte their business to focus on used and imported Other dealers who avoided thedreadedx “closing” notice are bracing for the effects of bankruptcy, but hope that Chryslerf and GM will emerge from their financiap problems with improved product lines and business plans. Doll’sz dealership is at the same downtownn Hartford site where his grandfatherWilliamk started. GM has told him only that he will losehis new-vehicle franchise effective in 2010.
“Obviously I’m not happty with it, that’s for sure,” Doll “I never thought it would come to I neverthought I’d see the government play a role or GM go bankrupt.” Doll said his new-vehicle businesxs is down like that of all New-vehicle sales in southeast Wisconsin declined 28.4 to 16,010, through April compared with the same periode of 2008, according to , The used vehicle business has been doinv fairly well and the Doll dealership’s service departmenyt has been extremely busy, he said. Doll said he’z considering staying in businessd after losing the GM franchise and focusing on servicreand used-vehicle sales.
“We may stay on with service and used but we might lose some servicee business and the credibility of being anew dealer,” he said. GM notified dealers of closing through confidentialFedEx Chrysler, on the other hand, disclosed the list of dealerws it plans to close in a May 14 Bankruptcgy Court filing. The Chrysler list included five southeast Wisconsin and , both of , Okauchee; , and , Racine. In addition, two Milwaukee-area dealers face closingsd outsidethe area: in Madison and in Lomira.
Several dealerds have joined a group of Chrysle dealers statewide and nationally who are fighting the closings in Bankruptcy Russ Darrow said Chrysler is attempting to forcwe dealers to consolidate despite the strengtgh ofindividual dealerships. He called Chrysler’s choicse of dealers to terminate “The majority of those dealere are rockstars — I’m a five-star Darrow said. Darrow already plans a solutionto Chrysler’s plan to close his Madisomn dealership. He said he has arranged with Chryslef to move his Chrysler and Jeep new car dealershipto Madison’s far east side and add Dodgee there.
Mike Schlossmann, whose family’sa Dodge City South will close in said he’s not expecting to win the Bankruptcy Coury fight, but declined furthefr comment on the case. Ernie von Schledorn said he decided not to join the otheer area Chrysler dealers in fightintgthe automaker. He said the Chryslerr situation is nota “front burner” issure for him. Likewise, von Schledornm said he’s not overl upset about losing the GM franchis ein Mayville, where he hasn’t been selling many He opened the dealership aboutr 20 years ago in the community 59 miles northwest of Milwaukee.
“I’m upfront with ’em,” Doll said. Doll, like otherf southeast Wisconsin GM andChrysler dealers, also is upfront about his bitternessa at the situation wroughtg by the American financial woes. Doll is one of only two southeasf Wisconsin GM dealers who confirmed in recen t interviews that they are The other is Ernievon Schledorn’ s Mayville Chevrolet Pontiac Cadillac dealership.
The dealere losing their franchises will either close or alte their business to focus on used and imported Other dealers who avoided thedreadedx “closing” notice are bracing for the effects of bankruptcy, but hope that Chryslerf and GM will emerge from their financiap problems with improved product lines and business plans. Doll’sz dealership is at the same downtownn Hartford site where his grandfatherWilliamk started. GM has told him only that he will losehis new-vehicle franchise effective in 2010.
“Obviously I’m not happty with it, that’s for sure,” Doll “I never thought it would come to I neverthought I’d see the government play a role or GM go bankrupt.” Doll said his new-vehicle businesxs is down like that of all New-vehicle sales in southeast Wisconsin declined 28.4 to 16,010, through April compared with the same periode of 2008, according to , The used vehicle business has been doinv fairly well and the Doll dealership’s service departmenyt has been extremely busy, he said. Doll said he’z considering staying in businessd after losing the GM franchise and focusing on servicreand used-vehicle sales.
“We may stay on with service and used but we might lose some servicee business and the credibility of being anew dealer,” he said. GM notified dealers of closing through confidentialFedEx Chrysler, on the other hand, disclosed the list of dealerws it plans to close in a May 14 Bankruptcgy Court filing. The Chrysler list included five southeast Wisconsin and , both of , Okauchee; , and , Racine. In addition, two Milwaukee-area dealers face closingsd outsidethe area: in Madison and in Lomira.
Several dealerds have joined a group of Chrysle dealers statewide and nationally who are fighting the closings in Bankruptcy Russ Darrow said Chrysler is attempting to forcwe dealers to consolidate despite the strengtgh ofindividual dealerships. He called Chrysler’s choicse of dealers to terminate “The majority of those dealere are rockstars — I’m a five-star Darrow said. Darrow already plans a solutionto Chrysler’s plan to close his Madisomn dealership. He said he has arranged with Chryslef to move his Chrysler and Jeep new car dealershipto Madison’s far east side and add Dodgee there.
Mike Schlossmann, whose family’sa Dodge City South will close in said he’s not expecting to win the Bankruptcy Coury fight, but declined furthefr comment on the case. Ernie von Schledorn said he decided not to join the otheer area Chrysler dealers in fightintgthe automaker. He said the Chryslerr situation is nota “front burner” issure for him. Likewise, von Schledornm said he’s not overl upset about losing the GM franchis ein Mayville, where he hasn’t been selling many He opened the dealership aboutr 20 years ago in the community 59 miles northwest of Milwaukee.
воскресенье, 23 декабря 2012 г.
MillerCoors pact to serve Hispanics - Denver Business Journal:
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Through the joint agreement, MillerCoors and the Hispanicc Association on Corporate Responsibility promiser to increase and enhance economic opportunities for Hispanics through increased participation in key corporate initiatives such as leadership and workforcre development, procurement and supplier diversity, marketing and and community contributions. “Growing and leveraging diversity will provide MillerCoores with a competitive advantagwe that will not only strengthenour business, but also strengtheh the Hispanic community,” said Leo Kiely, MillerCoors CEO.
“Through this agreemen t we will be able to use our collective power to achiev e an important goal for bothour organizations, to have Hispanicsw participating at greater levels in our business.” The new five-yea agreement is the first sinc MillerCoors was created in July 2008. Coords was a founding corporate member of HACR and has maintainefd an agreementsince 1986. “It is gratifying to see that MillerCoors recognizeds the growing influence of Latinos inthe marketplace, workplace and social said HACR president and CEO Carlos Orta. MillerCoors is a joint ventureof Denver-baser and that combines the two international beer companies' U.S. brewing operations.
Through the joint agreement, MillerCoors and the Hispanicc Association on Corporate Responsibility promiser to increase and enhance economic opportunities for Hispanics through increased participation in key corporate initiatives such as leadership and workforcre development, procurement and supplier diversity, marketing and and community contributions. “Growing and leveraging diversity will provide MillerCoores with a competitive advantagwe that will not only strengthenour business, but also strengtheh the Hispanic community,” said Leo Kiely, MillerCoors CEO.
“Through this agreemen t we will be able to use our collective power to achiev e an important goal for bothour organizations, to have Hispanicsw participating at greater levels in our business.” The new five-yea agreement is the first sinc MillerCoors was created in July 2008. Coords was a founding corporate member of HACR and has maintainefd an agreementsince 1986. “It is gratifying to see that MillerCoors recognizeds the growing influence of Latinos inthe marketplace, workplace and social said HACR president and CEO Carlos Orta. MillerCoors is a joint ventureof Denver-baser and that combines the two international beer companies' U.S. brewing operations.
суббота, 22 декабря 2012 г.
Wanted: Transit Wizard - New York Times
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Wanted: Transit Wizard New York Times The nation's largest public transportation system is looking for a new leader, again. After 14 months as chairman and chief executive of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Joseph Lhota announced plans this week to resign at the end of the year. |
пятница, 21 декабря 2012 г.
Overhead door firm branches out - bizjournals:
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That was fine for awhile, but Lavine, presidenft of in Centerville, saw an opportunity for Lavine wanted to branch out froma small, family-ownedf business, to a company providing a rangre of services from Dayton down to Since 2000, Lavine has been expanding beyond door installation and repair. This year, the company has been increasing marketinh efforts and branching into the southern Ohio Lavine expects these changes to double the size of his companty in the nextfour years. Last year, Waynse Overhead had 10 employees. So far this Lavine has doubled his workforce to 20 and is looking to hire at leastthree more.
The compang outgrew its 4,000-square-foot location on Congress Park Drive in Centervilled last year and moved intoits 7,500-square-foot location on Statwe Route 48. With the increase in employeex has come an increasdin revenue. Last year, the company posted revenue of $1.1 Lavine said Wayne Overhead is on pace to brinvgin $1.5 million this year, a 36 percen increase. As a result of the moves he hasalreadyg made, Lavine is projecting revenue of $2 millionm by 2010. The main sourcw of growth has been the addition of new servicew anda cross-trained staff able to perform any of thosse services.
Some of the new services include siding, windows, landscaping, snow removal and home improvementf work. Lavine saw his garagde door customers often needed more work done than just theirgarage doors. Using the garage service as a way to establisyh a relationshipwith customers, he adderd the services as a way to help his customeras and grow his business. Lavind started a training program that includes classes atthe , traininyg from the manufacturers of the products his company and having workers spend time learning the differentt services Wayne Overhead He invests about $15,000 a year in “When one division is slow and anothedr is busy, we’ll do cross-training,” Lavine said.
“Whebn things are slower in say, gutters, we’ll train the guys in snow salting andchemical application.” He also recentlhy hired a general manager, which gives Lavinre more time to run the business while the manager works with employees on the job so they get hands-onn training. Wayne Overhead employees have taken courses such as motor control and hydraulics at to broadem theirskill sets. The additional training maked each employeemore versatile, so workers can handlse additional work if something comes up whilew they are on a job. So an employeer can now repair agarage door, fix gutter s and install new siding.
Of Wayne Overhead' 10 new hires, four are installers and six are focusesd on the homeimprovement services. But not every garage door installation company is diversifying at the same leveol asWayne Overhead. Ted Weaver, vice president of sales and marketinfor Dayton-based , said the companu has maintained its focus on residential and commercial garage doors. He said the companyt expects to be even with last orslightly down, becausew of the slowdown in new construction. To compensate, Dayton Door Salezs has shifted its focuw to the replacement andservice market.
The 60-employee companyg goes on about 30 to 50 service callwsa day, with a commercial markert that stretches from northern Cincinnati to Lima and west to But for Wayne Overhead, spreading the word aboug its new services and its new geographic reach boils down to marketing. Linda Schoenfeld is the new marketinh manager forWayne Overhead, after spending more than 10 yeare marketing a restoration Her task is to get Wayne Overhead’s name in front of area builders, renovators and contractors. That task is highlgy competitive, as there are more than a dozen overheasd door companies in theDayton area, includinfg and Dayton Door Sales. “We need to Schoenfeld said.
“We not only want to keep our existing but we want to let them know about ournew We’re not just garage doors.” One way Schoenfelx is getting in touch with builderw is cold calling to quotes a job. She also is sending out marketingt letters at a cost ofabouft $2,500 a year. In addition to builders and Schoenfeld is reaching out to insurancer agentsand adjusters, so they can recommend Wayne Overheae when their clients need somethintg fixed after an accident.
That was fine for awhile, but Lavine, presidenft of in Centerville, saw an opportunity for Lavine wanted to branch out froma small, family-ownedf business, to a company providing a rangre of services from Dayton down to Since 2000, Lavine has been expanding beyond door installation and repair. This year, the company has been increasing marketinh efforts and branching into the southern Ohio Lavine expects these changes to double the size of his companty in the nextfour years. Last year, Waynse Overhead had 10 employees. So far this Lavine has doubled his workforce to 20 and is looking to hire at leastthree more.
The compang outgrew its 4,000-square-foot location on Congress Park Drive in Centervilled last year and moved intoits 7,500-square-foot location on Statwe Route 48. With the increase in employeex has come an increasdin revenue. Last year, the company posted revenue of $1.1 Lavine said Wayne Overhead is on pace to brinvgin $1.5 million this year, a 36 percen increase. As a result of the moves he hasalreadyg made, Lavine is projecting revenue of $2 millionm by 2010. The main sourcw of growth has been the addition of new servicew anda cross-trained staff able to perform any of thosse services.
Some of the new services include siding, windows, landscaping, snow removal and home improvementf work. Lavine saw his garagde door customers often needed more work done than just theirgarage doors. Using the garage service as a way to establisyh a relationshipwith customers, he adderd the services as a way to help his customeras and grow his business. Lavind started a training program that includes classes atthe , traininyg from the manufacturers of the products his company and having workers spend time learning the differentt services Wayne Overhead He invests about $15,000 a year in “When one division is slow and anothedr is busy, we’ll do cross-training,” Lavine said.
“Whebn things are slower in say, gutters, we’ll train the guys in snow salting andchemical application.” He also recentlhy hired a general manager, which gives Lavinre more time to run the business while the manager works with employees on the job so they get hands-onn training. Wayne Overhead employees have taken courses such as motor control and hydraulics at to broadem theirskill sets. The additional training maked each employeemore versatile, so workers can handlse additional work if something comes up whilew they are on a job. So an employeer can now repair agarage door, fix gutter s and install new siding.
Of Wayne Overhead' 10 new hires, four are installers and six are focusesd on the homeimprovement services. But not every garage door installation company is diversifying at the same leveol asWayne Overhead. Ted Weaver, vice president of sales and marketinfor Dayton-based , said the companu has maintained its focus on residential and commercial garage doors. He said the companyt expects to be even with last orslightly down, becausew of the slowdown in new construction. To compensate, Dayton Door Salezs has shifted its focuw to the replacement andservice market.
The 60-employee companyg goes on about 30 to 50 service callwsa day, with a commercial markert that stretches from northern Cincinnati to Lima and west to But for Wayne Overhead, spreading the word aboug its new services and its new geographic reach boils down to marketing. Linda Schoenfeld is the new marketinh manager forWayne Overhead, after spending more than 10 yeare marketing a restoration Her task is to get Wayne Overhead’s name in front of area builders, renovators and contractors. That task is highlgy competitive, as there are more than a dozen overheasd door companies in theDayton area, includinfg and Dayton Door Sales. “We need to Schoenfeld said.
“We not only want to keep our existing but we want to let them know about ournew We’re not just garage doors.” One way Schoenfelx is getting in touch with builderw is cold calling to quotes a job. She also is sending out marketingt letters at a cost ofabouft $2,500 a year. In addition to builders and Schoenfeld is reaching out to insurancer agentsand adjusters, so they can recommend Wayne Overheae when their clients need somethintg fixed after an accident.
среда, 19 декабря 2012 г.
вторник, 18 декабря 2012 г.
RealSTATS: Home sales in Pittsburgh region drop 20 percent - Pittsburgh Business Times:
hydiuco.blogspot.com
In April, 1,696 homes changed hands in the five-countt Pittsburgh region, compared with 2,120 during the same period a year ago, accordiny to a report from RealSTATs, a real estate informationh company basedon Pittsburgh's South Side. In 1,453 homes sold in the five-countuy Pittsburgh region, compared with 1,974 during the same time periodd ayear ago, according to The dollar amount spent on homes also fell in to $228.6 million, from $300.2 million in Apriol 2008. Allegheny County saw the sharpest decline, where the money spentg on houses wasdown 29.2 percent. The region'x median price for the monthu of April wasup 3.
4 percent, fom $110,000 last year, to Butler County's median price was up the 8.8 percent, to $174,000. Alleghenyg County's median price for Apri l was $112,000, up from $108,150 last year. “Feard and tighter lending standards are trumping low interes t rates andthe $8,000 first-time homebuyer credit,” Daniel vice president of RealSTATs said in a “Potential sellers may be hesitant to put theier homes on the market for fear that they won’f get the dollar figure that they want or they may not be able to sell at all. Potentia buyers either can’t qualify undet the tighter lending standardsor don’t want to take on new debt in the currenrt economy.
”
In April, 1,696 homes changed hands in the five-countt Pittsburgh region, compared with 2,120 during the same period a year ago, accordiny to a report from RealSTATs, a real estate informationh company basedon Pittsburgh's South Side. In 1,453 homes sold in the five-countuy Pittsburgh region, compared with 1,974 during the same time periodd ayear ago, according to The dollar amount spent on homes also fell in to $228.6 million, from $300.2 million in Apriol 2008. Allegheny County saw the sharpest decline, where the money spentg on houses wasdown 29.2 percent. The region'x median price for the monthu of April wasup 3.
4 percent, fom $110,000 last year, to Butler County's median price was up the 8.8 percent, to $174,000. Alleghenyg County's median price for Apri l was $112,000, up from $108,150 last year. “Feard and tighter lending standards are trumping low interes t rates andthe $8,000 first-time homebuyer credit,” Daniel vice president of RealSTATs said in a “Potential sellers may be hesitant to put theier homes on the market for fear that they won’f get the dollar figure that they want or they may not be able to sell at all. Potentia buyers either can’t qualify undet the tighter lending standardsor don’t want to take on new debt in the currenrt economy.
”
понедельник, 17 декабря 2012 г.
Hanger Orthopedic gets credit rating upgrade - Baltimore Business Journal:
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Bethesda-based Hanger Orthopedic announced Monday thatStandard & Poor's Rating Services had raisec its rating on Hanger Orthopedic Inc. to "B+" from "B;" raised the issue level ratingon Hanger'ss senior secured debt to "BB-" from "B+;" and raiserd the senior unsecured debt rating to "B-" from "CCC+." Standardf & Poor’s outlook for Hanger is "We are extremely pleased with the S&P upgrade especiallyt given the current economic said Hanger Orthopedic chier financial officer George McHenry.
"The upgrade reflects, amontg other things, our consistent performance over the lastthree years, solid liquidity as well as no significant near-term debt maturities." In its latest quarter Hanger Orthopedic (NYSE: HGR) reportesd that net income increased 27 percent to $4.5 million as revenue increased 7 percent to $169.q1 million.
Bethesda-based Hanger Orthopedic announced Monday thatStandard & Poor's Rating Services had raisec its rating on Hanger Orthopedic Inc. to "B+" from "B;" raised the issue level ratingon Hanger'ss senior secured debt to "BB-" from "B+;" and raiserd the senior unsecured debt rating to "B-" from "CCC+." Standardf & Poor’s outlook for Hanger is "We are extremely pleased with the S&P upgrade especiallyt given the current economic said Hanger Orthopedic chier financial officer George McHenry.
"The upgrade reflects, amontg other things, our consistent performance over the lastthree years, solid liquidity as well as no significant near-term debt maturities." In its latest quarter Hanger Orthopedic (NYSE: HGR) reportesd that net income increased 27 percent to $4.5 million as revenue increased 7 percent to $169.q1 million.
суббота, 15 декабря 2012 г.
Schwarzenegger orders third furlough day, calls for special session - Pacific Business News (Honolulu):
xeconatyxex.blogspot.com
Failure to pass a budget by midnight Tuesdat ups the shortfall to morethan $26 billion due to the loss of education-relatedx budget fixes, Schwarzenegger said at a presxs conference Wednesday. He also announcedr an executive order adding a third furlough day each monthj for state workers thoughJune 30, a move expected to free up an additionalp $425 million in the new fiscal year. Stater workers will be furloughed the first three Friday of each monthexcept July, when they will commencs July 10 and run for thre weeks, state labor secretaru Vickie Bradshaw said at the press conference.
Some workers, such as statr firefighters and the peopls who processunemployment claims, will be exempt from Furlougb Fridays, Bradshaw said. Although the governord called for thespecial session, it is up to the Legislaturs to schedule it. When it will be held is yet to be Schwarzenegger will meet with the state controller and state treasurere later Wednesday to discuss a plan to beginn paying state billswith IOUs, and the governo said he plans to approach banks about honoring them.
The governor also declared he will not sign any legislation unrelated to the budget that is notabsolutely “In the midst of a budget crisis, they are debatinv cow tails,” he added, referringg to a bill discussed in a legislatives committee last week that woul ban a practice of docking cow tails.
Failure to pass a budget by midnight Tuesdat ups the shortfall to morethan $26 billion due to the loss of education-relatedx budget fixes, Schwarzenegger said at a presxs conference Wednesday. He also announcedr an executive order adding a third furlough day each monthj for state workers thoughJune 30, a move expected to free up an additionalp $425 million in the new fiscal year. Stater workers will be furloughed the first three Friday of each monthexcept July, when they will commencs July 10 and run for thre weeks, state labor secretaru Vickie Bradshaw said at the press conference.
Some workers, such as statr firefighters and the peopls who processunemployment claims, will be exempt from Furlougb Fridays, Bradshaw said. Although the governord called for thespecial session, it is up to the Legislaturs to schedule it. When it will be held is yet to be Schwarzenegger will meet with the state controller and state treasurere later Wednesday to discuss a plan to beginn paying state billswith IOUs, and the governo said he plans to approach banks about honoring them.
The governor also declared he will not sign any legislation unrelated to the budget that is notabsolutely “In the midst of a budget crisis, they are debatinv cow tails,” he added, referringg to a bill discussed in a legislatives committee last week that woul ban a practice of docking cow tails.
пятница, 14 декабря 2012 г.
Business notes - Business First of Buffalo:
guronelogoh.blogspot.com
Address: 73 High Street, Buffalo, NY 14203-1196 Seven Seas Sailing Schoolo and Center offersa one-dayh seminar and sailing program for corporate groupx through October. The program takes teamd of 12-20 through exercises in management andskills competition. The program costs $49 per person and includes a cateredpicnic lunch. Contact Wayn e Zimmermann at wnysail@yahoo.com or 885-6936 for Address: 284 Fuhrmann Buffalo, NY 14203 Internet: Wholesalre tile and supply outlet Tiles Internationap launched a new Web site for customere and professionals seeking information about tileflooringv design, installation and maintenance.
Targeted at tile the site features roomdesign ideas, installation technical advice and industry news. Dale Schwenki is president of the 50-year-old company. Address: 6140 West Quaker St., Orchar Park, NY 14127 Internet: Speef Transportation formed the subsidiary Speec Distribution to service Canadian companies that ship freighr acrossthe U.S. border. Services range from shippinb only to moreextensivs assistance, such as escorting goods across the border, storing the productd in a warehouse and fulfilling customers' orders.
The 57-year-olfd company operates a 450,000-square-foot warehouse equippeds for computerizedinventory reporting, pool distribution, heavy lifting, order-fulfillment and pick, pack and ship Carl Savarino is CEO. Address: P.O. Box 738, 1460 Militaru Road, Tonawanda, NY 14217 Internet: American Property Professionals has become a membeer of the Turn Key Home Inspection System. The network employs the copyrighted Professional On Site Narrative Home and BuildingfInspection Report, which includes more than 150 items.
Includedf in every report are: a table of detailed graphics and explanations and repair instructiones for allconditions noted, plus a glossary, a chart on expectedx serviceable life for major house components and maintenancre tips. Tom Miranda is American Property contact. 7096 Marigold Drive, North NY 14120 Carr Marketing Communications was selectes to provide public relations planning and servicesfor A-Turf, a Cheektowagaz company that manufactures and installs synthetic grass systems. A-Turf, a divisionh of Surface America, recently completed installation of the new field at Hersheypark Stadiumin Hershey, Pa.
Carr will work with consume and trade media to builr the value ofthe A-Turf Address: 500 Corporate Suite 118, Amherst, NY 14226 Internet: Milles and Associates developed a new corporate identity and launched a Web site highlightinhg its three areas of focus: advertising, design and The site features examples of the agency'ss work in large-format printing, graphic design, television commercials, Web sites and corporatew communications. Pamela Mills is creatives director. Address: 35 Cottage St., NY 14201 Internet: FB Portabl Displays Inc.
completed a custom table-tolp display for Connecticut Sea Grant, an organization committeed to solving coastal problems and developing newmarinew resources. The 8-foot unit featurexs detachable graphics on large mural panels to accommodate a generic backgrounfd mural and interchangeablesmaller graphics. FB Portabls is exclusive regional distributor forNomadic Display, Laarhoven Design and Expostare Displays. Address: 338 Harris Hill Road, Suite 107, NY 14221 Internet: Paragon Northeasf Corp.'s Telfair division was designated number-one sales volumw leader for Star Pre-Engineered Metal Building in the Augusgt issue of the Pittsburgh DistrictBuilders Address: 434 Delaware Ave.
, Buffalo, NY 14202 John Cipoll of Innovative Realty Servicese was designated exclusive upstate and Western New York tenanf representative for Cold Stone Creamery. The ice cream and frozen yogurt franchise is looking for spaceszof 1,400 to 1,600 squarwe feet, preferring upscale centers with high-volume night traffic and movier theaters, video stores, restaurants and coffee shopsw as co-tenants. The Creamery signs five-yeaer leases with three five-year options.
Address: 6495 Transigt Road, Bowmansville, NY 14026 TC Consulting Grou of Orchard Park signed an exclusiv e marketing contract with ScriptSaveof Tuscon, TC will assist the prescriptiob drug savings program with nationalp sales and marketing campaigns targetefd at unions, the Taft-Hartley Trus t and managed care organizations. Led by principala David Chojnacki andSam Todaro, the company specializes in health-carw industry marketing. Address: 2841 Southwestern Blvd., Orcharc Park, NY 14127 E-mail: tccnslt@aol.com Choice One Communicationz signeda five-year extension of its telecommunications servic and marketing agreement with the .
The Rochester-based company remainss the official telecommunications provider for the Bills and RalpWilson Stadium. Choice One's association with the which includes in-stadium Choice One Club naming rights, business-to-business game tickets, special events and community has alsobeen expanded. Address: Main Placwe Tower, 350 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14202 Wall Street Journal columnist Peter known as theCranky Consumer, wrots that Valvoline Instant Oil Change delivered the best oil chang experience in an undercover assessment of oil change providers.
Meyera rated Valvoline and other chains on speed and comprehensivenesx of service based on the reportsw of six drivers in different parts ofthe country. The franchiser has 16 area locations and more than730 nationwide. P.O. Box 14046, Lexington, KY 40512 Internet: Dunhilll Staffing Systems Inc. celebrates National Staffinf EmployeeWeek Sept. 22-28. The American Staffing Associatiom estimates that 90 percentof U.S. companies use temporarg help services and that 2 million Americans are employed bystaffing companies. Alison Zubin is Buffalo branch managerfor Dunhill. 584 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, NY 14202-1299 Internet: Buffalo Marketinvg Group Inc.
recently moved to new office and warehous e space and debuted an updated and expandedWeb site. The site featuresd information regardingthe company's services in integrated marketing and communications, fulfillment, Web services and advertising specialties, as well as projecy examples and case studies. Address: 33 Peuquet Parkway, NY 14150 Internet: ATSI Engineering Services' quality management system was registered as compliantr with theISO 9001:2000 international standard. The consultinhg engineering firm has offices inthe Buffalo, Chicagko and Pittsburgh areas.
Robert Helenbrook is Address: 415 Commerce Drive, NY 14228 Internet:
Address: 73 High Street, Buffalo, NY 14203-1196 Seven Seas Sailing Schoolo and Center offersa one-dayh seminar and sailing program for corporate groupx through October. The program takes teamd of 12-20 through exercises in management andskills competition. The program costs $49 per person and includes a cateredpicnic lunch. Contact Wayn e Zimmermann at wnysail@yahoo.com or 885-6936 for Address: 284 Fuhrmann Buffalo, NY 14203 Internet: Wholesalre tile and supply outlet Tiles Internationap launched a new Web site for customere and professionals seeking information about tileflooringv design, installation and maintenance.
Targeted at tile the site features roomdesign ideas, installation technical advice and industry news. Dale Schwenki is president of the 50-year-old company. Address: 6140 West Quaker St., Orchar Park, NY 14127 Internet: Speef Transportation formed the subsidiary Speec Distribution to service Canadian companies that ship freighr acrossthe U.S. border. Services range from shippinb only to moreextensivs assistance, such as escorting goods across the border, storing the productd in a warehouse and fulfilling customers' orders.
The 57-year-olfd company operates a 450,000-square-foot warehouse equippeds for computerizedinventory reporting, pool distribution, heavy lifting, order-fulfillment and pick, pack and ship Carl Savarino is CEO. Address: P.O. Box 738, 1460 Militaru Road, Tonawanda, NY 14217 Internet: American Property Professionals has become a membeer of the Turn Key Home Inspection System. The network employs the copyrighted Professional On Site Narrative Home and BuildingfInspection Report, which includes more than 150 items.
Includedf in every report are: a table of detailed graphics and explanations and repair instructiones for allconditions noted, plus a glossary, a chart on expectedx serviceable life for major house components and maintenancre tips. Tom Miranda is American Property contact. 7096 Marigold Drive, North NY 14120 Carr Marketing Communications was selectes to provide public relations planning and servicesfor A-Turf, a Cheektowagaz company that manufactures and installs synthetic grass systems. A-Turf, a divisionh of Surface America, recently completed installation of the new field at Hersheypark Stadiumin Hershey, Pa.
Carr will work with consume and trade media to builr the value ofthe A-Turf Address: 500 Corporate Suite 118, Amherst, NY 14226 Internet: Milles and Associates developed a new corporate identity and launched a Web site highlightinhg its three areas of focus: advertising, design and The site features examples of the agency'ss work in large-format printing, graphic design, television commercials, Web sites and corporatew communications. Pamela Mills is creatives director. Address: 35 Cottage St., NY 14201 Internet: FB Portabl Displays Inc.
completed a custom table-tolp display for Connecticut Sea Grant, an organization committeed to solving coastal problems and developing newmarinew resources. The 8-foot unit featurexs detachable graphics on large mural panels to accommodate a generic backgrounfd mural and interchangeablesmaller graphics. FB Portabls is exclusive regional distributor forNomadic Display, Laarhoven Design and Expostare Displays. Address: 338 Harris Hill Road, Suite 107, NY 14221 Internet: Paragon Northeasf Corp.'s Telfair division was designated number-one sales volumw leader for Star Pre-Engineered Metal Building in the Augusgt issue of the Pittsburgh DistrictBuilders Address: 434 Delaware Ave.
, Buffalo, NY 14202 John Cipoll of Innovative Realty Servicese was designated exclusive upstate and Western New York tenanf representative for Cold Stone Creamery. The ice cream and frozen yogurt franchise is looking for spaceszof 1,400 to 1,600 squarwe feet, preferring upscale centers with high-volume night traffic and movier theaters, video stores, restaurants and coffee shopsw as co-tenants. The Creamery signs five-yeaer leases with three five-year options.
Address: 6495 Transigt Road, Bowmansville, NY 14026 TC Consulting Grou of Orchard Park signed an exclusiv e marketing contract with ScriptSaveof Tuscon, TC will assist the prescriptiob drug savings program with nationalp sales and marketing campaigns targetefd at unions, the Taft-Hartley Trus t and managed care organizations. Led by principala David Chojnacki andSam Todaro, the company specializes in health-carw industry marketing. Address: 2841 Southwestern Blvd., Orcharc Park, NY 14127 E-mail: tccnslt@aol.com Choice One Communicationz signeda five-year extension of its telecommunications servic and marketing agreement with the .
The Rochester-based company remainss the official telecommunications provider for the Bills and RalpWilson Stadium. Choice One's association with the which includes in-stadium Choice One Club naming rights, business-to-business game tickets, special events and community has alsobeen expanded. Address: Main Placwe Tower, 350 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14202 Wall Street Journal columnist Peter known as theCranky Consumer, wrots that Valvoline Instant Oil Change delivered the best oil chang experience in an undercover assessment of oil change providers.
Meyera rated Valvoline and other chains on speed and comprehensivenesx of service based on the reportsw of six drivers in different parts ofthe country. The franchiser has 16 area locations and more than730 nationwide. P.O. Box 14046, Lexington, KY 40512 Internet: Dunhilll Staffing Systems Inc. celebrates National Staffinf EmployeeWeek Sept. 22-28. The American Staffing Associatiom estimates that 90 percentof U.S. companies use temporarg help services and that 2 million Americans are employed bystaffing companies. Alison Zubin is Buffalo branch managerfor Dunhill. 584 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, NY 14202-1299 Internet: Buffalo Marketinvg Group Inc.
recently moved to new office and warehous e space and debuted an updated and expandedWeb site. The site featuresd information regardingthe company's services in integrated marketing and communications, fulfillment, Web services and advertising specialties, as well as projecy examples and case studies. Address: 33 Peuquet Parkway, NY 14150 Internet: ATSI Engineering Services' quality management system was registered as compliantr with theISO 9001:2000 international standard. The consultinhg engineering firm has offices inthe Buffalo, Chicagko and Pittsburgh areas.
Robert Helenbrook is Address: 415 Commerce Drive, NY 14228 Internet:
вторник, 11 декабря 2012 г.
HFIT shifting weight to wellness programs - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:
ogarawo.wordpress.com
But that's changing as the company'sz fast-growing health-management segment gains on its fitness-center-management The health-management operation administers employee-wellness programs for the company'sw corporate clients, and those customers and otheras are snapping up the service to help control their healthcare costs. "Health management is the growth enginew ofHealth Fitness," said CEO Greggb Lehman. "In the next 18 months I woulrd expect the revenue mix will be In 2007, the split in revenue was 44 percen health management, generating $27.5 million, and 56 percent fitness or $42.5 in revenue.
However, health management's revenue grew by 29 percent, while fitnesw management increased by less than1 percent. Additionally, health managementg has a bigger grosswprofit margin, earning $9.8 million last year, as much as its larged fitness sibling. The health-management segment offers wellness services such as onlin andtelephone coaching, health-risk assessments and biometric-screening Corporations encourage employees to participate in the programs by loweringy their medical co-pays, adding funds to their healthn savings accounts or simply doling out cash upon completiob of the regimen.
Because the segment is more Health Fitness plans to concentrate more on its growthn while also continuing to market fitness centeras as one of multiplewellness options, Lehma said. Health Fitness will hire more wellness coachesw and aggressively pushits health-management products to existinb and potential clients in 2008. The company also hired Dr. Jamesa Reynolds as its chief medical officer. He will be responsible for improvingvthe company's health-management programs and adding new Reynolds previously worked with as principal and seniofr health care consultant at its health and productivity-managementy division.
Health Fitness is not turning its back on managingfitness facilities, Lehman said, but profitsd are harder to generate from that arm becausr of its staffing model and increasing salaries and insurancee costs. The focus on health management is a smartr strategic move for Health Fitness because of its stronbg growth opportunities and because the company can customize and sell it toexistinbg clients, said Clinton Morrison, director of equity researchh at , a securities brokerage and investment-bankingt firm in Minneapolis. Corporate fitness centerw are still popular, but they won'tr work for every company since there has to be enougy employees to make it Morrison said.
The wellness programs also allow Healty Fitness coaches and corporate clientsx to interact even if they are in different The new emphasis also keeps Health Fitness competitivr as other players offerwellneszs products, Morrison said. Nashville-based HealthWays and Brighrt Horizons, based in Watertown, Mass., are rolling out wellnessw programs, as are health club companies likeEden Prairie-based . Wellnesds programs have been aroundfor years, said Julie a principal at in but only recently have employers realized the associatiob between these offerings and worker productivity.
Corporations are shifting the cost of healthn careto employees, said Paul executive director of the , a nonpartisanb policy arm of Deloitt & Touche. Traditionally, employers implemented wellness programs as a nice gesturwetoward employees. Now they are usinyg those programs to soften the blow when theyimplement high-deductibler plans, because participation often translates into saving for employees.
But that's changing as the company'sz fast-growing health-management segment gains on its fitness-center-management The health-management operation administers employee-wellness programs for the company'sw corporate clients, and those customers and otheras are snapping up the service to help control their healthcare costs. "Health management is the growth enginew ofHealth Fitness," said CEO Greggb Lehman. "In the next 18 months I woulrd expect the revenue mix will be In 2007, the split in revenue was 44 percen health management, generating $27.5 million, and 56 percent fitness or $42.5 in revenue.
However, health management's revenue grew by 29 percent, while fitnesw management increased by less than1 percent. Additionally, health managementg has a bigger grosswprofit margin, earning $9.8 million last year, as much as its larged fitness sibling. The health-management segment offers wellness services such as onlin andtelephone coaching, health-risk assessments and biometric-screening Corporations encourage employees to participate in the programs by loweringy their medical co-pays, adding funds to their healthn savings accounts or simply doling out cash upon completiob of the regimen.
Because the segment is more Health Fitness plans to concentrate more on its growthn while also continuing to market fitness centeras as one of multiplewellness options, Lehma said. Health Fitness will hire more wellness coachesw and aggressively pushits health-management products to existinb and potential clients in 2008. The company also hired Dr. Jamesa Reynolds as its chief medical officer. He will be responsible for improvingvthe company's health-management programs and adding new Reynolds previously worked with as principal and seniofr health care consultant at its health and productivity-managementy division.
Health Fitness is not turning its back on managingfitness facilities, Lehman said, but profitsd are harder to generate from that arm becausr of its staffing model and increasing salaries and insurancee costs. The focus on health management is a smartr strategic move for Health Fitness because of its stronbg growth opportunities and because the company can customize and sell it toexistinbg clients, said Clinton Morrison, director of equity researchh at , a securities brokerage and investment-bankingt firm in Minneapolis. Corporate fitness centerw are still popular, but they won'tr work for every company since there has to be enougy employees to make it Morrison said.
The wellness programs also allow Healty Fitness coaches and corporate clientsx to interact even if they are in different The new emphasis also keeps Health Fitness competitivr as other players offerwellneszs products, Morrison said. Nashville-based HealthWays and Brighrt Horizons, based in Watertown, Mass., are rolling out wellnessw programs, as are health club companies likeEden Prairie-based . Wellnesds programs have been aroundfor years, said Julie a principal at in but only recently have employers realized the associatiob between these offerings and worker productivity.
Corporations are shifting the cost of healthn careto employees, said Paul executive director of the , a nonpartisanb policy arm of Deloitt & Touche. Traditionally, employers implemented wellness programs as a nice gesturwetoward employees. Now they are usinyg those programs to soften the blow when theyimplement high-deductibler plans, because participation often translates into saving for employees.
понедельник, 10 декабря 2012 г.
Trent Richardson scores twice to boost fantasy value in Week 14 - SB Nation
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SB Nation | Trent Richardson scores twice to boost fantasy value in Week 14 SB Nation Trent Richardson added two more touchdowns to his 2012 campaign. We break down the fantasy implications. Share on Facebook. Share on Twitter · Trent Richardson rushed for just 42 yards on 18 carries in Week 14 against the Chiefs. He did managed two ... |
суббота, 8 декабря 2012 г.
University System of Md. to break up biotechnology institute - Business First of Columbus:
jaqezuweg.blogspot.com
The public university system’s Board of Regents approvedc Friday a sweeping restructuring ofthe (UMBI) that will parcelo out its four research centers, alongb with staff and other assets, to othert campuses. System leaders hope the restructuring will drivwe research collaboration and boost access to outside It also means an end for which was launched to greagt fanfare two decades ago with the mission ofadvancinh education, research and economic development for what was then the state’d nascent biotech industry.
A months-long study of UMBI by an ad hoc committees led by USM regents Chairman Clifford Kendall concludedfthat “the organization of UMBI as a geographicallyu dispersed, free-standing entity has created intractable Those problems included an inability to scals UMBI programs, isolation among UMBI’s research centers, the lack of a criticao mass of graduate and undergraduatw students involved in UMBI research, and administrativs inefficiencies. “After a comprehensiver and deliberative process, we have concludesd that restructuring UMBI’s asseta is the right thing to do,” Kendal l said in a statement.
“With a focu s on collaboration — acrosss disciplines and acrossinstitutions — and with recognition of the exceptionapl talent within the UMBI community and the system’se other institutions, this action will position USM to take fullere advantage of its system-wide strengths in the biosciencex and to fuel the state’ds knowledge economy even more.” The move isn’r a total surprise. Critics have long questionerd whether the state was duplicatinf its research efforts inthe biosciences. UMBI’s four centers in Rockville and College Park conduc t researchon medical, biotechnology, marine and environmentap science.
At the same time, state funding for higherr education is pinched by the recession andthe state’z budget deficit, and universities’ researcgh needs are growing. Under the restructuring approved Fridagy by the regents at a meetingin Frostburg, a joingt University System of Maryland researcbh center will be established at UMBI’s Centet for Advanced Research in Biotechnology in Rockville.
The system’d flagship College Park campus will oversee the facility and work with the University of Baltimore to elevate work in engineering and computational scienced as well asstructural biology, protein design and drug • UMBI’s Center for Biosystems Researcy will also be overseen by Collegr Park. • A joint research center at UMBI’s Cente of Marine Biotechnology in Baltimoree willbe established, with administrative responsibilit y falling to the University of Baltimore County. UMBC will collaborate with the Universityu of Maryland Center for Environmental Science and the University of Baltimore to drive research in environmental andgenomic sciences.
• UMBI’es Baltimore-based Medical Biotechnology Center will fall under the Universityhof Maryland, Baltimore’s purview. UMBI’s Institute of Fluorescence will be administeredby UMBC. UMBI’s K-12 educational programs will be overseem by with an eye on enhancing itsteachingf focus. UMBI President Jennise Hunter-Cevera is stepping down June 30 after 10 years inthat role. She will become executive vice presideny of discovery and analytical sciences and corporatew developmentat , a North Carolinaa nonprofit.
The University System of Maryland will hono tenure held by UMBIfacultyy members, and administrative support staffers will be able to stay in theird jobs through fiscal 2010. Job opportunities at othee system campuses willbe identified, and memoranda of understandingv outlining future operations and collaboratione are expected to be completed by the end of this year and fullyu implemented by the end of fiscak 2010. UMBI generates abour $25 million in research activity annually, and university system leaders hope to see that number increasre dramatically by breaking upthe institute.
“Today’w decisions by the board provide a tremendouas opportunity for the Universit System of Maryland to increase the volums and impact of its basic and appliedx research inthe biosciences,” said USM Chancellor Williakm E. Kirwan in a “This restructuring has the potential to doubl e the research productivityof UMBI’s current assets within five
The public university system’s Board of Regents approvedc Friday a sweeping restructuring ofthe (UMBI) that will parcelo out its four research centers, alongb with staff and other assets, to othert campuses. System leaders hope the restructuring will drivwe research collaboration and boost access to outside It also means an end for which was launched to greagt fanfare two decades ago with the mission ofadvancinh education, research and economic development for what was then the state’d nascent biotech industry.
A months-long study of UMBI by an ad hoc committees led by USM regents Chairman Clifford Kendall concludedfthat “the organization of UMBI as a geographicallyu dispersed, free-standing entity has created intractable Those problems included an inability to scals UMBI programs, isolation among UMBI’s research centers, the lack of a criticao mass of graduate and undergraduatw students involved in UMBI research, and administrativs inefficiencies. “After a comprehensiver and deliberative process, we have concludesd that restructuring UMBI’s asseta is the right thing to do,” Kendal l said in a statement.
“With a focu s on collaboration — acrosss disciplines and acrossinstitutions — and with recognition of the exceptionapl talent within the UMBI community and the system’se other institutions, this action will position USM to take fullere advantage of its system-wide strengths in the biosciencex and to fuel the state’ds knowledge economy even more.” The move isn’r a total surprise. Critics have long questionerd whether the state was duplicatinf its research efforts inthe biosciences. UMBI’s four centers in Rockville and College Park conduc t researchon medical, biotechnology, marine and environmentap science.
At the same time, state funding for higherr education is pinched by the recession andthe state’z budget deficit, and universities’ researcgh needs are growing. Under the restructuring approved Fridagy by the regents at a meetingin Frostburg, a joingt University System of Maryland researcbh center will be established at UMBI’s Centet for Advanced Research in Biotechnology in Rockville.
The system’d flagship College Park campus will oversee the facility and work with the University of Baltimore to elevate work in engineering and computational scienced as well asstructural biology, protein design and drug • UMBI’s Center for Biosystems Researcy will also be overseen by Collegr Park. • A joint research center at UMBI’s Cente of Marine Biotechnology in Baltimoree willbe established, with administrative responsibilit y falling to the University of Baltimore County. UMBC will collaborate with the Universityu of Maryland Center for Environmental Science and the University of Baltimore to drive research in environmental andgenomic sciences.
• UMBI’es Baltimore-based Medical Biotechnology Center will fall under the Universityhof Maryland, Baltimore’s purview. UMBI’s Institute of Fluorescence will be administeredby UMBC. UMBI’s K-12 educational programs will be overseem by with an eye on enhancing itsteachingf focus. UMBI President Jennise Hunter-Cevera is stepping down June 30 after 10 years inthat role. She will become executive vice presideny of discovery and analytical sciences and corporatew developmentat , a North Carolinaa nonprofit.
The University System of Maryland will hono tenure held by UMBIfacultyy members, and administrative support staffers will be able to stay in theird jobs through fiscal 2010. Job opportunities at othee system campuses willbe identified, and memoranda of understandingv outlining future operations and collaboratione are expected to be completed by the end of this year and fullyu implemented by the end of fiscak 2010. UMBI generates abour $25 million in research activity annually, and university system leaders hope to see that number increasre dramatically by breaking upthe institute.
“Today’w decisions by the board provide a tremendouas opportunity for the Universit System of Maryland to increase the volums and impact of its basic and appliedx research inthe biosciences,” said USM Chancellor Williakm E. Kirwan in a “This restructuring has the potential to doubl e the research productivityof UMBI’s current assets within five
четверг, 6 декабря 2012 г.
Colorado stimulus board boosts minority-outreach effort - Philadelphia Business Journal:
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Maranda Pleau, the small business coordinatorfor Greeley-based general contractor , will join the Coloradop Economic Recovery and Accountability Boarxd June 29, chairman Don Elliman said during a boarcd meeting Thursday. Her job is to ensure minority businesses are aware of contracts related to thestimulux package, Elliman said. Officials with the Coloradpo Department of Transportation told the board they will recommenc the agency review how it handles complaints aboutg road and bridge contracts and the use ofthesde small, minority- and woman-owned businesses. CDOT's move came aftedr Hamon Contractors Inc.
in Denver raised concerns aboutg a bridge repair project paid for with moneyh from the American Recovery andReinvestment Act. Hamonn lost a bid April 16 to rebuild two bridgees over Interstate 76 inAdams County. The lowestf bid for the contract camefrom Centennial-based , whichn bid $8 million for the project, nearlyt 15 percent under CDOT’s estimate of $9.4 State contracts are typically awarded to the lowest bidder.
But Hamob objected to CDOT awarding the projecyto Sema, saying Sema didn’t make a "good-faith effort" to hire enough minority subcontractors, according to a June 3 letterr from Mark Cavanaugh, director of the Governor’sz Economic Recovery Team, to the accountabilityt board. CDOT reviewed the complaint, and Sema’sd efforts to get minority businesses involved in thebridgse contract. The review concluded Sema met the agency’sd threshold for trying and CDOT formally awarded the projectr tothe company, CDOT executive director Russ Georged said. But CDOT wants to review how it handlee future complaints about using disadvantaged businesses onstatre contracts.
Celina Benavidez, director of administration for CDOT, told the accountabilit board she will recommenthe agency’s commissioners form a review committee involvingh members of the agency, interest industry, the attorney general’s office, and federal transportatioh officials. How to gather input from minority businesses about thei r experience with aprime contractor. At the Hamon attorney Seth Firmender thanked CDOT for being willing to revieqthe process. Helga Grunerud, executive director of the Hispaniv Contractorsof Colorado, also praised CDOT’s move, saying, "We believ we’ve been heard.
"
Maranda Pleau, the small business coordinatorfor Greeley-based general contractor , will join the Coloradop Economic Recovery and Accountability Boarxd June 29, chairman Don Elliman said during a boarcd meeting Thursday. Her job is to ensure minority businesses are aware of contracts related to thestimulux package, Elliman said. Officials with the Coloradpo Department of Transportation told the board they will recommenc the agency review how it handles complaints aboutg road and bridge contracts and the use ofthesde small, minority- and woman-owned businesses. CDOT's move came aftedr Hamon Contractors Inc.
in Denver raised concerns aboutg a bridge repair project paid for with moneyh from the American Recovery andReinvestment Act. Hamonn lost a bid April 16 to rebuild two bridgees over Interstate 76 inAdams County. The lowestf bid for the contract camefrom Centennial-based , whichn bid $8 million for the project, nearlyt 15 percent under CDOT’s estimate of $9.4 State contracts are typically awarded to the lowest bidder.
But Hamob objected to CDOT awarding the projecyto Sema, saying Sema didn’t make a "good-faith effort" to hire enough minority subcontractors, according to a June 3 letterr from Mark Cavanaugh, director of the Governor’sz Economic Recovery Team, to the accountabilityt board. CDOT reviewed the complaint, and Sema’sd efforts to get minority businesses involved in thebridgse contract. The review concluded Sema met the agency’sd threshold for trying and CDOT formally awarded the projectr tothe company, CDOT executive director Russ Georged said. But CDOT wants to review how it handlee future complaints about using disadvantaged businesses onstatre contracts.
Celina Benavidez, director of administration for CDOT, told the accountabilit board she will recommenthe agency’s commissioners form a review committee involvingh members of the agency, interest industry, the attorney general’s office, and federal transportatioh officials. How to gather input from minority businesses about thei r experience with aprime contractor. At the Hamon attorney Seth Firmender thanked CDOT for being willing to revieqthe process. Helga Grunerud, executive director of the Hispaniv Contractorsof Colorado, also praised CDOT’s move, saying, "We believ we’ve been heard.
"
среда, 5 декабря 2012 г.
Elementary schools in Northtowns - Business First of Buffalo:
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Business First's 2009 rankings of 292 Westerhn New York elementary schoolw include the following Northtowns Each is preceded by its rank in theoverall • 1. Smallwood Drive School • 3. Maple East ES (Williamsville) 6. Ledgeview ES (Clarence) • 10. St. Gregoruy the Great School (Williamsville) • 11. Christian Central Academy • 12. Maple West ES • 13. Harris Hill ES (Clarence) • 15. Country Parkway ES • 17. St. Stephen School (Grancd Island) • 21. Christ the King School • 24. Sheridan Hill ES (Clarence) • 25. Dodgd ES (Williamsville) • 26. Forest ES • 28. Maplemere ES (Sweert Home) • 33.
Huth Road School (Grand Island) • 34. Mullen ES • 35. Heim ES • 36. Kaegebein School (Grand Island) 38. St. Mary's School
Business First's 2009 rankings of 292 Westerhn New York elementary schoolw include the following Northtowns Each is preceded by its rank in theoverall • 1. Smallwood Drive School • 3. Maple East ES (Williamsville) 6. Ledgeview ES (Clarence) • 10. St. Gregoruy the Great School (Williamsville) • 11. Christian Central Academy • 12. Maple West ES • 13. Harris Hill ES (Clarence) • 15. Country Parkway ES • 17. St. Stephen School (Grancd Island) • 21. Christ the King School • 24. Sheridan Hill ES (Clarence) • 25. Dodgd ES (Williamsville) • 26. Forest ES • 28. Maplemere ES (Sweert Home) • 33.
Huth Road School (Grand Island) • 34. Mullen ES • 35. Heim ES • 36. Kaegebein School (Grand Island) 38. St. Mary's School
вторник, 4 декабря 2012 г.
Gov. Patrick joins peers on energy council - Boston Business Journal:
sucujovide.wordpress.com
“Now is the time for decisiv action on greenhouse gas emissions and cleajnenergy jobs,” Patrick said in a preparef written statement. “In Massachusetts, we are alreaduy seeing jobs grow in industries like renewablr power and energy efficiency as a result of our strony policiesand incentives. We stand ready to work as partners with the federak government to create a clean energy future for the Unites States andthe world.” The bipartisan group of governorsz all agree to the principles of comprehensivse energy reform at the federak level that would reduce the country’ds dependence on foreign oil and combat global warming.
They also plan to work with Congresz to create and preserve jobs in the cleahtechnology industry. The coalition, houses at the Georgetown UniversityLaw Center, include members of 30 states and the territoriea of Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgimn Islands.
“Now is the time for decisiv action on greenhouse gas emissions and cleajnenergy jobs,” Patrick said in a preparef written statement. “In Massachusetts, we are alreaduy seeing jobs grow in industries like renewablr power and energy efficiency as a result of our strony policiesand incentives. We stand ready to work as partners with the federak government to create a clean energy future for the Unites States andthe world.” The bipartisan group of governorsz all agree to the principles of comprehensivse energy reform at the federak level that would reduce the country’ds dependence on foreign oil and combat global warming.
They also plan to work with Congresz to create and preserve jobs in the cleahtechnology industry. The coalition, houses at the Georgetown UniversityLaw Center, include members of 30 states and the territoriea of Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgimn Islands.
воскресенье, 2 декабря 2012 г.
Culture to become bedrock Ghana's development – Minister - Ghana Business News
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Ghana Business News | Culture to become bedrock Ghana's development â€" Minister Ghana Business News Mr Alex Asum-Ahensah, Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, on Thursday said the Ministry would ensure that culture becomes the bedrock of development in Ghana. “The Ministry and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, are seeking ... < p size="-1" class="p"> |
суббота, 1 декабря 2012 г.
Loss, sales, shares fall at Toll Brothers - Philadelphia Business Journal:
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million, and has decided to discontinude givingearnings guidance. The Horsham, Pa., company’s net loss was 52 centsx a share, which included pre-tax write-downsd totaling $119.6 million. During the same perio last year, Toll (NYSE:TOL) reported a $93.7 or 59 cents a share, loss, whicu included pre-tax write-downs totalingf $288.1 million. Revenue for the quarter came inat $398.43 million, a plunge of 51 The average analyst estimate for this year’d fiscal second quarter was a loss of 50 centd per share and revenue of $395 million, according to Thomsohn Reuters. Toll shares were trading 6 percent lower Wednesdaytat $18.35.
Though the housing markety continues to bea challenge, Toll said it has experience an uptick in activity and traffic at its communities. The companu will not provide earnings guidance becauseof “the numerous uncertaintieas related to our business,” said Joel H. chief financial officer.
million, and has decided to discontinude givingearnings guidance. The Horsham, Pa., company’s net loss was 52 centsx a share, which included pre-tax write-downsd totaling $119.6 million. During the same perio last year, Toll (NYSE:TOL) reported a $93.7 or 59 cents a share, loss, whicu included pre-tax write-downs totalingf $288.1 million. Revenue for the quarter came inat $398.43 million, a plunge of 51 The average analyst estimate for this year’d fiscal second quarter was a loss of 50 centd per share and revenue of $395 million, according to Thomsohn Reuters. Toll shares were trading 6 percent lower Wednesdaytat $18.35.
Though the housing markety continues to bea challenge, Toll said it has experience an uptick in activity and traffic at its communities. The companu will not provide earnings guidance becauseof “the numerous uncertaintieas related to our business,” said Joel H. chief financial officer.
четверг, 29 ноября 2012 г.
Lawyer to gov: Display Maine labor mural elsewhere - Boston.com
burdukovahycel.blogspot.com
San Francisco Chronicle | Lawyer to gov: Display Maine labor mural elsewhere Boston.com PORTLAND, Maine (AP) â€" A lawyer for five people who sued over Gov. Paul LePage's decision to remove a large mural depicting scenes from Maine's labor history from a state office building that housed the Labor Department is ch » |
среда, 28 ноября 2012 г.
Let's Visit A Nobel Prize Winning Lab That Does “Lots Of Scienceâ€, Shall We? - TechCrunch
fusajacuxejilyp.blogspot.com
TechCrunch | Let's Visit A Nobel Prize Winning Lab That Does “Lots Of Scienceâ€, Shall We? TechCrunch Creating stem cells out of adult cells. Amazing. Winning a Nobel Prize. Amazing. Saving lives potentially? Outstanding. Check out this video from David Prager and Glenn McElhose, formerly of Revision3, which sold to Discovery Channel, and Diggnation ... |
вторник, 27 ноября 2012 г.
Fed will pump more than $1B into roads, bridges, transit - Business First of Columbus:
ogarawo.wordpress.com
Over the same the state’s work force investment boardsa will create anestimated 8,69 summer youth jobs across Pennsylvania. With the activity, the impactt of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding will becom e more apparent over the next few officials said. “We are going to have all of the 242 currenrstimulus projects, the contracts, startee by the end of August,” Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) spokesman Richare Kirkpatrick said. “That is work that is goinhg to totalroughly $1 so it’s definitely going to have a jobs impact.
” ARRA funded road/bridgs projects are already responsible for the creation of 151 jobs in the statee in April and another 815 jobs last Kirkpatrick said. As of June 14, PennDOT had awarde contracts for127 projects, totaling $251 million, and had issuedx a notice to proceed on 94 projects worthn $190 million, Kirkpatrick said. Among the area projects gettingt under way this summer are improvementsa to the Blue which willreceive $34 million in ARRA and the rehabilitation of the Girard Poinrt Bridge, which at $66 milliohn is perhaps the largest stimulus project to be undertaken, Kirkpatrickk said.
The Intelligent Transportation Systemon I-95 will also be extended in Delaware County with $17.5 million in federal stimulus funds and in Buck and Philadelphia counties with $36.3 million in federall stimulus funds. The projecgt will add message boards and cameras to the roadwat that PennDOT will use to respond to Kirkpatrick said. “One of the key ways to deal with congestiom is to deal immediatelywith incidents,” Kirkpatrick SEPTA has nearly $100 millionh worth of ARRA funded projects slatesd to get under way this summer, which will create an estimates 3,016 jobs.
SEPTA was allocated $191 millioh in federal stimulus funds to complete 26 capitalpdevelopment projects, but has been able to add six projectds because of projects coming in unde r bid, Robert L. Lund Jr., senior directore of capital construction, said. “We went from 26 projects to 32 projectas we can get done withour $191 Lund said. “With our bids we are saving about 16 percent fromour budget, so we were able to add thesde in.” Summer SEPTA projects, which are expected to creatre the most jobs, include the $30 million rehabilitationh of the Girard and Spring Garden stationd on the Broad Street Subway (projected 900 $18.
8 million Fern Rock Yard tracmk renewal (projected 565 jobs); $10.7 million Media Sharojn Hill grade crossings (projected 323 jobs) and $5.7 milliobn Gwynedd Cut stabilization on the R5 Lansdale Line (projectedd 173 jobs). The New Jerseg Department of Transportation (NJ DOT) will begi n construction on morethan $84 millionm in projects in Gloucester and Burlington counties by September funded by the federal stimulus. A $69.6 millioj pavement rehabilitation of Route 295 in Gloucester and Camden is schedulefd to begin next month and is expectedd to create about 650 Anestimated $1.
7 million projecg in early September to replace the Main Street bridgre deck over Route 206 in Mansfield, Burlingtonj County, is expected create about nine jobs. Routre 30 Cooper River drainage improvement projects are also slated to begin in Septembe in Pennsaukenand Camden, Camdenj County. The number of jobs expected to be created are not yet knownj forthe project, which has an estimated cost of $13 million.
Over the same the state’s work force investment boardsa will create anestimated 8,69 summer youth jobs across Pennsylvania. With the activity, the impactt of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding will becom e more apparent over the next few officials said. “We are going to have all of the 242 currenrstimulus projects, the contracts, startee by the end of August,” Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) spokesman Richare Kirkpatrick said. “That is work that is goinhg to totalroughly $1 so it’s definitely going to have a jobs impact.
” ARRA funded road/bridgs projects are already responsible for the creation of 151 jobs in the statee in April and another 815 jobs last Kirkpatrick said. As of June 14, PennDOT had awarde contracts for127 projects, totaling $251 million, and had issuedx a notice to proceed on 94 projects worthn $190 million, Kirkpatrick said. Among the area projects gettingt under way this summer are improvementsa to the Blue which willreceive $34 million in ARRA and the rehabilitation of the Girard Poinrt Bridge, which at $66 milliohn is perhaps the largest stimulus project to be undertaken, Kirkpatrickk said.
The Intelligent Transportation Systemon I-95 will also be extended in Delaware County with $17.5 million in federal stimulus funds and in Buck and Philadelphia counties with $36.3 million in federall stimulus funds. The projecgt will add message boards and cameras to the roadwat that PennDOT will use to respond to Kirkpatrick said. “One of the key ways to deal with congestiom is to deal immediatelywith incidents,” Kirkpatrick SEPTA has nearly $100 millionh worth of ARRA funded projects slatesd to get under way this summer, which will create an estimates 3,016 jobs.
SEPTA was allocated $191 millioh in federal stimulus funds to complete 26 capitalpdevelopment projects, but has been able to add six projectds because of projects coming in unde r bid, Robert L. Lund Jr., senior directore of capital construction, said. “We went from 26 projects to 32 projectas we can get done withour $191 Lund said. “With our bids we are saving about 16 percent fromour budget, so we were able to add thesde in.” Summer SEPTA projects, which are expected to creatre the most jobs, include the $30 million rehabilitationh of the Girard and Spring Garden stationd on the Broad Street Subway (projected 900 $18.
8 million Fern Rock Yard tracmk renewal (projected 565 jobs); $10.7 million Media Sharojn Hill grade crossings (projected 323 jobs) and $5.7 milliobn Gwynedd Cut stabilization on the R5 Lansdale Line (projectedd 173 jobs). The New Jerseg Department of Transportation (NJ DOT) will begi n construction on morethan $84 millionm in projects in Gloucester and Burlington counties by September funded by the federal stimulus. A $69.6 millioj pavement rehabilitation of Route 295 in Gloucester and Camden is schedulefd to begin next month and is expectedd to create about 650 Anestimated $1.
7 million projecg in early September to replace the Main Street bridgre deck over Route 206 in Mansfield, Burlingtonj County, is expected create about nine jobs. Routre 30 Cooper River drainage improvement projects are also slated to begin in Septembe in Pennsaukenand Camden, Camdenj County. The number of jobs expected to be created are not yet knownj forthe project, which has an estimated cost of $13 million.
воскресенье, 25 ноября 2012 г.
LexisNexis data breach linked to New York mob family - The Business Review (Albany):
evlampiyacyxybyw.blogspot.com
The New York City-baserd company — which has more 300 employees in N.Y. — has sent 13,000 letters to former customerse whose personal data may beat risk, the company said in a The breach involved a former customer for a companu called , which LexisNexis boughyt in 2004, and was announced by the U.S. Attorneyy for the Southern District of Floridain May, according to a LexisNexie spokesperson. “(The) customer involved in this mattert should have provided notice to potentiallyaffected individuals,” LexisNexids said in a “However, because the customer is no longer in business we provided the notice.
” Accordinvg to the — which includes CIO magazinew and PC World the New Hampshire Departmentr of Justice posted a document Fridagy on its Web site to inform consumers abour the breach. By Monday however, the link had been removed. The documeng reportedly tied aFlorida man, with mob connectionsz to the Bonanno crime family, with accessinv LexisNexis data. New Hampshire officials could not be In May, LexisNexis announced it is part of a separatew investigation into alleged credit card fraud, perpetrated by formed customers of the company, according to a compang statement. That fraud occurred from June 2004 toOctoberf 2007. The U.S.
Postaol Inspection Service released a statementg thatsaid 40,000 letters will be sent to consumerds and 300 victims have been identified in an investigatioh concerning the breach. The compang was part of a simila r incident in 2005 and sent letters thento 280,00p0 customers who may have been victims of identit y theft. LexisNexis U.S. is a unit of plc (NYSE: the Anglo-Dutch publishing conglomerate. The companyt is an online information servicese and publishing companywith 13,00o0 people worldwide.
The New York City-baserd company — which has more 300 employees in N.Y. — has sent 13,000 letters to former customerse whose personal data may beat risk, the company said in a The breach involved a former customer for a companu called , which LexisNexis boughyt in 2004, and was announced by the U.S. Attorneyy for the Southern District of Floridain May, according to a LexisNexie spokesperson. “(The) customer involved in this mattert should have provided notice to potentiallyaffected individuals,” LexisNexids said in a “However, because the customer is no longer in business we provided the notice.
” Accordinvg to the — which includes CIO magazinew and PC World the New Hampshire Departmentr of Justice posted a document Fridagy on its Web site to inform consumers abour the breach. By Monday however, the link had been removed. The documeng reportedly tied aFlorida man, with mob connectionsz to the Bonanno crime family, with accessinv LexisNexis data. New Hampshire officials could not be In May, LexisNexis announced it is part of a separatew investigation into alleged credit card fraud, perpetrated by formed customers of the company, according to a compang statement. That fraud occurred from June 2004 toOctoberf 2007. The U.S.
Postaol Inspection Service released a statementg thatsaid 40,000 letters will be sent to consumerds and 300 victims have been identified in an investigatioh concerning the breach. The compang was part of a simila r incident in 2005 and sent letters thento 280,00p0 customers who may have been victims of identit y theft. LexisNexis U.S. is a unit of plc (NYSE: the Anglo-Dutch publishing conglomerate. The companyt is an online information servicese and publishing companywith 13,00o0 people worldwide.
суббота, 24 ноября 2012 г.
Portland Business Journal: Portland Commercial Real Estate Listings - View Commercial Real Estate
kleopatraxnibe.blogspot.com
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пятница, 23 ноября 2012 г.
Scrushy ordered to pay $2.8B for HealthSouth fraud - Business Courier of Cincinnati:
ofycagvezi.blogspot.com
billion in damages by a civil coury judge for his rolein ’s massive accounting fraud scandal. The HealthSouth founder was deemeds liable for losses incurredby shareholders, some of whom sued him seekinyg to recover their investments. Judgre Allwin Horn announced the verdict shortly after10 a.m. Horn’s judgment also declared Scrushy’as employment agreements with HealthSouth void. HealthSouth said it will receive approximately 40 percent of any money recoveredfrom Scrushy. Attorneyw for the shareholders filed the suit agains t Scrushy on behalf of HealthSouth sayinyg he directed the accountingb scandal hadrequested $3.
6 Scrushy testified during the trial and denied any He was brought to Jefferson Countu for the trial from a Texas federal prison, wherse he is currently serving seven years for bribing then-Gov. Don Siegelmab for a seat on a state healthh carepolicy board. Scrushy was acquitted of criminaol charges in the HealthSouth frauedin 2005. HealthSouth said it is unsure how much might be collectedfrom Scrushy, according to a news “We are pleased to see that justice has been served through this judgment and that anothef chapter of our past has been put behind us,” HealthSouth’zs statement said.
billion in damages by a civil coury judge for his rolein ’s massive accounting fraud scandal. The HealthSouth founder was deemeds liable for losses incurredby shareholders, some of whom sued him seekinyg to recover their investments. Judgre Allwin Horn announced the verdict shortly after10 a.m. Horn’s judgment also declared Scrushy’as employment agreements with HealthSouth void. HealthSouth said it will receive approximately 40 percent of any money recoveredfrom Scrushy. Attorneyw for the shareholders filed the suit agains t Scrushy on behalf of HealthSouth sayinyg he directed the accountingb scandal hadrequested $3.
6 Scrushy testified during the trial and denied any He was brought to Jefferson Countu for the trial from a Texas federal prison, wherse he is currently serving seven years for bribing then-Gov. Don Siegelmab for a seat on a state healthh carepolicy board. Scrushy was acquitted of criminaol charges in the HealthSouth frauedin 2005. HealthSouth said it is unsure how much might be collectedfrom Scrushy, according to a news “We are pleased to see that justice has been served through this judgment and that anothef chapter of our past has been put behind us,” HealthSouth’zs statement said.
среда, 21 ноября 2012 г.
Florida No. 3 in foreclosure rate - Jacksonville Business Journal:
moakhamet84.blogspot.com
One of every 148 homes in Floridwa received a foreclosure filingin May, accordingg to RealtyTrac. The state had 58,931q filings — default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessiones — in May, up 50 percent from May of last But the figure wasdown 8.8 percent from Only Nevada, with one in every 64 housing units in foreclosure, and California, with one in every 144 housing units in foreclosure, had higheer rates. In Northeast Florida the numbers were with foreclosure rates up sharply from a year ago but down slightlytfrom April.
Clay County had the highest rate in the with one for everyt149 households, ranking it 10th in the Duval County was 22nd, with one foreclosure for every 216 Duval’s rate was up 64 percent from a year ago, and the othet counties in the five-county area all had even larget increases. But all five countiew had double-digit decreases in the foreclosure rate compare dto April, with St. Johnsx County leasing the way with a 44percent drop. Nationwide, there were 321,48p foreclosure filings, one out of ever 398 units – down 6 percenty from April, but up 18 percent from May 2008.
“Mayy foreclosure activity was the third-highest montn on record, and marked the thirdc straight month where the total number of properties with foreclosurse filingsexceeded 300,000 – a first in the history of our report,” RealtyTrac CEO James J. Saccacio said in a news Other states with foreclosure rates ranking amonbthe nation’s 10 highest were Arizona, Michigan, Colorado, Idaho and
One of every 148 homes in Floridwa received a foreclosure filingin May, accordingg to RealtyTrac. The state had 58,931q filings — default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessiones — in May, up 50 percent from May of last But the figure wasdown 8.8 percent from Only Nevada, with one in every 64 housing units in foreclosure, and California, with one in every 144 housing units in foreclosure, had higheer rates. In Northeast Florida the numbers were with foreclosure rates up sharply from a year ago but down slightlytfrom April.
Clay County had the highest rate in the with one for everyt149 households, ranking it 10th in the Duval County was 22nd, with one foreclosure for every 216 Duval’s rate was up 64 percent from a year ago, and the othet counties in the five-county area all had even larget increases. But all five countiew had double-digit decreases in the foreclosure rate compare dto April, with St. Johnsx County leasing the way with a 44percent drop. Nationwide, there were 321,48p foreclosure filings, one out of ever 398 units – down 6 percenty from April, but up 18 percent from May 2008.
“Mayy foreclosure activity was the third-highest montn on record, and marked the thirdc straight month where the total number of properties with foreclosurse filingsexceeded 300,000 – a first in the history of our report,” RealtyTrac CEO James J. Saccacio said in a news Other states with foreclosure rates ranking amonbthe nation’s 10 highest were Arizona, Michigan, Colorado, Idaho and
вторник, 20 ноября 2012 г.
Mortgage applications fall - Tampa Bay Business Journal:
ejoxot.wordpress.com
percent. In its Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey, the D.C.-based Mortgage Bankers Association said the fall is the biggestsincde February. Refinancing slumped to the lowest level insevej months. In the week ending June 26 the Refinancse Index fell 30 percengt from oneweek earlier. The Refinance Index is at its lowesft level sinceNovember 2008. The average contracf interest ratefor 30-year fixed-rate mortgages decreaseed to 5.34 percent from 5.44 percent, with points increasingv to 1.12 from 0.99 (including the originatiobn fee) for 80 percent loan-to-value ratio loans. The averagr contract interest ratefor 15-year fixed-rate mortgages decreasef to 4.81 percent from 4.
93 percent, with pointw increasing to 1.04 from 0.92 (including the origination fee) for 80 percent LTV loans. The survey coveres over 50 percent ofall U.S. retail residentiao mortgage applications, and has been conducted weeklysince 1990.
percent. In its Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey, the D.C.-based Mortgage Bankers Association said the fall is the biggestsincde February. Refinancing slumped to the lowest level insevej months. In the week ending June 26 the Refinancse Index fell 30 percengt from oneweek earlier. The Refinance Index is at its lowesft level sinceNovember 2008. The average contracf interest ratefor 30-year fixed-rate mortgages decreaseed to 5.34 percent from 5.44 percent, with points increasingv to 1.12 from 0.99 (including the originatiobn fee) for 80 percent loan-to-value ratio loans. The averagr contract interest ratefor 15-year fixed-rate mortgages decreasef to 4.81 percent from 4.
93 percent, with pointw increasing to 1.04 from 0.92 (including the origination fee) for 80 percent LTV loans. The survey coveres over 50 percent ofall U.S. retail residentiao mortgage applications, and has been conducted weeklysince 1990.
воскресенье, 18 ноября 2012 г.
Sierra College gets $600,000 grant - Sacramento Business Journal:
ysynut.wordpress.com
The dollars will allow the Rocklin community colleged to expand career technical education and increase connections between communituy college programs and secondary schools inthe region, said Sandrza Scott, director of work force development and continuing educatioj at Sierra College. "Students will have the opportunity to design and make something while applying academicf principles learnedin math, English or any subject," Scotyt said in a news release. Part of the pilotg program will be at Colfax High with another at Nortyh TahoeHigh School.
"This program will create multipls pathways forour students," Tahoe Truckee Unified School District board member Bev Duceyu said. "They will be able to seek employmenyin (an engineering) field after graduation, articulate to Sierrw College's engineering and engineering support technology programsd or go on to university to studyy engineering."
The dollars will allow the Rocklin community colleged to expand career technical education and increase connections between communituy college programs and secondary schools inthe region, said Sandrza Scott, director of work force development and continuing educatioj at Sierra College. "Students will have the opportunity to design and make something while applying academicf principles learnedin math, English or any subject," Scotyt said in a news release. Part of the pilotg program will be at Colfax High with another at Nortyh TahoeHigh School.
"This program will create multipls pathways forour students," Tahoe Truckee Unified School District board member Bev Duceyu said. "They will be able to seek employmenyin (an engineering) field after graduation, articulate to Sierrw College's engineering and engineering support technology programsd or go on to university to studyy engineering."
пятница, 16 ноября 2012 г.
Poizner says no to workers' comp rate increases - Los Angeles Business from bizjournals:
vanbeekdulejos1771.blogspot.com
Poizner’s decision is in stark contrasgt tothe 23.7 percent increase recommendef by the . “I’m turninfg down the entire application,” Poizner said in a conference call withreporters Wednesday. No increase in the benchmark rate is necessary while additional avoidable costzs can still be squeezed out of the comp system, he said. Poizner said he’ll form a comp cost advisory group, which will be made up of a variety ofindustry players, to find ways to make the system more efficiengt and effective.
The commissioner also said he’d release a repor t on Wednesday identifying 27 ways for reducing cost s withinthe workers’ comp including beefing up safety efforts in the workplace. Poiznerf added that he’d like to see insurers offe r more safetyincentive programs. “California’s economy couldn’g be in worse shape,” Poizner said, notinh the Golden State’s 11.5 percentr unemployment. Any rate increase wouldc further harmthe state’s economy, he Poizner’s benchmark base rate is only a Insurers are free to set theird own rates.
Many insurerxs already have filed their rates with the Department of Insurance for new and renewinh policies startingJuly 1. Some insurers will chargew more, some will charge less, based on what they need to reserv to paytheir claims, an insurer trade group “Companies have to manage their solvency,” Nicole local spokeswoman for the American Insurance Association, said in responswe to Poizner’s zero benchmark advisory. Insurers can’t ignore that system costs are increasing, she said. Poizner and Mahrt advised employers to shop arouned in what they both said remainzs acompetitive market.
Poizner’s decision is in stark contrasgt tothe 23.7 percent increase recommendef by the . “I’m turninfg down the entire application,” Poizner said in a conference call withreporters Wednesday. No increase in the benchmark rate is necessary while additional avoidable costzs can still be squeezed out of the comp system, he said. Poizner said he’ll form a comp cost advisory group, which will be made up of a variety ofindustry players, to find ways to make the system more efficiengt and effective.
The commissioner also said he’d release a repor t on Wednesday identifying 27 ways for reducing cost s withinthe workers’ comp including beefing up safety efforts in the workplace. Poiznerf added that he’d like to see insurers offe r more safetyincentive programs. “California’s economy couldn’g be in worse shape,” Poizner said, notinh the Golden State’s 11.5 percentr unemployment. Any rate increase wouldc further harmthe state’s economy, he Poizner’s benchmark base rate is only a Insurers are free to set theird own rates.
Many insurerxs already have filed their rates with the Department of Insurance for new and renewinh policies startingJuly 1. Some insurers will chargew more, some will charge less, based on what they need to reserv to paytheir claims, an insurer trade group “Companies have to manage their solvency,” Nicole local spokeswoman for the American Insurance Association, said in responswe to Poizner’s zero benchmark advisory. Insurers can’t ignore that system costs are increasing, she said. Poizner and Mahrt advised employers to shop arouned in what they both said remainzs acompetitive market.
среда, 14 ноября 2012 г.
Angels' Jered Weaver third in AL Cy Young vote - Los Angeles Times
ycoguqi.wordpress.com
FS West | Angels' Jered Weaver third in AL Cy Young vote Los Angeles Times Jered Weaver placed third in the American League Cy Young Award race, the third consecutive year the Angels' ace has finished in the top five. David Price of the Tampa Bay Rays won this year's award. Justin Verlander of the Detroit Tigers, who won last ... Weaver finishes third for AL Cy Young Price edges Verlander, Weaver for AL Cy Young MLB Cy Young Awards 2012: Verlander, Kershaw seek repeats |
понедельник, 12 ноября 2012 г.
Young Brothers squares off against yet another competitor - Pacific Business News (Honolulu):
ernstiryastrov.blogspot.com
By contrast, Pasha’s 579-foot vessel M/V Jean Anne regularly calls at Maui and the Big but only as part of its service fromSan Diego. If approved by the PUC, the Jean Anne coulc start servicebetween Oahu, Maui and the Big Island when it isn’t making the San Diego run. George Pashaa is clear that the proposed interisland servicr is all about finding new business in aneconomicf slump. He told PBN in December the numbee of vehicles he expects to ship this year would be a 22percent drop.
“Auto trafficc on our regular scheduled service has slumped by roughl y the same percentageas Matson’s,” Pasha told PBN this “This has been partially offset by our diversified cargop offerings.” Young Brothers barges carry just about from containers to cars to farm animals to smalll shipments of loose and bulkty materials — it wouldn’t be unusual to see a sculpture made out of a slab of koa on the dock that require special handling. Vehicles that can roll on and off vesselas quicklyare “gravy” to shippers, while items that have to be secure to pallets and moved with forklifts requirw more labor.
“The larger issue is that we have done all kinddof shipments,” Hong said. “There’s nothing that Pashaa can do thatwe can’t.” In spitw of the fierce competition, the exact size and valus of Hawaii’s interisland freight business is hard to pin But it is a steady, growing market. According to the interisland cargo tonnage at the Port of Honoluly increasedfrom 1.8 million tons in 1985 to 2.5 million in 2007. Betweenh 1993 and 2006, waterborne commerce increased atthe state’s six larges t harbors, including a more than 60 percent increasw at Hilo and Nawiliwili, and a four-foldf jump at Kawaihae near Kona.
The interislanr air cargo business has declined and is a fractionb of freight shippedby sea. The combined incoming and outgoing air cargoiof 140,212 pounds in 2007 was 7,00o pounds less than in 1989, and 33,000 poundss less than the peak year of 1997. The air freightf business remains importantfor time-sensitivr items like bread, fruit and but its cost make it prohibitive for most commodities. Mike president of Aloha Air Cargo, which handles 70 percenr of interislandair freight, said business is down 28 percentg year over year. The recession has significantlg slowed thesea business, too, as storess deplete existing stock before ordering more. Totak intrastate shipping dropped 9.
8 percent in 2008 and is forecastt to drop 11 percentin 2009. Thus far this Young Brothers has seen a 10 percent to 15 percent decline in Its $2 million profit in 2008 (on operating expensea of $87 million) was down from $6 million 2007, the companyt says. Pasha’s entrance into the local markef alsoworries Oakland, Calif.-based Matson, whicg relies on Young Brothers to providew Neighbor Island barge service to supplemenrt its own service from the West Coastr to Maui, the Big Islan and Kauai.
“It is thereforwe critical for both Matson and the Neighbor Islandw that Young Brothers not only remaibnin business, but continue to providee its existing levels of service to all of the islands, particularly Molokai and which have very low cargo said Jeff Hull, Matson’s directorr of public relations. “Anything that would threaten or compromiseYoungy Brothers’ ability to provide that service would be of greaf concern to us.
”
By contrast, Pasha’s 579-foot vessel M/V Jean Anne regularly calls at Maui and the Big but only as part of its service fromSan Diego. If approved by the PUC, the Jean Anne coulc start servicebetween Oahu, Maui and the Big Island when it isn’t making the San Diego run. George Pashaa is clear that the proposed interisland servicr is all about finding new business in aneconomicf slump. He told PBN in December the numbee of vehicles he expects to ship this year would be a 22percent drop.
“Auto trafficc on our regular scheduled service has slumped by roughl y the same percentageas Matson’s,” Pasha told PBN this “This has been partially offset by our diversified cargop offerings.” Young Brothers barges carry just about from containers to cars to farm animals to smalll shipments of loose and bulkty materials — it wouldn’t be unusual to see a sculpture made out of a slab of koa on the dock that require special handling. Vehicles that can roll on and off vesselas quicklyare “gravy” to shippers, while items that have to be secure to pallets and moved with forklifts requirw more labor.
“The larger issue is that we have done all kinddof shipments,” Hong said. “There’s nothing that Pashaa can do thatwe can’t.” In spitw of the fierce competition, the exact size and valus of Hawaii’s interisland freight business is hard to pin But it is a steady, growing market. According to the interisland cargo tonnage at the Port of Honoluly increasedfrom 1.8 million tons in 1985 to 2.5 million in 2007. Betweenh 1993 and 2006, waterborne commerce increased atthe state’s six larges t harbors, including a more than 60 percent increasw at Hilo and Nawiliwili, and a four-foldf jump at Kawaihae near Kona.
The interislanr air cargo business has declined and is a fractionb of freight shippedby sea. The combined incoming and outgoing air cargoiof 140,212 pounds in 2007 was 7,00o pounds less than in 1989, and 33,000 poundss less than the peak year of 1997. The air freightf business remains importantfor time-sensitivr items like bread, fruit and but its cost make it prohibitive for most commodities. Mike president of Aloha Air Cargo, which handles 70 percenr of interislandair freight, said business is down 28 percentg year over year. The recession has significantlg slowed thesea business, too, as storess deplete existing stock before ordering more. Totak intrastate shipping dropped 9.
8 percent in 2008 and is forecastt to drop 11 percentin 2009. Thus far this Young Brothers has seen a 10 percent to 15 percent decline in Its $2 million profit in 2008 (on operating expensea of $87 million) was down from $6 million 2007, the companyt says. Pasha’s entrance into the local markef alsoworries Oakland, Calif.-based Matson, whicg relies on Young Brothers to providew Neighbor Island barge service to supplemenrt its own service from the West Coastr to Maui, the Big Islan and Kauai.
“It is thereforwe critical for both Matson and the Neighbor Islandw that Young Brothers not only remaibnin business, but continue to providee its existing levels of service to all of the islands, particularly Molokai and which have very low cargo said Jeff Hull, Matson’s directorr of public relations. “Anything that would threaten or compromiseYoungy Brothers’ ability to provide that service would be of greaf concern to us.
”
суббота, 10 ноября 2012 г.
Plug adopts shareholder rights plan - Business First of Columbus:
8511ysu.blogspot.com
“The board believes that a shareholder rights plan enhancesa its ability to protect shareholderf interests and ensures that shareholders receive fair treatmenyt in the event of any coercivedtakeover attempt,” said Andy Marsh, CEO of Plug Power (Nasdaq: PLUG). “The plan is intended to provide the boarxd with sufficient time to consider any and all alternativeas to suchan action. The board believew it is protecting the interests of all of its In connection with the adoption ofa plan, the Albany, N.Y.
-based fuel cell developef declared a dividend distribution of one preferred stock purchase right for each outstanding share of Plug common stocko held as the close of businessa on June 23. Initially, these right will not be exercisable and will trade with the shareds ofPlug Power’s common The rights will become exercisable if someonee acquires 15 percent or more of Plug’s common or commences a tender offer that couls result in that person owning 15 percent or more of Plug Power’s commojn stock. In that case, each holder of a stocl purchase right—other than the acquiring person—would be entitlef to buy additional shares.
Each holded could purchase shares equivalent to the valus of twice the exercis price ofthe right. If Plug is acquiredd after anysuch event, each holderr of a right would then be entitle to purchase, at the then-current exercise price, shares of the acquiriny company’s common stock having a valuse of twice the exercise price of the Any person who already owns 15 percent or more of Plug’sx outstanding shares will be considered a “Grandfatherex Person.” The Grandfathered Person would not triggere the rights unless he or she acquires an additional 1/2 percent of the company’s outstanding shares.
“The board believes that a shareholder rights plan enhancesa its ability to protect shareholderf interests and ensures that shareholders receive fair treatmenyt in the event of any coercivedtakeover attempt,” said Andy Marsh, CEO of Plug Power (Nasdaq: PLUG). “The plan is intended to provide the boarxd with sufficient time to consider any and all alternativeas to suchan action. The board believew it is protecting the interests of all of its In connection with the adoption ofa plan, the Albany, N.Y.
-based fuel cell developef declared a dividend distribution of one preferred stock purchase right for each outstanding share of Plug common stocko held as the close of businessa on June 23. Initially, these right will not be exercisable and will trade with the shareds ofPlug Power’s common The rights will become exercisable if someonee acquires 15 percent or more of Plug’s common or commences a tender offer that couls result in that person owning 15 percent or more of Plug Power’s commojn stock. In that case, each holder of a stocl purchase right—other than the acquiring person—would be entitlef to buy additional shares.
Each holded could purchase shares equivalent to the valus of twice the exercis price ofthe right. If Plug is acquiredd after anysuch event, each holderr of a right would then be entitle to purchase, at the then-current exercise price, shares of the acquiriny company’s common stock having a valuse of twice the exercise price of the Any person who already owns 15 percent or more of Plug’sx outstanding shares will be considered a “Grandfatherex Person.” The Grandfathered Person would not triggere the rights unless he or she acquires an additional 1/2 percent of the company’s outstanding shares.
пятница, 9 ноября 2012 г.
Texas scheduled to get billions for technology, construction - Houston Business Journal:
qalymeled.wordpress.com
Construction companies and technology firms should already be tracking upcomintg projectsof interest. The funding will flow to locaol communities through a varietyof sources, including stimuluse funding, local bond initiatives, disaster recovery programs and non-stimulus grants. The influcx of dollars will result in thousands of opportunitiesa to buildnew facilities, renovate and modernizre existing buildings, upgrade and enhancre existing technology and provide infrastructure improvements. New and newly renovatedc facilities will also requirdeupgraded security, furniture, fixtures and equipment.
Despits all the talk surrounding the America Recovery andReinvestment Act, most of the fund s have not yet started flowing. A recent report stated that less than 6 percentf of the total fundingf has been released by thefederalk government. Watch for Texas school districts to receive largew chunks ofthe funding. Some school districta already have authorization to begin but most of the activithy is still a month orso away. This summer, the Texas Educatio Agency will open an applicatiojn period forthe $4 billion State Fiscapl Stabilization Fund — one of the largest federal stimulue programs.
The stabilization fund is wrapped around grant programsx and the money can be used by district for a variety of purposes such as the modernizingt ofschool facilities, upgrading technologhy infrastructure, purchasing technology products, building sciencew labs, buying education equipment and redesigninhg high schools for more efficiency and student success. In the fall, an additiona $60 million will be made available to Texas schoopl districts through a funding source knownm asthe Ed-Tech grant program. This program funds the purchase of technologu to improvestudent achievement.
Districtw may also use the fundsd to buy technology to help withthe collection, managemenf and analysis of student data. The Texaes Water Development Board will get a largee share of thestimulus funding. Becauser of that, the agency has received $10.7 billion in funding requests for clean water and drinking waterinfrastructurs projects. Eligible applicants will be notified of their allocationzs in June and July and entities should begin advertising for bids on the construction projects by Texas was appropriatedabout $2.6 billiob in stimulus funds for transportation projects. Some biddin processes have already begun, but the process will be rampinfg upfor months.
Although details are still the ARRA also provides funding for improving broadband in rurapl andurban areas. Depending on how the money is allocatecdin Texas, there is a potentialp for billions of dollars to flow to local communities. And, in spite of the weak Texas voters approved morethan $1.3 billion in local bond election on May 9. The approved funding will finance capital improvement projects such as new andrenovate facilities, technology, large equipment purchasesx and improved infrastructure such as parkes and drainage.
• College Station Independenf School District: $144 million for a new high schooll campus, new elementary school campus, new transportatiom facility, renovations to the existint high school and the purchaseof buses. • Carrollk Independent School District: $138 millionn for new schools, expansion of existing schools and an overhaul oftechnologyu infrastructure. • City of Plano: $128.6 millionm for capital improvement program projects forpublic libraries, park improvements, recreation center improvements, streegt improvements and a technology service facility. Allen Independent School District: $119.
4 million for a new athletic highschool auditorium, transportation maintenance and studengt nutrition center. • Midland Countty Hospital District: $115 million for facility improvementsz to Midland Memorial Hospital including a new patient towefrwith 240-plus beds, expanded emergency facilitiew and more telemetry beds. Even more fundinbg will make its way to Texas in the formof non-stimulus grants to school districts. A bill approved earlie r this month bythe U.S. House of Representatived would provide Texas school districts withabout $600 millio to modernize schools and improv energy efficiency.
In addition, the bill includes $600 milliom in separate funds for public schools damaged by Hurricanezs Katrinaand Rita. The programzs discussed here represent only a few of the sourcezs of federal stimulus There are many other programa that will provide fundingv for airportimprovement projects, port transit programs, improved security and more. Government contractorzs should be loving life in Texasthesew days.
Construction companies and technology firms should already be tracking upcomintg projectsof interest. The funding will flow to locaol communities through a varietyof sources, including stimuluse funding, local bond initiatives, disaster recovery programs and non-stimulus grants. The influcx of dollars will result in thousands of opportunitiesa to buildnew facilities, renovate and modernizre existing buildings, upgrade and enhancre existing technology and provide infrastructure improvements. New and newly renovatedc facilities will also requirdeupgraded security, furniture, fixtures and equipment.
Despits all the talk surrounding the America Recovery andReinvestment Act, most of the fund s have not yet started flowing. A recent report stated that less than 6 percentf of the total fundingf has been released by thefederalk government. Watch for Texas school districts to receive largew chunks ofthe funding. Some school districta already have authorization to begin but most of the activithy is still a month orso away. This summer, the Texas Educatio Agency will open an applicatiojn period forthe $4 billion State Fiscapl Stabilization Fund — one of the largest federal stimulue programs.
The stabilization fund is wrapped around grant programsx and the money can be used by district for a variety of purposes such as the modernizingt ofschool facilities, upgrading technologhy infrastructure, purchasing technology products, building sciencew labs, buying education equipment and redesigninhg high schools for more efficiency and student success. In the fall, an additiona $60 million will be made available to Texas schoopl districts through a funding source knownm asthe Ed-Tech grant program. This program funds the purchase of technologu to improvestudent achievement.
Districtw may also use the fundsd to buy technology to help withthe collection, managemenf and analysis of student data. The Texaes Water Development Board will get a largee share of thestimulus funding. Becauser of that, the agency has received $10.7 billion in funding requests for clean water and drinking waterinfrastructurs projects. Eligible applicants will be notified of their allocationzs in June and July and entities should begin advertising for bids on the construction projects by Texas was appropriatedabout $2.6 billiob in stimulus funds for transportation projects. Some biddin processes have already begun, but the process will be rampinfg upfor months.
Although details are still the ARRA also provides funding for improving broadband in rurapl andurban areas. Depending on how the money is allocatecdin Texas, there is a potentialp for billions of dollars to flow to local communities. And, in spite of the weak Texas voters approved morethan $1.3 billion in local bond election on May 9. The approved funding will finance capital improvement projects such as new andrenovate facilities, technology, large equipment purchasesx and improved infrastructure such as parkes and drainage.
• College Station Independenf School District: $144 million for a new high schooll campus, new elementary school campus, new transportatiom facility, renovations to the existint high school and the purchaseof buses. • Carrollk Independent School District: $138 millionn for new schools, expansion of existing schools and an overhaul oftechnologyu infrastructure. • City of Plano: $128.6 millionm for capital improvement program projects forpublic libraries, park improvements, recreation center improvements, streegt improvements and a technology service facility. Allen Independent School District: $119.
4 million for a new athletic highschool auditorium, transportation maintenance and studengt nutrition center. • Midland Countty Hospital District: $115 million for facility improvementsz to Midland Memorial Hospital including a new patient towefrwith 240-plus beds, expanded emergency facilitiew and more telemetry beds. Even more fundinbg will make its way to Texas in the formof non-stimulus grants to school districts. A bill approved earlie r this month bythe U.S. House of Representatived would provide Texas school districts withabout $600 millio to modernize schools and improv energy efficiency.
In addition, the bill includes $600 milliom in separate funds for public schools damaged by Hurricanezs Katrinaand Rita. The programzs discussed here represent only a few of the sourcezs of federal stimulus There are many other programa that will provide fundingv for airportimprovement projects, port transit programs, improved security and more. Government contractorzs should be loving life in Texasthesew days.
среда, 7 ноября 2012 г.
InfoWorks shares the wealth - Washington Business Journal:
iqukikofor.wordpress.com
The Nashville-based information technology consulting firmsimpl isn’t structured like a traditional top-down Rather than being run exclusively by executives, InfoWork is employee-owned. A shareholders’ meeting at the 12-year-olrd company also is a staff meeting where employees bringup concerns, make recommendationes and participate directly in key decisions. Tony Heard, presidentf of InfoWorks, says the company’a flexible structure is one reaso nwhy it’s managing to clip along nicely durinf the recession. Decisions are flui d and can be made which keepsemployees motivated, responsive and creatively involved.
“The engagement of employees means awhole lot,” Heard says. “It means they take everything more They each feellike it’s theit own company.” It also helps that the primart business plan at InfoWorks is straightforward and simple. The compang specializes in working on the databases of local companiezs to createopitimal efficiency. They also convert database functions such as payrol l or invoicing from papefto computer. Lewis Lavine, president of Nashville’ss Center for Nonprofit recently hired InfoWorks to redesignthe organization’s complicated 10-year-old He says he responded to the company’ds hands-on approach.
“We have specific things we need for our memberse andfor training,” Lavine “They have the abilityh to customize the database for us, which is going to make a big differencd in the end.” The recession did slow thingd down at InfoWorks, changing growth from explosive to From 2006-2007, the company grew at a rate of 29 By 2008, that fell to 9 percent. Hearxd says the company is projecting 11 percent growthjin 2009. In response to the country’sz economic crunch, InfoWorks decided to beef up itsbusiness development, marketinv and sales. Three more business development officerxwere hired, including “Activity creates opportunity.
It’s important to get out of the he says. Getting a pipelin of future business requires a combinatiobn of patienceand savvy, Heard says. For example, he says healtu care-related information technology businessz generated by theObama administration’sx stimulus package has “significant potential.” But he says it will take a couple of years for it to becomre actual bottom-line business. “Everyone is looking for the stimulues money to haveimmediated impact,” Heard says.
“Buy I think in our case it’s going to take until
The Nashville-based information technology consulting firmsimpl isn’t structured like a traditional top-down Rather than being run exclusively by executives, InfoWork is employee-owned. A shareholders’ meeting at the 12-year-olrd company also is a staff meeting where employees bringup concerns, make recommendationes and participate directly in key decisions. Tony Heard, presidentf of InfoWorks, says the company’a flexible structure is one reaso nwhy it’s managing to clip along nicely durinf the recession. Decisions are flui d and can be made which keepsemployees motivated, responsive and creatively involved.
“The engagement of employees means awhole lot,” Heard says. “It means they take everything more They each feellike it’s theit own company.” It also helps that the primart business plan at InfoWorks is straightforward and simple. The compang specializes in working on the databases of local companiezs to createopitimal efficiency. They also convert database functions such as payrol l or invoicing from papefto computer. Lewis Lavine, president of Nashville’ss Center for Nonprofit recently hired InfoWorks to redesignthe organization’s complicated 10-year-old He says he responded to the company’ds hands-on approach.
“We have specific things we need for our memberse andfor training,” Lavine “They have the abilityh to customize the database for us, which is going to make a big differencd in the end.” The recession did slow thingd down at InfoWorks, changing growth from explosive to From 2006-2007, the company grew at a rate of 29 By 2008, that fell to 9 percent. Hearxd says the company is projecting 11 percent growthjin 2009. In response to the country’sz economic crunch, InfoWorks decided to beef up itsbusiness development, marketinv and sales. Three more business development officerxwere hired, including “Activity creates opportunity.
It’s important to get out of the he says. Getting a pipelin of future business requires a combinatiobn of patienceand savvy, Heard says. For example, he says healtu care-related information technology businessz generated by theObama administration’sx stimulus package has “significant potential.” But he says it will take a couple of years for it to becomre actual bottom-line business. “Everyone is looking for the stimulues money to haveimmediated impact,” Heard says.
“Buy I think in our case it’s going to take until
вторник, 6 ноября 2012 г.
November's Most Engaging Story: Responsible Tourism Day, aka November 7 - Planeta.com
cicugaha.wordpress.com
November's Most Engaging Story: Responsible Tourism Day, aka November 7 Planeta.com Responsible Tourism Day is Wednesday, November 7. Prepare to be surprised as we learn about the ethics and the excitement that is responsible travel. This is the last big event we celebrate during the 2012 Responsible Tourism Year (more on Storify). |
понедельник, 5 ноября 2012 г.
UnitedHealth: e-payments could save billions, help pay for health reform - Business Courier of Cincinnati:
polinaagyvtiwu.blogspot.com
A report released Tuesday by the healtbh insurance giant claims the system couldsave $332 billioh over the next 10 years if healtnh providers update their The Minnetonka, Minn.-based parent of estimated 50 percenrt of the savings would go to hospitals and doctors, 20 percenr to the federal government’d Medicare and Medicaid programs, and 30 percent to commercial But UnitedHealth believes the government couled institute policies to take a larger sharde to help pay for refornm programs. “The resulting administrative savings coul d help offset the subsidy cost of health care expansionj for thenewly insured,” the reporg said.
UnitedHealth said it drew on its expertise as one of the largesr health technology companies in the United States to formulate the The number only includesadministrative savings, and doesn’ t venture into how much could be saved in reducintg wasteful medical costs — what many expertzs have pointed to as a culprit for driving up costs.Mucgh of the $332 billion in savingxs would come from getting rid of paper recordsd of all types at providers. For UnitedHealth estimates morethan $108 billion wouldr be saved in printing, postagr and administrative costs by shiftinhg payments and remittances to an electronic National information systems also couldf save money.
UnitedHealth estimates more than $47 billion coulsd be saved if their was a nationapl system to monitor and flag questionable health This is the second majof report UnitedHealth has issued amid the healthrefork debate, which President Barack Obama considers one of his top The health insurance giant said last month that the federak government could save $540 billion in Medicare costsx over the next 10 yearsd if it implemented some of the program s UnitedHealth uses with its own plans.
A report released Tuesday by the healtbh insurance giant claims the system couldsave $332 billioh over the next 10 years if healtnh providers update their The Minnetonka, Minn.-based parent of estimated 50 percenrt of the savings would go to hospitals and doctors, 20 percenr to the federal government’d Medicare and Medicaid programs, and 30 percent to commercial But UnitedHealth believes the government couled institute policies to take a larger sharde to help pay for refornm programs. “The resulting administrative savings coul d help offset the subsidy cost of health care expansionj for thenewly insured,” the reporg said.
UnitedHealth said it drew on its expertise as one of the largesr health technology companies in the United States to formulate the The number only includesadministrative savings, and doesn’ t venture into how much could be saved in reducintg wasteful medical costs — what many expertzs have pointed to as a culprit for driving up costs.Mucgh of the $332 billion in savingxs would come from getting rid of paper recordsd of all types at providers. For UnitedHealth estimates morethan $108 billion wouldr be saved in printing, postagr and administrative costs by shiftinhg payments and remittances to an electronic National information systems also couldf save money.
UnitedHealth estimates more than $47 billion coulsd be saved if their was a nationapl system to monitor and flag questionable health This is the second majof report UnitedHealth has issued amid the healthrefork debate, which President Barack Obama considers one of his top The health insurance giant said last month that the federak government could save $540 billion in Medicare costsx over the next 10 yearsd if it implemented some of the program s UnitedHealth uses with its own plans.
суббота, 3 ноября 2012 г.
Solid job growth in last reading before election - 9NEWS.com
zvonkovaleoqim.blogspot.com
In These Times | Solid job growth in last reading before election 9NEWS.com WASHINGTON (AP) - The United States added a solid 171,000 jobs in October, and more than a half-million Americans joined the work force, the latest signs that the uneven economic recovery is gaining strength once again. In addition, more jobs were ... New Jobs Re port: Solid Growth Boosts the Economy (and Obama), But ... Last pre-election jobs numbers look solid, encouraging Employers show solid job growth |
четверг, 1 ноября 2012 г.
Accounting for change - Portland Business Journal:
ovaluleq.wordpress.com
Demand from business clients is up for litigation andforensixc accounting, accountants in the Portland area say. Valuation work linked to merger s and acquisitionshas fallen. And tighter credit has increased the need for even small privatde businesses to compile financial statements that meet the strict standardes of theirlarger peers. has seen an increas in lawsuits by shareholderss against individualsand corporations, whicg has heightened demand for forensic accounting and frauxd analysis, said William Holmes, managing partner. The Portlansd firm consulted on behalf of investorsa in the case against Oregon venture capitalistCraig Berkman.
Juror s penalized him $28 million last year, after concludinfg that Berkman had misused funds and lied aboutfhis investments. Similar litigation continuesa to occupythe firm, Holmes though he declined to specify open cases. Geffejn Mesher & Co. has experienced an increase in demandr forsome services, and decreases elsewhere. The Portlanrd firm has historically offered valuation work centered arouned merger andacquisition activity, said Mike Rompa, managinvg shareholder. But mergers and acquisitions havedried up, cuttin into demand for those services. forensic accounting work is up. “During tougnh economic times, fraudulent activity does Rompa said.
Business clients are increasingly callinf on Geffen Mesher to review theitr internal controls and identify possiblefraudulent activity. Geffeb Mesher is also preparin g more complex financial reports for smal andprivate businesses. Banks have growj more cautious about making and increasingly require businesses to submit financialp statements that adhere tothe U.S. Generally Acceptef Accounting Principles, Rompa said.
This has created work for accountintg firms that specialize in smalp andprivate businesses, which historically have not had to use accounting principles developed for larger, public “The more prolific the accountinfg standards are, the more difficult the smaller businesd finds it to comply with those Rompa said. “The cost of compliance has Those stricter standards are the result of increasedf scrutinyon banks, which has createf work for accounting firm of Portland.
The firm counts a numbed of banks amongits clients, said partner Mark As bad loans take a toll on bank balance sheets, statd and federal regulators have required many banks to conduct thorough reviews of their loans, generating work for the accountants. Demand across business client s is up for strategic planning Business clients face slimprofiy margins, or even losses, and are calling on accountantss to identify strategic moves, Symonds said. “Nobody knows how long this recessiobn is goingto last, but we can help clients identifyt changes they may need to make to businesss practices.” Holmes and Co. has likewis e seen an uptick in this kind ofconsulting work.
The firm has adopted a policy of open investing in communications technology to make employees accessible aroundthe clock. “Clients have a lot of anxietgy abouttheir future, their families, their bankiny relationships,” Holmes said. “Wer don’t want to creatd more anxiety by notbeing
Demand from business clients is up for litigation andforensixc accounting, accountants in the Portland area say. Valuation work linked to merger s and acquisitionshas fallen. And tighter credit has increased the need for even small privatde businesses to compile financial statements that meet the strict standardes of theirlarger peers. has seen an increas in lawsuits by shareholderss against individualsand corporations, whicg has heightened demand for forensic accounting and frauxd analysis, said William Holmes, managing partner. The Portlansd firm consulted on behalf of investorsa in the case against Oregon venture capitalistCraig Berkman.
Juror s penalized him $28 million last year, after concludinfg that Berkman had misused funds and lied aboutfhis investments. Similar litigation continuesa to occupythe firm, Holmes though he declined to specify open cases. Geffejn Mesher & Co. has experienced an increase in demandr forsome services, and decreases elsewhere. The Portlanrd firm has historically offered valuation work centered arouned merger andacquisition activity, said Mike Rompa, managinvg shareholder. But mergers and acquisitions havedried up, cuttin into demand for those services. forensic accounting work is up. “During tougnh economic times, fraudulent activity does Rompa said.
Business clients are increasingly callinf on Geffen Mesher to review theitr internal controls and identify possiblefraudulent activity. Geffeb Mesher is also preparin g more complex financial reports for smal andprivate businesses. Banks have growj more cautious about making and increasingly require businesses to submit financialp statements that adhere tothe U.S. Generally Acceptef Accounting Principles, Rompa said.
This has created work for accountintg firms that specialize in smalp andprivate businesses, which historically have not had to use accounting principles developed for larger, public “The more prolific the accountinfg standards are, the more difficult the smaller businesd finds it to comply with those Rompa said. “The cost of compliance has Those stricter standards are the result of increasedf scrutinyon banks, which has createf work for accounting firm of Portland.
The firm counts a numbed of banks amongits clients, said partner Mark As bad loans take a toll on bank balance sheets, statd and federal regulators have required many banks to conduct thorough reviews of their loans, generating work for the accountants. Demand across business client s is up for strategic planning Business clients face slimprofiy margins, or even losses, and are calling on accountantss to identify strategic moves, Symonds said. “Nobody knows how long this recessiobn is goingto last, but we can help clients identifyt changes they may need to make to businesss practices.” Holmes and Co. has likewis e seen an uptick in this kind ofconsulting work.
The firm has adopted a policy of open investing in communications technology to make employees accessible aroundthe clock. “Clients have a lot of anxietgy abouttheir future, their families, their bankiny relationships,” Holmes said. “Wer don’t want to creatd more anxiety by notbeing
вторник, 30 октября 2012 г.
ESPN to share Spanish soccer rights with GolTV - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle):
eragywaqer.wordpress.com
One member of La Liga, Real has made headlines recently acquiring two of the biggest names in thesport -- Kaka and Cristianpo Ronaldo. Ronaldo's transfer recently made waves for being the most expensive transferd inthe sport's history. Matchexs will be shown on both ESPN2 and ESPN as wellas ESPN360.com. ESPN Deportesd and ESPN360.com will also have rights to Copadel Rey, Spain’ s domestic cup tournament. "We’re thrilled to work with GolTV to showcas e La Liga on ESPN for the first time to soccef fans inthe U.S.
With the pendinv addition of Cristiano Ronaldo and the timing is great to includr this great property to the ESPN Deportes as it is the most exciting soccer leaguee in theworld today," Lino general manager of ESPN Deportes, said in a statement.
One member of La Liga, Real has made headlines recently acquiring two of the biggest names in thesport -- Kaka and Cristianpo Ronaldo. Ronaldo's transfer recently made waves for being the most expensive transferd inthe sport's history. Matchexs will be shown on both ESPN2 and ESPN as wellas ESPN360.com. ESPN Deportesd and ESPN360.com will also have rights to Copadel Rey, Spain’ s domestic cup tournament. "We’re thrilled to work with GolTV to showcas e La Liga on ESPN for the first time to soccef fans inthe U.S.
With the pendinv addition of Cristiano Ronaldo and the timing is great to includr this great property to the ESPN Deportes as it is the most exciting soccer leaguee in theworld today," Lino general manager of ESPN Deportes, said in a statement.
понедельник, 29 октября 2012 г.
ASPCA(R) Releases New Data Concerning Spot-On Flea and Tick Control
jaqezuweg.blogspot.com
"Products labeled for dogs must never be used oncats -- doingg so can result in serious illness and even death,"" says Dr. , Medical Director of the ASPCA's Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital. "A veterinariann must always be consulted beforsusing spot-on flea and tick treatments on very old, sick or pregnant pets." The ASPCA receives more than 700 calla daily from veterinarians and pet parents, resultingt in over 150,000 annual cases involving medications, plants and foods. ASPCA epidemiologist Dr. analyzed data from publidc calls managed by the ASPCA regardinf flea andtick products.
The data identified two key When cats were treatedinappropriately (not per labe directions), they are significantly more likely to experience severr reactions: no illness despite a call to the ASPCsA (18%), mild illness (17%), moderatwe illness (45%), major illness (19%), and death (2%). When dogs and cats were treatecdcorrectly (per label directions), the likelihood of severe adversde reaction was significantly less: no illness despitr a call to the ASPCA (7%), mild illness (69%), moderatew illness (22%), major illness (2%), and deat h (0.1%).
"The important take-home message is that although adversew reactions can occur with all flea andtick products, most effectss are relatively mild and include skin irritation and stomach upset," says Dr. , ASPCA veterinary toxicologist and Senior Vice Presidenft AnimalHealth Services. "Pet parents should not discontinue using products as directed by the product labe when faced with aflea infestation." Using products as directed and makint necessary adjustments based on health will greatlt reduce adverse reactions from flea and tick or any othert medical products.
Fleas cause anemia (low blood carry tapeworms, and can transmit infections such as ticks transmit many diseased including Lyme Disease and Rocky MountaimSpotted Fever. The risk to pets from thesed diseases is greater than the risk of adverse reactions when products areuse appropriately. Founded in 1866, the ASPCA(R) (The Americamn Society for the Prevention of Crueltyto Animals(R)) was the firsty humane organization established in the Americas, and today has more than one million supporters throughouft North America. A 501 [c][3] not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA' mission is to provide effective meanx for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughouyt theUnited States.
The ASPCA provides locaol and national leadershipin animal-assisted therapy, animal animal poison control, anti-cruelty, humaner education, legislative services, and shelter outreach. The New York City headquarterds housesa full-service, accredited, animal hospital, adoptio center, and mobile clinic outreach The Humane Law Enforcement department enforces New York'as animal cruelty laws and is featured on the reality television series "Animal Precinct" on Animao Planet. For more information, please visit .
"Products labeled for dogs must never be used oncats -- doingg so can result in serious illness and even death,"" says Dr. , Medical Director of the ASPCA's Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital. "A veterinariann must always be consulted beforsusing spot-on flea and tick treatments on very old, sick or pregnant pets." The ASPCA receives more than 700 calla daily from veterinarians and pet parents, resultingt in over 150,000 annual cases involving medications, plants and foods. ASPCA epidemiologist Dr. analyzed data from publidc calls managed by the ASPCA regardinf flea andtick products.
The data identified two key When cats were treatedinappropriately (not per labe directions), they are significantly more likely to experience severr reactions: no illness despite a call to the ASPCsA (18%), mild illness (17%), moderatwe illness (45%), major illness (19%), and death (2%). When dogs and cats were treatecdcorrectly (per label directions), the likelihood of severe adversde reaction was significantly less: no illness despitr a call to the ASPCA (7%), mild illness (69%), moderatew illness (22%), major illness (2%), and deat h (0.1%).
"The important take-home message is that although adversew reactions can occur with all flea andtick products, most effectss are relatively mild and include skin irritation and stomach upset," says Dr. , ASPCA veterinary toxicologist and Senior Vice Presidenft AnimalHealth Services. "Pet parents should not discontinue using products as directed by the product labe when faced with aflea infestation." Using products as directed and makint necessary adjustments based on health will greatlt reduce adverse reactions from flea and tick or any othert medical products.
Fleas cause anemia (low blood carry tapeworms, and can transmit infections such as ticks transmit many diseased including Lyme Disease and Rocky MountaimSpotted Fever. The risk to pets from thesed diseases is greater than the risk of adverse reactions when products areuse appropriately. Founded in 1866, the ASPCA(R) (The Americamn Society for the Prevention of Crueltyto Animals(R)) was the firsty humane organization established in the Americas, and today has more than one million supporters throughouft North America. A 501 [c][3] not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA' mission is to provide effective meanx for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughouyt theUnited States.
The ASPCA provides locaol and national leadershipin animal-assisted therapy, animal animal poison control, anti-cruelty, humaner education, legislative services, and shelter outreach. The New York City headquarterds housesa full-service, accredited, animal hospital, adoptio center, and mobile clinic outreach The Humane Law Enforcement department enforces New York'as animal cruelty laws and is featured on the reality television series "Animal Precinct" on Animao Planet. For more information, please visit .
суббота, 27 октября 2012 г.
bizjournals: Economic clout makes L.A. sports team choice
xotavaloso.blogspot.com
Los Angeles is the nation's most appealingf site for an expansion orrelocated team, says a new study by American City Business The No. 1 rankin is based specifically on Los ability to support a new franchise in the NationaolFootball League. Phoenix, on the other hand, is the most overextended marketf inthe nation, according to the study. That means its incomed base is insufficient for itscurrent teams, let alones new ones. American City Business Journals analyzede 172 markets across America to determind their economic ability to support additional professionao teamsin baseball, football, basketball, hockey and soccer.
The studuy focused on markets without a team in at least one of the fivemajoer sports. Los Angeles ranks first because of its economic Its income base is eight times larger than necessaru to adequately support a franchise inthe NFL, the only leagude in which L.A. is not represented. Righ behind Los Angeles on the list of best sitesw for new teamsare Philadelphia, Houston, Portland, Ore., and Las Philadelphia, the nation's sixth-largest metropolitan area, is the biggesyt market not in Major League Soccer. Orlandio has twice the economic capacity needed for an NFL franchise or a Nationa HockeyLeague team.
It also has the highest ratingb of any market not in Major League though its income base falls 7 perceng short ofthe sport's Houston, with a population aboves 5 million, has more than enough room to add eithe a hockey or soccer Portland could back a pro team in any of three including the NFL, MLS and the NHL. Las Vegasa has the strongest income base of any area withoutt a franchise in any of the fivemajor sports. It ranks No. 1 among all potentialk markets for the NationalBasketbalk Association. At the opposite end of the spectrum is which alreadyhas baseball, football, basketball and hockey franchises.
The studg estimated that Phoenix would needanothed $68 billion in total personap income (TPI) to comfortably support all four TPI is the sum of all money earned by all residents of an area in a given year. The shortfal does not necessarily mean that anyof Phoenix's teams will move or But it is a fairly reliable sign that they can expect continuecd volatility in attendance and revenues. Some of Phoenix'e franchises, in fact, are finding it difficult to prosper in theieroverextended market: Following Phoenix on the list of overextended sporta markets are Tampa-St. Petersburg, Pittsburgh, Denver, Kansad City, Cincinnati and Milwaukee.
Each would need at leastf another $30 billion in TPI to provided a comfortable base for its existing American City Business Journals based its rankings of appealing and overextended sites on income data produce bythe U.S. Bureau of Economid Analysis. The study also generated a precis score, called a marke t capacity rating, for each area without a pro team in aspecificd sport. All ratings were done on a 100-pointr scale. (Scores for all 172 markets can be founsd on theaccompanying spreadsheet.) ACBJ used data on team revenuews and ticket prices to estimate that a market needxs an income base of at least $70.
4 billiobn to support a franchise in Majof League Baseball, the highest figure for any of the majore sports. The least expensive is Major League requiring a minimum baseof $14.1 billion. The study calculatef each market's remaining capacity for pro sportas by takingthe area's TPI and subtracting the amountz needed to support its existing Further details are available in the accompanying methodologh box. Major League Soccer has the widest range of expansioj or relocation options among the fivebig leagues, according to the resultiny market capacity ratings. Eighty-two areas have scores of 100 for MLS, placingv them above the league's minimum income threshold.
The list of qualifierd sites for soccer ranges from Philadelphia to such unlikelh choicesas Shreveport, La., and Johnsom City, Tenn. Twenty-nine markets have the economic capacityu to support a new National FootballLeaguse franchise, as do 23 areas for the National Hockey Leaguer and 18 for the National Basketball Association. No open market meets the income requirements for MajoerLeague Baseball. Orlando comes closest with a capacitu scoreof 93, followed by Portlaned at 78 and Las Vegas at 74. The Washingtom part of the Washington-Baltimoree economic area has a sufficieng base when separatedfrom Baltimore, which already has a baseball team.
Major League Baseball recently announced plans to move the Montreal Expos to theWashington area. The ACBJ study was designed solely to measureeach market's economic ability to support teams in the five majo r sports. Other considerations also would be important in any decisionhto expand, including proximity to existinbg teams (a possible problem for Orlando), unique local factorsd (such as the prominencew of gambling in Las Vegas) and the availability of stadiums or arenas.
Los Angeles is the nation's most appealingf site for an expansion orrelocated team, says a new study by American City Business The No. 1 rankin is based specifically on Los ability to support a new franchise in the NationaolFootball League. Phoenix, on the other hand, is the most overextended marketf inthe nation, according to the study. That means its incomed base is insufficient for itscurrent teams, let alones new ones. American City Business Journals analyzede 172 markets across America to determind their economic ability to support additional professionao teamsin baseball, football, basketball, hockey and soccer.
The studuy focused on markets without a team in at least one of the fivemajoer sports. Los Angeles ranks first because of its economic Its income base is eight times larger than necessaru to adequately support a franchise inthe NFL, the only leagude in which L.A. is not represented. Righ behind Los Angeles on the list of best sitesw for new teamsare Philadelphia, Houston, Portland, Ore., and Las Philadelphia, the nation's sixth-largest metropolitan area, is the biggesyt market not in Major League Soccer. Orlandio has twice the economic capacity needed for an NFL franchise or a Nationa HockeyLeague team.
It also has the highest ratingb of any market not in Major League though its income base falls 7 perceng short ofthe sport's Houston, with a population aboves 5 million, has more than enough room to add eithe a hockey or soccer Portland could back a pro team in any of three including the NFL, MLS and the NHL. Las Vegasa has the strongest income base of any area withoutt a franchise in any of the fivemajor sports. It ranks No. 1 among all potentialk markets for the NationalBasketbalk Association. At the opposite end of the spectrum is which alreadyhas baseball, football, basketball and hockey franchises.
The studg estimated that Phoenix would needanothed $68 billion in total personap income (TPI) to comfortably support all four TPI is the sum of all money earned by all residents of an area in a given year. The shortfal does not necessarily mean that anyof Phoenix's teams will move or But it is a fairly reliable sign that they can expect continuecd volatility in attendance and revenues. Some of Phoenix'e franchises, in fact, are finding it difficult to prosper in theieroverextended market: Following Phoenix on the list of overextended sporta markets are Tampa-St. Petersburg, Pittsburgh, Denver, Kansad City, Cincinnati and Milwaukee.
Each would need at leastf another $30 billion in TPI to provided a comfortable base for its existing American City Business Journals based its rankings of appealing and overextended sites on income data produce bythe U.S. Bureau of Economid Analysis. The study also generated a precis score, called a marke t capacity rating, for each area without a pro team in aspecificd sport. All ratings were done on a 100-pointr scale. (Scores for all 172 markets can be founsd on theaccompanying spreadsheet.) ACBJ used data on team revenuews and ticket prices to estimate that a market needxs an income base of at least $70.
4 billiobn to support a franchise in Majof League Baseball, the highest figure for any of the majore sports. The least expensive is Major League requiring a minimum baseof $14.1 billion. The study calculatef each market's remaining capacity for pro sportas by takingthe area's TPI and subtracting the amountz needed to support its existing Further details are available in the accompanying methodologh box. Major League Soccer has the widest range of expansioj or relocation options among the fivebig leagues, according to the resultiny market capacity ratings. Eighty-two areas have scores of 100 for MLS, placingv them above the league's minimum income threshold.
The list of qualifierd sites for soccer ranges from Philadelphia to such unlikelh choicesas Shreveport, La., and Johnsom City, Tenn. Twenty-nine markets have the economic capacityu to support a new National FootballLeaguse franchise, as do 23 areas for the National Hockey Leaguer and 18 for the National Basketball Association. No open market meets the income requirements for MajoerLeague Baseball. Orlando comes closest with a capacitu scoreof 93, followed by Portlaned at 78 and Las Vegas at 74. The Washingtom part of the Washington-Baltimoree economic area has a sufficieng base when separatedfrom Baltimore, which already has a baseball team.
Major League Baseball recently announced plans to move the Montreal Expos to theWashington area. The ACBJ study was designed solely to measureeach market's economic ability to support teams in the five majo r sports. Other considerations also would be important in any decisionhto expand, including proximity to existinbg teams (a possible problem for Orlando), unique local factorsd (such as the prominencew of gambling in Las Vegas) and the availability of stadiums or arenas.
пятница, 26 октября 2012 г.
Socio Pilot Adds Kathy Najimy, Grey Damon And Sam Robards - Cinema Blend
inufyw.blogspot.com
Cinema Blend | Socio Pilot Adds Kathy Najimy, Grey Damon And Sam Robards Cinema Blend ABC Family's Socio pilot has a few last-minute additions to the roster. Production started on the hour-long drama this week, and a few guest stars have been brought in to join Denise Richards and Avan Jogia. Kathy Najimy, Grey Damon, and Sam Robards ... 'Friday Night Lights,' 'King of the Hill' Actors Join ABC Family Pilot 'Socio' Denise Richards To Take On ABC Family's 'Socio' ABC Family Begins Production on SOCIO, Starring Denis Richards |
четверг, 25 октября 2012 г.
US, S Korea Still Unsure of N Korea's Young Leader - ABC News (blog)
meaning-sarajevo.blogspot.com
Brisbane Times | US, S Korea Still Unsure of N Korea's Young Leader ABC News (blog) The top defense chiefs in the United States and South Korea said today that after nearly a year of watching, they are still not sure what to make of North Korea's young leader, Kim Jong Un. U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said at a joint press ... Defense Leaders: North Korea Remains Threat to Peace North Korea's leader still a mystery |
вторник, 23 октября 2012 г.
Catch the Wind secures $18.8M - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
torbjorntrainer1738.blogspot.com
million in a private placement financinhg to help push more sales of its new wind sensodrfor turbines. Manassas-based Catch the which trades on the TorontoVenturs Exchange, sold roughly 16.7 million shares at a price of Canadianh $1.30 apiece in what it hopes to be its last majorr equity financing before generating enough revenue from its lasetr wind-sensing product, Vindicator, to pay for operations. Companhy officials also participated in theinvestment round, along with institutional investors, bringing its total equity fundraisingt to date to nearly $35 , Research Capital Corp. and Canaccord Capital Corp.
servedd as placement agents for this latest fundraisinv in return for 6 percentg of the gross proceeds and additional stock options. Spun off last year from LLC, a fibefr optics laser company that still shares the sameheadquartera space, Catch the Wind has been developing similar technology that sensee when wind is imminent, helping reorienf a turbine to capture that wind beforee it passes. Most wind turbines can realign its blades only afterd itfeels wind, so they’re often too late to actuallyt benefit from gusts, company officialss said.
“Before, it was the horse-and-buggy approach to measuring wind,” said Phil Rogers, who foundedd Optical Air Data Systemw nearly 20 years ago with his wife beforer leaving recently to serve as CEO for Catchthe “Think about increasing the gas mileage of your he said. “You’ve already boughyt your car. But if I can sell you somethinbg that doubles the gas mileage ofyour car, you would save more He estimates the Vindicator can capture 10 percent to 30 percengt more wind for turbines, whicb in turn helps generate more cleaj electricity and ultimately revenue for their operators.
Catch the Wind recently sold its first unitto , a Canadian environmental monitoring equipment maker, while starting its firsf two-month field test with the Nebraska Public Powerd District on its largest wind farm with 36 wind The local company, which said it’s also talkinyg to federal agencies, hopes to use that trial’s resultsz later this summer to market to otherr wind turbine manufacturers and wind farm operators. With six full-timee employees, Catch the Wind expects to at leasyt double that count by the end of this The company, which had $5.
5 million in cash and equivalente on hand as of March 31, is also considering whetherr to list itself on an American exchangee later this year. “Wer aspire to that,” Rogers said. “I just can’f say when.”
million in a private placement financinhg to help push more sales of its new wind sensodrfor turbines. Manassas-based Catch the which trades on the TorontoVenturs Exchange, sold roughly 16.7 million shares at a price of Canadianh $1.30 apiece in what it hopes to be its last majorr equity financing before generating enough revenue from its lasetr wind-sensing product, Vindicator, to pay for operations. Companhy officials also participated in theinvestment round, along with institutional investors, bringing its total equity fundraisingt to date to nearly $35 , Research Capital Corp. and Canaccord Capital Corp.
servedd as placement agents for this latest fundraisinv in return for 6 percentg of the gross proceeds and additional stock options. Spun off last year from LLC, a fibefr optics laser company that still shares the sameheadquartera space, Catch the Wind has been developing similar technology that sensee when wind is imminent, helping reorienf a turbine to capture that wind beforee it passes. Most wind turbines can realign its blades only afterd itfeels wind, so they’re often too late to actuallyt benefit from gusts, company officialss said.
“Before, it was the horse-and-buggy approach to measuring wind,” said Phil Rogers, who foundedd Optical Air Data Systemw nearly 20 years ago with his wife beforer leaving recently to serve as CEO for Catchthe “Think about increasing the gas mileage of your he said. “You’ve already boughyt your car. But if I can sell you somethinbg that doubles the gas mileage ofyour car, you would save more He estimates the Vindicator can capture 10 percent to 30 percengt more wind for turbines, whicb in turn helps generate more cleaj electricity and ultimately revenue for their operators.
Catch the Wind recently sold its first unitto , a Canadian environmental monitoring equipment maker, while starting its firsf two-month field test with the Nebraska Public Powerd District on its largest wind farm with 36 wind The local company, which said it’s also talkinyg to federal agencies, hopes to use that trial’s resultsz later this summer to market to otherr wind turbine manufacturers and wind farm operators. With six full-timee employees, Catch the Wind expects to at leasyt double that count by the end of this The company, which had $5.
5 million in cash and equivalente on hand as of March 31, is also considering whetherr to list itself on an American exchangee later this year. “Wer aspire to that,” Rogers said. “I just can’f say when.”
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