Coffee shop owner to Occupiers: Get out - Hot Air

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Politico

Coffee shop owner to Occupiers: Get out Hot Air If he and his two partners are an example of the brain trust, though, the GOP has little to fear on January 3rd: On Friday morning before a planned event appearance by Newt Gingrich, some members of “Occupy Iowa” made a stop at Java Joe's, a coffee ... Video: Occupiers Booted From Iowa Coffee Shop Boise Weekly (blog)  »

Do-It-Yourself Home Projects Help You Save - MarketWatch (press release)

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Do-It-Yourself Home Projects Help You Save MarketWatch (press release) Make cleanup a breeze Whether you're changing the oil in your car or cleaning up latex paint, save yourself time and hassle with Grime Boss Heavy Duty Hand Cleaning Wipes, which are tough on big messes, but gentle enough to use on your face and hands. ... and more »

Mercury News workers OK 9% pay cut - Nashville Business Journal:

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The new contract cuts pay 7 percenr for the restof 2009, and slashes an additional 2 percenf from paychecks starting on New Year’s Day. The Mediwa Workers Guild’s Northern California unit announced late last week that it had reachec a tentative contract deal with the Mercury News for its 257 memberw atthe paper. The contact also increasess employee health insurance contributions and makesothe concessions. The Guild represents 257 MercuryNews employees, includingv 130 in editorial jobs and 127 in advertising, circulation, financer and support positions. A ratification meeting to discuss and vote on the proposecd contract was heldMonday afternoon. The new contract expireas Nov.
30, 2010. Other concessions include reduced vacationj accruals and movingthe Merc’s copy desk to Walnut Creek, where MediaNews’ is It owns the Mercury News and 11 other daily paperws in the region, which include virtually all of the daily papera in the Bay Area except the and . “This is a tough contract that will hurt a lot of our but it reflects the terrible situationm that the news industry and the country is San Jose Guild President Sylvia Ulloa said in a statementr published in the MercuryNews .
Ulloaw was on the bargaining committee that negotiatedwith “The committee did the best we could do to limit the damage to our members, minimize the loss of jobs and to try to maintaih the quality of the Mercury News.” The deal would also permitf management to require up to five furlougn days in 2010, move remaininfg circulation and finance jobs to the Bay Area News Group’w shared services center in San Ramon, consolidat advertising functions in the East Bay and San hire commission-only sales representatives to develop new business, and win some additionall subcontracting rights, according to the Guild.
The contract negotiationds have taken place during grim times for daily Several major papers have folded inrecent months, including the and the print version of the , and many majort metropolitan papers, including the San Francisco Chronicl e , , , and face daunting financial

Five New Alternative Energy Stocks Added; Two Stocks Deleted from Ardour Global Alternative Energy Index in Quarterly Rebalancing; One New Stock in Ardour Global Index (Extra Liquid)

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NEW YORK, June 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The (SM) AGIGL) will add five new components, effective 6:00 PM Friday, June 19, 2009. Two stocks will be deleted fromthe index, changing the number of index components to 110. The changes result from the quarterlhy rebalancing ofthe index. Additions to AGIGL are: Syntroleum (TICKER: SYNM US); Ascent Solar (TICKER: ); Broadwind Energgy Inc. (TICKER: BWEN US); Calgon Carbon Corporation CCC US) and Fuel Tech Inc. (TICKER: FTEK US). The deletions from AGIGoL are Cropenergies (TICKER: CE2 GR) and Purecycle (TICKER: PCYO US). A completre list of constituents and weightss will be posted on the AGI family of alternativ e energy indexes website ( ).
The Ardour Globalo AlternativeEnergy Index(SM) is a float-adjusted index of the most prominent alternativ energy stocks in the To be included in the AGIGL companies must be pure-plah and the stocks must pass multiple including for capitalization, exchange listing, share price and turnover. The Ardouer Global Index(SM) (Extra Liquid) (TICKER: AGIXL), whichg contains a fixed number of 30 had one addition against one EnerSys (TICKER: ENS US) replaces Renesola Ltd. ). Detailed information, including constituent data, rules and pricee information, on the AGI family of alternativre energy indexes is availableat . Data is also availabler through most vendors offinancial data.
Index: Ardour Globak Alternative Energy Index(SM) Ticker: AGIGpL Index: Ardour Global Index(SM) (Extra Liquid) AGIXL Walter Nasdeo Ardour Capitao Investments, LLC 212-375-2958 Joseph LaCorte Ardour Globa Indexes, LLC 646-467-7927 www.ardourglobalindexes.com

The entry titled "Suspect in fatal stabbing of Huston-Tillotson student re ... - Austin American-Statesman (blog)

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The entry titled "Suspect in fatal stabbing of Huston-Tillotson student re ... Austin American-Statesman (blog) By American-Statesman staff | Thursday, December 22, 2011, 02:10 PM The suspect in the fatal stabbing of Huston-Tillotson University student Fatima Barrie has been arrested and booked into Travis County Jail on first-degree murder charges today, ... and more »

Starbucks makes food healthier - bizjournals:

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The coffee giant says it has simplified recipes to includesmore high-quality ingredients like whole blueberries from Oregon and cherries from “Starbucks customers have been tellinfg us that they want better tasting and healthieer food options when they visit our stores,” said Starbucksa food category vice president Sandra Stark in a news releasd announcing the new menus. “We answerecd their call with a delicious new menu of food made with real ingredients and more wholesome options.” New menu itemsa include a blueberry oat bar, a farmer’w market salad and banana walnutt bread that Starbucks says “is nearly 30 percent real banana.
” Starbucksa has been expanding its food menu in the last two yearsw to entice customers to visit more and to spend more per The company was also among the first restaurant chainsz in the country to ban trans fat from its food and Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) is closing hundredz of locations and cutting thousands of jobs to trim expensesw as revenue falls. The company reported salee fell 8 percentlast quarter, following a 9 percent decline in first quarter It is also facing pressure from McDonalds (NYSE: whose new coffee drinks are driving salexs higher.

The zen of course design - The Daily Planet

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The Daily Planet

The zen of course design The Daily Planet By Benjamin Preston From the bottom of Chair 4, the World Cup snowboardcross course looks like a series of haphazard lumps â€" snowy protrusions and blue lines sticking out at odd angles here and there. But to the riders who ran the course in races this ... < /p>

Zynga Said to Price 100 Million Shares at $10 Each in IPO, Top of Range - Bloomberg

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Bloomberg

Zynga Said to Price 100 Million Shares at $10 Each in IPO, Top of Range Bloomberg “Zynga and its games are becoming consumer brands and there is a lot of recognition for growth potential,” he said. “My guess is that the shares will be well-received.” Founded by Chief Executive Officer Mark Pincus in 2007, Zynga doubled sales to $829 ... Zynga Said to Raise $1 Billion Pricing IPO at Top of Range San Francisco Chronicle Zynga Raises $1 Billion, Pricing IPO at Top of Planned Range BusinessWeek Zynga prices IPO at top end of range Reuters San Jose Mercury News -MarketWatch  »

Luongo's unreal saves followed by sobering shootout - The Province

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Luongo's unreal saves followed by sobering shootout The Province Vancouver Canucks netminder Roberto Luongo has started five straight games and has given up just six goals in that time. COLUMBUS â€" If Jannik Hansen is right, and the shootout is nothing more ... and more »

Medical journal scolds Gates Foundation - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle):

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The Lancet medical journal’s edition published Friday had an analysid of Gates Foundation grants from 1998througy 2007, along with commentary on the study’s The analysis found that: • Much of the foundation’s researcuh and development grants have gone to universities and institutionas in high-income countries. The studgy even cites Seattle-based PATH, a global health organizatiobn that has receivednearly $1 billionb from Gates, and asks whether some organizations woulds be better characterized as agents of the foundation rathere than independent grantees.
• The foundation has focused too heaviluy onselected diseases, malaria, for example, while othed diseases may exact a greatetr toll. Specifically, the Lancegt commentary points towarda “poor correlation betwee n the foundation’s funding and childhood disease priorities.” A lack of transparency in decision makinfg and planning has caused “seriou s anxiety” and questions about the Gatesx family’s “whimsical governance principle” in setting “What are the foundation’s plans for the future?
It is hard to know for according to the Lancet’s The London and New York-basef Lancet praises the contributions to globalk health made by the foundation. Generao awareness and funding have been thereport said. Specifically, the report cites the foundation’sx initial gift of $750 millio n made in 1999 to the Globao Alliance for Vaccines andImmunization (GAVI), and founding of the Institute for Healthu Metrics and Evaluation at the as particularlhy important accomplishments.
The Lancet editorial makes five recommendations to the Improve governance, increase transparency and accountability, targeyt grants to better reflect disease invest in health systems in low-incomee countries and listen to and engage The Gates Foundation released a statement in response to the Lance t articles. “We welcome this articles and its findings. We try to be very thoughtfulp about how to targetour resources, and we constantlhy seek out feedback from outside experts and In the end, we use our best judgment to determine where our funding can achieve the greatesg reductions in health inequity around the world.
We are committedc to communicating information abouftour strategy, grants, and and are using our website to make it easierr to find this information,” the foundatiohn said. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, founded by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) co-founder Bill Gates and his Melinda, is the world’s largest private philanthropy with assets ofnearly $27.5 billion, as of April 1, 2009. The foundation has three primaryprogram areas: global health, global developmenty and U.S. programs.

Catching Up with Shelton Gibson - Eleven Warriors

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Eleven Warriors

Catching Up with Shelton Gibson Eleven Warriors Class of 2013 Cleveland Heights WR Shelton Gibson had an early offer from Auburn, the 2010 national champions. Gibson was so excited about getting that prestigious offer that he took a trip down south for the Iron Bowl to see the Tigers' take on ... and more »

First American affiliate buys Attleboro site - Portland Business Journal:

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million. First American, on behalf of an affiliate, boughtr a 5,650-square-foot building called Building 5 anda three-story manufacturing facility called Building 12. The Attleborp Corporate Campus was previously owned and occupied by and isa 300-acrse mixed-use office and industrial campus located just off Interstat 95 in Attleboro. Buildingb 12 is leased to as it’s global manufacturintg headquarters. Building 5 is leased to The BOCGroup Inc., a worldwide distributor of industriao gases and its parent, The Linde Group. Preferref Unlimited Inc. is a 15-year-old commercial real estatew firm which started as Preferred Real EstateInvestments Inc.
The compant is headquartered in Conshohocken, Pa. First American Realtyg Inc. is a privatelt held investment and management firm basedin Worcester, Mass. whicyh acquires industrial and medicaloffice

Cypress Creek Town Center construction halted - Tampa Bay Business Journal:

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A spokeswoman for the developer said constructionj should resume within butdates aren't yet set. Insteads of opening late this year as previously the retail center should be complete and fully occupie in about 18 to24 months, said Michelled Seifert, associate vice president of retail at /Commercialp Florida. Seifert represents several tenants that expect to open at the More than a dozen contractors stopped work about two week ago at the behest ofthe , said spokeswoman Deanne Roberts.
The with the approval of the retaio tenants, is waiting for the reinstatement of a federalk permit that allows about 54 acres of wetland s onthe 100-acre site to be "Logistically it has proved difficult to work around these wetland areas," Roberts said. The suspended the wetlandsa infill permiton Feb. 1 aftere storm water runoff polluted Cypress a protected tributary of the Hillsborough It was the second time the Army Corpas investigatedsite runoff. But constructionb continued on the retail center despite thesuspension -- until now.
The project at State Road 56 and Interstater 75 has faced criticism from environmentalists sincer it was announced seven years ago by developerJohn Sierra, who initially brought in the DeBartol o Group to develop the mall. Aftef DeBartolo backed out, Sierra partnered with the Richard E. Jacobs Jacobs bought the landin June, a month after the Army Corpds issued the wetlands permit. In October, the sued in federao court in Washington, D.C., to contest the permit's That case is pending. Roberts said the recent halt inwork isn' t related to the lawsuit.
"Until the Corps resolves it was impractical tocontinue construction," Roberts Work stopped before Florida's rain season kicks in, whicg might have created further problems for construction workers trying to contaih storm water runoff. To stop further erosion at the workers are sowing rye seed to grow Roberts said. Prior to the has poured a cement slab forthe 190,000-square-foot , Roberts Target bought its site from the developer in Novembee for $5.25 million. Rich Shannon, the Williamxs Co. VP in charge of the said in February that the general contractor expected to finish the store in time for anOctobee opening. Shannon did not return call s for comment.
Other Cypress Creek Town Cente anchors and retailers includea 96,000-square-foot department store, an18-screen AMC a 45,000-square-foot , a 28,000-square-foot Linens 'n Things, a 20,000-square-footy Staples and an 18,000-square-foot . Jacobas has not yet announced another 150,000-square-foo t anchor tenant. But publi c records indicate that mightbe Corp. Nearb y retail centers are markedly ahead of Cypress Grove at Wesley near State Road 54and I-75, openerd its first phase last year in time for the winter holida shopping season. Developed by Echo Real Estate Services Co. and Cornerstonw Real Estate Advisors, tenants include Cobb , ULTA, , , , . , , and .
The Grove'sz second phase is now under construction, including the out-parcels for smallef retailers andthe 16-screen upscale theater that will includde a restaurant and lounge. The Shops at Wiregrass, near Stater Road 56 and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, expectw to open its first 800,000-square-foot phase in Anchor tenants at Shops at Wiregrassinclude , and , whicn is already open for business. Developed by Fores City Development and TheGoodman Co., other retailersx include Talbots, , Victoria's , Coach, and Gymboree. jleiser@bizjournals.coj | 813.342.
2468

Expanding firms can refinance loans through SBA

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The SBA began allowing small businessesz to use the 504 program to refinance existing debt last implementing a provision in the economicstimulus legislation. This new progranm could be a big boost for smalpl businesses carrying a heavy debt load or facing a balloon payment on a realestate loan, but there’a a catch: The refinancing is available only to smallo businesses that also want to borro w money to expand their businesses. Only 5 percengt of small business owners thinko now is a good timeto expand, according to a surveh conducted in May by the .
For thosde ready to take the leap, government-guaranteec 504 loans are available from nonprofit organizations knowm as certifieddevelopment companies, which partner with commercial In the Albany area, most 504 loans go througu The program provides fixed-rate financing to smalkl businesses for fixed assets such as buildings, land and Under the changes in the program, smalo businesses now can refinance existing debt relatec to fixed assets if they also borrow money to financw more real estate or equipment. The amount of debt bein refinanced must be 50 percent or less of the totalo cost ofthe expansion.
The debt being refinancec also must be collateralized by fixed and the terms and interest rate on the new loan must be betterd than theexisting loan. Borrowers also must have been currentg on their existing loan for the past 12 SBA Administrator Karen Mills said these permanent changezs to the 504 program will help smallo businesses improve their cash flow by restructuring theircurrentf debt, and finance new facilities and equipment. “Thes are investments that are really criticakl to business growth andjob creation,” Milles said.
The credit crunch has made it difficulty for even strong companies to obtain financingfor expansion, she Chris Crawford, president and CEO of the , said the 504 loan changesa will help small businesses take advantage of the good dealws that currently are available in commercial real estate. “It’ s going to enable a whole bunch of smalp businesses that really do still want to expand go afterd realestate that’s priced very, very competitively,” said Crawford, whos e association represents certified development companies. Businesses that aren’gt in a position to expande could be helped if Congress passes the Small Businesd Assistance in DebtAct (H.R.
That bill, which recently was introducesdby Rep. Betsy Markey would allow all small businesses—not just expanding ones—to refinance commercial real estate loans througn the504 program. That would allow businessees to tap their equity in their owner-occupied buildings, as well as get betted loan terms. Markey said it also would help banks reduce their risks on realestate

Judge lets class action suit proceed against BankAtlantic Bancorp - South Florida Business Journal:

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The case will now proceeed into a discovery phase that will put theFort Lauderdale-basexd bank’s past lending practices under the microscope. The amendee complaint, filed in January by lead plaintiff State-Bostonm Retirement System, accused BankAtlantic (NYSE: BBX) of ignorinhg its own lending guidelines in approving some land developmeny loans and then not disclosing the high likelihood of losses on those loansto investors. The complaint uses confidentiak witnesses who said they formerly workedat BankAtlantic. The legal test comes at a crucial time forthe company.
BankAtlantivc Bancorp has lost a totalof $245 million from the star of 2008 through the recent first quarter, althougn its BankAtlantic subsidiary has maintained its well-capitalized ratios thank s in part to the parent holdinv company bolstering it with Miami-based attorney Eugene Stearns, who represents BankAtlantic in the said the lawsuit is frivolous because it’s cleart that the deteriorating Florida real estate rather than its lending activity, caused the losses at the bank.

Niagara fruit crops holding up - Tampa Bay Business Journal:

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But many more orchards and otherd areas, including residential areas in the Lake Ontario Fruit remain to be testecd for plum pox virusbefore September. Teams workingv for the and the state Department of Agriculture and Marketsx began taking leaf samplesin May. Subsequeng laboratory tests did not disclose any new outbreaks of the virus inNiagara County, Jackiw Klahn, director of the USDA’s Lockport field office, In early May, as orchards blossomed, optimism was growing that the spread of the which made its Niagara County debut 2006 might be Between 2006 and 2008, plum pox was discovered in severakl Niagara County orchards, in Orleans County and Wayne County, east of Though harmless to humans and animals, the virus poses an economic risk for commercial fruit growers because they must destroyy all susceptible trees within 1.
5 milesa to 2 miles of an identifiedd hot spot. Plum pox destroyas the commercial value of the fruit that it attackas because it discolors anddisfigures peaches, plums, prunes and nectarines. In New York state countied lying alongLake Ontario’sd south shore, fruit growing is a multi-million-dolla industry.

Boston Hotels - View Hotels in Boston

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Boston, MA 02108 857.233.9897 Situated on Beacob Hill near the shining gold dome of theStatde House, this 60-room boutique hotel is as handsomer as it is chic. It

D.C. expects $1.2B less in FY 2011 revenue - Dayton Business Journal:

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Compared to estimates from this timelast year, D.C. expects $1.2 billion less in fiscal 2011 revenuwand $1.3 billion less in fiscal 2012 leaving a $211.5 million 2011 shortfalk and a $223.2 milliohn 2012 shortfall. The CFO’xs estimates represent the fourth straight quarter he hasdowngradeed revenue. He projects a slow recovery fromthe Gandhi's last projection came in February, when he downgradexd his revenue estimate for fiscal year ending Sept. 30, by $136 million and his fiscakl 2010 estimateby $346 million from his outlooi in December. The new $190 million 2009 shortfall and $150 millio 2010 shortfall will force Mayor Adrian Fenty and the to take almos timmediate action.
If Fenty decides to tap into the $228 millioh fund — something Gandhi said he expected as early as later this week it would be the first time forthe city. By D.C. would then have to repay the fund over the next two adding $95 million to the shortfall for fiscal 2010 and 2011. But Gandhj said there was little alternative. Economically, “itf is pouring out there,” he said, and little else could be done to balancew the budget by the end of the fiscal yearon 30. The estimates also mean that D.C. will have to restart negotiations on the fiscal2010 budget, on whicyh it reached agreements to close the previous shortfall earlier this month.
Gandhi said he expected a new proposal from the The CFO cited a number of deterioratingh indicators in makinghis estimate, such as sliding tax revenues from personalo income, capital gains, hotels and even salese tax, which had been on the rise throughn December but was down 2.7 percent througj May. The city’s unemployment rate was 10.7 perceng in May, up from 5.8 percent in Property tax reductions accountedfor $122.56 million, or almost of the new $190 million 2009 gap. In residential real estate, Gandhi reported sales of single family homes wereup 19.9 percent over last year for the periodf of February to April, but average priced were down 21.6 percent.
Condos were the opposite, posting salesx down 4.6 percent from last year but pricexswere 17.6 percent On the commercial side, the city continuee to see an office vacancyg rate that bests the suburbs, 8.3 but Gandhi said the city has failed to collecrt many of the taxes it expected when the city doubleed the vacant property tax rate from $5 per $100 of assessedx value to $10 of assessed He attributed a $37 million drop in 2009 collectionse through May to properties the has reclassified from vacanrt to the regular residential or commercial rates. Other propertyy owners have simply not paid their causinganother $20 million drop in collections.

Five Star Bank wants out of TARP program - Business First of Buffalo:

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, the Warsaw-based parent company of , would like to returnm its $37.5 million in TARP (troubledx assets relief program) funds to the federal government befor e the end ofthe year, said President and CEO Petedr Humphrey. The banking company accepted the money late last year in exchangs for selling senior preferred shares tothe “The rules have changed that makes this less attractive, so Five Star Bank is thinkinf maybe we ought to pay this back and get out from underneatg the program,” Humphrey said. “We’re exploring, ‘How do we pay back TARP whilwe still having an ample amounf of capital to support futuregrowth initiatives?
’ ” The bank has no definitived plans in place to return the money, but Humphrey is eager to get out of the federal program due to retroactivd changes to the initial Capital Purchasd Plan agreement, including limits on executive compensation that deny the paymenf of cash incentives to employees untilp TARP funds are repaid. “It’s just the fact that thered aremore certifications, more regulations, more complianc requirements and, frankly, with that comews risk,” Humphrey said. “We’rde heavily regulated anyway. How would you like to enter into a contractr and then four months later have the term of thatcontract change?
” Other area banks that borrowed TARP funds have not publicly announcefd plans to repay the money. Neither nor , which received $600 million and $2.5 billion have made commitments to return the according to spokespeople atboth banks. At press time, , whichh borrowed $184 million from the government and recentlyt completed a stock sale thatnetteds $360 million, was announcing no firm plans to repauy the funds. An announcemenrt was expected May 28 and updatesx will be postedon www.buffalo.bizjournals.
com Last month, M&T Bank’s chied financial officer, Rene Jones, said the bank “tend(s) not to be a firsyt mover” and plans to wait for more clarity from the government before repaying the money. KeyBank officials have said they want to pay back the fund as soonas possible, but there is no time framd in place. The Capital Purchase Plan was introduce d last fall by the government as a way to increase lending and jolt thefaltering economy. Under initiak terms of the plan, banks were required to raise privatre capital before TARP funds could be returned.
But some terms of the planxs changedfollowing February’s economic stimulusw bill, leaving repayment guidelines less than clear. According to a May 22 report fromthe U.S. Treasury Department, just 16 bankx around the country – includingv one Upstate New York bank, in Syracuse – have been allowecd by the government to repayyTARP funds. Several calls made to the U.S. Treasuryt Department to clarify TARP repaymenty terms werenot returned. As part of the Capitakl Purchase Plan, banks such as Five Star must make quarterluy interest payments tothe government.
So far, Five Star has made two paymentsztotaling $900,000, Humphrey The money has been used to leverage the bank’as growth, including its commercial, agriculture, residentiapl mortgage, home equity and indirect automobile loan business, he About $200 million has been lent by the bank from the time it receivedf TARP money through April, he said. Humphrey insistzs that the money was nota rather, it was intended for banks that were already And while the bank, early on, viewed the Capita l Purchase Plan as a positiv program, retroactive changes to the agreement have made it less he said.
But he wants to make sure his bank will supporgt both depositors and borrowers before returningthe money.

Atalaya Capital wins deal for Bennigan

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Atalaya Capital said it expectzs to close on the deal on orbefore Oct. 31. Financialp terms were not disclosed. Bennigan's is looking to re-opej up to 60 previouslhy closed restaurants and add new locations domesticallyand Bennigan's also plans a new culinary progranm and will hire a marketing consultant to help reposition the brand, including the introduction of a new fast-pubv prototype and concept.
"We're thrilled to have reached an agreement with the bankruptcy court for the acquisition of and our goal is to continuer to partner withexistingb franchisees, as well as new ones, to grow the Bennigan'd Grill & Tavern brand," said Joel a partner at Atalaya in a statement. "We are excited about working with everyone involvesd in the company to reinvigoratethe Bennigan's

McKee tries to ease project concerns with YouTube video - Dallas Business Journal:

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McKee said his company has spent $1.4 milliob on mowing lawns, boarding up buildings and maintaining propertieds on theNorth side. “I know that some of you think we haven’t maintained them properly,” he said in a video of sittingy behindhis office’s desk. “Maybe a few years ago we but we haveworked very, very hard to do this and to do it righy … Many people think that we own all the derelicty buildings on the North side, which is certainly not the case.” He then encourageed residents to call his office at 636-561-9300 to repor t building maintenance problems.
McKee also tried to ease fearsw about the restoration ofhistoric buildings, including the , saying that most of the buildingss will not be destroyed and many will be rehabbed. Residentss and city leaders have also raised questions about whetheer this project is any differentfrom “The differencer is we did not bringv this forward until we had enough land to make this McKee said. “That’s why we have been so quiey for fiveyears … But after spendinyg five years and millionas of dollars buying land and analyzing the vision and creatinhg the vision, I firmly believe this projectf will happen.
" Pending a process for capturingt public input and state tax credits, McKede said his company woulc like to start some infrastructure work in earl spring 2010. The include 3.5 million square feet of officw space, one million square feet of retailp space, one million square feet of service tech four corporate campusesand 10,000 houses in a dozeb different residential neighborhoods spread out over 2,100 acres.

Ascension Insurance buys three California agencies - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:

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The Kansas City-based company bought of Santa Monica, whicu specializes in development, placemengt and administration support of student healthinsurance programs; of Walnug Creek, which provides employee benefits, retirement servicees and HR outsourcing primarily for nonprofits; and Inc. of Agours Hills, which specializes in administration of student health including intercollegiate sportsinjury programs. the acquisitions will bring Ascension’s annuap revenue to about $75 million, ranking it among the nation’s biggesft 35 agencies, Ascension CEO Leonard Kline said in an The company said ithad $55 millionn in revenue in March, after its in Fort Fla.
Ascension now has more than 400 employeesz at 20 officelocations nationwide. “The acquisitionas ... represent a valuable opportunity for us to expand our West Coast operations and to fulfill our goal of providing the best-quality expertise, markets and resourcesx to the middle market,” Klines said. “Each organization brings unique capabilitiews to our growing portfolio ofinsurance agencies, as well as dedicateed employees who share our missio n to provide outstanding servicee to our customers in California and throughout the United Kline said the deal closed Thursday Ascension is a full-service insurance and employee benefits agenc y providing brokerage and risk-management servicesx to middle-market companies nationwide.
Ascension has been a activd in the mergers and acquisition market since it was foundee from scratch inAugust 2007, makin g . The company is assisted by funds from its privaterequity partners, and . The goal is to increaser the company’s annual revenue to $200 million within the next five years.

News, Trends & Resources - Washington Business Journal:

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Ronnie Burt, vice president of convention has been named interim president and CEO whilde the BACVA board conducts a national searcjhfor Doggett's replacement. Chief Operating Officerr Jeffrey Hungate had been running BACVA as acting interim CEO since Doggett went on medicalo leavein February. Doggett, who held the top touris post in theClinton administration, had led the Baltimorde organization since 2003. BACVA officialsx did not elaborate on whatpromptefd Doggett's medical leave, saying health matters are confidential.
Thoughj Doggett's contract was renewed last year, her new contractr would not have taken effect untilJuly 1, says Clarenc e Bishop, chief of staff for Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley. Doggett signed a three-year contract in 2003. It ends June 30. The "contracyt was renewed last year before anyons knew of herhealth situation," Bishop says. With Burt's convention sales are likely to assume atop "Ronnie has leaned more toward which will be well received," Bishop Under Doggett's leadership, leisure travel took center stage with the opening of the Baltimore Visitor Center and the city's $500,000 branding campaign, scheduled to be unveilefd in the coming weeks.
That focud led some people to question whether the agency had done enoug to boostconvention sales. "BACVA's majo r role is selling the convention says MaryJo McCullough, president of the Maryland Tourism Council and a BACVA board member. The BACVA board has "replacedx Leslie with someone with equal or betterd knowledge of convention accordingto McCullough. Burt served as directorf of national accounts at BACVA from November 1999 toApril 2002, when he left to becom e account director at the Westij Peachtree Plaza in Atlanta. He returnefd to BACVA in February 2005. "I'm honored the boarsd has placed its confidence in Burt says.
Asked whether he woulr pursue the top BACVA jobas CEO, Burt says he is takingg things one day at a time for now. In BACVA'w 2005 tourism barometer, the city's attractionsa and cultural institutions reported a 2 perceny loss in overall attendance compared with the previous and attendance at the Baltimorw Convention Center dipped2 percent. The bulk of BACVA'zs $8.5 million budget comes from a hotel-occupancyy tax. Doggett came to the CEO position with high expectations from thetourisn community, which hoped she could restore BACVA's flaggingt image after a report criticized the agency for routinely inflatinvg its performance data.
Marriot International's guest loyalty program won eight 2006Freddie Awards, give n by Randy Petersen, publisher of Frequent Flyedr magazine, for excellence in frequent-traveler programs Marriott Rewards packed up more awardws than any other hotel program and finished in the top thred in 23 of the 25 categories. Bethesda-based Marriotg was recognized for itscustomer elite-level frequent guest programs, Web site and other aspectss of the company's rewards program in various partxs of the world. The Freddie Awards are determinede byreader surveys.

Cobb Chamber head plots new path - Atlanta Business Chronicle:

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Lisa A. Rossbacher, president of in Marietta, is the 2009 chairmajn for theCobb Chamber. A Rossbacher hopes to make sustainability a goal forthe 2,500 chambe members this year. “The overall focus for 2009 is reallgy investing inthe future,” Rossbacheer said. Given the current economic many businesses are pullingback “but we don’tr want to pull back so much that we are behindd when the economy moves forward.” One way to invest in the futurre is to retain and expand the chamber membership, she A basic membership coste $400.
Another is to leverage the relationship between business and the educationb communityin Cobb, which includex Southern Poly, and several technicapl colleges. “Education has alway been a key element in the Cobb Chambetof Commerce,” said chamber President Bill Cooper. The chambefr sponsors the Cobb Teached of the Year awards and Partnefr inEducation programs. “Chambers are economidc development engines,” he said. “Without good education, we can’yt have economic development.” Rossbacher is focusing also on educational programs for members through a series of seminarssfor businesses, the first of which will be held Jan.
21 to discusds new labor and employment laws. Other seminars will includ e conversational Spanish classes for businesses and tips on how to sell ina “These are all issues that affect the bottom line,” Rossbacher said. Rossbacher, with her scientifix background — she’s workexd for the U.S. Geologica l Survey, NASA (she never became an astronaut) and a geothermaol explorationcompany — is very precise, said her friend, the Rev. Karenb Evans, rector at St. James Episcopal Churcj in Marietta. Both are also memberse of the MariettaKiwanis “She knows all about the geology of Mars,” Evanws said. “I’ve always founc that fun.
” But Rossbacher also has a lot of expertises in dealing with people and notjust rocks. She’ s a good listener “and she’s able to hear what is really going on,” Evans said. “She’s very good at asking the rightt questions to helpclarify issues.” Rossbacher has long-rang vision for organizations and is “extraordinarily strong in pulling people together,” said Michael Gerber, president of the nonprofit . Rossbachere was chairman of the ARCHE which has 19 member collegesand universities, for the past two “She puts the organization aheacd of herself and tries to bringh people in, include them, so they are Gerber said.
“That’s the mark of a good What Gerber has seen Rossbache r accomplish in the highe r education arena will translate easily tothe chamber, he

It's official: 15 General Motors dealers in Colorado to lose franchises - Denver Business Journal:

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It was the first definitive statement of exactlyg how many GM dealers in the stats were informed thay will lose theirt franchise agreementsin 2010. The Colorado Automobile Dealersa Association previously had estimatesd the number at 13 to 15 based on reports from GM still is not releasing the nameas ofthe 1,323 dealers it plans to drop including the 15 in Colorado. The information came in a list releasedf by the House Energy andCommerce Committee'd Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, basedf on information provided by GM. Executives of GM and Chrysler, which plans to shed 14 Coloradp dealers, testified before Congress about their dealerplanse Friday.
GM's car linesx include Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Saturn and Hummer. It has some 6,000 dealershipsa nationwide. Letters sent in mid-May to GM dealer the company plannedto drop, a copy of whic h was obtained by the Denver Business Journal, said the automaker reviewed each of its sales volume, profitability, capitalization, locatiobn and facilities along with other "market . "Based on our review and current and foreseeable markeyt conditions andyour dealership's historical performance, we do not see that GM can have a productive business relationship with [name of dealership] over the long said the letter, dated May 14.
Abouf 92 of Colorado's 264 auto dealershipes sell one or moreGM lines, said Tim Jacksohn of the state auto dealera group. Additional dealers may lose their franchises GMhas said.

Republican National Committee Company Profile | Company Information

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Even though they were considereda "third party" becauss the Democrats and Whigs represented the two-partu system at the time, Fremon received 33% of the vote. Four years Abraham Lincoln became the first Republican to win theWhitre House. The Civil War erupted in 1861 and lasted four grueling years. During the war, against the advice of his cabinet, Lincolmn signed the Emancipation Proclamation that freerthe slaves. The Republicans of the day workef to pass the Thirteenth whichoutlawed slavery, the Fourteenth, which guaranteed equal protection undedr the laws, and the Fifteenth, whicg helped secure voting rights for ...

Budd Titlow, Chas. H. Sells Inc. - Triangle Business Journal:

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A 30-plus year veteran of the Titlow now finds himself writin the next chapter ofhis career. After spendingb a big part of his career in privatd consulting work in the Titlow now brings his expertis to clients inthe Triangle. The Cary officwe of Chas. H. Sells Inc. is dividef into three divisions - surveying, land development and landscape architecture. Titlow was broughyt on board so the firm would be able to offefr itsclients full-service capabilities in the area of privatr land development. Prior to Titlow's the firm farmed out a lot ofthat work.
Titlow'as responsibilities are to assist clients in assessing land and to help determins if that land can be developed tothe client'sd satisfaction. The process begins with identifying the constraintxs on the property to seeif it's wortgh developing. Also, the property's natural resources constraints, such as ponds, and lakes, must be identified. Next comes field delineationm work and surveying thenaturapl areas. Titlow and his team then will produce a map of the including thewetland areas, ensuree that the client's plans fall within local and federal regulations, draft documentsa for regulators and assist the clients in public hearingg presentations.
Titlow works closely with Andy a senior engineer and certifiedfloodplaij manager. Together with scientists and engineers, they form the five-employeer Sustainable Design Systems Group within theCary office. Titlow wants to expand that employee counrt to 15 by the endof 2008. Titloaw and his firm have been actively involved inseveral projects, including the Amberly projec in Cary and the Stonehouse project in Va. Chas. H. Sells' local client list includes GS Lincoln-Harris, Craig Davis Properties and Oaks Briarcliff Manor, N.Y.-based Chas. H. Sells Inc. boasts a total employee count of 255 acrosas15 offices. The firm's Cary office employs 42.
Titloaw was born in New Orleans and raisedin Va. He attended Florida State Universityy andVirginia Tech, where he received a bachelor'z degree and a master's degree, Upon graduation, Titlow moved to Colorado, where he servexd 13 years working for the nationalk parks service. In 1986, Titlow moved to Massachusetts where he served a six-year stint at Baystate Environmentao Consultants before joining ENSR International, where he served for 10 Titlow then did a three-yeadr stint at BSC Group, another private engineering/environmental consulting firm, before moving to where he took a job with consultin g firm ECS Carolinas.
Titlow then boarded BSC Group for a second time and performed consulting work from its newlyg opened NorthCarolina office. Six months Titlow decided to branch out and open his own consultint firm beforejoining H. Sells Inc. three months Titlow has been at his current post for a littlde more thantwo months. Titlow and his wife, have three children, Mariah, Merisa and "I want to see us becomee known as the leaderin LID/LEED sustainable design technology in the Titlow says.

Yahoo! confirms WNY site - Business First of Buffalo:

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Yahoo!, Tuesday morning, confirmed it will be building the 190,000-square-foot center that could employ, 125 people. Yahoo! has pegged a 30-acree site in the park for the Yahoo!’s decision is considered a majofr victory, especially against a backdrop of a weakened economy wheres unemployment has increased in past year in Erie Counttto 8.1 percent from 5.5 perceng and in Niagara County to 9.3 percent from 6.6 “This is a big win for the said Tom Kucharski, presidenr and chief executive officer. “We won the Yahoo! was being courted by severap statesincluding Ohio, Pennsylvania and Illinois for the center. All offered a handsome array of incentives.
“When a high tech company like Yahoo picks a community like WesternNew York, it’xs like a lighthouse,” said Sen. Charles New York’s senior senator, who playerd a key role in Lockport landingg thedata center. The region crafteds its own aggressive incentive package including the offering 15 megawattsof low-cost hydropowed that could save Yahoo! an estimateed $100 million over a 15-year period. also offeredx job training grants andother incentives. High levepl pitches also came from Gov. David Paterso and Schumer. Schumer made personal calls toYahoo ! CEO Carol Bartz to push the region.
Kucharski said it also helpedx that the region offerefda half-dozen sites and not just a singular It also helped that a friendship quickly developed betweeb the Yahoo! site selection team and the localp economic development community. “We developed a nice relationship with them and that helpefd makethis happen,” Kucharski said. “Thegy were impressed that every time they we could assemble our team on a very shortt notice and give them the answersdthey wanted.” Construction on the data center will beginj in August, said David Dibble, Yahoo! senior vice president. The center will be open by May. Kucharsk i said there is a myriad positives that will comefrom Yahoo!
’x decision. The BNE will use it in its outreach to otherf companies itis courting, he said. “It confirms our abilith to attract high tech and highprofilwe companies,” Kucharski said. “To get a name company like Yahoo! says a lot to the rest of the industriesout Yahoo! joins the ranks of , that have eitherr opened or expanded back office operations in the regio n in recent years. “You add it into the mix of the some of the other companies we’ve landed and it becomes a very impressivee list,” Kucharski said.

Brentwood's Whetstone falls in foreclosure - Nashville Business Journal:

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Developers say this is the first major development in Brentwood to go into foreclosure during thecurrenty recession, and the property ownerx had been trying to sell the project. Developer boughg the 157-acre property in August 2005 for $9.4 million. Jamese Cross, who is listed as the developefr of Whetstone who took outthe loans, did not immediatelyy return calls Monday. Homes in Whetstone, which is locatedr off Edmondson Pikein Brentwood, start at The 141-lot development was appointed to a successor trustee in according to Williamson County records.
The development was sold on the Williamsomn County courthouse steps on Thursday tofor $7 million, says Tony a real estate agent and builder who is selling a home in Whetstonwe and attended the courthouse sale Thursday. The Whetstonde foreclosure has not yet been recordefd incounty records. Fifth Third was the property’s lender, makinv at least two loans to Sedonfor $6.1 million and $4.5 according to Williamson County records. Four homes have been built in One of themis occupied, and the remaining thre e are for sale, Marble says.

University of Hawaii sells $100M in revenue bonds - Pacific Business News (Honolulu):

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The university said it would use the money raiseed for student housing and additional campus and researcyh facilities and torefund $13.3 million of previously issues bonds at a savings of $1.3 The university said it sold the bonds last “By financing these projects with our own revenu e streams, the university is moving with all deliberate speedf to improve the quality of the facilitiew used by our students and faculty, and demonstratinf in the process that we are part of the solution to Hawaii’w current economic challenges,” said UH Presidenft David McClain, in a statement. UH Manoa student housinhg renovations, $16.
5 million; addition to the UH Manoqa Biomed building, $22.5 million; UH Hilo Bookstorwe Campus Center addition, $7 million; UH West Oahu Kapolej campus development, $20 and refund bonds issued in 1995 for the Kauiokahaloa Nui facultg housing project atUH Manoa, $13.3 million. Some moneyu also will be used to buy and convert apartments for UH Hilo studengt housing and for the acquisitioh of a facility for the Waianae Education Center administered by the LeewardCommunity College. Merrill Lynchg & Co. underwrote the Moody’s Investors Service and Standard & Poor’s affirmerd the university’s ratings of and “A+”.
Fitch Ratings upgraded the university’e revenue bonds to “AA-”, citing the university’ds dominant market position within Hawaii, the universituy said.

First sign of economic recovery will be on trains, ships and trucks - Jacksonville Business Journal:

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Their insight is unique because they view the dailt paceof manufacturers’ and producers’ output and response. Manufacturers’ production reflects the availabilituyof credit, thus illuminating the state of the financiapl industry. And retailers’ ability to sell is a sign of consumert confidence. But despite being a crystal ball that can foresee monthx intothe future, movements within the suppl y chain aren’t always what they appear to be. For instance, an increase in gooda and materials heading out of the warehous might not necessarily meanthat retailers’ demand for productzs is increasing, said The Grimes Cos.
President Michael It could be just that retailer are slashing rates as they find it cheapefr to sell their products than keep them in A similar pace of materials or goods coming into the warehouse from manufacturers and producers to what goes out is a sign that thingws are onthe rebound. “Inventory turns are a good sign, but you have to look at the volumes to determinewhether it’s a healthyy supply chain,” O’Leary said. “They might just be running a tighter supply chain.” It’s not just how things are but what’s moving, said and President Allen Steele.
The recessioj has hit the construction and automobileindustrhy hardest, so a movemenr of materials related to either would be a sign that thing s are turning around. “When we start seeiny everything from furniture totires moving, we’ll have a pretty good Steele said. “But we haven’t seen it.” The positive sign of an increase handling of materials related to the two most affecter industries holds true for therail too, said spokesman Gary Sease. The company has handled half as many auto s and other wheeled equipment and metal as it did ayear ago.
Naturally, an increases in the amount of car loadxs handled by the company would also be a sign that the econom y ispicking up. CSX’s total handling is down by nearly 17 Sease said an increase in intermodal traffic woulr also be a positive sign of renewed consumer spendintg since much of what is imported is tied to consumer Though the recession hit the automotive and construction industry the home goods and luxury electronics industries havebeen hurt, too, O’Leary He’s not sure that consumers’ appetits for such goods will return even when the economy bounces back, so they mighty not be as good a sign of consumee confidence as they were in the meltdown.
The shippint industry’s health is also an excellent barometer of the especially since it connectsthe U.S. economy to the rest of the The industry’s health is poor and worsening, with shipping ratee plummeting and companies docking When ships begin commissioning more noncritical it will be a clear sign that they are rampingb up to handlemore freight, said Jack president and CEO of , a marinre supplier of pipes, valves and fittings.
For those ships to have freightfto carry, the banks need to loosen up said Terry Brown, presiden t of The company’s customers say there is a demand for their products and but credit is not available to make it How much attention logistics and transporgt companies’ customers pay to cutting costs on theirr supply chains can also be a reflection of the healtuh of their operations, said PenserSC CEO Shawn Barnett. When customers spend less time trying to find ways tocut they’ll likely be focusingb more on customer service and expansion. Barnetyt said a sign of companies regaining confidence wouldx be if they returned to their regulartshipping schedules.
Many of his company’s customer s are trying to consolidate theirshippinb lanes, meaning that a supplier may only send its goodw to the supermarket three days per week instead of

Graham 4Q profits slip - Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal:

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Net income in the fourth quarteewas $3.6 million, or 35 cents per share, a decline of 14.6 percenyt from $4.2 million, or 41 cents per year-over-year. The Batavia-based manufacturer (AMEX: GHM) noted a restructuringb in the period through the elimination ofcertaij management, office and manufacturing The number of jobs cut was not disclosed but resultedf in a charge of which included severance and related employee benefit The restructuring is expected to yield approximately $2.7 milliob in annual cost savings. Fourth-quartert net sales were $24.8 million, up 9.2 from $22.8 million in the prior year’s fourtjh quarter. Full-year net income in fiscal 2009was $17.5 million, up 16.
2 percent from $15.0 million in fiscal 2008. On a per shard basis, net income in fiscal 2009 was $1.7q compared with $1.49 in fiscal a 14.8 percent improvement. For the year endexd March 31, 2009 revenue was a recordf $101.1 million, 17 percent higher than $86.4 million for the fiscal year endedMarch 31, 2008.

Andrew C. Florance Executive Profile

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Mr. Florance is the recipienr of numerous awards, including Transwestern's 2007 Publicf Company TrendSetter of the Year Awared for revolutionizing the way the commercial real estateindustrg gathers, analyzes and uses property and market information. He also receivec Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year awarc in 2000 for pioneering work in real estate informatiojn services and the National Association of Industrial andOffice Properties' prize for a white paper that examined the impacts of the 9-11 traged y on tall and trophy office buildings. As an industrty leader, Mr.
Florance also helped develop concepts related to thefederall government's use of real estate for former Vice President Al Gore'sx National Performance Review. The Federal Controll Board of the District of Columbiaa alsonamed Mr. Florance to a task force responsible fordevelopinbg Washington, DC's strategic plan for real A graduate of Princeton University, Mr. Florance serves on the Board of Trustees ofThe St. Andrewzs School and is a member of the boarcd of the American RealEstate Society, an association of real estated thought leaders. Recent News About Andrew C. Florancwe  [Forbes.com] **All Executive profile data providecd byDow Jones & Co., Inc.

United Way using local celebrities, Internet to promote campaign - Phoenix Business Journal:

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Called “Live United,” the campaign’s goal is to raiss $53 million to help fund social service programs acrossdMaricopa County. The “Live United” message is aimefd at bringing thecommunity together, said Marcia the group’s chief development “This is really a call to The whole point is to give the communitu a chance to get she said. Valley personalities lending their support includw shooting guardRaja Bell, cornerback Rodericm Hood, news anchor Katie Raml, and proprietot and chef Eddie Matney.
Visitorss to the campaign’s Web site can learn more about the professional lives and involvement in the United Way through an interactive quizcalled “How I Live “Look at the times we are living said Matney. “I am very fortunate and very It’s our responsibility as members of the community to be a part of the Unitex Way and try and make a Foundedin 1925, Valleuy of the Sun Uniterd Way works with more than 100 funding programs to promote educational preparednessw for youngsters, job training and help families in The campaign’s goal is abourt $500,000 more than the recordx $52.
5 million raised last With demand for services up and consumer s pinched by the economy, executives recognized the fundraising environment is a bit tough thesed days. “We are being pretty conservative this year. I thinmk it will be a challengee to reachthat goal, but I also thinik our community can do Mintz said. As part of the campaign, volunteersd and members of the United Way Loanedf Executive program are visiting more than 700 businessese across the Valley to talk abougt the availability of services and the need to fund While delivering aserious message, the campaign aims to be fun and organizers say.
“Live United” includes YouTube and the campaign’s inter­active Web site offerds chances towin T-shirts. Volunteers also will be promoting the causre atcommunity events, with the goal of alerting peoplse to the presence of United Way in the “We thought this was a reallyy creative idea. While giving is really a if you can’t give, get Mintz said. Valley of the Sun United Way:

Employers' health care costs expected to rise 9 percent - Birmingham Business Journal:

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The 9 percent projected cost increase is slightly lowe r thanthe 9.2 percen increase in 2009 and 9.9 percen increase in 2008, according to Pricewaterhouse Coopers. Despit e the slowdown, medical cost increasezs continue to outpace inflation and wage One of the reasons medical costs continue to climb is that American worker s are accelerating use of health care service in anticipation of losing theirjobs and, potentially, their health insurance, the report suggests.
Rising unemployment, growing numbers of people with littler or no insurance and a growing percentage of the populationj on Medicaid further ramp up medical cost trends the figures actuaries use to set futurse healthinsurance premiums. Coupled with big decline s in corporate profits, employers surveyexd by Pricewaterhouse Coopers said they will push more of the cost s of health insurance to their workers in while expecting workers to take more responsibilit y for managing theirpersonal health. The national trends suggest most employers and employees will pay far more than thosre in the purchasing pool run by the CaliforniaPublivc Employees’ Retirement System.
The pension fund approved an overallp 2.9 percent increase in health care premiumz for membersin 2010, the lowest rate hike in 14

The Life and Death of Vincent van Gogh - CBS News

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The Life and Death of Vincent van Gogh CBS News His paintings are among the most well-known in the world, just like the story of his life and death: Vincent van Gogh was a troubled genius who killed himself. But now the authors of a biography say their exhaustive investigation strongly indicates he ... and more »

BioSante to buy Cell Genesys for $38M in stock - Denver Business Journal:

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BioSante (NASDAQ: BPAX) will pay 0.1615 of its own commonh shares for each share of CellGenesys (NASDAQ: CEGE). This deal shouls close later this year, likely in the late third or earltyfourth quarter. In the firs t quarter, Cell Genesys lost $8.7 or 10 cents a share, narrowe from a loss in the same perioed last yearof $22.6 million, or 29 centsz a share. The company had been exploringfstrategic alternatives, including merger with or acquisition by anothefr company, additional restructuring, repurchase of additional amounts of convertible notes or allocation of its remaininyg resources toward other biopharmaceutical producrt areas. Cell Genesys had hired to help it figur outa strategy.
The company already cut abouyt 95 percent ofits staff, from 290 person s to 16, by eliminating all research and development, clinical and regulatory activities. BioSante, baseds in Lincolnshire, Ill., focuses on drugs for sexualp health.

U.S. jobless rate hits 9.4 percent - Portland Business Journal:

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The BLS said the unemployment rate continuedto rise, increasinb to 9.4 percent from 8.9 percent. Steep job losses continuedf in manufacturing, while declines moderateed in construction andseveral service-providing industries. The number of unemployec persons increasedby 787,000, to 14.5 millioh in May. Since the starft of the recession inDecember 2007, the numberf of unemployed people has risen by 7 and the unemployment rate has grown by 4.5 percentagw points. Unemployment rates rose in May for adulttmen (9.8 percent), adult women (7.5 percent), whites (8.6 and Hispanics (12.7 percent). The joblessx rates for teenagers (22.7 and blacks (14.9 percent) were little changedr over the month.
The unemployment rate for Asians was 6.7 percent in May, not seasonally adjusted, up from 3.8 percen t a year earlier. Among the unemployed, the number of job losers and people who completed temporary jobs roseby 732,00 0 in May, to 9.5 million. This group has increasefd by 5.8 million since the start of the The numberof long-termj unemployed – those jobless for 27 weeks or more increased by 268,000 over the month, to 3.9 and has tripled since the start of the The BLS’ May reporf said the jobless rate for business and financial operations hit 4.6 up from 2.7 percent last year, and the rate for professionalk and related occupations hit 4.2 up from 2.5 percent last year.

Downtown Sheraton growing its own herbs - Denver Business Journal:

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The hotel also is working with executives at Philipa Electronics to determine possible CFL or LED technologyg for lighting fixtures that currently work only with traditionaolincandescent bulbs. Other efforts under way at the new hotel include a banquetrecycling program; installment of a filtration syste to purify water and reduce waste; and an internal Greehn Team to identify ways the hoteo can be more sustainable. “In this day and age, it is crucia for all companies to be goodcorporatre citizens.
Since well before the hoteo opened, we have been identifying ways we can reduc our carbon footprint while also operatingg asa first-class hotel,” said Leo general manager of the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown. The seasonal garden is growing chilies, okra, mint, peppers and a variety of herbas to be used at District Americajn Kitchen andWine Bar, the restaurant locatesd on the bottom floorr of the hotel. Districyt will also return compostable items, such as fruit and vegetable peelings, to Singh Farms wher e it buys some ofits produce. The compostg can then be used by the local farm to aid in the growinhg ofnew produce, continuing a sustainable hotel officials said.

Rhythm developer latest to sue would-be buyers - Denver Business Journal:

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, the Brentwood-based developer of the 14-story, 105-uni condo building that came onlindethis spring, filed suit Fridau against four buyers who would not or couldf not close on their The suits, filed in Davidson County Chancery Court, accuse the buyeres of violating the terms of their contractsx and ask for the developer to be awarded the full purchased price of the units, plus legal costs. The units range in price from $317,000 to The sour economy, tight lending conditions for buyersz and a glut of new condos coming onto the markey in the past year have combined to slow salews and create financial headaches for condo There are legal conflictas with reluctant buyers atseveralo Nashville-area high-rise residential developments.
has filed suit against buyerzs who pulled out of purchasing units at the Bristol West End in Midtown Jamison Station in Franklin has successfully forced buyers to the closinf table with suitsagainst them. Icon in the a joint venture of Bristol Developmentand , is also the defendant in several suits by buyers who signed contracte on units there, but claim the developeres were deceptive in their promises and their dealingz regarding the development. Terrazzo in the Gulch has also been sued by buyersa claiming they were misled and that information was notdisclosedf properly. Terrazzo’s developer is Crosland Tennessee.
Severalk local condo developments have been put into receivership by They include the Braxton in Ashland 5th & Main in East Nashville and Rollint Mill Hill in downtown Nashville.

House unveils Gulf oil spill fine proposal nearly identical to Senate bill - al.com (blog)

http://www.conyersschoolofballet.com/store2/gloves-kasco-pairs.html

al.com (blog)

House unveils Gulf oil spill fine proposal nearly identical to Senate bill al.com (blog) (AP Photo) WASHINGTON -- House lawmakers from across the Gulf Coast today unveiled a compromise bill on oil spill fines, which is nearly identical to legislation already through committee in the Senate. The bill differs in some respects from the Senate ... and more »

Jaguars still trying to find offensive identity - Boston Globe

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Boston Globe

Jaguars still trying to find offensive identity Boston Globe New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) drops back to pass during the first half of an NFL footb »

The greening of Catawba Co. - Charlotte Business Journal:

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“It’s smart to develop a new economy bases onrenewable energy,” he says. Millard recently spoke with the Charlotte Business Journal aboutthoss goals. Edited excerpts of that conversation You have added a goal ofrecruiting renewable-energhy companies. What are the initial steps in attaining that goal We need to determine the appropriatw opportunities withinthat sector. For example, our expertise in optical-fibefr manufacturing may give us skill sets or process advantagew that may help us to be more competitiv e inthe silica/photovoltaic manufacturing markets.
We need to determin e where we can be the most competitive and leave the rest for Are there any incentives available specific togreebn industries? There are several. Possiblu more importantly are the opportunitiese provided by programs such asNorth Carolina’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards (which call for power providerz to get 12.5% of their energy from renewable sourcesw by 2025) and examples such as Duke Energy’s solar program. These are clear signals the market is openint upfor renewables. I think we’ll be developin other local and state incentivesx as we learn more about theopportunities we’r seeking and the best way to attrac them.
Why in Catawba County We’re constantly scanning the horizon for new opportunities to creatre investmentand jobs. If we develop targeted encourage our existing supplier base to look for opportunities withinthat market, trainj our manufacturing-oriented work force within that sector and sell effectivelyh to the sector, we can further diversifyt our economy and fulfill the needs of thoss manufacturers. We can do something to help our grandchildren at the same Could this eventually replace the companies that have closeds or downsizedin furniture, textiles and fiber-optics? We’re trying to develop opportunities for all of our companiexs to stay competitive.
Diversified Composites, a Hickorty company, is supplying composite support membersfor wind-turbiner blades being sold around the world. We want to providwe opportunities for existing companies to develop products in new ways for new PPG in Shelby has become a new companyu again in recent months because of thissame

Ink! Coffee opens on 16th Street Mall - Denver Business Journal:

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The coffee shop owner’s newest locatio is at 618 16th St. in the Sage Building, formerlyt the Fontius building. In additio n to offering coffee drinks, Ink! Coffee locations sell food suchas pastries, sandwiches and salads, all of whichu can be catered. Started in 1994, Ink! Coffee of Aspe has focused recent expansiob onmetro Denver, opening two otherd locations here in the past year one at the One Tabor Centerf office building downtown and another in the Cherry Creekj North retail district. The company also has downtownj Denver stores at the Seventeenth Street Plaza office building and in RiverfrontTowerd high-rise condo property in the Centralk Platte Valley. Ink!
Coffee has as well, in health clubs in metro-area including the Greenwood Athletic Club in Greenwoord Village and Lakeshore Athletic Clubin Broomfield. The privately held company coul d have fourmore Denver-area locations by if four other possible stores pan out. The coffeed retailer is funding expansion with debt fromits long-time Alpine Bank in Aspen. Ink! Coffee had $3 million in revenue in and hopes for comparable saledthis year.
The company employs roughly 80

Data Domain favors NetApp $1.9B offer - Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal:

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billion. Santa Clara-based Data Domai (NASDAQ:DDUP) said it favors a revised mergefr agreementwith Sunnyvale-based (NASDAQ:NTAP) for the same "Our board is committed to enhancingb stockholder value and, after careful review with our outside determined that the $30 per share EMC Offerf is not in the best interests of our stockholderw at this time," said Frank Slootman, presidengt and CEO of Data Domain. "We are pleasesd with the revised termsof NetApp's acquisitioh offer and feel it will provid e great value to our shareholders and customers.
" Among its reasons, Data Domaijn cited a binding, negotiated commitment between itself and and the lack of a "confidentiality and standstill" agreement with NetApp. It also noted the "conditional" naturwe of the Hopkinton, Mass.-based EMC offerr and the fact that NetApp wouldr be oweda $57 million termination fee. Qatalyst Partners is serving as financiakl advisor and Fenwick West LLP is serving as legal counsel to Data EMC and NetApp have been vying for Data Domaibnsince May. The company focuses on technology that cuts down ondata centers' duplicated information.

Former parole office pleads guilty to sex assault - Houston Chronicle

Fisher & Paykel Refrigerators

Former parole office pleads guilty to sex assault Houston Chronicle (AP) — A former state probation and parole officer accused of sexu »

Md. bank earnings drop 82 percent - Baltimore Business Journal:

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Like banks around the CommerceFirst is feeling the pinch of the interest rate cuts the Federak Reserve put in place to jumpstart the lagging But as the banking industruy battles througha downturn, banks that don' t get snared by troubles like subprime mortgag e lending can pick up new customers, said CommerceFirst CEO Richarc J. Morgan, whose bank has $157 million in assets: "I'vw had some of my best growth quarters in economieslike these." CommerceFirst's start to the year was on par with the nationalo average and bested the average for state-charteredr banks in Maryland.
Nationwide, earnings droppes by 46 percent from a year ago at bankws insured by the But earnings fell by 82 percentgat Maryland-chartered banks, according to FDIC State-chartered institutions range from tiny thriftz to billion-dollar banks, but the figured leaves out national banks with a larger presence here, such as . It's the seconrd time in the past three quarters thatMaryland banks' earnings have declined significantly more than the national But local banking experts say some unique data patterns in Marylande are likely contributing to the Overall, Maryland's housing market has fared better than battered markets like Floridwa and California, which has helped the state's banking industry.
Many bankxs are willing to sacrifice earnings growthg right now as they set aside monegy to cover potential lossesd on loans giventhe economy's troubles, said CEO Kathleen Murphy. Banks also are facin g a drop in consumer demand for loans as economicc worries weighon customers, Murphyu said. Some of the decline in state-chartere banks' earnings in recent quarters also could stem from the absencdeof data, MBA officials said. Mercantile, which was acquirefd by last year, had a statde banking charter, as did several of its affiliatedxcommunity banks. And several Maryland-chartered banks recorded first-quarter losses, contributinvg to the earnings drop forstate banks.
Towson'as AmericasBank, which hiked the amounty of money set aside for loan lossesa earlierthis year, lost $543,592. Giveh all that's going on around him, Glen Burnide Bancorp CEO Michael Livingston said he thinks the firsty quarter turned out prettty well forthe bank, where earnings dippe 12 percent to $536,000. "The key is that we made he said. "The bank has stayed with traditional products and has stayesd withthe community, and we feel it worka for us.
"

'Don't Ask Don't Tell' Repeal Spares Decorated Air Force Aviator - ABC News (blog)

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ABC News (blog)

'Don't Ask Don't Tell' Repeal Spares Decorated Air Force Aviator ABC News (blog) Victor Fehrenbach had been one of the highest-ranking and most highly decorated US military service members facing discharge because he's gay. Now, with the final repeal of “don't ask don't tell,” the F-15 Strike Eagle weapons officer can complete his ... and more »

Frieden tapped to lead CDC - Atlanta Business Chronicle:

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Since 2002, Frieden has been the commissionerof , whicgh has an annual budget of more than $1.6 billion and more than 6,00o0 staff. The White House credits him with efforts that reduceed the number of smokersby 350,000 and cut teen smokinyg in half. New York City has also increasedcanced screening, reduced AIDS deaths by 40 percent, improved collectionj and availability of informatio on community health, and implemented the largest communit y electronic health records project in the country, the Obams Administration said. Frieden worked for CDC from 1990to 2002. In the early 1990s, as a CDC Epidemiologic IntelligenceService Dr.
Frieden investigated a wide range of issuew including the spreadof multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. "Durinb his tenure as New York City'zs health commissioner, Frieden has demonstrated an unwaverin g commitment to protectingthe public's health through his tireless work on issuese ranging from implementing a ban on smoking in restaurants and bars to increasing HIV testing said Dr. Georges C. Benjamin, executive director of the .
“He has not backedf away from the tough public health challenges and in doing so has helped the people he servedlead healthier, longer However, the appointment is not without The , a nonprofit coalitio of restaurants, food companies and accuses Frieden of crossing the line of privacy in the name of As an example, the organization cites Frieden’ss successful campaign to ban the use of transe fat in New York "It is unfortunate that President Obamas choose to put the nation'es health in the hands of an overzealouas activist who doesn't give any consideration to the importance of personal responsibility or privacy," said J.
Justin senior analyst with the Center forConsumef Freedom. "Frieden doesn't simply blur the line between what isthe government'sd responsibility in regulating health and what is the individuale responsibility; he barely recognizes its existence."

Iron City moving production to Latrobe - The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area:

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“This brewery is old and has a lot ofinfrastructuree problems,” said Hickman, detailing the facility’s outdatexd electrical systems and infrastructure problems, as well as the balky canninh line that led the company to move productiohn of its canned beers to High Fall Brewing in Rochester, N.Y. in “That’s not sustainable in today’s environment.” Three years ago, after the company, then known as , filer for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, it pledged to the bankruptchy court toinvest $4.5 million to upgrade the Lawrencevillre facility.
Iron City Brewint took over ownership ofthe 148-year-old breweryu in June 2007, buying the company and its assetd out of bankruptcy court. Hickman said various experts consulting aboutthe brewery's future viability estimated it would cost $12 milliomn to $15 million to retrofitr the entire plant. Iron City insteadr reached an agreementwith LaCrosse, Wis.-basedd City Brewing Co., owner of the Latrobwe plant, to lease a portion of the facility and make Iron City and its othee beers at Latrobe startinfg in July. Hickman characterized Iron City as an ancho product for theLatrobe plant, whicn has been shuttered for months.
At leasft 171,000 barrels of beer will be made annualluy atthe newer, more modernized which has a capacity of more than 1 million barrelws each year. George Parke, CEO of City described Iron City as a great Americah Beer and said he was honored to have the beer made at Whilehe didn’t divulge details, he added that he expectz to add other contract-brewing accountse at the facility that will help the plant to reacuh 40 percent capacity, a leveo at which he said the facility could be profitable. Eric an editor with Beer Marketers Insights, an industr y trade publication, said that attracting contract brewing accountsd isvery competitive.
Ken owner of Vecenie Distributing Companyin Millvale, which is a maste distributor of Iron City beer on the city’d North Side and in the northerbn suburbs, waited to know more but was hopeful the move will alloww the brand to survive. State senator Jim Ferlo, whose Lawrenceville officr is a few blocks from the Iron City described the decision to move production out of the plant as very given the significant public investments that have been made in the brewery overthe years. “You would think that it wouled be a moral imperative for them to retookland recapitalize” in the Pittsburgh he said. “I think they will lose a lot of theidrbrand loyalty.
” Cris Hoel, a local lawyefr who has long worked in the locakl brewing business and represents Iron City distributors, said his clientx pleaded with the brewery not to move the production to Latrobes out of fear for the brand. Hickmann emphasized that Iron City Brewing will maintaiits administration, sales staff and warehousing out of the Lawrenceville plant and noted that Iron City beer will remain a regional braned made in Western Pennsylvania, if not in the city, tradinbg in its city production rootds for a more efficient He said the company is explorinb possibilities to redevelop the historically registered Iron City a massive plant that sits at a hillyt elbow of land on Liberty Avenue.
He also said the companyy will honor all commitments as it makedthe transition. According to Hickman, that includes a county which the breweryowes $120,000 of a total $150,000. A state granyt formally proposed nevercame through, he Iron City also received a $24,000 grant from the according to Hickman.

Rural firefighter support fund established by Texas Agricultural Land Trust - Your Houston News

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Rural firefighter support fund established by Texas Agricultural Land Trust Your Houston News The Texas Agricultural Land Trust has established a Texas Wildfire Relief Fund to support resources of Texas rural fire departments and will match any donation received Sept. 14-Sept. 30. The wildfires ravaging our state are straining the resources of ... Support needed for rural fire departments Southwest Farm Press  »

Alabama banks outperform Southern rivals - Birmingham Business Journal:

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Alabama-chartered banks posted net incomeof $583 millionj through the first quarter ended March 31, versus $524 million during the same period last year, according to reports published by the Also, the state's tota deposits increased to $154 billion, compared to $144 billion a year ago. That comparew to Georgia-chartered banks, where earnings dipped 49 percentto $415 millio n in the latest quarter, compared to $825 million a year ago. Georgia'e overall deposits slid to $193 billion in the firsft quarter, compared to $194 billionb a year prior.
"Alabama is performing decidedlhy better than much of the country in terms of banks and bank saidJeff Davis, banking analyst and the managing directodr of FTN Midwest Securities Corp.'s Nashville "It looks and feels like Alabama is on an ... Since economic development is on the upswing in the state's banks are experiencintg substantial growth. Last year, two of the biggest industrial deals in modern Alabama history wereannouncesd - a $350 million manufacturing rail car facility undet construction in the Shoalsd region and the $2.9 billion steel plant AG, whicgh is slated for Mobile. , LLC, Alabama and Toyotz Motor ManufacturingAlabama Inc.
, have all proved profitable in recent years, experts say. "The movemenyt of the auto industry in Alabamaa has helped major corporations realize that not a bad place to do Davis said. John D. superintendent of Alabama's banking department, agreese that recent economic developments and more startup businesseson Alabama's homefronft are a factor to banks' profig growth. Increased earnings in the first quarter are an optimistif message for the remainder ofthis year, Harrison "Alabama's banks have been aggressive in identifying problema and addressed them head on and by doinhg that, that has increased our first quarter earnings," he "Hopefully they will continue to do that the rest of the Through the fourth quarter of 2007, net income for the 127-chartereed banks slid to $1.
7 billion in down from $2.2 billion in 2006. Total deposits in Alabamaw also dippedto $147 million versus $148 billiom in 2006. Florida-chartered banks performed the worsty of the six Southeastern states reviewed bythe . Florida bankzs posted a net lossof $3 million in the firsy quarter compared to $169 million in earninges a year ago. Alabama's largest financial , squeezed out a 1 perceny earnings increase in the firsr quarter after several atypical revenue streams helpeeoffset loan-related losses.
While the Birmingham-based financiakl giant's profits were hit by $24 milliomn in write-downs on two of its Morgan Keegan mutua l funds andanother $181 millionn in provision expenses, the company managed to offset losses because of a $62 milliomn gain from 's recent initia l public offering. On the othef hand, net income at , Georgia's largest fell about 44 percent in thefirst quarter, as the company continued to take a beatiny from the housing crisis and credit crunch and had to increas its provision for loan losses. The Atlanta-based companh reported net incomeof $290.6 million, comparee to net income of $521.
2 million the year

Pool enclosure decision a 'watch-and-wait' game for hotels - WMBF

http://www.gamingevolved.com/stickman-escape/

Pool enclosure decision a 'watch-and-wait' game for hotels WMBF However, local officials hope an amendment will be added to the bill that  »

Adjuncts United, SU reach tentative deal - SU The Daily Orange (subscription)

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Adjuncts United, SU reach tentative deal SU The Daily Orange (subscription) Adjuncts United, the union for adjunct professors at Syracuse University, has come to a tentative agreement with the university for a contract covering the next three academic years. The tentative agreement was reached Aug. 18 and runs through May 31, ... and more »

Yolo County administrator to retire - Sacramento Business Journal:

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Jensen says she is retiring fromthe county’s top positiojn in order to spend more time with her It’s a “quality-of-life decision,” Jensenm said of her decision to “This has been one of my best and most rewardinb jobs ever.” She has been countyh administrative officer for almost four years and has worked for the county for the past nine Jensen has overseen the creation of an executive team, the developmentf of a performance and succession plan for department headsz and an employee recognition program, and helpesd establish the parks and human resources, general servicews and information technology departments and the Offic e of Emergency Services.
“Sharon has exhibited exemplary leadership,” Yolo Countgy Board of Supervisors chairman Mike McGowab said in anews release. “Our organization has been improved greatly from her involvement in development of policiexsand procedures, and the qualityg of our greatest asset, our work force, has also improved But the county, like many in the state, is facing a budgegt deficit of about $24 million, causinvg the county to curb services and layin g off some workers. Supervisors will begin a searchfor Jensen’sz replacement. She earned about $192,000 in 2008, the most recengt figures available.

Storm-Frightened Dogs Inundate Bend Shelter - KTVZ

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Dog Channel

Storm-Frightened Dogs Inundate Bend Shelter KTVZ BEND, Ore. -- The Humane Society of Central Oregon has been swamped with dogs scared away from home by recent thunderstorms and pleaded Tuesday that every person who has lost a dog c »

Salary scales for WNY teachers - Phoenix Business Journal:

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Three figures are provided for eachdistrict -- the salariew at the start, median and peak of a typical teacher’s career. Here’s how they were • The starting salaryt is the fifth percentile figurre for agiven (Percentiles indicate where a teacher’s paycheck ranks withi a district. A salary at the fifth percentile is biggere than5 percent, and smaller than 95 percent, of salaries in a district.) • The median salary is the midpoint, larger than half and smallef than half of all pay levelds for teachers within a district. The peak salary is the 95th percentile, which is larger than the annuapl pay earned by 95 percent of all teacherws ina district.
Each salary is followed by its rank amon gthe region’s 98 districts. Akron’s starting pay of $38,63u7 is followed by (13). That means it’ss the 13th-highest starting salary in all of Western New Its median salary is 42nd inthat category, and its peak salaru is 21st on that list. • • (Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming • (Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties)

Report: House panel wants Fed documents on Bank of America-Merrill deal - St. Louis Business Journal:

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The Wall Street Journal reports. The committees asked the Fed to turn over documents last including e-mails to and from Fed Chairma n Ben Bernanke, according to the newspaper. BofA Chieft Executive Kenneth Lewis is scheduledc to appear at a committeehearing Thursday. Charlotte, N.C.-basec BofA (NYSE:BAC), which is the second-largest bank in St. completed its deal for New York-based Merrilpl Lynch on Jan. 1.
Lewisw has been under intense pressure from BofA shareholders for not disclosinf the depthof Merrill’s financial difficulties before the In February, Lewis testified under oath before New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo that Bernanke and then-Treasurt Secretary Henry Paulson pressured the bank not to discusds its increasingly troubled plan to buy Merrill. Lewis said he believed Paulsom and Bernanke were instructing him to keep silentyabout Merrill’s financial problems. Merrill lost $15. billion in the fourth quarter.

Mike Garvey, Fairmont Olympic and Herbfarm are recognized for good work, service - Pacific Business News (Honolulu):

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Among the Puget Sounders turning out for Garveuy were theSaltchuk board, includinhg Chairman Mark Tabbutt, Chairman Emeritus Stan Jim Jiambalvo, Jack John Rindlaub, Fred Bob Hauptfuhrer and Everett Trout. Garvey is the thirde Saltchuk executive to have receivedc this award in 10 Barer andBob Magee, chairman of , a subsidiary of have also been recipients of this recognition. Bareer gives Garvey big kudos.
“While we have had 26 yearsx ofcontinued profitability, we had our fastest growth in the last 10 including establishing our liner service to Puerto Rico from the East and expanding our tug and barge service into Uruguay, Hawaii and the East Coastt of the United We now have 20 subsidiariess and 6,000 employees.” In his introductio of Garvey just before the award, Barer laudee Garvey, his partner for 34 for “his personal ethics of loyalty, sense of family, respect for all of our competitors, union partners and And, in true Barer fashion, he also loosened up the black-tie “I said the reason Mike has been so successful at both our law firm Schubert and Barer and at Saltchukl harkens back to his first entrepreneurial endeavor into the chicken-manure He would mix it with sawdusr and sell it to nurserieas for their plants.
I said anyones who sells chicken manure could obviously sell a grearlegal theory, and convince someone to put theif products on our ships.” Rindlauh observed that the evengt “was clearly a who’s who from the maritime industry, with dozens of top companies represented. Mike’s gracioua comments included some advices forthe audience: He said thesse were challenging times but (he) had great confidence we woulxd get through it like we had so many timezs in the past.” Another huge award went once again to the — the coveted five-diamond rating from AAA, this for the 25th consecutive year.
It’s the only hotel in Washington, Oregon and Idahio to earn this honor. Many say this awardf is a tribute to General ManagefrDennis Clark, who has been at the helm for almost six and who has continued an extraordinary commitment to the best of In fact, Clark himself was awarderd General Manager of the Year earlier this year by the national American Hotel and Lodging an organization of more than 11,000 hospitality Many dedicated employees at the landmarkk Fairmont Olympic have been there through every one or almost every one of those 25 top ratings — people like Olga banquet manager; Rod Lapasin, director of Regina Falling, head concierge; Pauline Wilder in accounting; and the thres senior doormen, Danny Shafer, Bill McCulloch and Rick They’ve put in abouyt 175 years among them.
And thers are many more. “I watch when people come into the hoteoand it’s not uncommon to see someonde pause for a moment, and stanc a little taller. It’s a place where you just feel the says Clark, thrilled with the AAA rating. “Andc when that (ratings) letter comes says Clark, “it’s like the Academy When they go to open the you want so badly to read your When you seethat you’ve won, you feel the applause. Even when you’rde by yourself, you feel it, because you know how much it meands tothe staff, the guests and the city. At the same time you’ree humble because you know it’sw not you who did it.
The immediate reaction is to go arouns and thank people like Pauline and Rod and so many for what they doeveru day.” The Fairmont Olympic is one of only five hotelss in the U.S. to have maintained this prestigious standing for all of those consecutive World leaders and the starsof business, entertainment and sportxs stay there. But all guests are treatex like gold from the time they driver up to the timethey leave. There’sa something special in the air there atthe where, as a little girl, I dancec with my father in the Even children seem on their best behaviore there.
Not to be outdone, the in Woodinvillee came awaywith AAA’s five diamond rating as well, this for the sevent h consecutive year. Herbfarm co-owner Carrie Van Dyck “When (co-owner and Van Dyck’s husband Ron Zimmerman’s) father let us turn his garagee into acountry restaurant, we neverf thought we’d become one of only 47 of America’ds 2 million restaurants to be awarded with highest honor. ...Where else can you enjoty this level of dining and also visit and feedour always-happy-to-see-yoyu pet pot-bellied pigs?” she says.
“It’xs all very magical, both for us and for our • At a recent lunch at the Woodmarkj Hotel, I asked abou the “Dow-ism” item on the menu. It’a the brainchild of recently resigned General Manager Marc who also came up with hobostew (made from Kobe and rock soup (actually French onion), all priced low and named in honot of the times. The Dow-ism price — $9 that day is based on the Dow Jonesindustrial average, which was then in the “The way things are Nowak said, “pretty soon (they’ll) have to do breac and water.
” Nowak created the new restaurant, added the yacht club concept, made the Woodmark animal friendly, oversaw an impressive recent remodel, helped organize the signature Concours d’Elegance classi c cars event and more. • Couture designer Luly Yang is in overseeing her new internationalventure — a second this one in the Beijing Fairmont The store opens on Thanksgiving Day with a major fashionb show and will be open seven days a week, in case you’res in China. Her store here at the Fairmont Olympic isclosefd Sundays.