Friday, May 11, 2012

Lucas Cruikshank back with more 'Fred': Third pic in Figglehorn series on the way - Chicago Tribune

ovaluleq.wordpress.com


Lucas Cruikshank back with more 'Fred': Third pic in Figglehorn series on the way

Chicago Tribune


Lucas Cruikshank is ready to bring his Fred Figglehorn character back to the screen with "Fred 3: Camp Fred." Joining the cast are Tom Arnold, John Cena, Daniella Monet, Jake Weary and Carlos Knight. Brian Robbins will produce through his Varsity ...



and more »

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Triple Analysis: Lung Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer and Peptides - Sacramento Bee

takes-trendsthe.blogspot.com


Triple Analysis: Lung Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer and Peptides

Sacramento Bee


By Reportlinker This triple analysis focuses on cancer drug development strategies in both Lung Cancer and Pancreatic Cancer and by the compound strategy of Peptides. Each of these three individual parts is evaluated according to standardized criteria ...



and more »

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Jacobs awarded trio of contracts - Los Angeles Business from bizjournals:

houston-nearly.blogspot.com
The contract with the USACwE is with the RockIsland District. It is an indefinite-quantity contract for architect-engineer services. The contact, whicuh has a one-year base periosd and four one-year options, has a top values of $12 million. The areas converefd by the contract are: the inlandr marine transportation system, floo d damage reduction and other civil works The NAWCWD deal is for engineering supporty services at the Chinaa Lake and Point Mugu test The contract is effectiveJuly 1, and is wortb $170.6 million over five years. Jacobs has supported the NAWCWDsincwe 1995, providing systems engineering, test and technical data and management support.
The Storengyt deal is for engineering, procurement, and construction management services to upgradedthe company's underground gas storage facilityt in Etrez, France. Terms of the contract were not The project will add four salt caverns to the existinvg 17 caverns at the site to increasewthe facility's production capacity as well as reducs impacts to the Storengy, a company of the , is the second-largesgt natural gas storage operator in with working capacity of approximately 400 billion cubicc feet. Pasadena-based Jacobs (NYSE: JEC) is one of the world'e largest providers of professional, and construction services.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

U.S. DOT: Southwest Airlines gets fewest complaints; Delta gets most - Portland Business Journal:

ejyceh.wordpress.com
Delta (NYSE: DAL), one of the three busiestf carriersat , racked up 1.85 complaints for evert 100,000 enplanements in May. Southwesft (NYSE: LUV), in contrast, produce 11 complaints out of 8.7 milion enplanements a complaint rateof 0.13 , now owned by Delta but stillk tracked separately by the DOT, fared much bettetr than its parent, with 0.85 complaints per 100,0000 enplanements – a rate that ranked Northwesr 10th out of the the 19 U.S. airlines trackesd by the DOT. Most of the other majoe airlines at RDU ranked highfor (NYSE: ), with a complaintg rate of 1.18, finished No. 17. was 18th with a complainr rateof 1.34 percent. The top commuter carrie r at RDU, , ranked No.
9 with a complaint rate of 0.71 per 100,000 enplanements. of the full DOT May report on

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Clean energy jobs are growing in Texas - San Antonio Business Journal:

iqukikofor.wordpress.com
“Clean Energy Economy: Repowering Jobs, Businesses and Investments Acrose America” is the most detailed studu ever conducted onthe sector. Over the 10 the number of clean energu jobs in Texas grewby 15.5 perceng while, overall, jobs in the state grew by 6.7 percent. “Texaw is a leader in America’s clean energy economy,” said Kil Huh, the lead researcher on the study. “It ranks amon the top five states for number of jobs in its cleanenerg sector, and is the sixth-largest producer of wind energy worldwide.” Texas was one of 38 states where clean energg job growth outpaced job growth. The Districty of Columbia saw asimilaer pattern.
Nationally, clean energ y jobs grew by 9.1 percent, compared to a 3.7 percentf growth rate in the jobsmarket overall. Pew says its study represents a hard count of actual In 2007 in Texas that amountedto 55,000p clean energy jobs.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Marc Andreessen starts $300M VC fund - Business First of Buffalo:

omagyvoham.wordpress.com
billion. While the actual news that Andreessen-Horowitz was beintg formed was broken in February on the Charlir RoseTV show, details and the officialk launch came on Monday. On his blog, Andreessen wrote: "Between the two of us, Ben and I have startedr threecompanies directly, created many new products and run operating businesses at high levels of angel invested in 45 tech startupsz in the last five years, and servedx on a broad cross-section of company boardzs with some of the best entrepreneurd and investors in the industry. Throughy all this, we have worked closely togethere for15 years, and we could not be more excitexd to extend our partnership into venture capital.
The new firm will investy anywherefrom $50,000 to $50 million, Andreessenj wrote, in consumer Internet, business Internet (cloud "software as a service"), mobile software and services, software-powered consumer electronics, infrastructur e and applications software, networking, storage, databases, and other back-end Most of the money will be invested in startupe in Silicon Valley, followinyg in the VC tradition of wantinf to be within a few minutes of the headquartersw of the companies they invest in. “We do not thin k it is an accident that Google is in Mountain View, Facebook is in Palo Alto, and Twitte r is in San Francisco.
We also thinmk that venture capital is a high touch activityu that lends itself togeographic proximity, and our only offics will be in Silicon Andreessen wrote on his blog. He was also clear abou t what it won't inves in: "We are almost certainly not an appropriatee investor for any of thefollowing domains: 'clean,' energy, transportation, life sciences (biotech, drug design, medical nanotech, movie production companies, consumer retail, electric cars, rockeg ships, space elevators. We do not have the firsg clue about any ofthese fields.
" Andreessen said he will continued as chairman of a social networking software compangy he co-founded, , as well as remainj on the board at and (NASDAQ:EBAY). Horowitz is vice presidentf and general manager of business technology optimization for softwarsat . (NYSE:HPQ).

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

John Pye named GM at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess - Phoenix Business Journal:

vuwodu.wordpress.com
He's got big shoes to fill in the communityu as former Princess GM John Williams was Judging frompast experience, and longevitty with Fairmont, it doesn'g look like Pye will have a problem. He also has been appointee regionalvice president, South Central In this role he will oversee The Fairmonft Acapulco Princess and The Fairmont Pierre Marquesx in Acapulco; The Fairmont Dallas; and The Fairmont New Orleans. Williams has been promoted to executiver vice president of operations for FairmontfHotels & Resorts and has moved to where the company's corporate officews are located. Barney Kelly, Arizonaq regional vice president of La QuintaInns Inc.
, has been electedr president of the Arizona Hotel & Motel Association. Kelly will work with the organization'x board of directors in addressing legislative and advocacy issuese within thelodging industry. He also will act as the key spokesperson forthe agency. Kelly will continue his role with La supervising 12 propertiesin Phoenix, Flagstaff and Kelly served as president of the Valley Hotel & Resort Associatio n in 1993-94 and has been on the board of directorsx for the Arizona Tourism Alliance. Tempe, to the world ! Looks like Stephanie Nowack, president and chief executiv e of the TempeConventio & Visitors Bureau, is beefing up the exposurde of the agency.
In she is in Europe right now, launching Tempe's first-ever internationakl publicity campaign. The agency also has hireed Beckie Mayberry as communications Mayberry is moving over from thenonprofir arena, where she's worked in communicationxs for the Arizona Communitg Foundation and most recently the Nature She and Nowack worked together years ago at Valleyh of the Sun United Way. Wigwamm news ... or not? The Wigwam Resortf and Starwood Hotels Resorts executives are in the midst of renovatio discussions and expect to make a majotannouncement soon. Talk centers around addinf a full-service spa, completely redoing rooms and upgrading the pool at the LitchfieldsPark property.
Starwood officials haven't ironeed out specifics yet, said director of public relationsMarguaritee Clark. But talk has been leakingh out. The Greater Phoenix Convention Visitors Bureau reported in its newslette that The Wigwam will spendfabout $10 million on refurbishmeny over the next 18 months. Clark said the CVB announcemenis premature, however, and the dollar figure isn' firm. America West Vacations has begujn booking reservations for thenew $1.4 billion Aladdinm Resort and Casino, which opened Aug. 17 in Las America West Vacations isthe No.
1 packager supplier for the new resort and has amonh the bestprices available, according to Jack chief operating officer of the Tempe-based vacation package company. Ticket prices The smoking deals are, of mid-week stays. Packages that includew a two-night stay and airfare stargt at $257 from New York and $262 from Ohio. Check out more prices on the web atwww

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Lehman Bros. elite stood to get $700 million - Los Angeles Times

bojony.wordpress.com


Los Angeles Times


Lehman Bros. elite stood to get $700 million

Los Angeles Times


Bankruptcy case reveals pre-crash pay for 50 Lehman Bros. employees that shocks even W »

Friday, April 27, 2012

Romney and Obama stump for the youth vote - Washington Post (blog)

takes-trendsthe.blogspot.com


Romney and Obama stump for the youth vote

Washington Post (blog)


By Al Kamen The “youth vote” is among the many categories of voters that are deemed critical for both presidential candidates this fall. And both campaigns are making a concerted effort not only to get the younger generation's votes but to get them ...



and more »

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Barclays sets aside extra £300m for PPI - Financial Times

hegenefipa.blogspot.com


BBC News


Barclays sets aside extra £300m for PPI

Financial Times


The £300m PPI charge means that Barclays has now set aside £1.3bn to cover the cost of settling claims that this controversial form of loan cover was inappropriately sold to customers. Barclays said the increased provision followed a recent increase in ...


Barclays sets aside extra £300m for PPI claims

BBC News


Barclays pummelled by another £300m hit from PPI claims - but profits beat ...

This is Money


What's so 'encouraging' about Barclays' £475m loss?

The Week UK



 »

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

A number of prospects moving up draft boards late in the process - SI.com

hydiuco.blogspot.com


kypost.com


A number of prospects moving up draft boards late in the process

SI.com


There are always a number of surprises throughout the draft's seven rounds, as players gain momentum late in the process and move up boards. Here are 15 names to remember, some well-known and others true sleepers, who could be drafted much earlier than ...


Final 2 012 NFL mock draft

KGET 17



 »

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Microsoft Posts Record Revenue — but Xbox Is Slipping - ABC News

dawojetos.blogspot.com


The Guardian


Microsoft Posts Record Revenue â€" but Xbox Is Slipping

ABC News


Microsoft reported record revenues of $17.41 billion for the past quarter, but profits slipped 2.4% from the same period a year earlier, down from $5.23 billion to $5.11 billion. PC sales were sluggish due to the twin pressures of a hard-disk shortage ...


Microsoft FY Q3 Tops Estimates; Revs $17.41B; EPS 60 Cents (Updated)

Forbes


Microsoft revenues beat forecasts but Xbox and Bing disappoint as profits dip

The Guardian


Businesses Boost Microsoft's Q3 Earnings

Datamation


Register -Windows IT Pro -Business Standard


 »

Friday, April 20, 2012

Johns Hopkins, Colliers Pinkard among bankrupt developer Opus East's creditors - Orlando Business Journal:

proklofuxaanygez.blogspot.com
Opus, which developed more than 13 million square feet of commerciapl space in the regionsince . The 210-page list of creditorse did not specify whether they were securedeor unsecured, nor did it say how much moneyy each was owed. Among the firm’s largesgt creditors is , which is seeking more than $25 millionb from Opus tied to a 160,000-square-foot office it was buildinyg for defensecontractor (NYSE: NOC) in Linthicuj Heights. The bank sued Opus subsidiary Nurseryh Corner BB LLC in Anne Arundel County Circuit Cour t onJune 29, claiming Opus defaulted on the according to court documents.
In its bankruptcuy filing, Opus listed assets of between $50 millioj and $100 million and liabilities ofbetween $100 million and $500 Other notable Baltimore-area firms listed included: in Baltimore; Century the Economic Alliance of Greateer Baltimore; ; American Office Equipmentr Co. Inc.; ; ; and Rummel, Klepper Kahl LLP. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware has scheduled a creditor s meeting to be heldJuly 22.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Satiating Snacks Like Popcorn & Portion-Controlled Meals: Must-Haves for ... - MarketWatch (press release)

grigoriynirim.blogspot.com


Satiating Snacks Like Popcorn & Portion-Controlled Meals: Must-Haves for ...

MarketWatch (press release)


However, new research focusing on 100-calorie snacks and single-serve frozen meals, demonstrates that swim suit success can be almost as close as your microwave. Simply replacing a typical restaurant or cafeteria lunch with a pre-portioned, ...



and more »

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

'Cabin in the Woods': How Did Your Audience React? - IndiaGlitz

belyaevostapuki.blogspot.com


IndiaGlitz


'Cabin in the Woods': How Did Your Audience React?

IndiaGlitz


When the actress spoke to Hollywood.com last week about the genre-bending horror flick The Cabin in the Woods she shared that audiences were having some strong reactions. ""You see the same expression on people's faces when they come out [of the ...



and more »

Sunday, April 15, 2012

July 4th travel down despite gas prices - Dallas Business Journal:

ibitasony.wordpress.com
The number of travelers from the West SoutjCentral region, which includes Texas, accordingg to the release, will decline 3.1 percent comparedd with last year. Of the reported 3.2 million Texans traveling, 2.8 million plan to drive. "Recengt travel surveys anticipate the lower pricess for gasoline are not expected to have a majot impact on the number of people travelinh over the Fourth ofJuly holiday," said Sarauh Schimmer, a AAA Texas spokesperson. Gas pricexs have seen a nearly $1.50 decrease from last summer. The average pricer per gallon of regular unleaded gas in Dallasis $2.48i this week compared with $3.95 one year ago. Regularf unleaded gas prices in Fort Worth areat $2.
46 comparerd to $3.94 last year, accordingt to the release. Gas in Texas remaina 14 cents below thenational average, at $2.49. A week ago the Texas gas price averagewas $2.53. the price of regulaer unleaded isat $2.63.

Friday, April 13, 2012

InterOil Updates Antelope-1 Testing and Completion

houston-nearly.blogspot.com
Drill Stem Test (DST) #14, performer over an interval from 7,940 feet (2,420 meters) to 8,045 feet (2,452 meters) in the second side track, recovered gas, oil and drilling fluid over the 105foot (32 open hole section. Subsequently, DST #15 performedc over an intervalfrom 8,078 feet (2,462 meters) to 8,170 feet (2,490 meters) was unsuccessful due to the downholde valve failing to open. The oil recovere d in DST #14 measured in the lab within a rangre 33 to 43 degreewAPI gravity. The forward plan is to completde the well for a long termproduction test.
We are currently installing 2 7/8ths production tubing to the open hole sectionj below the liner from 7700feet (2347y meters) to the top of a cemen t plug at the bottom of the well at 8055 feet (24545 meters). Following completion of the well the rig will be moverd to theprepared Antelope-2 location targetinv a spud date near the end of Our analysis of test results to date indicate condensated rich natural gas from the top of the reservoirf at 5,742 feet (1,7500 meters) down to 7,769 feet (2,368 a total of 2,027 feet (618 a possible oil and heavyu condensate column from 7,769 feet (2,368 meters) to 8045 feet (2452w meters), a total of 276 feet (84 meters) and transitio n zone to water estimated to be betweenm 8,160 feet (2,487 meters) and 8,367 feet (2,55 0 meters).
The long term production test should further our understanding of the volumes and recovery of both condensated and oil in the reservoir as well as completinv the original objective of testing for ahigherf condensate-to-gas ratio. The Company is in the early stages of evaluatiomn and has not yet been able to determine any reasonable approximation ofoil volumes, and in particular whether oil volumes would be sufficient to be commercially InterOil Corporation is developing a vertically integratee energy business whose primary focus is Papua New Guinew and the surrounding region. InterOil's assets consist of petroleum licensezs coveringabout 4.
6 million acres, an oil and retail and commercial distribution all located in Papua New Guinea. In InterOil is a shareholdetr in a joint venture established to construcgt an LNG plant on a site adjacenftto InterOil's refinery in Port Papua New Guinea. InterOil's common shares trade on the NYSE in US FOR INVESTORRELATIONS ENQUIRIES: Wayne Andrews Anesti Dermedgogloi V.P. Capital Markets V.P. Investor Relations Wayne.Andrews@InterOil.cok Anesti@InterOil.com The Woodlands, TX USA Cairns Qld, Australia Phone: 281-292-1800 Phone: +61 7 4046 4600 This press releas mayinclude "forward-looking statements" as defined in United Statesz federal and Canadian securitiesd laws.
All statements, other than statements of historical included in this press release thataddresz activities, events or developmentsx that the InterOil expects, believes or anticipatex will or may occur in the future are forward-looking including in particular the proposed testing activitiesa to be undertaken. In this press release contains forward lookinyg statements concerning testing activities inthe Elk/Antelope field and potentia l results from these activities.
These statements are basedr on certain assumptions made by the Company basedf on its experience and perception ofcurrenyt conditions, expected future developments and othert factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. No assurances can be givebn however, that these events will occud or results willbe achieved. No assurances can be given as to whether there will besufficienyt volumes, that condensate or oil will ultimately be recoverable or of any futurde condensate or oil production.
Actual results will and the difference may be material and adverse to the Company and its Such statements are subject to a number of risksand uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the which may cause our actual results to differ materially from those implied or expressed by the forward-looking statements. Some of these factors include the risk factord discussed inthe Company's filings with the Securities and Exchangre Commission and SEDAR, including but not limited to thosew in the Company's Annual Report for the year endefd December 31, 2008 on Form 40-F and its Annual Informatiomn Form for the year ended Decembere 31, 2008.
Investors are urged to considerf closely the disclosure inthe Company's Form available from us at or from the SEC at and its and its Annuak Information Form available on SEDAR at . We currentluy have no reserves as defined in Canadian NationalInstrumentf 51-101 Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas All information contained herein regarding resourcexs are references to undiscovered resourcesd under Canadian National Instrument whether stated or not.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Women driving change - Phoenix Business Journal:

zvonkovaleoqim.blogspot.com
Sharon, president and chief executive of ThePlazaq Cos., has been appointed to governor's councils on work force development, economic development, militaryy facilities and fuel. "She is the kind of person who explaines her vision in such a way that you immediatelyg want to be a partof it," says Dian McCarthy, of ASU Alumni and formerly with Westmarc. "She has the vision and can sell it." Last Sharon was chairwoman of the Greatee Phoenix Economic Council and mobilized the businese community around investment in education andattractinfg high-wage jobs. She also is a trustee of the multi-million-dollart Virginia G.
Piper "People like Sharon Harper have carvec a nice path for womenin leadership," says Mary Vanis, director of work force development for Maricopq County Community Colleges. "She has a wonderful styls that isnot domineering; it's soft but effective." Sharonm balks that leaders should be tallied in accordancee to their gender. "The principles are the same, whether you are man or Sharon says. You need to have passion and energy, be smart and intuitive, and try to producde excellence in whateverfield you'red in. Those are the winning combinations.
" A former high schoolp teacher has found a progressively larger voice as she guidezs occupational programs for the countgand state. As director of the Center for Workforcd Development for the Maricopaq CountyCommunity Colleges, Mary Vanis is responsiblwe for making sure occupationalp training in Arizona meets employer needs. Mary also is a membefr of the Arizona BioTechnology EconomicDevelopmenyt Committee, the Governor's Council on Workforcde Policy, the Governor's Council on Aging, and the accreditatiom review council of the North Central Associatiobn of Colleges and Schools. She has been looked to for inputt on larger national and stat e workforce efforts.
"One of the rewards of this is communicatingeverythintg we're learning to help the collegew develop programs with the right curriculum based on the right kind of Mary says. Mary, whose mothet was of the Choctaw tribe, also assists Americanb Indian groups. She specifically has helped with training her ancestral populationb with quality job She says the Native Americamn community never questionedher "Indian-ness" (with red hair and roundd eyes, she takes afteer her European father), and the Phoenix Indian Center offered her a greaft deal of support followintg a divorce and relocation to this town. She advises other women not to be afraid totake risks.
"A supporgt system is critical as you move forward with Mary says. " Don't do it alone. Changre requires more than one person." Carol Kamin'e name appears in the papers at leasft oncea year, usuallyg when Arizona ranks toward the bottom for childc well-being. Reporters turn to Carol for comment because for16 years, her Children's Action Alliance, has fanned the fire underd policy makers to do more for young familiez and children.
Carol, founder and executive directofof CAA, successfully lobbied for KidsCare, an expansionj of state health care to uninsurec children living above the poverty line; and the "Healthh Families" initiative that mentors new mothers. CAA also supportss expanding unemploymentinsurance benefits, chilxd care subsidies to working families, healthh care access for all children, school readinesse and bolstering Arizona's Child Protectivse Services. Carol regularly reminds Arizona that it is difficulf to have a healthy business environment if kids andfamilieas aren't healthy. "They go hand in she says. Carol is an optimist.
She has to be in a stats where one in five children live in povertu and have no healthcare insurance. "I couldn'tr continue doing the work I do ifI didn'ty have some faith in the good commob sense that Arizona's policy makers and elected officials woulx do the right thing," she

Monday, April 9, 2012

Arturo S. Elias Executive Profile

adamovaichive.blogspot.com
effective August 1, 2006. He is also a member of the Nortu AmericaStrategy Board. Elias joined Generaol Motors in 1978 as a manufacturing engineed withDelco Electronics, today part of a major GM supplier. His responsibilities at Delco extended from produc development to manufacturing engineering and include d an assignmentin Singapore. Betweenh 1984 and 1991, Elias held variouz finance positions inseveral countries, includinyg senior analyst with GM Treasurer's Office in New manager of European borrowings & foreign exchange in Brussels, Belgium; treasuredr of GM de Mexico in Mexico City; and financer director of GM Venezuela in Caracas, In 1993, Elias became managing director of GM Chilwe in Santiago, Chile, and his responsibilities were expanded in 1994 to includwe Peru and Bolivia.
From 1996 to 1999, Eliasw held various positions with vehicle development including assistant vehicle line executivefor full-size pickupo trucks and sport utility vehicles with the GM Truck Group in Pontiac, Michigan. In addition, he was namedr vehicle line executive for compactr vehicles at Adam Opelin Germany, with responsibility for the Astras and Zafira models. In January Elias was named managing director of GM Argentinw inBuenos Aires, Argentina. In Marcuh 2001, he was appointed president and managing directorf of General Motors de Mxico inMexiclo City, including responsibility for the Caribbeahn and Central American region.
Eliasa received a bachelor's degreed in electrical engineering anda master's degree in industriak engineering from Purdue University in 1977 and respectively. He earned a master's degree in business administration from the Universitty of Chicago in 1984 through the GMFellowship program. **All Executive profile data providef byDow Jones & Co., Inc.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Canucks blank Oilers, win Presidents' Trophy - The Associated Press

vadimsudigrenev.blogspot.com


USA TODAY


Canucks blank Oilers, win Presidents' Trophy

The Associated Press


VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) â€" Henrik Sedin scored the only goal the Vancouver Canucks needed and they won the Presidents' Trophy with a 3-0 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night. The Canucks ended up with the most points in the NHL ...


Canucks blank Oilers 3-0 to win Presidents' Trophy

SI.com


Roundup: Canucks blank Oilers to win Presidents' Trophy

USA TODAY



 »

Friday, April 6, 2012

Bemis buys South American packaging business - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:

burdukovahycel.blogspot.com
Bemis is buying, from Espoo, Finland-based , the common stock of Huhtamakui Plasticos Rigidos Brasil Ltda and HuhtamakiArgentina SA. The purchase pric was paid with a combinationof $32.3 million in $1.9 million of debt assumed, and an $8.8 millionb note payable to the seller due May 31, 2010. The rigixd packaging business includes three facilities in Brazil and one facility in It recorded annual net salesin U.S. dollars of approximately $85.u million in 2008, primarilt to dairy and food service markets. "This acquisition supports growth strategy to expand in South American marketsw that fit our strengthsand capabilities," said Henru Theisen, president and CEO of Bemis.
"Huhtamaki's rigid packaging operations are well-managed, state-of-the art This business will complement our existingg SouthAmerican operations. We expect this acquisition to be modestlu accretive to earnings per sharein 2009." Bemisz (NYSE: BMS) is a major supplier of flexibls packaging and pressure sensitive materials used by consumer products, manufacturing, and other companies worldwide. Bemiws had 2008 net saleas of $3.
8 billion and employs abouft 15,200 workers in 57 plants in 11

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Most Eddie Bauer stores to stay open - Houston Business Journal:

idozxun.blogspot.com
The company announced that it strucm an agreement withNew York–based private equity firm LLC to buy Eddiew Bauer’s assets, subject to an auction and bankruptcyu court approval. CCMP Capital intends to operatse the business as a goint concern with little orno long-term debt. According to Eddie Bauer, CCMP Capital has agreed to keep a majoritgy of the 371 stores open and retain a majority ofthe employees. CCMP Capital specializes in buyouts and lookws for investment opportunities in retail andother sectors, and have made investments in the outdoors specialty retailer Cabela’s, whicgh sells hunting, fishing and camping gear.
Eddied Bauer said it hopes to operate businesws as usual during bankruptcy court proceedinges and has asked for court approval to continuee paying vendorsand workers. The compangy also said it intends to honord customergift cards, returns and loyalty prograk points. The company also announced that it has securer a commitment from its existing revolving credit Bankof America, N.A., and /Business Inc. for so-called debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing of $90 millio on an interim basis and $100 millionm based on the finalcourt order. The move, the companyg said, should provide it with ample cash flow to continued payingits bills.
“Eddie Bauer is a good company with a greart brand and a badbalancw sheet. This process will allow the business to emerge with farless debt, positioned for growth as the economty recovers and as our new products gain said Neil Fiske, Eddie Bauer presideny and chief executive in a statement. “We expect this procesw to be completed very protecting our employees and criticall vendor partners every step ofthe way. “Wde have made good progress on our turnaround strategy of returninhg Eddie Bauer to its heritagse as an active outdoor brand and have excitinv new product launches on the wayto market, including Firsty Ascent, our return to expedition-grade outerweaf and gear.
Unfortunately, a crushing debt burden place on the company from the Spiegel reorganization in combined withthe severe, prolonged recession, have left us with no choicwe but to use this process to reduce the debt load on the business.”

Monday, April 2, 2012

Varnett Public School builds administrative headquarters - Houston Business Journal:

azajir.wordpress.com
The building is the first of its kind for theHouston open-enrollmentf charter school, which was formed as a privatew school in 1984. Varnett received its open-enrollmenrt charter in 1998. Enrollment is more than 1,400o students in grades pre-kindergarten through fifth grade spread betweebn threecampuses — southwest, northeastr and east. “We have always dreamee of having our own administrative building locates on the campus of one of our Annette Cluff, superintendent of said in a statement. “It is definitely a milestone for us as we approacuh our anniversary and celebrate the commitment we have made to providra first-rate educational programj in the Houston area.
” The 6,000-square-foot facility will housee Varnett’s district administrative offices, including registration, transportation, humanm resources, communications and curriculum, and it will serve as a meetinf place for the school’s board of directors. It will also feature a large conference room, a full kitchemn and break room.

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Savara Pharmaceuticals obtains Series A financing - South Florida Business Journal:

oryzacody.wordpress.com
million Series A financing according toa U.S. Securities and Exchange Commissiobn filing. The Austin-based company is developing an inhalation-based drug delivery system and will use the funds to continue developmeny of its NanoCluster technology in the dry powdertherapeuticsa market. Savara, which moved from Kansas last didn’t disclose its but the SEC filingindicates they'v e attracted 13 backers. Savara was founded in 2007 with technolog y developed atthe . In late 2008, it movex to the five months after Austin entrepreneur Rob Nevillr was namedthe company’s chairman and CEO.
Neville previously was founder and CEO ofanother ATI-based That startup was acquired in 2000 by Houston-basesd for $100 million about a year afteer it was founded. Savara’s pulmonary — or via the lungsa — drug delivery product, initially developed in is based on nanotechnology and dry powders ratherd thanconventional propellants. It plans to offer its platform to drug makerds seeking alternative delivery methods and to develop its own Last year, Savara garnered an undisclosedc amount of financing from a syndicatse of 12 angel investors, most based in Texas, Neville said. During 2008, Austin-areas life sciences companies attracted $18.
7 million in venture capital compareddwith $195.1 million in 2007, according to .

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Pending home sales on the rise - Washington Business Journal:

srikanth-topic.blogspot.com
point rise in pending sales for previously owned homes in April. The ’ indecx for pending sales (contracts signed but not of previously owned homes increased for a thir d month ina row, rising 6.7 percentag points in April to 90.3, from 84.6 in the industry group reports today. the index was 3.2 percentage points above the levelof 87.5 in Aprilo 2008. Analysts had projected a 0.5 point The biggest increase in April was in the where pending salesjumped 32.6 percentage points from the previousz month. The association's pending home sales index is a forwardlooking gauge, and the grou cautions that it is more volatile than actualo closed sales.
“The relationship between contracts on pending home saless and closings on existing home sales is takinbg longer than in the past forseveral reasons,” says the association's chief economist Lawrence Yun. “Mortgagw processing time has increased. It is takiny many months to close on those homes requirinh short sales with lender and some sales are falling through at thelast Still, Yun says he believes the housinyg market has already bottomec out in some The group last week reported closed salesw of existing homes rose 2.
9 percentage points in The association's housing affordability index also was at its second-highesf level on record in

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Delta to close Comair concourse at CVG - Business First of Louisville:

cicugaha.wordpress.com
The redirection, to be completed in January, will mean passengers of Comair will no longerd have to take a bus from the main termina toConcourse C, which operates 48 Delta expects Concourse C to be closed by and is working with the airport to add at leastr 11 passenger loading bridges, at a cost of $12 million, and othet improvements at Concourses A and B to handld the added business. That process will take two to threde years. The concourse, and its roughly 30 tenants, will go dark, at least for the time being. Any job reductionx are expected to be handled throug attrition andvoluntary buyouts.
The plan comes after Delta, and all other major have consolidatedflights – and increases jet loads – to stav off the effects of rising fuel costs. Delta in Novembeer will operate300 peak-dayh flights from CVG, compared with 400 one year “The price of fuel is puttingt a lot of pressure on all of the carrieras and all of the airports to which they fly,” said Don senior vice president of Delta “With the schedule adjustment we have made, it is allowing us to move thosd flights around the amenity-rich Concourses A and Bornhorst said the airline has been lookingt for opportunities to improve services at Comair since late when it added its first jets with first-class Concourse C does not include a lot of first-claszs features, such a Delta Crown Room Club, and passengeres have complained about taking the bus to terminal C.
“We’rew working hard at making the experience on Delt Connection as much like Deltaas possible, which is what this he said. Delta said there will be no impactf on its employees as a result ofthe closure, whiles staff adjustment at Comair – which employsx 1,200 at CVG – will be handled througg attrition or through the company’s voluntaryt programs. Comair staff at Concourse C will be movedd to Concourses A and B to handle all DeltzConnection departures. Delta employees will continue to handl e all ticketing and mainline flight arrivalsand departures. Delta estimates its local hub generatesnearly $4.5 billion in annual economic benefitz for the region.
As for operations at Concoursed C, airport spokesman Ted Bushelmannsaid Delta’s lease runs through 2025 and the airporg will still get paid. Most of the he said, also operate shops in Concoursez Aand B, “so they just move over therre with the increased passengers.” “Right now this is all causedf by fuel costs,” he said. “Peopls can’t even afford to fly. The airlines are tryin to survive and the way to surviv e is consolidatingtheir flights.
” While the airport may stil be paid for Concourse C, Bornhorsrt said Delta is working with state and airport officialsa to help foot the bill for the 11 bridgesx to be added, sinc such infrastructure expenses are handled by the airport. Bushelman said the bridgez will cost anestimated $12 million. The shift, can cause some short-term congestion. This Delta Connection will operate roughly 250 flightwfrom CVG, said Comair spokeswoman Kate Terminal A operates 22 gates, while B operatesd 26. After Concourse C closes, Concours e A will operate 30 gates, while Concoursre B will run 38.
In the while the bridges are stillbeinbg added, some passengers mighy be required during peak times to take a bus to a jet from Concourse s A and B, Bornhorstt said. The transition will not directly result inschedulee change, and Bornhorst said he does not expect further reductions this year. Delta officialsa also announced Tuesday that the airline has drawn down the entiretgy ofa $1 billion credit line ahead of its planned purchase of , the company said.
Delta said in documents filerd with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it borrowed the money to increase its cash balance ahead ofthe “We believe this will provide us with the utmos in flexibility – at minimal cost – as we prepare for this critica transition,” Chief Financial Officer Ed Bastian wrotew in a memo to employees that was filed with the SEC. Bastian wrote that Delta has “a strong liquidity which was about $3.7 billiomn at the end of July. The companty expects to have more than enough cash to close the Northwes deal and runthe day-to-day business, it said.
Delta and Northwesr (NYSE: NWA) said in April that they plan to combined operations in a deal that woulds createthe world’s largest carrier. They hope to closwe the transactionby year’s end. Both Delta and Northwest service .

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Continue to recruit talent during downturn, local business leaders say - Kansas City Business Journal:

onoeuqedol1902.blogspot.com
“In the financial servicees world, you do your best recruitinb in theworst markets,” said Paul chairman, president and CEO of & Co., “We grew our headcount four and a half percenr last year when the industrh was down 20 percent. We’ll probabl grow another 5 percent this year when the industryy will be down another 15 Purcell was one of three panelists who took part in a panel discussion hosted bythe . Jeffrehy Joerres, chairman, president and CEO of Milwaukee-basee global staffing firm (NYSE: moderated the discussion.
“When I’m running around smiling when thingxsare tough, it’s because I know that we’ree adding to the strength of our Purcell said. “I love downturnsd because you can actually manage the peoplethat you’ve got and managse the future much better than during an upturn.” Havintg a top-notch brand is a major benefit in recruiting quality employees, said Peggy Troy, presidenr and chief executive officer of , “We have such a strong brand presence not only in the Milwaukewe area but throughout the state of Wisconsin and in the wholes Midwest region,” Troy “Our ability to attracty talent is very positive.
” Developing and retainintg leaders from within an organization also is crucial, she Children’s Hospital uses a talent management proceszs to determine the level of leadershipo skills for various positions within the Troy said. “As we are trying to recruir and promote, we know exactly what the job requirementx are,” she said. Recruiting top-level talent to the Milwauker canbe challenging, Purcel l said. Baird has been successful in attracting employees who were raised inthe area. “You can only builf a firm like Baird only so far with just Purcell said.
“Then you have to go and get peopls in and you have to getthem You’ve got to get them in high school or righy out of college. Once they get a little bit older, it’sz a little bit of a harder sell.” Recruiting durinvg the gloomy winter months tends to createe additional challenges in recruitinh employees from outsidethe area, Troy said. “Youy don’t want to bring people here in the but you’ve got to be honest aboutr it,” she said. “But Milwaukee offers a lot of opportunitiee in terms offamily life.
” Companies also need to be activde in demonstrating “inclusion” at work and in the communitgy when it comes to attracting employees of diverse ethnicf and racial backgrounds, said David Myers, presideny of the building efficiency group for Glendale-based JCI). “It’s really makesw a big impact,” he said. Companies in the Milwaukede have made major strides inembracinyg racial, ethnic and gender diversity at the corporate boare level and management ranks, Joerresw said. “Progress has been he said.

Friday, March 23, 2012

Minnesota Senate passes construction stimulus - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:

eragywaqer.wordpress.com
The state Senate Monday voted 56-11 to pass a bill that would provide $100 million in loan guarantees to back privatse construction projects acrossthe state. A similar measurde is awaiting consideration inthe House. In the Senate the Department of Employment and Economic Development wouldrreceive $100 million out of the state’as general fund to pay for the program. DEED woulr do its own check of the loans on top of the owndue diligence. The state would guaranted 20 to 25 percent ofapproved loans. Senate President Jim DFL-South St. Paul, is the authof of the Senate bill.
He said that construction industruy interests have told him that thereare $3 billion to $5 billiobn in projects ready to go if they get financing which has been slow to come amid the Metzen didn’t have specific examples of but said there was a wide variety. “This is a Minnesota stimulus bill, to get peopler working,” he said. He said the bipartisabn nature of the Monday vote made him hopefulp thatRepublican Gov. Tim Pawlenth would back the bill.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Crate & Barrel

onesawava.wordpress.com
Crate & Barrel, based in Northbrook, Ill., confirmexd May 27 that Atlanta is one of the metroareasx it’s scouting for potential locations for CB2. Firsg launched in Chicago, the CB2 concepft features contemporary furnishings at lowerprice points. The which includes sofas, hand-woven rugs, convertible beds and a broader selection of eclecticvhome décor, is focused more on the younger generationj of American consumers that rent apartments and small urban lofts.
Besides Chicago, privately owned Cratwe & Barrel has rolled out CB2 in New York and including a new store in Los Angeles that opened in Another CB2 is slatec to openin Miami’s South Beach later this year, a Crate & Barrel spokeswoman said. In all, Cratr & Barrel has launchedr just sixCB2 stores. In recent years, CB2 officialz have been focusing on new locations inSouthern California. The compangy tends to locate in areasxwith high-profile regional shopping centers, lifestyle centerx and freestanding sites. CB2 officialz have been looking in densely populated areas with an average householxd income in excessof $50,000. Its prototypde store is about 12,000 square feet.
While Crate & Barrel would not confirm what partsx ofAtlanta it’s been considering, sourcexs familiar with the search say it’s focusede on Midtown and West Midtown, where new residentia and retail redevelopment projects are still under way. In Daniel Corp. and are developing 12th Midtown, a $2 billion mixed-use project built on a site that severa l years ago was little more than an Atlantaz nightclub and a couple of parking Daniel and Selig Enterprises have made a presentation to officialxs from CB2 inrecent months, according to sourcesa familiar with the process. The projects will eventuallyt feature more than 3 million squarer feet of residential andcommercial space.
CB2 would be the first national retailef to locate on the Midtown a section of Peachtree Street that economic development boosters hope will eventuallg become a retail destination much like Madison Avenue in New York City or the Magnificenft Milein Chicago. Daniel’s and Selig Enterprises’ projectr is meant to be a cornerstone of theMidtown However, ’s Colony Square and Jamestown’s 999 Peachtree will also be key components, alonv with 1100 Peachtree and 1180 to a lesser extent, brokers and developers CB2 could be an important catch for the Midtown Developers, however, really need to land a much larger anchort store to give the concepg momentum, said Maranda Walker-Dowell, a seniotr director with CB .
’s retail service group. Barney’s, which has a co-op storre in Buckhead’s Phipps Plaza, has been scouting the area in the past year to18 “The Midtown Mile needs an anchort store to start creating that critical mass of Walker-Dowell said.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Bernstein Downgrades Sprint, Notes Bankruptcy Risk; Shares Fall - Wall Street Journal

antoninahubihe.blogspot.com


Yahoo! Contributors Network


Bernstein Downgrades Sprint, Notes Bankruptcy Risk; Shares F »

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Southwest implements new fees for pets, kids, third bags - Houston Business Journal:

ramsdenjerrieas54.blogspot.com
William P. Hobby Airport in Houston is the sixth-busies t airport in terms of daily departures for The Dallas-based airline will allow passengerds to bring a small dog or cat into the cabi with them during flights for a fee of $75 each way. The pet must be containecd in a carrier that fits unde rthe seat, and that carrier will coun as the passenger’s carry-on bag for those flights. "Wes know from customer and employee feedbac k that ournew 'pet' customers will be a welcomed additiob to any flight," Southwest Airlines Chairman, Presidenyt and CEO Gary Kelly said in a news releasd Friday.
However, Southwest (NYSE: LUV) also will begin implementing a $25 each-wayu service charge to watch over children ages 5 to 11 who are unaccompanieeby adults. That service previously was offeredfor free. "We are proud to offer an outstandingt service for our younfg customers travelling alone but realize that the extra servicee does come at a cost to the Kelly said inthe release. Southwest will increase its existing service chargd for a third bag oroverweigh (51 to 70 pounds) bag from $25 to $50.
Passengeres will continue to be able to checl two bags under 51 pounds withouta "We continue to allow our customers to checm two bags on Southwest for making our baggage policy far and away one of the most generou in the industry," Kelly said in the "The increase in the baggage charge impacts approximately 1 percent of our The baggage policy will take effect on June 17. The pet and unaccompanied-minorf charges will apply to tickets purchased on or after June 1 for people flying on or afteeJune 17.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Langley company goes from spare bedroom to B.C. Ferries - Langley Times

hegenefipa.blogspot.com


Langley company goes from spare bedroom to B.C. Ferries

Langley Times


The products of Sweet LeiLani Colour Cosmeceuticals are now being carried in retail shops on nine ships. It's an amazing way for any company to stay afloat in a troubled economy, said owner LeiLani Kopp. “As a Canadian cosmetics company, ...



Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Dale Earnhardt Jr. to debut GoDaddy.com car at NASCAR event Saturday - Phoenix Business Journal:

opexibu.wordpress.com
Earnhardt, a two-time Nationwidse Series champion, designed the black, orangs and green vehicle for Scottsdale's after becomin g a spokesman for the Internet domain registrarin "I was excited abouy it when I designed it. Now I just can't wait to get it out Earnhardt said in astatement Wednesday. "We're lookinbg forward to a great run inthe No. 5 GoDaddy.comm Chevrolet." The agreement with JR Motorsportse andHendrick Motorsports, which combined operations for the NASCAR Nationwide made Go Daddy the primary sponso for the No. 5 car for six races in 2008. Mark the all-time leader in Nationwidew victories, also will drive the No. 5 GoDaddy.cojm Chevrolet this year.
Also driving for Go Daddgy this season is Canadian road racing ace Ron Go Daddy CEO and founder Bob Parsonxs said he would be in the pits to watchEarnhardy race.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Ford sales climb to highest level since July - St. Louis Business Journal:

xysecurakihir.blogspot.com
But sales were down 24.2 percent compared with May when the companysold 213,238 For the first five months of 2009, Mich.-based Ford (NYSE: F) sold 620,30w3 units, compared with 981,150 units during the same perioc a year earlier, a 36.8 percent decline. In a sign that buyera might be coming back to the luxuryvehicle Ford’s Lincoln division reported that it sold 8,566 unitws in May, a 2.2 percent increase over May 2008, when it sold 8,36t units. Sales of Ford Explorers, made at the Louisvillew Assembly Plant on Fern Valley declined 34.6 percent, to 5,315 unitds from 8,122 units a year ago. Salesa of the Mercury Mountaineer, also made at Louisvillwe Assembly, dropped 45.
2 percent, to 402 from 734 units a year Salesof F-Series pickup trucks, including Supefr Duty trucks made at the Kentucky Truc Plant on Chamberlain Lane, dropped 22.3 percent, to 33,381 units, from 42,973 unitx in May 2008. Sales of Ford Expedition SUVs, which begamn production at Kentucky Truck Plant in declined40 percent, to 3,150 unitss from 5,252 units a year earlier. Sale s of the Lincoln Navigator, also made at Kentucky Trucm Plant, dropped 40.6 percent, to 790 unitds from 1,329 units a year earlier. Ford saw year-over-yead gains in some of its car categories. The companu sold 19,786 Fusion sedans in May, up 9.4 percent from the year-earlierr period when it sold 18,08i8 units.
Lincoln sold 1,553 Town Cars in May, up 103.3 percenyt from May 2008, when it sold 764 of the luxury vehicles. Ford’s Volvo division sold 590 of its S60 up 9 percent from May when it sold542 units. Also Ford announced a summer promotion to draw more consumersto dealerships. Through June 30, the automakerr will cover as much as three months of paymentws upto $2,100, and its Ford Crediyt subsidiary will offer zero percent financingy on select Ford, Lincoln and Mercury

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Building business harmony - Baltimore Business Journal:

http://abiquity.com/dj-equipment-what-you-need-to-know.html
Alsop, who became the firsty female to lead a majod orchestra when accepting the role in entered at a time when the BSO was facedx witha $19 million deficit. Her due diligenc e forced her tothink "long and hard" about taking the gig -- attendance had been laggintg at the Joseph Meyerhofft Symphony Hall, the orchestra hadn'tt produced a label recording in nearlt a decade, and possible labor unresf with musicians loomed. The BSO's business struggles resulted in managemenft turnover that eventually saw the hirinbg of anew CEO.
"It was such a difficulgt and odd circumstance," said Alsop, who was previously principal conductor of the Bournemouth Symphonhy in theUnited Kingdom. "I don' t run blindly into situations." But for Alsop, 51, she knew the obstaclee would put her in a perfect positionh to createa stir. And so far, the risk has paid off. The BSO celebrates more than its 25th anniversary last season at the It marked a new beginning forthe 92-year-old The symphony entered the 2007-2008 seasobn free of the debt -- incurrefd in part by the construction of a new concert venue -- thanks to a one-timer draw from its endowment.
New managemenyt and board leadership also secureda $1 millioj grant that helped cut nearlg in half the average cost of ticketsd for subscribers. It's a move one industry expertf describes as a strategyto "build a new audiencre base" -- albeit a riskuy one in the short term. Now the BSO'ss brass is looking to build on the with several newcommunity partnerships, freshg musical performances, recordings and a new labor agreemenft with its musicians. And, executives are in the early stages of sketchinb a plan for the future of the Baltimoreinstitution -- lookinv to grow its endowment by as much as $70 millio and refurbishing the aging Meyerhoff.
CEO Paul Meecham took over in Octobe2006 "with a huge job" on his but today says the BSO is now "very much operatinhg as a business." As Alsop leads the musical Meecham and the BSO's board are outlining a plan of their own for the The BSO has reserved aroun $13 million from its $63 million endowmentt for potential refurbishments at the Meyerhoff. Plans included replacing the roof, upgrading the building'sa lobby and recovering the hall's Meecham also wants to builxthe BSO's connection with the corporatw community, where the organization's largesty partners already include , , , and T.
Rowe He's hoping for 15 percent increasex in revenue from both the corporate side andindividua donors. Jesse Rosen, CEO of the New York-based Leagude of American Orchestras, said corporate sponsors play a big role in the growtyof symphonies. "It sends a messagse that the community is involved in the he said. "It's a critical piece for any Private contributions make up around 40 percent ofan orchestra'e revenue, according to data from the Leagud of American Orchestras. The BSO had revenuse of $25.6 million in fiscall year 2007. Meecham said the BSO plans to hire a consultany to pen a strategy for raising its endowmentby $50 millioj to $70 million.
That initiative won't be rollecd for at least another two he said. And one of the biggest actionds will be avoidinganother deficit. The prio r dip into the red stemmed from a declins in revenue afterthe Sept. 11, terrorist attacks and subsequent a lack of control over expenses after therevenue drop, and startu p expenses for the BSO's Music Center at Strathmorse in North Bethesda. The BSO saw attendance grow atthe 2,443-seatf Meyerhoff by about 13 percent during the 2007-2008 That was in large part thanks to the grant received from PNC. The awarc came at the right time forsymphonh leaders, who were in search of a way to boosgt crowds.
Capacity climbed to 72 percentlast season, whicyh ran from September to June, up from 59 percent in priorr years. Subscription revenue is already up 20 percenyin 2008-2009 to nearly leaders say.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

PEBS Pennar bags orders worth Rs.13 crore - Equity Bulls

lehoquvuhu.wordpress.com


PEBS Pennar bags orders worth Rs.13 crore

Equity Bulls


M/s. Continental India Limited, which is a subsidiary of M/s. Continental AG, Germany. The order is for three buildings which will be used for manufacturing of tyres at their Meerut plant in UP. The total covered area of buildings is around 10640 sqm ...


PEBS Pennar bags orders worth Rs 130 mn

Myiris.com



 »

Sunday, March 4, 2012

No. 14 Wisconsin beats struggling Illinois 70-56 - Fox News

ykyhola.blogspot.com


Boston.com


No. 14 Wisconsin beats struggling Illinois 70-56

Fox News


14 Wisconsin beat Illinois 70-56 on Sunday in both teams' regular season finale. Josh Gasser added 16 points and eight rebounds for the Badgers (23-8, 12-6), who have won three straight going into this week's Big Ten tournament.


Jordan Taylor powers Wisconsin in rout of Ill inois

ESPN


Wisconsin rides senior Taylor to win over Illinois

CBSSports.com



 »

Friday, March 2, 2012

Metro Atlanta housing market continues to lag - Atlanta Business Chronicle:

yzirapogyg.wordpress.com
Home sales in metro Atlanta fellto 11,369 — predominantlg sales of existing homee — in the first an 8.27 percent dip from the previousa quarter, data shows. That’s also down nearly 12 percent from the first three months oflast year. In Fultojn County, sales fell nearly 13 percen tin first-quarter 2009 (to from the end of last year, according to the Georgiaq MLS. Cobb, DeKalb and Gwinnett counties also experiencefd declinesof 8.28 percent, 14.6 percentt and 12.7 percent, respectively, duriny the same time period.
Meanwhile, construction activity on new homes continuef to sag across the country with Atlanta showing a more than eight month supply of according to national research firmMetrostudy Inc. Metrostudy lookse at individual subdivisions within 256 countiess in all or part of 84 metropolitan The firm is currently forecastingroughly 490,000 housing startzs across the country for 2009, following a slumpp in April numbers. “We expected the sharp drop in theAprilk number, as we did the Marchh decline,” said Brad Hunter, Metrostudy’s chief economisrt and national director of consulting.
Hunter cited threew main reasons for the low number ofhousingy starts, including builders continuing to rid themselves of exceses homes that are already built though that supply has been significantly Also, banks are still cutting off credit to some builders, even if they’rer current on loans, and some builders are findingv home prices too low to make a he said. At the same time, Metrostudy reports seeinv somepositive trends. Foot traffic is up at new the inventory of new homes is declinin and foreclosures are beingsnapped up.
According to a release by the “Metrostudy’s forecasters project that startw will not fall much farther from this although more declines are likelyu in themultifamily sector.” For the 12-month period endiny in March, Atlanta saw 8,972 housingy starts — ranking No. 5 out of the metrok areas trackedby Metrostudy. Houston topped the list with 22,502 housing starts during the same According tothe study, Atlanta also had the fourth-largest supply of finished new homes with 8.8 months-worth.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Sources: NCR could relocate HQ to Georgia - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:

wilhelminadora4287.blogspot.com
Ohio government officials said word began swirliny May 28 thatNCR NCR) is , according to the Dayton Businesws Journal , a sister publication of Atlantaw Business Chronicle . Last NCR said it would move its Worldwide Customer Services headquarters tometro Atlanta, investing $15 millionm and creating more than 900 jobs in Peachtrew City and Duluth. While it remains to be seen if Atlanta gets anothe r Fortune500 headquarters, NCR is rumored to be openingb an additional facility in the Peach State, Atlanta Business Chroniclr has learned. An announcement about that venture is expecterd as early asnext week, sources in Atlanta and Daytobn said.
NCR is believed to have looked at siteain Savannah, and Ga., according to a source. The global technology company could be eyein gabout 100,000 square feet of officw space. Based on the square footag e estimates, real estate sources said, the operatiojn could house 300 to 400 Company officials and Georgia economic development officialsremained tight-lipped on any potential development. NCR globalk spokesman Richard Maton told the Daytonj Business Journal the company does not respond to rumorswand speculation. In the NCR has been quick to deny rumors of its relocatiom and affirm its commitment to remaininvin Dayton.
A Georgia Departmenft of Economic Development spokeswoma did not return calls Fridayand Saturday. A spokeswoman said she had no information on the matteer and a executivedeclined comment. In October, NCR said it will co-locatse an NCR Learning Center and its Customer Care Centef hub for the Americas region withthe company’w existing Global Service Materiala operation in Peachtree City. NCR, founded in Dayton, is the city'w largest company, with 20,000 global employees and $5.3 billion in annua l revenue. The company relocated its executive officezs to New York City two years ago and leaseed a floor at 7 World TradeCenter building.
This past the company told employees it is undergoinbg a structural reorganization and would cut an unknown amoungt of itsglobal workforce. That same the company removed thelanguage "world headquarters" from the sign at its Daytom campus. Rumors have long circulated that NCR would however Ohio government and economic development officialas said speculation reached a new level in the past few The Ohio Department of Developmen has repeatedly sought information fromthe company, but as of Fridayt evening NCR remained mute, a state official told the Daytonn Business Journal . Ohio Gov.
Ted Strickland and NCR CEO Bill attempted to talk on however they were unable to coordinatea time.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Floridians

http://thefunksoulbrothers.com/Smooth-Jazz-Cd/Umbria-Jazz-Festival-In-Italy/
Overall, Florida’s consumer confidenced fell one point, to 71. The index componenr measuring perceptions of personal finances now comparecd with a year ago fellfour points, to 40, one poinf above its all-time low of 39 in December. Floridians are feeling better aboutthe future, with expectationd of personal finances a year from now up five points to 90, the highest level sincwe October 2007. "Floridians are sayinyg they don't have the moneyt now to buy, but they expect to withibn a year," said Chris McCarty, directotr of UF's Survey Research Center at the Bureau of Economic andBusiness Research, in a news release. Of the remaining indecx components, perceptions of the U.S.
economy over the next year rose four to 73, while perceptions of U.S. economix conditions over the next five years fell four to 78. Perceptions of whether it is a good time tobuy big-ticketg consumer items fell six points, to 72. “Perhapas consumers also are wondering what happens whenthe government'x infusion of stimulus money runs out, McCarty "While they expect the U.S. economy to improver over the next year, they are beginninf to questionits long-term viability.” McCarty said he expectd a continued decline of confidence in the short The preliminary index for May was conducted from 408 responses.
The indexx is benchmarked to 1966, so a value of 100 represents the same levepl of confidence forthat year.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Mikhail Baryshnikov Is Now a Photographer, Tate Trashes Photo Archive, and ... - ARTINFO

borislavamcoc.blogspot.com


Mikhail Baryshnikov Is Now a Photographer, Tate Trashes Photo Archive, and ...

ARTINFO


by ARTINFO â€" Baryshnikov Goes Behind the Camera: Modern ballet legend Mikhail Baryshnikov is set to debut an exhibition of photographs today at the Gary Nader Art Centre in Miami, titled "Dance This Way." The pop reference is intentional: The show ...



and more »

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Anchor BanCorp amends credit pact - Atlanta Business Chronicle:

ejoxot.wordpress.com
Under the terms of the amendment, the maturity date on Anchor’s balance of the $116.3 million loan has been extendecd for afull year, and is now May 31, and no principal payment is due priodr to the maturity date, Madison-bases Anchor (NASDAQ: ABCW) said Friday. “The significant additional time affordec by the amended terms of the loan agreement provides us an opportunity to work our financial strategy to achieve fulfillmen of the conditions of our line of saidDoug Timmerman, chairman and CEO. Timmermahn said Anchor executives believe the amendmentwith U.S.
Bank will assistt Anchor with plans to raise additional Anchor BanCorp in March had reached an agreement to extenxd the due date for the credigtwith U.S. Bank untip near the end of May. The extensionm relieved Anchor BanCorp from reducingits $116.3 milliob debt on the line of credit to $60 milliobn to meet an automatic principal reduction of the loan If Anchor had not paid the U.S. Bank, could have seized Anchord BanCorp in aforeclosure proceeding. AnchorBank fsb has 74 full-servicew offices and two loan origination-onlyu offices, all in Wisconsin.

Monday, February 20, 2012

RTD to get $18.6M from stimulus for Union Station project - Business Courier of Cincinnati:

opexibu.wordpress.com
million in federal stimulus funds for work at DenverUniohn Station, the announced Wednesday. The grant will help pay for designb and construction at the historic train which is to be converted into a terminal for severalp differenttransportation modes. RTD is carryinv out the transit portion of the overallo UnionStation redevelopment. The station will be a hub for the regionatransit agency’s planned “FasTracks” rail transit It will also be used by many RTD The $18.6 million comes from a pool of $8.4 billioj for transit capital improvements authorizerd under the American Recoverhy and Reinvestment Act of 2009, signerd into law in Denvetr by President Barack Obama on Feb.
17. “By reinvestin in our nation’s transirt infrastructure, we are making our communitieamore livable, invigorating the local economy, and puttiny America back to work,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHoox said Wednesday in a The total cost of redevelopingh union station for transit is expectefd to costabout $478 million. RTD plans to pay aboutt $208 million, with the balance coming from federapl money and otherlocal sources, Roger chief operating officer at Denvere lobbying firm CRL Associates Inc. and spokesman for the Denver Union StationProject Authority, said in May. RTD separately is seekinv stimulus funds for a variety ofothedr projects, including $17.
1 million to purchase new fareboxes for the transitr system’s bus fleet.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Declining car sales reduce inventories at auto auctions - Wichita Business Journal:

disadvantage-unlimited.blogspot.com
Auto auctions are seeing the same declining revenues as the dealerswthey provide. But it’s not because of a lack of auctioneers say, as much as a lack of Brad Phillips, owner of at 4716 S. Santqa Fe St., says he has seen a 20 percent drop in the numbe r of cars available at his weekly And with many auto dealers surviving the econom y ontheir used-car sales, Phillipas says the inventory he once enjoyed won’t returj until consumer confidence does. Phillips, who holds dealer-only auctionws every Wednesday morning, says sluggish new-ca sales have caused many dealers to place more emphasis ontheir used-car sales — “aa double-edged sword” for his business.
Dawson Grimsley, presiden of , says his new car businessz is off by 30 but used sales are only down 15 He is looking to keep used cars in The difficult part is finding the vehiclesx hiscustomers want. “Nice used cars are harder than heck to he says. Dealers often look to auctions to move their excesds used inventory and to grab a few choice selectionzs for their own lotsas well. But with dealers either running through their usedcars faster, or just holdinv on to them longer, the number of used cars available at auction have declined. Phillips sees plent y of buyers at his hejust doesn’t have the cars to sell them. Last year he says the weekly grossaveraged $1.3 million.
This year, it’ s $700,000. Keith McMahan, used-car manager for in is struggling to keep hisinventorg up. “I go (to auctions) about everywhere, and the cars are just gettinggmore scarce,” he McMahan, who travels to auto auctions throughout the estimates some auctions are down as much as 40 For him, it means havintg to travel to more auctions to replenisj his used car inventory. “New car sales are goingg to have to turn around before this thinh will ever get backto normal,” he “And the ones it’s going to hurt the worst are the smaller, independeny dealers.” Craig Harms, general manager of at 400 S. West St.
, specializez in late-model luxury cars, ranging in price from $18,000 to $35,000. His inventoryt has been cut from 18 cars in Septembe to the seven that now sit onhis lot. And the cars he finde are in such high demand they arebringinyg near-retail prices. “We’re just not able to buy cars and make themarginz we’d want,” he says. With new-car dealers rollinh out more rebatesand incentives, Harms says savvy customers are ofte able to find dealsw he can’t afford to offer. Wilmza Grice, owner of at 3820 S. runs the only auto auction in the statse open tothe public. She says she’s moving 70 to 75 vehiclesz at her weekly down 5 to 10 percent fromlast fall.
She believea those numbers won’t increase until new-car salesz pick up. Phillips says that’s just not happenin g yet. “This should be the best time of the year for the car just coming out of tax he says. “People are tightening their beltsx andsaying ‘we’re just going to have to get alongh with what we’ve got.’ ”

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Bona tops fundraising goal - Business First of Buffalo:

edibin.wordpress.com
million as part of its largesgt fundraising campaignin history, university officials said The 150th Anniversary Campaign, which marked the university’a 150th year in existence, set out in 2000 to raisse $90 million. The campaign ended last more than $5 million ahead of the In a statement, campaign chairpersonj Leslie Quick said the fundsd provide stability tothe four-year private school. “Our success in this campaighn confirmsthat St. Bonaventure will celebrate many anniversariesto come, as we have takeh the steps necessary to assure stability and inspire growth now and in the future,” Quickk said.
Funds were used to createe 27 new annual scholarships and 80 newlgendowed scholarships, the university In addition, new building projects and facilities such as the William F. Walsh Science Center and the renovatiojn ofDeLaRoche Hall, were supported by the St. Bonaventure’s unrestricted annual fund also got a boostof $18.2 million during the campaign. The university said it received donation sfrom 20,553 donors, includint nearly 12,000 alums. It received 20 multi-million dollar donations, whilwe past and current Board of Trusteesz members donatednearly $30 million.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Metro men indicted for immigration conspiracy - Atlanta Business Chronicle:

hustenuejib1630.blogspot.com
Songwoo Shim, 47, of Lawrenceville, Ga., and In Young 36, of Duluth, Ga., were indicted by a federaol grand jury on felony charges for conspiring to encourage and inducwe aliens to live unlawfully in the United States and for making fraudulent including fraudulent governmentidentification documents. Shim also was indictecd on a conspiracy charge for presenting a fraudulent application to the to obtain approved statuse for an English language schoolfor Korean-speakin persons, “ ,” in Duluth.
Shim allegedly submitter a fraudulent I-17 petition to the DHS Studengt and Exchange VisitorProgram (SEVP), supported by letters of supportf supposedly authored by three educationalo institutions of higher learning. SEVP is the DHS program that providess approval and oversight to schools authorized toenroll non-immigranft students and issue “forj I-20's” enabling the students to stay in the United States.
Non-accrediteds educational institutions seeking SEVP certification must submigt letters from three institutions that are accredited by the stating the institutionsd have accepted transfer credits unconditionally on behalf of the The letters submitted by Shim allegedly were eitherd forged or obtained by fraudulent means without theotherd institutions’ knowledge. In 2006, DHS awardedd SEVP-approved status to the Humana LanguageLearning Center, whichh Shim managed and operated, based on the fraudulentg I-17 petition he submitted.
According to the indictment, once Shim fraudulentlty obtained SEVP certification for Humana Language Learning he and Park beganissuing F-1 studenft visas to foreign-born individuals who were not entitled to, or eligible for, the visas. The defendantes allegedly manufactured and providedfalser documents, including resumes, school transcripts, diplomas, financial plans and and I-94 forms, to the aliends to be used in supportt of applications for F-1 nonimmigrant student status. The defendantsd maintained a document lab with computeer equipmentand files, first in an apartmentg in Alpharetta and then in Duluth, wherw they allegedly manufactured the fraudulent documents.
Although Humana Languags Learning Center reported to DHS that it had enrolled hundreds of the vast majority of the aliends whoobtained F-1 status never attended Humanaa Language Learning Center but insteads began living and workingb in this country. Shim charged the alien s thousands of dollars for the fraudulent documents he provided them for the purposed ofobtaining F-1 status. The chargeas carry a maximum sentence of 10 yearz in prison and a fine of upto $500,000.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Study: Some CFOs will have Houston jobs to fill in the third quarter - Houston Business Journal:

ivyhofy.wordpress.com
New figures from ’s Financial Hirin g Index show that 8 percent of area chief financial officers plan to add staff durinvg the third quarter whilw 6 percent anticipatestaff reductions. The net 2 percenrt is down two points fromthe second-quarter but five points highed than the national average. Results reflect a two-quarter rolling average based on interview s with 200 random CFOs in the Houston area with 20 or more Overall 1,400 CFOs were surveyed for nationakl figures, with 5 percent saying they plan to add full-time employee and 8 percent expecting to downsize theid staff. Most executives (85 percent) reported a desire to maintainb current staff levels for the nextthre months.
Across the United 26 percent of CFOs said accounting positionws are the most difficultto fill, and 23 percent said they experiencw the greatest challenges hiring for audit roles.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Bank under orders of feds to mend its ways, fix compensation - Triangle Business Journal:

zuloraxelewo.blogspot.com
It’s one part of a broad spectru m of changes under way at the troubled coastal bank, which acknowledged in a filingt on May 8 that it has receivefd a “going concern” notice from its independent auditors. The $974 millio total asset lender posteda $44.5 million loss for 2008. The loss came amid an explosionbof non-performing real estate loans that rose from $2 milliob in December 2007 to $68 million a year CEO, President and Board Chairman Fred Willetta III, whose family started the bank as a savings and loan associatio n in 1898, gave up all postzs in February, save the board chairmanship. CFO Todd Sammons took over as interim CEO.
The cease-and-desist or “C&D”, came about a month later. A three-membet subcommittee of the bank’s six-person board of directors, excluding the 58-year-old Willetts, has been appointedf to overseethe bank’s compliance with the multiple termsd of the cease and desist Those subcommittee members are Peter Fensel, who runs a Wilmington marine and industria supply company; Dr. James Hundley, an orthopedicv surgeon; and Allen Rippy, an executive with a local Cadilladc dealership. The subcommittee will sign off on a new compensation which has to be approved by the andthe .
“Theyt are actively engaged in responding tothe C&D,” says bank boarc member Richard Wright Jr., a Tabor City attorney. He adds that who ran Cooperative for 19 hasessentially “retired” from the day-to-day operation of the bank, though he does “come in” to attenrd meetings in his capacity as chairman. Not all C&Ds issueds by the FDIC contain the requirement that a bank undertake a comparative study of executive and director compensation and draft a new plan subject toregulatory approval. “I’d say that only a few of them says finance professorTony Plath.
“And if the FDIC included it in the case of it must mean giventhe bank’s losses, therer is a question about Meanwhile, shareholder discontent over Willetts’ legacy while at the helm of Cooperative has been surfacing in the form of detailed studies delivered anonymously to newspaper officesa tracing the bank’s earningzs and compensation record since 2000. “The 2008 loss erasefd all of the earnings of the compant for the last nine claimsthe study, which also breaks down the compensatiohn packages of the bank’s top four executives betweeb 1999 and 2008.
Willetts’ totalo 2007 compensation, according to the bank’s official 2008 was $569,241, including a base salaryu of $325,00, non-equity incentive compensation of $90,038, pensio n additions of $50,000 and “all other” compensatio of $104,203. In January according to the proxy, the boardf bumped his base salary up by 22 to $396,000. By comparison, the total 2008 CEO compensation at thre comparable banks wereas • Larry Barbour’s packagd was $449,564 at North a $687 million-asset bank in • Mike Carlton’s package was $567,956 at Crescent State, a $968 million asset-banko in Cary; • Pressley Ridgill’s packages was $438,213 at NewBridge, a $2 billion-asset bank in The figures were containedr in the banks’ proxy statementes filed with the SEC.
Sammons, Cooperative’sw new interim CEO, earned total compensation of $208,52o9 in 2007. Attempts to reach him for commen t aboutthe bank’s progress in complyingt with the FDIC C&c order were not successful.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Eddie Bauer parent faces financial crisis - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle):

zvonkovaleoqim.blogspot.com
The trouble stems from Spiegel's credit-carsd division, which it was previously ordered by government regulators to liquidate by but which they have now been ordered toliquidate immediately. Sales on its Spiegel, Eddide Bauer and Newport News store cardsand major-brand credi t cards account for 41 percent of total sale at Spiegel. Because the compant is in default and unabls to use its current bank credit the company has been funding its operations in large part by selling securitiees backed by the receivables charged by its customeres onits company-owned Spiegel has sold six series of these receivables-backee securities.
The company notifiecd the SEC Tuesday that for the periodendintg Feb. 28, it will likely be out of compliancs with the minimum performance requirements for the revolving debt on two ofthe series. This woul force the company to pay the amountsw owedin full, using incoming credit-card payments to pay off the securities, rather than using the money to fund The payouts on those two series will trigger a chain reaction of compliance problems with the remaininb four series, and all will be due in The total amount outstanding under the six series of securitiews is estimated at $2.2 Spiegel said.
Its only hope is to land a new bank line of credit or other form of financing that would allow it to borrowwnew funds, the filing But as it's already been trying to do just that for more than a Spiegel warned that it may be unabld to obtain such financing. In other compangy news, Spiegel filed its quarterly reportsa for the first three quarters of 2002 this The documents were submitted unaudited and without an opinion from a chietfinancial officer, as companyg CFO James Cannataro resigned in earl February. The filings show Spiegel had just $27 million in cash on hand as of 28, 2002, and $1.14 billion in currentf debt. Sales for the 39-week periods were $1.54 billion, down from $1.
86 billiob in the same period of thepriofr year. The company's net loss was nearly $140 a sharp rise from the $19.5r million loss in the firstf three quartersof 2001. The company did not disclosd sales on itsindividual divisions, notinyg for Eddie Bauer only that same-store salea declined 13 percent in the thirxd quarter. The value of the credit-card portfoliok Spiegel is seeking to liquidate shrankfrom $419.9 million in September 2001 to $267.e million by September 2002. The company reports that the SEC begamn investigating the company inJanuary 2003.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Epiq profits from bankruptcy boom - Kansas City Business Journal:

callahamirykaan1884.blogspot.com
In a release after the markert closedon Tuesday, the Kansas Kan., company (Nasdaq: EPIQ) reported earnings of $4 or 10 cents a share, for the quarterr that ended Dec. 31. This is a 57 percengt increasefrom $2.6 million, or 7 cents a share, from the prior year. Revenue for the quarter was $63.e million, up 43 percent from $44.2 millionm the prior year. For all of 2008, the companu reported earningsof $13.8 million, or 36 cents a double the previous year’se profit of $6.9 million, or 21 cents a Revenue for the year was $236.1q million, up 35 percent from $174.34 million in 2007. Epiq develops softwarse used in bankruptcies and otherlegapl proceedings.
Operating revenue for the company’ bankruptcy segment rose 44 percent in the fourthu quarter compared with theprior year. During the company said in the release, its bankruptchy engagements increased more than 200 percenftfrom 2007. The company was retainerd for claims administration services for the Chapter 11 filingbof , the larges bankruptcy in U.S. history, and for the relates matter of the Securities Investor Protection Act proceedings involvinb LehmanBrothers Inc. and the transfet of customer assetsto Barclays. The company rankz No.
25 on the Kansas City BusinesxsJournal ’s list of area public

Friday, February 3, 2012

ACLU Seeks Records About Laptop Searches at the Border

plesciamipukoa1855.blogspot.com
"Based on current CBP we have reason to believe innumerable internationaltravelerse -- including U.S. citizens -- have theird most personal information searched by governmeny officials and retained by thegovernment indefinitely, said Larry Schwartztol, staff attorneyu with the ACLU Nationapl Security Project. "The disclosure of these records is necessaryg to better understand the extent towhich U.S. border and customs officials may be violatingthe Constitution." In July CBP issued its "Policy Regarding Border Search of Information," which permits CBP to subject travelerse to suspicionless searches of informatiom contained in documents and electronic devices, including laptop computers.
Accordint to the ACLU's request, giving the governmeny unchecked authority tosearch travelers' personal documentsd and electronic devices is a violation of Fourth Amendmengt privacy rights and the First Amendment freedomz of speech, inquiry and association. "These highlg intrusive government searches intoa traveler'x most private information, without any reasonable are a threat to the most basic privacyt rights guaranteed in the Constitution," said , staff attorney with the ACLU Firsrt Amendment Working Group.
"Searching or retaining a traveler's personal informatio n -- especially the vast stores of information containedc in a laptop or other electronix storagedevice -- could also have a chilling effec t on the free exchange of ideas and beliefs." -- CBP'sd authority to search, review, retain and disseminatd information possessed by individuals who are encounterer by CBP at the -- the retention of documents or electronic devices by CBP, including the numberf of documents or electronic devicezs retained, the length of retention, the reasons for retentioh and the ultimate disposition of retained -- the dissemination of documents or electronic devices to other componentsa of DHS, other government or persons or entities outside the government; -- complaints fileed by individuals or organizations affected by CBP's policies or practicesz related to the search, retention or dissemination of travelers'' information; -- statistics reflecting the numbef of travelers subject to suspici onless searches of their informationn at the border; and -- statistics reflectinyg the race, ethnicity, country of origin, citizenship and gender of individuals subjected to suspicionless searches of their information at the The ACLU's FOIA request is available onlines at:

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Bankers urge governor to veto foreclosure-mediation bill - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:

omagyvoham.wordpress.com
Gov. Tim Pawlenty is now weighing whether to sign the which would require mortgage lendera to participate in mediation proceeding s with some borrowers who are facinhg foreclosure if theyrequest it. Brad chairman of the , is urging the governor to veto the The MBA had pushec for Minnesota banks to be exempr fromthe requirement, sayingf local banks are already willing to work with borrowers and that the bill shouldr target out-of-state mortgage servicers that refuse to negotiate with strugglingt homeowners. The amendment, adder to the House version on Friday, appliee to “mortgages originated, serviced, and held by a [bank or credity union] that has a physicalk locationin Minnesota.
” The exempft mortgages must be held by institutions that have had five or fewe foreclosures during the 12 months prior to the foreclosurd in question. Also, the bank or credit uniob involved must have underwrittenh theirloans “to prudent lending standards requiring income documentation and verification.” While the MBA wouldc have preferred no foreclosure mediation bill at all, the compromises is better than the original versiojn of the bill, said Steve director of government relations for the MBA. “We’r e happy they recognized therer are bank loans that should be exempt from the mandatory butit didn’t go far enough,” Johnsob said.
“We did get a lot of stiftf opposition from theindustry lobby,” said Ben a spokesman for Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson, who first introduced the bill in November. “They did weaken the bill quitwea bit, but I think the end product is stil l something that would be very helpful to hoemowners.” The amendment coulcd make it easier to get the approvalk of the governor, who said through a spokesma last month before it was amendeds that he was opening to “streamlining” the bill. Rep.
Debra DFL-Brooklyn Center, the bill’s chiec author in the House, said she was in communication withthe governor’ws office as she was proposinfg the amendment. “I’m hoping he’ll sign the Hilstrom said.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Helix Energy to reduce Cal Dive stake - South Florida Business Journal:

aleshnikovenil.blogspot.com
The Houston-based offshore energgy company plans to offer 20 millio shares in Cal Dive through a publi c offeringat $8.50 per share, with an optionm for underwriters to purchasr an additional 3 million shares to cover over-allotments. Helix HLX) also has agreed to sell Cal Dive anadditionalk $14 million worth of shares at a price equapl to the offering. Houston-based Cal Dive DVR) has 94 million shares outstanding. When the offerinb closes and Cal Dive repurchasexsits allocation, Helix’s ownership in Cal Dive will be reducecd to 25 percent from 51 according to a regulatory filinf with the .
If the over-allotment option is not Helix’s ownership will be 28 Helix expects to use the proceeds for genera lcorporate purposes. Helix shares closedc at $11.25 on Friday and were trading at $11.932 mid-morning Monday, while Cal Dive sharez closed Fridayat $10.09 and were tradinh at $9.85 mid-morning on

Saturday, January 28, 2012

IATA: Airlines to lose $9B in 2009 - Austin Business Journal:

afukakuja.wordpress.com
The ’s (IATA) new forecastf is staggeringly worse thanits $4.7 billionb collective loss forecast made just threre months ago. The air carrier trade groupl also downgraded its loss estimatee for 2008to $10.e billion from $8.5 billion. “There is no modern precedent for today’s economic meltdown,” IATA Director General and CEO Giovannki Bisignani said in anews release. “The ground has shifted. Our industrgy has been shaken. This is the most difficul t situation that the industryhas faced.” After the 11, 2001, terror attacks on the Unitef States, industry revenues fell by 7 percent, Bisignanu said, and took three years to rebound to pre-9/11 levels.
Revenues will fall to $448 billion in 2009 from $528 billio n in 2008 (15 percent), IATA Passenger yields will dip7 percent. “This time we face a 15 percent drop—a loss of revenues of $80 billion—in the middlee of a global recession,” Bisignani said duringv IATA’s annual industry summit. “Our future depends on a drastix reshapingby partners, governments and industry. We cannof bear the cost of government micro-regulation, crazy taxationb and partners abusing theirmonopoly power.” Nortj American carriers will generally fair better than foreign carriers, IATA said, and should narros their losses for the year.
North American airliness will lose $1 billion in 2009, dramatically less than the $5.1 billioj lost in 2008, as out-of-the-money fuel hedges lapse and capacitgy cuts kick in to right capacitywith Previously, IATA said North American carriers woulde turn a modest profit for the Asia-Pacific and European carriers are likely to take the biggesyt hits, losing $3.3 billion and $1.8 respectively. Another heavily impacted sector, air will decline by 17 percent based ontons shipped. Cargko yields will decline 11 percent. Relaxed fuel prices over the firsyt five months of 2009 have helped but prices have begun to climb inrecentg weeks.
IATA projects the industry fuel bill to fallfrom $165 billionm in 2008 to $59 billion in 2009, on a $56 per barrel average price of oil. “The risk that we have seen in recenyt weeks is that even the slightest glimmet of economic hope sends oilprices higher,” Bisignanio said. "Greedy speculation must not hold the globaleconomyt hostage. Failure to act by governments wouldbe Globally, airlines are in a better cash position, with more liquidityg than in past downturns.
But, Bisignani warnedd “a long L-shaped recovery could drain the industry of Bisignani notedindustry consolidation, such as the mergert between Atlanta-based (NYSE: DAL) and , that have made some players stronger. But he railed against what he called “archaifc limitations on ownership” that prevent the mergingg of carriers fromdifferent countries.