Reuters | For Dirk and LeBron the NBA Finals represent legacy, validation Examiner.com For Dirk Nowitzki and LeBron James these 2011 NBA Finals represent an opportunity to cement a legacy decades in the making. A chance to add validity and merit to the bold, yet unavoidable comparisons to the greats of the NBA's historic past. ... NBA Finals: A look at the Heat-Mavericks series |
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
For Dirk and LeBron the NBA Finals represent legacy, validation - Examiner.com
hydiuco.blogspot.com
Saturday, May 28, 2011
GM files for bankruptcy, plans to transfer operations to Wentzville - Houston Business Journal:
aryrej.wordpress.com
Some operations and equipment from a steeo stamping plant inGrand Rapids, Mich., which is slatefd to close as part of the automaker's will be transferred to Wentzville, according to Bob a spokesman for the Wentzville It's not yet known how many, if any, Michiga n employees will opt to transfer to Wentzville, he GM officials called Wentzville Mayor Paul Lambki at 9 a.m. Monday to assure him the local plant wouldremainm open. "It's good that they are shipping in work for this Lambi said.
"That's a positive that corporatd thinks this plant willbe Still, Lambi said, rival automaker Chrysler plans to shutter its Fenton factors after investing $130 million in them, so it was importangt for Wentzville to not rely on GM so much and diversifg its revenue stream. When Lambi took office seve n years ago, Wentzville counted on GM for abouyt 55 to 60 percent of itstotalk revenue. Today, that's more like 15 perceny of the city's $24 million general because GM pays the cityabout $3 milliohn a year in real estate property taxes and other fees, he GM on Monday by the end of but the Wentzville plant was spared because it’s the only plant wherer Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans are made, The Wentzvillw plant will still undergo a previously announcef and other production cuts in June and July that will resul in the layoffs of 300 Monday’s Chapter 11 filing by the 101-year-old automaked is among the largest in U.
S. historg and largest-ever U.S. manufacturing bankruptcy. GM listed $173 billion in liabilitiea and $82 billion in according to the files inNew York. GM to St. Louis’ largest privatelyg held company, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, and to Chapter 11, whicuh allows the company to operate while protected fromits creditors, pushes GM into a fast-tracl bankruptcy and provides $30 billion of additional taxpayer funds to The GM plan as detailed by U.S. officials woulx allow a much smallerd GM to emerge from court protection withij 60 to90 days. The automaker has not provideed an updated target for job cuts but was looking toeliminatwe 21,000 U.S.
factory jobs from the 54,00 union members it now employs. Generak Motors employs 92,000 in the Uniteds States and is indirectly responsiblefor 500,0090 retirees. The U.S. government would hold a 60 percent financial interest in areorganized GM, and the UAW woulr take a 17.5 percent stake. The governmenta of Canada and the province of Ontariol have agreed to a 12 percent ownershilp stake in exchange for financial aid. GM bondholders would get 10 "It’s a bittersweet thing," Wheeler said.
"You hate to have to go througbh the process of closing plants andeliminating jobs, but look around, that’s what's going on with a lot of Hopefully we can rebound, hire people in the futurs and be the vibrant company we once Download a copy of the
Some operations and equipment from a steeo stamping plant inGrand Rapids, Mich., which is slatefd to close as part of the automaker's will be transferred to Wentzville, according to Bob a spokesman for the Wentzville It's not yet known how many, if any, Michiga n employees will opt to transfer to Wentzville, he GM officials called Wentzville Mayor Paul Lambki at 9 a.m. Monday to assure him the local plant wouldremainm open. "It's good that they are shipping in work for this Lambi said.
"That's a positive that corporatd thinks this plant willbe Still, Lambi said, rival automaker Chrysler plans to shutter its Fenton factors after investing $130 million in them, so it was importangt for Wentzville to not rely on GM so much and diversifg its revenue stream. When Lambi took office seve n years ago, Wentzville counted on GM for abouyt 55 to 60 percent of itstotalk revenue. Today, that's more like 15 perceny of the city's $24 million general because GM pays the cityabout $3 milliohn a year in real estate property taxes and other fees, he GM on Monday by the end of but the Wentzville plant was spared because it’s the only plant wherer Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans are made, The Wentzvillw plant will still undergo a previously announcef and other production cuts in June and July that will resul in the layoffs of 300 Monday’s Chapter 11 filing by the 101-year-old automaked is among the largest in U.
S. historg and largest-ever U.S. manufacturing bankruptcy. GM listed $173 billion in liabilitiea and $82 billion in according to the files inNew York. GM to St. Louis’ largest privatelyg held company, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, and to Chapter 11, whicuh allows the company to operate while protected fromits creditors, pushes GM into a fast-tracl bankruptcy and provides $30 billion of additional taxpayer funds to The GM plan as detailed by U.S. officials woulx allow a much smallerd GM to emerge from court protection withij 60 to90 days. The automaker has not provideed an updated target for job cuts but was looking toeliminatwe 21,000 U.S.
factory jobs from the 54,00 union members it now employs. Generak Motors employs 92,000 in the Uniteds States and is indirectly responsiblefor 500,0090 retirees. The U.S. government would hold a 60 percent financial interest in areorganized GM, and the UAW woulr take a 17.5 percent stake. The governmenta of Canada and the province of Ontariol have agreed to a 12 percent ownershilp stake in exchange for financial aid. GM bondholders would get 10 "It’s a bittersweet thing," Wheeler said.
"You hate to have to go througbh the process of closing plants andeliminating jobs, but look around, that’s what's going on with a lot of Hopefully we can rebound, hire people in the futurs and be the vibrant company we once Download a copy of the
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Is Google about to give Kindle a run for its money? - Triangle Business Journal:
hibleyytogoja1273.blogspot.com
Mountain View-based Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) has talked with publisherw aboutan e-book deal which would “enable publishers to sell digitaol versions of their newest booksd direct to consumers through Google,” according to the report. If the move would boldly put Google in competitionj withthe 800-pound gorilla of online book (NASDAQ: AMZN), which recently released a new versionh of its popular Kindle e-book reader. Though Google makesx most of its moneyfrom advertising, it is interestex in many projects it considers to be in the public such as broadening public access to paintings or out-of-print books.
It has worked out dealsd to scan in many books in university librarieds and other archives and make them easily accessiblew tothe public, and most of those books can now be read on Sony’d e-reader or on mobile phones. (NYSE: SNE) makes an e-readert that must be plugged into a computer to add bookw toits library, whereas the Kindlee has a wireless connection through which users can buy magazines, newspapers and even blogs Such “one-touch” buying is Amazon’s special geniuws in retailing, making it as easy as possible for customerds to spend their money. The New York Timesa reported that Google plans to sell books for higher prices than thuspleasing publishers.
Amazon has cut pricesw for new books to attract people to the inchoatde market and to draw them to itsKindlr device. It has enough clout to cut favorable dealzs with publishers andbloggers — it splita revenue 70-30 with bloggers, keeping 70 percent for Google’s move is more utilitaria than proprietary, as described in the report. It plan s to make e-books readable on as many different typesd of devicesas possible, rather than tyinh readers into a single device like the
Mountain View-based Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) has talked with publisherw aboutan e-book deal which would “enable publishers to sell digitaol versions of their newest booksd direct to consumers through Google,” according to the report. If the move would boldly put Google in competitionj withthe 800-pound gorilla of online book (NASDAQ: AMZN), which recently released a new versionh of its popular Kindle e-book reader. Though Google makesx most of its moneyfrom advertising, it is interestex in many projects it considers to be in the public such as broadening public access to paintings or out-of-print books.
It has worked out dealsd to scan in many books in university librarieds and other archives and make them easily accessiblew tothe public, and most of those books can now be read on Sony’d e-reader or on mobile phones. (NYSE: SNE) makes an e-readert that must be plugged into a computer to add bookw toits library, whereas the Kindlee has a wireless connection through which users can buy magazines, newspapers and even blogs Such “one-touch” buying is Amazon’s special geniuws in retailing, making it as easy as possible for customerds to spend their money. The New York Timesa reported that Google plans to sell books for higher prices than thuspleasing publishers.
Amazon has cut pricesw for new books to attract people to the inchoatde market and to draw them to itsKindlr device. It has enough clout to cut favorable dealzs with publishers andbloggers — it splita revenue 70-30 with bloggers, keeping 70 percent for Google’s move is more utilitaria than proprietary, as described in the report. It plan s to make e-books readable on as many different typesd of devicesas possible, rather than tyinh readers into a single device like the
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Former Tribune exec Dennis FitzSimons joins Media General board - Dayton Business Journal:
steel siding
“Dennis FitzSimons is a provenn and innovative business leader who led a premietr media company through times of outstanding growth andtougj challenges,” said Marshall N. Morton, Media General’s president and chievf executive officer, in a filing with the . “Hie industry knowledge and experience with the changingb media landscape and the synergiesof print, broadcast and onlinr platforms will bring a valuablr perspective to the Media Generalk board’s deliberations.” FitzSimons was the chairman, chief executive officere and president of until December 2007 after completing the sale of the companyy to Sam Zell for $8.
2 billion, endinh a 25-year relationship with the company. FitzSimonsz is said to have earned $41 million in that Getting his start inthe company’s broadcasf division, FitzSimons was named an executive vice presidentg at Tribune in January 2000 and earned an electionm to Tribune’s board of directors that same according to the SEC He would become president and chief operatintg officer in July 2001 and then elevate to chief executive officer in Januaru 2003. Tribune Co.
filesd for bankruptcy in December 2008, caused mostly by the mediz company’s efforts to go private a year Outside directors to the Mediz General board receive an annual retainefrof $116,000 for all scheduled meetings as well as an additional $1,750 for each unscheduled board meeting and each committere meeting attended beyond the two included in the according to SEC filings. Half of that compensatiohn is issued in deferred Class A and each director can elect to receive the other half either in deferredstock units, or splir evenly in cash and deferred Media General (NYSE: MEG) reported a loss of $21.
million, or 96 cents per in the most recent quartert endedMarch 29, deeper than a $20.3 million, or 92 cents per share the year before. Revenu e fell from $194.5 million in the firstr quarter of 2008to $159.5 million in the most recenf quarter. Media General shares were tradingat $2.06 just after 4 p.m. up more than 7 percent from theier previous-day close of $1.92. The media company’sx shares have traded between $1.25 and $27.
18 over the past
“Dennis FitzSimons is a provenn and innovative business leader who led a premietr media company through times of outstanding growth andtougj challenges,” said Marshall N. Morton, Media General’s president and chievf executive officer, in a filing with the . “Hie industry knowledge and experience with the changingb media landscape and the synergiesof print, broadcast and onlinr platforms will bring a valuablr perspective to the Media Generalk board’s deliberations.” FitzSimons was the chairman, chief executive officere and president of until December 2007 after completing the sale of the companyy to Sam Zell for $8.
2 billion, endinh a 25-year relationship with the company. FitzSimonsz is said to have earned $41 million in that Getting his start inthe company’s broadcasf division, FitzSimons was named an executive vice presidentg at Tribune in January 2000 and earned an electionm to Tribune’s board of directors that same according to the SEC He would become president and chief operatintg officer in July 2001 and then elevate to chief executive officer in Januaru 2003. Tribune Co.
filesd for bankruptcy in December 2008, caused mostly by the mediz company’s efforts to go private a year Outside directors to the Mediz General board receive an annual retainefrof $116,000 for all scheduled meetings as well as an additional $1,750 for each unscheduled board meeting and each committere meeting attended beyond the two included in the according to SEC filings. Half of that compensatiohn is issued in deferred Class A and each director can elect to receive the other half either in deferredstock units, or splir evenly in cash and deferred Media General (NYSE: MEG) reported a loss of $21.
million, or 96 cents per in the most recent quartert endedMarch 29, deeper than a $20.3 million, or 92 cents per share the year before. Revenu e fell from $194.5 million in the firstr quarter of 2008to $159.5 million in the most recenf quarter. Media General shares were tradingat $2.06 just after 4 p.m. up more than 7 percent from theier previous-day close of $1.92. The media company’sx shares have traded between $1.25 and $27.
18 over the past
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Along the Mississippi, land saved and land lost - The Tennessean
Cedar shake siding
Along the Mississippi, land saved and land lost The Tennessean “The waste that is occurring ... is not to be described,†said R. King Milling, a former banker who is chairman of the America's WETLAND Foundation. “Saving this coastline has economic ramifications that are just astonishing for the rest of this ... |
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Corvallis, Eugene score $3.9 million for transit - Portland Business Journal:
ralawizewy.wordpress.com
Corvallis city leaders announcefd in Maythat they’ll collect $1 million in federal money to improve the Corvallis transit Among other endeavors, the money will fund three 35-foot busesw and bus shelters that will help the city meet requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Corvallis receiver its funds fromthe $8.4 billiohn transit capital improvements pot established by the $787 billiomn American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The award is the fourthb major stimulus grantCorvallias received. Other awards: A stimulus-driven for An “Energy Efficiency and ConservationBlock Grant” for $1.
8 million for street Corvallis leaders have built a Web site to help contractors who want to bid for stimulusd projects. Visit www.ci.corvallis.or.us and clickk on the “Stimulus 2009” button for details. Corvallid was awarded its moneh at the same time the LaneTransit Eugene’s transportation authority, collected $2.9 millionm in stimulus funds. The money will help the $41 millioh EmX line extension, which links the area’s Emeralx Express dedicated transit line from Eugene through The extension creates a loop that takes riderzsaround Springfield’s Gateway area. The $41 milliomn project will create 400 jobs duringits two-yeard construction phase.
About 93 percenr of the cost will be funded by federal and statrconstruction dollars, including $5.4 million from the state’ s ConnectOregon transportation program. “This has been very since opening inJanuary 2007, said Lisa VanWinkle, an EmX program communications coordinator. “We have more than doubledd the ridership using that routde than we had on the regular bus service lineit Rep. Peter Defazio, a Lane County called the stimulusaward “the kinds of concrete investmentz in our infrastructure that put people back to work and produc e a product for generations to come.
” Constructionh of the Gateway EmX Extension began this springt and will continue through fall 2010. A left-leanintg think tank and an Oregon Republicah party leader both back plans that wouldlet non-working Oregonians collecf their first $2,400 of unemployment benefits State law currently prohibit s Oregonians from receiving the benefit. and Sen. Jason Atkinson, a Centrakl Point Republican, want to change that. The issue arosr after the Obama administrationm included a series of tax reliefvmeasures — including the one related to unemployment benefits — in the federal stimulua bill.
Other tax breaks include letting businesses write off the costs of new equipmentmuch quicker. Oregonn Democrats blocked the enactment of the measurdein Oregon, fearing that it would lead to as much as $100 millioh in lost tax revenue and an even bigger state budgef shortfall. The Oregon Center for Public Policy and Atkinson diffe r on how to reinstat theunemployment benefit. Atkinson supportz Senate Bill 975, which woulx allow unemployment beneficiaries to forego payingg taxes on thefirst $2,400 they Atkinson believes it’s foolish that 255,000 out-of-work Oregonian must pay taxes on their unemployment benefits.
Corvallis city leaders announcefd in Maythat they’ll collect $1 million in federal money to improve the Corvallis transit Among other endeavors, the money will fund three 35-foot busesw and bus shelters that will help the city meet requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Corvallis receiver its funds fromthe $8.4 billiohn transit capital improvements pot established by the $787 billiomn American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The award is the fourthb major stimulus grantCorvallias received. Other awards: A stimulus-driven for An “Energy Efficiency and ConservationBlock Grant” for $1.
8 million for street Corvallis leaders have built a Web site to help contractors who want to bid for stimulusd projects. Visit www.ci.corvallis.or.us and clickk on the “Stimulus 2009” button for details. Corvallid was awarded its moneh at the same time the LaneTransit Eugene’s transportation authority, collected $2.9 millionm in stimulus funds. The money will help the $41 millioh EmX line extension, which links the area’s Emeralx Express dedicated transit line from Eugene through The extension creates a loop that takes riderzsaround Springfield’s Gateway area. The $41 milliomn project will create 400 jobs duringits two-yeard construction phase.
About 93 percenr of the cost will be funded by federal and statrconstruction dollars, including $5.4 million from the state’ s ConnectOregon transportation program. “This has been very since opening inJanuary 2007, said Lisa VanWinkle, an EmX program communications coordinator. “We have more than doubledd the ridership using that routde than we had on the regular bus service lineit Rep. Peter Defazio, a Lane County called the stimulusaward “the kinds of concrete investmentz in our infrastructure that put people back to work and produc e a product for generations to come.
” Constructionh of the Gateway EmX Extension began this springt and will continue through fall 2010. A left-leanintg think tank and an Oregon Republicah party leader both back plans that wouldlet non-working Oregonians collecf their first $2,400 of unemployment benefits State law currently prohibit s Oregonians from receiving the benefit. and Sen. Jason Atkinson, a Centrakl Point Republican, want to change that. The issue arosr after the Obama administrationm included a series of tax reliefvmeasures — including the one related to unemployment benefits — in the federal stimulua bill.
Other tax breaks include letting businesses write off the costs of new equipmentmuch quicker. Oregonn Democrats blocked the enactment of the measurdein Oregon, fearing that it would lead to as much as $100 millioh in lost tax revenue and an even bigger state budgef shortfall. The Oregon Center for Public Policy and Atkinson diffe r on how to reinstat theunemployment benefit. Atkinson supportz Senate Bill 975, which woulx allow unemployment beneficiaries to forego payingg taxes on thefirst $2,400 they Atkinson believes it’s foolish that 255,000 out-of-work Oregonian must pay taxes on their unemployment benefits.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Manjikain: Ode to Aznavour - Armenian Weekly
kdrummondbs37.blogspot.com
Armenian Weekly | Manjikain: Ode to Aznavour Armenian Weekly Leaving my teenage years behind (something Aznavour laments so masterfully in “Hier Encoreâ€), his songs continue to resonate with meâ€"as life progresses, as situations and perspectives change and evolveâ€"and his songs take on new hues. ... |
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Keeping employees healthy - Business First of Buffalo:
sunrise-invoices.blogspot.com
It’s been no surprise the health of U.S. workers is on the decline. The says 62 percent of adults are notphysicallh active, as of 2007, and only 24 percenf are active three to four timez a week. For every dolla a company spends on healtnand wellness, in two to five years, it could see another $3 to $4 in according to a 2005 study by the Americah Journal of Preventive Medicine (www.ajpm-online.net). It makesz sense: healthier employees could cost companiexs less in health careand worker’s compensation claims, analysts say. And a healthietr work force may also mean fewee days lostto absenteeism. in Bethesda, Md.
, whicjh employs 140, started its wellness initiatives by waiving the joining fee and offering a discounted monthlyy rate for fitnessclub memberships. They decide d to step it up a notcbh and give employees 10 Weighrt Watchers meeting voucherseach year, and waiverd the joining fee, as well as offering the diet program’ s online services for free up for a certaihn dollar amount. The company’s employee assistance program is also at no costto “They’ve been really appreciative of the programs we have in said Mary Ung, human resourcesw partner at the company. Jessica Sheffield, a corporate wellneszs director with Brick Bodiesin Cockeysville, Md.
, says the key ingredienf to creating an effective wellness plan is upper managemeng support. Having a vision for wellness, goalsz and objectives, as well as bein g able to provide a budget and methodsof communication, all fall under upper management’s responsibilities. • A written plan that detail allwellness goals, activities and • Data collection, which can include health risk screenings and employee feedback • On-site exercise programs, weight management classes, subsidized health club team-based fitness challenges, stress management resources and smoking cessation • Evaluation of the programs and activities; and, Collaboration with internal wellness resources and partnershipe with third-party wellness Companies also say realizing that not everyonse is going to join the firs session or activity also keepsw the program’s expectations realistic.
“The important thing is to not think you’re going to creatr the perfect wellness fair or program that willsolve everyone’s issues first time out of the said Barbara Girodo, director of human resources and safetg for the Kane Co. in Elkridge, Md. , whichb employs 500 full-time workers, had its first wellnesse fair inspring 2007. Girodo says the successx of the fair has encouraged the compang to plan for two fairsin 2009. Kane Co. spendd about $30-$50 on each employee, and with about a 70 percengt turnout at thewellness fairs, she said the company spend s around $15,000 on a wellnessz fair.
While it can be expensive, Girodo “when you think abougt medical costs, that’s half the battle.” The fair included a 401(k) representative to talk to employeexs about their retirement plans and worried in theailing economy, diabetes representatives, medical insurance and an employee assistance program provideer to address family issues and how to manags the work-life balance. Because of the some top programs that have been requested by employeesare anti-smoking programs, mental health programs and curbing drug costs.
Especially in these economivc times, workers are stressed in all aspectsof life, and consideringf most of their time is spent in the it’s important to take responsibility for balancwe in employees’ mental health, Girod o said. Cost-shifting strategies also provide opportunitiews for employees to make choices at the drug storw that ultimatelyimpact companies’ overall healt insurance costs.
It’s been no surprise the health of U.S. workers is on the decline. The says 62 percent of adults are notphysicallh active, as of 2007, and only 24 percenf are active three to four timez a week. For every dolla a company spends on healtnand wellness, in two to five years, it could see another $3 to $4 in according to a 2005 study by the Americah Journal of Preventive Medicine (www.ajpm-online.net). It makesz sense: healthier employees could cost companiexs less in health careand worker’s compensation claims, analysts say. And a healthietr work force may also mean fewee days lostto absenteeism. in Bethesda, Md.
, whicjh employs 140, started its wellness initiatives by waiving the joining fee and offering a discounted monthlyy rate for fitnessclub memberships. They decide d to step it up a notcbh and give employees 10 Weighrt Watchers meeting voucherseach year, and waiverd the joining fee, as well as offering the diet program’ s online services for free up for a certaihn dollar amount. The company’s employee assistance program is also at no costto “They’ve been really appreciative of the programs we have in said Mary Ung, human resourcesw partner at the company. Jessica Sheffield, a corporate wellneszs director with Brick Bodiesin Cockeysville, Md.
, says the key ingredienf to creating an effective wellness plan is upper managemeng support. Having a vision for wellness, goalsz and objectives, as well as bein g able to provide a budget and methodsof communication, all fall under upper management’s responsibilities. • A written plan that detail allwellness goals, activities and • Data collection, which can include health risk screenings and employee feedback • On-site exercise programs, weight management classes, subsidized health club team-based fitness challenges, stress management resources and smoking cessation • Evaluation of the programs and activities; and, Collaboration with internal wellness resources and partnershipe with third-party wellness Companies also say realizing that not everyonse is going to join the firs session or activity also keepsw the program’s expectations realistic.
“The important thing is to not think you’re going to creatr the perfect wellness fair or program that willsolve everyone’s issues first time out of the said Barbara Girodo, director of human resources and safetg for the Kane Co. in Elkridge, Md. , whichb employs 500 full-time workers, had its first wellnesse fair inspring 2007. Girodo says the successx of the fair has encouraged the compang to plan for two fairsin 2009. Kane Co. spendd about $30-$50 on each employee, and with about a 70 percengt turnout at thewellness fairs, she said the company spend s around $15,000 on a wellnessz fair.
While it can be expensive, Girodo “when you think abougt medical costs, that’s half the battle.” The fair included a 401(k) representative to talk to employeexs about their retirement plans and worried in theailing economy, diabetes representatives, medical insurance and an employee assistance program provideer to address family issues and how to manags the work-life balance. Because of the some top programs that have been requested by employeesare anti-smoking programs, mental health programs and curbing drug costs.
Especially in these economivc times, workers are stressed in all aspectsof life, and consideringf most of their time is spent in the it’s important to take responsibility for balancwe in employees’ mental health, Girod o said. Cost-shifting strategies also provide opportunitiews for employees to make choices at the drug storw that ultimatelyimpact companies’ overall healt insurance costs.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Holiday CD showcases local talent - Orlando Business Journal:
kittredgeihuhyla1951.blogspot.com
The CD includes a performance by twice-platinum , who singse "Let There Be Love," the lead song on the album. Carss wrote the song as a tributes to children that conveys the true meaniny ofthe holidays, but in a modernb way. It also is motivated by Carse's concern for violence in schools and her battle againstchild abuse. Underdo g recorded Carse with a choid on the eveningof Sept. 11, the day of the terroristf attackon America.
Other artists featurefd on theCD include: 8-year-old Glorianne Hefner, who has performedc live on local radio stationsx and sings "Let There Be Peace On Earth" for the album; Pollyannas Dorough, who recently opened for Backstreet Boys and performsw "When A Child Is Born"; formedr "Miss Florida" Kelli Meierhenry, who sings "Teddu Kringle," an original song written by Pat Nan Ellen Nelson, daughter of Sen. Bill Nelson; Nicole Chuck Wicks; Samantha Cochran; Erica Winter; Lamario and Gerry Brown, who just won "Producer of the at the International Unity Awardein Washington, D.C. Underdog Studios is helping produce and distributethe CD.
Visionsx Incorporate Productions specializes in working with youngg entertainersand artists.
The CD includes a performance by twice-platinum , who singse "Let There Be Love," the lead song on the album. Carss wrote the song as a tributes to children that conveys the true meaniny ofthe holidays, but in a modernb way. It also is motivated by Carse's concern for violence in schools and her battle againstchild abuse. Underdo g recorded Carse with a choid on the eveningof Sept. 11, the day of the terroristf attackon America.
Other artists featurefd on theCD include: 8-year-old Glorianne Hefner, who has performedc live on local radio stationsx and sings "Let There Be Peace On Earth" for the album; Pollyannas Dorough, who recently opened for Backstreet Boys and performsw "When A Child Is Born"; formedr "Miss Florida" Kelli Meierhenry, who sings "Teddu Kringle," an original song written by Pat Nan Ellen Nelson, daughter of Sen. Bill Nelson; Nicole Chuck Wicks; Samantha Cochran; Erica Winter; Lamario and Gerry Brown, who just won "Producer of the at the International Unity Awardein Washington, D.C. Underdog Studios is helping produce and distributethe CD.
Visionsx Incorporate Productions specializes in working with youngg entertainersand artists.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Knowing the duration of a bad event makes it worse - Mangalorean.com
http://www.openleft.com/userDiary.do?personId=54791
Knowing the duration of a bad event makes it worse Mangalorean.com People assume that knowing the duration of a pleasant event will "kill the fun", but knowing how long an unpleasant event will last makes it tolerable. However, a new study contradicts this understanding, according to the Journal of Consumer Research. ... When dining with disliked in-laws is painful Knowing the dinner duration with disliked in-laws makes it worse! |
Sunday, May 8, 2011
FIS earnings drop 62% in 2008 - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
zemlyanikiyri.blogspot.com
FIS earned $214 million on the year, down from the $561.12 million it earned in 2007. The Jacksonville-based company FIS), which provides core processing services for financial filed its annual report with the Securitied and Exchange Commission Earningswere $1.11 per diluted share, compared with $2.86 per dilute share in 2007. Earnings per share were affectesby FIS’ spin-off of (NYSE: LPS) in July, which was reflected in Fidelity’s discontinued operations. The company said the decreasw in net earnings in 2008 was primarilyh because of events that occurreein 2007, including an after tax gain of $172.
9 or 88 cents per dilutefd share, from selling the common stocj and warrants of global technologyy services provider (Nasdaq: CVNS). The sale was partially offse t in 2008 after Fidelitty purchasedin Sept. 12, 2007. Fidelity borrowed a $1.6 billion for that acquisition. Fidelity also incurrec a $155.7 million “other” expense in 2008 in 2007, it was a $102.2 million in other income. The companty said its corporate and other expenses were becausrof “the eFunds acquisition, additional stock compensation incremental restructuring and integrationb charges and costs associated with the LPS Despite pressures from expenses and total revenue increased across the board for Fidelity’s main businesa segments.
Total consolidated revenue increased 18 percenr tonearly $3.5 billion in 2008 comparef with $2.9 billion in 2007. The largest revenue source, accountingf for more than 40 percent oftotak revenue, was the payment solutionzs segment, which services payment and electronic fund transfers for financial Fidelity’s stock closed at $17.47 per share The company had a 52-week high of $23.65 and low of $11.155 as of Friday.
FIS earned $214 million on the year, down from the $561.12 million it earned in 2007. The Jacksonville-based company FIS), which provides core processing services for financial filed its annual report with the Securitied and Exchange Commission Earningswere $1.11 per diluted share, compared with $2.86 per dilute share in 2007. Earnings per share were affectesby FIS’ spin-off of (NYSE: LPS) in July, which was reflected in Fidelity’s discontinued operations. The company said the decreasw in net earnings in 2008 was primarilyh because of events that occurreein 2007, including an after tax gain of $172.
9 or 88 cents per dilutefd share, from selling the common stocj and warrants of global technologyy services provider (Nasdaq: CVNS). The sale was partially offse t in 2008 after Fidelitty purchasedin Sept. 12, 2007. Fidelity borrowed a $1.6 billion for that acquisition. Fidelity also incurrec a $155.7 million “other” expense in 2008 in 2007, it was a $102.2 million in other income. The companty said its corporate and other expenses were becausrof “the eFunds acquisition, additional stock compensation incremental restructuring and integrationb charges and costs associated with the LPS Despite pressures from expenses and total revenue increased across the board for Fidelity’s main businesa segments.
Total consolidated revenue increased 18 percenr tonearly $3.5 billion in 2008 comparef with $2.9 billion in 2007. The largest revenue source, accountingf for more than 40 percent oftotak revenue, was the payment solutionzs segment, which services payment and electronic fund transfers for financial Fidelity’s stock closed at $17.47 per share The company had a 52-week high of $23.65 and low of $11.155 as of Friday.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Phillips ranks No. 1 on residential real estate list - Houston Business Journal:
fixyruw.wordpress.com
Phillips completed 1,148 transaction sidea last year, according to the program’s list of Top 100 Agents by Transactionn Sides. Every real estate transaction has a buying andselling side, hencee the term “transaction sides.” Phillips, who ranked No. 3 in 2007 transactionh sides with 609, has benefited from Centuryg 21 All-Pro’s focus on moving foreclosed Century21 All-Pro lists foreclosures for the , Fanniw Mae and about 25 banks. In an interviee with the Kansas City Busineszs Journalin December, Phillips said his successful businesss model involves a division of labor.
Phillips, who doesn’t deal with any immediately posts foreclosure listings with online biddinyg and multiplelisting services. His agents, spread throughout the metro area and othe parts of Kansasand Missouri, place signs and lockboxes at the new listingzs in exchange for getting theirf phone numbers on the signs. In addition, Phillips delegatea to assistants tasks such as writingproperty descriptions, taking photograph s and updating the listings that pour in at a rate of 40 a day. Becauser of the lower pricde range of mostforeclosure listings, Phillips was rankefd No. 71 on the Top 100 Agentxs by Sales Volume with a totalof $68.2 millionh in 2008 sales.
Serena Boardman of in New York toppex that listwith $255.2 million. For the awardzs program, Real Trends surveyed more than 7,000 real estate brokeragess and associations. Founded in Century 21 All-Pro has 140 agents in five officee locations, including Parkville. Blue Springs, Liberty, soutj Kansas City and Kansas City’s Westport area.
Phillips completed 1,148 transaction sidea last year, according to the program’s list of Top 100 Agents by Transactionn Sides. Every real estate transaction has a buying andselling side, hencee the term “transaction sides.” Phillips, who ranked No. 3 in 2007 transactionh sides with 609, has benefited from Centuryg 21 All-Pro’s focus on moving foreclosed Century21 All-Pro lists foreclosures for the , Fanniw Mae and about 25 banks. In an interviee with the Kansas City Busineszs Journalin December, Phillips said his successful businesss model involves a division of labor.
Phillips, who doesn’t deal with any immediately posts foreclosure listings with online biddinyg and multiplelisting services. His agents, spread throughout the metro area and othe parts of Kansasand Missouri, place signs and lockboxes at the new listingzs in exchange for getting theirf phone numbers on the signs. In addition, Phillips delegatea to assistants tasks such as writingproperty descriptions, taking photograph s and updating the listings that pour in at a rate of 40 a day. Becauser of the lower pricde range of mostforeclosure listings, Phillips was rankefd No. 71 on the Top 100 Agentxs by Sales Volume with a totalof $68.2 millionh in 2008 sales.
Serena Boardman of in New York toppex that listwith $255.2 million. For the awardzs program, Real Trends surveyed more than 7,000 real estate brokeragess and associations. Founded in Century 21 All-Pro has 140 agents in five officee locations, including Parkville. Blue Springs, Liberty, soutj Kansas City and Kansas City’s Westport area.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Mixed messages led to Skylight controversy - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
http://www.i-goodinfo.com/mozambique.html
That's what Dillner told The Businessx Journal in an interview earliefthis week. But apparently, that's not how everyone remembers the scene, according to some employees who, in theird recollections, put more weight into assertionx by Dillner that the company would do everything it coulf toavoid layoffs. For example, then music director Jamies Johns said Dillner toldeveryone "that we were in dire financiao straits," but Johns also recalls his boss specificall saying, "Nobody in this room is goingv to lose their jobs.
" That may be why the June 16 announcemenyt that five employees, including populatr artistic director Bill Theisen, were being permanentlyh cut appeared to come as a shock to The decision stunned co-workers and the communithy alike, resulting in open demonstrations of supportt for Theisen and callxs to have him reinstated; accusationss that Dillner was staging a coup to controo the company; and in personal threats against Dillner and his Theisen was also at that He said in an interview that he understoodf that jobs might be cut, but he felt assuredf that the company would be able to avoi d such drastic measures.
As a result, he was as surprised as anyonw by the decision to eliminaterhis position. "I really was blindsided," he said in a phones interviewthis week. The musical theater group facedf the shortfall even afterslashing $400,000p from its expenses to balance next year's The Skylight was also facing a growing financiap pressures related to the aging Broadwauy Theatre Center, the group's 3rd Ward arts The building is likely to need maintenance and repaid that could cost sevej figures over the next several The Skylight board recently studied the feasibilitt of capital campaign to address its financialk difficulties, “but in today’s investment climate, that’s not an Howard Miller, a member of the board'ss executive committee told The Busineses Journal this week.
Borrowings against the building's value also were piling up, reaching $400,000p by the end of the 2008-2009 season. Over the past four the Skylight had balanced its budget on borrowefd funds using the Broadway Theatre assessed by the city of Milwaukee at as collateral fora $700,000 line of credit. the value of the company'sa endowment fell by $700,000 becaus of the stock market turmoil over the past Miller estimatedthe endowment, valued at $3.2 million as of June 30, to be just $2.1 million at the end of fiscal 2009 on June 30.
This was the financia l picture that resulted in theexecutiver committee's decision to cut five positions at the including that of Theisen, with some of his dutiesd falling to Dillner. Skylight boared president Suzanne Hefty said in a posting onthe company'sd Web site that backlash against the decisiohn included personal threats made against Dillner and his family. Dillnefr confirmed in an interview that such threatszwere made. In addition, critics have called for Dillner's resignation and accused him of taking over the companyy for hisown benefit, chargesd that board president Hefty and Miller say are Dillner has experience as an administrativse and an artistic leader.
His career history includes sevenn years at theShreveport (La.) Opera as generao director and artistic director. General director roles typically combine duties of both the managintg director andartistic director. It is a common practice amonv performingarts organizations, particularly those that do not have the financia l wherewithal to pay the salaries of two separate leaders. But Dillner was hired to manage theSkylight operations, not to direcrt the artistic flow of the organization, Heftgy said.
"It was always very cleaf to the candidates that we were filling a managinfg director position to serve as the CEO of the she said in an interview thisweek "Ericd did not think that the company wouls even go in this direction." Hefty "This was not in any way, shapes or form anything that he was tryingy to redesign for his benefit." Accordin g to separate interviews with Johns, Theisen and there is disagreement over whether Dillner and the Skylighg board made clear to employees and staffd the company's dire financial picture.
In the end, both Dillnefr and Miller said they were less concernedabout Theisen's ability to get another job than the other employees who were let go. "He'x in high demand all the time," Miller said of Theisen, in effect, validated that statement. "I will be fine," Theisenm said, in a phone interview from the Universityuof Iowa, where he was guesr directing a play for the university. Theisem had done plenty of freelance directin g work in the past and he believed he can do so inthe "I do have opportunities," he said. "Last week I got three job offers.
"
That's what Dillner told The Businessx Journal in an interview earliefthis week. But apparently, that's not how everyone remembers the scene, according to some employees who, in theird recollections, put more weight into assertionx by Dillner that the company would do everything it coulf toavoid layoffs. For example, then music director Jamies Johns said Dillner toldeveryone "that we were in dire financiao straits," but Johns also recalls his boss specificall saying, "Nobody in this room is goingv to lose their jobs.
" That may be why the June 16 announcemenyt that five employees, including populatr artistic director Bill Theisen, were being permanentlyh cut appeared to come as a shock to The decision stunned co-workers and the communithy alike, resulting in open demonstrations of supportt for Theisen and callxs to have him reinstated; accusationss that Dillner was staging a coup to controo the company; and in personal threats against Dillner and his Theisen was also at that He said in an interview that he understoodf that jobs might be cut, but he felt assuredf that the company would be able to avoi d such drastic measures.
As a result, he was as surprised as anyonw by the decision to eliminaterhis position. "I really was blindsided," he said in a phones interviewthis week. The musical theater group facedf the shortfall even afterslashing $400,000p from its expenses to balance next year's The Skylight was also facing a growing financiap pressures related to the aging Broadwauy Theatre Center, the group's 3rd Ward arts The building is likely to need maintenance and repaid that could cost sevej figures over the next several The Skylight board recently studied the feasibilitt of capital campaign to address its financialk difficulties, “but in today’s investment climate, that’s not an Howard Miller, a member of the board'ss executive committee told The Busineses Journal this week.
Borrowings against the building's value also were piling up, reaching $400,000p by the end of the 2008-2009 season. Over the past four the Skylight had balanced its budget on borrowefd funds using the Broadway Theatre assessed by the city of Milwaukee at as collateral fora $700,000 line of credit. the value of the company'sa endowment fell by $700,000 becaus of the stock market turmoil over the past Miller estimatedthe endowment, valued at $3.2 million as of June 30, to be just $2.1 million at the end of fiscal 2009 on June 30.
This was the financia l picture that resulted in theexecutiver committee's decision to cut five positions at the including that of Theisen, with some of his dutiesd falling to Dillner. Skylight boared president Suzanne Hefty said in a posting onthe company'sd Web site that backlash against the decisiohn included personal threats made against Dillner and his family. Dillnefr confirmed in an interview that such threatszwere made. In addition, critics have called for Dillner's resignation and accused him of taking over the companyy for hisown benefit, chargesd that board president Hefty and Miller say are Dillner has experience as an administrativse and an artistic leader.
His career history includes sevenn years at theShreveport (La.) Opera as generao director and artistic director. General director roles typically combine duties of both the managintg director andartistic director. It is a common practice amonv performingarts organizations, particularly those that do not have the financia l wherewithal to pay the salaries of two separate leaders. But Dillner was hired to manage theSkylight operations, not to direcrt the artistic flow of the organization, Heftgy said.
"It was always very cleaf to the candidates that we were filling a managinfg director position to serve as the CEO of the she said in an interview thisweek "Ericd did not think that the company wouls even go in this direction." Hefty "This was not in any way, shapes or form anything that he was tryingy to redesign for his benefit." Accordin g to separate interviews with Johns, Theisen and there is disagreement over whether Dillner and the Skylighg board made clear to employees and staffd the company's dire financial picture.
In the end, both Dillnefr and Miller said they were less concernedabout Theisen's ability to get another job than the other employees who were let go. "He'x in high demand all the time," Miller said of Theisen, in effect, validated that statement. "I will be fine," Theisenm said, in a phone interview from the Universityuof Iowa, where he was guesr directing a play for the university. Theisem had done plenty of freelance directin g work in the past and he believed he can do so inthe "I do have opportunities," he said. "Last week I got three job offers.
"
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Monsanto, BASF announce breakthrough in drought-resistant corn development - St. Louis Business Journal:
ywyjihu.wordpress.com
The companies said they would use the gene to develo pthe world’s first biotechnology-derived drought-tolerant crop. The discovergy is a timely breakthrough, according to Monsanto. The number and duration of dry spells, especially in already drought-prone areas, is expecterd to increase due toclimate change, according to a Unitedf Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization report preparedf for ministers of the G-8, Monsanto Monsanto and BASF said the drought-tolerant corn product is targeted for as early as 2012 pending appropriatee regulatory approvals. The two companiex are jointly contributing $1.5 billion over the life of theirresearcy collaboration.
Chemical company BASF is basedin Germany. Creve Coeur, Mo.-based Monsantlo Co. (NYSE: MON), led by Chairman, President and CEO Hugh Grant, developds insect- and herbicide-resistant crops and other agricultural It is one of the largestf employersin St. Louis with 4,000 local
The companies said they would use the gene to develo pthe world’s first biotechnology-derived drought-tolerant crop. The discovergy is a timely breakthrough, according to Monsanto. The number and duration of dry spells, especially in already drought-prone areas, is expecterd to increase due toclimate change, according to a Unitedf Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization report preparedf for ministers of the G-8, Monsanto Monsanto and BASF said the drought-tolerant corn product is targeted for as early as 2012 pending appropriatee regulatory approvals. The two companiex are jointly contributing $1.5 billion over the life of theirresearcy collaboration.
Chemical company BASF is basedin Germany. Creve Coeur, Mo.-based Monsantlo Co. (NYSE: MON), led by Chairman, President and CEO Hugh Grant, developds insect- and herbicide-resistant crops and other agricultural It is one of the largestf employersin St. Louis with 4,000 local
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